The government said on Wednesday that telecom service providers have started providing 5G services in the country from October 1, 2022, and by last month 5G services have started in 50 cities. In a written reply to a question by Professor Saugata Roy in the Lok Sabha, Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that telecom service providers have informed that they are currently providing 5G services to their customers with 5 G-enabled devices at no extra cost. Vaishnav said that the Government of India had allocated 72,098 MHz (71 percent of the total spectrum) with a bid amount of Rs 1,50,173.29 crore.
Record procurement in the current year to stabilize onion prices
The government informed that to stabilize the prices of onion, a record purchase of 2.51 lakh metric tonnes was made for the buffer stock of the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) in the current year. To make onion available to retail consumers, onion has been offered at a concessional rate to the government/cooperative retail agencies. This information was given by Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question by Ramya Haridas in the Lok Sabha.
A total of 1.53 lakh metric tonnes of onions have been released from the buffer stock.
Goyal said that till November 30, 2022, a total of 1.53 lakh metric tonnes of onions have been issued from the buffer stock. The Union Minister informed that to control the prices of edible oils, the government reduced the basic duty on crude palm oil, crude soyabean oil, and crude sunflower oil from 2.5 percent to zero and cess on these oils to five percent. He informed me that the government has extended the free import of refined palm oil for a period up to December 31, 2022.
Export of broken rice increased by 33 percent to 2.4 million tonnes
Broken rice exports grew by 33.37 percent to 23.82 lakh tonnes during April-September of the current financial year as against 17.86 lakh tonnes in the same period a year ago. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel said that due to geo-political reasons, there has been a sudden increase in the demand for broken glass in the international market.
Exports increased three times during the last four years
Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister of State said that exports have increased three times during the last four years. It was 12.21 lakh tonnes in 2018-19, which has increased to 38.90 lakh tonnes in 2021-22. In terms of value, in 2018-19 where $ 369.8 million was exported, it increased to $ 1.13 billion in 2021-22. Broken rice is primarily used for ethanol production and as a pellet and animal feed.
84,102 entities recognized as startups
The government has recognized 84,102 entities as startups till November 30 this year. These startups are eligible to avail of several incentives including income tax benefits under the Startup India scheme launched in January 2016. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Prakash said that the recognized startups are spread across 56 sectors.
Startup India was launched on 16 January 2016
It is known that Startup India was launched by the government on 16 January 2016. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat top the list in terms of the number of startups. Responding to another question, Som Prakash said that till November 30 this year, Rs 7,527.95 crore has been sanctioned to alternative investment funds from the Rs 10,000 crore Fund of Funds scheme. Similarly, Rs 455.25 crore has been sanctioned to 126 incubators from the Rs 945 crore Startup India Seed Fund scheme, of which Rs 186.15 crore has been disbursed till November.
The merger of banks helped in making a strong bank
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Somprakash said that the merger of public sector banks has not only improved customer service but also helped in making the banks financially sound. Answering a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister of State said that the purpose of the merger of banks is to create a strong and competitive bank. He said that the merger of the banks has made it easier for the customers of the bank to reach the branches. They have also found it easier to find ATMs near them. With the merger, the banks have emerged stronger in lending. Omprakash was replying to a question about whether the merger of public sector banks has made functioning easier.
38 million tonnes of coal was imported
The power sector imported 38 million tonnes of coal in April-October. Import of coal by the power sector has increased during the current financial year 2022-23. In the first seven months of the current financial year alone, 38 million tonnes of coal was imported as against the total import of 27 million tonnes by the power sector in the entire year 2021-22. Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha that most of the imports were for domestic coal-based plants. As per the extant import policy, coal can be imported under a general license. The Center does not interfere in this matter.
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