opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3230 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-04
Subject: Indigenously Built Ships/Vessels
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3230

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 4 TH  AUGUST, 2017

## INDIGENOUSLY BUILT SHIPS / VESSELS

3230.  SHRI  ALOK SANJAR:

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

- (a) the names and numbers of indigenously built ships / vessels for defence purposes in the country;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to commission more such ships / vessels in the near future;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  complete  such  projects  in  the prescribed time limit?

## 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) A total of 250 ships / vessels have been built indigenously till date for Navy and Coast Guard.
- (b) & (c): Yes, Madam. A number of ships / vessels are under construction at various Public and Private shipyards in India.
- (d) The completion of shipbuilding projects is being closely monitored. Multiple tiers of  monitoring mechanisms have been instituted both at the level of Navy / Coast Guard and in the Ministry of Defence.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3229 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-04
Subject: Fair Tax Rates
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: ANANT KUMAR DATTATREYA HEGDE

- (a) Yes Sir.
- (b) The Government is of the opinion that simplicity, transparency and accountability are the factors that contribute to keeping tax evasion in check key
- (c) The Goods and Services Tax rates been decided after due deliberation in the Goods and Services Tax Council. Accountability has been built into the which most of the business system in processes are automated with minimal interface: The law and the rules issued provide for fixed timelines for various activities and administrative discretion has been minimized. have

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3229 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE O4th AUGUST, 2017 SHRAVANA 13,1939 (SAKA)

## FAIR TAX RATES

## 3229 SHRI ANANTKUMAR HEGDE

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that apart having a simplified way of filing tax return; the tax rate is required to be fair and there should at the administrative level to be accountability check on tax evasion; from keep
- (6) if s0, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (c) the measures/steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

## (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
Lok Sabha Question No. 3228 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-04
Subject: Classification of Agriculture Loan
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: JANARDAN MISHRA

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services

LOKSABHA Unstarred Question No. 3228 To be answered on Frid~y,A.ugust4, 2017/Shravana 13,1939 (Saka) Classification of Agriculture Loan

## t3228. SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) ~~ether the .Ioans provided by the banks for other agriculture related activities can be classified as agnculture loans and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the banks are bound to provide loans to the farmers; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## Answer

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar)

(a) to (c): As per the Master Direction dated 07.07.2016 issued by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Priority Sector Lending- Targets and Classification, a target of 18 per cent of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) or Credit Equivalent of Off-Balance Sheet Exposure (CEOBE),whichever is higher, is prescribed for Agriculture under priority sector lending, for all Scheduled Commercial Banks operating in India.The lending to agriculture sector has been defined to include:

- (i) Farm Credit (which include short-term crop loans and medium/long-term credit to farmers)
- (ii) Agriculture Infrastructure and
- (iii) Ancillary activities.

Scheduled Commercial Banks having any shortfall in lending to priority sector shall be allocated amounts for contribution to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) established with NABARD and other Funds with NABARD/NHB/SIDBI/MUDRA Ltd., as decided by RBI from time to time. The interest rates on banks' contribution to RIDF or any other Funds, tenure of deposits, etc. shall be fixed by RBI from time to time.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3227 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-04
Subject: India’s Economic Capital
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: R. PARTHIPAN

- (a) whether Delhi has muscled out Mumbai as the economic capital of India, taking the 30th spot among the top 50 metropolitan economic entities globally according to the latest data;
- (b) if so, the details thereof ;
- (c) whether the purchasing power parity of the metro cities in the country are increasing; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b) The government does not compile any such ranking.
- (c) and (d) The government does not compile purchasing power parity city wise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3226 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-04
Subject: Spinal Injury Centre
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3226 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH AUGUST , 2017

## SPINAL INJURY CENTRE

## 3226. SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

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

- (a)  whether  any  proposal  has  been  received  by  the  Union  Government  from  the  Stat Government of Rajasthan for sanctioning funds for the State Level Spinal Injury Centre to up in the Sawai Man Singh Ho spital complex and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Union Government proposes to sanction funds for this purpose and if so details thereof;
- (c) the time by which the said amount is likely to be sanctioned; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

- (a)&  (b) : Under  the  scheme  of  setting  up  of  State  Spinal  Injury  Centre  administered Department  of  Empowerment  of  Persons  with  Disabilities  (Divyangjan),  Ministry  of  Soci Justice & Empowerment,  a proposal for setting up of State Spinal Injury Centre at Sawa an Singh Medical College Jaipur has been received from the State Government of Rajasthan approved.
- (c)& (d) : Non - recurring  grants - in - aid  for  Rs.  2.33  crore ,as proposed by Sawai Man Singh Medical College, Jaipur has been released (Rs. 50.00 Lakh dur ing 2015 - 16 and Rs.1.83 crore during 2016 - 17). The C entre has started functioning from April, 2016.

……………..
Lok Sabha Question No. 3225 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-04
Subject: Import Duty on Arhar Dal
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3225

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 4 TH   AUGUST, 2017 SHRAVANA 13, 1939 (SAKA)

## IMPORT DUTY ON ARHAR DAL

## 3225. SHRIMATI RANJANBENBHATT:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any proposal to raise import duty on Arhar Dal;

(b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has taken any steps in this regard; and

- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

Part (a) and (b): No, Madam.  There is no proposal under consideration to raise import duty on Arhar Dal.

Part (c) and (d): Does not arise in view of (a) and (b) above.

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3222 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-04
Subject: Tax Sops to MSME Investment
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3222 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 4 TH   AUGUST, 2017 13, SHRAVANA, 1939 (SAKA)

## TAX SOPS TO MSME INVESTMENT

3222. SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT:
2. Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  tax  sops  to  encourage  investment  in MSMEs similar to tax breaks given by United Kingdom on income earned through investments on Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) Madam, currently there is no such proposal with the Government.
- (b) Does not arise.
- --------
Lok Sabha Question No. 3221 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-04
Subject: Effect of Demonetisation on Small Industries
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3221

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  AUGUST, 2017/ 13 TH  SHRAVANA, 1939 (SAKA)

## EFFECT OF DEMONETISATION ON SMALL INDUSTRIES

## QUESTION

## 3221. SHRI  KAUSHALENDRA  KUMAR:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  after  demonetisation  the  small  industries  and  traders  have  been adversely affected triggering job losses;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  impact  of  closure  of  small  industries  on  the  economic  growth  rate  of  the country?

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

(a) to (c) The growth of any sector including small industries and traders depends on various  global  and  domestic  factors,  including  monetary  factors  (which  is  partly effected  by  demonetisation).  Therefore  it  is  not  possible  to  isolate  the  impact  of demonetisation on performance of any sector including small industries and traders.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 278 (STARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Decline in Cotton Production
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *278 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2017

## DECLINE IN COTTON PRODUCTION

*278. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  production  of  cotton  has  been  declining  in  the  country over the years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  textiles  industry  has  been  affected  due  to  increase  in production cost and shortage of cotton; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंरी ( )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES

(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *278 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2017.

(a) & (b): No, Madam.  The trend is a mixed one over the last decade.  While cotton production in 2008-09 declined over 2007-08, it increased continuously till 2013-14 with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.5%.  Thereafter, it declined for two years.  In the current cotton year 2016-17, production is expected to be higher than last year.  Year-wise details of production of cotton during last 10 years are given below:-

| Cotton Year   |   Cotton Production (in lakh bales of 170 Kg each) |
|---------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| 2007-08       |                                                307 |
| 2008-09       |                                                290 |
| 2009-10       |                                                305 |
| 2010-11       |                                                339 |
| 2011-12       |                                                367 |
| 2012-13       |                                                370 |
| 2013-14       |                                                398 |
| 2014-15       |                                                386 |
| 2015-16       |                                                338 |
| 2016-17(P)    |                                                351 |

Source: Cotton Advisory Board

Reason for decrease in production during cotton year 2014-15 and 2015-16 are as follows:-

-  During  2014-15,  due  to  untimely  rains  in  Northern  &  Central region, cotton production in the Country reduced to 386 lakh bales as against 398 lakh bales in 2013-14.
-  During  cotton  season  2015-16,  due  to  white  fly  pest  attack  in Northern region, pink boll worm attack in Gujarat region, delayed rains  in  Central  &  Southern  region  and  deficit  rains  all  across  the Cotton growing areas, cotton production decreased by around 12% to 338  lakh bales in comparison to 2014-15.

- (c): No, Madam.

- (d): Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 277 (STARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Foreign Investment in Road Projects
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 277

ANSWERED ON 03 RD  AUGUST, 2017

## FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN ROAD PROJECTS

- *277.   ADV. M.  UDHAYA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  formulating  a  model  pact  for  its  projects  to  suit  the  need  of private  investors,  especially  from  the  U.S.,  the  Middle  East  and  Singapore,  who  have  shown keen interest in operating them;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that investors from abroad have shown keen interest to buy some of the road projects; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

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

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

- (a) No Madam. No model pact is being formulated for projects to suit the need of private investors, especially from the U.S., the Middle East and Singapore.
- (b) Question does not arise.
- (c) Yes Madam. Monetization of public funded, operational NH projects through the Toll Operate -Transfer (ToT) model has been approved by the CCEA. 75 public funded NH projects with aggregate length of 4,500 km and annual toll revenue collection of around Rs 2,700 crores have been identified under the model. Preparatory activities including finalization of the Model Concession Agreement and RFP document have been completed and the transaction advisor has been identified. The first round of bidding for ToT projects is to be held shortly. While finalizing the model, adequate stakeholder consultation has been done. Investors from abroad have shown keen interest in this model.
- (d) Stakeholder workshops on the ToT model have been organized in places like Mumbai, Dubai and Singapore in which investors like Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Hastings Infrastructure,  GIC,  Keppel  Infrastructure  Fund  Management,  Temasek,  Mizuho  Asia  Infra Capital, Macquarie, Morgan  Stanley Infrastructure, Equirus Capital, I Squared Capital, J.P.Morgan  Asset  Management,  IL&FS  and  others  have  showed  interest  to  invest  in  ToT projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 274 (STARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Sports Academy
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: MANOJ RAJORIA

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*274 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2017

## Sports Academy

†*274. DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government provides funds to various States to set up sports academy in their States;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  along  with  the  funds  allocated  for  the  purpose during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise including Rajasthan;
- (c) whether any proposal from the State of Rajasthan to set up sports academy is pending with the Government; and
- (d) if so, the details and the present status thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*274 FOR 03.08.2017 ASKED BY DR. MANOJ RAJORIA, MP, REGARDING SPORTS ACADEMY

(a) & (b) National Sports Academy Scheme is being implemented by Sports Authority of India (SAI) of this Ministry. Under this Scheme, no funds have been provided to any State to set up state level academies.

However, SAI has started some Sports Academies under collaboration with State Governments as under :-

- i) SAI-Odisha Regional Badminton Academy, Bhubaneswar.
2. ii) SAI National Boxing Academy, Haryana.
3. iii) SAI National Golf Academy, Trivandrum.

(c) & (d) No proposal has been received from the State of Rajasthan to set up National Sports Academy.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 273 (STARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Re-lining of Rajasthan Feeder Canal
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*273

ANSWERED ON 03.0 8.201 7

## RE - LINING OF RAJASTHAN FEEDER CANAL

## †*273. SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the NITI Aayog/Union Government has granted approval for investment in re - lining of Rajasthan  feeder  canal  (Punjab  Region)  on  which  the  work  w ill  be  carried  out  by  the  State Government of Punjab and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Union Government has released the funds as sought by the State Governm Punjab and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the work on the said proj ect has started and if so, the details and the present thereof; and
- (d) if not, the time frame set for implementation of the said project?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER FOR WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION (SUSHRI UMA BHARTI)

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

*****

## STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PART s (A) TO (D) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.  †*273  TO  BE ANSWERED  ON  03.08.2017  IN  LOK  SABHA  REGARDING  'RE -LINING OF RAJASTHAN FEEDER CANAL' ASKED BY SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

( a) The investment clearance for the revised cost of Rs.1305.267 crore of Rajasthan Feeder Canal (Punjab Part) has been given on 6 th April, 2016. ( b) Under  Pradhan  Mantri KrishiSinchaiYojana  (PMKSY), ninety  nine  (99)  ongoing projects (along  with  phases)  having  irrigation  potential  of  76.03  lakh  ha.  have  been  iden consultation with States for completion in phases up to December, 2019. Rajasthan feeder canal is not part of these projects. The funding of Rajasthan feeder canal depends upon availability of funds and requisite approvals. Rajasthan feeder canal has not started.

( c) & (d)As intimated by the concerned states, the work for Further, they have indicated that implementation period of the project is 3 years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 272 (STARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Graduated Drivers Licensing System
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: RABINDRA KUMAR JENA, K. MARAGATHAM

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  adopt  the  Graduated  Drivers  Licensing  System followed by many countries around the world;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government is  aware of a  recent  study  indicating  that  6  out  of  10  driving licenses  in  India  are  awarded  without  a  proper  test  for  the  purpose  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

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

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 272

ANSWERED ON 3 RD  AUGUST, 2017

## GRADUATED DRIVERS LICENSING SYSTEM

## *272.   SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA: SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## lM+d ifjogu vkSj jktekxZ ea=h

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  272  ANSWERED  ON  03.08.2017  ASKED  BY  SHRI RABINDRA  KUMAR  JENA  AND  SHRIMATI  K.  MARAGATHAM  REGARDING GRADUATED DRIVERS LICENSING SYSTEM

(a)  &  (b)  No,  Madam.  However, Ministry of Road Transport  and Highways do undertake studies on best practices globally. Similarly, we shall also look at these systems.

(c)    The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways does not maintain centralised data about testing  of  drivers  for  issue  of  licence.  Implementation  of  related  provisions  of  the  Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (MV Act) and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (CMVRs) come under the purview of State Transport Departments. Section 19(1)(e) of MV Act provides for disqualifying a person for a specified period for holding or obtaining any driving licence if a Licensing Authority is satisfied that he has obtained driving licence by fraud or misrepresentation.

(d) The  Motor  Vehicles  (Amendment)  Bill,  2017,  passed  by  Lok  Sabha  and  presently pending  in  Rajya  Sabha,  provides  for  centralised  register  of  driving  licences.  This  will further  help  to  carry  reforms  in  the  driving  licence  testing  process  and  eliminating  the duplicate licences.

*****