Increase In Trade Deficit

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

STARRED QUESTION NO-401

ANSWERED ON-21.12.2011

a) whether it is a fact that the country''s trade deficit has increased to a four year high;

b) if so, the details thereof; and

c) the steps/measures taken by Government to contain the trade deficit?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI ANAND SHARMA)


a) to c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

ANNEXURE 

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF  RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 401 FOR ANSWER ON 21ST DECEMBER 2011 REGARDING “INCREASE IN TRADE DEFICIT”

(a)Yes Sir.  

(b)The details of the country’s trade deficit for the last four years and the current year are as under:

Year	Export	Import	Trade deficit
2007-08	163	252	89
2008-09	185	304	119
2009-10	179	288	109
2010-11	251	370	119
2011-12 (April – November) Provisional	193	310	117

The Trade Deficit for the 8 month periods April-November has been the highest compared to the corresponding periods in the last 3 years.

(c)    The rate of growth of exports for 2009-10 has been -3.5% and for 2010-11 it has been 40.4%.  For the period April-November, 2011 the growth rate has been 33.2% which is quite robust.   However, imports have also been growing both because of higher prices of importables and increased demand.  The prices of petroleum, fertilizers, gold, edible oil, gems & jewellery have increased.  Their demand also has increased.   These lead to a higher value of imports.   Despite a very challenging global environment, measures taken by Government have not only arrested the decline of export, it has also been successful in reversing it.  Anticipating that the situation is likely to be adverse, Government had announced a package on 13th October, 2011.  In addition a strategy paper to double our exports by 2013-14 was released in May 2011.  Earlier measures taken by the Government and RBI include the announcements made in the Budget 2009-10 and 2010-11; in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2009-14; thereafter in January / March 2010; in the Annual Supplement to FTP released on 23rd August, 2010; and in announcements made in February, 2011.   To increase our share in various export markets and to diversify our market and products, incentives have been provided under schemes viz. Focus Product Scheme, Focus Market Scheme, Market linked Focus Product Scheme and Vishesh Krishi and Gram Udyog Yojana. 

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Review Of Implementation Of MGNREGA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  RURAL DEVELOPMENT

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3094

ANSWERED ON-20.12.2011

(a) whether Government has proposed to review the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA);
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if the review has already been done, what are the observations made therein; and
(d) the action taken thereon?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI PRADEEP JAIN ‘ADITYA’)

(a) to (d): The Ministry regularly reviews the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The following mechanism has been put in place to monitor its implementation across the country. Independent Monitoring and verification by National Level Monitors (NLMs) and Area Officers is carried out in cases of specific complaints. Central teams headed by senior officers of the Ministry are deputed to look into serious issues. Visits are also undertaken by members of Central Employment Guarantee Council to review performance. Performance of all schemes of the Ministry including MGNREGA is reviewed with all States/UTs in the meetings of the Performance Review Committee (PRC) held on quarterly basis. The last PRC was held on 17.11.2011. The findings and reports of such review meetings and visits are shared with the concerned States/UT Governments for follow up action as implementation of MGNREGA is done by the States/UT Governments in accordance with the Schemes formulated by the as per provisions of the Act.

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Measures To Correct The Country's Fiscal Deficit Level

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  FINANCE

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3006

ANSWERED ON-20.12.2011

(a) Whether it is a fact that the country’s fiscal deficit for the first 6 months has crossed 70 per cent of its full year target;
(b) If so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps/measures initiated by Government for correction in this regard?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)


(a) and (b) No Sir. For the period upto September,2011, the fiscal deficit is Rs.2,80,810 crore which is 68 per cent of the Budget Estimates for 2011-12.

(c) To contain the Fiscal Deficit, Government has advised all Ministries/Departments to adhere to the expenditure ceilings in the Budget Estimates 2011-12. They have also been advised to meet additional expenditure requirements, if any, during the year through savings from the overall expenditure outlays. Instructions have also been issued to concerned Departments to make concerted efforts to achieve the revenue collection targets for 2011-12.

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Operating Cost Of Aluminium Producers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  MINES

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2871

ANSWERED ON-19.12.2011

(a) the details of operating cost of each Aluminium producing company during the last three years;
(b) whether it is a fact that the operating cost have risen during the last one year;
(c) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken/being taken by Government to reduce the operating cost?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINES
(SHRI DINSHA PATEL)

(a): The primary producers of aluminium in the country viz. National Aluminium Company Limited(NALCO), HINDALCO Industries, Bharat Aluminium Company Limited(BALCO) and Vedanta Aluminium Limited have declined to provide information regarding their operating cost on account of commercial confidentiality.

(b): Yes, Sir. The primary producers have informed that their operating costs have risen during the last one year.

(c): The increase in the operating cost during the last one year is mainly due to the following:-

(i) Increase in prices of major raw materials and energy inputs viz Calcined Petroleum Coke, Coal Tar Pitch, Aluminium Flouride, Caustic soda, Fuel oil, etc.
(ii) Increase in transportation costs.
(iii) Increase in the price of coal by the Coal Companies.
(iv) Increase in employee remuneration and benefits due to high inflation rate and increased cost of living/ pay revision, etc.

(d): The primary producers endeavour to reduce their operating cost through a slew of measures like reducing power consumption by adopting energy conservation methods, modernization of equipments, increase in current efficiency, reducing fallen anodes in smelter, improving productivity of workers, etc. As energy cost is substantial in aluminium smelting, all the primary producers of aluminium have been brought under the ambit of a new initiative launched by the Government of India for energy conservation and assigned a target to reduce specific energy consumption from its base line value within a defined period i.e 2010-11 to 2013-14, to be monitored by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency(Ministry of Power). Besides, the Government also reviews from time to time the rates of various duties including import duty on raw materials required for production of aluminium, reduction in transmission loss, allocation of coal blocks and/or linkage coal to the extent possible, with the objective of reducing the overall operating cost of primary aluminium producers.

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Misuse Of Government's Servers To Attack Network Of Other Countries

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2710

ANSWERED ON-16.12.2011

(a) whether it is a fact that foreign entities are using Government''s servers to attack networks of other countries;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of agencies responsible for safeguarding the country''s IT infrastructure; and

(d) the action taken/being taken by Government against such agencies?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA)

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Promotion Of Organic Farming

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2678

ANSWERED ON-16.12.2011

(a) whether there is any Government policy in place for promotion of organic farming, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether Government is providing financial assistance to the farmers for promotion of organic farming;

(c) if so, the details of financial assistance given during the last five years, State-wise and year-wise;

(d) the details of targets fixed/achieved during the last five years in respect of all States;

(e) whether there is any plan to accelerate adoption of organic farming; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

(a): Yes, Sir. Government has a National Policy on Organic Farming which seeks to promote technically sound, economically viable, environmentally non-degrading and socially acceptable use of natural resources in favour organic farming.

(b) to (d): The Government provides financial assistance for promotion of organic farming under various schemes viz. National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The details of financial assistance given and achievements during last five years under NPOF, NHM and RKVY schemes are given at Annexure-I, II, III, IV & V.

(e) & (f): The Government is already promoting adoption of organic farming by providing assistance for setting up of organic input production units, adoption and certification of organic farmers clusters under National Horticulture Mission and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.


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Slow Down Of Industrial Growth Rate

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2334

ANSWERED ON-14.12.2011

(a) whether it is a fact that industrial growth has slowed during the last three years;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) what are the sectors that have shown slackness;

(d) what are the factors that have contributed for this; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by Government to accelerate the industrial growth?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

(a)&(b): The industrial growth measured in terms of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) has steadily increased during the last three years from 2.5 percent in 2008-09 to 5.3 percent 2009-10 and 8.2 percent in 2010-11. In the current year during Apr-Oct, 2011, the industrial growth is moderate to 3.5% compared to a growth of 8.7% in the corresponding period of the previous year.
(c): The sectoral growth for the last three years and the current year is indicated below:-


(in percent)
Years Mining Manufacturing Electricity General
(141.57) (755.27) (103.16) (1000)
2008-09 2.6 2.5 2.7 2.5
2009-10 7.9 4.8 6.1 5.3
2010-11 5.2 9.0 5.5 8.2
April-October
2010-11 6.9 9.4 4.5 8.7
2011-12 (-)2.2 3.7 8.9 3.5



(d): Factors that have contributed to the moderation in industrial growth during the current year, among others include moderation in the rate of growth of consumption expenditure, underperformance of the construction sector, hardening of interest rates resulting in increase in the cost of capital and global economic uncertainty.

(e): Various steps have been taken by the government to boost industrial production which, inter-alia, include promotion and facilitation of industrial investment including the foreign direct investment; improvement in business environment; development of industrial and other infrastructure through public private initiatives; incentivizing research and development; and development of industry related skills. Government in November, 2011 also announced a National Manufacturing Policy, which aims at making industry globally competitive.


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Steps To Increase Exports

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2333

ANSWERED ON-14.12.2011

a) whether it is a fact that India''s export growth has slumped;

b) if so, what are the main factors contributing to this situation; and

c) the steps being taken to help increase the exports?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

(a)to(c)No, Sir. In the current financial year 2011-2012, India’s export has been growing every month as compared to relevant month of the previous year. Diversification of exports is a continuous endeavour and need based measures are taken by the Government from time to time. The Government has recently announced schemes like Special Bonus Benefit Scheme, Special Focus Market Scheme and also included two new markets viz. Cuba and Mexico under the Focus Market Scheme, for further boosting export of Indian products to different markets.

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Life Insurance Corporation

The Life Insurance Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2011

Mr. Deputy Chairman, Sir, I rise to speak on the LIC (Amendment) Bill, 2011. I really do not understand this move. Sir, LIC is a very old and giant organization operating for the past 55 years in this country, and, has been functioning very efficiently and serving the nation. Increasing the Paid-Up Capital from Rs. 5 crore to Rs. 100 crore has no relevance because, at present, it is hundred per cent owned by the Government of India, unless the Government is trying to privatize even the LIC or something like that. Sir, I just read a set of rules, and, I don’t think that it is necessary to have this increase. However, too much of interference by the regulatory agencies is making a lot of sectors inefficient day by day.

Moreover, there is no accountability of the regulatory agencies as to what they are doing and why they are impeding the growth in various sectors. At the same time, reducing policy holders’ dividend from 95 per cent to 90 per cent is nothing but making the public sector undertaking more inefficient and less attractive. We have already seen how the Air India, a public sector undertaking, was made an inefficient organization, whereby the private sector gained the benefits. The 
LIC, I am afraid, is going on the similar lines. I don’t see any reason as to why the Government should interfere whereas in the free and liberalization environment, more delegation and empowerment is required to run organizations more efficiently.

There is one more issue. If every policy holder has been expecting to get about 95 per cent of the premium, which they have paid and the benefits or profits, and, you suddenly reduce it by five per cent and take that five per cent into Government fold, it has no meaning. It should be left to the various organizations, particularly, the LIC, being a giant organization, which has proven its efficiency for the past fifty-five years, to run on their own, based on market forces, so that everything takes place according to demand and supply, and, also as per the market forces. It is placing all the conditions like not to have Divisional Law Officers, not to have agents, not to recruit people, and, such other things. Post-nationalization, the RBI has been controlling the public sector banks, whereby a lot of banks went into loss-making. If we start controlling the LIC also, we may fall into similar lines. Therefore, I propose that some of the amendments have to be changed, and, I suggest that this Bill may be withdrawn. Thank you.

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Financial And Technical Assistance To Wind Power Generation

Demand To Provide Financial And Technical Assistance To Wind Power Generation In Andhra Pradesh

Sir, wind power energy is one of the cleanest energies available in abundance, particularly in India. This energy has not been tapped to the full potential in the country so far.

Sir, the Central Wind Energy Institute (C-Wet) has identified 30 locations in Andhra Pradesh for wind power development, spread across Ananthapur, Kurnool, Cuddapah, Chittoor and Nellore Districts. Ananthapur accounts for the highest wind power potential in Andhra Pradesh. As per ICSA India Limited, the Non-Conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (Nedcap), Andhra Pradesh has a technical wind potential of around 800 MW against which capacity installed by private sector companies is around 110 MW and the rest is yet to be exploited. Installation of the projects for the remaining potential will not only boost economy and generate employment in the region but also will fulfill the increasing demands of energy in the State. It will also help protect the environment and save the resources. The Government needs to take initiative for developing wind energy in all the potential districts in Andhra Pradesh.
Sir, I urge upon the Government to take necessary action in this direction and provide all financial and technical assistance to the State of Andhra Pradesh required for the purpose.



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