Government bans electric supplies and network devices from China and Pakistan

New delhi date. 05 July 2020, Sunday

The power ministry has imposed a complete ban on imports of power supply and network equipment from China. The ministry has imposed a complete ban on its imports from other countries citing security threats and cyber attacks. According to the ministry, the government's approval has to be sought before importing from the country included in the earlier reference list.

The list now includes Pakistan and China. So now government approval has to be sought for import of electric supply and network equipment from China and Pakistan.

The ministry said imported electrical supplies and network devices would be inspected to see if they contained spying software. At the same time, it is possible to know whether it meets the Indian standards. Presiding over a meeting with state energy ministers at a virtual conference here on Friday, Power Minister RK Singh said India imports electrical appliances worth Rs 71,000 crore, of which Rs 21,000 crore comes from China.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, which is connected to electrical appliances, has expressed concern that a cyber attack could take place if Chinese electrical appliances continue to enter the country. The country has a market of Rs 2.08 lakh crore for electrical appliances with imports of Rs 71,570 crore.