opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 185 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-24
Subject: Decline in Export Credit
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM, KIRIT SOMAIYA

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 185 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 th  DECEMBER,2018

## DECLINE IN EXPORT CREDIT

- *185.   SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM: DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

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

- (a) whether the export sector is experiencing credit flow issue and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether the export credit provided by banks fell sharply during the last year and the current year;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  both  in  rupee  and  percentage  terms,  along  with  the  factors responsible for this;
- (d) whether his Ministry is closely working with the Ministry of Finance to ease credit flow to the export sector; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details thereof  along  with the other steps taken by the Government to maintain the flow of export finance as per anticipation?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ¼ Jh lqjs'k izHkq ½

THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI SURESH PRABHU)

- a) to e):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 185   FOR ANSWER ON 24 th  DECEMBER,2018 REGARDING ' DECLINE IN EXPORT CREDIT '.

(a)  to  (c) Export  Credit  extended  by  Scheduled  Commercial  Banks  continues  to  reflect  a steady  increase.  As  per  data  compiled  by  Reserve  Bank  of  India  (RBI),  the  balance outstanding for export credit by all Scheduled Commercial Banks increased from Rs.2,43,505 crore as on 31.03.2017 to Rs.2,43,890 crore as on 31.03.2018 and further to Rs.2,53,676 crore as on 30.09.2018.

(d) to (e) 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  underInterest  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.  The  benefit  of  the scheme is not available to merchant exporters.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2300 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-24
Subject: Competitiveness of Exporters
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: OM BIRLA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2300 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 th  DECEMBER,2018

## COMPETITIVENESS OF EXPORTERS

## 2300. SHRI OM BIRLA:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाǔणÏय एवं उƭोग मंğी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the fact that significant time lag in providing refunds has supposedly eroded the competitiveness of exporters in the country;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has also taken note of the fact that an estimated 15-20 per cent of the working capital is already stuck up with the Government for refunds; and
- (d) if so, the details of the Government's plan to release stuck up capital expeditiously so that the situation does not deteriorate any further?

## 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):

- (i)  Initially  there  was  delay  in  the  Refunds of  Input  Tax  Credit  (ITC)  and Integrated  Goods  &  Services  Tax  (IGST).  However,  the  process  has now  been  largely  streamlined.  Overall  disposal  rate  of  refunds  is 93.44%.  The refund  of  IGST  paid  on  goods exported  out of India is fully automated.  In nearly 75% cases, the IGST refund is sanctioned within 5 days of filing of relevant GST Returns by exporters.  As on 18 th December, 2018, total GST refunds disposed of are as under:

## (Amount Rs. in Crore)

|               | Received   | Disposed   | Rate of Disposal   |
|---------------|------------|------------|--------------------|
| ITC refunds   | 51,417     | 46,873     | 91.16%             |
| IGST refunds  | 51,410     | 49,211     | 95.72%             |
| Total refunds | 1,02,827   | 96,084     | 93.44%             |

- (ii) Refunds of the Drawback, Terminal Excise Duty and Central Sales Tax on  Deemed  Exports  are  made  as  per  the  budgetary  allocations received  in  the  Department  of  Commerce.    In  case  of  any  delay  in making refund, there is a provision of payment of applicable interest.

(c)  and (d): There  is  blockage  of  working  capital  due  to  delays  in refunds. Government has taken following initiatives in this regard to expedite refund process:

- (i) Three  special  refund  drives  have  been  carried  out  for  assisting exporters  in  correct  filing  of  application  for  refund  and  expediting disposal of the refund applications.
- (ii) Some  refund  claims  get  struck  up  due  to  errors  like  incorrect information  filed  by  exporters  for  which  necessary  mechanism  has been provided. The officers have been directed to pro-actively and expeditiously process such claims stuck due to various errors.
- (iii) The refund of IGST paid on goods exported out of India has been made fully automated.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2299 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-24
Subject: IGL Pipeline
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2299 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.12.2018

IGL Pipeline

## †2299. SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has received any requests to lay IGL pipelines in States during the last three years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the action taken/being taken by the Government on the said requests, State/ UT-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)  The  Government  has  established  Petroleum  &  Natural  Gas  Regulatory Board (PNGRB) under the PNGRB Act, 2006 in the year 2007 which is the authority to grant  authorization  for  the  development  of  Pipelines  and  City  Gas Distribution  (CGD) network in Geographical Areas (GAs). PNGRB authorizes entities to develop City or Local Natural  Gas  Distribution  Network  as  per  PNGRB  Act,  2006  and  the  Regulations  notified thereunder. Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) has been authorized to develop and expand  of CGD Network  in  National  Capital  Territory  (NCT)  of  Delhi,  districts  of  Gautam  Budha  Nagar, Ghaziabad,  Muzaffarnagar,  Shamli  and  part  of  Meerut  in  the  state  of  Uttar  Pradesh  and  in districts of Rewari, Gurugram and Karnal in the state of Haryana. At present, IGL is supplying clean fuel in the above GAs through its approximately 12,000 Km long pipeline network.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2298 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-24
Subject: Payment of Arrears to KVS Employees
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Tejpratap Singh,Yadav

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2298 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.12.2018

## PAYMENT OF ARREARS TO KVS EMPLOYEES

## 2298. SHRI TEJ PRATAP SINGH YADAV:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  employees  of  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan (KVS)  have  not  been  paid  full  arrears  after  implementation  of  Seventh  Pay Commission;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  not  paid  the  grant  of  Non-Productivity  Linked Bonus to KVS staff for the last three years;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the steps being taken by the Government to release funds for arrears and bonus for KVS employees?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e)  An  amount  of  Rs.300.53  crores  has  been  made  available  to  Kendriya Vidyalaya  Sangathan  as  cash  additionality  during  the  financial  year  2017-18  for meeting their liabilities on account of arrears payable to its employees consequent to implementation  of  7 th Central  Pay  Commission  recommendations.    This  cash additionality was made available having regard to the availability of resources with the Government. Pursuant to the recommendations of the Expenditure Management Commission to encourage the Autonomous Bodies to increase their internal resource generation so as to reduce dependency upon budgetary support from the Government, any item of extra expenditure was not considered justifiable.  Accordingly the Government had decided not to extend/grant ad hoc bonus for the year 2015-16 and 2016-17 to the employees of Autonomous Bodies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2293 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-24
Subject: Differently Abled Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2293 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.12.2018

## Differently Abled Students

## 2293. SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  the  Government  from  this  academic  session  has  also  issued directions that there will be minimum 5 per cent admission in all educational bodies of children with disabilities and if so, the details thereof ;
- (b) whether it  is  also  true  that  it  is  one  of  the  top  most  priorities  for  the  Government  to make use that the rights of specially challenged people are ensured; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) No,  Madam.  The  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  Samagra  Shiksha  aims  to  look  at education  of  Children  with  Special  Needs  (CwSN)  in  a  continuum  from  pre-school  to  class XII. The scheme covers all CwSN with one or more disabilities as mentioned in the Schedule of disabilities of the Right of the Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.

Section 3(2) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 mandates that, every child with disability within the age group of 6 to 14 years has the right to pursue free and compulsory elementary education.

- (b)  &  (c):-  The  Scheme  of  Samagra  Shiksha  lays  impetus  on  inclusion  or  mainstreaming  of CwSN into the fabric of formal schooling. Inclusive education for CwSN under the Scheme emphasises on developing full potentiality of each child with a disability through equitable and quality education.

In keeping with the principle of inclusion, CwSN are provided support through specific student  oriented  interventions  i.e.  aids  and  appliances,  teaching  aids,  assistive  devices, identification  and  assessment  camps,  teaching  and  learning  materials,  braille  books/kits, transportation allowances, escort allowances, uniforms (under RTE), stipend for girls, training of  general  teachers,  financial  assistance  for  special  educators  etc.  These  interventions  are provided  to  address  their  educational  requirements  in  general  schools.    Under  Inclusive Education component of Samagra Shiksha, financial assistance for 2100918 CwSN has been approved  in  the  year  2018-19  against  which Rs.  102350.91 lakh  is  the  estimated  approved outlay.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2292 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-24
Subject: Change in Name of Ministry
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: UDIT RAJ

## †2292. DR. UDIT RAJ:

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

- (a) whether there is any proposal to change the name of Ministry as Ministry of Education;
- (b) if so, the names of States from which the proposals in this regard have been received; and
- (c) the response of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No Madam.
- (b) &(c) Question does not arise.

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2292 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.12.2018

## Change in Name of Ministry

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2289 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-24
Subject: Campuses of IISER
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: C. MAHENDRAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2289 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.12.2018

## Campuses of IISER

## 2289. SHRI C. MAHENDRAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has approved establishment and operationalisation of two new permanent campuses of the Indian Institutes of Science, Education and Research (IISER) recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof with locations selected;
- (c) whether it would provide top quality science education at undergraduate and postgraduate level, PHDs and Integrated PHDs levels; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Yes, Madam. The Government has approved establishment and operationalisation of  permanent  campuses  of  two  new  Indian  Institutes  of  Science  Education  &  Research (IISERs) at Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) and Berhampur (Odisha). The details of the approved cost are as follows:

## (Rs. in crores)

| S. No.      | Name of the Institute   |   Capital |   Recurring |   Total |
|-------------|-------------------------|-----------|-------------|---------|
| 1.          | IISER Tirupati          |   1137.16 |      354.18 | 1491.34 |
| 2.          | IISER Berhampur         |   1229.32 |      353.46 | 1582.78 |
| Grand Total |                         |   2366.48 |      707.64 | 3074.12 |

- (c)  &  (d)  Yes,  Madam.  As  per  the  detailed  project  report  (DPR),  they  will  run  Integrated Dual  BS-MS  Degree,  MS  Degree,  Integrated  Dual  MS-Ph.D.  Degree,  Ph.D.  and  PostDoctoral Programmes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2288 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-24
Subject: Promotion of Local Art Forms
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2288 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.12.2018

## PROMOTION OF LOCAL ART FORMS

## 2288. MAHEISH GIRRI:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  special  initiatives  for  the  promotion  of different art forms like tribal arts, Madhubani arts, Rajasthani local arts, etc. on an International platform;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has taken any initiatives to promote and preserve the local folk songs from different parts of the country; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):  The  Ministry  of  Culture  is  committed  to  disseminating  different  art forms  including  tribal  arts,  Madhubani  arts,  Rajasthani  local  arts,  etc.  on  an International platform through Cultural Exchange Programme.  Ministry of Culture also    operates  Scheme  for  Promotion  of  International  Cultural  Relations  under which Festivals of India  are organized abroad.  In addition, grant to Indo Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies through Indian Missions  are provided  to showcase Indian  arts  and  culture  including  folk  arts.      For  Festival  of  India  abroad,  the Ministry of Culture has empanelled artists including folk artists to perform in the festivals.   The Ministry of Culture through its organizations and various schemes protects,  promotes and  disseminates  Indian  arts  and  culture  including  folk  arts from different parts of the country.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-24
Subject: Steps taken to increase Tourism in Punjab
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: RAVNEET SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2287 ANSWERED ON 24.12.2018

## STEPS TAKEN TO INCREASE TOURISM IN PUNJAB

## 2287. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  the  number  of  domestic  and  foreign tourists  in  Punjab  have  increased  during  the  last  four  years and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore;
- (b) the amount of expenditure spent on conservation of heritage sites in Punjab, especially Ludhiana;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  or  proposes  to  take  any measures to increase/promote tourism in Punjab in consultation with the State Government of Punjab; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Yes,  Madam.  During  the  period  2014  to  2017,  the  Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) and the Foreign Tourists Visits (FTVs) to the State  of  Punjab  have  registered  positive  growths.  The  details  are given below:

| Year                  | DTVs     | FTVs    |
|-----------------------|----------|---------|
| 2014                  | 24271302 | 255449  |
| 2017 (P)              | 40293352 | 1108635 |
| Growth 2017 over 2014 | 66.01%   | 333.99% |

P: provisional

(b): Details  of  expenditure  incurred  for  conservation  of  protected monuments of ASI in Punjab including Ludhiana are as follows:

Punjab

|   Sl. No. | Year    | Expenditure incurred (Amount in Rs.)   |
|-----------|---------|----------------------------------------|
|         1 | 2015-16 | 3,27,91,933                            |
|         2 | 2016-17 | 2,42,66,094                            |
|         3 | 2017-18 | 2,00,48,004                            |

Expenditure for Protected Monuments in Ludhiana is as follows:-

|   Sl. No. | Year    | Expenditure incurred (Amount in Rs.)   |
|-----------|---------|----------------------------------------|
|         1 | 2015-16 | 20,32,388                              |
|         2 | 2016-17 | 490                                    |
|         3 | 2017-18 | 79,893                                 |

(c) and (d): Ministry of Tourism  has  two  flagship  schemes namely  'Swadesh  Darshan'  and  'National  Mission  on  Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)'  for  the  development  of  tourism  related  infrastructure facilities and to promote tourism in the country.

Under Swadesh Darshan scheme, 01 project worth Rs. 99.95 crore  on  Development  of  Anandpur  Sahib  -  Fatehgarh  Sahib  Chamkaur Sahib - Ferozpur - Amritsar - Khatkar Kalan - Kalanour Patiala under Heritage circuit has been sanctioned to Punjab during 2018-19.

Under PRASHAD scheme, 01 project worth Rs. 6.45 crore on Development  of  Karuna  Sagar  Valmiki  Sthal  at Amritsar  was sanctioned to Punjab during 2015-16.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2282 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-24
Subject: Online Training Course through SWAYAM
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2282 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.12.2018

## Online Training Course through SWAYAM

2282. SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE:

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

- (a) whether the Government has launched initiative of online professional development of 1.5 million  higher  education  faculty  using  Massive  Open  Online  Course  (MOOC)  platform, SWAYAM;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  under  its  first  phase  of  implementation,  75  discipline-specific  National  Resource Centres (NRCs) have been identified;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the aim of the Government through this project?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a)  to  (e)  Yes  Madam,  the  Government  has  launched  Annual  Refresher  Programme  in Teaching (ARPIT), a major and unique initiative of online professional development of 15 lakh higher  education  faculty  using  the  MOOCs  platform  SWAYAM.  For  implementing  ARPIT,  75 discipline-specific institutions have been identified and notified as National Resource Centres (NRCs)  in the first phase, to prepare online training material with focus on latest developments  in  the  discipline,  new  &  emerging  trends,  pedagogical  improvements  and methodologies for transacting revised curriculum. The 75 discipline-specific National Resource Centres  are  located  in  a  mixed  range  of  institutions,  such  as,  Central  Universities,  IISc, IUCAA,  IITs,  IISERs,  NITs,  State  Universities  under  the  Ministry's  Pandit  Madan  Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT); UGC's Human Resource Development Centres (HRDCs), National Institutes for Technical Teachers Training (NITTTRs),  IIITs  Open  Universities.  These  NRCs  cover  wide  ranging  disciplines  of  Social Sciences,  Sciences,  Engineering  and  Technology,  Design  &  Manufacturing,  Humanities, Language Teaching, Commerce, Management, Education Planning and Administration, Public

Policy, Leadership & Governance, Library & Information Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Assessment and Evaluation, Pedagogy and research methods , cutting edge areas of Nanosciences, Internet of Things, etc.

The aim of this initiative is to enable all in-service teachers, irrespective of their subject and  seniority,  to  get  an  opportunity  to  keep  abreast  of  the  latest  developments  in  their disciplines  through  the  technology  based  online  refresher  course.  The  NRCs  under  ARPIT programe  will  revolutionize  professional  development  of  faculty  by  catering  to  massive numbers by leveraging ICT and online technology platform of SWAYAM.

***