opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2208 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Bank Loan to Jatropha Farmers
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: VIRENDRA  KUMAR

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

## LOK SABHA

Unstarred Question No. 2208 To be answered on Friday, July 28, 2017/Shravana 6, 1939 (Saka) Bank Loan to Jatropha Farmers

†2208. DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  public  and  private  sector  banks  provide  loans  to  farmers  for  the cultivation of Jatropha in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  Government  provides  any  subsidy  on  such  loans  during  the  last  three years; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## Answer

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

- (a)  to  (d):  Reserve  Bank  of  India  (RBI)  has  reported  that  the  management  of  loan sanctioning/recovery activity in a bank is essentially an internal management function and  each  Scheduled  Commercial  Bank  is  authorised  to  frame  a  well  defined  loan policy  with  the  approval  of  their  Board  of  Directors  subject  to  the  instructions contained  in  RBI's  Master  Circular  on  'Loan  and  Advances-Statutory  and  Other Restriction' dated 01.07.2015.

The  Central  Government  in  Department  of  Agriculture,  Cooperation  and  Farmers Welfare  (DAC&FW)  is  implementing  National  Mission  on  Oilseeds  and  Oil  Palm (NMOOP),  a  centrally  sponsored  scheme  since  2014-15,  with  an  objective  to increase production and productivity of oilseeds for meeting the domestic requirement of vegetable oil.

Under NMOOP scheme Central assistance is provided to the states for plantation of jatropha @ Rs. 41,000/- per ha. The pattern of funding between Central Share (CS) and State Share (SS) is in the ratio of 60 (CS): 40 (SS) for general States and in the ratio of 90 (CS): 10 (SS) for Hilly & North East States. However, the NMOOP scheme does  not  have  any  provision  of  providing  loans  to  farmers  for  the  cultivation  of jatropha and no subsidy on loans has been provided to the farmers under the scheme during the last three years.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2207 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Custom Duties on Textiles and Garments
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

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## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2207

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 28 TH   JULY, 2017 SHRAVANA 6, 1939 (SAKA)

## CUSTOM DUTIES ON TEXTILES AND GARMENTS

## 2207. SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

- Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is examining the additional custom duties imposed by Turkey on a range of textiles and garments from India; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the duties imposed violate WTO norms, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the extent to which such duties have impacted Indian industries?

## ANSWER

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

(a), (b), (c) and (d): Recently Turkey has imposed additional customs duties on MFN  basis  on  a  range  of  products,  including  textiles  and  garments,  from countries,  including  India,  which  impacts  exports.  Government  is  in  the process of collecting the relevant information for assessing  the  WTO compatibility of the measure.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2206 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Features of GST
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RATTAN LAL KATARIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2206

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 28th JULY, 2017 SHRAVANA 6,1939 (SAKA)

## FEATURES OF GST

## 2206. SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will pave the way for financialization of the country and if sO, the details thereof;
- (b) Whether the GST will make the dream of 'one nation, one tax and one market' true in the country and if the details thereof;
- (c) Whether the GST will promote business and development by making the taxation structure easy and by eliminating the numerous taxes and if s0, the details thereof; and
- (d) Whether the GST will improve productivity and easiness of business and if s0, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

## (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) No Sir. It is intended to bring transparency and accountability in business transactions along with the ease of doing business and rationalization in tax rates.
- (b) Yes Sir. The foremost benefit  of GST is to remove hurdles in inter-State transactions resulting in the setting up of a common market. Further, in case of inter-State supply, only integrated tax is to be levied while in intra-State supplies, central tax and State tax or Union territory tax is to be levied. Thus, the plethora of taxes being  levied by the Centre and the States in the erstwhile regime has been replaced by simpler and more efficient taxation system.
- (c) Yes Sir. The GST laws have been framed in such a manner that a multitude of taxes have been replaced by one tax: The details of the taxes subsumed under GST are as under.
- (A) Taxes related to Centre:
- Central Excise duty
- ii. Duties of Excise (Medicinal and Toilet Preparations)
- iii. Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance)
- iv. Additional Duties of Excise (Textiles and Textile Products)
- V Additional Duties of Customs (commonly known as CVD)
- vi. Special Additional Duty of Customs (SAD)
- vii. Service Tax
- viii. Central Surcharges and Cesses as they relate to supply of goods or services:
- (B) Taxes related to State
- State VAT
- ii. Central Sales Tax
- iii. Luxury Tax
- iv. Octroi and Entry Tax (all forms)
- V Entertainment and Amusement Tax (except when levied by the local bodies)
- vi. Taxes on advertisements
- vii. Purchase Tax
- viii. Taxes on lotteries, betting and gambling
- ix State Surcharges and Cesses so far as relate to supply of goods or services. they
- (d) Yes Sir. The entire nation has been converted into a single market by removal of hurdles to inter-State trade. Further, uniform tax rates along with reduction in the cascading effect of taxation and increased input tax credit utilization in GST would immensely benefit the nation. There is automation of all major business processes registration, payment of tax, return etc: viz , filing;

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2204 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Crop Loan
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: BHAVANA GAWALI (PATIL)

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services LOK SABHA Unstarred Question No. 2204

To be answered on Friday, July 28, 2017/Shravana 6, 1939 (Saka)

## Crop loan

† 2204. SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI PATIL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to grant crop loan on easy terms to farmers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the total amount sanctioned for the said purpose during the current financial year?

## Answer

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

(a)  to  (c):    In  order  to  make  available  ground  level  agricultural  credit  for  Short  Term  crop loans at an affordable rate to give a boost to agricultural productivity and production in the country, Government in the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers' Welfare (DAC&FW) has approved the continuation of the Interest Subvention Scheme for the current financial year 2017-18.

Under the Scheme, interest subvention of 2% per annum is provided to Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Scheduled Commercial Banks (in respect of loans given by their rural and semi urban branches only), Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks on their own funds used for  short  term  crop  loans  upto  Rs.  3.00  lakh  per  farmer  provided  the  lending  institutions make available short term credit at the ground level at 7% per annum to farmers.

Farmers are provided with 3% additional interest subvention for the short term crop loan of upto Rs. 3.00 lakh for a maximum period of one year for prompt repayment on or before the due date.

Thus, farmers, who promptly repay their crop loans as per the repayment schedule fixed by the banks, are extended loans at an effective interest rate of 4% per annum.

Under the scheme, an amount of ₹ 15,000 crore has been allocated during 2017-18
Lok Sabha Question No. 2202 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Testing of Meat Products
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: JAY PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2202 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH JULY, 2017

## TESTING OF MEAT PROD UCTS

## 2202. SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV:

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

- (a) whether raw meat like beef, buffalo meat, mutton, pork, chicken etc. is being sold to the consumers without any medical test;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to conduct test of raw meat at district level itself b fore selling it to consumers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the total consumption of raw meat of various types in the country, State - wise?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)

(a) to  ( c): Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  has  laid  down  the standards for meat and meat products under sub - r gulation 2.5 of the Food Sa fety and Standards (Food Products Standard and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Further, in Part IV of Sch IV of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011, FSSAI has prescribed  guidelines  on  specific  hygienic  and  s anit ry practices  to  be  followed  by  Food Business Operators (FBOs) engaged in manufacture, processing, storing and selling meat meat products. These standards and guidelines are required to be adhered to by FBOs de with meat and meat products. The implementation and enforcement of provisions of the Food Safety  and  Standards  Act,  2006,  Rules  and  Regulations  thereunder  as  applicable  to  any product, primarily rests with the State/UT Governments. A surveillance plan was shared wi States/UTs by the FSSAI, in August, 2014 wherein the samples of meat and meat products wer to be drawn during the months of July to September. The States were given liberty to modi surveillance plan as per availability of food items, geographical location, deg ree of  risk, etc. R egular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and r andom sampling of food products, including meat  and  meat  products, is  undertaken  by  the  officials  of  Food  Safety  Departments  of  th respective States/UTs to check compliance of the standards laid down under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Rules and Regulations thereunder. In cases, where the food samples are found to be non - conforming to the prescribed standards, recourse is taken to penal provis under Chapter IX of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Separate data   in respect of meat and meat products, is not maintained centrally by the FSSAI.

- (d): Data on consumption of raw meat is not maintained centrally.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2201 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Shortage of Soldiers
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: VINOD CHAVDA, PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2201

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 TH  JULY, 2017

## SHORTAGE OF SOLDIERS

2201.  SHRI  VINOD LAKHAMASHI CHAVDA: SHRI P.K. BIJU:

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

- (a) whether there is shortage of soldiers in the Armed Forces;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the other steps taken by the Government to overcome the shortage of soldiers in the Armed Forces?

## 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) & (b): The shortage of JCOs / Other Ranks, Sailors and Airmen in the Army, Navy and Air Force, respectively is given as under:-

| Army (as on 1.1.2017)   | Navy (as on 31.5.2017)   | Air Force (as on 1.7.2017)   |
|-------------------------|--------------------------|------------------------------|
| 25,472*                 | 13,373                   | 13,785                       |

*In so  far as the Army  is  concerned  the  existing shortages, vis-a-vis the total strength is nominal.

- (c) The  Government  has  taken  a  number  of  measures  to  reduce  the shortages.    These  include  augmentation  of  training  capacity,  sustained image projection, motivational lectures in schools, participation in career fairs  and  exhibitions  and  publicity  campaign  to  create  awareness  among the youth on the advantages of taking up a challenging career in the Armed Forces.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2200 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Legislation on Child Trafficking
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: HEMAMALINI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2200

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2017

## LEGISLATION ON CHILD TRAFFICKING

## 2200.   SHRIMATI HEMA MALINI:

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

- (a)     whether the Government has any proposal to bring a comprehensive legislation to deal with  the  issues  of  child  trafficking,  missing  children,  sexual  exploitation,  slavery  and employment  of  trafficked  children,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor;
- (b)        whether  the  Government  has  received  some  suggestions  from  the  Non  Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other experts in this regard;
- (c)        if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (d)     the present status of the legislation along with the time by which it is likely to be enacted?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):    No, Madam. There is no proposal to bring a comprehensive legislation specifically to deal with  the  issues  of  child  trafficking,  missing  children,  sexual  exploitation,  slavery  and employment of trafficked children. However, a comprehensive legislation, Trafficking of  Persons  (Prevention,  Protection  and  Rehabilitation  Bill,  2017  is  being  envisaged  to prevent  various  aspects  of  trafficking  of  persons. It provides  inter-alia for care, protection and rehabilitation of victims and in case of child victim; the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015 shall apply.
- (b)       to (d): Question does not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2198 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Relaxation on Changed MRP
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: BALKA SUMAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2198

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 28 TH   JULY, 2017 SHRAVANA 6, 1939 (SAKA)

## RELAXATION ON CHANGED MRP

## 2198. SHRI SUMAN BALKA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  allowed  the  manufacturers/packers/  importers  of pre-packaged commodities to declare the changed retail sale price/ maximum retail price on the unsold stock manufactured/packed/imported prior to 1st July, 2017 and after inclusion of the increased amount of tax due to Goods and Services Tax; and (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and  (b):  Yes  Madam.  The  Government  vide  letter  WM-10(31)/2017  dated 04.07.2017  of  Legal  Metrology  Division,  Department  of  Consumer  Affairs, addressed  to  all  industries/  industry  associations  and  stakeholders  has permitted the manufacturers or packers or importers of pre-packaged commodities  to  declare  the  changed  retail  sale  price  (MRP)  on  the  unsold stock manufactured/ packed/ imported prior to 1st July, 2017 after inclusion of the increased amount of tax due to GST if any, in addition to the existing retail sale price (MRP) for three months w.e.f. 1st July 2017 to 30th September, 2017. Declaration  of  changed  retail  sale  price  (MRP)  shall  be  made  by  way  of stamping  or  putting  sticker  or  online  printing,  as  the  case  may  be,  after complying with the conditions specified in the letter.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2197 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Ban on Milk from China
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2197 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH JULY, 2017

## BAN ON MILK FROM CHI NA

## 2197. DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

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

- (a) whether the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to extend the ban on import of milk and milk products from China till June 2018;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the reasons for banning milk and milk products from China;
- (d) whether the Government is planning to ban the import of any other products from China in view of the prevailing political scenario;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)

(a) & (b): Yes.  FSSAI  recommended  for  extension  of  ban  on  import  of  milk  and  milk products      (including  chocolates  and  chocolate  products  and candies/confectionary/food preparations with milk or milk solids as in ingredient) from China till 23.06.2018 or u safety is established on the basis of credible reports and supporting data, whichever is the  recommendation  of  FSSAI,  t he  Department  of  Commerce  has  issued  a  notification  on 22.06.2017 extending prohibition on import of milk and milk products from China for one m year i.e.  till 23.06.2018 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

(c): The Department of Commerc e had imposed a ban for three months on import of milk and milk products from China in September, 2008 due to finding of contamination with melami The ban was further extended for six months and the imports of chocolate a chocolateproducts and candi es/confectionary/food preparations with milk and milk solids as a ingredient, were also included in the ban. The ban has since been extended on yearly basis i absence of any dependable report available about significant improvement in the situation.

(d ) to (f): FSSAI considers the issue of putting restriction on imports of a food product the  perspective  of  food  safety  and  hygiene  only.    At  present,  there  is  no  proposal consideration in FSSAI for putting ban on other food products from China.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2195 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Kisan Vikas Patra
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: KAUSHAL KISHORE

No.2195

## SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE

Will the Minister of FINANCE be please to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has identified farmers who would be benefitted from the Kisan Vikas Patra in the country;
- (b) if so, the number of farmers identified thereof, State/UT-wise; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## Government of India Ministry of Finance

## Department of Economic Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2195

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY 28 th  JULY, 2017

## 'KISAN VIKAS PATRA'

## ANSWER

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

- (a), (b) & (c) Sir, Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) is so named because it is framed keeping in view the savings needs of the small savers, especially the farmers. So any farmer who invests in KVP would be a beneficiary of the scheme of KVP, as for all other individual beneficiaries of KVP. The Banks and the Department of Posts maintain a database of investors in KVP but do not segregate it into farmer and non-farmer.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2194 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Import Duty sought by Sugar Mills
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: HUKUM SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

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## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2194

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 28 TH   JULY, 2017 SHRAVANA 6, 1939 (SAKA)

## IMPORT DUTY SOUGHT BY SUGAR MILLS

## 2194. SHRI HUKUM SINGH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that the sugar mills have sought higher import duty; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): Yes Madam. Government had received representation to increase import duty on sugar to check unnecessary imports and protect the interest of sugarcane farmers.  The matter was examined and the import duty on sugar was increased from 40% to 50% with effect from 10.07.2017.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2193 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Interest on Subsidy
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: N.K. PREMACHANDRAN

## Govt. of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2193

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 th  July, 2017 / Shravana 6, 1939 (Saka)

## Interest on Subsidy

## QUESTION

## 2193 . SHRI N. K. PREMACHANDRAN

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has noticed that the banks are charging interest on the subsidy amount sanctioned for self employed and transferred to the bank accounts till the clearing of the loans given under various self employment schemes;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  action  taken  by  the  Government  to  provide  a  split  up  of  loan  details,  loan amount, interest, subsidy sanctioned etc. to the entrepreneur through online facility in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b): No  such  instances  have  come  to  the  notice  of  Government.  As  per  the guidelines of self  employment  schemes  such  as Prime Minister's  Employment Generation  Programme  (PMEGP),  the  subsidy  sanctioned  is  kept  as  a  non  interest bearing deposit and no interest is charged by the bank on equivalent loan amount.

(C): The  PMEGP-e-  Portal  provides  information  to  the  entrepreneur  on  total  project cost, amount of loan sanctioned, amount of own contribution deposited, margin money claimed and deposited.

*****