New Delhi, Oct. 23 -- The electronics and information technology ministry's proposal to include the recycling of rare earth materials in the government's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for rare-earth permanent magnets (REPMs), as reported, makes sense.

However, the ministry of heavy industries that is crafting the REPM scheme is reportedly reluctant, since raw material supplies are the concern of the mining ministry and it would eat into the outlay for the 6,000 tonnes of REPMs it wants made in India.

Globally, these special magnets have a seller's market right now, given China's grip on these as well as the mining, refining and supply of rare earths; Beijing has begun using its heft as a trade weapon in the form of export cla...