opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1236 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Treatment Plants
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1236 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2017

## TREATMENT PLANTS

## 1236.   SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  has  received  any  proposal  from  the Government of Rajasthan for sanction of financial assistance for setting up of the remaining  three  common  effluent  treatment  plants  under  Integrated  Processing Development Scheme (IPDS) on priority basis; and
- (b) if  so,  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  to  sanction  the  financial assistance under IPDS scheme?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंरी ( )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) & (b): The Government of India has  sanctioned following   four  projects in  the  State  of  Rajasthan  out  of  seven  projects  recommended  by  the    State Government:-
-  Upgradation of 18 MLD CETP to ZLD at Balotra
-  Upgradation of 12 MLD CETP ( Unit no 6) to ZLD at Pali
-  Upgradation of 2.5 MLD CETP to ZLD at Jasol
-  12.3 MLD    ZLD  Plant at Sanganer

No  further  proposal  from  Government  of  Rajasthan  has  been  received      for financial  assistance  for  remaining  Common  Effluent  Treatment  Plants  (CETP) under Integrated Processing Development Scheme (IPDS).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1235 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Use of Water in Thermal Power Plants
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1235 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2017

USE OF WATER IN THERMAL POWER PLANTS

†1235.  SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Union Government is contemplating to review the use of water in thermal power plants, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Union Government has constituted any expert committee for the purpose; and

- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) : Government of India has already notified the amended Environment (Protection) 1986 Rules comprising of new Water consumption norms for Thermal Power Plants vide Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Notification No. 3305 (E) dated 07.12.2015.

Further,  Government  of  India  has  notified  new  Tariff  Policy  on 28.01.2016 wherein it is mandated that the thermal power plant(s) including the existing  plants  located  within  50  km  radius  of  sewage  treatment  plant  of Municipality  /  local  bodies  /  similar  organisation  shall,  in  the  order  to  their closeness  to  sewage  treatment  plant,  mandatorily  use  treated  sewage  water produced by these bodies and the associated cost on this account be allowed as pass through in the tariff.

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

*************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1234 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Integrated Processing Development Scheme
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1234 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2017

## INTEGRATED PROCESSING DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

## 1234.   SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  the  Government  has  implemented  Integrated Processing  Development  Scheme  (IPDS)  to  address  the  environmental  issues faced by the textile processing units in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government  has  made  any  significant  progress in the implementation of IPDS;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र मंरी ( )

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES

(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) to (e): Yes  Madam,  the  Government  is  implementing  the    Integrated Processing Development Scheme (IPDS)  to address environmental issues faced by textile units in the country.   The Government of India provides   grant support up to 50% of the project cost not exceeding to Rs. 75.00 crores for setting up Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) with appropriate technology of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)  or Marine  Discharge and Rs. 10.00 crores for conventional treatment systems on a case to case basis.  Details of the projects sanctioned till date there status is given at Annexure-I.

## Annexure-I

|   S. No. | Projects sanctioned under IPDS                                     | Implementation Status                                                       |
|----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Up-gradation of 18 MLD CETP to ZLD at Balotra in Rajasthan         | Rs. 8.63 crores as 1 st part of 1 st instalment has been released.          |
|        2 | Up-gradation of 12 MLD CETP (Unit no. 6) to ZLD at Pali, Rajasthan | Rs. 7.5 crores as 1 st part of 1 st instalment has been released.           |
|        3 | Up-gradation of 2.5 MLD CETP to ZLD at Jasol, Rajasthan.           | Rs. 1.68 crores as 1 st part of 1 st instalment has been released.          |
|        4 | 6 MLD ZLD Plant at Virudhunagar, Tamilnadu                         | Clearance from the State Pollution Control Board is to be furnished         |
|        5 | 12.3 MLD ZLD Plant at Sanganer, Rajasthan                          | Rs 37.5 crores towards 1 st Installment has been released                   |
|        6 | 8 MLD ZLD Plant at Kadayamaptti, Bhavani, Erode, Tamil Nadu.       | Clearance from the State Pollution Control Board is to be furnished         |
|        7 | 4 MLD ZLD Plant at Bhavani Cluster Erode, Tamilnadu.               | Clearance from the State Pollution Control Board is to be furnished.        |
|        8 | 25 MLD CETP with ZLD at Ludhiana, Punjab                           | Punjab Dyers Association has subsequently withdrawn this project from IPDS. |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1233 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Service Tax on Royalties Paid by Mining Companies
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

## 1233.

भारत सरकार

खान मंत्रालय

लोक सभा

## अतारांककत प्रश्  न सं. 1233 09 फरवरी, 2017 को उत् तर क    िल

## खनन क ं पननयों द्वारा भुगतान की गई रॉयल टी पर

## स वा कर

## श्री  म॰ चन्द्राकाशीीः

क्या खान मंत्री यह बताने की क ृ पा करेंगे ककिः

- ( क) क्या क ें द्र  सरकार  ने क ें द्रीय  उत्पाद  शुल्क  और सीमा शुल्क बोर्ड द्वारा यथाप्रस्ताववत वर्ड 2016-17 से संसाधनों क े  उपयोग हेतु खनन क ं पननयों द्वारा भुगतान की गई रॉयल् ीी पर सेवा कर लगाया है और यदद हां , तो तत्संबंधी ब्यौरा क्या है ;
- ( ख) खनन क्षेत्र में खनन क ं पननयों और उनकी उत्पादकता पर अनतररक्त कर का ककतना प्रभाव पड़ेगा ; और
- ( आम आदमी पर इसक े  प्रभाव को कम करने क े  ललए क्या कदम उठाए जाने का प्रस्ताव है ?
- ग) उक्त कर क े  कारण अथडव्यवस्था पर मुद्रास्फीनत का ककस सीमा तक दबाव पड़ा है और

## उत्  तर

## (श्री पीयूष गोयल)

## खान , ववद्युत , कोयला  वं नवीन और नवीकरणीय ऊर्ाा राज् य मंत्री (स् वतंत्र प्रभार)

- (क) : ददनांक 01.04.2016 से सरकार अथवा स्  थानीय प्राकधकरण द्वारा व् यापाररक संस्  था को दी गई सेवाएं कर क े  दायरे में हैं । इस प्रकार , सरकार द्वारा रॉयल् ीी क े  प प में प्रनतफल क े ललए खान क े  अकधकार सौंपना 01.04.2016 से कर क े  दायरे में आ गया है ।
- (ख) : खनन क ं पननयों पर कोई अनतररक् त कर भार नहीं है क् योंकक खनन क ं पननयां  सी सेवा ं
- पर देय सेवा कर क े  इनपुी कर क्र े डर्ी पाने की हकदार होंगी ।
- (ग) : उपयुडक् त भाग (क) एवं (ख) क े  उत् तर को देखते ह ु ए प्र् न नहीं उठता ।

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1232 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Vehicle Recycling and Scrapping
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1232

ANSWERED ON 9 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## VEHICLE RECYCLING AND SCRAPPING

## 1232.   SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## lM+d ifjogu vkSj jktekxZ ea=h

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has urged the industry to set up vehicle recycling business along the  coast  of  the  country  with  port  connectivity  to  create  an  ecosystem  for  dismantling  old vehicles and recovering precious metals;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether a vehicle scrapping plan is being proposed by the Government for fifteen years old heavy and medium commercial vehicles; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) to (d) The Government has proposed introduction of Voluntary Vehicle Fleet Modernization Programme (V-VMP) which was circulated for inter-Ministerial Consultations.  The  proposal  aims  at  creating  an  ecosystem  for  voluntary  scrapping  and replacement  of  old  polluting  vehicles.  The  matter  has  been  referred  to  Committee  of Secretaries for consideration and decision.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1231 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Direct Transfer of Funds to Panchayats
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: RAM SWAROOP SHARMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1231

TO BE ANSWERED ON  09.02.2017

## DIRECT TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO PANCHAYATS

## †1231. SHRI RAM SWAROOP SHARMA

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Central Government is providing funds direct to the Panchayats in all States of the country;
- b) if so, the total funds released to the Panchayats during the year 2015-16;  and
- c) the details of the funds released to Panchayats in Mandi, Kullu, Kangra and Shimla regions of Himachal Pradesh for 2015-16?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a) : Under the Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) award, grants to the tune of Rs. 2,00,292.20 crore are being devolved to Gram Panchayats (GPs) constituted under Part IX of the Constitution for  the  award  period  from  2015  to  2020.  Grants  are  being  released  by  Ministry  of  Finance  to States for release to GPs.
- (b) : The Union Government through the Ministry of Finance has released  Rs.21210.84 crore so far for the financial year 2015-16.
- (c)  :  Details  of  funds  released  to  Panchayats  in  Mandi,  Kullu,  Kangra  and  Shimla  regions  of Himachal Pradesh for the financial year 2015-16 are given as under:-

|   Sl. No. | Name of District   | Funds released (in Rupees )   |
|-----------|--------------------|-------------------------------|
|         1 | Mandi              | 27,96,90,211                  |
|         2 | Kullu              | 13,28,82,070                  |
|         3 | Kangra             | 42,10,34,083                  |
|         4 | Shimla             | 19,47,27,456                  |

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1230 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Protection of Flood and Erosion by Rivers
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1230

ANSWERED ON 09.02.2017

## PROTECTION OF FLOOD AND EROSION BY RIVERS

## 1230.     SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Union Government is fully responsible for schemes/projects for protection of floods and erosion in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the measures taken to solve the floods and erosion problems faced by the people of the country including Assam from river Brahmaputra, Barak and its tributaries;

(c) whether the Government of Assam has submitted any proposal to the Union Government to solve the problems of erosion and floods in Assam; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Union Government thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND GANGA REJUVENATION (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a)    Flood  Management  being  under  the  purview  of  the  States,  the  schemes  for  flood  control  are formulated and implemented by concerned States as per their own priority. The Union Government supports  the  efforts  of  the  States  by  providing  technical  guidance  and  also  promotional  financial assistance for management of floods in critical areas.

(b)  The Government of India has launched the Flood Management Programme (FMP) for providing central assistance to States for works related to river management, anti-erosion, restoration of damage flood management works, anti-sea erosion etc.  Under this programme, a total of 522 projects were approved in XI and XII Plan and central assistance of Rs 4873.07 crore has been released till date, out of which an amount of Rs. 1307.07 crore was released in XII Plan. A total of 141 projects of State of Assam  with  approved  cost  of  Rs.  2383.11  crore  have  been  included  under  Flood  Management Programme during XI and XII Plan. An amount of Rs. 748.86 crore during XI plan and Rs. 64.89 crore during XII plan has been released to the State of Assam under Flood Management Programme.

The  Government of India had set up Brahmaputra Board at Guwahati in 1980 for advising the North Eastern States on water resources development matters including flood  management. Brahmaputra Board has prepared 57 Master Plans suggesting appropriate measures for water resources development and flood control.

(c)  &  (d)    During  XII  Plan,  Govt.  of  Assam  has  submitted  a  total  136  project  proposals  costing Rs. 11718.17 crore for techno economic appraisal. Of these, 59 project proposals costing Rs. 2079.65 crore have been cleared, 74 schemes have been returned/deleted, 2 schemes are under examination in CWC while response to one scheme is awaited from the State Govt. of Assam.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1228 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Crisis in Textile Sector
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA

## CRISIS IN TEXTILE SECTOR

## 1228.   SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a large number of workers are facing loss of employment due to the serious crisis in handloom and textile sector which provides employment to lakhs of workers;
- (b) if so, the details of the steps taken by the Government to overcome the crisis; and
- (c) the result achieved by the Government thereby?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र मंरी ( )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES

(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c): Handloom  sector  is  an  unorganized  sector.    As  per  third  handloom  census (2009-10),  there  are  43.31  lakh  handloom  weavers  and  allied  workers  from  27.83  lakh households  across  the  country.    No  such  information  has  been  received  from  any  state  that large number of workers are facing loss of employment, due to the serious crisis in handloom sector.  To improve the earning of  handloom weavers/workers and sustainable development of the sector, the Ministry of Textiles, through various schemes and programmes, has adopted / focused,  flexible  and  holistic  approach  by  facilitating  marketing  of  handloom  products, infrastructure  development,  brand  building  and  empowerment  of  weavers  training  and  skill upgradation, infusion of new  designs  through  design  intervention as well as product diversification, technology upgradation, easy access to raw material at subsidized prices and easy credit flow at low interest rate etc.,  besides providing better health care and life insurance under welfare schemes. With these objectives, the following schemes are under implementation during 12 th Plan:-

- (i) National Handloom Development Programme
- (ii) Handloom Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme
- (iii) Yarn Supply Scheme
- (iv) Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme.

Evaluation of these programmes has indicated improvement in earnings of  beneficiary weavers.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1227 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: MGNREGS in Odisha
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Pratyusha Rajeshwari Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO .1227 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.0 2.2017

## MGNREGS IN ODISHA

## 1227. SHRIMATI PRATYUSHA RAJESHWARI SINGH:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the approved labour budget for Odisha under Mahatma National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (MGNREGS)  for  financial  year 2016- 17 is 8 crore person days amounting to Rs. 2459.20 crore and if so , the details thereof;
- (b) the  details  of  the  Central  share  out  of  the  approved  labour  budget  and  th released to the State so far;
- (c) whether the Union Government is aware that wages of the workers could not be m in the State due to non - avai lability of funds under the scheme and if so, the det thereof including the pending amount for wage payment; and
- (d) whether the Union Government proposes to release the second tranche of funds t State for the current financial year under the sc heme and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT ( SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV )

(a)to(d): Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a demand driven programme henceno State/UT -wise allocation of fund is made. The Central funds  are  released  to  the  States/UTs  including  Odisha  on  the  basis  of  agreed  to Budget and taking into consideration the performance and the pace of utilization of funds.An amount ofRs. 179308.672 lakh has been released to Odisha under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) during the current year (as  on  06.02.2017).  The  fund  release  to  States/UTs  is  a  continuous  process  and Governme nt is committed to make funds available as per actual basis.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1224 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Hassle Free Cargo Movement
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to launch any Information Technology (IT) based plan to make cargo movement across the States hassle free, seamless and smooth;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the details of the consultation made by the Government with different State Governments; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to elicit maximum support by the State Governments in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) to (c) No Madam. However to facilitate interstate goods transport, a New National Permit System for goods vehicles has been implemented in all     States / Union Territories with effect from 08.05.2010. As per the new arrangement, National Permit can be granted to the goods vehicles by the home state on payment of Rs. 1000/- as home State authorization fee and Rs. 16500/- per annum per truck towards consolidated fee which authorizes the permit holder to operate throughout the country.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1224

ANSWERED ON 9 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## HASSLE FREE CARGO MOVEMENT

1224. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 1223 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Electricity to All Households
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1223 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2017

## ELECTRICITY TO ALL HOUSEHOLDS

1223.  SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has fixed any target to provide electricity to all households by 2019;

(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to attain this target;

(c) the details of the target fixed and achievements made during the last three years, State/UT-wise; and

(d) the number of villages/households in the country which are electrified but are awaiting electricity till date?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) & (b) : Government of India  has launched a joint  initiative  with  States  for '24X7  Power for All'. It is targeted to provide power to all households by 2022 in a phased manner.

(c) & (d) : During the last three years, the target fixed and  the corresponding achievement in  respect of village electrification and free electricity connection to BPL households are as under:

| Years   | Village Electrification   | Village Electrification   | BPL Household connections   | BPL Household connections   |
|---------|---------------------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
|         | Targets                   | Achievements              | Targets                     | Achievements                |
| 2013-14 | 3300                      | 1197                      | 20.00 Lakh                  | 9.62 Lakh                   |
| 2014-15 | 1900                      | 1405                      | 15.00 Lakh                  | 7.59 Lakh                   |
| 2015-16 | 5686                      | 7108                      | 14.00 Lakh                  | 14.39 Lakh                  |

As reported by the States, there were 18,452 un-electrified villages in  the  country  as  on  01.04.2015.  Out  of  these,  12,033  villages  have  been electrified as on 06.02.2017. Remaining villages are targeted to be electrified by May, 2018.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1222 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Green Highway Projects
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1222

ANSWERED ON 09 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## GREEN HIGHWAY PROJECTS

## 1222.   SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has launched the Green Highway Projects across all the States in the country;

- (b) if so, the details and salient features thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  the  funds  earmarked/allocated/spent  by  the  Government  on  the  said  project  during  the  last two years;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  requires  the  concessionaires  collecting  tolls  on  the  National Highways (NHs) to contribute to this project, if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether the Government proposes to extend the said project to the newly laid NHs by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), if so, the details thereof; and

(f)  whether  the  Government  has  launched  this  scheme  in  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu,  if  so,  the details thereof including the list of NHs where the said scheme has been launched?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) to (f) Plantations  are  part  of  all  highway  development  projects.  Ministry  of  Road Transport  and  Highways  has  also  launched  the  Green  Highways  (Plantation,  Transplantation, Beautification  &  Maintenance)  Policy,  2015  to  promote  greening  of  Highway  corridors  with participation  of  the  community,  farmers,  private  sector,  NGOs  and  government  institutions. Plantations  are  also  carried  out  along  the  road  side  by  agencies  like  the  Forest  Department, NGOs, Corporates, etc.  No separate funds have been allocated for this purpose. Concessionaires are mandated the task of median plantations and avenue plantations as per the provisions of the relevant Concession Agreement.

*****