The countries from which it would be imported depended on the availability and prices prevailing in the international markets. The Soyabean Processors Association of India, the Solvent Extractors Association of India and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have appealed for allowing import of soyabean seed and other oil seeds.

He said a proposal to allow import of limited quantity of soyabean to augment domestic availability, subject to certain conditions and procedural requirements, was being considered, he told Janardan Prasad Misra and M R Chaudhari.

Drug authority: Implications of setting up a national drug authority are being examined health andfamily welfare ministry in consultation with technical experts and other concerned ministries.

Unviable rail routes: a total of 120 branch rail lines has incurred a loss of Rs 243.67 crore to the railways in 199-97, minister of state for railways Ram Naik said. He said efforts were being made to improve viability of the lines through cost reduction by reducing staff, curtailing service and reducing infrastructure.

Naik said railways was not considering discontinuation of Chennai-Mysore, Chennai-Coimbatore, Howrah-Rourkela and Howrah-Bokaro Shatabdi trains, which were incurring losses.

Textiles: Imports of textile yarn, fabrics and made-up products from China had gone up to Rs 219.50 crore during 1997-98 as against Rs 145.87 crore during 1996-97, textiles minister Kanshiram Rana told Jayanit Patnaik.