opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1710 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Development Package for Jammu and Kashmir
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: PARVESH SAHIB SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1710

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017/PHALGUNA 19, 1938 (SAKA)

## Development Package for Jammu and Kashmir

1710. SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps under the Prime Minister's Development Package for Jammu and Kashmir 2015;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has made any financial disbursement under the said package since its announcement; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) to (d) An amount of Rs. 59,646.97 crore has been sanctioned so far and Rs. 15,770.14 crore released for implementation of the projects under the Prime Minister's Development Package for Jammu & Kashmir 2015.

- ****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1709 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Impact of Demonetisation on NRIs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: N.K. PREMACHANDRAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 1709

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  MARCH, 2017/ PHALGUNA 19, 1938 (SAKA)

## IMPACT OF DEMONETISATION ON NRIS QUESTION

## 1709: SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  has  conducted  any study regarding the difficulties of NRIs visiting India for short duration due to lack of fund on account of demonetisation;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to introduce scheme for exchange of old notes and ensure sufficient flow of new currency to the aforesaid NRIs; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the arrangements made in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b)  Various steps have been taken in order to ease the difficulties being faced by foreign tourists/ NRIs.  To avoid any inconvenience to foreign tourists, Authorised Persons were advised to  issue  Pre-paid  instruments  to  them  in  terms  of  the  instructions  issued  by  Department  of Payments  and  Settlement  System,  Reserve  Bank  of  India,  in  exchange  of  foreign  exchange tendered.

( c ) & (d) The Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Ordinance 2016 was promulgated by the President of India (GoI Ordinance No. 10 of 2016 dated December 30, 2016) and it came into  effect  from  December  31,  2016.  Subsequently,  the  Specified  Bank  Notes  (Cessation  of Liabilities) Act, 2017 was notified on 28 th February, 2017.

A grace period has been provided during which the Specified Bank Notes can be deposited in accordance with this Ordinance/Act by Indian citizens who make a declaration that they were outside India between November 9 and December 30, 2016, subject to conditions that may be specified by notification by the Central Government. The grace period for Indian citizen residing in  India  is  March  31,  2017  and  for  Indian  citizen  resident  outside  is  June  30,  2017  as  per Government of India notification no. 10 dated December 30, 2016. While there is no monetary limit for exchange for the eligible Resident Indians, the limit for NRIs is as per the relevant FEMA Regulations.

The Reserve Bank, if satisfied after making the necessary verifications, that the reasons for failure to deposit the notes till December 30, 2016 are genuine, will credit the value of notes in the KYC (Know Your Customer) compliant bank account of the tenderer. This facility is available only at five selected RBI Offices (Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Nagpur).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1708 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Stalled Infrastructure Projects
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Economic Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1708 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017/PHALGUNA 19, 1938 (SAKA)

## STALLED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

## 1708. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI:

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

- a)  whether the Government is aware that slow pace of infrastructure projects is one of the major reasons for slowdown in economic growth;
- b)  if so, the details thereof along with the number of projects not being implemented due to shortage of funds;
- c)  whether  the  Government  has  prepared  action  plan  to  earmark  more  funds  for  these projects in order to complete projects in a time bound manner; and
- d)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  expedite  the  work  stalled  major  infrastructure projects?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d): Economic growth depends upon various factors including  provision of adequate infrastructure. There are 1186 on-going central sector infrastructure projects with sanctioned cost of Rs 14,60,100 crore, as on 31.12.2016. As per the Flash Report - December, 2016 (for  projects  of  the  cost  Rs  150  crore  and  above)  of  Ministry  of  Statistics  and  Programme Implementation,  12  Projects  with  an  anticipated  cost  of  Rs  21426.32  crore  are  delayed, amongst  others,  due  to  shortage  of  funds/  delay  in  release  of  funds.  Review  of  delayed projects is made periodically by Project Authorities and corrective action including allocation of  additional  funds  is  taken  if  warranted.  Further,  with  a  view  to  putting  in  place  an institutional  mechanism  to  track  stalled  investment  projects,  both  in  the  public  and  private sectors involving investment of Rs.1000 crore or more, or any other critical projects in sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, etc., a Cell called the  Project Monitoring Group (PMG) has been set up in Prime Minister's Office. At present, PMG is facilitating resolutions of 632 issues  in  251  projects  with  estimated  investment  of  more  than  Rs  10,64,000  crore. Government has taken various steps to ensure timely completion of projects such as rigorous project  appraisal,  on  line  computerized  monitoring  system  (OCMS)  for  better  monitoring, setting up of standing committees in the Ministries for fixation of responsibilities, and setting up  of  Central  Sector  Project  Coordination  Committees  (CSPCCs)  in  states  under  Chief Secretaries  for  removal  of  bottlenecks  and  for  facilitating  and  speedy  implementation  of major projects.

- *********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1707 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Shortage of Officers and Soldiers
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1707

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  MARCH, 2017

## SHORTAGE OF OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS

1707. SHRI  D.S. RATHOD:

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

- (a) whether there is shortage of officers and soldiers in the defence forces at present;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE र  ा रा य मं ी

(a) to (c):

A statement is attached.

******

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(

डा . सुभाष भामरे )

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1707 FOR ANSWER ON 10.3.2017

(a) & (b):    The details of shortage of personnel in the Armed Forces are as under:-

| Army                       | Army                         | Navy                        | Navy                      | Air Force                  | Air Force                |
|----------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------|--------------------------|
| Officers* (As on 1.7.2016) | Other Ranks (As on 1.7.2016) | Officers* (As on 30.9.2016) | Sailors (As on 30.9.2016) | Officers* (As on 1.8.2016) | Airmen (As on 1.11.2016) |
| 8370                       | 35174                        | 1332                        | 10982                     | 29                         | 9841                     |

*excluding medical and dental branches.

(c)  Government has taken a number of measures  to reduce the shortages.    These  include  sustained  image  projection,  participation  in career fairs and exhibitions and publicity campaign to create awareness among  the  youth  on  the  advantages  of  taking  up  a  challenging  and satisfying career.  Further, Government has taken various steps to make armed forces' jobs attractive. These include additional family accommodation  through  Married  Accommodation  Project  (MAP)  and improvement in promotion prospects in the Armed Forces.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1706 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: NIPFP Road Map for Business Exit
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY, MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVNTHI)

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NlPFP) has called  for  a  complete  road  map  for  exit  of  the  Government  from  the business of running companies;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reaction  of  the  Government  in  this regard;
- (c) whether the Government is likely to reach a consensus with the unions of PSUs before taking a final decision; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) No Madam.
- (b) to (d) Does not arise in view of answer to (a) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1705 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Period for Crop Loans
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: BALKA SUMAN

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

Unstarred Question No. 1705

To be answered on Friday, March 10, 2017/Phalguna 19, 1938 (Saka)

## Period for Crop Loans

1705. SHRI SUMAN BALKA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to provide the additional grace period of 60 days to farmers whose crop loan dues fall between 1 November, 2016 and 31 December,  2016  under  prompt  repayment  incentive  for  2016-17  due  to  the demonetisation;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## Answer

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

(a) & (b): Yes Madam. In view of the constraints faced by the farmers for timely repayment  of  loan  dues  on  account  of  demonetization  of  Specified  Bank  Notes (SBNs),  the  Government  (Department  of  Agriculture,  Cooperation  and  Farmers' Welfare) has decided to provide an additional grace period of 60 days for prompt repayment incentive @ 3% to such farmers whose crop loan dues are falling due between 1st November, 2016 and 31st December, 2016 and if such farmers repay the same within 60 days from their due date in this period.

- (c): Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1703 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Crude Oil Price
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: ANANT KUMAR DATTATREYA HEGDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1703

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 10 TH  MARCH, 2017 PHALGUNA 19, 1938 (SAKA)

## CRUDE OIL PRICE

## 1703. SHRI ANANTKUMAR HEGDE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  certain  duty  and  excise  duty  levied  during  the  first  week  of January, 2017;
- (b) whether  the  Government  increased  the  taxes  levied  on  petroleum  products with  the  corresponding  increase  in  the  prices  of  petroleum  products  due  to spurt in global and crude oil during the period of April to December of current fiscal year;
- (c)  if  so, the details thereof and the increase amount taxes collected during the said period;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  relief  to  the  consumers  by reducing the customs and excise duty on account of recent increased prices of crude oil; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a):There has been no change in Customs and Central Excise duties on Crude oil and Petroleum Products during the first week of January, 2017.

- (b):  No, Madam.
- (c):  Does not arise in view of reply to (b) above.
- (d): There is no such proposal under consideration at present.
- (e): Does not arise in view of reply to (d) above.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1702 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Benefits of Falling Prices of Petroleum Products
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1702

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 10 TH  MARCH, 2017 PHALGUNA 19, 1938 (SAKA)

## BENEFITS OF FALLING PRICES OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

## 1702. SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the actual decrease in the prices of the crude oil in the international
- markets is not reaching the general public and if so, the reasons thereof; and
- (b) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  the  decrease  in  the prices of the crude oil is not pocketed by its importers alone but also reaches the end users?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): The prices of Petrol and Diesel have been made market determined by the Government effective 26 th June, 2010 and 19 th October, 2014 respectively. Since then, the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) take appropriate decision on pricing of these products in line with their international prices and other market conditions.  Retail Selling Price (RSP) of Petrol and Diesel in the country are linked to  their  respective  international  prices  and  public  sector  OMCs  are  at  present applying  Trade  Parity  Pricing  methodology  to  compute  the  RSP.   Other  cost elements in the RSP of Petrol & Diesel viz Excise Duty, BS IV premium, marketing cost  and  margins  etc.  are  specific  costs  which  do  not  increase/decrease  with  the volatility  in  international  prices  of  Petrol  and  Diesel.  The  element  of  excise  duty which is specific in nature has been increased since November, 2014. Most of the State Governments also have increased VAT on Petrol and Diesel. After taking into account  these  factors,  public  sector  OMCs  have  passed  on  major  portion  of  the decrease in price to the consumers of Petrol and Diesel.

The  Government  continues  to  modulate  the  effective  price  to  consumer  for Subsidized Domestic LPG and Retail Selling Price (RSP) of PDS Kerosene. As per the Refinery Transfer Price (RTP) effective 1.03.2017, subsidy of Rs.13.50 per litre on sale of PDS Kerosene and Rs.302.57/cylinder (14.2 kg) on Subsidized Domestic LPG is being provided to the consumers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1700 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: PMGKY
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RANJEET RANJAN, NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL, RAJESH RANJAN  (PAPPU  YADAV)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1700 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 10 TH   MARCH, 2017 19, PHALGUNA, 1938 (SAKA)

## PMGKY

## 1700 . SHRIMATI RANJEET RANJAN: SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA: SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL: SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  amount  of  tax  and  penalty  collected  from  declarants  under  the  Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) as on date;
- ((b) whether the Government propose to utilize the funds collected under the said Scheme for  the  welfare  of  poor  particularly  in  economically  backward  areas  including Bundelkhand;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon; and
- (d) the extent to which the said funds is likely to benefit the poor people?

## ANSWER

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

(a) The last date for making declaration under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) is 31 st March, 2017. Hence, the amount collected under PMGKY shall be firmed up after the said date.

(b)  to  (d)  As  per  the  statement  of  objects  and  reasons,  the  additional  revenue  collected through PMGKY shall be utilised for undertaking activities for the welfare of the poor viz. irrigation, housing, toilets, infrastructure, primary education, primary health, livelihood, etc.

- --------
Lok Sabha Question No. 1699 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Cess on Crude Oil
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RAM KUMAR SHARMA KUSHWAHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1699

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 10 TH  MARCH, 2017 PHALGUNA 19, 1938 (SAKA)

## CESS ON CRUDE OIL

## 1699. SHRIRAM KUMAR SHARMA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received representations from crude oil production companies to reduce the cess on crude oil;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the companies demanding reduction in cess belongs both to public and private sector and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a),  (b)  and  (c): Representations  were  received  from  Ministry  of  Petroleum  and Natural Gas and companies both in public sector as well as in private sector seeking reduction in rate of the Oil Industry Development (OID) Cess from 20% to 10%.
- (d): The matter was examined and it was decided not to make any change in rate of OID Cess at this stage.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1695 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: MoU with Medical University
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: PR. SENTHILNATHAN

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1695 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th MARCH, 2017

## M O U WITH MEDICAL UNIVE RSITY

## 1695. SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has signed any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dr. MGR Medical University, Tamil Nadu for the development of infrastructure and Research and Development of new medicines/drugs;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has provided funds for the purpose; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the projects approved during the last three years?

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

( SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a) & (b) : A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by the Indian Council o Medical Research (ICMR) - National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai, Tamil Nadu with Dr. MGR Medical University, Tamil Na du [TNMGRMU].  The scope of the above MoU extends, inter alia, -
- i) To carry out postgraduate and doctoral research projects and training at both TNMGRM and ICMR - NIE;
- ii) To  develop  short  and  long - term  training  and  research  programmes  on  topics  of  mutual interes t;
- iii) Joint research and development projects in areas of clinical trials, epidemiological and other areas of basic medical and allied sciences research;
- iv) To organize and participate in Joint Symposia/ Conferences/Workshops/Short - term courses conducte d by either of the Organization;
- v) To provide medical and technical consultancy as required;
- vi) To promote exchange of faculty for teaching and training;
- vii) To  provide  access  to  library  and  knowledge  sharing  facilities  mutually  for  the  ben both students and the faculty in both the Institutions.
- (c) & (d): No  funds  are  provided  for  the  purpose  of  the  MoU.    Also,  no  project  wa approved during the last three years.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1694 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Free Diagnostic Services
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1694 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH MARCH, 2017

## FREE DIAGNOSTIC SERV ICES

## 1694. SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

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

(a) whether the Government is set to roll out the free diagnostics scheme during the curr and if so, the details thereof; and

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  asked  the  State  Go vernments  to  start  providing  a  basket  of essential services for free to patients visiting public healthcare facilities and if s thereof?

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

( SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)

(a): Under the National Health Mission (NHM), based on proposals from States /UTs, they are being supported f or implementing free diagnostic services initiative. Rs. 649.29 crore have been approved  for  24  States/UTs  in  2016 - 17  for  implementing  NHM  Free Diagnostic  Service Initiative. This Ministry had developed the gu idelines for operationalising the Free Diagnostics Initiative which have been shared with the States i n July, 2015 . These guidelines are available at the following link: - http://www.nrhm.gov.in/images/pdf/NHM/NHM -Guidelines/Free\_Essential\_Diagnostics.pdf

(b):     The Government has been requesting and incentivising the States to provide free essential drugs and diagnostics in public health facilities. The Government is already providing support to States/  UTs  under  NHM  for  provision  of  a  basket  of  free  services  for  maternal  health, health, adolescent health, family planni ng, universal immunisation, and for major diseases such as TB, vector borne diseases such as Malaria, dengue and Kala Azar, leprosy , blindness control etc. Other major initiatives for which states are being supported include : -

1. Janani  S hishu  Suraksha  K aryakram  (JSSK)  for  free  and  cashless  care  to  pregnant women for childbirth, treatment of antenatal and postnatal complications and sick in
2. Rashtriy a Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).
3. 3.Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) has been recently launched in the  year  2016  to  provide  fixed - day  assured,  comprehensive  and  quality  antenatal  care universally to all pregnant women on the 9th of every month free of cost.
4. S upport for provisioning of ambulances , Mobile Medical Units and referral transport services is being provided under NHM to strengthen outreach healthcare services in the rural areas and to provide free patient transport services.
5.    Free dialysis Services to poor BPL Patients at district level under the Pradha Natio nal Dialysis Programme of NHM.

……………