The commerce ministry has requested input from several ministries on its proposed national logistics policy, which aims to increase manufacturing efficiency and competitiveness by lowering logistical costs. According to a report, the proposed policy discusses creating national and state master plans for multimodal connectivity, formulating an overarching national logistics law, developing comprehensive standards for the industry, and creating IT applications to offer solutions like track and trace for trucks.
In addition, the policy suggests creating short-term training programmes to produce a skilled workforce and promoting green logistics businesses and infrastructure. It suggests expanding physical facilities and land customs stations as well as improving inter-agency communication to simplify inspection and testing in order to enhance logistics for international trade. One of the sources claimed that a strong logistics industry will contribute greatly to the nation’s long-term economic growth.
For approval of the policy, the ministry would go to the Cabinet. The administration had stated in the previous budget that it would create a national logistics policy. The decision was made at a time when rising logistical costs are affecting the ability of domestic goods to compete in the global market. The government wants to lower India’s highly fragmented logistics sector’s cost from its current 14per cent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) to less than 10 per cent by 2022.
An official statement says that the industry is extremely complicated, with more than 20 government agencies, 40 partner agencies, 37 councils for export promotion, 500 certifications, and 10,000 different commodities.
