EUROPE | OCTOBER 2021| ISSUE 09 | Govt earmarks Rs 22,500 crore (€2.6 billion) for smart pre-paid meters under new discom scheme

Message From SESEI

Greeting from Project SESEI!!!
Dear Readers,

A very warm welcome to the ninth edition of the “SESEI newsletter - Europe”. The main objective of the SESEI newsletters is to bring select updates on the activities, new initiatives and market development information from India concerning project priority sectors. The EU - India strategic alliance & collaboration is gaining importance and momentum as witnessed in the recently held engagements and it is our endeavour to bring value to our stakeholders by providing them relevant information, updates, and insights from India.

First, I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and extend sincere thanks to all of you for your kind participation to our SESEI IV Survey and providing valuable insight. The results collected from the survey have helped validated the needs, effectiveness, and support this project SESEI has provided to its stakeholders and to the overall project objectives. The survey data not only substantiates the synergies generated between Indian and European standardisation community but also helped in getting interesting insights and feedback such as how they think the project has benefited them, what more they desire further, appreciation for the contributions made by the project expert and their desire for the collaboration to continue between India and EU.

This newsletter carries updates from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) covering release of guidance document on Quality Control Order (QCO) for products where use of Standard Mark under a Licence or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is mandatory, and which explains various requirements specified in QCOs for better understanding towards implementation by the stakeholders. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Consumer Affairs) have sought public comments/suggestions on draft Consume Protection (Direct selling) Rules, 2021. As per the draft rules, direct selling companies must register themselves under relevant Indian laws and with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for allotment of a registration number.

Another interesting development is around the India’s Urban Data Exchange (IUDX), an open-source data exchange platform for Indian Smart Cities, which has decided to adopt BIS standards for this Unified Data Exchange. In doing so, IUDX has become the first software platform in the country to fully adhere to the Architecture and API Specifications set by the standards’ body for data exchange platforms. The Unified Data Exchange standard – IS 18003, is part of a series of 10 indigenous standards developed by BIS Smart Infrastructural Sectional Committee (LITD 28) for Indian Smart Cities to ensure a secure and sustainable digital infrastructure and to facilitate the implementation of various smart city projects. The foundational standard for this series is IS18000 Unified Digital Infrastructure – ICT Reference Architecture (UDI-ICTRA) and Unified Data Exchange Part 2 API specifications (IS 18003: Part 2: 2021) includes NGSI-LD (ETSI CIM). The commerce ministry said it unveiled plans for freight smart cities to improve urban freight efficiency and create an opportunity for reduction in the logistics costs.

For those interested in the Mobility, EV Charging guidelines and handbook is developed and released Jointly by the NITI Aayog, the Power Ministry, the Department of Science and Technology, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, and the World Resources Institute, India. The handbook provides a systematic and a holistic approach for adoption by implementing authorities and other stakeholders involved in planning, authorisation and execution of electric vehicles charging infrastructure. Niti Aayog (Govt. Think Tank) have also released reports on Fundamentals of Electric Vehicle Charging Technology and its Grid Integration and International Review on Integration of Electric Vehicles charging infrastructure with distribution grid. The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has also indigenously developed charger for electric vehicles considering the need to boost up the charging mechanism of electric vehicles in the country. Govt of India have released a Voluntary Vehicle-Fleet Modernization Program (VVMP), also known as the Vehicle Scrapping Policy, and notified Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for automobile and auto components.

In the ICT sector, India is being touted as one of the four leading markets for 5G devices, even though the spectrum auction for 5G is yet to begin in India. Top trade and technology bodies from the US and UK have told the Indian government to adopt the 5G standards that have been recommended by the 3GPP. Similarly, India has reported the highest increase in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at 45%, as compared to other major economies (the US at 35%, the UK at 23 % and Japan at 28 %). IT services and technology sectors contribute to more than 60% of the AI market, followed by Banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), engineering and retail. An ambitious incentive scheme worth up to Rs 12,000 crore (€1.4 billion) is in the works to encourage companies to set up data centres in the country. Telecom department's apex body the Digital Communications Commission (DCC) has cleared a provision of using satellite connectivity in telecom networks to provide services in remote areas where it is difficult to lay optical fibre network.

I would also encourage you to download and read the report prepared by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) on making India a $1 trillion digital economy over the next few years. The report elaborates on the initiative for making India the largest connected nation in the world, bringing coherence into digital governance, simplifying rules and legislations for technology and social media companies, and focusing on building India’s high-tech prowess. Govt has also earmarked Rs 22,500 crore (€2.6 billion) for smart pre-paid meters under new discom scheme.

For those interested in the circular economy (CE) and resource efficiency (RE), the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has formulated policy paper on circular economy to deal with E-Waste. This policy paper will resonate with many of you actively engaged in the CE/RE related activities. Govt. is also exploring the possibility of Hydrogen Fuel Cells to be used as fuel for the future of the country and made clean energy commitments at UN summit India.

We encourage our stakeholders to make optimal use of this SESEI Newsletter and get required information on sector of your interest. The newsletter also comprises updates around Manufacturing/Make in India, R&D and Innovation, EU-India/Trade-FTA/Investments and of upcoming important events/ seminars, workshops and the detailed annexure covering draft standards as being formulated by the standardization bodies.

Hope you will find this Newsletter informative. Happy Reading!!!!

Warm regards,
Dinesh Chand Sharma (Seconded European Standardization Expert in India)
Director – Standards & Public Policy
Mobile: +91 9810079461, Desk: +91 11 3352 1525
E-mail: dinesh.chand.sharma@sesei.eu