opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 59 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Higher Education Regulator
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 59 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## Higher Education Regulator

## 59. SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

- Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is set to replace the apex higher education regulator body University Grants Commission with the higher education commission of India; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether the draft act is in accordance with the commitment of the Government to reform  the  regulatory  mechanism  to  provide  more  autonomy  to  higher  education institutes to promote excellence and facilitate holistic growth of the education system; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a) to (d): The Ministry has prepared a draft Higher Education Commission of India Bill to repeal the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956 and for establishment of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) for promoting the quality of academic instruction,  maintenance  of  academic  standards  and  autonomy  of  good  performing higher  educational  institutions  for  free  pursuit  of  knowledge,  innovation,  incubation, skills and entrepreneurship, and for facilitating access, inclusion and opportunities to all, and providing for comprehensive and holistic growth of higher education and research in a competitive global environment.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 58 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Data on Unemployment
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 58 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## DATA ON UNEMPLOYMENT

## 58.  SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has latest data on unemployment in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the National Sample Survey Office has completed the survey for the  year  2017-18 and submitted its report to the Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has published the same; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) & (b): Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment conducts labour force  survey  on  Employment-Unemployment.  As  per  the  result  of  available labour  force  survey,  the  estimated  unemployment  rate  for  persons  aged  15 years and above on usual status basis in the country in 2015-16 was 3.7%.

(c) to (e): To ascertain employment and unemployment situation in the country, National  Sample  Survey  Office  (NSSO),  Ministry  of  Statistics  &  Programme Implementation  has  launched    Periodic  Labour  Force  Survey  (PLFS)  during 2017-18. The report of the same has not been published.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 57 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Cyber Bullying
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 57 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## Cyber Bullying

## 57. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

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

- (a)    whether it is true that the NCERT has issued guidelines on cyber bullying;
- (b)    if so, the details thereof;
- (c)    whether it is also true that these guidelines can provide framework for our own policies;
- (d)    whether it is also true that if there is some kind of cyber bullying, parents of students should also be involved as they often don't know about the same; and
- (e)    if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a) & (b) National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has developed  guidelines  on  Cyber  Safety  and  Security  for  students,  teachers  and  schools,  which have been disseminated among the States/Union Territories on May 17, 2018 for their reference, use and further dissemination. Cyber Bullying is a component of Cyber Safety and Security.

(c) The Government  has already framed the National Policy on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in School Education in 2012.  Based on the Policy guidelines, the NCERT has developed the 'Information and Communication Technology for School System: Curricula for ICT in Education' in 2013.  The guidelines on cyber safety and security circulated by  NCERT in May 2018 are  in  the  form  of  Do's  and  Don'ts  for  its  use  in  school  education system.

(d) & (e)    The  guidelines  on  cyber  safety  and  security  have  been  placed  on  the  NCERT's website for disseminating among all the stakeholders, including parents. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued guidelines to the schools affiliated to it on 18.08.2017 for safe and effective use of internet and digital technologies in schools and school buses, interalia,  advising  them  to  sensitize  the  parents  about  Internet  safety  norms.  The  Board  has  also issued guidelines on 09.03.2015 for prevention of bullying and ragging in schools with specific inputs on prevention of Cyber Bulling. The schools have been advised to engage parents also in the efforts against bullying on a continual basis.
Lok Sabha Question No. 55 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: CNG Stations
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 55

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## CNG Stations

## †55. SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री be pleased to state:

(a) whether there is any proposal to link new cities with CNG in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether there is any proposal for providing CNG supply in Bhopal of Madhya Pradesh and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the details of the cities in which CNG supply is proposed to be provided, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a)  &  (b)  Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is  the authority to grant authorization to the entities for the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in Geographical Areas (GAs) as per PNGRB Act, 2006. PNGRB identifies GAs for authorizing the  development  of  CGD  network  in  synchronization  with  the  development  of  natural  gas pipeline connectivity/ natural gas availability. The authorized CGD entities develop network to supply Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in respective GAs.

(c) Consortium of Think Gas Investments PTE Limited has been authorized to develop CGD network in Bhopal under 9 th CGD bidding round.

(d) PNGRB has launched 10 th CGD Bidding Round covering 50 GAs spread over 14 States and 124 districts (112 full and 12 part).
Lok Sabha Question No. 54 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Pricing of OPEC
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 54 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## Pricing of OPEC

## 54.  ADV.M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

## पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government has sought the OPEC nations to deliver the message on responsible pricing and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the current  high price  level  were  not  supported  by  market  fundamentals and  would  eventually  shrink  the  market  by  stalling  growth  and  if  so,  the  details thereof:
- (c) whether  the  prevailing  high  price  dent  our  fiscal  balance  and  undermine  our development process; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof  along with the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में मंत्री ( श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान )

## MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) Government has strongly taken up the issue of high crude oil price, bilaterally with crude  oil  producing  countries  and  with  Organisation  of  Petroleum  Exporting Countries (OPEC). During his annual interaction with global oil and gas experts, on 15th October 2018, India expressed concern regarding the rising global crude oil prices and highlighted the issues being faced by consuming countries due to high crude oil prices. Further, the need for synergy and cooperation between producing and consuming countries was also expressed.

India  has  also  given  a  call  for  responsible  and  reasonable  pricing  at  several international  fora,  including  at  the  16th  International  Energy  Forum  Ministerial meeting held in New Delhi in April 2018. During discussions with OPEC, India has stressed that it should work closely with consuming countries for the benefit of both producers and consumers.

- (b) to (d) The crude oil price fluctuation is a frequent market phenomenon and crude oil production and price depends on several factors, including demand and supply, geo-political situation and  policies of crude  oil producing  countries. Indian refineries import crude oil from diverse sources depending on their technical and commercial considerations and keeping in view the domestic requirement. Government has also taken steps to enhance domestic oil and gas production and to reduce reliance on imports.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 53 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Steel Export
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.53 FOR ANSWER ON 04/02/2019

## STEEL EXPORT

53. SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether total export of finished steel from the country increased by 16.7% to 9.621 million tonne during the year 2017-18 ,if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  country  had  exported  8.242  MT  finished  steel  during  2016-17 fiscal, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  contribution  of  the  non-alloy  steel  segment  stood  at  8.727  MT while the rest was the contribution of the alloy steel segment; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL

(SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a)&(b):  Yes,  Madam.  The  total  exports  of  finished  steel  (Alloy  +  Non-alloy)  has increased by 16.7% in 2017-18. The details for the same are provided hereunder:-

(Figures in MTs)

|                           |   2016-17 |   2017-18 | Increase   |
|---------------------------|-----------|-----------|------------|
| Exports of Finished Steel |     8.245 |      9.62 | 16.68%     |

Source: JPC

(c)&(d):  The  contribution  of  non-alloy  steel  segment  in  total  finished  steel  exports stood  at  8.727  MT.  The  breakup  of  finished  steel  exports  in  2017-18  has  been detailed below:-

(Figures in MTs)

|                                             |   2016-17 |   2017-18 |
|---------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|
| Exports of Finished Steel - Non-Alloy       |     7.587 |     8.727 |
| Exports of Finished Steel - Alloy/Stainless |     0.658 |     0.893 |
| Total Exports of finished Steel             |     8.245 |     9.62  |

Source: JPC

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 52 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Plastic Exports
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 52 TO BE ANSWERED ON  04 th  FEBRUARY, 2019

## PLASTIC EXPORTS

52. SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

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

- (a) whether India  targets  plastic  exports  worth  US$  10.6  billion  in  the financial  year 2019;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether India's plastic export during the financial year 2018 was primarily boosted by  higher  shipment  of  plastic  raw  materials  and  value  added  plastic  products including  woven  sacks,  plastic  sheets,  films,  plates,  optical  items,  laminates, packaging items and medical disposables to various countries; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  & (b) The  Government  constantly  strives to enhance  the exports of all commodities,  including  plastics.  India's  plastics  exports  in  FY  2017-18  were  US  $ 8.85 billion. The exports of plastic & its products have grown by 28.8% during April to December, 2018 as compared to the corresponding period of the previous financial year.

(% growth in plastics and its products exported by India)

| Product sector           | April17-Dec17   | April 18-Dec18   | Growth   |
|--------------------------|-----------------|------------------|----------|
|                          | (US$ Billion)   | (US$ Billion)    | (%)      |
| Plastic and its products | 5.46            | 7.03             | 28.8     |

- (c)  &  (d)  Yes.  Plastic  products  grouped  under Plastic  raw materials, plastic sheets, woven sacks,  packaging  items,  optical  items,  laminates,  medical  disposables  have witnessed a high growth in exports during financial year 2017-18. The details are as follows:

|                                   | 2016-17       | 2017-18        | Growth   |
|-----------------------------------|---------------|----------------|----------|
|                                   | (US$ Million) | (US $ Million) | (%)      |
| Plastic raw materials             | 2,546.66      | 3,272.97       | 28.5     |
| Plastic sheets / films plates etc | 954.03        | 1,173.84       | 23.0     |
| Woven sacks / FIBC                | 579.05        | 715.68         | 23.6     |
| Packaging items                   | 598.63        | 670.75         | 12.0     |
| Optical items                     | 381.75        | 468.17         | 22.6     |
| Laminates                         | 154.42        | 174.49         | 13.0     |
| Medical disposables               | 153.17        | 170.16         | 11.1     |
| Total                             | 5,367.71      | 6646.06        | 23.8     |

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 50 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Financial Assistance for Museum in Kerala
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 50 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  FEBRUARY,  2019

## FIANANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR MUSEUM IN KERALA

## 50.   SHRIMATI  P. K. SREEMATHI TEACHER:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has    received  proposal  from  the  State  Government  of Kerala seeking Central Financial Assistance for State/Government aided Museums in the State Capital under Museum and Zoo Departments; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the current status of the said proposal?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) CULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGES

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) &  (b) Yes Madam, Government has received proposals from the State Government of  Kerala  seeking  financial  assistance  for  Napier  Museum,  Thiruvananthapuram; Krishnapuram  Palace  Museum,  Kayamkulam  and  Shatkthan  Thampuran  Palace Museum,  Thrissur  under  Museum  Grant  Scheme.  These  proposals  were  considered and Ministry has agreed to provide financial assistance to Shatkthan Thampuran Palace Museum, Thrissur.
Lok Sabha Question No. 48 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in Haryana
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 48 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in Haryana

## 48 .   SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

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

- (a) the details about the total number of teachers appointed under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in Haryana;
- (b) whether there is a demand for regularization of teachers appointed under SSA in all States including Haryana;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the actions taken by the Government thereon; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

## (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a)  to  (d)  The  recruitment  and  service  conditions  of  teachers  come  under  the  domain  of respective State Governments and UT Administration. The Central Government, through the flagship  programme  of  erstwhile  Sarva  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (SSA)  which  has  been  subsumed under  Samagra  Shiksha  with  effect  from  2018-19,  provides  financial  assistance  to  State Governments and UTs for additional teachers to maintain appropriate Pupil Teacher Ratio as per the prescribed norms of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. Till date, 7094 Primary teacher posts for Primary classes, 3835 teacher posts of teacher and 685 posts of Elementary Head for elementary classes have been approved for providing financial assistance to the state of Haryana.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 46 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Tuition Fees of IIMs
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 46 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## Tuition Fees of IIMs

## 46. DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

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

- (a) whether Government is planning to put a cap on the tuition fees of Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is incorporated a provision in the draft rules under new IIM Act to put a condition on the tuition fee charged by IIMs;
- (d) if so, whether IIMs Management have expressed concern about this provision;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government would revisit the draft rules and alter this provision and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

## A N S W E R MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

- (a) to (f): The Indian Institute of Management Rules, 2018 has already been notified. There is no provision for putting cap on tuition fees in the Rules.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 45 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: KIRRON KHER

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 45 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## LEAN MANUFACTURING COMPETITIVENESS SCHEME

## 45. SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

- (a) the details of progress made under various components of the Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme for the period of 2014-18;
- (b) the number of units that have been suspended from a Mini-Cluster till date and the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details of performance parameters and targets that have been defined under the said scheme; and
- (d) whether before and after status reports have been prepared for all the identified clusters on the various parameters and if so, the details thereof along with the details of the number of clusters that have achieved the time bound targets for incremental improvements?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

- (a): 478 Mini Clusters have been formed under the scheme during the period 201418.
- (b): 238 units are reported to have dropped out of the scheme at different stages of implementation due to various reasons such as closure of the unit, change of business, other personal reasons, etc.
- (c)&(d): Under  the  scheme,  the  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises  are assisted with  the  target to reduce  waste,  better  space  utilization,  reduction  in inventory, improvement in productivity & process flow, timely delivery etc. Baseline data and post implementation data are collected for units covered under the scheme. As  per  the  Independent  Evaluation  Study  of  the  scheme,  following  outcomes  have been reported:
- (i) Enhancement of productivity.
- (ii) Reduction of waste.
- (iii) Increased employee morale.
- (iv) Reduction in transportation cost, improvement in inventory management, etc.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 44 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Data-adequacy Status for Indian Companies
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 44 TO BE ANSWERED ON  04 th  FEBRUARY, 2019

## DATA-ADEQUACY STATUS FOR INDIAN COMPANIES

## 44. SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA:

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

- (a) whether India has taken any steps to further the talks with European Union (EU) on data-adequacy status for Indian companies;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  India  has  been  engaged  in  conversation  on  cross-border  data  flow  in bilateral and multilateral talks with EU, US and other countries;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with names of countries with which India is in talks for working out mechanisms for cross-border data flow; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  A  Data  Security  Expert  Group  was  set  up  by  the  Ministry  of Electronics  &  Information  Technology  (MEITY) to resolve the Information Technology  and Information  Technology  Enabled  Services  (IT/  ITES)  business  issues  relating  to  Data adequacy/ security with the European Union (EU) and to have meaningful market access for Indian  IT/ITES  companies.  Further,  a  meeting  of  the  India-EU  Joint  Information  and Communications Technology (ICT) Working Group, which is also led by MEITY, along with ICT Business Dialogue and Workshop on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), was held during 20 th -21 st March, 2018 to discuss issues including data adequacy, movement of data, mobility of IT experts in EU countries etc.
- (c), (d) & (e): In February, 2017, India tabled a proposal on 'Trade Facilitation Agreement for Services' (TFS) in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The proposal, inter-alia, contained a provision on 'facilitating cross border flow of information' with respect to commitments on cross  border  supply  of  services.  Further,  at  the  Eleventh  WTO  Ministerial  Conference (MC11) in December 2017, Members reaffirmed the WTO Work Programme on Electronic Commerce  which  has  an  exploratory  and  non-negotiating  mandate.  However,  on  the margins of the MC11, Ministers representing 71 WTO members issued a Joint Statement on Electronic Commerce to initiate exploratory work towards future WTO negotiations on traderelated  aspects  of  electronic  commerce. Since  India  is  a  proponent  of  a  non-negotiating

Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, India has not joined discussions on cross border data flow in the WTO. Also wherever relevant, this issue has been discussed in Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with different countries.

- ********