opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4250 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: Impact of GST on Tourism
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: HARISH CHANDRA MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4250

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 11 TH   AUGUST, 2017 SHRAVANA 20, 1939 (SAKA)

## IMPACT OF GST ON TOURISM

## 4250. SHRI HARISH MEENA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  despite  lower  tax  rate  under  Goods  and  Services  Tax  (GST),  the absence of input credit for tour operators making the international travels expensive; (b)  if  so,  the  reaction  of  the  Government  thereon  and  the  steps  taken  by  the Government to resolve this;

- (c) whether the Government has assessed its effect on tourism sector particularly in the  State  like  Rajasthan  where  tourism  is  the  main  source  of  income  for  many people; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a): No, Sir.

(b), (c) and (d): Do not arise in view of (a) above.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4249 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: Anti-Piracy Escort by Navy
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4249

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  AUGUST, 2017

## ANTI-PIRACY ESCORT BY NAVY

4249.  SHRI  BAIJAYANT JAY  PANDA:

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

- (a) whether  the  portal  of  'Online  Registration'  for  an  anti-piracy  escort  by  Indian Navy to ships transiting Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) has been functional and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  service of  anti-piracy  escort  is  available  to  ships  registered  both  in India and abroad and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government charges any fee from shipping companies for anti-piracy escort service;
- (d) if so, the details thereof on the actual revenues collected by the concerned Ministry in lieu of this service; and
- (e) whether there are any figures on the number of merchant ships escorted by Indian Navy till date ever since this portal became operational and if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) to (e): Yes,  Madam.    The  portal  of  'Online  Registration'  for  an  antipiracy  escort  is  functional  since  September  2011.    The  service  for  antipiracy  escort  is  available  both  to  ships  registered  in  India  and  abroad, however, priority is given to Indian Flag vessels.  Schedule of convoy can be  seen  online  after  logging  in  with  user  ID  and  password.    Shipping companies  (Indian  and  Foreign)  can  make  application  in  the  prescribed format when requesting for Indian Naval escort for their vessels transiting the  IRTC.    There are  12  ships  per  convoy.    Government does  not  charge any fee for the escorting service.  Indian Navy has escorted 3767 merchant vessels,  including  395  Indian  ships,  since  commencement  of  anti-piracy patrol in 2008 till 02.08.2017.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: Entry of Foreign Vessels in Indian Territorial Water
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4247

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  AUGUST, 2017

## ENTRY OF FOREIGN VESSELS IN INDIAN TERRITORIAL WATER 4247.  SHRI  FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  come  across  instances  of  foreign  vessels  illegally entering  Indian  territorial  water  and  India's  Exclusive  Economic  Zone  for  fishing purposes;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  such  illegal  infiltration  pose  a  serious  security  threat  and  cause  huge economic loss to the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps 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 ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) to (d): Instances of illegal fishing in Indian waters by foreign fishermen come to the notice of Government from time to time.  A total of 86 foreign boats were apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard during the period 2014-17.

Vessels  and  aircraft  of  Indian  Coast  Guard  and  Indian  Navy  are deployed on 24x7 basis for surveillance in the maritime zones of India to protect national interests including for preventing infiltration and poaching by  foreign  fishing  boats.    Indian  Coast  Guard  conducts  community interaction programmes with the fishermen to sensitize them on prevailing security  situations  and  develop  them  to  be  the  'eyes  and  ears'  for intelligence gathering.  Static radars  have been installed along the Indian Coast  line  for  electronic  surveillance  of  vessel  traffic.    Coast  Guard  has been  conducting  regular  exercises  biannually  on  coastal  security  in  coordination  with  other  Central  and  State  Government  agencies  i.e.  Marine Police, Customs, CISF, Fisheries Department, Port Authorities, State Police and Indian Navy.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4246 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: Investment by LIC in Tobacco Company
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. +4246

Friday, August 11,2017/Shravana 20, 1939 (Saka)

## Enhancing Stake of LIC In Companies

## +4246. SHRI CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE:

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

- whether Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has made investments in a big tobacco manufacturing company and if s0, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; (a)
- whether LIC/Government is aware of cautionary message on tobacco products and the health hazards faced by the people due to its consumption and if $O, the details thereof; and being
- (c) the compulsion behind making such investments in cigarette company by LIC?

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

(a) to (c): Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is holding equity shares of ITC Ltd which has diversified presence in various businesses. The Corporation's investments are carried out within the norms, rules and regulations issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) from time to time in order to maximise return to the policyholders and minimise risk keeping within the limits prescribed by IRDAI

The   investments are done through the   secondary market   considering the   performance and prospects of the individual company and the sector as a whole, with the objective of earning returns for its policyholders. good

Government is aware of the health hazards attributable to tobacco usage. The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Rules, 2014, and further notification dated September, 2015 mandates  specified health warnings covering 85% of the principal display area of the packages of tobacco products. Tobacco consumption is a major risk factor for some of the Non-Communicable Diseases   (NCDs) such as cancers, cardiovascular   diseases, chronic respiratory diseases etc. 24th
Lok Sabha Question No. 4244 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: Hawala Betting Scam
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4244

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

SHRAVANA 20, 1939 (SAKA)

## Hawala Betting Scam

4244. PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIK WAD:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state

(a) whether the Government is aware of involvement of former investigating Enforcement Directorate (ED) official of bribery and protection of accused in the Hawala/betting scam;

(c) the action   proposed to be taken by the Government to curb such malpractices?

(6) if $0, the details  thereof including the amount involved along with the reaction of the Government thereto; and

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes; Sir:
- (b On detection of certain irregularities in the functioning of the then Joint Director of Enforcement at Ahmadabad Zonal Office and some other officials of the said Office, a suo-motu report was sent by the Director of Enforcement to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for necessary action: Based on the said CBI had registered an FIR and arrested two officers on 20.02.2017. One of officers; who was on deputation to Enforcement Directorate; had been repatriated to his parent cadre and the other Was transferred out of the Ahmadabad Zonal Office and has since been suspended by Enforcement Directorate:
- (c) The Directorate is strictly   adhering to the directions of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
Lok Sabha Question No. 4243 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: Roadmap for Affordable Nutraceuticals
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4243 TO BE ANSWERED ON   11 TH AUGUST, 2017

## ROADMAP FOR AFFORDAB LE NUTRACEUTICALS

## 4243. SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

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

- (a) whether the Ministry has any roadmap to make nutraceuticals affordable and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the estimated cost of nutraceuticals post Goods and Services Tax; and
- (c)whether measures have been taken in this regard to make it affordable and if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a): No. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has no such plan, as the issue of mak nutraceuticals  affordable  does  not  fall  within  the  mandate  of  the  Food  Safety  and  Sta (FSS) Act, 2006.  Mandate of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FS SAI) under the FSS Act is to regulate manufacture, distribution, sale and import of such products as provisions of Section 22 of the Act. Accordingly, FSSAI vide notification dated 23.12.20 notified the Food Safety and Standards (Health Suppl ements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary use, Food for Special Medical purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food Regulations, 2016.
- (b): The issue of cost of nutraceuticals does not come under the purview of FSSAI. Fur as  informed  by  the Ministry  of  Finance, Goods  and  Services  Tax  (GST) Rate  on  Protein concentrates & textured protein and Diabetic foods is 28% and 18% respectively.
- (c): Does not arise in view of the position indicated above.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4242 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: Setting up of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: JANAK RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 4242

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2017

## SETTING UP OF STATE COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS

## 4242.  SHRI JANAK RAM:

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

- (a) whether all the States/UTs have set up Commission for Protection of Child Rights and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if not, the name of those States/UTs;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  made  it  mandatory  for  States/UTs  to  set  up  the  said Commissions; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (b ) The Commissions for Protection of Child Rights(CPCR) Act, 2005, is applicable to all  the  States/UTs  except  the  State  of  Jammu  and  Kashmir.  The  State  Commissions  for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCRs) have been set up in all the States/UTs except for the UT of Daman and Diu.
- (c) to (d) As per Section-17 of the CPCR Act, 2005, all the States/UTs are mandated to set up CPCRs in their respective States/UTs.

.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4239 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: Policy on Digital Payment Fee
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION No. 4239

TH TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 AUGUST 2017 (FRIDAYYSHRAVANA 20, 1939 (SAKA)

## Policy on Digital Payment Fee

## 4239. SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to formulate any   policy on the fee being charged
- if so, the details thereof;
- for different modes of digital payments like RTGS, NEFT and debit cards;
- whether the Government proposes to disseminate digital payments data at a disaggregated level to  analyse the   growth and   effectiveness of individual  digital
- if s0, the details thereof; and
- payment technologies;
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## Answer

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

(a) and (b) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) instructions regarding service charges provide that banks should fix charges for various types of services with the approval of their Board of Directors, while ensuring that the charges are reasonable and not out of line with the average cost of providing the services. Banks are also to ensure that customers with low volume of activities are not penalized. In respect of charges on the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) systems, RBI has prescribed the maximum charges banks may on customers for availing services offered by it: Further, in respect of debit card transactions, RBI has capped the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) levy

(c) to (e) RBI publishes on its website electronic payments data disaggregated by payment system. The data covers Real  Time Gross   Settlement (RTGS), National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT), Cheque Truncation System (CTS), Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), National Automated Clearing House (NACH), Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD), and representative data on debit and credit cards at Point of Sale (PoS), pre-paid instruments and mobile banking:

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4238 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: Weapons of Mass Destruction
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4238

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  AUGUST, 2017

## WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

4238.  SHRI  SADASHIV LOKHANDE:

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

- (a) whether the  Government has  taken or proposes  to  take necessary  steps  to  bring down the tendency of manufacturing and import of weapons of mass destruction and to use the amount spend on the import of such weapons in the overall development of the country and in the manufacturing of essential military goods in the country itself; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## 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): Government  is  taking  necessary  measures  for  building  of defence capabilities to  safeguard  the  sovereignty,  territorial  integrity  and security  of  the  Country.    To  this  end,  capital  Procurement  of  defence equipment  /  weapons  is  undertaken  from  various  domestic  as  well  as foreign vendors as per the extant Defence Procurement Procedure, based on  threat  perceptions,  operational  challenges  and  technological  changes and  to  keep  the  Armed  Forces  in  a  state  of  readiness  to  meet  the  entire spectrum of security challenges.

The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 reflects the commitment of the government to promote indigenization and self reliance in the defence sector by harnessing the capability of the public and private sector.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4237 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: Agreement between NICPR and AIIA
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH)

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 4237 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH AUGUST , 2017

## AG REEMENT BETWEEN NICP R AND AIIA

## 4237. SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

Will  the  Minister of AYURVEDA,  YOGA  AND  NATUROPATHY,  UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  signed  any  agreement  with  National  Institute  of  Can Prevention and Research (NICPR) and All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) for prevention of cancer and its research in this regard;
- (b) the main objectives of the said agreement; and
- (c) the manner in which it will prove helpful in prevention and research on cancer and patients?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a): Yes. An MoU has been signed on 19.10.2016 between National Institute of Cancer Preventio and Research (NICPR) and All India Institute of Ayurveda for prevention of cancer and research.

- (b):     The main objectives of the agreement are as follows: -

- (i) To bring practitioners of different systems of medicine under one platform to join han efficient cancer care.

- (ii) To explore the hidden potentials for managing and prevention of cancer through diffe systems of medicine which are in pract ice at regional level.

- (iii) Integrating for hoisting of cancer research.

- ( c): Different educational and sensitization programme/ camps were conducted at both the cent and will be continued in future. Collaborative research work is in progress with In tegrative management.

…………
Lok Sabha Question No. 4236 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: Impact of GST on ATM Industry
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4236

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 11 TH   AUGUST, 2017 SHRAVANA 20, 1939 (SAKA)

## IMPACT OF GST ON ATM INDUSTRY

## 4236. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) industry is facing a lot of problems under Goods and Services Tax (GST) in maintaining ATM machines as ATMs are put under the highest tax slab of 28 percent under the new GST regime and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has received any representations from the Confederation for ATM Industry (CATMI) for redressal of their problems with regard to GST implementation;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps/action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a), (b), (c) & (d): Based on the recommendation of the GST Council, 28% GST rate  has  been  prescribed  for  automatic bank  note  dispensers  [falling  under tariff item 8472 90 30]. However, the parts and accessories for these machines have been prescribed 18% GST.

The Confederation of ATM Industry (CATMI) vide their representation dated 09.06.2017  had  requested  for  consideration  of 18%  GST on  these  machines instead of 28%. The request was examined and not acceded to at the present.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4234 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: Ujjawala Scheme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PREM DAS RAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4234 TO BE ASNWERED ON 11.08.2017

## UJJAWALA SCHEME

## 4234.   SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

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

- (a) the steps taken to curb human trafficking and step up rescue operations as envisaged by the Government under the Ujjawala scheme;
- (b) whether the scheme has any special provisions with regard to the States which have an international boundary and are prone to high threat of trafficking; and
- (c) if so, the details there of and if not, the reasons there for along with the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation is an organized crime that violates basic human rights. A multi sectoral approach is needed which will undertake  preventive  measures  to  arrest  trafficking  especially  in  vulnerable  areas  and sections  of  population;  and  to  enable  rescue,  rehabilitation  and  reintegration  of  the trafficked  victims.  Keeping  the  above  issues  and  gaps  in  mind  the  Ministry  has formulated  a    comprehensive  Scheme  -Ujjawala  for  Prevention  of  Trafficking,    for Rescue,  Rehabilitation  and  Re-Integration  of  Victims  of  Trafficking.  As  regards  the Rescue  component,  information  is  gathered    through  formation  of  network  of  Police, NGOs, Women's Groups etc.
- (b)       & (c):   No, Madam. However, there is a component of 'Repatriation' (Cross-Border)  to facilitate repatriation procedure back to the country of origin of the victims.

************