A New India
Chapter 296 - 296: Establishing National Automobile Policy Commission

While India was celebrating the new Indo German agreement.

Prime minister suddenly called a meeting in urgency.

The meeting room in the Prime Minister's Office was abuzz with muted conversations as the cabinet assembled.

The sun barely pierced through Delhi's foggy morning, casting a hazy light on the gathering of ministers.

Cups of steaming tea sat next to stacks of documents, and the air was thick with anticipation.

At precisely 8:00 AM, Prime Minister Rohan entered.

The room fell silent. Harish Patel, the Finance Minister, leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

Across the table, Gopal Mehra from the Ministry of Industries shuffled his notes, visibly curious.

Neeraj stood quietly near the door, his notepad at the ready.

Rohan placed a thick file on the table and looked at the group, his sharp gaze sweeping over them.

"Good morning, everyone," he began, his voice steady but commanding. "Let's dive straight into it. Today, we discuss the future of India's automobile industry and the plan to transform it into a cornerstone of our economy."

Harish raised an eyebrow, his signature dry humor evident. "Sir, in the last few months we have done defense, education, health, and now automobiles? What's next? A mission to moon?"

Rohan smirked. "Not yet, Harish. But don't tempt me. For now, let's focus on something more immediate."

The room chuckled, the tension easing momentarily.

Even Neeraj allowed himself a rare smile before focusing again.

Rohan continued, his tone serious. "Gentlemen, you all know about the agreement we recently signed with Germany. It's more than just a symbolic gesture. The German government and their industries are committed to helping us modernize our industrial sectors, including automobiles. This partnership gives us a unique opportunity to leverage their expertise and technology while ensuring our independence in the long term."

Gopal leaned forward, intrigued. "Prime Minister, are you suggesting that we base this new automobile policy on German collaboration?"

"Partly," Rohan replied. "The agreement provides access to German expertise and technology, but it must be adapted to our needs. This isn't about replicating their success, it's about creating something uniquely Indian. The goal is to build an industry that serves our people, employs our workers, and strengthens our economy."

Harish folded his arms, skeptical. "Sir, let's be realistic. Setting up an automobile industry from scratch will cost billions. Training workers, building plants, importing technology it's going to strain an already tight budget."

Rohan met his gaze evenly. "Harish, you're right it will cost money. But every rupee spent now will save us ten in the future. Right now, 80% of our vehicles and components are imported. Every truck, every car, every bus we import is a drain on our resources. That has to change."

Neeraj spoke up. "Prime Minister, do you have a roadmap in mind for achieving this transformation?"

Rohan nodded, opening the file in front of him. "We need to establish the National Automobile Policy Commission. This commission will create a detailed plan to establish manufacturing hubs, develop a skilled workforce, and ensure that Indian companies not foreign giants dominate this industry."

The ministers exchanged glances. Gopal frowned slightly. "Prime Minister, forming a commission is fine, but these reports usually take months. Do we have that kind of time?"

"No," Rohan said firmly. "That's why I'm giving the commission one month no more, no less. The global automobile industry is moving forward at a rapid pace. If we don't act now, we'll be left behind."

Srinivasan from the Ministry of Labor raised a hand. "Prime Minister, the German agreement is promising, but how exactly will we use it to address our immediate challenges? For example, training a workforce capable of manufacturing vehicles?"

"Good question," Rohan replied. "The Germans have agreed to set up technical training programs and share their manufacturing processes. This will allow us to train Indian engineers and workers. Neeraj, I want a list of potential institutions that can partner with German experts by next week."

Neeraj nodded, jotting down notes. "Understood, sir."

"But it's not just about skills," Rohan continued. "It's about infrastructure too. Gati Shakti has given us a strong foundation roads, ports, railways. Now we need to build on that by creating Special Automobile Zones (SAZs) in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and West Bengal. These zones will co-locate manufacturers, suppliers, and R&D facilities to maximize efficiency."

Gopal raised a hand. "Prime Minister, while the German collaboration addresses the technological gap, what about domestic resource constraints? Steel, rubber, and other components are still heavily imported."

"We'll build that capacity," Rohan said, flipping to another section of his file. "Dedicated steel plants for automobile-grade materials will be established in Odisha and Jharkhand. Kerala and Tamil Nadu will expand rubber production for tires. And tax incentives will encourage small and medium enterprises to produce components like engines and electronics."

Harish groaned theatrically. "More subsidies, more incentives. At this rate, I'll have to build a printing press for the Finance Ministry."

Rohan's lips twitched in amusement. "Harish, you know what they say, no pain, no gain."

Gopal shifted in his seat. "Prime Minister, should we involve other foreign automakers beyond the Germans? Ford, Fiat, or General Motors, for instance?"

"Yes, but on our terms," Rohan replied. "Any foreign company entering India must do so through joint ventures with Indian firms. Localization targets will be mandatory 30% local sourcing within five years, increasing to 70% by 1970. And they must transfer technology and train Indian workers. We'll take what we need, but we won't let them dominate the market."

As the discussion gained momentum, Srinivasan raised another concern. "Prime Minister, automobile manufacturing touches multiple sectors labor, steel, infrastructure. How do we ensure all these pieces come together?"

"By creating an ecosystem," Rohan said. "This isn't just about cars it's about transforming our economy. The automobile industry will drive demand for steel, rubber, and skilled labor. It will create jobs in factories, supply chains, and even exports. This is the beginning of an industrial revolution, not just a sectoral reform."

Neeraj added, "It's clear that the Indo-German agreement is the catalyst for this transformation. But the execution depends entirely on us."

Rohan nodded. "Precisely. This is our opportunity to create something lasting an industry that doesn't just serve India but also exports to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. We're not just building cars; we're building a legacy."

As the meeting drew to a close, Rohan stood, his voice gaining intensity. "Gentlemen, we cannot afford half-measures. This isn't just about competing with the world, it's about leading. A decade from now, I want to see Indian cars on roads across the globe. And it starts today. Gopal, you will chair the commission. Deliver a report that lays the foundation for this industry within a month."

The ministers began to file out, their minds racing with the weight of the task ahead.

Harish lingered behind, his tone half-joking. "Prime Minister, you really know how to keep us on our toes."

Rohan smirked. "Harish, when have you ever known me to aim for anything less than the impossible?"

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Author

Guys please I am open for suggestions regarding automobile industry. It will be great help if you can suggest me something.

Or you can suggest me some good plot.