Introduction:

India has systematically rolled out a PPP program for the delivery of high-priority public utilities and infrastructure and, over the last decade or so, developed what is perhaps one of the largest PPP Programs in the world. With close to 2000 PPP projects in various stages of implementation, according to the World Bank.  India is one of the leading countries in terms of readiness for PPPs.

As per 2018 Infrascope Report of the Economist Intelligence Unit, India ranks fourth in the overall ranking in Asia with first rank in Investment & Business Climate and second rank in Finance.

The Government of India (GoI), in FY 2019-20, undertook a first-of-its-kind and a whole-of-government exercise to lay the infrastructure vision for the country. Pursuant to which, the National Infrastructure Pipeline (‘NIP’), detailing the infrastructure vision for the country, was released in December 2019. NIP envisages investment of Rs. 111 lakh crores over five-year period (2020-25). With annual average investment of ~Rs. 22 lakh crore this is a significant step-up of ~2.5 times vis-à-vis historical levels. Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in infrastructure represent a valuable instrument to speed up infrastructure development in India and bridge the gap envisaged under NIP. Currently , there are 7600 projects under NIP.

www.pppinindia" www.pppinindia.gov.in has been developed by the PPP Cell, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) to provide key information related to PPP initiatives in India and to share PPP best practices for PPP practitioners whether in Government or the Private Sector. The website is a repository of Policy Documents, Government Guidelines, Model Documents, project Information, information on the Institutional Mechanisms for appraisal of PPP infrastructure projects, Schemes developed for financial support to PPP projects and Guidance Material and Reference Documents developed by the PPP Cell. There is another website www.infrastructureindia.gov.in, developed by the PPP Cell, which provides information on infrastructure projects implemented in India. Also https://indiainvestmentgrid.gov.in/ - India Investment Grid - an initiative of Government of India showcases investment opportunities across states and sectors in India on a single interactive platform.

About PPP Cell, DEA, Ministry of Finance:

The PPP Cell which was set up in 2006 in the DEA, acts as the Secretariat for Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC), Empowered Committee (EC), and Empowered Institution (EI) for the projects proposed for financial support through Viability Gap Fund (VGF). The PPP Cell is responsible for policy level matters concerning PPPs, including Policies, Schemes, programmes, Model Concession Agreements and Capacity Building. The PPP Cell is also responsible for matters and proposals relating to clearance by PPPAC, Scheme for Financial Support to PPPs in Infrastructure (VGF Scheme) and India Infrastructure Project Development Fund (IIPDF).

Name and Designation of Officers: