opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2509 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: High Tax on Imported Bikes
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, P.R. SUNDARAM, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2509

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 9 TH  MARCH, 2018 PHALGUNA 18, 1939 (SAKA)

## HIGH TAX ON IMPORTED BIKES

## 2509.  SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government of United States (US) has criticized India for imposing high tax on Harley Davidson motorcycles though United States charges no tax on import of Indian bikes, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBECs) has slashed custom duty to 50 percent on imported motorcycles from high end brands including Harley Davidson and Triumph recently;

- (c) if so, the details thereof and reasons for slashing custom duty on luxurious bikes;
- (d) whether the reduction in custom duty is due to pressure from US Government;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and
- (f) the steps taken by the Government to protect the Indian bike manufacturers from foreign  competitors  and  also  help  the  Indian  bike  manufacturers  to  raise  the production so that Indian bike industry could thrive?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Government of United States (US) has raised the issue of high tariff on imported Motor  Cycles  from  US  to  India,  while  pointing  out  that  the  US  has  zero  tariff  on motorbikes exported by India to the US.

(b), (c), (d), (e) and (f): With effect from 12.02.2018, the basic custom duty [BCD] on motorcycles has been reduced to 50%. The applicable BCD on parts of motor cycles including  completely  knocked  down  (CKD)  condition is  15%.  This  provides  a  duty differential  of  more  than  30%  providing  an  incentive  for  domestic  value  addition. Hence there is an adequate protection to the domestic manufacturers of motorcycles.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2505 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: All India Institute of Ayurveda
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: CHINTAMANI MALVIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH)

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 2505 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH MARCH, 2018

## A LL INDIA INSTITUTE O F AYURVEDA

## 2505. PROF. CHINTAMANI MALVIYA:

Will  the  Minister of AYURVEDA,  YOGA  AND  NATUROPATHY,  UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  All  India  Institute  of  Ayurveda  in  Ma Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and location identified for the purpose;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  launch  any  scheme  to  construct  new  buildings AYUSH dispensaries in the State; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a) & (b):      There is no proposal to set up an All India Institute of Ayurveda Pradesh.

- (c) & (d):      No.

………………..
Lok Sabha Question No. 2504 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Upgradation of Medical College
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2504 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH MARCH, 2018

## UPGRADATION OF MEDICAL COLLEGE

## 2504. SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:

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

- (a)  whether  any  Government  Medical Co lege  has  been  identified  by  the Government  in Maharashtra for the fourth phase of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY);
- (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) : No. 13  Government  Medical  Colleges  have  been  approved  by  Cabinet Committee  on  Economic  Affairs  on  03.08.2016 for  the  upgradation  under  Phase -IV of Pradhan  Mantri  Swasthya  Suraksha  Yojana  (PMSSY).  These  GMCs  are  in  the  states  of Bihar ,Chhattisgarh ,Delhi ,Gujarat ,Madhya Pradesh , O disha ,Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh .

However, it may be mentioned here that following 6 Government Medical Colleges in Maharashtra have been approved for upgradation under different earlier phases of PMSSY:

- i.Grant Medical College & Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai at the cost of Rs. 120 crore (Central share: Rs. 100 cr; State share: Rs. 20 cr) under Phase -I.
- ii. Government  Medical  College,  Nagpur at the cost of Rs. 150 crore (Central share: Rs. 125cr; State share: Rs. 25cr) under Phase -II .
- iii. Government Medical College, Aurangabad at the cost of Rs. 150 crore (Central share: Rs. 120cr; State share: Rs. 30 cr) under Phase -III.
- iv.Government Medical College, Laturat the cost of Rs. 150 crore (Central share: Rs. 120cr State share: Rs. 30 cr) under Phase -III.
- v.Government  Medical  College,  Akola at  the  cost  of  Rs.  150  crore  (Central  share:  Rs. 120cr; State share: Rs. 30 cr) under Phase -III.
- vi.Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College, Yavatmal at the cost of Rs. 150 crore (Central share: Rs. 120cr; State share: Rs. 30 cr) under Phase -III.

The identification of GMC s is based on the following considerations/objectives:

- I. Availability of tertiary health care services both in public and private secto regions, and gaps thereof.
- II. To remove regional disparity in the availability of tertiary level healthcare fac the identified region/State, especially in the backward areas.
- III. NHM  initiative  particularly  in  the  EAG  States  and  other  backward  and  vulnerab region  will  create  the  deman d  for  affordable  quality  tertiary  health  care,  as  th continues to be largely unmet.
- IV. There  are  many  requests  from  the  State  Governments,  representations  of  publ representative etc. to improve the infrastructural facilities in the respectiv College institutions.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2500 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: AYUSH Physicians
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH)

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 2500 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH MARCH, 2018

## AYUSH PHYSICIANS

Will  the  Minister of AYURVEDA,  YOGA  AND  NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  registered  AYUSH  physicians  in  the  country  and  the  proportion  of  t deployed in Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs);
- (b)  the measures  taken  by  the  Government  for  capacity  building  of  licensed  AYUSH practitioners through bridge training in the country;
- (c) whether training will be given to AYUSH practitioners in dispensation of modern medi if so, the details thereof and i f not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the outcome of the measures taken so far with respect to training and capacity bui AYUSH physicians?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a):          The  number  of  registered  AYUSH  practitioners  is  7,73,668  as  on  01.01.2017  a information compiled by Ministry of AYUSH.

As per information available on the website of National Health Mission (NHM) under Management Information System (MIS) Report as on 30.09.2017, the total no. of 12080 AYUSH physician  has  been  deployed  under  co - location  of  AYUSH  facilities  at  different  Healthcare Centres including Primary Hea lthcare Centres (PHCs).

- (b) to (d):      Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that Ministry is in the upgrading Health Sub Centres to Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) which will function as t first port of call to the community for C omprehensive Primary Health Care. It will be manned by a  team  led  by  a  mid - level  health  care  provider  possessing  skills  as  envisaged  for B.Sc (Community Health)  graduate under bridge programme.

……………..
Lok Sabha Question No. 2499 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Climate Change
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: JANARDAN MISHRA, KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2499

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2018

## Climate Change

## 2499.  SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA: SHRI KONDAVISHWESHWAR REDDY:

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

- (a) the  details  of  commitments  madeand  issued  identified  at  climate  changeconference  in Bonn, Germany;
- (b) the total estimated cost involvedin achieving such commitments;
- (c) the  likely  impact  of  the  saidagreement  on  the  country's  credibility  inpushing  efforts towards tackling climate change; and
- (d) the other steps taken by theGovernment to tackle the issue of climatechange?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c)   The 23 rd Conference of Parties (COP 23) to UNFCCC was held in Bonn, Germany from 6 th to  17 th November 2017. COP 23 focused on the procedural work related to guidelines/rules/modalities for implementation of Paris Agreement. The main outcome of COP 23 was the adoption of decision titled, 'Fiji Momentum for Implementation'. The decision proposed way forward on three key agendas including the completion of the Work Programme under the Paris Agreement; the design and process for the 2018 facilitative  dialogue;  and  pre-2020  implementation  and  ambition.  Further,  no  new commitmentswere made during the conference and, therefore, no costs are involved.
- (d) To  tackle  the  issues  of  climate  change,  Government  of  India  is  implementing  the National  Action  Plan  on  Climate  Change(NAPCC)  which  includes  eight  national missions being implemented  by  various Ministries in specific areas of Solar Energy,Enhanced  Energy  Efficiency,  Sustainable  Habitat,  Water,  Sustaining  the HimalayanEcosystem, Green India, Sustainable Agriculture and Strategic knowledge forClimate  Change.  Further,  32  States/Union  Territories  have  prepared  StateAction Plans  on  Climate  Change  (SAPCC)  consistent  with  the  objectives  of  NAPCC.

Government of India is also implementing a dedicated National Adaptation Fund to implement adaptation actions in vulnerable sectors across the country. Government of India  has  also  embarked  upon  ambitiousactions  in  the  areas  of  renewable  energy, afforestation,  energy  efficiency,  planned  urbandevelopment,  adaptation  measures  in sectors including agriculture, water resources, coastal areas, Himalayan region, health etc. According to Biennial Update Report submitted by Government of India to United Nations  Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change  (UNFCCC)  in  2016,  India  has achieved 12% reduction in emission intensity between 2005 and 2010.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2498 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Debit and Credit Card to PMJDY Account Holders
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: VINOD CHAVDA

## GOVERNMENT

## OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION No. 2498

TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 MARCH 2018(FRIDA YYPHALGUNA 18, 1939 (SAKA)

## Debit and Credit Card to PMJDY Account Holders

2498. SHRI VINOD LAKHAMASHI CHAVDA: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:
2. whether the Government proposes to give debit and credit card to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana account holders;
3. (b if so, the details thereof; and
4. whether the Government also proposes to increase the limit of ATM use by such account holders and if SO, the details thereof?

## Answer

## The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (SHRI SHIV PRATAP SHUKLA)

- (a) to (b) Pradhan Mantri  Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) envisages issuance of RuPay debit cards to all Jan-Dhan account holders. As on 28.2.2018, 23.56 crore RuPay debit cards have been issued to Jan-Dhan account holders.
- (c) Accounts opened under PMJDY are Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts As per extant guidelines issued by Reserve Bank of India, BSBD accounts are allowed a maximum of four withdrawals in a month, including ATM withdrawals.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: MoU with Medical Universities
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RE SEARCH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2497 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH MARCH, 2018

## MOU WITH MEDICAL UNIVERSITIES

## 2497. SHRI GODSE HEMANT TUKARAM:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  signed any  Memorandum  of  Understanding (MoU)  with Medical Universities for development of infrastructure, Research and new medicines/drugs;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UTwise and University -wise;
- (c) whether the Government has provided funds for the purpose; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the projects approved in this regard during the last three years?

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

- (a): Yes.

## (b) :

- I. Uttar Pradesh - King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow.
- II. Karnataka- National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru.
- III. Tamil Nadu-Sri Ramachandra University (SRMU), Chennai.
4. (c) & (d) : Fellowships amounting to Rs.45.51 Crore have been funded during the last three years.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2496 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: World Bank Assisted Projects
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: R.P. MARUTHARAJAA

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services

## LOK SABHA

Unstarred Question No. 2496

To be answered on Friday, March 09, 2018/Phalguna 18, 1939 (Saka)

## World Bank Assisted Projects

2496. SHRI R.P. MARUTHARAJAA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of scheme of subscription to share capital of NABARD; and
- b) the list of beneficiaries of the World Bank assisted projects on low income housing finance during the last three years, State/UT-wise including Tamil Nadu?

## Answer

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

- (a):  The  National  Bank  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  (Amendment)  Act, 2018  empowers  the  Central  Government  to  increase  the  authorised  Capital  of NABARD  from  Rs.5000  crore  to  Rs.  30,000  crore  and  to  increase  it  beyond Rs.30,000 crore in consultation with RBI.

The Central Government infuses additional equity in NABARD as and when required for  its  business  operations  which,  inter-alia,  include  implementation  of  various Government approved schemes.

- (b):  National  Housing Bank (NHB) has entered into a partnership with World Bank through the Government of India for supporting the cause of informal sector and low income  housing  in  the  country.  As  per  the  scheme  terms  and  condition,  the disbursements  are  made  to  the  Primary  Lending  Institutions  on  portfolio  basis. Hence, state-wise beneficiary data is not centrally available.

The amount refinanced by NHB in the World Bank assisted projects on low income housing finance since inception is given as under:

## (Amount in Rs. crore)

| Year (July to June)      |   Amount |   Units |
|--------------------------|----------|---------|
| 2013-14                  |    48.71 |    2296 |
| 2014-15                  |    20.51 |     781 |
| 2015-16                  |   265.81 |    6280 |
| 2016-17                  |   171.78 |    4295 |
| 2017-18 (upto Feb, 2018) |    63.5  |    1321 |
| Total                    |   570.31 |   14973 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 2493 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: NPCDCS
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: NAND KUMAR SINGH CHAUHAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2493 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH MARCH, 2018

## NPCDCS

## 2493. SHRI NAND KUMAR SINGH CHOUHAN:

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

- (a)  whether  various  States  particularly the  Madhya  Pradesh  has  sent  any  proposal for  the expansion  of  National  Programme for  Prevention  and  Control  of  Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS);
- (b)if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which the Government is likely to accede to the request to implement this programme in each district in Madhya Pradesh?

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

(a) to (c) :  Government is implementing National Programme for Prevention and Control Cancer,  Diabetes,  Cardiovascular  Diseases  and  Stroke  (NPCDCS)  in  all  the  States  / under National Health Mission.  Under this programme financial a ssistance is being provided to the States/UTs as per their requirements submitted in their Programme Implementa Plans (PIPs).  Approval has been given for implementation of NPCDCS in all the Distric Madhya Pradesh.  The programme covers all the 36 States/UTs.  As informed by States/UTs, 436 District NCD Cells, 435 District NCD Clinics, 2145 CHC NCD Clinics, 138 Cardiac Care  Units  and  84  Day  Care  Centres  have  been  set  up  under  the  programme  till  3 st December, 2017.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2491 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Upgradation of Mental Health Institutes
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2491 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH MARCH, 2018

## UPGRADATION OF MENTA L HEALTH INSTITUTES

## 2491. SHRI NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal for upgrading Mental Health Ins itutes of the country including the Mental Health Institute of Cuttack, Odisha, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the details, directions/guidelines of Supreme Court regarding monitoring activities/services extended to persons with mental disability?

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

- (a): The Government has approved a proposal for establishment of a Centre of Excellen in the field of Mental Health at the Mental Health Institute, Cuttack and funds amoun Rs. 27.78 crores have already been released to the Institute for this purpose.
- (b): The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India vide order dated 14/02/2017 in W.P. (Civil) No. 412 of 2016 in the matter of Gaurav Kumar Bansal Vs. State of UP & Ors directed that Union of India shall assist the Court, in finalising the norms, that should be adopted in the entire country, with reference to persons who have been cured of their mental illness, continued to be housed in mental nursing homes/hospitals. Pursuant to the order of the the  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  formulate d  the  'Guidelines  for  discharge  of 'mentally cured' or 'fit for discharge' patients from Mental Health Institutions'. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has also formulated the guidelines for 'Rehabilitation of Persons  who  have  been  cured  of  Me ntal  Illness'  and  submitted  the  same  to  the  Hon'ble Supreme Court.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2489 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: World Conference on Medical Facilities
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: CHHEDI PASWAN

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2489 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH MARCH, 2018

## WORLD CONFERENCE ON MEDICAL FACILITIES

## 2489. SHRI CHHEDI PASWAN:

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

- (a)  whether  the  first  World  Conference on  Access  to  Medical  Products  and International Laws for Trade and Health was held in India recently;
- (b) if so, the details and the highlights oft e said conference; and
- (c) the sorts of benefits that India has achieved from the said conference?

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

(a) to (c): The  Indian  Society  of  International Law  and  Ministry  of  Health  &  Family Welfare  with  the  support  of  WHO,  organized  the  '1st  World  Conference  on  Access  to Medical Products and International Laws for Trade and Health in the Context of the Agenda for Sustainable Development' which was held from 21 - 23 November 2017 at New Delhi. The aim of the conference was to provide a forum for stakeholder participati access to medicines debate including trade and health policy.

In  the  said  conference,  various  stakeholders  deliberated  on  critical issues  for promoting innovation and improving trade and access to medicines.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Forest Areas in Assam
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2488

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2018

## Forest Areas in Assam

## 2488.    SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA:

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

- (a) whether  Assam has been endowed with hectares of forest areas;
- (b) if so, the details of the total forest areas thereof along with the total number of elephants in Assam;
- (c) whether the Government has provided fund to construct high land in Kaziranga National Park;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  total  amount  provided  for  development  of  Kaziranga National Park by the Government during the current financial year; and
- (e) the total areas of reserve forests in North-East alongwith the forest areas reported to be encroached in Assam?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b)    Yes, Madam. The details of forest areas in Assam, as per India State of Forest Report-2017, are as Follows:-

| S. No.   | Forest Category   | Area (in square kilometer)   |
|----------|-------------------|------------------------------|
| 1.       | Reserved Forest   | 17,864                       |
| 2.       | Protected Forest  | 0                            |
| 3.       | Unclassed Forest  | 8,968                        |
|          | Total             | 26,832                       |

There are 5719 numbers of wild elephants in Assam as per 2017 census.

- (c)  &  (d)    Yes,  Madam. A total number of 40 high lands have been constructed in Kaziranga National  Park  under  the  State  Owned  Priority  Development  fund  of  Rs.  5.0  crore.  Further under the Central Sponsored Scheme of 'Project Tiger' an amount of Rs. 1126.27 lakhs and
- under  the  State  Plan  scheme  an  amount  of  Rs.27.50  lakhs  have  been  provided  for  the development of Kaziranga National Park.
- (e) The total area of reserve forests in the eight North Eastern States including Assam is 45,377 square kilometers and the forest areas under encroachment in the state of Assam are 3878.85 sq km.

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