opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3832 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: India–US Trade Negotiations
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Abhishek Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3832 ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025

## INDIA-US TRADE NEGOTIATIONS

## 3832. SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE

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

- (a) the  current  status  of  the  India-U.S.  bilateral  trade  negotiations  and  by  when  a framework agreement is expected to be concluded;
- (b) whether the Government has assessed the potential impact of the proposed 26% baseline tariff by the U.S. on Indian exporters, particularly in sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals and electronics, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the steps taken to secure favourable terms or exemptions for Indian goods  in the event of such tariff policies being implemented; and
- (d) whether India has raised concerns over tariff unpredictability or trade barriers with the U.S. Trade Representative during the ongoing talks, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद

## )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

- (a) India US bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations were launched in March 2025. Five rounds of negotiations have been held, the last being from July 14-18 th , 2025 at Washington, USA.
- (b) to (d) Reciprocal tariff at the rate of 25% has been imposed on certain goods exported from India to the USA starting from August 07 th , 2025. (Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/further-modifying-the-reciprocaltariff-rates/ ) It is estimated that around 55% of total value of India's merchandise exports to the US is subjected to this reciprocal tariff. Further, additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25% with effect from 27 th  August, 2025 has been imposed on certain goods exported from India. (Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/08/addressingthreats-to-the-united-states-by-the-government-of-the-russian-federation/  ).  No  additional tariffs have been imposed on Indian exports to the USA in sectors like pharmaceuticals, and electronics as yet.

Combination of different factors such as product differentiation, demand, quality, contractual arrangements would determine the impact of reciprocal tariffs on India's exports including in  textiles  sector.  Government  is  engaged  with  all  stakeholders  including  exporters  and industry for taking feedback of their assessment of the impact from the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the USA. The Government attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting welfare of farmers, workers, entrepreneurs, exporters, MSMEs and all sections of industry.

Government  of  India  is  involved  in  the  discussions  on  the  India-USA  Bilateral  Trade Agreement (BTA) with the USA with the aim to expand trade and investment through tariff stability and long term trade predictability.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3815 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Trade Agreements
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3815 ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025

## TRADE AGREEMENTS

## 3815. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that various teams of Indian negotiators actively seeking to sign new trade agreements with countries and regions such as U.S.A. and European Union and amend the existing deal with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that India was seeing good progress in its negotiations with the European Union and less satisfactory progress on the review of the free trade agreement with the ASEAN, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether it is also true that as far as bilateral trade agreement with the U.S., the negotiations with the U.S. authorities did not materialize favourbly despite many rounds of talk with them; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

## (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (e) India is actively engaged in the negotiations with the U.S.A. and the European Union. It is also engaged in review of ASEAN India Trade in Goods Agreement signed in 2009. Government of India is involved in the discussions on the India-USA Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the aim to expand trade and investment and deepen the India-US trade  relationship  to  promote  growth  that  ensures  fairness,  national  security  and  job creation. India US bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations were launched in March 2025. Five rounds of negotiations have been held, the last being from July 14-18th, 2025 at Washington, USA. For India-EU Free Trade Agreement, twelve rounds of negotiations have been concluded till July 2025.

For review of ASEAN India Trade in Goods Agreement, 9 rounds of negotiations have been completed between the two sides. The 10 th  round is scheduled from 10-14 August, 2025.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3814 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Participation of Indian Horses in International Equestrian Sports
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Godam Nagesh, Shri Balabhadra Majhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3814 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  AUGUST 2025

## PARTICIPATION OF INDIAN HORSES IN INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN SPORTS

3814.   SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:

SHRI GODAM NAGESH:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a)  the  manner  in  which  the  recognition  of  the  Equine  Disease-Free  Compartment  (EDFC)  at Remount  Veterinary  Centre  (RVC)  impact  the  participation  of  Indian  horses  in  international equestrian sports;

- (b) the impact on country's profile in the international equestrian arena;
- (c)  the  Standard  Operating  Procedures  (SOPs)  in  place  at  the  EDFC  to  ensure  continuous surveillance and adherence to international best practices; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (PROF S P SINGH BAGHEL)

(a)  and  (b)  The  recognition  of  the  Equine  Disease-Free  Compartment  (EDFC)  at  Remount Veterinary Centre (RVC), Meerut by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is a major milestone for the country's equestrian sports.  It  allows Indian horses to  compete internationally without lengthy quarantine, ensuring they perform at their peak. This recognition places India among a  select  group  of  nations  with  world-class  biosecurity  standards,  boosting  its  global  standing  in equestrian movements and reflecting advances in animal care, veterinary science, and sports.

(c) and (d) The Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC) operates under a robust framework of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure continuous disease surveillance, maintain high biosecurity  standards,  and  align  with  international  best  practices.  These  SOPs  cover  all  critical operations, including quarantine, waste management, personnel conduct, emergency response, and movement control. They are periodically reviewed and updated to reflect the latest scientific and regulatory developments, ensuring the EDFC remains secure, compliant, and ready for international trade.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3808 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Mitigate Risks for Exporters
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Shashank Mani

## MITIGATE RISKS FOR EXPORTERS

## 3808. SHRI SHASHANK MANI:

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

(a)  the  objectives  and  expected  outcomes  of  the  collaboration  between  the  Ministry  of  Textiles  and MODIFI India;

(b) whether the said collaboration aims to benefit Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the textile and handloom sectors by improving their access to financial resources for international trade, if so, the details thereof; and

- (c) whether the Government has introduced measures to mitigate risks for exporters, including protection against currency fluctuations, political instability in export markets and payment defaults and if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) & (b): There is no such collaboration between Ministry of Textiles and MODIFI India.

(c): For promotion of exports and mitigation of risks for export, Ministry of Textiles is continuously monitoring export performance of textiles and taking various measures to boost production and exports in consultation with Textiles Export Promotion Councils and Industry Associations.

As per Para 2.55 of Foreign Trade Policy, 2023

- (i)         Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) are policy instruments for Government to support exports. ECAs support  exports  by  insurance,  guarantee  and  also  direct  lending.  Export  Credit  Agencies  (ECAs)  like Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd. (ECGC) provides credit insurance support to exports and  export  credit  lending.  Covers  issued  by  ECGC  to  exporters,  protect  against  losses  arising  out  of payment  failures  due  to  insolvency  or  default  of  the  buyers  or  due  to  political  risks.  Exporters  can diversify  their  markets  in  addition  to  protecting  existing  markets  through  such  covers.  ECGC  also supports Medium and Long term (MLT) exports including project exports. Exim Bank is the other ECA in the business of lending for MLT exports and fronting the government's line of credit.
- (ii)        ECGC indemnifies losses of exporters in export trade due to insolvency or default of the buyer. Additionally,  losses  due  to  political  risk  like  war,  sudden  import  restriction,  promulgation  of  law  or decree after the shipment has been affected are also covered. Some of the anti- dumping measures or non-tariff  barriers  introduced  after  a  shipment  has  been  made  will  come  under  the  purview  of  the political risk. In such cases exporter's interest are protected by ECGC.

Further,  the  Government  also  provides  financial  support  to  various  Export  Promotion  Councils  and Trade  Bodies  for  organising  and  participating  in  trade  fairs,  exhibitions,  buyer-seller  meets  etc  at national and international levels to boost export.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3807 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Reimbursement of Share of SPOs
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3807

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 21, 1947 (SAKA)

REIMBURSEMENT OF SHARE OF SPOS

3807. SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of reimbursement of Centre's share (60%) for Special Police Officers (SPOs) under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme to Telangana State which has been pending for four years;
- (b)  the  total  amount  pending  to  be  reimbursed  to  Telangana  under  this scheme during the last three years 2019-20 to 2023-24;
- (c) whether the Government is considering relaxing the norms for engaging the services of 1,065 SPOs who are non-ex-Army/Policemen in LWE affected areas of Telangana; and
- (d) the time by which these pending reimbursements will be released to the State?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) to (c):

· Reimbursement under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme is of recurring nature and the releases are made on the basis of verification of records of the claims made by States by the Internal Audit Wing (IAW) of the Ministry of Home Affairs and approval of the SRE Standing Committee as per applicable scheme guidelines.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 3807 FOR 12.08.2025

· As  regards  to  the  reimbursement  of  Centre's  Share  under  the  SRE Scheme including the item 'Special Police Officers (SPOs)', the reimbursement has been made to Telangana as per the applicable Scheme guidelines during a particular period.

· Further, no amount is pending for reimbursement under SRE scheme in respect of Telangana for the period between 2019-20 to 2023-24.

· As per SRE Scheme guidelines the SPOs, so engaged in LWE affected areas  were  to  be  mandatorily  ex-Army/Policemen  and  the  claims  were processed accordingly. These guidelines have been reviewed in 2024-25 and the  mandatory  condition  of  'Ex -Servicemen  /  ExPolicemen'  for  Special Police Officers (SPOs) has been relaxed from financial year 2024-25. The number of SPOs is decided on the basis of current LWE scenario in the State. (d) Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3806 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Decline in Domestic Steel Demand
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka

THE MINISTER OF STEEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3806

FOR ANSWER ON 12.08.2025

## DECLINE IN DOMESTIC STEEL DEMAND

3806.  SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) the reasons for the decline in domestic steel demand in FY 2024- 25, sector-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted an impact assessment of the continued influx  of  dumped  Chinese  steel,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor;
- (c)  the  impact  of  coal  shortages  on  Steel  Production  and  pricing  with  data  on production losses and cost escalation; and
- (d) whether the Government intends to reduce GST on steel to boost infrastructure projects, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

(SHRI H.D. KUMARASWAMY)

- (a)     The finished steel consumption in India for 2023-24 and 2024-25 were 136.3 Million Tons (MT) and 152.1 MT respectively, representing an increase of 11.6% in FY 2024-25  over  the  previous  financial  year. There  has  been  an  increase  in  steel consumption  across  all  major  sectors  consuming  steel  which  include  building  & construction, infrastructure, automobile, defence, engineering and packaging.
- (b)to(d):    Steel is a deregulated sector and the Government acts as a facilitator for the development of steel sector in India. Steel prices have reduced by about 11% since the last two years and production has increased by 5.5% from 144.30 MT in 2023-24 to 152.18 MT in 2024-25. Raw material, including coking coal, is procured by steel companies  on  techno-economic  considerations.  Government  has  taken  following measures to facilitate the sector, boost domestic consumption and reduce imports:-
- i. Implementation of Domestically Manufactured Iron & Steel Products (DMI&SP) Policy for promoting 'Made in India' steel for Government procurement.
- ii. Launch of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel to promote the manufacturing of 'Specialty Steel' within the country and reduce imports by attracting capital investments.
- iii. Thrust in the Union Budget to infrastructure expansion.
- iv. Calibration of Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on input materials such as scrap, ferro-nickel, etc.
- v. Imposition of Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD) and Counter-Vailing Duty (CVD) based on investigation by DGTR.
- vi. Imposition of a provisional safeguard duty at the rate of 12% (twelve percent) ad valorem for 200 days on imports of certain Non-Alloy and Alloy Steel Flat Products.
- vii. Revamping Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) for monitoring of imports to provide granular details on imports to the domestic steel industry.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3803 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Crop losses in current monsoon season
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Rachna Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3803

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## CROP LOSSES IN CURRENT MONSOON SEASON

3803.   SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the assessment of crop losses reported from various states due to the flood-like situation in the current monsoon season, State and Crop-wise;

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  request  from  the  affected  states  for  special financial assistance to support farmers hit by floods this year;

(c) if so, the status of such requests and funds disbursed so far;

(d)  the  details  of  immediate  relief  and  rehabilitation  measures  undertaken  for  the  affected farmers; and

(e)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  enhance  the  compensation  under  the  State  Disaster Response  Fund  (SDRF)  or  National  Disaster  Response  Fund  (NDRF)  to  deal  with  the increasing frequency of such natural calamities?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (d): As per the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), the primary responsibility of disaster  management  including  damage  assessment  and  providing  relief  measures  on  ground level,  rests  with  the  State  Governments  concerned.  The  Central  Government  provides  requisite logistics  and  financial  support  to  the  efforts  of  the  State  Governments.  The  State  Governments provide financial relief to the affected people in the event of 12 notified natural disasters, from the State  Disaster  Response  Fund  (SDRF),  already  placed  at  its  disposal,  in  accordance  with approved items and norms of Government of India (GOI). However, in the event of disaster of a 'severe nature',  additional financial assistance is extended from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure, which includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).

The  details  of  the  fund  allocated  and  released  under  SDRF/NDRF  to  the  States  are available on Disaster Management, MHA's website i.e. ndmindia.mha.gov.in.

The data regarding crop losses/damages due to any disasters including floods and heavy rain, is not maintained centrally.

(e): The financial assistance provided under SDRF and NDRF is by way of relief and not for compensation of losses suffered/ claimed. However, the allocation of SDRF/NDRF is based on the award of successive Finance Commission (set up under the Article 280 of the Constitution of India, from time to time for the entire award period).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3797 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Hostel Facilities for Scheduled Castes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Balwant Baswant Wankhade

=

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3797 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025

## HOSTEL FACILITIES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES

$3797. SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of facilities, including scholarships and hostel facilities being provided to the students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) for pursuing studies abroad; and
- (b) the details and the number of students provided with such facilities during the last three years and the current year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

- (a) & (b): Under National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme, financial assistance is provided to the students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) etc. for pursuing higher studies abroad. This assistance covers accommodation charges, living expenses, tuition fees, visa fees, medical insurance premium, incidental journey allowance, equipment allowance and to and fro air fare in economy class by shortest route.

The number of students who have been provided these facilities during last three years and the current year is at Annexure.

..E.

## Annexure referred to part (a) and (b) of reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.3797 to be answered on 12.8.2025.

Number of students who have been provided these facilities during last three years and the current year:

|   S. No. | Year    | Number of beneficiaries (Gone abroad)                                                                                            |
|----------|---------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | 2022-23 | 98                                                                                                                               |
|        2 | 2023-24 | 114                                                                                                                              |
|        3 | 2024-25 | 79                                                                                                                               |
|        4 | 2025-26 | Provisional award letters to selected 106 candidates have been issued land these candidates are yet to proceed abroad for study. |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3796 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (DIVYANGJAN)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3796

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 12.08.2025

## Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme

3796: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam :

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  launched  a  new  online  portal  for  submitting  and  processing proposals  under  the  Deendayal  Divyangjan  Rehabilitation  Scheme  and  the  District  Disability Rehabilitation Centres scheme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the objectives behind the introduction of the new portal;
- (c) whether all the data related to ongoing and past proposals has been successfully migrated to the new portal; and
- (d) if so, the details of the steps taken to ensure continuity?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI B. L. VERMA)

- (a) to (d) The  Department  of  Empowerment  of  Persons  with  Disabilities  (DEPwD)  has developed and deployed a dedicated e-Anudaan Portal for submitting and processing proposals under the Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme and the District Disability Rehabilitation Centres scheme. The new portal is available at https://grants.depwd.gov.in.

The objectives behind introducing this new portal include, inter alia, streamlining the processing of Grant-in-Aid proposals.

To ensure continuity, the complete migration of data to the new portal has already been carried out. Additionally, instructions have been issued to all stakeholders to exclusively use the portal for the submission of fresh applications as well as for accessing previously submitted proposals.

*****