opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2338 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Mobile Phones in Schools
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BHAGWANTH KHUBA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2338 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.05.2016

## Mobile Phones in Schools

## 2338. SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has directed the schools not to allow children below 16 years of age to use cell phones in schools; (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; (c) whether some State Governments have also banned the use of cell phones in schools and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a) and (b): Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued instructions in  July,  2009  to  its  affiliated  schools  for  restriction  of  use  of  mobile  phones  in schools.

(c) and (d): Ministry of Human Resource Development does not maintain  details of    instructions  issued  by  the  State  Governments  to  its  schools  including  those regarding the ban on use of cell phones in schools.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2336 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Iran-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2336 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH  MAY, 2016

## IRAN-PAKISTAN-INDIA GAS PIPELINE

2336. SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI:

## पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

Will the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  expenditure  incurred  by  the  Government  on  the  Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project during the last three years;
- (b) whether the Government has held talks/signed any pact with the beneficiary countries in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has assessed the escalating cost of the said project and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the    steps  taken/being  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज्य मंत्री ( स्विंत्र प्रभार ) ( श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान ) MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)  IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) During  the  last  three  years,  no  expenditure  has  been  incurred  on  IranPakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project.
- (b) India has been involved in discussions on the India-Pakistan-Iran (IPI) pipeline project  as  a  part  of  the  Joint  Working  Group  on  Oil,  Gas  and  Petrochemicals  with Iran. However, no pact has been signed in this regard.
- (c) No recent cost assessments have been made on the project.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2334 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Meetings with Exporters
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2334

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH   MAY, 2016

## MEETINGS WITH EXPORTERS

## 2334. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has asked the State Governments to hold bi -monthly meetings with exporters, especially to address infrastructure and tax related issues;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the first Centre -State Trade Council meet was marred due to poor participation by State Ministers and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has asked the State Governments to improve upon issues concerning exports; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with reaction of the State Governments thereto?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k½ ¼Lora= izHkkj½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a)  & (b): Yes, during the various interactions with the State Governments including in the first  meeting of Council of Trade Development and Promotion held on 08.01.2016 in New  Delhi,  the State  Governments  are  requested  to  considerorganizing  bimonthly meetings with the exporters to sort out their infrastructure and tax related issues.
- (c): The  first  meeting  of  Council  of  Trade  Development  and  Promotion  held  on 08.01.2016  in  New  Delhi  was  well  attended  by  the  representatives  from  26  State Governments/Union Territories including eightState Ministers and one special Representative of Minister rank.
- (d)  &  (e):  Yes,  during  the  meeting,  the  Members  of  the  Council    were  apprised  of  the export/import  trends  and  exhorted  to  identify  and  address  impediments  to  trade  and infrastructure  gaps  which  adversely  affect  India's  exports.  The  States'  representatives articulated their perspective on trade policy and put forth their views.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2333 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Development of Eco-Tourism Circuit
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2333 ANSWERED ON 09.05.2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF ECO-TOURISM CIRCUIT

## 2333. ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to develop eco-tourism circuit in selected regions of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the list of selected places in the State of Kerala and other parts of the country;
- (c) the action taken by the Government in this regard;
- (d) whether the Government has received any funds for the development of eco-tourism from abroad; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (c): For  development  of  tourism  infrastructure  in  the  country,  the Ministry of Tourism has launched the Swadesh Darshan scheme-Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits, in 2014-15. Eco Circuit has been  identified  as  one  of  the  thirteen  thematic  circuits  for  development under  the  scheme.  The  Ministry  has  sanctioned  following  projects  to various State Governments under Eco Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan scheme including the State of Kerala:

(Rs. in Crore)

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                                             |   Amt. Sanctioned |
|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism, Adventure Sports, Associated Tourism related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination-District Tehri, Uttarakhand. |             80.37 |
|         2 | Integrated Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district, Telangana.                                                                                                             |             91.62 |
|         3 | Development of Pathanamthitta - Gavi - Vagamon - Thekkady as Eco Tourism Circuit in Idduki and Pathanamthitta Districts in Kerala.                                                              |             99.22 |

(d) & (e): No, Madam. The Ministry of Tourism has not received any funds for the development of eco-tourism from abroad.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Incredible Indian Himalayas
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: R. PARTHIPAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2332 ANSWERED ON 09.05.2016

## INCREDIBLE INDIAN HIMALAYAS

## 2332. SHRI R. PARTHIPAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the campaign "777 Days of Incredible Himalayas" has been a success;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  such  campaigns  are  under  the  consideration of  the Government for various other places/regions in the country;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of places identified and selected in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (e): Incredible India campaigns including '777 days of Incredible  Indian  Himalayas'  are  successfully  released  in  various media  including print,  television,  online  and  outdoor  to  showcase tourism potential of India and to increase foreign tourist arrivals to the country.

The Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination in the domestic and international markets.  As a part of its promotional activities, the Ministry of Tourism releases campaigns  in  the  international  &  domestic  markets  under  the Incredible India brand-line, showcases various tourism destinations and products including Jammu & Kashmir and North East region of India.  In  addition  to  this,  the  Ministry of  Tourism  promotes  various tourism destinations and products through its website and publicity and promotional material produced by it, from time to time.

********

- Indian
Lok Sabha Question No. 2331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Schemes to promote Cultural tearmony
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2331 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH MAY, 2016

## SCHEMES TO PROMOTE CULTURAL TEARMONY

## 2331.  SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  to  find  out important reasons for cultural disunity among people and ways to overcome the problem and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the action being taken to promote harmonious relations among people of different religions and languages; and
- (c) the details of schemes and programmes under implementation or consideration  for  implementation  to  promote  Pan-India  Culture and inter-state cultural relations in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No, Madam.

(b) & (c) The Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs)  having  their  headquarters  at  Patiala,  Nagpur,  Udaipur,  Allahabad, Kolkata,  Dimapur  and  Thanjavur  in  the  country  to  preserve,  promote  culture including  folk  dance,  music  and  literature  of  different  regions.  Under  the National Cultural Exchange Programme (NCEP) various festivals of performing arts, exhibitions, yatras etc. are organized in member States under the seven ZCCs.  Artistes  from  other  Zones/  States  are  invited  to  participate  in  these programmes  to  promote  harmonious  relations  among  people  of  different religions and languages.

In addition to the above scheme, the ZCCs and other institutions under Ministry  of  Culture  implement  a  number  of  programmes/  schemes,  inter-alia, Award to Young Talented Artistes, Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme, Theatre Rejuvenation Scheme, Research & Documentation Scheme, Shilpgram Scheme and Octave & J&K Festivals.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2328 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Anti National Activities
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2328 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.05.2016

## Anti National Activities

## †2328. SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  received  complaints  regarding  anti-national  activities  being carried out in Central Educational Institutes and Central Universities during the previous year; and

(b) if so, the details thereof, University/ Institute-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b) There are reports of isolated undesirable incidents during academic year 2015-16 from certain institutions including Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi and National Institute  of  Technology (NIT),  Kashmir which have been dealt with by the authorities of the institutions  and  local  administration  responsible  for  Law  and  Order.  JNU  has  reported  that  a High  Level  Enquiry  Committee  (HLEC)  was  constituted  by  the  University  authorities  to investigate the event and action was taken against those students who were found guilty for the misconduct  and  indiscipline.    However,  the  academic  session  was  not  affected  due  to  the incident. In case of NIT, Srinagar, a team was sent by this Ministry to take stock of the situation and the State Government has been requested to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of all the students.  The examinations were conducted at NIT as per the schedule in April 2016 and for those students, who missed them, they are again scheduled in May, 2016. It is  pertinent  to  mention  here  that  these  autonomous  institutions  are  established  under  the respective Acts of Parliament and are competent  to take action in the  academic  and administrative matters of the institutions.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2327 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Denotification of Monuments
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: K. GOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2327 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9.5.2016 VAISAKHA 19, 1938 (SAKA)

## DENOTIFICATION OF MONUMENTS

## 2327. DR. K. GOPAL:

Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  is  gearing  up  to  bring more monuments in its control;
- (b) whether  the  ASI  has  brought  three  sites  in  Agra  under  the  central protection Act;
- (c) whether the ASI is pushing hard to finish denotification of monuments that have been listed as missing or untraceable; 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) Yes, Madam.
- (b) Yes, Madam.
- (c)&(d) Missing or untraceable  monuments  have  always  been  a  priority  for Archaeological  Survey  of  India.  Such  monuments  may  not  always  qualify for denotification if their site location is historically important.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2326 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Growth of MSME Sector
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2326 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 09.5.2016

## GROWTH OF MSME SECTOR

## 2326.       SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  provides or proposes to provide collateral-free loans to the Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  consistently  monitors  the  credit  flow  and  growth  of  the MSME sector in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a)&(b): The  Ministry  of  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises  (MSME),  Govt.  of India, and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), together have established a Trust  named  Credit  Guarantee  Fund  Trust  for  Small  Industries,  now  known  as  Credit Guarantee  Fund  Trust  for  Micro  and  Small  Enterprises  (CGTMSE),  for  implementing  the Credit  Guarantee  Scheme  for  Micro  &  Small  Enterprises  (CGS).  Since  its  inception, CGTMSE  has  facilitated  easy  access  to  credit  from  organized  banking  sector  to  first generation  entrepreneurs  in  the  Micro  and  Small  Enterprises  (MSE)  sector.    CGTMSE,  in turn,    provides  guarantee  to  its  registered  Member  Lending  Institutions  (MLIs)  against  the loans  /  credit  facilities  upto  Rs.  100  lakh  extended  by  them  without  taking  any  collateral security and / or third party guarantee.  As on March 31, 2016, 23,23,673 guarantees for an amount of Rs.1,08,990.86 crore have been approved by CGTMSE since inception.

(c)&(d): Scheduled  Commercial  Banks  have  been  mandated  not  to  accept  collateral security in the case of loans upto Rs. 10 lakh extended to units in the MSE sector. Banks have also been advised,  on the basis of good track record and financial position of the MSE units, to increase the limit of dispensation of collateral requirement for loans up to Rs. 25 lakh with the approval of the appropriate authority.

RBI has advised all Schedule Commercial Banks on Jun 29, 2010 as under:

- (i) Achieve a 20 per cent year-on-year growth in credit to micro and small enterprises to ensure enhanced credit flow;
- (ii) Allocate  60% of the MSE advances to the micro enterprises and
- (iii) Achieve a 10% annual growth in number of micro enterprise accounts.

The Reserve Bank closely monitors the achievement of targets by banks.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2324 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Quality of Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2324 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.05.2016

## Quality of Education

## †2324. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to improve the quality of education at all levels including higher education in the country; and

(b) if so, the details of the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (b): Improving the quality of education across all levels from primary to university level is a continuous and ongoing process. Several initiatives are currently being undertaken to improve the quality  of  teaching  and  learning.  In  elementary  education,  the  Sarva  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (SSA) programme  is  implemented  for  improvements  in  school  infrastructure  and  in  teaching  and learning.  Several  schemes  such  as,  Rashtriya  Madhyamik  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (RMSA),  ICT  in Schools, Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Teacher Education (CSSTE), Shaala Siddhi, Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan are being implemented to improve the quality of secondary education. In higher education also, Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), Global Initiative for Academics Network  (GIAN),  IMPRINT,  Technical  Education  Quality  Improvement  Programme  as  also  a number of initiatives are undertaken by UGC and AICTE for quality improvement in higher and technical education.

The Government is in the process of framing a New Education Policy (NEP), for which it carried out nearly a year-long consultations through online, grassroots through States and thematic deliberations  across  33  themes,  which  covered  a  spectrum  of  issues  including  the  quality  of education at all levels. The Government of India has constituted a Committee for Evolution of the New Education Policy and the suggestions received have been sent to the Committee, which is expected to formulate a draft National Education Policy as well as a Framework for Action (FFA).

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2323 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Sick Steel PSUs
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2323

FOR ANSWER ON 09/05/2016

## SICK STEEL PSUs

2323.  SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a) the number of sick Steel units of the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in the country as on date;

(b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  for  revival/reorganization  of these units; and

(c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  it  is  likely  to  be  done,  plantwise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) There  are  two  steel  manufacturing  Public  Sector  Undertakings  (PSUs)  in India  namely  Steel  Authority  of  India  Limited  (SAIL)  and  Rashtriya  Ispat  Nigam Limited (RINL). Both SAIL and RINL are not sick PSUs.

(b) & (c):  Does not arise .

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2321 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: MDA Scheme
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2321

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH   MAY, 2016

## MDA SCHEME

## 2321. KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE: SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has put emphasis on exports and has taken various measures including Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme to facilitate exports from the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the MDA Scheme has encouraged greater participation in emerging markets of Asia, Africa and Latin America and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has revised the guidelines for MDA scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has sought comments/views from various stakeholders before revising the guidelines of MDA scheme and if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k½ ¼Lora= izHkkj½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- a)  Yes  Madam.  The  Marketing  Development  Assistance  (MDA)  Scheme  assists exporters for export promotion activities abroad. The Scheme promotes focus export promotion programmes in specific regions like Latin America, Africa, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
- b) The MDA guidelines encourages greater participation in emerging markets of Asia, Africa and Latin America.  Exporting companies with an f.o.b. value of exports of up to  Rs.30  crore  in  the  preceding  year  is  eligible  for  MDA  assistance.    However,  for Latin America, this ceiling of f.o.b. value of exports of Rs.30 crore has been relaxed and  even  the  big  exporters  with  more  than  f.o.b  of  Rs.30  crores  can  get  MDA

assistance for this region.  Further, under the MDA Scheme, the financial ceilings for participation in Trade Fairs and Exhibitions were enhanced in 2013 to Rs.2,50,000/for  focus  Latin  American  countries  and  Rs.2,00,000/-  for  focus  African  countries, focus CIS countries and focus ASEAN.

c) & d) The  MDA  Scheme  was  revised  with  effect  from  01.06.2013  to  provide  for, inter alia, the following:

- (i)   Bringing  more  transparency  in  the  Scheme  by  making  it  mandatory  for  the Export  Promotion  Councils  (EPCs)  to  display  the  details  of  participants  in each fair/event and participants' year-wise exports on their websites;
- (ii)   Upward  revision  of  the  f.o.b.  value  as  well  as  assistance  to  the  individual exporters  to  cater  to  the  cost  escalation  and  appreciation  of  the  value  of international currencies, like US Dollar, Euro, etc.; and

(iii)Releasing more money at the beginning of the financial year so that the EPCs can plan their events and utilize the assistance in a better manner;

****