opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 169 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: Bilateral Investment Treaties
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: K. GOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 169.

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE  17 TH  JULY, 2017.

## BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATIES

## 169.   DR. K. GOPAL:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज् य वव  द्यग  ं ्री

- (a) whether it is true that the Government has taken a decision not to extend the expiry date of Bilateral Investment Treaties India has signed with as many as 83 countries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether it is also true that India had written to all these countries about a year ago to start or expedite talks on a new BIT on the revised BIT text and if so,
- the details thereof; and
- (d) whether India has received any response from these countries on it so far and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् य वव  द्यग  ााज् यं ्री स् वतं ् ्रभााा(स्रींतंरी िरंमलाा ीरीतंाांि( THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) to (d):

While approving the new Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) text in 2015, Government had also approved the proposal to terminate those out of total 83 existing BITs that India had signed with other countries, whose initial  validity  period  had  expired.  So  far,  India  has  terminated the  BITs  with  58  countries.  India's  earlier  BITs  contained  many provisions which could be subjected to  broad  and  ambiguous interpretations. The new Model BIT text balances the investor's rights and  obligations and  is likely to reduce  the possibility of  broad interpretations  in  the  context  of  any  investment  disputes  under  the treaty.

India  had  along  with  the  notice  of  termination,  communicated  its intention  to  re-negotiate  a  new  treaty  with  the  aforesaid  countries, based  on  the  new  Indian  Model  BIT  text.  Yes.  India  has  received response  from number  of these countries including Switzerland, Tajikistan,  Kyrgyz  Republic,  Turkmenistan,  Oman,  Qatar,  Belarus, Thailand,  Zimbabwe,  Armenia,  Morocco  who  have  come  forward  to renegotiate a new BIT.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 168 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: Incentives for Girl Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 168

TO BE ANSWERED ON  17.07.2017

## Incentives for Girl Students

## 168.  SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has provided funds allocation to the National Scheme of Incentives  to  Girls  for  Secondary  Education  (NSIGSE)  and  if  so,  the  details thereof including the aims and objectives;
- (b) the details of the sums to be deposited by States/UTs per child under the scheme and the other features of the operation of the scheme;
- (c) whether the States and the UTs have properly utilised the funds provided under NSIGSE to further the education of the target group and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and
- (d) the  proactive  steps  taken/to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  proper utilisation of the NSIGSE funds by the States and UTs?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

- (a)  The  Department  of  School  Education  and  Literacy  is  administering  a  centrally sponsored  scheme  namely  'National  Scheme  of  Incentive  to  Girls  for  Secondary Education  (NSIGSE)'  to  promote  enrolment  of  girl  students  mainly  belonging  to SC/ST  communities  at  secondary  level  and  reduce  the  drop-out  rate.  Under  the scheme,  an  incentive  amount  of  Rs.3,000/-  is  deposited  in  the  name  of  eligible unmarried  girls,  as  fixed  deposit  in  a  bank  on  enrolment  in  class  IX  in  a  State Government,  Government-aided  and  Local  Body  schools,  who  are  entitled  to withdraw it along with interest thereon on passing  Class X  and attaining 18 years of age. An amount of Rs. 320.00 crore has been allocated in BE 2017-18 for the scheme.

- (b) & (c) Under the scheme, funds are not released to the States/UTs. The funds are released to bank which keeps the incentive amount in fixed deposits and disburses to the eligible girls on passing X Class and attaining 18 years of age. The scheme is covered  under  the  Direct  Benefit  Transfer  (DBT)  scheme  of  the  Government  of India.  The  incentive  amount  on  maturity  is  transferred  directly  into  the  bank accounts  of  girl  students  through  Public  Financial  Management  System  (PFMS) following  DBT  mode.  Union  Bank  of  India  and  Indian  Bank  are  the  implementing banks for the scheme and their areas of operations are divided State/UT-wise.
- (d) The scheme was evaluated by the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA). The Department has taken steps in accordance with the recommendations contained in the evaluation study report submitted by NUEPA for making the implementation of the scheme more holistic and effective.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 167 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: Vacancies in IITs and IIMs
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †167 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2017

## Vacancies in IITs and IIMs

## †167.  DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK':

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  number  of  posts  of  Directors  and  Professors  lying  vacant  in  various  Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in the country and the reasons for the vacancies;
- (b) the time since when these posts are lying vacant and the steps being taken by the Ministry to fill these posts; and
- (c) the number of reserved posts out of these and the steps being taken to fill these posts in a time-bound manner?

## A N S W E R MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

- (a): The post of Director is vacant in four Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), namely IIM Kozhikode (since April 2014), IIM Bodh Gaya (since August 2015), IIM Amritsar (since August 2015) and IIM Jammu (since August 2016). The process of appointment to the post of Director in these IIMs is underway. So far as vacancies of Professors in IIMs and IITs are concerned, these institutions follow flexi cadre system for recruitment of faculty positions, and hence number of vacancies of Professors is not fixed. However, about 26% of faculty posts in IIMs and about 35% faculty posts in IITs are lying vacant.
- (b) & (c): Arising  of  vacancies  and  filling  up  of  posts  is  a  continuous  process  and  the institutions publish a year round rolling advertisement to attract faculty. Some of the steps taken by them to fill up the posts are invitation to alumni, scientists/experts and faculty from India and abroad, advertisements in international journals, etc. Further, Government has decided to allow faculty working under the Central Government or Central Autonomous Bodies, to join the newly set  up  Central  Education  Institutes  on  long-term  deputation,  for  a  period  of  ten  years.  The Institutes are also allowed to appoint Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to permanent faculty positions. The Institutes follow Government guidelines as applicable to them with regard to reservation and all the above steps are taken to fill up reserved vacancies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: India as Global Hotspot in Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†162 ANSWERED ON 17.07.2017

## INDIA AS GLOBAL HOTSPOT IN TOURISM

## †162. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government is considering to work on  a  large  scale  for  transforming  the  country  in  to  a  global hotspot in tourism;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps in this direction till date; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (c): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  is  working  on  following  three pronged strategy for developing India as a Global Tourism destination:

- 1.
- Development of infrastructure
2. Creating tourist friendly environment
3. Promotion  and  Publicity  in  the  overseas  and  domestic markets

To  meet  the  requirements  of  infrastructural  gaps  at  tourism destinations, the Ministry has launched two schemes in 2014-15 i.e. Swadesh Darshan - Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits and PRASADPilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation  Drive.  The  Ministry  has  sanctioned  63  projects  for Rs.5309.95 crore under Swadesh Darshan scheme and 19 projects for Rs.529.12 crore under PRASAD scheme as on 30.06.2017.

For  creating  conducive  environment  for  tourists  the  Ministry has  implemented  facilities  of  E-Visa,  WiFi  connectivity  at  tourist destinations,  Web  based  public  delivery  system,  24X7  helpline service, Safety and Security, Cleanliness at the tourist destinations. For  creating  awareness  about  the  tourism  products  of  the country, the Ministry is promoting India as a holistic destination as part of its on-going activities, releases print, electronic, online and international markets,  under  the  Incredible  India  brand-line.   The  Ministry  also its websites and publicity and promotional material produced by it from outdoor media campaigns in the domestic and promotes the tourism destinations and products through time to time.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: BIS Mark for Electrical Transformers
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 160 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2017

## BIS MARK FOR ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMERS

## 160. SRIMTI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

- (a) whether Government proposes to make it mandatory for all manufacturer (Micro, Small & Medium) electrical transformers for distribution of electrical power to compulsorily undergo BIS Certification and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  received  memorandum  to  reconsider  this amendment  of  compulsory  BIS  mark  for  the  electrical  transformers  from various  state  organizations  specially  from  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Scale Transformer Manufacturing Associations; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and  corrective steps  being  taken  by  the Government in this regards?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

- (a):   Yes.  Department of Heavy Industries has notified Gazette notification no. 948 dated  07.05.2015 titled as 'Electrical Transformers (Quality Control) order, 2015,  making  BIS  certification  mandatory  for  manufacturing  of  distribution transformers upto 2500kVA rating;
- (b):  Yes;
- (c):  One Representation from All India Transformer Manufacturers Association (AITMA),  New  Delhi  has  been  received  by  this  Ministry,  wherein,  it  was requested for making BIS Certification voluntary for the units having labeling license  from  BEE  and  vice  versa.  BIS  is  the  national  body  for  standard formulation therefore the matter was forwarded to BIS for necessary action.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 158 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: Teachers Training
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 158 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2017

## Teachers Training

## 158. SHRI P.K. BIJU:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to open technical teachers training institutes in all the States  in  the  country  including  Kerala  on  the  lines  of  National  Institute  of  Technical Teachers  Training  and  Research  (NITTTR)  wherein  there  would  be  facility  of  practical training;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/Union Territory-wise; and
- (c)  the time by when these institutes are likely to be established to meet the increasing demand of such training?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

(a):

No, Madam.

(b) & (c):

Do not arise.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 155 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: Female Labour Participation Rate
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: ABHISHEK SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 155 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2017

## FEMALE LABOUR PARTICIPATION RATE

## 155. SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)the  details  of  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to check wage disparity among male and female labour force in the country;
- (b)whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  improve  and increase female labour participation rate in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  in  this  regard; and
- (d)if  so,  the  details  and  the  findings  thereof  along  with  the  follow-up action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) to (d): The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 provides for payment of  equal remuneration to men and women workers for same work  or  work  of  similar  nature  without  any  discrimination.  In  the Central sphere, the enforcement of the Act is entrusted to the Chief Labour  Commissioner  (Central)  who  heads  the  Central  Industrial Relations  Machinery  (CIRM).  Further,  under  the  provisions  of  the Minimum  Wages  Act,  1948,  the  wages  fixed  by  the  appropriate Government are equally  applicable  to  both  male  and  female  workers and the Act does not discriminate on the basis of gender.

Contd..2/-

Central  Government  has  taken  some  prominent  steps  to increase female labour participation rate which includes the enactment  of  the  Maternity  Benefit  (Amendment)  Act,  2017  which provides for enhancement in paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks and provisions for mandatory crèche facility in the establishments having 50 or more employees; issue of an advisory to the  States  under  the  Factories  Act,  1948  for  permitting  women workers in the night shifts with adequate safety measures. Further, in order to enhance the employability of female workers, the Government is  providing  training  to  them  through  a  network  of  Women  Industrial Training institutes, National Vocational Training Institutes and Regional Vocational Training Institutes. A number  of protective provisions have been incorporated in various labour laws for creating congenial work environment for women workers.

As per 5 th  Annual Employment-Unemployment (EUS) Survey (2015-16) conducted by Labour Bureau, the Female Labour Participation Rate by adopting Usual Principal Status (UPS) Approach is 23.7 and by Usual Principal and Subsidiary Status (UPSS) Approach is 27.4.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: Misuse of Funds
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: LAXMAN GILUWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†152

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.7.2017

## MISUSE OF FUNDS

## †152.     SHRI LAXMAN GILUWA ::

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the funds allocated for the Ministry are being reportedly misutilised;
- (b) if not, whether some official of the Ministry used helicopter along with his family members to review the works in tribal areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan using funds of the Ministry  whereas he had carried out these tours in his personal capacity;
- (c) if so, the reaction of the government in this regard; and
- (d) the  action  taken  by  the  Government  in  this  regard  along  with  the  outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JASWANTSINH BHABHOR)

- (a)  No Madam.
- (b)  No official of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs had travelled to J&K, HP and Rajasthan for  reviewing  the  work  in  the  tribal  areas  of  these  States  in  his  personal  capacity.   Dr. Shyam Aggarwal, then Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs had undertaken tour to the States as follows:-

| 1.6.2016 to 6.6.2016     | J&K       |
|--------------------------|-----------|
| 22.6.2016 to 29.6.2016   | HP        |
| 3.7.2016 to 5.7.2016     | J&K       |
| 18.7.2016 to 21.7.2016   | Rajasthan |
| 20.8.2016 to 24.8.2016   | Rajasthan |
| 14.10.2016 to 16.10.2016 | Rajasthan |
| 24.11.2016 to 26.11.2016 | Rajasthan |

TA was given to the official as per rules for carrying out these tours.  State had provided helicopter as these tours were official and no funds of the Ministry were used.

- (c) & (d) Does not arise in view of (b) above.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 151 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: Regulation of Fuel Consumption
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 151 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  JULY, 2017

## REGULATION OF FUEL CONSUMPTION

## 151. SHRI KUNDARIYA MOHAN BHAI KALYANJI BHAI:

## isVªksfy;e vkSj izkd`frd xSl ea=h

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether the Government has drafted rules for regulating fuel consumption and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)   whether the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has pointed out any lacunae in the draft rule; and
- (c)    if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/being taken to address the said issue?

## ANSWER

## isVªksfy;e vkSj izkd`frd xSl ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Lora= izHkkj½ ¼Jh /kesZUnz iz/kku½

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

**********

- (a)  :    The  Government  has drafted rules for  Light Duty Vehicles (LDVs) and Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDVs).

As regards LDVs, Ministry of Power has issued average fuel consumption standards for cars vide notification dated 23 rd April,  2015.  Accordingly, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways  has  adopted  this  procedure  under  Central  Motor  Vehicle  Rules,  1989  vide notification dated 4 th October, 2016.

As  regards  HDVs,  the  Steering  Committee  constituted  for  formulating  fuel  economy norms  for  Heavy  Duty  Vehicles  (Trucks  &  Buses)  has  submitted  its  report.    Ministry  of Petroleum & Natural Gas has accepted the same and has sent proposed draft notifications to Ministry of Power and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

- (b)  &  (c):    As  per  Petroleum  Conservation  Research  Association,  no  such  communication from CSIR has been received regarding lacunae in the draft rule of Fuel Economy Norms for Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDVs).

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 149 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: New Steel Plants
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.149

FOR ANSWER ON 17/07/2017

## NEW STEEL PLANTS

149. SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  new  Steel  plants  with  Private players on PSU lands in the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and progress made in this regard, so far plant-wise?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL

- (a) There is no proposal.
- (b) Does not arise, in view of (a) above.

********

(SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)
Lok Sabha Question No. 148 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 148 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2017

## CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WELFARE CESS ACT

148. SHRI B.V. NAIK:

SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)the  total  amount  collected  and  lying  idle  under  the  Building  and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Cess Act, 1996;
- (b)the  reasons  for  delay  in  working  out  utilisation  and  disbursement mechanism for the funds collected under the said Act; and
- (c)the steps taken by the Government to ensure utilization of this fund
- for the welfare of construction workers?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) & (b): The total amount of cess collected by the State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations is approximately Rs. 33,602.61 crore out of which Rs. 7601.38 crore has been spent as on  30.06.2017  and  the  balance  amount  of  cess  lying  with  the  State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations for utilization is approx. Rs. 26001.23 crore. The Cess fund is being utilized for the welfare of the building and other construction workers by the States/UTs through their respective State Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards constituted under the Building and Other Construction Workers  (Regulation  of  Employment  and  Conditions  of  Service)  Act, 1996.

(c): The Central Government has been issuing directions under Section  60  of  the  Building  and  Other  Construction  Workers  (RECS) Act, 1996, to the State Governments/UT Administrations from time to time for proper utilization of cess fund in terms of the provisions of the Act.

Further, the Central Government has constituted a Monitoring  Committee  on  09.09.2015  under  the  Chairmanship  of Secretary (Labour and Employment) to monitor the implementation of directions  issued  under  Section  60  of  the  Act,  specifically  with reference to utilization of Cess Fund for Welfare Schemes by the State Building and  Other Construction Workers' Welfare Boards. The Committee  has  been  holding  regular  meetings  with  the  Principal Secretary/Secretary/Labour  Commissioners  of  all  the  States/UTs  to monitor the progress.

*******