opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1125 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-17
Subject: Decline in FDI
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: A.T. (NANA) PATIL, MD. BADARIDDOZA KHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1125. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2018.

## DECLINE IN FDI

## 1125.  SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL:

## SHRI MD. BADARUDDOZA KHAN:

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

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the  amount of FDI made in the country include during each of the last four years;
- (b) whether the inflow of FDI to the country is witnessing a steady decline;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to boost FDI in the country?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज् यमंत्री (श्री सी.आर. चौधरी) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a): The details of FDI Inflow in the country during each of the last four years are as under:-

|   S. No. | Financial Year   |   FDI Inflow (in USD Billion) |
|----------|------------------|-------------------------------|
|        1 | 2014-15          |                         45.15 |
|        2 | 2015-16          |                         55.56 |
|        3 | 2016-17          |                         60.22 |
|        4 | 2017-18          |                         60.97 |

NOTE:- Figures are provisional subject to reconciliation with RBI, Mumbai.

- (b) : No, Madam. It has increased constantly from USD 45.15 billion in 2014-15 to USD 60.97 billion in 2017-18.
- (c): Does not arise.
- (d): To  boost  the  entire  investment  environment  and  to  bring  in  foreign investments  in  the  country,  the  Government  has  brought  in  FDI  related reforms and liberalized various sectors of the economy. Government plays an active role in investment promotion through dissemination of information on  the  investment  climate  and  opportunities  in  India,  and  by  advising prospective investors about investment policies.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1121 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-17
Subject: Inflow of Tourists
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, AJAY NISHAD, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, POONAM  MAHAJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1121 ANSWERED ON 17.12.2018

## INFLOW OF TOURISTS

## 1121. SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI AJAY NISHAD:

DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of foreign tourists visited India during each of the last three years and the current year and the foreign currency earned by it;
- (b) whether the number of foreign  tourists  in  India  has  declined due to the terrorist activities and global recession;
- (c) if  so, the details thereof and the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (d) the State-wise details of the places in the country where the foreign tourists have visited most?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a) to (c): The Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India and estimates of Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism in India during 2015-2018 are as below:

|      |   FTAs (in million) |   FEEs (in US$ billion) |
|------|---------------------|-------------------------|
| 2015 |                8.03 |                  21.013 |
| 2016 |                8.8  |                  22.923 |

| 2017               | 10.04   | 27.310   |
|--------------------|---------|----------|
| 2018 (provisional) | 9.37 *  | 23.537 # |

*: January-November, 2018 #: January-October, 2018

There was no decline in FTAs in the last three years.

(d): As per the latest available data with Ministry of Tourism, the 10 most popular Centrally Protected Ticketed Archaeological Survey  of  India  Monuments  for  Foreign  Visitors  during  the  year 2016-17 are as below:

|   Sl. No | Name of Monument with State                    |   No. of Foreign visitors |
|----------|------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|
|        1 | Taj Mahal (Uttar Pradesh)                      |                    668403 |
|        2 | Agra fort (Uttar Pradesh)                      |                    441326 |
|        3 | QutbMinar (Delhi)                              |                    421084 |
|        4 | Humayun's Tomb (Delhi)                         |                    224234 |
|        5 | Itimad -ud-Daulah (Uttar Pradesh)              |                    129177 |
|        6 | Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh)                 |                    126114 |
|        7 | Mattancherry Palace Museum (Kerala)            |                    117745 |
|        8 | Red Fort (Delhi)                               |                    114181 |
|        9 | Lord Cornwallis Tomb (Uttar Pradesh)           |                     86657 |
|       10 | Group of Monument in Mamallapuram (Tamil Nadu) |                     62110 |

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1111 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-17
Subject: Private Players in NCVT
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: R. VANAROJA, V. SATHYABAMA, PR. SENTHILNATHAN, R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1111 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2018

## PRIVATE PLAYERS IN NCVT

1111.   SHRIMATI VANAROJA R.: SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA: SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN: SHRI BHARATHI MOHAN R.K.:

## Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  decision  to  assign  any  private  player  to administrate the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) which is now under the direct control of Directorate of Government Training;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  made  any  efforts  to  find  a  solution  with  regards  to  the certification issues, training and administration related issues; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI ANANTKUMAR HEGDE)

(a) & (b) There  is  no  change  in  composition  of  National  Council  for  Vocational  Training (NCVT). However, in pursuance  of  the decision  of  the  Cabinet  in  its  meeting  held  on 10 th October 2018, the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) has been notified on 05.12.2018 as follows:

The National Council for Vocational Education and Training constituted will subsume the  existing  National  Council  for  Vocational  Training  and  the  National  Skill  Development Agency.

The  National  Council  for  Vocational  Education  and  Training  shall  be  entrusted with    the    development,  qualitative  improvement  and  regulation  of  vocational  education  and training,  for  granting  recognition  to  and  monitoring  the  functioning  of  awarding  bodies, assessment  agencies,  skill  information  providers,  and  training  bodies,  and  to  perform  other incidental functions as specified in the Resolution Constitution of the Council.

## (c) and (d)

- The  NCVET  would  inter-alia  frame  guidelines for the approval of qualification packages, functioning  of  awarding  bodies,  for  training  and  certification  of  trainers,  in consultation with the Central Government for various matters etc.
- It  will  also enter  into  agreements  with  awarding  bodies,  assessment  agencies and  skill  related  information providers  in  order  to  enforce  the  conditions  of recognition  and  ensure  their  functioning  in compliance with guidelines framed by the Council;

Copy of the Gazette notification is available at link on Ministry' website https://www.msde.gov.in/assets/images/Notification/NCVET-Notification-Gazette.pdf

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1107 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-17
Subject: Prices of Petrol/Diesel
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE, BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1107 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## Prices of Petrol/Diesel

## 1107.  SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE: SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE:

पेट्रोल ियम और प्राक ृ तिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a) whether the Government has received complaints of inappropriate decisions taken by the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) with respect to fixing prices of petrol and diesel in the country since deregulation of their prices;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/ UT/ OMC-wise and the reasons therefor along with the action taken on such complaints;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  to  ascertain  the  impact  of  such inappropriate decisions on the profits of the said companies and on the common people, if so, the details and the outcomes/findings thereof;
- (d) the role of the Government to keep a check on the wrong fixation of prices of petrol and diesel by OMCs in the country; and
- (e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government in this direction?

## ANSWER

## पेट्रोल ियम और प्राक ृ तिक गैस मंत्री (श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान)

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

- (a) to (e)  Prices of petrol and diesel have been made market-determined by the Government with effect  from  26.06.2010  and  19.10.2014  respectively.  Since  then,  the  Public  Sector  Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) take appropriate decision on pricing of petrol and diesel in line  with  international  product  prices  and other  market conditions. The  OMCs have not only increased but also decreased the prices accordingly.  Retail Selling Prices (RSP) of petrol and diesel in the country are linked to the international prices of petrol and diesel.

With an aim to reduce the prices of petrol and diesel and give relief to the consumers, the Central Government reduced the Central Excise duty on petrol and diesel by ` 2 per litre with effect from 4 th October, 2017.  The Central Government further reduced the Central Excise duty on petrol and diesel by ` 1.50 per litre with effect from 5 th October, 2018 and Public Sector OMCs also reduced ` 1.00 per litre to reduce the overall price of petrol and diesel. The  Central  Government  also  requested  the  State  Governments  to  make  a reduction of ` 2.50 per litre in VAT imposed by them on petrol and diesel. Accordingly, 18 State Governments and 1 Union Territory have reduced VAT on petrol and diesel.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1104 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-17
Subject: Integrated Logistics Plan
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, GAURAV GOGOI, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, DHARMENDRA YADAV, Shrirang Appa Barne, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1104 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  DECEMBER,2018

## INTEGRATED LOGISTICS PLAN

## 1104.  SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

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

- (a) whether it is true that the cost of logistics for India is about 14 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and on the other hand, it is only 7-8 percent in developed countries and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to introduce an integrated logistics plan to fasttrack movement of goods and cut transactions cost of businesses and the said plan would integrate all sectors-rail, road, ship and air;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the proposed timeline for its introduction and if not, the other measures proposed by the Government to help alleviate the concerns regarding slow movement of goods and high transaction cost;
- (d) whether  there  were  disruptions  happening  in  the  global  supply  chain  due  to  the rising trade tensions between countries such as the United States and China creating huge opportunities for Indian logistics players; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to harness the opportunities?

## 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) There is no official study to indicate that the cost of logistics in India is about 14% of its GDP.  However, some studies have estimated the logistics cost at 14% of the GDP in India compared to 9% in Germany and 10% in the USA.  The main reasons for lower logistics cost in developed countries are: -
-  Greater share of Railways, Coastal Shipping, Inland Waterways etc.
-  Shorter distance between ports and production - consumption centres.
-  Introduction of better technology etc.

(b) & (c) Improving logistics through asset and cost optimization is an ongoing activity.    The  Government  on  a  continuous  basis  reviews  and  improves  the  logistics ecosystem.

(d) & (e) Rising  trade  tensions  between  the  USA  and  China  may  lead  to diversion of some trade to third countries including India.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1103 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-17
Subject: Accidents at Steel Plants
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU, G. HARI, ABHIJIT MUKHERJEE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1103 FOR ANSWER ON 17/12/2018

## ACCIDENTS AT STEEL PLANTS

1103.  SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.: SHRI G . HARI: SHRI ABHIJIT MUKHERJEE:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the recent explosion at Bhilai Steel Plant Authority  of  India  which  resulted  in  13  deaths  and  injuries  to  a  large  number  of persons;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any high level inquiry has been conducted in this regard;
- (d) if so, the details and findings thereof; and

(e) the  corrective  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  for security and safety at Steel plants and to prevent recurrence of such accidents?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL

(SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a)&(b): On 09.10.2018, a protocol job was undertaken for de-blanking of 1800 mm diameter  Coke  Oven  gas  line  located  at  Column  C-50  behind  Coke  Oven  Battery (COB)#11 at about +10 Meter level at Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). Necessary clearances were obtained from different agencies as per protocol along with reduction in network pressure. After removal of blank plate, preparation of insertion of ring packing was going on. At that time, flame burst out and  employees  of  Environment  Management  Department  (EMD)  &  Fire  brigade involved in the job got trapped in the fire. As a result, 9 persons died on spot and 5 persons succumbed to their injury in course of treatment at Jawahar Lal Nehru (JLN) Hospital, Bhilai.

(c)&(d):  An  inquiry  committee  was  constituted  by  SAIL  comprising  of  experts  from different  plants  of  SAIL  to  ascertain  reasons  of  this  incident,  suggest  appropriate measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents and fix responsibility. Similarly a High Level Committee was constituted by Ministry of Steel to conduct independent inquiry into  the  causes  of  this  incident.    The  reports  of  both  the  committees  have  been submitted.

(e) Both SAIL and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) have taken a number of measures  to  avoid  occurrence  of  accidents.  These  measures,  inter  alia,  include adherence  to  maintenance  schedule,  thrust  on  systematic  approach  to  safety management, strict adherence to safety procedures, regular inspection, mandatory training and special training on safety awareness, conduct of safety audit, enforcing use of personal protection equipment and proper implementation of emergency plan prepared as per the provisions of the Factories Act, 1948 etc.  Further, based upon accident analysis, area specific safety workshop involving all major steel producers, have been organised in recent past to facilitate learning from good practices.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1100 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-17
Subject: Labour Laws
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: SHOBHA KARANDLAJE, PRATHAP SIMHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1100 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2018

## LABOUR LAWS

## 1100. KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE: SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

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

- (a) whether the second National Commission on Labour has recommended for a broad grouping of the existing Labour Laws;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  details  regarding  steps  being  contemplated/taken  by  the Government to simplify, amalgamate and rationalize the relevant provisions of the existing central labour laws; and
- (d)  whether the Government proposes to bring the fragmented social security  schemes  under  a  single  umbrella,  if  so,  the  details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE(IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## ANSWER (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (d): The Second National Commission on Labour has recommended  that  the  existing  Labour  Laws  should  be  broadly grouped into four or five Labour Codes on functional basis. Accordingly,  the  Ministry  has  taken  steps  for  drafting  four  Labour Codes on Wages; Industrial Relations; Social Security and Welfare; and Occupation  Safety,  Health  and  Working  Conditions  respectively,  by simplifying, amalgamating and rationalizing the relevant provisions of the  existing  Central  Labour  Laws.  Out  of  these,  the  Labour  Code  on Wages has been introduced in Lok Sabha on 10.08.2017 and subsequently,  referred  to  the  Parliamentary  Standing  Committee  on Labour. The rest of the Codes are at pre-legislative stage.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1096 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-17
Subject: Steel Consumption
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: SHER SINGH GHUBAYA, PARASURAMAN K., RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1096 FOR ANSWER ON 17/12/2018

## STEEL CONSUMPTION

1096.  SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA: SHRI K. PARASURAMAN: DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) the efforts made by the Government to boost Per Capita Steel consumption in the country;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to announce incentive policies for PSUs to procure domestic steel; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  discussions  held  with  the  Ministries/ PSUs concerned to boost Steel consumption in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL

(SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

- (a) Government  has  made  the  following efforts to boost per capita steel consumption in the country:-
- (i) Principles of Life Cycle Cost have been introduced in General Financial Rules 2017 for designing projects.
- (ii) Government  has  formulated  National  Steel  Policy 2017  and  Policy  for Providing Preference to  Domestically Manufactured Iron & Steel Products in Government Procurement (DMI&SP). The DMI&SP Policy provides a minimum value  addition  of  15%  in  notified  steel  products  which  are  covered  under preferential procurement.
- (iii) Steel  Authority  of  India  Limited  (SAIL)  and  Rashtriya  Ispat  Nigam  Limited (RINL), the steel producing Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Steel and Institute for Steel Development And Growth (INSDAG), an organization under the aegis of Ministry of Steel, have also made efforts to boost per capita consumption  of steel. The  efforts include conducting workshops in rural areas, creating awareness about usage of steel, conducting training for Masons etc.  INSDAG has developed designs of steel intensive low cost house, Anganwadi Centres, Panchayat Hall and Community Toilet etc. for the rural people.
- (b) No, Madam.
- (c) Does not arise, in view of (b) above.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1093 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-17
Subject: Oil Extraction in Nagaland
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Tokheho

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1093 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  DECEMBER, 2018

## Oil Extraction in Nagaland

## 1093. SHRI TOKHEHO:

पेट्रोल ियम और प्राक ृ तिक गैस मंत्री

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

(a)  whether it is a fact that oil is being extracted along the Nagaland/Assam State boundary and if so, the details thereof along with quantum of oil extracted so far; (b)  the  year  in  which  State  Government  of  Nagaland  allowed  ONGC  to  conduct survey and investigate oil in Nagaland and whether extraction permission was also given in Nagaland; and

- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the quantum of oil extracted so far?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोल ियम और प्राक ृ तिक गैस मंत्रािय में मंत्री ( प्रााप्र ामेर्मध ीी )

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

- (a) to  (c):    Oil  &  Natural  Gas  Corporation  Limited  (ONGC)  initiated  geological survey in the State of Nagaland along with adjacent areas and drilled first well  in  1973  in  Nagaland.  ONGC  commenced  crude  oil  production  from Champang field of Nagaland in 1980-81. Cumulative crude oil production by ONGC from Champang field of Nagaland from 1980 to 1994 is 1.036 million metric tonne (MMT).  No production has taken place after 1994.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1090 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-17
Subject: Scholarship Schemes
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNPURIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1090 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  DECEMBER, 2018

## Scholarship Schemes

## †1090. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT मानव संसाधन िवकास मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has proposed any new scholarship scheme for the promotion of higher education in coming years;
- (b) if so, whether the University Grants Commission (UGC) has submitted the said proposal to the Ministry;
- (c) if so, the names of the categories of students to be covered under the scheme; and
- (d) the time by which the decision is likely to be taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Dr. Satya Pal Singh)

- (a)  No  Madam,  the  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  informed  that  it  has  no  proposal under consideration to launch any new scholarship scheme to promote higher education.
- (b) to (d): Do not arise.

*****