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Target to develop more than 4,372 cities as smart cities
Stating that the smart cities concept does not have a single dimension of focusing on just big or small cities, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has said that the target is to develop more than 4,372 cities as smart cities. “Our target is to develop our 4,372 cities, along with other cities, as smart cities. To make this happen, cities should use their land, resources, local people, and skills to move on different path,” he said at the virtual 4th Smart Cities Summit & 2nd Smart Urban Innovation Awards, organized by FICCI in the Capital. He said that the learning of one city chosen under 100 smart cities should be spread to other cities so that it becomes a light house.
Indian auto industry seeks government support for localisation of electronic components
Auto industry body SIAM sought government support for localisation of electronic components, specially semiconductors, which is currently facing a global shortage, stating it would need huge investments. The shortage of semiconductors globally due to a spike in demand from the consumer electronics industry during the COVID-19 lockdowns has impacted automobile manufacturers in India as well. Semiconductors have become a crucial part in modern cars with increased electronic components and connectivity features.
Battery storage, smart grid, energy efficiency firms raise $1.3 bn in Q1 2021: Report by Mercom Capital Group
Total corporate funding in battery energy storage came to $4.7 billion in 17 deals compared to $3.1 billion in 19 deals in Q4 2020. In the first quarter (Q1) of 2021, $1.3 billion was raised in venture capital funding by battery storage, smart grid, and energy efficiency companies, a 410% increase from the $252 million raised in the same quarter last year, according to a recent report. It added that total corporate funding in battery energy storage came to $4.7 billion in 17 deals compared to $3.1 billion in 19 deals in Q4 2020. “Funding was up significantly YoY compared to $244 million in nine deals in Q1 2020,” said consulting firm in its report .
MEITY invites applications for second round of large-scale electronics manufacturing under PLI scheme
The government has started inviting applications for the second round of large-scale electronics manufacturing under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme with focus on some electronic components like motherboards boards semiconductor devices, among others. The application window for the scheme has been opened till March 31 which may be further extended, as per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity).