opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 134 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Import of Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 134 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2022

## Import of Coal

## 134. SHRI A. RAJA:

## Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

(a) whether there is any shortage of coal in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is going to import coal from abroad to meet the domestic demand; and

(d) if so, the names of the countries and companies from where the coal is being imported to meet the domestic demand?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES

## (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a)  &  (b): There  is  no  shortage  of  coal  in  the  country.  Due  to  increased demand  of  power,  less  power  generation  by  imported  coal  based  power plants and some interruption in supply of coal due to heavy rains, the coal stock  at  the  power  plants  depleted  to  7.2  Million  Tonnes  (MT)  as  on  8th October,  2021.  Subsequently  with  increased  coal  supplies,  the  coal  stock has  started  increasing  and  has  now  reached  24.16  MT  as  on  26.01.2022 with respect to the plants based on domestic coal.

CIL has provided more coal during the current fiscal (up to 26 th  January'22) in comparison to last year same period. During April-January'22 (upto 26 th January'22), CIL has dispatched coal to the tune of 532.41 Million tonnes in comparison  to  last  year  same  period  figures  of  453.98  Million  tonnes achieving a growth of about 17%.

(c) & (d): As per the current import policy, coal is kept under Open General License (OGL) and consumers are free to import coal from the source of their choice as per their contractual prices on payment of applicable duty. In view of limited domestic production of coking coal, coking coal will continue to be imported for use by the steel sector. Thermal power based on domestic coal may use imported coal up to 10% for blending with domestic coal, where technically feasible, to meet the increased power demand in the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 132 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Lithium Project in AP
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar, Chinta Anuradha, Sanjeev Kumar Singari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 132

ANSWERED ON 02.02.2022

## LITHIUM PROJECT IN AP

132.   SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI: SHRIMATI CHINTA ANURADHA: DR. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  is  apprised  about  Geological  Survey  of  India(GSI)'s

- Lithium Project in Andhra Pradesh under the Field Survey Project 2021-22;
- (b) if so, the details of GSI's findings and the progress made so far under the project in Andhra Pradesh; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a)  to  (c):  Yes,  Sir.  Geological  Survey  of  India  (GSI)  has  taken  up  one  G4  Stage (reconnaissance survey) exploration project during Field Season 2021-22 to assess potential  of  Lithium  (Li)  in  parts  of  Parnapalle-Lopatanutula  area,  Anantapur  and Kadapa  districts,  Andhra  Pradesh  under  which  large  scale  mapping  along  with collection of soil, stream sediment and bedrock samples are undertaken.

Preliminary analytical results of few samples indicate presence of 18 to 322 ppm Li in rhyolitic tuff beds present within the dolomite having thin intercalations of siltstone.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 131 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Solar Monitoring System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Anurag Sharma, Rebati Tripura

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.131 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2022

## SOLAR MONITORING SYSTEM

131. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA: SHRI REBATI TRIPURA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether it  is  a  fact  that  North  Central  Railway  zone  has  become one  of  the  popular  railway  zones  by  setting  more  than  75%  of  its routes electrified, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  North  central  zone  has  started  using  solar  monitoring system  to  generate  solar  energy  during  last  year,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Railways  has  taken  any  steps  to  speed  up  the electrification work of railway lines, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Railways to encourage the use of clean fuel to  provide  safe,  secure,  faster  and  reliable  transportation  facilities across the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 131 BY SHRI ANURAG SHARMA AND SHRI REBATI  TRIPURA  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  02.02.2022 REGARDING SOLAR MONITORING SYSTEM (a)  Yes, Sir. Total routes of 2,923 Route Kilometer (90.72%) of Broad Gauge  network  of  North  Central  Railway  zone  have  been  electrified upto 31.12.2021. (b) To monitor and enhance the performance of Solar Energy generation,  North  Central  Railway  is  doing  focused  and  pin-pointed monitoring  of  solar  energy  generation  plant-cum-inverter  wise  and corrective actions are taken accordingly. (c)  To  complete  the  projects  in  time,  various  steps  have  been  taken which include among others award of large size Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts, better project monitoring mechanism, assured/committed funds through 'Extra Budgetary Resource' (Institutional Finance), decentralization of powers to field units etc. (d)  Various  steps  have  been  taken  by  Indian  Railways  like  100% electrification of broad gauge network, provision of solar & wind based power generation and blending of high speed diesel with Bio-diesel by 5%; to encourage the use of clean fuel to provide safe, secure, faster and reliable transportation facilities across the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 130 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Digital India Internship
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dulal Chandra Goswami

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 130

TO BE ANSWERED ON:  02.02.2022

## DIGITAL INDIA INTERNSHIP

## 130  SHRI DULAL CHAND GOSWAMI:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:-

- (a) the details of number of sectors that have been benefitted so far under the Digital India Internship Scheme of the Government;
- (b) the details of the  number of persons benefited by the above said scheme in the State of Bihar; and
- (c) the details of Digital India Internship Scheme across the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

- (a):  The  Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology  (MeitY)  is  implementing  the  Digital India Internship Scheme which is offered in various areas of Electronics and Information Technology such  as  Microelectronics,  Nanotechnology,  Quantum  Computing,  Cyber  Law/  IT  Act,  Digital Forensics,  Malware  Analysis,  Mobile  Governance,  Cloud  Security,  Digital  Literacy,  Language Technologies, Digital Payments,  Public Digital Platforms, etc.
- (b):  The scheme is offered in New Delhi and eligible students from all States/Union Territories can apply under the scheme.  There is no specific allocation of slots for any State/ Union Territory.
- (c):  The  Scheme  provides  an  opportunity  for  a  student  to  secure  first  hand  and  practical  work experience under the guidance of a qualified and experienced supervisor/mentor.  The scheme aims to benefit the student community at large and enrich the management/ implementation of the Ministry's various  schemes/  programmes.    The  Internship  Scheme  is  of  two-month  duration  (extendable  up  to three months) and offers 50 slots in each cycle.  A token remuneration of Rs. 10,000/- per month is also offered to the interns who successfully complete the internship.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 127 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Deaths of Elephants on Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Karti P. Chidambaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 127 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2022

## DEATHS OF ELEPHANTS ON TRACKS

127.  SHRI KARTI P. CHIDAMBARAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government is cognizant of the deficiencies in the provision of Elephant Passages in Indian Railways as presented in the CAG Report No.5 of 2021;
- (b) if so, whether the Railways has taken steps towards implementing  any  of  the  suggestions  detailed  by  the  CAG  in  the report  to  bridge  these  deficiencies  for  preventing  Elephant  deaths on rail tracks;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 127 BY SHRI KARTI P. CHIDAMBARAM TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  02.02.2022  REGARDING DEATHS OF ELEPHANTS ON TRACKS (a) to (d) Yes, Sir. Railways have already taken steps to prevent the deaths of elephant on railway tracks in line with recommendations made  in  Comptroller  and  Auditor  General  of  India  report  no.  5  of 2021. A Permanent Co-ordination Committee has been constituted between Ministry  of  Railways  and  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest and Climate Change for preventing elephant death in train accidents. Steps taken by Railways in coordination with Ministry of Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  to  prevent  accidental death of elephants due to train hits are as follows: (i) Imposition of speed restrictions in identified vulnerable locations. (ii) Providing signage boards at suitable points to alert train drivers about elephant presence. (iii)  Sensitization  of  Train  Crew  and  Station  Masters  on  a  regular basis. (iv) Clearing of vegetation along railway tracks to allow unhindered and clear view for train drivers. (v) Provision of fencing at selected locations. (vi)  Avoid  dumping  of  food  waste  along  railway  track  to  avoid unnecessary congregation of elephants and other wild animals near railway track. (vii) Installation of innovative Honey bee sound systems at locations, which are prone to crossing of elephants.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 125 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Saffron Bowl Project
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Vincent H Pala

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. U125

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2022

## SAFFORN BOWL PROJECT

125. SHRI VINCENT H. PALA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of extension of Saffron Bowl project to North Eastern Region (NER) by North East Centre for Technology Application & Reach (NECTAR);
- (b) the amount of funds allocated and sanctioned to Barapani (Meghalaya);
- (c)  whether  more  sites  have  been  identified  in  Meghalaya  under  the project;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY & EARTH SCIENCES (DR JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a)  North  East  Centre  for  Technology  Application  and  Reach  (NECTAR) under  Saffron  Bowl  project  has  identified  few  locations  in  Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya for saffron cultivation. In Arunachal Pradesh, there is  a  good  growth of organic saffron with flowers. In Meghalaya, sample plantations were grown at Cherrapunji, Mosmoi and Lalingtop sites.
- (b)  The total cost of the whole project is Rs. 17.68 lakhs for Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. Out of which, a tentative amount of Rs.6.00 lakhs has been earmarked for Barapani (Meghalaya) site.
- (c) & (d) The following sites have been identified in Meghalaya under the said project:
- i. Barapani,
- ii. Cherrapunji,
- iii. Mosmoi,
- iv. Shillong and
- v. Lalingtop.
- (e)  Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 123 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Battery Car at Thane Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 123 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2022

## BATTERY CAR AT THANE RAILWAY STATION

## †123. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to start battery car service at Thane Railway Station and Navi Mumbai Railway Station, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to construct Rest House for motorman  in  place  of  closed  old  toilet  on  platform  no.  10  of Thane  Railway  Station  and  as  this  place  is  being  misused  and warrants immediate action, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the setting up of new ticket counter at the vacant spot near Foot Over Bridge towards Mumbai at Thane Railway Station has been sanctioned;
- (d) if so, whether the work has been started as on date; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a): No Sir.  Out of all platforms available at Thane station, Mail and express trains are dealt on platforms 5/6 & 7/8 and sub-urban traffic is

dealt in other platforms which are congested and having high foot fall. Platforms  5/6  &  7/8  are  island  platforms  and  there  is  no  interconnectivity  between  platforms  through  ramps at  these  platforms. Therefore, movement of Battery Operated Car (BOC) from one platform to  another  is  not  possible.   As  regards  provision  of  BOC  at  Navi Mumbai  station,  this  station  is  a  Suburban  Grade  (SG)  category station. BOCs have not been provided due to congestion & high footfall and limitation of inter-connectivity between platforms through ramps. (b): No,  Sir.   At  present  there  is  no  plan  to  construct  rest  room  for Motormen at Platform No. 10 of Thane Railway Station.  However, air conditioned running room with all basic amenities has been provided for Motormen at Thane.  In addition, one rest room, between platform No. 9 & 10, is available for Motormen working on trans-harbour line. (c)  to  (e):  No,  Sir.   The  entire  area  is  planned  to  be  developed  for facilitating  Thane  Municipal  Corporation  work  of  Multi  Modal  Hub. However, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) are available on the Foot Over Bridge (FOB) for the convenience of the passengers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 119 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Domestic Automotive Industry
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 119. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2022.

## DOMESTIC AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

## 119.   SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

वाणिज्य

## एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the Covid pandemic, lockdown and various restrictions along with a multitude of headwinds, played spoilsport for the domestic automotive industry;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  any  stimulus  package  announced  for  the  automotive  industry  to recover from the worst position to come back to new normal;
- (d) whether  any  concessions  and  incentives  are  proposed  to  be  offered  to  the industry  in  view  of  the  slackening  demand  sentiment  in  the  two-wheeler category; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

Sir, the Automobile Industry has been affected in the last two years due to  Covid-19  pandemic. The production  and sales of Automobiles has also been impacted due to the lock-down and other restrictions imposed

- (a) & (b): to contain spread of Covid-19.

The sales of Automobiles has recovered at a fast rate post the second wave of the pandemic and as per SIAM, the sales figures for April, 2021 to November, 2021 have shown an increase of 26%, 65%, and 36% over the corresponding period of the previous year, in respect of Passenger vehicles, Commercial Vehicles and Three-wheelers, respectively.

- (c) to (e): Government of India  has notified a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme  for  the  Automobile  and  Auto  component  sector   and  a  PLI Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage manufacturing. FAME-II Scheme(Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II), which commenced on 1 st  April, 2019 for three years, was also further extended for two years upto 31 st  March 2024 covering electric buses, electric and hybrid four wheeler, electric three wheeler and electric two wheelers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 118 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Reservation in Government Jobs
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Nalin Kumar Kateel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 118

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2022)

## RESERVATION IN GOVERNMENT JOBS

## 118. SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  there  is  a  persistent  demand  from  various communities for reservation in Government jobs and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has taken note that such demands are taking place across the country and made to think on the existing reservation system of the Government after 70 years of Independence and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to ensure that all the poor people of the society would get the benefits of reservation and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  taking  adequate  necessary  steps  to  work  out  an  effective reservation policy for the welfare of all the weaker sections in all the categories of the society; and
- (e) if so, the details and response of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) to (e):   There have been demands from various Castes/Communities for their inclusion in the list  of  Scheduled  Castes  and  Central  list  of  Other  Backward  Classes.  However,  none  of  these demands exclusively pertain to reservation in Government jobs.

The existing policy for appointments in the Central Government provides for reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Economic Weaker Sections, Persons with Disabilities and Ex-servicemen. Reservation to the extent of 10% in services and posts  for  Economically  Weaker  Sections  (EWS)  has  been  provided,  vide  DoPT  OMs  dated 19.1.2019 and 31.1.2019 following the 103 rd  Constitution Amendment.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Partnership with Government Companies
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gopal Chinayya Shetty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 115 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2022

## PARTNERSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT COMPANIES

†115. SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to explore the possibilities of partnership/sharing its existing Rail Network with other Government companies;
- (b) if so, the details and the action plan prepared in this regard; and
- (c) the extent to which the Railways is likely to be benefitted by the said partnership?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (c):  Yes,  Sir.  Ministry  of  Railways  (MoR)  has  formulated  a Participative Policy-2012 for providing rail connectivity to Ports, Mines, cluster  of  industries  etc.  in  partnership  with  interested  stakeholders. Several  Coal  Companies,  Ports,  cluster  of  industries  etc.  have  come forward to participate under this policy.  State  Governments/Local bodies/Government  Companies/Public  Sector  Undertakings  (PSUs)  are also participating as stakeholder and investors for the development of new  lines/gauge  conversion  project  under  this  participative  policy  of MoR.  In  all  such  Projects,  train  operation  continues  to  remain  with Railway  to  ensure  seamless  operation.  The  projects  undertaken  under Participative Policy have been found to be quite successful in Railways, proving beneficial to all stakeholders like Ports, Coal Companies, cluster of industries and Associated State Governments, especially in providing last mile rail connectivity to many ports and industrial clusters. Till now, 14  such  projects  have  been  completed  and  10  projects  are  under implementation.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 112 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Investment in Startups
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Poonam (Mahajan) Vajendla Rao, Ramya  Haridas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 112. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2022.

## INVESTMENT IN STARTUPS

## 112.   SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN: MS. RAMYA HARIDAS:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

वाणिज्य

## एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the Union Government would set aside Rs.1000 crore for investment in Indian startups;
- (b) if so, the details on the manner in which entrepreneurs can access this fund;
- (c) whether there would be any specific criteria, with regard to sector, type and scale of business, for access to this fund;
- (d) whether it is a fact that the Union Government plans to keep track of the manner in which funds taken from this account are utilized by startups; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a) to (e): The Government does not invest directly in startups. Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) Scheme and Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) are operational to provide capital at various stages of business cycle of a startup.

Under the Fund of Funds for Startups Scheme (FFS), a corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore has been sanctioned, spread over 14th and 15th Finance Commission cycles. The Scheme is operated and managed by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). The Scheme does not directly provide financial assistance to startups, instead supports SEBIregistered  Alternative  Investment  Funds  (AIFs),  who  in  turn  invest money  in  growing  Indian  startups  through  equity  and  equity-linked instruments.

Under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), Rs. 945 crore has been sanctioned for period of 4 years starting from 2021-22. The funds are released to Startups through approved Incubators.

*****