[RAJYA SABHA] Unstarred Questions District Name of Closed Date Of

38 Written Answers to [RAJYA SABHA] Unstarred Questions

District Name of closed Date of closure Number of workers tea estate affected

Jalpaiguri Dheklapara 11.03.2006 602

Darjeeling Ringtong 11.02.2008 837

(d) The details of provident fund and other dues of workers, garden wise, are as under :

District Name of closed Provident Fund Gratuity tea estate (Rs. Lakhs) (Rs. Lakhs)

Jalpaiguri Dheklapara 72.92 35.00

Darjeeling Ringtong Not assessed. Not Due since 1990 deposited since 1992-93

Special concession to boost exports

†1564. SHRI MOTILAL VORA : Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state :

(a) whether it is a fact that it is imperative to give special concessions to Indian exports for making sale and purchase of Indian products easy and beneficial in the competitive international market;

(b) if so, Government’s reaction thereto;

(d) whether besides present concessions, Government is considering to provide more concessions as well; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA) : (a) to (e) The Government of India continuously monitors the global economic developments and takes need based measures for boosting exports. Various measures have been taken by the Government and RBI for increasing India’s exports, in the form of stimulus packages which includes announcements made in the Foreign Trade Policy from time to time. The focus is on market diversification and product linked market consolidation.

† Original notice of the question was received in Hindi. Written Answers to [28 MAR., 2012] Unstarred Questions 39

The average rates of incentives under Foreign Trade Policy has been varying from 1% to 10 % of Free On board (FOB) value of exports under various incentive schemes viz., Status Holders Incentive Scheme (SHIS), Vishesh Krishi and Gram Udyog Yojana [VKGUY], Focus Market Scheme [FMS], Focus Product Scheme [FPS], Market Linked Focus Product Scheme (MLFPS) and Served From India Scheme (SFIS). Contaminated Chinese milk products and toys 1565. SHRI S. THANGAVELU : Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state : (a) whether Government had banned Chinese milk products, including chocolates, after it was reported to have been contaminated with melamine, a dangerous chemical; (b) if so, the details thereof and whether there are some other products especially cheap toys continuously imported from China; (c) if so, the details thereof and what are the actions taken by Government to further check the quality of toys from China; and (d) if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA) : (a) Yes Sir. The Government has prohibited import of milk and milk products including chocolate and chocolate products and candies / confectionery / food preparations with milk or milk solids as ingredient, from China. (b) to (d) Import of Chinese toys was also banned on 23rd January, 2009 based on concerns relating to safety of Chinese toys and their likely adverse impact on children in India. Subsequently, after detailed examination, the import of toys from all sources, including China, was allowed subject to certain Quality Standards and requirement of being tested by an independent lab duly accredited under International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA). These conditions were prescribed in Notification No. 27/2009-2014 dated 27th January, 2010. Toys not conforming to prescribed standards and specifications are not permitted to be imported. Revoking ban on export of cotton 1566. SHRI AMBETH RAJAN : Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state : (a) whether ban imposed on export of cotton has been revoked;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and