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The 58th annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) kicked off here on Thursday, with both industry and government seeking mutual support.
Abhay Firodia, President of SIAM, asked for speedy infrastructure development and better roads. He said encroachments on roads and highways should not be allowed as they are the main reasons for accidents and slow traffic.
Firodia said policies changed in ad hoc manner, create uncertainty in the industry. He called for a 10-year policy roadmap for the sector sustainability and growth. Vehicles are no more a luxury and are important for driving economy.
He requested the government to bring down multiplicity of authorities the sector has to deal with. He said incompatible and contradictory regulatory environment could ward off investments from the country. Vehicles are integrated, complex machinery and are manufactured with technical regulations which are globally compatible and follow international norms.
Anant Geete, Minister of Heavy Industries and Enterprises, said: “We are with the industry and will do whatever we can do to help the industry grow... SIAM and ACMA (Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India) are like a family, and my Ministry is the head of that family. Therefore, we will do whatever is right as the head.”
He also appreciated the automobile industry as the highest tax payer in the country, so ‘no fear’ should be there. On future technologies, Geete added, “We can discuss everything to go with time. As the technology grows, we ourselves have to be prepared in order to make environment-friendly products.”
New auto policy
Geete assured that the government would soon come out with a new auto policy. He explained that any policy shouldn’t be made in a hurry and that each and every aspects of the industry would be discussed and considered before finalising the policy.
“The new policy will be industry, consumer and environment-friendly. It is important for us to move on and change according to the times. If we don’t we will slip back. We are here to work and ensure growth of the industry,” he added
Meanwhile, the Executive Committee of the SIAM on Thursday elected Rajan Wadhera as its new President. He is the President – Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra.
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