opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1365 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Agreement by Petronet LNG with RasGas
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: G. HARI

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1365 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  MAY, 2016

## AGREEMENT BY PETRONET LNG WITH RASGAS

1365. SHRI G. HARI:

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री Will the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  Petronet  LNG  Limited  has  signed  a  revised  contract/agreement  with RasGas of Qatar and if so, the details thereof and the benefits likely to accrue to the country therefrom; and
- (b) whether the Petronet LNG Limited has negotiated with RasGas of Qatar to waive off penalties for breaking a long-term contract of LNG and if so, the details thereof and the response of RasGas thereto?

## ANSWER

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज्य मंत्री ( स्विंत्र प्रभार ) (श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान) MINISTER OF STATE(INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a)  Petronet LNG Limited (PLL) has signed a revised contract with RasGas of Qatar. Petronet LNG Limited has a 7.5 MMTPA FOB LNG supply agreement with RasGas, Qatar on long term basis for 25 years. The supply under this agreement commenced in  2004.    PLL  has  successfully  negotiated  the  revised  price  formula  for  the  said contract effective from 1 st January, 2016 thereby aligning prices with the world gas market.  Further, PLL has executed agreement for additional supply of 1.0 MMTPA of LNG from RasGas, Qatar for a period of about 12 years w.e.f. January 1, 2016 at the prevailing  market  prices.    Earlier  the  prices  during  2015  were  in  excess  of  USD 12/MMBtu.  The current price applicable under the contract works out to less than USD 5.00MMBtu based on prevailing crude prices.  This revision has led to making LNG cheaper for the end consumers.
- (b)  RasGas and Petronet LNG Limited agreed to reschedule the LNG quantity  not taken  by  Petronet  LNG  Limited  during  2015  to  a  future  period  and  RasGas  has agreed to waive the take or pay liability under the contract for the year 2015.
- ------------------------
Lok Sabha Question No. 1364 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: New Steel Policy
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: K. KAMARAAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1364

## FOR ANSWER ON 02/05/2016

## NEW STEEL POLICY

1364.  DR. K. KAMARAJ:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a huge gap between the demand and supply of steel resulting in greater dependence on import of steel in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  draft  a  new  National  Steel  Policy  to address the issue of future requirement and has constituted a sub-committee to look into the challenges being faced by the steel sector in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which the new policy is likely to be finalised?

## ANSWER

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

STEEL AND MINES

(a)&(b):  No,  Madam.  The  gap  between  domestic  demand  and  supply  of  steel  is represented  by  imports.  For  total  finished  steel,  imports  (11.71  million  tonnes) accounted  for  only  15%  of  domestic  consumption  (80.45  million  tonnes)  which implied that the major part was consumed from domestic production for sale (90.39 million tonnes).

(c)&(d):  Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Steel has initiated the process of formulating a revised National Steel Policy.

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1363 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Development of Border Trade Centre
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1363 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  MAY, 2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF BORDER TRADE CENTRE

## 1363. SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to develop a Border Trade Centre at Sutarkandi in Karimganj district of Assam;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken in this regard and the time by which the said Border Trade Centre at Sutarkandi is likely to be made fully operational;
- (c) whether the necessary funds for construction of additional facilities like dumping yard, truck parking area, fire fighting office, Police out -post and quarters for essential staff etc. have been released to the State Government; 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) The 1 st phase of the Border Trade Centre atSutarkandiin Karimganj District of Assam is fully functional.
- (c)& (d) Yes, additional facilities like dumping yard, truck parking area, firefighting office, Police out -post and quarters for essential staff etc. were completed in April, 2012 under phase -II of the project. Details of fund released by the State Government under State Component of ASIDE in Phase -II are as follows:

|   1. | Project cost                            | Rs.1747.00 lakh   |
|------|-----------------------------------------|-------------------|
|    2 | Fund approved in 2006 - 07 and released | Rs 588.00 lakh    |
|    3 | Fund approved in 2008 - 09 and released | R.1159.00 lakh    |
Lok Sabha Question No. 1362 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Grant of Market Access to European Union
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1362 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  MAY, 2016

## GRANT OF MARKET ACCESS TO EUROPEAN UNION 1362. SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

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

- (a) whether the Indian industry is ready to grant greater market access to European Union (EU) firms in areas such as automobiles, wines and spirits in return for gains in garments, automobiles, automobile components and services sector in a bid to end a deadlock on the proposed EU Free Trade Agreement;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has made any progress and has seen some forward movement in the FTA negotiations;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether EU has asked India to substantially bring down the high duties on automobiles as a pre -condition for resumption of the FTA negotiations and if so, the details and the present status 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)  to  (e):  The  India  -  European  Union  (EU)bilateral  Broad  based  Trade  and  Investment Agreement  (BTIA)  negotiations  are  underway  and  16  rounds  of  negotiations  have  been held so far. Recently, two rounds of stocktaking meetings have taken place on 18 th January, 2016 (in New Delhi) and 22 nd February, 2016 (in Brussels).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. 1361 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Access to Higher Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: JASVANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR, CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1361 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016

## Access to Higher Education

## †1361. SHRI JASVANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR: SHRI CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE:

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

(a) whether the Government is aware that only a small percentage of people are able to get higher education  after  primary  and  secondary  education  across  the  country  and  many  students  are  not able to get admission for higher studies despite their interest;

- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) the steps taken by the Government to facilitate admission in higher classes to all the willing students; and

(d) the progress made by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (d): The Government is committed to enlarging access with equity to higher education to all those  students  who  are  aspiring  for  it.  The  National  Policy  on  Education  1986,  as  modified  in 1992, provides for National System of Education implying that up to a given level, all students, irrespective of caste, creed, location or sex, have access to education of a comparable quality. As per  the  All  India  Survey  on  Higher  Education  (AISHE),  2014-15,  the  Gross  Enrolment  Ratio (GER) in Higher Education is 23.6% (in absolute numbers it is 33.3 million) and the goal is to reach 30% by 2020. Keeping in view the stated vision and goals of the Ministry, all efforts are continuously being made for facilitating admissions to institutions of higher learning.

Presently,  the  Government  is  in  the  process  of  framing  a  New  Education  Policy  for  which  it carried  out  nearly  a  year-long  consultation  process  across  33  themes,  with  all  stakeholders including  State  Governments,  autonomous  bodies  and  regulators.  Several  themes  in  Higher Education, such as, 'Bridging gender and social gaps', 'Addressing  regional disparity', 'Promoting  Open  and  Distance  Learning  and  online  courses',  'Opportunities  for  technology enabled learning', 'Sustaining student support system', ' Integrating skill development in higher education'  and    'Engagement  with  industry  to  link  education  to  employability'  are  aimed  at ensuring that an enabling environment is created for increasing opportunities for higher education to all eligible students from all sections of the society.

All the suggestions received through multiple stakeholders have been passed on to the 'Committee for Evolution of the New Education Policy'; constituted by the Govt. of India for drafting the New Education Policy (NEP).

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1359 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Infrastructure Opportunities for EPC Companies
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RAMCHARAN BOHARA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1359. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 2 ND  MAY, 2016.

## INFRASTRUCTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EPC COMPANIES

## 1359.  SHRI RAM CHARAN BOHRA:

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

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) whether  infrastructure  opportunities  have  been  increased  for  the  Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) companies in Iron and Steel and Cement industry during the last three years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the  step  taken  or  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure speedy  growth  of these industries/sectors?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The information relating  to increase in infrastructure opportunities for the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) companies in Iron and Steel and Cement industry is not being maintained by this Department
- (b) & (c): Question do not arise in view of (a) above.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1358 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Safety of Women Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1358 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016

## SAFETY OF WOMEN WORKERS

1358. SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  has  framed/proposes  to  frame  a  new model law that is likely to allow cinema halls, restaurants, shops, banks and other such workplaces to be open 24/7 and allowed to work 365 days in a year; and
- (b)if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  protective  measures taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  the  safety  of  the women, working at such places?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): The Government is in the process of finalizing draft Model Shop and Establishment Law with a view to bringing about uniformity in the legislative provisions, making it easier for all the States to adopt it.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1357 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: De-Addiction Programme
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1357 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016

## De-Addiction Programme

## †1357. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  include  de-addiction  programme  as  a  subject  for  the children and the youth in the New Education Policy;

- (b) if so, whether the Government has taken any step in this regard, till date;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (d): The Government is in the process of framing a New Education Policy (NEP) for which it has carried out year-long consultations on 33 identified themes across School and Higher Education. A 'Committee for Evolution of the New Education Policy' has been constituted by the Govt. of India for  drafting  the  New  Education  Policy  (NEP).  One  of  the  issues  being  considered  by  the Committee relates to the theme of eradication of alcohol and drug abuse also.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1355 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Social Audit of Mid-Day Meal Scheme
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1355 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016

## Social Audit of Mid-Day Meal Scheme

## 1355.   SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY:

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

- (a) whether the Government is planning to include class IX and X students under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme so as to encourage school attendance and reduce dropout rate;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not,the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  States  have  been  conducting  social  audit  of  the  Mid-Day  Meal Scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the measures taken/being taken by the Government for using social audits for the better implementation of the Scheme?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) & (b): No,  Madam.    However,  States  like  Andhra  Pradesh,  Karnataka,  Tamil  Nadu, Puducherry  and  Lakshadweep  are  providing  mid  day  meals  to  the  children  of classes IX and X from their own resources.
- (c): Social  audit  of  the  Mid  Day  Meal  Scheme  has  been  conducted  in  Andhra Pradesh,  Bihar,  Karnataka,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Maharashtra,  Odisha,  Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Nagaland.
- (d): The  findings  of  the  social  audit  are  shared  with  the  States  functionaries  in  a public hearing in presence of all the stakeholders and community members and corrective measures are taken.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1354 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Mahila Samakhya Plan
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BHAGWANTH KHUBA

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1354 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016

## Mahila Samakhya Plan

1354.   SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that the Mahila Samakhya Plan would lose its edge after merger; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (b):    No, Madam. Modalities for the merger of the Mahila Samakhya Scheme with 'National Rural Livelihood Mission' (NRLM) are still being worked out by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in consultation with Ministry of Rural Development.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1353 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Establishment of Industries
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA, HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1353. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 2 ND  MAY, 2016.

## ESTABLISHMENT OF INDUSTRIES

## 1353.  SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA: SHRI GODSE HEMANT TUKARAM:

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

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) the  details  of  the  assistance  provided  by  the  Government  for  establishing  new industries in Gujarat during the last three years, industry-wise;
- (b) whether there is any proposal pending for setting up of new industries in Gujarat;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which these industries are likely to be functional;
- (d) whether  the  Government  had  identified  any  places  to  establish  small  and  big Industries in Maharashtra during the 11th Five Year Plan; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): Establishment of industries in any State is a State subject. Department of Industrial  Policy  &  Promotion  (DIPP)  has  not  provided  any  financial assistance for establishment of new industries in Gujarat during the last three years. However, further details in this regard have been sought from the concerned Departments.
- (d) & (e): Shendra Bidkin Industrial Park, Aurangabad and Dighi Port Industrial Area have  been  identified  as  Investment  Region/Industrial  Areas  to  provide world class infrastructure under Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) Project  in  Maharashtra.  Further  details  in  this  regard  have  been  sought from the concerned Departments.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1350 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Import of Wheat
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1350 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  MAY, 2016

## IMPORT OF WHEAT

## 1350 (H). SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has imported wheat during the last three years;
- (b) if so, the total quantity and value of wheat imported during the said period, country -wise and year -wise; and
- (c) the reasons for importing wheat into the country during the said period?

## 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) The total quantity and value of wheat imported in the country during the last three years country-wise (top five) and year-wise is given as under:-

Quantity in MT/Value in USD

|           | 2013-14   | 2013-14   | 2014-15   | 2014-15   | 2015-16(APR TO FEB)*   | 2015-16(APR TO FEB)*   |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|------------------------|------------------------|
| COUNTRY   | Quantity  | Value     | Quantity  | Value     | Quantity               | Value                  |
| AUSTRALIA | 11,272    | 4,415,680 | 26,935    | 9,246,534 | 4,59,852               | 122,751,765            |
| FRANCE    |           |           |           |           | 52,500                 | 11,317,961             |
| MEXICO    |           |           | 2         | 400       |                        |                        |
| RUSSIA    |           |           |           |           | 1065                   | 286,783                |
| UKRAINE   |           |           | 2,556     | 704,437   |                        |                        |
| TOTAL     | 11,272    | 4,415,680 | 29,493    | 9,951,371 | 5,13,417               | 134,356,509            |

Source: DGCI&S / * Provisional

- (c ) The  import  and  export  of  agricultural  products  depends  on  various  factors including availability of surplus over and above the requirement of buffer stock including

strategic  reserve,  concerns  of  food  security,  diplomatic/humanitarian  considerations, international demand and supply situation, quality standards in the importing/exporting countries,  varieties  traded  and  price  competitiveness,  need  to  balance  between remunerative prices to the growers and availability of agricultural products to common man at affordable prices.  The Government takes into account the above factors before deciding on import or export of agricultural commodities.   However, no import has been made to the Government account during the year 2015-16.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1349 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Monopoly Rights of Distribution Companies
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1349 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2.5.2016

## MONOPOLY RIGHTS OF DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES

## 1349.  SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:

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

## isVªksfy;e vkSj izkd`frd xSl ea=h

(a) whether the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board proposes to end monopoly right of distribution companies with a view to reducing the cost for consumers and if so, the details

thereof;

(b) whether the gas distribution companies are seriously opposing this move and have sought declaration of the existing infrastructure as a common carrier and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps being taken by the Government to appease the distribution companies?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज्

(

श्ररी धमेन्द

र प्रधान

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a)  &  (b):  Petroleum  and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has webhosted the Public Notices  stating  its  intention  to  declare  a  number  of  existing  City  Gas  Distribution  (CGD) Networks  as  Common  Carriers  or  Contract  Carriers  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of Section 20 (1) of PNGRB Act, 2006 i.e. declaring, laying, building, etc. of common carrier or contract carrier and city or local natural gas distribution network. PNGRB has received various objections/suggestions/views from the stakeholders which are also webhosted on the PNGRB's website on 12.2.2016.

(c): City Gas Distribution entities are authorized by the PNGRB under the relevant provisions of PNGRB Act and regulations made thereunder.

*****

य मंत्ररी (स्

विंत्र प्राार