opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 138 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Workshops for Implementation of Agricultural Export Policy
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 138 TO BE ANSWERED ON  04 th  FEBRUARY, 2019

## WORKSHOPS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF AGRICULTURAL EXPORT POLICY

138. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA: be

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

- (a) whether the Government has  planned  to conduct  workshops to implement  export policy for agricultural goods;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has also targeted to double the farm shipments by the year 2022; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to increase exports of agricultural goods?

## 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. Meetings / Workshops have been conducted to evolve a roadmap for implementation of the Agriculture Export Policy. A national level meeting was held in New Delhi, on 8 th January 2019, under  the  chairmanship  of  Minister  of  Commerce  &  Industry.  Representatives  of  Departments  of Agriculture/Horticulture,  of  various  State/U.T.  Governments,  representatives  of  Central  Government Ministries/  Departments,  representatives  from  trade,  farmers'  groups,  trade  promotion  bodies  and experts in the field of Agriculture attended the meeting. Meetings are also being organised at State and Cluster levels to implement the Agriculture Export Policy.
- (c) Yes, Madam. Increasing agricultural exports from the present levels, to around USD 60 billion by 2022 is one of the objectives of the Agriculture Export Policy.
- (d) Promoting exports of agricultural products from the country is a continuous process. Various measures to  increase  agricultural  exports,  both  strategic  and  operational,  have  been  included  in  the  newly introduced  Agriculture  Export  Policy.  The  Department  of  Commerce  also  has  several  schemes  to promote  exports,  including  exports  of  agricultural  products,  viz.  Trade  Infrastructure  for  Export Scheme (TIES), Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme, Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) etc. In addition, assistance to the exporters of agricultural products is also available under the Export Promotion Schemes of Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA),  Marine  Products  Export  Development  Authority  (MPEDA),  Tobacco  Board,  Tea  Board, Coffee  Board,  Rubber  Board  and  Spices  Board.  These  organisations  also  seek  to  promote  exports through participation in  international  fairs & exhibitions,  taking initiatives to  gain  market access for different  products  in  different  markets,  dissemination  of  market  intelligence,  taking  steps  to  ensure quality of exported products etc.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 136 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Tampering with Official Details of EPFO
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 136 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## TAMPERING WITH OFFICIAL DETAILS OF EPFO

## 136. DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  tampering  with  official details of EPFO, Bandra, Mumbai and fraud by an imposter;
- (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether the Government has received complaint in this regard from
- people's representative seeking investigation in the matter; and
- (d)if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  action  taken  by  the Government in the matter so far?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. It has come to the notice of Regional Office, Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), Bandra, Mumbai that an  imposter  had  posted  his  mobile  number  in  'Google  Map'  against Regional Office, EPFO, Bandra, Mumbai. However, the official details including telephone numbers  in EPFO's website have not been tampered with. Further, the said imposter is not an employee of EPFO.
- (c) & (d): A police complaint was filed by EPFO with the Cyber Crime Police Station, Bandra Kurla Complex on 01.10.2018 followed by filing of FIR (No.  309/2018)  with  the  Nirmal Nagar  Police  Station  on 10.10.2018. Thereafter, on receipt of complaint from an Hon'ble M.P., the  matter  has  again  been  referred  to  the  ACP,  Cyber  Crime  Cell, Bandra  Kurla  Complex  for  taking  appropriate  action  in  the  matter followed  by  a  reminder  dated  15.01.2019.  In  the  meanwhile,  contact details in respect of Regional Office, EPFO, Bandra, Mumbai have been rectified.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 134 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Cultural Exchange Programme
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: KIRRON KHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 134 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

## 134. SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the Details of the MoU signed between India and the Governments of Korea, Rwanda and Ghana on the Cultural Exchange Programmes for the period 2018-2022;
- (b) the Details of the schemes in operation for greater cultural interaction with these countries; and
- (c) whether there has been an increase in participation from these countries in the various cultural programmes hosted by India, during the period 2014-18 and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  CULTURE  AND  MINISTER  OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) The Cultural Exchange Programmes between the Government of The Republic of India and the Governments of The Republic of Korea, Rwanda and Ghana for the years 20182022 were signed on 10 th July, 2018, 23 rd July, 2018 and 18th July, 2018 respectively.
- (b) The Ministry of Culture operates Scheme for Promotion of International Cultural Relations under which Festivals of India are organized abroad showcasing folk art and other cultural events  such  as  exhibitions,  dance,  music,  theatre,  food  festival,  literary  festival,  film festival, yoga etc. Under this Scheme, Ministry of Culture also gives grant-in-aid to Indo Foreign  Friendship  Cultural  Societies  for  organizing  cultural  programmes  &  activities abroad.  Indian  Council  for  Cultural  Relations  (ICCR)  also  promotes  cultural  interaction between India and other foreign countries.
- (c)  Details of cultural programmes hosted by India from Korea and Ghana during the period are as follows:
- i. South Korean Cultural Group under the 5 th World Flute Festival in August 2014 and an Indo-Korean Group participated in 2 nd World Percussion Festival in November 2014.
- ii. Three groups from Korea visited India in 2017 to participate in Jazz festival.
- iii.  Groups  from  Ghana  visited  India  in  November  2015  to  participate  in  India-Africa Forum Summit.
Lok Sabha Question No. 131 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Sexual Harassment in Educational Institutions
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.131 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## Sexual Harassment in Educational Institutions

131. SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  sexual  harassment  of  women  lecturers, professors  and  research  scholars  at  the  hands  of  the  academic  heads  of  departments, professors and lecturers in educational institutions is on the rise across the country;
- (b) if so, the total number and other details of cases of sexual harassment in educational institutions registered during the last three years;
- (c) whether any prominent heads of departments, professors and lecturers are involved in such episodes and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether all Central Universities in the country have in-house committees on Sexual Harassment and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): Available information does not suggest rise in sexual harassment cases.
- (d): According to University Grants Commission (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2015, it is mandatory for all the Central Universities to ensure that the Internal Complaints  Committee  (ICC)  is  constituted.    These  instructions  are  followed  up  for compliance.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 129 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Common Service Centre of EPFO
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 129 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## COMMON SERVICE CENTRE OF EPFO

## 129. SHRIMATI VASANTHI M.:

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

- (a)whether  the  Employees  Provident  Fund  Organization  (EPFO)  has discontinued the services provided through Common Service Centre (CSC);
- (b)if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c)whether  the  reason  for  discontinuing  the  services  of  CSC  was because of leakage of data; and
- (d)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) and Common Service Center (CSC) in 2016, which listed a number of online services of  EPFO  that  will  be  provided  through  the  CSC's  Network.  With  the deployment of EPFO's own eKYC Portal and the introduction of UMANG App by Government of India in November, 2017, where the service of Universal  Account  Number  (UAN)    seeding  with  Aadhaar  is  made available free of cost to the members, it was decided to discontinue the services of CSC for this purpose in March 2018.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 128 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Womaniya on GeM
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 128(H) TO BE ANSWERED ON  04 th  FEBRUARY, 2019

## WOMANIYA ON GeM

- 128(H). SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI: be

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

- (a) whether the Government has launched Womaniya on Government e-Market place (GeM);
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the  benefits  of  this scheme;
- (c) the details of method by which the Government proposes to connect women with this scheme;
- (d) whether the Government e-Market place is a Government company and if so, the details thereof along with the details of the persons involved in its management; and
- (e) the details of parts of the country where this scheme has been implemented?

## 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): Yes Madam. Womaniya on GeM was launched on 15 th January, 2019.
- (b): 'Womaniya on GeM' is an initiative to enable women entrepreneurs and Women Self - Help Groups [WSHGs] to sell handicrafts and handloom accessories, jute  and coir products, home decor and  office  furnishings,  directly  to  various  Government  Ministries,  Departments  and  Institutions  to enable access of WSHGs to markets.
- (c): GeM  works  with  partner  Ministries,  State  Governments,  Self  Help  Groups  and  various stakeholders from corporate and NGO community to connect women with Womaniya
- (d): Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is a 100 percent Government owned Section 8 company set-up under the aegis of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India for procurement of common use goods and services by various government Ministries, Departments and CPSEs.  Board of Directors of GeM is headed by the Commerce Secretary.
- (e): GeM is available to all government and its agencies across India for purposes of procurement of general goods and services.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 126 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Setting up of Higher Secondary Schools
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY, LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 126 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## Setting up of Higher Secondary Schools

## †126.   SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY: SHRI LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up at least one higher secondary school in every five kilometer radius;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Department of School Education and Literacy has launched an Integrated Scheme for School Education-Samagra Shiksha, subsuming three erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Schemes  of  Sarva  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (SSA),  Rashtriya  Madhyamik  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE), with effect from 2018-19. The new integrated scheme envisages school education as a continuum from pre-school to senior secondary level and aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels.  The main objectives of the scheme are provision of quality education and enhancing learning outcomes of students, bridging social and gender gaps in school education, ensuring minimum standards in schooling provision, support to states  in  the  implementation  of  RTE  Act,  2009  and  strengthening  of  teacher  education institutions. The scheme also provides for support for upgradation of secondary schools to senior secondary level and addition of new streams in existing senior secondary schools.

During the year 2018-19, under Samagra Shiksha, 44 schools have been upgraded from secondary to senior secondary level and additional subject streams have been approved in 851 senior secondary schools, based on appraisal of the proposals received from the States/UTs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 124 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Investment in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.124 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  February, 2019

## Investment in Andhra Pradesh

## 124. SHRI KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO:

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

- (a) whether the Government has decided to invest nearly 1.43 lakh crore in Petroleum Sector in Andhra Pradesh and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the quantum of funds allocated to Krishna Godavari Basin and for construction of PetroChemical Complex respectively?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) & (b) : Central Public Sector Enterprises under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas have invested/ proposed to invest about ₹ 1.4 lakh crore in the  State of Andhra Pradesh. This includes investments by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd., Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. and GAIL (India) Ltd.

GAIL and HPCL have entered into MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh which envisages setting up of a greenfield petrochemical complex with an investment of ₹ 32,901 crore. The matter has been taken up with the Govt of Andhra Pradesh for Viability Gap Funding.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 122 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Manufacturing Units in Delhi
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: PARVESH SAHIB SINGH

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 122. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019.

## MANUFACTURING UNITS IN DELHI

## 122.   SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH:

## Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the  number  of  manufacturing  units  set  up  in  Delhi  under  'Make  in  India' initiative till date;
- (b) the share of Delhi in terms of total investment received by India under 'Make in India'; and
- (c) the  challenges,  if  any,  that  are  faced  by  the  Government  to  bring  new manufacturing units in Delhi given its existing pollution stress along with the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् यएवंउद्योग मंत्रालयमेंराज् यमंत्री(श्री सी.आर.चौधरी) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  to (c): The information linking the number of manufacturing units or investments  with  the  Make  in  India  initiative,  in  any  State/Union Territory, is/are not centrally maintained.
- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 121 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Anti-Ragging Regulations
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.121 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## Anti-Ragging Regulations

121. SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

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

- (a) whether  the  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  prescribed  anti-ragging regulations/norms for the educational institutions and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  as  per  the  experts,  many  institutes  especially  in  rural  areas  failed  to implement these regulations/norms;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  for  the  same  along  with  the  corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (d) whether  the  highest  number  of  ragging  complaints  registered  under  anti-ragging helpline in 2018;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for such increase; and
- (f) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  strict  follow  up  anti-ragging regulations/norms in educational institutions of the country?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

- (a): Yes, Madam.  In pursuance to the Judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India dated 8.5.2009 in Civil Appeal No. 887/2009, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has framed  'UGC  Regulations  on  curbing  the  menace  of  ragging  in  higher  educational institutions, 2009' notified on 17 th June, 2009.
- (b) & (c): In  order  to  ensure  the  strict  compliance  of  these  regulations  UGC  sends circular  to  all  universities  twice  a  year  and  also  creates  awareness  through  media campaigning like TVCs, Posters, Jingles and Films.
- (d) & (e): Owing to the awareness campaigns and realization in the students the reporting of the  cases  of  ragging  has  improved  during  2018.    Encouraged  by  the  commitment  of  the government to tackle the menace of ragging, the students gamer courage to call the antiragging helpline for registering their ragging complaint.
- (f): UGC communicates to all universities twice a year to strictly follow the regulations and also creates awareness through media campaigning like TVCs, Posters, Jingles and Films.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 120 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Conservation of Ancient Temples
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. † 120

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## CONSERVATION OF ANCIENT TEMPLES

## † 120.    SHRI  KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  conservation  and development of ancient temples during the last five years; and
- (b) the  details  of  the  funds  spent  for  conservation  of  ancient  temples  in Bundelkhand during the said period?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE. (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) The protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) including ancient temples are taken care by the ASI by regularly attending conservation, preservation and environmental development works at these monuments, as per the requirements of the different sites and availability of resources and they are in a good state of conservation.
- (b) The details  of  expenditure  incurred  for  conservation  of  ancient  temples  in Bundelkhand during the last five years are given below:

|   S. No. | Year    | Expenditure incurred (Amount in Rs.)   |
|----------|---------|----------------------------------------|
|        1 | 2013-14 | 1,53,98,655/-                          |
|        2 | 2014-15 | 1,47,61,489/-                          |
|        3 | 2015-16 | 1,55,93,995/-                          |
|        4 | 2016-17 | 1,28,08,821/-                          |
|        5 | 2017-18 | 67,77,714/-                            |
Lok Sabha Question No. 118 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Adequate Funds for Exporters
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 118 TO BE ANSWERED ON  04 th  FEBRUARY, 2019

## ADEQUATE FUNDS FOR EXPORTERS

## 118. SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to make available adequate funds for exporters to address the declining credit to exporters in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is organising an event to explore logistic partnership with the  world-wide  giant  group  participating  therein  as  the  logistics  sector  is  playing vital role in enhancing the competitiveness of Indian goods in global market; 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)  and  (b) Yes,  Madam.  The  Interest  Equalization  Scheme  on  Pre  and  Post  Shipment  Rupee Export  Credit  has  been  introduced  from  1.4.2015  for  a  period  of  5  years  to  help  exporters  in accessing credit at reduced rates. Under the scheme, interest equalization @3% per annum has been made available to all exports under identified 416 tariff lines [at ITC(HS) code of 4 digit], and to exports made by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across all ITC(HS) codes. To further  support  credit-off  take  by  MSME  exporters,  the  interest  equalization  under  Interest Equalization  Scheme  has  been  raised  from  3%  to  5%  w.e.f.  02.11.2018  for  exports  made  by MSMEs across all ITC(HS) codes.

On 2 nd January 2019, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has further approved proposal for including  merchant  exporters  under  the  Interest  Equalization  Scheme  (IES)  for  Pre  and  Post Shipment Rupee Export Credit by allowing them interest equalization rate of 3% on such credit for export of products covered under 416 tariff lines identified under the scheme.

- (c) No Madam.
- (d) In view of the reply to (c) above, does not arise.

****