opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2522 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Enhancing Minimum Wages
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE, RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY, OM BIRLA, (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE, KINJARAPU RAM MOHAN NAIDU, LAXMAN GILUWA, PR. SENTHILNATHAN

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2522

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## ENHANCING MINIMUM WAGES

## †2522. SHRI CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE:

SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN:

SHRI OM BIRLA:

ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

SHRI LAXMAN GILUWA:

SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  for  enhancing  the minimum wages and if so, the details thereof alongwith the latest wage  revision  under  the  National  Floor  Level  Minimum  Wage (NFLMW) and the details of hike made by the Government under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948;
- (b)whether the Government proposes to amend the existing Act, and if so, the details and the present status thereof;
- (c)whether  the  Government  is  also  considering  to  introduce  uniform minimum  wages  across  the  country  and  if  so,  the  reaction  of various State Governments in this regard; and
- (d)the details of mechanism to ensure payment of minimum wages to the labourers/workers fixed by the Government?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): According  to  the  provisions  contained  in  the  Minimum  Wages Act, 1948, the appropriate Government revises the minimum wages in all the scheduled employments under its jurisdiction at an interval not exceeding five years.   To check  price escalation, idea of Variable Dearness  Allowance  (VDA)  was  mooted.  Accordingly,  in  the  Central sphere,  the  minimum  rates  of  wages  are  revised  effective  from  1st April and 1st October every year.

Based  on  changes  in  the  Consumer  Price  Index  (CPI)  National Floor Level Minimum Wage (NFLMW) is presently fixed at Rs.160/- per day with effect from 01.07.2015.

- (b): The Government has initiated  the  process  of  amending  various labour laws including the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
- (c): Fixation of wages depends on factors like local conditions, cost of living, it is not possible to introduce uniform minimum wages across the country. However, an attempt has been made to move towards a uniform wage structure to reduce disparity in minimum wages across States by introducing the National Floor Level  Minimum  Wage (NFLMW) below which there can be no other wage rate. The NFLMW is revised from time to time.
- (d): The implementation of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 are carried out by the Centre as well as the States in respect of their respective jurisdiction. In the Central Sphere, the enforcement is secured through the  Inspecting  Officers  of  the  Chief  Labour  Commissioner  (Central) commonly designated as Central Industrial Relations Machinery (CIRM).  The  compliance  in  the  State  sphere  is  ensured  through  the State Enforcement Machinery.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2515 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: PISA Test
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2515

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## PISA Test

## 2515.   SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

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

- (a) whether the programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) a global test that assesses students Mathematics , reading and science literacy has been conducted;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the country had participated in the said test;
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) the Government has decided to join hands with SAARC nations to attempt a regional version of global test to assess learning outcomes;
- (f) if so, the details thereof;
- (g) whether UNESCO has also agreed to help to develop such test; and
- (h) if so, the details thereof and the time by which a decision is likely to be taken in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a)  to  (d)  India  participated  in  PISA  2009  only  through  schools  in  two  states,  i.e.,  Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh . India has not participated in the PISA Test after 2009 as India has  developed  its  own  student  assessment  system  called  the    National    Achievement

Surveys  (NAS),  which  are  independently  conducted  by  National  Council  of  Educational Research  and  Training  (NCERT)  across  the  country  on  the  latest  international  Item Response Theory (IRT) methodology. The NAS is conducted for classes III, V, VIII & X, i.e.,  the  critical  stages  of  education,  early  primary,  end  of  primary,  upper  primary  and secondary levels. The  NAS  is  conducted  every three years and provides detailed information on learning outcomes  which  is  useful for teacher training, curriculum development and for improving quality of education.

(e) No, Madam.

(f) Does not arise.

(g) No, Madam.

(h) Does not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2510 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Setting up of Museum by Madame Tussauds
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD

## COVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2510

## SETTING UP OF MUSEUM BY MADAME TUSSAUDS

- 2510, SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH: SHRIASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN: DR: SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

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

- (a) whether the Madame Tussauds Museum has proposed to set up a centre in India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Museum has approached the Government for any assistancelsupport; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto ?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (IC) CULTURE & TOURISM AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR CIVIL AVIATION (DR: MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) & (b) During the Prime Minister's visit to United Kingdom in November; 2015, Merlin Entertainment plc has announced its   first  business in  India a Madame   Tussauds wax   attraction scheduled to open in New Delhi in early 2017. However no proposal has been received:
- (c) Madam No;
- (d) Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2509 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Trade Talks with European Union
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, SUDHEER GUPTA, K. MARAGATHAM, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, JAYADEV GALLA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2509

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## TRADE TALKS WITH EUROPEAN UNION

## 2509. SHRI NARANBHA1 KACHHADIYA:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

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

- a) whether the Government has suspended negotiations with the European Union (EU) on  a  bilateral  trade  agreement  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  reasons therefor;
- b) whether  the  EU  has  also  banned  the  sale  of  various  Indian  generic  medicines  and pharmaceutical products and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- c) whether India and the EU have previously failed to bridge substantial gaps on certain crucial issues and if so, the details thereof;
- d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  resume  negotiations  with  the  EU  on  the  said bilateral  trade  agreement and if so, the details thereof  along with the steps taken in this regard; and
- e) whether any agenda has been worked out for bilateral agreement negotiations with the EU and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

वाणिज् य एवं उद्योग राज् य मंत्री )श्रीमती निममला सीतारमि((स्वतंत्र प्रभार ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) &  (b):  A  Chief  Negotiator  level  meeting  in  India-European  Union  Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement (India-EU BTIA) which was scheduled  on  28 th   Aug,  2015  in  Delhi  was  deferred  by  the  Government  of India in view of action by EU suspending the market authorisation of around 700 pharma products clinically tested by GVK Biosciences, Hyderabad. This action  was  based  on  an  ongoing  legal  scrutiny  into  documentation  of  GVK Biosciences.

(c),  (d)  &  (e):  India  and  European  Union  are  negotiating  a  Bilateral  Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) covering various tracks. So far fifteen rounds of negotiations have been held. The Chief Negotiators are to meet in the beginning of the next year to take the negotiations further. As is consistent  with  previous  and  established  practice  in  ongoing  negotiations, disclosure  before  finalisation  of  the  Agreement  may  adversely  affect  India's position in the negotiations.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2508 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Renovation and Upgradation of Pragati Maidan
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, SUDHEER GUPTA, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, T.G. VENKATESH BABU, K. KAMARAAJ

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2508

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## RENOVATION AND UPGRADATION OF PRAGATI MAIDAN

## 2508.   DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

DR. K. KAMARAJ:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( ) pleased to state:

वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री be

- a) whether the Indian Trade Promotion Organization proposes to renovate and upgrade its  exhibition  ground  at  Pragati  Maidan  with  a  view  to  bringing  it  at  par  with International levels;
- b) if  so,  the  details  and  the  present  status  thereof  along  with  the  funds  required  and allocated for this purpose and the timeframe fixed for completion of this project;
- c) whether there is any proposal under consideration to decongest the area and provide better parking space and if so, the details thereof;
- d) whether the Government proposes to set up new trade fair complexes in other parts of the country; and
- e) if so, the details thereof, State/ UTwise including Tamil Nadu along with the time by which these are likely to be set up?

## ANSWER

वाणिज् य एवं उद्योग राज् य मंत्री )श्रीमती निममला सीतारमि((स्वतंत्र प्रभार ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a)  & (b) :   Yes, Madam.

As  per  preliminary  details  of  Phase-I,  it  is  proposed  to  develop 100,000 sqm. of exhibition  space  and  a  7000  seater  Convention Centre  along  with  support  facilities  and  parking  space  for  4800 passenger  cars.    Other  details  such  as  funding  and  schedule  of completion are yet to be firmed up.

- (c)          : There is a proposal to develop the parking space for about 4800 passenger cars in Phase-I of the Development Project.
- (d) & (e) :  ITPO has trade complexes in Bengaluru & Chennai in collaboration with the State Governments.  At present, there is no proposal to have such complexes in other States/UTs.
- ----
Lok Sabha Question No. 2507 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Performance of SAIL
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SUDHEER GUPTA, VIRENDRA  KUMAR, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2507 FOR ANSWER ON 14/12/2015

## PERFORMANCE OF SAIL

2507.  SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has incurred huge losses in the preceding quarters;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government proposes to appoint an external consultant for review of SAIL structure;

(d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  time  by  which  it  is  likely  to  be appointed;

(e) whether the  Government  has  taken  steps for  enhancing  value added production, aggressive  marketing to retain its market  share, better operation management for reducing production cost and bringing down inventory; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the other steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b): During the first two quarters of 2015-16, SAIL incurred a total loss of Rs.1378 crore.  The  major  reasons  for  losses  are  reduction  in  the  Net  Sales  Realisation  of saleable steel, increased expenditure towards royalty on iron ore, volatility in foreign exchange rates and  higher incidence of  capital  related  expenses;  i.e.  interest  and depreciation, etc.

(c)&(d): The Ministry of Steel has decided to appoint an external consultant to study the overall working of SAIL with a view to improve its performance.

(e)&(f):  SAIL  is  implementing  a  major  modernisation  and  expansion  programme  to increase its production, to eliminate technological obsolescence, to improve  energy efficiency and to increase value added products in its product basket. In addition, in order to restore financial health of the company, it has formulated a Turnaround Plan on immediate basis which broadly includes optimizing production and sales volume, product-mix  enrichment  and  increasing  production  from  new  facilities,  operational efficiency  improvement  and  cost  reduction,  rationalizing  production  from  relatively inefficient  routes,  marketing  initiatives  for  improved  realization,  expenditure  control and capital expenditure prioritization.

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Import of Apples
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2502 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## IMPORT OF APPLES

## 2502. SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

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

- a) whether  the  Director-General  of  Foreign  Trade  has  notified  that  apples  can  be imported in India only through the Nhava Sheva port;
- b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- c) whether the move is likely to increase clearance time at Nhava Sheva port and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

वाणिज् य एवं उद्योग राज् य मंत्री )श्रीमती निममला सीतारमि((स्वतंत्र प्रभार ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a)  to  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  The  Directorate  General  of  Foreign  Trade,  vide  Notification    No. 21/2015  dated  14.9.2015,  has  notified  that  import  of  'Apples'  covered  under  EXIM  Code 0808 10 00 is allowed only through Nhava Sheva port.

The decision to channelize import of apples only through Nhava Sheva port was taken by the Government keeping in mind the interests of all stakeholders and sensitivities related to material handling, storage, quality, safety etc., involved particularly with respect to edible products. Apple is an important item in India's consumption basket on these considerations, and was imported through all ports irrespective of whether they were equipped with the basic facilities  etc.  to  address  these  concerns.  Apples  are  being  imported  in  large  quantities  into India  and  their  import  is  expected  to  grow  in  coming  years.    This  measure  was  taken  to address these concerns, factoring in their special handling/inspection requirements.

- (c): No inputs/complaints have been received in this regard.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2501 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Basic facilities and amenities for Tourists
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNPURIA

- Does not arise.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2501 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015 AGRAHAYANA 23, 1937 (SAKA)

## BASIC FACILITIES AND AMENITIES FOR TOURISTS

- +2501. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
- (a) the details of works undertaken to provide basic facilities 1 amenities to tourists visiting historical temples and monuments in the country during each of the last
- (b) the funds allocated, released and expenditure incurred for the said work during the said period, State/UT and monument-wise including Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi during the last five years;
- three years and the current year, State/UT and templelmonument-wise;
- (c) the details of the offered at Chauth Mata Mandir in Sawai
- (d) the funds allocated and spent by the Government in this regard during the last

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a)&(b) The Archaeological Survey of India is responsible for protection, conservation and maintenance of monuments, archaeological sites and remains in the country which have been declared as of national importance. Besides basic facilitieslamenities drinking water, toilet blocks facilities for physically challenged pathways, cultural notice boardslsignages , vehicle parking; cloak etc to the tourists visiting protected temples and monuments of national importance are the regular activities which the Archaeological Survey of India undertakes, as per need and resources. Further, improvement and upgradation of these public amenities is a continuous process. Information on the works undertaken during the last five years is collected. being
- (c)
- (d)
- Chauth Mata Mandir in Sawai Madhopur is not a centrally protected monument of Archaeological Survey of India:
- facilities   being Madhopur; and
- five years?
Lok Sabha Question No. 2497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Trade Zones in North East Region
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: NINONG ERING

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2497

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## TRADE ZONES IN NORTH EAST REGION

## 2497. SHRI NINONG ERING:

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

- a) whether the Government has set up any trade zones in North East region;
- b) if so, the details thereof;
- c) whether the Government is planning to boost trade activities in North Eastern States particularly in Arunachal Pradesh; and
4. d)
5. if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

वाणिज् य एवं उद्योग राज् य मंत्री )णीमीी स मलमा नीीारमि((स्वींत्र प्रभार )

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a)&(b)  While  the  specific  term  'trade  zone'  having  not  been  designated,  four  'Border Haats' on India-Bangladesh border are presently operational at Kalaichar and Balat in Meghalaya and Srinagar and Kamalasagar in Tripura. These 'Border Haats'  promote cross- border trade through the traditional system of marketing the neighbouring country across the land border. Government has also decided 'in principle'  to  set  up  13  Integrated  Check  Posts  (ICP)  to  facilitate  cross  border trade  under  an  integrated  complex.  Four(04)  of  these  ICPs  are  in  the  North
- of the local produce, by the people dwelling in remote  areas, to Eastern States of Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram.
- (c )&(d) Yes, Madam.  It has been a constant endeavour to boost trade activities in the North Eastern States.  Several central agencies are also involved in promoting trade activities in the North East.  India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) has organized East Himalayan Expo in Siliguri, West Bengal from December 5 to 13, 2015 to boost trade activities from the North Eastern States.

The  North  Eastern  Council  (NEC)  Shillong  has  provided  funding  for  two    projects namely    (i)  Construction  of  State  Emporium-cum-Artifacts  House  at  Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh and (ii) Establishment of Entrepreneurship Development Institute at Jote, Papum  Pare District in Arunachal Pradesh. These projects once implemented will promote  entrepreneurship and trade activities in Arunachal Pradesh. Spices Board through its two regional offices at Guwahati in Assam and Gangtok in Sikkim, implement various schemes for improving quality of the various spices grown in the North Eastern Region with a view to boost their export potential. Three Special Economic Zones have been approved by the SEZ Board in the North

Eastern Region, one in Imphal, Manipur and two in Nagaland.

APEDA  regularly  extends  financial  assistance  through  its  various  schemes  to exporters and State Government organisations in the North Eastern Region including Arunachal Pradesh.

******