opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2638 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Rubber Production
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: ARKA KESHARI DEO

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2638 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  MARCH, 2016

## RUBBER PRODUCTION

## 2638. SHRI ARKA KESHARI DEO:

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

- (a) whether the rubber production in the country has increased during the current financial year;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to import more rubber from other rubber producing countries during the year 2016 -17; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

वािणÏ य एवं उɮयोग राÏ य मंत्री ) Įीमती िनमर्ला सीतारमण ( ( èवतंत्र प्रभार ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) & (b) Natural Rubber (NR) production in the country is estimated to have decreased by 12.7  %  during  April  2015  to  January  2016  as  compared  with  production  during  April 2014 to January 2015.
- (c) & (d) Import of rubber is primarily dependent on requirement of the industry and the gap between  production  and  consumption.  There  is  no  licensing  for  import  of  NR  except under  Advance  Licensing  route  at  zero  duty  for  re  export  purposes.  Hence,  the Government does not have any control over import of NR from specific rubber producing countries except in terms of tariffs subject to bound rates.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2637 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Satellite Mapping of Monuments
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: S. RAJENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2637 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.3.2016 PHALGUNA 24, 1937 (SAKA)

## SATELLITE MAPPING OF MONUMENTS

## 2637. SHRI  S. RAJENDRAN:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  Government  is  considering  to  create  a  repository  of satellite based surveillance photographs on more than 3000 protected monuments  that  are  under  threat  from  frenzied  construction  activity  in  the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)  have joined hands in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) AND MINISTER OF STATE, CIVIL AVIATION

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a)to(d)  Yes,  Sir.  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  entered  into  a  Memorandum  of Understanding  (MoU)  with  National  Remote  Sensing  Centre,  Indian  Space Research Organization (ISRO) for preparation of satellite  based  maps indicating prohibited and regulated areas clearly for the information of public and also to facilitate procedure for grant of permissions for construction related activity  within  prohibited  and  regulated  areas  of  all  3686  centrally  protected monuments. ISRO has a repository of photographs of various monuments/sites  that  have  been  taken  at  periodic  intervals.    Using  these photographs that are taken routinely through  satellites  over  a  period  of  time and  combining  them  with  the  map-plotted  boundaries  of  plots  for  which permissions  under  AMASR  Act  have  been  given,  a  surveillance  system  is within the realm of technological possibility.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2636 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Dropouts from Courses
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAMESH BIDHURI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2636 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016

## Dropouts  from Courses

2636. SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

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

- (a) whether in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) there is a rise in the number of dropouts from courses; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof institution-wise and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a)    : No, Madam.

- (b)   : Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2635 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Slowdown in SEZs
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2635

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  MARCH, 2016

## SLOWDOWN IN SEZS

## 2635. SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has identified the reasons for the slowdown in the Special Economic Zones;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZs (EPCES) wants SEZ units to be allowed to sell in the domestic tariff area by shelling out the same duty applicable to imports from nations who are free trade agreement partners of India; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वािणÏ य एवं उɮयोग राÏ य मंत्री ) Įीमती िनमर्ला सीतारमण ( ( èवतंत्र प्रभार ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) and (b): The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) located in the country has seen a slowdown  in  terms  of  SEZ  exports,  slower  operationalisation  of  SEZs,  increased number  of  applications  for  de-notification  of  SEZs,    fewer  number  of  application  for setting  up  of  new  SEZ,  etc.    The  slowdown  may  be  due  to  a  number  of  reasons including  withdrawal  of  exemption  from  Minimum  Alternate  Tax  (MAT)  and  Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) provisions, uncertain fiscal regime for SEZs, global slowdown in exports  etc. In  order  to  boost  SEZs,  review  meetings  with  the  Development Commissioners of SEZs are held regularly.  Further, open house meetings with SEZ

stakeholders, Road Shows have been organised in various places of the country to give wide publicity of SEZs.

- (c)  and  (d)  :  The  Export  Promotion  Council  for  EOUs  and  SEZs  (EPCES)  has represented for allowing best Free Trade Agreement rates to SEZ Developers and units for selling their goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Higher Education in Maharashtra
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BHAVANA GAWALI (PATIL)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2634

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016

## Higher Education in Maharashtra

†2634. SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI PATIL: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- a) the  number  of  schools  covered  under  the  commercialisation  of  Higher Education Scheme in the country so far along with number of such schools in all  the  States,  state-wise including Maharashtra during the last three years; and
- b) the number of new schools targeted to be covered under the scheme during the current Five Year Plan?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI )

- (a) No scheme of commercialisation of Higher Education is being implemented in the schools in the country by the Department of School Education & Literacy.
- (b) Does not arise.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2633 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Motilal Nehru Medical College
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SHYAMA CHARAN GUPTA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2633 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016

## Motilal Nehru Medical College

†2633. SHRI SHYAMA CHARAN GUPTA:

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

(a)  whether the Government is aware that Motilal Nehru Medical College has been deaffiliated  from  Allahabad  University  since  the  said  University  has  been  made  a  Central University;

- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the said de-affiliation has deteriorated the functioning of the said college;
- (d) if so, the action being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  re-affiliating  the  said  college  with  the Allahabad University; and
- (f) if so, the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  Motilal  Nehru  Medical  College  (MNMC)  ceased  to  be  a University College of the University of Allahabad w.e.f. 16.07.2008 through an amendment in the Statute of University of Allahabad Act, 2005 at the request of the State Government of Uttar Pradesh.

- (c)  &  (d):  Since  the  MNMC  now  comes  under  the  administrative  purview  of  the  State Government of Uttar Pradesh, the Government of India has no role in the matter.
- (e): No, Madam.
- (f): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2630 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Reforms in Higher Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2630 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  MARCH, 2016

## Reforms in Higher Education

†2630. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has noticed that there is pay disparity in respect of teachers in  various  Universities  although  all  the  teachers  have  cleared  National  Eligibility  Test (NET) exam and are Ph.D holders as per the fixed norms; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether  the  Universities  are  showing  negligence  in  the  matter  of  uploading  the approval granted to such teachers and their details online; and (d) if so, the policy of the Government to safeguard the interests of such teachers and the strategy  of  the  Government  for  effecting  reforms  in  higher  education  in  the  National Education Policy proposed to be implemented in the country?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)  to  (c):  The  minimum  eligibility  conditions  for  appointment  of  Assistant  Professor  in Universities and Colleges is laid down in the UGC(Minimum qualifications for appointment of  teachers  and  other  academic  staff  in  universities  and  colleges  and  measure  for  the maintenance  of  standards  in  Higher  Education)  Regulations,  2010.  These  regulations stipulate that candidates for appointment to the post of Assistant Professor in Universities and Colleges should be either National Eligibility Test (NET) qualified or awarded a Ph.D. Degree in accordance with the UGC (Minimum standards and procedure for the award of M.Phil/  Ph.D  Degree)  Regulations,  2009.  These  regulations  are  mandatory  for  all Universities and Colleges in the country. The  UGC  extends  the  Central  Government  approved  UGC  Pay  Review  Committee recommendations on pay-scales and career-advancement for teaching and other academic staff  of  the  Central  Universities,  UGC  funded  deemed  to  be  Universities  and  colleges affiliated to University of Delhi. For other universities/ colleges, it is for the State government/  management  of  the  institutions  concerned  to  take  a  decision  on  the  pay scales for their teaching staff. (d):  The  details  are  not  available  as  the  new  National  Education  Policy  is  under formulation.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2629 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Setting of Eastern Zonal Cultural Centres
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2629

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  MARCH, 2016

## SETTING OF EASTERN ZONAL CULTURAL CENTRES

## 2629.  DR. PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH:

## Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  new  Eastern Zonal Cultural Centres (EZCC) in different parts of the country; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  State-wise  including  Odisha  along with its salient features?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR CIVIL AVIATION (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) Yes, Madam.

(b) The Government has asked all the States/ Union Territories including Odisha to locate a suitable piece of land in their respective areas to set up sub-centres  of  existing  seven  Zonal  Cultural  Centres  (ZCCs)  to  preserve, promote  and  disseminate  art  and traditional culture throughout  the country.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2628 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Innovation under ‘Make in India’
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: V. SATHYABAMA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2628 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016

## Innovation under 'Make in India'

2628. SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has decided that Indian Institute of Technology (IITs)  would  get  an  exclusive  outcome  based  funding  crores  of  rupees annually to promote innovation under 'Make in India' programme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the criteria for deciding the outcome based funding of the IIT; and
- (d) the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (d)    :  With  a  view  to  promote  higher  order  innovation  relevant  to  the requirements of the industry, the Government has started an initiative named Uchhatar Avishakar Yojana (UAY). Under this, Government meets 75% of the cost  of  the  research  projects  sponsored  by  the  Industry  which  agrees  to contribute the balance 25% cost. There has been an enthusiastic response to this  initiative  and  (160)  proposals  have  been  received  with  a  commitment  of contribution  of  Rs.  156  Cr  from  the  Industry.  These  proposals  would  be examined by experts before sanctioning the same. These projects are likely to be started during 2016-17.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2627 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ABHISHEK SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2627 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016

## Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

## 2627. SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:

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

- (a) the current status of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme of the Government;
- (b) the number of toilets built under the said scheme as on January 2016; and
- (c) the number of States who have achieved the targets and number of States still behind the targets along with the reasons therefor State-wise?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a): Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme addresses the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of disempowerment of women over a life-cycle continuum. The key elements of  the  scheme  include  enforcement  of  PC&PNDT  Act,  Nation-wise  awareness  and  advocacy campaign  and  multi-sectoral  action  in  select  100  districts  (low  on  CSR).  Funds  have  been released to all States/UTs except West Bengal & Lakshadweep covering 98 districts out of the 100 selected districts. As part of the media initiatives an exhaustive media campaign is running. In  view  of  the  criticality  of  the  issue  and  the  success  of  the  scheme,  BBBP  scheme  has  been expanded to additional 61 districts

(b): Under the Swachh Vidyalaya Initiative, 417796 toilets blocks have been constructed/reconstructed in 261400 elementary and secondary government schools from 15 th August, 2014 to 15 th August, 2015. These include 9426 toilets in the 100 low Child Sex Ratio districts identified under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme.

(c): All the States/UTs have successfully achieved the target for construction/re-construction of toilets. As on 15 th August, 2015, every government school has gender segregated toilets.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2626 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Medical Facilities in Schools
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: DILIP PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2626 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 th  March, 2016

## Medical Facilities in Schools

## 2626.    SHRI DILIP PATEL:

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

- (a)   whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  most  of  the  schools  in  the  country  are  devoid  of doctors,  paramedical  staff  and  other  infrastructures  to  deal  with  emergencies  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b)   whether the Government is also aware that the Commission for Protection of Child Right Act, 2005 has recommended for the said facilities to be available in the schools in the country; and
- (c) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) :    Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas, which are under the administrative control of Government of India provide for staff nurse facility in the school premises.   However, since education is in the concurrent list and a majority of schools fall under the jurisdiction of the State Governments, it is for the State Governments to provide such facilities.

The Schedule to the Right of the Child to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009, provides for engagement of one part-time instructor for Health and Physical  Education at the upper primary level having an enrolment of  more than 100 children.  The National Council of Educational Research  and  Training  (NCERT)  has  included  first-aid  in  the  syllabi  of  Health  and  Physical Education in the textbooks of class VII and VIII developed by it.

(b) & (c):    The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has informed that the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 has not made such recommendations.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2625 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Delayed Payments of Scholarships
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KRISHNA RAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2625

TO BE ANSWERED ON  14.03.2016

## Delayed Payments of Scholarships

## †2625.  SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  information  regarding  the  delayed  payment  of scholarships to students belonging to Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes in prestigious schools/ colleges especially in Hotel Management Institutes of the country;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  issued  any  instruction  to  release  the  pending scholarships;
- (c)  if so, the details thereof and the number of cases reported during the last three years in which scholarship has not been paid till date;
- (d)  whether the Government has fixed any timeline for the disposal of the said cases; and
- (e)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a)  to  (e)  :  As  per  information  received  from  Ministry  of  Social  Justice  and  Empowerment, release of scholarship to students belonging to scheduled caste of three Hotel Management Institutions    viz.  Institute  of  Hotel  Management,  Catering  Technology  &  Applied  Nutrition, Bangalore, Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition, Shimla and Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Guwahati have been delayed due to non-receipt of complete proposals from the institutes in time.

In  respect  of  National  Means-cum-Merit  Scholarship  Scheme  (NMMSS)  and National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE) of the Department of  School  Education  &  Literacy,  Ministry  of  Human  Resource  Development,  proposals  of seven  States  for  25983  scholarships  for  students  belonging  to  SC/ST  category  under NMMSS and proposals of thirteen States for 658198 beneficiary  girls  under  NSIGSE  are pending since 2013-14 onwards. These scholarships are under process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2624 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Free Trade with Iran
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: C. MAHENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2624 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  MARCH, 2016

## FREE TRADE WITH IRAN

## 2624. SHRI C. MAHENDRAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to have free trade with Iran;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which free trade between these two countries is likely to begin?

## ANSWER

वािणÏ य एवं उɮयोग राÏ य मंत्री ) Įीमती िनमर्ला सीतारमण ( ( èवतंत्र प्रभार ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) : There is no such proposal at present.
- (b) & (c): Do not arise, in view of reply to (a) above.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2623 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Steel for Defence Production
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: MANOJ RAJORIA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2623

FOR ANSWER ON 14/03/2016

## STEEL FOR DEFENCE PRODUCTION

2623.  DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to use domestic steel at a large scale for manufacturing defence equipment in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  quality  of  Indian  steel  is  such  that  it  can  make  the  defence equipment durable and effective; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  nature  of  concession  planned  to  be provided to the steel companies manufacturing defence equipment?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI) STEEL AND MINES

(a)&(b):  Ordnance  Factories  and  Defence  Public  Sector  Undertakings  are  mainly using indigenous steel for manufacturing of defence equipment such as DMR 249 A grade steel for Hull structure of Warships, Armour steel plates for T-72 Tanks & T-90 Tanks, various grades of steel for Su-30 Aircrafts & MIG Aircrafts etc. Some of the Indian  suppliers  of  different  grades  of  steel  required  for  manufacture  of  defence equipment are Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), Hyderabad, Metal and Steel Factory  (MSF),  Ishapore,  Steel  Authority  of  India  Limited  (SAIL),  M/s  Essar  steel Limited etc.

(c)&(d): The quality of indigenous steel is durable and effective as it is accepted by Ordnance Factory Board & Defence Public Sector Undertakings for manufacture of defence equipment only after ensuring the conformance to quality standard requirements.  At  present  there  is  no  proposal  to  provide  any  concession  to  steel companies manufacturing defence equipment.

********