NEW DELHI, June 11: The colour television segment is expected to account for over 50 per cent of the total consumer electronic production by 2002, according to a report prepared by the Department of Electronics (DoE) on the Ninth Plan.

According to the report, the production of consumer electronics sector is expected to increase from Rs 7,200 crore in 1997-98 to Rs 17,000 crore by 2001-02. This sector is currently growing at the rate of 24 per cent. The report states that if the pattern of growth projected is achieved, the production in consumer electronic sector is expected to increase to Rs 50,000 crore by 2005-06. During the Eighth Plan, the production of consumer electronics increased from Rs 3,300 crore during 1992-93 to Rs 5,400 crore in 1995-96.

The report has made certain recommendations for enhancing the growth of this sector. It suggests that the excise duty on CTV which is presently at the level of 20 per cent ad valorem should be brought down for promoting CTV production. It also suggests the excise duty on 36 cm and below screen sized CTV sets should be 5 per cent, while CTV sets with screen size above 36 cm to 51 cm should be 10 per cent. For other the duty should be 20 per cent.Compact Disc players are poised for a major growth during the Ninth Plan. It is expected to grow from 1.5 lakh units in 1997-98 to seven lakh in 2001-02.The production of radio receivers has been stagnant during the Eight Plan. The report suggests that for promoting its growth changes in software in the broadcast sector would be required. It has suggested that a plan should be drawn out by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting for multi-channel radio coverage and improvement in software contents. It suggests that the privatisation of of radio channels may be considered in areas having high population density and where such private channel operators can commercially operate.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.