opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4033 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Insurance Penetration
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL, M. UDHAYAKUMAR

## Government of India

## Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services Lok Sabha

Unstarred Question No. 4033

To be answered on Friday, December 9, 2016/Agrahayana 18, 1938 (Saka)

## Insurance Penetration

## 4033. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL; ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the insurance premium collection in the country grew by 7.9 per cent in the year 2015;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the products which grew in demand;
- whether the insurance penetration in the country remained low at 3.44 per cent in 2015 as compared to global average of 6.23 per cent; if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to popularise insurance products in order to increase its penetration in the country especially in rural areas?

## Answer

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

(a) (6): As per Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), the total insurance premium collection in the country during the years 2014-15 and 2015-16 is as under:

|                             | 2014-15                     | 2014-15   | 2015-16                    | 2015-16     |
|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------|----------------------------|-------------|
| Particulars                 | Total premium (Rs. in crore | Growth %) | Total premium Rs. in crore | Growth (%/) |
| Life Insurance Industry     | 328102                      | 4.39      | 366943                     | 11.84       |
| Non-life Insurance Industry | 80584                       | 10.61     | 91538                      | 13.59       |

- (c) & (d): Insurance penetration in India grew from 3.30% in 2014 to 3.44% in 2015.

Government of India has launched Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) as insurance based social security schemes targeting especially the poor and the underprivileged. The rural coverage under PMJJBY and PMSBY is 49.58% and 52.66% respectively.

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IRDAI has taken the following initiatives to develop insurance sector in India:-

- a New distribution channels such as Point of Sales Persons.
- b Insurance A wareness Development Programmes
- C. Advertising Campaign against fraudulent phone calls

Apart  from  this, the Authority has been   carrying out campaign to create awareness  about insurance, rights and duties of policyholders etc. through various media  The Authority has launched an buying insurance, making claim, complaint etc. This website hosts the e-copies of consumer education materials, which includes Policyholders Handbooks, Comic Books Series as well as Animation Films o various topics including Health Insurance in 13 languages to reach out the policyholders and general public in rural areas.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4032 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Fiscal Laws for Genuine Patients
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4032 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH DECEMBER, 2016/18 TH AGRAHAYANA, SAKA, 1938

## Fiscal Laws for Genuine Patients

## 4032. SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY.:

## QUESTION

## Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Corporate hospitals in the country have requested the Government to relax fiscal laws for genuine patients making money transfer easier for medical treatment; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): No request has been received from corporate hospitals to change fiscal  laws.  However,  in  the  context  of  the cancellation  of  the legal  tender character of the old High Denomination bank notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 denominations, the Government has reviewed the situation from time to time and has made certain exemptions for the convenience of the public. Accordingly, it  was  decided  that Old  High  Denomination  bank  notes  will  continue  to  be accepted  at  Government  Hospitals  and in  all pharmacies on  production  of Doctor's prescription. This facility has been extended until December 15, 2016 for receipt of old High Denomination notes of Rs. 500. Banks have also been advised to arrange mobile banking vans to the extent possible at major hospitals to carry out emergency banking transactions for patients. Further, to safeguard the interest of patients at various hospitals, members of the public have been advised that they can make complaints to the concerned District Magistrates/District Administration for action against those hospitals which are not accepting Cheques/ Demand  Drafts and online payment transfer mechanisms.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4031 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Bank Mitras
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE, SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL

## GOVERNMENT INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

TO BE ANSWERED ON 9th DECEMBER, 2016 (FRIDA YJAGRAYAYANA 18, 1938 (SAKA) Bank Mitras

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No\_ 4031

4031 \_ SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE: SHRI SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the total accounts opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) with Aadhaar cards;
- (b) the number of account holders under the old financial inclusion schemes no frills accounts and the number of account holders migrated to the PMJDY;
- (d) whether the Bank Mitras differ from the earlier Bank Facilitators and Bank Correspondents and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the PMJDY accounts are opened through Bank Mitras;
- (e) the emoluments paid to Bank Mitras and their total present strength and the qualification and process of recruitmentlappointment of Bank Mitras?

## Answer

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) and (b) Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), 25.68 crore accounts have been opened across the country till 23.11.2016 and out of which 13.85 crore accounts have been seeded with Aadhaar.

PMJDY focuses on coverage of rural as well as urban areas whereas earlier financial inclusion "Swabhimaan" scheme targeted only   villages above 2000 population under which 74351 villages were covered by March 31, 2012.

- (c) and (d) Bank Mitra is permitted inter-alia to process and submission of applications to the bank thus facilitating opening of bank accounts. Under Swabhimaan, Business Correspondent (BC) was visiting only on fixed days while under PMJDY, Fixed Point Bank Mitra (Business Correspondent) in each Sub Service Area comprising of 1000-1500 household (3 to 4 villages an average) are available on every of the week: also visit other villages in the SSA day They on
- (e) RBI has instructed the banks to pay reasonable commissionlfee to the Business Correspondents, the rate and quantum of which may be reviewed periodically: The remuneration should combine fixed and variable parts dependent; inter-alia, on some indication or measure of customer   satisfaction: Some parts variable remuneration could be deferred or clawed back in case of deficiency of service. Under PMJDY, 126514 Bank Mitras have been  deployed as on Banks have also been asked to pay minimum Rs.5000/- (fixed and variable) to Bank Mitras. The recruitmentlappointment of Business Correspondents are finalized by the   respective banks keeping in   view broad   guidelines
Lok Sabha Question No. 4028 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: National Research Institute for Panchkarma
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH)

## LOK  SABHA U NSTARRED QUESTION NO.4028 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH DECEMBER, 2016

## NATIONAL RESEARCH IN STITUTE FOR PANCHKAR MA

## 4028. SHRI P.K. BIJU:

Will the Minister of AYURVEDA,YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the National Research Institute for Panchkarma of Kerala is facing acute shor staff including teaching staff;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard
- (c) the further steps taken by the Government to streamline the functions of the said inst

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a)& (b): The National  Research  Institute  for  Panchkarma  ( NRIP),  Kerala  is  having significant number of vacant posts at Group 'A', 'B' and 'C' level. However, contractual staff has been engaged against the vacant posts for smooth functioning of the institute. Ther teaching staff in the institute.
- (c): For Group 'A' posts tests and interview have been conducted. Recruitment for regular Group 'B' and 'C' posts hav e been started. Presently, re - deployment of staff has also been done as per the requirement of the institute.

………
Lok Sabha Question No. 4027 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Shortage of Doctors in CGHS Dispensaries
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4027 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH DECEMBER, 2016

## SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS IN CGHS DISPENSARIES

## 4027. SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO: SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

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

- (a) whether there is a huge shortage of doctors in Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) dispensaries, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the time by which the Government is likely to recruit more doctors;
- (c) the time by which the Government is likely to provide round the clock mergency medical facility in all the CGHS dispensaries; and
- (d) the time by which diagnostic laboratories are likely to be pr vided in CGHS dispensaries along with the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a):  There is some shortage of doctors in Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).

Reasonsfor shortage of doctors in CGHS are as under:

- (i) Accrual of vacancies due to transfer / superannuation / death etc.
- (ii) Low rate of joining of Medical officers.
- (iii) High attrition rate among Medical officers.
- (b): Selection and joining of doctors is a continuous process, it is not possible to indicate any specific time frame in this regard.
- (c):  There  is  no  such  proposal.  Government  has  already  empanelled  large  number  of  pri hospitals  under  CGHS  and  CGHS  Beneficiaries  can  directly  go  to  any  of  the  priva emp anelled/private non - empanelled /government hospitals under medical emergency.
- (d): There is no proposal at present to provide diagnostic laboratories in all CGHS W Centres.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4026 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Panama Paper Leak Case
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION No. 4026

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 09 th  DECEMBER, 2016 AGRAHAYANA 18, 1938 (SAKA)

## PANAMA PAPER LEAK CASE

## 4026.  SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR :

## Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of the inquiry being conducted in Panama Paper Leak Case;
- (b) whether the Government has received any internal report, if so, the details thereof and the names of the offenders in the case; and
- (c) the action taken by the Government against the offenders ?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Information about certain offshore entities reportedly held by various Indian persons had appeared in media, earlier this year. The information is attributed to be part of 'Panama Papers' leaks. The  International Consortium  of  Investigative  Journalists (ICIJ), a Washington based organization which has reportedly made the revelations pertaining to the Panama Papers, has put a caveat on its website (www.icij.org) by mentioning that it should not be assumed that everyone who appears in the Panama Papers is involved in tax  avoidance  or  evasion  and  there  are  legitimate  reasons  to  create  a  company  in  an offshore jurisdiction and many people declare them to their tax authorities when that is required.

On  4 th April  2016,  the  Government  constituted  a  Multi-Agency  Group,  inter  alia,  for facilitating co-ordinated and speedy investigationin the cases of Indian persons allegedly having undisclosed foreign  assets  and  whose  names  appeared  in  Panama  Papers  leaks. The  Group  consists  of  the  officers  of  Investigation  Division  of  the  Central  Board  of Direct  Taxes  (CBDT),  Foreign  Tax  &  Tax  Research  Division  of  CBDT,  Enforcement Directorate (ED), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and Reserve Bank of India, and its Convener is Member (Investigation), CBDT.

- (b) &  (c)  The  Government  has  taken  necessary  measures  for  expeditious  investigation  in such  cases  including  through  enhanced  international  cooperation.  The  Multi-Agency Group has so far submitted 6 reports to the Government. The Special Investigation Team on  black  money  has  been  kept  informed  of  the  progress.  Investigation  is  at  different stages  in  specific  cases.  Further  course  of  action  including  assessment  of  undisclosed income, levy of applicable penalties and prosecution in appropriate cases, depends upon outcome  of  the  investigation  in  respective  cases.  Disclosure  of  information  regarding specific taxpayers is prohibited except as provided under section 138 of the Income tax Act, 1961 and section 84 of the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) & Imposition of Tax Act,2015.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4024 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Engagement of Maritime Forces of Friendly Nations
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, B.N. CHANDRAPPA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4024

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## ENGAGEMENT OF MARITIME FORCES OF FRIENDLY NATIONS

4024.  SHRI  NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken steps to engage maritime forces of friendly nations at multiple  levels,  in  training  in  technical  areas  and  hydrography  and  conduct  maritime  security operations;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  protect  and  utilize  the  country's  long  coastline, numerous islands and large exclusive economic zone and continental shelf to reap the benefits of a 'blue economy'; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

( डा . सुभाष भामरे )

(a) to (d): The Government has taken various steps to engage maritime forces of friendly nations at multiple levels.  The Indian Navy conducts staff talks with 18 navies and Executive Steering Group (ESG) meetings with two more.  The Indian Coast  Guard  has  entered  into  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  and Memorandum  of  Cooperation  (MoC)  with  the  Coast  Guards  and  maritime agencies  of  5  friendly  countries  for  combating  transnational  crime,  sharing  of search and rescue information and pollution response.  In addition, Indian Navy also conducts hydrographic courses for personnel of friendly nations at National Institute of Hydrography (NIH), Goa, National Hydrographic office, Dehradun and onboard naval ships.

A large number of initiatives have been undertaken by the Government to strengthen  maritime and  coastal  security, which  inter-alia  include  setting  up  of Joint Operation Centres, establishing a National Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (NC3I) Network, creation of a specialized force Sagar Prahari Bal and setting up chain of 46 static sensors for coastal security. All the above initiatives taken by the Government aim at protecting and utilizing the vast maritime resources for the development of the country.

- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4023 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Loan Scheme for Farmers
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: P. KARUNAKARAN

## Government of India Ministry of Finance

## Department of Financial Services

Lok Sabha

Unstarred Question No. 4023

To be answered on December 09, 2016/Agrahayana18, 1938 (Saka)

## Loan Scheme for Farmers

4023. SHRI P.KARUNAKARAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to introduce new scheme for providing loan to farmers in lieu of their crops in order to provide relief to them;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the salient features of the said scheme; and
- (c) the time by which the said scheme is likely to be implemented?

## Answer

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

(a) to (c): There is no proposal under consideration of the Government to introduce a new scheme for providing loan to farmers in lieu of their crops. However, in order to ensure that all eligible farmers are provided with hassle-free and timely credit for their agricultural operations, the Government has already introduced the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme which enables them to draw cash to purchase agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. The KCC Scheme has been simplified further w.e.f. 2012, which has provisions of ATM enabled debit card; loan post-harvest/consumption/household  requirements  and  maintenance  of  farm  assets; built-in cost escalation in the limit; any number of drawals within the limit, etc.

for

Further, Government of India implements an Interest Subvention Scheme for short term crop loans up to Rs.3.00 lakh so as to ensure availability of short term agriculture credit at  a  reduced  interest  rate  of  7%  p.a.  to  farmers.  Under  the  said  scheme,  additional subvention of 3% is given to those farmers who repay their short term crop loan in time, thereby reducing the effective rate of interest to 4% p.a. for such farmers.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4022 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Payment of Dividends by PSUs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR, JAYADEV GALLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF INVESTMENT AND PUBLIC ASSET MANAGEMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 4022 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2016

## AGRAHAYANA 18, 1938 (SAKA)

## Payment of Dividends by PSUs

## 4022 SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR: SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has asked the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to back shares with surplus money that they have; if the details thereof; and buy
- b) whether the Government has asked the PSUs to pay dividends with the idle funds lying with them to improve the Government S receipt during the current  financial year; if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) take & decision on deployment of surplus (a): funds at their Board level and may consider the need for restructuring, including buyback of the  shares as per the extant guidelines The Government has the to case to case basis and may participate in the process as an investor: capital option

(b): In line with announcement made in the Budget 2016-17, the Government has issued comprehensive Guidelines on Capital Restructuring of CPSEs" on 2016. These guidelines, inter-alia, provide that CPSEs would pay a minimum annual dividend of 30 per cent of PAT or 5 per cent of the net-worth, whichever is higher subject to the maximum dividend   permitted   under the extant legal  provisions   However; CPSEs have also been provided   flexibility in  using its   net-worth for  augmerting funds, provided the same is optimally leveraged for meeting their capital expenditure (Capex)Business expansion needs 27th May,
Lok Sabha Question No. 4021 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Widening of Taxation System
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SULTAN  AHMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4021

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 9 TH    DECEMBER, 2016 AGRAHAYANA 18,  1938 (SAKA)

## WIDENING OF TAXATION SYSTEM

## 4021. SHRI SULTAN AHMED:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce Indirect Tax System envisaging taxation of products/services;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the percentage of population in India under tax net and percentage of it actually paying taxes;
- (d) whether the Government has any proposal/ measures to bring everyone under the tax net; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and steps taken thereon?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):  The  Constitution  has  been  amended  by  the  Constitution  (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016] empowering the Parliament and the Legislature of every State to make laws with respect to Goods & Service Tax imposed by the Union or by such State.

The proposed goods and services tax will replace a number of indirect taxes being levied by the Union or the State Governments and remove multiplicity and cascading taxes and result in a common national market for goods and services.

- (c)  &  (d):  The  burden  of  Indirect  Taxes,  which  are  in  the  nature  of  a consumption tax, is borne by consumers who consume goods & services.

(e): Does not arise in view of reply to (c) and (d) above.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4020 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Banking Transaction Tax
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: UDIT RAJ, SULTAN  AHMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 4020 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 9 TH    DECEMBER, 2016 18, AGRAHAYANA, 1938  (SAKA)

## BANKING TRANSACTION TAX

4020: DR. UDIT RAJ: SHRI SULTAN AHMED:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to scrap Income Tax and replace it with Banking Transaction Tax;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to make PAN or Aadhaar card mandatory for cash transactions above Rs. 10000; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and steps taken thereon?

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

- (a) & (b)   At present, there is no such proposal under consideration to scrap Income Tax and replace it with Banking Transaction Tax.
- (c) & (d)  At present, there is no such proposal under consideration to make PAN or Aadhaar card mandatory for cash transaction above Rs. 10000.

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