opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4750 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Ensuring of CSR Implementation by Companies
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB, SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4750 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 23rd MARCH, 2018 CHAITRA 2, 1940 (SAKA)

## ENSURING OF CSR IMPLEMENTATION BY COMPANIES

## QUESTION

4750.  SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE: SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS

कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has no role to keep a check on spending of requisite profits under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by Public and Private Sector Companies in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the manner in which the Government unearthed any clandestine activities adopted by the said companies to get rid of their requisite spending under CSR;
- (c) the number of companies against which the Government has taken penal action for non-compliance of the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 pertaining to CSR during each of the last three years and the current year, company-wise; and
- (d) the other steps taken by the Government to ensure the requisite spending of profits under their CSR by the said companies along with achievements made thereof?

## ANSWER

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

विधि और न्र्ार् एिं कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्रालर् में राज्र् मंत्री

(

श्री पी॰ पी॰ चौिरी )

- (a) & (b): Section 135 (3) & (4) of the Companies Act, 2013 (the 'Act'), empowers the Board of the company and its CSR Committee to take decisions regarding allocation of CSR  funds  for  items  enlisted  in  Schedule  VII  of  the  Act.    Whenever  violation  of compliance of relevant provision of the Act regarding CSR is reported, the penal action under section 134 (8) of the Act is resorted to.
- (c) : In 221 number of cases prosecutions have been sanctioned against companies for the violations relating to CSR  for the financial year 2014-15 only.
- (d) : The Ministry has organized workshops throughout India in past years to sensitize corporates for effective compliance of CSR provisions.  Further, this Ministry has issued clarificatory  circular  and  Frequently  Asked  Questions  (FAQs)  dated  18.06.2014  and 12.01.2016 respectively to facilitate the effective implementation of CSR provision by companies and professionals.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4749 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Study on Cess and Surcharge
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4749 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY 23 rd  March, 2018 [2 Chaitra 1940 (SAKA)]

'Study on Cess and Surcharge'

## No. 4749, SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

Will the MINISTER OF FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Fifteenth Finance Commission will commission legal studies on the cesses and surcharge levied by the Union Government, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Fifteenth Finance Commission has suggested the ratio of States / UTs share in direct tax and GST collected by the Centre, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether cesses and surcharge levied by the Centre are not included in the divisible pool; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the timeframe given to submit the report?

## ANSWER

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

(a, b and d) Constitution  of  Fifteenth  Finance  Commission  was  notified  vide  Gazette  of  India, Extraordinary Part II-Section 3, Sub-section (ii) bearing S. O. 3755(E) dated 27 th  November, 2017. The Gazette notification contains terms of reference including distribution between the union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes, date of submission of report etc.

(c) As per Constitution, cess and surcharges levied for specific purpose are not included in the divisible pool.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4747 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: BHAVANA GAWALI (PATIL)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4747

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 23RD MARCH, 2018 2 CHAITRA, 1940 (SAKA)

## "PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN YOJANA"

## 4747: SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI PATIL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to State:

- a) Whether the Government has introduced Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana;
- b) If so, the details thereof including the objectives of the scheme; and
3. The details of the schemes in this regard including the details of benefits to be given to the tax payers?

## ANSWER

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

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, 2016 (the Scheme)" with effect from 17.12.2016. The iast date for making declaraticn under the Scheme was 31.03.2017 which was later on extended till 10t 2017 in respect of cases where tax, surcharge and penalty under the Scheme had been on or before the 31st March, 2017 and compulsory deposit under the "Pradhan Mantri Garib May, paid Kalyan cash or deposit in an account maintained by the person with a specified chargeable to tax under the Income-tax Act for any assessment year commencing on or before the 1st of April, 2017. entity, day

A declarant under the Scheme was required to pay tax at the rate of 30% of undisclosed income, surcharge at the rate of 33% of tax and penalty at the rate of 10% of such undisclosed income The declarant was also required to deposit an amount of not less than twenty-five per cent of such undisclosed income in the Deposit Scheme: These deposits do not carry any interest and a lock-in period of four years: have

In the wake of demonetisation, Government had introduced the Scheme to enable declarants ato make a declaration of undisclosed income and to pay taxes with penalty in order to come clean so that the Government not only additional revenue for undertaking welfare activities for the poor butalso to ensure that the undisclosed income legitimately comes into the formal economy: gets

As regards benefits given to the declarants, the Scheme provided that income declared under the Scheme shall not be included in the total income of the declarant under the Income Tax Act for any assessment year: Further; the Scheme provided that nothing contained in the declaration shall be admissible as evidence against the declarant for the purpose ofany proceedings under any Act ther than the specified Acts.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4746 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Burning of Crop Residue
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: RATTAN LAL KATARIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION N0. 4746

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2018

## Burning of Crop Residue

## 4746. SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has directed all States to formulate a comprehensive policy for providing incentives and infrastructural assistance to farmers to stop them from burning of crop residue to prevent air pollution;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  States  have  made  any  concrete  development  plan  to  identify  the  site  in  each district for removal, collection and storage of crop residue;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the  Government is convening a  meeting of various States to  work  out a clear mechanism on transportation and use of stubble as fuel in power plants; and (f) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) to (d) The Government has approved a new Central Sector Scheme on 'Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for in-situ management of Crop Residue in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi for the period from 2018-19 to 2019-20  with  an  outlay  of  Rs.  1151.80  crore.    Under  the  above  stated  scheme, financial assistance @ 80% of the project cost will be provided to the Co-operative Societies of farmers, FPOs, Self-Help Groups, registered Farmers Societies / farmers groups,  Private  Entrepreneurs,  Group  of  women  farmers  or  self-help  groups  for establishment  of  farm  machinery  banks  or  custom  hiring  centres  of  in-situ  crop residue management  machinery.  Financial  assistance  @  50%  of  the  cost  of machinery/equipment  will  also  be  available  to  individual  farmers  for  purchase  of machinery/equipment for in-situ crop residue management. Also, A National Policy for Management of Crop Residue 2014 has been prepared and circulated to all states for providing incentives and infrastructural assistance to farmers to stop them from burning of crop residue to prevent air pollution.
- (e) Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued advisory regarding biomass utilization for power generation through co-firing in pulverised coal fired boilers to all state power secretaries, thermal power generating plants/utilities (public/private) and power equipment manufacturers.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4743 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Impact of e-way Bill of GST on Exporters
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA, Y. S. AVINASH REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

……..

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.4743 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2018/CHAITRA 2, 1940 (SAKA)

## Impact of e-way Bill of GST on Exporters

## 4743. SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY: SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any representation from the association of exporters seeking clarity on functioning of e-Way Bill with regard to the movement of goods from Dry-ports to sea ports and from Special Economic Zones (SEZs) within the zone and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether any clarification has been given on the matter and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the stand of the Government in this regard?

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI SHIV PRATAP SHUKLA)

- (a) Yes Sir. Various representations have been received from association of exporters as well as corporate bodies seeking clarity on e-way bill regarding movement of goods. Some of the queries regarding applicability of e-way bill provisions are as below:
- i. Exemption for export consignments during custom bonded movement from one airport to another;
- ii. Movement from SEZ/FTWZ (Free Trade Warehousing Zone) to port and vice versa;
- iii. Parity in movement of export cargo with import cargo.
- (b), (c) & (d) Yes Sir. The Central Goods and Services tax Rules, 2017 (CGST Rules) have been amended vide notification No. 12/2018-Central Tax dated 07.03.2018 to clarify this issue. As per sub-clauses (c) and (h) of sub-rule (14) of rule 138 of the CGST Rules, no e-way bill is required to be generated where the goods are being transported:
- (i) from the customs port, airport, air cargo complex and land customs station to an inland container depot or a container freight station for clearance by Customs;
- (ii) under  customs  bond  from  an  inland  container  depot  or  a  container  freight  station  to  a customs port, airport, air cargo complex and land customs station, or from one customs station or customs port to another customs station or customs port;
- (iii) under customs supervision or under customs seal.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4741 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Minimum Alternate Tax
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Y. S. AVINASH REDDY, SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4741

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 23 RD   MARCH,  2018 2, CHAITRA 1940 (SAKA)

## MINIMUM ALTERNATE TAX

## 4741. SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY: SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is contemplating on reducing the Minimum Alternate Tax to boost the industry;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  Confederation  of  Indian  Industries  and  Federation  of  Indian  Chambers  of Commerce and Industry have also recommended for this reduction, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the reaction of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)&(b)  Madam, there is no proposal under consideration to reduce the Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT).
- (c)&(d) Yes. During the budgetary exercise of 2018, representations from Confederation of Indian Industries and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry have been received requesting for reduction in the MAT  for  companies. These representations were examined during the exercise   for Union Budget, 2018 and the suggestion was not found to be acceptable.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4740 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Right to Prescribe Allopathic Medicines
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: SHER SINGH GHUBAYA, RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY

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

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 4740 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD MARCH, 2018

## RIGHT TO PRESCRIBE ALLOPATHIC MEDICINES

## 4740. SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA: DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  give  the  right  to  prescribe  Allopathic  medicin AYUSH doctors;
- (b) if so, whether the Mission envisaged for Ayurvedic and Unani medicines is not likely affected as a result of this; and
- (c) 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):       There is no proposal to give the right to prescribe Allopathic medicines t doctors.
- (b)& (c):    The question does not ari se.

…………………………..
Lok Sabha Question No. 4739 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Tele-Medicine System
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4739 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 rd MARCH, 2018

## TELE - MEDICINE SYSTEM

## 4739. SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

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

- (a) whether any assessment has been conducted on utilization of tele - medicinein synergy with the mission of 'Digital India' and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has considered the international best practices in tele - medicine for adoption in India and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the public investment undertaken so far to promote tele - medicine in the country; and
- (d) the measures taken by the Ministry so far to provide tele - medicinein the country?

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

(a) to (d): As part of Digital India mission, Government of India has taken up Nation Medical College Network wherein 50 Medical Colleges are supp orted  for  Tele - education, Tele - consultation  and  e -Learning. Telemedicine  at few pilgrim places are also initiated support pilgrims in far off areas.

International best practices have been studied from time to time for incorporat the telemedicine projects implementation States have been advised to follow open standard and EHR standards based software so as to ensure effective interoperability.

Ministry has undertaken various initiatives to promote tele - medicine across the country:

1. National Tele - Medicine Network (NTN), National Medical College Network (NMCN), Satcom based Telemedicine centres, Tele - radiology, mobile based outreach programs and m - health initiatives have been prioritised.
2. 7  states  have  been  supported  as  per  the request  and  proposal  from  states  under Program Implementation Plan (PIP) in NHM.
3. One  National  Resource  Centre  and  seven  Regional  Resource  centres  have  been identified for promoting telemedicine technologies` like remote patient monitorin
4. Tele - Oncology initiative has also been taken for early cancer detection, follow - up and prevention.

So  far  Ministry  has  provided  financial  support  of  approximately  Rs.  227  Cr. support Telemedicine through above programs.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4737 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Provision of Special Status to States
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN, VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI, KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4737 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY 23 rd  March, 2018 [2, Chaitra 1940 (SAKA)]

'Provision of Special Status to States'

## No. 4737, SHRI NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN: SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR: SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the MINISTER OF FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Fifteenth Finance Commission (15 th FC) is contemplating some new methodology for providing special status to some States including Odisha and if so, the details such as criterion thereof;
- (b) the number of meetings been conducted by the 15 th FC so far and the progress made so far;
- (c) the  names  of  the  States  which  have  been  demanding  the  special  status  and  the  details  of  their demands including Odisha and Bihar, State-wise;
- (d) the  names  of  States  which  have  been  declared  as  special  category  States  as  on  today  and  the reason for not declaring those States the special status as demanded by them; and
- (e) whether the 15 th FC plans to eliminate the post-devolution revenue deficit grants to the States, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b) The  Fifteenth  Finance  Commission  Constituted  on  27 th   November  2017  has  been mandated to gives its recommendation on the basis of terms of references assigns to it for the period from 1 st April, 2020 to 31 st March, 2025. The commission has so far conducted 10 internal meetings.
- (c) In recent past, the Central Government has received requests for Special Category Status from States such as Odisha, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh.
- (d) The Fourteenth Finance Commission has not made any distinction between special and general  category  states,  and  the  status  of  special  category  state  does  not  exist  today. Hence, the question of declaring some of the States as special category  States does not arise.
- (e) The Fifteenth Finance Commission has been inter-alia mandated to examine the provision of revenue deficit grants.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4736 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Directions to Auditors
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 23RD MARCH, 2018

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4736 [CHAITRA 02, 1940 (SAKA)]

## DIRECTIONS TO AUDITORS

## QUESTION

## 4736. SHRI GODSE HEMANT TUKARAM:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has issued an order to auditors directing them to  highlight  any  lapse  in  companies  related  to  frauds,  internal  control, inventories and outstanding dues in order to curb fraudulent practices in companies and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b)  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  strengthen  the  overall Corporate Governance Standard in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes, Madam.  The Government has issued the Companies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2015 requiring the Auditors of relevant companies to include in  their  report  a  statement  on  various  matters,  including  fraud  noticed/ reported,  internal  control  system,  physical  verification  of  inventories  and repayment of dues to financial institutions or banks.  Sub-paragraphs 3(ii) (a), (iv), (ix) and (xii) of paragraph No.3 of the Companies (Auditor's Report) Order,  2015,  (available  on  the  Ministry  of  Corporate  Affairs'  website http://www.mca.gov.in) are particularly relevant, in this context.
- (b): The Companies Act, 2013 which replaces the Companies Act, 1956 incorporates various provisions aimed  at strengthening of corporate governance  in  companies  in  India.  These  include,  inter-alia,  enhanced responsibilities for the Board and its committees like the Audit Committee and  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee,  enhanced  disclosures  to stakeholders,  appointment  of  Independent  Directors,  stricter  norms  for ensuring independence and accountability of auditors and greater level of investor protection.  Further, the India Accounting Standards (Ind AS) have also  been  notified  in  February,  2015,  and  are  expected  to  contribute  to improved corporate governance.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4735 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Special Facilities Provided to Elderly Persons and Disabled by Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: PANKAJ CHOWDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4735 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 23 RD  MARCH, 2018/CHAITRA 02, 1940 SAKA

## SPECIAL FACILITIES PROVIDED TO ELDERLY PERSONS AND DISABLED BY BANKS

## QUESTION

## 4735 SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued instructions to banks to provide special facilities to the disabled and elderly persons;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the banks would take effective measures to provide these facilities to such customers, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government instructed/has been instructing the banks to comply with the guidelines of RBI and display this information in the bank branch; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the other steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) Yes, Madam. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued directions on 09.11.2017 to Banks.   All banks have put in place the appropriate mechanism for following specific provisions  to  ease  the  Banking  Services  without  difficulty  to  Senior  Citizens  and Differently Disabled Persons i.e. Dedicated Counters/ Preference to Senior Citizens, Differently  abled  persons,  Ease  of  submitting  Life  Certificate,  Cheque  Book Facility,  Automatic  conversion  of  status  of  accounts,  Additional  Facilities  to visually impaired customers, Ease to filing Form 15G/H and Banking at door step. Banks are taking effective steps to provide these facilities.
- (d) & (e) Department of Financial Services has advised all banks on 22.12.2017 to implement the instructions of RBI in letter and spirit and give due publicity in their bank branches and bank's website.

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