opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 933 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Telecom Infrastructure
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, BHARATENDRA SINGH, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.933 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## TELECOM INFRASTRUCTURE

933.   SHRI SATAV RAJEEV: SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK: DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT: KUNWAR BHARATENDRA: DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN: SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE: SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  unveiled  a  right  of  way  policy  which  allows  only  a licensee  to  deploy  telecom  infrastructure  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  objective behind the move;
- (b) whether mobile tower firms have sought clarity from the Government on the policy;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the response  of the Government  thereto  and  the  other steps taken by the Government in the interest of mobile telecom companies; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  use  the  post  offices  and  other  buildings  and infrastructure to further leverage for provision of digital services and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) to (d) The  Department  of  Telecommunications  has  notified  the  Indian  Telegraph  Right  of Way Rules, 2016 in the Gazette of India on 15 th November, 2016 to facilitate the grant of Right of Way permission to establish underground and overground telegraph infrastructure. These Rules are applicable only to telecom licencees and exclude the infrastructure providers from the ambit of the Rules as they do not possess any licence under section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.  The Indian  Telegraph  Right  of  Way  Rules,  2016  will  ensure  Right  of  Way(RoW)  permission  for  laying telecom infrastructure in a simple, transparent and time bound manner. The Rules allow the Telecom Service Providers to seek RoW permission to lay over ground or underground telecom infrastructure on or under the land owned by Government agencies and Municipal Bodies. The application of RoW have to be accepted or rejected within period of 60 days, failing which the application will be deemed to have approved.

During the process of framing the Rules, consultation was done with all stakeholders including telecom infrastructure providers.

- (e) State  Governments  and  Central  Ministries  including  Department  of  Posts  have  been requested  from  time  to  time  to  issue  necessary  instructions/guidelines  for  installation  of  telecom towers and explore the possibility of providing in-building solutions in office buildings.

**************************
Lok Sabha Question No. 930 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Konch-Bhind-Urai-Mahoba Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 930 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## KONCH-BHIND-URAI-MAHOBA RAIL LINE

- † 930.     SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether construction of Konch-Bhind and Urai-Mahoba rail line is proposed on joint venture model in the Rail Budget-2016;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which construction of the said rail lines is likely to be started?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (c):      The  Cabinet  has  approved  for  the  creation  of  Joint Ventures with State Governments for undertaking rail based projects. This  decision  will  enable  States  to  jointly  decide  their  priorities  for development  of  backward  regions.    In  the  year  2016-17,  Railways have  indicated  some  Projects  which  may  be  undertaken  through these  means,  in  partnership  with  State  Governments.    These  two projects are contained in the list of projects so identified.

These  projects  fall  in  the  States  of  Madhya  Pradesh  and  Uttar Pradesh. Efforts are being made to persuade these State Governments to enter into Joint Venture arrangement with Railways to take up such projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 929 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Funds to Biological Research Centre
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 929 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08/02/2017

Funds to Biological Research Centre

929. SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- whether the   Government has   received any requests/representations   from elected representatives from Telangana regarding release of necessary funds to the Biological Research Centre established in the State; and being
- (b) if the details thereof and the steps taken the Government t0 release the said funds for the purpose? by

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES

- (a) Madam . No.
- (b) Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 926 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: NABL
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Y. S. AVINASH REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.926 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8/2/2017

## NABL

926. SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

(a) whether any proposal has been received by the Government from Andhra Pradesh for granting financial assistance to establish National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) at Guntur; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó (gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) Does not arise
- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 925 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: CSC as Payment Gateway
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: JAYSHREEBEN  PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 925

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08.02.2017

## CSC AS PAYMENT GATEWAY

## 925     SHRIMATI  JAYSHREEBEN  PATEL:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: -

- (a) whether the Common Service Centre (CSC) has been allotted license for functioning as payment gateway;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  number  of  CSC  opened  in  villages  and  rural  districts  along  with  the  number  of employment opportunities created so far; and
- (d) the details of achievement of CSC in creating a cashless society?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) and  (b): CSC e Governance Services India Ltd.  (Common Services Centre -Special Purpose  Vehicle:    CSC  -SPV),  formed  by  Government  of  India  for  overall  program management  and  enabling  monitoring  of  the  CSC  scheme,  has  got  license  /  in  principle approval from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for functioning as Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit (BBPOU) on 13/06/2016.    Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit (BBPOU) system is a bill  payment  system  in  India  with  a  single  point  providing  'anytime  anywhere  payment system' to customer.

- (c): The current number of registered CSCs in villages and rural districts is 2, 40,150; out of this, 1, 68,585 are at Gram Panchayat (GP level).
- One CSC on an average provides employment to 3 - 4 persons.
- (d): CSCs  have  enabled  rural  citizens/  merchants  in  utilising  various  mechanisms  of digital  financial  transactions  such  as  Instant  Money  Payment  System  (IMPS),  Unified Payment Interface (UPI), Bank Point of Sale (PoS) machines, etc.

More than 2 Crore citizens have been registered for enabling  use of  digital  financial  tools besides 6.6 lakhs merchants.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 924 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Universal Health Scheme
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

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

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 924 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## UNIVERSAL HEALTH SCHEME

## 924 SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  NITI  Aayog  has  submitted  a  proposal  of  Universal  Health  Scheme  to  the Government in which life, health and accidental insurance can be taken by merely paying Rs. 100/- per month; and
- (b) if so, the decision taken by the Government on this proposal?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)
Lok Sabha Question No. 923 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Setting up of New Atomic Power Plants
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: DHARAM VIRA GANDHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 923

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## SETTING UP OF NEW ATOMIC POWER PLANTS

923. SHRI DHARAM VIRA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to set up new atomic power plants in northern States such as Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana;
- (b) if  so, the details in this regard along with the measures taken so far to identify the possible sites;
- (c) the agencies which are involved in setting up of the proposed atomic plants; and
- (d) the safety concerns raised and the measures taken or proposed to be taken by the Government before setting up such plants in highly sensitive regions?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a)&(b) The Government has accorded 'in principle' approval for the sites at Gorakhpur in Haryana  and  Mahi  Banswara  in  Rajasthan  for  setting  up  4  reactors  of  700  MW each.    The  Government  has  also  accorded  financial  sanction  for  Units  1  &  2  at Gorakhpur (GHAVP 1&2-2x700 MW) and work on the project has commenced.
- (c) The nuclear power project at Gorakhpur, Haryana (GHAVP 1&2) is being set up by Nuclear  Power  Corporation  of  India  Limited  (NPCIL),  a  Public  Sector  Enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
- (d) Sites for  nuclear  power  plants  are  selected  after  carrying  out  extensive  studies  by specialised national agencies at the siting stage.  The sites are recommended after these  meet  the  criteria  laid  down  in  the  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board  (AERB) code on Site Evaluation of Nuclear Facilities.  The reactors to be set up are designed for  possible  impacts  of  natural  and  man-made  events  likely  at  the  site  to  ensure safety of the personnel, public and environment.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 921 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Tie up for Nuclear Energy
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 921

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## TIE UP FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY

## 921. SHRIMATI VASANTHI M.:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the French Company EDF is interested to tie up for nuclear energy generation in India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the said French company has signed any MoU with the Government; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a)&(b)  The  French  Government  in  January  2016  had  communicated  that  French public  utility Electricite  de  France (EDF)  was  designated  to  take  control  of AREVA NP and would be the single entry point for Indian side on all matters related to nuclear power projects to be setup at Jaitapur, Maharashtra.
- (c)&(d) Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has entered into an MoU with EDF for implementation of six Evolutionary Pressurised Reactor (EPR) units  at  Jaitapur,  Maharashtra  together  with  associated  fuel,  fuel  services and other services.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 80 (STARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Monitoring of PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 80 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07 th  FEBRUARY, 2017

## MONITORING OF PDS

- *80.  SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA:

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 appointed area officers for monitoring of Public Distribution System (PDS) in the country;

(b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  indicating  the nature of  duty performed  by such officers;

(c) whether the Government has carried out any assessment of the area officer scheme during the last two years; and

- (d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof, State-wise?

A N S W E R MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAMVILAS PASWAN)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House ****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO. *80 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 07.02.2017 IN THE LOK SABHA

(a) to (d): Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is implemented under  joint  responsibility  of  Central  Government  and State/UT  Governments.  Apart  from  TPDS,  some  Central/centrally sponsored  schemes  of the Ministry are also implemented  by State/UT Governments.

For  better  coordination  between  Central  Government  and State/UT Governments for implementing TPDS and other schemes, an  arrangement  of  field  visits  by  officers  of  the  Department  was introduced in 2000. These officers were termed as Area Officers for field  visits.    The  Area  Officers  made  field  visits  in  the  assigned States/UTs to assess the functioning of TPDS and progress of the schemes.  The  feedback  received  from  the  Area  Officers  on TPDS and other schemes used to be shared with concerned State and UT Governments  for  improving  the  functioning  of  TPDS  operations  & other schemes.

This  arrangement  has  since  been  suspended w.e.f. November, 2012.  The  decision  to  suspend  the  scheme  was  further  reviewed after  six  months and it was decided that the scheme will remain suspended  till  it  is  decided  to  implement  it.  No  further  review  to continue the said scheme has thereafter been undertaken.

The  NFSA  2013  provides  for  a  two-tier  grievance  re-dressal mechanism at the state and district levels respectively.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 78 (STARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Intellectual Property Rights in Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 78

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN AGRICULTURE

- *78.     SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  constituted  the  Protection  of  Plant  Varieties  and Farmers Rights Authority (PPV&FRA) to implement Intellectual Property  Rights (IPR)  in agriculture for the preservation of plants species and to promote the new species of plants as well as rights of the farmers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government proposes to reconstitute the said authority and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè (SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH) (a) & (b): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  &  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.  78  DUE FOR REPLY ON 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017.

(a): Yes, Madam.  The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has  established  the  Protection  of  Plant  Varieties  and  Farmers'  Rights  Authority (PPV&FRA) under Section 3 of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act,  2001  (PPV&FR  Act,  2001)  on  11 th November,  2005  to  implement  Intellectual Property Rights in agriculture and for the preservation of plants species and to promote the development of new plant varieties as well as to protect the rights of the farmers. The Authority shall  also  facilitate  the  growth  of  Seed  Industry  in  the  country  to  make available quality seeds and planting materials to the farmers.  The PPV&FR Authority consists of a Chairperson and fifteen members.  Out of fifteen members, there are eight ex-officio members and seven non-official members. (b): There  is  no  proposal  to  re-constitute  the  Protection  of  Plant  Varieties  and

Farmers' Rights Authority at present.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 74 (STARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Conference on Climate Change
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 74

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2017

## Conference on Climate Change

## *74. SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

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

- (a) the  stand  taken  by  India  in  respect  of  climate  change  in  the  Conference  of  the  Parties (CoP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the extent to which it had been accepted/adopted in the said conference;
- (b) whether the Government  has  taken  adequate steps to safeguard the interests of developing/poor  countries  and  to  ensure  balance  between  development  and  protection from adverse effects of climate change thereon and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the other steps taken by the Government to protect the interests of domestic industries and other sections of the country at climate change negotiation fora?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

***

## Statement referred to in reply to Part (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 74 by SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA regarding 'Conference on Climate Change'

(a) India's stand in climate change Conference of Parties (COP) is anchored in the principles of Equity, Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) and Respective Capabilities (RC)  as  enshrined  in  the  United  Nations  Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change (UNFCCC). The Paris Agreement, and its operative elements are based on these principles. It also recognizes the imperatives of climate justice and importance of sustainable lifestyles as advocated by India.

(b)  &  (c  )  The  Paris  Agreement  provides  for  support  to  developing  countries  in  taking effective  climate  change  action.  Finance,  technology  development  &  transfer,  capacity building  support  are  important  pillars  of  the  UNFCCC  &  Paris  Agreement  framework. India's Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement are designed to help achieve  reduction  of  emissions  intensity  of  output  from  all  sectors  in  the  context  of sustainable development.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 919 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Priority areas under PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: NIHAL CHAND CHAUHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 919 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07 th  FEBRUARY, 2017

## PRIORITY AREAS UNDER PDS

919. SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  areas  identified  for  according  priority  under  the Public Distribution System (PDS);
- (b) whether any provision for special assistance for drought, flood and natural calamity affected areas has been made by the Government; and
- (c) if not, the response of the Government in this regard?

## A N S W E R MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a): The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), which came into force w.e.f. 5 th  July, 2013 seeks to provide for food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable  prices  to  people  to  live  a  life  with  dignity.   NFSA  provides  for coverage  of  upto  75%  of  the  rural  population  and  upto  50%  of  the  urban population  at  the  all  India  level  for  receiving  highly  subsidized  foodgrains under  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System  (TPDS).   Corresponding  to  this, State/UT-wise coverage was determined by the then Planning Commission.  With the coverage determination for each State/UT, the eligible households identified by State Governments/UT Administrations are entitled to  receive subsidized foodgrains as per their entitlements prescribed in the Act.  There are no area-specific entitlements under the Act.

However,  the  Act  provides  that  special  focus  will  be  given  to  the needs  of  the vulnerable  groups especially  in  remote  areas  and  other  areas which  are  difficult  to  access,  hilly  and  tribal  areas  for  ensuring  their  food security.

- (b): As per the extant policy of the  Government, additional allocation of foodgrains  at  MSP  rates  is  made  to  States/UTs  in  the  case  of  natural calamities based on their demands and supported by relevant documents.
- (c):   Does not arise in view of (b) above.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 917 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Anti-poaching Laws
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: (SMT.) RATNA DE(NAG), HARI OM PANDEY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 917

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2017

## Anti-poaching Laws

## 917 . DR. RATNA DE (NAG): SHRI HARI OM PANDEY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to amend the Anti-poaching laws to ensure the better conservation of wild life in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether this effort will help to ensure greater wild life conservation and effective check on poaching incidents in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a), (b) , (c) and (d) The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for stringent punishment for hunting of wild animals. However, as the scope of protection of wild flora  and  fauna  has  changed  over  the  years  since  the  Act  has  been enacted,  a  review  of  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972  is  being considered for more effective protection and conservation of wildlife.

***