opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 731 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Provision for Work Visa
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 731

TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  THE  7 TH   FEBRUARY,  2017  /  MAGHA  18,  1938 (SAKA)

PROVISION FOR WORK VISA

731. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is considering to bring down the threshold annual salary to Rs. 9.1 lakh per annum from the current limit of Rs. 16.7 lakh for permitting work visa; and

(b) if so, the details and present status thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to b): The minimum salary limit for grant of Employment Visa has been brought down from Rs. 16.25 lakhs per annum to Rs. 9.10 lakhs per annum in respect of foreign nationals engaged as teaching faculty at the level of Assistant Professors and above by the Central Higher Educational  Institutions viz. Indian Institutes of Technology  (IITs), Central  Universities  (CUs),  National  Institutes  of  Technology  (NITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) only. This limit is valid upto 31.12.2017.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 730 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Agricultural Census
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P., YERRAM VENKATA SUBBAREDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 730

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## AGRICULTURAL CENSUS

730.   SHRI P. NAGARAJAN: SHRI Y.V. SUBBA REDDY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  conducts  survey  on  agricultural  development  in  the  country every year and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to conduct 10th National Agricultural Census/Survey in February 2017 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which the proposed survey/census is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

- (a): The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare implements the Integrated Scheme of Agriculture  Census,  Economics  and  Statistics  to  collect  data  on  various  facets  of  Agriculture Sector  including  structural  characteristics  of  operational  holdings,  area  and  production  of various crops, cost of cultivation etc., through various components of the Scheme.
- (b) & (c): The  Agriculture  Census  is  conducted  at  five  yearly  intervals  to  collect  data  on operational  holdings  in  the  country,  in  three  Phases,  following  Census/  Sample  Survey approach.    The  tenth  Agriculture  Census    2015-16  has  been  launched  in  the  country.    The reference year for Phase-1 and Phase-II of the Census is the year 2015-16 (July-June).  For Phase-III of the Census (referred as Input Survey), the reference year is 2016-17 (July-June). Data collection /compilation for first Phase of the Census have been started from July, 2016. The activities of Agriculture Census are carried out in the time-frame of five years.
- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 728 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Urea Supply
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: ABHISHEK SINGH

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Lok Sabha Question No. 727 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Regulating Direct Selling Companies
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 727

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2017

## REGULATING DIRECT SELLING COMPANIES

727. DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  the  number  of  direct  selling  companies  in  the  country  has  been increasing in the last few years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with their current size in financial terms;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  aware  about  some  illegal  trade  practices,  such  as  charging entry fee from their agents and forcing them to buy back unsold inventory being opted by these companies in India and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has prepared any guidelines to regulate these companies and if so, the details thereof and the time by which the guidelines are likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) & (b) : At present no official data is  available on the sector. However,  according to the recent joint study report by FICCI & KPMG, size of Indian direct selling industry was INR 7,200 Crore in year 2012-13 and has potential to reach INR 64,500 Crores by 2025.
- (c) : No such information is available.
- (d) : Yes Madam, the Department of Consumer Affairs has issued an Advisory to the State/UT Governments containing the Model Framework on Guidelines for Direct Selling Entities on dated 9 th September, 2016 and Gazette Notification GSR 20136 (E) dated 26 th October, 2016.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 725 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Promotion of Fisheries
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: FAIZAL P.P. MOHAMMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING & FISHERIES LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 725 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 th   FEBRUARY, 2017

## PROMOTION OF FISHERIES

725:  SHRI. MOHAMMED FAIZAL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to promote the fishing sector of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has initiated any new steps for promoting export of special tuna fish from Lakshadweep; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

- (a) and  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  The  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry,  Dairying  &  Fisheries,  Ministry  of Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  under  the  Central  Plan  Scheme  on  Blue  Revolution:    Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries provides financial assistance to  all State Governments and Union Territories including Lakshadweep for promoting fisheries Sector.  The Blue Revolution Scheme, with its multi-dimensional activities,  focuses  mainly  on  increasing fisheries  production  and productivity from aquaculture and fisheries resources. Besides, the Administration of Lakshadweep is also implementing schemes for development of fisheries.
- (c) and (d):  The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Ministry of Commerce & Industry  has  convened  a  meeting  of  officials  of  Kerala  State  Cooperative  Federation  for  Fisheries Development  Ltd.  (MATSYAFED),  National  Institute  of  Fisheries  Post  Harvest  Technology  and Training (NIFPHATT) and a representative exporter to explore the export prospects of tuna from Lakshadweep on 06-01-2017. One of the exporters has shown interest in setting up of tuna processing facility in Lakshadweep with the technical assistance from Japan. A team from the exporter side visited the Island during the second week of January, 2017.  MPEDA has offered all possible assistance in this regard.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 724 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Soil Testing Centres
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 724

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## SOIL TESTING CENTRES

724. SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a  number  of soil testing centres are working in the country including Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
- (c) the number of beneficiaries of these test centres during the last three years, State-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM  RUPALA)

- (a) to (c): Yes, Madam.  There are 1414 Number of Soil Testing laboratories in the country including Maharashtra.  State-wise details of soil testing laboratories along with number of soil health cards issued to farmers during last 3 years in the country are given at Annexure.

O.I.H

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 723 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Extension of Scheme
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: NANDI YELLAIAH

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 723

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2017

## Extension of Scheme

## 723.SHRI  NANDI YELLAIAH:

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

- (a)   whether the Government has extended a scheme granting default forests approval for public utility projects in Naxal affected regions upto  December, 2018;
- (a) if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the areas covered under the said scheme, State-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a) to  (c):  The  Central  Government  has  accorded  general  approval  under  section-2  of  the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land for creation of critical public utility infrastructure by Government Departments involving not more than 5.00 hectares of  forest  land  in  each  case  in  Left  Extremism  (LWE)  affected  districts  upto  31 st December, 2018.  The guidelines dated 25 th February, 2016 are Annexed at 'A'.  The list of 117 LWE affected districts which are covered under the above mentioned guidelines is Annexed at 'B'.

*****

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Lok Sabha Question No. 722 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Emission Reduction
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 722

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2017

## Emission Reduction

## 722. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

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

- (a) the details of India's global agreements/commitment towards emission reduction including the targets and goals set for achievement;
- (b) the  efforts  undertaken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  India  meets  the  said  targets, without compromising essential developmental goals that would have a lasting impact on the nation's infrastructure;
- (c) whether the Government has undertaken any study to find out the manner in which the Government can reach out to all citizens to encourage them to reduce emissions in their daily lives; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a) India,  in  its  Nationally  Determined  Contributions  (NDCs)  submitted  to  the  United  Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on 2 nd  October 2015, has committed to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 level.
- (b) India has adopted an economy wide target for its NDCs. These targets are to be achieved by pursuing the relevant activities under the national missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the relevant sustainable development goals. Further, Government  has  established  a  National  Adaptation  Fund  on  Climate  Change  (NAFCC)  to assist States and Union Territories to undertake projects and actions for adaptation to climate change.
- (c) &  (d)  Government  undertakes  regular  consultations  with  a  wide  variety  of  stakeholders  to facilitate  involvement  of  citizens  in  implementations  of  voluntary  pledges.  Citizens  play important  role  by  adopting  less  carbon-intensive  lifestyles,  and  energy  efficient  practices. Various  programmes  and  schemes  implemented  by  government  encourage  citizens  to  adopt climate friendly and sustainable lifestyles on a voluntary basis.
Lok Sabha Question No. 721 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Conversion into Green Areas
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. 721

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2017

## Conversion into Green Areas

## 721. SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that major chunks of urban areas can be converted into green lands as many private and public areas are left unused and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to introduce/make a law/strategy for the compulsory conversion  of  the  unused  places  in  the  urban  areas  to  increase  the  green  cover  in  the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard;

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a) The Government is aware that some urban areas both under public and private ownership are lying unused.
- (b) to (d) There is no proposal for introducing/making a law for the compulsory conversion of the unused places in the urban areas to increase the green cover in the country. However, the National Forest Policy 1988 encourages plantation of trees alongside roads, railway lines, rivers  and  streams  and  canals,  and  on  other  unutilized  lands  under  State/corporate, institutional or private ownership along with green belts to be raised in urban/industrial areas as  well  as  in  arid  regions.  The  Government  also  implements  the  National  Mission  for  a Green India which, ,  includes support for greening of open spaces and woodlots; diffused planting on avenues and in households through various interventions.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 720 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Support to Pharma Industry
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 720

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 th  February, 2017

## Support to Pharma Industry

720. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  phase  out  financial  support  to pharma industry by 2020;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether there is any resistance from Pharma Industry in this regard; and
- (d) the details of the steps being taken by the Government to inrease the financial support to Pharma Industry towards research and development?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS; MINISTRY OF SHIPPING AND MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a): No, Madam.
- (b) & (c): In view of the reply to (a) above, does not arise.
- (d): The  Government  is  providing  financial  support  for  research  and development through Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Research Programme (DPRP) run by the Department of Science & Technology. The companies undertaking Research  &  Development  activities  are  provided  income  tax  benefits.  The Drugs  (Prices  Control)  Order,  2013,  Para-32(iii)  provides  exemptions  from price  control  to  a  manufacturer  producing  a  new  drug  involving  a  new delivery  system  developed  through  indigenous  Research  and  Development for a period of five years from the date of its market approval in India.

xxxxxx
Lok Sabha Question No. 719 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Access of Drugs to Poor
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: SANKAR PRASAD DATTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 719 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## Access of Drugs to Poor

## 719. SHRI SANKAR PRASAD DATTA:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that access of drugs to poor people has not improved; and
- (b) if so, the effective steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS; MINISTRY OF SHIPPING AND MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) & (b): Public Health being a state subject, it is for the States/UTs to draw up such action  plans  as  per  their  need.  Under  the  National  Health  Mission  (NHM), financial  and  technical  support  is  provided  to  the  States/UTs  for  strengthening their healthcare delivery system including support for provision of essential drugs free of cost to those who access public health facilities. An incentive of upto 5% additional funding (over and above the normal allocation of the state) under the NHM  is  provided  to  those  states  that  effectively  implement  free  essential medicines initiative. All the States/UTs have reported that they have notified free drug policy in their respective States/UTs. Further, in order to provide relief to the common man in the area of healthcare,  a countrywide  campaign  for  ensuring availability of quality generic medicines at affordable prices to all, in the name of 'Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has been started. As on date, there are 773 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) functioning  over  26  States/UTs  of  the  country.  The  product  basket  of  PMBJP contains more than 600 medicines and 154 surgicals and consumables.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 718 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Foodgrain Quota of States
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 718

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07 th  FEBRUARY, 2017

## FOODGRAIN QUOTA OF STATES

## 718.  SHRI GOPAL SHETTY:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the foodgrains quota of some States has been reduced by the Government during the last three years and if so, the details thereof as on date, State-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has received request from the States for not reducing the foodgrains quota and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  action  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## A N S W E R MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c): Government of India has enacted National Food Security Act (NFSA) which has come into effect from 5.7.2013.  NFSA provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population at the all India level for receiving highly subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution  System  (TPDS).   Corresponding  to  this,  State/Union  Territories (UTs)-wise coverage was determined by the then Planning Commission.   States/UTs are being provided foodgrains @ 5 kg per person per month  belonging  to  priority  category  and  @  35  kg  per  family  per  month  for Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) family at highly subsidized prices @ Rs. 3 per kg for rice, Rs. 2 per kg for wheat and @Re. 1 per kg for coarse grains.  NFSA also provides that if annual allocation of foodgrains to any State is less than their average annual offtake under normal TPDS for three years preceding the Act coming  into  force,  the  same  shall  be  protected  by  means  of  tide  over allocation.

As on 1 st   November, 2016, all the 36 States/UTs have implemented NFSA  and  accordingly, the State/UT Governments  are  being allocated foodgrains  as  per  their  entitlement  under  the  Act.  There  has  been  no reduction in the normal TPDS foodgrains allocation to the States/UTs.

****