Cabinet nod to critical minerals mission in green energy boost

The Union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the launch of National Critical Mineral Mission to establish an effective framework to make India self-reliant in critical minerals—key for the renewable energy sector, particularly for solar panels, wind turbines, batteries and electric vehicles.

- Jayashree Nandi

NEW DELHI:

The mission, with an expenditure of ₹16,300 crore and expected investment of ₹18,000 crore by state-owned companies and private investors, and in line with the Critical Mineral Mission announced in Union Budget for 2024-25 on July 23, 2024, was cleared by the cabinet on Wednesday.

The 24 critical minerals, covered under the mission are also important for other industries such as electronics, telecommunications, defence, aerospace, agriculture, and transport.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union minister of railways, information & broadcasting and electronics & IT, who briefed media about the cabinet decisions, said. He added that some of these are critical for energy transition and making India a low carbon economy.