8INDIAREVIEWJANUARY - 2025PLI SCHEME STRUGGLES WITH UNDERUTILIZED MOBILE MANUFACTURING CAPACITIESUp to half of the mobile phone manufacturing capacities developed since the government initiated its local manufacturing effort via the production-linked incentive scheme are currently underutilised or repurposed for other products due to low demand both globally and locally, according to industry leaders and market analysts.Utilization rates are elevated for manufacturers exporting in significant quantities and participating in the PLI scheme, while smaller companies focused primarily on the domestic market are converting a substantial portion of their assembly lines to produce items such as telecom devices and wearables, they noted. They noted that underutilisation has remained elevated since 2022, as the pent-up demand from post-Covid began to fade.As per Counterpoint Research, India's yearly mobile phone manufacturing capability exceeded 500 million units by the conclusion of 2024. This encompassed the ability to manufacture smartphones, feature phones, and tablets. The Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA) presents a more cautious estimate of 400-420 million units.However, approximately 250 million mobile phones are produced annually in India, as reported by Counterpoint and the industry association.Out of these, 200 million smartphones and feature phones cater to the domestic market, while the remainder, mainly iPhones, are sent abroad. The mobile phone production in India is mainly influenced by PLI-eligible manufacturers including Dixon Technologies, Samsung Electronics, Tata Electronics, and Hon Hai (Foxconn). Nonetheless, companies like Lava International, Karbonn, Bhagwati (Micromax), Bharat FIH, and UTL Neolync have fallen short of the production targets. IMRTELANGANA GOVT EMPOWERS WOMEN SHGS TO ESTABLISH SOLAR POWER FACILITIESTelangana Government has proposed producing 1,000 MW of solar energy by promoting women Self-Help Groups to establish solar power facilities. The state departments of energy and rural development have come to an agreement on this matter. On Wednesday, State Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and other ministers convened a meeting with district collectors and officials to review the plan, according to an official announcement. Vikramarka stated that the tenders for setting up the solar plants would be concluded shortly.He directed district collectors and other officials to locate land for the SHGs to establish the plants. He additionally proposed that they collaborate with banks to offer financial support to the SHGs in this regard. Noting that the Congress government intends to turn one crore women into crorepatis within five years, he mentioned that the government has been offering interest-free loans to them extensively. He stated that authorities ought to support SHGs in investing in different businesses with considerable returns.The deputy CM additionally directed officials to establish solar power facilities on extensive structures in urban areas such as Hyderabad, the announcement stated. He recommended that officials explore the installation of solar power facilities in the hilly regions of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts, which would additionally aid in safeguarding government lands where these facilities are set up. IMRTOP STORIES
< Page 7 | Page 9 >