opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2273 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Steel Production
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: S.R. Parthiban

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2273 FOR ANSWER ON 02/12/2019

## STEEL PRODUCTION

2273.  SHRI PARTHIBAN S.R.:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plans in encouraging 'Steel plants'' of Public Sector unit categories to improve its infrastructure and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  any  technical  assistance  has  been  initiated  through  overseas  steel giants to develop country's PSU's and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  public  sector  units  producing  high  graded  steel  compared  with private  players  are  provided  immense  financial  provisions  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) whether there  was  any  extra  effort  taken  to  promote  the  supply  side  of  the business, especially in protecting PSU's like Salem steel plant and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

THE MINISTER OF STEEL

(a)&(b): Decision for improvement / development of  infrastructure in Steel plants of Public Sector Unit categories are taken by the concerned Public Sector Undertakings depending on their financial position and market dynamics.  Steel Authority of india Limited  (SAIL)  had  undertaken  modernisation  and  expansion  of  its  five  integrated steel plants at Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Bokaro (Jharkhand), Rourkela (Odisha), Durgapur (West Bengal) & Burnpur (West Bengal) and Special Steel Plant at Salem (Tamil Nadu) to enhance the crude steel capacity from 12.8 Million tonne per annum (MTPA) to 21.4 MTPA.

- (c) No, Sir.
- (d) As  part  of  the  SAIL  modernisation  and  expansion  project,  an  investment  of Rs.2371/- Crore was made in Salem Steel Plant to set up a new Steel Melt Shop and enhance the capacity of Cold Rolling Mill.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2272 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Modernise the Eklavya Model Residential School
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Arjunlal Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.†2272

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## Modernise the Eklavya Model Residential School

## †2272.SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of TRIBALAFFAIRSbe pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to modernise schools running under the

Eklavya Model Residential School scheme; and

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

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT. RENUKA SINGH SARUTA)

(a) & (b) The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides financial assistance for upgradation/ modernisation  of  already  sanctioned  Eklavya  Model  Residential  Schools  (EMRSs) on need basis with unit cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 5 crores per school. The componentsfor  upgradation  include  construction  of  new/  expansion  of  existing academic blocks, renovation of classrooms, additional classrooms etc., provision of requisite furniture (school, hostel, dining hall), well-equipped labs (computer, science etc.),  renovation  of  existing  hostels,  construction  of  additional  hostel  rooms,  better sanitation facilities (new toilets, bathrooms, etc.), improvement in common facilities like library, reading rooms, playground etc.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2270 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Income Tax Raids
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2270

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY THE 02 ND  DECEMBER, 2019 AGRAHAYANA 11, 1941(SAKA)

## INCOME TAX RAIDS

## †2270. SHRI SANJAY JADHAV:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) Whether the Union Government has conducted income tax raids in various States in view of complaints of hoarding of some food items/vegetables;

(b) if so, the details of the raids conducted, State-wise;

(c) whether disproportionate assets have been recovered from such hoarders; and

(d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

## (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a) to (d): The Income Tax Department (ITD) conducts suitable actions as per law in relevant cases, where any credible information is received about violation of provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961.  There is no mention of the term 'raid', in the Income-tax Act, 1961. However, the ITD has recently carried out survey operations on several traders indulging in onion trade in the State of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi on the basis of information that these traders  are  indulging  in  manipulation  of  onion  prices  and  cash  transactions,  leading  to generation of unaccounted income.

A preliminary outcome of such operations revealed that most of these traders were indulging in various malpractices which, inter-alia , includes: suppression of turnover, having unaccounted stock, manipulation of books of accounts, cash sales, violation of the provisions related to restriction on cash transactions like section 40A (3) and section 269SS & 269T of the Income tax Act, 1961.

Further, disclosure of information regarding specific taxpayers is prohibited except as provided under section 138 of Income tax Act, 1961.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2268 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Post Matric Scholarships for SC/ST Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Thirumaa Valavan Thol

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2268 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd  DECEMBER, 2019

Post Matric Scholarships for SC/ST Students

## 2268. SHRI THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOL:

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

(a) whether it is a fact that the budgetary allocation to the Post Matric Scholarship provided to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes  students has been drastically reduced this  year by  the Government;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to enhance the said amount?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank')

(a):  The  Post  Matric  scholarship  schemes  for  Schedule  Caste  and  Schedule  Tribe  students  are being  implemented  by  the  Ministry  of  Social  Justice  and  Empowerment  (MoSJE)  and  the Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  (MoTA)  respectively.  As  per  information  received  from  them,  the status is as follows: -

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post  Matric  Scholarships  to  the  Students  belonging  to  Scheduled  Castes  for  Studies  in  India , during the year 2018-19, Rs. 3,000 crore was allocated. Further, keeping in view of the pending arrears under the scheme, additional allocation of Rs. 3,000 crore was also made. In the financial year 2019-20, Rs. 2,926.82 crore has been allocated based on the requirements of States/Union Territories implementing the scheme.

Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs:The budgetary allocation for the Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe Students scheme during 2018-19 was Rs. 1643.03 crore, while the budgetary allocation    during  the  current  financial  year  is  Rs.  1613.50  crore.  During  the  year,  based  on further  requirement,  the  budget  is  revised  accordingly  with  the  approval  of  Department  of Expenditure.

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

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2267 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Setting up of Science Cities in Madhya Pradesh
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Krishna Pal Singh Yadav, Pashupati Nath Singh, Annpurna Devi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2267 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## SETTING UP OF SCIENCE CITIES IN MADHYA PRADESH

## † 2267.  DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV

SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH

## SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI :

Will the MINISTER of Culture be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Science Cities have been set up in the State of Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand;
- (b) if so, the place-wise details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is proposing to set up science cities in each of district of Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM

(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a)  &  (b)  No,  Sir.  However,  Regional  Science  Centers  have  been  set  up  at  Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and Ranchi, Jharkhand.
- (c), (d) & (e) No, Sir. No such proposal has been received from the State Governments for  setting  up  of  Science  Cities  in  Madhya  Pradesh  &  Jharkhand.  However,  Science Centres are proposed to be set up in Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur and Ujjain.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2265 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Training to Tribal People
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jaskaur Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

(MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2265

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## TRAINING TO TRIBAL PEOPLE

†2265.SHRIMATI JASKAUR MEENA:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to impart training to ensure the accessibility of tribal people to the schemes meant for them along with the details of the ongoing schemes to benefit the students of this community;
- (b)  whether the Government has formulated any new scheme to impart training to tribal women to enable them to get employment;
- (c)   if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the State/district-wise details of the number of women who got employment under this scheme?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT. RENUKA SINGH SARUTA)

(a):  Government  has  adopted  a  multi-pronged  strategy  to  disseminate  information about its programmes through its Information, Education and Communication strategy, including  dissemination  of  information  through  electronic  and  print  media,  seminars, workshops, personal interface etc. to enable tribal people access the benefit of various programmes and schemes for their benefit.

The  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  has  following  schemes  apart  from  giving  Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution:

- (i) Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Scheme (SCA to TSS)
- (ii) Scheme of Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
- (iii) Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the Scheduled Tribes
- (iv) Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
- (v) Pre-Matric Scholarship
- (vi) Post-Matric Scholarship
- (vii) National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST students
- (viii) Scholarship to the ST Students for Studies Abroad
- (ix) Support to Tribal Research Institutes
- (x) Tribal Festival, Research, information and Mass Education
- (b): There is no separate scheme.
- (c) &(d): Do not arise in view of above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2263 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: NIT Silchar
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Rajdeep Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2263

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## NIT Silchar

## 2263.  DR. RAJDEEP ROY :

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

- (a) the  present  status  regarding  the  construction  of  Girls  hostel  and  staff quarter of NIT Silchar; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

- (a) & (b): NIT  Silchar  has  3  Girls  Hostels  to  accommodate  its  girl  students. The Institute also has 356 number of staff quarters which accommodate  its  teaching  &  non-teaching  staff.    No  additional hostels  and  staff  quarters  have  been  sanctioned  by  Ministry  of Human Resource Development.

*-*-*-*-*
Lok Sabha Question No. 2262 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: EPFO
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: K. Subbarayan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2262 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

EPFO

2262. SHRI SUBBARAYAN K.:

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

- (a)whether it is a fact that the Government owed about Rs. 9,100 crore to  Employees  Provident  Fund  Organisation  (EPFO)  towards  its contribution to pension schemes and the EPFO has requested the Finance  Ministry  to  clear  the  dues  which  has  accumulated  over
- decades; and
- (b)if so, the details and Government's reaction thereto?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) administers Employees' Provident Funds (EPF) Scheme, 1952, Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995 and Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme,  1976.  Government  contributes  1.16  per  cent  of  member's wage upto wage ceiling of Rs. 15,000/- per month as Government share of  contribution  under  EPS,  1995.  Further,  Government  also  funds  the differential  amount  needed  to provide  Minimum Pension of Rs.1,000/per month in respect of EPS, 1995 pensioners. Therefore, Government share towards pension contribution is dynamic and keeps on changing depending on number of beneficiaries.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2260 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Development of Ular Mandir
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Ram Kripal Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2260

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## DEVELOPMENT OF ULAR MANDIR

## †2260. SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the World famous Ular Surya Mandir situated in Dulhin Bazaar  of Patna District is on the tourism map  of the Government of India;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  spent  any  amount  on  its development and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  any  scheme  for  development  of  Ular Mandir is pending with Government at present;
- (d) whether  the  Government  of  Bihar  has  sent  any  proposal  for development of Ular Mandir for approval; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (e): The Ministry under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD provides Financial Assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations/ Central Agencies for development of  tourism  infrastructure  in  the  country.  The  projects  under  the scheme  are  identified  for  development  in  consultation  with  the State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations and are sanctioned  subject  to  availability  of  funds,  submission  of  suitable Detailed  Project  Reports,  adherence  to  scheme  guidelines  and utilization of funds released earlier.

Ministry has not received any proposal for development of Ular Surya Mandir in Dulhin Bazaar of Patna District from State Government of Bihar.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2258 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Import of LPG from Bangladesh
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Khagen Murmu, Ajay (Teni) Misra

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2258 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND DECEMBER, 2019

## IMPORT OF LPG FROM BANGLADESH

2258.   SHRI KHAGEN MURMU: SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISRA TENI:

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

(a)  whether  any  pact  has  been  signed  /  is  likely  to  be  signed  between  the  two countries to supply LPG to North-East States from Bangladesh during the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh; and

(b) if so, the details of the likely benefits to be accrued to North-Eastern States and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में मंत्री ( श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान ) THE MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) & (b): During the visit of Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to India  in  October  2019,  import  of  Bulk  LPG  by  bullets  from  Bangladesh  was commissioned.  This will help improve affordable supply of LPG to our North Eastern States, cater to the growing demand of LPG  in the region and improve implementation of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2256 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Increasing Energy Consumption
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Chirag Paswan

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2256 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2.12.2019

## Increasing Energy Consumption

†2256. SHRI CHIRAG KUMAR PASWAN:

पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

(a)  the  amount  of  budget  required  by  the  Government  for  promotion  of  the  field  of  refining pipelines and gas terminals;

(b) whether energy needs have increased in India and whether the Government is working on any plan for fulfilling the demand of global fuel in next few decades, if so, the details thereof; and (c) the quantity of natural gas required for fulfilling the Natural Gas consumption by 2030 and whether the Government has prepared any plan for its supply, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री ( श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान )

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

(a)     Development of India's energy infrastructure will involve huge investments in oil and gas infrastructure of more than 100 billion dollars including in exploration and production of oil and gas, oil refining, pipelines, city gas distribution networks and LNG terminals.  Important sectors having  thousands  of  crores  of  investment  potential  include,  oil  and  gas  exploration  and production,  gas  pipelines  infrastructure  for  connecting  national  gas  grid,  city  gas  distribution networks in the newly authorised geographical areas, LNG terminals, compressed bio-gas plants, capacity addition of refineries, fertiliser plants, petro-chemical parks and ancillary industries and CNG auto sector.

(b) & (c) India is the 3 rd largest energy as well as crude oil consumer in the world.  Increasing prosperity,  higher  living  standards  and  burgeoning  middle  class  are  driving  energy  demand. India's share in total global primary energy demand is set to double to 11% by 2040. To meet the increased  requirement  of  hydrocarbon  fuel,  the  major  strategies  adopted  include;  attracting investment in E&P to enhance domestic oil and gas production, shifting to gas based economy, technological  upgradation  to  meet  refinery  processes,  energy  efficiency  and  productivity, accelerating bio-fuel economy, expanding overseas oil and gas portfolio, diversifying oil and gas supply  sources,  driving  infrastructure  spending  in  oil  and  gas  sector  etc.  As  per  BP  Energy Outlook, 2019, the gas consumption of India in 2040 is estimated to be 185 billion cubic meters.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Free and Popular Schemes
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Arjun Singh

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2255

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 2 nd  DECEMBER, 2019 Agrahayana 11, 1941 (Saka)

## FREE AND POPULAR SCHEMES

## 2255.   SHRI ARJUN SINGH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of steps being taken by the Government  to restrict the State Governments from announcing free and popular schemes to mislead people during election despite being debt-ridden themselves;
- (b)  whether the Government proposes to enact any law to check the debt-ridden State Governments from announcing such schemes; and
- (c)  if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be enacted?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

## (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a) to (c): As enshrined in Article 1 of the Constitution, India is a Union of States. The Constitution defines the powers and duties of the State Governments including powers to legislate in terms of the Seventh (7 th ) Schedule to the Constitution. States implement schemes taking into account development needs and resource availability.

States fund the schemes, inter-alia, through taxes, allocation of taxes as recommended by the Finance Commission in terms of Article 280 of the Constitution and borrowings subject to conditions stipulated under Article 293 of the Constitution. Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) legislation lays roadmap to institutionalize financial discipline, reduce fiscal deficit, improve  macro-economic management and strengthen fiscal prudence in states.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Inclusion of Mithila Region into Ramayana Circuit
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Gopal Jee Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2254 ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## INCLUSION OF MITHILA REGION INTO RAMAYANA CIRCUIT

†2254. SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to include Mithila region of Darbhanga in the Ramayana Circuit;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. The Ministry of Tourism has identified Ramayana Circuit as one of thematic circuit for development under the  Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The Ministry has initially identified 15  destinations  for  development  under  this  circuit  in  the  country which includes Sitamarhi, Buxar & Darbhanga in Bihar.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Cheap Steel Imports
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Bellana

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2251 FOR ANSWER ON 02/12/2019

## CHEAP STEEL IMPORTS

2251.  SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR BELLANA:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  a  threat  to  India  from  cheap  steel  imports  from  Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP);
- (b) whether the steel manufacturers have welcomed India's decision to stay out of the RCEP deal to protect interests of the country; and
- (c) if  so,  whether  the  Government  considers  to  join  RCEP  if  India's  terms  and conditions are accepted and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

## THE MINISTER OF STEEL

(a)to(c): In view of huge steel capacity available with China, the Indian Steel sector could  have  faced  threat  from  cheap  Chinese  steel  imports.    Under  RCEP,  such imports  would  have  got  the  advantage  of  preferential  tariff  and  harmed  the  Indian Steel Industry.  The Government's decision not to join RCEP has been welcomed by the domestic steel industry.

During the 3 rd Regional Comprehensive  Economic  Partnership  (RCEP) summit, which was held on 4 th November, 2019 in Bangkok, India highlighted the fact that the current structure of RCEP did not fully reflect the RCEP Guiding Principles or address the outstanding issues and concerns of India, in light of which India did not join  the  consensus.   India  also  stated  that  the  Act  East  Policy  was  the  bedrock  of India's  economic  policy  and  India's  engagement  with  other  trading  partners  would continue.

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