opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2294 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: New Steel Plants
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: NANDI YELLAIAH, AJAY NISHAD, HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI, AJAY (TENI) MISRA, SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA, RITI PATHAK, JAYADEV GALLA, KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2294**

FOR ANSWER ON 03/08/2015

**NEW STEEL PLANTS**

2294.	SHRI NANDI YELLAIAH:

SHRI AJAY NISHAD:

DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU:

SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:

SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a)	the number of the new steel plants which are presently under construction both in public and private sector in the country, State/UT-wise;

(b)	whether there has been cost and time overrun in completion of the said plants and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor, plant-wise;

(c)	whether the Government proposes to set up more new steel plants in various parts of the country including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh;

(d)	if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and

(e)	the steps taken by the Government to make these plants operational in a time bound manner?

**ANSWER**

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE STRY OF	        (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

STEEL AND MINES

(a)&(b): Steel is a deregulated sector and the role of Government is limited to that of a facilitator. The decisions to construct new steel plants are essentially taken by the respective companies, based on commercial considerations.

A new integrated steel plant is being constructed by NMDC Limited at Nagarnar, Chhattisgarh. The project is likely to be completed by December, 2016 against the original completion schedule of May, 2015 but no cost overrun is anticipated. The implementation of the project has been affected mainly due to delays in awarding of important packages, receipt of forest clearances and supply of engineering and fabricated materials as well as inadequate mobilization of resources by the contracting agencies.

(c)to(e): Steel Ministry is facilitating development of greenfield steel projects by setting up Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in Joint Ventures between PSUs of Ministry of Steel and State PSUs.  MoUs for setting up of Steel SPVs in Chhattisgarh was signed on 09.05.2015 and in Jharkhand on 28.06.2015 to fast track the project development activities for formation of Steel SPV and Mining SPV.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2293 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: Civil Aviation Policy
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, B. SREERAMULU, K. MARAGATHAM, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI, SANTOSH AHLAWAT, RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE, Shrirang Appa Barne, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, DHARMENDRA YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2293

(To be answered on the 3 rd  August 2015)

## CIVIL AVIATION POLICY

## 2293. SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK

SHRI B. SRIRAMULU

SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO

SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI

SHRI SULTAN AHMED

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHANAN

SHRI JOSE K. MANI

SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT

SHRI RAJAN VICHARE

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the salient features of the draft Civil Aviation Policy;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to reframe the policy and rewrite the proposals outlined therein;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (d)  the  time  by  which  the  said  policy  is  likely  to  be  finalized  and implemented; and
- (e) the steps taken or being taken by the Government for promotion of domestic aviation industry?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a) to (d): The Draft Civil Aviation Policy was initially unveiled on 10th November, 2014 to address various issues related to the sector. Main features of the policy related to Development of airports, Rationalizing the cost of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), Development of the Cargo sector,  Institutional  reforms,  Enhancing  Regional  Connectivity, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, Development of Helicopter Aviation, e-DGCA and e-Governance. Such measures are intended to improve cost effectiveness, promote competition and derive social and economic benefits. The Ministry invited comments/suggestions of the public/stakeholders/ state governments on the draft policy. The responses have provided valuable inputs, on the basis of which certain modifications have been considered after extensive consultations. The

formulation of policy is in final stages. (e):  The  Government has taken various steps to promote domestic aviation industry. The prominent ones are: (i) In-principle approval to start new Greenfield Airports at fourteen places (ii) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in aviation sector (iii) Pursuing State Governments to consider reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) (iv) Grant of scheduled operator permits to various airlines

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2292 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: Flying Rules on Interanational Routes
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: BHEEMRAO BASWANTHRAO PATIL, E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI, PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, R. GOPALAKRISHNAN, FEROZE VARUN GANDHI, BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD, V. PANNEER SELVAM, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, PARVESH SAHIB SINGH, T. RADHAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2292

(To be answered on the 3 rd  August 2015)

## FLYING RULES ON INTERNATIONAL ROUTES

## 2292. SHRI BHEEMRAO B. PATIL

SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE

DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU

SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT

SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

DR. BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD

SHRI V. PANNEERSELVAM

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV

SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the details of eligibility rules laid down for domestic airlines/new
- airlines to fly on international routes;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to replace the said rules with the Domestic Flying Credit (DFC) Model and if so, the details thereof and the
- reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Indian Carriers have opposed the DFC model and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor and the reaction of the
- Government thereto; and
- (d) the details of the proposals received by the Government from various private firms and States/UTs including Kerala to start regional airlines along with the action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a):  The  prevailing  eligibility  criteria  for  an  Indian  air  transport undertaking to commence scheduled international operations  are as

under: i)     A valid permit for operation of scheduled air transport services. ii)    A minimum of five years' experience of continuous operation of domestic scheduled air transport services. iii)   At least twenty aircraft in its fleet. (b)    &  (c)    Policy  on  revision  in  existing  eligibility  criteria  for international flying for domestic carriers are under review and views of various Indian carriers have also been received on revision of existing policy which are being examined. (d):  The details of applications received for starting Regional Airline Services during the last three years as under:2012 - LEPL Projects Limited (Air Costa), ABC Aviation &  Training Services Pvt Ltd and North East Shuttle. 2013 - Freedom Aviation Pvt. Ltd, ZAV Airways Pvt Ltd, Air Carnival Services Pvt Ltd and Turbo Megha Airways Pvt Ltd. 2014 - AAA Aviation Pvt Ltd. Out the above LEPL Projects Limited (Air Costa), ABC Aviation & Training Services Pvt Ltd, North East Shuttle, ZAV Airways Pvt Ltd, Air Carnival Services Pvt Ltd and Turbo Megha Airways Pvt Ltd have been granted Initial NOC to operate Scheduled Air Transport (Regional) Services.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2291 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: Freight Corridor Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, VINCENT H PALA, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, T. RADHAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 2291 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2015

## FREIGHT CORRIDOR PROJECT

2291.  SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI VINCENT H. PALA:

DR.  HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

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

- (a) whether  the  Railways  have  received  loan  from  World  Bank  for  the ambitious Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project;
- (b) if so, the details thereof  including the quantum of loan sanctioned by World Bank, Zone-wise and the terms and conditions therein;
- (c) the expected revenue to be generated after completion of the project; and
- (d) the current status of the project and the steps taken/being taken by the Railways for timely completion of the said project?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b): Ludhiana  -Mughalsarai  Section  (1192  km)  of  Eastern  Dedicated Freight  Corridor  (Ludhiana-Dankuni  -1856  km)  is  being  part  financed  from World Bank. The commitment for World Bank loan is for US $ 2.725 billion. Two loan agreements for US $ 975 million and US $ 1100 million covering Dadri-Khurja- Kanpur(389 km) and Kanpur-Mughalsarai(402 km) respectively have  been  signed.  For  the  remaining  401  km,  Khurja-Saharanpur-Ludhiana Section, World Bank has recently approved a loan of US $ 650 million. The World Bank loan is to be repaid in 22 years including a 7 year moratorium and interest rate is six month LIBOR + Variable spread (presently 0.73%). (c):    As  per  the  Concession  Agreement signed between Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd.(DFCCIL) and Ministry of Railways, Track Access Charges shall be paid to DFCCIL by Ministry of Railways and as per the  Business  Plan  of  DFCCIL  the  expected  revenue  of  DFC  Project  is ` 10,797 crore in the year 2022-23 after the completion of the Project. (d):    For  Eastern  and  Western  DFCs,  land  acquisition  award  of  20  F (Compensation Award) under Railway Amendment Act 2008, for 85% of land has  been  completed.  Civil  Construction  Contracts  of  over  1840  km  and Systems  Contracts  of  1370  km  have  been  awarded.  Overall  physical progress of civil works in Khurja-Kanpur, Mughalsarai-Sonnagar Section of Eastern DFC and in Rewari-Iqbalgarh Section of Western DFC is 20%. Project implementation  schedule,  timelines  have  been  drawn  up  and  are  being monitored on regular basis.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2289 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: No Frills/Low-cost Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: T. RADHAKRISHNAN, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, PRATHAP SIMHA, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, SURESH KODIKUNNIL, KULAMANI SAMAL, SANJAY JAISWAL, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY, PARASURAMAN K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2289

(To be answered on the 3 rd  August 2015)

## NO FRILLS/LOW-COST AIRPORTS

## 2289. SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE

SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT

SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH

DR. KULAMANI SAMAL

DR. SANJAY JAISWAL

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK

SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY

SHRI K. PARASURAMAN

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to develop no-frills/low-cost airports in various cities of the country;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  locations  identified  for development of these airports, along with expenditure likely to be incurred thereon, State/UT-wise including Odisha;
- (c) the criteria adopted for selection of locations and its impact on low
- cost airports identified earlier for being in small cities; and
- (d) the present status of these airports, State/UT-wise along with the time by which these are likely to be set up?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

Connectivity, Government of India has decided to develop small airports at tier II and tier III cities across the country. (b): Five locations namely, Hubli and Belgaum in Karnataka, Kishangarh in Rajasthan, Jharsuguda in Odisha and Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh were identified for construction of small airports. The estimated project cost  for  Hubli  is  Rs.  141.44  crore,  Belgaum  is  Rs.  141.87  crore, Kishangarh is Rs. 160.05 crore, Jharsuguda is Rs. 200 crore and Tezu is Rs. 96.5 crore. (c):  The  above  locations  were  identified  based  on  the  criteria  of population,  availability  of  land  and  the  potential  for  tourism  and industry. (d): The construction work at these locations has already commenced. The timelines for completion of the airport projects depend upon many factors  like  availability  of  requisite  land,  mandatory  regulatory clearances, environmental clearances, traffic projections and provision of support services by the State Government such as access road to the airport, water supply, power supply, services of State Police and State Fire Staff for Security and Safety needs of the airport, etc.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: Rail Corridor
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2284 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2015

## RAIL CORRIDOR

## 2284.   SHRI ARVIND SAWANT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways have made an agreement with Dighi Port for providing rail corridor in Raigad District of Maharashtra;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the role of different agencies involved the said project?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a)  to  (c):  No  Agreement  has  been  signed  between  Ministry  of Railways and Dighi Port. However, a Memorandum of Undersanding(MoU)  has  been  signed  between  Rail  Vikas  Nigam Limited (RVNL) and Dighi Port Limited on 18.04.2015 for formation of a Joint Venture to undertake development of 34 km long railway line to  Dighi  Port  at  an  approximate  cost  of ` 724  crore.  The  share  of RVNL and Dighi Port Limited in equity of the company has been fixed at 26% and 74% respectively.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2282 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: Construction of Walls at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KURUPPASSERY VARKEY THOMAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2282 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2015

## CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS AT STATIONS

2282. PROF. K.V. THOMAS:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways have received any requests from the State  Government  of  Kerala  to  construct  protective  walls around the railway stations in the State;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which it is likely to be constructed?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a): No, Madam.

- (b) & (c): Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2281 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: Production Cost of Petroleum Products
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD, VIRENDRA  KUMAR

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2281**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 3** **RD** **AUGUST, 2015**

**PRODUCTION COST OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS**

**2281.	PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD:**

**DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR:**

**isVªksfy;e vkSj izkÑfrd xSl ea=h**

**Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:**

(a) the details of per barrel refining cost of different oil products;

(b) the basis on which per litre production cost of petrol and diesel is estimated;

(c) whether the production cost with regard to different oil products is higher in the public sector oil refineries in comparison to the private sector oil refineries and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to reduce the cost of production;

(d) the rate on which the upstream companies including Oil and Gas Corporation of India Limited (ONGC) sells crude oil to oil refineries; and

(e) if so, the rate of crude oil sold to various oil refineries during the last three years and the reasons for wide gap between the price of crude oil and refined oil?

**ANSWER**

**isVªksfy;e vkSj izkÑfrd xSl ea=h (Lora= izHkkj)**

**¼Jh /keZsUnz iz/kku½**

**MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS**

**(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)**

(a) to (e):	Refining of crude oil is a process industry, where crude oil constitutes around 90% of the total cost. Crude oil is processed through several processing units. Each of these units produces intermediate products streams, which require further reprocessing and blending.  As it is difficult to apportion the total cost amongst individual refined products, product-wise costs are not identified separately.

The price of crude oil sold by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) & Oil India Limited (OIL) to the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) during the last three years is as under:

| Year        | Company   | Gross prices   | Discount to OMCs for partial compensation of under-recovery*   |
|-------------|-----------|----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
|             | Company   |                | $/bbl.                                                         |
| **2012-13** | ONGC      | 110.99         | 56.00                                                          |
|             | OIL       | 109.51         | 56.00                                                          |
| **2013-14** | ONGC      | 106.73         | 58.61                                                          |
|             | OIL       | 106.25         | 58.90                                                          |
| **2014-15** | ONGC      | 85.80          | 37.12                                                          |
|             | OIL       | 85.45          | 37.31                                                          |

* Discount is applicable on production from nominated field of ONGC and OIL.

x-x-x-x-x
Lok Sabha Question No. 2279 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: Multi-Millionaire Tourist City
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2279

ANSWERED ON 03.08.2015

MULTI-MILLIONAIRE TOURIST CITY

2279. SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether it is a fact that 'Jhunjhunu' lies in the shekhawati region of Rajasthan and is home of many of the best known multi-millionaires like Birla, Piramal, Modi, Singhania, Goenka, Poddar, etc.;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof;

(c) 	whether lakhs of tourists visited 'Jhunjhunu' every year to see the original Havelies of these business families;

(d) 	if so, whether the Government received any proposal or planning to develop 'Jhunjhunu' as 'Multi Millionaires Tourist City'; and

(e) 	if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (b):  	Yes, Madam. Jhunjhunu lies in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. Information pertaining to Jhunjhunu being home of multi-millionaires is not available in the Ministry of Tourism.

(c): 	Yes, Madam. As per details given below, lakhs of tourist visited Jhunjhunu to see tourist places which also includes Havelis of business families:

|   Year |   Domestic |   Foreigner |   Total |
|--------|------------|-------------|---------|
|   2012 |     128283 |       42718 |  171001 |
|   2013 |     104155 |       36136 |  140291 |
|   2014 |     126184 |       46828 |  173012 |

(d) and (e):		The Ministry is not in receipt of any such proposal.

*************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2278 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: Interaction with Railway Passengers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JOSE K. MANI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2278 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2015

## INTERACTION WITH RAILWAY PASSENGERS

2278.  SHRI JOSE K. MANI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways have sent proposes to send some officials of the Railways to inspect the railway stations across the country and to interact with the passengers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along  with the outcome of that exercise; and
- (c) the details of steps taken/proposed to be taken on the basis of the feedback received from the passengers?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (c): Inspection of various railway facilities, including of Railway stations  and  interaction  with  passengers  is  a  continuous  process  on Indian  Railways.  Officials  from  Zonal  Railways  and  Railway  Board regularly  inspect  Railway  stations  and  interact  with  passengers  all over Indian Railways. Corrective action is taken on the short falls/deficiencies as and when these are noticed or reported during the inspections and interactions, depending on the availability of resources.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2276 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: Environmental Problems due to Unplanned Development of Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: SHARAD TRIPATHI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2276

ANSWERED ON 03.08.2015

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS DUE TO UNPLANNED

DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM

†2276. SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether many problems related to environment are arising due to unplanned development in the tourism sector;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and

(c) 	whether the Government is formulating any integrated policy for the development of tourism in a planned manner and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a)  to (c):	Development of Tourism infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations (UTs).  The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) under its various schemes extends Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to them for development of tourism infrastructure subject to adherence to the existing scheme guidelines, availability of funds and submission of Utilization Certificates for funds released earlier.

Ministry of Tourism has taken following initiatives for sustainable development in the tourism sector:

(i)  	Evolved Comprehensive Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI) for three major segments of the tourism industry, namely accommodation, tour operators, Beaches, Backwaters, Lakes and Rivers sectors, which is applicable for the entire country.

(ii) 	Guidelines for approval of Hotel Projects at the implementation stage and also for Classification/Re-classification of operational hotels under various categories mandate incorporation of various eco-friendly measures like installation of Sewage Treatment Plant, Rain water Harvesting, Waste Management System, Pollution Control and Introduction of non-Chlorofluorocarbon equipment for refrigeration and air conditioners, energy and water conservation measures.

(iii)	Promoting Eco-Tourism, inter-alia through domestic and international campaigns and also by supporting seminars, conference and events focusing on development of Eco-Tourism in the country, from time to time.

*******