opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1702 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Export/Import
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Rakesh Singh

## 1702(H).

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1702(H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th  JULY, 2022

## EXPORT/IMPORT

## SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there has been an increase in imports and exports last month;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the proportion of import is less than export;
- (d) if so, the details thereof including the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether any remedial measures have been undertaken to reduce the trade deficit ascribed to imbalance in import export; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) & (b): The overall (merchandise plus services) exports increased  from USD 52.8 billion in June 2021 to USD 64.9 billion in June 2022.  The overall (merchandise plus services) imports increased  from USD 52.9 billion in June 2021 to USD 82.4 billion in June 2022.

(c) to (f): The proportion of export and import in total trade is 44:56. The trade deficit is a function of import and export. Imports take place to meet the gap between domestic production and supply, consumer  demand  and  preferences  for  various  products.  Many  imports  are  inputs  for  further manufacturing in  India  and exports. For boosting exports government has taken the following measures recently:

- (i) Foreign Trade Policy (2015-20) extended upto 30-09-2022.
- (ii) Assistance provided  through  several  schemes  to  promote  exports,  namely,  Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) and Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme.
- (iii) Rebate  of  State  and  Central  Levies  and  Taxes  (RoSCTL)  Scheme  to  promote    labour oriented textile export has been implemented since 07.03.2019.
- (iv) Remission  of  Duties  and  Taxes  on  Exported  Products  (RoDTEP)  scheme  has  been implemented since 01.01.2021.
- (v) Common Digital Platform for Certificate of Origin has been launched to facilitate trade and increase Free Trade Agreement (FTA) utilization by exporters.
- (vi) 12 Champion Services Sectors have been identified for promoting and diversifying services exports by pursuing specific action plans.
- (vii) Districts as Export Hubs has been launched by identifying products with export potential in each district, addressing bottlenecks for exporting these products and supporting local exporters/manufacturers to generate employment in the district.
- (viii) Active role of Indian missions abroad towards promoting India's trade, tourism, technology and investment goals has been enhanced.
- (ix) Package announced in light of the COVID pandemic to support domestic industry through various  banking  and  financial  sector  relief  measures,  especially  for  MSMEs,  which constitute a major share in exports.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1697 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Dissemination of Statistical Data
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Jayadev Galla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1697

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## DISSEMINATION OF STATISTICAL DATA

## 1697. SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  drafted  a  policy  on  'Dissemination Statistical Data' for official statistics after the year 2000 ;
- (b) if so, the details of such a draft policy along with the timeline of its implementation;
- (c) whether the timeline has been met and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the details of the stakeholders consulted in drafting the policy; and
- (e) whether the draft policy looks to make statistics more gender and migrant sensitive and if so, the steps taken to achieve the same?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION,  MINISTER  OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS [ RAO

INDERJIT SINGH ]

- (a) to (e): In accordance with National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP) 2012 formulated by Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation  (MoSPI),  Government  of  India  drafted  a  policy  of pricing  and  dissemination  of  shareable  data  of  MoSPI  which  was deliberated and later published in the Notification as the Guidelines on Statistical  Data  Dissemination  on  April  1,  2019.  These  guidelines  of MoSPI include classification of data as shareable and non-shareable, guidelines  of  its  dissemination  and  pricing,  etc.  within  the  overall
- framework laid down in NDSAP 2012.

The guidelines of statistical data dissemination as notified by MoSPI on April 1, 2019, was prepared after constituting a committee, internal deliberations  in  the  Ministry,  consultation  with  National  Statistical Commission and placing the draft document in public domain through website of MoSPI and MyGov portal for views of public and stakeholders, etc. The Guidelines on Statistical Data Dissemination notified by MoSPI in April 2019 apply to all data collated, compiled and produced by MoSPI either  directly  or  received  from  various  Ministries/Departments  by MoSPI.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1696 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Spectrum Usage Charges
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: P. Velusamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1696 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th  JULY, 2022

## SPECTRUM USAGE CHARGES

1696.   SHRI VELUSAMY P:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government is having the report of Telecom Commission recommending to lower the Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC) to 3% of the annual revenue;
- (b) If so, the details thereof;
- (c) Whether the recommendation of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the recommendations of Telecom Commission are uniform;
- (d) If so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) Whether any change in the SUC will benefit the clients of the service providers?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a)  to (e) Union Cabinet in its meeting dated 15.09.2021 had approved various Telecom Reforms including no Spectrum Usage Charge (SUC) to be charged for spectrum acquired in future spectrum auctions (i.e for spectrum acquired through auctions held after 15.09.2021). This decision was conveyed to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) by DoT. TRAI in its recommendation on 'Auction of Spectrum in frequency bands identified for IMT/5G' dated 11.04.2022 had welcomed the removal of SUC in spectrum acquired in future auctions.

This  measure  along  with  other  Telecom reforms undertaken will benefit the sector and the clients of the service providers.

***************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1691 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Review of List of Commodities
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1691 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## REVIEW OF LIST OF COMMODITIES

1691.   DR. BEESETTI VENKATA SATYAVATHI:

Will  the  Minister  of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD  AND  PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  made  any  attempts  to  institute  a  proper  mechanism  for  periodic review of the list of commodities notified under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has considered adding more consumables related to health to the list;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) the action taken by the concerned authorities to minimise occurrences of artificial shortages;
- (f) whether  the  Government  has  instituted  penal  actions  against  businesses  procuring  essential commodities in bulk; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री अश्विनी क ु मार चौबे)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) to (d) : As per need and demands, Government reviews the list of the essential commodities scheduled under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 after taking the views of the stakeholders concerned.
- (e) : No such report regarding artificial shortages has been received to this department.
- (f) to (g) :  The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (EC Act) empowers the Government to regulate prices, production, supply, distribution etc. of essential commodities for maintaining or increasing their supplies and for securing their equitable distribution and availability at fair prices.  Most of the  powers  under  the  Act  have  been  delegated  by  the  Central  Government  to  the  State Governments with the direction that they shall exercise these powers. Provisions of the EC Act are implemented on an ongoing basis through the State Governments/ UT Administrations for the prevention of illegal and unethical trade practices like hoarding and black-marketing of essential commodities etc.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1686 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Installation of Mobile Towers
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Pradeep Kumar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1686 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th  JULY, 2022

## INSTALLETION OF MOBILE TOWERS

## 1686 SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH

Will the Minister of Communications be pleased to state -

- (a) the details of the number of mobile towers installation target across the country vis a vis mobile towers actually installed under National Broadband Mission;
- (b) the reasons for very slow progress in installation of mobile towers especially in  cities and towns; and
- (c) the time by which the broadband access is likely to be provided to all the villages across the country particularly, in Bihar?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

- (a) Total Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) in India have increased from around 8 lakh in 2014 to 23.55 lakh in June 2022.  Under the National Broadband Mission, it is envisaged to increase Telecom Towers up to 15 Lakh by 2024-25. As on June 2022, 7.23 Lakh towers have been installed in the country, which includes about 4,300 mobile towers installed under various schemes under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
- (b) Telecom Services Providers (TSPs) install towers/Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) as per their  techno-commercial  viability  and  to  fulfil  the  rollout  obligation  criteria  as  per  their  License Conditions. Multiple factors, delay faster roll out,  such  as inability  to  install  additional  BTSs  on existing Towers due to loading issues, opposition from local residents due to perceived fear of EMF (Electro-Magnetic  Field)  radiation,  delays  in  getting  Right  of  Way  (RoW)  permissions,  nonavailability of suitable structure at a few places, inaccessible terrain, transportation difficulties of equipment at some locations.

The Right of Way (RoW) delays have been mitigated by coordination with, States/ UTs/ Central agencies so that they align their RoW policies in accordance with Central RoW rules.

Launch of Centralised RoW portal  -  GatiShakti  Sanchar,  inaugurated  on 14 th May  2022, facilitates online applications, processing, clearance and dashboards for top level monitoring.

- (c) As on June 2022, total 1,77,550 Gram Panchayats (GPs) have been made service ready in the country including 8,307 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the State of Bihar, under the BharatNet Project. The scope of BharatNet on 30.06.2021 has been extended upto all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country. Timeline of the BharatNet Project is upto 2025.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1684 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Desalination of Saline Water
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Gyaneshwar Patil, Nayab Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1684

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 27THJUL ,202

## DESALINATION OF SALINE WATER

1684. SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL: SHRINAYAB SINGH:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any policy to promote de alina ion of saline water and if so the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has proposed to take any foreign assist I ce for setting up desalination plants in various areas as per requirement and if so, the detail thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any mechanism to monitor or identify areas aving saline water and if so the details thereof particularly in Madhya Pradesh; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to improve the quality of ground water in the said areas?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHAR I E) F R MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOG I AND EARTH SCIENCES

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) Department of Science & Technology (DST) under Water echnology Initiative has launched a call for enrolment of Solution providers in the area of IDesalil i ation Technologies and compiled & published a compendium in the year 2019 to bri~'lg out he status of Global and National Desalination technologies.DST has demonstrated vari us innovative and customized desalination solutions at the lab /pilot scale and at test beds ~uch as Multi Effect Desalination (MED), Reverse Osmosis (RO), and Forward OsmOSIS (F~), etc in partnership with different Institutions/Industries and other stakeholders in the tountrr. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) through its autonomous Institute National Institluteo~ Ocean Technology (NIOT) has developed Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTD) technology for conversion of sea water to potable water which has been suc~essfu ly demonstrated in Lakshadweep islands and coastal power plants. Further, water suJply i a State subject and power to plan, approve and implement water supply scheme~ incl ding setting up of desalination plants for drinking water, are vested with respective State G vernments.
- (b) No, Sir. MoES has not taken any foreign assistance for setting JP desalinisation plants in Lakshadweep Islands.
- (c) MoES does not monitor or identify areas having saline water. As er the information I received from the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, M,nistry of Jal Shakti, as per existing guidelines, under Government of India's Jal Jeevan Missio IS:I0500 is to be adopted for ensuring safe drinking water supply and States/ UT s&ave~ben advised to carry out testing of drinking water sources once in year for chemical anti phy ical parameters, and twice in a year for bacteriological parameters. As reported by Mad a Pradesh State, 4 habitations have salinity-affected drinking water sources. I
- (d) MoES does not have any program to improve the quality of groun water

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1682 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Constituency Development under MPLAD Scheme
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1682

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT UNDER MPLAD SCHEME

1682. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  re-allocate  the  funds  under MPLAD Scheme for the  year  2020-2021  and  2021-22  that  have  been withheld/suspended due to COVID so that the developmental work be executed in the constituencies;
- (b) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  funds  under MPLAD Scheme so that proper developmental works in the parliamentary constituencies could be executed uniformly;
- (d) if so, the time by which it is likely to be implemented and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION,  MINISTER  OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) & (b): The MPLADS funds to the amount of Rs.6320 Crore [for the financial  year  2020-21(full)  and  2021-22(partial)]  were  placed  at  the disposal  of  the  Ministry  of  Finance  for  managing  adverse  impacts  of

Covid-19 on the society, and for stepping up capital outlay for the health infrastructure and for various social security measures for the poor and the needy. (c) & (d):  The Government has already restored the MPLADS with effect from 10.11.2021. New  suggestions from stakeholders, including suggestions for revision of entitlement of funds under MPLAD Scheme, are received by the Government on a continuous basis, and they are examined by following due process. The timeline for implementation of such suggestions are subject to outcomes of inter-ministerial consultations and approval of competent authority.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1677 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Development Work under Palakkad Division
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: M. P. Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1677 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

DEVELOPMENTAL WORK UNDER PALAKKAD DIVISION

1677. DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

(a)  whether  funds  are  sanctioned  for  infrastructure  development  in Vallikunnu,  Angadipuram  and  Melatur  railway  stations  under  Palakkad Division; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the current status of the steps taken in this regard?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) and (b) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  AND  (b)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1677 BY DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.07.2022 REGARDING DEVELOPMENTAL WORK UNDER PALAKKAD DIVISION

(a) and (b) The details of allocation of funds for infrastructure development and maintenance of stations are maintained zonal Railwaywise not State-wise or station-wise. Works related to development and maintenance  of  stations  are  generally  funded  under  Plan  Head  -  53 'Customer  Amenities'.  Vallikunnu,  Angadipuram  and  Melattur  railway stations fall under Southern Railway.  The details of funds allocated to Southern  Railway  for  development  and  maintenance  of  stations  under Plan  Head-53  'Customer  Amenities',  during  the  last  three  years  and current year are as under: -

( ` in crores)

| Year    |   Allocation |
|---------|--------------|
| 2019-20 |       111.55 |
| 2020-21 |       213.11 |
| 2021-22 |       218.22 |
| 2022-23 |       327.78 |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1676 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Climate Funding Programme
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1676. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 27 TH  JULY, 2022.

## CLIMATE FUNDING PROGRAMME

## 1676.  SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA: SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL:

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

- (a) the  details  of  foreign  investment  in  India  and  its  exports  despite  the  global epidemic;
- (b) whether India realises the greater need of practical climate funding programmes as demanded by developed countries; and
- (c) if so, the efforts being made in this regard?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a) : Despite the global epidemic, India has received its highest ever FDI inflow of INR 6,31,050 crores in Financial Year 2021-22 and India's export has increased  to  INR  31,46,186  crore  in  Financial  Year  2021-22  from  INR 21,59,043 crore (F.Y. 2020-21).
- (b) &(c) :   Climate  finance  should  have  a  significant  public  funded  component  and India reiterates the mandate of the United Nations Framework Convention (UNFCCC)  and  its  Paris  Agreement  for  developed  country parties.

Providing  new  and  additional  financial  resources to  address  the  global climate change challenge is among the commitments and responsibilities of the developed countries under the Convention and its Paris Agreement.

The overarching decision adopted by all countries at COP26, was the goal of developed country parties to mobilize jointly, USD 100 billion per year by 2020 in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and the same has yet not been met.

On behalf of developing countries,  Hon'ble Prime Minister also  put forth strongly that the global call towards increased ambition in climate mitigation of implementation, encompassing adequate financial support and technology should correspondingly be matched by additional means transfer to  developing countries.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1674 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: High Yarn Prices
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1674 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## HIGH YARN PRICES

## 1674. SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

(a) whether spinning mills in Tamil Nadu were closed for a few days in protest of high price in cotton yarn in the recent months;

(b) if so, the response of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government of Tamil Nadu has sent letter to the Union Government urging to bring the price of yarn under control for sustainability of the industry;

(d) if so, the details and response thereto;

(e) whether steps are being taken to bring down the price of yarn for the survival of the industry and to save employment; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

(a) & (b): Ministry has not received such information.

(c) to (f): Ministry of Textiles has received letter from Government of Tamil Nadu on the issue of yarn prices. In this regard, it is stated that cotton and cotton yarn prices are dependent on market forces of demand and supply and higher international prices. Ministry of Textiles is constantly engaged with various stakeholders across the entire cotton value chain in respect of the prices of cotton and cotton yarn  to  harmonize  their  interest.  Ministry  of  Finance  has  exempted  the  customs  duty  on  raw  cotton imports upto 31 st October 2022.

The domestic cotton prices have been reduced from its peak level of Rs. 1,03,000 in the Month of May 2022 to Rs. 86,400 per candy. The yarn prices which were ruling in the range of Rs. 400 to Rs. 440 per kg for 40s Cone combed in the month of April & May 2022, has also been reduced by Rs. 35 to 40 per kg in the month of July 2022.