opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 539 (STARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Disbursal of Fertilizer Subsidy
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: SAUGATA ROY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO.    539* TO BE ANSWERED ON : 11.04.2017

## Disbursal of Fertilizer Subsidy

## 539* PROF. SAUGATA ROY:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to disburse subsidy only after the sale of fertilizers to the farmers had taken place;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the objective of the said proposal;
- (c) whether  the  said  move  is  likely  to  avoid  un-deserved  distribution  of  the subsidy; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF CHEMICALS & FERILIZERS AND PARLIAMENTAY AFFAIRS

(SHRI ANANTH KUMAR)

(a) & (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

********

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN PART (A) TO (D) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION  NO.  539*  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  11.04.2017  REGARDING 'DISBURSAL OF FERTILIZER SUBSIDY'  ASKED BY PROF. SAUGATA ROY.

----------

(a) & (b): Yes,  Sir.    The  Government  has  launched  Direct  Benefit  Transfer (DBT) scheme for fertilizer subsidy which is under implementation in 19 Districts of pilot  basis.    Under  the  proposed  fertilizer  DBT  system,  100%  subsidy  on  various fertilizer grades shall be released to the fertilizer companies, on the basis of actual sales made by the retailers to the beneficiaries on designated dates, four times in a month.    Sale  of  all  subsidized  fertilizers  to  farmers/buyers  will  be  made  though Point of Sale (PoS) devices installed at each retailer shop and the beneficiaries will be identified through Aadhaar Card or Kisan Credit Card or Voter ID Card.

The  main  objectives  of  the  proposal  is  to  streamline  fertilizer  distribution, improve  availability  of  fertilizers  to  farmers,  curtail  diversion  of  fertilizers  and overcharging by retailers.

(c) & (d): Yes, Sir.  DBT in fertilizers will avoid un-deserved distribution of the subsidy  as  the  sales  of  fertilizers  would  now  be  encouraged  through  Aadhaar based  Biometric  Authentication.    Moreover,  the  subsidy  will  be  released  to  the fertilizer  companies on the basis of actual sales made by retailers to the farmers through PoS devices.  This will also reduce diversion.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 537 (STARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Centre for Storage of Duplicate Samples of Plant Genetic Resources
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: A.T. (NANA) PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 537

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11/04/2017

## CENTRE FOR STORAGE OF DUPLICATE SAMPLES OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES

## *537. SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE d`f'k ,oa fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up a second secure centre to store duplicate samples of plant genetic resources;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether there is any difference between the proposed second secure centre and  Doomsday  Vault  maintained  by  the  Defence  Research  and  Development Organisation (DRDO) in Chang-La near Leh and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  time  by  which  the  second  secure  centre  is  likely  to  be  set  up  and operational?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f'k ,oa fdlku dY;k.k ea=h (SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)

(a) to (d)

: A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

********

## STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 537 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11/04/2017 REGARDING 'CENTRE FOR STORAGE OF DUPLICATE SAMPLES OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES'

(a) to (c): A  Memorandum  of  Agreement  was  signed  between  ICAR  and  Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on August 23, 2011 to expand/develop a  National  Permafrost  Facility  at  Chang-La,  Leh,  Jammu  and  Kashmir.  Accordingly, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) initiated an experiment to study the feasibility of conservation of 19 major food crops in 2011 for evaluating the seed germination of material stored during 2011-2016 under Chang-La conditions.  Every year the seed viability data is being recorded, analyzed and  monitored. The results are encouraging  and  this  facility  can  be  used  to  store  safety  duplicates  of  plant  genetic resources at the National Permafrost Facility at Chang-La.

(d) At present there is no proposal to open second secure centre for conservation of germplasm.    However,  the  international  facility  viz.,  Svalbard  Global  Seed  Vault established at Norwegian Island of Spitsbergen in remote Arctic Svalbard archipelago is operational  and  some  of  the  germplasm  has  been  stored  as  safety  duplicate  under  this facility.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 536 (STARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Model Police Bill
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAGHAV LAKHANPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *536

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

MODEL POLICE BILL

*536. SHRI RAGHAV LAKHANPAL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has prepared a revised Model Police Bill, 2015;

(b) if so, the details and the salient features of the said Bill; and

(c) the present status thereof ?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

## STATEMENT IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA  STARRED QUESTION  NO. 536  FOR 11.4.2017 BY SHRI RAGHAV LAKHANPAL REGARDING 'MODEL POLICE BILL.'

(a) :  Yes, Madam.

(b): In line with the changing realities and making 'Police' more responsive, efficient  and  citizen  friendly,  the  ten  attributes  of  the  concept  of  'SMART' Policing  namely S- Sensitive and Strict;  M-  Modern and Mobile; A-Alert and Accountable;  R-Reliable  and  Responsive  and  T-  Trained  and  Techno-savvy, are  incorporated  in  the  draft  Model  Police  Bill,  2015.  Some  other  salient features  include,  privacy  in  the  course  of  investigation  of  any  case  by  the police, prohibiting acts of personal servitude in police and the complainant shall  have  right  to  be  informed  from  time  to  time  of  the  Progress  of  the inquiry.

(c):  The  draft  Model  Police  Bill  has  been  uploaded  on  BPR&D's  website. 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 528 (STARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Supreme Court Observations on Rape of Minors
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: NANABHAU FALGUNRAO PATOLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*528

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

SUPREME COURT OBSERVATIONS ON RAPE OF MINORS

†*528. SHRI NANA PATOLE:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Supreme Court has advised the Union Government to consider enacting a strict law to ensure that stringent punishment is awarded to the perpetrators of child rape;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Supreme Court while expressing its concern on the incidents of  rape  of  minor  girls  has  observed  that  crime  relating  to  rape  of  children should be defined in a different way and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to take any action on the observations of the Supreme Court on the said issues and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *528 FOR 11.04.2017

(a) to (c): The  Supreme  Court  in  W.P.  (Civil)  No.  4  of  2016,  Supreme  Court Women  Lawyers  Association  Vs  Union  of  India,  has  stated  that  the  Union Parliament  may  consider  whether  there  is  a  need  to  make  a  distinction between the girl children and the minor, perhaps by fixing the upper limit at 10 years  for  the  girl  children.  The  Court  has  also  stated  that  the  possibility  of defining the term 'child' in the context of rape and thereafter provide for more severe punishment in respect of the culprits who are involved in such type of crime.

(d): Amendment  in  law  relating  to  the  criminal  justice  system  are  a consultative, ongoing and continuous process.
Lok Sabha Question No. 524 (STARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Wheat Stock with FCI
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 524 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  APRIL, 2017

## WHEAT STOCK WITH FCI

*524. SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

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  production  of  wheat  projected  for  the  year  2016-17  and  the details of wheat stock with the Food Corporation of India (FCI);
- (b) whether  the  wheat  stock  with  FCI  has  plummeted  and  if  so,  the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  procure  wheat  from farmers in any "active" mode and if so, the details thereof including the plan prepared in this  regard  and  the  time  by  which  the  procurement  process  is likely to be started;
- (d) whether any target has been fixed by the Government for procurement of wheat for the year 2017-18 and if so, the details thereof and the extent of increase from the earlier procurements; and
- (e) the manner in which the Government proposes to regulate the prices in  the open market?

A N S W E R

MINISTER  OF  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAMVILAS PASWAN)

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

****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (e)  OF  THE STARRED QUESTION NO. *524 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 11.04.2017 IN THE LOK SABHA

(a) & (b):   The production of wheat projected for the year 2016-17 was 966.43 LMT. Procurement of wheat was 229.61 LMT in RMS 2016-17 due to  pro  active  buying  of  wheat  by  private  players  at  prices  above  the Minimum Support Price (MSP), mainly in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The total wheat stock available in Central Pool with Food Corporation  of  India  (FCI)  &  State  agencies  was  145.38  LMT  and  85.73 LMT as on 01.04.2016 and 16.03.2017 respectively.  The stock levels are above required stocking norms.

(c) & (d):   An estimate of 330.00 LMT for procurement of wheat for RMS 2017-18 has been fixed, which is considerably more in comparison with the procurement of the earlier seasons namely 229.62 LMT in RMS 201617 and 280.88 LMT in RMS 2015-16. Procurement has already started for RMS 2017-18.

Preparation for procurement operation has been ensured in consultation  with  state  governments.  Department  of  Food  and  Public Distribution  through  FCI  is  monitoring  procurement  operations  by  the state  governments. All necessary arrangements related to logistics and finance have been ensured.

(e): FCI  sells  surplus  stock  of  wheat  out  of  Central  Pool  in  the  open market through Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) (Domestic) from time to time to enhance supply and thereby moderate the open market prices.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 6210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Digital Database of Endangered Tigers
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6210

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.04.2017

## Digital Database of Endangered Tigers

## 6210.  SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

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

- (a) whether the Ministry has any proposal for creating digital database of Tigers in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the details of time limit and plan outlay for completion of the aforesaid project, if any?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  National  Tiger  Conservation  Authority  devised  a  detailed  protocol  for  establishing  a National  Repository  of  Camera  Trap  Photographs  of  Tigers  (NRCTPT)  in  the  year  2011, through  a  committee comprising of, inter  alia ,  experts  and  scientists.  The  said  protocol  has provision for providing an ID to each individual tiger.  Action for building up the NRCTPT got  initiated  with  635  camera  trap  photographs  of  individual  tigers  collected  during  2010 country level status assessment of tigers.  At present, there are 2175 camera trap photographs of individual tigers in the country.
- (b) Question does not arise.
- (c) It is an ongoing process.  During each All India Tiger Estimation exercise, done once in four years,  camera  trap  photographs  of  individual  tigers  are  collected  and  added  to  the  said repository.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 6209 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: GHG Emission by High Rise Buildings
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6209

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.04.2017

## GHG Emission by High Rise Buildings

6209. DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU:

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

- (a) whether  the  high-rise  buildings  with  glass  facades  are  a  major  contributor  to greenhouse gas emissions in urban areas in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) whether the Government is planning to issue  guidelines  to  regulate  construction  of high rise buildings in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) High-rise buildings with glass facades as such do not contribute to greenhouse gas  (GHG)  emission.  However,  such  buildings  located  in  warmer  areas  may  require greater amount of energy for cooling, which may lead to incremental emission of GHG, if the energy source is from fossil fuels etc.

Government  has  issued  the  Energy  Conservation  Building  Code  (ECBC)  for  new commercial  buildings, including  high-rise  buildings,  which  sets  minimum  energy standards and provides necessary guidelines.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6206 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Proposals from Gujarat
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABLITEIS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.6206 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.04.2017

## Proposals for Gujarat

## +6206. SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state

- (@) whether the Government has received proposals from the State Government of Gujarat for construction of hostels especially  for handicapped students   and  girl   students,  rehabilitation centres for mentally challenged people and providing financial assistance to them the last three years; during
- (b) if s0, the details thereof; project and location-wise;
- (0) the details of the proposals for which administrative and financial assistance have been
- (d) the details of the proposals not approved with the reasons therefor? along

## ANSWER

## (MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT)

(SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

- (a) the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has no scheme for providing financial assistance for construction of hostels o rehabilitation centers for mentally challenged people: No,
- (b) to (d) Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 6205 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Projects under NMHS
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: PREM DAS RAI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6205

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.04.2017

## Projects under NMHS

## 6205. SHRI PREM DAS RAI

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

- (a) the details of the projects taken up under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) in the country ;
- (b) the funds allocated/sanctioned for the said project during the last three years, projectwise; and
- ( c) the achievements made so far under the said projects ?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) started in 2015-16, a total of 42 projects have been sanctioned in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) at a total cost of Rs 63.82 crore. All these projects are at various stages of implementation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6203 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Import of APIs
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 6203

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 th  April, 2017

## Import of APIs

6203. SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  India  imports  around  60%  of Active  Pharmaceutical  Ingredients  (APIs)  from  China  for  manufacturing  of drugs in the country;
- (b) whether the Government has any plan to produce APIs in the country in order to reduce our dependence on Chinese imports of APIs; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS; MINISTRY OF SHIPPING AND MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a): The country is dependent for imports of bulk drugs/Active Pharmaceutical  Ingredients  (APIs)  on  China  for  producing  certain  essential medicines.  As  India  is  a  signatory  to  the  WTO  and  TRIPs  agreement,  the import  restrictions  have  been  removed  and  imports  made  on  economic considerations have slowly resulted in the present dependence.
- (b)  &  (c):    It  may  be  mentioned  that  most  of  the  imports  of  the  Bulk Drug/APIs being done in the country are because of economic considerations.  India  is  also  at  present  a  manufacturer  and  exporter  of several APIs/Bulk Drugs. However, Government is still taking various policy initiatives  in  order  to  discourage  imports.  Recently,  the  government  has withdrawn exemption  of customs  duty on certain categories of Bulk Drugs/APIs to provide a level playing field to the domestic manufacturers. Further, the government is clearing bottlenecks like environment clearance etc. which the manufacturers are facing, in order to give a boost to domestic manufacturing of bulk drugs.
Lok Sabha Question No. 6202 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Delhi Zoo
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: R.P. MARUTHARAJAA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 6202

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.04.2017

## Delhi Zoo

## 6202.    SHRI R. P. MARUTHARAJAA:

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

- (a) whether the Delhi Zoo is losing its sheen as many of its enclosures have been lying empty following the death of several animals in the recent past;
- (b) whether popular animals like giraffe, zebra, ostrich, king cobra, etc. have died in the recent past due to various reasons and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has taken any corrective steps in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) From the number of tickets sold,it is evident that a large number of visitors have been visiting the zoo. Only one enclosure (Beat No. 14) for Giraffe enclosure is lying empty.
- (b) Details of deaths of animals in the Delhi Zoo and the cause of deaths are as follows:
- (c) National Zoological Park is making efforts to procure animals from other zoos of the country  and other World Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA) affiliated zoos. For acquisition of Ostrich, the Zoo has requested to  Thiruvananthapuram  Zoo,  Kerala  and  Zoo  has  requestedto  WAZA member  zoos  of  Europefor  Giraffe,  African  Lion,  Red  Lechwe  and Kangaroo.

|   S. No. | Name of Animal   | Date of Death   | Reason                              |
|----------|------------------|-----------------|-------------------------------------|
|        1 | Giraffe          | 09.06.2015      | Myocarditis & Kidney Failure        |
|        2 | Zebra            | 01.05.2011      | Septicemia, Toximea& Cardiac Arrest |
|        3 | Ostrich          | 11.07.2016      | Enteritis                           |
|        4 | King Cobra       | 22.12.2015      | Pneumonitis                         |

*****