opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5915 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Shortage of Teachers
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA, HARIOM SINGH RATHORE

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5915 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.04.2017

## Shortage of Teachers

## †5915.  SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI: SHRI HARIOM SINGH RATHORE :

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

- (a)  the  total  number  of  sanctioned  posts  of  teachers  in  the  country  and  the  student teacher ratio in all the central universities;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to increase the sanctioned posts of teachers and achieve the standard ratio;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be implemented; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  taking  steps  to  encourage  the  students  of  higher education to join teaching profession and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) : The  total number  of  sanctioned teaching posts in 40 Central Universities under the purview of this Ministry is 17006.  The overall teacher- student ratio in various Central Universities is 1: 13.52.

Sanctioning the posts for Central Universities by UGC as per norms, after evaluating the proposals, is a continuous and ongoing process.

The Government  of India/UGC  has made  the pay package and promotional opportunities  of  teachers  attractive  and  additional  increments  are  also  given  to teachers having higher qualifications.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5914 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Research and Academic Audit
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BALKA SUMAN

## MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5914 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.04.2017

## Research and Academic Audit

5914. SHRI SUMAN BALKA:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  set  to  put  in  place  a  mechanism  for  research  and academic audit of higher educational institutions to assess standards;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Ministry  has  appointed  committees  of  academics  to  audit  the quality of a few chosen institutions; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  As  per  the  Section  12  of  the  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  Act, 1956,  UGC's  main  responsibility  is  to  promote  and  coordinate  University  education and  determine  and  maintain  standards  of  teaching,  examination  and  research  in Universities. Section  12  (d)  of  the  UGC  Act  empowers  the  UGC  to  recommend  to  any University the measures necessary for the improvement of University education and advise  it  upon  the  action  to  be  taken  for  the  purpose  of  implementing  such recommendation. Further, UGC is also competent to cause an inspection/academic audit of any department or departments thereof under Section 13(1) of the UGC Act, 1956 after due consultation with the University concerned to ascertain the financial needs of the

University or its standards of teaching, examination and research.

Thus,  UGC,  if  need  so  arises,  is  competent  to  decide  on  undertaking  any review/inspection/academic audit as it deems fit to achieve the mandated objective of promotion and  maintainance  of  standards  of  teaching,  examination  and  research  in Universities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5912 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Comprehensive Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI)
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5912 ANSWERED ON 10.04.2017

## COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CRITERIA FOR INDIA (STCI)

5912. SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Comprehensive  Sustainable  Tourism  Criteria  for India (STCI) for accommodation, tour operators and beaches, backwaters, lakes and rivers sectors are functioning properly and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is struggling with any issue/problem in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  STCI  has  been  launched  to  develop  tourism  in India  based  on  principles  of  sustainability  and  minimizing carbon footprints; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The Comprehensive  Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India  (STCI)  for  Accommodation,  Tour  Operators  and  Beaches, Backwaters, Lakes & Rivers sectors were launched in August 2014 and has been accepted by the stakeholders.   No issues/problem in this regard have surfaced.

Further,  the  Ministry  has  guidelines  for  approval  of  Hotel Projects at the implementation  stage  and  also  guidelines for classification/re-classification  of  operational  hotels  under  various categories.  As  per  these  guidelines,  hotels  at  the  project  stage itself are required to incorporate various eco-friendly measures like

Sewage  Treatment  Plant  (STP),  Rain  Water  Harvesting  System, waste  management  system,  pollution  control,  introduction  of  nonChlorofluorocarbon (CFC) equipment for refrigeration and air conditioning,  measures  for  energy  and  water  conservation  etc. Under the guidelines for project level & classification/reclassification of operational hotels, it has been prescribed that the architecture  of  the  hotel  buildings  in  hilly  and  ecologically  fragile areas  should  be  sustainable  and  energy  efficient  and  as  far  as possible be in conformity with the local ethos and make use of local designs and material.

The  tour  operators  approved  by  Ministry  of  Tourism  have  to sign a pledge for commitment towards Safe & Honourable Tourism and  Sustainable  Tourism  to  fully  implement  Sustainable  Tourism and  heritage present  tourism  resource requirements  optimize  both  local  community  benefit  and  future practices, consistent with the best environment protection standards, such  that the sustainable uses.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5909 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Expenses on Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: JANAK RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5909 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.04.2017

## EXPENSES ON KENDRIYA VIDYALAYAS AND NAVODAYA VIDYALAYAS

## † 5909. SHRI JANAK RAM:

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

- (a) the  details  of  the  amount  of  funds  spent  to  run  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  and Navodaya Vidyalayas during each of the last three years in the country;
- (b) the annual amount spent on each vidyalaya on an average;
- (c) whether the Government is creating schools for a special class by helping these schools; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to spend funds to strengthen the Government schools by increasing  man  power in these schools and improving their infrastructure with a view to bring them at par with the set standards?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The details of the amount of funds spent to run Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) and the average amount spent on each KV/JNV during the last three years are as under:-

Rs. in Crores

| Year    | Kendriya Vidyalayas   | Kendriya Vidyalayas             | Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas   | Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas      |
|---------|-----------------------|---------------------------------|-------------------------------|----------------------------------|
|         | Total amount spent    | Average amount spent on each KV | Total amount spent            | Average amount Spent on each JNV |
| 2013-14 | 2978.33               | 3.08                            | 1939.13                       | 2.97                             |
| 2014-15 | 3352.12               | 3.43                            | 2082.68                       | 3.42                             |
| 2015-16 | 3693.13               | 3.69                            | 2251.19                       | 3.87                             |

(c) The KVs are opened primarily to cater to the educational needs of the children of transferable Central  Government  employees  including  Defence  and  Para-Military personnel by providing a common programme of education, whereas,  the JNVs are established with the objective of providing good quality modern education to the talented children,  predominantly  from  the  rural  areas  without  regard  to  their  family's  socioeconomic condition.

(d) The manpower requirement of each KV & JNV is determined with reference to the  laid  down  norms  in  this  regard  and  deployment  of  manpower  depends  on  the availability of staff and functional requirements.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5908 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Housing Scheme for Beedi Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: KAMALBHAN SINGH MARABI

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5908 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.04.2017

## HOUSING SCHEME FOR BEEDI WORKERS

†5908. SHRI KAMALBHAN SINGH MARABI:

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

- (a)whether sanction/approval  to  construct  50  houses  under  the  housing scheme  for  beedi  workers  in  Chaple  village  of  Raigarh  District  of Chhattisgarh  was  given  by  the  Government  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b)whether the said housing scheme has been completed;
- (c)if so, the details thereof along with the number of houses constructed and if not, the number of remaining houses yet to be constructed; and
- (d)the reasons for delay in construction of these houses along with the time by which these are likely to be constructed? ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes, Madam. On 20th August, 2007 sanction/approval to construct 50 houses under the housing scheme for beedi workers in Chaple village of Raigarh District of Chhattisgarh was given by the Government.
- (b): No.
- (c): For 40 houses out of 50, the 2nd and final installment @ Rs 20,000 per tenement has been released by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on 23rd March, 2017. For the remaining 10 houses, 2nd and final  installment  of  housing  subsidy  @  Rs.  20,000  per  tenement  is  to  be released.
- (d): Despite several reminders to the State Government of Chhattisgarh, Ministry  of  Labour  and  Employment  has  not  received  the  utilization certificate  in  regard  to  the  1 st   installment  and  inspection  report  for  the remaining 10 houses, in the absence of which 2nd and final installment of housing subsidy cannot be released to them.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5907 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Patent for Seeds
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SRINIVAS KESINENI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5907. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE  10 TH  APRIL, 2017.

## PATENT FOR SEEDS

## 5907. SHRI KESINENI SRINIVAS:

## Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Department  of  Industrial  Policy  and  Promotion (DIPP) opposed the notification issued by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Licensing and Formats for GM Technology Licensing Agreement Guidelines, 2016 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether  the above  guidelines exclusively relate to  seeds  and  do  not contravene provisions of any statute more particularly Patent Act and if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto?

## 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): The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare had issued draft guidelines, namely, 'Licensing Guidelines and Formats for GM Technology Agreements' on 24 th May, 2016 for comments/ suggestions from all stakeholders. DIPP is engaged with Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare in this regard.
- (b): The above guidelines affect the patented rights granted on gene technology, and hence cannot be said to exclusively relate to seeds.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5905 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Exams for Teachers
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PANKAJ CHOWDHARY

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5905 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.04.2017

## Exams for Teachers

## †5905. SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  formulating  any  policy  for  conducting  examination  for the  teachers  similar  to  the  examination  being  conducted  for  the  doctors/engineers  for improving the quality of education;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which the Government proposes to implement such policy?

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

(a) to (c): The National Council for Teacher Education which has been mandated for the regulation  and  development  of  Teacher  Education  Sector  in  the  Country,  is  examining  the process and  methodology for conduct of  an All India Entrance Exam for B.Ed. programme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5904 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Retention of Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5904 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.04.2017

## Retention of Students

5904. SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  recent  survey,  that  reportedly revealed that students were deliberately held back to improve the pass percentage in Class X and Class XII examination by some schools in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is considering to take action against such schools in the country; and

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a):  Education  being  in  the  concurrent  list  of  the  constitution  and  majority  of  the schools  come  under  the  administrative  control  of  the  respective  State  Governments. Therefore, it is for them to initiate action against such schools.
- (b) to (d): Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5903 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Promotion of MSMEs under Make in India
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, ANANDRAO  ADSUL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5903 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 10.04.2017

## PROMOTION OF MSMEs UNDER MAKE IN INDIA

5903.

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL :

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  made  any  assessment  as  to  how  the  Government's Make  in  India  (MII)  Initiative  has  helped  the  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether MII programme is aimed at boosting manufacturing and generating jobs in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether still dedicated measures are required to be taken by the Government to ensure that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) promotes the MSME sector; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  the development of MSME sector?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b): The Make in India strategy aims to promote India as an important investment destination  and  a  global  hub  for  manufacturing,  design  and  innovation.  Department  of Industrial  Policy  and  Promotion  (DIPP),  Ministry  of  Commerce  and  Industry  is  the coordinating agency for implementing the Make in India campaign. The Ministry of MSME has not made any assessment of the impact of Make in India initiative on MSMEs.

(c)&(d): Access to finance, availability of timely credit, infrastructure, technology and marketing  facilities  are  essential  for  the  promotion  and  development  of  MSME  sector. Ministry  of  MSME  has  been  taking  various  steps  for  the  development  of  MSME  Sector through  its  schemes  and  programmes  like  Credit  Guarantee  Fund  Scheme,  Credit  Linked Subsidy Scheme, National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP), Micro and Small EnterprisesCluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP), Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Marketing Development Scheme etc.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5900 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Preferential Trade Agreements
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5900 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  APRIL, 2017

## PREFERENTIAL TRADE AGREEMENTS

## 5900. SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has expanded Preferential Trade Agreements with many countries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  offer  incentives  to  companies  for boosting  exports  to  these  countries  with  which  the  Government  has  expanded preferential trade agreements; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Yes  Madam,  the  government  has  recently  expanded  two  Preferential  Trade Agreements,  namely,  Chile  and  Asia  Pacific  Trade  Agreement  (APTA).  The  India-Chile Preferential Trade Agreement of March, 2006 was further expanded on 6 th September 2016, according to which India and Chile have offered to each other concessions on 1031 and 1784 tariff  lines  respectively.  The  4 th Round  of  tariff  concessions  under  Asia  Pacific  Trade Agreement  (APTA)  was  concluded  on  13 th January  2017,  according  to  which  tariff concessions on specified lines based on Margin of Preference have been offered by member countries  to  each  other.  The  first  Round  of  APTA  was  entered  into  force  in  1975  and  the current  membership  of  APTA  includes  Bangladesh,  China,  India,  Lao  PDR,  Republic  of Korea, and Sri Lanka. Both the Agreements will come into force subject to completion of internal procedures.

(c)&(d) There  are  no  specific  schemes  for  promoting  exports  under  these  two Agreements,  however,  exporters  can  avail  of  the  existing  export  promotion  schemes  for boosting exports to the countries covered under the two Agreements.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5899 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: MSME Entrepreneurs
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM

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

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION No. 5899 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.04.2017

## MSME ENTREPRENEURS

## 5899.      SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM:

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

- (a) whether the trainees under Ministry's several skill development and entrepreneurship development Schemes have been actually  encouraged for opting  for  schemes  like  Start-up and Stand-up Schemes which are targeted for potential MSE entrepreneurs in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the problems being faced by the MSME entrepreneurs in the organised as well as unorganized sectors; and
- (c) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes,  Madam.  All  the  MSME-DIs  and  MSME-TCs/TRs  under  the  Office  of Development Commissioner (MSME) have been instructed to include in the EDPs conducted by them a couple of sessions on the schemes like Start-up and Stand-up.
- (b): Problems faced by MSME entrepreneurs can be broadly classified into five verticals i.e. Credit, Technology, Marketing, Infrastructure and Skilled Manpower.
- (c): Ministry  of  Micro,  Small  And  Medium  Enterprises  has  been  operating  various schemes to address the problems of MSME enterprises like Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for MSEs  for  Credit related problems, Credit Related Capital Subsidy Scheme  for Technology up-gradation, Marketing and Technology Up-gradation & Marketing Development Assistance Schemes to address marketing problems; MSE-Cluster Development Programme for addressing infrastructure problems and various skill development  training  programmes  through  its  various  organizations  like  Tool  Rooms, Technology Centres, KVIC, Coir Board and NSIC etc..

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5898 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Merger of Oil Companies
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: CHINTAMAN NAVSHA WANAGA

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION  No. 5898 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 10 th  APRIL, 2017

## MERGER OF OIL COMPANIES

5898.  ADV. CHINTAMAN NAVASHA WANAGA: पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  merge  nationalised  oil  companies  in  the country and if so, the details thereof along with the modalities/ salient features of the same; and
- (b)  whether any time line has been fixed for the said merger and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज्य मंत्री (स्विंत्र प्रभार) (श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान)

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS

(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) & (b): Finance Minister in the Union Budget Speech of 2017-18 on February 1, 2017 inter alia stated that 'We see opportunities to strengthen our CPSEs through  consolidation,  mergers  and  acquisitions.  By  these  methods,  the CPSEs can be integrated across the value chain of an industry.  It will give them  capacity  to  bear  higher  risks,  avail  economies  of  scale,  take  higher investment decisions and create more value for the stakeholders.  Possibilities of  such  restructuring  are  visible  in  the  Oil  and  Gas  sector.    We  propose  to create an integrated public sector 'Oil Major' which will be able to match the performance of international and domestic private sector oil and gas companies.'

*****