Question asked on July 11,2014 :

Answered orally for this question.

Post  Matric Scholarship for SC/OBC students

1)WIll the minister of Social Justice & Employment 
be pleased to state:
a)the details of post matric scholarship schemes for the students belonging to the scheduled caste(SCs) and OBC and the funds released for the purpose during each of the last 3 years and the current year,State/UT and categorywise;
b)the number of students who have availed the benefits under the schemes during the sail period,state/UT and categorywise;and
c)the details of Central Assistance sought by the States/UTs in this regards and the amount actually released by the Govt guring the said period?

Questions for written answers:

2)Will the minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
be pleased to state:
a)whether the Govt proposes to wind up certain field offices of the Spices Board engaged in Pepper Rejuvination Programme;
b)if so,the details thereof;and
c)the measures being taken to retain these offices and to increase pepper production in the country?


3)Will the minister of FINANCE
be pleased to state:
a)the rate of inflation measured by Wholesale Price Index(WPI) and Consumer Price Index(Industrial Workers)(CPIIW) during the last 6 months,monthwise;
b)the details of its comparison with the corresponding period of 2011-12 and 2012-13 ; and
c)the steps taken to keep food inflation under control?

Incentives/facilities to Special Economic Zones(SEZs)
4)Will the minister of Commerce & Industry 
be pleased to state:
a)the details of SEZs in the country,State/UT-wise along with incentives and facilities offered by the Govt to the units in SEZs;
b)the benifits/contribution of SEZs in country's economy,employment generation and export;
c)whether the Govt proposes to expand tax relief for the SEZs and if so,the details thereof;
d)whether any shortcomings have been reported/noticed in the current SEZs policy;
e)if so,the details thereof;and
f)the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Govt to review/revamp the current SEZ policy to remove the shortcomings therein?


Import of Arecanut:
5)Will the minister of Commerce & Industry 
be pleased to state:
a)the quantum and value of arecanut imported into the country durin each of the last 3 years and the current year,country-wise;
b)whether the Govt has taken note that the indiscriminate import of cheap and inferior quality arecanut has caused fall in price of domestic arecanut and thus adversly affecting the livelihood of small & marginal farmers of karnataka & Kerala;
c)if so,the facts thereof;
d)whether the Govt proposes to enhance import duty of arecanut to 100% & fix higher floor price for imported arecanut;and
e)if so,the details thereof along with theother safeguard measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Govt to check import of arecanut & address the grievances of arecanut growers in the country?


Import Tariff of Gold & silver
6)Will the minister of Finance 
be pleased to state:
a)whether the Govt has noticed the ever increasing prices of precious metals like gold & silver in the country;
b)if so,the details thereof and the action being taken by the Govt to address the issue;
c)the details of rules & regulations governing the import of gold & silver in the country;