opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 171 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Bilateral Cooperation with OPEC
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 171 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## Bilateral Cooperation with OPEC

## 171. SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY:

## पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a) whether the Government has sought to enhance bilateral cooperation with the member countries of OPEC in the hydrocarbon sector; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  response  received  from  the  member countries so far?

## ANSWER

## पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में मंत्री ( श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान )

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

- (a) In order to enhance bilateral cooperation with OPEC and discuss the issues of mutual interest, the India-OPEC Institutional Dialogue (IOID) mechanism, at the level of Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Secretary General of OPEC, was established in June 2015. The 3 rd meeting of the IOID was held on 8th  October  2018  in  New  Delhi.    During  his  meetings  with  the  Secretary General  of  OPEC,  Minister  of  Petroleum  and  Natural  Gas  raised  India's concerns  related  to  high  international  crude  oil  prices  and  urged  OPEC  to move  to  responsible  pricing  and  for  abolishing  Asian  Premium.  He  also stressed that both producing and consuming countries should work closely for the  benefit  of  both  producers  and  consumers.  These  issues  have  also  been taken up countries such as Saudi Arabia and other major crude oil suppliers who are members of OPEC.
- (b) In November 2018, India strongly took up the issue of high crude oil prices and  Asian  Premium  with  Saudi  Arabia  on  the  margins  of  G-20  Summit  in Buenos Aires,  Argentina.  Saudi  Arabia  assured  to  seriously  consider  issues raised  by  India  and  work  with  India  in  this  regard.  Consequently,  Asian Premium has seen a  downward trend.  Secretary  General  of  OPEC  has  also assured India that OPEC will closely work with India on these issues.
Lok Sabha Question No. 170 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Evaluation and Review of Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: N.K. PREMACHANDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 170 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

EVALUATION AND REVIEW OF EMPLOYEES' PENSION SCHEME, 1995

170. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

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

- (a)whether  the  high  level  empowered  Committee  constituted  by  the Government  for  complete  evaluation  and  review  of  Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 has submitted its report to the Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)the  details  of  recommendations  contained  in  the  said  report  and follow up action taken by the Government thereon;
- (c)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  enact  any  legislation  for
- implementation of the said recommendations;
- (d)if so, the details thereof along with the action taken in this regard;
- (e)whether the Government proposes to stop the deduction of amount from the pension after the recovery of the entire amount on account of commutation; and
- (f)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Yes,  Madam.  The  High-Empowered  Monitoring  Committee constituted by Ministry of Labour & Employment for complete evaluation and review of the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995, has submitted its report on 21.12.2018 to the Government.

- (b) to (f): The Committee has considered the following issues:

1. Increase of Minimum Monthly Member Pension.
2. Period over which the Average Pensionable Salary is calculated.
3. Restoration of commuted value of pension
4. Re-introduction of the provision for commutation of pension.
5. Restoration of the provision of Return of Capital.
6. Linking the monthly pension with cost of living index.
7. Payment  of  pension  on  higher/actual  wages  to  employees  of exempted establishments.

The  Report  submitted  by  the  Committee  is  under  examination.  The comments from Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) have been sought. Thereafter, the same will be placed before Central Board of Trustees (CBT), Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) which is scheduled to meet during this month.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 169 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Boosting Commerce and Industry Sector in Rajasthan
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: MANSHANKAR NINAMA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 169(H) TO BE ANSWERED ON  04 th  FEBRUARY, 2019

## BOOSTING COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY SECTOR IN RAJASTHAN

## 169(H). SHRI MANSHANKAR NINAMA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is taking any measures to boost commerce and industry sector in Rajasthan;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that additional expenditure and time is spent on import and export in absence of a port in Rajasthan which is a desert State;
- (d) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  of  Rajasthan  has  sent  any  proposal  to  the  Union Government  in  this  regard  and  if  so,  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard so far?

## 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) to    (e)  : With an objective to ensure a continuous dialogue with all State Governments on measures for providing an International trade enabling environment  in the State and to create  a framework for  making  the  States  active  partners  in  boosting  India's  trade,  a  Council  for  Trade Development  and  Promotion  (CTDP)  has  been  constituted  (notified  in  July  2015)  under  the chairmanship  of the  Union  Commerce and Industry  Minister,  in  which the  Trade  & Commerce Ministers  of  all  the  states,  including  Rajasthan  are  members.    Regular  annual  meetings  of  the Council have been conducted to facilitate the States to articulate their views.

Further, key initiatives like 'Make in India', 'Start-up India' and 'Ease of Doing Business' have also been taken by the Government to facilitate industrial production and growth in the States, including Rajasthan.

The  Government has facilitated  setting  up  of  dry  ports  which  help  the  exporters from land locked States and have so far accorded clearance to 7 proposals for setting up of  Inland  Container  Depots  in  Rajasthan.  No  specific  proposal  from  Government  of Rajasthan is presently pending with the Department.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 167 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Programmes for Senior Classical Artists
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: SANJAY(KAKA) RAMCHANDRA PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 167 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## PROGRAMMES FOR SENIOR CLASSICAL ARTISTS

## † 167. SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether the Government  organizes /proposes to organise programmes in the name of artists  of  national  and  international  repute as a gesture of giving them honour and respect, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)    whether  the  Government  is  making  any  provision  to  organize  programmes  in  the name  of  senior  classical  artists  who  devoted  their  lives  to  music  and  for  the upgradation of music, if so, the details thereof ;
- (c)    whether  the  Government  has  earmarked  /proposes  to  earmark  any  funds  for  the purpose; and
- (d)     if so, the details thereof?

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

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a & b): Madam, Ministry of Culture organizes commemoration of Birth Centenary and special  anniversaries  like  125 th /150 th etc.  of  great  personalities  and  memorable historical  events  based  on  the  decision  of  the  Government/  respective  National Committee, Executive Committee or National Implementation Committee as the case may be.

However,  Sangeet  Natak  Akademi,  an  autonomous  organisation  under  the  Ministry organized the centenary celebrations of the following Artists throughout the country:-

- (i)     Smt T. Mukta
- (ii)    Bharatratna Smt. M.S. Subbulakshmi
- (iii)    Ustad Bismillah Khan
- (iv)    Saint Tyagaraja
- (v)     Begum Akhtar
- (vi)    Shri Radhika Mohan Maitra
- (c & d ) At present no Specific fund has been earmarked for this purpose.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 166 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Task Force on e-Commerce
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: G. HARI, K. GOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 166.

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019.

## TASK FORCE ON e-COMMERCE

## 166.   SHRI G. HARI:

DR. K. GOPAL:

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

- (a) whether a panel of senior bureaucrats had reviewed recommendations of a task force on e-Commerce and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is making efforts to hammer out consensus on the e-Commerce Policy and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether a task force set up for the e-Commerce had drawn criticism for its suggestions, including making necessary policy changes to enable founders of  domestic  e-Commerce  companies  to  have  a  control  even  if  their  share holding  is  small,  allowing  foreign  direct  investment  in  e-Retailers  that  hold inventory of all locally produced items and asking firms to store data locally within two years and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether curbs on deep discounts and bulk purchases of certain items, etc. have also been sticking points with some stakeholders and if so, the details thereof?

## 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 (d): A Think Tank on 'Framework for National Policy on e-Commerce' was constituted by Department of Commerce and a Task Force under the Think  Tank  was  set  up  for  preparing  recommendations  for  India's National Policy on e-Commerce. Department of Commerce formulated a draft policy document titled 'Electronic Commerce in India: Stakeholder Recommendations Received for a National Policy Framework' after consulting various stakeholders including concerned Ministries/ Departments, State Governments, apex industry chambers, Associations  and  other  organizations  taking  into  consideration  their views/comments.

The  views  and  suggestions  of  various  stakeholders  were  considered while drafting the above policy document.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Development of Sports under Skill India Initiative
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: BHEEMRAO BASWANTHRAO PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 165 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS UNDER SKILL INDIA INITIATIVE

## 165. SHRI BHEEMRAO B. PATIL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken any initiative for the development of sports under the Skill India Initiative;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps in consonance with the recommendations  of  the  National  Skill  Development  Council  of  the  skill  gaps  in  the sectors; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) The  Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship  (MSDE)  is implementing  its  flagship  scheme  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojna  (PMKVY), launched in 2015, to provide employable skills to the youth of the nation. Owing to the success  of  PMKVY  1.0,  the  scheme  was  re-launched  in  October,  2016  and  called PMKVY (2016-2020). Under PMKVY (2016-2020), training is provided in more than 250 job  roles  across  various  sectors  including  sports.  Qualification  Packs  that  have  been developed for the sports sector are Fitness Trainer, Life Guard-Pool & Beach, Sports Masseur, Physical Activity Trainer. Further, MSDE through National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has formed the Sports, Physical Education, Fitness & Leisure Skill Council (SPEFL-SC) on 3rd July, 2015 for the focused attention to the development of sports under the Skill India Initiative. The key objective of the SPEFL-SC is to create a robust and vibrant eco-system for quality education and skill development in the sports sector in the country. The mandate for SPEFL-SC, inter alia, is to carry out a functional and occupational mapping and develop a catalogue of industry, develop occupations/ job roles in the sector, develop & put in place an assessment & certification mechanism for  the  trainers,  assessors  and  trainees  etc.  NSDC  has  not  conducted  any  skill  gap study on Sports as yet.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Gems and Jewellery Domestic Council
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 164

## TO BE ANSWERED ON  04 th  FEBRUARY, 2019

## GEMS AND JEWELLERY DOMESTIC COUNCIL

164. DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU: be

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  had  constituted  a  Committee  to  draft  guidelines  for forming domestic council for Gems and Jewellery industry;
- (b) if so, the details of the mandate given to the said Committee;
- (c) the details of the manner in which the Government is planning to boost domestic as well as international markets of India's precious stones; and
- (d) the  details  of  benefits/  encouragement  being  considered  by  the  Government  to extend the same to the domestic and jewellery sector?

## 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) An  Ad-hoc  National  Committee  of  Domestic  Council  for  Gems  and Jewellery  consisting  14  Members  representing  various  associations  of  Gems  and Jewellery Sector has  been constituted to draft  Memorandum  and  Article  of Association and other Rules/Bye-laws of the Domestic Council.
- (c)  &  (d)            The  government  is  supporting  the  process  of  setting  up  of  Domestic Council  for  Gems  and  Jewellery,  to  encourage  and  boost  domestic  gems  and jewellery sector.  It is envisaged that the domestic industry would be benefited from such a representative body which would be the forum for highlighting the issues and concerns  of  the  industry  that  require  redressal  through  policy  measures.    Further, with  a  view  to  strengthen  the  Gems  &  Jewellery  industry  in  the  country,  the Government has taken a number of steps such as establishment of Special Notified Zone (SNZ); setting up of Common Facility Centres  for gem  and jewellery sector; announcement  of  separate  ITC  HS  Code  for  lab-grown  diamonds;  and  providing financial  assistance  for  participation  in  international  fairs,  organizing  buyer-seller meets, creation  of  export  related infrastructure,  etc.  under  various  schemes  of  the Department of Commerce to boost the industry.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Opening of Employees’ Insurance Corporation Hospitals for General Public
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: MEENAKASHI LEKHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 163 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## OPENING OF EMPLOYEES' INSURANCE CORPORATION HOSPITALS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC

## 163. SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI:

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

- (a)whether the Government proposes to open the hospitals under the Employees' State Insurance Corporation for general public and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether  all  the  hospitals  are  sufficiently  staffed  to  take  on  the additional patient load and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)whether  any  generic  medicine  shops  under  Pradhan  Mantri  JanAushadhi Yojana have been set up near such hospitals to help the general  public  to  avail  affordable  medicines  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) & (b): The primary mandate of Employees' State Insurance Corporation  (ESIC)  is  to  provide  social  security  benefits,  including medical  benefits  to  the  Insured  Persons  covered  under  the  ESIC Schemes.  The  ESI  Corporation    in  its  175 th  /176 th     meeting  held  on 18.09.2018/05.12.2018  has  taken  a  decision  for  providing  access  to Non-Insured  Persons  for  medical  services  in  its  under-utilized  ESIC Hospitals  at  Alwar  (Rajasthan),  Bihta  (Bihar),  Gulbarga  (Karnataka), Bareilly and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), on user charge basis.

The  facility  of  medical  service  to  General  Public  (Non Insured Persons) are being extended only in hospitals where medical services are under-utilized.

- (c): The ESI beneficiaries are provided cashless services, therefore, no  generic  medicine  shops  have  been  set  up  under  Pradhan  Mantri Jan-Aushadhi Yojana in the ESIC Hospitals/Dispensaries.

However,  as  informed  by  Ministry  of  Chemicals  and  Fertilizers, following 3 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Kendras are functional near ESIC Hospitals:-

1. KOTHAYALASA, VIZAG Road, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh
2.  Mettur Dam, Salem, Tamil Nadu
3.  Mettur, Salem, Tamil Nadu.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Development of Mythological Cultural Heritages of Mithila Region
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.162 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4.2.2019

## DEVELOPMENT OF MYTHOLOGICAL CULTURAL HERITAGES OF MITHILA REGION

- +162. SHRI KIRTI AZAD:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  mythological-historical-cultural  heritages  of  Mithila region of Bihar which are being developed at present; and
- (b) the steps taken by the Government for development of these heritages?

## ANSWER

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

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a)&(b) In Mithila region 'Remains of Ancient Fort or Garh' locally known as Raja  Bali  ka  Garh,  Balirajgarh,  district  Madhubani  in  Bihar  is  a centrally  protected  monument under Archaeological Survey of India. Annual  maintenance  work  at  the  monument  is  carried  out  and  at present construction of boundary wall is in progress.
Lok Sabha Question No. 161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: National Institute of Science
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 161 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## National Institute of Science

## 161. SHRI ARVIND SAWANT:

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

- (a)  whether  the  National  Institute  of  Science,  Bangalore  has  been  recognized  in  the  top  10 science research institutes in the world and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  institute  has  demanded  a  financial  aid  to  the  tune  of  crores  of  rupees  for development of indigenous nano technology and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the action taken by the Government to provide financial assistance to this institute?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (c): There  is  no  Institute  named  as  National  Institute  of  Science  in  Bangalore  under Government  of    India.    There  is  an  Indian  Institute  of  Science  (IISc)  at  Bangalore notified  as  an  Institute  of  Eminence  (IoE)  ranked  170  in  the  QS  World  University Ranking 2019.  A total amount of Rs. 17.00 crore has been released to IISc Bangalore for Centre for Nano Science & Engineering (CeNSE) consisting of Rs. 5.00 crore in 2017-18 and Rs. 12.00 crore so far in 2018-19.

* * * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Technical Education Institutions
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, DHARMENDRA YADAV, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 159 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## Technical Education Institutions

## †159. SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV: SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

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

- (a) whether the Government has approved an ambitious scheme of 2660 crore rupees with assistance from the World Bank with a view to improving quality of technical education institutions in the States;
- (b) if so, the details in this regard along with the main features of the said scheme;
- (c) the details of the technical education institutions selected under the said scheme;
- (d) the criteria laid down for selection of the said technical education institutions; and
- (e) whether the work has started under the said scheme and if so, the details thereof in this regard and if not, the present status thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e):        The  Govt.  of  India  has  approved  the  third  phase  of  Technical  Education  Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP-III), with assistance from the World Bank, for improving the overall  quality  of  Technical  Education  in  19  focus  states  (7  low  income  states,  3  hill  states,  8 north eastern region states and Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands) with an outlay of Rs. 2660 crore.  The programme has commenced from April 2017 with implementation period of 3 years. The main objective of the project is to enhance quality and equity in selected engineering education  institutes  and  improve  the  efficiency  of  the  engineering  education  system  in  Focus States. The  details regarding objective of TEQIP-III, main  features, technical education institutions  selected,  criteria  of  selection  of  institutes,  present  status  of  scheme  may  be  seen  at http://mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload\_files/mhrd/files/Details\_regarding\_scheme\_TEQIP-III.pdf.

*****