opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2181 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Funds Allocated to Maharashtra
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: RAMDAS CHANDRABHANJI TADAS, SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE, RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS

## LOK   SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2181 ANSWERED ON 10 TH  MARCH, 2016

## FUNDS ALLOCATED TO MAHARASHTRA

2181.    SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS: SHRI SADASHIV LOKHANDE: PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD :

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of proposal received by the Government from State Government of Maharashtra and total funds sanctioned in regard to development of roads as on date;
- (b)  the  amount  provided  by  the  World  Bank,  Asian  Development  Bank  and  other  international financial  institutions  for  the  development  and  revamping  of  roads  in  the  country  particularly  in Maharashtra during the last three years; and
- (c) the actual expenditure incurred thereon State-wise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a)  For Sanction of works for development of roads in any state, an Annual Plan is formulated in consultation  with  State  Government.  In  addition  to  above  National  Highway  Authority  of  India (NHAI) also implements development of road projects based on the approval from Government under different phases of National Highway Development Project (NHDP).  For NHAI projects, sanction  is  issued  project  wise  and  not  year  wise.  For  State  of  Maharashtra,  Ministry  has sanctioned following amount under different schemes (excluding NHAI projects)
- (b) & (c)    The amount provided by the external agencies like World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other international financial institutions for the development and revamping of roads in the country is  provided project wise and not State wise. The details of funds allocated and expenditure incurred thereon under External Aided Projects (EAP) during the last three years are Rs. 918.50 crore & Rs. 759.532 crore respectively.  During the last 3  years, no externally aided  project  is  undertaken  in  the State of Maharashtra.

|   Sl. no | Name of Scheme   |   Sanctioned amount (Rs. in Crore) |
|----------|------------------|------------------------------------|
|        1 | NH(O)            |                             407.28 |
|        2 | NHDP-IV          |                            2244.2  |
|        3 | LWE              |                              11.78 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2180 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Complaint Book of Airlines
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2180 (To be answered on the March 2016)

## COMPLAINT BOOK OF AIRLINES

## 2180. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of non-availability of complaint books of certain airlines   including Air India at various airports in the  country including Delhi and Mumbai airports, if the details thereof;
- (c) if s0, the details thereof;
- (6) whether one has to lodge complaint with GMR Group (which is running these airports) in place of the Government;
- (d) whether the Government has madel proposes to make it mandatory for all the airlines including Air    India to make complaint books available at all the airports in the country; and
- (e) if s0, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry 0f CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

- (2) to (e): As per prevailing regulations, aggrieved passengers are required to lodge histher compiaint with the concerned airline or airport operator for redressal, For this purpose airline operators & airport operators are required to display the detaiis 0f their Nodal Officer and Appellate Authority in & conspicuous manner at areas 0f the airport indicating their names, contact number &nd email address; In case of non-redressal of the complaint, the complainant has the to take up the matter with DGCA at sugam dgca@nicin or with any other statutory body set up under relevant applicable laws for resolution: key option

..
Lok Sabha Question No. 2178 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Convergence of Schemes
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: MD. BADARIDDOZA KHAN, AJAY TAMTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2178

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2016

## CONVERGENCE OF SCHEMES

## 2178. SHRI MD. BADARUDDOZA KHAN : SHRI AJAY TAMTA:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Government proposes to discontinue the Indira Awaas Yojana or merge it wit the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana(Housing for all -RURAL), if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the time by which the new scheme is likely to be launched;
- (c) the  details  of  the  norms  for    identifying  eligible  beneficiaries  and  construc dwelling units under the new schemes;
- (d) whether  the  Government      is  aware  that  the  hilly  and  tribal  areas  are  likely difficulty in identifying eligib le beneficiaries as the norms are reportedly not compatibl with ground realities, if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government
- (e) whether the requirements of the hilly and tribal areas are/would be kept in mind finalizing or launching the scheme, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government has any proposal to integrate or converge all or some of existing rural development schemes into a single scheme, if so the details thereof action taken/being tak en in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

(a)to  (e )  : I n  pursuance  to  the  announcement  of  the  Government to  achieve  the  goal  of 'Housing  for  all'  by  2022 , the Ministry of Rural Development has drawn up a proposal, for restructuring the existing rural housing scheme into Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin cover all the houseless and households living in dilapidated houses in rural areas. The modalities are being worked out.

- (f) : No Madam.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2177 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Sambalpuri Handloom Textile
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2177 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.3.2016

## SAMBALPURI HANDLOOM TEXTILE

## 2177. DR. PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  patent  right  has  been  given  for  Sambalpuri  handloom textile;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  large  scale  duplication  of Sambalpuri clothes and sarees; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to prevent the duplication of Sambalpuri fabrics?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

वस्त्र राज  ् य मंरी ( स्त्वतंर प्रभार ) ( श्री संतोष कु मार गंगवार ) MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) to  (d): The  Sambalpuri Bandha sarees and fabrics have been registered under  Geographical  Indication  (GI).  No  specific  information  regarding duplication of Sambalpuri clothes & sarees have been   received. However awareness  is being created  among  the  handloom  weavers  to  use  the 'Handloom Mark' and 'Silk Mark' on their products to prevent duplication.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2174 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Transgenic Silkworms
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI, SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## TRANSGENIC SILKWORMS

## 2174.        SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR: KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has initiated multi-locational  field  trials  of  transgenic silkworms, resistant to diseases, to boost overall production of silk;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  for  the  first  time  the  Review  Committee  of  Genetic Manipulation  (RCGM)  has  given  permission  to  conduct  filed  trials  on  any  animal  or insect; and

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज  ् य मंरी ( स्त्वतंर प्रभार ) ( श्री संतोष कु मार गंगवार )

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Government has established Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India  for monitoring the safety related aspects in respect of on-going research projects and activities. RCGM has permitted Centre for DNA finger Printing and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad to conduct multi-locational field trials of transgenic silkworm in contained facilities on genetically engineered silkworm ( Bombyx mori ) resistant to Nuclear Polyhydrosis Virus developed using RNAi based techniques at four locations i.e three Research Institutes of Central Silk Board  viz., Central Sericultural  Research  and  Training  Institute,  Mysore  (Karnataka);  Central  Sericultural Research  and  Training  Institute,  Berhampore  (West  Bengal);  Central  Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Pampore (J&K) and Andhra Pradesh State Sericulture Research  and  Development  Institute  (APSSRDI),  Hindupur.    RCGM  has  directed  for rearing of the ruling hybrids CSR2 x CSR4, PMxCSR2, Nistari x (SK6 x SK7) & Nistari x NB4D2 along with transgenic hybrids in respective Institutes.  A Central Compliance Committee (CCC) has also been set up by RCGM to strictly monitor the field trials.

(c)  &  (d): Yes,  Madam.  This  is  the  first  time  in  India  that  RCGM  has  permitted  to conduct such trials on Silkworm, an insect. The RCGM examined the issue during the 114 th ,  116 th and  132 nd meetings  and  gave  permission  to  the  Centre  for  DNA  finger Printing and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad to conduct the multi-locational trial with silkworms in India to test the efficacy of the transgenic silkworm.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2173 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Use of Nylon 6 Fiber in NHs
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, SUDHEER GUPTA, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, VIJAY KUMAR S.R.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2173 ANSWERED ON 10 TH   MARCH, 2016

## USE OF NYLON 6 FIBER IN NHS

## 2173.  SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सडक़ परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has used Nylon 6 Fiber product on trial basis for strengthening of road in Godhra-Dahode and Ahmedabad-Vadodra Highway;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the results thereto;
- (c) whether the cost of projects is likely to increase after the use of said product and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the NHAI proposes to use Nylon 6 Fiber product in other projects also in   future;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for strengthening the roads for their longer life?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a)&(b) Yes Madam. NHAI has used Nylon 6 Fiber product on trial basis in Godhra-Dahod highway project. The project of Godhra to Dahod section of NH-59 under NHDP-III was started from 1 st March 2011 and completed on 25.09.2015.  The performance of Nylon 6 Fiber product is satisfactory in this project and is under observation for future time.

(c) Yes Madam.  The cost of project will likely to be increased as per report of the concessionaire. Detail is to be worked out as per the requirement.

(d)to(f)  There  is  no  proposal  to  use  Nylon  6  Fiber  product  in  other  projects  at  present,  as  the performance  is  under  observation.  Government  encourages  use  of  new  proven  technologies  in accordance with the provisions of the IRC manual.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2169 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Pollution from Thermal Plants
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK, YOGI ADITYANATH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2169 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2016

## POLLUTION FROM THERMAL PLANTS

†2169. SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK: SHRI YOGI ADITYA NATH:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to close the power generation units run by coal keeping in view of the pollution they create;
- (b) if so, the number of units closed during the last two years, State-wise;
- (c) the  status  of  pollution  reduced  by  closure  of  such  units  and  whether  any survey was conducted in this regard; and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if  not, the reasons therefor along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

- (a) & (b) : No,  Madam.  However,  Delhi  Pollution  Control  Committee  (DPCC),  in December, 2015, has issued directions that Badarpur Thermal  Power Plant should operate  only  one  unit  out  of  its  five  units  and  Rajghat  Thermal  Power  Plant  of Indraprastha  Power  Generation  Company  Limited    (IPGCL)  Delhi  shall  not  operate any of the two units till March, 2016 due to increasing pollution levels in Delhi.
- (c) & (d) : No  such  study/survey  has  been  made  by  Central  Pollution  Control Board. To control emissions from Thermal Power Plants, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change has notified revised emission standards for coal based thermal  power plants on 07.12.2015. The new standards are more stringent.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2167 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: New Funding Model for NHs
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR, K. KAMARAAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2167

ANSWERED ON 10 TH  MARCH, 2016

## NEW FUNDING MODEL FOR NHS

## 2167.   ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR: DR. K. KAMARAJ:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  introduced  a  new  funding  model  for  National  Highways (NHs) that are built and maintained by the State Government Agencies;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the State Governments thereto;
- (c) the percentage of funds to be provided by the Union Governments for stretches that are financially unviable;
- (d) whether the State Governments are allowed to float tenders for development of highways under built, operate and transfer scheme; and
- (e) if so, the guidelines issued by the Union Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) to (e) In order to encourage private sector participation through adequate incentives, a new Hybrid Annuity model has been approved by the Government for implementation of highway projects through Central as well as State Government Agencies. As per this model, 40% the Project Cost is to be provided by the Government as 'Construction Support' to the private developer during the construction period and the balance 60% as annuity payments over the concession period along with interest on outstanding amount to the concessionaire. After  sanction  of  the  proposal  by  the  Government,  bids  are  invited  by  the  Central/  State Government based on the cost of work as per Ministry's extant guidelines issued from time to time.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Waterways
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2162 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  MARCH, 2016

## WATERWAYS

## 2162. SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased to state:

## पोतप�रवहनमंत्

- (a) whether  the  detailed  development  action  plan  for  development  of  all  identified 106 waterways to be developed as National Waterways has been prepared;
- (b) if so, the details thereof with expected time-frame of completion of each project;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  carried  out  any  study  which  compares  use  of waterways as medium of transportation with Railways and road with respect to its cost effectiveness and effect on environment; and
- (d) if so, the details and the findings thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a)&(b): The National Waterways Bill, 2015 to declare 106 additional National Waterways has been passed by the LokSabha during the Winter Session, 2015 and is expected to be taken up for consideration by the RajyaSabha in the Budget Session, 2016.

The process for preparation of Techno-Economic Feasibility Studies/ Detailed Project Reports for the proposed 106 additional National Waterways has been  initiated.    An  action  plan  for  development  of  these  106  waterways  and expected time frame for the completion of projects on them would be prepared after completion  of  the  studies,  analysis  of  the  reports  submitted  and  availability  of resources.

(c)&(d):Based on the available information, some of the important benefits of Inland Water Transport (IWT) as compared to rail and road transportation are as under :

- (i)  Cost saving and fuel efficiency
- a)  1 Litre of fuel moves, 24 tonne - km on road, 95 tonne-km on rail and 215 tonne-km on IWT.
- b)   1 HP moves 150 kg. on road, 500 kg. on rail, and 4000 kg. on water.
- c)    The cost of transportation of 1 tonne-km by IWT is Rs. 0.78, by railways it is Rs.0.94 and by road it is Rs. 3.04.
- (ii)   Environmental  Benefits
- a)  Least fuel consumption per tonne - km by IWT.
- b)  Least CO2 emission as compared to other modes.
- c)  Least land requirement.
- d)  Comparatively safe mode for hazardous and over dimensional cargo.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Air Traffic
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2160 (To be answered on the

March 2016)

## AIR TRAFFIC

2160.

ADV. M, UDHAYAKUMAR

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Centre for Asia-Pacific Aviation (CAPA) in its latest report has warned the Government about very meagrel low investments vis-a-vis its requirement in the existing and upcoming airports;
- (b) if s0, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the report says that 40 % non-metro airports are already operating beyond capacity, if s0, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the said report has also pointed towards saturation in traffic at various airports in the near future, if the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto? SO,

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a): Centre for Asia-Pacific Aviation (CAPA) is an independent non governmental agency and it does not submit its reports to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

(b) to (d) : Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Import of Capital Goods for Power Generation
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: RODMAL NAGAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2159 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2016

## IMPORT OF CAPITAL GOODS FOR POWER GENERATION

2159.  SHRI NAGAR RODMAL:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has borrowed duty-free imports of capital goods for power  generation  and  transmission  projects  under  the  Export  Promotion  Capital Goods Scheme to push their domestic manufacturing;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has found cases of secondhand goods being imported and benefit claimed; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and action taken in this regard?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) & (b) : The  Directorate General  of Foreign  Trade  (DGFT)  has  issued an amendment Notification No.35/2015-2020 dated 29 th  January, 2016 in respect of Para 5.01(g) of Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 clarifying that import of any Capital Goods under Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme for generation/transmission of power is not permitted.

(c) : No case of second hand goods being imported and benefit claimed has been detected by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) during the last three years.

(d) : In view of (c) above does not arise.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Impact of Dams Constructed by China
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: RAM PRASAD SARMAH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES,

## RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2157

ANSWERED ON 10.03.2016

## IMPACT OF DAMS CONSTRUCTED BY CHINA

## 2157.       SHRI RAM PRASAD SARMAH

Will  the  Minister  of  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that construction of dams by China in upper Tibet area is causing  low  water  level  in  Brahmaputra  River  in  Assam  and  thus  affecting  the  environment badly;

(b) if so, the facts and details thereof;

(c) the action taken/to be taken by the Government in this regard; and

(d) the efforts made to maintain the water flow and save the species of Brahmaputra River?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION (PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

(a) to  (d)        Government  carefully  monitors  all  developments  on  the  Brahmaputra  River. According to reports, Zangmu hydroelectric project has been fully operationalised in October, 2015. The 'Outline of the 12 th Five Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China' indicates that three more hydropower projects on the main stem of the Brahmaputra River in Tibet Autonomous Region have been approved for implementation by  the  Chinese  Authorities.    These  four  projects  are  considered  to  be  run  of  the  River(RoR) hydro-electric projects.   As a lower riparian State with considerable established user rights to the waters  of  the  River,  India  has  conveyed  its  views  and  concerns  to  the  Chinese  Authorities, including at the highest levels of the Government of the People's Republic of China. India has urged China to ensure that the interests of downstream States are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas.

In 2006, the two sides established an India-China Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) on Trans-border  Rivers.  In  October,  2013,  the  two  Governments  signed  a  Memorandum  of Understanding  on  Strengthening  Cooperation  on  Trans-border  Rivers.  Subsequently,  the  Joint Statement  issued  during  the  visit  of  Hon'ble  Prime  Minister  of  India  to  China  in  May,  2015 states, 'The two sides will further strengthen cooperation through the Expert-Level Mechanisms, on the provision of flood season hydrological data and emergency management, and exchange views on other issues of mutual interest.

*****