A ban imposed on the sale of imported items in Canteen Stores Department outlets (army canteens), which sell goods at subsidised rates to soldiers, ex-servicemen and their families, four years ago has spurred the Make in India initiative, with several firms now producing their wares in the country, officials aware of the matter said on Sunday. The sale of 431 directly imported items in CSD outlets across the country was stopped in October 2020. (Representative file photo) The sale of 431 directly imported items in CSD outlets across the country was stopped in October 2020 after the defence ministry passed an order to support the “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” (self-reliant India movement), said one of the officials cited above on the condition of anonymity. “This has had a positive effect as many firms shifted their manufacturing to India. As a result, 255 of the 421 items that were banned have been reintroduced in CSD,” said a second official, who also asked not to be named. The CSD’s catalogue includes various products like cars, two-wheelers, liquor, white …