Make In India: Centre allows monthly export of 50 lakh PPE suits

In a bid to boost the idea of Make In India exports, the Centre on Monday (June 29) announced the export of 50 lakh coronavirus personal protective equipment (PPE suits) every month.

Taking to Twitter, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, “Boosting Make in India exports, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) medical coveralls for COVID-19 have been allowed with a monthly export quota of 50 lakh.”

Boosting Make in India exports, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) medical coveralls for COVID-19 have been allowed with a monthly export quota of 50 lakh. pic.twitter.com/qpebJvqXuy

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) June 29, 2020

According to the Union Health Ministry, PPE overalls are gears specifically designed to protect the frontline healthcare workers from coming in contact with the novel coronavirus by minimising the exposure to a biological agent.

As per the notification shared by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, apart from hazmat suits, other constituents of a PPE kit such as goggles, face-shield, mask, gloves, head cover, and shoe cover remain prohibited for exports.

“A monthly quota of 50 lakh PPE medical Coverall for COVID-19 units has been fixed for the issuance of export licenses to the eligible applicants to export PPE medical coveralls for COVID-19 as per the criteria to be separately issued in a Trade notice,” the notification read.

Related news: Pay tribute to Ladakh martyrs by going local: Modi in ‘Mann Ki Baat’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, amid the coronavirus pandemic, called for a “self-reliant” or “Atma Nirbhar” India to boost the government’s Make In India initiative, launched in 2014.

In his Mann Ki Baat address on Sunday (June 28), the prime minister once again pitched for “vocal for local,” urging people to buy only the products which are made in India.

“If you buy local and become vocal for local, you are playing your role in making the country strong – this is also a type of service to the nation. Be it any profession, there is scope for service to the nation,” PM Modi said.

“People from all over India are writing, reiterating their support to the movement to make India self-reliant,” he added.