opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 101 (STARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: SEZ Policy
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: K. KAMARAAJ

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 101 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  MAY, 2016

## SEZ POLICY

## *101. DR. K. KAMARAJ:

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

- (a) the salient features of the current Special Economic Zones (SEZ) policy;
- (b) whether shortcomings have been reported in the said policy, resulting in huge revenue losses to the Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to review SEZ policy including amendments in the relevant law and/or procedure thereon; and
- (d) 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  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. 101 FOR ANSWER ON 02 nd  MAY, 2016 REGARDING 'SEZ POLICY'

(a): The  Special  Economic  Zones  (SEZs)  policy  was  launched  in  April,  2000.    The  Special Economic Zones Act, 2005, was passed by Parliament in May, 2005 which received Presidential assent on the 23rd of June, 2005.  The SEZs Rules, 2006 came into effect on 10th February, 2006. The salient features of the SEZ scheme are:-

- (i) A designated duty free enclave to be treated as a territory outside the customs territory of India for the purpose of authorised operations in the SEZ;
- (ii) No licence required for import;
- (iii) Manufacturing or service activities allowed;
- (iv) The Unit shall achieve Positive Net Foreign Exchange to be calculated cumulatively for a period of five years from the commencement of production;
- (v) Domestic sales subject to full customs duty and import policy in force;
- (vi) Full freedom for subcontracting;
- (vii) No routine examination by customs authorities of export/import cargo;
- (viii)  SEZ Developers /Co-Developers and Units enjoy Direct Tax and Indirect Tax benefits as prescribed in the SEZs Act, 2005.

(b): The  fiscal  concessions  and  duty  benefits  allowed  to  SEZs  are  in  built  into  the SEZs Act, 2005.   These exemptions are in the nature of incentives for export and are consistent with the principles that guide export promotion initiatives of the Government in general.  Incentives provided are conscious public policy actions and cannot be termed as revenue loss.

(c) & (d): Ongoing review and reform, as necessary, of Government policy and procedure is inherent to Public Policy. The Government, on the basis of inputs/suggestions received from stakeholders on the policy and operational framework of the SEZ Scheme, periodically reviews the policy and operational framework of SEZs and takes necessary measures so as to facilitate speedy and effective implementation of SEZ policy.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1377 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Law for Safeguarding the Rights of Tourists
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1377

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016

## LAW FOR SAFEGUARDING THE RIGHTS OF TOURISTS

## †1377. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  legislation  for safeguarding the rights and interests of tourists and tourism agencies  and  to  strengthen  the  Government  monitoring  and management system; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof  along with the  mechanism  of implementation of the said legislation?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) and (b): No Central Tourism Act or Tourism legislation has been formulated by the Government of India.  However, the National Tourism  Policy  has been  formulated  in  2002  for  development  and promotion of tourism sector which also contains basic principles for safeguarding the interest of tourists and tourism agencies.  These principles  include:  (i)  Government  led,  private  sector  driven  and community welfare oriented actions (ii) sustainability (iii) earmarking a section of State Police to act as Tourist Police.

Accordingly,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  following steps/initiatives for safeguarding the interest of tourists and tourism agencies:

- i) Adoption of code  of conduct for Safe and Hon'ble Tourism.
2. ii) Grant of Central Financial Assistance to the  State Governments  of  Rajasthan,  Uttar  Pradesh  and  Andhra Pradesh for setting up of Tourist Facilitation and Security Organization (TFSO) on a pilot basis.
3. iii) Issue of Guidelines on Safety and Security of Tourists for State Governments/Union Territories and Tips for Travellers in September 2014.
4. iv) Formulation of a voluntary scheme for granting approval to hotel projects and classification of functioning hotels under  Star  System  from  the  point  of  view  of  their suitability for international tourists.
- v) Formulation  of  a  voluntary  scheme  of  approving Travel Agents,  Tour  Operators,  Adventure  Tour  Operators  and Tourist Transport Operators to encourage quality, standard and service in these categories.
6. vi)    The  launch  of  a  24x7  Toll  Free  Multi-Lingual  Tourist Helpline in 12 Languages including Hindi & English  on the      toll  free  number  1800111363  or  on  a  short  code 1363 offering a 'multi-lingual helpdesk' in the designated languages.
7. vii) Issue of advisory to State Governments/UT Administrations for creation of Tourist Police.

Besides the above, under the provision of Consumer Protection Act,  a  consumer  can  make  complaint  in  any  Consumer  Court depending on the geographical and pecuniary jurisdiction, about any defective  goods or  deficient  services  which also  includes  tourism services.

- *********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1376 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Changes in Foreign Investment Rules
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: BHOLA SINGH

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1376. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 2 ND  MAY, 2016.

## CHANGES IN FOREIGN INVESTMENT RULES

## 1376.  DR. BHOLA SINGH:

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

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) whether  the  Prime  Minister  during  his  recent  visit  to  Germany  has  told  German businessmen and industrialists not to go by old perceptions but to come to India and feel the change in the regulatory environment;
- (b) if so, the details thereof indicating the rules concerning foreign investment likely to be revised/modified;
- (c) whether  such  revision/modification of foreign investment  rules is likely to  be applicable for all foreign investors; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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): During his last visit to Germany in April 2015, Hon. Prime Minister apprised the German  companies  that  the  regulatory regime  in India  is  much  more transparent, responsive and stable. Lots of efforts have been made and are still  underway  to  improve  the  Ease  of  Doing  business  in  the  Country.  Steps have  been  taken  to  open  up  more    FDI  in  key  areas  like  insurance, construction,  defence,  railways  and  medical  devices.  Procedures  are  being simplified and digital technology is being used to eliminate multiple approvals. A predictable, stable and competitive tax regime is being built.
- (b): FDI  policy  is  reviewed  on  an  ongoing  basis,  with  a  view  to  making  it  more investor-friendly. Significant changes are made in the FDI policy regime, from time to time, to ensure that India remains an increasingly attractive investment destination.
- (c) & (d): As  per  the  extant  FDI  policy,  any  non-resident  entity  can  invest  in  India, subject  to  the  FDI  Policy  except  in  those  sectors/  activities  which  are prohibited.  However,  a  citizen  of  Bangladesh  or  an  entity  incorporated  in Bangladesh can invest only under the Government route. Further, a citizen of Pakistan  or  an  entity  incorporated  in  Pakistan  can  invest,  only  under  the Government route, in sectors/ activities other than defence, space and atomic energy and sectors/ activities prohibited for foreign investment.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1374 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Export Issues raised by EPCs
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1374 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  MAY, 2016

## EXPORT ISSUES RAISED BY EPCS

## 1374. SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has recently held any meeting with the Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) to review the current trend of exports from India and to take stock of issues faced by the exporters and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the EPCs have sought better promotion of Brand India apart from increased incentives to boost exports and if so, the details thereof and the other issues raised by EPCs therein;
- (c) whether the Government has examined the issues raised by EPCs; and
- (d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to address them?

## 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) Government regularly interacts with Export Promotion Councilsto obtain their feedback on the trade scenario and discuss various related issues to inform the Department's initiatives. The most recent interaction took place on 5.4.2016 in which the representatives of the 14 Export Promotion Councils and Federation of Indian Export Organizationsparticipated.
- b) Export Promotion Councils, during the interaction, raised many issues. The major issues raised included issues related to enhancement of MEIS incentives, the Interest Equalisation Scheme, mobilization of Indian Missions for providing necessary support to exporters and promotion of Brand India.
3. c & d) Interaction with stake holders, including Export Promotion Councils, and factoring in their inputs in the process of formulating and reforming policies is an ongoing process. In the recent period Government has been informed by such inputs to take various initiatives, which include the following:
- i. Coverage under the MEIS schemehas been expanded in October, 2015 to include more products and markets.
- ii. Interest Equalisation Scheme has been introduced for 5 yearsw.e.f. 01.04.2015.
- iii. Indian Missions have been mobilized to provide support to exporters. Exporters can now access trade related information, including that posted by the Indian Missions, at the Indian Trade Portal (www.indiantradeportal.in).
- iv. India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) has been established by the Government with the objective to promote and create international awareness of the Made in India label in markets overseas and to facilitate dissemination of knowledge of Indian products and services. Towards this objective, IBEF works closely with stakeholders across government and industry.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1372 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Environmental Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1372 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016

## Environmental Education

## 1372. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  Environmental  Education  as  a  part  of  the  school curriculum and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken/being taken to educate children and create environment awareness among them; and
- (c)  the  details  of  granted/utilised  funds  for  creation  of  environment  awareness  amongst students during the last three years, State/UT-wise?

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

(a) Environment  education is an integral part of school curriculum. The  National Curriculum Framework (NCF)-2005 infuses the components of environmental education as part of different disciplines in the treatment of content in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, Political Science, Health and Physical Education, Art, Music etc.

(b) As a follow-up of NCF-2005, syllabi and textbooks for all the stages of school education have been developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). For Classes I and II, EVS components are integrated with language and mathematics. For classes III  to  V,  the  NCERT  has  developed  EVS  syllabus  and  the  textbooks  integrating  Science  and Social Science components. For classes VI onwards, essential EVS components are integrated across subject areas.  Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also issued directives to schools to impart environmental education to students.

(c) Since  environment  education  is  part  of  the  overall  school  curriculum,  no  specific grants/funds  are  separately  released  to  States/UTs  for  creation  of  environment  awareness amongst the students.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1371 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Irregularities in Export of Spices
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1371 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  MAY, 2016

## IRREGULARITIES IN EXPORT OF SPICES

## 1371 (H). SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

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

- (a) whether irregularities have been reported in the exports of spices by big traders especially in exports of turmeric powder, dry ginger, coriander, salt and pepper;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) whether some spices are likely to return to Indian Market through imports 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):  No  specific  report  of  irregularities  in  exports  of  spices  by  large  traders  has  been  received. However,  government  regularly  monitors  through  the  Spices  Board,  the  quality  of  spices  and  trade related issues in order to ensure that the interests of the producers and exporters of Indian spices are protected.

(c):  India  imports  certain  spices  of  specific  grades  and  quality  for  the  purpose  of  processing  valueaddition and re-export. Strict control is exercised on the quality of such imports under the relevant rules and regulations. In some case, where there is change in quality specification of the spice item in the importing country, export consignments of spices return to the Indian traders/shippers for reconditioning through sterilization/drying. No instance of such imports have been reported recently.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1370 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Superstitions among Tribals
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1370

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016

## SUPERSTITIONS AMONG TRIBALS

## 1370.       SHRI K.N. RAMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the tribal  population in the country  is still reeling under various kinds of superstitions and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to create awareness and make them educated in this regard; and
- (c) the  assistance  given  by  the  Government  for  creating  awareness/  conducting awareness programmes in this regard to various States during each of the last three years, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JUAL ORAM)

(a)  to  (c):  The  general  population  of  the  country,  including  the  tribals,  have  their  share  of superstitions.    The  Scheduled  Castes  and  Scheduled  Tribes  (Prevention  of  Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015 stipulates punishment for causing physical harm or mental agony of a member of Scheduled Tribes on the allegation of practicing witchcraft or being a witch.   The offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to five years and with fine.  However, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs  has  no  programme  that  collects  information  about  various  kinds  of  superstitions, believed in by Scheduled Tribes.  There are no specific interventions for superstitions in so far as the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is concerned.   The Government of India, with a view to create awareness about various Government programmes / schemes, utilizes print, electronic, social media etc. on pan India basis including for the tribal population.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1368 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Moratorium for Projects under PMEGP
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: RITA TARAI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1368 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016

## MORATORIUM FOR PROJECTS UNDER PMEGP

1368. SHRIMATI RITA TARAI:

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

- (a)  whether  there  is  no  provision  of  moratorium  period  for  projects  promoted  through  Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  moratorium  period  for  units  assisted  under PMEGP in view of its employment generation potentials, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to allocate more funds for PMEGP; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b): Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme  (PMEGP) guidelines provide for an initial moratorium for the units financed under the Scheme.  However, the period of moratorium is not specified and the banks are free to fix suitable moratorium period depending on the loan repayment schedule.

(c)&(d): Government  has  allocated  Rs.1139  crore  during  the  financial  year  2016-17  for PMEGP.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1367 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Ban on Export of Fruits and Vegetables
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1367 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  MAY, 2016

## BAN ON EXPORT OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

## 1367 (H). SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to ban the export of fruits and vegetables in the wake of their shortage and continuous rise in their prices in the domestic market;
- (b) if so, the details thereof indicating such items along with the norms adopted by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) the remedial measures taken by the Government to ensure adequate supply of these items in the domestic market?

## 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) No Madam.
- (b)      Does not arise in view of (a) above.
- (c) Compared  to  the  total  production,  the  export  of  fruits  and  vegetables  is  too miniscule  to  have  any  impact  on  domestic  availability  and  prices  of  these commodities.  For  instance,  in  2014-15,  the  total  export  of  fresh  fruits  was  4.84 lakh  MT  against  the  total  production  of  890.18  lakh  MT  i.e.  0.54%.  Similarly export  of  fresh  vegetables  was  20.19  lakh  MT  against  the  total  production  of 1685.06 lakh MT i.e. 1.20%. Notwithstanding above, the Government takes steps like imposing Minimum Export Price (MEP) on essential commodities like Onion and Potato to restrict exports during the times of scarcity in the domestic market. An Inter-Ministerial Committee constantly monitors the availability and prices of onion, which accounts for nearly 50% of India's total exports of fresh vegetables, and recommends on imposition or otherwise of the MEP and the level of MEP.

Steps are also being taken to boost the production of fruits and vegetables. Mission for  Integrated  Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH),  a  Centrally  Sponsored Scheme, is being implemented during XII Plan. The Mission envisages production and productivity improvement of horticulture crops, including fruits and vegetables, through various interventions. The scheme also envisages creation of infrastructure for post-harvest management (PHM) and marketing for better price realization of produce. In addition to this, Vegetable Initiative for Urban Clusters (VIUC) a sub-scheme under  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (RKVY)  was  launched  during  2012-13  to provide quality vegetables at competitive prices.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1366 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: MoU between India and Maldives
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 1366 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016 VAISAKHA 12, 1938 (SAKA)

## MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND MALDIVES

## 1366.   SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE :

Will the Minister  of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether during the recent visit of Maldives President to  India the country have entered in a MoU for conservation and restoring of ancient mosques and other historical monuments in Maldives;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the agreement?

## ANSWER

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

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (c) Yes Madam.   During the visit of the President of Maldives to India on April 11, 2016,  a  MoU  on  the  subject  "Cooperation  in  the  area  of  conservation  and restoration  of  ancient  mosques  and  joint  research  and  exploratory  survey  in Maldives' has been signed. The MoU proposes to undertake conservation and restoration of  historical mosques and  monuments, in Maldives, joint research and exploratory survey, training and capacity building of Maldivian personnel in

- the areas of heritage conservation etc. The MoU shall be valid for five years.