opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1353 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: New Law for Higher Educational Institutions
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ANANDRAO  ADSUL, SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV, DHARMENDRA YADAV, Shrirang Appa Barne, RANGASWAMY DHRUVANARAYANA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1353 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2016

## New Law for Higher Educational Institutions

1353. SHRI	ANANDRAO	ADSUL: SHRI	SANJAY	HARIBHAU	JADHAV: SHRI	DHARMENDRA	YADAV: SHRI	SHRIRANG	APPA	BARNE: SHRI	R.	DHRUVA	NARAYANA:

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

(a)	 whether	 the	 Government	 proposes	 to	 enact	 a	 new	 law	 to	 bring	 higher educational	institutions	of	the	country	on	par	with	international	standards;

(b)	if	so,	the	details	thereof	along	with	the	present	status	of	the	said	proposal;

(c)	 whether	the	Government	has	invited	suggestions	of	various	organisations	and experts	in	this	regard;	and

(d)	if	so,	the	details	thereof	along	with	the	salient	features	of	the	proposed	new	law along	with	the	ways	in	which	the	said	regulation	is	expected	to	improve	the	quality of	higher	education	in	the	country?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

(a)	 to	 (d)	 	 Consequent	 upon	 the	 announcement	 in	 the	 budget	 speech,	 2016-17,	 a regulatory	 architecture	 for	 enabling	 ten	 public	 and	 ten	 private	 institutions	 to emerge	as	World-Class	Teaching	and	Research	Institutions	is	being	worked	out.

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1349 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Granting Extra Marks in 12th Board Exams
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1349 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2016

Granting Extra Marks in 12th Board Exams

## 1349. SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO: DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT: DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN: SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK: SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  many  State  Boards  are  granting  extra marks  in  12th  Board  exams  in  the  name  of  standardisation  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b)  whether  such  practice  is  disadvantageous  for  the  Central  Board  of  Secondary Education (CBSE) students and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether CBSE is also indulges in inflating 12th Class marks to compete with other Boards and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether CBSE has contacted the Government and the Council of Boards of School Education in India to intervene in the matter of growing competition among various Boards in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto ?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

- (a)  and  (b):  The  State  Boards  follow  their  own  evaluation  system  and  Central Government has no role in process. As far as Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)  is  concerned,  it  adopts  moderation  policy,  inter-alia,  to  bring  uniformity  in evaluation process, to bring parity due to element of subjectivity in evaluation, to level up mean achievements due to difference in difficulty level of different sets of question papers, and to maintain parity of pass percentage of candidates across years and to compensate  the  candidates  for  difficulties  experienced  in  solving  the  question  in specified time.
- (c) and (d): No, Madam.
- (e): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Bal Sansad
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1347 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  July, 2016

## Bal Sansad

## 1347. DR. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU

:

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

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Government  is  proposing  to  launch  Bal  Sansad  or Children's Parliament across the country in the similar kind of model being run in Jharkhand  so  as  to  help  children  imbibe  knowledge  outside  textbooks  and classroom;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which the said programme is likely to be launched?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) to (c): The Central Government is working on a programme, namely, 'Bal Sansad' or 'Children's Parliament' to develop life skills in children, i.e. planning, problem solving, leadership,  ownership,  decision  making, participation  of  children  in  all  activities  and management  of  the  school  and  making  school  a  fun-filled,  joyful,  and  safe  learning environment. Once finalized, the guidelines will be shared with the States/UTs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1345 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Empanelling of Hospitals for Referral Treatment
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: N.K. PREMACHANDRAN

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1345 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2016

## EMPANELLING OF HOSPITALS FOR REFERRAL TREATMENT

## 1345. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  stop  the  empanelling  of hospitals  for  providing  referral  treatment  facility  to  the  insured persons  by  establishing  hi-tech  super  speciality  hospitals  under ESIC;
- (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)the  details  of  hospitals  empanelled  in  various  States  across  the country  and  the  amount  released  to  each  hospital  for  referral
- treatment during  the  last  three  years,  hospital-wise  and  State/UTwise including Kerala; and
- (d)the  details  of  hospitals  and  the  bills  pending  with  the  authorities and released to the hospitals in the empanelled hospitals during the said period, State/UT-wise including Kerala?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): In  view  of  the  fact  that  large  amount  of  expenditure  is being  incurred  on  Super  Speciality  Treatment  through  outsourcing, The Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Corporation, in its 167 th  meeting of ESI Corporation, has decided to establish Super Speciality/Speciality  facilities  in  various  hospitals  through  In-House Development or Public Private Partnership mode.  At present there is no  proposal  to  stop  empanelment  of  hospitals  for  providing  referral treatment.
- (c) & (d): The information is being collected and will be laid on the table of House.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1344 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Lower Salaries in Gems and Jewellery Sector
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1344

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25TH JULY, 2016

## LOWER SALARIES IN GEMS AND JEWELLERY SECTOR

## 1344 SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that lower average salaries in Indian gems and Jewellery sector compared to other manufacturing areas has led to acute shortage of labour in jewellery sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  bring  in  reforms  in      gems  and jewellery sector for the benefits of the workers;
- (d) if so, the details in this regard and the action taken thereon; and
- (e) the  other  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  boost  the  gems  and jewellery sector in the country?

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## ANSWER (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

- (a)  &  (b):  Sector  wise  details  of  average  salaries  is  not  collected  centrally.  As  per Quarterly  Quick  Employment  Survey  (QES)  conducted  by  Labour  Bureau,  in  selected labour intensive and export-oriented sectors there has been a decline during January, 2014 - December, 2015 of about 8,000 jobs in gems and jewellery sector.
- (c)  to  (e):  The  Director  General  of  Foreign  Trade  has  various  schemes  to  promote exports  of  gems  and  jewellery  like  advance  procurement/  replenishment  of  precious metals from Nominated Agencies, Replenishment Authorization for gems, Replenishment Authorization for Consumables and Advance Authorization for precious metals.

Further,  a  new  Scheme  'Pradhan  Mantri  Rojgar  Protsahan  Yojana'  has  been announced  in  the  Budget  for  2016-17  with  the  objective  of  promoting  employment generation and an allocation of Rs. 1000 crores has been made. The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in 2016-17. Under the scheme employers including those in gems and jewellery sector would be provided an incentive for  enhancing  employment by reimbursement of the 8.33% EPS contribution made by the employer in respect of new employment.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Anomalies in Salary of Teachers
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1343 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  JULY, 2016

## Anomalies in Salary of Teachers

†1343.  SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  there  are  anomalies  in  the  salary  of teachers working in various universities of higher education; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether the Universities are showing negligence in regularizing all the National Eligibility  Test  (NET)  qualified  and  PhD.  degree  holder  teachers  and  giving  their details online; (d) if so, the policy of the Government to safeguard interest of such teachers; and (e) the strategy of the Government to improve the standard of higher education in

- National Education Policy in this direction?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

(a) & (b): The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that it has framed the  Regulations  on  Minimum  qualifications  for  appointment  of  teachers  and  other academic  staff  in  universities  and  colleges  and  measure  for  the  maintenance  of standards in Higher Education, 2010 which have been notified in the Gazette of India dated 18 th  September, 2010. These regulations prescribe a Scheme of pay of teachers in Universities and Colleges funded and maintained by the UGC. The State can adopt these pay scales for teachers of State Universities under the Scheme 'Improvement in salary of University/college teachers'. The UGC constituted Pay Review Committee on 9 th June,  2016, in which one of the Terms of References is to look into the cases of anomalies,  if  any,  in  the  matter  of  pay  structure  and/or  career  advancement opportunities for any categories of academic staff, consequent on revision of pay scales based on the recommendations of the preceding Pay Review Committee and to suggest remedial measures.

(c)  &  (d):  The  UGC  Regulations, 2010, as amended from time to time prescribe the qualifications, eligibility  conditions  and  process  for  appointments  of  teachers  in Universities  and  Colleges.  Appointment  of  teachers  in  Universities  and  Colleges  is initiated and processed by the concerned University/College.

(e): The National Education Policy is under deliberation.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1341 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Gems and Jewellery Industry
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SULTAN  AHMED

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1341 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  JULY, 2016

## GEMS AND JEWELLERY INDUSTRY

## 1341. SHRI SULTAN AHMED:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken/ proposes to take measures to strengthen the Gems & Jewellery Industry in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the contribution of this sector to current GDP, employment and exports from the country; and
- (d) the  measures taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to make this industry more competitive and employment oriented?

## ANSWER

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

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

- (a) & (b)    With a view to strengthen the Gems & Jewellery industry in the country, the  Government  has  taken  a  number  of  steps  such  as  establishment  of  Special Notified  Zone  (SNZ);  announcement  of  separate  ITC  HS  Code  for  lab-grown diamonds;  introduction  of  Gold  Monetisation  Scheme;  amendment  of  wastage  and value addition norms for gems and jewellery items; approved scheme for setting up of  Common  Facility  Centres  for  gem  and  jewellery  sector;  and  providing  financial assistance  for  participation  in  international  fairs,  organizing  buyer-seller  meets  etc. under  Market  Development  Assistance  (MDA)  and  Market  Access  Initiative  (MAI) Schemes of the Department of Commerce to boost the industry.
- (c)            The  share  of  Gem  and  Jewellery  Sector is about 6-7% in India's GDP and 15.05%  in  the  country's  total  merchandise  exports.  The  sector  currently  employs more than 4.64 Million employees.
- (d) The  measures  taken  by the Government  to  make  this industry  more competitive and employment oriented have already been mentioned in Part (a) & (b) of the answer.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1340 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Cooking Gas for Mid-Day Meal Scheme
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1340 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2016

## Cooking Gas for Mid-Day Meal Scheme

## †1340. SHRI SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to allocate additional funds to the States for cooking gas  connections  to  schools  in  all  the  States  including  Rajasthan  under  Mid-Day  Meal scheme;
- (b) if so, the time by which the funds are likely to be allocated; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

- (a): No, Madam.
- (b): Does not arise.
- (c): Guidelines of the Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) do not provide for separate financial assistance for cooking gas connection.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1339 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Ban on Foreign Trade
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SHARAD TRIPATHI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1339(H)

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  JULY, 2016

## BAN ON FOREIGN TRADE

## 1339(H). SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  imposed  a  ban  on  foreign  trade  of  many  items  including sugar, milk, pulses and other agro products;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to lift complete ban on export of sugar, milk, pulses and the quantity-related ban, if any, and also review export-import policy; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

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

- (a) & (b): As on date, barring restrictions  on export of pulses and edible oils, there is no ban on export of agricultural commodities including sugar, milk and their value added products. The export policies of pulses and edible oils are given in following Notifications available on the  DGFT  website  (http://dgft.gov.in/)  under  the  icon  'Notification'  and  'ITC(HS)  Based Export Policy':

## Pulses:

- (i) Notification No. 78(RE-2013)/2009-2014 dated 31.03.2014
- (ii) Notification No. 40 dated 15.02.2016
- (iii) Note 3 of Chapter 7 of Schedule 2 of ITC (HS) Classification of Export & Import  Items  regarding  export  of  pulses  to  Sri  Lanka  executed  under  specific permission.

## Edible Oils

- (i) Notification No. 24(RE-2012)/2009-2014 dated 19.10.2012
- (ii) Notification No. 31(RE-2012)/2009-2014 dated 04.02.2013
- (iii) Notification No. 17/ 2015-20 dated 06.08.2015

Further, there is no ban on import of agricultural commodities and their value added products  except  import  of  milk  and  milk  products  from  China.  The  export  and  import  of

Agricultural commodities including milk, sugar and pulses are, however, subject to certain conditions regarding sanitary and phyto- sanitary requirements as well as subject to any other Law for the time being in force.

(c)  to  (d):  Export  and  Import  policies  of  various  commodities  including  Agricultural commodities  are reviewed by the Government from time to time in consultation with Nodal Ministries / Departments  keeping in view the availability of the products, their prices in the domestic  and international market and various other factors and need based policy decisions are taken from time to time in this regard.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1337 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Impact of MNC on MSME
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: RAKESH SINGH, KIRIT SOMAIYA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1337 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2016

## IMPACT OF MNC ON MSME

## 1337.   SHRI RAKESH SINGH: DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  due  to  competition  from  big  Indian companies and Multi National Companies(MNCs) the MSME units in the country are facing severe threat and many of the units have already been closed down;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  number  of  MSME  units  which  have  been closed  down  during  each  of  the  last  three  years  and  current  year  along  with  the  reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps beings taken by the Government to promote and protect such MSMEs from big Indian companies and MNCs?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b): The survival and growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is  confronted with a number of challenges like availability of timely credit, upgradation of technology,  infrastructure,  access  to  market  etc.  Competition  from  internal  and  external sources  is  also  a  challenge.    Information  on  closure  among  MSMEs  is  collected  through conduct of periodic Census of Registered Sector. As per the last MSMEs Census (Fourth) data collected with reference to base year 2006-07, a number of closed MSMEs in Registered Sector is 4.96 lakh. The reasons of closure of MSMEs are varied and range from inadequate access to capital, technology & markets, inability to survive competition and financial nonviability due to changing business environment. Information of closed MSMEs revived are not centrally maintained.

(c): The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has been implementing various schemes and programmes for promotion, upgradation and development of MSMEs. The  major  schemes  /  programmes  include  Prime  Minister's  Employment  Generation Programme  (PMEGP),  Credit  Guarantee  Scheme,  Credit  Linked  Capital  Subsidy  Scheme (CLCSS), National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme, Cluster Development Programme,  Marketing      Development      Assistance,  Skill      Development      Programme, International  Cooperation  Scheme  and  Public  Procurement  Policy  for  Micro  and  Small Enterprises (MSEs) etc. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Act, 2006 also has the provision to protect MSEs against delayed payments by the buyers for the goods and services rendered by MSEs.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1336 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Free Trade Agreements
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SRINIVAS KESINENI, (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1336 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  JULY, 2016

## FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS

## 1336. SHRI KESINENI NANI: ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  spread  awareness  amongst  the  business community  about  Free  Trade  Agreements  (FTAs)  and  the  possible  benefits  to  them  in order to boost trade;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether a number of agricultural products are being imported into the country by utilising provisions of these FTAs;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to support farmers in distress due to FTAs and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

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

- (a)&(b): With a view to effectively disseminate information on the Free Trade Agreements(FTAs) signed by India as well as to feed into the process of review of these FTAs,  the Department of Commerce  regularly conducts FTA  outreach programmes across the country. Ten outreach programmes, were conducted in 201314 and nine outreach programmes in 2014-15 at different location of the country. The participants in these outreach programmes were primarily exporters and importers in that region. The focus of these outreaches was on the major FTAs signed by India, namely the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement; the Comprehensive Economic Partnership  Agreements  (CEPA)  with  Japan  and  Korea  and  the  Comprehensive Economic  Cooperation  Agreement  (CECA)  with  Malaysia.  The  FTA  outreach exercise was continued during 2015-16 with the focus on around 34 industrial clusters

so as to provide the requisite information to the smaller and medium enterprises on the opportunities that could be availed under the FTAs.

- (c) to (e):  In order to protect the interests of agriculture sector, the agreements provide for maintaining sensitive/negative lists of items on which limited or no tariff concessions are  granted  under  the  FTA.  The  Government  has  largely  adopted  a  conservative policy on agricultural products by maintaining a large number of them in the negative list  of  FTAs.  In  this  context,  inputs  are  obtained  from  stakeholders  including administrative ministries. The government remains open to considering any specific issues concerning the agricultural sector including producers.

***