opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4354 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Disposal of Toxic Waste
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, BHARATENDRA SINGH, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION N0. 4354

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2017

## Disposal of Toxic Waste

## 4354. SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO;

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV; SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE; DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT; KUNWAR BHARATENDRA; SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

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

- (a) the quantum of toxic/hazardous waste yet to be disposed of at the factory premises of the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL), Bhopal;
- (b) whether his Ministry has recently sought funds for disposal of the toxic waste dumped in the Union Carbide factory and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Department of Expenditure has approved the allocation for the same and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether his Ministry has taken a decision regarding floating of tender for disposal and remediation or through the Madhya Pradesh Government in this regard; and
- (e) the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  safe  and  speedy  disposal  of  the  toxic waste dumped in the factory premises of UCIL?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Approximately 336 tonnes of hazardous waste is lying in the premises of the erstwhile Union Carbide India Ltd. (UCIL), Bhopal.
- (b)&(c)    No Sir. The Government has neither sought any allocation of fund from Department of Expenditure nor any allocation has been made.
- (d)&(e)   The Central Government has taken all the measures for safe and speedy disposal of the toxic  waste  which  include  assessment  of  the  waste,  evaluation  of  toxicity,  safe packaging and storing of the waste at the site, identification of appropriate technology for  disposal,  trial  disposal  of  10  tons  of  the  waste  and  formulation  of  procurement framework.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Physical Fitness Test for IPS Officers
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4352

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 TH  MARCH, 2017/ CHAITRA 7, 1939 (SAKA)

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST FOR IPS OFFICERS

4352.

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether IPS officers are required to clear the mandated physical fitness tests as probationers and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  a  number  of  IPS  officers  have  failed  to  clear  the  mandated physical fitness tests;

(c)  if  so,  the  details  of  such  IPS  officers  and  the  action  taken  by  the Government in this regard; and

(d) whether the Government has decided to strictly enforce physical fitness parameters for the IPS officers at the time of induction and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

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

(a): Yes  madam,  IPS  Probationers  are  required  to  clear  the  mandated physical  fitness  tests  conducted  by  the  Sardar  Vallabhbhai  Patel  National Police  Academy.   The  tests are  held  in  the  subjects  of Physical Training, ....2/

## L.S.US.Q.NO.4352 FOR 28.03.2017

Physical Proficiency Test (PPT), Cross Country Running, Yoga, Swimming and Unarmed Combat.

In  addition  to  above  the  probationers  have  to  clear  tests  in  Drill,  Weapon Training  &  Map  Reading,  Equitation,  First  Aid  &  Ambulance  Drill,  Motor Mechanism and Driving.

(b)  and  (c):        Most  of  the  IPS  officers  clear  the  mandated  physical  tests. However in the last 6 years from 2010 Batch to 2015 Batch two candidates passed the physical test in re-examinations and special reexaminations and only one IPS Probationer has failed to clear the mandated physical test in all admissible attempts.

Shri Salunkhe Deepak Atmaram, IPS Probationer of 2010 Batch has failed to clear the mandated physical test in all admissible attempts.  Therefore, an order discharging the officer from the Indian Police Service in terms of Rules, 12 (a) of the Indian Police Service (Probation) Rules, 1954 has been issued dated 22 nd  March, 2017.

(d): The physical fitness parameters as well as medical standards for the IPS officers are notified at the time of Civil Services Examination conducted by  the  Union  Public  Service  Commission.    These  standards  are  strictly enforced before allocating Indian Police Service to the successful candidates.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4350 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Aadhaar in Welfare Schemes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR S.R., T. RADHAKRISHNAN, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, SUDHEER GUPTA, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4350 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2017

## AADHAAR IN WELFARE SCHEMES

No. 4350

SHRI S.R VIJAYAKUMAR

SHRI T, RADHAKRISHNAN

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN

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

- (a) whether his   Ministry has made Aadhaar compulsory for six scholarship schemes for students with disabilities and benefits given under the National Action Plan for skill training of disabled;
- (b) if the details thereof and the reasons therefor; SO,
- (c) whether the Government has also asked for Aadhaar ID for grant of assistance to NGOs working for the welfare of SCs, backward castes, alcoholics and elderly persons and if the details and objectives thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has fixed any timeframe for  applying Aadhaar Card and if S0, the details thereof and
- (e) whether the Government has fixed any timeframe for  applying Aadhaar Card and if the details SO,

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT (SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)

- (a) & (b): In pursuance of Section 7 of Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery or Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act; 2016 (18 of 2016) the Government had issued a Notification on 3rd  March, 2017 in terms of which an to receive the benefits or services under Scholarship Schemes and National Action Plan for Skill  Development is required to furnish   proof  of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication\_
- (c) In pursuance of Section 7 of Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery or Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services} Act, 2016 (18 of 2016) the Government had issued a Notifications l6th Feb, 2017 & 1st March, 2017 in terms of which NGOs working for the welfare of SCs, backward castes, alcoholics and elderly persons are required to furnish of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication, proof
- (d) In case, an individual does not possess the Aadhaar number or not enrolled for Aadhaar he/she is required to make an application for Aadhaar enrolment by 30th June, 2017 if he/she desires to avail of the benefits or services under the said schemes. yet
- (e) sir. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) which is the regulatory authority of the Government under the Aadhaar Act has stated that no such study has been made. No,

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4349 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Creamy Layer Ceiling for OBCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, SATYA PAL SINGH, SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4349 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2017

## CREAMY LAYER CEILING FOR OBCs

## 4349. SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE: DR. SATYAPAL SINGH: SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE:

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

(a) the existing terms and conditions for determining creamy layer to exclude a family of from the benefits of reservation under Other Backward Classes (OBCs) categor y in the country;

(b) whether the income from salary and agriculture of an individual has been excluded from Rs. 6 lakh annual income to determine the creamy layer and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the existing criterion followed by th e Government for revision of income ceiling to determin creamy layer status of a family in the country;

(d) whether the Government has any proposal to enhance the ceiling of income to determine layer  status  of  a  family  keeping  in  view  the implementation  of  recommendations  of  the  7th  P Commission; and

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

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FO R SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR )

(a):The terms and conditions for determining creamy layer in OBCs for the purpose of servic the Central Government are as given in Department of Personnel and Training's O.M. No.36012/22/93 - Estt.(SCT) dated 08.09.1993 as amended from time to time.

(b):  C ategory  VI  of  the  Department  of  Personnel  and  Training's  O.M.  dated  8.09.1993    regarding Income /Wealth Test provides, inter - alia,  Son(s) and daughter(s) of

- ( a) Persons having gross annual income of Rs. 1 lakh or above or possessing wealth ab exemption limit as prescribed in the Wealth Tax Act for a period of three consecutive
- ( b) Persons in Categories I, II, III and V A who are not disentitled to the benefit of have income from other sources of wealth which will bring them within the income/wealth criteria mentioned in (a) above.

Explanation:

- ( i ) Income from salaries or agricultural land shall not be clubbed;

(c): The current annual income limit of creamy layer for Other Backward Classes reservati lakh  per  annum  with  effect from  16.05.2013.    Parameter/criteria  fixed  for  revision  of  said income limit for creamy layer is Consumer Price Index.

(d): No, Madam.

(e):  The  criterion  specified  in  para  (c)  above  is  followed  for  periodic  enhancement  of Layer ceiling.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Loss of Cotton Crops
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAVNEET SINGH

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4347

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  28 TH  MARCH, 2017

## LOSS OF COTTON CROPS

4347.  SHRI RAVNEET SINGH:

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

- (a) the details of the loss of cotton crop in Punjab and Haryana due to pest attacks and diseases in cotton plants during the last two years;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to provide relief to affected crop farmers in these States; and
- (c) the measures taken by the Government to ensure that pest attacks like that of white fly are not repeated in the future?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान  कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã  ½ãñâ  Àã·¾ã  ½ãâ¨ããè (  SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a): During Kharif, 2015 whitefly infestation was reported in cotton crop in the State of Punjab  and  Haryana.  As  per  the  information  received  from  the  Punjab  and  Haryana Government,  an  area  of  3.39  lakh  hectare  and  5.8  lakh  hectare  respectively  was cultivated under the cotton crop during 2015-16. Approximately, all the cultivated area was affected in Punjab. However, in Haryana losses of more than 50 % were reported in 0.25 lakh hectare whereas less than 50% losses were reported in 5.28 lakh hectare.
- (b): As per the information received from the Punjab and Haryana Government, an amount of Rs 669 crore and Rs 967 crore respectively has been paid as compensation to the affected farmers.
- (c): Advisories  have  been  issued  to  Cotton  white  fly  affected  States  like  Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to maintain close vigil. State Government have been sensitized to organize regular meetings of State Pest Surveillance & Advisory Units (SPSAU) and District  Pest  Surveillance  &  Advisory  Units  (DPSAU) in order  to monitor the  pest and diseases  of  different  crops.  States  have  also  been  advised  regularly  through  video conference  to  ensure  timely  availability  of  pesticides  and  bio-pesticides  approved  & recommended  by  CIB&RC  for  the  control  of  pests  and  farmers  are  advised  through

extension machinery to  use only recommended varieties/hybrids,  dosage of fertilizers and pesticides as per recommendation and label claims.

- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4346 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Treatment of Wild Animals
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.4346

TO BE ANSWERED ON  28.03.2017

## Treatment of Wild Animals

## 4346.  SHRI R.P. MARUTHARAJAA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has sought any report on lapses in the treatment of wild animals in the country including Tamil Nadu;
- (b) if so, the details and response received thereon, State-wise; and
- (c) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to ( c ) Protection of wild animals is the responsibility of the concerned State Forest Department. However, a specific complaint from animal right activist  Ms.  Radha Rajan regarding death of a young tusker and his mother and the elephant 'Madhukkarai Maharaj' in Tamil Nadu was received.  Inspector  General  of  Forests  (NTCA),  Regional  Office, Bangalore was requested to enquire into the complaint. The enquiry report  concluded  that  there  was  no  negligence  on  the  part  of  Forest and Veterinary official of Tamil Nadu Forest Department in capture and translocation of the wild tusker and the wild tuskar continued his aggressive  behavior  even  after  confinement  in  kraal  resulting  in cranial  fractures  and  severe  cerebral  hemorrhage  leading  to  sudden death of the animal.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4344 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Migration of Tribals due to Naxalism
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: MEKAPATI RAJAMOHAN REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4344

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 TH  MARCH, 2017/ CHAITRA 7, 1939 (SAKA)

MIGRATION OF TRIBALS DUE TO NAXALISM

4344. SHRI M. RAJA MOHAN REDDY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether it is  a fact that every year several thousands of tribal families from South Chhattisgarh are forced to migrate to cities in Andhra Pradesh because of on-going battle between the Maoists and security forces in the State;

(b) if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years;

(c)  whether the Government had set up any panel to look into the working conditions of migrants which have since submitted its recommendations; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): It  has  come  to  notice  that  some  tribal  families  have  been  migrating from Chhattisgarh to Andhra Pradesh for livelihood purposes.

(b): No such figures of migration are maintained Centrally.

(c) & (d): The National Commission  for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) had conducted a study in collaboration with Disha Foundation, Nasik, Maharashtra in 2015-16 to look into the matter of tribal labour migrating for livelihood  support  from  backward  areas  to  economically  developed  areas within and  out  of  the  States.    The  NCST  has  recommended  to  the Governments of the tribal predominant States and various line Ministries of the  Central  Government  to  address  the  basic  needs  of  migrating  tribal families both at source and destination areas.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4342 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Waste Processing Plants
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4342

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2017

## Waste Processing Plants

## 4342.   ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

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

- (a) whether it is true that the Government is considering to allow waste processing plants within 20-100 metres of residential areas;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether this is the first time that waste processing plants are likely to adhere to defined limits by creating a buffer zone separating the boundaries of the waste processing facility and public zones; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) Solid waste Management  Rule,  2016  prescribes  for  a buffer zone of no development  to  be maintained  around  solid  waste  processing  and  disposal    facility  exceeding five Tonnes per day of installed capacity. The delimitation of the prescribed buffer zone for each waste processing facility is to be fixed on case to case basis by the local body in consultation with State Pollution Control Board.  The buffer zone is required to be earmarked within the total land area of the solid waste processing and disposal facility.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4338 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Fire Services
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: BALABHADRA MAJHI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4338

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 TH  MARCH, 2017/ CHAITRA 7, 1939 (SAKA)

FIRE SERVICES

4338. SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to provide funds for Hydraulic Platforms to Fire Service of Odisha State to combat fire effectively in high rise buildings; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which such funds are likely to be provided to Odisha?

ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): No,  Madam.    At  present,  the  Government  has  no  such  specific proposal to provide funds for hydraulic platforms to Fire Service of Odisha state.  However, the Government of India from time to time provides financial assistance to States for upgradation of their fire services.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4336 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Permission for Projects on Forest Land
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: RAJESH RANJAN  (PAPPU  YADAV)

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4336

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2017

## Permission for Projects on Forest Land

†4336. SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

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

- (a) whether the Gram Sabha has the power to accept or reject the projects to be taken up on the  forest  land  under  the  Scheduled  Tribes  and  Other  Traditional  Forest  Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006;
- (b) if so, whether the Government proposes to end the requirement of taking permission from Gram Sabha for using forest land for big projects and if so, the details of the new law likely to be enacted;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to amend the provisions of the aforesaid Act;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  simply  the  procedure  for  projects  to  be undertaken on forest land and end the provision of consent for acquisition of forest land in the tribal concentrated areas; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a) Section 5 of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition  of  Forest  Rights)  Act,  2006  (FRA,  2006)  empowers,  the  holders  of forest rights, the Gram Sabha and the village level institutions, to protect wildlife, forests, water catchment areas, biodiversity and the cultural and natural heritage of forest  dwellers, and to "ensure that the decisions taken in the Gram Sabha to regulate access to community forest resources and stop any activity which adversely affects the wild animals, forest and the biodiversity are complied with". FRA 2006 does not provide exemption to any category of projects.
- (b) There is no proposal to end the requirement of taking permission from Gram Sabha for using Forest land for big projects.

OIH

- (c) Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has informed that it does not propose to amend the provisions of FRA, 2006.
- (d)&(e) The  Government  has  advised  all  States/UTs  on  05.02.2013  that  the  proposals seeking prior approval of Central Government under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for projects like construction of roads, canals, laying of pipelines/optical fibres and transmission lines, etc. where linear diversion of use of forest land in several villages are involved, are exempted from the requirement of obtaining consent of the  concerned  Gram  Sabha  unless  recognised  rights  of  Primitive  Tribal  Groups (PTG) and Pre-Agricultural Communities (PAC) are being affected.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Modernization of HPC Ltd.
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: RAMEN DEKA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4335 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2017

## Modernization of HPC Ltd.

## 4335. SHRI RAMEN DEKA:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  modernize  and  increase  the  capacity  of Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC) Ltd. units in Assam, namely Cachar Paper Mill and Nagaon Paper Mill;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there are allegations of rampant corruption in purchasing of bamboos and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has taken any steps to streamline the purchasing policy of bamboos?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Modernization and capacity expansion of units of HPC namely Cachar Paper Mill and Nagaon  Paper  Mill  in  Assam  has  not  been  taken  as  yet.    However,  modernization  and refurbishment of some sections of the units has been incorporated in the proposed revival plan of HPC.
- (c)  Yes,  Madam.  A  complaint  was  received  through  Central  Vigilance  Commission  regarding alleged  irregularities  in  the  procurement  of  Bamboo.  The  case  has  been  forwarded  to  CBI  to inquire the matter comprehensively.
- (d)  At  present,  Government  has  no  such  proposal.  However,  the  purchase  policy  of  HPC  for bamboo has been updated and hoisted by HPC on their website.

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