opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2333 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Registration of MSMEs
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPIRSES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2333 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31/07/2017

## REGISTRATION OF MSMEs

## 2333.     DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will  the  Minister  of  MICRO,  SMALL  AND  MEDIUM  ENTERPIRSES  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  non-registration  of  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises (MSMEs) is a major hurdle in the implementation of the development schemes, including  the  Prime  Minister's  Employment  Generation  Programme,  National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme, which aim at generating employment and strengthening the MSMEs sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  include  provisions  in  the  Micro, Small and Medium  Enterprises (Amendment)  Bill, 2015 to establish a convenient and non-intrusive process to register MSMEs; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

- (a) & (b): The  Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium  Enterprises has provided  online  registration  in  the  form  of  Udyog  Aadhaar  Memorandum (UAM)  for  MSMEs.  The  UAM  is  a  simplified  form  to  be  filed,    on  self declaration basis without any supporting documents and fees.  The online filing of UAM has facilitated the registration process of MSMEs. Filling of UAM is mandatory for availing benefits of Government's schemes intended to MSMEs like  Prime  Minister's  Employment  Generation  Programme  (PMEGP)  and National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP).
- (c): No
- (d): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Impact of Gorkhaland Movement on Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: PREM DAS RAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2332 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## IMPACT OF GORKHALAND MOVEMENT ON TOURISM

2332. SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that there is a negative impact on tourism in Sikkim and Darjeeling due to the Gorkhaland movement;
- (b) if so, the details of projected losses to the State;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to compensate the State of Sikkim for these losses; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government  to  ensure  peace  and  tranquility  in  the  region  to restore the tourist activities?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): No  impact  assessment  on  tourism  has  been  carried  in Sikkim and Darjeeling due to the Gorkhaland movement.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: State Education Boards
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SAVITRI THAKUR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2331 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## State Education Boards

2331. SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to close the State level primary, secondary and higher secondary boards in the country; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a)  and  (b):  No  Madam,  Education  falls  under  entry  25  of  the  Concurrent  list  of  7 th Schedule of the  Constitution of India and the education boards in India are governed by their respective rules and regulations.  The States have their own laws to govern school education that includes board examinations also.  The Education Boards may be set  up  by  an  Act  of  Parliament  or  State  Legislature  or  by  an  Executive  Order  of Central/State Government.

There is no proposal before the Government, Ministry of Human Resource Development, to close the State level Primary, Secondary and Higher Secondary boards in the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2330 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Cost of Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ANANT KUMAR DATTATREYA HEGDE

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2330 TO BE ANSWERED ON. 31.07.2017

## Cost of Education

†2330. SHRI ANANTKUMAR HEGDE:

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

- (a) whether the Government has gathered any information on the average percentage of income of a family spent on education, in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the details of the steps taken by the Government to regulate the cost of education at all levels in the country including the regulatory measures adopted in this regard?

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

- (a)    As  per  National  Sample  Survey  Office  (NSSO),  survey  conducted  during  2011-12  on Household  Consumer  Expenditure,  percentages  of  monthly  per  capita  expenditure  (MPCE)  on education to the household MPCE is 3.5 % and 6.9% for rural and urban India respectively.
- (b) : The  Government  has  undertaken  several  regulatory  measures  to  keep  the  cost  of  higher education  affordable.  The  fee  in  government  universities  and  colleges  is  nominal.  In  order  to regulate  the  fees  in  Professional  /  Technical  institutions,  AICTE  has  set  up  Justice  Srikishna Committee which recommended the upper caps of fees in these institutions. This report has been shared with all the State Governments. State Governments have set up their own fee committees which regulate fee in  professional and technical institutions. As per the UGC (Institutions Deemed to  be  Universities)  Regulations 2016, the Deemed to be universities have to mandatorily publish details of fee structure in their prospectus. Also, capitation fee is not allowed in these institutions.

At school level, in some States, such regulatory mechanism exists through administrative guidelines and/or  legislations.  The  Central  Government  has  no  formal  regulatory  mechanism  for  schools. Private schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) are regulated in such matters by CBSE guidelines.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2329 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Law for Security Guards
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: KANWAR SINGH TANWAR

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2329 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## LAW FOR SECURITY GUARDS

## 2329. SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR:

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

- (a)whether there is any law to regulate the appointment and service conditions  of  the  security  guards  hired  by  the  private  security agencies and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether the Government is aware that most of the private security guards are reportedly being exploited by their employing agencies; and
- (c)if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken  by  the Government to ensure fair wages and better working conditions to the private security guards?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Officers of the Central Industrial  Relations  Machinery (CIRM) are administering the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 which defines certain conditions of employment in industrial establishments wherein 100 or more workmen are employed or were employed  on  any  day  of  the  preceding  12  months,  in  respect  of industries  and  establishments  including  private  security  agencies coming under Central Sphere.

- (b) & (c): CIRM  Officers  are  regularly  conducting  inspections  under various labour laws of the establishments, including the inspections of security  agencies  working  in  the  Central  Sphere  for  ensuring  fair wages and better working conditions to the security guards.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2328 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Centenary Anniversary of Champaran Satyagrah
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Tejpratap Singh,Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2328 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 st  JULY, 2017

## CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY OF CHAMPARAN SATYAGRAH

## 2328.  SHRI TEJ PRATAP SINGH YADAV:

## Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to commemorate the centenary anniversary of Champaran Satyagrah;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including constituting National Implementation Committee, proposed programmes/projects and funds sanctioned for them;
- (c) whether any proposals have been received from the Bihar Government for financial assistance for projects including Gandhi Circuit;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has any plan for infrastructure development of prominent places related to Champaran Satyagrah; and
- (f) if so, the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE(I/C) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM DR. MAHESH SHARMA

- (a) &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  The  Government  has  decided  to  commemorate  centenary  of Champaran  Satyagraha  during  April  2017  to  April  2018.  A  National  Implementation Committee  (NIC)  has  been  constituted  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Hon'ble  Home Minister. Inaugural function for the commemoration was organised in Delhi on 10 th April, 2017.

(c) to (f): Development of Gandhi Circuit in Bihar is one of the projects identified for development  under  the  Special  Package  for  Bihar  announced  by  the  Hon'ble  Prime Minister in 2015. A project for 'Development of Gandhi Circuit: Bhitiharwa-ChandrahiaTurkaulia under Rural Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme' has been sanctioned in Bihar with Central Financial Assistance of Rs. 4465.02 lakh. A sum of Rs. 893.00 lakh, as first instalment, has been released by Ministry of Tourism.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2326 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Joint Venture for Steel Production
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2326 FOR ANSWER ON 31/07/2017

## JOINT VENTURE FOR STEEL PRODUCTION

2326.  ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has entered into a Joint Venture with Arcelor Mittal for production of various grades of steel in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether some differences have cropped up in the said Joint Venture; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  corrective  steps  taken  by  the Government  to  resolve  the  differences  and  ensure  smoother  functioning  of  the Venture?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL

(SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a)to(c): No, Madam.  However, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and Arcelor Mittal have signed an MOU on 22.05.2015 to explore the possibility of setting up an automotive  steel  manufacturing  facility  under  a  Joint  Venture  (JV),  in  India. A  task force team comprising representatives from both SAIL and Arcelor Mittal has been working  on  detailed  due  diligence  and  preliminary  feasibility  study  and  all  other issues for setting up a JV Company.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2325 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Inclusion of MSME in Start-up India Policy
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: YERRAM VENKATA SUBBAREDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPIRSES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2325 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31/07/2017

## INCLUSION OF MSME IN START-UP INDIA POLICY

## 2325.    SHRI Y. V.  SUBBA REDDY:

Will  the  Minister  of  MICRO,  SMALL  AND  MEDIUM  ENTERPIRSES  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the Government has not included Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  (MSMEs) in  the  definition  of  the  Start-Up  India  policy; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor in spite of his Ministry's coordination with DIPP which is formulating Start-Up Policy, it has not been successful to include MSME in the definition of the said policy?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

- (a): MSME  Start-Ups  are  not  excluded  from  the  Start-Up  India  Mission launched  by  DIPP.  In  fact  the  start  up  as  defined  by  DIPP  includes  those entities:
- (i) whose annual turnover does not exceed Rs. 25 Cr. in any preceding financial year.
- (ii) which  are  registered  in  the  last  7  years  (10  years  in  case  of biotechnology start-ups).
- (iii)  which work towards innovation, development of products/processes/ services
- (iv)  which  is  a  scalable  business  with  high  potential  for  employment generation or wealth creation.
- (b): Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2322 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Grading of Professors
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2322 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## Grading of Professors

## 2322. SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to come up with a grading system for the Professors in all Central Universities under the proposed New Education Policy;
- (b) if so, the details of the parameters fixed for such Gradation; and
- (c) if not, whether the Government is planning such a gradation system and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) Madam, no such decision has been taken as yet.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2321 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: India’s Trade with Venezuela
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2321 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 st JULY, 2017

## INDIA'S TRADE WITH VENEZUELA

## 2321. SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

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

- (a) the details of India's trade with Venezuela in terms of money value of both imports and exports during the last three years;
- (b) the present position of India's trade relations with Venezuela against the backdrop of balance of payments due from the country to India at present; and
- (c) the  steps  being  taken  to  overcome  problems  affecting  trade  relations  with  the country and to further increase bilateral trade towards mutual benefits?

## ANSWER

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

- (a). The details of India's trade with Venezuela in terms of money value during the last three years are as under:-

(Value: US$ Million)

|             | 2014-15   | 2015-16   | 2016-17   |
|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Exports     | 258.07    | 130.66    | 62.23     |
| Imports     | 11,729.89 | 5,701.81  | 5,512.06  |
| Total Trade | 11,987.96 | 5,832.47  | 5,574.29  |

(Source: DGCI&S, Kolkata)

- (b) & (c). Venezuela is one of India's largest trading partners in the LAC region. The balance  of  trade  has  been  in  favour  of  Venezuela  as  India's  imports  of  crude  oil dominate the trade basket. India's imports from Venezuela have not gone down in terms of volume while there has been reduction in value due to fall in global crude oil prices.  Exports  from  India  to  Venezuela  have  declined  as  Venezuela  has  been passing through a major financial crisis for the last few years and they have strong controls on usage of foreign exchange which has also led to problems in repatriation of income earned to home country. The issue of resolving outstanding payments due

to  Indian  companies  has  been  taken  up  with  Venezuelan  Government.  There  has been  no  response  from  Venezuela.  In  order  to  strengthen  India's  exports  to Venezuela, products in which India holds export competence are targeted.

- ****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2319 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Merger of CMPFO with EPFO
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: A.T. (NANA) PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2319 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## MERGER OF CMPFO WITH EPFO

2319. SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL:

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

- (a)whether the Government proposes to merge Coal Mines Provident Fund Organization (CMPFO) with Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO);
- (b)if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c)the steps taken by the Government to protect the interests of the beneficiaries  and  pensioners  of  CMPFO  who  are  likely  to  get  less pension after merger?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): Government  has  not  taken  any  decision  to  merge  Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation (CMPFO) with Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
- (c): Does  not  arise  in  view  of  reply  to  part  (a)  &  (b)  of  the Question above.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2318 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Irregularities at FSNL
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: RAJESH VERMA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2318 FOR ANSWER ON 31/07/2017

## IRREGULARITIES AT FSNL

2318. SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any complaints against higher officials of  FSNL  for  alleged  irregularities,  violation  of  rule,  unfair  practice,  malpractices, harassment of their employees;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the number of such complaints registered/ action taken against the officials during each of the last three years;
- (c) the mechanism put in place by the Government to monitor the functioning of FSNL to check irregularities/malpractices therein; and
- (d) the  remedial  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  redress  the grievances of the FSNL employees?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL

(SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a)&(b): During 2014, 2015 and 2016 i.e. last three years, 49 complaints have been received by the Government from different sources on various  allegations  pertaining to  Ferro  Scrap  Nigam  Limited (FSNL),  out  of  which  action  on  43  complaints  have been completed. Disciplinary action is taken by the concerned disciplinary authority based on the investigation/enquiry in the cases.

(c)&(d):  Vigilance  Department  of  the  Ministry  and  Vigilance  Department  of  FSNL headed  by  Chief  Vigilance  Officer  (appointed  by  the  Government)  monitor  the functioning  of  FSNL  to  check  irregularities/malpractices.  Grievances  raised  by  the employee  are  redressed  as  per  the  grievance  redressal  policy  of  FSNL  and grievances received in CPGRAMS portal are periodically monitored by the Ministry.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2317 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Posting of Tainted Officials in ITDC
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: ANIRUDHAN SAMPATH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2317 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## POSTING OF TAINTED OFFICIALS IN ITDC

2317. DR. A. SAMPATH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  owing  to  shortage  of  manpower  and urgency of work  tainted officials are posted at various sensitive posts in ITDC;
- (b) if so, the details of rules/precedents in this regard;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  initiated  any  inquiry  into  such alleged episodes;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Posting  of  officials  at  sensitive  posts  in  India  Tourism Development  Corporation  Ltd.  (ITDC)  is  done  with  the  approval  of competent authority keeping in mind specific job requirements and suitability of the officers and their vigilance clearance. However, if an  official  is  barred  from  posting  to  sensitive  posts  by  Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), then the same is being done only with the consent of CVC.

(c) to (e): No, Madam. Do not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2316 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Growth of Industrial Production
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2316. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE  31 ST  JULY, 2017.

## GROWTH OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

## 2316.  DR. BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  industrial  production  has  registered  negative growth during 2016-17 for the first  time  in  the  last  two  years  and  if  so,  the
- details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  ease  of  Doing  Business  Reforms  are  not  working  well  for increasing the industrial production and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is making special efforts to promote the manufacturing sector in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the manner in which the implementation of GST is likely to help in boosting the growth in manufacturing?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ााज् यं ्रीस् वतं ््रभााा(स्रींतंरीिरंमलााीरीतंाांि( THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

## OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) & (b): The  industrial  performance  measured  in  terms  of  Index  of  Industrial Production (IIP) has been higher during 2016-17 as compared to 201516. As per IIP, the industrial output registered a growth of 5.0 per cent in 2016-17 compared to a growth of 3.4 per cent in 2015-16.
- (c): The  Government  is  regularly  monitoring  the  growth  of  manufacturing sector and various initiatives have been taken to promote manufacturing sector. These inter-alia, include 'Make in India' initiative under which thrust sectors have been identified to  provide  a  push  to manufacturing  in  India,  'Startup  India'  initiative  and  'Ease  of  Doing Business'  initiative.  Steps  taken  to  improve  ease  of  doing  business include simplification and rationalisation of existing rules and introduction of information technology, setting up  of  an Investor Facilitation  Cell,  launch  of  e-biz  Portal  and  liberalising  policy  for industrial licensing. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy and procedures have been simplified and liberalised progressively.  Goods and  Services  Tax  (GST)  will  simplify  and  harmonise  the  indirect  tax regime in the country. It is expected to reduce cost of production and thereby making the Indian industry more competitive, domestically as well as globally. Further, GST will broaden the tax base and promote transparency and accountability in business transactions.

*****