opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2055 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Mining of Atomic Minerals in CRZ
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: SRINIVAS KESINENI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIONNo.: 2055

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.12.2017

## Mining of Atomic Minerals in CRZ

## 2055:  SHRI KESINENI NANI:

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

- (a) whether his Ministry has relaxed norms to allow mining of atomic minerals in Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ);
- (b) if so, the details and the rationale behind the said move;
- (c) whether any study has been conducted to gauge the areas affected and the subsequent impact of this amendment and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  his  Ministry  has  dispensed  with  the  requirement  of  a  public  notice  and instead of first issuing a draft has straight away come out with a final amendment to the notification; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a), (b) & C: Mining  of  rare  minerals,  as  listed  by  the  Department  of  Atomic  Energy,  is already a regulated and permissible activity in the CRZ-III areas in terms of CRZ Notification, 2011. With a view to impart more clarity, this provision has been amended for permitting mining of atomic minerals notified under Part-B of  the  First  Schedule  of  the  Mining  and  Minerals  (Development)  Act,  1957 occurring as such or in association with one or other minerals.  As a matter of abundant precaution in CRZ-I areas (Inter-Tidal Zone), only manual mining of such  atomic  minerals  has  been  permitted  only  for  agencies  authorised  by Department of Atomic Energy.  Such mining of atomic minerals is, however, permitted only through manual means, without deploying drilling/blasting/heavy  earth  moving  machinery  etc.  in  the  Inter-Tidal  Zone with the objective of environment protection.
- (d) & (e): Since  the  amendment  in  the  Notification  was  only  with  a  view  to  impart clarity and permit mining operations for atomic minerals by the Department of Atomic  Energy  in  the  CRZ  areas,  the  requirement  of  public  notice  was dispensed with in accordance with the Environment Protection Rules.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2054 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Impact of GST on Textiles
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SANTOKH SINGH CHAUDHARY

## † 2054. Įी संतोख ͧसंह चौधरȣ :

Ɛा िवȅ मंũी यह बताने की क ृ पा करŐगे िकः ( क ) Ɛा सɼूणŊ देश मŐ व˓ िनमाŊता संघ , व˓ और क ं बल िनमाŊता और ʩापारी माल और सेवा कर क े  िवŜȠ बȽ का आयोजन कर रहे हœ ; और की वाˑिवक

( ख ) यिद हां , तो सरकार Ȫारा इस Ɨेũ , जो Ǜादातर अिशिƗत और अȠŊिशिƗत लोगों को िनयोिजत करता है , िशकायतों का िनवारण करने क े  िलए Ɛा कदम उठाए गए हœ ?

## उȅर )

## िवȅ मंũालय मŐ िवȅ राǛमंũी ( ŵी िशव Ůताप शुƑ

( क ): जी , नहीं। ( ख ): उपयुŊƅ भाग ( क ) क े  उȅर को देखते Šए यह Ůʲ नहीं उठता है।

*****

भारत सरकार िवȅ मंũालय राजˢ िवभाग लोक सभा

## अतारांिकत Ůʲ सं . 2054

( िजसका उȅर शुŢवार , 29 िदसंबर , 2017/8 पौष , 1939 ( शक ) को िदया जाना है )

## वèğɉ पर जीएसटȣ का Ĥभाव
Lok Sabha Question No. 2052 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Wildlife Diversity
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2052

TO BE ANSWERED ON  29.12.2017

## Wildlife Diversity

## 2052. SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to incentivize State Governments to preserve and protect State birds and animals to promote wildlife diversity;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to preserve and protect wildlife diversity during the three years?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b) There is no specific plan to incentivize the State Governments to preserve and protect State birds and animals to promote wildlife diversity. Selection of State bird, animal is the mandate of the concerned State Government. The Ministry provides financial assistance under the various Centrally Sponsored Schemes for protection and conservation of wildlife diversity which includes State birds and animals  as per the financial assistance sought by the State Government in the form of Annual Plan of Operation. (APO).
- (c) The  steps  taken  by  the  Government    to  preserve  and  protect    wildlife diversity  includes:
- i. The  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972  provides  for  punishment  for violation  of  its  provisions.  The  Act  also  provides  for  forfeiture  of any  equipment,  vehicle  or  weapon  that  is  used  for  committing wildlife offence(s).
- ii. Increase in Protected Areas, viz., National Parks, Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves covering important  wildlife  habitats  have  been  created  all  over  the  country
- under  the  provisions  of  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972  to conserve wild animals and their habitats.
- iii. Enhanced financial assistance is provided to the State/Union Territory  Governments  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  of 'Integrated  Development  of  Wildlife  Habitats',  'Project  Tiger'  and 'Project  Elephant',  for  providing  better  protection  to  wildlife,  and improvement of habitat.
- iv. The Ministry has taken up the initiative for conservation breeding of the  critically  endangered  species,  like  Asiatic  Lion,  Great  Indian Bustard,  Gangetic  Dolphins,  Manipur  Brow  Antler Deer,  Vultures, etc. under the Endangered Species Recovery Programme Scheme.
- v. The  local  communities  are  involved  in  conservation  measures through  eco-development activities who help the forest department in protection of wildlife.
- vi. Wildlife  Crime  Control  Bureau  activities  have  been  intensified  to gather  intelligence  about  poaching  and  unlawful  trade  in  wild animals  and  animal  articles,  and  to  achieve  inter-state  and  transboundary coordination in enforcement of wildlife laws.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2051 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Bitcoin
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: THOKCHOM MEINYA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2051 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH DECEMBER, 2017/ 8 TH PAUSHA 1939 (SAKA)

BITCOIN

## QUESTION

- (a)       whether the Government has made any attempt to regulate or regularise economic

2051 . DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA : Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state : activities done through Bitcoin; (b)    if so, the details thereof, and (c)     the present position of the Government on Bitcoin ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI Pon. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a)  to  (c)  :  The  Department  of  Economic  Affairs  had  constituted  an  Inter-disciplinary committee to examine the existing global regulatory and legal structures governing Bitcoin; to take stock of the present status of Bitcoin both in India and globally; suggest the frame work for regulation of Bitcoin if among others etc.  The committee has submitted its report which  is  under  consideration  of  the  Government.    The  Reserve  Bank  of  India  has  also cautioned  from  time  to  time,  vide  their  Press  Releases  dated  December  24,  2013  and February  1,  2017,  the  users,  holders  and  traders  of  Bitcoin  about  the  potential  financial, operational, legal, customer protection and security related risks.

**************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2050 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Bharat-22 ETF
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF NNDIA MINISTRY OF FNANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS"

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2050, TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, 29TH DECEMBER, 2017PPAUSHA 08, 1939 (SAKA)

## BHARAT-22 ETF QUESTION

## 2050. SHRIB VINOD KUMAR

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a): whether the Government has launched the Bharat-22 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) to benefit ter and retail investors by providing an opportunity of participation in equity stocks of the Government run companies and earn stable returns; and Jong

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PON, RADHAKRISHNAN)

- launched from 14th November; 2017 to November; 2017 as,a of Government of India (GOL) disinvestment programme. GOI has offered 3% discount to all investors of the reference market during New Fund Offer (NFO): 17th part price

The objective ofBHARAT 22 ETF is to invest in constituents (22 endeavour to provide returns before expenses, which closely correspond to the total returns of $ & P BSE Bharat 22 Index, subject to the usual elements of market risk

BHARAT 22 ETF comprising 22 stocks of listed Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) , Strategic Holdings of Specified Undertaking of Unit Trust of India (SUUTD) and Public Sector Banks (PSBs) namely:

| Sr: No:   | Company name                                         |
|-----------|------------------------------------------------------|
|           | Axis Bank Ltd                                        |
| 2         | Bank of Baroda (BOB)                                 |
| 3         | Bharat Electronics Ltd_(BEL)                         |
| 4         | Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.(BPCL)              |
| 5         | Coal India Ltd (CIL)                                 |
| 6         | Engineers India Ltd_(EL)                             |
| 7         | GAIL (India) Ltd                                     |
|           | ITC Ltd                                              |
| 9         | Indian Bank                                          |
| 10        |                                                      |
| 11        | Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L & T)                          |
| 12        | National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC)Ltd |
| 13        | National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC)              |
| 14        | Nexveli Lignite Company (NLC)Ltd                     |
| 15        | National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)            |
| 16        | National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCQ)               |
| 17        | Qil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)                 |
| 18        | Power Finance Corporation Ltd(PFCL)                  |
| 19        | Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd(PGCL)            |
| 20        | Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd_(RECL)         |
| 21        | Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd_(SIVNL)                  |
| 22        | State Bank of India (SBD)                            |

Government of India raised an amount ofRs.l4,500 crore through BHARAT 22 ETF.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2049 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Merger of Public Sector Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI, RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2049

TO BE ANSWERED  ON THE 29 TH  December  2017/ Pausha  8, 1939 (SAKA)

## Merger of Public Sector Banks

## 2049.  DR.  KAMBHAMPATI  HARIBABU: SHRI RAJAN  VICHARE:

Will  the Minister  of FINANCE  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the  Government   is  planning   to  step  up merger   of  Public   Sector   Banks with  the aim  to pull  of strong  and bigger  banks  of international level;
- (b) if so, the details  thereof;
- (c) whether   the  Government   has  undertaken   any   study   to  understand   the  effects  of merging  banks;  and
- (d) if so, the details  thereof?

## 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   RBI,  may make a scheme, inter alia ,  for the amalgamation  of any  nationalised  bank  with  any  other nationalised   bank   or  any   other   banking   institution. Government   has  put  in  place  an approval  framework  for proposals  to amalgamate  nationalised  banks.
- (c) and (d): Consolidation in Public  Sector  Banks (PSBs) has been discussed by  various committees   and  their reports viz., Narasimham   Committee   (1998),  Indian   Banks' Association   Report   (2004),  Planning   Commission   Report   (2008),  Leeladhar   Committee (2008) and Nayak  Committee  (2014). These committees  recommended  encouragement and  promotion   of   consolidation   within   PSBs  through   the  merger   and  amalgamation route.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2046 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Voluntary Certification Scheme
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA

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

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 2046 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH DECEMBER, 2017

## VOLUNTARY CERTIFICAT ION SCHEME

## 2046. SHRIMATI KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  launched  the  Voluntary  Certification  Scheme  of  Medicin Plants Produce (VCSMPP);
- (b) if so, the details ther eof; and
- (c)  the  number  and  details  of  private  companies  that  manufacture  Ayurvedic  products  w have come forward under this Voluntary Certification Scheme?

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

- (a)  &  (b): Yes,  the  Government  has  launched  the Voluntary  Certification  Scheme for Medicinal Plants Produce (VCSMPP) on 22 nd November, 2017. The scheme has been designed by National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) in collaboration with the Quality Council of India (QCI)  in  order  to  encourage  Good  Agricultural  Practices  (GAPs)  and  Good  Field  Collect Practices (GFCPs) inmedicinal plants and enhanc e quality and safety of their produce.
- (c): So far, private companies that manufacture Ayurvedic products have not come forward under this Voluntary Certification Scheme.

…………………
Lok Sabha Question No. 2045 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: CPF Pensioners
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNPURIA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 2045 TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 29, 2017/PAUSHA 08, 1939 (SAKA) CPF PENSIONERS

2045. Shri Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state

- (a) the details of existing pension rates of Contributory Provident Fund (CPF) pensioners in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not; the reasons therefor; and
- (6) whether the Government proposes to increase the CPF rates;
- (d) whether the Government has any information regarding the number of CPF pensioners

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) The Central Government employees who are covered by CPF Rules (India) 1962 and who retired on or after 01.01.1986 are not entitled to any monthly pension/ex-gratia amount: However; the Government employees under CPF who retired between 18.11.1960 and 31.12.1985 are entitled Presently  following ex-gratia payment is admissible to the CPF beneficiaries who had retired from service to 01.01.1986: prior

| S.No   | Group of Service to which CPF retirees belonged at the time of retirement   | Enhanced amount of basic monthly ex-gratia   |
|--------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
|        | Group A Service                                                             | Rs. 3,000/ -                                 |
| 2      | Group B Service_                                                            |                                              |
| 3      | Group C Service_                                                            |                                              |
| 4      | Group D Service                                                             | Rs. 650/-                                    |
| 5      | Widows and dependent children of the deceased CPF beneficiary               | Rs. 645/-                                    |

Dearness ex-gratia equal to 50% of the amount of ex-gratia and Dearness Relief; as notified from time to time aS per Sth Central Commission  series, on the sums of amount of ex-gratia and dearness ex-gratia is to them, There is no proposal to increase the aforesaid rates Pay being paid
Lok Sabha Question No. 2044 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine (NCISM) Bill 2017
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE

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

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO . 2044 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH DECEMBER, 2017

## NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR INDIAN SYSTEMS O F MEDICINE (NCISM) BILL 2017

## 2044. SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE:

Will the Minister of AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUAROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has sought suggestions on the proposed National Commission for Indian Systemsof Medicine Bill, 2017;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the time limit fixed for the same;
- (c) the total number of the suggestions received by the Government in this regard;
- (d) whether the Government has accepted the suggestions; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

- (a) to (e): A Committee under the Chairmanshi p of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Additional Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NITI A and  Secretary,  Ministry  of  AYUSH  as  members  has  recommended  the  creation  of  National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine.

The report of the Committee was uploaded on the website of NITI Aayog on 20 th March 2017 inviting comments from the public till 20 th April, 2017. Over 22000 responses have been received which have been considered by the Committee.

……………….
Lok Sabha Question No. 2043 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: GST on e-Commerce Operators
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

……..

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2043 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 th , 2017/PAUSHA 08, 1939 (SAKA)

## GST ON E-COMMERCE OPERATORS

## †2043. SHRI ARVIND SAWANT:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to impose tax on foreign e-commerce companies under the Goods and Services Tax and additional taxation; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

## (SHRI SHIV PRATAP SHUKLA)

- (a) &  (b)  Yes.  Supply  of  online  information  and  database  access  or  retrieval services by any person located in a non-taxable territory and received by a nontaxable online recipient is liable to GST. Section 14 of the IGST Act, 2017 refers.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2042 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: CSR Projects
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: KAUSHAL KISHORE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2042 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 29th DECEMBER, 2017 PAUSHA 08, 1939 (SAKA)

## CSR PROJECTS

## QUESTION

2042. SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री

- (a)  whether a large number of companies do not assign reasons in their report  for  not  spending  the  stipulated  percentage  of  their  profits  on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project; and
- (b)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

विधि और न्र्ार् एिं कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्रालर् में राज्र् मंत्री

(

श्री पी॰ पी॰ चौिरी )

(a) & (b):  As per the provisions of section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 ('the Act'), the companies, which have, inter-alia, not made the prescribed expenditure and not disclosed the reasons for not spending are liable for penal  action.  On  the  basis  of  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  (CSR) disclosures made by the companies, Registrar of Companies (RoCs), after due scrutiny issued show-cause notices to 1018 defaulting companies for non - compliance of provisions of section 135 read with section 134(3)(o) of the  Act,  for  the  financial  year  2014-15.  Thereafter,  based  on  the  reports submitted by the Regional Director(s) / RoCs, the Ministry has, as on date, accorded permission for initiating penal action under section 134(8) of the Act, for non-compliance of provisions of the aforesaid Sections against 196 companies.

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2040 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: Project Snow Leopard
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: SANJAY JAISWAL, GAURAV GOGOI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2040

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.12.2017

## Project Snow Leopard

## 2040. DR. SANJAY JAISWAL: SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  carried  out  any  exercise  to  determine  the  number  of  snow leopards in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  number  of  snow  leopards  during  each  of  the last  three  years  and  the  current year, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether effective steps have been taken/proposed to be taken for conservation of snow leopards and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the  Government has  released  fund  to  State  under  the  'Project  Snow  Leopard' during the last three years and the current year; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b) Government has not carried out any exercise to determine the number of snow leopards in the country.
- (c) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has identified Snow  Leopard  as  critically  endangered  species  for  providing  financial assistance  under  the  component  'Recovery  programme  for  critically endangered species' under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of 'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat'. The Ministry has launched 'Project  Snow  Leopard',  implemented  in  the  Himalayan  States  of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim and Uttarakhand.
- (d) During  the  last  three  years,  Ministry  has  received  proposals  only  from the  State  Governments  of  Jammu  &  Kashmir  and  Himachal  Pradesh under the 'Project Snow Leopard'.

(e) Year-wise details of funds released for Project Snow Leopard (Rs Lakh)

| S.N o   | States            | 2014- 15   | 2015- 16   | 2016-17              | 2017- 18   |
|---------|-------------------|------------|------------|----------------------|------------|
| i       | Jammu and Kashmir | -          | -          | 4.81 (Revalidatio n) | 386.50 5   |
| ii      | Himachal Pradesh  | 53.555     | 33.96      | -                    | -          |

****