The government's production linked incentive scheme for the automobile and auto component industry has attracted investments totalling Rs 443,260 mn as of March 31, 2026, the Ministry of Heavy Industries said. This figure exceeds the scheme target of Rs 425,000 mn set for March 2027 and reflects cumulative reports from approved applicants that have already surpassed the threshold. The scheme, approved on September 23, 2021, carries a budgetary outlay of Rs 259,380 mn. The ministry said the scheme aims to strengthen India's manufacturing capabilities for Advanced Automotive Technology products and to incentivise domestic production across the supply chain. It indicated that the investments reported relate to project commitments by participating manufacturers and component suppliers seeking incentives under specified eligibility criteria. On electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the ministry noted that under the FAME-II scheme oil marketing companies Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited had sanctioned 482 public EV charging stations in West Bengal, of which 463 were operational as of July one, 2026. It added that no assessment had been undertaken regarding the adequacy of charging infrastructure in the state. The ministry said a proposal received under the PM E-DRIVE scheme from the West Bengal government does not include any charging stations for Mathurapur but proposes five public charging stations in South 24 Parganas district at Canning, Bakkhali, Diamond Harbour, Kakdwip and Namkhana. The ministry stated that no financial assistance has been released to West Bengal under the PM E-DRIVE scheme so far. It noted allocations of Rs 9,125 mn under FAME-II and Rs 20,000 mn under PM E-DRIVE for deployment of EV public charging stations across the country, and that these allocations are made on a pan-India basis and are not earmarked state-wise. The ministry reiterated that establishing EV charging stations is an unlicensed activity, permitting government agencies, private entities and other institutions to set up, operate and maintain charging infrastructure without a licence.