opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3082 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Pollution due to Fire Crackers
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: KAUSHAL KISHORE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3082

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2017

## Pollution due to Fire Crackers

3082. SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE:

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

- (a) whether  in  view  of  the  increasing  air  pollution,  the  Government  proposes  to  ban  fire crackers during festivals/ ceremonies specially in marriage ceremony;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the steps being taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) There is no proposal currently under consideration of the Government to ban fire crackers  during  festivals/  ceremonies.  The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and Climate Change has notified noise standards for fire crackers under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 to control noise pollution levels from firecrackers. The steps taken to control pollution levels inter alia include advisories for noise  monitoring  on  the  occasion  of  Diwali;  prohibition  of  the  use  of  fireworks between  10.00  p.m.  and  06.00  a.m.;  publicity  regarding  the  ill  effects  of  firecrackers,  sensitisation  of  students  through  course  curriculum  besides  general awareness  building  of  public  at  large  to  avoid  bursting  of  fire-crackers;  and issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and under section 18 (1) (b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3081 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Rashtriya Krishi Bazar Pariyojana
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3081

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST   MARCH, 2017

## RASHTRIYA KRISHI BAZAR PARIYOJANA

3081.   SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  a  proposal  to  connect  Malegaon  Mandi, Lasalgaon Mandi and Nasik Mandi of Nasik district with Rashtriya Krishi Bazar Pariyojana;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a) to (c): The Government had received proposals for inclusion of 30 mandis of Maharashtra which included Malegaon for first phase of National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) and  30  mandis  in  Phase-II  which  included  Nasik  Mandi.    These  have  been  approved  and Rs.9.00 crore released to Government of Maharashtra as Central assistance.  No proposal has been received for integration of Lasalgaon mandi with e-NAM.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3080 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Cancellation of Tender for Speed Boats
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3080

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 st     MARCH, 2017/ PHALGUNA 30, 1938 (SAKA)

CANCELLATION OF TENDER FOR SPEED BOATS

3080. ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  following  allegations  of  corruption,  the Government has  cancelled  all  the  tenders  invited  for  75  speed  boats  for coastal security and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has investigated the allegation of corruption;
- (c)  if  so,  the  outcome  and  action  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government against the erring officials;
- (d)  whether  action  has  been  initiated  by  the  Government  for  retendering process so that coastal security is not hampered; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU )

- (a): No, Madam.  A  tender  for procurement  of 75 boats of certain specifications  from  Public  Sector  Units  is  currently  underway.  No  tender was floated earlier for procurement of these 75 boats.
- (b) to (e): In view of the above question does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3077 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Setting up for New Markets
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3077

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST   MARCH, 2017

## SETTING UP FOR NEW MARKETS

3077.  SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal for setting up new markets in various States of the country including North Eastern States in order to facilitate the agricultural producers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which these markets are likely to be set up?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (c): Agricultural marketing is a state subject and is regulated under the provisions of Agricultural Produce Marketing Regulation Act of the respective States including North-Eastern States.    State  Government  may  develop  and  set  up  new  markets  based  on  requirement  & representations  made  by  growers  and  other  stakeholders.    However,  in  order  to  create  the competition  and  enhance  farmer-market  linkages,  the  Central  Government  is  advocating development of new markets in private sector through reforms in States' Agricultural Produce Marketing  Regulation  Acts.    So  far,  21  States  including  North-Eastern  States  like  Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh have amended their Acts to enable setting up of private markets.    Number  of  such  markets  have  increased  in  States  like  Maharashtra,  Gujarat  and Rajasthan.

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3076 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Increasing Stipend of Surrendered Militants
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3076

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 st     MARCH, 2017/ PHALGUNA 30, 1938 (SAKA)

INCREASING STIPEND OF SURRENDERED MILITANTS

3076. SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  stipend  of  the surrendered militants in different parts of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of surrendered militants getting stipend in the country, State-wise; and

(c)  the  total  number  of  designated  camps  or  outfits  in  operation  in  the country, State-wise?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU )

(a) No, Madam. At present, there is no proposal to increase the stipend of the surrendered militants in different parts of the country.

(b) & (c) The information is being collected from the States.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3072 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Pay Revision of PSUs
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.   3072 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2017

## Pay Revision of PSUs

## 3072.  SHRIMATI  DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

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

- (a) whether  the  Ministry  is  aware  that  revision  of  pay  scale  is  due  from 01.01.2017 for employees of PSUs and Cooperative fertilizer producing units as  the  Central  government  has  already  implemented  7 th Pay  commission; and
- (b) the details of the action taken for timely revision of pay scale of employees of PSUs and Cooperative fertilizer producing units?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS, SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI MANSUKH L MANDAVIYA)

- (a) & (b) : Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) vide resolution dated 09.06.2016 has constituted 3 rd Pay Revision committee (PRC) for the pay revision of Board level & below Board level executives and Non-Unionized Supervisors of Central  Public  Sector  Enterprises  (CPSEs)  w.e.f.  01.01.2017.  The  3 rd PRC  has submitted  its  reports  within  stipulated  time.  The  report  is  also  available  on  DPE website and is in public domain.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3071 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Depletion of Natural Resources
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: INNOCENT

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3071

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2017

## Depletion of Natural Resources

## 3071.  SHRI INNOCENT:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  information  regarding  depletion  of  natural resources of forests of Western Ghats region and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any action to obtain factual information in this regard; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) No  specific  report  regarding  depletion  of  natural  resources  of  forests  of  Western Ghats  region  has  been  received.  However,  out  of  the  six  States  which  are  part  of Western Ghats, five states have shown increase in forests cover as per the India State of Forest Report, 2015. State of Maharashtra has shown a slight decline of 4 square kilometer forest cover. Details are given at Annexure-I.

******

## ANNEXURE-I

ANNEXURE REFFERED TO PART (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3071 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 21.03.2017 REGARDING DEPLETION OF NATURAL RESOURCES ASKED BY SHRI INNOCENT

|   S. No. | States      |   Increase in forest cover in 2015 w.r.t 2013 (in sq. km.) |
|----------|-------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Goa         |                                                          5 |
|        2 | Gujarat     |                                                          7 |
|        3 | Karnataka   |                                                        289 |
|        4 | Kerala      |                                                       1317 |
|        5 | Maharashtra |                                                         -4 |
|        6 | Tamil Nadu  |                                                       2501 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 3069 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Driverless Cars
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES DEPARTMENT OF HEAVY INDUSTRY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3069 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2017

## Driverless Cars

## 3069. SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that India has become a design hub for global auto makers, especially for compact  cars  and  two  wheelers  and  the  industry  needs  to  respond  expeditiously  to  fresh challenges such as the emergence of driverless cars and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  there  is  likely  to  be  a  greater  demand  for  newer  automotive  designs  to  meet  the aspirations of the Indian market and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the industry needs to focus more on tapping the rural market which currently has only 13 per cent share of passenger vehicles sales; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER  OF  STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF  HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI  BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a):  Society  of  Indian  Automobile  Manufactures  (SIAM)  has  informed  that  India  has  over  the years  developed  into  an  R&D  hub  for  International  Automobile  Manufacturers  with  companies like  Renault,  General  Motors,  Mercedes  -  Benz,  Hyundai,  Suzuki  and  all  the  Indian  owned manufacturers setting up design centers in various parts of the country. India has also emerged as a Styling  &  Design  hub  especially  for  two  wheelers  and  small  cars  and  utility  vehicles.  Renault, General Motors, Hyundai and others are using their Indian design centers to work in tandem with their other global centers and it is understood that the contribution from Indian design centers of these companies are quite significant.
- (b): Society of Indian Automobile  Manufacturers  (SIAM)  has  reported  that the Indian automobile market is currently one of the active markets.  Large number of launches is taking place as the market for newly launched vehicles is vibrant. At present, there are more than 130 models of passenger vehicle and more than 150 models of two-wheelers  available in the market. The  tendency  of  the  customers  to  aspire  for  newer  designs  and  technologies  is  expected  to continue and hence automobile OEMs are continuously working on launching new vehicles.
- (c)  &  (d):  SIAM  has  informed  that  the  industry  is  focusing  on  the  rural  market  for  passenger vehicles  and  two  wheelers.  In  fact,  rural  and  sub-urban  markets  are  already  contributing  to  a major share of the Motorcycle and small car markets. With rising incomes and development of infrastructure, rural market is now buoyant. Also, urban markets are seen stagnating and hence, the automobiles OEMs have been focusing on the rural market.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3067 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Micro Irrigation Project
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAJESH VERMA

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3067

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST   MARCH, 2017

## MICRO IRRIGATION PROJECT

## 3067.   SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Micro  Irrigation  Project  has  not  started  smoothly  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana in some States of the country;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Micro  Irrigation  Project  is  not  being  started  in  these  States  due  to indifference of the Government;
- (d) if so, whether the Government has issued any guidelines to these State Governments to get the Micro Irrigation Project started; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to implement the Micro Irrigation Project effectively in the entire country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (c): All  the  states  are  covered  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana (PMKSY).  Micro Irrigation is supported under the Per Drop More Crop component of PMKSY and all the states are eligible to take advantage of the scheme.  However, penetration of Micro Irrigation  is  comparatively  low  in  Eastern,  North-Eastern,  North-Eastern  (NE)  and  hilly  states mainly because of availability of sufficient water, predominance of small and marginal farmers and other natural reasons.

(d) & (e): The State Governments are being frequently advised to promote Micro Irrigation. Capacity building and awareness programmes are being made to encourage farmers to adopt Micro Irrigation (MI).  To ensure larger adoption of MI system in the water scarce areas, NE and hilly regions, farmers are supported with higher subsidy compared to other areas.  Besides, for North Eastern Reason and Himalayan states, 25% higher cost, over and above the normative cost of the systems are allowed for the purpose of calculating financial assistance.  Further, the funding pattern is 90:10 between Central and State Governments for NE and Hilly States as compared to that of 60:40 for other states to encourage these states to get more benefit from the programme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3064 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: World Day of Social Justice
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: R. PARTHIPAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3064 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2017

## WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

## 3064. SHRI R. PARTHIPAN:

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

(a) whether the Government has conducted any programme on the World Day of Social Jus in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the programme organised on the occasion of World Day of Social Justice;

(c) the extent to which the ob jectives of observing the said day has been achieved;

(d)  whether  the  Government  recognise  the  need  to  promote  efforts  to  tackle  issues poverty, exclusion and unemployment in the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUS TICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)

(a) to (e): No, Madam. Government of India do not observe the 20 th February as Wold Day of Social Justice and declared by the United Nations General Assembly during the 62 nd Session on November 26, 2007 since the resolution in this regard does not enjoin upon the State the day as such and this is purely voluntary act left to individual States.

However,  the  Government  of  India  celebrates  the  Birth  Anniversary  of  Dr. Ambedkar on 14 th April every year as ' Rashtriya Samrasta Divas' symbolizing the struggle for social justice.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3063 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Mango Processing Units
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3063

ANSWERED ON 21 ST  MARCH, 2017

## MANGO PROCESSING UNITS

## 3063.  SHRI D.K. SURESH:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to encourage mango growers and traders to engage in producing value added products by providing adequate training and financial assistance to setup Mango processing units and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) & (b):  At  present,  Ministry  of  Food  Processing  Industries  does  not  have  any  scheme  for assisting setting up of food processing units including mango processing units.  However, under the  Scheme  for  Technology  Upgradation/  Establishment/  Modernization  of  Food  Processing Industries implemented during 11th Plan, the financial assistance has been provided for setting up of new food processing units as well as Technological Upgradation and Expansion of existing units including mango processing units under Fruit & Vegetable sector in the country.

This  scheme  was  subsequently  subsumed  in  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  (CSS)National  Mission  on  Food  Processing  (NMFP)  with  effect  from  01.04.2012  till  31.03.2015. Thereafter, the said scheme got delinked from Government of India's assistance and it was left to  the  State  Governments  to  decide  on  its  continuance  from  their  increased  resources  as  per recommendation  of  14th  Finance  Commission.  The  committed/spillover  liabilities  of  cases received upto end of 11th Plan are being considered by Ministry of Food Processing Industries for sanction of Grant - in - aid during the 12th Plan under the said scheme as per availability of funds and merits of proposals

However, under the Skill Development initiative, this Ministry has been assisting Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative (FICSI) since September, 2015 to impart training in food processing sector under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).  Besides, National Institute  of  Food  Technology  Entrepreneurship  and  Management  (NIFTEM),    a  deemed  de novo  university &  Indian  Institute  of  Crop  Processing  Technology  (IICPT)  under  the administrative control of Ministry of Food Processing Industries also conduct programmes/courses on Skill Development (under self-financing, sponsored and PMKVY) and entrepreneurship  for the youth,  farmers,  self-help  groups  besides  running  their  normal educational courses and other academic research and outreach activities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3062 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Funding for R&D
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES DEPARTMENT OF HEAVY INDUSTRY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3062 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2017

## Funding for R&D

3062. SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any proposal for funding the Research and Development (R&D) costs for developing indigenous low-cost electric technology for vehicles; and (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF  HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI  BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) & (b):   Government of India has formulated a scheme namely FAME-India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India) with effect from 1 st April, 2015, which is intended  to  support  the  hybrid/electric  vehicles  market  development  and  its  manufacturing  ecosystem to achieve self sustenance. Through this scheme, the Government is funding specific projects under Pilot Project, R&D/Technology Development and Public charging infrastructure components of the Scheme.

**********