Commerce Ministry plans to put IPR policy before Cabinet in a month

NEW DELHI: Commerce and Industry Ministry plans to approach the Cabinet for approval on the national Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy within a month, a top official said today.

Asked when the IPR policy will be placed before the Cabinet for its nod, DIPP Secretary Amitabh Kant told PTI: "We are trying to push it (IPR policy) within a month's time."

Under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, DIPP (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion) had prepared and circulated the draft IPR policy and invited public comments last year.

Subsequently, the government took inputs for the policy from all concerned departments and stakeholders.

The National IPR Policy has been formulated with the mission to foster innovation, accelerate economic growth, employment and entrepreneurship, besides protecting public health, food security and environment, among other areas of socio-economic importance.

Besides, Kant said he expects the global economy to turn around in the coming months and India's exports to improve.

Contraction in exports continued for the 12th month in a row in November as the country's outbound shipments shrank 24.43 per cent to $20.01 billion amid a global demand slowdown.

On the Supreme Court's decision to ban registration of diesel-run SUVs and cars having engines beyond 2000 cc in Delhi and NCR from March 1, 2016 and its impact on the automobile sector, Kant pointed out that it will provide momentum to reduce emissions in the country.

"There is a need for predictability and consistency in policy. However, we have to balance manufacturing, sustainability and urbanization. Cities are essential but people need fresh air to breathe. Cities are made for people not cars," he added.