NEW DELHI: The visits committee of the cabinet on Friday called 1993-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Sandeep Poundrik as secretary of the ministry of heavy markets, according to a main order.
Poundrik, an IAS officer of the Bihar cadre, has actually been provided service charge of the heavy markets ministry while continuing as secretary of the steel ministry.
Union minister HD Kumaraswamy holds both the steel and heavy markets portfolios, and Poundrik’s brand-new obligation implies he will now head both ministries at the secretary level.
Poundrik’s consultation comes at a time when essential jobs for the heavy markets ministry would be to make sure smooth extension of essential electrical movement plans such as the 25,938-crore production-linked reward plan for vehicles and automobile parts (PLI Auto) and the 11,900-crore PM E-Drive plan, while likewise guaranteeing that vital innovative chemistry cell tasks under the 18,100-crore PLI plan for sophisticated chemistry cells (PLI ACC) plan removes effectively.
The ministry likewise supervises operations at state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel), an essential engineering and facilities sector public business, that makes power generation devices, transport and train devices, defence and aerospace sector production, and tidy energy items.
The ministry is likewise accountable for running the 1,207 crore Scheme for Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector – Phase II, under which the federal government runs market accelerators and skilling programs to decrease spaces in research study and advancement in the capital products sector.
In November 2025, the heavy markets ministry likewise introduced a 7,280-crore reward plan to establish 5 uncommon earth magnet making plants in the nation, in the wake of an international unusual earth magnet scarcity triggered by Chinese export controls in retaliation to high United States tariffs.
Uncommon earth magnets are made from monazite deposits, of which India is the world’s 3rd biggest source. These magnets are made after processing monazite– China manages around 60% of the world’s unusual earth mining and 90% of the world’s unusual earth processing capability– and these magnets are utilized in vital production sectors such as defence, electronic devices, renewable resource, and vehicles consisting of cleaner electrical cars.
The PLI Auto and PLI ACC plans, in addition to the PM E-Drive and the uncommon earth magnet making plan, are important for advancing India’s development towards satisfying the nation’s target of ending up being a net-zero carbon emitter by 2070.
The federal government has actually supported the rollout of 1.1 million electrical lorries– 811,357 electrical two-wheelers, 2,168 e-rickshaws (L3 classification), 288,508 electrical three-wheelers (L5 classification), and 155 electrical trucks– under the PM E-Drive plan. The federal government has actually likewise approved 14,000 e-buses under the plan, through tenders provided by Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL).
Under the PLI Auto plan, the federal government has actually paid out 2,386.86 crore by the end of FY26, with the plan set to pay out rewards for making zero-emission cars till FY29. Presently, 8 car makers and 10 part makers are qualified to declare rewards under this plan.
The PLI ACC plan, which targets establishing of 50 GWh cell making capability in the nation, has actually seen hold-ups in capability development, with simply 1 GWh of the 40 GWh granted set up since March 2026. The federal government consequently modified Ola Electric’s timeline, enabling it to gain access to rewards for its 20 GWh capability through 2031. Dependence Industries, another recipient, has actually been assigned 15 GWh of capability.
The ministry did not extend the very same advantages to Bengaluru-based Rajesh Exports, which was granted 5 GWh of capability in 2022, pointing out claims of monetary misstatement including around 15 trillion levelled versus the business by market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India in June this year.
Another 10 GWh capability under the plan, allocated for grid-scale energy storage services, is yet to be granted. A tender for the very same was drifted in July.
About the Author
Manas Pimpalkhare
Manas is a New Delhi-based reporter with Mint, where he covers the crossway of financial policy, market, and emerging sectors forming India’s development. He composes on federal government policy, production, and the tidy energy shift, with specific depth in locations such as electrical movement, battery communities, and rare-earth supply chains. He has actually composed on India’s efforts to develop domestic capability in electrical lorries and energy storage, in addition to the wider push to lower import reliance and reinforce supply chain durability. His reports are not restricted to recording the heading; they likewise intend to discuss intricate policy just.<
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> Manas has actually studied law in Pune, the city where he matured, followed by an organization journalism diploma from the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai. In his nearly 2 years of being a reporter for Mint, Manas has actually reported as significant wars unfolded, a basic election brought surprises for both the ruling celebration and the Opposition, and 3 Union Budget statements where India has actually charted its financial course for the days to come.<
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> On getaway, Manas plays bass guitar with his pals in Space & & Co, their jam-rock band. He likewise likes felines, and events of late-night snacking.
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