opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3784 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-19
Subject: Indo-Asian Trade
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3784 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  MARCH,2018

## Indo-Asian Trade

## 3784. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of India's trade relations with Asian countries;
- (b) whether  any  joint  ventures  for  trade  have  been  agreed  upon  between  India  and Asian countries; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) to  (c):    India  is  actively  engaged  with  Asian  countries  with  a  view  to  enhancing mutual    trade  and  economic  cooperation.  In  this  context,  India  has  entered  into various Free Trade  Agreements  (FTAs)/Comprehensive  Economic  Cooperation Agreements (CECAs)/Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements(CEPA) and Preferential  Trade  Agreements  (PTAs)  with  country/block  of  country,  in  Asia.  The details of the FTAs/CECAs/CEPAs/PTAs entered into by India with Asian countries is given in Annexure-I.

- (i) India - Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISLFTA)
- (ii) Agreement on SAFTA(India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives and Afghanistan)
- (iii) India Nepal Treaty of Trade
- (iv) India - Bhutan Agreement on Trade Commerce and Transit
- (v) India - Thailand FTA - Early Harvest Scheme (EHS)
- (vi) India - Singapore CECA
- (vii) India - ASEAN- CECA - Trade in Goods, Services and Investment Agreement (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam)
- (viii) India - South Korea CEPA
- (ix) India - Japan CEPA
- (x) India - Malaysia CECA
- (xi) Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) (Bangladesh, China, India, Republic of Korea, Lao People's Democratic Republic and Sri Lanka)
- (xii) Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP)(Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru,  Philippines,  Republic  of  Korea,  Romania,  Singapore,  Sri  Lanka,  Sudan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe)
- (xiii) SAARC Preferential Trading Agreement (SAPTA) (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka)
- (xiv) India - Afghanistan

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3781 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-19
Subject: Incentives for States Promoting Exports
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: K. GOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3781 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  MARCH,2018

## INCENTIVES FOR STATES PROMOTING EXPORTS

## 3781. DR. K. GOPAL:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to provide incentives for States that play a proactive role in promoting exports as it will help boost economic growth and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  sought  the  views  of  the  State  Governments  in  this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  asked  all  the  States  to  appoint  at  least  one  nodal officer who will be in charge of exports and other related activities; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the response received by the Union Government from the State Governments in this regard?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) Does not arise in view of (a) above.
- (c) & (d) The Government has requested all States/UTs to nominate a Senior officer as the Export Commissioner who would coordinate all export efforts, required from the different agencies of the State Government. So far, 28 States/UTs viz. Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal  Pradesh,  Jammu  &  Kashmir,  Jharkhand,  Karnataka,  Kerala,  Madhya  Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Goa, Chhattisgarh  and  Gujarat  have  informed  that  they  have  nominated  an  State  Export Commissioner in their state.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3780 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-19
Subject: Export of Wheat and Rice
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RAGHAV LAKHANPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3780 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  MARCH,2018

## EXPORT OF WHEAT AND RICE

## 3780. SHRI RAGHAV LAKHANPAL:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of quantum of wheat and rice exported during each of the last three years and the current year; and
- (b) the details of the measures taken by the Government to ensure the minimum price to wheat  and  rice  farmers  in  the  country  and  also  to  ensure  regular  supply  of foodgrains in the domestic market?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) The  details  of  quantum  of  wheat  and  rice  exported  during  each  of  the  last three years and the current year 2017-18 (till January, 2018 ) is given below:

Values In Million USD

|                          | 2014-15   | 2014-15   | 2015-16   | 2015-16   | 2016-17   | 2016-17   | 2017-18(Upto Jan- 18)   | 2017-18(Upto Jan- 18)   |
|--------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
| Commodity                | QTY(TON)  | VALUES    | QTY(TON)  | VALUES    | QTY(TON)  | VALUES    | QTY(TON)                | VALUES                  |
| RICE -BASMATI            | 3698927   | 4516.28   | 4045831   | 3477.98   | 3985210   | 3208.60   | 3274260                 | 3306.69                 |
| RICE(OTHER THAN BASMATI) | 8302209   | 3336.84   | 6464589   | 2368.64   | 6770833   | 2525.19   | 7017081                 | 2889.65                 |
| WHEAT                    | 2924053   | 828.75    | 666675    | 164.22    | 265611    | 66.85     | 192957                  | 50.86                   |

Source: DGCI&S / Note:2017-18 figures are provisional.

- (b ) To  ensure  the  minimum  price  to  wheat  and  rice  farmers  in  the  country, Government take steps such as fixing Minimum Support Price (MSP) every year and carrying out procurement of wheat and rice from the farmers to have regular supply of foodgrains in the domestic market.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3779 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-19
Subject: Scholarship for Single Girl Child
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KAMLA DEVI PATLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†3779 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  MARCH 2018

## Scholarship for Single Girl Child

## †3779. SHRIMATI KAMLA DEVI PAATLE :

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched any scholarship scheme for single girl child;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the salient features and objectives of the scheme;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to include even the families under the scheme which have two or more girl children but no male child; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

****

- (a)& (b): The Central board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is implementing Merit Scholarship Schemesfor single girl child to provide scholarships to the meritorious Single Girl Students, who are the only child of their parents. It provide Rupees Five Hundred (Rs.500/ -) per month to Single Girl Child who is pursuing further studies for class XI & XII and have passed the CBSE class X th exam with 60% / 6.2 CGPA or more marks/grades.
- (c): There is no such proposal under consideration.
- (d): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3778 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-19
Subject: Facilities to Beedi Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Kunhalikutty, P.K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3778 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2018

## FACILITIES TO BEEDI WORKERS

## 3778. SHRI P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY:

## Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)whether the Government is aware that the Directorate General of Labour Welfare and Welfare Commissioners have not been able to ensure proper and adequate facilities to Beedi workers and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether the Government has carried out any study and assessment in this regard;
- (c)if so, the details and the findings thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- and
- (d)the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  plug  the  shortcomings  and  to ameliorate the condition of Beedi workers?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) to (d): The  O/o  Directorate  General  of  Labour  Welfare  through  its Welfare Commissioners provides following facilities to beedi workers:-
- i. Health  care  facilities  to  the  workers  and  their  dependents through 12 Hospitals and 286 Dispensaries.
- ii.
- Financial Assistance for Education of wards of the workers.
- Financial  assistance  of  Rs.  1.50  Lakh  in  three  installments under  Revised  Integrated  Housing  Scheme-2016  for  making
- iii. pucca house.

As per the directions of Ministry of Finance regarding continuation of  Central  Government Schemes beyond 12th FYP, orders have been issued for third party evaluation of the Labour Welfare Schemes. Benefits under the Education  scheme  are  being  disbursed  through  the  National  Scholarship Portal  and  a  portal  has  been  developed  for  the  Housing  Scheme  to  ensure effective and transparent implementation of the schemes.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-19
Subject: Laying of Gas Pipeline
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3777 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2018 LAYING OF GAS PIPELINE

## 3777.   SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

## isVªksfy;e vkSj izkd`frd xSl ea=h

- (a) whether the Government/IGL has received any submission/requests from Gujarat for laying pipelines during the last three years; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with action taken by the Government/IGL thereon?

## ANSWER

## पेट्रोल ियम और प्राक ृ तिक गैस मंत्री ( श्री धमेन्द र प्रधान)

## MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) & (b): In the state of Gujarat, most of the trunk gas pipelines are maintained by Gujarat State Petronet Limited (GSPL) and GAIL (India) Limited.

Government of Gujarat had approached the Ministry of Finance for financial support from the Asian  Development  Bank  (ADB)  to  GSPL  India  Transco  Limited  (GITL)  for  execution  of Mallavaram-Bhopal-Bhilwara-Vijaipur  Pipeline  (MBBVPL)  project.  Keeping  in  view  the Government's focus on promotion of gas based economy and development of gas infrastructure including  natural  gas  grid  in  the  country,  this  Ministry  has  recommended  the  request  of Government of Gujarat to Ministry of Finance.

As  per  available  information,  this  Ministry/Indraprastha  Gas  Limited  (IGL)  in  the  last  three years have not received any request to lay gas pipelines in the state of Gujarat.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3774 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-19
Subject: Wages for Differently Abled Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: HARI NARAYAN RAJBHAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3774

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2018

## WAGES FOR DIFFERENTLY ABLED WORKERS

†3774. SHRI HARINARAYAN RAJBHAR:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)whether  there  is  a  separate  law  pertaining  to  daily  wages  being paid to differently abled unskilled workers in the country; (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)if not, whether the Government proposes to introduce such law for the welfare of unskilled differently abled workers; and (d)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (d): No, Madam. However, under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, both Central and State Governments are Appropriate Governments  to  fix,  review  and  revise  the  minimum  wages  for different categories of workers employed in the scheduled employment under their  respective  jurisdictions.

The    minimum    rates    of    wages    for    differently  abled persons    shall    be    the    same    as    payable    to    the    workers    of appropriate category.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3773 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-19
Subject: Uniform Syllabus
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3773 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2018

## Uniform Syllabus

†3773. SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  different  State  Education  Boards  and  other  agencies/institutions  at  school level have different syllabus and if so, the rational thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to introduce uniform syllabus for Central Board of Secondary  Education,  State  Boards,  the  National  Institute  of  Open  Schooling  and  Indian Certificate School Examination Board and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has received suggestions from various parties to shut down State  Education  Board  at  primary,  secondary  and  higher  secondary  level  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (d) the follow up action taken in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

- (a) The National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986 recommends that the national system of education will be based on a National Curriculum Framework (NCF), which contains a

common core along  with  other  components  which  are  flexible.  The  National  Curriculum Framework  (NCF)  sets  the  guidelines  and  direction  for the  development  of  syllabi and textbooks at all the school stages. As a follow up to the NCF, model curriculum, syllabi, text-books  and  other  supplementary  material  are  developed  by  National  Council  of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). State Council of Educational Research and Training  (SCERTs)  and  State  Education  Boards  either  adopt  or  adapt  NCERT's  model syllabi and textbooks or develop their own syllabi and textbooks based on NCF, so as to suit the State-specific needs, and to cater to the diversity in the country across States in culture, language and topography.

(b) No, Madam.  Multiplicity of curricula and educational resources are desirable as the uniform  syllabus  across  nation  does  not  take  into  account  the  local  contexts,  culture  and language.  However,  the  National  Policy  on  education  proposed  a  national  framework  of curriculum  with  a  common  core  of  values  that  includes  history  of  India's  freedom movement, the  constitutional  obligations  and  other  content  essential  to  nurture  a  national identity.  These  elements are designed to promote values such as India's common cultural heritage, egalitarianism, democracy, secularism, gender equality, protection of environment, removal  of  social  barriers,  promotion  of  small  family  norms  and  inculcation  of  scientific temper.

- (c) No, Madam.
- (d) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3772 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-19
Subject: Posting of Teachers
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3772 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  MARCH, 2018

## Posting of Teachers

## †3772. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is seriously considering the proposal regarding  posting of teachers of urban areas in rural areas of the country;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has taken any action so far in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) to (d): The recruitment, service conditions and deployment of teachers are primarily in the domain of the State Governments/UT Administrations. The Central Government through  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  of  Sarva  Shiksa  Abhiyan  (SSA)  and Rashtriya  Madhyamik  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (RMSA)  provides  assistance  to  the  State Governments and UTs for additional teachers to maintain appropriate Pupil T eacher Ratio (PTR) as per the prescribed norms for different levels of schooling at elementary and secondary level.

However, the Central Government has been consistently pursuing the matter of expeditious  recruitment  and  redeployment  of  teachers  with  the  States  and  UT s  at various forums. Additionally, advisories have been issued to the States and UT s  to ensure that all school teachers spend adequate time serving in rural areas through a transparent policy.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3770 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-19
Subject: Studio Theatre Scheme
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3770 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.3.2018

## STUDIO THEATRE SCHEME

## 3770. SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

## Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding adequacy of budgetary allocations in 2018-19 for Scheme of Financial Assistance for Creation of Cultural Infrastructure including   'Studio Theatre Scheme' against funds utilization in 2017-18;
- (b) the details regarding various components of the scheme and pending applications for financial grant under the scheme; and
- (c) the criteria and procedure adopted and agencies involved in the implementation of the scheme at State/UT level?

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture and Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

## ANSWER

- (a  &  b)    Proposed  Budgetary  allocation  in  2018-2019  for  'Scheme  of  Financial Assistance for Creation of Cultural Infrastructure' is Rs.3700 lakh.

The Scheme has the following two components:-

Component-I :  Financial Assistance for Building Grants including Studio Theatres.

Component-II : Financial Assistance for Tagore Cultural Complexes (TCC).

During financial year 2017-2018, as on 14-03-2018, total of Rs.2.34 Crores have been utilized under both the scheme components.

All applications received under the Scheme have been processed as per guidelines of the scheme and no application is lying unattended.

- (c)            Central  financial  assistance  under  the  Scheme  is  provided  to  reputed  not-forprofit  cultural  organizations,  State  Governments/Union  Territories,  Central/State  Govt. agencies/bodies, State Governments/Union Territories, Central/State Govt.

agencies/bodies,  Universities, Municipal Corporations etc. for creation of appropriately equipped  training,  rehearsal  &  performance  spaces,  various  cultural  spaces,  studio theatres, Tagore Cultural Complexes etc. for artistes to propagate, disseminate arts and culture and foster multi-dimensional interest in creativity and cultural expressions in the country.

The implementing agency of the projects under the Scheme at State/UT level is State Govt./UT Administration or the applicant not-for-profit cultural organizations etc.

Ministry  of  Culture  releases  the  grant  to  eligible  projects  recommended  by  the Expert Committee constituted under the Scheme.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3768 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-19
Subject: EPFO Rate of Interest
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3768 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2018

## EPFO RATE OF INTEREST

## 3768. SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)the  rate  of  interest  paid  to  the  Employees  Provident  Fund  subscribers during the last three years and the current year;
- (b)whether the EPFO has any proposal to increase/reduce the rate of interest for the year 2017-18;
- (c)if so, the details thereof along with the present status of the said proposal; and
- (d)the  number  of  employees  likely  to  be  benefitted/suffer  loss  as  a  result thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) to (c) :The declared rate of interest on Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) paid to the  subscribers during the last  three years  is as under:

| Year    |   Rate of Interest (in per cent.) | Date on which Rate of Interest declared   |
|---------|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| 2014-15 |                              8.75 | 23.01.2015                                |
| 2015-16 |                              8.8  | 23.05.2016                                |
| 2016-17 |                              8.65 | 24.04.2017                                |

The interest rate on EPF is determined by the Central Government in consultation with the Central Board.  The Central Board of Trustees (CBT), Employees'  Provident  Fund  (EPF),  in  its  meeting  held  on  21.02.2018,  has recommended 8.55 per cent. rate of interest  to EPF subscribers  for 2017-18. The  proposal  has  now  been  sent  to  the  Ministry  of  Finance  for  their concurrence to the interest rate of 8.55 per cent to the EPF subscribers for the year 2017-18.

- (d): Approximately 19,97,84,374 number of accounts of account holders are likely to be credited with the statutory rate of interest declared for the year 2017-18.

******