opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2888 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: IGNDPS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: GANESH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2888

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018

## IGNDPS

## 2888.   SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the salient features and achievements of the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS);
- (b) whether the Government proposes to reduce the disability percentage from 80 per cent to 40 per cent to get pension under the IGNDPS and if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be done; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

(a): Under  the  Indira  Gandhi  National  Disability  Pension  Scheme  (IGNDPS),  Central assistance  @  Rs.300/-  per  month  is  provided  to  persons  aged  18-79  years  with  severe  or multiple  disabilities  and  belonging  to  family  living  below  poverty  line  as  per  the  criteria prescribed by Government of India. On attaining the age of 80 years, the beneficiaries get enhanced pension of Rs. 500/- per month. During 2016-17, an amount of Rs. 264.26 crore was released  under IGNDPS.

(b) & (c): No Madam, at present there is no proposal to lower the eligibility criteria from 80 percent disability to 40 percent disability under IGNDPS.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2887 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Land Ownership Rights to Women
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAMDAS CHANDRABHANJI TADAS

## GOVERNI\4ENT  OT.INDIA MINISTRY OF R.URAL DEVELOPMHNT

## DEPARTIVIENT OF LAND RIiSOIJRCES

## i,fitt sAHItA.

l-Il\i  S'i",\zuLED  eUL,S'I  iOilr t".to. .i8g7 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018

Land ()rvnersllip  R.ights  to lVamen

2887. SHRI RAMDAS C. TA}AS:

will the Minister  of RURAI", DIjVELCPN,IENT  be pleaseii ro sta$i:.

- (a) whether the Goverrrmeni is fbrurlr.rlatirig  any legislzrticin to pr,rii,iti;  orvnership rights  to wornen engaged in agricultural  works ailci if sc, rire details  tiier:eofl riild
- (b) the time by rvhich  the said legislaticn  is rikr:i1,  to be tlirnrulatedi,

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOI{ F:TJ RA i., I}[-\ii-]i..C}iih,I  [}.iI. (SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

(a) to (b)  :  As per Entry lB and Entry 45 of List ltr (State  Lisr) ot the Seventh  Schedule of the Constitution, the subject  of '[.and' ancl its inanagement  inc]uiling rnatters related  tc olvnership rights to women engaged in agricLrltrrral works fails irr ti:*  jr-rrisclictirin  of the States. Each State has its own State-speci{ic  Revenr.le Laws to cieal  u,itii "Larir-i' an{l ffiatters  related  thereto.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2886 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Subsidized Solar Pumps
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: SANJAY(KAKA) RAMCHANDRA PATIL, GOWDAR MALLIKARJUNAPPA SIDDESHWARA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2886

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018

## SUBSIDIZED SOLAR PUMPS

## 2886. SHRI SANJAY KAKA  PATIL: SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWARA:

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a): whether  the  Government  proposes  to  subsidize  solar  pumps  for  farmers  across  the country;
- (b): if so, the details thereof along with the quantum of subsidy; and
- (c): the other steps taken by the Government to promote the farm activities using solar power in rural areas of the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY (I/C) (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) & (b): Under  the  Off-grid  and  Decentralized  Solar  PV  Applications  Programme,  the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy provides financial support up to 30% of the benchmark cost to the farmers for installation of solar water pumping system as detailed below:
- (c): Under UNDP-GEF project, the Ministry is supporting development of Renewable Energy Technology Packages for Rural Livelihoods and the sectors broadly identified include horticulture, dairy, poultry, fisheries, handicrafts (bamboo/weaving) and other village industries.

|   S. No. | Capacity of Solar Pump    | Financial support     |
|----------|---------------------------|-----------------------|
|        1 | Up to 1 HP                | 30% of benchmark cost |
|        2 | Above 1 HP and up to 3 HP | 25% of benchmark cost |
|        3 | Above 3 HP and up to 5 HP | 20% of benchmark cost |

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2883 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Cricket Match between India and Sri Lanka
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: KAUSHAL KISHORE

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## Lok Sabha UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2883 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4.1.2018

Cricket Match between India and Sri Lanka

+2883.    SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  a  cricket  match  between  India  and  Sri  Lanka  was organised in Delhi despite severe air pollution;
- (b) if  so, the reasons for organising the match despite severe air pollution;
- (c) whether No Objection Certificate had been taken from National Green Tribunal in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the action taken/proposed to be taken against officials of match  organising  committee  in  this  regard  along  with  the
- details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS

## AND SPORTS

(COL. RAJYAVARDHARAN RATHORRE (RETD.))

(a)  to  (d)          Madam,  BCCI  has  informed  that  Tour  Program  and Fixtures Committee of the BCCI allots International matches on the basis of a rotation policy and it was the turn  of Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) to host the allotted test match.

Accordingly, the Test match allotted to DDCA was played between India and Sri Lanka at Delhi from 2 nd  to 6 th  December 2017.

BCCI  has  further  informed  that  even  in  the  past international matches were played at Delhi in the month of December and it had never  taken  any  No  Objection  Certificate  from  the  National  Green Tribunal for holding such matches. However, BCCI has stated that looking at their experience this time, they will be careful in allotting matches  to  Delhi  and  District  Cricket  Association  (DDCA)  in  the future.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2880 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Rural Connectivity in Bihar
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2880

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018

## RURAL CONNECTIVITY IN BIHAR

## 2880.   SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  any  special  scheme  for  construction  of roads in Bihar under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government also proposes to release any funds for repairing the roads constructed under PMGSY in Bihar and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  connect  all  the  habitations  with  roads under PMGSY in view of the economic condition of Bihar; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

- (a): No Madam. The Government has not proposed any special scheme for construction of roads in Bihar under Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY).

However,  Road  Connectivity  Project  on  Left  Wing  Extremism  Areas  (RCPLWEA)  a separate  vertical  under PMGSY was approved on 28.12.2016 for construction all weather roads in 44 worst affected LWE districts and adjoining districts in 9 LWE states including Bihar  (Andhra  Pradesh,  Chhattisgarh,  Jharkhand,  Maharashtra,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Odisha, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh).These roads were identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as essential from the point of view of security. 60 Major District Roads (1052.27km ) were identified for the state of Bihar by the MHA .

- (b): All  roads  sanctioned  under  PMGSY  will  be  covered  by  5  years  Maintenance  by contractors  (Defective  Liability  Period)  and  after  defect  liability  period,  State  should maintain the roads. Maintenance of these roads is the responsibility of the State Government out of its own resources.
- (c) & (d): The State has reported 38,431 eligible unconnected habitations in Bihar. Out of which  31,053  habitations  have  been  sanctioned  under  PMGSY.  Further  the  State  has reported that, 6831  eligible unconnected  habitations have  been connected  by  State Government schemes/notfeasible at present. Proposals to connect the remaining 547 eligible unconnected  habitations  have  been  recommended  by  the  Empowered  Committee  and  are under process for sanction.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2879 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Closure of News Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: INNOCENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2879 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018)

## CLOSURE OF NEWS CHANNELS 2879. SHRI INNOCENT

Will the Minister of INFORMATION & BROADCASTING be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that various news channels have closed down recently owing to different reasons thereby rendering hundreds of media personnel unemployed; (b) if so, whether  the  Government  has  any  policy  to  utilize the talent  and workmanship of unemployed media personnel by re-employing them; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) whether closing down of news channels and rendering people jobless is likely to happen in future as well; and (e) if so, the details thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE  IN THE MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION  AND

## ANSWER BROADCASTING {COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

(a): No such trend has been noticed. (b) & (c): Question does not arise.

- (d) & (e): In view of the above trend it is unlikely that many news channels are likely to close down in near future.
- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2878 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Expansion of Network of FM Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2878 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018

## EXPANSION OF NETWORK OF FM CHANNELS 2878 : SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government is considering to expand the network of FM channels and to complete the digitization of TV channels and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the  Government  has  any  plan  for  digitization  of  film  archives  for skill  development  of  the  media  and  entertainment  sectors  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING, {COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

- (a) The  policy  for  expansion  of  FM  Radio  Broadcasting  services  through Private Agencies (Phase-III), approved by the Cabinet on 7 th July, 2011 provides for 839 FM channels in 294 cities through e-auction process.

As far as AIR is concerned, presently AIR FM Service is being broadcast from 474 FM transmitters located at 439 places across the country, including 238 nos.  of  100  Watt  FM  relay  transmitters  for  localized  coverage  up  to  10  km distances. These FM transmitters cover about 52% of population of the country. The following schemes were approved under the12 th plan:

1. 58 FM transmitters of various capacities in different cities.
2. 100 Watt relay FM transmitters at 116 locations for localized coverage up to 10 km.
3. Replacement/Up-gradation  of  77  old  FM  transmitters  in  different  cities across the country.

As far as Doordarshan is concerned, Doordarshan is presently operating 34 Satellite TV channels. Distribution of all the above channels  is in digital mode. Doordarshan's DTH service is also in digital mode.

- (b) Government  has  launched  National  Film  Heritage  Mission  (NFHM)  to digitize and restore filmic content of the country.  The project envisages upgradation of skill  sets  and  National  Film  Archives  of  India  has  conducted  a  ten-day International  Workshop  on  film  Preservation  and  Restoration  during  FebruaryMarch, 2016 in which more than 60 participants from across the country took part. Inputs  were  provided  by  16  international  experts  in  the  field  of  film  preservation, digitisation, restoration etc.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2873 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Wastage of Electricity
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: UDIT RAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2873 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018

## WASTAGE OF ELECTRICITY

2873.  DR. UDIT RAJ:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether three  billion  units  of  electricity  or  a  day's  national  consumption were  wasted  during  2014-15  due  to  congestion  in  the  transmission  highways which blocked the trading between surplus and deficit regions;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the data from various  power  exchanges  show  a  higher  wastage during 2013-14 at 5.3 billion units, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  check  the wastage of electricity on such a large scale?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  R. K. SINGH )

(a) & (b) : There is no electricity wastage in case of congestion in transmission highways. However, it constrains trading between two areas/regions, as some volume of power is not cleared in  the power market for sale due to congestion. As per the information from power exchanges, 3.1 Billion Units (BU)  energy  could  not  be  cleared  due  to  congestion  during  2014-15.    The congestion  was  experienced  due  to  non-availability  of  sufficient  inter-regional power  transfer  capability  between  Western  to  Northern  Region  and  Western  to Southern Region.

- (c) : As  per  data  from  power  exchanges,  5.6  BUs  energy  could  not  be cleared due to congestion between Western to Northern /Southern Region during 2013-14.
- (d): At present, the congestion has reduced substantially as compared to the year 2013-14 due to augmentation of inter-regional transmission network. The inter-regional  transmission  capacity  has  been  doubled  from  37,950  MW  as  on 31.03.2014 to 78,050 MW as on 30.11.2017. Augmentation/strengthening of interregional links to strengthen the  transmission corridors between the five regional grids  i.e.  Northern,  Western,  Southern,  Eastern  and  North-Eastern  regions  is  a continuous process.

*************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2872 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Export Promotion in Textile Sector
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: PARVESH SAHIB SINGH

## EXPORT PROMOTION IN TEXTILE SECTOR

## 2872.   SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी

be pleased to state:

(a) whether a special package for job creation and export promotion in textile and apparel sector has been implemented and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  there  have  been  enrolments  under  the  said  package  and  if  so,  the  number  of  enrolled textile units;

(c)  whether  fixed term  workmen have been identified as part of the scheme and if so, the number thereof; and

(d)  whether  the  scheme  has  generated  employment in the  textile  industry  and  if  so,  the  number  of women employed and if not, the reasons therefor?

## उत्तर

## ( )

## ANSWER वस्त्र मंरी श्री अज

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

(a): Yes  Madam.  The  Cabinet  has  approved  a  special  package  for  employment  generation  and promotion of exports in Apparel and Made-ups sector. The following are the components of the said package:

- (i) Rebate of State Levies (ROSL) for remission of State Levies for a period of three years.
- (ii) Additional  10%  Capital  Investment  Subsidy  under  the  Scheme  for  Production  and Employment Linked Support for Garmenting Units (SPELSGU) to garment and madeups units.
- (iii) Additional incentive of 3.67% under Pradhan Mantri Paridhan Rozgar Protsahan Yojana (PMPRPY)  to  apparel  and  made-ups  sectors  for  generation  of  new  employment  in addition to 8.33% EPF which is already contributed by Government under PMRPY.
- (iv) Increasing overtime caps for workers not to exceed 8 hours per week in line with ILO norms.
- (v) Introduction of fixed term employment to the garment sector.
- (vi) Enhancing scope of Section 80JJAA of Income Tax Act by relaxing the provision of 240 days for claiming the tax benefit to 150 days for the garment sector.

(b) to (d): The new employment reported under PMPRPY as on 2.1.2018 is    1,57,398 and the amount disbursed is Rs 10.38 crore.

There is no categorization of employees as fixed workmen or other workmen/employees for eligibility  under  the  PMPRPY  Scheme.    All  new  employees  joining  on  or  after  01.04.2016  as  per terms and conditions of PMPRPY Scheme guidelines are identified as part of the Scheme.

The package is expected to provide a boost to employment in the textile sector by creating employment  for  around  1.1  crore  persons. Since  70%  of  the  workforce  in  the  garment  industry  is women, majority of the new jobs created are likely to go to women.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2871 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: App-based Taxis
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that most of the drivers of app based cab service  violate law as they talk on phone to find location while driving, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government finds it necessary to check such violations as it is dangerous for the driver as well as other pedestrians; and
- (c) if so, the measures taken by the Government and so far, in this regard ?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No Madam. No specific information is available in this regard.
- (b) to (c) Transportation  by  Road  is  a  State  Subject  under  the  Seventh  Schedule  to  the Constitution of India, therefore, the State Governments are primarily responsible through their law enforcement agencies as also for protecting the life and property of the citizens. However, use of hand held devices while driving is a threat to road safety. Strong penal provisions have been proposed in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017 by including 'use of hand held communication devices while driving' in the definition of dangerous driving which would attract Heavy penalty. Central government also runs campaigns from time to time to sensitise general public to avoid mobile usage while driving.

***

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2871

ANSWERED ON 4 TH  JANUARY, 2018

## APP-BASED TAXIS

2871. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 2869 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Single Database for Ground Water
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 2869

ANSWERED ON 04.01 .201 8

## SINGLE DATABASE FOR GROUND WATER

## 2869. SHRI A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether recommendation for a single ground water database for the entire country has various corners including the Standing Committee on Wat er Resources;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the progress made in this regard so far; and
- (c)  whether  preparation  of  the  database  is  yet  to  commence  and  if  so,  the  details  the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESO URCES, RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

( SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHW AL )

(a)  to (c)    Yes,  Madam.    Modernization  of  the  water  resources  data  collection  and  mon infrastructure is one of the key objectives of the on - going pan India National Hydrology Project being implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR with the W orld Bank assistance.

Currently, Central Ground Water Board is generating/collecting data relating to gro level, quality, resource and litholog borewell, which is available on a web based Wate Information  System  (WRIS)  ( www.india- wris - nrsc.gov.in )  developed  by  MoWR,  RD  &  GR,  in collaboration with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Department of Space, Governm India.   Further, State Governments are also collecting the data pertaining to ground water resources.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2868 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Motor Vehicles Agreements
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2868 ANSWERED ON 4 TH  JANUARY, 2018

## WIDENING OF ROADS

## 2868.  SHRI NATUBHAI GOMANBHAI PATEL:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सडक परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is according top priority to the widening of roads, construction of new underpasses and overbridges in order to solve the problem of traffic jams in the country;
- (b) if so, the places where such work is going on currently; and
- (c) the details of the number of bridges and roads where the work will be completed by the year 2018-19?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to (b)  Development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs) is a continuous process and they are kept in traffic worthy condition depending upon the availability of funds and inter se priority. 1355 projects amounting to Rs. 387584.30 Crore having length 44477 km are ongoing for  development of NHs which includes widening of National Highways, construction of new underpasses and over bridges, etc. in order to solve the problem of traffic jams in the country.
- (c)  About  559  nos  of  projects  of  NHs  development  including  bridges  are  expected  to  be completed by the year 2018-19.

*****