opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 216 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-02
Subject: Functioning of Independent Directors of Companies
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY, SAUGATA ROY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 216 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 2 nd  FEBRUARY, 2018/ MAGHA 13, 1939 (SAKA)

## FUNCTIONING OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS OF COMPANIES QUESTION

216.  SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY: PROF. SAUGATA ROY:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS

be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  Government  plans  to  carry  out  a  comprehensive  review  of  the functioning of independent directors, including analysing the reasons for their exit from the  boards  of  companies,  as  part  of  efforts  to  strengthen  the  corporate  governance framework;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

विवध और न्याय एिं कारपोरेट कायय मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री

(a) to (c):-  Presently, there is no proposal before the Ministry for a comprehensive review of  functioning  of  independent  directors.      The  provisions  related  to  appointment  of independent directors are prescribed in Section 149 of the Companies Act, 2013 (the Act).        The  Schedule  IV  to  the  Act  prescribes  the  code  of  conduct  for  independent directors for ensuring their independence while discharging their functions.

The provisions for removal of independent directors have been reviewed and it is proposed to provide that any independent director who has been re-appointed under section  149(10)  of  the  Act  shall  be  removed  under  section  169  only  after  passing  a special  resolution.        Amendments  have  been  been  made  through  Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017 (notified  in the Government of  India Gazette on  3 rd   January, 2018) in Section 149 of the Companies Act, 2013 w.r.t. the limits on pecuniary interest for independent Directors as well as their relatives.

Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), under the Department of Economic Affairs  (Ministry  of  Finance)  had  appointed  a  committee  in  June  2017  under  the chairmanship  of  Shri  Uday  Kotak  to  advise  on  the  issues  relating  to  corporate governance. The Committee has submitted its report to SEBI on 5 th  October 2017. The

कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री

श्री पी . पी . चौधरी )

report inter-alia includes a chapter on the institution of Independent Directors.  But so far, this Ministry has not received any proposal from SEBI in this regard.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 215 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-02
Subject: Permanent Medical Boards for Women
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: JOSE K. MANI, SRINIVAS KESINENI, GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 215 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND FEBRUARY, 2018

## PERMANENT MEDICAL BO ARDS FOR WOMEN

## 215. SHRI JOSE K. MANI: SHRI KESINENI NANI: DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  asked State/UT  Governments  to  appoint permanent  medical boards to provide assistance to women especially rape survivors to consider their requests for abortion/termination of pregnancies beyond 20 weeks;

(b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with the  composition,  functions  and  current status  of  the permanent medical boards;

(c) the number of women who have approached the High Courts/ Supreme Court for medical termination of pregnancy beyond 20 weeks during the last three years; and

- (d) the details of the progress made by the State Government thereon?

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

- (a): Yes. As per the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, State/UT Governments have been asked to constitute Permanent Medical Boards in each State for urgent examination of referred  to  by  the  Hon'ble District  Courts,  High  Courts  and    Supreme  Court  for      Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) beyond 20 weeks so that immediate opinion can be given an urgent action can be taken.
- (b): It  was  advised  that  the  Medical  Board  may  consist  of  experts  from  Gyn aecology  & Obstetrics,  Paediatrics,  Radiology/Sonology,  Cardiology,  Pulmonology,  Neurology,  Geneti Pathology and/or other specialists as per the requirement of the case. The Board is to b at one or more tertiary level Government Medical Institut ion.

The functions of the Medical Board are to examine the woman when referred to by t Hon'ble  Court  and  give  comprehensive  opinion  to  the  Court  regarding  the  feasibility  of termination of pregnancy or otherwise and take urgent action as per the directi on of the Courts.

(c): This  data  is  not  centrally  maintained.  However,  as  per  the  intimations  of  such received in MoHFWfrom various Courts in 2017 - 18, 26 cases had been filed in High Courts and Supreme Court for medical termination of pregnancy beyond 20 weeks.

- (d) : Till date, Medical Boards have been formed in the States of Delhi, Maharashtra, T Nadu, West Bengal, M adhya Pradesh, Tripura, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Goa.
Lok Sabha Question No. 214 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-02
Subject: Banking Service Charges
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: R. VANAROJA, HARISH CHANDRA MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SER VICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 214

## Banking Service Charges

TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 February 2018 (FRIDAYYMAGHA 13, 1939 (SAKA)

## 214. SHRIMATI VANAROJA R: SHRI HARISH MEENA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of various service charges levied by the banks on its customers;
- the details of revenue earned/generated by the banks by levying various charges o banking services provided to their customers during the last five years;
- b) whether the Government has made any changes with respect to the charges levied for banking services like limited withdrawal, deposits and ATM transactions, if s0, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; using
- whether the Government is considering to discontinue all free banking services, if s0, the details thereof; and
- whether the banks are looking at commercial and operational costs and would constantly examine and revise charges as the case may be; if so, the details thereof?

## Answer

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

(a) and (b) As per Reserve Bank of India'$ (RBl) extant instructions, Scheduled Commercial Banks may decide the service charges for various type of services rendered by them as per their Board approved While fixing service charges, banks are to ensure that the charges are reasonable and not out of the principles to be adopted /followed by them for ensuring reasonableness in fixing such charges   Banks are also advised to take steps to ensure that customers are made aware of the service charges upfront and changes in the service charges are implemented only with the notice to the customers. prior

(c) Based on information received by Public Sector Banks (PSBs), the revenue earned/generated by them various charges on services provided to their customers, during the last five years are given by levying below: (in Rs. crore)

Note: Services reported by banks may not be the same

|   2012-13 |   2013-14 |   2014-15 |   2015-16 |   2016-17 |         |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|---------|
|   7294.46 |      7432 |   8286.32 |   8901.08 |   9714.58 | 9905.99 |

(d) and (e) As informed in (a) above; Scheduled Commercial Banks may decide the service charges for various type of services rendered by them as per  their Board approved policy. Indian Banks' Association (IBA), on behalf of member banks, has clarified through the press release dated 10.1.2018, that there is no move for blanket removal of free services. Banks regularly examine their commercial and costs and revise charges for various services either to increase or decrease those, with operational approval of their Board accordingly. part

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Lok Sabha Question No. 213 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-02
Subject: Medical Colleges for Odisha
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: BALABHADRA MAJHI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 213 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND FEBRUARY, 2018

## MEDICAL COLLEGES FOR ODISHA

## 213. SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:

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

- (a) the number of Medical Colleges sanctioned for Odisha on cost sharing basis;
- (b) the details of project cost for the same along with ratio of funds to be shared between State and Union Government;
- (c)the amount released so far by the Union Government for the purpose; and
- (d) the time by which the said projects are likely to be completed?

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

(a) to (d) This  Ministry  administers  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  for  Establishment  o new  Medical  Colleges  attached  with  existing  district/referral  hospitals.  58  distric States/UT have been identified under this Scheme to establish new Medical Colleges atta ched with  existing  district/referral  hospitals. Under  this  Scheme,  five  districts  in  Odisha  namely, Balasore, Bolangir, Koraput, Baripada (Mayurbhanj) and Puri h ve been approved to establish new medical colleges. The total approved cost of establishment of one Medical College under the scheme  is  Rs.189  crore  with  fund  sharing  between  the  Central  Government  and  the  Sta Government in the ratio of 60:40. Funds to the tune of Rs.541.00 crore have been relea central share to the State Government of Odisha for the approved districts under the Scheme.Out of  these  five  Medical  Colleges,  two  at  Baripada  (Mayurbhanj)  and  Koraputare  alrea functional.
Lok Sabha Question No. 211 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-02
Subject: Allowing Minors to Invest in NPS
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

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

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 211 TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 02, 2018MMAGHA 13, 1939 (SAKA) ALLOWING MINORS TO INVEST IN NPS

## 211. Adv. M Udhayakumar

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state

- (a) whether the pension fund regulator PFRDA is looking at feasibility to allow minors to open an account under the National Pension System (NPS) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether in many countries minors are allowed to join in their national pension scheme and if s0, the details thereof;
- whether NPS is for the Government as well as the private sector employees whereas the Atal Pension Yojana mainly caters to those in the unorganised sector; and
- (d)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla)

- (a) National Pension System (NPS) is available to all Indian citizens between the age of 1865 years:
- (b) No such information is available with PFRDA at present:

(c) & (d) National Pension System (NPS) was initially introduced by the Central Government for all new recruits to the Central Government (except armed forces) with effect from January 1, 2004. The Govt; has further extended  implementation of NPS to Central Autonomous Bodies:

The Government of India introduced the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), with effect from lst June, 2015, for creating a universal social security system for all Indians, especially the pOOr; the under-privileged and the workers in the unorganised sector: The APY is available to all Indian citizens between the ages of 18-40 years.
Lok Sabha Question No. 209 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-02
Subject: Findings of WHO Report
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 209 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND FEBRUARY, 2018

## FINDINGS OF WHO REPO RT

## 209. SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the findings of the World Health Org nisation (WHO)  report  that  a  large number  of  doctors  practicing  in  India  do not  have  necessary qualifications;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry/investigation in this regard and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (d) the details of cases registered against such prac itioners; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to address the issue?

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

(a) to ( e) : The World Health Organization  (WHO) in its  report on 'Health Workforce in India' has claimed that 57% of allopathic doctors in India do not have medical qualification. The report  is  erroneous  since  MBBS  is  the  minimum  qualification  for  enrolment  as  a  regi stered medical practitioner in a State Medical Register to practice medicine, and hence all r doctors have medical qualifications.

Section 15 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 prohibits a person other than me practitioner enrolled on a State Medical Register to practice medicine in the State. Since heal a  State  subject,  the  primary  responsibility  to  deal  with  such  cases  of  quacks  lies respective State Government.

The Central Government, keeping inview of the above, requested Chief Ministers of all the States to take appropriate action under the law against quacks and also to evolve suitable policies to ensure availability of quality health workforce in rural areas.
Lok Sabha Question No. 206 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-02
Subject: Medical and Dental Colleges
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: BHEEMRAO BASWANTHRAO PATIL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 206 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND FEBRUARY, 2018

## MEDICAL AND DENTAL C OLLEGES

## 206. SHRI BHEEMRAO B. PATIL:

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

- (a) the number of medical and dental colleges in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana along with the seats therein;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has received  any  request/proposal  from  the aforesaid  States  to sanction additional seats for medical and dental colleges in their respective States; and
- (c)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  action taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government thereon?

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

- (a) to (c):

The details are given at Annexure .

The last date for granting permission to the Medical and Dental Colleges by the Ce Government for the academic year 2018 - 19 is 31.05.2018.

Number of Medi cal and Dental Colleges in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana along with seats

| State     | Medical                 | Medical   | Dental                 | Dental   |
|-----------|-------------------------|-----------|------------------------|----------|
|           | No. of Medical Colleges | Seats     | No. of Dental Colleges | Seats    |
| Andhra    | 31                      | 4750      | 16                     | 1440     |
| Telangana | 25                      | 3750      | 12                     | 1140     |

Requests/proposals (both Govt. & Private) received from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States for sanction of additional seats for the year 2018 - 19

| State          | Medical     | Medical           | Dental      | Dental            |
|----------------|-------------|-------------------|-------------|-------------------|
|                | New College | Increase of seats | New College | Increase of seats |
| Andhra Pradesh | 0           | 3                 | 1           | 0                 |
| Telangana      | 5           | 1                 | 1           | 0                 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 204 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-02
Subject: Implementation of Environmental Laws
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY, RAMA DEVI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 204

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2018

## Implementation of Environmental Laws

## 204. SHRI RAM TAHALCHOUDHARY: SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

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

- (a) whether forest and environmental laws are not being implemented properly in many cities including metropolitan cities of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the officials responsible for implementation of these rules;
- (c) whether any action has been taken to review the performance of these officials;
- (d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (e) : No Madam. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the nodal agency for the planning, promotion, co-ordination and overseeing the implementation of India's environmental, forestry, and climate change policies and programmes. The primary concerns of the Ministry are implementation of policies and programmes relating to conservation  of  the  country's  natural  resources  including  its  lakes  and  rivers,  its  biodiversity, forests  and  wildlife,  ensuring  the  welfare  of  animals,  and  the  prevention  and  abatement  of pollution.  While  implementing  these  policies  and  programmes,  the  Ministry  is  guided  by  the principle of sustainable development and enhancement of human well-being. In order to ensure sustainable development Ministry administers several acts which interalia include Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EP Act),Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (FC Act), Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLP Act), The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (Water Act), The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act,1977,The Air (Prevention and Control of  Pollution) Act,  1981  (Air  Act),The  Indian  Forests  Act,  1927  (IF  Act),  Biological  Diversity Act,2002, National Green Tribunal Act,2010,The National Environment Tribunal Act,1995,. The Public  Liability  Tribunal  Act,  1995  etc.  Further,  to  monitor  implementation  of  these  Acts  the Ministry has delegated powers to various agencies like Sate Pollution Control Boards, Regional Offices of the Ministry, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 203 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-02
Subject: Separate Portal for Donations
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: OM PRAKASH YADAV, RODMAL NAGAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SARHA

TQ BEANSWERED ON FRIAYTHE 13,1932SAKA) 2NL

"Separate Portal for Donations'

## 203\_ SIIRI OW PRAKASH YADAV, SHRI NAGAR RODMAL :

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased t0 state:

- whether the Government proposes to formulate & plan to launch & separate portal to facilitate companies t0 give donations;
- b) ifs0, lhe details thereof: and
- c) if not; the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## (SHRI SHIV PRATAP SHUKLA)

- Presently, no such proposal is under considcration.

- (b) & (c) Do not arise,
Lok Sabha Question No. 202 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-02
Subject: Air Pollution Norms by Thermal Power Plants
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.202

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2018

## Air Pollution Norms by Thermal Power Plants

## 202. SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

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

- (a) whether sixteen new thermal power plants installed post January 2017 have failed to adhere to New Air Pollution norms notified in December 2015;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the Government  has taken any action against these power plants that have failed to adhere to new rules, if so, the details thereof and if not,  the  reasons therefor;
- (c) the rationale/reasons behind diluting water per mega-watt hour limit from 2.5 cubic metre to 3 cubic metre for thermal power plants in the country; and
- (d) the reaction of the Government  on  additional  costs  required  to install better technology in thermal power plants to meet new air pollution rules versus the benefits from adhering to aforementioned rules?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) 19 units of 16 Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) have been commissioned after January 2017. Out of 19 units, 2 units have installed Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) / Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC) to comply with Sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission norms. For remaining 17 units, time lines have been stipulated by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change based on commitment received from Ministry of Power to comply with new emission norms with respect  to Particulate  Matter  (PM),  SO2  and  Oxides  of  Nitrogen (NOx). CPCB has issued directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to all these units to comply with new emission norms as per committed time lines.

- (c) Considering Ministry of Power's proposal for additional water requirement for FGD to  control  SO2  emission  limit  for  TPPs,  the  Ministry  has  issued  draft  notification  vide S.O.3337 (E), dated 16/10/2017 revising water consumption limit from 2.5 M 3 /MW to 3.0 M 3 /MW for the TTPs commissioned after January 2017.
- (d) In  order  to  control  emissions  of  PM,  SO2  and  NOx  emission,  TPPs  are  required  to install pollution mitigation equipments such as electrostatic precipitator, FGD and selective catalytic reduction respectively. These pollution mitigation equipments in TPPs are required to  reduce  emission  of  PM10, SO2  and  NOx,  which  in  turn  will  help  in  improvement  in Ambient Air Quality, which is a major concern.

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