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<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> is planning a <keyword id="22964001" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="repairability-index" source="keywords">repairability index</keyword> for <keyword id="20016418" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-phones" source="keywords">mobile phones</keyword> and electronic products to address the growing <keyword id="19932462" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="e-waste" source="keywords">e-waste</keyword> problem and encourage manufacturers to produce more easily repairable items, officials said on Thursday. The <keyword id="20026051" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Consumer-Affairs-Ministry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Consumer Affairs Ministry" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Consumer Affairs Ministry">Consumer Affairs Ministry</keyword> is spearheading the initiative, which will provide a score on key parameters to inform consumers about the ease with which a product can be repaired, the officials said at a national workshop on the issue. Addressing the workshop, <keyword id="20003684" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-affairs" source="keywords">Consumer Affairs</keyword> Secretary Nidhi Khare said: "As India emerges as the third largest economy in the world, we should have a vibrant and tech-savvy repair system." She also added, "India can become a repair hub for the world." The proposed index will be similar to initiatives in other countries, such as France's repairability index. It will rate products on criteria including availability of technical documents, ease of disassembly, spare parts availability and pricing. The workshop was aimed at establishing a consensus among industry stakeholders on "key parameters for accessing and evaluating repairability index" besides promoting longevity in product design, and democratizing repair information to enhance consumer experiences in reusing the mobile and <keyword id="19896834" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electronics" source="keywords">electronics</keyword> products they own. Additional Secretary Bharat Khera emphasized the need for transparent and affordable repair solutions, increased consumer awareness, and support for local repairers. Joint Secretary Anupam Mishra highlighted concerns about the lack of genuine spare parts in local markets, compatibility issues with product components, and the absence of information for consumers to repair their own devices. He also mentioned that the Repairability Index of France rates products on five criteria, while the EU has additional parameters. <keyword id="20032279" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="HCL-Technologies" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="HCL Technologies" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="HCL Technologies">HCL Technologies</keyword> Founder Ajai Chowdhry called for legislation to drive change. "Today, most products are not repairable. We need to design products which can be repaired.... Unless we create a law, things will not change," he said. The government has already launched a <keyword id="22964002" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Right-to-Repair-Portal" source="keywords">Right to Repair Portal</keyword>, with 63 companies onboard, including 23 from the mobile and electronics sector. India is the third largest electronic waste producer globally after China and the US. The initiative aims to reduce e-waste, promote <keyword id="20128078" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-practices" source="keywords">sustainable practices</keyword>, and create opportunities for third-party repairers in India's growing electronics market.

India plans repairability index for mobile, electronics to tackle e-waste

New Delhi: The <keyword id="19938513" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Department-of-Consumer-Affairs" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Department of Consumer Affairs" meta.hostid="268" meta.entityid="Department of Consumer Affairs">Department of Consumer Affairs</keyword> has constituted a committee of experts to recommend a robust framework for a <keyword id="22964001" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Repairability-Index" source="keywords">Repairability Index</keyword> aimed at empowering consumers and promoting <keyword id="20128078" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-practices" source="keywords">sustainable practices</keyword> within the tech industry. The committee, chaired by Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) Additional Secretary Bharat Khera, will develop the Repairability Index to provide consumers with greater transparency on repair information for their products and foster a more sustainable technology industry. The National Workshop on the Right to Repair in the <keyword id="20881182" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-and-electronics" source="keywords">Mobile and Electronics</keyword> Sector, convened on August 29, brought together industry stakeholders to establish a consensus on the framework for evaluating components for the Repairability Index, fostering longevity in product design and democratising access to repair information and spare parts. "The framework on Repairability Index aimed to provide consumers with essential information about product repairability besides seamless access to spare parts will enable informed purchasing decisions," the DoCA said in a statement. The committee, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and industry stakeholders, is expected to submit a comprehensive report on the Repairability Index framework by November 15. The key components of the proposed Repair Ecosystem include comprehensive repair information, accessible spare parts, affordable tools, modular product design and ensuring the economic feasibility of repairs for consumers. "By standardising the assessment of repairability, the index will create an ecosystem where consumers can easily compare products and choose options that align with the ethos of mindful consumption and sustainability," the DoCA statement said.

Government set to introduce Repairability Index for mobile, electronics products

India's economy is expected to grow at 7-7.2 per cent in the current fiscal year driven by robust economic fundamentals and continuity in domestic policy reforms, <keyword id="20006170" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Deloitte-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Deloitte India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Deloitte India">Deloitte India</keyword> said on Monday. The August update of <keyword id="19896400" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="deloitte" source="keywords">Deloitte</keyword>'s India Economic Outlook said several initiatives in the <keyword id="19908389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-budget" source="keywords">Union Budget</keyword> 2024-25 toward improving agriculture productivity, creating jobs for the youth, and in manufacturing and addressing the challenge of access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), would help improve supply-side demand, curb inflation, and prop up <keyword id="20139791" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-spending" source="keywords">consumer spending</keyword>, especially in rural areas. Deloitte India Economist Rumki Majumdar said, India will witness robust growth in the second half after a period of uncertainty in the first six months of the year. "Key contributing factors include the continuity in domestic policy reforms, reduced uncertainties in the US post-elections, and more synchronous global growth within a low inflation regime. "Additionally, improved global liquidity conditions, as central banks in the West ease their monetary policy stance, will enhance capital flows and drive higher investments, particularly in the private sector," Majumdar said. Observing that strong economic fundamentals would drive <keyword id="19972825" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GDP-growth" source="keywords">GDP growth</keyword> between 7 per cent and 7.2 per cent in FY25, the Economic Outlook report said effectively addressing the urban-rural consumer spending gaps, inflation, and employment concerns can significantly enhance the affordability of aspirational rural consumers. "The much-desirable policy pivot was evident in the Union Budget presented last month. Reducing the urban and rural spending gap in the coming years will ensure sustained consumer demand from a larger consumer base," it added. Deloitte India's growth projection is at par with that of RBI, which projected FY'25 growth at 7.2 per cent. It is higher than Finance Ministry's Economic Survey which estimated GDP expansion between 6.5-7 per cent. The <keyword id="19948184" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-economy" source="keywords">Indian economy</keyword> grew at 8.2 per cent in 2023-24 fiscal year. The report further said despite strong growth, private consumption spending has remained modest over the past five years. The pandemic, high global and domestic inflation, consequent tightening of financial conditions, and the effects of poor agriculture output on rural demand seem to have capped private consumption growth in India. But a Deloitte research showed that India is witnessing distinct and broad-based shifts in consumption patterns. There is a broad-based shift in the composition of consumption towards more non-food and discretionary items, reflecting changing lifestyles and preferences that are here to stay. According to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, spending on discretionary goods and services (including conveyance) has gone up both in rural and urban India, with the former quickly catching up in spending on discretionary durable goods (including automobiles, electric and electronic goods) with the latter in just one decade. "Demand for processed food has been among the highest in most states, suggesting a shift towards ready-to-eat options. Rapid urbanization, increasing women's participation in the workforce, and enhanced marketing and availability are driving these changing dietary habits," the report said. According to Deloitte research, if increasing income in states results in a relatively equitable distribution and higher rural spending, businesses can tap into a larger proportion of the state's population that resides in rural areas. This gives businesses access to a large consumer base and a sustainable consumer spending demand, as compared to states with a widening gap.

Indian economy likely to grow at 7-7.2 percent in FY25,Deloitte India says

Anticipation is steadily building for the Union Budget of 2024, which President Murmu has hinted could be “historic”. Stakeholders are optimistic about policies aimed at enhancing domestic production and fostering economic growth. Consumers, on the other hand, eagerly await the potential benefits coming their way—including ones from the upcoming <keyword id="12026484" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Railway-budget" source="Orion">Railway budget</keyword>. According to reports thus far, the Union Budget of 2024 is expected to place a significant emphasis on the Railway industry—one of the three cores of the Indian economy. This time, there is a strong expectation that the Railway budget will address various consumer-centric issues, including travel safety and overall experience quality. As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget on July 23, here are some key expectations for the Railway industry: <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Highest-ever allocation for Indian Railways budget" comment="subhead" text="Highest-ever allocation for Indian Railways budget">Highest-ever allocation for <keyword id="6355455" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Railways" source="Orion">Indian Railways</keyword> budget</cmsannotation> <keyword id="15478236" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget-2024" source="Orion">Budget 2024</keyword> is anticipated to heavily focus on several aspects of the railway sector. In the interim budget of 2024, the <keyword id="19905911" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Railways" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ministry of Railways" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Ministry of Railways">Ministry of Railways</keyword> was allocated Rs 2.55 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. However, the upcoming budget is expected to increase this allocation significantly, ET NOW reports. It could potentially reach Rs 3 lakh crore, marking the highest-ever allocation for this sector. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Increased focus on passenger safety and capacity" comment="subhead" text="Increased focus on passenger safety and capacity">Increased focus on passenger safety and capacity</cmsannotation> During the Lok Sabha elections, the <keyword id="6360676" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="railways" source="Orion">railways</keyword> ministry faced significant criticism for various safety incidents and overcrowding in general coaches. To address these issues, the ministry is expected to allocate substantial funds to prevent operational mishaps, expand rail capacity and reduce congestion, the Business Standard reports. The government is expected to focus on the implementation of Kavach, an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection System. Experts welcome the government’s emphasis on safety upgrades, particularly the network-wide implementation of train protection systems and the mechanisation of maintenance operations. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Enhancing passenger travel experience and quality" comment="subhead" text="Enhancing passenger travel experience and quality">Enhancing passenger travel experience and quality</cmsannotation> The budget is also anticipated to focus on improving facilities for passengers, modernising amenities and enhancing the overall quality of railway travel, as per Goodreturns. Capital expenditure will likely be directed towards upgrading coaches, with an initial plan to upgrade 40,000 bogies, and improving sanitation facilities. Passenger comfort and safety will continue to be priorities as the public increasingly values comfort over cost. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Possible reinstatement of Senior Citizen Railway Concession" comment="subhead" text="Possible reinstatement of Senior Citizen Railway Concession">Possible reinstatement of <keyword id="22455972" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Senior-Citizen-Railway-Concession" source="keywords">Senior Citizen Railway Concession</keyword></cmsannotation> There is growing anticipation about the potential reinstatement of the Senior Citizen Railway Concession during Budget 2024, according to Business Today. This move is seen as particularly significant ahead of the upcoming general elections later this year. In March 2020, the Indian Railways discontinued discounts on train fares for senior citizens and women, requiring them to pay full fares like other passengers. Previously, the Senior Citizen Railway Concession was available for all classes of mail and express trains. Reports and RTI inquiries have revealed that the withdrawal of these concessions led to significant additional revenue for the Railways. During the suspension period, the Indian Railways accrued Rs 5,062 crore from eight crore senior citizens, with Rs 2,242 crore resulting from the absence of concessions. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Prioritising infrastructure spending" comment="subhead" text="Prioritising infrastructure spending">Prioritising infrastructure spending</cmsannotation> The <keyword id="19935166" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget-2024" source="keywords">Union Budget 2024</keyword> is expected to prioritise infrastructure spending, the Goodreturns report adds. The focus is likely to be on rapid development and completion of tracks, rolling stock manufacturing and delivery of passenger freight services. Capital funds are likely to be allocated for expanding the metro network, NaMo Bharat corridors, Vande Bharat trains, high-speed corridors and economic corridors. Plans also include developing a high-speed rail network like the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route and allocating funds towards the Rapid Rail Transport System.

Union Budget 2024 for Railways: Expectations focused on improving passenger safety, experience, infrastructure

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="20138372" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lithuania" source="keywords">Lithuania</keyword> ranks as the <keyword id="23243125" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="happiest-place" source="keywords">happiest place</keyword> for those under 30, but it also has very high suicide rates.</li><li>On the surface, it seems like a paradox. But a closer look reveals a stark generational divide.</li></ul>Domantas Katelė, an official in Lithuania's Ministry of Social Security and Labour, is widely known as his country's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-sick-leave-pto-mental-health-work-from-home-2024-8">"Gen Z"</a> minister. Rings adorn Katelė's tattooed fingers, which he uses to proudly point to his "Politicians make me sick" door sign. At 25, he's the country's youngest-ever deputy minister (he still wears braces), and rarely lets visitors leave his office without taking a selfie. Katelė's portfolio includes <keyword id="20654323" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="youth-affairs" source="keywords">youth affairs</keyword>. "It's a golden age for the youth of Lithuania," he told Business Insider during a visit to Vilnius in August. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-lithuania-happiest-country-young-people-from-local-2024-6">The World Happiness Report</a> backs up his claim, ranking <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-lithuania-world-happiest-country-for-gen-z-millennials-education-2024-6">Lithuania as the happiest place in the world for those under 30</a> earlier this year. But it would be inaccurate to paint <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/brazil-lithuania-move-career-safety-progression-make-friends-2024-1">Lithuania</a> as some sort of dreamland, Katelė adds. After all, it's also Europe's <keyword id="23243126" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="suicide-capital" source="keywords">suicide capital</keyword>. <h2>A paradox?</h2>Though the suicide rates have declined since its independence from the Soviet Union in the 1990s, Lithuania still often leads the European Union in this grim statistic. Between 2019 and 2021, Lithuania had the highest rate of death by intentional self-harm in the 27-country bloc, and, according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.oecd.org/en/data/indicators/suicide-rates.html">OECD's most recent data</a>, it had the second-highest suicide rate globally. It seems paradoxical: How can <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vilnius-lithuania-happiest-gen-z-cheap-safe-fun-tech-hub-2024-9">a country be great for young people</a> while also being Europe's suicide capital? Katelė lists some of the reasons Lithuania is ranked so highly for young people — some of the<a target="_blank" href="https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/digpub/housing/bloc-2b.html"> most affordable housing</a> in Europe, free education for many Lithuanians, and a growing economy providing ample job opportunities. Walking the streets of Vilnius in the summer, you'll find stylish young people wherever you look — sipping Aperol Spritzes at Old Town bars, lounging by the river in the artsy Užupis district, or skateboarding at the Baltasis Tiltas Skate Park. <div type="image" title="Užupis waterway" height="4284" width="5712" msid="113488780" hostid="261"></div>Although the city is steeped in history — some very dark and recent — it feels modern and vibrant. But when you talk to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-men-women-leisure-spending-habits-differ-report-shows-2024-9">Gen Zers</a> in Lithuania about its preeminence, the reaction is often the same: disbelief. A few said it made them laugh. "I was very surprised, and my friends who are living in Vilnius were also surprised," said Adriana Doroškevičiūtė, 23, sipping on an iced coffee at a café in the capital. "I thought we were depressed," she added. "When we receive the opposite of that, you think, what is happening?" Richard Bogu, 23, was also shocked. It's not that he thinks Lithuania is a bad place for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/young-people-are-developing-money-dysmorphia-2024-7">young people</a>; just that, like others, he has come to associate the country with bleakness. "We are known for being very sad people," he said, adding: "But, slowly, we're going toward being a small, happy nation." <div type="image" title="Richard Bogu sits down at a coffee table" height="4284" width="5712" msid="113488790" hostid="261"></div>Bogu said he feels optimistic about the future, especially for people his age — the tech industry, in which he works, is booming, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2210828/average-wage-in-lithuania-up-12-sodra">salaries are rising</a>, and jobs are ample. "This country gave me opportunities," he said. A key benefit is that most Lithuanians can enter the workforce unburdened by <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/regret-paying-off-student-debt-instead-earning-passive-income-2024-7">student debt</a>, as university education is free for many. Wages are rising rapidly, and the expanding startup sector is <a target="_blank" href="https://unicorns.lt/en/news/lithuanian-startups-are-looking-hundreds-employees-not-just-it-specialists?ref=philomaths.tech">eager to hire</a> young talent. <h2>No country for old men</h2>But while things may be looking up for the younger generation, older Lithuanians don't seem to share the same optimism. According to <a target="_blank" href="https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_pw01__custom_12656014/default/table?lang=en">Eurostat's 2023 overall life satisfaction survey of those aged 65 years or over,</a> older Lithuanians are nowhere near as happy as the country's youth. This generational divide bears out in the <keyword id="21021432" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Happiness-Report" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Happiness Report" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="World Happiness Report">World Happiness Report</keyword>. While Lithuania ranked first for those under 30, it was 19th across all age groups, dragged down by its 44th-place ranking for those over 60. "If you don't have children or grandchildren to care for you, you're basically done," Bogu said. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/retirees-moving-social-security-cheaper-living-healthcare-canada-japan-mexico-2024-9#:~:text=Retirees%20are%20increasingly%20moving%20abroad,Canada%2C%20Mexico%2C%20and%20Japan.">Retirees</a> in Lithuania receive some of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.etk.fi/en/work-and-pensions-abroad/international-comparisons/pensioners-income-level-internationally/average-pensions-in-europe/">lowest pensions</a> in Europe, and have <a target="_blank" href="https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tespn060/default/table?lang=en&amp;category=t_ilc.t_ilc_ip.t_ilc_pn">among the lowest median relative income</a> of older people across the European Union. Data provided to BI by Lithuania's Ministry of Social Security and Labour shows that 62% of those who died by suicide in 2023 were over 50, with 8.7% under 30. It's a far starker divide than in countries like the US or UK, pointing to a chasm between the generations. <a target="_blank" href="mailto:grizas.antanas@gmail.com">Antanas Grižas</a>, a clinical psychologist specializing in suicide prevention in Lithuania, said the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-kid-baby-boomer-parents-generational-differences-parenting-lessons-2024-4">generational divide</a> is deeply felt in the country, as well as elsewhere in the former Soviet Bloc. He told BI that economic factors, such as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boomer-retirement-savings-social-security-pension-budgeting-2024-7">low retirement incomes</a>, certainly impact mental health, but that the historical context is key, too. <div type="image" title="A Soviet-era building with a sign reading &quot;Vilnius&quot; is seen in Vilnius, Lithuania on 28 July, 2024." height="684" width="1024" msid="113488788" hostid="261"></div>"The changes after the fall of the Soviet Union were very fast and drastic," he says. Those who lived through this period faced a double trauma: enduring Soviet rule and navigating the chaotic transition to an independent capitalist nation. Plus, as Grižas points out, psychiatry was sometimes politicized under <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vintage-photos-show-life-behind-the-iron-curtain">Soviet rule,</a> with dissidents being labeled as mentally ill, which has strengthened a generational <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-hays-mental-health-vc-what-if-ventures-addiction-2024-7">stigma over mental health.</a> "The <keyword id="19919711" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gen-Z" source="keywords">Gen Z</keyword>, haven't experienced that directly, " he noted. "So it makes total sense that they have different conditioning and a different mindset." Reports like the happiness rankings are also often based on self-assessments, and Grižas suggests that comparisons may play a key part in the variation between the generations. "The younger generation can easily compare and see the progress that we as a nation made," he said. <div type="image" title="Domantas Katelė in front of his office door" height="4284" width="5712" msid="113488778" hostid="261"></div>Katelė, the "Gen Z" minister, agrees that the positive self-assessments among the youth may have been influenced by their awareness of the hardships faced by their elders. While the previous generation was deprived of luxuries, he said Gen Z can relish the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-gen-z-feels-good-about-money-inflation-jobs-2024-6">freedom to spend</a> the equivalent of $160 on dinner, to vacation abroad, and to participate in democracy. "If they take a look and think about that," he said, "it's just not possible to not be happy." Correction: September 19, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated Domantas Katelė’s job title. He is a deputy minister, not a minister.

Lithuania is the world's happiest place for under 30s, but it's also Europe's suicide capital

The <keyword id="20163832" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="society-of-indian-automobile" source="keywords">Society of Indian Automobile</keyword> Manufacturers (<keyword id="108827" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="siam" source="Orion">SIAM</keyword>) and big auto players have hailed the Cabinet decision of PM e-DRIVE schemes aimed at promoting electric mobility across the country. The Rs 10,900 crore scheme will support 2,479,000 electric 2-wheelers, 316,000 electric 3-wheelers and 14,028 electric buses, along with 88,500 <keyword id="186291" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ev" source="Orion">EV</keyword> charging sites. Shailesh Chandra, President of SIAM and Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd &amp; Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, expressed strong support for the government's forward-thinking initiative. Chandra said, "This forward-thinking initiative reflects the Government's unwavering support for <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s transition to electric mobility, fostering innovation and investment within the sector. We believe this scheme will not only enhance the growth of the EV ecosystem but also strengthen India's leadership in the global movement towards environmental sustainability." Dr Anish Shah, Group CEO &amp; MD, Mahindra Group also commended government's efforts, specifically highlighting the comprehensive nature of the PM e-DRIVE scheme. Shah said, "We applause the government for launching the PM e-drive scheme. With continued focused support on 2Ws, 3Ws, e-buses and thoughtful addition of e-ambulances, the scheme will drive higher EV penetration in the country." M&amp;M noted that schemes like <keyword id="21028" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fame" source="Orion">FAME</keyword> and <keyword id="48070" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="emps" source="Orion">EMPS</keyword> have already driven penetration of electric three-wheelers in India. "Investments laid out for fast charging infrastructure for all segments will help in increasing consumer confidence for faster adoption of EVs. FAME and EMPS have helped in 20 per cent e-3W penetration in the country. With PM e-drive, we foresee India becoming the first country to achieve 100 per cent electrification in this segment by 2030", he added. The Union Cabinet, on Wednesday, cleared the 'PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM e-DRIVE) Scheme,' with a total outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over two years. It includes Rs 3,679 crore in subsidies and demand incentives for e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other emerging electric vehicles. It is expected to support the deployment of 24.79 lakh e-2Ws, 3.16 lakh e-3Ws, and 14,028 e-buses, providing a significant push to India's EV ecosystem. A critical aspect of the scheme is the introduction of e-vouchers for EV buyers. At the time of purchase, an Aadhaar-authenticated e-voucher will be generated, which will enable buyers to avail of demand incentives. Additionally, the scheme allocates Rs 500 crore for the deployment of e-ambulances, marking a new initiative to integrate electric vehicles into essential public services. Another Rs 4,391 crore has been earmarked for the procurement of 14,028 e-buses, with a demand aggregation process led by CESL in nine major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Intercity and interstate e-buses will also be supported in consultation with states. Furthermore, Rs 500 crore has been set aside to incentivize the adoption of e-trucks, a critical move given that trucks are one of the largest contributors to air pollution. The scheme encourages those with a scrapping certificate from <keyword id="19897457" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-road-transport" source="keywords">Ministry of Road Transport</keyword> and Highways-approved (MoRTH) vehicle scrapping centres to participate in this transition. With an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore, the scheme will support the installation of 22,100 fast chargers for four-wheelers, 1,800 fast chargers for e-buses, and 48,400 fast chargers for two- and three-wheelers. These chargers will be installed in cities with high EV penetration and along selected highways, making long-distance EV travel more viable.

Automobile industry hails PM e-DRIVE scheme to promote EVs

New Delhi [India], July 25 (ANI): The discussion on the <keyword id="6360189" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget" source="Orion">Union Budget</keyword> 2024-25, presented on July 23, will continue in both <keyword id="244400" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Houses-of-Parliament" source="Orion">Houses of Parliament</keyword> on Thursday. The discussion on <keyword id="6358021" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Budget" source="Orion">Budget</keyword> of <keyword id="17605" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jammu-and-kashmir" source="Orion">Jammu and Kashmir</keyword>, 2024-25, which was also presented on Tuesday, will also continue today. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Kirtivardhan Singh will lay papers on the table today. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar is likely to make a statement regarding status of implementation of recommendations and observations contained in the 250th report of the department-related parliamentary standing committee on Home Affairs on action taken by the government on the recommendations and observations contained in the 243rd report of the committee on demands for grants (2023-24) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. Both Houses of <keyword id="19895397" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Parliament" source="keywords">Parliament</keyword> took up discussion on the <keyword id="15626720" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-budget-2024" source="Orion">Union Budget 2024</keyword> on July 24, with opposition parties accusing it of being "discriminatory" to most states and lacking vision. The discussion was initiated by former Finance Minister and Congress MP P Chidambaram in Rajya Sabha and Congress MP Kumari Selja initiated the discussion in Lok Sabha. Raising four major challenges, Chidambaram said the most significant challenge is unemployment and data released by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) indicates that the unemployment rate for June 2024 is 9.2 per cent . Chidambaram emphasised that the primary challenge for the economy is creating sufficient employment opportunities. He pointed out that the budget's announcement of the employment-linked incentives (ELI) scheme suggests that the Production Linked Incentives (PLI) scheme is not generating the expected employment. He urged the finance minister to disclose the number of jobs created by the PLI scheme. Radha Mohan Das Aggarwal of the BJP highlighted the achievements made by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last ten years. He said the Jan Dhan Yojana has provided banking services to crores of people in the country. Biplab Kumar Deb of the BJP said the Economic Survey has estimated real GDP growth of 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent in 2024-25. He highlighted the provisions in the budget for various sections, including farmers and the education sector. Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee launched a strong attack on the Modi government, alleging that the Union Budget lacks clarity or vision, that it has been rolled out to satisfy the coalition partners of the BJP and that it "was planned by two individuals to keep another two in good faith." The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and, according to schedule, will end on August 12.

Discussions on Union Budget, Budget for Jammu and Kashmir to continue in Parliament today

<keyword id="19951168" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="RBI-governor-Shaktikanta-Das" source="keywords">RBI governor Shaktikanta Das</keyword> was awarded an A+ grade, the highest of the lot, for the second time in a row by the <keyword id="22855254" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Global-Finance-Magazine" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Global Finance Magazine" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Global Finance Magazine">Global Finance Magazine</keyword>'s <keyword id="22862849" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Central-Banker-Report-Card-2024" source="keywords">Central Banker Report Card 2024</keyword>. While the full list will be available in October, Das was ranked the highest, along with Denmark's Christian Kettel Thomsen and Switzerland's Thomas Jordan. Fed chairman Jerome Powell scored an A- on the list. Before Das, former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan had also made to this list in 2015, securing A grade. Taking to X, PM <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword> and <keyword id="19982618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anand-Mahindra" source="keywords">Anand Mahindra</keyword>, who heads Mahindra and Mahindra, congratulated Das, with the billionaire calling him "a <keyword id="21663281" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold-medalist" source="keywords">gold medalist</keyword> in central bank Olympics". <div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="narendramodi" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1826100085672857771"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="anandmahindra" handlename="anandmahindra" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1825919281957159052"></div> Brazil's Roberto Campos Neto, Chile's Rosanna Costa, Sri Lanka's Nandalal Weerasinghe and Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Hong received a A grade, while EU's Christine Lagarde, Cambodia's Chea Serey and Sweden's Erik Thedéen were amongst those receiving the A-grade. Since 1994, Global Finance has been grading the central bank governors of nearly 100 countries. They are rated at a scale of A+ (excellent) to F (failure) depending on their success across specific parameters such as inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability and interest rate management. <h2>Who is Shaktikanta Das? </h2>With a seasoned bureaucratic legacy of 35 years, Das is an IAS officer from the 1980 Tamil Nadu cadre. He graduated from St. Stephens College, Delhi with a degree in history, and was appointed as the 25th governor of the apex bank five years ago, on December 12th, 2018. Prior to assuming this position, Das had also served as secretary in the Department of Revenue and also, Economic Affairs under the <keyword id="19908390" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Finance" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ministry of Finance" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Ministry of Finance">Ministry of Finance</keyword>. He also served as the DM (district magistrate) for Dindigul and Kanchipuram. Having worked with 4 different finance ministers (Pranab Mukherjee, Arun Jaitley, P Chidambaram and Nirmala Sitharaman), Das had previously also been a member, 15th Finance Commission, along with being a G20 Sherpa in 2017. Das had been instrumental in preparation of India's last 8 union budgets, along with serving as India's alternate governor at various fora, like World Bank, Asian Development Bank, New Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and more. Das has several economic laurels to his name. From drafting the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code to executing tax devolution under GST for states and demonetisation, , Shaktikanta Das has played a crucial role in shaping India's overall economic health

Gold medalist in central bank Olympics-All you need to know about RBI governor Shaktikanta Das

The Defence Research &amp; Development Organisation (<keyword id="6355142" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="drdo" source="Orion">DRDO</keyword>) that was tasked with investigating into EV fire incidents by the <keyword id="2518729" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="union-road-transport" source="Orion">Union Road Transport</keyword> and Highways <keyword id="48413" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ministry" source="Orion">Ministry</keyword>, has found serious defects in the batteries, including designs of the battery packs and modules. According to sources in the know of the matter, these defects occur because the electric two-wheeler manufacturers like <keyword id="6077703" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="okinawa-autotech" source="Orion">Okinawa Autotech</keyword>, Pure EV, Jitendra Electric Vehicles, <keyword id="4393078" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ola-electric" source="Orion">Ola Electric</keyword> and <keyword id="12512499" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="boom-motors" source="Orion">Boom Motors</keyword> may have used "lower-grade materials to cut costs". The Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES) at the DRDO has submitted its fact-finding report to the Ministry, as first reported by Business Standard. According to the sources, the ministry has now summoned representatives of these EV manufacturers, asking them to submit an explanation on the DRDO report findings. Earlier this month, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), which comes under the <keyword id="2876140" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="union-consumer-affairs-ministry" source="Orion">Union Consumer Affairs Ministry</keyword>, sent notices to Pure EV and Boom Motors after their e-scooters exploded in April. The consumer watchdog is also examining more cases of e-scooter fires and will serve similar notices to other EV makers too. Pure EV and Boom Motors along with Ola Electric, Jitendra EV, and Okinawa Autotech, recalled faulty batches after the EV fire incidents were reported. The preliminary findings from the government-constituted probe committee on EV fires have already identified issues with battery cells or design in nearly all of the electric two-wheeler fire incidents in the country. The committee was constituted in the wake of EV fires and battery blasts in e-scooters. The experts found defects in battery cells as well as battery design in nearly all EV fires. The government is now working on new quality-centric guidelines for EVs that will be unveiled soon. At least 12 electric two-wheelers have exploded till now and several EV makers have recalled the faulty batches amid the growing pressure from the government. Update: Ola Electric has issued a statement saying it has not received any communication from the government in this matter. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/how-cyrus-poonawalla-became-one-of-the-worlds-richest-billionaires/articleshow/91763784.cms">The success story of Cyrus Poonawalla: The vaccine king who is one of the world’s richest billionaires</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/instagram-rolls-out-a-new-logo-typography-and-more-in-visual-refresh/articleshow/91761902.cms">Instagram rolls out a new logo, typography and more in visual refresh</a>

You Searched For "union consumer affairs ministry" and got 9 results

India plans repairability index for mobile, electronics to tackle e-waste

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Indian economy likely to grow at 7-7.2 percent in FY25,Deloitte India says

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Automobile industry hails PM e-DRIVE scheme to promote EVs

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Discussions on Union Budget, Budget for Jammu and Kashmir to continue in Parliament today

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Gold medalist in central bank Olympics-All you need to know about RBI governor Shaktikanta Das

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DRDO examines EV fire incidents, finds serious battery defects

IANS

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