(a) whether the Government has constituted a Committee with regard to investment in trade related infrastructure to facilitate imports from neighbour countries;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government propose to promote Private Sectors participation in all the infrastructures related projects; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( SHRI E.V.K.S. ELANGOVAN)
(a &b) No, Sir. Government of India provides financial assistance to all States and Union Territories for development of export infrastructure based on their export performance under a scheme titled Assistance to States for Development of Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE). This scheme has two components. 80% of the funds (State Component) is earmarked for allocation to the States based on their export performance and balance 20% (Central Component) and amounts equivalent to un-utilised portion of funds allocated to States is retained at the Central level for meeting the requirements of inter State projects, capital outlays of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). There is an Empowered Committee in the Department of Commerce headed by the Commerce Secretary to consider and sanction the proposals received from the various Central Agencies out of the Central component of the ASIDE Scheme. The projects under the State component are approved by the State Level Export Promotion Committee (SLEPC) headed by the Chief Secretary of the concerned State.
(c& d) Under the guidelines of the ASIDE Scheme Private Sector Participation in projects has been encouraged to leverage private sector funds. Detailed guidelines for Private Sector Participation in projects to be taken up under the ASIDE Scheme have been issued and have also been posted on the website of the Department of Commerce: www.commerce.nic.in.