opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 493 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Unfair Practices to Promote Medicines
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 493 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH NOVEMBER, 2016

## UNFAIR PRACTICES TO PROMOTE MEDICINES

## 493. SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

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

- (a) whether the Indian Drugs Manufactures Association (IDMA) has laid down certain norms with regard to marketing practices for pharmaceutical companies in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  pharmaceutical companies  are  indulging  in  unfair  practices to  promote  their medicines by sponsoring trips and offering gifts to doctors;
- (c) if so, the steps taken by the Governm nt to stop such unfair practices in the country;
- (d) whether the Government has proposed any new code of conduct for the marketing of drugs; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)

- (a):  TheIndian  DrugsManufacturers  Association  (IDMA)  is  an  association  of  private pharmaceutical manufacturers and the Government is not involved in the conduct of its affa
- (b):  The  Department  of  Pharmaceuticals  has  informed  that  there  were  some  reports Pharmaceutical Companies indulging in unfair practices to promote their medicines.

of

- (c) to (e): The Department of Pharmaceuticals announced a Uniform Code Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) w.e.f. 1 st January, 2015 to curb unfair practices.
Lok Sabha Question No. 492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Abolition of Overtime Allowance
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: G. HARI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 492 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2016 KARTHIKA 27, 1938 (Saka)

## ABOLITION OF OVERTIME ALLOWANCE

492\_ SHRI G. HARI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the expenditure on overtime allowance provided to Government employees had increased from Rs.797 crore to Rs.1629 crore during 2012-13 and if s0, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government is considering to abolish overtime allowance in Government offices and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MNSIER QE\_SIATE FQR EINANCE (EXPENDITURE)

## (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- (a) Yes Sir. The expenditure of Rs.796.90 crore in 2006-07 was excluding the expenditure on overtime allowance in respect of employees of Union Territories whereas the expenditure of Rs. 1629.02 crore during year 2012-13 is including the expenditure in respect of employees of Union Territories.
- (b) The Seventh Central Commission has recommended to abolish OTA (except for operational staff and industrial employees who are governed by statutory provisions) and in case the Government decides to continue with OTA for those categories of staff for which it is not a statutory requirement; then the rates of OTA for such staff should be increased by 50 percent from their current levels. Recommendation of the 7th CPC on allowances are to be finalised. Pay yet

##*+*
Lok Sabha Question No. 490 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Tax Incentives for Card Payments
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

- (a) Yes.
- (b) A Committee was constituted on 23 rd August, 2016 to review the Framework related to Digital payment system in the country and to recommend appropriate measures  for  encouraging  digital  payments.  The  term  of  reference  of  the committee include:
- To  study  and recommend  need  for  changes,  if  any,  in  the  regulatory mechanism under the various acts relevant for the purpose of promotion of payments by digital modes;
- To  study  introduction  of  single  window  system  of  Payment  Gateway  to accept  all  types  of  Cards/  Digital  Payments  of  Government  receipts  and enable  settlements  between  consumer  and  merchants  via  NPCI  or  other agencies.
- To study and recommend ways for leveraging Unique Identification Number or any other proof of identity for authentication of card/ digital transactions
- To  study  and  recommend  various  measures  to  incentivize  transactions through  cards  and  digital  means,  e  g.,  through  tax  rebates/  incentives, introduction of cash back/ lottery etc.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 490 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH NOVEMBER, 2016/27 TH KARTIKA, SAKA, 1938

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## TAX INCENTIVES FOR CARD PAYMENTS

## 490. DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

## QUESTION

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

- (a) whether the Government has set up a high level Committee to suggest steps to promote card payments through incentives;
- (c) the time  by  which  the  high  level  Committee  likely  to  submit  its  report  to  the Government?
- (b) if so, the details thereof and composition of the Committee along with the issues on which Committee will give its recommendations; and

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- To identify regulatory bottlenecks and suggest changes to promote payment by  card/  digital  means  and  make  recommendations  on  any  other  matter related to promotion of payments through Digital means.
- To  study  and  make  recommendations  on  any  other  matter  related  to promotion of payments through Cards and Digital Means etc.

The composition of Committee is as follows:

2. Shri H. R. Khan, Former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India - Member
1. Shri Ratan P. Watal, Pr. Advisor, NITI Ayog and Former Finance Secretary (Chairman)
3. Secretary, D/o Investment and Public Asset Management or his Nominee (Not below the rank of Joint Secretary) - Member
5. Chairman, Indian Banks association - Member
4. President, NASSCOM - Member
6. Chairman, Payments Council of India - Member
8. Chairman, CBDT - Member
7. President, Internet and Mobile Association of India - Member
9. Director General, UIDAI - Member
11. Joint Secretary, D/o Economic Affairs - Member
10. Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India - Member

(c) The Committee shall submit its report within three months from the date of its constitution.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 489 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Anti-Cartilization Drive
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 489 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 18TH NOVEMBER, 2016 [KARTIKA 27, 1938(SAKA)]

## ANTI-CARTILIZATION DRIVE

## QUESTION

489.  SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री

- (a) whether  the  public  goods  cost  fall  under  anti-cartilization  drive initiated by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the CCI has imposed  penalties  on  some  cement companies and their trade association for cartilization; and
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS    (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL) कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्रालर् में राज्र् मंत्री ( श्री अर्जयन राम मेघवाल )

- (a) to (c) The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is mandated with the task of taking action in cases of alleged cartelization.  It has imposed penalties  on  cement  companies  and  their  trade  association  i.e.  Cement Manufacturer Association (CMA) for cartelization in cement industry vide order dated 31st August, 2016 passed in Case No.29/2010 and has imposed a penalty of Rs. 6317.32 crores on 11 cement manufacturers namely ACC, Ambuja Cement Ltd., Binani, Century, India Cements, JK Cements, Lafarge, Ramco, UltraTech, JP Associates Ltd. and CMA.  In Case No. RTPE 52/2006, the Commission has imposed a penalty of Rs.397.51 crore on Shree Cement Ltd.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 487 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Establishment of Physiotherapy Council
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 487 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH NOVEMBER, 2016

## ESTABLISHMENT OF PHY SIOTHERAPY COUNCIL

## 487. DR. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to establish Physiotherapy Council on the li e of Medical Council of India (MCI) in order to check the quality of education in the stream;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor and the other measures/steps taken by the Government to address the problem of low intake of students opting to be physiotherapists?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)

- (a): No.
- (b): Does not arise.
- (c): Physiotherapy is a part of Allied Health and a separate Council for each disciplin the broad umbrella of Allied Health is not required.
Lok Sabha Question No. 484 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Arthritis
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 484 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH NOVEMBER, 2016

## ARTHRITIS

## 484. SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to declare arthritis as a non - communicable disease, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  not  much  awareness  has been  raised  on  arthritis  despite  marking October12  as World Arthritis Day if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the said disease is not under NCDs list and that there is no national programme for rheumatological illnesses, no comprehensive data on how many people are affected by them and patients cannot claim reimbursement, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the corrective steps being taken in this regard?

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

- (a) & (b): Arthritis is a non- communicable chronic disease of musculoskeletal system that includes osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, low back pain, osteoporosis, pain, etc.. Awareness about arthritis among the people is low.
- (c) & (d): As on date, ther e is no specific/comprehensive National Health Programme for prevention and control of Arthritis. The factual data on arthritis is not available for t on date. However, the activities of the two programme viz. Physical Medicine and Rehabili ion Programme  and  National  Programme  for  Health  Care  of  the  Elderly  (NPHCE)  addresses  the issues of Arthritis.
Lok Sabha Question No. 483 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Research on Vector Borne Diseases
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 483 TH

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 NOVEMBER, 2016

## RESEARCH ON VECTOR B ORNE DISEASES

## 483. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plan of action to increase the usage of AYUSH/traditional medicines to combat vector borne diseases;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and action taken so far in this direction;
- (c) whether the Government has proposed on research study to combat vector borne diseases through AYUSH system of medicines; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a)and (b):  In order to achieve multiple objectives viz., making public aware of the ben of  AYUSH  system  of  medicines  and  increase  its  u sage,  the  Ministry  through  its  five Research  Councils,  namely, Central  Council  for  Research  in  Ayurvedic  Sciences (CCRAS),  Central  Council  for  Research  in  Yoga  &  Naturopathy  (CCRYN),  Central Council for Research in Unani Medicines (CCRUM), Central Council for Research in Siddha  (CCRS)  and  Central  Council  for  Research  in  Homoeopathy  (CCRH) have published advisories in national dailies for prevention and management of vector diseases  like  dengue  and  chickungunya  durin g  July - October,  2016. Guidelines  for AYUSH  practitioners  were  prepared  and  uploaded  on  the  websites  of  the  Research Councils. All the State Governments were also urged to bring the guidelines to the no of the practitioners in their State.
- (b)and  (d):  A ction  taken  by  the  Government to  combat vector  borne  diseases  through AYUSH system of medicines are as follows:
- (i) Development of AYUSH - PJ7 for dengue, AYUSH - SL for filarisis, and AYUSH 64 for malaria by CCRAS.
- (ii) Treatment study for dengue in Delhi; prevent ive study for chikungunya; preventive, pre - clinical and treatment study for Japanese encephalitis and Malariaand multi - centric study for filarisis by CCRH;
- (iii) Clinical  studies  on  vector  borne  diseases  namely,  malaria,  filariasis  and  kala - azar ; validation of efficacy of unani formulations in such disease conditions.
- (iv) Prospective  case  control  study  in  dengue  with  Nilavembu  kudineer;  in  vitro  /  in evaluation of theraupic potential of various Siddha drugs on H1N1 infecti chikungu nya virus infection.
Lok Sabha Question No. 482 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Visits of World Bank Officials
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

## LOK SABHA

## Unstarred Question No.482

## TO BE ANSWERED ON NOVEMBER18,2016/Kartika 27,1938(Saka)

## Visits of World Bank Offlcials OUESTION

## 482. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO  NETE:

Will the Minister  of FINANCE be pleased  to state:

- (a) the details of the villages, districts visited by World Bank officials  having project sites and financially assisted by World Bank during the last three years and current year; and
- (b) the reaction of the World Bank Team regarding implementation  of these projects?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE(SHRI ARJUN RAPIIVIIEGHWAL):

- (a)and(b):InfOrmation is being collected and win be laid on the table of the house.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 481 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Ordnance Factories
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SANKAR PRASAD DATTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.481

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  NOVEMBER, 2016

## ORDNANCE  FACTORIES

481. SHRI  SANKAR PRASAD DATTA:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  establish  new  ordnance  factories  in  the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State / UT-wise?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) & (b): Presently, there is no proposal for establishing any new ordnance factory in the country.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 478 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Income from Unlisted Shares
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: K. GOPAL

## 478. डॉ॰ क े ॰ गोपालः

## या व मंी यह बताने क क ृ पा करगे कः

- (क)   या सरकार का असूचीबध शेयर क ब से ात आय को पूंजीगत लाभ बनाने और इस पर यावसायक आय क तुलना म नन दर पर कर लगाने का वचार है; और
- (ख) यद हां, तो तसंबंधी यौरा या है और इसक े  या कारण ह?

## उर

## व मंालय म राय मंी (ी संतोष क ु मार गंगवार)

- ( क) जी नहं, असूचीबध शेयर क ब से होने वाल आय क े  बारे म वतमान कर यवथा म कोई परवतन करने का सरकार का वचार नहं है।
- (ख)   यह न नहं उठता है।

भारत सरकार

व मंालय

राजव वभाग

## लोक सभा

## अतारांकत न सं. 478

(िजसका उर शुवार, 18 नवबर, 2016/27 कातक, 1938 (शक) को दया जाना है)

## असूचीबध शेयर से आय

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 477 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Inflation Indices
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, ARKA KESHARI DEO, VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK

- (a) whether the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) has increased whereas the retail and food inflation have shown a drop during the last three months in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to control WPI and to sustain the retail and food inflation  to  relieve  the  consumers  from  rising  costs  of  fruits,  vegetables  and  other  essential commodities?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- (a) & (b) The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and inflation based on WPI, Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) during the last three months in the country is given in Table 1.

Table 1: WPI and Inflation based on WPI and CPI (Combined)

------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------

|                              |   Aug-16 |   Sep-16 |   Oct-16 |
|------------------------------|----------|----------|----------|
| WPI                          |    183.3 |    182.8 |    182.9 |
| WPI inflation (%)            |      3.9 |      3.6 |      3.4 |
| CPI inflation (%)            |      5   |      4.4 |      4.2 |
| CFPI inflation (%)           |      5.9 |      4   |      3.3 |
| WPI Vegetables inflation (%) |      0.2 |    -10.9 |    -10   |
| CPI Vegetables inflation (%) |      1   |     -7.1 |     -5.7 |

Note: Figures for WPI for last two months and CPI, CFPI for last one month is provisional.

Source: Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Central Statistics Office.

The wholesale price index has marginally increased in October 2016 on account of rise in price of fuel &  power  and  manufactured  products.  CPI  headline  inflation  and  food  inflation  based  on  CFPI  has declined in the last three months mainly on account of decline in price of vegetables and pulses.

(c) The Government has taken a number of measures to control inflation. The steps taken, inter alia, include, (i) increased allocation of Rs. 900 crore for Price Stabilization Fund in the budget 2016-17 to check volatility of prices of essential commodities, in particular of pulses; (ii) created buffer stock of pulses through domestic procurement and imports; (iii) announced higher Minimum Support Prices so as to incentivize production; (iv) issued advisory to States/UTs to take strict action against hoarding and black marketing under the Essential Commodities Act 1955 and the Prevention of Black-marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980; (v) imposed 20 per cent duty on export of sugar; (vi) imposed minimum export price (MEP) of US$ 360 per tonne on potato; and (vii) reduced import duty on potatoes, wheat and palm oil.
Lok Sabha Question No. 476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Use of Aluminium Foil in Food Packaging
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 476 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH NOVEMBER, 2016

## USE OF ALUMINIUM FOI L IN FOOD PACKAGING

## 476. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware that  aluminium  foil  is  used  extensively  for protection, packing and storage of food and beverages etc., if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has laid down any guidelines for the manufacturing of aluminium foils for wrapping food and beverage items, if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of aluminium foil samp es collected by the Government for checking and found not fit for use alongwith the action taken against the manufacturers during the last three years and the current year; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to educate consumers about the ill effects of using poor quality aluminium foils?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)

(a) & (b): Aluminium foil is commonly used for packing and storage of food. There are n specifications for manufacture of Aluminium Foil as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, and Regulations thereunder. However, Bureau of Indian Standards BIS IS 15392 (2003) provides specifications for Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy foil for food packaging which are not un mandatory certification.

(c): Enforcement o f  the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, Rules and Regulatio thereunder,  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of  the    State/UT  Governments.  Since  there mandatory standards for Aluminium Foil,  the Food Safety and Standards Authority of In (FSSAI)  has    no  information/data  about    collection  of  samples  of  Aluminium  Foil  by State/UT Authorities .

(d): FSSAI is committed tocreating awareness among the general public about safety of food products.  For  this  purpose,  it  makes  use  of  numerous platforms  like  it 's  website,  Twitter, Facebook page, Youtube, etc. FSSAI has also joined awareness campaigns under 'Jago Grahak Jago' with the Department of Consumer Affairs in respect of food items. However, no separate campaign has been launched concerni ng aluminium foils.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 474 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Merger of Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: GAURAV GOGOI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.474

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18th November, 2016/ Kartika 27 , 1938 (SAKA)

## Merger of Banks

## QUESTION

## 474. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has permitted merger of some of the loss making Public Sector Banks with its associates;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether some economists and experts in banking sector have urged the Government to privatise the loss making banks rather than their merger; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government on such views?

## ANSWER

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance

## (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) to (d) The guiding principle for the consolidation process of banking in India was suggested by Narasimham Committee. According to which any initiative with respect to merger of public sector banks has to come from the Boards of the banks concerned, the extant legal framework, keeping in view the synergies and benefits of merger and their commercial judgment  Government's Reserve Bank of India's role in the merger of banks would be that of a facilitator.

The Cabinet in its   meeting on dated 15th June 2016 has   approved the Bikaner & Jaipur; State Bank of Hyderabad, State proposal of acquisition of assets and liabilities of subsidiary banks i.e State Bank of Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Travancore and Bhartiya Mahila Bank (BMB)