opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Shortfall in Allocation of Wheat
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: BALABHADRA MAJHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 347

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 FEBRUARY, 2019

## SHORTFALL IN ALLOCATION OF WHEAT

## 347. SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  net  shortfall  allocation  of 29,639.003 MT wheat under NFSA during the period from November 2015 to February 2017 consequent upon recent revision of Central allocation for the State of Odisha, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  taking  necessary  steps  to  recoup  the shortfall  allocation  of  29,639.003  MT  wheat  under  NFSA  during  the  said period to the State of Odisha since the same has already been distributed to beneficiaries, if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  &  (b):  The  Government  of  Odisha  has  requested  for  release  of  shortfall allocation of 29,639.003 MT of wheat under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) from November, 2015 to February, 2017. This Department has been allocating foodgrains to the State Government of Odisha as per their demand. Odisha implemented NFSA w.e.f. November, 2015 and accordingly, as per the request of the State Government, the wheat-rice ratio within the overall  allocation  has  been  revised  from  time  to  time  as  per  beneficiaries identified by the State and their demand for change in ratio of wheat & rice. The  Government  of  Odisha  had  earlier  requested  for  release  of  shortfall allocation  of  99,960  MT  of  rice  from  November,  2015  to  February,  2017.  In order  to  recoup  this  shortfall,  a  revision  in  the  allocation  of  rice  with  an equivalent  reduction  in  the  allocation  of  wheat  within  the  total  foodgrains allocation to the State was done in June, 2018.  The State Government was informed that this was a onetime measure keeping in view that excess rice had already been distributed by the State Government to the beneficiaries and  that  in  future,  distribution  of  foodgrains  should  be  strictly  as  per  the stipulated allocation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 346 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: National Police Cadet Programme
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 346

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019/ MAGHA 16, 1940 (SAKA) NATIONAL POLICE CADET PROGRAMME

346. SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is true that the Government has launched a National Student Police Cadet Programme;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the aim of the said programme is to incorporate civic sense, social  responsibilities  and  inclusiveness  in  the  youth,  besides  solving problem of contemporary youth; and

(d) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a)  to  (d):      The  Student  Police  Cadet  (SPC)  Programme  was  launched nationally on the 21 st  of  July, 2018 at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Gurugram, by Union  Home  Minister.  The  programme  seeks  to  build  a  bridge  between Police and larger social community through school students by inculcating values and ethics in them through classes in schools and outside.

The  Union  Government  has  partnered  with  State  Governments  &  UT Administrations for this purpose. The State Governments/UT Administrations have been empowered to identify the Schools for implementation  of the Programme.  It  shall be first implemented  in Government schools in both urban and rural areas.

## L.S.US.Q NO. 346 FOR 05.02.2019

This  programme  seeks  to  cover  broadly  two  kinds  of  topics:    (i)  Crime prevention and control  and (ii) Values and ethics. Under the first part, the topics covered are - Community Policing, Road Safety, Fight against Social Evils,  Safety of Women & Children, Fight against Corruption and Disaster Management.  The  topics  covered  under  the  second  part  are  -  Values  & Ethics,  Respect  for  Elders,  Empathy  &  Sympathy,  Tolerance,  Patience, Attitude, Team Spirit and Discipline.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 345 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Marital Rape
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 345

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019/ MAGHA 16, 1940 (SAKA)

MARITAL RAPE

345. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  Supreme  Court  had criminalized  marital  rape  with  a  minor  bride  in  Independent  Thought  v. Union of India [W.P. (c) 382/2013] and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Court has held that the legislature must decide on the legal exception to marital rape, as the Court cannot legislate even if the 'law is asinine';

(c)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  introduce  legislation  to remove Exception 2 to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a): The Hon'ble Supreme  Court  in  its  Order  dated 11.10.2017  in Independent Thought v/s Union of India in W.P. (C) 382/2013 has held that Exception 2 to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code is now required to be meaningfully read as sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under eighteen years of age, is not rape.

(b) to (e): No  such  proposal  is  under  consideration  of  the  Government. However, amendments in the criminal laws are a continuous process and are made  in  consultation with various stakeholders including State Governments.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 344 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Unapproved Traits in BT Cotton Seeds
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, Shrirang Appa Barne, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.344

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 5 TH   FEBRUARY, 2019

## UNAPPROVED TRAITS IN BT  COTTON SEEDS

344.   SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO  RAUT: SHRI ADHALRAO  PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL: DR.  SHRIKANT  EKNATH SHINDE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  transgenic  herbicide/ glyphosate tolerant trait genes are used by several  BT cotton  seed  production companies, if so, the facts in this regard;
- (b) whether  the  production  of  BT cotton  seeds  with  unapproved  genes  is taking place in several States and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  had  set  up    Field    Inspection    and    Scientific  Evaluation Committee;
- (d) if  so,  whether  the  aforesaid committee  has  submitted  its  preliminary report to the Government;
- (e) if so, the findings thereof and the action taken thereon; and
- (f) if  not,  the  time  by  which  the aforesaid committee will submit its report?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  PARSHOTTAM  RUPALA)

- (a) & (b): Yes  Madam,  State  Government  of  Gujarat,  Andhra  Pradesh,  Telangana  & Maharashtra have  reported  some incidences of cultivation of unapproved  herbicide tolerant Bt. Cotton at farmers' field during the year 2017-18.
- (c): In  order  to  investigate  the  matter  of  production  of  BT  cotton  seeds  with  unapproved genes in the country 'Field Inspection and Scientific Evaluation Committee' (FISEC) has been constituted  by  Department  of  Biotechnology  (DBT),  Ministry  of  Science  and  Technology, Government of India.
- (d) to (f): As reported by Department of Biotechnology, the committee has submitted the report on 1 st June, 2018. The report says that  unapproved HT cotton was grown on an average in 15% area in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat,  Maharashtra and Telangana while 5% in Punjab during 2017-18 season. All major cotton growing states have been directed to take stringent measures to control and curb the spread of HT cotton.

State Governments have taken action like filing of FIR(s), seizure of stocks and issuance of show cause notices to the companies.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 339 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Closed Sugar Mills
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN, MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 339 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 FEBRUARY, 2019

## CLOSED SUGAR MILLS

339. SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN: SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether about 217 sugar mills are lying closed at present and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has made any efforts to start the said mills and if not, the reasons therefor along with the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof ?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a): During  current  sugar  season  2018-19,so  far  out  of  745  installed sugar mills, 510 sugar mills have commenced crushing operation. As the current sugar season 2018-19 lasts by September'2019, some of the sugar mills may still commence their crushing operation. However, during sugar season 2017-18, out of total 740 installed sugar mills in the country, 524 sugar mills have operated during 2017-18 sugar season (OctoberSeptember)  and  216  remained  closed.  Closure  of  the  sugar  mill  is normally attributable to non-availability of adequate sugarcane, uneconomic  size  of  plant,  lack  of  modernization,  high  cost  of  working capital, poor recovery from sugarcane, lack of professional management, overstaffing and lack of adequate irrigation in the catchment area of the sugar mill etc.
- (b) & (c): It is the responsibility of the entrepreneurs concerned to take steps to restart/re-open the closed sugar mills as far as private sector is concerned and State Government/UTs concerned in the case of the Public and Co-operative.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 337 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: New Metro Rail Policy
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: GOWDAR MALLIKARJUNAPPA SIDDESHWARA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 337

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 5, 2019

## NEW METRO RAIL POLICY

No. 337  SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWARA:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has rolled out a new metro rail policy recently and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the new policy has been made for the benefit of the private agencies and to reduce the Government budget and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is aware that the proposed metro rail policy would become detrimental to the future metro rail projects and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a) & (c) Government of India has issued the Metro Rail Policy, 2017 in August 2017, which focuses on systematic planning and implementation  of  metro  rail  systems  in  a  more  comprehensive  and sustainable  manner.  The  policy aims  at  ascertaining  and  enhancing the feasibility  of  metro  rail  projects  from  economic,  social  and environmental perspective. The policy is a guide to state governments for  preparing  comprehensive  proposals  for  metro  rail  projects. The policy  also  enables  innovative  financing  through  Transit  Oriented Development (TOD) and Value Capture Finance (VCF) and encourages Public Private Partnership for implementation of the metro rail projects.

(b) No Madam. As per Metro Rail Policy, 2017, a state government desirous  of  availing  central  financial  assistance  for  upcoming  metro rail  projects,  should  mandatorily  explore  the  possibility  of  having Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement  in some  form  for implementation,  operation  and  maintenance,  fare  collection  or  any other  unbundled  activities  of  the  proposed  metro  rail  project,  to  the extent  feasible.  This  will  help  in  leveraging  both  public  and  private resources,  expertise  and entrepreneurship  in  the  implementation  of metro rail projects.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 336 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Identity Cards for People in Border Districts
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: S. RAJENDRAN, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, SUDHEER GUPTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 336

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019/ MAGHA 16, 1940 (SAKA)

## IDENTITY CARDS FOR PEOPLE IN BORDER DISTRICTS

336.

SHRI S. RAJENDRAN:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to issue identity cards to Indians living in strategic border districts;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the aims and objectives thereto;
- (c) the estimated number of persons likely to be issued identity cards;
- (d) whether the Government has studied the feasibility of issuing identity cards to the Indian Citizens living in the border districts;
- (e) if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
- (f) the time by which the identity cards are likely to be issued ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (f):     'In-principal' approval for issuance of identity cards to all Indian citizens  living  in  all  the  border  districts  of  the  country  along  with  the approval for continuation of Border Area Development Programme (BADP) upto March, 2020 has been accorded and Registrar General of India (RGI) is entrusted with preparing a detailed scheme in this regard.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 334 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Revival of Auto Industry
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: T. RADHAKRISHNAN, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., S. RAJENDRAN, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, SUDHEER GUPTA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 334 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2019

## Revival of Auto Industry

## 334. SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI S. RAJENDRAN:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES & PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India's auto industry has become one of the largest in the world market;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  contribution  of  Auto  Industries  in  the  country's  GDP growth;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that the auto industry is severely affected by slowdown during the last three quarters;
- (d)  if  so,  whether  the  auto  industry  is  hit  by  liquidity  crisis  and  other  issues  affecting  the industry;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government to revive the auto industry?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES & PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

------------

- (a)  &  (b):    Yes,  the  Indian  Automobile  Industry  has  evolved  over  the  years  and  has successfully  grown  to  become  a  leading  automotive  industry  globally.  Auto  Industry  has become  largest  in  Two  wheelers  &  Three  wheelers,  4 th largest  in  Passenger  Vehicles,  2 nd largest  in  Heavy  Buses  and  7 th largest  in  Commercial  Vehicles.  The  automotive  industry contributes to approximately 7.1% to India's GDP.
- (c):  No,  the  auto  Industry's  production has increased by 11.34% during April to December 2018-19 as compared to April - December 2017-18.
- (d) to (f):   In view of reply at (c), these questions do not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 329 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Digital Payment System in PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: MEENAKASHI LEKHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 329

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 FEBRUARY, 2019

## DIGITAL PAYMENT SYSTEM IN PDS

## 329. SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether digital payment system has been successfully implemented in Public Distribution System (PDS) shops across the country;
- (b) the details of the number of shops and fertilizer depots which have been provided with Point of Sale machines; and
- (c) the details of the impact of introduction of digital payment mechanism in PDS shops?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c): To modernise the Fair Price Shops (FPSs) operations and to ensure transparent distribution of foodgrains to the beneficiaries, the Department in association with all States/UTs, as part of the End-to-End Computerization of PDS Operations scheme is also installing the electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices in all FPSs (except Chandigarh and Puducherry UTs) for authentication of beneficiaries and electronic capturing of sale transactions at FPSs.

Since these devices are able to perform Aadhaar based authentication of beneficiaries, the same devices can be leveraged to enable Aadhaar  based  digital/cashless  payments  at  the  FPSs,  with  the  help  of additional  software/application  integration  with  ePoS  application.  However, States/UTs have to upgrade the existing ePoS software/application to enable the digital/cashless transactions through ePoS devices.

As  per  reports  available  from  States/UTs,  out  of  nearly  5.33  Lakh FPSs in the country, about 3.88 Lakh FPSs have been automated using ePoS devices,  so  far.  However,  facility  for  digital/cashless  payments  have  been enabled  in  approx.  51,000  FPSs.  Further,  instructions  for  the  promotion  of digital/cashless transactions in all FPSs have been issued to all States/UTs. During  the  initial  period,  more  than  40  lakh  cashless  transactions  were recorded on monthly basis, which has now come down to less than 1 lakh monthly transactions. Additionally 2,22,806 fertilizer retail points across all States/UTs have been installed with PoS devices.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 328 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Innovative Technology in Automobile Industry
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 328 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2019

## Innovative Technology in Automobile Industry

## 328. SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES & PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that as the Indian automobile remanufacturing market becomes more competitive, the need for innovative technology is assuming greater importance and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  Indian  auto  manufacturers  require  the  latest  technology  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  help  the  auto  industry  to  acquire  the  latest technology and equipment to make India a truly global auto manufacturer/producer; and (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES & PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a): India is the 5 th largest car manufacturer, 7 th largest commercial vehicle manufacturer and largest manufacturer of two wheelers in the world.  Indian auto industry has embraced global automotive technologies in vehicle as well as auto component industry and consequently, uses innovative manufacturing processes which are more people oriented as compared to a high degree of automation which is prevalent elsewhere in the world.
- (b):  Yes  Madam,  in  view  of  the  rapidly  changing  product  technologies  in  the  automotive industry and  depleting  fossil fuel resources, its high  import  cost, related issues like environmental degradation and climate change, switching over from conventional IC engine based vehicles to new drive train technologies like electric, hybrid, fuel cells is need of the hour.  Thus, industry would need to develop technologies like Lithium ion Batteries, electric motors for automotive applications and battery management systems.
- (c)  &  (d):  Yes  Madam,  Government  has  rolled  out  National  Mission  on  Electric  Mobility, 2013 with the objective of developing electric mobility in Mission mode.  As a follow up, FAME Scheme was launched in 2015 for providing incentives to promote demand creation, establishment of EV ecosystem/infrastructure and development of technology through R&D. Second phase of this Scheme (FAME), envisages to give a boost to EV industry with several interventions on the demand and supply side, including R&D efforts.

Apart from this, the Department of Heavy Industry supports technological interventions for the  automobile  industry  from  time  to  time  through  grants  given  for  product  and  testing infrastructure  development  through  the  Development  Council  for  Automobile  and  allied Industries (DCAAI) funds.

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