opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3995 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Amendment to GST Bill
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Y. S. AVINASH REDDY, ANURAG SINGH THAKUR, KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY, ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b):  It  has  been  requested  that  the  definition  of  'Education  services'  for   exemption from  GST  be  expanded  to  include  institutes  of  higher  education  that  have  been globally recognized and meet prescribed quality standards.

(c):  Yes,  Sir.  The  Government  has  placed  the  Model  GST  law  and  certain  rules  in public  domain.  A  comprehensive  FAQ  on  GST  has  also  been  released.  Workshops and conferences are being organized to spread awareness about GST amongst all, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

(d) & (e): GST will remove multiplicity and cascading of taxes and allow seamless flow of input tax credit.

******

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3995

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 9 TH    DECEMBER, 2016 AGRAHAYANA 18,  1938 (SAKA)

## AMENDMENT TO GST BILL

3995. SHRI Y .S. AVINASH REDDY: SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR: SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA: SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received a demand from Indian School of Business seeking an amendment to Goods and Services Tax (GST) to exempt educational services;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is taking any steps to create awareness about GST to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has assessed the impact of GST on the growth of MSMEs, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the extent to which GST is likely to safeguard the interests of MSMEs and create a level playing field particularly in the manufacturing sector?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
Lok Sabha Question No. 3992 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Employment on Compassionate Grounds
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3992

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## EMPLOYMENT ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS

3992.  SHRI  BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h

be pleased to state:

- (a) the criteria for grant of employment on compassionate grounds to family members of martyred soldiers; and
- (b) the  details  of  the  employment  on  compassionate  grounds  granted  to  family members of such soldiers during  the last three  years  and  the current  year, State  /  UTwise?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

( डा . सुभाष भामरे )

- (a) (i) The criteria for grant of employment on compassionate grounds to family members of martyred soldiers and civilian Government servants  dying  in  harness  is  the  financial  hardship  being  faced by  their  families.    Such  appointments  are  restricted  to  5% vacancies of direct recruitment quota in Group 'C' civilian posts. The  candidature  of  an  applicant  is  adjudged  on  the  basis  of a 100-point weightage scale consisting of various parameters like family pension, terminal benefits, value of movable / immovable property, number of dependents, left over service, etc.
- (ii) In commissioned posts under the Armed Forces also, preference is given to family members of martyred soldiers for recruitment, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria.  An age relaxation of four years from the upper age-limit is also granted to widows of martyred soldiers.
- (b) The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3991 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Ordnance Factories
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: ANOOP MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3991

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## ORDNANCE FACTORIES

3991.  SHRI  ANOOP MISHRA:

j{kk ea=h

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  are  a  number  of  ordnance  factories  in  the  country  which  are complete in all respects but yet to start functioning; and
- (b) if so, the number of such ordnance factories and the expenditure incurred on these factories so far, factory-wise along with the status of the Nalanda Ordnance factory?

<!-- formula-not-decoded -->

(a) & (b): As on date, there are no Unit / Factory under Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) which is complete in all respect but yet to start functioning.

Ordnance Factory located at Nalanda mandated for production of BiModular Charge System (BMCS) has already started production since 201516.    Nitro  Cellulose  (NC)  Plant  and  Sulphuric  Acid  Concentration  /  Nitric Acid Concentration (SAC/NAC) Plant have been commissioned and 5 BMCS Plants are under procurement.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3990 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Bank Interest Rates
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: NITYANAND RAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †

## 3990

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 th  December, 2016/ Agrahayana 18, 1938 (SAKA)

## Bank Interest Rates QUESTION

## † 3990. SHRI NITYANAND RAI:

- Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  consider  formulation  of    any rules which allow banks to provide adequate loans to the public at low interest rates and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to bring about uniformity in rates of interest and loans of all the banks; and (c)      if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this
- regard?

## ANSWER

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a)  to  (c):  Reserve  Bank  of  India  (RBI)  vide  its  guidelines  on  Interest  Rate  on Advances dated 17 th  December 2016 followed by Master Direction dated 29 th  March 2016 on Interest Rate on Advances, have directed all Scheduled Commercial Banks to calculate Base Rates using the Marginal Cost of Funds. The Government and RBI do  not  interfere  in  fixing  the  interest  rate  on  loans.  Presently,  each  bank  fix  the Marginal Cost Lending Rate (MCLR) based on RBI guidelines and varies from bank to bank.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3989 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Joint Venture Norms for Defence PSUs
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: G. HARI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3989

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## JOINT VENTURE NORMS FOR DEFENCE PSUs

3989.  SHRI  G. HARI:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has scrapped separate joint venture norms for Defence Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  move  will  provide  a  level  playing  field  to  meet  the  goal  of indigenization and self-reliance in defence sector; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) In view of the fact that the guidelines issued from time to time by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and Ministry of Finance (MoF) are already  in  force  and  uniformly  applicable  to  all  Central  Public  Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) on Joint Venture (JV) formations; it was felt that there is  no  need  for  separate  set  of  guidelines  for  JV  formations  in  respect  to Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). Accordingly the Government have abolished the 'Guidelines for establishing Joint Venture (JV)  Companies  by  Defence  Public  Sector  Undertakings'  notified  on  17 th February 2012 vide Ministry of Defence notification 18(4)/GC/2014/Dir(P&C)/149, dated 23 rd August 2016.
- (c) The Defence Procurement Policy lays special emphasis on promoting Indigenous Design, Development & Manufacturing of goods and services in defence sector.  Uniform set of rules governing joint venture formation will promote transparency and ensure level playing field for all entrepreneurs.
- (d) As per (c).

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

( डा . सुभाष भामरे )

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3987 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Problems in Remittances
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO JADHAV

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3987

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2016/AGRAHAYANA 18, 1938 (SAKA)

## ' Problems in Remittances '

## QUESTION

## 3987:  SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV

## Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  realised  the  difficulties  being  faced  by  the  people  of  Indian  origin while sending money to India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to mitigate such bottlenecks?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

***

(a)  to  (C)  The  channels  available  for  making  remittances  into  India  are  the  Wire  transfer/SWIFT message to transfer money to the Beneficiary's Bank account  through Banking Channel and through the Rupee Drawing Arrangement (RDA) and the Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS) under the non-banking channel. Reserve Bank of India has been constantly obtaining feedback from the various stakeholders  regarding  the  various  aspects  of  RDA  and  MTSS.  Based  on  the  feedback,  several measures have been taken in respect of the above two schemes, which inter-alia, aim towards making the schemes more user friendly. Some of the major changes undertaken, in the recent past are:

- i. Removal of the exclusivity clause under MTSS, as it was impeding the ability of other Money Transfer Operators to expand their agent network in India.
- ii. Increasing the number of remittances from 12 to 30 in a year under MTSS.
- iii. Expanding the scope of the RDA to include all FATF countries (as against the earlier permitted jurisdiction of GCC, Singapore & Malaysia).
- iv. Crediting into the KYC compliant bank accounts of any bank under the RDA (as against the earlier stipulation of Partner bank).
- v. Facilitating the RDA channel for payment of various utility bills.
- vi. Relaxation of collateral requirements for RDA arrangements under speed Remittance procedure.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3986 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Estimate of Private Investment
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SUSHMITA DEV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3986

TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 9, 2016/ AGRAHAYANA 18, 1938 (SAKA)

## ESTIMATE OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT

## 3986:

KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of estimates of the private investment comprising of foreign and domestic investment as a percentage of total investments in eight North Eastern States of the country during the last three years, State-wise; and
- (b) the details of estimate of the private investment as a percentage of total investments in the country during the said period?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a)  &  (b)  As  informed  by  Department  of  Industrial  Policy  &  Promotion  (DIPP)  they  are implementing Transport Subsidy Scheme (TSS), 1971/Freight Subsidy Scheme (FSS), 2013 to  facilitate  the  process  of  industrialization  in  hilly,  remote  and  inaccessible  areas  and schemes  under  North  East  Industrial  and  Investment  Promotion  Policy  (NEIIPP),  2007  to promote investment and industrialization in the States of North Eastern Region (NER).

The  data  on  Foreign  Investment  made  in  North  Eastern  States  is  not  maintained. However,  as  reported  by  State  Governments  of  North  Eastern  States,  the  year  wise investment made during 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 in NER are as under:

|   S.No. | Year    |   Investment made (Rs. in crore) |
|---------|---------|----------------------------------|
|       1 | 2013-14 |                          670.2   |
|       2 | 2014-15 |                         1131.49  |
|       3 | 2015-16 |                          354.166 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 3985 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Kisan Credit Cards
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services

## Lok Sabha

Unstarred Question No. 3985

To be answered on December 09, 2016/Agrahayana18, 1938 (Saka)

## Kisan Credit Cards

3985. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  credit  limit  provided  by  the  Government  through  Kisan  Credit  Card  is inadequate keeping in view of agricultural input;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has any proposal to increase the limit of loan with lower interest rate and extending the repayment period; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## Answer

## The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Shri  Santosh Kumar Gangwar)

(a) to (c): As per the revised Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme, the short term credit limit is fixed for  the  first  year  taking  into  account  the  scale  of  finance  for  the  crop  (as  decided  by  District Level  Technical  Committee)  x  Extent  of  area  cultivated  +  10%  of  limit  towards  postharvest/household/consumption requirements + 20% of limit towards repairs and maintenance expenses of farm assets + crop insurance, Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) and asset insurance. The first year limit for crop cultivation purpose arrived at as above is enhanced @10%  towards  cost  escalation/increase  in  scale  of  finance,  for  every  successive  year (2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th year).

As  regards  term  loan  for  investment  credit  requirement  of  farmer,  if  any,  such  as  land development, minor irrigation, purchase of farm equipments and allied agricultural activities, the banks may fix the quantum of credit based on the proposed investments during the five year period and the bank's perception on the repaying capacity of the  farmer.

Further, with a view to ensuring availability of short term agriculture credit at a reduced interest rate of 7% p.a. to farmers. Government of India implements an Interest Subvention Scheme for short term crop loans up to Rs.3.00 lakh. Under the said scheme, additional subvention of 3% is given  to  those  farmers  who  repay  their  short  term  crop  loan  in  time,  thereby  reducing  the effective rate of interest to 4% p.a. for such farmers.

There is no proposal under consideration of the Government to revise the extant KCC Scheme.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3984 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Loan to Farmers
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: LALLU SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH DECEMBER, 2016/18 TH AGRAHAYANA, SAKA, 1938

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3984

## Loan to Farmers

## 3984. SHRI LALLU SINGH:

## QUESTION

## Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether farmers has been facing cash crunch due to demonetisation which has adversely affect sowing of rabi crops;
- (c) whether farmers are forced to take loan from money lenders for sowing of crops because banks have stopped their other works due to demonetisation; and

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY FOR FINANCE (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a) to (d): Government has taken several decisions to aid the farmers in the current Rabi season to facilitate farming activities and to support rural economy. NABARD has made  available  Rs.21,000  crores  limit  to  the  District  Central  Cooperative  Banks (DCCBs)  through  State  Cooperative  Banks  for  Rabi  agricultural  operations  which benefit more than 40% of the small and marginal farmers. A number of measures like higher cash drawl limits for farmers and registered traders in APMC markets/Mandis, extension of time limit for payment of crop insurance premium, purchase of seeds with old high denomination bank notes of Rs. 500 from Government Centres, have been announced by Government for the benefit of the farmers. Further, as a relief to small borrowers (i.e., loans upto Rs. 1 crore), RBI has decided to provide additional 60 days time for repayment of dues. This will be applicable to personal and crop loans including housing and agricultural loans, taken from banks, NBFCs, DCCBs, PACS or NBFC- MFIs.

*******

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) if so, the details thereof?
Lok Sabha Question No. 3983 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Investment by PSUs in Stock Exchange
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY  OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTTON  NO. 3983

## :TO BE ANSWERED  ON FRIDAY,  g'h  DECEMBER, 20L6|AGRAHAYANA  18, 1938 (Saka)

## INVESTMENT BY PSUs IN STOCK EXCHANGE

## OUESTION

## 3983. SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government maintains  any record of investment  by Public Sector  Undertakings (PSUs) in stock exchanges:
- (b) if so. the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MITITSTER OF STATE, TN THE MII\ISTRY OF FINAI\CE (SHRI AR.lUf{ RAM MEGHWAL)

(a); . Yes Madam. The Securities  and Exchange Board of India'(SEBI) has informed that as per Regulation  21(l) of the Securities Contracts  (Regulation) (Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations) Regulations. 2012 (SECC Regulations, 2012), the recognised stock exchange(s) are iequired  to disclose  their shareholding  pattern on a quarterly basis, within tlfteen days from the end of each quarter. in the fbrmat specified  oy SEBI.

(b): SEBI has informed that as per the details furnished  by the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the National  Stock Exchange (NSE)  and the, Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India Limited (MSEI),  tlre total shareholding  of Public Sector Undertakings  (PSUs) in the BSE. NSE and MSEI lbr the quarter'dnded September, 2016 rvere 12.65yo.4;0.77% and25.74o/a respectively.

- (c): Does not arise in view of reply to parl (b) above.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3982 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Pharmacy Course
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUEST ION NO. 3982 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH DECEMBER, 2016

## PHARMACY COURSE

## 3982. SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is not regis those  students  who  have  done  pharmacy  on  the  pretext  that  they  have  not  done  regu intermediate and if so, th e de ails thereof;
- (b) whether the norms are prepared by PCI and regulation of colleges by All India Coun Technical Education (AICTE) is the main cause for the conflict which is creating problems students and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to protect the interest of the students?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a) : A  student  who  have passed  from  Open  School  Education  System  of  the  Central/State Government institutions is also eligible for admission to the various pharmacy courses.
- (b)&(c) : Pharmacy Education is regulated both by Pharmacy Council of India(PCI) and All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE).  To resolve any dispute both the councils meets from time to time.

………………
Lok Sabha Question No. 3981 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Uniform to Children in Anganwadi Centres
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KAUSHAL KISHORE, TAPAS PAUL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3981

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2016

## UNIFORM TO CHILDREN IN ANGANWADI CENTRES

3981.  SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE: SHRI TAPAS PAUL:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to provide uniform to the children of Anganwadi Centres in the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ)

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) As  per  the  strengthened  and  restructured  Integrated  Child  Development  Services  (ICDS) Scheme, there is no provision for uniform to children in Anganwadi Centres.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3980 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Multi Level Taxation on Petroleum Product
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3980

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 9 TH    DECEMBER, 2016 AGRAHAYANA 18,  1938 (SAKA)

## MULTI LEVEL TAXATION ON PETROLEUM PRODUCT

## †3980. SHRI SADASHIV LOKHANDE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  abolish  multi  level  taxation  system  on petroleum products;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  introduce  a  simplified  tax  structure  for petroleum products?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a),  (b)  &  (c):  Presently,  domestically  produced  petroleum  products  attract excise duty as under:

| Petroleum Products       | Basic Excise Duty   | Additional Duty of Excise [Road Cess]   | Special Additional Excise Duty   |
|--------------------------|---------------------|-----------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Unbranded Petrol         | Rs.9.48 per litre   | Rs.6 per litre                          | Rs.6 per litre                   |
| Unbranded Diesel         | Rs.11.33 per litre  | Rs.6 per litre                          | -                                |
| Kerosene [PDS]           | Nil                 | -                                       | -                                |
| LPG [for domestic use]   | Nil                 | -                                       | -                                |
| Other Petroleum products | 14% (general rate)  | -                                       | -                                |

Thus, petroleum products other than petrol and diesel either attract only Basic Excise Duty [BED] or are exempted even from BED.

******