20/09/2022
PM launches National Logistics Policy
Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) established
Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi launched the National Logistics Policy (NLP) on September 17, 2022 at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.The policy aims at promoting the seamless movement of goods and enhancing the competitiveness of trade and industry. It focuses on areas such as process re-engineering, digitisation and multimodal transport. The policy aims to simplify logistics and bring down logistics cost to single digits from 14 per cent of GDP currently, said the Prime Minister.
Among the steps in the policy to reduce logistics cost and bring the sector on par with global benchmarks are setting up a Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), integration to digital systems, improving ease of logistics, and setting up System Improvement Group and Network Planning Group to improve coordination across relevant ministries. The Prime Minister especially highlighted the benefits of ULIP in his address.
ULIP will integrate seven ministries on one platform in order to provide logistics service providers, importers and exporters data on their cargo movement across the country and facilitate faster clearances.
He said the policy aims to expedite the last-mile delivery, helping businesses save time and money.
While the new policy addresses challenges of the logistics sector, it together with the infrastructure augmentation plan PM Gati Shakti will address gaps.
For Indian products to capture world markets, the country has to strengthen its support system. “National Logistics Policy helps in making the support system modern.”
The government, he said, is using technology to strengthen the logistics sector. Faceless assessment has started in Customs and e-way bills and FASTag are bringing efficiency to the logistics sector.
Talking about the drone policy, he said drones will improve the logistics sector.
He highlighted that capacity of ports has been increased and container vessel turnaround time has been cut to 26 hours from 44 hours previously.
The Sagarmala project, to connect ports and dedicated freight corridors, has started to improve logistics connectivity and systematic infrastructure development work, he said.
Under the policy, every state will have to set up a State Logistics Coordination Committee. The policy will also annually review the performance of each state though the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) index.
The policy has outlined measures to notably reduce transportation costs, warehousing costs, inventory costs and order processing/administration costs.
It is a comprehensive effort to address the issues of high cost and inefficiency by laying down an overarching interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral and multi-jurisdictional framework for the development of the entire logistics ecosystem.
The policy is an endeavour to improve the competitiveness of Indian goods, enhance economic growth and increase employment opportunities, it was emphasised.
There will be renewed optimism and expectations in trade and industry due to this policy, the PM stressed. Calling on all stakeholders to adopt and use the policy, he asserted: “Policy plus performance equals progress”.
Source: Exim News Service: New Delhi, Sept.18
