Q. Recently, India's first 'National Investment and Manufacturing Zone' was proposed to be set up in (UPSC Prelims 2016)
Answer:
Andhra Pradesh
Notes: The correct answer is
[A] Andhra Pradesh.
In 2015, the Government of India gave final approval to the country’s first National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) in the
Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh.
- National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs): These are a key instrument of the National Manufacturing Policy (NMP), 2011. Unlike Special Economic Zones (SEZs) which are export-oriented, NIMZs are large integrated industrial townships (minimum 5,000 hectares) aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and job creation.
- Andhra Pradesh (Correct): The state was the first to receive final approval after assuring the Centre of the availability of land in one place. Specifically, the zone was proposed to span over 10 sq km in the Kanigiri revenue division of Prakasam district.
- Other States (Incorrect): While Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh are major industrial hubs and part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)—which also features several proposed NIMZs—none of them hosted the very first zone to receive the final go-ahead under this specific policy framework at the time of the question.
- Objectives: NIMZs aim to increase the share of manufacturing in India’s GDP to 25% and create 100 million jobs. They provide a "single window" clearance system and world-class infrastructure to attract both domestic and foreign investment