opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1853 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: New Body for International Pacts
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1853 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

NEW BODY FOR INTERNATIONAL PACTS

1853. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether a Parliamentary Panel has proposed for a new body to formulate international pacts;

- (b) if so, the details in this regard; and
- (c) the reaction of the Government thereto?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) There  is  no  proposal  for  the  creation  of  a  new  body  to formulate international pacts.

- (b) & (c) Do not arise.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1852 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Allocation of Funds
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1852 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## ALLOCATION OF FUNDS

## †1852.   SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  amount  allocated  for  speedy  implementation  of  railway projects during 2015-16;
- (b)    the number of work orders issued so far along with the present status of the remaining work, project-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  undertake  doubling  and electrification of railway line between Rewari and Sadulpur; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a):   An outlay of ` 36,309 Crore has been provided for new line, gauge conversion and doubling projects during 2015-16.
- (b):   In a Railway project, work orders of different types and values of various activities/components of a project are issued by various units at  different  levels  within  Zonal  Railway.  No  centralized  record  is maintained  in  this  regard.  Details  of  all  projects  with  respect  to

sanctioned cost, expenditure upto 31.03.2015, revised outlay for 201516  &  proposed  outlay  for  2016-17  are  given  in  Pink  Book  presented alongwith Railway Budget 2016-17 in the House on 25.02.2016 and is also available on website of Ministry of Railways (i.e. www.indianrailways.gov.in).

(c)  &  (d):      At  present,  doubling/electrification  of  Rewari-Sadulpur section is not under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1850 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Railway Junction
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1850 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## RAILWAY JUNCTION

## 1850. SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the criteria laid down for declaring a railway station as Railway 'junction';
- (b) the details of the stations declared as 'junction' in the country, State-wise; and
- (c) the  details  of  the  stations  to  be  declared  as  'junction'  in  near future?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a)  to  (c):  Junction  is  a  station  where  two  or  more  than  two  routes meet.  Railways do not have a system of declaring junction stations and compiling figures thereof.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1849 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Chinese Support to Pakistan
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1849 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## CHINESE SUPPORT TO PAKISTAN

## † 1849. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  Chinese  assistance  to Pakistan;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reaction  of  the  Government thereto; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) to (c) Government is aware of China's assistance to Pakistan  for various hydroelectric & nuclear projects, highways, motorways, ports, export  processing  zones  and  economic  corridors  in  Pakistan.  China also provides  defence  assistance  to  Pakistan, including training, defence equipment and technology.

China is assisting Pakistan in the development of the so-called 'China-Pakistan  Economic  Corridor  (CPEC)'.  Some  of  the  proposed projects under CPEC are in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Government's consistent position is that  Pakistan  has  been  in  illegal occupation  of  parts  of  the  Indian  state  of  Jammu  &  Kashmir  since 1947. Government has conveyed to the Chinese side, including at the highest level, its concerns about their activities in PoK and asked them to cease these activities.

Government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a  bearing  on  India's  security  and  takes  all  necessary  measures  to safeguard it.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1848 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Science Parks
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1848 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9/03/2016

## SCIENCE PARKS

## †1848. SHRI KIRTI AZAD:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ A´ÉÆ |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to set up science parks in the country especially in Bihar; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the budget estimates prepared for setting up of new parks and the amount spent so far in this regard

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ A´ÉÆ |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ +ÉÉè® {Éßl´ÉÉÒ ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ (bÉ. c­ÉÇ ´ÉvÉÇxÉ)

(a) & (b):  The Ministry of Science and Technology does not have a scheme on Science Parks. However, National Council of Science Museums (NCSM )  under the Ministry of Culture sets up Science Parks, which is not a separate scheme but  is an integral part of science museums, science centres and science cities. NCSM has initiated setting up of a Sub-Regional Science Centre at Gaya in the State of Bihar at a cost of ₹.5.00 crores, which will also have a science park as a facility.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1847 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Allotment of Houses
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1847

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 09, 2016 ALLOTMENT OF HOUSES

No. 1847

SHRI GODSE HEMANT TUKARAM:

Will  the  Minister  OF  URBAN  DEVELOPMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry and Delhi Development Authority (DDA)  allot  flats/houses  to  societies,  NGOs,  Trusts, Welfare Association, social Workers & Press reporters
- etc.;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  requests  received  through  Prime Minister  Office  and  from  various  societies,  Welfare Association,  NGOs,  Trusts,  Social  Workers  and  Press Reporters etc. during each of the last three years and the current year so far;
- (c) the  details  of  flats  allotted  to  these  organisations
- during the above period, organization and year-wise;
- (d) the details of the above requests that are still pending
- and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the time by which the pending requests are likely to be cleared?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) :  No,  Madam.  Delhi  Development  Authority  (DDA)  has
- informed that flats are allotted through computerized draw of lots under the housing schemes launched from time to time. The only reserved categories under such housing schemes are SC/ST, war-widows, ex-servicemen & persons with disabilities.
- (b) to (e): Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1845 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Remittance by NRIs
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: C.R. CHAUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1845 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## REMITTANCE BY NRIs

† 1845. SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether India holds first position in the world with regard to transfer of funds to the country by the Indians working abroad;
- (b)     if so, the details of the fund remitted by the NRIs during the last two years; and
- (c) the details of steps taken/proposed to be taken to further encourage NRI remittances?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) Yes.   According to the World Bank Migration and Remittances Factbook, 2016, India is the top recipient of remittances in the world for the year 2015.
- (b) As per information received from the Reserve Bank of India, the amount of Remittances (i.e., private transfers) to India in last two years is as under:
- (c) Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion formulates FDI policy across various  sectors,  including  investments  from  Non  Resident  Indians  (NRIs).  FDI policy covers remittances for investment in various sectors. As per information received from DIPP to facilitate investment by  Non Resident Indians /Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) extant FDI policy was amended in November 2015 to provide following:
- a)   Investment  made  by  NRIs,  PIOs  and  OCIs  under  Schedule  4  of  FEMA (Transfer  or  Issue  of  Security  by  Persons  Resident  Outside  India) Regulations on non-repatriation basis is deemed  to  be domestic investment at par with the investment made by residents.
- b)  The special dispensation of NRIs is also available to companies, trusts and  partnership  firms,  which  are  incorporated  outside  India  and  are owned and controlled by NRIs.
- c)  NRIs have special dispensation for investment in Construction development and Civil Aviation sector.

| Year    |   Amount (US $ Billion) |
|---------|-------------------------|
| 2013-14 |                    69.6 |
| 2014-15 |                    69.8 |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1844 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Inconvenience to Commuters
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1844

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 9 ,  2016

## INCONVENIENCE TO COMMUTERS

No. 1844    SHRIMATI  RANJANBEN BHATT:

Will  the  Minister  of  URBAN  DEVELOPMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether  the  passengers/  commuters  face  inconvenience  due
- to long queues at security checks at various metro stations;
- (b) if  so,  whether the Government proposes to take any steps to provide relief to commuters;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  time  by  which  a
- decision is likely to be taken; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE OF IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) :  No  such  cases  have  been  reported  in  any  of  the  operational metro rail projects. However, during peak hours, long queues at security  checks  are  observed  at  few  terminals  or  interchange stations of Delhi Metro only.

(b)to(d):  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has informed   that they have  provided  additional  Door  Frame  Metal  Detector  (DFMD)  at  50 stations.

*****

## F.No. H-11016/04/2016-MRTS-Coord Government of India Ministry of Urban Development (MRTS-Cell)

Subject: Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1844 for 9 th  March,   2016 regarding Inconvenience to Commuters by Shrimati Ranjanben Bhatt.

PUC is on the above cited subject. The text of the question is as under:

- (a) whether the passengers/ commuters face inconvenience due to long queues at security checks at various metro stations;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  any  steps  to provide relief to commuters;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which a decision is likely to be taken; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?
2. The  question mentioned  in Para-1 is due  for  answer  on 09.03.2016.  The reply of the question has been attempted and placed below for the kind approval please.

US (MRTS-Coord)
Lok Sabha Question No. 1843 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: New Broad Gauge Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1843 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## NEW BROAD GUAGE RAILWAY LINE

## 1843. SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  matter  of  the  new  broad  gauge  railway  line  from Nalgonda  to  Macherla  is  pending  with  the  Railways  for  approval  and allocation  of  sufficient  funds  for  taking  up  the  project  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Railways  are  planning  to  discard  this project and if so, the details thereof and  the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether the Railways has taken any decision in this regard and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (c)   Macherla-Nalgonda (92 Km.) new  line project was taken up at an anticipated cost of ` 815 crores.  At the stage of Final Location Survey, issue of change of alignment was raised by public representatives and the State Government but in the meantime, a bankability study was conducted by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited and it was found that the project is  financially  unviable  and  can  neither  be  implemented  through  Special Purpose  Vehicle  route  nor  through  Public  Private  Partnership  mode.  As such, the project could not be taken forward.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1842 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Tram-Way Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAJESH PANDEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1842 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## TRAM-WAY PROJECT

## 1842.    SHRI RAJESH PANDEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  tram-way  project  at  Khushinagar  railway  station  is pending with the Government and if so, the details thereof ;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  fixed  any  time  frame  for  the same; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  :  There  is  no  railway  station  by  the  name  of  Khushinagar  on Indian  Railways  and  there  is  no  proposal  for  Tram-way  Project  at Khushinagar town of Uttar Pradesh pending with the Ministry.
- (b) & (c) : Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1841 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: New Route for Mansarovar
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: JAYSHREEBEN  PATEL

`

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1841 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## NEW ROUTE FOR MANSAROVAR

## † 1841. SHRIMATI JAYSHREEBEN PATEL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  countries  which  are  participating  in  Mansarovar  pilgrimage traditionally during the last three years;
- (b) whether the new route for the pilgrimage has since been opened and become operational;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof and the number of pilgrims expected to be benefitted every year from the new route; and
- (d) the arrangements made by the Government to facilitate the smooth passage of pilgrims via the new route?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) Ministry of External Affairs organizes the Kailash  Manasarovar Yatra in cooperation with the State Governments of Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Sikkim along with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (KMVN), and  Sikkim  Tourism  Development  Cooperation  (STDC)  make  logistical  arrangements including accommodation, food, and transport on the Indian side for the Yatra. Since 1981  the  Yatra  is  organized  in  cooperation  with  the  Government  of  China  which provides logistical facilities on the Tibet side.
- (b) A new route via Nathu La Pass in Sikkim has become operational in 2015.
- (c) In 2015 a total of 216 Yatris had travelled in five batches on the new route via Nathu La for this Yatra. This year 7 batches are planned of 50 Yatris each.
- (d) Government of India takes various steps to facilitate the Yatra which include a dedicated  website  to  further  simplify  and  expedite  the  registration  and  selection process,  communication  with  Yatris,  and  a  helpline  based  on  Interactive  Voice Response  System  which  provides  information  in  Hindi  and  English  to  the  Yatris. Medical  tests  are  also  conducted  for  Yatris  to  ensure  their  fitness  for  high  altitude endurance. Provision for air-lift of Yatris by helicopter is also available in coordination with concerned agencies in case of emergency.  One Liaison Officer is appointed for each  batch.  The  Liaison  Officer  stays  in  touch  with  Indian  and  Chinese  authorities concerned and seeks assistance in  case  of  any  emergency  for  the  safety  and  wellbeing  of  Yatris.  The  Indo-Tibetan  Border  Police  (ITBP)  provides  security  cover  and basic  medical  assistance  to  Yatris  on  the  Indian  side.  Facilities  are  upgraded  on  a continuous basis along the entire route of the Yatra.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 154 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Sugar Policy
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU, KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 154

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08 TH  MARCH, 2016

## SUGAR POLICY

- *154. DR. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU: SHRI KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO:

Will  the  Minister  of  CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD  AND  PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether  the  Government is  planning  to  review  and  reformulate  its policy on sugarcane, sugar and its by-products as the current policy puts the  burden  solely  on  the  sugar  mills  which  is  both  unreasonable  and unaffordable leading to mounting cane arrears of the farmers;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c)   whether  the  millers  are  suffering  huge  losses  due  to  heavy  taxes and  non-availability  of  sugarcane  due  to  decline  in  its  production  on account of mounting arrears; and
- (d)   if  so,  the  details thereof along with the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAM  VILAS PASWAN)

- (a): No, Madam.
- (b): Does not arise.
- (c): No, Madam.
- (d): Does not arise.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 150 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Food Processing
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: RAJENDRA AGRAWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.*150

ANSWERED ON 8 TH  MARCH, 2016

## FOOD PROCESSING

## *150. SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  contribution  of  the  Food  Processing  Sector  (FPS)  to  the  Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is rising over the years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year;
- (c) whether any target has  been set to create employment opportunities  in the  Food Processing Sector and increase its share in GDP;  and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to achieve the said targets?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI )

- (a)  to (d):     A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *150  FOR  ANSWER  ON  8 TH   MARCH,  2016 REGARDING FOOD PROCESSING

(a)& (b): As per the information provided by Central Statistics Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the percentage share of Gross Value Added (GVA) from food processing in total GVA at current prices is as follows:

| Year    |   Share of GVA from Food Processing Industries (%) |
|---------|----------------------------------------------------|
| 2011-12 |                                               1.81 |
| 2012-13 |                                               1.54 |
| 2013-14 |                                               1.44 |
| 2014-15 |                                               1.43 |

(c) & (d): To  create  employment  opportunities  in  the  food  processing  sector  and increase  its  share  in  GDP,  the  Ministry  of  Food Processing  Industries  is implementing Schemes of Mega Food Parks, Cold Chain, Value Addition and  Preservation  Infrastructure,  Setting  up/  Modernization  of  Abattoirs and Strengthening of Institutions.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 143 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Overseas Petrochemicals Complex
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICALS & PETROCHEMICALS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 143

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.03.2016

## OVERSEAS PETROCHEMICALS COMPLEX

## 143.  SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- a)  the progress made so far in setting up of chemical and petrochemical complex in overseas countries, along with the benefits reaped so far;
- b) whether  the  Government  also  proposes  to  set  up  a  natural  gas-based petroleum  plant-cum-petrochemicals  complex  in  Iran  as  part  of  reverse  SEZ and if so, the details thereof;
- c) whether the  Government  has plans  to  set  up  similar  plants  in  other  oil-rich countries and if so, the details thereof; and
- d) the benefits now likely to accrue to the country as a result thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI ANANTH KUMAR)

(a) to (d) The non availability of feedstock and natural gas, which has affected the  growth  of  chemicals  and  petrochemical  sector in India,  has necessitated exploration of opportunities by the government for investing in feedstock  rich countries. Further value addition  and employment generation is envisaged by importing these  intermediate basic  chemicals  in  India.  India  has  expressed  interest  in  setting  up chemical and petrochemical industries through Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at  Chabahar Free Trade Zone (FTZ)  in Iran provided that rich gas at competitive price is offered by Iran on long term basis. Iran has also been requested for allocation of adequate land for the Indian SEZ and identification of joint venture partners.

*****