opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 169 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Black Money in Circulation
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RAVINDRA BABU  PANDULA

## QUESTION

## Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the amount of currency printed so far by Mints/RBI;
- (b)  the  details  of  estimated  amount  of  black  money  in  circulation  in  the  country  and  the amount stashed outside be country; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to curb black money?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)

- (a) to (c) : A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

## POSITION NO-9

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 169 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th  DECEMBER, 2017/8 TH  PAUSHA SAKA, 1939 Black Money in Circulation

*169.  DR. RAVINDRA BABU:

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 169 RAISED  BY  DR.  RAVINDRA  BABU,  HON'BLE  MEMBER  OF  PARLIAMENT  TO  BE ANSWERED ON 29.12.2017 REGARDING BLACK MONEY IN CIRCULATION

- (a) Total number and value of the notes printed and supplied by the presses to the Reserve Bank are as under:
- (b)  to  (c):  There  is  no  official  estimation  of  quantum  of  black  money  in  circulation  in  the country  and  the  amount  stashed  outside  the  country.  Nevertheless,  the  Government  has taken number of action for eradication and forfeiting black money. Under direct taxes laws, such actions include searches, surveys, assessment of income, levy of tax, penalty and filing of prosecution complaints before criminal courts, wherever applicable.

| Year (April to March)   | 2014-15   | 2015-16   | 2016-17   | 2017-18*   |
|-------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|------------|
| Pieces in Millions      | 23,652    | 21,195    | 29,043    | 15,522     |
| Value in Billions       | 4,304     | 3,833     | 13,389    | 5,066      |

The Government has taken following specific major measures to curb black money.

- i. Enactment  of  the  Black  Money  (Undisclosed  Foreign  Income  and  Assets)  and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015.
- ii. Enactment of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016.
- iii. Constitution  of  the  Special  Investigation  Team  (SIT)  on  Black  Money  in  May, 2014.
- iv. Constitution of Multi-Agency Group (MAG) for coordinated and effective investigation in 'Panama paper leaks' cases and Paradise Leaks cases.
- v. Constitution of Task Force (TF) on Shell Companies.
- vi. Tracking  &  Curbing  cash  transactions  and  strengthening  third  party  reporting mechanism.
- vii. Enhanced  international  cooperation  in  the  area  of  exchange  of  tax  related information.
- viii. Initiation  of  Operation  Clean  Money  by  the  Income-tax  Department  (ITD)  post demonetisation on 31st January 2017.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 164 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Cooperation in Health Sector
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, Shrirang Appa Barne

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 164 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 TH DECEMBER, 2017 COOPERATION IN HEALT H SECTOR

## *164. SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

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

- (a) whether India and Cuba have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) fo enhanced cooperation in the health sector recently;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  th ereof  along  with  the  aims,  objectives  and  the  key  ar identified for cooperation in this MoU;
- (c) the extent to and the manner in which it will be beneficial to the Ind sector; and
- (d) the time by which the MoU will be implemented alongwith the present status thereof ?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA )

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 164* FOR 29 TH DECEMBER, 2017

(a):  A bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Ind and  Cuba  on  06 th December,  2017  for  cooperation  in  the  field  of  Health  a Medicine.

(b)  to  (d):  The  objectives  of  the  MoU are  for  establishing  comprehensive  inter -ministerial and inter - institutional cooperation in the field of health with the upgrading  the  quality  and  reach  of  human,  material  and  infrastructural  re involved in healthcare, medical education & tr aining and research in both countries for mutual benefit.   The main areas of cooperation covered under the MoU follows:

- (i) Exchange  and  training  of  medical  doctors,  officials,  other  h professionals and experts;
- (ii) Assistance  in  development of  human  resources,  health  services  and setting up of health care facilities;
- (iii)Short term training of human resources in health;
- (iv) Regulation  of  pharmaceuticals,  medical  devices  and  exchange information;
- (v) Promotion  of  business  development opportunities  in  pharmaceuticals and others identified by parties;
- (vi) Procurement of generic and essential drugs and assistance in sourci drug supplies;
- (vii)Procurement of health equipment and pharmaceutical products; and
- (viii) Any other area of coopeation as may be mutually decided upon.

The MoU will encourage joint initiatives and technology development in health sector.  It will strengthen bilateral ties between India and Cuba. of the MoU is for a period of five (5) years fr om the date of signing, with provision of further extension for another five (5) years.  There is a provision to Working  Group  to  further  elaborate  the  details  of  cooperation  and  to  over implementation of the MoU.
Lok Sabha Question No. 161 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Income Tax Exemption to Urban Cooperative Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION *161

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 29 TH   DECEMBER, 2017

08, PAUSHA, 1939 (SAKA)

## INCOME TAX EXEMPTION TO URBAN COOPERATIVE BANKS

## *161.  SHRI  RAMSINH RATHWA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that by withdrawing exemption under section 80P of the Income Tax Act, 1961, the Urban Cooperative Banks have been deprived of the funds that could be loaned to small traders, professionals and middle class of the urban society, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government is reconsidering the issue and contemplating to exempt the Urban Cooperative Banks under section 80P of the Income Tax Act; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

FINANCE MINISTER (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)

- (a) to (c)   A statement is laid on the table of the House.

*****

- Statement referred to in the reply to the Lok Sabha Starred Question No *161  for  answer  on  29/12/2017  raised  by  Shri  Ramsinh  Rathwa, regarding 'Income Tax Exemption to Urban Cooperative Banks' (a) Finance Act, 2006 withdrew the exemption provided under section 80P of the Income tax Act,1961,('the Act') to co-operative banks other than primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) or primary co-operative agricultural and rural  development  banks  (PCARDBs)  on  certain  grounds  which  inter-alia, includes:(i) Co-operative banks function like any other commercial bank and the principle of mutuality, which is central to granting exemption under section 80P of the Act does not apply because their area of operations extends even to non-members. (ii) Most  of  these  banks  are  providing  standard  banking  facilities  like opening of letters of credit, bill discounting and collection, lockers and safe deposit vaults, bank guarantees etc. Many of these deal in foreign exchange and have also opened ATM kiosks. These banks are thus no different  from  commercial  banks  and  therefore  are  required  to  be treated at par with them. (iii) Income-tax is a tax on profits and there is no rationale for exempting profit-making co-operative banks from payment of income-tax. Since cooperative banks are like any other commercial banks who do not enjoy exemption under section 80P of the Act, the availability of funds is predominantly  determined  by  its  ability  to  mobilize  savings  through improved machinery, technology and governance. Taxation, per se, does not discriminate between various types of banks for the purposes of cash

flow.

(b) to (c) No, Madam, at present the government is not reconsidering the issue for the reasons discussed above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2070 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Objectives of VCS
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

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

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO . 2070 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH DECEMBER, 2017

## OBJECTIVES OF VCS

## 2070. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

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

- (a) the number of Ayurveda hospitals accredited so far, State/UT -wise;
- (b) the main objectives of Voluntary Certificate Scheme (VCS) for AYU SH products along with the extent to which objectives have been achieved;
- (c) the main role of Quality Council of India; and
- (d) whether Quality Council of India (QCI) has made any study on the implementation of VCS if so, the details and the findings thereof ?

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

- (a): As on 26.12.2017 total 25 Ayurveda hospitals are accredited. The State/ UT wise de are given below -

|   S.No | State/ UT                                                              | No. of accredited Ayurveda Hospitals   |
|--------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
|      1 | Delhi                                                                  | 02                                     |
|      2 | Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Tamilnadu. | 01each                                 |
|      3 | Karnataka                                                              | 06                                     |
|      4 | Kerala                                                                 | 12                                     |

( b)& ( d) : The objectives of the Voluntary Certification Scheme for AYUSH products are t provide a framework to the Indian AYUSH Industry to demonstrate compliance to domesti regulations  as  well  as  international  standards  like  WHO  GMP  to  improve  regulato complian ce,  facilitate  greater  acceptance  of  AYUSH  products  in  overseas  markets,  a enhance consumer Confidence through a mechanism of third party audits based internatio best practices. No such study has been taken up .

( c) : Main role of QCI is to play a pivotal role in propagating, adopting and adherence to quality  standards  in  all  important  spheres  of  activities  including  education,  he environment protection, governance, social sectors, infrastructure sector and such oth of  organized  act ivities  that  have  significant  bearing  in  improving  the  quality  of  lif wellbeing of the citizens of India.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2068 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Shortage of Medicines in Government Hospitals
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: BHAGWANT MANN, MEENAKASHI LEKHI, SADHU SINGH

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2068 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th DECEMBER, 2017

## SHORTAGE OF MEDICINE S IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS

## 2068. SHRI BHAGWANT MANN: SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI: PROF. SADHU SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the extreme shortage of basic medicines and v ntilators in Government hospitals, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether most of the medicines prescribed by the doctors are not available in the Government hospitals in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  any  nexus  between pharma  companies  and  doctors  forcing patients  to  purchase medicines from outside has come to the notice of the G vernment and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  corrective  measures  taken/being taken  by  the  Government  to  address  the hortage  of medicines ?

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

- (a) & (b) : ' Health' being a State subject, no such information is maintained centrally.

In so far as three Central Government hospitals located in Delh i viz. Safdarjung Hospital, Dr.  RML  Hospital  and  Lady  Hardinge  &  Medical  College  &  its  Associated  Hospitals  are concerned,  there  is  no  shortage  of  basic  medicines  and  adequate  number  of  ventilator available in these hospitals. Most of the medicines pr escribed by doctors are available in these hospitals for treatment of admitted patients.

So far as All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Delhi is concerned, 230 g medicines to Out Patient Department (OPD) patients are provided free of cost. In the AIIMS casualty,  all  life - saving  and  emergency  drugs  are  being  provided  free  of  cost  to  all  patie attending casualty. In the general wards of AIIMS, all the in - patients are provided 543 medicines free of cost from the hospital formulary. The Below the Poverty Line (BPL) card - holders in -patients  are  also  provided  all  medicines  outside  hospital  formulary  free  of      cost. non- BPL in- patients who cannot afford to purchase medicines are provided free medicines on basis of cer tificate of treating consultant.

- (c) : As far as these three Central Government hospitals are concerned, no such complaint been received/reported.
- (d) : The various measures taken by these hospitals to ensure adequate supply of medici are as fol lows: -
- i) Procurement of medicines on regular basis
- ii)Procurement of drugs as and when required, depending on urgency & need and as per t prescription of treating doctors
- iii) Maintaining adequate stock of basic essential medicines
Lok Sabha Question No. 2067 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Online Campaign for Women
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: JANARDAN MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2067

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.12.2017

## ONLINE CAMPAIGN FOR WOMEN

## 2067.   SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has introduced an online campaign 'I am that Woman'; and
- (b) if so, the details and the objectives thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a) & (b)  :    In  an  attempt  to  end  Gender  bias  in  women  against  women,  the  Ministry  of Women and Child Development has undertaken an online campaign #IamThatWoman. Through  the  campaign,  the  Ministry  seeks  to  highlight  the  various  aspects  of  women standing  'by'  and  'for'  women.  Ministry  of  WCD  has  urged  people  to  shun  stereotypes associated with women harming other women.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2061 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: DBT Schemes
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: KANWAR SINGH TANWAR, LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2061

To be answered on Friday, December 29, 2017/Pausha 08, 1939 (Saka)

DBT Schemes

SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR:

SHRI LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  schemes  in  which  subsidy  is  being  provided under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes along with the number of people  benefited  under  the  said  scheme,  State/UT-wise  particularly Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh;
- (b)  whether the Government has identified ghost beneficiaries under Aadhaar's DBT scheme during the last three years, if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise;
- (c)  the  details  of  losses  reported  due  to  the  ghost  beneficiaries  in various social welfare schemes, State/UT-wise; and
- (d)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  eradicate/prevent  ghost
- beneficiaries?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI P. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a) to (d): Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is Government's major reform initiative  to  re-engineer  the  existing  delivery  processes,  ensuring better and timely delivery of benefits using Information & Communication Technology (ICT). As on date, 400 schemes from 56 Ministries/  Departments  are  being  implemented  under  DBT.  As  a

process,  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  are  implemented  through State Governments and granular level details are being maintained by  the  respective  State  Governments.  DBT  focuses  on  better targeting of beneficiary, timely disbursal of benefits and curbing of pilferage by de-duplication, elimination of ghost beneficiaries etc. ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2060 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Ayurvedic Medicines in CGHS Centres
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: VISHNU DAYAL RAM

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2060 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th DECEMBER, 2017

## AYURVEDIC MEDICINES IN CGHS CENTRES

## 2060. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the difficulties faced by the patients covered under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) due to the complex process of procurement of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and other medicines;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the funds allocated and spent for the procurement of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and homoeopathic medicines under this scheme during each of the last two years, yearwise;and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to expedite the procurement process and minimise the problems of the patients?

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

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a)  &(b):  Some  difficulties  are  being  faced  by  the  beneficiaries  not  because  of  the  c process but because of: -
- (a)Non - availability of Authorized Local Chemist for AYUSH in cities outside Delhi.
- (b)Non - availability of Rate Contract for AYUSH drugs.
- (c): The details of the funds allocated and spent for the procurement of Ayurvedic, Si Unani and Homeopathic Medicines under this Scheme during the last two years are at Annexur

Following steps have been taken to expedite the procurement process and minimise the problems of the patients: -

-  Tender process have been initiated for Central procurement of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Un and  other  medicines,  which  are  not  supplied  by  Indian  Medicine  Pharmaceutica Corporation Limited (IMPCL) and other Government undertakings.
-  Medicines  which  are  not  readily  available  are  procured  through  Authorized  Loc Chemists.
-  In Cities, where there are no Authorized Local Chemists, beneficiaries can buy the -available medicines and cl aim reimbursement.

## ANNEXURE

## STATEMENT SHOWING TOTAL FUNDS ALLOCATED AND EXPENDITURE (Rupeesin Crores )

|            | 2015- 16   | 2015- 16    | 2016- 17   | 2016- 17    |
|------------|------------|-------------|------------|-------------|
|            | Allotment  | Expenditure | Allotment  | Expenditure |
| Ayurvedic  | 5.16       | 4.22        | 5.44       | 3.07        |
| Unani      | 1.50       | 0.72        | 1.50       | 0.78        |
| Homeopathy | 1.50       | 0.58        | 1.50       | 0.29        |
| Siddha     | 0.68       | 0.37        | 1.00       | 0.35        |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2059 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Birth Defects in Babies
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RE SEARCH

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2059 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th DECEMBER, 2017

## BIRTH DEFECTS IN BAB IES

## 2059. SHRI A.P. JITHENDER REDDY:

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

- (a)  whether  any  study  has  been conducted  by  the  Government  to  look  into the  aspect  of  air pollution being one of the factors for birth defects and premature deaths in India; and
- (b) if so, the details of such study and the measures taken thereof?

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

- (a): No.
- (b): Does not arise
Lok Sabha Question No. 2058 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Menstrual Leave
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: NINONG ERING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2058

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.12.2017

## MENSTRUAL LEAVE

## 2058.  SHRI NINONG ERING:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether women employees are provided any menstruation benefits or entitled to any menstrual leave and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)      whether female students are entitled to menstrual leave in schools and educational institutions and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)     whether the Government is planning to introduce any legislation in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)     the steps taken by the Government to ensure menstrual health of women?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a) to  (d):    There  is  no  such  proposal  for  grant  of  any  menstrual  leave  or  introduction  of  any legislation  in  this  regard.  However,  under  the  centrally  sponsored  scheme  of  Rashtriya Madhyamik  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (RMSA),  activities  such  as  adolescent  health  awareness programme  for  girls,  provision  of  separate  toilet  blocks  for  girls  as  part  of  schools  and installation  of  incinerator  machine  and  sanitary  napkin  &  vending  machine  for  girls  at schools and girl's hostels are undertaken for general hygiene management. National Council of  Educational  Research  and  Training  (NCERT)  has  developed  syllabus  on  health  and physical education for classes I-XII as a follow up of National Curriculum Framework, 2005, which provides adequate space for menstrual hygiene.

Ministry of Health and family Welfare is implementing the scheme for Promotion of Menstrual  Hygiene  for  Adolescent  Girls  residing  primarily  in  rural  areas  of  the  country. Adolescent girls are provided with sanitary napkins at subsidized rates by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA's) within the community and through the platform of Government and  Government  aided  school.    Ministry  of  Drinking  Water  and  Sanitation  has  also developed National Guidelines on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) which aims to support all adolescent girls and women.

****