opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1268 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Cleaning of Vaigai River
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1268

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.12.2017

## Cleaning of Vaigai River

1268. SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

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

- (a) whether  the Government  has any plans for cleaning up of the River Vaigai on the lines of the Namami Gange project;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a)  to (c)  It is the responsibility of the State Governments / concerned local bodies to set-up  proper  facilities  for  collection  and  treatment  of  sewage  for  abatement  of pollution of rivers. This Ministry supplements the efforts of the State Governments in abatement  of  pollution  in  identified  stretches  of  various  rivers  under  the  National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) on cost sharing basis between Central Government and the respective State  Governments. Proposals under NRCP are considered for financial  assistance  subject  to  their  conformity  with  scheme  guidelines,  pollution status,  prioritization,  appraisal  by  independent  institutions  and  availability  of  Plan funds.

A project for abatement of pollution of river Vaigai at Madurai town in Tamil Nadu has been implemented under the NRCP at sanctioned cost of Rs.120.09 crore, which was completed in the year 2008. No additional project proposal for pollution abatement  of  river  Vaigai  in  Tamil  Nadu  has  been  received  from  the  State Government under the NRCP.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1266 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Rural Area Coverage by PMVVY
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: PARVESH SAHIB SINGH

Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1266

Friday, December 22, 2017/Pausha 01, 1939 (Saka)

## Rural Area Coverage by PMVVY

## 1266.   SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) is applicable to senior citizens of rural areas and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  Life  Insurance  Corporation  of  India  (LIC)  is  the  sole  operator  of  the scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether all rural areas in the country are covered by LIC and if not, the manner in which the scheme will be made available to areas not covered by LIC?

Answer Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla)

(a)  to  (c):  Government  has  launched  the  'Pradhan  Mantri  Vaya  Vandana  Yojana (PMVVY)' to provide  social  security  during  old  age  and  to  protect  elderly  persons aged 60 and above against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions.  The  scheme  enables  old  age  income  security  for  senior  citizens  through provision  of  assured  pension/return  linked  to  the  subscription  amount  based  on government guarantee to Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).

The scheme provides an assured return of 8% per annum for 10 years. The differential return, i.e.  the difference between return generated by LIC and the assured return of 8% per annum would be borne by Government of India as subsidy on an annual basis. Pension is payable at the end of each period during the policy tenure of 10 years as per the frequency of monthly/quarterly/ half-yearly/yearly as chosen by the subscriber at the time of purchase. Minimum purchase price under the scheme is Rs.1,50,000/- for a minimum  pension  of  Rs.  1,000/-  per  month  and  the  maximum  purchase  price  is Rs.7,50,000/-  for  a  maximum  pension  of  Rs.5,000/-  per  month.  The  scheme  is exempted from Goods and Services Tax.

The scheme is open for subscription till 3 rd May 2018.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1265 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Disinvestment of SCL
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: B. SREERAMULU, ANJU BALA, Tejpratap Singh,Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF INVESTMENT AND PUBLIC ASSET MANAGEMENT

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1265

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 nd December, 2017 PAUSHA 01, 1939 (SAKA)

## Disinvestment of SCL

1265. SHRI B. SRIRAMULU: SHRIMATI ANJU BALA: SHRI TEJ PRATAP SINGH YADAV:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government proposes to privatise the loss making Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and if so, the details thereof;
- b) whether the Government has planned the outright sale of Scooters India Ltd. (SCL) and if so, the details thereof;
- c) whether the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) has in­ principle approved the strategic disinvestment (ceding management control to a strategic partner) for the SCL and if so, the details thereof; and
- d) the compensation package/future of its present employees working in SCL after its outright sale?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a) NITI Aayog has been mandated to identify the CPSEs for strategic disinvestment. For this purpose, NITI Aayog has classified CPSEs into "high priority" and "low priority" based on:- (i) National Security; (ii) Sovereign function at arm's length and (iii) Market Imperfections and Public Purpose. The CPSEs falling under 'low-priority' are covered for strategic disinvestment. Identification of CPSEs for strategic disinvestment is not based on the criteria of their profitability.
- (b)&(c) Government has 'in-principle' approved strategic disinvestment of Scooters India Ltd. (SCL) to a strategic buyer to be identified through a two-stage auction process.
- (d) The terms and conditions of the strategic sale suitably address employees' concerns in the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA)/Share Holders Agreement (SHA) to be signed by the Govt. with the strategic buyer.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1263 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Quality of Fortified Foods
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: BALKA SUMAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1263 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 2 ND DECEMBER, 2017

## QUALITY OF FORTIFIED FOODS

## 1263. SHRI SUMAN BALKA:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to set fortification standards and logo for fruit juices, cereals, cereal based foods and bakery products to strengthen regulatory monitoring;
- (b) if so, the details th ereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) to (c): Yes. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved Standards  for Fortified  Processed  Foods  that  includes  'Fortified  Cereal  Products',  'Fortified Bakery  wares'  and  'Fortified  Fruit  Juices'.  FSSAI  has  launched  +F  logo  to  be  used  for promotion of Fortified Foods.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1261 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Testing of Drugs
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SHARAD TRIPATHI, TAMRADHWAJ SAHU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1261 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 2 ND DECEMBER, 2017

## TESTING OF DRUGS

## 1261. SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI: SHRI TAMRADHWAJ SAHU:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to make stability test mandatory in pharmaceutical sector, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is likely to issue any guideline to the companies to provide full information to the customers regarding the effectiveness of the drugs till their expiry date, if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  set up  any  monitoring  mechanism  to  test  the quality  of medicines; and

(d) if so, the extant mechanism to test the quality of medicines being sold in the market?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a): Yes. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has published a draft notification for public comments vide GSR 429 (E) dated 02.05.2017.

- (b): No.

(c) & (d): The manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs in the country is regulated the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 thereunder through a system of licensing and inspection . Licenses for manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs are grante the State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) appointed by respective State Governments.

D rug Inspector is authorized under the said Act to draw samples of drugs from the m and other sources for their quality testing in accordance with the procedures prescribed i and Rules and to institute prosecution in case of any violation of t he provisions of the Act and Rules. State Licensing Authorities are also legally empowered to take action against viol any condition of license issued by them.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1258 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Money Transfers to Terror Groups
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1258

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 22ND DECEMBER, 2017 PAUSHA 01, 1939 (SAKA)

## Money Transfers to Terror Groups

## 1258. SHRI E, SENGUTTUVAN

Will the: Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whettier the Government has taken any steps to identify the sources ad the routes of money transfers to the Pakistan based terror groups and their affiliates and if s0, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has initiated any action on the basis of such Information t0. strangulate money flow to the said terror groups and if s0, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has Pakistani authorities on notice that it has to demonstrate that it has arrested fund to the banned terror groups and its affiliates and if s0, the details thereof; and put flaw
- (d) whether the action by the FATF is likely to stifle the flow of money to the terror groups as well as their afliates thereby forcing them to stop the prejudicial activities and if s0, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI SHIV PRATAP SHUKLA)

- (a) & (b) National Investigating Agency is presently investigating six cases pertaining t0 funding of terrorist groups in India by extremist elements based in Pakistan: These funds are mainly routed through Hawala, Fake Indian Currency Note, regular banking channels and through under-invoicing of in Line of Control (LoC) trade: AlI such channels are regularly mcnitored and blocked by agencies Besides , Directorate of Enforcemert has initiated investigations under Prevention of Money-laundering Act (PMLA) 2002 and Foreign terror groups;. Disclosure of details of such cases at this stage may not be in public interest 85 the same may hamper the on-going investigations goods
- (c)  Yes, Madam\_ India succeeded in raising the issue of Pakistan's support for terror groups. FATF instructed Pakistan to ensure compliance of all United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) regarding (JuD), and Falahe-e-Insaniat; front organization of JuD.
- (d) FATF, being an international intergovernmental body: Is prima-facie concerned wlth implernentation of international standards o Anti Money Laundering ad Countering the Financing of Terrorism. The FATF monitors the progress of its members in implementing necessary reasures, reviews money laundering and  terrorist  financing  techniques and counter-measures, and promotes the adoption and implementation of appropriate measures globally: Compliance of Pakistan is to be seen: yet
Lok Sabha Question No. 1256 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: GST on Insurance Premium
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SAUGATA ROY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE ***** LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1256

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 22 TH   DECEMBER, 2017 PAUSHA 01,1939 (SAKA)

## GST ON INSURANCE PREMIUM

1256. PROF. SAUGATA ROY::

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any proposal to reduce the Goods and Services Tax on insurance premium of Life Insurance Corporation of India and General Insurance Corporation of India and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government would further consider the matter and if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI SHIV PRATAP SHUKLA)

(a) & (b) GST rates are decided on the recommendations of GST Council There is no such proposal.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Releasing of CSS Funds to Kerala
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1255 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, 22 nd  DECEMBER, 2017 01 PAUSHA, SAKA 1939

## Releasing of CSS Funds to Kerala

## 1255.  DR. P.K. BIJU:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a)  whether a large quantum of central grants and funds due under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) have not been released to the State of Kerala in the last financial year and if so, the details thereof, Grant/Scheme-wise;
- b)  the reasons for not releasing the said grants and funds to the State;
- c)  whether these grants would be carried forward to the subsequent year; and
- d)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) to (d) Transfers from the Central Government to State/Union Territories consist of central  share  under  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  (CSSs),  Finance  Commission grant-in-aid  and  other  transfers.  The  Central  Government  allocates  funds  under budgetary provision to different Ministries/Departments demand wise for each CSS. Ministries / Departments in turn, allocate the share of Centrally Sponsored Scheme to States/UTs through the Consolidated Funds of the States in accordance with the individual  scheme  guidelines. The  releases  to  State  Governments  /  UTs  are incumbent  upon  certain  factors  which  inter  alia,  include  furnishing  of  utilization certificates  (UCs),  completion  of  work  in  all  respects  as  per  scheme  guidelines, monitoring  and  evaluation  of  scheme  by  a  third  party,  implementation  issues  in particular States, release of matching share by the State Government, etc.

As  gleaned  from  the  State's  Finance  Accounts  and  Budget  documents,  the State of Kerala received Rs.21,612.02 crore during 2015-16 (actuals) on account of tax  devolution  and  grant-in-aid  from  Central  Government,  which  has  increased  to Rs.26,015.16 crore during 2016-17(RE) and further to Rs.28,135.46 crore in 2017-18 (BE), as shown below:

(Rs. in crore)

| Particular                            |   2015-16 (Actuals) |   2016-17 (RE) |   2017-18 (BE) |
|---------------------------------------|---------------------|----------------|----------------|
| Share of Union Taxes and Duties       |            12690.7  |        15225   |        16891.8 |
| Grants-in-aid from Central Government |             8921.35 |        10790.1 |        11243.7 |
| Total                                 |            21612    |        26015.2 |        28135.5 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Effect of GST on Industrial Growth
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: PROF. RAM SHANKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

……..

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1254

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017/PAUSHA 01, 1939 (SAKA)

## EFFECT OF GST ON INDUSTRIAL GROWTH

## 1254. DR. RAM SHANKAR KATHERIA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the GST effectively support and accelerate the present growth of industrial sector in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the GST is likely to boost foreign capital investment in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with its likely effect on domestic industry?

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

## (SHRI SHIV PRATAP SHUKLA)

(a) &  (b)   It is expected to increase the GDP of the country.

- (c)  &  (d)  Foreign  investments  in  the  country  depend  on  a  variety  of  factors  including  physical infrastructure, rate of return on assets and sovereign rating by international rating agencies, etc. GST is one of the biggest structural reforms in the Indian economy, and is expected to boost India's sovereign rating and ease of doing business rankings. It is not possible to quantify the boost to foreign capital investments at this moment.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1253 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Modern Health Care Facilities in Rural Regions
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1253 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 2 ND DECEMBER, 2017

## MODERN HEALTH CARE F ACILITIES IN RURAL REGIONS

## 1253. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take any steps to provide modern health care facilities on lines of AIIMS, New Delhi in the country particularly rural regions k eeping in view the acute shortage of adequate health care facilities therein;

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

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) to (c): Public Health and Hospitals being a State subject, the primary responsibili ensure  availability  of  adequate  and  modern  public  health  facilities  lies  with  th Governments. However, under NHM, financial and technical support is provide d to States/UTs to strengthen their healthcare systems including provision of modern health care faciliti on therequirements posed by the States in their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs). As Govt. approval, support under NHM is provided to the States/UTs up to the District Hospital level. Tertiary and super speciality health facilities are not covered under NHM.

With the primary objective of correcting the imbalances in availability affordable/reliable tertiary level healthcare in the country in general and to augment facilities for quality  medical  education  in  the  country,  the  Pradhan  Mantri Swasthya  Suraksha  Yojana (PMSSY) has been announced with two components:

- (i) Setting up of AIIMS - like institutions; and
- (ii) Up - gradation of Gove rnment Medical Colleges Institutions.

Under   PMSSY, on the lines of facilities available in AIIMS, New Delhi, Governme has already announced 20 new AIIMS in different parts of the country.  Out of these 20 A 6 AIIMS at Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpu r, Patna, Raipur & Rishikesh, are functional and 6 AIIMS at Rae Bareli, Nagpur, Kalyani, Guntur, Gorakhpur and Bathinda are in various stage construction. AIIMS at Bilaspur and Guwahati have also been approved for setting up.

In  addition, 73  Government  Medical  Colleges (GMCs)  have  been  taken  up  for upgradation in various parts of the country to provide super speciality medical care facilit

Though such facilities are established in urban areas, however, these new AIIMS and the healthca re facilities created under the various GMC upgradation projects also cater to the needs ofrural population in the region where these facilities are created.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Complaints against IVF Centres
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUE STION NO. 1251 TO BE ANSWERED ON   22ND  DECEMBER, 2017

## COMPLAINTS AGAINST I VF CENTRES

## 1251. SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  received  complaints  against  sex  selection/  detection  by centres; and
- ( b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Go vernment  to effectively stop sex selection or detection by IVF centres?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a)& (b) : As per the information received from States/ UTs, three complaints have been filed against IVF centres by the State of Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi in the relevant c .

Under the PC&PNDT Act every Genetic Counselling Centre, Genetic Laboratory or Genetic Clinic engaged in counselling or conducting pre natal diagnosti cs techniques with the potential of sex selection before and after conception comes under the purview PC&PNDT Act

Accordingly, Government of  India has issued an advisory dated 9 th October 2014 vide letter No. F 12011/25/2014 to all the States/ UTs   to register and regulate all IVF engaged in counselling or conducting pre natal diagnostics techniques potential of sex se before conception under the PC&PNDT Act.

The Government  of  Maharashtra  has  issued  guidelines  to  all  Civil  Surgeons  and Medical Officers Health for registering all IVF centers in the districts. Further, the Government of Haryana has taken following steps to monitor IVF clinics:

- Registration of IVF c entres under PC & PNDT Act, 1994 & Rules 1996.
- Regular inspection and monitoring of IVF centres under PC & PNDT Act, 1994 & Rules 1996.

- Monitoring of IVF Sex Ratio at birth

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