opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 695 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Issuance of Aadhaar Card
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Y. S. AVINASH REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  695

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20-12-2017

## ISSUANCE OF AADHAAR CARD

## 695. SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

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

(a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Government  is  contemplating  on  handing  over  the  work  of issuing of Aadhaar Cards to Post Offices and Banks in the country; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ALPHONS KANNANTHANAM)

(a) and (b):  Department of Post, as Registrar of UIDAI, has been mandated to set up Aadhaar enrolment  and  update  facility  in  designated  post  offices  throughout  the  country.  In  addition, banks have also been mandated under Regulation 12A of the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) (Second  Amendment)  Regulations,  2017  (No.  2  of  2017)  and  the  Aadhaar  (Enrolment  and Update) (Third Amendment) (No. 3 of 2017) to set up Aadhaar enrolment and update facility in a minimum one out of every ten bank branches.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 694 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Proxy Voting Rights
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: ANWHAR RAAJHAA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 694

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## PROXY VOTING RIGHTS

694. SHRI A. ANWHAR RAAJHAA:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has decided to give proxy voting rights to Nonresident Indians (NRIs);

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the total number of NRIs who will get voting rights if the said proposal is implemented; and

(d) the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI P.P.CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d): A Bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha in the current Session of Parliament to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1951 enabling the overseas electors to cast their votes  either  in  person  or  by  proxy.  As  per  electoral  data  furnished  by  the  Election Commission, there are a total of 24348 registered overseas electors as on 1 st January, 2017. These electors  as  well  as  those  who  may  register  in  future  would  benefit  by  the  proposed amendment. Since the Bill is before Parliament, no specific time frame can be indicated for implementation.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 693 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Proposal from Airbus
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SADHU SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE  PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.693

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## PROPOSAL FROM AIRBUS

693. PROF. SADHU SINGH:
2. (a) whether the Government has received any proposal from Airbus for making India a global production and supply centre;
3. (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;
4. (c) the details of the products proposed to be produced therein; and
5. (d) the units of Airbus already functional in the country?

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

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

- (a) No, Madam.

(b) & (c): Does not arise in view of (a) above.

- (d) There are no manufacturing units of Airbus functional in the country.

******

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)
Lok Sabha Question No. 692 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Nitaqat Scheme
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: JAYADEV GALLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.692 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## NITAQAT SCHEME

692.  SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any consultations have been held  with the Saudi officials at the diplomatic and political level in connection with Nitaqat Scheme which is impacting Indian workers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the outcome of the same; and
- (c)     the manner in which the Government is going to protect the interests of Indian workers?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) to (c) The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been following the policy of Nitaqat (Saudization), since 2011. This broadly aims at increasing the employment opportunities of the Saudi citizens both in the public and private sectors by reducing dependence on the expatriate workers. These efforts of the Saudi side have of late gained momentum after the ongoing slowdown of the economy due to continued low crude oil prices.

The matter has been taken up with the Saudi side in all available fora. The policy is not specifically directed at Indian nationals and the Saudi Government is exercising its prerogative and sovereign right by following this policy uniformly in respect of all foreign nationalities.

There are no wide spread job losses due to the Nitaqat programme. As per the latest figures provided by the Saudi Government, the Indian community in the Kingdom has increased from 3 million in February, 2017 to 3.25 million in September, 2017. The job losses that occurred last year were mainly due to some companies facing economic problems and losses are not attributable to 'Nitaqat'.

The   Government   has   been   in   regular   contact   with   the   Saudi Government towards safeguarding the interests and welfare of the resident Indian community.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 691 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Common QR Code
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 691

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 20.12.2017

## COMMON QR CODE

## 691 .    SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  introduce  common  Quick  Response  (QR) code based payments across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  feasibility  study/assessments  in  this regard;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the manner in which the step is going to improve the financial status of the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ALPHONS KANNANTHANAM)

(a) and  (b):  Yes,  Sir.  The  Government  has  taken  a  decision  to  take  common  QR  (Quick Response)  code  i.e.  Bharat  QR  code  as  policy  favoured  acceptance  instrument  and  has instructed Banks to onboard all the merchants with this interoperable QR code. The Bharat QR  code  is  easy  to  use,  interoperable,  low  cost  and  can  be  deployed  rapidly  for  wider acceptance.

(c)  and  (d):  No  Sir.  However,  QR  codes  are  being  used  as  one  of  the  prominent  way  of Digital payments acceptance at global level. In the entire country there are about 3 million POS machine installed and in order to facilitate digital  payment  acceptance  at  many  more merchants across the country, Bharat QR would serve as the viable and economical option.

(e):  At present the merchant has various digital payment acceptance modes viz. POS (Point of  Sale  machines)  to  accept  payments  through  Debit/Credit  Cards,  Mobile  Wallets,  BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) App, different mobile apps of individual Banks running over BHIM platform (UPI) etc. Accordingly, a customer also has different payment options like Debit/Credit Cards, mobile wallets, individual Mobile Apps, BHIM and Bank UPI Apps etc. Hence, to avoid the hassle of multiple platforms option to customers as well as to merchants, an interoperable payment acceptance instrument 'Bharat QR code' has been created which can  accept  the  payment  from  various  apps  which  are  running  on  BHIM  platform  and accordingly customers as well as Merchants will have a single uniform payment mode.

Cost of installation of Bharat QR code is very minimal as it can be easily printed and pasted in the merchant establishment wherein payment can be made using 'scan and pay' mode.

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 59 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-19
Subject: National Register of Citizens
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAMEN DEKA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *59

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 th  DECEMBER, 2017 /AGRAHAYANA 28, 1939 (SAKA)

NATIONAL REGISTER OF CITIZENS

*59. SHRI RAMEN DEKA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government has any proposal to prepare National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the country; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement in reply to lok sabha starred question no. *59 for 19 th  december, 2017 regarding national register of citizens

(a & b): Madam;  Section  14A(2)  of  the  Citizenship  Act,  1955  provides  for maintenance of National Register of Indian Citizens by the Central Government. For the purpose, the Central Government have to carry throughout the country a house-to-house  enumeration  for  collection  of  specified  particulars  relating  to each  family  and  individual,  residing  in  a  local  area  including  the  Citizenship status. Accordingly, house to house enumeration has been carried out in 2010 under  Rule  4  of  the  Citizenship  (Citizens  Registration  and  Issue  of  National Identity  Cards),  Rules  2003  to  prepare  the  Population  Register,  which  was updated in 2015-16 except in Assam and Meghalaya.

In the State of Assam, the manner of preparation of National Register of  Citizens  (NRC)  is  governed  by  Rule  4(A)  of  the  Citizenship  Rules,  2003  and NRC, 1951 Assam is being updated as per these provisions.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 51 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-19
Subject: Price Cap on Medical Devices
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *51

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  December, 2017

## Price Cap on Medical Devices

- *51. DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI:

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

- (a) whether the decision of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to put a  price  cap  on  coronary  stents  has  led  to  an  artificial  shortage  of  these  stents  in  the market;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to address this artificial shortage;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  introduce  price  cap  on  any  other medical device or medicine in the near future; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER   IN    THE      MINISTRY      OF      CHEMICALS      &      FERTILIZERS  AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI ANANTH KUMAR)

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

## Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *51 for answer on 19/12/2017 regarding Price Cap on Medical Devices.

(a) & (b): No  such  artificial  shortage  of  coronary  stents  in  the  country  has  been reported to National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) after price capping.

(c) & (d): The Government introduces price cap for medicines and medical devices which are included under Schedule - I of Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013). At present, there are 845 formulations and 4 medical devices under Schedule - I of DPCO, 2013 for which the Government has fixed the price - caps. Under para 19 of DPCO, 2013: 'Notwithstanding anything contained in this order, the Government may, in case  of  extra-ordinary  circumstances,  if  it  considers  necessary  so  to  do  in  public interest, fix the ceiling price or retail price of any Drug for such period, as it may deem fit'.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 50 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-19
Subject: Organic Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAJIV PRATAP RUDY

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

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 50

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## ORGANIC FARMING

- *50.     SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  farmers  who  have  switched  over  to  organic  farming  are experiencing lower yields in some States;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State-wise;
- (c) whether  the  organic  farmers  in  some  States  are  suffering  due  to  the  influx  of cheaper non-organic vegetable produce;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the measures taken by the Government to boost marketing of organic produce and incentivize organic farming, especially in Bihar?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè

(SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)

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

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.  50   DUE FOR REPLY ON  19 TH  DECEMBER, 2017. (a) & (b): No  Such  reports  have  been  received  from  states.    Indian  Council  of Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  prescribed  crop  specific  Package  of  Practices  for organic  farming  to  realize  optimum  yield.    However,  as  per  the  Network  Project  on Organic Farming (NPOF) study, during the conversion period from inorganic to organic (2-3 years) yield levels are expected to be low in the intensively cultivated areas. (c) & (d): No such report has come to light. (e): Government of India is providing assistance to farmers in all the states including Bihar for organic cultivation, certification, labeling, packing, transportation and marketing of organic produce under the scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).  In addition,  organic  value  chain  development  for  organic  products  from  production  to marketing is promoted in North Eastern Region through Mission Organic Value Chain Development (MOVCD).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 48 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-19
Subject: Use of Public Transport
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: CHINTAMANI MALVIYA

No. *48

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. *48

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT

PROF. CHINTAMANI MALVIYA

Will  the  Minister  of  Housing  and  Urban  Affairs  be  pleased  to state:

- a) whether the Government proposes to encourage citizens to use
2. city bus services instead of private vehicles and auto rickshaws in the country;
- b) if so, the details thereof;
- c) if not, the reasons thereof;
- d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  issue  directions  to  the Government and private employees for using public transport/buses run by the Government, metro services etc; and
- e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE  MINISTRY

OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK DECEMBER, 2017 REGARDING 'USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT' ASKED

SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *48 FOR ANSWER ON 19 TH BY PROF. CHINTAMANI MALVIYA.

(a)to(c): Urban Transport is intertwined with Urban Development which is a State subject. Therefore, the responsibility for promoting public  transport  including  city  bus  service  rests  with  the respective States/Union Territories. Government of India has issued National Urban Transport Policy, 2006 which encourages use of public transport.

(d)to(e):  No,  Madam.  Citizens  have  the  discretion  for  choosing  the mode of transport for themselves.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 45 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-19
Subject: Mangal Turbine
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 45

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19/12/2017

## MANGAL TURBINE

## *45.  SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

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

- (a) whether it  has  come  to  the  notice  of  the  Government  that  a  device  called Mangal  turbine/project  invented  and  patented  by  a  farmer/innovator  can  irrigate hundred hectares and more of land by lifting water without electricity and diesel and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the various technical experts and Indian Institute of Technology had recognized this device but the same has not been recognized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to include such project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana to promote indigenous rural technology and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the time by which such project is likely to be included in the said Yojana?

## 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. 45 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19/12/2017 REGARDING 'MANGAL TURBINE'

- (a) Yes, the Government is aware of the device called Mangal Turbine/project for operating pump  to  lift water without using electricity/diesel fuel developed  by  an  innovator  Shri  Mangal  Singh,  Village  &  Post-Bhailoni Lodh, Block-Bar, District- Lalitpur (UP). The device has been patented by the  innovator  (Patent  number  no.  224804,  'Improved  Turbine  Fuel  Less Pump', Grant date: 22/10/2008).
- (b) No,  the  device  developed  by  Shri  Mangal  Singh  was  also  evaluated  by ICAR-CIAE Bhopal. The device was found technically feasible and useful for  site  specific  irrigation.  The  feasibility  report  of  the  turbine  was  also submitted to Shri Mangal Singh.
- (c) & (d): The device requires a specific check dam on flowing waters to raise the water head to move the turbine primer.  If the proposal is recommended by the state level sanctioning committee, it may  be sent to concerned Department.  No such proposal has been received till now.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 44 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-19
Subject: Income of Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: HEMAMALINI

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

## LOK  SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 44

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## INCOME OF FARMERS

## *44.     SHRIMATI HEMA MALINI:

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

- (a)          whether  the  income  of  farmers  has  not  increased  to  the  expected  level  due  to absence  of  proper  and  developed  infrastructural  facilities  in  agriculture  sector  of  the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has introduced various new schemes and incurred heavy public expenditure for development of proper infrastructural facilities in agriculture sector in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 44    DUE FOR REPLY ON  19 TH  DECEMBER, 2017.

(a) & (b): According  to  'Situation  Assessment  Survey  of  Agricultural  Households' conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), the estimated average monthly income per agricultural household rose from Rs. 2115 in 2003 to Rs. 6426 only in 2013. This  low  level  of  income  was  mainly  due  to  predominance  of  marginal  and  small operational  holdings,  poor  soil  health,  low  irrigation  coverage,  inadequate  marketing facilities and  post-harvest supporting services  and lack of focus on the allied sectors of agriculture in the country.

(c) & (d):      Agriculture is a state subject and the primary responsibility of the State Governments. Union Government supplements their efforts through implementation of various  schemes  and  programmes.  With  a  view  to  improve  infrastructure  in  the agriculture  sector,  Government  is  implementing  various  new  Schemes,  viz.,  Pradhan Mantri  Krishi  Sinchai  Yojana  (PMKSY),  Soil  Heath  Card,  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas Yojana (PKVY), e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), etc. In addition, under the existing Rashtriya Krishi Vikas  Yojana  (RKVY),  a  wide  spectrum  of  interventions  has  been  made  to  cater  to diverse agricultural development requirements of the States. The total expenditure on these  schemes  was  Rs.7894.13  crore  in  2015-16  which  rose  to  Rs.8034.54  crore  in 2016-17.    During  the  current  financial  year,  total  expenditure  on  these  schemes  is Rs.6026.41 crore (as on 05.12.2017).

Moreover, Government has recently approved implementation of Pradhan Mantri Kisan  Sampada  Yojana  (PMKSY)  and  setting  up  Dairy  Processing  &  Infrastructure Development  Fund  (DIDF)  for  development  of  infrastructure  in  agriculture  and  allied sector in the country.