opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 6629 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: Mobile TB Screening
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SADHU SINGH

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6629 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH APRIL, 2018

## MOBILE TB SCREENING

## 6629. PROF. SADHU SINGH:

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

- (a) whether active screening with mobile TB vans is proposed to be used to detect undiagnosed TB infections;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the measures taken/being taken to promote mobile TB screening across thecountry including Punjab?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- ( a): Yes.
- (b) : Mobile TB vans are proposed to be used for Active Case Finding. These vans ar equipped  with  diagnostic facilities  for  Tuberculosis  and  serve  to  reach  the  vulnerab population in slums, tribal, difficult to reach areas, congregate settings, etc. 45 M have  been  supplied  to  the  States.  In  addition  35  Mobile  vans  through  Indian  Counci Medical Res earch (ICMR) have been provided for active case finding in tribal areas.
- (c): All States, including the State of Punjab, are undertaking IEC activities with of various media like radio, television, newspapers, miking, etc to promote the acti e finding efforts by mobile TB vans. In the State of Punjab 1 Mobile van has been provide
Lok Sabha Question No. 6628 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: Merger of Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT  OF FINANCIAL  SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6628 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6 TH  APRIL 2018/ CHAITRA  16, 1940  (SAKA)

## Merger of Banks

## 6628. SHRI ASADUDDIN  OWAISI:

Will  the Minister  of FINANCE  be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether  the Government  has set up a panel  of Ministers  to oversee the complaints  of merger of banks;
- (b) if  so,  the  details   thereof   and  time   by   which   the  panel   is  likely to  submit its  report   to  the Government;
- (c)   whether  merger of  its subsidiaries with SBI has shown  any  positive  results;
- (d)   if so, the  details  thereof;
- (e)  whether  staff of the subsidiary banks are facing  problems  after merger; and
- (f)    if so, the details  thereof  and steps taken  or being  taken  by  the Government  to see that  further merger of  banks  do not lead to harassment of  staff in these banks?

## ANSWER

## The Minister  of State in the Ministry  of Finance (SHRI SHIV PRATAP  SHUKLA)

(a) and (b):  The Banking  Companies  (Acquisition  and Transfer  of Undertakings) Acts of 1970 and 1980 provide  that  the Central  Government,  in consultation  with  the Reserve  Bank of India,  may make a scheme, inter alia , for the amalgamation  of any  nationalised  bank  with  any  other  nationalised bank or any  other  banking  institution. With a view  to facilitate  consolidation  among  public  sector banks to create strong  and competitive  banks,  serving  as catalysts  for growth,  with  improved  risk profile   of  the  bank,   Government   has put  in  place  an  Alternative Mechanism,  comprised  of three Ministers,  as an approval  framework  for proposals  to amalgamate  public  sector banks.  Oversight  of complaints   due  merger of  banks   is  not  covered   in  the  term of  reference   of  the  Alternative Mechanism.

- (e) and (f): SBI has informed  that  staff of erstwhile  subsidiary  banks  are not facing any  problem  after merger.

(c) and (d): As per inputs  from the State Bank of India (SBI), the merger of SBI with  its erstwhile subsidiaries had  several   positive results,   including   in  terms  of  improvement   in  information technology  and compliance  functions  of the bank,  better  utilisation  of human resources,  improved treasury  management  through  amalgamation  of six separate  treasury  units  into  one unit,  enhanced market  share, access to SBI's global  network  for the customers  of the erstwhile  subsidiary  banks, and improved  monitoring  of high-value  assets.
Lok Sabha Question No. 6627 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: Black Marketing of the Old Currency Notes
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA MINISTRY  OF FINANCE

## DEPART ENT OF ECONO IC AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO. 6627 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6IH APRIL 2018'16IH CHAITRA SAKA,  ,1940

Black arketing of the Old Currgncy Noiog

6627. SHRI IATI RANJANBEN  BHATT:

## QUESTION

Will the Minister  of FINANCE  be pleased  to state:

- (a) whether  the black  marketing of the old curroncy  notes is still going on in difrerent  parts  of the counfy and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done and if not, the reasons thereof?
- (b) whether the Government  proposes  to conducl an inquiry  in this regard  and check such aclivities; and

## AI{SWER

MINISTER  OF SIATE IN THE INISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI  PON RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a):

(b) & (c):

Doesn't arise

No, Madam.
Lok Sabha Question No. 6626 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: Bankruptcy Code for MSMEs Sector
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: YERRAM VENKATA SUBBAREDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6626 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 6 TH  APRIL, 2018 CHAITRA 16, 1940 (SAKA)

BANKRUPTCY CODE FOR MSMEs SECTOR

6626. SHRI Y.V. SUBBA REDDY:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  his  Ministry  is  working  on  another  Bankruptcy  Code  for partnership and proprietorship firms and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the proposed one is also used for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector; and

- (c) if so, the details of the proposed new code?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री

(a) to (c)

No,  the  Ministry  is  not  working  on  separate  bankruptcy  code  for partnership  and  proprietorship  firms  or  MSMEs.    The  Insolvency  and Bankruptcy  Code,  2016  already  provides  for  insolvency  resolution  and bankruptcy for individuals and partnership firms.

*******

(SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)

(

श्री अरुण जेटली )
Lok Sabha Question No. 6624 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: NEET-PG Exam
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: JOSE K. MANI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6624 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH APRIL, 2018

## NEET - PG EXAM

## 6624. SHRI JOSE K. MANI:

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

- (a) the number of students appearing for the NEET - PG exam from the State of Kerala and the number of exam centres in the State;
- (b)  whether  it  is  true  that  due  to shortage  of  exam  centres  in  the  State  of Kerala,  many students appearing for NEET - PG 2018 exam have been allotted centres in other States;
- (c) if so, whether the Ministry proposes to increase the number of test centres for the NEET -PG examination in the State in order to reduce the hardships caused to students; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a): National  Board  of  Examinations ( NBE )  is  the  designated  authority  for  conducting National -Eligibility -cum -Entrance Test (NEET) -PG foradmission to PG medical / dental  courses .  As  per  the  information  provided  by NBE , the  number  of  candidates  who appeared in NEET -PG 2018 and have done their MBBS from Kerala / registered in State Medical Council of Kerala is 709 3.

NEET -PG 2018 was conducted on 7 th January, 2018 in a single session all across the country with the exam being held in 9 cities with 27 centres in the State of Kerala.

- (b): NBE informed that the examination city was chosen by the candidate himself / hers on first come first serve basis at the time of online submission of application form. Public Notice dated 08.11.207 had  given an option to the candidates to choo se from the list of States during online submission of application form and in case, a testing seat available  in  the  State  of  their  choice,  NBE  had  allotted  a  test  centre  in  the correspondence address of the candidate or in a nearby State.
- (c) & (d): NBE  informed  that  number  of  testing  seats  shall  be  increased  for  t forthcoming NEET.
Lok Sabha Question No. 6623 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: Smuggling of Red Sanders
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY, GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  6623

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2018

## Smuggling of Red Sanders

## 6623.    SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY: SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  seized  all  the  owners  of  illicit  transport  vehicles  in connection with Red Sander smuggling and other forest produce offence cases registered as per Andhra Pradesh Forest Act, 1967 in Andhra Pradesh particularly in the forest areas of Seshachalam;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and loss estimated for Government from such smuggling; and
- (c) if not, the reasons for not taking any action on the red sanders smugglers?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) As  per  information  received  from  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  all  the  vehicles involved in smuggling of red sanders wood which are caught are seized as per Andhra Pradesh Forest Act, 1967.
- (b) & (c)  The details of vehicles & red sanders wood seized and number of persons arrested in the last three years in the offence cases involving red sanders smuggling are as follows:-

| Year    |   Number of Cases |   Red Sanders wood seized (in Metric Tons) |   Number of vehicles seized |   Number persons arrested |
|---------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------|
| 2015-16 |               753 |                                    355.658 |                         480 |                      2587 |
| 2016-17 |               911 |                                    487.632 |                         705 |                      3344 |
| 2017-18 |               876 |                                    360.338 |                         680 |                      2743 |
| Total   |              2540 |                                   1203.63  |                        1865 |                      8674 |

The quantity of 1203.628 Metric Tons red sanders seized in the last three years, is valued at Rs. 4753.12 lakhs based on offence forest schedule of rates.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 6622 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: Encroachment of Forest Land
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 6622

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2018

## Encroachment of Forest Land

## 6622. SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL:

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

- (a) whether  any  scheme  has  been  formulated  to  provide  the  lease  deed  to  the  persons including Scheduled Tribes who have encroached upon the forest land for agricultural and other purposes;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the criteria fixed in this regard;
- (c) whether certain State Governments have sent any proposals to the Union Government to provide lease deed to such persons; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) No Madam, no such schemes has been formulated to provide the lease deed to the persons including Scheduled Tribes who have encroached upon the forest land for agriculture  and  other    purposes  by  Ministry  of  Environment  Forest  &  Climate Change.
- (c) & (d) No Madam,

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 6621 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: ART Clinics
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6621 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH APRIL, 2018

## ART CLINICS

## 6621. SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes to  bring  regulations  for  surrogacy  which prevents women to resort to it as a profession, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b)  the  remedial  steps  taken  by  the Government  to  prevent exploitation  of women  as surrogate mother through ART clinics?

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

- (a): Yes, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, introduced in the Lok Sabha, prov that  no surrogacy  or  surrogacy  procedures  shall  be  conducted,  undertaken,  performed availed of, except when it is only for altruistic surrogacy purpose.
- (b): The  bill  provides  for  various  regulatory  provisions  including  penal  provision prevent exploitatio n of women as surrogate mother through ART clinics.
Lok Sabha Question No. 6620 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: Environmental Clearance
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: RITA TARAI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6620

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2018

## Environmental Clearance

## 6620 SHRIMATI RITA TARAI

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

- (a) whether certain proposals are not being heard for grant of Terms of Reference (ToR) from the Ministry;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  lessees  based  on  the  ToR  granted  will  be  conducting  the  EIA/  EMP studies at its own cost and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the final decision for grant of environmental clearance lies with the Ministry after receiving the carrying capacity study report by NEERI, Nagpur; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e)  Some proposals for Environmental Clearance/Terms of Reference (EC/ToR) were kept on hold for assessment of carrying capacity related to iron and/or manganese ore mining in the State of Odisha which was assigned to National Environmental Engineering Research Institute  (NEERI).  The  report  of  NEERI  has  been  finalized  and  such  cases  are  being considered by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for grant of ToR/EC. The Environmental Impact Assessment/ Environmental Management Plan (EIA/EMP) studies are to be undertaken by the project proponent at their own cost. Final approval of EC lies with the Ministry after due appraisal by EAC.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6619 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: Productivity of Forests
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  6619

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2018

## Productivity of Forests

## 6619.    SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA: SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

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

- (a) whether the productivity of Indian forests is very low;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  growing  awareness  about  environmental  degradation  has  forced  us  to  look  at forest wealth as a protective agent for environment rather than a commercial commodity and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether there is any policy to grow commercial forests and maintain the balance between commercial and environmental outlook towards forests; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Yes,  Madam.  Against  the  global  average productivity of  2.1  million  m 3 /hectare/ year, the productivity of Indian Forest is around 0.7 million m 3 / hectare/ year. The low productivity is attributed to anthropological pressure (i.e. excessive exploitation  of  forest  resources  by  human  population),  unsustainable  grazing, climatic, edaphic and physiographic factors, forest fire, etc.
- (c) Yes,  Madam.  Growing  awareness  about  environmental  degradation  has  been  a major factor that has led to look at forests wealth as a protective agent, rather than a commercial commodity. Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and National Forest Policy, 1988 increasingly emphasized the role of forests for promoting environmental and ecological  stability  through  preservation  and  restoration  of  ecological  balance. National Forest Policy, 1988 also mention that as far as possible the forest based industry  should  raise  the  raw  material  needed  for  meeting  its  own  requirements, preferably by establishment of plantation outside forest.
- (d) & (e) At present, there is no such policy.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6617 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: Unpaid Subsidy Claims
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY Of FINANCE DEPARTMENT Of EXPENDITURE Lok SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.6617

To be answered on Friday, April 6, 2018/ Chaitra 16, 1940 (Saka)

## UNPAID SUBSIDY CLAIMS

6617. SHRI V.ELUMALAI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a) whether   unpaldsubsidy claim of Rs.1 Iakh crore is likely to increase future liability of the Government, If S0, the details thereof; (b) whether these unpaid subsidies are not accounted in the union finance account resulting in grave fiscal implications and impacting future policy decisions and if the details thereof;
- c) whether the subsidies bill in 2016-17 was the lowest in the Iast five years and if SO, the details thereof;
- d) whether there has been reduction in subsidies from Rs: 2.57 Iakh crore in 2012-13 to Rs. 2.33 Iakh crores in 2016-17; and

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

## (SHRI P. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a) to (e): Government accounts are prepared on cash basis of accounting and not on accrual accounting: Amount of subsidy as per Union Budget in any  year also includes payment for previous yearl yearsDetail of subsidy a8 per Expenditure Budget in

| In Rs. Crore   | In Rs. Crore    | In Rs. Crore   | In Rs. Crore   | In Rs. Crore   |                    |                 |
|----------------|-----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|--------------------|-----------------|
| Year           | Total Subsidies | Food           | Fertilizer     | Petroleum      | Interest Subsidies | Other Subsidies |
| 2012-13        | 2,57,079        | 85,000         | 65,613         | 96,880         | 7,270              | 2,316           |
| 2013-14        | 2,54,632        | 92,000         | 67,339         | 85,378         | 8,137              |                 |
| 2014-15        | 2,58,258        | 1,17,671       | 71,076         | 60,269         | 7,632              | 1,610           |
| 2015-16        | 2,64,106        | 1,39,419       | 72,415         | 29,999         | 16,730             | 5,542           |
| 2016-17        | 2,34,809        | 1,10,173       | 66,313         | 27,539         | 12,896             | 405             |
| 2017-18 RE     | 2,64,125        | 1,40,282       |                | 24,460         | 9,364              | 225             |
| 2018-19 BE     | 2,92,825        | 1,69,323       | 70,080         | 24,933         | 7,572              | 01*             |
Lok Sabha Question No. 6616 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: Filming in National Parks
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 6616

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2018

## Filming in National Parks

## 6616. ADV. JOICE GEORGE

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

- (a) whether the Government has prohibited BBC from filming in India's national parks and wildlife sanctuaries for 'irreparable damage done to India's reputation';
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government's decision upholds and extends the ban from tiger reserves to all national parks and sanctuaries;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)   whether the Government has found that BBC projected a negative portrayal of India's conservation success story at the Tiger Reserve and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) to (e) Yes,  Madam. The  Ministry in  its  Office  Memorandum  dated  10 th April, 2017, communicated the decision to prohibit BBC  from filming documentaries/ news reports in National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of India  for  a  period  of  five  years.  This  has  been  issued  for  irreparable damage  done  to  India's  reputation  and  negatively  portraying  India's conservation  success  story  at  Kaziranga  Tiger  Reserve  and  also  for deviating  from  the  original  script  submitted  to  the  Ministry  of  External Affairs and National Tiger Conservation Authority.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 6615 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: Climate Change
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: APARUPA PODDAR

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTIO N NO.  6515 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2018

## Forest Committees

## 6515.   SHRI BODHSINGH BHAGAT:

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

- (a) whether Forest  Committees have been provided any powers by the Government under Joint Forest Management; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMC) are registered either with the Forest Department or under statutory provisions. Resolution of the State Governments on the Joint Forest Management prescribes the manner and the extent to which these Committees  are  to  be  involved  in  the  Joint  Forest  Management  (JFM).  JFMCs  are involved in implementing various forestry activities at village level. The JFMCs and the forest  department  enter  into  a  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  to  manage  the forest  area  jointly  with  forest  department  and  JFMCs  are  also  entitled  to  get  usufruct benefits from the forest area. The constitution of the JFMCs with the due representation of  the  weaker  sections  of  the  society  and  women  strengthens  the  democratic  decision making process.

*****