opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2463 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Use of Bitcoin
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Sajda Ahmed, VIRENDER KASHYAP, RAKESH SINGH

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## GOVERNI/ENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 2463

TO BE ANSWERED ON  grh  MARCH, 20181 firH PHALGUNA 1939 (SAKA)

## Use of Bitcoin QUESTION

2463, SHRIMATI SAJDA AHMED; SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP;  SHRI RAKESH SINGH

Willthe Minister  of FINANCE  be pleased  to state  :

- (a) whether the Government has accepted  Bitcoin/ crypto-currencies legal or safe and allowed its use in lhe country, if so, the details thereof, if nol, lhe reasons therefor along with the effect of such currencies  on the national economy;
- (b) whether the Government  has issued any directives  to Banks to ban use of banking system to invest in crypto-currencies;
- (c) whether Government has issued any licence or Authority  to any entity to operate and deal with vi(ual currency,  if so, the details thereof;  and
- (d) whether lhe Government has received complaints of inveslors suffering crores of rupees of loss in bitcoin trade and if so, the details  thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF STATE IN THE i,4INISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI  Pon. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a) No, l\4adam. The Government  does not consider crypto-currencies  as legal tender or coin. The Government has cautioned  the public  against dealing with crypto currencies  and have also announced that it will take all measures  to eliminate use of these crypto-assets  in financing illegitimate  activities  or as part  of the  payment  system.
- No, Madam. (b)& (c)
- References, including from the Members of Parliament regarding possible misuse of cryptocurrency in terrorism, drug trafficking,  money-laundering etc. have been rec€ived.  No specific complaint from any investor suffering crores of rupees of loss in bitcoin trade has been received. (d)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2462 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Revamping of Women and Child Security and Education
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BHEEMRAO BASWANTHRAO PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2462

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2018

## REVAMPING OF WOMEN AND CHILD SECURITY AND EDUCATION

## 2462.   SHRI BHEEMRAO B.PATIL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any study to identify the fields that need to be revamped/ strengthened pertaining to women and child security and their education, if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has reviewed the schemes/ programmes being implemented in this regard, if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
- (c) the other steps taken/ being taken by the Government in the field of women and child development in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) &  (b) The  Ministry holds regular review meetings with  Women  and  Child Development Departments of State Governments/UT Administrations to discuss the issues  for  effective  implementation  of  the  programmes  and  schemes  to  expedite beneficiary coverage and proper fund utilization. Regional level consultations are also held to discuss issues concerning implementation of schemes. The monitoring reports received  from  States/UTs  are  analyzed  in  the  Ministry.  The  problem  areas  are communicated  to  concerned  States/UTs  for  taking  corrective  actions.  In  addition, regular State visits are conducted by the Ministry's officials in order to understand the implementation problems being faced by States/UTs. The schemes also have in-built monitoring  mechanism  to  check  fund  utilisation.  Regular  follow-up  is  done  by  the Ministry  with  the  States/UTs.  The  schemes  are  also  periodically  reviewed  for  their proper and better implementation.
- (b) The Ministry of Women  and Child Development is implementing various schemes/programmes for welfare of women and children across the country such as Swadhar  Greh,  National  Creche  Scheme,  Ujjawala,  Working  Women  Hostels, Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG), BetiBachaoBetiPadhao (BBBP), Child Protection Scheme (CPS) for the welfare and empowerment of women.

Apart  from  the  above,  the  schemes  of  One  Stop  Centre  and  Women  Helpline  for women affected by violence funded from Nirbhaya Fund to facilitate access to justice are being implemented since 1 st April, 2015.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2460 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Stand up India
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO JADHAV

## Govt. of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2460

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09 th  March, 2018/ Phalguna 18, 1939 (Saka) Stand up India

## 2460. SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the banks/financial institutions are not cooperating  in  granting  loans  under  various  welfare  schemes  such  as  Stand-up  India and Start-up India, due to which these schemes have remained just paper scheme in the rural areas specially in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  issue  strict  guidelines  to  banks/financial institutions  and  implementing  agencies  to  ease  the  process  of  granting  loans  under these schemes and to make these successful; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Welfare Schemes  of Government involving bank loans are being implemented  in  all  States/Union  Territories  across  the  country  including  Vidarbha region  of  Maharashtra.  Under  the  Stand  Up  India  Scheme,  636  loans  have  been sanctioned in the Vidarbha region upto 04.03.3018. Under the Start Up India initiative no scheme  for granting loans through banks/financial institutions is presently operational.
- (c)  &  (d)  Guidelines for borrower friendly lending under the Stand Up India Scheme already exist. These, inter alia, include provision for submission of online applications by potential borrowers, simplified loan application form, handholding support, collateral free  loans  through  a credit  guarantee  scheme,  refinance  support,  convergence with State and Central Government schemes wherever feasible, etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2458 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Financial Health of Unlisted Companies
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2458

ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 09TH MARCH 2018

[PHALGUNA 18,1939(SAKA)]

## FINANCIAL HEALTH OF UNLISTED COMPANIES

QUESTION

2458. SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government keeps track of the financial health of unlisted members of India Inc. and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  impact  of  Goods  and  Services  Tax  on  this  fraction's  quarter-wise profits; and
- (c)  the steps taken by the Government to tackle the shell companies under this segment of companies?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Ministry of Corporate Affairs through its Registrar of Companies (RoCs) keep  records  of  Financial  Statements  and  Annual  Returns  besides  other documents  of  the  companies  including  unlisted  companies  in  MCA21 Portal.  These documents filed by the companies are kept in public domain for information to all stakeholders including general public.  If any specific complaint  received  against  any  company,  then  only,  the  matter  is  being verified/examined  by  the  Ministry  through  its  field  offices  by  ordering inquiry/inspection/investigation as may be necessary in that particular case.

- (b): GST was implemented on 01st July, 2017. Assessment of the impact of GST on the Profit & Loss Accounts of the companies is not analysed by the M/o Corporate Affairs. However, since GST is an indirect tax, which is borne by the consumer, it should not affect the profit margin of the company. On the other hand the efficiencies that would accrue on account of a unified tax would  benefit  the  economy  as  a  whole,  including  companies,  as  well  as consumers.
- (c): The Companies Act, 2013 does not define the term Shell Company.    However,  under  the  Companies  Act,  2013,  Section  248(1)(c) provides for removal of name of company from the register of companies if it

is not carrying on any business or operation for a period of 2(two) immediately preceding  financial  years  and  has  not  made  any  application  within  such period for obtaining the status of dormant company u/s 455.  Based on the above mentioned provision, 2.97 lakh companies were identified under this category as on 31.03.2017 and after following due process names of 2,26,166 companies were struck off from the register of companies as on 31.12.2017.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2455 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Eye Banks
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. 2455 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH MARCH, 2018

## EYE BANKS

## 2455. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI:

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

- (a) the total number of eye banks in the country, State/UT - wise;
- (b) whether any target has been set for eye donation for every year; and
- (c) if so, the details of the assistance received by these eye banks during the last t ree years and the current year, State/UT wise?

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

- (a) : Based on the information furnished by States/UTs, a statement showing total number of registered eye banks in the country is given at Annexure.
- (b) : A  minimum  target  of  50,000  has  been  set  for  collection  of  donated  eyes  annua under the National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPC B&VI) in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- (c): Eye donation is a voluntary activity regulated under the Transplantation of Hu Organ Act, 1994. However, there is a provision for recurring assistance of Rs.2,000/ - per pair  of  donated  eye  to  id entified  Eye  Banks  towards  the  cost  of  consumables  including preservation material and media, transportation/ Petrol Oil Lubricants (POL) contingencies through the respective District Health Societies in States/UTs. The details of assistance received by the Eye Banks from respective District Health Societies in States/U are not maintained centrally.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2452 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Closure of PPF Accounts
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: ANANDRAO  ADSUL, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, Shrirang Appa Barne, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, DHARMENDRA YADAV, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

No.2452

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be please to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  allow  premature  closure  of  Public  Provident  Fund (PPF) accounts and permit opening of small savings accounts in the name of minor, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the steps taken to make provisions for premature closure easier in respect of all schemes;
- (c)  whether there are various ambiguities due to multiple Acts and rules for small saving scheme, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  there  is  a  proposal  to  merge  Government  Savings  Certificates  Act,  1959  and  Public Provident Fund Act, 1968 with the Government Savings Banks Act, 1873, if so, the main objective of the common act; and
- (e)  the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Union  Government  to  address  the  grievances  and  settlement  of disputes relating to small savings?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Sir, at present premature closure of a Public Provident Fund (PPF) account is permitted on specified grounds on completion of five financial years from the date of opening of account. Opening of accounts in the name of a minor is permitted under all the small savings scheme except the Senior Citizens' Savings Scheme.
- (c) & (d) Yes Sir. There are some ambiguities due to multiple Acts and rules for small savings schemes and the same are as under:
- i Certain provisions are not uniform in the existing three Acts.
- ii Some provisions have become redundant with time, which have been proposed to be deleted, with a view to simplify and avoid confusion.
- iii Some provisions are not clearly defined in existing Acts, leading to legal issues.

## Government of India

## Ministry of Finance

## Department of Economic Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2452

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY 9 th  March, 2018

## 'CLOSURE OF PPF ACCOUNTS'

Yes. The main objective of the common act is to bring uniformity in the provisions of different small savings schemes presently governed by the three Acts.

- (e)  The grievances relating to small savings are addressed by the banks and Department of Posts. Some grievances are also handled by Ministry of Finance.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2448 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Preventive Healthcare Mechanism
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: KAUSHAL KISHORE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2448 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH MARCH, 2018

## PREVENTIVE HEALTHCAR E MECHANISM

## 2448. SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any proposal  to  improve  the  preventive healthcare mechanism in the country especially in view of the changing life style of the youth in the country;
- (b)if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (c ): While  Health  is  a  State  subject,  the  Central  Government  supplements  th efforts of the State Governments for improving healthcare.

Government  is  implementing  National  Programme  for  Prevention  and  Control  of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) under the National Health Mission.NPCDCS has  focus on awareness generation for behaviour and life - style changes, screening and early diagnosis of persons with high level of risk factors and their t and  referral  (if  required)  to  h igher facilities  for  appropriate  management  for  Non -communicable Diseases.

For early diagnosis, Population based prevention, control and screening for com NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension and common cancer viz. oral, breast & cervical been initiated by Government of India by utilizing the services of the Frontline - workers and Health - workers under existing Primary Healthcare System.  This process will also gener awareness of risk factors of common NCDs.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2447 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Waste Management
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: RITI PATHAK

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2447

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2018

## Waste Management

## 2447. SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

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

- (a) whether the State  Governments have to seek permission from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for co-processing of waste under new Rule 9 (Previous Rule 11) of the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether getting permission from the CPCB is a long process due to which people take recourse to other alternative which are not compliant with the overall objectives of the Government thereon;
- (c) if  so,  whether  the  State  Pollution  Control  Boards  (SPCB)  have  been  authorised  to grant  permission  for  utilisation  for  such  wastes  as  fuel  or  raw  material  with  the provision  that  the  standard  operating  procedure  is  prepared  by  the  CPCB  and  such rights shall not be exercised by any SPCB till permission is granted by CPCB and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the said matter is pending for approval of the Government; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) As per the provision under Rule 9 of Hazardous & Other Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, utilisation of hazardous and other wastes for  co-processing  or  for  any  other  use  is  to  be  carried  out  only  after  obtaining authorisation from State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) on the basis of Standard Operating  Procedures  (SOPs)  or  guidelines  prescribed  by  the  Central  Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The CPCB has a well laid down procedure for expeditious consideration  of  applications  under  Rule  9  of  the  Hazardous  &  Other  Waste (Management  and  Transboundary  Movement)  Rules,  2016.  The  CPCB  has prepared forty two SOPs on utilisation of hazardous and other wastes.
- (c) to (e) SPCBs can grant authorization for co-processing of wastes in cases where SOPs or guidelines have been prepared by CPCB.  In those cases where , SOPs or guidelines are not  available for specific utilisation, approval has to be obtained from CPCB which grants approval after trial runs.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2446 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Review of Tax Treaties
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2446

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 9 th  MARCH, 2018 18, PHALGUNA 1939 (SAKA)

## 'Review of Tax Treaties'

## 2446. SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government plans to renegotiate tax treaties with countries having companies with significant economic presence in India in its effort to tax the digital economy; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therein?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  & (b):  India has a vast network of tax treaties. While negotiating or renegotiating a tax treaty  all  the  relevant  legal  and  factual  aspects  are  taken  into  account.    The  concept  of 'Significant Economic Presence' has been introduced by Finance Bill, 2018.  Once the law is enacted, it will form part of the relevant legal aspects for negotiation or renegotiation of tax treaties.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2445 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Disinvestment Policy
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF INVESTMENT AND PUBLIC ASSET MANAGEMENT

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. t2445

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2018 PHALGUNA 18, 1939(SAKA)

## Disinvestment Policy

## t2445. PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has prepared any disinvestment policy;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the action plan prepared by the Government for listing of the Public Sector Undertakings and fixing accountability?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): The extant disinvestment policy, inter alia, envisages:
- (i) Listing of profitable CPSEs on stock exchanges to unlock the value of the company, improve efficiency and promote 'people's ownership' by encouraging public participation in CPSEs;
- (ii) Disinvestment through 'minority stake sale' in listed CPSEs to achieve minimum public shareholding norms of 25 per cent. While pursuing divestment through 'minority stake sale', the Government will retain majority shareholding, i.e. at least 51 % and management control of the Public Sector Undertakings;
- (iii) Strategic disinvestment by way of sale of substantial portion of Government shareholding in identified CPSEs upto 50 per cent or more, along with transfer of management control.
- (c): As per the disinvestment policy, the Government has approved listing of 14 CPSEs in sectors like railways, defence, power, steel, renewable energy & insurance. The Government has also put in place a mechanism/procedure alongwith indicative timelines for listing of CPSEs on 17.02.2017which are followed by Administrative Ministries/Departments.

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