WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/SCM/Q2/IND/23 
23 July 2012 
 (12-4020) 
Committee on Subsidies 
and Countervailing Measures Original:   English 
 
 
 
SUBSIDIES 
 
Questions posed by the UNITED STATES regarding the 
New and Full Notification of INDIA1 
 
 
 The following communication, dated 20 July 2012, is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of the United States. 
 
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General Program Questions 
 Question 1  
For nearly all of the sub-central programs notifie d, India states that the subsidy is provided to 
"poor fishermen".  How is a "poor fisherman" de fined?  Do the benefits go to individuals?  
 
Question 2 
 
For numerous programs, India's notification lists "Financial Assistance" or "Financial 
Support" as the "Form of Subsidy".  For each of these programs, please clarify the nature of the subsidies and how they are provided to recipients (i .e., as a grant, loan, or other form of subsidy).  
 
Question 3 
 
For various programs, India's notification lists "Investment" as the "Form of Subsidy".  For 
each of these programs, could India please clarify the nature of the subsidy and how it is provided to recipients (i.e., as a grant, loan, equity  purchase or other form of subsidy). 
 
Program-Specific Questions 
 
Question 4 
 
According to India's notification, the Marine Fisheries Infrastructure program is a centrally-
sponsored scheme to develop marine fisheries infrastructure.   
                                                      
1 G/SCM/N/220/IND.   G/SCM/Q2/IND/23 
Page 2  
 
   
 Please explain if this program is a central government program that is administered at the 
sub-central government level.  Please explain ho w recipients apply for benefits under this 
program, including the eligibility criteria that must be met in order to qualify.  
 
 The notification lists the subsidy under this pr ogram as an "investment".  As noted above, 
please clarify the nature of the subsidy and how  it is provided (i.e., as a grant, loan, or 
other form of subsidy). 
 
 Is this program currently ongoing?  
 
Question 5 
 
 India's notification states that rebates and exem ptions on HSD oil are provided by the states of 
Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.  For the programs in Goa, Karnataka, and Tamil 
Nadu, please provide the rates at which the government rebates the tax or VAT on HSD oil.    
Question 6 
 
 In addition to subsidies on HSD oil, many sub- central states also provide subsidies for fuels, 
including diesel and kerosene. In light of global concerns about substantial overcapacity, overfishing 
and resource management within the fisheries sect or, please explain how India's fuel subsidies may 
impact these concerns, as well as what steps, if  any, India is taking to mitigate them. 
 
Question 7  
 
 In addition to the centrally sponsored Marine  Fisheries Infrastructure program, the states of 
Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Be ngal, Daman & Diu, Puducherry, and the Marine 
Products Export Development Authority, appear to provide subsidies to support activities such as 
vessel construction, fish landing facilities, port in frastructure, repair, modernization, and fish 
processing facilities.  Is there a consideration of India's overall fishing capacity when implementing 
these programs?   
Question 8 
 
 The State of Goa's Subsidies for Fish Landing Facilities uses funds allocated by the central 
government to develop marine fisheries infrastructure.  Please explain how this program differs from the Marine Fisheries Infrastructure program, as well as  the eligibility criteria that must be met in order 
to qualify.  
 
Question 9  
 
 For the State of Karnataka, please clarify wh at the following programs entail, including the 
criteria for eligibility and whether the "Financial Assi stance" is provided in the form of a grant, loan, 
tax exemption, or other type of subsidy: 
 
 Program 3 – Mathsya Mahila Swavalambana 
 Program 7 – Mathsyavahini  G/SCM/Q2/IND/23 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Question 10 
 
For the State of West Bengal, please explain what is meant by Program 3 "Any Other 
Subsidies"?  Question 11 
 
For the State of Puducherry, please explain what is meant by Program 3 "Any Other 
Subsidy"?  
 
 
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