India's Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its nod to a series of significant initiatives aimed at bolstering the nation's energy security, statistical infrastructure, and judicial system. These approvals, announced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, encompass substantial investments in grid-scale energy storage, a comprehensive statistical transformation program, critical mineral processing, and the establishment of new fast-track courts.
₹14,500 Crore Boost for Energy Storage
A key decision involves a viability gap funding (VGF) scheme worth ₹14,500 crore to facilitate the development of 92 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of new grid-scale energy storage capacity across India. This ambitious scheme is slated for implementation between the financial years 2026-27 and 2030-31. The initiative is crucial for expanding India's energy storage infrastructure, which plays a vital role in managing fluctuating electricity demand and seamlessly integrating a growing share of renewable energy sources into the national power grid.
VISTAR Programme to Modernise India's Statistical System
The Cabinet also approved the Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research (VISTAR) scheme, allocating ₹4,371.10 crore for the period from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. Aligned with the nation's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision, VISTAR aims to revolutionize India's official statistical system. This will be achieved through enhanced digitalization, the integration of artificial intelligence, improved data collection methodologies, and stronger coordination among government agencies.
Eighth Economic Census and New Indicators
Under the VISTAR scheme, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) plans to conduct 59 surveys during the 16th Finance Commission cycle, a significant increase from the previous 43 major surveys. VISTAR will also support the upcoming eighth Economic Census, which is designed to gather detailed information on non-farm establishments and their workforce down to the Gram Panchayat and ward levels. This exercise is vital for assessing the unorganized economy and establishing a National Statistical Business Register. Furthermore, the program will introduce new statistical indicators, including the Headline Index of Services Production and the Index of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises, while strengthening state-level statistical systems and supporting district-level economic estimates.
₹2,814 Crore for Critical Mineral Processing
In a move to strengthen India's critical mineral ecosystem, the Cabinet approved a capital expenditure support scheme totaling ₹2,814 crore. This program, spanning five years from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31, is designed to promote critical mineral processing within the country, crucial for various strategic industries.
850 New Fast-Track Courts for Child Abuse and Rape Cases
Finally, the government sanctioned the establishment of 850 fast-track courts dedicated to hearing cases involving child abuse and rape. This decision underscores a commitment to fortifying judicial infrastructure and ensuring swift justice for victims of these heinous crimes.