Statement

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that Rs. 10,000 crore Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 has been announced to mobilise venture capital for deep-tech, technology-driven manufacturing and early-growth startups and the role envisaged for Mumbai as a national startup and financial hub in its implementation; (b) the details and number of startups from Mumbai and Maharashtra that have received or are proposed to receive support under the Fund, sector-wise; (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to leverage Mumbai’s financial ecosystem, incubators and accelerators to expand access to venture capital for startups across Maharashtra; (d) the measures being taken by the Government to extend mentoring, handholding and investor outreach from Mumbai to startups in non- metro districts; and (e) the future roadmap to strengthen Mumbai’s role as a gateway for inclusive, regionally balanced startup financing in Maharashtra? 17.03.2026 82 THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL): (a) The Union Cabinet has recently approved the establishment of the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (Startup India FoF 2.0) with a total corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore. The Scheme is designed to accelerate the next phase of India’s startup journey by mobilising long-term domestic capital, strengthening the venture capital ecosystem, and supporting innovation across the country. The new fund will adopt a targeted and segmented funding approach, with a focus on deep-tech, technology-driven innovative manufacturing, and early-growth innovative ideas, thereby catalysing venture capital investments in emerging sectors across India, including Maharashtra. Cities with established financial and venture capital ecosystems, such as Mumbai, play an important role in facilitating the mobilisation of venture capital and strengthening the broader startup investment ecosystem. The Scheme builds upon the experience and performance of the Fund of Funds for Startups Scheme (FFS 1.0) implemented under the Startup India initiative. Under FFS 1.0, the Government provides capital to SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) through the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), which in turn invests in startups across sectors and stages. As on 31st January 2026, Rs. 6,801.95 crore has been committed to 80 AIFs supported under the Scheme from the State of Maharashtra. This includes 78 AIFs from the city of Mumbai that have been committed with Rs. 6,756.95 crore under the Scheme. 17.03.2026 83 (b) In the State of Maharashtra, supported AIFs under the FFS 1.0 have invested Rs. 6,025.25 crore in 276 startups as on 31st January 2026. Particularly in Mumbai city, Rs. 4,697.3 crore has been invested in 231 startups by AIFs supported under the Scheme. The sector-wise details of startups supported by AIFs under the FFS, in Mumbai city are given in the enclosed Statement-I. In addition to FFS, recognised startups from Mumbai have availed funding and incubation support through other flagship funding schemes under the Startup India initiative viz. Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS). Under the SISFS, supported incubators have approved Rs. 27.56 crore to 152 startups from Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban districts. Under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), in Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban districts, 11 loans amounting to Rs. 42.9 crore have been guaranteed to startup borrowers. (c) to (e) Under the Startup India initiative, the Government unveiled an action plan for startups comprising of schemes and incentives envisaged to create a vibrant startup ecosystem in the country. The Action Plan comprises of 19 action items spanning across areas such as “Simplification and handholding”, “Funding support and incentives” and “Industry-academia partnership and incubation”. The Government also implements periodic exercises and programs including States’ Startup Ranking, National Startup Awards, and Innovation 17.03.2026 84 Week which play an important role in the holistic development of the startup ecosystem. The Government also encourages and supports ecosystem-led initiatives such as Startup Mahakumbh which serves as a vibrant platform for stakeholders to network and collaborate. Initiatives to improve market access and enable public procurement support startups in growing and scaling up their businesses. These measures are complemented by regulatory reforms and other ecosystem development events and programs. Specific measures undertaken to promote the startup ecosystem across States/Union Territories (UTs), including in Mumbai and non-metro districts in Maharashtra are given in the enclosed Statement-II. Further, specifically in the State of Maharashtra, 36,782 entities have been recognized as startups by the Government with a recognised startup emerging from every district of the State. Specifically in Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban districts, 11,789 entities have been recognized as startups as on 31st January 2026. As on 31st January 2026, supported AIFs under the FFS Scheme have invested Rs. 6,025.25 crore in 276 startups from the State of Maharashtra, including non- metro cities such as Bhiwandi. As on 31st January 2026, supported incubators under SISFS have approved Rs. 105.06 crore to 559 startups from the State of Maharashtra including non-metro districts such as Amravati, Buldhana, Hingoli, Kolhapur, Sangli, and Solapur. 17.03.2026 85 Additionally, under the CGSS, as on 31st January 2026, 78 loans amounting to Rs. 187.6 crore has been guaranteed to startups from the State of Maharashtra including non-metro districts such as Ahilyanagar, Akola, Palghar, and Yavatmal. Support to the startup ecosystem in Maharashtra through the Government of Maharashtra The Government of Maharashtra has introduced the Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025, which provides a framework for expanding funding access, infrastructure and ecosystem support for startups in the State. The policy includes provisions for financial assistance and ecosystem development to strengthen the startup landscape across Maharashtra. The State has also instituted funding mechanisms such as the Maharashtra Fund of Funds in partnership with SIDBI, supporting professionally managed venture funds that invest in startups across the State. Additionally, the Maharashtra Innovation and Technological Development Fund (MITDF) provides a dedicated venture funding mechanism for early-stage and growth capital. Complementary ecosystem initiatives include the establishment of micro- incubators in ITIs, polytechnics and colleges, development of regional innovation and entrepreneurship hubs, strengthening of district innovation committees and funds, and programmes such as Startup Yatra, innovation challenges and hackathons, along with a statewide mentor network and digital 17.03.2026 86 knowledge platform connecting startups with investors, experts and institutions. STATEMENT-I Sector-wise details of startups selected in Mumbai city by AIFs under the FFS as on 31st January 2026 are as follows: Sector No. of startups selected by AIFs Amount invested by AIFs (in Rs. crore) Advertising/Media/Entertainment 9 41.23 Agriculture/Agritech 3 51.50 Artificial Intelligence / Robotics 5 243.95 Automotive 3 55.72 BioTechnology 2 15.49 Business Product and Services 13 313.00 Clean Tech/ Clean Energy 4 88.34 Consumer Goods and Services 20 274.51 E-Commerce 11 215.44 Education/Edtech 15 148.92 Financial Services/Fintech 31 867.14 Food and Beverages 10 118.60 Healthcare/Health-tech 31 851.82 IT and ITES 45 488.11 Logistics/Transport 11 292.46 Manufacturing 14 464.23 Others 1 34.50 Travel and Tourism 3 132.33 Total 231 4697.3 17.03.2026 87 STATEMENT-II The details of various measures being undertaken to promote the startup ecosystem are as follows: 1. Capacity Building and Handholding Capacity building workshops are undertaken throughout the year across regions including nonmetro cities under the States’ Startup Ranking (‘SRF’) exercise to promote and handhold States and UTs in developing regional ecosystems. Monitoring, capacity development, and handholding sessions are also conducted specifically for incubators beyond metro cities and regions. Various other startup workshops and demos are organized to handhold startups to access the flagship schemes and challenges launched under Startup India. 2. Outreach and Awareness Outreach and awareness activities for startups are organized across the country including in areas beyond metropolitan cities. These activities include encouraging entrepreneurs from non-metropolitan cities and enabling opportunities for funding, incubation, mentorship and business linkages in collaboration with State/UT administrations. Various startup showcases are also organised where startups pitch their business proposals to investors and participate in capacity building activities. The programs implemented under the Startup India initiative are also propagated through various social media platforms. 17.03.2026 88 3. Ecosystem Development Events and Programs Various national ecosystem development events and programs are held such as the Startup Mahakumbh, which fosters innovation and entrepreneurship by bringing the ecosystem together from various parts of the country; the Startup India Innovation week is held around the National Startup Day i.e., 16th January, to celebrate entrepreneurship and promote innovation with stakeholders from across India. The Startup India Yatra initiative was also launched with an aim to reach Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities of India to search for entrepreneurial talent and help develop the startup ecosystem. It was conducted across 16 districts in Maharashtra, reaching approximately 5,000 individuals and offering incubation support to 100 aspiring entrepreneurs. 4. International Exposure and Linkages The Startup20 Engagement Group was institutionalised under India’s G20 Presidency to facilitate harmonisation and cross collaboration amongst the largest global economies. The meetings and engagements of Startup20 Engagement Group under India’s G20 Presidency were held across the country providing access to global market, visibility and resources of India’s regionals startup ecosystems. International linkages are further developed through international Government to Government partnerships, participation in international forums, hosting of global events, and international bridges with different countries that aid in promoting cross collaboration. The launch of India–France Year of Innovation 2026, held on 17 February 2026 in Mumbai, 17.03.2026 89 marked an important step in strengthening bilateral collaboration in innovation, startups, research, and advanced technologies between the two countries. 5. Encouraging Ecosystem Collaboration The Government launched the Startup India Hub portal for stakeholders of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in India to discover resources, information, and various benefits under the Startup India initiative on a common digital platform. This portal enables various programs and initiatives to be accessed digitally, improving accessibility for entrepreneurs and startups even from nonmetro cities and regions. 6. Various other programs and initiatives are also undertaken by the Government such as GENESIS (Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups) Scheme, TIDE 2.0 (Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs) Scheme, Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme, Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs) and Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programmes (ESDPs), Scheme for Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI), Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) schemes. 17.03.2026 90 GLOBAL MILLET HUBS *349. SHRIMATI JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government plans to leverage the agricultural expertise of traditional rice-growing hubs like Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Korba and Baloda Bazar to establish them as Global Millet Hubs; (b) the specific financial allocation for primary and secondary millet processing units at the block level in these districts during the Financial Year 2025-26; (c) whether the Government is aware that despite the global branding of "Shree Anna", lack of localized processing infrastructure forces farmers to sell raw millets at sub-par prices; (d) the number of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from Chhattisgarh integrated into the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for millet- based products as of February 2026; and (e) the details of concrete steps being taken to move beyond "awareness branding" to ensure a guaranteed, end-to-end procurement and value- addition chain directly benefiting the tribal and rural farmers of the State? THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE; AND MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN): 17.03.2026 91 (a) and (b) The Government has been promoting the production and productivity of Shree Anna (millets) in the state of Chhattisgarh, through its scheme like the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) and through the special interventions under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana-Detailed Project Report (RKVY - DPR). Under NFSNM states are given assistance to increase the production and productivity of millets (Shree Anna) through various interventions like demonstration, seed production and seed distribution. Flexibility under the scheme is given to the implementing States / UTs to identify districts, subject to inter alia conditions that prioritize districts with low productivity but high potential. The State of Chhattisgarh was approved an Annual Action Plan for Rs. 528.75 lakhs (Central Share + State Share) lakhs under the NFSNM for promotion of Millets for the year 2025-2026. The implementing State Government has informed that the state is promoting millets (Ragi, Kodo, Kutki) under NFSNM-Shree Anna in selected 10 districts namely Rajnandgaon, Kabirdham, Sarguja, Balrampur, Koriya, Kondagaon, Bastar, Dantewada, Sukma and Kanker of Chhattisgarh state and through the scheme, 5 Kisan melas were organized in Kabirdham, Balrampur, Dantewada, Sukma and Kanker districts of the state. In addition, the state has been approved a project for Demonstration of millets under RKVY - DPR with an approved project cost of Rs.2461.56 lakhs (Central Share + State Share). The state of Chhattisgarh has reported that the project is being implemented in the state including in the districts of Janjgir- 17.03.2026 92 Champa, Sakti, Korba and Baloda Bazar for promotion and expansion of millets there by focussing on promoting millet cultivation in the region. The area covered under the project in the four districts for millet promotion is 1640 ha. The state government under its own scheme -Krishak Unnati Yojna has also provided input subsidy to millet growers for an area of 215.175 ha in the above mentioned four districts. (c) to (e) The Government has been taking various initiatives to promote millet cultivation, processing and consumption across the country along with incentivizing food processing units, and exporters engaged in millet-based products. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) from 2021-22 to 2026-27 and one component of the scheme focuses on Millet-Based Products, with an outlay of Rs. 800 crores. This component was launched keeping in view International Year of Millets (IYoM). The objectives of the PLI Scheme for Millet-Based Products (PLISMBP) are to increase the use of millets in food products and promote their value addition by incentivizing the manufacturing and sale of selected millet-based products in both domestic and export markets. 29 applicants have been approved under PLISMBP component of the scheme for millet-based units at 45 locations throughout the country. The State Government and MoFPI have informed that no FPO have been integrated into the PLI scheme for Millet based products in Chhattisgarh as of February, 2026. 17.03.2026 93 Further, under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, Millets and millet-based products have been identified as One District One Product (ODOP) in 21 districts of 11 States and 17 Incubation Centers have been approved in 10 States having Millet processing lines. As on 31.12.2025, 4,612 micro food processing enterprises with subsidy of Rs.91.20 Crores for millet processing units have been approved across the country. The Department of Food and Public Distribution have informed that to increase the procurement and consumption of millets, states have been permitted to procure millets (jowar, bajra, ragi and six minor millets) from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) under the central pool subject to the prior approval of the Central Government, based on the detailed procurement plan prepared by State Governments in consultation with Food Corporation of India (FCl) for distribution under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS). The Government of India has taken following initiatives to increase procurement and distribution. The distribution period/ shelf life of millets has been increased from earlier 3 months to 6-10 months for enhancing higher level of procurement. Further, provision of inter- state transportation of surplus millets through FCI, increase in administrative charges on acquisition stage from 1% to 2% of MSP and inclusion of minor millets in TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System)/ OWS (Other Welfare Schemes) are other actions taken by the government to facilitate procurement. 17.03.2026 94 SAMARTH SCHEME *350. SHRIMATI MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:

Spoke Sanjay Dina Patil

Spoke on 2026-03-17T00:00:00.000Z

In debate Ruling regarding Notices of Adjournment Motion