Why is it in the News

Recently, the Minister of State for Heavy Industries informed the Lok Sabha about SAMARTH Centres.

About SAMARTH Centres:

• The Smart Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hub (SAMARTH) centers are established under the Scheme for "Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector."
• These centers play a crucial role in assisting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by providing workforce training and raising awareness about Industry 4.0 technologies through:
  • Organizing seminars, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events on Industry 4.0.
  • Conducting training sessions to create awareness about Industry 4.0.
  • Offering consultancy services (including in areas such as IoT hardware, software development, and data analytics) and providing incubation support to start-ups, including MSMEs.

Key Highlights of the Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector Scheme:

• Initiated by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, this scheme aims to address technological obsolescence and improve access to quality industrial infrastructure and common facilities.
• Phase I of the scheme was launched in November 2014, focusing on skill development, infrastructure enhancement, and technology development in the Capital Goods Sector.
• Phase II, commenced on January 25, 2022, aims to amplify the impact created by Phase I by fostering a strong and globally competitive capital goods sector, contributing at least 25% to the manufacturing sector.

Components of the Scheme:

• Identification of Technologies through Technology Innovation Portals.
• Establishment of four New Advanced Centres of Excellence and augmentation of Existing Centres of Excellence.
• Promotion of skilling in the Capital Goods Sector, including the creation of qualification packages for skill levels 6 and above.
• Establishment of four Common Engineering Facility Centres (CEFCs) and augmentation of existing CEFCs.
• Augmentation of Existing Testing and Certification Centres.
• Establishment of ten Industry Accelerators for Technology Development.