opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 6103 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Consumer Protection Authority
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: RAMEN DEKA, Dr. BHOLA SINGH

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Government of India Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6103

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.04.2017

## CONSUMER PROTECTION AUTHORITY

6103.  SHRI RAMEN DEKA: DR. BHOLA SINGH:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government is actively considering amendments to give more teeth to the Consumer Protection Act of 1986 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any proposal to create a Consumer Protection Authority to protect consumers from unfair trade practices and to ensure faster redressal of grievances of consumers; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) : For  giving  more  teeth  to  the  Consumer  Protection  legislation,  the  Consumer Protection Bill, 2015 was introduced in Parliament in August, 2015. The salient features of the Bill include establishment of an executive agency to be called the Central Consumer Protection Authority, simplification of the adjudication process in the three-tier quasi-judicial adjudication system, mediation as an alternate dispute redressal mechanism and provision for product liability action.
- (b) & (c) : The mandate of the proposed Consumer Protection Authority is to regulate matters relating  to  violation  of  rights  of  consumers,  unfair  trade  practices  and  false  or  misleading advertisements  which  are  prejudicial  to  the  interests  of  public  and  consumers  and  to  promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers as a class.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6102 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: National Commission for SCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6102 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.04.2017

## NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCs

6102. PROF. A.S.R. NAIK:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of grievances/ complaints received by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) the number of such cases disposed of and pending at present;
- (c) the number of cases recommended and the number of cases in which action has been taken by the concerned department, State-wise; and
- (d) the efforts being made to expedite the disposal of all pending cases?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)

(a), (b) & (c):

The details are given below:

| Year                    |   Opening balance April |   Recd during the year |   Total cases received |   Total cases disposed/ recommended |   Total cases pending |
|-------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------|
| 2013-14                 |                   10578 |                  15027 |                  25605 |                                5817 |                 19788 |
| 2014-15                 |                   19788 |                  30503 |                  50291 |                               28148 |                 22143 |
| 2015-16                 |                   22501 |                  17372 |                  39873 |                                9942 |                 29931 |
| 2016-17 (upto Dec,2016) |                   29934 |                  12228 |                  42162 |                               10556 |                 31606 |

As  per  mandate  of  the  Commission  under  Article  338(8)  of  the  Constitution,  though  the Commission  has  all  the  power  of  Civil  Courts  trying  a  suit  like  a  Civil  Court,  yet  the Commission has only recommendatory function, which the Public authorities may choose not to implement.

(d): Steps being taken by NCSC to clear the pendency are as under:

-  Holding of meetings in Divisional Headquarters in the States to review the action taken by the authorities in the districts concerned and on the spot recommendation and disposal of the cases;
-  Review of the cases pending for more than one year and strict monitoring and follow up of such cases; and

Increasing  the  number  and  frequency  of  the  hearings  held  by  Hon'ble  Members  (NCSC)  in charge of the States.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6100 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Online Sale of Essential Commodities
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: VIKRAM USENDI

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Government of India Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6100

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.04.2017

## ONLINE SALE OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES

6100.  SHRI VIKRAM USENDI:

(OIH)

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  given  permission  for  online  sale  of  essential  commodities including foodgrains;
- (b) if  so,  the  number  of  companies  which  have  been  given  permission  for  online  sale  of essential commodities including foodgrains and grocery items;
- (c) whether the Government has constituted any private monitoring mechanism to inspect the storehouses of essential goods being sold by the said companies;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  action  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  the  availability  of  essential  items  in  the general retail market?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) to  (d) : At present no separate permission is required for online sale of essential commodities including  foodgrains  and  grocery  items  falling  under  category  of  essential  commodities,  because online as well as offline trade of essential commodities are treated legally on the same footing for trade  purpose,  those  traders  who  have  license  for  offline  sale  of  essential  commodities  including foodgrains may also sale them online.
- (e) :     To ensure the availability of essential food items in the general retail market, the States being  enforcement  agencies  for  EC  Act,  1955,  take  action  against  blackmarketing,  hoarding, profiteering  and  speculative  trading  and  unscrupulous  traders.  Food  Corporation  of  India  sells surplus stocks of wheat and rice out of Central Pool under Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) through e-auction to the registered Bulk Consumers/Roller Flour Mills/Private Traders from time to time  to  enhance  supply  and  thereby  moderate  the  open  market  prices.  Higher  MSP  has  been announced  so  as  to  incentivize  production  and  thereby  enhance  availability  of  food  items.  The quantities of wheat and rice sold under OMSS (D) during the last two years 2015-16 and 2016-17 are as under:

(in Lakh MT)

| Year    | Quantity of food grains   | Quantity of food grains   |
|---------|---------------------------|---------------------------|
|         | Wheat                     | Rice                      |
| 2015-16 | 70.77                     | 1.11                      |
| 2016-17 | 45.67                     | 1.78                      |
Lok Sabha Question No. 6099 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Expenditure on Jail Inmates
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: KAMAL NATH, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6099

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 th  APRIL, 2017/CHAITRA 21, 1939 (SAKA)

EXPENDITURE ON JAIL INMATES

6099.

SHRI KAMAL NATH:

SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Supreme Court has recently directed the Union Government to  come  out  with  a  scheme  to  audit  spending  by  prisons  with  C&AG's assistance;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  action  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government on the directive of the Supreme Court;
- (c)  whether  huge  discrepancies  in  expenses  incurred  on  jail  inmates  by various States have come to the notice of the Supreme Court; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be taken by the Union Government to monitor proper and timely utilisation of funds by various prisons in the country?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) to (d): Yes, in writ petition (Civil) 406/2013 regarding 'Inhuman Conditions  in  1382  prisons',  the  Supreme  Court  has  issued  an  order  on 17.02.2017.    The  Court  has  inter-alia  observed  that  there  is  a  huge discrepancy in the amount spent on inmates between the Jail of one State to another. The Court has noted that it may perhaps be necessary to have the  accounts  audited  and  has  inter-alia  directed  the  Ministry  of  Home Affairs to have the accounts of the prisons audited with the assistance of C&AG.

## LS.US.Q.No.6099 FOR 11.04.2017

The  Government  of  India  has  forwarded  the  order  of  the  Court  dated 17.2.2017  to  all  States  and  UTs.  The  Comptroller  and  Auditor  General  of India  was  apprised  of  the  order  of  the  Court.  The  office  of  C&AG  has informed MHA that functioning of prisons/jails, being a State subject, has already been audited by the CAG in a few states during 2016-17 and audit reports  thereon  are  tabled  in  the  respective  State  legislatures.  CAG  has further stated that issues relating to prison management have already been covered in audit.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6097 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Wrong Map of India
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: JAY PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6097

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 th  APRIL, 2017/CHAITRA 21, 1939 (SAKA) WRONG MAP OF INDIA

6097.

SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  a  leading  PSU  has  recently  published  a  wrong  map  of  India wherein  a  part  of  Jammu  and  Kashmir  has  been  shown  as  part  of  the Republic of China;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any action has been taken against the PSU or the said PSU has taken any action against the erring officials in the matter; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) to (d): As per the information received from the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, in the New Year Diary printed by the ONGC Videsh Limited for the year 2017, map of India depicted in the introductory pages was not as per the actual map of Jammu & Kashmir. The Inquiry Committee instituted to  conduct  inquiry  into  the  matter  has  brought  out  that  two  officials  of ONGC Videsh Limited failed to notice the incorrectness in the outline of the map due to insufficient proof reading and subsequent approval for printing of diaries. The concerned public sector undertaking has initiated disciplinary  action  against  the  erring  officials  of  the  company.    The engagement of the contractual person responsible for graphic design has been discontinued.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6095 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Supreme Court Observations on Ayodhya Issue
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RATTAN LAL KATARIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6095

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 th  APRIL, 2017/CHAITRA 21, 1939 (SAKA)

SUPREME COURT OBSERVATIONS ON AYODHYA ISSUE

†6095. SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Supreme Court has made an observation on 21st March, 2017  for  finding  a  solution  to  the  Ayodhya  issue  through  negotiations considering the issue a matter of faith;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Supreme Court has also offered mediation to find out the solution to the Ayodhya issue; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (d) The  judgement  dated  30.09.2010  of  Allahabad  High  Court Lucknow Bench in the title suits regarding the Ram Janam Bhoomi-Babari Masjid  disputed  site  at  Ayodhya  has  been  challenged  by  the  parties  in Supreme Court who vide order dated 09.05.2011 have stayed the operation of the same and also ordered that the parties shall maintain status quo in regard to suit land. The Central Govt. is not a party in the title suits or the appeals.  It  is  maintaining  status  quo  at  the  disputed  site  under  the provisions of the Acquisition of Certain Area At Ayodhya Act, 1993 and the orders passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. The Central Government has not  received  any  directions  dated  21.03.2017  from  the  Hon'ble  Supreme Court on the Ayodhya issue.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6094 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Natural Calamities and Disasters
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: M. I. SHANAVAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6094

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 th  APRIL, 2017/CHAITRA 21, 1939 (SAKA) NATURAL CALAMITIES AND DISASTERS

6094.

SHRI M.I. SHANAVAS:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has set up a Panel to study disasters like the flooding of cities during the last three years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  contemplates  to  provide  assistance  to  the States in times of disasters like floods in Vizag, Srinagar and Chennai; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU )

- (a)  No Madam.
- (b)  Does not arise.

(c) & (d) With regard to assistance to the States in the time of disaster, primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the States. The Government of India extends all the possible logistic and financial support to the States to supplement their efforts to meet the situation effectively. However,  there  are  well  established  institutional  mechanisms  at  the National,  State  and  district  level  for  effective  management  of  natural disasters/  calamities  including  flood  at  the  State/  District  and  local Governments level during  natural  disaster  in  the    country.    In    order  to supplement  the   efforts  of  the State,  financial  assistance  is  extended

## LS.US.Q.No.6094 FOR 11.04.2017

from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)/ National Disaster Response  Fund  (NDRF),  in  accordance  with  the  established  procedure. The  concerned  State  Governments  undertake  and  provide  relief  to  the affected  people  in  the  wake  of  natural  disasters  including  flood,  from SDRF already placed at their disposal, in accordance with the approved items & norms of assistance and based on the magnitude of the ground situation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6092 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Pollution in Mula-Mutha River
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6092

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.04.2017

## Pollution in Mula - Mutha River

6092. SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the soft loan of 19.064 billion yen from Japan at an interest rate of 0.3 per cent per annum has been utilised for abatement of pollution of river Mula and Mutha in Pune;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the present status of this project?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a) to (c)  Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is providing a soft loan of 19.064  billion  Japanese  Yen  to  Government  of  India  for  the  project  of  'Pollution abatement  of  river  Mula  -  Mutha  in  Pune'.  Based  on  the  loan  agreement  signed between  Government  of  India  and  JICA,  the  project  has  been  sanctioned  at  an estimated  cost  of  Rs.  990.26  crore  in  January,  2016  under  the  National  River Conservation  Plan  on  cost  sharing  basis  between  Government  of  India  and  State Government / Pune Municipal Corporation. The project is scheduled to be completed by January, 2022.

The major components sanctioned under the project include construction of new Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) of 396 million litres per day (mld) capacity, laying of sewer lines and renovation/rehabilitation of existing intermediate pumping stations,  installation  of  Central  Supervisory  Control  and  Data  Acquisition  (SCADA) system for centralized monitoring of functioning of STPs, construction of community toilet facilities, public participation and awareness programme.

The Government of India has so far released Central share of Rs. 25.99 crore for the project. Pune  Municipal  Corporation  has  informed  that  till  date land acquisition for 5 STPs has been completed & tendering process has been taken - up for the components of sewerage works in Baner area and construction of community toilets.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6091 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Security Threat to Space Centre
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6091

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 th  APRIL, 2017/CHAITRA 21, 1939 (SAKA)

SECURITY THREAT TO SPACE CENTRE

6091. SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has studied and observed that vital installations  in  the  country  like  the  SHAR,  Sriharikota  Space  Centre  are facing security threat from both internal and foreign attacks;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has taken any steps to boost adequate security and surveillance to these vital installations;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the safety and security measures taken by the Government to identify and thwart any threats from the sea, air and ground; and
- (e)  the  total  funds  allocated  for  safety  and  security  and  surveillance  of these  vital  and  strategically  important  installations  during  the  last  three years and the current year?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAM GANGARAM AHIR)

- (a)  to  (d)      Yes  Madam.  Security  arrangements  are  being  constantly reviewed and beefed up with necessary augmentation, whenever there is any  specific  security  threat/alert  from  security  /intelligence  agencies. Security  of  the  vital  installations  of  sensitive  sectors  like  DAE,  DoS, Defence, etc is being looked after by CISF/State Police. Security of lesser sensitive installations is  being  covered  by  Departmental/State  Home Guards  /  Private  Security  Personnel.  For  additional  security  of  highly sensitive installation like Nuclear Power Plant,   Space  stations,  Defence production units, Refineries, Research facilities etc.  Quick Reaction Teams

## LS.US.Q.No.6091 FOR 11.04.2017

(QRTs) of CISF have  been  formed  and  Air Defence  cover  by Air Force/Army  Air  Elements  are  also  available.  Waterfront  security  of  the installations  located  in  the  coastal  areas  is  being  provided  by  State Marine Police.

(e) MHA has no separate fund allocated for safety and security of vital and strategically important installations. The necessary funds are allocated by the Ministry/ Department/ PSUs concerned for the deployment of CISF at the Vital/strategic installations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6090 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Farm Houses
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAMA DEVI, RAMDAS CHANDRABHANJI TADAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6090

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 th  APRIL, 2017/CHAITRA 21, 1939 (SAKA) FARM HOUSES

6090.

SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of farm houses in the NCT of Delhi;
- (b) whether any construction work is allowed in the said farm houses;
- (c) if so, the provisions laid down in the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act in this regard;
- (d)  whether  the  Municipal  Corporation  of  Delhi  has  failed  completely  in implementation of the said Act; and
- (e)  if  so,  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  against  the  persons  held accountable in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) & (b):  The Delhi Development Authority(DDA) has informed that as per clause 4.2.2.1 of Master Plan for Delhi(MPD)-2021, the villages containing existing  farm  houses  clusters  are  notified  as  Low  Density  Residential Area(LDRA)  and  the  policy  of LDRA  has  already  been  notified vide notification No.S.O.1199(E) dated 10.05.2013.

## LS.US.Q.No.6090 FOR 11.04.2017

The North and South Delhi Municipal Corporations have informed that no new permission for construction of Farm Houses has been granted after the Gazette  Notification  bearing  No.S.O.1199(E)  dated  10.05.2013  of  DDA regarding Low Density Residential Area (LDRA). The East Delhi Municipal Corporation has informed that there is no farm house in their jurisdiction.

DDA has further informed that the amendments in the LDRA provisons of MPD-2021 dated 10.05.2013 and Regulations and Regularisation of Existing Farm  Houses  dated  30.10.2012  have  been  processed  by  DDA  as  per relevant  provisions  under  Delhi  Development  Act,  1957  and  have  been forwarded  to  the  Ministry  of  Urban  Development  (MoUD)  Government  of India, for consideration.

The MoUD has conveyed to the DDA that the process for regularisation be stopped  immediately  until  amendments  to  the  regularising  policy  are notified with the approval of Competent Authority.

(c):    Section  332  of  the  Delhi  Municipal  Corporation  (DMC)  Act,  1957 provides that 'No person shall erect or commence to erect any building or execute  any  works  specified  in  Section  334  except  with  the  previous sanction of the Commissioner, not otherwise than in accordance with the provisions  of  this  Chapter  and  of  the  bye-laws  made  under  this  Act  in relation to the erection of building or execution of works'.

## LS.US.Q.No.6090 FOR 11.04.2017

(d)  &  (e):  The  North  and  South  DMCs  have  informed  that  whenever  any illegal construction is noticed within their jurisidiction, necessary action is taken by the Building Department of the respective zone as per provisions of the DMC Act, 1957.

*****