Q. Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
The Atmanirbhar
Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Campaign) is an ambitious
initiative launched by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, on May 12,
2020, in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, to revive the Indian economy
and reduce dependence on foreign imports by encouraging domestic production and
consumption. The primary goal of the campaign is to build a strong, resilient
economy that is capable of sustaining itself by fostering innovation, improving
self-sufficiency in key sectors, and encouraging local industries to take
charge of the country’s economic future. The campaign is not merely about
economic growth; it also aims to enhance national security, create job
opportunities, empower the local workforce, and provide a long-term vision for
sustainable development. In this comprehensive exploration, we will discuss the
background, objectives, components, strategies, impact, and challenges
associated with the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
Background and Context
The roots of
Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan can be traced back to the urgent need for economic
reform and resilience in the face of unforeseen challenges like the COVID-19
pandemic. India, like many other countries, faced severe disruptions in its
economy, health systems, and social infrastructure due to the global health
crisis. The pandemic led to widespread lockdowns, shutting down manufacturing
units, halting exports, and significantly reducing economic activity. The
Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, recognized the
necessity of creating a framework for recovery that would not only help in
overcoming the immediate impacts of the crisis but would also prepare India for
future challenges by reducing its dependence on external sources for goods,
technology, and essential services.
India's economic
reliance on foreign imports, especially in sectors such as defense,
electronics, pharmaceuticals, and technology, made the country vulnerable to
global supply chain disruptions. The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan was designed to
address these vulnerabilities by focusing on self-reliance, indigenous
production, and the development of local industries. The initiative was
envisioned as a way to boost the Make in India program, which was launched
earlier to encourage domestic manufacturing. While Make in India focused on
increasing manufacturing output, Atmanirbhar Bharat took a broader approach by
incorporating multiple sectors and emphasizing the importance of local
innovation and entrepreneurship.
Key Objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat
Abhiyan
The main objectives
of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan are to strengthen India’s economy, ensure
self-sufficiency in crucial sectors, reduce dependence on foreign goods, and
promote inclusive growth. The key objectives include:
1.
Boosting
Domestic Manufacturing: One of the key aims of the initiative is to enhance
domestic manufacturing in various sectors like electronics, defense,
pharmaceuticals, textiles, and agriculture. The focus is on creating
world-class products within the country that can compete on the global stage. This
will not only create jobs but also help India become a major manufacturing hub.
2.
Encouraging
Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Atmanirbhar Bharat seeks to
promote innovation and entrepreneurship, especially among small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) and startups. By providing the necessary infrastructure and
financial support, the government aims to foster a culture of innovation and
self-reliance in local businesses. This also includes promoting research and
development (R&D) in critical sectors such as technology and biotechnology.
3.
Reducing
Import Dependence: A significant goal of the initiative is to reduce
India’s dependence on imports, particularly in areas where domestic
alternatives can be developed. The campaign aims to encourage local production
of essential goods like electronics, medical equipment, fertilizers, and
automotive parts, thereby making India less reliant on foreign countries for
these goods.
4.
Job
Creation: One of the most pressing concerns for India is
unemployment, especially in the post-pandemic economic scenario. The
Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan aims to create a significant number of jobs by
fostering a conducive environment for industries to flourish. The government
has identified sectors like construction, textiles, and agriculture for
generating employment opportunities.
5.
Strengthening
Infrastructure: The initiative aims to bolster India’s infrastructure
by encouraging investments in sectors like roads, highways, railways, and
energy. Stronger infrastructure would support economic growth and provide a
more resilient foundation for future development.
6.
Enhancing
National Security: By promoting domestic manufacturing of defense
equipment and other critical goods, Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan aims to enhance
India’s national security. Reducing dependence on foreign imports in strategic
sectors like defense is seen as a vital step toward ensuring the country’s
security and sovereignty.
Key Components of Atmanirbhar Bharat
Abhiyan
The Atmanirbhar
Bharat Abhiyan consists of several key components that collectively aim to
transform India into a self-reliant nation. These include financial stimulus
packages, policy reforms, and sector-specific initiatives designed to enhance
local manufacturing, ease of doing business, and technological advancements.
The campaign can be broken down into the following components:
1.
Financial
Stimulus Package: The government announced a substantial financial
stimulus package worth ₹20 lakh crore (approximately 10% of India’s GDP) in
response to the economic crisis triggered by the pandemic. This package
included direct financial support to individuals, businesses, and sectors
severely impacted by the pandemic. The stimulus aimed to provide relief to
farmers, workers, and small businesses, and included provisions for easy access
to credit, tax rebates, and other financial incentives.
2.
Reforms
in Key Sectors: A series of reforms were introduced under the
Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to improve the ease of doing business in India and
foster growth in critical sectors. For example, in agriculture, the government
passed new laws to liberalize the market, allowing farmers to sell their
produce freely across state borders and eliminating middlemen. These reforms
were designed to enhance the efficiency of the supply chain and provide better
income opportunities for farmers.
3.
Support
for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises): MSMEs are
considered the backbone of India’s economy, contributing to employment and
exports. The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan provided significant support to MSMEs
through initiatives such as collateral-free loans, support for technology
upgradation, and capacity-building programs. The aim was to make these
businesses more competitive and capable of meeting domestic demand and
expanding their presence in international markets.
4.
Incentive
Schemes for Manufacturing: To promote domestic manufacturing, the government
introduced several incentive schemes under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. For
example, the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme was launched to encourage
local manufacturing of electronics, textiles, and other critical goods. Under
this scheme, companies that set up manufacturing units in India are eligible
for financial incentives based on their production and sales.
5.
Promotion
of Digital India and Technology: The Atmanirbhar Bharat
Abhiyan recognizes the importance of digital technologies in fostering
self-reliance. The government has encouraged the development of indigenous
technology in areas like software, telecommunications, and digital platforms.
The Digital India initiative is being strengthened to ensure that the benefits
of technology reach all sections of society, including remote and rural areas.
6.
Infrastructure
Development: The government allocated a significant portion of the
financial stimulus package for infrastructure development, with an emphasis on
roads, railways, ports, and power generation. The aim is to create a robust
infrastructure backbone that can support industrial growth and foster economic
activities across the country.
7.
Skilling
and Employment Generation:
The government’s focus on skill
development is another key component of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Several
programs have been launched to upskill the workforce, particularly in sectors
such as technology, manufacturing, and healthcare. This will enable the youth
to take advantage of new employment opportunities created by the campaign and
contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Impact of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
The Atmanirbhar
Bharat Abhiyan has had a significant impact on various sectors of the Indian
economy. While it is still an ongoing process and the full benefits will be
realized in the long term, the following are some key outcomes of the
initiative so far:
1.
Increased
Domestic Production: There has been a noticeable increase in domestic
production, particularly in sectors such as electronics, textiles, and
pharmaceuticals. The PLI scheme has helped attract investment in manufacturing
and has encouraged the growth of indigenous production capacity.
2.
Growth
in Startups and Innovation: The campaign has provided a platform for startups and
innovators to thrive. With a focus on self-reliance, many new businesses have
emerged, particularly in technology, healthcare, and logistics. The
government’s support for innovation has led to the development of new products
and solutions to meet the needs of the domestic market.
3.
Job
Creation: The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan has contributed to job
creation, particularly in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and
agriculture. The government’s focus on skill development and entrepreneurship
has helped generate employment opportunities for a large segment of the
population, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
4.
Improved
Supply Chain Resilience: India has worked to reduce its dependency on global
supply chains, particularly for essential goods. The focus on local sourcing
and manufacturing has helped improve the resilience of India’s supply chains,
making them less susceptible to global disruptions.
5.
Boost
to Local Businesses: By promoting the "vocal for local"
campaign, the initiative has given a significant push to Indian businesses,
particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. These businesses have been
able to tap into new markets and take advantage of government incentives.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite its many
positive outcomes, the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan has faced certain challenges
and criticisms:
1.
Implementation
Gaps: While the government has introduced several reforms
and incentive schemes, their implementation has faced delays and challenges.
Some sectors have found it difficult to fully benefit from the initiatives due
to administrative bottlenecks and the complexity of the schemes.
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