opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3613 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Transparency in Procurement of Medicines
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3613 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH MARCH, 2018

## TRANSPARENCY IN PROC UREMENT OF MEDICINES

## 3613. SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK:

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

- (a)  whether  there  is  any  transparent procedure  to  procure  medicines  which could  restrict buying of medicines at a very high cost;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether Central Medical Service Committee constituted for this purpose has looked into the matter; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the necessary steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

(a) to (d): There  are  transparent  procedures  to  procure  medicines.  Open  tenders  ar floated for procurement of medicines as per standard terms & conditions. Bid(s) rec against such tenders which are evaluated by the duly constituted committee(s) as per due procedures.  Medical  Stores  Organisation  (MSO)  has  a  formulary  of  drugs  and  in  rout purchases,  drugs  from  the  formulary  are  purchased  following  due  procedures.  Cent Government Health Services (CGHS), for non formul ary medicines, prescribed to individual CGHS beneficiaries, empanels authorised local chemists.

Health  is  a  State  subject  and  States  also  procure  medicines  based  on  t requirements and on the basis of their procedures. Central Medical Services Societ y (CMSS) procures drugs following rules and procedures which include General Financial Rules, 2 The procurement cost of medicines depends on various factors including economies of sca
Lok Sabha Question No. 3612 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Implementation of CSR
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kunhalikutty, P.K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3612 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 16th MARCH, 2018/ PHALGUNA 25, 1939 (SAKA)

## IMPLEMENTATION OF CSR QUESTION

3612.  SHRI P. K. KUNHALIKUTTY:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether his Ministry has permitted companies to fund schemes at the village level by tying up  with the public  representatives concerned and count the spending under the mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) head and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the companies can tie up with public representatives to fund the  scheme  in  their  adopted  villages  and  the  spending  can  be claimed under several heads of CSR rules, which include constructing EWS housing, education, sanitation, health and eradication of poverty; and
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE 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) to (c):   No, Madam.  However, section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 ('the Act') mandates every company above a specified threshold of turnover or net worth or net profit, to spend at least two per cent of the average  net  profits  earned  during  the  three  immediately  preceding financial  years,  on  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  (CSR)  activities specified in Schedule VII of the Act. Schedule VII of the Act enlists the activities  that  can  be  undertaken  by  the  companies  under  their  CSR policies.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3611 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Centre of Excellence in Homoeopathy
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: HARI OM PANDEY, MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI, SANTOSH KUMAR, (SMT.) RATNA DE(NAG)

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 3611 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH MARCH, 2018

## CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN HOMOEOPATHY

## 3611. SHRI HARI OM PANDAY:

SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR:

DR. RATNA DE (NAG):

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

- (a) whether the Government  has any proposal to establish 'Centres of excellence in Homoeopathy' in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the proposed outlay and funding pattern, Stat -wise including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Delhi; and
- (c) 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):     No.
- (b):     Does not arise.
- (c):     The Central Sector Scheme for assistance to AYUSH organisations (Government/ N -Government- Non - profit)  engaged  in  AYUSH  Education/  Drug  Development  &  Research/ Clinical Research etc. for upgradation to Centres of Excellence (COE) is basically mea nt for establishment and upgradation of both functions and facilities of  reputed institutions t excellence.

However, Scheme is not meant for achieving Centre of Excellence in any of the  speci systems of AYUSH medicine.

……………….
Lok Sabha Question No. 3608 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Private Clinics
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3608 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH MARCH, 2018

## PRIVATE CLINICS

## 3608. SHRI SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has imposed ban on doctors of Government hospitals taking up private practice;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any data on Government doctors runnin g private clinics; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the stringent actions taken against these doctors during the last three years?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a) & (b): As per Rule 13 of CHS Rules, 2014, persons appointed to the Central Healt Service  shall  not  be  allowed  private  practice  of  any  kind  whatsoever  including consultation  and  laboratory  practice.  Such  officers  shall,  however,  be  entitled  t -Practicing Allowance(NPA) at the rate of 20% of Basic Pay subject to the condition that Basic  Pay+NPA  does  not  exceed  Rs.2,37,500/ - as  per  the  recommendations  of  Seventh Central Pay Commission.
- (c) & (d): Two  cases  have  been  reported  one  each  from  Central  Govern ment  Health Scheme (CGHS), Delhi and CGHS, Lucknow. Punishment has been imposed as per CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965 in one case and proceedings in the other case are in progress.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3606 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: ESI Hospitals
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: VINOD CHAVDA, P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3606 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH MARCH, 2018

## ESI HOSPITALS

## 3606. SHRI VINOD LAKHAMASHI CHAVDA: SHRIMATI P.K. SREEMATHI TEACHER:

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

- (a) whether the Government has noticed that private hospitals are unenthusiastic in admitting patients registered under ESI scheme and referred by the ESI hospitals for better f acilities;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has any proposal to sort out this issue and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of ESI hospitals anctioned during the last three years, Statewise including Kerala and Gujarat;
- (d) whether these ESI hospitals are having facilities for treatment of cancer, kidney, heart and liver diseases; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a) & (b): At  present,  Employe es'  State  Insurance  Corporation  (ESIC)  has  tie - up agreement  with  1330  private  hospitals  across  India  and  as  on  01.03.2018,  no  ES Beneficiary  has  complained  against  refusal  of  treatment  and  admission  by  any  tie - up hospital.
- (c): The  state  wise  details  of ESI  Hospitals  sanctioned  during  the  last  three  years, including Kerala and Gujarat is placed at Annexure.
- (d) & (e): Facilities for treatment of various illnesses including cancer, kidney, hea liver etc. are provided through ESI Hospitals either in - house or through tie - up arrangements with private hospitals across the country.

ANNEXURE State-wise details of location where in principle approval has been given for

## setting up of ESI hospital

| S.NO.   | STATE          | LOCATION     | DATE OF IN-PRINCIPLE APPROVAL   |
|---------|----------------|--------------|---------------------------------|
| 1.      | ODISHA         | BHUBANESHWAR | 05.03.2018                      |
| 2.      | ANDHRA PRADESH | GUNTUR       | 02.11.2015                      |
| 3.      | RAJASTHAN      | ALWAR        | 12.01.2018                      |
|         |                | BIKANER      | 13.02.2018                      |
| 4.      | CHATTISGARH    | RAIGARH      | 06.02.2018                      |
| 5.      | GOA            | NORTH GOA    | 08.08.2016                      |
| 6.      | JHARKHAN       | DEOGARH      | 06.07.2016                      |
| 7.      | MADHYA PRADESH | PETHAMPUR    | 05.05.2015                      |
| 8.      | GUJARAT        | ALANG        | 20.11.2014                      |
| 9.      | KERALA         | PERAMBAVOOR  | 07.03.2013                      |
Lok Sabha Question No. 3604 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Forest Areas
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  3604 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2018

## Forest Areas

## 3604.    SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR:

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

- (a) whether  the Government proposes to authorize the State Governments for issues related to forest areas within 100 kilometers of the line of actual control on international borders;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has convened an inter-State meeting of concerned stakeholders to seek opinions and finalise the issue; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) Yes, Madam.   The  Ministry  has  issued  Guidelines  dated  29.01.2015  in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs regarding general approval under Section 2 (ii) of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land for construction and widening of 2-lane roads by Border Road Organisation (BRO), Indo Tibetan Police Force (ITBP) and other road construction agencies entrusted with the job by the Ministry of Defense in the area falling within 100 km aerial distance from the Line of Actual Control (LoC).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3602 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Innovation Support Regulatory Cell
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, DHARMENDRA YADAV, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, ANANDRAO  ADSUL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3602 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH MARCH, 2018

## INNOVATION SUPPORT REGULATORY CELL

## 3602. DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up an Innovation SupportRegulatory Cell to facilitate flow of information pertaining to regulatory requirements to drug innovators;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  steps  taken  or  proposed  to  be taken  by  the  Central  Drugs  Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to set up the Cell; and
- (d)  the  time  by  which  the  Innovation Support  Regulatory  Cell  is  expected  to become operational?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a) to (d): Central  Drug  Standards  Control  Organisation  (CDSCO)  has  setup  Public Relation  Office  at  CDSCO  (HQ),  New  Delhi  on  07 -03 -2018,  which  acts  as  Single Window for disposal of grievances of stakeholders and provide information to the innov regarding  regu latory  requirements  for  commercialization  of  their  products  and  provi clarifications pertaining to Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 made there un The office shall also guide, assists handhold investors in various phase of business l le as per existing focus on 'invest India / Make in India'.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3601 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Strengthening of Mechanism against Wilful Defaulters
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SRINIVAS KESINENI

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA

## MINISTRY  OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT  OF FINANCIAL SERVICES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO: 3601

TO BE ANSWERED  ON THE 16 th  MARCH,  2018/PHALGUNA 25, 1939 (SAKA)

## QUESTION

## STRENGTHENING OF MECHANISM AGAINST  WILFUL DEFAULTERS

## 3601:  SHRI KESINENI NANI:

Will  the Minister  of FINANCE  be pleased to state:

- (a) the quantum  of loans given  to wilful  defaulters  during  the last three  years;
- (c) the steps being  taken  by  the Government  to reduce  these statistics;
- (b) the quantum  of these loans of Public  Sector  Enterprises  and the growth  in the number  of wilful  defaulters  during  the said period;
- (d) the details  of precedence  of success achieved in  recovery  from  wilful  defaulters;  and
- (e) whether   the  status  of  unsuccessfullness   in  recovery   from   wilful   defaulter   necessitates a stronger  mechanism  to deal with  such wilful  defaulters?

## ANSWER

## To be answered by THE MINISTER  OF STATE  IN THE  MINISTRY  OF FINANCE

## (SHIV PRATAP  SHUKLA)

- (a) to (b):  As per RBI's instructions, wilful  defaulters  are not sanctioned  any  additional  loans  by banks or financial  institutions. As per data reported  by  Public  Sector  Banks,  the total  number  of wilful  defaulters  has grown  from  6,336 as on 31.3.2014,  to 9,063 as on 31.12.2017.

Number   of  steps  have  been  taken   to  reduce   incidence   of  default   on  account   of  wilful defaulters.  To deal with  wilful  defaulters,  as per RBI's instructions, they  are not sanctioned  any additional  facilities  by  banks  or financial  institutions, their   unit   is  debarred  from  floating  new ventures  for five years,  and lenders  may  initiate  criminal  proceedings  against  them,  wherever necessary.  As per SEBI Regulations,  wilful  defaulters  and companies  with  wilful  defaulters  as promoters/directors are debarred  from accessing capital  markets  to raise funds. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy  Code  has been amended  to debar wilful  defaulters  from participating in  the insolvency  resolution  process.

- (c) to (e): As per data reported  by  PSBs, during  the period  from  1.4.2011 till  31.12.2017,  they recovered  Rs. 5,380 crore  from wilful  defaulters  having  outstanding  amount  of Rs. 5 crore  and above.

As per data reported  by  PSBs, as on 31.1.2018,  2,170 FIRs have been registered  against  wilful defaulters,   8,513  suits  have  been  filed  for  recovery   from   them,   and  action has  been  initiated under the Securitisation  and Reconstruction of Financial  Assets and Enforcement  of Security Interest Act,  2002 in  respect  of 7,005 cases of wilful  defaulters.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3600 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Kisan Credit Cards
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services

## LOK SABHA

Unstarred Question No. †3600 To be answered on Friday, March 16, 2018/Phalguna 25, 1939 (Saka)

## Kisan Credit Cards

†3600. SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV.

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the maximum limit of loan sanctioned through Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs);
- (b) the number of applications for KCC lying pending as on date, bank, State/ UT-wise including Maharashtra; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to expeditiously process the pending KCCs?

## Answer The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance

(Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla )

(a) to (c): The credit limit/ loan amount under Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) is fixed by Banks as per guidelines prescribed in the Master Circular dated July 3, 2017 issued by RBI. The short term credit limit under KCC for the first year is determined based on Scale of Finance for the crop (as decided by District Level Technical Committee) x Extent of area cultivated + 10% of limit towards post-harvest/household/ consumption requirements + 20% of limit towards repairs and maintenance expenses of  farm  assets  +  crop  insurance  and/or  accident  insurance  including  personal accidental insurance scheme (PAIS), health insurance & asset insurance. The limit for second and subsequent years (3rd, 4th and 5th year) is arrived based on first year limit for crop cultivation purpose plus 10% of the limit towards cost escalation / increase in scale of finance and estimated term loan component for the tenure of Kisan Credit Card, i.e., five years.

The short term loan limit arrived for the 5 th  year plus the estimated long term loan requirement will be the Maximum Permissible Limit (MPL) and is to be treated as the Kisan Credit Card limit.

NABARD has reported that the data pertaining to number of applications for KCC pending  with  the  banks  is  not  maintained  centrally.  However,  Government  fixes agriculture credit disbursement targets for the banking sector every year and banks have consistently surpassed these targets.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3599 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Committee against Shell Companies
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY

(a) Yes.

- (b)    A  Task  Force  (TF)  was  constituted  under  the  joint  chairmanship  of  Revenue Secretary and Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs in February, 2017.  The Task Force has representatives from Central Board of Direct Taxes, Central Board of Excise &  Customs,  Enforcement  Directorate,  Central  Bureau  of  Investigation,  Financial Intelligence  Unit,  Serious  Fraud  Investigation  Office,  and  Department  of  Financial Services  with  an  option  to  co-opt  representatives  from  Reserve  Bank  of  India  and Securities and Exchange Board of India.
- (c) The Task Force meets regularly to ensure, inter-alia, strict action as per law, against the shell companies indulging in illegal activities and sorting of issues related to sharing of information, giving access of documents to other agencies by the custodian agency and action against professionals involved in illegal operations of shell companies.

********

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3599

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, 16 TH  MARCH, 2018

PHALGUNA 25, 1939 (SAKA)

## COMMITTEE AGAINST SHELL COMPANIES

†3599:  SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY:

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

(a) whether any committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Revenue Secretary for taking action against Shell company; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the main features of the recommendations made by the said committee?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI SHIV PRATAP SHUKLA)
Lok Sabha Question No. 3597 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Trade in Bitcoin
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL, Dayakar Pasunoori

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3597 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16th March 2018/phatguna 25, 1939 (SAKA)

Trade in Bitcoin

## 3597. SHRI KODIKUNNIL  SURESH: SHRI PASUNOORI DAYAKAR:

## QUESTION

Will the Minister  of FINANCE  be pleased  to state:

- a) whether the Government  has been equating trade in bitcoins to ponzi schemes  that render  uncharacteristically high returns  and if so, the details thereof;
- b) whether the Government is aware that Bitcoins could be the root cause behind terror funding, money launderlng and hawala transactions  in the country,  if so, the details  thereof; and
- c) the steps taken or proposed  to be taken for controlling unlawful activities through bitcoins  in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The Government, vide Press Release dated 29.12.2017 has warned against risks in investing in Virtual Currencies describing these as ponzi schemes  which can result in sudden  and prolonged  crash.
- (b) & (c): There are no credible  inputs to indicate that Bitcoins are being used for terror funding. security agencies keep a crose watch on the issues regarding  funding of terrorism as well as other illegal activities.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3595 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Marine Life
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: JITENDRA CHAUDHURY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3595

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2018

## Marine Life

## 3595:   SHRI JITENDRACHAUDHURY:

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

- (a) whether marine life in  ocean  and  rivers  has  been  affected  due  to  chemicals,  waste, garbage and sewage water discharged from industries and plants in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether death of a number of whales and dolphins and thousands of dead fishes have been washed ashore near Adyar estuary in Chennai have been reported recently due to pollution;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)&(b)  Marine life in ocean and rivers gets affected due to pollution caused by chemicals, waste,  garbage  and  sewage  discharged  into  coastal  waters  from  various  sources including  industries.  These  contaminants  have  adverse  impacts  on  mammals,  sea turtles etc., and other forms of marine life, besides incidences of fish deaths due to depletion of oxygen, algal blooms and change in colour of sea surface.
- (c)&(d)  There  has  been  no  recent  report  on  mass  mortality  of  whales  and  dolphins  near Adyar  estuary.    However,  a  number  of  fishes  have  been  reported  to  have  been washed ashore near the Adyar estuary, reported to be a highly polluted river.This has resulted in reduction in the oxygen levels in the water, leading to hypoxia condition, which is not conducive for the aquatic life .
- (e) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has laid down standards for effluent discharge under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, including the Water Quality Criteria (dissolved oxygen, bacteria, and heavy metals etc.) for safe discharge of treated effluent into the coastal waters. The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011 also prohibits the discharge of untreated waste water and effluents  onto  the  coast/sea.    Tamil  Nadu  State  Government  is  also  implementing projects for eco-restoration and pollution abatement in the Adyar River.