opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1362 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Entry of Foreign Institutions
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. 1362 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  FEBRUARY, 2019

## Entry of Foreign Institutions

1362. SHRI C. MAHENDRAN:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  laid  down  a  clear  path  for  the  entry  of  foreign institutions into the country with various courses;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any effective framework to monitor the quality and performance of such international institutions;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether India has a large young population and thus foreign institutions will have an  incentive  to  enter  the  country  and  expect  benefit  from  the  expertise  and reputation of these institutions; and
- (f) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

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

## (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a) to (f): At present, there is no law which allows the entry and operation of foreign educational  providers  to  set  up  their  campuses  in  India.    However,  the  University Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  notified  the  UGC  (Promotion  and  Maintenance  of Standards  of  Academic  Collaboration  between  Indian  and  Foreign  Educational Institutions) Regulations 2016, which spell out the modalities regarding the eligibility criteria  and  the  conditions  for  the  collaboration  of  a  foreign  educational  institution with  an  Indian  educational  institution.    All  India  Council  for  Technical  Education (AICTE) has also set norms for academic collaborations and twinning programmes between  Indian and Foreign Universities/Institutions in the field of technical education,  research  and  training  in  India.  UGC  regulations  in  this  respect  are available at http://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2016/170684.pdf. AICTE norms in this regard are available at https://www.aicteindia.org/sites/default/files/APH%202019-20.pdf.

The objective of the regulations/guidelines is to improve quality, offer students additional  choices  and  to  improve  curriculum  and  the  delivery  of  knowledge  and educational content.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1360 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Recovery of Money
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ANUPAM HAZRA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1360 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2019

## Recovery of Money

1360. DR. ANUPAM HAZRA:

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

(a) whether the Government/Visva Bharati has contemplated a plan of action for recovery of money of exchequer drawn by Pro Vice Chancellor, Visva Bharati during the period beyond his legitimate term as per the U.G.C. regulations No. 7.2.0 of 2010; and

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

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The terms and conditions of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Visva-Bharati are governed by the provisions of the Act and Statutes of the University.  As per Statute 3(6) of the Statutes of the Visva-Bharati Act, if the office of the Vice-Chancellor becomes vacant due to death, resignation, or otherwise or if he/she is unable to perform his/her duties owing to absence, illness or any other cause, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor shall discharge the duties of Vice-Chancellor until a new ViceChancellor or the Vice-Chancellor assumes office, as the case may be. Further, the Statute 4(3) of the Visva-Bharati Act, inter-alia, provides that the Pro-Vice-Chancellor shall, while discharging the duties of the Vice-Chancellor under Statute 3(6), continue in office notwithstanding the expiration of the term of office until a new Vice-Chancellor or the Vice-Chancellor, as the case may be, assumes office.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor was continuing in his office in terms of the aforesaid provisions of the Statutes of the Visva-Bharati Act. Therefore, the question of recovery of money of exchequer drawn by him does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1357 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: New Central Universities
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1357 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2019

## New Central Universities

1357. SHRI KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO:

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

(a) whether any new Universities are being established in Andhra Pradesh, as it was a promise as per Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014 and if so, the details thereof; and

(b) the quantum of funds allocated for the same?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) The Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act 2014 inter-alia provides for establishment of  one  Central  University  and  one  Central  Tribal  University  in  the  State  of  Andhra  Pradesh.  The Government has approved for the development of infrastructure of  the universities  in  two  phases. There  is  provision  of  funds  of  Rs.  450  crore  and  Rs.  420  crore  for  Central  University  and  Tribal University respectively in the first phase.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1356 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Policy for Tribal
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: VIRENDER KASHYAP

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1356 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2019

## POLICY FOR TRIBAL

## 1356. SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any  reasonable policy to declare various regions,  castes,  groups  on tribals in India and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there are such pending cases for declaration on Tribals with the Union Government which have been sent by the State Government after completing formalities requested under State/UT-wise rules and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to have a formal time upto which the Government has to complete such process and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

(a) The  Government  of  India  on  15.6.1999  (further  amended  on  25.6.2002)  has  laid  down  the modalities  for  deciding  the  claims  for  inclusion  in,  exclusion  from  and  other  modifications  in  Orders specifying Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lists. As per the modalities, only those proposals which have  been  recommended  and  justified  by  the  concerned  State  Government  /  UT  Administration  and concurred  with  by  Registrar  General  of  India  (RGI)  and  National  Commission  for  Scheduled  Tribes (NCST) are to be considered and legislation amended.

- (b) & (c) Proposals are received from various State Governments / Union Territories is taken as per above said approved modalities.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1355 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Faulty Recruitment
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1355 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2019

## Faulty Recruitment

1355. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

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

(a) whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  ask  all  universities to  postpone  faulty recruitment till the Supreme Court gives its verdict to the Special Leave Petition filed by the Government against the Allahabad High Court order;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government had asked the University Grants Commission to issue an order to this effect; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Dr. SATYA PAL SINGH) (a) to (d): The recruitment of faculty was being done based upon clause 6(c) and 8(a)(v) of  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  guidelines,  2006  which  prescribe  that  the cadre or unit for determining reservation roster points should be 'University/college' and not 'Department/ subject'. The  Hon'ble  Allahabad  High  Court  in  its  order  of  C.M.W.P.No.43260  of  2016 dated 07-04-2017 quashed this Guideline. Implementation  of  these  orders  could  lead  to  reduction  in  the  posts  to  be reserved  for  Scheduled  Castes,  Scheduled  Tribes  and  Other  Backward  Classes.  An Inter-Ministerial Committee was constituted to examine the issue. Subsequently, on the recommendations  of  the  Inter-  Ministerial  Committee  and  after  consulting  the  Law Ministry, the UGC and the Ministry had filed separate SLPs on 12-04-2018 and 16-042018 respectively before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. Meanwhile, in view of the matter being sub-judice, directions were issued by the UGC to the Higher Educational Institutions to postpone the recruitment process, if it is already underway.

Further, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has dismissed the SLPs of MHRD and UGC on 21.01.2019. In consultation with the Attorney General of India, filing a review petition is being contemplated.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1353 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Import of Oil from USA
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1353 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  FEBRUARY, 2019

## Import of Oil from USA

## 1353.   SHRI  K. PARASURAMAN:

## पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

(a)  whether it is a fact that India has committed to purchase $ 5 billion worth of oil and gas from the United States of America and if so, the details  thereof; and

(b) the salient features of the growing bilateral trade cooperation between the two countries?

## A N S W E R

पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री ( श्री धमेंन्द  र प्रधान )

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

(a) As part  of Government's effort to diversify crude oil source, Indian Public Sector refineries  started    to  import  crude  oil  from  USA  from  October  2017.  So  far  they  have imported  about  30  million  barrels  of  crude  oil  from  US  suppliers.  Indian  Public  Sector companies (GAIL and IOCL) have together contracted about 6.6 Million Metric Tonne Per Annum of LNG from US based supplier on long term basis.  The prices of the supplies are linked to Henry Hub index. (b)      The  India-USA  Strategic  Energy  Partnership  (SEP)  was  launched  in  April  2018. Through the SEP, the US and  India seek  to enhance energy security, expand energy and innovation  linkages  across  respective  energy  sectors,  bolster  strategic  alignment,  and

- facilitate increased industry and stakeholder engagement in the energy sector.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Campus of NIT
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: VINCENT H PALA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1352 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2019

## Campus of NIT

## 1352.  SHRI VINCENT H. PALA:

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

- (a) the status of construction of the permanent campus of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Sohra, Cherrapunji;
- (b) whether the campus would be functional by July 2019;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  of  the  funds  allocated,  released  and  utilized  till  date  for construction of the NIT Cherrapunji campus; and
- (d) the reasons for the delay in releasing funds for the same?

## A N S W E R

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

- (a) to (d):     As informed by National Institute of Technology (NIT), Meghalaya, 50%  of  the  construction  work  of  the  permanent  campus  of  NIT  has  been completed,  and  as  such  permanent  campus  would  not  be  functional  by  July, 2019.

Institute  was  allocated  an  amount  of  Rs.250  crores  in  2009  for  its establishment. Ministry of Human Resource Development has so far released an amount of Rs.363.52 crores including Rs.225.09 crores under Capital Head, out of  which  Institute  reported  100%  utilization,  including  Rs.184.99  crores  utilized for construction works.

There is no delay in release of funds to the Institute.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1351 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Documentation of Ancient Manuscripts
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1351 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2019

## DOCUMENTATION OF ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS

## 1351. SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the National Mission for Documentation of Ancient Manuscripts has completed its tenure and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has been able to document valuable ancient manuscripts from all Indian languages including Tamil, Malayalam and Sanskrit and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)   whether  valuable  manuscripts  containing  the  practice  of  Siddha  and  Ayurvedic Medicines have also been documented and if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIORNMENT, FOREST & CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

## ANSWER

- (a) The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) was established in 2003 covering the 10 th plan period i.e. up to 31-03-2007. The tenure of the Mission was extended by the Ministry of Culture twice over the 11 th and 12 th plan periods i.e. up to 31-032017.  At present, tenure of the Mission stands extended till 31-03-2020.
- (b)   The Mission documents Indian Manuscripts in all Indian languages. Till date it has documented 43.16 lakhs Manuscripts including Manuscripts in Tamil, Malayalam and Sanskrit languages. The details are as under:
- i. Number of Tamil Manuscripts documented - 139552
- ii. Number of Malayalam Manuscripts documented - 120641
- iii. Number of Sanskrit Manuscripts documented - 1702754
- (c)   Yes Madam, National Mission for Manuscripts has documented 183210 Manuscripts on Siddha and Ayurvedic Medicines so far.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1348 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Sponge Iron Plants
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: LAKHAN LAL SAHU

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1348 FOR ANSWER ON 11/02/2019

## SPONGE IRON PLANTS

1348.  SHRI LAKHAN LAL SAHU:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of sponge iron plants in public and private sector operational in the country at present, State/UT-wise including Chhattisgarh;
- (b) the details of employment avenue generated by these plants;
- (c) whether any provision has been made to provide employment to local people in the said plants; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL

(SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

- (a) The number of sponge iron plants in public and private sector in the country including Chhattisgarh during F.Y. 2017-18 is as following:-
- (b) As per survey conducted by the Joint Plant Committee (JPC), total employment in the domestic sponge iron market stood at 1,15,927.

| State                  | No. of Units   |
|------------------------|----------------|
| Jharkhand              | 66             |
| Odisha                 | 79             |
| West Bengal            | 34             |
| Chhattisgarh           | 60             |
| Goa                    | 3              |
| Maharashtra            | 7              |
| Gujarat                | 4              |
| Andhra Pradesh         | 7              |
| Karnataka              | 33             |
| Tamil Nadu             | 6              |
| Telangana              | 12             |
| Total Private Sector   | 311            |
| Public Sector          |                |
| Telangana              | 1              |
| Total : Public+Private | 312            |

(c)&(d): Specific decision on recruitment of employees in private steel sector is taken by  individual  steel  companies  /  investors  on  the  basis  of  their  requirement.  In  the case of CPSEs, recruitment is based on Government Guidelines.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Deemed University
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1347 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2019

## Deemed University

## 1347. ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

Will	the	Minister	of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be	pleased	to	state : (a)	 whether	 the	 University	 Grants	 Commission	 has	 come	 out	 with	 new	 eligibility conditions	for	sanctioning	deemed	university	status: (b)	if	so,	the	details	thereof; (c)	 whether	 the	 new	 regulations	 also	 forbid	 the	 inspection	 team	 from	 accepting	 any hospitality	from	the	institution	that	has	applied	for	the	deemed	tag;	and (d)	if	so,	the	details	thereof?

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

(a)	&	(b):	No,	Madam.	However,	the	University	Grants	Commission	(UGC)	has	drafted the	 UGC	 (Institutions	 Deemed	 to	 be	 Universities)	 Regulations,	 2019,	 which	 have	 not been	notified	so	far. (c)	 &	 (d):	 As	 per	 the	 draft	 UGC	 (Institutions	 Deemed	 to	 be	 Universities)	 Regulations, 2019,	all	expenditure	incurred	on	the	processing	of	application	for	granting	of	status	of Deemed to be University, starting of off-campus/off-shore campus/constituent institution,	etc.	including	all	inspections	by	the	Expert	Committee	shall	be	borne	by	the Commission;	 and	 any	 expenditure	 incurred	 directly	 or	 indirectly	 by	 the	 Sponsoring body	or	the	Institution	Deemed	to	be	University,	as	the	case	may	be,	on	or	in	connection with	 the	 visit	 of	 any	 inspection	 team	 of	 the	 Commission	 shall	 be	 deemed	 to	 be	 a violation	of	these	Regulations	and	proceeded	with	accordingly.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1345 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Issuance of Bonds by IOCL
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1345

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## Issuance of Bonds by IOCL

## 1345.     SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

पेट्रोलियम एवं प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) proposes to raise about US $3 billion more through issue of US dollar bonds;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether it is also true that the IOCL is already in market to raise US  $ 900 million  through  a  bond  issue  and  also  proposes  to  raise  an  equivalent  sum through a syndicated loan to meet its working capital requirements; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोलियम एवं प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री (श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान)

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

- (a) to (d) Indian  Oil  Corporation  Limited  (IOCL)  has  informed  that  Reserve Bank of India vide circular dated 3 rd October, 2018 has allowed Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to raise long term ECBs, to the extent of $10 billion for working capital requirements. IOCL`s share would be around 50% to 60% of the said amount of $10 billion. IOCL has already raised $1300 million through syndicated loan during December,  2018,  followed  up  by  issuance  of  US  dollar  bonds  of $900  million  during  January,  2019.  Raising  of  balance  amount  by IOCL depends on the working capital requirements of the Corporation and keeping in consideration the loan portfolio mix and prevailing market conditions.

-2-

Details of bond issue and Syndicated loan are as below :-

| Bond Issue                                                                                                              | Syndicated Loan                                                                                                          |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  Face Value of Bond Issue - $900 million  Tenure - 5 years  Issued in January, 2019  Repayment due in January, 2024 |  Amount of Loan Borrowed - $1300 million  Tenure - 5 years  Drawn in December, 2018  Repayment due in December, 2023 |

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1344 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Scheme of Vishwajeet Project
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

## MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1344

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2019

## Scheme of Vishwajeet Project

## 1344. DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  on  the  process  of  launching  a  scheme 'Vishwajeet  project'  to  boost  seven  top  Indian  Institutes  of  Technology (IITs) in the country,
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the special salient features of the proposed schemes;
- (d) the total budget for the proposed project; and
- (e) the time by which the proposal is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Project Vishwajeet was approved 'in-principle' by the IIT Council with a view  to  help  7  Indian  Institutes  of  Technology  (IITs)  at  Kharagpur,  Delhi, Bombay, Kanpur, Madras, Roorkee and Guwahati to come up into the Top 100 World University rankings.

However, since  the  Government  has  already  approved  a  new  scheme  to establish 20 'Institutions of Eminence' - 10 from the public institutions and 10 from the private institutions, the requirements projected under Project Vishwajeet are adequately addressed under the new scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Foreign Loan to OMCs
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1343

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## Foreign Loan to OMCs

## †1343.     SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

पेट्रोलियम एवं प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to give permission to the Oil companies to take/seek  more  foreign  loans  to  check  decline  in  rupee  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps in this regard so far;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोलियम एवं प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री (श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान)

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

- (a) to (d) Oil  Marketing  Companies  (OMCs)  have  informed  that  in  order  to enhance  the  average  hard  currency  float  available  on  relatively favourable  terms,  comprising  payable  for  crude  purchases,  the Reserve  Bank  of  India  vide  circular  dated  3 rd October,  2018  has permitted OMCs to raise External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) for working capital  purposes  with  minimum  average maturity period of 3/5 years from all recognized lenders under the automatic route with an overall ceiling of US$ 10 billion equivalent. Further, the individual limit  of  US$  750  million  and  mandatory  hedging  requirement  have also  been  waived,  subject  to  OMCs  having  Board  approved  forex mark-to- market procedure and prudent risk management policy.

****