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MeitY Startup Hub, La French Tech Bengaluru announce tie-up
MeitY Startup Hub and La French Tech, Bengaluru, have launched the Indo-French Tech Programme to support Indo-French startup collaboration. It is also for facilitating a rapid convergence of the French and Indian startup eco-systems and establishing linkages between Indian and French incubators and startups. This programme is jointly supported by the Ministry of Electronics & IT of India, and the French Government, a joint statement said.
The Indo-French Tech Programme was launched on the occasion of the visit to India of French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian during a French Tech event at the Indian office of Meero, a French on-demand photography unicorn.
India to become major production hub for ACC batteries: ICEA
The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) has welcomed the Rs 18,100 crore (€2.1 Bn) Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme that has been approved for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage in the country. In a statement, ICEA that represents mobile and component manufacturers such as Apple, Motorola, Nokia, Foxconn, Wistron, Flextronics, Lava, Vivo and others, said that it would promote newer and niche cell technologies in the country. PLI scheme would give thrust to 'Make in India' initiative and will attract huge investments of Rs 45,000 crore (€5.2 Bn) plus in the coming years. With this push for ACC batteries, the sector would witness robust growth in the coming years.
Portal launched for filing complaints for alleged violation of public procurement order
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has launched an online portal to enable companies participating in government procurement to file complaints for alleged violation of the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, 2017.
According to an office memorandum of the DPIIT, stakeholders can lodge grievances for alleged violation of the order and the department can refer those to procuring entities/ministries/departments concerned through the portal on real-time basis for examination, necessary corrective action.
FAME-II Program Revised with Increased Incentives for Electric Two-Wheelers
The Department of Heavy Industries has announced partial amendments to the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase-II (FAME-II) program. Specific demand incentive for electric two-wheelers (E2W) of ?15,000 (~$205)/kWh has now been announced. Earlier, there was a uniform demand incentive of ?10000 ($137)/KWh for all vehicles. Also, the cap on incentive for E2W has been raised to 40% of the total cost of the vehicles. The cap earlier was 20% for all vehicles including E2W. Demand aggregation is identified as the key to bringing down the upfront cost of electric three-wheeler electrics, on par with the internal combustion engine vehicles for multiple user segments.