opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1272 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: Minimum Monthly Allowances
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Economic Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1272

TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 FEBRUARY, 2018

## MINIMUM MONTHLY ALLOWANCES

1272. SHRI SATAV RAJEEV: DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT: SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is contemplating scheme to promote minimum monthly allowance to unemployed and poor, if so, the details and the objectives thereof;
- (b)  the  challenges  faced  by  the  Government  in  the  implementation  of  the  scheme along  with  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  overcome  the  difficulties  in  the implementation of the scheme;
- (c) whether there is any improvement in the related indices after the implementation of the scheme and if so, the progress so far in attaining the objectives; and
- (d) whether the Government is undertaking any other policies for promoting minimum income to the poor and unemployed and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)    The  Government  of  India  has  no  proposal  to  provide  minimum  monthly allowance  to  unemployed  or  poor.  However,  some  of  the  State  Governments  are providing allowances for various categories of persons.
- (b) to (c) Do not arise.
- (d)  Utmost  priority  is  being  given  by  the  Government  to  social  infrastructure  like education,  health  and  social  protection  to  engineer  an  inclusive  and  sustainable growth  in  India  which  inter  alia  promotes  income  of  the  poor  and  unemployed. Programmes /schemes such as Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural and Urban Livelihoods Mission, Skill India, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Make in India and MUDRA, are being implemented to create direct and indirect employment opportunities to ensure incomes to the poor and unemployed. In order to improve the employability of youth, the Government is imparting  short  term  skill  training  through  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana (PMKVY)  and  long  term  training  through  Industrial  Training  Institutes.  Model  Skill Centres are being set up in every district of the country while ensuring coverage of all the Parliamentary constituencies under PMKVY.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1270 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: Tax Evaders in Paradise Papers
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: ANSHUL VERMA

- (a), (b) & (c)

On  November  6,  2017  and  on  subsequent  dates  the  International  Consortium  of Investigative  Journalists  (ICIJ),  a  Washington  based  organization  and  their  collaborating newspapers across the world, released what they called 'Paradise Papers', containing details of  offshore  entities  set  up  by  two  law  firms  M/s  Appleby  and  Asiaciti  spread  across  19  tax havens/foreign jurisdictions. The list of Indians in Paradise Papers is publicly available on the ICIJ website.

The ICIJ has put a caveat on its website (https://offshoreleaks.icij.org) by mentioning that it should  not  be  assumed  that  everyone  who  appears  in  the  database  is  involved  in  tax avoidance or  evasion  and  there  are  legitimate  reasons  to  create  a  company  in  an  offshore jurisdiction and many people declare them to their tax authorities when that is required.

On the same day i.e. 6/11/2017, Government reconstituted the Multi Agency Group (MAG) comprising members of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Reserve  Bank  of  India  (RBI)  &  Financial  Intelligence  Unit  (FIU)  with  Chairman,  CBDT  as convener  to  coordinate  and  monitor  expeditious  investigation  in  cases  emanating  out  of Paradise Papers by each member organization.

The investigative authorities will use the provisions available under the respective statutes administered by them to authenticate the information that is available in the public domain. The

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION No. 1270 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 09 th   February, 2018/ Magha 20,1939 (Saka)

## Tax Evaders in Paradise Papers

## 1270.  DR. ANSHUL VERMA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether several Indian citizens have been named as indulging in money laundering and tax evasion under the recent paradise papers leaks and if so the details thereof;
- (b)  the measures taken by the Government to authenticate the information provided vide the paradise papers leaks; and
- (c) the details of total volume of money that have been evaded by Indian citizens through money laundering tax evasion and setting up bogus offshore companies ?

## ANSWER

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

investigations in such cases also involve sending Exchange of information (EOI) references in deserving cases, to respective Foreign jurisdictions.

The ICIJ database on Paradise Papers does not contain any financial details including the bank account information.The investigations in Paradise papers are being carried out earnestly. The outcome of investigations are dependent, inter alia, on responses from foreign jurisdictions, usefulness of information received and at present no estimation of tax evasion has been arrived at.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1265 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: Tax Exemption for Dairy Industry
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: CHANDU LAL SAHU, DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

## Government of India Ministry of Finance

## Department of Revenue LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTIONS NO. 1265

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 MAGHA  20, 1939 (SAKA)

## TAX EXEMPTION FOR DAIRY INDUSTRY

†1265. SHRI CHANDU LAL SAHU: SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  Government  is  contemplating to  make  the  income from  dairy  industry  free from  any taxes and to remove excise duty to attract major capital investment for milk processing and to establish cold chain plants to manufacture milk products;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (c ): With respect to indirect taxes, it is stated that on the basis of the recommendation of the GST council, GST rates on dairy machineries has been prescribed it as under:

- (a)  Milking machines and dairy machinery falling under tariff heading 8434 are at concessional rate of 12% GST.
- (b)  Machinery,  plant  or  laboratory  equipment  for  the  sterilizing,  pasteurizing,  steaming,  evaporating, vaporizing, condensing or cooking, falling under tariff heading 8419 are at 18% GST,
- (c)  Containers  (including  containers  for  the  transport  of  fluids)  specially  designed  and  equipped  for carriage by one or more modes of transport [including refrigerated containers] falling under tariff heading 8609 are at 18% GST.
- (d)  Refrigerated motor vehicles falling under tariff heading 8704 are at 18% GST.

With respect to direct taxes, there is no such proposal under consideration.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1261 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: Virtual Currencies
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: M. I. SHANAVAS

1261, SHRI M,I, SHANAVAS,

Willthe Minister of FINANCE  be pleased to state  :

- (a) : whether the Government  proposes any consultations  with various stakeholders  in linance  sector about addressing issues rising from the increase in the price  of virtual
- currencies including  Bitcoin,  in the country,  if so, the details thereof;
- (b) :whether the virtual currencies  including  Bitcoin  hold no intrinsic value and are not backed by any kind of assets, increasing its risk as a volatile instrument susceptible to speculation and fraudulent  trading;
- (c)  : if so, the details thereof including awareness creation exercises  undertaken  in this regard;
- (d) : whether the Government  has alerted the clients of virtual cunencies through the Reserve  Bank of lndia regarding the potential  of financial and security-related risks of investing  in Bitcoin  and other virtual  currencies;  and
- (e) : if so, the details  thereof ?

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA

MINISTRY  OF FINANCE

DEPARTMENT  OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO. 1261

TO BE ANSWERED ON  gTH  FEBRUARY, 2018 / 2OTH MAGHA 1939 (SAKA)

## Virtual Currencies

## QUESTION

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e) : A Committee  under the Chairmanship of Secretary,  Department of Economic Affairs is deliberating over issues related to virtual curencies  as crypto assets.  The Government issued a statement on December  29, 2017 cautioning the people against the risks of invesling  in virtual cuffencies.  The Reserve Bank of lndia has cautioned the users, holders and traders of Virtual  Currencies  vide their Press Release dated December 24, 2013, February  1,2017  and December  5, 2017, about the potential financial,  operational,  legal,  customer  protection  and security  related risks.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1260 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: Reduction in Printing of New Currency Notes
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: BALKA SUMAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY  OF FINANCE

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC  AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO. 1260

TO BE ANSWERED  ON O9I'' FEBRUARY,2OI8/2OTII  MAGHA SAKA, 1939

Reduction in PrintiDg of \ew Currency  Notes

## 1260. SERI SUMAti BALKA:

## OUESTION

## WiU the Mitrfuter  of FINAIICE  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether as per State  BaDk of India Ecoflash  report, the Rcserve Baok  of India (RBI) is holding back Rs. 2000 notes or stopped  printing  the high denomination currency,  if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Govemment  has reduced its order for printing  curency notes in the curr€nt  fiscal year to the lowest in five yea$ due to lack of space in the curency chests of the CeIItIal  BaDk and commercial banks, if so, the details thereof and the rcasons  therefor;
- (c) the wo* initiated  by RBI for introducing  the rew series of batrk notes along  with the details  of currency  in circulation  as ofNoveobe!,  2017; aod
- (d) whether  the Cental Bank is in the proccss  of checkhg the demonetized  bank notes ard ifso, the details thereof  along with processed  notes till date?

## ANSWER

## MIMSTER OF S]'ATE IN THE MIMSIRY OF FINANCE

## (SHRI P. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a): To maintain  desired denomination mix demar4 for facilitating  fiansactionel demand  of publia and availability of stocks,  presetrtly,  not€s  of small denominations  are being priDted.
- @):  There is sulficieit  space available at RBI offrces  and cur€ncy chests.  Ar.Eua[  lrdeot  for Dotes from Presses are revised  to suit the public  deBatrd for currency  notgs.
- (c): Bank  notes in Mahatma Gandhi (I.Jew)  Series in Rs. I0, 50, 200,500 and 2000 denomiDations have already been  intoduced. The proccss  is ongoing for other denominations.  As on Noveiiber  24. 2017, the banknotes  ofvalue  ofRs.16,344.50  billion was in circulation.
- (d): Spe.cified BaDk Notes  (SBNS) which have come back to RBI, are beiEg processed for their numerical accuracy and authenticity,  in an expedited  manoer.  Subject to future corrections based ou verificatioD  process  wheo  completed,  the estimated value  of SBNs received  as o! JuDe  30, 2017 was Rs.15.28 trillion.  RBI has deployed  74 high speed Currency  Verification aDd ProcessiDg System (CVPS) for processing of SBNS expeditiously.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1259 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: Posting of AYUSH Doctors in PHCs
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

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

LOK  SABHA U NSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 1259 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2018

## POSTING OF AYUSH DOC TORS IN PHCS

## 1259. SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has approved a plan to post AYUSH Doctors in Primary Health Centres across the country; and
- (b) if so, the detail s thereof State/UTwise?

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

- (a) & (b): Public health and hospitals being a State subject, the primary responsibil ensure availability of healthcare facilities and human resources lies with the State Governments . However,  under  National  Health  Mission,  technical  and  financial  support  is  pr ovided  to  the States/UTs  for  strengthening  their  healthcare  systems,  engaging  of  AYUSH  doctors contractual basis at co - located health facilities in cluding Primary Health Centres based on their requirement posed by the States/UTs in their Programme Imple mentation Plans (PIPs).

………………..
Lok Sabha Question No. 1255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: Plantations Schemes
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIO N

## NO.  1255 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2018

## Plantations Schemes

## 1255. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

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

- (a) the details of forestation/ plantation schemes being implemented by the Government in the country including Maharashtra;
- (b) whether the Government  proposes  to create awareness among  people  regarding conservation  of  forest  and  environment  in  the  country  through  effective  utilization  of media;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The Ministry is implementing two major forestation/ Plantation  schemes in the country including  Maharashtra i.e. National  Afforestation  Programme  (NAP)  and  National Mission for  a  Green  India  (GIM)  under  which  financial  grant  is  provided  to  states  for taking  up  plantation  and  related  activities.  While  NAP  is  being  implemented  for afforestation of degraded forest lands, GIM  aims at improving the quality of forest/increase in forest cover besides cross-sectoral activities on landscape basis.  Since the inception of NAP in the year 2000 till December 2017, Rs. 3775.33 crores has been released  for  treating  an  area  of  about  22  lakh  hectares.  Under  GIM  an  amount  of Rs.212.72 crore has been released since 2011-12 till December, 2017 for preparatory and prospective plan.
- (b) & (c) For area and region specific awareness creation needs, there is an inbuilt provision in  the  NAP and GIM schemes for assistance to Forest Development Agencies (FDAs), and  other  organization  at  the  State  level  for  undertaking  awareness  activities  in  a decentralized  manner.  The  Ministry  is  also  implementing  Environmental  Education, Awareness  and  Training  Scheme  under  which  awareness  campaigns  using  print  and electronic media, besides other mass media to enhance awareness about various forest & environmental  issues  are  taken  up.  The  activities  envisage  advertisement  in  print  and electronic media, publicity through exhibitions, films, plays etc.
- (d) In view of the above, question does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: Destruction of Sacred Groves
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: N.K. PREMACHANDRAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1254

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2018

## Destruction of Sacred Groves

## 1254.  SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  the  destruction  of  sacred  groves  are increasing  in  the  country,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  action  taken  by  the Government to protect sacred groves;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  implement  special  package  for  protection  and maintenance of sacred groves in private land by providing compensation equivalent to the market value of land and rehabilitation package and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether it comes to the notice of the Government that the certain owners of land have destroyed  the  ecosystem  and  sacred  groves  during  division/sharing  of  family  property and if so, the action taken by the Government to protect the secret groves private land;
- (d)  whether the Government has conducted any study regarding sacred groves in private land in Kerala, if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
- (e)  the action taken by the Government to protect the sacred groves without infringing the right to property owners?

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

- (a) This  Ministry  is  not  in  receipt  of  any  specific  information/report  that  the destruction of sacred groves are increasing in the country. The State and Union Territory Governments take appropriate measures to protect the sacred groves. This Ministry under the erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Intensification of Forest Management Scheme provided financial assistance to all State/UT Governments for various forest protection measures including protection and conservation of sacred groves.
- (b) This Ministry has no proposal to implement special package for protection and maintenance  of  sacred  groves  in  private  land  by  providing  compensation equivalent to the market value of land and rehabilitation package.
- (c) This  Ministry  has  not  received  any  specific  information/report  that  certain owners  of  land  have  destroyed  the  ecosystem  and  sacred  groves  during division/sharing of family property.
- (d) As per the information received from Kerala Forest Department, no study has been conducted regarding sacred groves in private land in Kerala.
- (e) The  State  and  Union  Territory  Governments  take  appropriate  measures  to protect the sacred groves, as per their respective acts, rules and regulation.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1252 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: Organ Donors
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1252 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2018

## ORGAN DONORS

## 1252. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI:

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

- (a) whether the transplantation of kidney and liver is done from organ procured from donors who died due to cardiac arrest;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the number of such transplantations conducted so far;
- (c) whether any assistance is provided t th  families of such donors; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

- (a) &(b):     Transplantation done after procurement of organs from persons with cardiac d classified as 'Donation after Cardiac Death (DCD)'. Presently, around 99.9% of deceased donor transplant activities in the country are done after procurement of o rgans from persons with Brain Stem Death (BSD). Health is a State subject. The specific information regarding ra splantation of kidney and liver done from organs procured from donors who died due to cardiac arrest available.
- (c)  &  (d): The  cad aver  organ  donor  family  members  are  honoured  on  various  occasions including Indian Organ Donation Day organised every year.

……………..
Lok Sabha Question No. 1251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH, NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, B.N. CHANDRAPPA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1251 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2018

## Compensatory Afforestation  Fund Act

1251.   SHRI D.K. SURESH:

SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has noticed discrepancies in the implementation of the Compensatory Afforestation (CAF) Act, 2016;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is true that there are clear violations of the guidelines of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 while implementing the Compensatory Afforestation;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the total number of such incidents reported from all over the country; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to amend the CAF act to safeguard the interests of forest dwellers who depend on forests for their livelihood, and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)                   No Madam.
- (b), (c), (d)     Does not arise in view of (a) above.
- & (e)

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1250 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: LIC Properties in Mumbai
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT

Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1250

Friday, February 09, 2018/Magha 20, 1939 (Saka)

## LIC Properties in Mumbai

## 1250.  SHRI ARVIND SAWANT:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Chawls/properties in Mumbai are Non Performing Assets (NPAs) and if so, the details thereof along with their worth (valuation of the property) at present;
- (b)  whether  Life  Insurance  Corporation  of  India  (LIC)  made  any  survey  related  to redevelopment of the Chawls/properties and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  LIC  has  appointed  any  consultant  and  if  so,  the  outcome  thereof  and whether they submitted their report; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  gain  of  LIC  after  redeveloping  the Chawls/properties from the 50 per cent saleable FSI?

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

- (a):  As per Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), the chawls/properties in Mumbai are not Non Performing Assets (NPAs) as on 31.03.2017.

(b): No  survey has been made by LIC with respect to redevelopment of the Chawls/properties.

- (c) and (d): LIC has not appointed any consultant.