Question : Lithium Batteries

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

(a) the quantum of lithium battery imported during the last three years and the current year;

(b) the details of expenditure incurred on the import of these batteries during the said period, State-wise including Rajasthan;

(c) the details of the measures being taken by the Government to cut the import thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to start any mission across the country in this regard;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the details of the estimated expenditure thereon?

(a) & (b): The quantity of lithium batteries imported and expenditure thereon during the financial years 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 (upto 30th Nov 2019) is 17,46,81,591 units valued at US$ 383.80 million, 313324427 valued at US$727.24 million, 712576757 valued at US$ 1254.94 million and 45,03,38,559 units valued at US$ 929.26 million, respectively.

(c) Development of lithium ion cells and battery technology has been taken up indigenously which has been successfully used for space applications.

(d) to (f): The Union Cabinet on 8th March 2019 approved setting up of a National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage in NITI Aayog to drive clean, connected, shared, sustainable and holistic mobility initiatives.

The Mission is supported by an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee chaired by CEO, NITI Aayog and comprising of the Secretaries of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Power, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Department of Heavy Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and Director General, Bureau of Industrial Standards.

No separate budget has been earmarked for the Mission.

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