opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 11 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-04
Subject: Financial Assistance to Veteran Artists
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Abdul Majeed Ariff

## 11. Adv. A.M. Ariff:

## Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of artists who are selected under the Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists and the amount of pension received per month, State-wise;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  several  veteran  artist  from  the  State  of Kerala  are  not  receiving  their  pension  even  after  the  submission  of  requisite documents for the past two years and if so, the details thereof including the month from  which  the  pension  is  pending  and  the  total  pension  amount  pending  for payment as on 31.10.2023 for veteran artists from Kerala;
- (c)  the details of total pension amount pending till date for such artists from Kerala;
- (d) whether the Government will consider expediting the payment of pending pension to all such artists and provide a time-frame for the same; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  intends  to  increase  the  monthly  pension  amount  to veteran artists and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

## (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a)  The  Ministry  of  Culture  administers  a  Scheme  by  the  name  of  'Scheme  for Financial  Assistance  for  Veteran  Artists'  for  senior  artists  aged  60  years  and above who have contributed significantly in their specialized fields of performing arts and culture, but are facing financial difficulties due to old age.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 11 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2023

## 'Financial Assistance to Veteran Artists'

As per the extant Scheme guidelines the financial assistance upto Rs. 6000/- per month is being  provided  to  the  selected  artists  irrespective  of  the  States/UTs  to which  the  concerned  beneficiary  belongs.  Under  the  scheme  11233  artists  from different States/UTs have been selected.

- (b), (c) & (d) It has been the constant endeavor of the Government to make continuous efforts  to  ensure  timely  disbursement  of  the  financial  assistance  to  the  selected beneficiaries of all States/UTs including State of Kerala, upon receipt of requisite documents  from  them.  The  disbursement  of  financial  assistance  under  the Scheme, however depends upon submission of certain mandatory documents by the beneficiaries. Once the requisite documents are received from the beneficiaries, all efforts are made to disburse the financial assistance expeditiously. Further to ensure timely disbursement of financial assistance to the beneficiaries, an MoU has been signed between the Ministry and Canara Bank on 28.06.2023.
- (e)  No  Sir,  the  scheme  was recently reviewed  and monthly financial assistance has been increased from Rs.4000/- to Rs.6000/- from June, 2022. No further proposal to increase the monthly financial assistance to veteran artists is under consideration.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 10 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-04
Subject: Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana of Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sangamlal Kadedin Gupta, P.P. Chaudhary, Sangamlal Kadedin Gupta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 10

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 04/12/2023

## ADIVASI MAHILA SASHAKTIKARAN YOJANA OF UTTAR PRADESH

10. SHRI SANGAM LAL GUPTA: SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY: SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :

- (a)  the  number  of  beneficiaries  of  the  Adivasi  Mahila  Sashaktikaran  Yojana (AMSY) from the State of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Odisha;
- (b)  whether  any  particular  criteria  has  been  prescribed  by  the  Government  for carrying out the selection of tribal women under the said scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to create awareness about the said scheme among areas that have large populations of tribal women, especially in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Odisha?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT RENUKA SINGH SARUTA)

- (a): The details of beneficiaries of Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY) from the State of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Odisha are as under:
- (i) Uttar Pradesh NSTFDC has not received any proposal under Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY) for the state of Uttar Pradesh. However, 4 women beneficiaries have been assisted under others schemes during the last three years including current year upto 28.11.2023.
- (ii)  Rajasthan  NSTFDC  has  not  received  any  proposal  under  Adivasi  Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY) for the state of Rajasthan. However, 2149 women beneficiaries have been assisted under others schemes during the last three years including current year upto 28.11.2023.
- (iii) Odisha In the State, the Corporation assisted 250 women beneficiaries under Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY) during the year 2020-21. Further,

58,501 women beneficiaries have been assisted under others schemes during the last three years including current year upto 28.11.2023.

(b): The following are the eligibility criteria for availing financial assistance from NSTFDC including tribal women:

-  All applicant(s)/ member(s) should belong to the Scheduled Tribes Community.
-  Annual family income of the applicant(s) should not exceed ₹3.00 lakh p.a. both for rural and urban areas.

(c): From time to time, NSTFDC in collaboration with the implementing agencies conduct awareness camps for disseminating information about its schemes. Further, the Corporation also participate in the events/ programmes of other organisations/ departments.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 9 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-04
Subject: Unified Payments Interface System UPI
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 9

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 04, 2023/AGRAHAYANA 13,1945 (SAKA)

## UNIFIED PAYMENTS INTERFACE SYSTEM (UPI)

9. Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane:

Shri Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik:

Shri Shrirang Appa Barne:

Shri Sudheer Gupta:

Shri Pratprao Jadhav:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)/Government proposes to link Unified Payments Interface System (UPI) with fast payment systems of other countries for cross border payments;
- (b) if so, the manner in which this step of the Government is going to be helpful for individuals or financial sector user for ease of payments;
- (c) whether linking of UPI with fast payment systems of the other countries will give boost to remittance economy of the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to encourage more people to use UPI for payment in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (DR BHAGWAT KARAD)

- (a) to (c) It is the endeavour of Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to interlink Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system with the fast payment systems of other countries to facilitate cross-border payments. Interlinking of UPI with fast payment systems of other countries provides 24x7 real-time and cost-effective   cross-border remittance facility for the users with increased convenience and transparency. Such facility has already been made live with Singapore w.e.f. February 2023. This will help Indian customers to send and receive money directly through UPI which in turn brings down the average cost of these cross-border remittances from Singapore to India and vice-versa.
- (d) Government has launched a scheme for promotion of UPI namely the 'Incentive scheme for promotion of RuPay Debit cards and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions (P2M)'. A special drive for digital onboarding of  street  vendors  under  PM  SVANidhi  Scheme  has  been  undertaken  by  the  Government.  Further, innovative products, specifically centred around UPI such as 123Pay, UPI LITE, UPI LITE X, Linkage of RuPay Credit  Card  on  UPI  and  Credit  Line  on  UPI  have  also  been  launched.  Awareness  campaigns, including media campaigns, are being organized regularly by Government in collaboration with various Ministries/Departments and relevant stakeholders.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-04
Subject: Number of HEIs in the Country
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Prathap Simha, Annasaheb Shankar Jolle, Umesh G. Jadhav, L.S. Tejasvi Surya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4

ANSWERED ON-04/12/2023

## NUMBER OF HEIs IN THE COUNTRY

4. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA: SHRI L.S. TEJASVI SURYA: DR. UMESH G. JADHAV: SHRI ANNASAHEB SHANKAR JOLLE:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Higher Educational Institutions in the country, State-wise at present and before 2014/2019 under various categories of HEIs;
- (b) the number of IITs, IIMs, IIITs, Regional NITs, Universities, Autonomous Universities and deemed to be Universities in the country, State-wise at present and before 2014/2019;
- (c) the number of Institutes of National Importance in the country, State-wise along with the criteria for a HEI to become an Institute of National Importance; and
- (d)  the  number  of  HEIs  set  up  by  or  under  the  direct  control  of  the  Centre,  among  the  aforementioned Institutions and the number of Central Universities set up in the last 9 years, State-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

- (a) The total  number  of  Higher  Educational  Institutions  (HEIs),  including  University/University  level institutions,  Colleges  and  Stand-alone  Institutions,  as  registered  under  the  All  India  Survey  on  Higher Education (AISHE) have increased to 58643 in 2021-22 (provisional) from 51534 in 2014-15. The Statewise details are available at https://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques .
- (b) The number of Universities/University level institutions (including IITs, IIMs, IIITs, NITs, deemed to be Universities, etc.) as registered under AISHE have increased to 1168 in 2021-22 (provisional) from 760 in 2014-15. The State-wise details are available at https://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques.
- (c) There  are  at  present  165  Institutes  of  National  Importance  (INIs)  in  the  country.  The  State-wise number of INIs is available at https://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques . INIs are designated through an Act of Parliament. INIs comprise various institutions under different Ministries/Departments of Government of India. To upgrade the status of an institution to an INI, the concerned administrative Department/Ministry moves a proposal along with justification for designating any Institution as an INIs and varies from each case.
- (d) 78 HEIs have been set up by Government of India since 2014. The State-wise details are available at https://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques .

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 120 (STARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Banning of FDC Drugs
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sanjay Jaiswal

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 120 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

## BANNING OFFDC DRUGS

## †*120. DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to ban unapproved Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) of antibiotics in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has prosecuted drug manufacturers for selling FDCs that have not been approved by Drug Controller General of India (DCGI); and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to ( d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 120 FOR 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

(a) to (d): The manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs in the country are regulated under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder through a system of licensing and inspection. Licenses for manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs are granted by the State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) appointed by respective State Governments. Under the said Rules, Fixed Dose Combinations is a new Drug. For the manufacture of any FDC falling under the definition of New Drug, permission is required from Central Drugs Standard Control Organsiation (CDSCO) before obtaining manufacturing license for the New Drug from the concerned State Licensing Authority.

Some cases of grant of manufacturing license of new drugs including Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) falling under the purview of Rule 122E of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 by some of the State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) without due approval of the Drugs Controller General (India) [DCG (I)] came to the notice of the Government.

The Central Government vide notifications dated 07.09.2018 prohibited 328 FDCs for manufacture, sale or distribution. It also restricted 06 FDCs for manufacture, sale or distribution with certain conditions vide notifications dated 07.09.2018. Subsequently, Central Government, vide notifications dated 11.01.2019, prohibited 80 FDCs for manufacture, sale or distribution. Further, Central Government vide notification S.O. 2394(E) to S.O. 2407(E) dated 02.06.2023 prohibited 14 FDCs for manufacture, sale or distribution. List of banned FDCs is available on the website of CDSCO i.e. www.cdsco.gov.in.

Under the provision of Drugs & Cosmetics Act and Rules, manufacture/sale/distribution of any banned drug is a punishable offence. State Licencing Authorities are empowered to take action in case of manufacture, sale of such unapproved FDCs.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 117 (STARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: National Dental Commission
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja, A. Ganeshamurthi

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 117 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

## NATIONALDENTALCOMMISSION

- *117. SHRI A. RAJA:

## SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken by the Government for implementation of National Dental Commission Act along with its current status;
- (b) the reasons as to why the powers are still being exercised by Dental Council of India when the later has been replaced by National Dental Commission;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to expeditiously investigate corruption charges, by way of giving recognition to Dental colleges, periodic inspections etc., against the office bearers of Dental Council of India including its President; and
- (d) the measures proposed to be taken by the Government to bring transparency in the functioning of National Dental Commission and its activities?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) to ( d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 117 FOR 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

(a) to (d) The National Dental Commission Act, 2023 has been notified on 11 th August, 2023 with aim to regulate the profession of dentistry in the country, to provide for quality and affordable dental education, to make accessible high quality oral healthcare and related matters. The repealing of the Dentists Act, 1948 is consequent upon the orders issued by the Central Government as per provision of section 58(1) of the National Dental Commission Act, 2023.

The Central Government takes action on the complaints relating to alleged corruption by the officials of Dental Council of India (DCI) as per Central Vigilance Commission guidelines.

Various provision of the Act including Section 6(1), 6(6), 7 (1), 41(1), 52(1) are aimed at bringing transparency in the functioning of the National Dental Commission.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 110 (STARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Detection of Diseases under Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 110 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

## DETECTION OF DISEASES UNDER RASHTRIYAAROGYA NIDHI

## *110. SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether adequate number of doctors are available to successfully detect and treat various kind of diseases under Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is taking steps to create and maintain the necessary treatment capabilities under the RAN; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 110 FOR 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

(a) to (d) Under the Umbrella Scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides one-time financial assistance for treatment of poor patients (living below State/UT-wise threshold poverty line) suffering from life threatening diseases and taking treatment in Government hospitals/institutes having super-specialty facilities. Detection of various kinds of life threatening diseases and creation & maintenance of treatment capabilities are not the mandate of the Umbrella Scheme of RAN. Detection of diseases is done by the treating doctors/specialists at the Government hospitals/institutes concerned after which the applications for financial assistance under the Umbrella Scheme of RAN are submitted.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1380 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Designation of Houthi as Terrorist Organisation
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1380

## ANSWERED ON- 09/02/2024

## DESIGNATION OF HOUTHI AS TERRORIST ORGANISATION

## 1380. SHRI MANISH TEWARI

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to designate the Houthi militant group present in Yemen as a terrorist organization, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if not, whether the Government recognize the Houthi militants present in Yemen as the de-facto/de-jure regime that administers certain areas of North-Yemen;
- (c) whether the Government consider the recent actions of the Houthi rebels, blocking the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, as an act of terrorism, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has taken note of the recent hijacking of the ship Galaxy Leades bound for India by the Houthis; and
- (e) whether the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait blockade by the Houthis is affecting India, if so, the steps taken by the Government to provide a solution for it?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a & b) Designation of an organisation as terrorist is covered under the   Unlawful   Activities   Prevention   Act   and   declaring   any organisation as terrorist is considered as per the provisions of the Act by the relevant government departments. Government of India recognises the internationally recognized Government of Yemen based in Aden.

(c to e) India supports the principle of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and has expressed concern at the instances of targeting of commercial vessels in the Red Sea impacting our trade/commercial linkages and endangering the lives of crew and ships. India is closely monitoring the developments in the region. Indian Navy is deployed in the Indian Ocean Region towards safety of vessels and seafarers at sea.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1379 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Shaurya Chakra Awardee
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Ganesh Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1379

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 th  February, 2024

## SHAURYA CHAKRA AWARDEE

1379. SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any provision exists for granting allowance to Shaurya Chakra awardee civilians by the Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  said  allowance  is  granted  to  the  dependent  mother  after  the  death  of  the dependent father of an unmarried Shaurya Chakra winner after his death; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

- (a):  Yes, Sir.
- (b):  Shaurya Chakra awardees are paid Rs. 6000/- per month by the Government.
- (c) & (d):  When the award has been made posthumously to a bachelor, the monetary allowance shall be paid to his father or mother.

*****

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)
Lok Sabha Question No. 1377 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Exports from Coastal Ports
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Maddila  Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1377

ANSWERED ON 09.02.2024

## EXPORTS FROM COASTAL PORTS

## 1377.  SHRIMADDILA GURUMOORTHY

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) the average time taken for export of Fisheries from Indian ports along with the losses incurred due to delay in such exports;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  considering  any  plan  to  reduce  the  time  taken  in export of perishable products from the ports in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to create clusters for port development; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) The  average  time  taken  for  the  processed  seafood  consignment  (in  reefer containers)  to  reach  the  ports  from  the  processing  plants  varies  depending  on  the location of the processing plant and location of the port. The processing plants and cold storages are located in all 9 maritime states and the seafood consignments are shipped through  Ports  viz  Kolkata,  Vizag,  Kakinada,  Krishnapattinam,  Chennai,  Tuticorin, Cochin,  JNPT  Mumbai,  Pipavav  (Gujarat),  Mangalore/  ICD,  Kattupally.  The  average time taken for consignments to reach the port from the processing plant varies from 2 hours to 12 hours depending on the distance from the processing unit to Port.
- (b) (c) & (d) Sagarmala  programme  was  launched  with  the  approval  of  the  Union Cabinet on 25 th March  2015  with  a  view  to  achieve  the  broad  objective  of  promoting port-led  development.  One  of  the  objectives  of  Sagarmala  programme  is  to  reduce logistics cost for both domestic and EXIM  cargo with optimized infrastructure investment.  Under  Sagarmala,  Port-led  development  focuses  on  logistics  intensive industries  supported  by  efficient  and  modern  port  infrastructure  and  seamless  multi modal connectivity. Till date, a total 171 projects worth Rs. 4525 Cr. have been included under Sagarmala scheme for partial funding. Out of 171 projects, 55 projects have been completed.  The  projects  sanctioned  include  modernisation  and  upgradation  of  fishing harbours  adjacent  to  Major  Ports  at  Mallet  Bunder,  Visakhapatnam,  Cochin,  Paradip and Chennai.

*****