AIIGMA @50: Gas sector calls for increasing domestic manufacturing for self-reliance

Hyderabad: Flagging new tariffs, the All India Industrial Gases Manufacturers Association (AIIGMA) has called for increasing domestic manufacturing to become self-reliant.

“It has become imperative for all of us to focus on manufacturing more within India… Our Prime Minister has been emphasizing the manufacturing of semiconductor chips within India. To produce these semiconductor chips, we need specialty gases with ultra-high purity, rare gases, etc., which are not available in India,” said Saket Tiku, President of AIIGMA.

He said the sector cannot ignore the implications of new tariffs on India.

Tiku was speaking at a regional seminar in Hyderabad to mark the 50th year of AIIGMA.

Industry leaders, regulators, and delegates from across the country examined how the gas sector can balance growth, compliance, and self-reliance while ensuring strict adherence to safety rules.

The one-day seminar, held at the Westin Mindspace, focused on the Gas Cylinder Rules 2016 and SMPV (Unfired) Rules 2016, drawing over 200 participants.

Looking Back at Crisis Lessons

Chief Guest V. K. Mishra, Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, PESO, Hyderabad Circle, used his keynote to reflect on the industry’s role during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Congratulations to AIIGMA on completion of 50 years, and during this period, AIIGMA has grown by leaps and bounds,” he said. “Some excellent work was done by the industry during the crisis, like COVID; however, we need to reflect on whether we had done our best or there was space to do better. Such introspection helps to handle future crises more efficiently.”

Mishra noted that liquid oxygen storage and cryogenic cylinder installation were two pressure points during the pandemic and urged the sector to prepare better for future emergencies. He also stressed “rigorous emphasis on identification of cylinders, periodic testing, and condemnation of unused cylinders” to uphold safety standards.

Push for Self-Reliance

While the regulatory voice stressed vigilance, industry representatives pointed to the challenges of global trade shifts and domestic manufacturing.

Tiku acknowledged that some gases would have to be imported until local demand reached viable levels. “Going forward, AIIGMA will be increasingly emphasizing Make in India products to become self-reliant. At the heart of this entire thing lies safety, which becomes non-negotiable,” he added

He also urged companies to send technical staff to AIIGMA’s subsidized training programs: “Benefit from them and avoid mishaps.”

Safety as Industry Culture

For Rajiv Guptha, General Secretary of AIIGMA, the seminar itself was proof of the industry’s priorities.

“Our gas industry carries a significant responsibility to ensure the highest standards of safety. Today’s seminar is a testament to that commitment. As we focus on the crucial Gas Cylinder Rules, 2016 and Assembly Rules, 2016, a thorough understanding and sincere adherence to these rules are not just regulatory requirements but are the foundation of our safety culture and a pledge to protect lives and property,” he said.

Entering the Sixth Decade

From its beginnings in 1975 as a small platform for manufacturers and suppliers, AIIGMA now represents a sector at the crossroads of healthcare, industry, and technology. As it enters its sixth decade, its leadership made clear that safety, compliance, and self-reliance would remain the cornerstones of its agenda.