opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2720 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Sewa Service Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: V. Kalanidhi, Ajay (Teni) Misra, Andimuthu Raja, S. Ramalingam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2720

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## SEWA SERVICE TRAINS

2720. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISRA TENI:

SHRI A. RAJA:

SHRI RAMALINGAM S.:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  introduce  Sewa  Service  Trains  to ensure  better  last  mile  connectivity  between  smaller  towns  in  short  distance within the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has identified the smaller towns to be covered under this service across the country including Tamil Nadu;
- (c) if so, the State-wise details of the routes on which these Sewa Services Trains are  likely  to  be  introduced  along  with  the  details  of  services  proposed  to  be offered to the passengers including in North Chennai;
- (d) the details of the funds likely to be sanctioned for this; and
- (e) the time by which these are likely to be connected?

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## ANSWER (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)  to  (e)  To  facilitate  the  travelling  passengers  and  provide  rail  connectivity between smaller towns and important cities as also to meet the short-distance travelling  requirements  of  the  passengers,  Indian  Railways  have  introduced  12 pairs  of  'Sewa'  services,  w.e.f.  15.10.2019,  over  various  origination-destination pairs,  which  include    03  pairs  of  'Sewa'  services,  namely  76801/76802  Karur  Salem  Sewa  DEMU,  56609/56610  Palani  -  Coimbatore  Sewa  Passenger  and 56183/56184  Coimbatore  -  Pollachi  Sewa  Passenger,  catering  to  the  stations located in the State of Tamil Nadu. There is no proposal to introduce additional 'Sewa' services, at present. However, introduction of trains services, including 'Sewa'  services,  is  an  ongoing  process,  subject  to  operational  feasibility, availability of resources etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2719 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: New Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Vinod Chavda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2719 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## NEW TRAINS

2719.  SHRI VINOD L. CHAVDA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  Railways  has  any  plans  to  start  new  trains  in  the  year 2019-20; and
- (b) if so, whether there is any plan to start new train direct from Bhuj to New Delhi?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) & (b) At present, there is no proposal to introduce a train between Bhuj and New Delhi. However, Bhuj is presently connected to Delhi by 02  pairs  of  trains  viz.  14311/14312  Bareilly  -  Bhuj  Express  and 14321/14322 Bareilly - Bhuj Ala Hazrat Express. Besides, introduction of trains is an ongoing  process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to operational  feasibility,  traffic  justification,  availability  of  resources etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2717 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Bullet Train Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mala Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2717 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## BULLET TRAIN PROJECT

2717. MS. MALA ROY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of the Bullet Train Project;
- (b) whether there has been any cost escalation in the project because of the delays and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of current impediments in the project?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (c): Mumbai-Ahmedabad  High  Speed  Rail  (MAHSR)  Project  is  being executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) namely National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), with technical and financial assistance of  Government  of  Japan.  The  cost  escalation  compared  to  the  cost indicated in Feasibility Study, if any cannot be ascertained at this stage, as most of the Contract Packages are still to be finalised. The land availability and  Statutory  clearances  regarding  Wildlife  and  Coastal  Regulation  Zone have been a challenge which have been resolved by regular follow up with State Government and other concerned agencies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2716 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Voluntary Retirement Scheme
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Rampreet Mandal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2616 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH   DECEMBER, 2019

## RULES FOR HIGHER OFFICIALS

## †2616. SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI: SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  higher  officials  of  Ministry  of  Communications,  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited (BSNL)  and  Mahanagar  Telephone  Nigam  Limited  (MTNL)  are  working  in  private  telecom companies  post  retirement  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (b) the details of rules and regulations, if any, for higher officials to work in any other company post retirement?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, LAW & JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) & (b) Commercial employment of a pensioner before expiry of one year from the date of retirement,  who immediately before his retirement was a member  of Central Civil Service Group 'A' requires sanction of Government in terms of Rule-10 of Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 as amended from time to time. Further, post retirement commercial employment of BSNL and MTNL officials is regulated in terms of Rule 17(5) of BSNL CDA Rules, 2006 and Rule 13A of MTNL CDA Rules, 1998 respectively as amended from time to time.

As per available  records,  details  of  higher  officials  who  joined  commercial  employment  in private  telecom  companies  in  violation  of  Central  Civil  Service  (Pension)  Rules,  1972  and  action taken by Government are as under:

- i. Shri P K Khindri, former Chief General Manager, BSNL, T&D Circle, Jabalpur penalized with  stoppage  of  full  pension  for  a  period  of  two  years  for  joining  in  M/s  Reliance Industries.
- ii. Shri Shabbir Ahmed, former Director, BSNL Corporate Office, New Delhi penalized with deduction of 25% of pension for one year for joining M/s Reliance Infocomm. Limited.
- iii. Shri Satya Pal Kalsi, former Chief General Manager, BSNL, Uttar Pradesh (East) Circle penalized  with  deduction  of  25%  of  pension  for  one  year  for  joining  M/s  Reliance Infocomm. Limited.
- iv. Shri P. Harihar Kumar, Former General Manager, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL)  penalized  with  forfeiture  of pension  for the period  from  01.07.1999  to 24.05.2000 for joining M/s Bharti Cellular Limited.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Telecom Facilities in Rural Areas of Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Keshari Devi Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2714 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH   DECEMBER, 2019

## TELECOM FACILITIES IN RURAL AREAS OF UTTAR PRADESH

## †2714. SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the names and the details of the schemes to strengthen telecommunication facilities in rural areas of the country, especially in the State of Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) whether most of the mobile towers installed in rural areas of the country are not functioning and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, LAW & JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a) To  strengthen  telecommunication  facilities  in  rural  areas  of  the  country,  following  projects  are approved by the Government:
- 1) Under  Left  Wing  Extremism  (LWE)  affected  areas  Phase-I  project,  2,355  towers  have  been installed by Government of India out of which, 78 towers are in Uttar Pradesh. Under LWE PhaseII project, installation of 2,217 mobile towers has been approved for providing mobile connectivity including 42 mobile towers in the State of Uttar Pradesh;
- 2) Mobile connectivity in 354 villages of uncovered border areas including Ladakh and Kargil Region, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and other priority areas has also been approved including 9 villages in the State of Uttar Pradesh;
- 3) A Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for mobile connectivity in the North Eastern Region to  provide  mobile  coverage  in  uncovered  villages  and  alongwith  National  Highways  and  to augment transmission network;
- 4) Under BharatNet project, broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (approx. 2.5 lakh) in the country;
- 5) Laying  of  submarine  optical  fibre  cable  between  Chennai  and  Andaman  &  Nicobar  Islands  for providing connectivity to Andaman & Nicobar Islands;
- 6) Mobile  connectivity  to  cover  uncovered  villages  and  along  National  Highway  (NH  223)  in Andaman & Nicobar Islands;
- 7) Mobile connectivity has been enhanced in Lakshadweep Islands by installing 10 mobile towers;
- 8) Satellite bandwidth augmentation upto 4 Gbps for Andaman & Nicobar Islands;
- 9) Satellite bandwidth augmentation upto 1.71 Gbps for Lakshadweep Islands.
- (b) & (c) No  Sir.  All  Telecom  Service  Providers  (TSPs)  are  consistently  meeting  the  Telecom Regulatory  Authority  of  India's  (TRAI)  Quality  of  Service  (QoS)  benchmarks  for  the  network  quality including network availability.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2711 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Isolation of Pakistan
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gopal Chinayya Shetty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2711 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## ISOLATION OF PAKISTAN

- † 2711.   SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :

- (a) whether India gave a befitting reply to the provoking speech of the Prime Minister of Pakistan in the United Nations in September 2019;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether Pakistan has become isolated in the world for spreading fake propaganda and fabricated falsehood against the country at international level and India has gained honour and respect in the world; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) to (d) India   has   categorically   and   unequivocally   rejected   Pakistan's   blatant misrepresentation of facts and fabricated narratives at international fora, including at the United Nations. The Indian delegation, in its Right of Reply delivered at the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2019, called out the hate speech made by the Prime Minister of Pakistan which justified terrorism and held out nuclear threats. Government has briefed members of the international community on Pakistan's false propaganda, and its continued aid and abetment to cross-border terrorism against India, including in the Union T erritory of Jammu & Kashmir. thwarted. Countries have shown understanding that matters related to Jammu and

As a result of Government's efforts, Pakistan's attempts to interfere in internal affairs   of   India;   to   present   an   alarmist   situation   of   the   region;   and   its   abuse   of international   fora   including   United   Nations   have   been   successfully   and   effectively Kashmir, which is an integral part of India, are internal to India. Countries have also called on Pakistan to not allow its territory to be used for terrorism in any manner. They have also acknowledged that issues, if any, between India and Pakistan should be addressed bilaterally and peacefully.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2710 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Coastal Rail Routes
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Chunni Lal Sahu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2710

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## COASTAL RAIL ROUTES

†2710. SHRI CHUNNI LAL SAHU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  for  reducing  distance  of freight coastal rail route and saving time and cost thereby;
- (b) if so, the details of the action plan likely to be prepared with regard to coastal rail route from Mumbai to Kolkata;
- (c)  whether  international  ports  like  Paradip,  Golapur,  etc.  are  connected with the rail route and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  decision  in  this  regard  along with the estimated cost of the said route; and
- (e) whether any action has been taken so far in this regard and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) & (b) No, Sir. The coastal rail route from Mumbai to Kolkata is already connected on rail network via Mangalore, Kanniyakumari, Chennai, Vizag and Paradeep.
- (c)  &  (d)  Paradeep  port  is  connected  with  Cuttack  on  Indian  Railway Network. Further, a work of new line between Haridaspur-Paradeep having a  length  of  82  Kms  at  a  cost  of ` 1844.47  Cr  is  in  various  stages  of execution. There is no port by name Golapur.

- (e) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2709 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Mobile Network in Arunachal Pradesh
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: C. Lalrosanga

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2709 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH   DECEMBER, 2019

## MOBILE NETWORK IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH

## †2709. SHRI C. LALROSANGA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  enhance  the  mobile  networks  in  the  eastern  most region of Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  private  Telecom  Service  Providers  (TSPs)  are  reluctant  to  operate  in  these locations due to lack of economic viability and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  mobile  network  to  villagers  residing  in  the aforesaid region and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, LAW & JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (d) The Government through Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) scheme, under Comprehensive  Telecom  Development  Plan  for  the  North-Eastern  Region  (NER)  has  planned  to provide mobile services in 2215 uncovered villages of Arunachal Pradesh including the villages in eastern most region of Line of Actual Control (LAC). Further, the work of installation of 149 mobile towers along National Highways has also been taken up.

As on 31 st October, 2019, there are 2623 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) of private Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) operating in state of Arunachal Pradesh. Private TSPs continue to explore the  possibility  of  expanding  coverage  to  the  uncovered  areas  depending  on  various  technocommercial considerations.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2708 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Railway Website
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kunhalikutty P.K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2708 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## RAILWAY WEBSITE

2708.  SHRI P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  railway  website  known  as  indianrail.gov.in  is  slow and does not give the desired result in requisite time;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reaction  of  the  Government thereto; and
- (c) the steps being taken to make the site beneficial to the common man in real sense?

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## ANSWER (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)  to  (c):  No,  Sir.    The  Railway  Website,  http://www.indianrail.gov.in, has  a  fast  response  time  of  less  than  1  second  for  both  local  and network transaction.  It registers on an average 1.2 crore hits daily. The  site  was  redesigned  in  2017.    The  earlier  version  of  2002  used Common  Gateway  Interface  (CGI)  technology  while  the  re-designed website uses Java technology, which is far more advanced.

Major  improvements  have  been  done  in  the  User  Interface  of  the website for better user experience, such as reduced page size, mobile responsiveness,  use  of  advanced  version  of  'Google  ReCaptcha'  for identification of genuine user request, faster response time and more than 99% uptime.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2707 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Setting up Defence PSU in Odisha
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Achyutananda Samanta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2707

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  December, 2019

## SETTING UP DEFENCE PSU IN ODISHA

2707. SHRI ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has sanctioned an Ordnance Factory in Bolangir, Odisha;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  also  proposes  to  setup  a  major  Defence  Public  Sector Undertaking (PSU) or unit of one of it in an under-developed area like Kandhamal; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

<!-- image -->

- (a) & (b):  One Ordnance Factory was established in the year 1984 at Bolangir district in Odisha for manufacturing of medium and high calibre ammunition.
- (c) & (d):  No, Sir. The current capacity of the DPSUs is sufficient to cater the present orders of Indian Armed Forces and other customers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2706 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Free Transport of Mortal Remains
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Hemant Tukaram Godse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2706 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## FREE TRANSPORT OF MORTAL REMAINS

2706. SHRI HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) whether there is a request that the dead bodies of NRIs would be sent to India free of cost; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) There have been some requests regarding the high and variable cost of transportation of dead bodies of Indian nationals from Gulf countries to India.

The matter was taken up with Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India and based on the discussions, Air India has implemented a flat rate for transfer of mortal remains of Indian nationals from Gulf countries to various destinations in India. The flat rate implemented by Air India amounts to average reduction of fares of up to 30-35% to some of the major destinations in India from Gulf countries.

In addition, our Missions and Posts abroad continue to provide assistance for free  of   cost   transfer   of   mortal   remains   to   India   under   this   Ministry's   Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) in deserving cases on a means-tested basis.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2704 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Reservation to OBC in Promotion
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2704

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019)

## RESERVATION TO OBC IN PROMOTION

## 2704. SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  is  providing  reservation  to  Other  Backward  Classes (OBCs) in promotion in the Government services; and
- (b) if  not,  whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  provide  27  per  cent  reservation  to OBCs in all groups of promotions also in the Government services?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a):      No, Sir.
- (b):     No such proposal is under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2703 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Setting up Industries in Budaun
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sanghamitra Maurya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2703.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 04 TH  DECEMBER, 2019.

## SETTING UP INDUSTRIES IN BUDAUN

## 2703.  DR. SANGHMITRA MAURYA:

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

वाणिज्य

## एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the Government is considering to establish any industry or factory in Budaun  in  order  to  provide  employment  to  the  youth  and  to  check  the migration;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER वाणिज ् य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ( श्री पीयूष गोयल ) THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (c) : Yes,  sir.  As  per  information  received  from  Government  of  Uttar Pradesh,  they  have  prepared  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  and selected Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for One District One Product Zari Cluster financed by the State Government.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2702 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Import of Palm Oil
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Rajdeep Roy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2702 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 th DECEMBER, 2019 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04

## IMPORT OF PALM OIL

## 2702. DR. RAJDEEP ROY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािण�य एवं उ�ोग मं�ी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India is taking any concrete action pertaining to palm oil imports from Malaysia in response to the statement by that country's Prime Minister; and
- (b) whether the Government will curtail imports of refined palm oil in India in line with the 'Make In India' programme?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y )

## THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) & (b) Import of edible oil is under Open General License. Import of palm oil happens mainly from ASEAN countries  such  as  Indonesia  and  Malaysia  under  the  Free  Trade Agreement s. Following  surge  in  imports  and  threat  of  serious  material  injury  to  domestic  industry, Government has increased  Customs  Duty  by  5% on  imports of  refined  bleached  deodorized palmolein and palm oil into India from Malaysia for a period of 180 days w.e.f. 4 th September, 2019 based on the preliminary findings of Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) under India-Malaysia CECA  (Bilateral Safeguard Measures) Rules, 2017. On similar lines, Government will use all available instruments in the National interest, as and when necessary.

****