opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4323 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Sanskrit at Premier Institutes
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, Shrirang Appa Barne, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, ANANDRAO  ADSUL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

4323. SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4323 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016 Sanskrit at Premier Institutes

- Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is considering to introduce Sanskrit as a subject at premier educational institutions like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes  of  Technology  (NITs),  Indian  Institutes  of  Science  Education  &  Research (IISER) and other higher institutions of learning in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken in this regard?
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  also  planning  for  revival  of  old  Sanskrit  schools  and opening up of pathshalas where Vedas will be taught along with other subjects and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is further planning to constitute a board like Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) affiliating Sanskrit-medium schools, colleges, universities and research institutions; and

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

The report has been circulated to all concerned institutions for implementing the recommendations  of  the  committee  which  are  implementable  within  the  existing policy framework. ******

- (a) to  (d)  The  Ministry  of  Human  Resource  Development commissioned  a  study  on development of Sanskrit in various educational institutions under the Chairmanship of  Shri  N.  Gopalaswami,  former  Chief  Election  Commissioner.  The  report  of  the Committee is available at http://mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload\_files/mhrd/files/ReportCVRM.pdf. The report inter-alia suggested that in institutions like Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), Indian Council Of Historical Research (ICHR), Indian Council  of  Social  Science  Research  (ICSSR), Indian  Institutes  of  Technology  (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs), Indian Institute of  Science (IISc), Central Universities and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) approved  technical  colleges,  a  Sanskrit  Cell  may  be  created  to  facilitate study of Science and Technology in Sanskrit literature and inter disciplinary study of various modern subjects and its corresponding subjects in Sanskrit literature.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4322 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Impact of Demonetisation on Exports
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: ANANDRAO  ADSUL, Shrirang Appa Barne, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, DHARMENDRA YADAV

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4322 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 th  DECEMBER, 2016

## IMPACT OF DEMONETISATION ON EXPORTS

## 4322.   SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any study or convened a meeting to assess the impact of demonetisation on the country's exports/exporters including small and medium units;
- (b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has received any suggestions from the exporters to minimize the impact of demonitisation on exports/exporters and if so, the details thereof along with the response of the Government thereto;
- (d) whether the Council of Leather Exports has also expressed their concern on the move to put  limitations  on  cash  withdrawal  which  is  impacting  the  working  capital  of  exporters; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the corrective measures proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard and the time by which limitation on withdrawal of cash is likely to be lifted for this sector?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k½ ¼Lora= izHkkj½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

## (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) to  (e):    A  meeting  was  convened  by  Department  of  Commerce  on  21 st November, 2016 with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) to assess the impact of demonetisation on the country's exports/exporters. A similar meeting was also convened by Ministry of Micro, Small  &  Medium Enterprises (MSME)  to assess the impact of demonetization  on  24 th November,  2016.Suggestions  were  made  by  various  EPC's including Council for Leather Exports (CLE) to increase the withdrawal limits.

All  EPC's  have  been  advised  to  go  cashless  in  respect  of  their  payments.  The Government and the Reserve Bank of India are closely monitoring cash availability and appropriate decisions are being taken from time to time.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4320 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Adhoc Teachers in Universities
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, SUDHEER GUPTA, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4320 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

Adhoc Teachers in Universities

## 4320. KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

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

- (a)  whether the  Government  is  aware  that  due  to  shortage  of  qualified  teachers, Universities are resorting to hiring adhoc teachers on contractual basis;
- (b) the guidelines in place for recruiting teachers, on adhoc basis in Central Univer
- (c) the number of adhoc teachers engaged by these universities alongwith the period for are working, university - wise;
- (d) whether there have been instances in the past wherein adhoc teachers were regular
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, t he reasons therefor; and
- (f) whether the Government has any plan for regularisation of the services of thes daily wagers who have worked for more than three years in these universities and if thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

- (a) to (f): Out of the total number of sanctioned teaching posts of 17006 (2407 Professor, 4789 Associat Professor, 9810 Assistant Professor) ,  in 40 Central Universities (CUs) under the purview of theUniversity Grants Commission (UGC), 6080 teaching posts (1308 Professor, 2230 Associate Professor, 2542 Ass Professor) are lying vacant as on 1.10.2016.

The  Central  Universities  are  stat utory  Autonomous  Institution s established  under  their  respective  Act Parliament  and  they  are  governed  by  their  Acts  and  Statutes  &  Ordinances  made  there . All administrative  and  academic  decisions  are  taken  by  the  Universities  with  the  approval  of bodies.  Central Universities engage faculty members as ad - hoc/Guest Faculty/Re - employed/Contract Faculty against vacant positions, from time to time depending upon their operational requirements to conduct smo teaching learning process.  The details of faculty employed in Central Universities on ad - hoc basis, Guest Faculty, etc. are as under: -

|   Adhoc |   Guest |   FacultyContract basis |   Re-employed |   Total |
|---------|---------|-------------------------|---------------|---------|
|     441 |    1902 |                     521 |           104 |    2968 |

However,  University -wise  data  with  regard  to  date  of  engagement  of each teacher  on  adhoc basis  is  not maintained centrally. There is no provision for regularization of the services of the ad - hoc faculty members as per the rules and no such instance is available on records.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4314 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Fees Charged by Private Technical Educational Institutes
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, BHARATENDRA SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4314 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## Fees Charged by Private Technical Educational Institutes

## 4314. DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

## DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

## KUNWAR BHARATENDRA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has framed any rules/guidelines regarding the fees to be charged by the private technical education institutions in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number and details of complaints received by the Government regarding the violation of said rules/guidelines by these institutions during the last three years and the current year along with the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor and the details of steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

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

## (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

(a)  &  (b):  The  All  India  Council  for  Technical  Education  (AICTE)  had  constituted  a Committee under the Chairmanship of Justice B.N. Srikrishna, former Judge of Hon'ble Supreme Court to recommend the fee to be charged by private technical institutes in the country. The Committee has recommended maximum limit of tuition and development fee to  be  charged  by  these  institutions.  Further  all  the  State/  U.T.  Governments  have  been directed to comply with the recommendations of the Fee Committee.

(c) & (d): The AICTE has imposed a penalty of Rs. 2 Crores on eleven institutes and has issued stern warning against four other institutes for charging excessive fee/ capitation fee from the students.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4310 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Restoration of Forts in Mumbai
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 4310 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016 AGRAHAYANA 21, 1938 (SAKA)

## RESTORATION OF FORTS IN MUMBAI

4310.        SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE.

Will the  Minister  of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Government  has  received  requests from the State Government of Maharashtra for restoration of heritage grade I forts in Maharashtra under the Mumbai Fort Circuit Project;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the State Government of Maharashtra has also submitted any specific plan in this regard;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  cost  of  project,  project-wise; and
- (e) the  action  taken  by  the  Government  thereon  along  with  the  amount sanctioned therefor, project-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) No  Madam,  no  such  requests  have  been  received  from  the  State
- to Government of Maharashtra. However, conservation work of protected
- (e) monuments in Maharashtra, including forts is attended regularly by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as per the availability of resources and they are in a fairly good state of preservation.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4306 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Development of Tourist Places associated with Freedom Fighters
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4306 ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST PLACES ASSOCIATED WITH FREEDOM FIGHTERS

4306. SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) and
- (b) country including Maharashtra State?

whether the  Government proposes for planning  & Developing tourist  places  in  the  areas  which  are  associated  with  the freedom  fighters  and  the  country's  Independence  movement from 1857 to 1947 under the banner of "Yaad Karo Kurbani"; if so, the details of such places identified, State/UT-wise in the

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a): No, Madam.
- (b):     Does not arise in view of (a) above.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4301 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Labour Market Reforms
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4301 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## LABOUR MARKET REFORMS

## 4301. ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

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

- (a)whether the Government is planning to push for labour market reforms;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c)whether  major  part  of  manufacturing  output  in  the  country  comes  from enterprises in the formal sector while a similar proportion of manufacturing  employment  is  generated  by  enterprises  in  the  informal sector;
- (d)if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;
- (e)whether  this  has  created  a  labour  aristocracy  that  seeks  to  protect  its privileges but in effect keeps the majority of industrial workers trapped in informal enterprises; and
- (f)if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken/being  taken  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

- (a) & (b): Reforms  in  labour  laws  are  an  ongoing  process  to  update legislative  system to address the need of the hour including labour market and  to  make  them  more  effective  and  contemporary  to  the  emerging economic  and  industrial scenario. The  process  of Legislative reforms includes  consultation  with  stakeholders  including  Central  Trade  Unions, Employers'  Association  and  State  Governments  in  the  form  of  tripartite consultation.
- (c) to (f): As  per  the  survey  carried  out  by  the  NSSO  in  2011-12,  the percentage distribution of workers in formal and informal sector in industry was about 7.6% and 92.4% respectively. However, corresponding estimates of manufacturing output are not available. Rationalization of labour laws and reducing  the  complexity  of  compliance  will  lead  to  better  and  effective enforcement of labour laws, thus enhancing job security, wage security and social security and improving the conditions of informal sector workers.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4300 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Monitoring of Pharma Units
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: R. VANAROJA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4300 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 th  DECEMBER, 2016

## MONITORING OF PHARMA UNITS

## 4300. SHRIMATI VANAROJA R.:

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

- (a) whether India and the European Union have agreed to jointly monitor pharma units in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  India has emphasised  on  interaction to address cultural differences  and misunderstanding as these were often causes for regulatory actions; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k½ ¼Lora= izHkkj½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a  &  b)    :    CDSCO  (Central  Drugs  Standard  Control  Organization),  under  the  Ministry  of Health  and  Family  Welfare  and  European  Union  has  no  agreement  to  jointly  monitor Pharma Unit in the Country. However, CDSCO is granting Written Confirmation certificate to  Indian  API  (Active  Pharmaceutical  Ingredients)  Manufacturer  for  export  of  API's  to European  Union  countries.    Further,  CDSCO  has  signed  MoU  with  UK,  Medicines  and Healthcare  Products  Regulatory  Agency  wherein,  both  Countries  agreed  to  engage collaboratively as observers in Medical Product inspections conducted by both parties as mutually arranged. (c & d) : For export of drugs, Indian Pharmaceutical companies are required to comply with the regulatory provisions of the importing country.

Regulatory  actions are required to be  taken in case of non- compliances, with the regulatory provisions and not on cultural differences and misunderstanding.  However, with increased interaction among the regulators on regular basis, an environment of better understanding is  created.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4297 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Psychological Health of Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: DUSHYANT SINGH

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4297 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## Psychological Health of Students

## 4297. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

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

(a) whether it is mandatory for secondary schools in the country to employ a counseller after the psychological health of the students;

(b)  if so,  the  details  regarding  compliance  of  the  same  including  the  steps  taken  by Government to enforce it;

(c)  whether  school  the  curriculum  includes  awareness  programmes  for  preventing  drug  a substance abuse among children; and

(d) if so, the detail s thereof?

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

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) Does not arise.

(c) & (d) National Council of Educational Research & Training ( NCERT )has developed syllabi of  Health  and  Physical  Education  for  classes  I  to  XII based  on  the National  Curriculum Framework- 2005, which  includes  inter -aliaage- appropriate , context - specific  interventions focused on adolescent concerns, including drug/substan ce abuse tocreate awareness and provide children theopportunities to acquire life skills, tocope with concerns related to the process of growing  up. NCERT  also  conducts  role  play,  folk  dance  competitions  and  youth  festival create awareness among sch ool students across the country under National Population Educatio Project and Adolescence Education Programme. NCERT has also developed In - service Teacher Professional  Development  Packages  for  the  secondary  stage  and  conduct  capacity  build programmes for the States/UTs which include session on counseling of adolescent learners'.

Further ,the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment isimplementing a Scheme of financial Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse under wh fi nancial  assistance  is  provided  to  NGOs/Voluntary  Organization  for  running  Integra Rehabilitation  Centres  for  Addicts  (IRCAs),  organizing  de - add ction  camps  and  conducting awareness programmes about the ill effects of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abu se.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4295 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Excavations by ASI in Bihar
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4295 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016 AGRAHAYANA 21, 1938 (SAKA)

## EXCAVATIONS BY ASI IN BIHAR

## † 4295 SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR :

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  amount  provided  by  the  Government  for  carrying  out  the  survey  of  archaeological sites and their comprehensive excavation in Bihar during the last three years;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  considering  any  special  action  plan  for  the  excavation  in Nalanda and Gaya, being rich archaeological sites in Bihar; and
- (c) if so, the amount proposed to be spent under the said schemes along with the time limit fixed for starting the said work?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

## (DR.  MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) Yes,  Madam.  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  have  conducted  excavations  at following sites in Bihar during the last three years:

Name of sites

Released/Utilized amount in lacs

|   1. | Lauriya-Areraj, Distt. East Champaran 2013-14            | 12,90,264.00   |
|------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------|
|    2 | Raja Bali Ka Garh, Balirajgarh, Distt. Madhubani 2013-14 | 15,00,000.00   |
|    3 | Rukministhan, Distt. Nalanda 2014-15                     | 9,09,676.00    |
|    4 | Rukministhan Distt. Nalanda 2015-16                      | 13,37,421.00   |
|    5 | Papaur, Distt. Siwan 2015-16                             | 2,89,273.00    |

- (b) & At  present  no  such  proposal  is  under  consideration  of  the  Archaeological  Survey  of India.

(c)
Lok Sabha Question No. 4294 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Export of Rice to China
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4294 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 th  DECEMBER, 2016

## EXPORT OF RICE TO CHINA

## 4294. SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

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

- (a) whether China has agreed to import rice from India and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether India has repeatedly sought market access for many items including non basmati rice, pharmaceuticals and many fruits and vegetables among others and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  send  a  delegation  to  China  for  finding customers for Indian rice and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k½ ¼Lora= izHkkj½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) Subsequent to the field verification visit to the rice mills in India in September, 2016 by its experts, the Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), informed that it has approved 14 of the 19 rice mills registered with the Ministry of Agriculture for export of rice to China.
- (b) India has consistently sought greater market access for India's exports to China especially in sectors  such  as  Pharmaceuticals  agriculture  including  non-basmati  rice,  selected  fruits  and vegetables, buffalo meat, IT services, etc.

The  Commerce  Secretary  during  her  meeting/s  with  Chinese  Vice-Minister  MOFCOM, AQSIQ  and  the  Ministry  of  Industry  &  Information  Technology  (MIIT),  in  Beijing  in September, 2015, also raised the issue of market access for India's exports to China on items including non-basmati rice, pharmaceuticals, selected fruits and vegetables, buffalo meat, IT services, etc.

These issues were also taken up at Minister level with the Chinese counterparts from time to time.  Recently,  during  the  meeting  with  Chinese  Vice-Minister  of  Ministry  of  Finance  & Commerce (MOFCOM) in October, 2016 on the sidelines of the 6 th BRICS Trade Ministers meeting in New Delhi, these issues were discussed.

- (c) At present there is no proposal to send a delegation to China for finding customers for Indian rice.

*******