Anurag Thakur, minister of information and broadcasting, announced on Wednesday that the Union Cabinet has authorised a budget of Rs 19,744 crore for implementing the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

The Union Cabinet also approved the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme, which will provide Prasar Bharati with financial assistance for expanding and modernising its broadcasting infrastructure and content development.

“India will be the worldwide centre of green hydrogen which would play an immense role in solving climate change. “The National Green Hydrogen Mission will produce 50 lakh tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030,” Thakur said in New Delhi while addressing the media on the Cabinet meeting’s decisions.

Thakur stated that incentives would be granted for technology that enable low-cost production of green hydrogen, with a total of Rs 17,490 crore set aside for these incentives.

According to the Union minister, 17,490 crore will be provided for strategic interventions, with 1,466 crore set aside for pilot initiatives. The component for research and development (R&D) will most likely receive an investment of Rs 800 crore.

Talking about how the planned green hydrogen processes would empower the government’s objective of self-reliance, Thakur stated, “India would not only fill its own energy demands but also move in the direction of exporting energy. We have set aside funds for R&D for this purpose. In terms of green hydrogen production, we are aiming for self-sufficiency by manufacturing the majority of the components in India.”

The National Green Hydrogen Mission is estimated to generate an investment of Rs 8 lakh crore and create 6 lakh jobs by 2030, he noted.

In addition, the I&B Minister stated that passenger vehicles will most likely be supplied with green hydrogen capacity in an effort to minimise pollution while increasing the usage of electric vehicles. “The production of green hydrogen from various sources would result in a reduction in carbon emissions of 50 million metric tonnes, as well as a significant reduction in our import cost of 1 lakh crore,” he stated.

The Union Cabinet also approved the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme, which will provide Prasar Bharati with financial assistance for expanding and modernising its broadcasting infrastructure and content development.

“The state broadcaster’s purpose should be to communicate the government’s policies accurately to people in far-flung locations,” the minister added, highlighting the government’s efforts to increase Doordarshan’s coverage plans in border areas and Left-Wing Extremism areas. The emergence of OTT platforms posed a challenge to the film business, but it also provided chances for artists.”

“DD Live coverage is now available on your mobile phones. We are utilising technology to provide access to audiences who have smartphones and those who live in remote places with only a TV set. “We are currently preparing how Doordrashan will function in 20 years to meet the needs of the future right now,” he added.

The government intends to produce high-quality content for both international and domestic audiences through the BIND system. The programme would also include the acquisition of OB vans as well as the digitalization of Doordarshan and All India Radio studios.