opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 179 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Initiative to Boost Tourism in Nepal
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA, P.P. CHAUDHARY, CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.179 ANSWERED ON 18.07.2016

## INITIATIVE TO BOOST TOURISM IN NEPAL

## 179.  SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  measures  to  help Nepal to boost tourism after the last year's earthquake and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  plans  to  introduce  more  means  of transport for tourists to travel to Nepal; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  action  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The Ministry of Tourism has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government of Nepal for cooperation in the field of Tourism. The MoU envisages cooperation in the fields of -

- i) Exchange of information and data related to tourism.
2. ii) Cooperation  between tourism stakeholders including hotels & tour operators.
3. iii) Exchange programmes for cooperation in Resource Development.
4. iv)
5. Human
6. Investment in the Tourism and Hospitality sector.
- v) Exchange of visits of Tour Operators/Media/Opinion Makers for promotion of two way tourism.
8. vi) Exchange  of  experience  in  the  areas  of  promotion, marketing, destination development and management.
9. vii) Participation  in  travel  fairs/exhibitions  in  each  other's country.
10. viii)   Promotion of safe, honourable and sustainable tourism.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 175 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Trans-National Tourist Circuit
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, NANABHAU FALGUNRAO PATOLE, DHARMENDRA YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.175 ANSWERED ON 18.07.2016

## TRANS-NATIONAL TOURIST CIRCUIT

## 175. SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  announce  the Buddhist Circuit as India's first trans-national tourist circuit;
- if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  list  of  countries
- (b) proposed to be included in the Buddhist Circuit;
- (c) whether any agreement has been signed among the participating countries in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): The Ministry of Tourism, Government  of India collaborates with its neighbouring countries for promotion of tourist destinations  and  circuits  including  the  Buddhist  Circuit.  As  an outcome of the 5th SAARC Tourism working Group meeting held on 25th and 26th November 2015 in New Delhi, Ministry of Tourism has formulated  itineraries  based  on  themes  such  as  Buddhist  Circuit, Archaeological  Sites,  Adventure  and  Eco  Tourism  and  has  shared the same with the SAARC Secretariat through MEA.

During the 1 st Joint Working Group  meeting on tourism cooperation  between  India  and  Nepal  both  countries  agreed  to cooperate for promotion of Buddhist Circuit.

During  the  Joint  Working  Group  meetings between  India  and Sri  Lanka  it  has  been  agreed  to  assist  each  other  in  carrying  out joint  collaboration  on  the  Buddhist  Circuit.  A  Road  Show  was organised  by  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  in  Sri  Lanka  in  June  2016 when,  among  the  other  tourism  products  the  Buddhist  Circuit  in India was also highlighted and promoted.

(c) and (d): Though no specific Agreement has been signed for the Buddhist Circuit, the Ministry of Tourism has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)/Agreement with Sri Lanka and Nepal for bilateral cooperation in various areas of tourism.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 173 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Establishment of National Institutions in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 173 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  JULY, 2016

## ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 173.   DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU:

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

- (a) whether  there are any  proposals  to establish Indian Institute of Plantation Management/Indian  Institute  of  Packaging/  Indian  Institute  of  Foreign  Trade  in Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken thereon; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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) to  (c): The  Board  of  Governors  of  the  Indian  Institute  of  Plantation  Management  (IIPM)  have recommended the proposal for opening a Centre of IIPM at Vijayawada in their 44 th Board meeting held  on  11.01.2016.  Accordingly,  a  proposal  has  been  submitted  by  IIPM  to  the  Government  of Andhra Pradesh for establishment the Centre of IIPM at Kondapalli in Vijayawada.   Government of India has received the proposals for setting up of a Centre of Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) and a Centre  of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade  (IIFT)  at  Kakinada  in  Andhra  Pradesh.  The establishment of an Institute requires extensive consultations and co-ordination between different Union and State Government Departments/Bodies for which a specific time line cannot be given.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 170 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Revenue Earned from Taj Mahal
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.170 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.7.2016 ASHADHA 27, 1938 (SAKA)

## REVENUE EARNED FROM TAJ MAHAL

## 170. SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA :

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the revenue earned by the Government from Taj Mahal during the last three years and the current year, Year-wise;
- (b) the amount spent on the maintenance and upkeep of the monument during the said period;
- (c) whether the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has noticed any discoloration of marble of the monument; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) The revenue from entry tickets  and other paid services at Taj  Mahal  during the  last three years and the current year is as under:
- (b) The  amount  spent  on  conservation,  preservation,  maintenance  and  environmental development of Taj Mahal, Agra during the last three years and the current year is as under:
- (c)&(d) Yes, Madam. The yellowing or discoloration of marble surface of Taj Mahal, Agra has been noticed in certain pockets due to natural factors. In order to maintain the original aesthetic  appeal  of  Taj  Mahal  and  to  protect  its  marble  surface,  Science  Branch  of Archaeological Survey of India takes up cleaning process in a systematic and phased manner using appropriate conservation materials.

Rupees in lakhs

2013-14 Rs.2245.80

2014-15 Rs.2126.28

2015-16 Rs.2388.83

2016-17 Rs.  830.74(upto June, 2016)

Rupees in lakhs

2013-14 Rs.314.17

2014-15 Rs.442.40

2015-16 Rs.366.60

2016-17 Rs.  24.71(upto June, 2016)
Lok Sabha Question No. 169 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Standard of Engineering Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE, VIJAY KUMAR S.R.

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 169 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2016

## Standard of Engineering Students

## 169. SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

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

- (a) whether the Government has analysed the standard of technical education in the country  especially  in  engineering  and  is  aware  that  as  per  the  recent  report  of National Association of Software and Services Company (NASSCOM) states that most of the engineering graduates are unfit for employment; and
- (b) if  so,  the  remedial  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve  and  upgrade  the standard  of  engineering  students  passing  out  of  institutions  in  the  country  to make  them  competent  enough  to  be  employed  as  engineers  in  the  industrial sector?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SH. PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a)  &  (b): Yes  Madam.  The  National  Association  of  Software  and  Services  Company (NASSCOM)'s  in  their  Paper  'Perspective  2020'  observed  that  low  employability  of engineers  in  technology  services  is  a  challenge  for  the  IT  industry.    The  Government, through AICTE,  has been constantly analysing the standards of education in the technical education and has been taking measures to improve the employability of the engineering students through interventions such as:

- a) Aligning the syllabus as per the requirements of the industry,
- b) Improving the quality of education by making accreditation by National Board of Accreditation (NBA) mandatory,
- c) Implementing  the  Employability  Enhancement  Training  Programme  (EETP)  in collaboration with BSNL, and
- d) Implementing the National Employability Enhancement Mission (NEEM) to offer on the job practical training to enhance employability of engineering graduates.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 167 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Setting up of Industries in Assam
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.167. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 18 TH  JULY, 2016.

## SETTING UP OF INDUSTRIES IN ASSAM

## 167.   SHRI SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE  AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) the details of the assistance provided by the Government for establishing new industries in Assam during the last three years and the current year, industrywise;
- (b) whether  there  is  any  proposal  pending  for  setting  up  of  new  industries  in Assam;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  time  by  which  these  industries  are likely to be set up and made functional;
- (d) whether the Government has identified sick industries in Assam; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the Government to revive them?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ााज् यं ्रीस् वतं ््रभााा(स्रींतंरीिरंमलााीरीतंाांि( THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a): In  order  to  promote  industries,  Department  of  Industrial  Policy  and Promotion  (DIPP)  is  implementing  policy/scheme  viz.  North  East Industrial  &  Investment  Promotion  Policy  (NEIIPP),  2007,  Transport Subsidy Scheme (TSS), 1971/ Freight Subsidy Scheme (FSS), 2013, 'Industrial  Infrastructure  Upgradation  Scheme  (IIUS),  2003/  Modified Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme (MIIUS), 2013 and Indian Leather Development Programme. Rs.460.09 crore has been disbursed as subsidy/grants to industrial units of Assam under NEIIPP, 2007,  TSS,  1971  and  IIUS,  2003/  MIIUS,  2013  during  the  last  three years and the current year.
- (b) to (e): Setting up of industries is a State Subject hence details in this regard are not maintained by DIPP.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 166 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: e-Commerce Platform
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.166. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 18 TH  JULY, 2016.

## e-COMMERCE PLATFORM

## 166.   SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) whether the e-commerce platform is fast emerging as a new trend in global trade and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) should use this medium to get direct access to world markets;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken in this regard;
- (c) whether  the  e-commerce  platform  significantly  reduces  the  interference  of middleman  and  can  provide  best  value  for  the  products  manufactured  by SMEs and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  India  has  given  huge  market  access  to  the  products  of  least developed countries and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ााज् यं ्रीस् वतं ््रभााा(स्रींतंरीिरंमलााीरीतंाांि( THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) to (c): The  government  has  not  commissioned    any  study  on  e-commerce. However,  independent  studies  conducted  on  the  sector  indicate  that e-commerce platform is fast emerging as a new trend in global market, especially in terms of cost efficiency and convenience.
- (d): India gives duty free tariff preference to 31 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) through its Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme, which was announced in April 2008. The product coverage under the DFTP scheme is at 98.2% of tariff lines (at HS 6-digit level of classification) at present.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Cheap Chinese Imports
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: MANOJ RAJORIA, SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 165 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2016

## CHEAP CHINESE IMPORTS

## 165. DR. MANOJ  RAJORIA :

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

- (a) whether the import of cheap goods from China has badly affected the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in our country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(c) the  remedial  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  make  the MSMEs competitive enough to meet/counter the challenges posed by cheaps imports from China?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are facing tough competition  from  cheap  Chinese  products  as  is  evident  in  high  growth  of  India's  imports from  China.  As  per  information  compiled  from  the  data  provided  by  Director  General  of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics, Imports in respect of 11 major product groups, largely manufactured  by  MSMEs  in  India,  have  grown  from  China  at  a  higher  rate  than  their respective imports from all Countries combined  during 2012-13 to 2015-16.  As these 11 product  groups  accounted  for  74%  of  India's  total  imports  from  China  in  2015-16,  a significant proportion of Indian MSMEs  seem to be adversely affected from Chinese imports as  compared  to  the  rest  of  the  World.  These  product  groups  pertain  to  Electrical  and Electronics, Mechanical and Metallurgical products on the one hand and Chemical, Glass & Ceramics based products on the other.

(b)&(c):  Government has been implementing various schemes/programmes to deal with this problem and help the micro, small  and medium enterprises for effectively  competing with imports  from  China  and  other  countries.  Some  of  these  schemes/programmes  include National  Manufacturing  Competitiveness  Programme  (NMCP);  Credit  Guarantee  Scheme; Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme; Cluster Development Programme; Market Development Assistance Scheme and Vendor Development Programme for Ancillarisation. These schemes/programmes help MSMEs grow, increase their competitiveness to challenge cheap Chinese imports in the country.

Government has also been imposing anti-dumping duties, permitted under the WTO, for  restricting  imports  when  such  imports  have  been  established  as  unfairly  affecting  the market  for  goods  and  services  produced  by  Indian  industries.    Government  also  imposes Safeguard  duties  to  protect  domestic  industries  against  a  surge  of  imports  from  other countries.  These  mechanisms  are  operated  by  Directorate  General  of  Anti  Dumping  and Allied Duties (DGAD) and Directorate General of Safeguards (DGSG) respectively.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Protection of Copy Right
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K., SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, SUDHEER GUPTA, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.164. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 18 TH  JULY, 2016.

## PROTECTION OF COPY RIGHT

## 164.   SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) whether the Government has any road map to protect and enforce copy rights in addition to road shows promoting the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

वाणिज् यवव द्यग ााज् यं ्रीस् वतं ््रभााा(स्रींतंरीिरंमलााीरीतंाांि( THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a): Yes, Madam.
- (b): The  National  Intellectual  Property  Rights  (IPRs)  Policy  was  released  on 12 th May 2016. It has as one of its seven objectives, the strengthening of the enforcement and adjudicatory mechanisms for combating IPR infringements. The roadmap to protecting and enforcing copyrights, as well as other IPRs, is laid  out  in  the  Policy  as  various  actionable points  to  be  undertaken  towards achieving this Objective.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Import of Nutmeg
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 163 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  JULY, 2016

## IMPORT OF NUTMEG

## 163.   SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN:

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

- (a) the  total  quantity  and  value  of  nutmeg  imported  into  the  country  during  the  last three years and the current year;
- (b) whether the import of nutmeg has adversely affected the market and local price of nutmeg;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (d) the present stand of the Government on the import of nutmeg?

## 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): Import of nutmeg, quantity wise and value wise, during the last three years and current year (April to May, 2016) is as under:

| Year                |   Qty (Ton) |   Value (Million USD) |
|---------------------|-------------|-----------------------|
| 2013-14             |     1225.3  |                  9.58 |
| 2014-15             |      397.65 |                  3.55 |
| 2015-16             |      493.85 |                  3.02 |
| 2016-17 (April-May) |        8    |                  0.04 |

Note: Figures for 2015-16 and 2016-17 (April to May) are provisional.

(b) & (c): In recent years the import of nutmeg has been significantly below the 2013-14 level, which indicates diminishing impact on the domestic market.

(d): Import policy for nutmeg is 'free'.

- …...
Lok Sabha Question No. 162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Utilisation of Unclaimed EPFO Fund
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: VISHNU DAYAL RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 162 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2016

## UTILISATION OF UNCLAIMED EPFO FUND †162. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)whether the Government proposes to utilise the unclaimed amounts locked in  inoperative  accounts  lying  with  the  EPFO  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b)whether  the  Government  has  selected  some  projects/schemes  for utilising this fund;
- (c)if so, the details thereof;
- (d)whether the projects/schemes intended for the welfare of labourers have also been included in these projects; and
- (e)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a): Yes,  Madam.    In  exercise  of  powers  conferred  under Finance  Act,  2015,  Government  has  constituted  a  Senior  Citizens' Welfare Fund, which includes the unclaimed amount lying with Small Savings Schemes, Public Provident Fund Scheme  and in other Schemes, such as, Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), etc.

- (b) to (e): In  accordance with Rule 6 of the Senior Citizens' Welfare Fund  Rules,  the  Fund  shall  be  utilized  for  such  schemes  for  the promotion  of  the  welfare  of  senior  citizens  in  line  with  the  National Policy on Older Persons and the National Policy on Senior Citizens.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, being the Nodal Ministry,  has taken up with other Ministries and Departments for furnishing information on the existing schemes/programmes being implemented  for  the  welfare  of  senior  citizens  along  with  detailed proposals  and  budgetary  requirement  for    new  projects/schemes  for promotion of welfare of senior citizens.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: BTIA between India and EU
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN, JAGDAMBIKA PAL, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 161

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  JULY, 2016

## BTIA BETWEEN INDIA AND EU

## 161.   SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

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

- (a) whether obtaining greater access to the market for services in the European Union is key for the progress of the Board based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) between the European Union and India;
- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has made progress in the trade deal during the 13th EUIndia summit in Brussels; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?
- a)  Yes Madam.
- b)  Sixteen  rounds  of  negotiations  have  been  held  so  far  for  India-European Union  Broad-based  Bilateral  Trade  and  Investment  Agreement  (India-EU BTIA). Recently two rounds of stocktaking meetings have also been held on 18 th January, 2016 (in New Delhi) and 22 nd February, 2016 (in Brussels).
- c)  & d) During the 13 th India-EU Summit held in Brussels on 30 th March, 2016, where India was led by the Prime Minister himself, the fact that both sides had re-engaged in discussions with a view to considering how to further the IndiaEU BTIA negotiations was welcomed.

*****

## 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)