Lok Sabha Question No. 1976 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Setting up of Special Economic Zones
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA, SHARAD TRIPATHI

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1976**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 31** **ST** **JULY 2015**

**SETTING UP OF SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES**

**1976.   SHRI PINAKI MISRA:**

**SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (´ÉÉÉÊhÉVªÉ A´ÉÆ =tÉÉäMÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ)** be pleased to state:

- 1.1. whether the Government has granted approval for setting up of new Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the country during the current year;
- 1.2. if so, the details thereof indicating the proposals received from various States/UTs and granted approval in this regard, State/UT-wise;
- 1.3. whether the Government had fixed any target for employment generation, exports and investment in SEZs during the last three years;
- 1.4. if so, the details thereof along with the extent to which said target have been achieved; and
- 1.5. the target fixed in this regard for the current year?

### ANSWER

### okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h  )Lora= izHkkj) (Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k)

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

(a) and (b):	During the current financial year 2015-16, the Board of Approval for Special Economic Zone(SEZ) has approved for setting up of following two SEZs:

|   Sl. No. | Name of Developer                 | Location of SEZs                                 | Sector                                                                    |
|-----------|-----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Infosys Limited                   | Dharward District, Near Airport Hubli, Karnataka | Information Technology/ Information Technology Enabled Services (IT/ITES) |
|         2 | Mantri Developers Private Limited | Ranga Reddy District, Telangana                  | Electronic Hardware and Software including IT/ITES                        |

(c) to (e):	The Government does not fix targets for employment generation, exports and investment in SEZs. Exports, employment generated and investments made in SEZs during the last three years are as under:

| Financial Year(s)   | Exports (Rs. in Crores)   | *Employment (Persons)   | *Investment (Rs. in Crores)   |
|---------------------|---------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------------|
| 2012-2013           | 4,76,159                  | 10,74,904               | 2,36,717                      |
| 2013-2014           | 4,94,077                  | 12,83,309               | 2,96,663                      |
| 2014-2015           | 4,63,770                  | 14,42,316               | 3,38,794                      |

*Calculated on cumulative basis.

*****

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1990**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 31** **ST** **JULY 2015**

**SUBSIDIES TO RUBBER FARMERS**

**1990. SHRI MD. BADARUDDOZA KHAN:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (´ÉÉÉÊhÉVªÉ A´ÉÆ =tÉÉäMÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ)** be pleased to state:

- 1.1. whether the Government has excluded/proposes to exclude rubber farmers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu from the subsidies they were entitled to for new planting and replanting of rubber;
- 1.2. if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and
- 1.3. the reaction of the Government for restoration of subsidies?

### 

### ANSWER

### okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h  )Lora= izHkkj) (Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k)

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

(a): No, Madam. There is no decision or proposal to exclude rubber farmers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu from the subsidies for new planting and replanting of rubber to which they are entitled as per Rules.

(b)&(c): Not applicable in view of reply in part (a).

**************

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2011**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 31** **ST** **JULY 2015**

**IMPORT DUTY ON COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS**

**2011. PROF. SAUGATA ROY:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (´ÉÉÉÊhÉVªÉ A´ÉÆ =tÉÉäMÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ)** be pleased to state:

- 1.1. whether some State Governments have made requests to hike the import duty of certain commercial products;
- 1.2. if so, the details thereof; and
- 1.3. the reaction of the Government on their requests, State/UT-wise?

### ANSWER

### okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h  )Lora= izHkkj) (Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k)

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

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Two representations have been received in the Ministry of Finance from State Governments of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to hike Import Duty on Raw Silk from 10% to 30% or at least to15%.

(c): The proposal for reduction in basic Custom Duty on Raw Silk from 15% to 10% was received in Ministry of Finance from Ministry of Textiles. The same was examined and Duty on Raw Silk (not thrown) was reduced from 15% to 10%, vide Notification No. 28/2015-Customs, dated 30 th April, 2015 (G.S.R. 338(E), dated 30.04.2015). Ministry of Textiles is the nodal Ministry for matters relating to Silk and Central Silk Board monitors price of cocoon and yarn, arrival of cocoon and silk yarn in important markets, quantity of yarn/ raw silk being imported and change in price/ quantity, etc. Besides, the sericulturists are assisted under the ongoing schemes of the Central and State Governments as per field requirements. The prices of silk are dependent on various factors such demand and supply and other market conditions.

*******

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2024**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 31** **ST** **JULY 2015**

**RECOGNITION OF DIPLOMA BY FOOTWEAR DESIGN**

**AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE**

**2024. SHRI C.R. PATIL:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (´ÉÉÉÊhÉVªÉ A´ÉÆ =tÉÉäMÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ)** be pleased to state:

- 1.1. whether diplomas awarded by the Footwear Design and Development Institute have not been recognised, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- 1.2. whether any representations have been received in this regard;
- 1.3. if so, the details thereof; and
- 1.4. the reaction of the Government on recognition of such diplomas?

### ANSWER

### okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h  )Lora= izHkkj) (Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k)

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

(a) 	No, Madam.

(b)-(c)	  Representations have been received with regard to grant of degrees by Mewar University to the FDDI students and not with regard to grant of diplomas by the Institute.  The FDDI was offering stand alone Diplomas to the students till the year 2007. Based on the growing aspirations of students and their parents for acquiring degree in preference to a diploma, in the year 2010, FDDI converted all PG & UG Professional Diploma programmes in specialized field of Retail, Footwear, Fashion, and Leather Goods & Accessories Design into M.Sc. & B.Sc. The degree was granted in collaboration with IGNOU to enable  FDDI students to acquire a UGC recognized degree along with sufficient professional & technical skills required in any corporate.

However, IGNOU discontinued all the programmes in the academic session 2012 when as many as 1250 students were enrolled for various B.Sc. and M.Sc. Programmes in collaboration with that University.  Requests for renewal of MOU of IGNOU with FDDI did not fructify.

In such circumstances, FDDI published an advertisement in the newspaper for empanelment of a University for award of Degree to the students pursuing various professional programmes at FDDI. In response to the advertisement  Mewar University applied for collaboration. FDDI signed an MOU with Mewar University to offer Degree programmes from academic session 2012.

As per the MoU the students were enrolled and registered with Mewar University Chittorgarh, Rajasthan from the academic year 2012. FDDI was responsible for short listing of eligible candidates for the said programmes, and providing technical and professional training at campuses.  The information pertaining to degrees being awarded to the FDDI students by Mewar University was posted on the website of the Institute as well as the University.

However, the UGC, in September, 2014, has raised questions against the MoU between FDDI and Mewar University for grant of degree to FDDI students registered for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 in light of the AICTE’s non-recognition of its degree.

(d)	The Government is making best efforts to get the matter resolved through consultations with UGC, IGNOU, FDDI and Ministry of Human Resources Development.

**************

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2025**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 31** **ST** **JULY 2015**

**ASSISTANCE CENTRE FOR PROMOTION OF EXPORT**

**2025(H). SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (´ÉÉÉÊhÉVªÉ A´ÉÆ =tÉÉäMÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ)** be pleased to state:

- 1.1. whether the Government has established any assistance centre for promotion of exports, giving information regarding export related rules to farmers of the country, and for making farmers and small entrepreneurs of every State aware of export related rules; and
- 1.2. if so, the details thereof indicating such centres established by the Government during last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise?

### 

### ANSWER

### okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h  )Lora= izHkkj) (Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k)

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

(a)&(b)	Yes, Madam.  Through 37 regional offices spread across different parts of the country, DGFT is implementing “Niryat Bandhu Scheme” for mentoring /handholding of new and prospective exporters/ entrepreneurs on various aspects of export. These benefits could be availed by any intending farmer exporter or small entrepreneurs. List of DGFT regional offices is given as annexure I.  In addition, Agriculture and Process Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) also facilitates agricultural exports through a combination of measures:-

9. Through its 5 regional offices and 13 (virtual offices) offices run in collaboration with State Government agencies).  APEDA has been making continuous efforts at reaching out to exporters, farmer exporters and State Government extensive machineries to disseminate information relating to agricultural exports.  List of APEDA offices is given as annexure II.

(ii)   Through its ‘Agriculture Export Promotion Plan Scheme,’ APEDA has been	   trying to intensify exports of agricultural products.

(iii) By creating an Agri Exchange portal available in the public domain information 	  relating to product-wise, country-wise export performance, Sanitary & Phyto-sanitary (SPS) and non-tariff barriers for export of different agricultural products, tariff details etc. are provided for readymade availability of intending exporter.  Agri Exchange portal also provides step by step details

of export   requirements such as pre-shipment process, quality and hygiene, packaging, labeling, warehousing and cold storage facilities,  export documentation  process etc. Further details of scheme and facilities provided by APEDA is available in the website **www.apeda.gov.in** .

(iv)	APEDA also organizes various training programmes for farmers such as pre and post harvest training /seminar etc for products such as basmati rice, organic products, fresh fruits and vegetables etc. For strengthening of backward linkages for export oriented production of fruits and vegetables, interactive workshops etc. are also organized.

(v)	Apart from APEDA, other organizations like Tea Board and Coffee Board are promoting schemes for plantation/ re-plantation of tea and coffee. Tea Board has a scheme approved under the 12 th plan for small Tea growers. Further details of the scheme for small farmers is available in the website www. teaboard.gov.in.

**********

**ANNEXURE I**

**LIST OF REGIONAL OFFICES (REGIONAL AUTHORITIES) OF DGFT**

|   S. No | Location of Regional  Authority (regional office)   | State           |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
|       1 | Ahmedabad                                           | Gujarat         |
|       2 | Amritsar                                            | Punjab          |
|       3 | Bengaluru                                           | Karnataka       |
|       4 | Bhopal                                              | Madhya Pradesh  |
|       5 | Chandigarh                                          | Haryana         |
|       6 | Chennai                                             | Tamil Nadu      |
|       7 | Delhi                                               | Delhi           |
|       8 | Cochin                                              | Kerala          |
|       9 | Coimbatore                                          | Tamil Nadu      |
|      10 | Cuttack                                             | Orissa          |
|      11 | Dehradun                                            | Uttarakhand     |
|      12 | Goa                                                 | Goa             |
|      13 | Guwahati                                            | Assam           |
|      14 | Hyderabad                                           | Telengana       |
|      15 | Jaipur                                              | Rajasthan       |
|      16 | Jammu                                               | Jammu & Kashmir |
|      17 | Kanpur                                              | Uttar Pradesh   |
|      18 | Kolkata                                             | West Bengal     |
|      19 | Ludhiana                                            | Punjab          |
|      20 | Mumbai                                              | Maharashtra     |
|      21 | Madurai                                             | Tamil Nadu      |
|      22 | Moradabad                                           | Uttar Pradesh   |
|      23 | Nagpur                                              | Maharashtra     |
|      24 | Panipat                                             | Haryana         |
|      25 | Patna                                               | Bihar           |
|      26 | Puducherry                                          | Puducherry      |
|      27 | Pune                                                | Maharashtra     |
|      28 | Raipur                                              | Chhattisgarh    |
|      29 | Rajkot                                              | Gujarat         |
|      30 | Shillong                                            | Meghalaya       |
|      31 | Srinagar                                            | Jammu & Kashmir |
|      32 | Surat                                               | Gujarat         |
|      33 | Trivandrum                                          | Kerala          |
|      34 | Vadodara                                            | Gujarat         |
|      35 | Varanasi                                            | Uttar Pradesh   |
|      36 | Vishakhapatnam                                      | Andhra Pradesh  |
|     37. | Vijayawada                                          | Andhra Pradesh  |

**ANNEXURE II**

**APEDA HEADQUARTERS**

| NCUI Building 3, Siri Institutional Area, August Kranti Marg,  New Delhi - 110 016, India Phone : 91-11-26513204, 26513219, 26514572, 26526196 / 98, 26534186, 26534870, 26850301 Fax : 91-11-26526187  **APEDA REGIONAL OFFICES**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |    |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----|
| MUMBAI Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority  4th Floor, Unit No. 3 & 4 , Banking Complex Bldg. No.II, Sector 19/A, Vashi New Mumbai-400 705 MUMBAI Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority  4th Floor, Unit No. 3 & 4 , Banking Complex Bldg. No.II, Sector 19/A, Vashi New Mumbai-400 705 HYDERABAD Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority 8th Floor, Chandra Vihar Building, M.J.Road, Hyderabad-500001 KOLKATA Agricultural and Processed Food  Products Export Development Authority  Mayukh Bhavan, Bidhan Nagar,  Kolkata-700 091 BANGALORE Agricultural and Processed Food  Products Export Development Authority  12/1/1 , Palace Cross Road,  Bangalore-560 020  BANGALORE Agricultural and Processed Food  Products Export Development Authority  12/1/1 , Palace Cross Road,  Bangalore-560 020  GUWAHATI Agricultural and Processed Food  Products Export Development Authority  3rd Floor G.S. Road, Opp. Old Post Office Jain Complex, Guwahati-781005                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |    |
| **LIST OF APEDA VIRTUAL OFFICES**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |    |
| CHHATTISGARH Chattisgarh State Industrial Development Corp.Ltd  LIC Campus, Pandri, Raipur- 492 004  Tel : +91- 0171- 2583789 / 90 Fax : +91- 0171- 2583794  E-Mail : csidc[AT]nic[DOT]in    PUNJAB Punjab Agro Industries Corp. 2-A, Sector 28-A, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh, Punjab- 160 002  Tel : +91- 0172-2651622 /6241 Fax : +91- 0172-2657398 /1516  E-Mail : pbagro[AT]chl[DOT]vsnl[DOT]net[DOT]in GUJARAT   Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Ltd. KHET - UDYOG BHAVAN, NR OLD HIGH COURT, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad , Gujarat- 380 014  Tel No. : +91- 079- 27544921, 26442741 Fax No.: +91- 079-27541176 JAMMU & KASHMIR   J&K State Industrial Development Corp. Ltd. Sher-I-Kashmir Bhawan, Vir Marg, Jammu – 180 001, Jammu & Kashmir Tel : +91- 0194-2434402    Fax: +91- 0194-2430036 KERALA  Kerala State Industrial Enterprise Ltd. St.Joseph's Press Building, Cotton Hill, Thiruvananthapuram – 605 014  Kerala Tel : +91- 0471-2326913, 2324159, 2326947 Fax : +91- 0471-2334590 E-mail : ksiel[AT]md2[DOT]vsnl[DOT]net[DOT]in MADHYA PRADESH  The Madhya Pradesh State Agro Industries Dev. Corp. Ltd. Panchanan (3rd floor) Malviya Nagar Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh  Tel : +91- 0755-2555074 /1967 /1756 Fax : +91- 0755-2557305 E-mail : mpsaidc[AT]sancharnet[DOT]in MANIPUR   Directorate of Commerce & Industries, Imphal, lamphelpat – 795 004, Manipur Tel : +91- 0385- 2410481  E-mail :foodjoyapeda[AT]yahoo[DOT]com  NAGALAND   Director of Horticulture Govt. of Nagaland Kohima – 797 001 Tel/fax : +91- 0370-221311 ORISSA   The Agriculture Promotion and Investment Corp. of Orissa Ltd. 326, Baramunda, Bhubaneshwar – 751 003, Orissa Tel : +91- 0674-561203, 561874  Fax : +91- 0674-2563306 E-mail : apicol[AT]dte[DOT]vsnl[DOT]net[DOT]in TAMIL NADU   Agricultural Marketing & Agri Business  Govt. of Tamil Nadu Commissionerate of Agricultural, Marketing & Agri Business Cipet Road, Industrial Estate Guindy, Chennai - 600 032 Tel : +91- 044-22347484 Fax : +91- 044-24464959 Email :agrimarkbusiness[AT]rediffmail[DOT]com TRIPURA  Deptt. Of Industries & Commerce Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Complex Agartala, Tripura  Tel : +91- 0381-2306423 Fax : +91- 0381-2324432 UTTAR PRADESH  U.P. State Horticultural Co-operative Marketing Federation, 18-B, Ashok Marg,  Lucknow,U.P.  Tel. +91- 0522-2391235 Telefax : +91- 0522-2391858 E-mail : apedaup[AT]lwl[DOT]vsnl[DOT]net[DOT]in |    |

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**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2055**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 31** **ST** **JULY 2015**

**MISSING FILES ON SEZ ALLOCATION**

**2055.   SHRI KAMAL NATH:**

**SHRI KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO:**

**SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:**

**SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:**

**SHRI R. PARTHIPAN:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (´ÉÉÉÊhÉVªÉ A´ÉÆ =tÉÉäMÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ)** be pleased to state:

- 1.1. whether several files relating to allocation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are reportedly found missing, and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- 1.2. whether any inquiry has been made by the Government in this regard and if so, the details and the outcome thereof including the action taken/being taken against the erring officials;
- 1.3. whether any inquiry has also been initiated by the Government against the corporate beneficiaries reportedly by passing norms in SEZ land allocation; and
- 1.4. if so, the details and the outcome thereof along with the action taken in the matter?

### ANSWER

### okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h  )Lora= izHkkj) (Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k)

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

(a) and (b):	The Comptroller and Auditor General of India in its Report for the year 2012-13 on Performance of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) has observed that 47 files were not produced to Audit. On scrutiny it has been found that all the files except five are available in the Department and were made available to the Audit. The remaining five files relating to setting up of Central Government SEZs, which are of 30-50 years old, could not be located. As per record retention schedule of Department of Commerce, the retention period of these files has expired.

(c) and (d):	As per Entry No. 18 of the State List in the 7 th schedule of the Constitution of India, land is a State subject. Land for SEZs is provided by the concerned State Governments. The Board of Approval (BoA) on SEZs only considers those proposals which have been duly recommended by the State Governments. Since land is a State subject, State Governments are free to frame any law/rule on the subject. If any violation of the SEZ provisions are noticed action is taken under the SEZ laws.

*****

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2058**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 31** **ST** **JULY 2015**

**DUMPING OF IMPORTED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES**

**2058.   SHRI BHOLA SINGH:**

**ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:**

**DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:**

**SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:**

**KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:**

**SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:**

**SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:**

**SHRI NAGAR RODMAL:**

**SHRI DALPAT SINGH PARASTE:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (´ÉÉÉÊhÉVªÉ A´ÉÆ =tÉÉäMÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ)** be pleased to state:

- 1.1. whether the Government has taken note of dumping of fruits and vegetables including apple and garlic by some foreign countries in India, thus affecting farmers and fruit growers adversely and if so, the facts thereof;
- 1.2. whether the Government has received requests from various quarters including public representatives to put some fruits and vegetables in 'special products' category and increase tariff on imported fruits and vegetables within the framework of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules;
- 1.3. if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- 1.4. the other corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government to protect and domestic fruits and vegetables growers in the country?

### 

### ANSWER

### okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h  )Lora= izHkkj) (Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k)

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

1. The Directorate General of Anti-Dumping & Allied Duties (DGAD) under the Department of Commerce, conducts anti-dumping investigations on the basis of a duly substantiated petition filed by the Domestic Industry alleging dumping of goods into the country causing injury to the Domestic Industry. However, no petition/application, duly substantiated, has been filed in DGAD by the Domestic Industry alleging injury due to dumping of fruits and vegetables, including apple and garlic, by some foreign countries into India.

(b&c)	The Government has received few references from various quarters including public representatives, for increasing the import duty on apples and putting apples in the Special Products category.

The present import tariff is 50% which is also the Bound Rate of Duty agreed to in GATT/WTO. As such, there is no scope for increase in tariff rates under the present WTO regime.

In so far as putting apples in Special Products category is concerned, India does not have the flexibility of designating any agricultural product as Special Product till Doha Round, which is underway since 2001, is concluded.  Even designating apples as a Special Products will not enable India to raise tariffs. Such Special Products would either undergo no reductions in import duties or would undergo lower reductions in import duties than would be applicable to other agricultural products.

(d)	The Government provides assistance under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme being implemented during XII Plan, for holistic growth of the horticulture sector including fruits and vegetables.

The Government is also implementing number of measures and incentives for promoting the exports of fruits and vegetables under Plan schemes of the Commodity Boards and Export Promotion Councils etc. which are likely to benefit the entire horticulture industry. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the administrative control of the Department of Commerce, under various components of its plan scheme viz. Market Development; Infrastructure Development; Quality Development; and Transport Assistance, extends financial assistance to the eligible exporters. Besides these measures, incentives under Merchandise Export Incentive Scheme(MEIS) are available for export of Fruits and Vegetables.

********

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2068**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 31** **ST** **JULY 2015**

**INTER-STATE TRANSPORT GRANT TO STATES**

**2068(H).    SHRIMATI KAMLA DEVI PAATLE:**

**SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:**

**SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (´ÉÉÉÊhÉVªÉ A´ÉÆ =tÉÉäMÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ)** be pleased to state:

- 1.1. whether the land locked States face problems arising out of heavy expenditure incurred and time spent on transportation of goods from sea ports;
1. if so, the efforts made by the Government to make export/import from such States more competitive;
2. whether the Government proposes to provide inter-State transport grant to such States and has received proposals from States for such grants; and
3. if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Govt. thereon, State/UT-wise?

### 

### ANSWER

### okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h  )Lora= izHkkj) (Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k)

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

(a) and (b) : Yes, Madam. Improving hinterland connectivity with the sea ports and the export logistics is a continuous ongoing process, which involves a wide gamut of activities including improving road and rail connectivity. Further, in order to make export from States, including the landlocked States, more competitive, the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) of Department of Commerce through its 37 regional offices located in different States of the country is providing facilitation to exporters in regard to development of International trade and implementation of Foreign Trade Policy which includes, inter alia, issue of Import-Export Code, licenses / scrips / incentives etc to the exporters. In addition, the DGFT is implementing a scheme namely “Niryat Bandhu Scheme” for mentoring/handholding of new and prospective exporters / entrepreneurs on various aspects of international trade/ exports through orientation / training programmes, seminars, conferences etc.

(c) and (d) : Government does not have a transport subsidy scheme specifically for export / import for such States.

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