After a year of its launch, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s Startup India initiative has managed to disburse only Rs 5.66 crore — of the promised Rs 10,000 crore — to fledgling companies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the programme in his Independence Day speech in 2015. The plans were firmed up and the initiative launched on January 16, 2016.

It promised to promote and support start-ups in the country. One key part of the programme was to set up a Rs 10,000-crore fund of funds. This was eventually established on June 22 last year. ...