opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2258 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Shortage of Staff in BRO
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Dinesh Chandra Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2258

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  March, 2020

## SHORTAGE OF STAFF IN BRO

## 2258. SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has shortage of GroupA Civil Engineers and Assistant Executive Engineer for long;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that BRO has taken up case for amendment of R&P rules for the posts of Assistant Executive Engineer (Civil) to reduce the deficiency on post and to improve the promotional avenue to Group-B Civil Engineers; and
- (d) if so, the status of amendment of R&P rules?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

<!-- image -->

- (a) & (b):  About 33% of the sanctioned posts of various grades of Civil Engineers including  Assistant  Executive  Engineer  are  currently  vacant.    Filling  up  vacancies through  promotion/direct  recruitment  is  an  ongoing  process  and  the  vacancies  get filled up regularly.
- (c) & (d):  The proposal for amendment of R&P rules for the post of AEE(Civil) to improve  the  promotional  avenue  to  Group-B  Civil  Engineers  stands  examined  for further consultation with DoP&T and UPSC.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2257 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Canteen Facilities to Ex-servicemen
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Vaithilingam Ve.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2257

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  March, 2020

## CANTEEN FACILITIES TO EX-SERVICEMEN

2257. SHRI VE. VAITHILINGAM:

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

- (a) the total number of canteen facilities available in the country for the benefit of ExServicemen;
- (b) whether the Government  is aware of closure/merger of canteen facilities nationwide and the suffering of Ex-Servicemen as a result thereof and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the Government  proposes  to  open  canteen  facility in  Puducherry exclusively for the benefit of Ex-Servicemen; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

- (a)  There are 3809 Unit Run Canteens (URCs) as on date, all over the country, which can also be utilised by Ex-servicemen.
- (b)  The Government has not given any orders for closure of URCs.  However, merger of  URCs  is  a  periodic  process  based  on  the  number  of  beneficiaries  in  the  area, proximity to other URCs and organisational efficiency.  All efforts are made to ensure that there is no inconvenience to the clientele, including Ex-servicemen.
- (c)  No, Sir.
- (d)  Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: New Trains in Karnataka
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sanganna Amarappa Karadi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2255 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## NEW TRAINS IN KARNATAKA

## 2255. SHRI SANGANNA AMARAPPA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is planning to announce some new trains in Karnataka, especially for the Koppal constituency; and

(b) if so, the details of the trains that are likely to be provided?

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## ANSWER (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)  and  (b)  Indian  Railways  do  not  run  train  services  on  Statewise basis as railway network straddles across State boundaries.  Koppal  and  Gangawati  stations  are  at  present served by two pairs of trains that is one pair of express services and  one  pair  of  passenger  services.    However,  introduction  of trains  is  an  ongoing  process  over  Indian  Railways  subject  to operational  feasibility,  traffic  demand,  availability  of  resources etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Baiyappanahalli Coaching Terminal
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: P. C. Mohan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2254 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## BAIYAPPANAHALLI COACHING TERMINAL

2254. SHRI P.C. MOHAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) the  status  of  work  of  revamping  of  Baiyappanahalli  coaching terminal in Bengaluru; and
- (b) the details of funds allocated and its estimated completion date?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)  and  (b):    Revamping  of  Baiyappanahalli  Coaching  terminal  is  in advance stage of progress.

In 2019-20 RG, a fund of ` 82.87 crore has been allotted. Expenditure as on 28.02.2020 is ` 80 crore. Estimated completion date-30.05.2020.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2252 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Vacancies in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kunwar Danish Ali

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2252 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## VACANCIES IN RAILWAYS

## 2252. KUNWAR DANISH ALI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has cancelled the vacancies under ESE 2020 for  which  stage-I  (Preliminary)  examination  was  conducted on 5 th  January, 2020;
- (b) if so, the reasons for cancellation; and
- (c)  if  not,  whether  the  Stage-II  (Mains)  examinations  would  be conducted to recruit candidates for the same?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)  In  line  with  Government's  decision  to  introduce  Indian Railway  Management  Service  (IRMS)  from  the  next  recruitment cycle, it has been decided to withdraw indents for services covered under  Engineering  Services  Examination  2020  and  Civil  Services Examination 2020 except that for Indian Railway Protection Force Service (IRPFS).

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2248 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: National Retail Policy
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Nama Nageswara Rao

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2248.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 04 TH  MARCH, 2020.

## NATIONAL RETAIL POLICY

## 2248.  SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO:

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

वाणिज्य

## एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  have  a  National  Retail  Policy  to streamline retail trade in the country and promote Ease of Doing Business in the sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including timelines for implementing the same; 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. The Government proposes to have a National Retail Trade Policy to  create  conducive  environment  for  retail  trade  including  by  simplifying rules and regulations hindering the growth of retail sector. As the  National Retail  Trade  Policy  is  under  formulation  after  which  implementation  will happen, it is not possible to give timeline for implementation.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2246 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Rail Connectivity to Dataganj
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dharmendra Kumar Kashyap

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2246 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## RAIL CONNECTIVITY TO DATAGANJ

†2246  SHRI DHARMENDRA KASHYAP:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  proposal  has  been  received  by  the  Railways  to provide rail connectivity to Dataganj falling  under the Parliamentary constituency, Aonla;
- (b) if  so,  the  action  taken  by  the  Government in this regard so far; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) Requests/demands for new lines, gauge conversion and doubling, both formal as well as informal, are received at various levels, Railway Board, Zonal Railways and Divisional Headquarters, etc.  As receipt of such  requests/suggestions/demands  is  a  continuous  and  dynamic process, centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained.

Presently there is no proposal to provide rail connectivity to Dataganj under Parliamentary Constituency Aonla.

- (b) and (c)  Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2245 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Railway Divisions in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S.R. Parthiban

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2245 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020 RAILWAY DIVISIONS IN TAMIL NADU

2245. SHRI PARTHIBAN S.R.: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the details of railway divisions in Tamil Nadu; (b) the total number of trains operated from Salem division to other States and within Tamil Nadu; and (c) the details of users in Salem division for last three years?

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

(a) to (c):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.2245  BY  SHRI  PARTHIBAN  S.R.  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK SABHA ON 04.03.2020 REGARDING RAILWAY DIVISIONS IN TAMIL NADU

(a): Headquarters of Chennai, Salem, Tiruchchirappalli and Madurai Divisions of Southern Railway are in Tamil Nadu. In addition, jurisdictions of Thiruvananthpuram  and  Palakkad  Divisions  of  Southern  Railway,  Guntakal Division of South Central Railway and Bengaluru Division of South Western Railway, partially come under the State of Tamil Nadu.

(b): 150 numbers of Trains are operated from Salem Division to other States and 34 numbers of Trains are operated within Tamil Nadu State.

(c):    The  details  of  total  inward  and  outward passengers in Salem Division during last three years are as under:

| Year                                           |   2017-18 |   2018-19 |   2019-20 (up to January'2020) |
|------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|--------------------------------|
| Total inward and outward passengers (in Lakhs) |    642.47 |    728.73 |                         617.39 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2244 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: High Speed Corridors
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Khalilur Rahaman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2244

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020 HIGH SPEED CORRIDORS

## 2244.   SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps being taken to cut travel time of trains on major routes including Howrah-Delhi and Guwahati Sealdah;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  allocated  funds  for  Mumbai-Delhi route for high speed corridor and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  develop  new  high  speed
- corridors across the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) The Railways is undertaking measures for improving speed of both passenger and freight trains. Improvement in average speed of trains is  a  continuous  exercise  for  Railways.  Further,  the  Government  in August  2019  has  approved  two  projects  for  raising  of  speed  to  160 Kmph on existing New Delhi-Mumbai (including Vadodara-Ahmedabad) and New Delhi-Howrah (including Kanpur-Lucknow) routes. In addition, the Railways have sanctioned a large number of capacity enhancement  works  over  various  zones  which  when  commissioned, are  bound  to  increase  the  speed  of  trains  and  cut  travel  time  on various routes including Guwahati-Sealdah.

(b)  to  (d)    No,  Sir.    At  present,  Mumbai-Ahmedabad  High  Speed  Rail (HSR)  corridor  is  the  only  HSR  Project  which  is  sanctioned  and  the same  is  under  execution  with  the  technical  &  financial  cooperation from Government of Japan. Further, Ministry of Railways has decided to undertake Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the following six HSR corridors:

- (i)
- (ii)
- (iii)
- (iv)
- (v)

Delhi - Noida - Agra - Kanpur - Lucknow- Varanasi (865 kms) Delhi - Jaipur - Udaipur - Ahmedabad (886 kms) Mumbai - Nasik - Nagpur (753 kms) Mumbai - Pune - Hyderabad (711 kms) Chennai - Bangalore - Mysore (435 kms)

- (vi) Delhi - Chandigarh - Ludhiana - Jalandhar - Amritsar (459 kms)

The  work  of  undertaking  DPR  has  been  entrusted  to  National  High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (NHSRCL).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2243 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Adarsh Station Scheme
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sumalatha Ambareesh, Nalin Kumar Kateel, D.K. Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2243 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## ADARSH STATION SCHEME

2243.  SHRIMATI SUMALATHA AMBAREESH: SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: SHRI D.K. SURESH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of railway stations identified for development under Adarsh Station Scheme in the State of Karnataka during the last three years and the current year;
- (b)  whether  all  the  selected  railway  stations  under  Adarsh  Station Scheme  are  upgraded/modernized  completely,  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (c)  if  not,  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the  steps  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

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

[

(a) to (c) :  Adarsh Station Scheme has been started since 2009-10. In the state  of  Karnataka,  44  stations  were  identified  for  development  under this scheme, out of which 42 stations so far have been developed and the remaining stations are targeted to be developed by 2020-21. However, no station has been identified for development under Adarsh Station scheme in  the  State  of  Karnataka  during  the  last  three  years  and  the  current year.

Upgradation/modernization  is  a  continuous  and  on-going  process depending upon need,  volume of passenger traffic and inter-se priority, subject to availability of funds.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2242 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Suburban Railway Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gangasandra Siddappa Basavaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2242 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## SUBURBAN RAILWAY PROJECT

## 2242.      SHRI G.S. BASAVARAJ:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  accorded  approval  for  the  Bangalore suburban railway project to provide much needed relief to commuters from the road traffic bottlenecks and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)    whether  the  detailed  project  report  has  been  examined  to  facilitate securing the nod for the Railway Board and the CCEA and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)    whether  satellite  towns  around  Bangalore  including  Tumkur  will  be linked to the Bangalore Suburban railway network; and
- (d)    if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  and  (b)  :    Yes,  Sir.    The  Government  of  Karnataka  and  Ministry  of  Railways have  accorded  'in-principle'  approval  for  Bangaluru  Suburban  Transport  Project (148.17 Km) at the completion cost of ₹ 18621 crore. The project has been approved by EBR (Expanded Board for Railways).  The approval of CCEA is yet to be obtained.
- (c) and (d) :  As per Detailed Project Report(DPR) following corridors are covered:-
- i)    KSR Bangaluru to Devanalli (41.40 km.)
- ii)   Baiyappanahalli to Chikkabanavara (25.01 km)
- iii)  Kengeri to Cantonment (18.47 km.)
- iv)  Cantonment to Whitefield (17.05 km.)
- v)   Heelalige to Rajankunte (46.24 km.)

As  such,  the  satellite  towns  including  Tumkur  are  not  included  in  the  proposed Bengaluru Suburban Transport Project.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2241 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Survey of New Railway Lines
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dhal Singh Bisen

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2241 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## SURVEY OF NEW RAILWAY LINES

†2241.  DR. DHAL SINGH BISEN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the district-wise and rail route-wise details of survey which have been completed for  laying  new  extension  of  existing  railway  lines  in  future  in Madhya Pradesh;
- (b) the details of various routes selected for laying railway line/likely to be selected on priority basis out of these railway lines for which survey was undertaken;
- (c)  whether  sanction  has  been  accorded  for  carrying  out  survey  on  new railway line between Katangi-Siwani in Siwani Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh and if so, whether the said survey has been completed;
- (d)  whether  sanction  is  likely  to  be  accorded  for  laying  the  said  new railway line;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2241 BY DR. DHAL SINGH BISEN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.03.2020 REGARDING SURVEY OF NEW RAIL LINES

(a)  and (b) Railway projects are not surveyed district wise or state wise. Surveys are undertaken based on various considerations such as demands raised  by  State  Governments,  Central  Ministries,  Members  of  Parliament, other public representatives, Railway's own operational requirements, last mile connectivity etc. However, 17 surveys for new lines falling partly/fully in  the  State  of  Madhya  Pradesh  have  been  completed  during  last  three years.  3  Projects  of  new  line  falling  partly/fully  in  the  State  of  Madhya Pradesh have been included in last 3 years subject to requisite approvals. Details are as under:

|   Sl no. | Name of Project            |   Length (Kms) |
|----------|----------------------------|----------------|
|        1 | Indore-Manmad via Malegaon |         368    |
|        2 | Budni-Indore               |         205    |
|        3 | Neemuch-Badisadri          |          48.35 |

(c) to (f) Yes, Sir. Survey for new railway line from Seoni-Balaghat-Katangi was completed in 2015. The cost assessed was ₹ 611.23 crore with Rate of Return  of  (-)7.23%.  Project  could  not  be  taken  forward  being  financially unviable.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2240 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Recruitment Camps for Defence Forces
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Rajkumar Chahar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2240

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  March, 2020

## RECRUITMENT CAMPS FOR DEFENCE FORCES

## 2240. SHRI RAJ KUMAR CHAHAR:

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

- (a)  the  details  of  last  recruitment  camp/rally  for  the  Defence  Forces  held  in  sports stadium Agra to enable participation of candidates from Fatehpur Sikri and adjoining cities;
- (b) the number of candidates from Fatehpur selected in the final round; and
- (c) the time by which the next camp/rally is planned to be held keeping in view the shortage of soldiers in the Defence Forces?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

<!-- image -->

- (a)  No rally has been conducted by the Army in Sports Stadium Agra in the last five years.  However, in 2015, a rally was conducted at Eklavya Stadium, Agra.  The last rally for candidates from Fatehpur Sikri was conducted from 15-27 November 2018 at Eagle Ground, Mathura.
- (b)  No separate data is being maintained for Fatehpur Sikri.  However, 81 candidates were selected from Kiraoli Tehsil including candidates from Fatehpur Sikri.
- (c)    Next  rally  of  Army  Recruitment  Office  Agra  is  planned  at  Mathura  in  March, 2020.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2239 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Benefits of FTAs
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Pankaj Chowdhary

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2239 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 th MARCH, 2020

## BENEFITS OF FTAs

2239(H). SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether  the  small  and  medium  exporters  are  not  getting  the  benefits  of  Free  Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed with different countries;
- (b) if so, whether the Government is taking/proposes to take any step to extend its benefits to small and medium exporters;
- (c) the details of steps taken by the Government to promote global trade; and
- (d) whether the Government has made up its mind to give any package to small and medium exporters?

## ANSWER

## okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y ) THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (d): The Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed by India provide tariff concessions thereby giving opportunities for exports of products including those related to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).  Some  of  the  SME  products  on  which  tariff  concessions  have  been  provided  by  trading partners such as Japan, South Korea and some ASEAN countries fall into the category of readymade garments,  leather  goods,  processed  foods  and  engineering  products  like  auto  components.    The specific export promotion schemes for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) include those for participation in international exhibitions and fairs, training programme on packaging for exports, Market  Development Assistance  (MDA)  Scheme  for  MSME  exporters  and  National  Award  for quality products.  Some of the other measures taken by the Government which would promote trade and benefit exports from SMEs are specific schemes under the new Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 201520 such as Interest Equalization Scheme on pre and post shipment rupee export credit, Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS), Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS), double weightage for export entitlement to SMEs for grant of one star export house, electronic filing and issuance for specified FTP Schemes, online platform for preferential certificates of origin, etc. While a logistics division has been created in the Department of Commerce to coordinate integrated development of the logistics sector with a view to promoting trade, some of the new schemes and policies that have been  launched  to  facilitate  trade  are  Agriculture  Export  Policy,  Trade  Infrastructure  for  Export Scheme (TIES) and Transport and Marketing Assistance (TMA).

****