Equipment Commissioning Subsidy (Water Audit)

The Equipment Commissioning Subsidy (Water Audit) sits within the Andhra Pradesh Textile, Apparel, and Garment (AP TAG) Policy 2024-29. Through this incentive, Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises in the textile sector are encouraged to take up water-efficient technologies and bring down their water utility costs. Water conservation matters greatly in industrial processes, particularly in water-intensive sectors such as textiles, and the Government of Andhra Pradesh therefore extends financial assistance to businesses that invest in equipment identified through a comprehensive water audit.

Enterprises that are newly setting up, as well as those carrying out expansion or diversification projects, can draw on this subsidy. Both new and established players are thus able to take part in the push towards environmental sustainability. By covering a substantial share of the capital expenditure on water-saving equipment, the policy lightens the financial load on enterprises, which in turn speeds up the uptake of greener technologies and supports the state's wider environmental objectives.

The scheme is structured to improve resource efficiency, bring down operational costs for businesses, and encourage a more sustainable industrial ecosystem across Andhra Pradesh's textile, apparel, and garment industries.

- **Review the guidelines**: Go through the Andhra Pradesh Textile, Apparel, and Garment Policy (AP TAG 4.0) guidelines in full to grasp the eligibility criteria and the application procedure for the Equipment Commissioning Subsidy (Water Audit). - **Carry out a water audit**: Appoint a qualified consultant to conduct a water audit of your enterprise. The audit should identify where water utility costs can be brought down and specify the equipment required. - **Purchase and commission the equipment**: Buy and install the water conservation equipment the audit recommends. Keep records of every expense. - **Assemble the application**: Gather all documents required, which usually comprise the water audit report, invoices for equipment purchase, commissioning certificates, enterprise registration details (MSME, etc.), and financial statements. - **File the application**: Send the complete application package to the designated authority within the Andhra Pradesh Industries Department, in line with the submission process set out in the AP TAG 4.0 policy. Submission may take place online through a portal or physically at a district industry centre. - **Verification and approval**: Authorities will verify the application and the documents supporting it. This may involve site visits to inspect the commissioned equipment. - **Disbursal of subsidy**: Once verification and approval are complete, the subsidy amount you are eligible for will be paid out to your enterprise.

Applications for the Equipment Commissioning Subsidy are assessed in stages, in keeping with the AP TAG 4.0 policy. An initial screening checks that each application is complete and meets the basic eligibility criteria. Where required, a technical committee or expert panel examines the water audit report and equipment specifications submitted, to establish how far they relate to water conservation and cost reduction. Designated officials may also carry out field inspections to verify that the equipment has been commissioned and is in working condition.

Approval rests with a high-level committee in the Andhra Pradesh Industries Department. Its decision draws on the verified information and depends on the funds available under the policy.