opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 178 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: GM Crops
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 178

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2017

## GM Crops

## *178. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

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

- (a) whether  the  Genetic  Engineering  Approval  Committee  (GEAC)  has  relaxed  certain provisions to be adhered to by the applicants seeking No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) from States for conducting field trials on Genetically Modified (GM) crops;
- (b) if so, the details and the present status thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  any  reports  of  field  trials  of  GM  crops  being conducted outside institutional premises; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

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

***

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.  178  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  14.03.2017  REGARDING  GM  CROPS  BY  SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH.

(a)  &  (b) The  Genetic  Engineering  Appraisal  Committee  (GEAC)  has  not  given  any relaxation in requirement of obtaining No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from State Governments  for  conduct  of  Confined  Field  Trials  (CFTs).  However,  GEAC  in  its  130 th meeting held on 11.08.2016 took a decision for relaxation of requirement of NOC from State Government for conduct of Event Selection Trials (ESTs) which are small scale experiments conducted strictly within the premises of the institutes. GEAC has not given any relaxation in requirement of obtaining NOC from State Governments for conduct of Confined Field Trials (CFTs).  GEAC  in  its  129 th meeting  held  on  20.06.2016  decided  that  a  decision  regarding NOC  is  to  be  communicated  to  applicant  within  90  days  from  the  date  of  receipt  of application and if, in the mean time, State Government does not take any appropriate action, the decision is to be considered positive by the applicant.

(c) & (d) No Sir. Biosafety Research Level (BRL) I & II trials are essentially permitted and conducted either in State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) or their Regional Agricultural Research  Stations  or  within  the  premises  of  concerned  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural Institutes (ICAR) or applicants own premises. All confined field trials are strictly monitored by  a  duly  constituted  Central  Compliance  Committee  (CCC)  having  representatives  from Review  Committee  on  Genetic  Manipulation  (RCGM)  /  GEAC,  State  Department  of Agriculture, Director of Research (DR) of concerned SAUs and other subject matter experts based on the trait selected for the field trial experiment.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 174 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Online Applications for Scholarships to SC and OBC Students
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: V. SATHYABAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. *174 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2017

## ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS TO SC AND OBC STUDENTS

*174. SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleascd to state:

(a) whether the Union Government has the States to scek  online applications  for scholarships to SC and OBC students so as to weed out students tapping multiple schemes for financial help and if the details thereof; urged SO,

(b) whether the States are also being to disburse scholarships through direct beneficiary transfer mode and if so, the details thereof along with the status of implementation by the States; and urged

- (c the extent to which direct beneficiary transfer mode has helped in speedy disbursement of scholarships to the eligible students as well as ensuring transparency and accountability?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI THAA WARCHAND GEHLOT)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

Statement referred in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 174 for answer o 1403-2017 by Smt V. Sathya Bama regarding 'Online Applications for Scholarships to SC and OBC Students'

(a) to (cJ: Yes Madam; As per (he directions of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to States and Union Territory Administrations Scholarship amounts are directly credited into the bank accounts of the eligible student beneficiaries. Government has issued notification under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act;, 2016 0n I6th February, 2017 to use Aadhaar as unique identity for Scholarship Schemes of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment  All States and Union Territory Administrations have been directed to implement the said notification letter dated 23.2.2017. The   linking of Aadhaar to bank accounts of beneficiaries helps in eliminating duplication and checks misuse of funds.

For implementing Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) successfully States have been advised to implement online processing of Scholarships  18 States and 5 Union Territories have online processing of Scholarships (List of States annexed)

Direct Benefit Transfer has made process of disbursal of scholarship benefits more efficient, transparent and accountable:

****x

## Annexure referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No.174 to be answered on 14.3.2017

## List of States doing Online Processing of Scholarships

| 1   | Andhra Pradesh   |
|-----|------------------|
| 2   | Chhattisgarh     |
| 3   | Haryana          |
|     | Himachal Pradesh |
| 5   | Jharkhand        |
|     | Karnataka        |
|     | Kerala           |
|     | Madhya Pradesh   |
| 9   | Maharashtra      |
| 10  | Odisha           |
| 11  | Punjab           |
| 12  | Rajasthan        |
| 13  | Sikkim           |
| 14  | Tamil Nadu       |
| 15  | Telangana        |
| 16  | Uttar Pradesh    |
| 17  | Uttarakhand      |
| 18  | West Bengal      |
Lok Sabha Question No. 173 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Communication with CAPF
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *173

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2017 / PHALGUNA 23, 1938 (SAKA)

COMMUNICATION WITH CAPF

*173. SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to establish a direct line of communication between officials of various hierarchical levels with the top echelon  in  the  Central  Armed  Police  Force  (CAPF)  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is developing a mobile application which could be used by CAPF personnel and officers to air their grievances and if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  whether  all  security  aspects  are  being  taken  into  account  while introducing such application and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

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

******

## STATEMENT  REFFERED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  THE  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*173 FOR 14.3.2017.

(a) to (c): All  the  Central  Armed  Police  Forces  (CAPFs)  have  in  place appropriate  channels  of  communication    between  men  and  officers  in respective organisations. Apart from direct forms of communication/ interaction  such  as  Open  Darbar,  Sainik  Sammelan  and  personal  hearing etc,  which  are  part  of  established  fora  of  communication/interaction  at various  levels,  Information  and  Communications  Technology  (ICT)  based communication  such  as  web-based/app-based  grievance  redressal,  mobile services, e-mail etc are also put in use with due security audit as per rules.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 169 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Live and Used Explosives
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P., GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *169

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2017 / PHALGUNA 23, 1938 (SAKA)

LIVE AND USED EXPLOSIVES

*169. SHRI P. NAGARAJAN: DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  several  boxes  of  live  and  used  rounds  and  explosives  were found  during  a  cleaning  operation  by  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India (ASI) inside an old well at the Red Fort in Delhi recently and if so, the details thereof; and

(b) whether any inquiry committee/ commission has been set up to look into the security lapses in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

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

******

## STATEMENT  REFFERED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  THE  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*169 FOR 14.3.2017.

## (a) : Yes, Madam.   As reported by Delhi Police, following explosive articles were found:

|   Sl. No. | Explosive items recovered          |
|-----------|------------------------------------|
|         1 | 2' Mortar Bomb- 26                 |
|         2 | White Phosphorous Grenade-22       |
|         3 | Hand Granade-05                    |
|         4 | Small arms ammunition all types-44 |
|         5 | Loose Detonators-08                |
|         6 | Plastic explosive Kirkee-6.6 KG    |

(b):    Delhi  Police  has  reported  that  in  this  regard,  a  case  FIR  No.  17/2017 under  Section  25/54/59  of  The  Arms  Act  &  Section  3/4  of  The  Explosive Substances  Act  dated  06.02.2017  has  been  registered  at  Police  Station Kotwali, Delhi. Army authorities have also been informed in this regard by Delhi  Police.  Investigation  is  continuing  to  establish  the  reasons  for  the presence of explosives.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 168 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Carbon Footprint of Airlines
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 168

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2017

## Carbon Footprint of Airlines

## *168. SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government is considering to keep the aviation sector out of climate deal/agreement and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any proposal to cut the carbon footprint of airlines across the globe was discussed in  an  assembly  of  the  International  Civil  Aviation  Organization  recently  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (c) the reaction of the Government thereto and the follow-up action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

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

***

## Statement referred to in reply to Part (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 168. By SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM regarding 'Carbon Footprint of Airlines'

(a)  to  (c)  Emissions  from  international  civil  aviation  are addressed  under  the  United  Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol. Under the Paris Agreement  for  post-2020  period,  countries  are  obliged  to  submit  Nationally  Determined Contributions (NDCs) which are country driven and therefore countries can choose to include aviation emissions if they so desire.

In  the  39 th General  Assembly  meeting  of  International  Civil  Aviation  Organization (ICAO)  held  during  27 th September  -  7 th October  2016,  it  was  agreed  to  adopt  to  Carbon Offsetting  &  Reduction Scheme for  International Aviation (CORSIA) to  reduce the emissions from international aviation.

CORSIA  is  to  be  implemented  in  phases,  starting  with  participation  of  States  on  a voluntary basis in a Pilot phase from 2021 to 2023. First implementation phase from 2024 to 2026 applies to States that have volunteered to participate in the scheme; and Second phase from 2027 to 2035 applies to all States that have an individual share of international aviation activities in Revenue Tonne-Kilometres (RTKs) in year 2018 above 0.5 per cent of total RTKs or whose cumulative share in the list of States from the highest to the lowest amount of RTKs reaches 90 per  cent  of  total  RTKs.  Least  Developed  Countries  (LDCs),  Small  Island  Developing  States (SIDS) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) are exempted unless they volunteer to participate in this phase.

.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 162 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Surveillance Gadgets
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: NEELAM SONKER

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*162

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2017 / PHALGUNA 23, 1938 (SAKA)

SURVEILLANCE GADGETS

†*162. SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has beefed up the security in the NCR of Delhi in the wake of recent incidences and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  a  number  of  surveillance  gadgets  installed  at  the  busiest markets in the city are not working properly, and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  make  such  gadgets  functional; and

(d)  whether  the  Government has increased the manpower of Delhi Police recently, and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

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

******

## STATEMENT  REFFERED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  THE  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*162 FOR 14.3.2017.

(a): In the National Capital Region (NCR) areas other than National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, the primary responsibility with respect to 'Police' & 'Public  Order'  lies  with  the  State  Governments  concerned,  as  per  the Seventh  Schedule  to  the  Constitution  of  India.  As  far  as  NCT  of  Delhi  is concerned, Delhi Police has adequate security arrangements which include dynamic system of picket checking, challaning and impounding of Motorcycles, emphasis on Beat Patrolling System, enhanced police presence and patrolling, closer surveillance on known-criminals and gathering of intelligence.  The anti-terrorist measures taken by Delhi Police, inter-alia,  include  Armed  Response  Teams,  terrorist  related  intelligence collection,  security  audit  of  Vital  Installations,  Eyes  and  Ears  scheme  & tenant  verification,  checking  of  public  places  and  installation  of  CCTV Cameras in Markets and Border Check Posts.

(b)  &  (c):  2468  CCTV  cameras  have  been  installed  at  various  markets  by Delhi  Police.      CCTV  cameras  become  dysfunctional  temporarily  due  to various  reasons  including  technical  snags,  construction/  digging  work undertaken by civic agencies, DMRC work etc.    Restoration of these CCTV

.....3/

## L.S.S.Q.NO.*162 FOR 14.3.2017

cameras are a continuous process and all possible steps are taken by Delhi Police to make these cameras functional at the earliest.  Further, all these cameras  are  under Annual  Maintenance  Contract with the installing agencies for proper maintenance, repair and functioning.

(d): 4227 additional posts for separation of crime investigation from law & order and 58 additional posts for Security of Karkardooma Court Complex have been sanctioned for Delhi Police during the year 2016.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2065 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Employment Generation in PSUs
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR S.R., SUDHEER GUPTA, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES & PUBLIC ENTERPRISES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2065

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 th  March, 2017

'Employment Generation in PSUs'

2065 : SHRI S. R. VIJAYAKUMAR                  : SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA                       : SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO          : SHRI KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH   :

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state :

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  requested  the  Public  Sector  Undertakings  (PSUs)  to change  their  rules  and  give  casual  employment  equal  to  10%  of  the  permanent workforce working in their company to boost employment generation;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the PSUs thereto;
- (c) the total estimated employment to be generated as a result thereof;
- (d) the expenditure likely to be incurred by the said decision; and
- (e) the  other  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  boost  the  employment generation in PSUs?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER OF STATE  FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES & PUBLIC  ENTERPRISES (Shri Babul Supriyo)

(a): Department  of  Public  Enterprises  is  the  nodal  department  of  Central  Public  Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and has no CPSE under its direct administrative control. The policies for  employment  to  the  posts  below  Board  level  in  CPSEs  are  framed  by  their  Boards  in consultation  with  their  administrative  Ministries/Departments.  This  Department  has  not issued any guidelines to CPSEs to give casual employment equal to 10% of the permanent workforce working in the CPSEs.

- (b) to (d): Do not arise.

(e): The employment generation in CPSEs depends upon the prevailing business conditions &  requirements,  while  also  taking  into  account  others  factors  such  as  future  operations, expansion / investment plan, retirements etc. CPSEs take steps in this regard in accordance with  the  approved  policies  on  recruitment.  CPSEs  are  under  the  administrative  control  of different administrative Ministries / Departments. The compliance of the guidelines including on  casual  employment  is  monitored  by  concerned  administrative  Ministries  /  Departments and Board of Directors of CPSEs.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2054 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Forty Two Points Advisory
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: DHARAM VIRA GANDHI, GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2054

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2017

## Forty Two Points Advisory

## 2054.   SHRI DHARAM VIRA:

## SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT:

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

- (a)   whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Delhi  Government  has  failed  to  address  or  take  follow  up action on the 42 points advisory given by the Government with regard to the dangerous level of continuing pollution in Delhi;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof along with the action/measures taken by the Government to put an effective compliance mechanism in place and ensure the implementation of the said advisory; and
- (c) the other measures being taken by the Government to address the high level of pollution in Delhi?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a) & (b) The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued statutory directions under section 18 (1) (b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1986 for implementation of  42  measures  to  mitigate  air  pollution  in  Delhi.  Government  of  Delhi  has  initiated  steps towards  implementation  of  these  directions.  In  order  to  improve  compliance  with  the directions,  regular  review  meetings  have  been  held  at  the  level  of  Minister  and  Secretary, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, apart from review meetings by Delhi Government. So far 6 meetings at the Minister level and 4 meetings at the level of Secretary, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, have been held, apart from review meetings by CPCB and Delhi Government.

(c) The Government has taken a number of measures to address air pollution in Delhi which, inter  alia, include  issuance  of  statutory  directions  under  Section  18  (1)(b)  of  Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, for implementation of various activities to mitigate  the  level  of  pollution,  notification  of  National  Ambient  Air  Quality  Standards; setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; launching of National Air  Quality  index;  leapfrogging  from  BS-IV  to  BS-VI  fuel  standards  by  1 st April,  2020; comprehensive  amendments  to  various  Waste  Management  Rules  and  notification  of Construction  and  Demolition  Waste  Management  Rules;  banning  of  burning  of  leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste; constitution of centralized monitoring committee and state monitoring committee and notification of Graded Response Action Pan for different levels of Air Quality Index  in Delhi NCR etc.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2052 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Political Asylum in India
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: HARI NARAYAN RAJBHAR, PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2052

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14TH MARCH, 2017/ PHALGUNA 23, 1938 (SAKA)

POLITICAL ASYLUM IN INDIA

SHRI HARINARAYAN RAJBHAR:

†2052. SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of foreign citizens who have sought political asylum in India during the last five years;

(b)  whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  formulate  a  fixed  policy  for asylum seekers;

(c) if not, the general conditions based on which seekers are granted the asylum;

(d)  whether  the  Government  has  any  transparent  national  policy  regarding rehabilitation and relief to refugees coming from various neighbouring countries;

(e)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  number  of  refugees  during  the  last  three years, State-wise including Uttar Pradesh and country-wise; and

(f) if not, the reasons thereof and the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (f): India  is  not  a  signatory  to  the  1951  UN  Convention  relating  to  the Status  of  Refugees  and  the  1967  Protocol  thereon.  However,  a  Standard Operating Procedure is in place w.e.f. 29-12-2011 to deal with foreign nationals who claim to be refugees. While there is no exact data on the number of foreign citizens who have sought political asylum in India during the last five years or the year-wise/state-wise/country-wise refugees, available estimates suggest registration of more than 3 Lakh refugees with various states as on 31.12.2014.

********