Handset makers seek PMO intervention to include mobile phones in essential goods

With mobile devices becoming your lifeline, or say the centre of almost every activity amid Covid-19 epidemic, handset companies have urged Prime minister Narendra modi to direct the ministry of Home affairs to include mobile handsets in the list of essential products. The ministry of Electronics and IT (meity) has already recommended inclusion of mobile phones and other related products in the “essential goods” category. “We request for your kind direction to the mha on this very important recommendation from the industry which is duly considered and approved by the Crisis management structure set up by you i.e. the Empowered Group of Technology and Data management,” said Pankaj mohindroo, Chairman, Indian Cellular and Electronics association (ICEA), in a letter dated april 21. ICEA represents Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, apple, Lava and contract manufactures like Foxconn and Wistron. “more than 200 million citizens at the bottom of the pyramid are devoid of access to mobile handsets,” mohindroo said in the letter.

ICEA said that the empowered group for Technology and Data management has already recommended that a clarification be issued regarding mobile phones to be included in the list of essential products. The recommendation was sent to the Home Secretary, Government of India on april 20, 2020. The meity, in its april 20 letter to Home Secretary ajay Kumar Bhalla, recommended inclusion of mobile devices in the essential goods category. “It is recommended to include electronics products needed for work from home and online learning viz. mobile phones and components thereof, desktops, laptops, tablets, CPES, servers, storage devices and enterprise network equipment in the category of essential good,” Electronics and IT Secretary ajay Sawhney said in the letter. ■