opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1843 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Productivity of Tobacco
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: JAYADEV GALLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1843

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14/03/2017

## PRODUCTIVITY OF TOBACCO

## 1843. SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k ,oa fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that scientists Dr. Long and Prof. Krishna K. Niyogi have shown  the  improvement  in  photosynthesis  and  productivity  of  tobacco  crops  by accelerating recovery from photoprotection;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and
- (c) whether productivity of food and other crops can be achieved without using GM techniques and if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f'k ,oa fdlku dY;k.k ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h

## (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

- (a) Scientists are able to improve the tobacco crop productivity by accelerating recovery from photoprotection.
- (b) Dr. S.P. Long and his team at the University of California have shown the improvement  in  photosynthesis  and  productivity  of  tobacco  crop  by  accelerating recovery from photoprotection.

According  to  these  researchers,  plant  leaves  routinely  experience  sharp fluctuations in levels of absorbed irradiance.  Plant leaves dissipate excess absorbed light energy in the form of heat.  When leaves are shaded by clouds or other leaves, this protective dissipation continues for many  minutes  resulting in reduced photosynthesis and loss of potential yield.   Over  expression  of  genes  involved  in photo-protective  mechanism  that  protects  the  photosynthetic  antenna  complexes from over excitation is hypothesized to improve crop photosynthetic efficiency and in turn yield.

However, the expression of three identified genes together in tobacco led to increased  leaf  carbon  dioxide  uptake  and  plant  dry  matter  productivity  by  about 15% in fluctuating light.

(c) So  far  conventional  plant  breeding  and  molecular  tools  are  employed  to enhance the productivity of all the major crops grown in India.  For example the productivity of rice increased from 668 kg/ha in 1950-51 to 2547 kg/ha in 2016-17 and the productivity of tobacco in India increased from 731 to 1842 kg/ha during the period from 1950-51 to 2014-15.

However, GM technology is required where conventional breeding and other tools  are  not  effective  to  achieve  the  desired  results  particularly  in  the  pest management.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1842 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Foreign Investment in FPI
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1842

ANSWERED ON 14 TH  MARCH, 2017

## FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN FPI

## 1842. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether various foreign investment proposals have been sanctioned for establishing food processing units in the country including Jammu and Kashmir during the last few years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the effect of such investment on domestic small food industries?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a) &  (b)  According  to  the  data  provided  by  the  Department  of  Industrial  Policy  and Promotion (DIPP), the food processing sector in the country has received US$ 5.76 billion worth of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflows during the period 2010-11 to 2015-2016. The year-wise details are given in the following table.
- (c) As per the Annual Survey of Industries conducted by Central Statistics Office, Ministry of  Statistics  and  Programme  Implementation,  the  number  of  registered  food  processing  units including small food industries has increased from 35,838 in 2010-11 to 38,594 in 2014-15.

| Year(April-March)   |   FDI Equity inflows (US $ Million) |
|---------------------|-------------------------------------|
| 2010-11             |                              188.67 |
| 2011-12             |                              170.21 |
| 2012-13             |                              401.46 |
| 2013-14             |                             3982.89 |
| 2014-15             |                              515.86 |
| 2015-16             |                              505.88 |

Source:  DIPP-does not maintain state-wise data on FDI.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1841 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Changes in Business of FPI
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1841

ANSWERED ON 14 TH  MARCH, 2017

## CHANGES IN BUSINESS OF FPI

## 1841. SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  bring  any  changes  in  business  in  the  Food Processing Industry after 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was allowed in the sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  any  assessment  has  been  made  to  ascertain  the  impact  of  the  new  policy  on domestic Food Processing Industry and the farmers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  corrective  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  protect  small  and  medium  food processing enterprises in view of the new policy?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) :  100  per  cent  Foreign  Direct  Investment  has  been  permitted  in  food  manufacturing sector through automatic route. Recently, Government has allowed 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment  through  government  approval  route  in  trading,  including  through  e-commerce  in respect of food products manufactured and/or produced in India. The Ministry is also taking a number  of  steps  to  attract  Foreign  Direct  Investment  in  the  food  processing  sector.  The Ministry has simplified procedures and processes to make it easier for investors and a special fund of Rs. 2000 Crore has been created in NABARD to make available affordable credit to designated food parks and processing units to be set up therein, Bank loans to food and agroprocessing units and cold chain has been classified as agricultural activities for Priority Sector Lending.  Government  has  also  provided  various  fiscal  incentives  to  make  food  processing sector attractive for investment.

- (b) & (c):  The policy of encouraging Foreign Direct Investment in food processing sector benefits all segments of domestic food processing industries, small, medium and big as well as farmers.  The  flow  of  Foreign  Direct  Investment  helps  in  bringing  new  technologies,  new products, new processes, new markets and investment in backward and farm-gate infrastructure in the supply chain benefitting farmers and processors and creating employment in the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 160 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Setting up of ‘‘Nand Ghar’’ on PPP Model
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: S. RAJENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION No.160

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2017

## SETTING UP OF 'NAND GHAR' ON PPP MODEL

## *160 .   SHRI S. RAJENDRAN:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has proposed to set up 'Nand  Ghar' under the Public-PrivatePartnership  model  in  order  to  develop  and  modernise  anganwadi  infrastructure  in  the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of anganwadi centres selected for modernisation in this regard along with the progress made thereof; and
- (c) whether some more anganwadi centres  are likely  to  be  modernised  in  this  model  in  the country, particularly in Madhya Pradesh and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

- (a)      to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## Statement referred to in reply to Part (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.160 for 10.03.2017 by Shri S. Rajendran regarding Setting up of 'Nand Ghar' on PPP Model

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b)       &(c)    Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 158 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Financial Autonomy
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA

- (a) whether India has been ranked at 143 rd out of 186 countries in the annual index of  Economic  Freedom  2017  regarding  financial  autonomy  by  the  Heritage Foundation;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  norms/guidelines  for  assessment  of  the financial autonomy of the aforesaid report;
- (c) whether India is at the lowest pedestal even in the list of BRICS countries and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve  the  degree  of  economic freedom?

## ANSWER

## FINANCE MINISTER (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)

- (a) to (d):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 158 BY PROF. PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA DUE FOR ANSWER ON 10 th  March, 2017

The Index  of  Economic  Freedom is  an  annual  index  compiled  and  released by the  Heritage  Foundation,  a  private  think  tank  based  in  Washington,  USA. The  index  scores  countries  on  a  scale  of  0  to  100,  by  aggregating  twelve aspects of economic freedom separated into four broad categories - rule of law; government size; regulatory efficiency; and open markets. As per the Index of Economic Freedom 2017, India has been ranked at 143 rd out of 186 countries. Financial  freedom  is  one  of  the  aspects  covered  under  the  category  open markets. As per the Index, the four BRICS countries are ranked above India.

The  Government  has  been  continuously  improving  regulatory  frameworks, promoting private sector investment and following the path of fiscal consolidation. Some  of  the  recent steps are as follows: (a) focus on expenditure rationalization with plugging loopholes in public expenditure and innovative revenue raising efforts have helped achieve lower fiscal deficit; (b) a phased programme  for public sector banks recapitalization has been launched; (c) the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 has been enacted; and (d) the RBI Act, 1934 was amended to provide for a statutory monetary policy framework.
Lok Sabha Question No. 157 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Aerospace University
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.157

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH MARCH, 2017

## AEROSPACE  UNIVERSITY

- *157.  DR. RAMESH  POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK': SHRI  BHARAT  SINGH: Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state: (a) whether  the  Hindustan  Aeronautics  Limited  (HAL)  has  taken  a  decision  to establish an Aerospace University in the country; (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the location identified for  the  purpose  along  with the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon; and
- (c) the  names  of  International  institutions  likely  to  be  associated  with  the  said University along with the names of faculties / departments on which special emphasis is likely to be given in the University?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                      (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jh euksgj ijhZdj½

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 157 FOR ANSWER ON 10.3.2017

(a) The  Expert  Group  under  the  chairmanship  of  Shri  B.K.  Chaturvedi, former  Cabinet  Secretary  and  the  then  Member,  Planning  Commission constituted by the Government for Restructuring and Strengthening of HAL had recommended setting up of a Aerospace University. The recommendation has been accepted by the Government. (b) The  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  on  establishment  of  Aerospace University (re-named as HAL Aeronautical Institute) has been approved by HAL Board.  The DPR, as approved by the HAL Board, has been submitted to the Government.

- (c) These issues will be decided after the University is established.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 156 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Air Ambulance Services
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: M. I. SHANAVAS

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 156 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH MARCH, 2017 AIR AMBULANCE SERVIC ES

## *156. SHRI M.I. SHANAVAS:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  helicopter/Air  Ambulanc services in important and premier Government hospitals across the countr ferry  critical  patients  to  save  lives,  if  so,  the  details  there of  and  if  not,  the reasons therefor;
- (b) the details of the discussion held with the Ministry of Civil Aviatio regard; and

adopted  by

- (c) whether the Government  has  studied  the methodology International hospitals to ferry critical patients fro m one place to another, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA )

- (a)to ( c):No such proposal is presently under consideration of Department of Health &Family Welfare.
Lok Sabha Question No. 154 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Maternity Benefit Programme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: K. C. VENUGOPAL, MIDHUN REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 154

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2017

## MATERNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMME

| 154.   | SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY                                                                                                   |
|--------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (a)    | whether the Government has issued guidelines under the Maternity Benefit Programme and if so, the details thereof;                           |
| (b)    | whether the Government has limited the benefit of the programme to first child only and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; |
| (c)    | whether the Government is facing shortage of funds under the programme and has urged the States to bear 50 per cent of the cost; and         |
| (d)    | if so, the details thereof and the effective measures taken by the Government in this regard?                                                |
|        | ANSWER                                                                                                                                       |
|        | MINISTER OF WOMENANDCHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATIMANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)                                                                         |
| (a)    | to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                       |

******

## Statement referred to in reply to part (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question Number 154 for answer on 10.03.2017 raised by Shri K.C. Venugopal and Shri P.V. Midhun Reddy regarding Maternity Benefit Programme

- (a) The  guidelines  for  pan-India  implementation  of  Maternity  Benefit  Programme  as announced by the Prime Minister on 30.12.2016 are being drafted.
- (b) No such decision has been taken.
- (c)       & (d) No,  Madam.  Since  Maternity  Benefit  Programme  is  a  Centrally  Sponsored Scheme the cost sharing ratio between the Centre and the States for implementation of the Programme is as under:

|   Sl. No. | Particulars of States/UTs                                                                        | Cost Sharing Ratio between Center and States   |
|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | States (other than North-Eastern States & Himalayan States) & Union Territories with legislature | 60:40                                          |
|         2 | North-Eastern States &Himalayan States                                                           | 90:10                                          |
|         3 | Union Territories without legislature                                                            | 100%                                           |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 150 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: Simplified Procedures for Start ups
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 150 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 10 TH  MARCH, 2017 [PHALGUNA 19, 1938 (SAKA)]

## SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR START UPs

*150      SHRI BAIJAYANT JAY PANDA:

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

- (a) whether there are proposals to simplify the winding up process for start ups and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there are also proposals to tackle the rising number of start ups applying for classification as dormant companies and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether there are mechanisms already in place to investigate the start ups in view of reports of rising practice of filing annual records and tax returns essentially for the non-functional start ups and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS              (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY) ( कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री )                                                 ( श्री अरूण जेटली )

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  150  FOR  ANSWER  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 10.03.2017

- (a) The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (Code) was notified on  28.05.2016.    The  provisions  regulating  the  Insolvency Resolution and Liquidation of Corporate Persons, which include Companies  and  Limited  Liability Partnerships (LLPs), are contained in Part-II of the Code and have been commenced with effect from 01.12.2016 and 15.12.2016 respectively.  The Code provides  that  resolution  plan  for  corporate  debtor  should  be finalised within 180 days from the insolvency commencement date. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2016 were also notified on 15.12.2016 by Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India, which simplify the process of liquidation.    The  provisions  are  applicable  for  the Startups which are registered as companies or LLPs.
- (b) No, Madam.
- (c) No such reports have been received.  However, Companies Act, 2013  has  the  necessary  provisions  to  investigate  any  noncompliance.
- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 147 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-10
Subject: MR Vaccine
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, BHARATENDRA SINGH

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 147 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH MARCH, 2017 MR VACCINE

## *147. SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO: KUNWAR BHARATENDRA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Measles is one of the main cau behind child mortality in the country and if so, the details thereof al number of children died due to this disease during the last three years -wise;
- (b) whether the Government has launched a single shot Measles - Rubella (MR) vaccine recently against Measles and Rubella disease and if so, the numb districts/child ren to be initially covered under this campaign;
- (c) whether the project was to be initially rolled out in Tamil Nadu, Kar Goa,  Lakshadweep  and  Puducherry  as  a  public  health  move  implemented through schools and camps and if so, the details thereof along with the time by which the MR vaccine is likely to be introduced throughout the country;
- (d)  whether  some  parents  have  expressed  their  apprehension  about  r -vaccinating their children since they have already been vaccinated for Me and Rubella earlier and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to partner with State Governments a NGOs to eradicate Measles and Rubella from the country and if so, the de thereof ?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA )

- (a)to(e):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 147* FOR 10 TH MARCH, 2017

(a) As  per  WHO  estimates,  approximately  49,200  measles  deaths  were estimated from India for the year 2015. State wise estimates of deaths a available from the estimates published by WHO.

(b)& (c) The Government has introduced single shot Measles -Rubella(MR) vaccination campaign, starting from February 2017 in five states/UTs, nam Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Goa and Lakshadweep. Nearly 3.48 crore children in the age group of 9 months to less than 15 years of age are e to be covered in a ll the 70 districts of these five states/UTs. The vaccinatio be provided to the children in health facilities and in outreach sessions in schools. The MR campaign will cover the entire country in a phased mann

(d)      Some  parents expresse d  their  apprehension  about  re - vaccinating  their children since they had already been vaccinated for Measles and Rubella ea in the social media and also during the campaign activities.

(e)Government  partners  with  State  Governments  for  all  vaccination s  under Universal  Immunization  Programme.  Further,  both  the  Union  and  State Governments are partnering with NGOs such as Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP),  Indian  Medical  Association  (IMA)  and  Lions  Clubs to  help  eradicate Measles and Rubella from the cou ntry.