Understanding Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan: India’s Path to Self-Reliance

The term Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India) represents a comprehensive post-pandemic initiative by the Government of India aimed at countering the adverse economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This program envisions making India capable of competing on a global scale across various sectors such as technology, agriculture, defense, and more. In this article, we will delve into the objectives, significance, and challenges of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan initiative.

What is Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan?

Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is a detailed plan initiated by India to reduce import dependency and enhance the quality and safety standards of domestically produced goods. The policy specifically aims to boost the competitiveness of 'Made in India' products in global market chains. The program is not just about economic stimulus but also encompasses bold reforms across different sectors.

Objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan

The policy aims to achieve several key objectives, including:

Promoting Made-in-India products Providing support to vulnerable sectors such as migrants, construction workers, and street vendors Injecting liquidity into adversely affected sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, automobile, housing, aviation, and more

These objectives are designed to revive the economy and ensure the growth and stability of various sectors post-pandemic.

Significance of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan

Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it provides a platform for turning a crisis into an opportunity. India has recently emerged as the highest producer and exporter of PPE kits and N-95 masks, showcasing its potential in manufacturing. Secondly, the policy includes significant reforms across different sectors, which are detailed below.

Labor Sector Reforms

National Floor Wage will address the disparity in minimum wages across the country. ESIC coverage will be extended to employees in hazardous industries, and a dedicated portal for migrant workers will be introduced. The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) code will be applied to all hazardous industries, enhancing worker safety.

Health Sector Reforms

New initiatives like setting up infectious diseases hospital blocks in all districts, a laboratory network, and surveillance through integrated public health labs will be implemented. The National Digital Health Mission will empower digital health care, while the PM eVIDYA program ensures accessible digital education.

Education Sector Reforms

Other major education initiatives include Manodarpan, a psychological support program for students, teachers, and families. The National Curriculum and Pedagogical Framework for school, along with the National Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission, will enhance the educational framework.

Agriculture Marketing Reforms

Agriculture marketing reforms include enabling farmers to sell agricultural produce only to licensed APMCs and boosting contract farming with a legal framework. Additionally, risk mitigation for farmers will be assured.

Defense Sector Reforms

Key reforms in the defense sector include commercial mining, incentivizing coal gasification and liquefaction, and expanding FDI limits from 49% to 74%. Ordnance Factory Board reforms and separate budget provisioning will also be implemented.

Airport and Aerospace Reforms

Strategic reforms in the aviation sector include developing world-class airports and enabling private participation in space activities. These reforms aim to harness technological advancements and improve infrastructure.

Challenges of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan

Despite its comprehensive nature, the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan comes with several challenges. These include:

A significant portion of the 20 lakh crore package consists of liquidity measures, necessitating transparent transmission of monetary policy. The imposed lockdown has reduced aggregate demand, and suitable investments are yet to materialize. The economic stimulus package accounts for 10% of India’s GDP, adding pressure to the fiscal deficit. Financing the package may be difficult due to the rupee's all-time low against the dollar.

Way Forward

To overcome these challenges, several steps should be taken:

Boost awareness about the importance of local products and promote them nationally. Implement infrastructure spending to revive the demand scenario. Implement reforms in a time-bound manner. Mobilize finance by considering the high foreign reserves.

Ultimately, Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan aims to make India economically stable and technologically superior. This initiative will contribute to creating an equitable society and achieving sustainable goals in the long term. India has the potential to be a key player in global development, making significant contributions to the progress of humanity.