No. of questions found : 8
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Q No: 43 |
Dated: |
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY |
Subject: DOHA |
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:-
(a) the details regarding pending issues over the global trade talks in Doha round of World Trade Organization (WTO) and the time since the impasse in talks has continued;
(b) the details of the proposals given by the developed and the developing countries to break the impasse and the outcome achieved thereon;
(c) the extent to which the concerns of the poor countries are likely to be addressed and the time by which a final decision will be taken in this regard;
(d) the details regarding percentage of Indian share in international trade before and after adopting liberalisation policies; and
(e) the steps taken to sort out the issue of Cross Border Movement of Indian professionals in getting foreign visas for work and the outcome therefrom?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI ANAND SHARMA)
a) to e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 43 FOR ANSWER ON 23RD NOVEMBER 2009 REGARDING “DOHA ROUND TALKS”
Parts a) to c) : Following the impasse at the July 2008 mini-Ministerial meeting, members including the developing and the developed countries endorsed the need for an early resumption of talks. Based on subsequent discussions, the Chairs of the Agriculture and Non- Agricultural Market Access (NAMA) Negotiating Groups brought out revised draft modalities in December 2008. To re-energize the on-going discussions, India took the initiative by holding an informal Ministerial Meeting during September 2009. The meeting signalled considerable political enthusiasm for an early conclusion of the Doha Round.
Developed countries have been aiming for an ambitious outcome for furthering their commercial interests by demanding greater market access into developing countries while safeguarding their domestic support programmes. On the other hand, the developing countries want an ambitious, balanced and development – oriented outcome. These include, adequate and appropriate Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) with a view to safeguarding their food, livelihood security and rural development needs and to protect their sensitive industrial tariff lines. India and the other developing countries have been holding intensive negotiations to address the concerns of the poor countries through mechanisms such as the S&DT.
Part (d): According to the WTO Trade Statistics data base, India’s share in global merchandise trade rose from 0.53% in 1991 to 1.45% in 2008, while India’s share in global trade (goods & services) rose from 0.55% in 1991 to 1.65% in 2008.
Part (e) General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the WTO covers temporary movement of natural persons. WTO agreement does not cover procedure for grant of visas and member countries can have their policies on grant of visas within overall frame work of WTO. India has taken several initiatives to address the barriers in the free movement of natural persons by engaging in negotiations at bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral levels.
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Q No: 79 |
Dated: |
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION |
Subject: KARGIL AIRPORT |
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the development of Kargil Airport has been undertaken by the Govenment;and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the current status thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI PRAFUL PATEL)
(a) & (b) No, Sir. However, on the request of State Government, a team of Airports Authority of India visited Kargil Airport on 30.07.2009 to carry out a pre-feasibility study for taking up development works. Runway extension by 1500ft over the existing 6000ft and other associated works are planned in order to enable operation by ATR-72 type of aircraft. This is at an estimated cost of Rs.46.50 crores (approx.). The State Government has been requested to provide necessary funds.
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Q No: 266 |
Dated: |
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS |
Subject: DECLARATION OF LADAKH AS TRIBAL AREA |
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) the proportion of tribals living in Ladakh (Leh and Kargil) Region out of the total population;
(b) whether the region has been declared as tribal region;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) time by when the region is likely to be declared as Tribal Region?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS(SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a) : As per the 2001 census figures, available only districtwise, the Scheduled Tribes population in the districts of Leh (Ladakh) is 96174 out of total population of 117232 and 105377 out of total population 119307 in Kargil.
(b) to (d) : Ladakh has not been declared a tribal area in terms of Article 244 of the Constitution. This Ministry has not received any proposal also in this regard.
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Q No: 557 |
Dated: |
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT |
Subject: WORKS UNDER PMGSY |
Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) whether sub-contracting is allowed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) works; and
(b) if not, the remedial measures taken by the Government to check and control such nexus between contractors and sub-contractors?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT(SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)
(a): Yes Sir. As per the provisions of Standard Bidding Document (SBD),sub- contracting upto 25% of the contract price is allowed. In addition,in case the amount put to bid is more than Rs.5.00 crores, sub-contracting has been allowed for routine maintenance of roads with effect from 3rd August, 2009.
(b): Does not arise.
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Q No: 606 |
Dated:
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Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY |
Subject: INDO- |
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the sixth ministerial level meeting was recently held under the Indo-US trade policy forum;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the names of the representatives from both the countries; and
(c) the details of the proposals discussed and the consensus reached, if any thereon?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a)&(b) Sixth Ministerial meeting of the India-US Trade Policy Forum (TPF) was held at New Delhi on 26th October, 2009. The meeting was co – chaired by Hon. Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Anand Sharma on the Indian side and United States Trade Representative Ambassador Ronald Kirk on the US side.
(c) During the meeting the two Governments decided to continue their bilateral trade policy dialogue under the five Focus Groups: Agriculture, Innovation and Creativity, Investment, Services and Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers. The two Governments agreed to work together on a framework for promoting cooperation in trade and investment.
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Q No: 632 |
Dated: |
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY |
Subject: ISSUE OF AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES AND |
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:-
(a) whether large subsidy on agroproducts are being given in the United States of America (USA) and other European countries for getting advantages in the international markets;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the annual subsidy provided in the United States and Europe during the last three years;
(c) whether the USA has given positive response to India`s insistence on reducing and phasing out subsidies on agricultural products in that country;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the USA has also insisted upon the Government of India to reduce import duty on industrial products in India;
(f) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and
g) whether any consensus has been reached on both the issues separately in the negotiations between member countries of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a) to (d) Large agricultural subsidies are being given in United States of America (USA) and other European Countries for getting advantages in the international markets. Details of the annual subsidy provided in the United States and Europe during the last three years as per WTO are as follows.
Details of the annual subsidy provided in the United States and European Commission during the last three years
United States of America European Communities
(USD Million) (Euro Million)
2005 2006 2007 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06
Current Total 12937 7742.017 6259.888 30880 31214.3 28427.1
AMS (Amber Box)
Measures Exempt 71829 76035 76162 22074 24390.6 40280.2
from reduction
commitment (Green Box)
Measures exempt N.A. N.A. N.A. 24782 27236.6 13445.2
from reduction
commitment – Direct
Payments under
Production-Limiting
Programme (Blue Box)
In the agriculture negotiations, substantial and effective reductions in domestic support and tariffs in agriculture by developed countries, while enabling developing countries to protect and promote the interests of their low income and resource poor farmers, is a key priority for India. The G-20, group of countries in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) of which India is a member, has been pressing for substantial and effective reductions in OTDS by developed countries. As per the draft modalities text brought out by the Chair of the Negotiating Group on Agriculture on 6th December 2008, the US would take a 70% cut in their Overall Trade-distorting Domestic Support (OTDS) which would reduce their ceiling level of OTDS from the current US$ 48.2 billion to US$ 14.5 billion which is still well above their actual applied levels, estimated at around US$ 7 billion in 2007. The draft modalities can be accessed at the WTO websites www.wto.org. The multilateral process of discussion are still underway. A successful outcome of the Round would require reconciliation of the legitimate aspirations of the developing countries with those of the developed countries, including the United States and the European countries.
(e) to (g) Under the non agricultural market access (NAMA) negotiations pertaining to non agricultural products, the United States has been a proponent of sectoral initiatives for elimination of customs tariffs in chemical, electrical/ electronics, forestry, gems and jewellery, healthcare and industrial machinery. They have been soliciting support from other WTO Members including India for participating in these sectoral initiatives by agreeing to eliminating customs tariffs on these industrial products. Our negotiating position on sectoral initiatives has been that participation must be on a non mandatory basis based on good faith and without prejudgement of the final outcome. We have also sought for adequate and appropriate special and differential treatment for developing countries to participate in negotiating the terms of these sectoral initiatives. There has been no consensus in the WTO on sectoral initiatives.
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Q No: 2881 |
Dated: |
Ministry: DEFENCE |
Subject: WORK ON SRINAGAR-LEH HIGHWAY |
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:-
(a) the progress of work on Srinagar-Leh Highway including the Sonmarg-Fotula section;
(b) whether the compensation to the affected people of nearby villages due to construction works is still pending;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government for smooth progress of work on this road?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF DEFENCE(SHRI A.K. ANTONY)
(a)
# Total length with BRO of Srinagar-Leh road is 422 Km.
# National Highway Double laning (NHDL) specification work has been completed for 175 Km of road length.
# The NHDL work is in progress on 130 Km of road length.
# The NHDL work is yet to commence on the road length of 117 Km.
(b) Yes Madam, partly pending.
(c)& (d):
# Details of Compensation amount paid to the concerned district authorities in Jammu & Kashmir for further disbursement to land owners/affected people of nearby villages are as under:
Sl.No. Road Stretches Amount paid Compensation
From(Km) To(Km) (Rs. in lac) Payment for
i). 30 40 1400 Land
ii). 58 74 300 Land
iii). 205 300 18.81 Shifting of hand
pump
iv) 147 204 395.61 For land,shop &
building,shifting
of irrigation
channel and for
compensation
for felling of
private trees.
v). 300 311 21.83 Land &
shop/building
vi). At Km 317,318,372&404 23.48 Land & Damages
to irrigation
structures.
vii). Mulbak to Wakha 30.64 Fruit/non fruit
trees
viii). Sonamarg By Pass 460.06 Land
Total 2650.43
# Details of compensation yet to be paid.
Sl. No. Road Stretches Amount Compensation
From(Km) To(Km) to be paid Payment for
(Rs. in lac)
i) 387 397 8.13 Land
ii) 205 285 301.56 Land
iii) 285 300 17.41 Land
iv) 219.3 6.02 Land & Fruit trees
Total 333.12
# Villages where due to built up/market area compensation for land acquisition has not yet been decided/resolved by State Revenue authorities are as under.
i). Manigam
ii). Kangan
iii). Murugund.
# All the estimates for pending payments have been initiated.
# There is additional demand for Rs. 2653.50 lacs for the four stretches where payment has already been made to district revenue authorities (for Km 30 to 40, Km 40 to 42, Km 58 to 74 & Sonamarg bypass) projected by concerned district revenue authorities, which is under examination.
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Q No: 4795 |
Dated: |
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE |
Subject: DOCTORS ON CONTRACT BASIS |
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the recruitment of doctors are banned in the State of J&K for last some years;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has started, engaging the doctors on contractual basis and no doctor has been willing to work in the rural areas of Ladakh, with the result that all health centres are without doctors for many years and the health care system almost collapsed;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to provide some immediate relief measures on this account under the National Health Mission on ground?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE(SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a to b ) : No. The recruitment of doctors is done by the respective State/UT Governments including the State of J & K. As on March, 2008, there are a total of 451 doctors in position at Primary Health Centres[PHCs] and a total of 135 doctors in position at Community Health Centres[CHCs].
(c) to (e) It is true that shortage of HR is a major bottleneck, encumbering the health system in remote rural areas. However, it is not correct to conclude that the health care system has almost collapsed in the areas of Ladakh. Human resource engagement is a major thrust area under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). The states are engaging health human resources based on local residence criteria. Under this arrangement, doctors have been positioned in areas of Ladakh also.Under NRHM, state has incentivized the positioning of health HR in difficult areas and many positions have been filled up. Till August 2009, under NRHM, 71 specialists and 221 doctors have been appointed at various levels in the State of J & K on contract basis.
In addition to incentives for working in difficult, most difficult and inaccessible areas, states have deployed other strategies also.This include multi-skilling of doctors and para-medics, provision of incentives to serve in rural areas like blended payments, difficult area allowances, PG allowance, case based payments, improved accommodation arrangements, provision of Ayush doctors and paramedics in PHCs and CHCs as additional doctors in rural areas, block pooling of doctors in underserved areas, engaging with the non-government sector for underserved areas through contracting in or contracting out of human resources, empowering the community to exercise greater control over health care facilities, provision of untied and flexible funds.