opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 778 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Slow GDP Growth
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: BHAGWANTH KHUBA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 778

TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 14, 2018

## SLOW GDP GROWTH

778. SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Quarter 2 GDP growth is very slow due to higher fuel prices and weaker rupee;

(b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has taken serious measure on this particular issue; and

- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

- (a)  &  (b)  The  growth  rate  of  Gross  Domestic  Product  (GDP) at  constant  (2011-12) prices for India in second quarter (July-September) of 2018-19 was 7.1 percent, higher as compared to the growth of 6.3 percent recorded in the second quarter of the previous year. The growth rate of  GDP in  the  first  quarter  (April-June)  of  2018-19  was  8.2  percent.  Attaining  and  sustaining high  economic  growth  depends  on  number  of  factors  viz.  structural,  external,  fiscal  and monetary factors. However, there is no strict one to one correspondence of economic growth to each one of these factors. The  higher  international  crude  oil  prices  and  weaker  rupee  in  the second  quarter  of  2018-19  may  have  affected  the  performance  of  the  external  sector  of  the economy. Despite higher crude oil prices and weaker rupee, the economy grew at a robust rate

(SHRI PON RADHAKRISHNAN) of 7.6 percent in the first half of 2018-19.

- (c)  &  (d)  The  crude  oil  price  of  the  Indian  Basket  is  determined  by  the  international  crude  oil prices. To cushion the impact of rising international crude oil prices for domestic consumers, the government  reduced  the  central  excise  duty  on  petrol  and  diesel  in  October  2018.    The exchange  rate  of  Rupee  is  market  determined.  The  Reserve  Bank  of  India  (RBI),  however, intervenes in the domestic foreign exchange market to manage excess volatility and maintain orderly conditions without having any fixed target or band for the exchange rate. In November 2018, crude oil price (Indian basket) declined by around US$ 15 per barrel, as compared to that of  in  October  2018.  In  addition,  the  exchange  rate  appreciated  from  Rs.  73.99  per  US$  in October 2018 to Rs. 69.66 per US$ in November 2018. With the recent decline in oil prices and stability in the exchange rate, the prospects of the Indian economy look bright.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: PSB Branches Abroad
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA

## LOK SABHA

## MINISTRY  OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT  OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 777 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  DECEMBER 2018/ AGRAHAYANA 23, 1940  (SAKA) PSB Branches Abroad

## 777.  SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

Will  the Minister  of FINANCE  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  about  159 branches  of Public  Sector  Banks (PSBs) are operating  in foreign countries  and of which  41 branches  made losses in  2016-17; and
- (b) if so, the the details of fresh initiatives taken/being taken towards capital conservation  exercise  of these PSB branches  abroad?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry  of Finance (SHRI SHIV PRATAP  SHUKLA)

(a) and (b): As per input  received  from PSBs, 172 branches  of PSBs were  operating  in foreign  countries  as on 31.3.2017,  out of which 36   branches  were  in loss in the financial year  2016-17. Banks have apprised  that  various  initiatives  have been taken  by  them  in this regard, including, inter alia , improving branch profitability through cost reduction, reduction   of  risk-weights   through   rebalancing   the  lending   portfolio,   sale  of  non-core assets,  improving   recovery   efforts, and  rationalisation of  foreign   branches   through merger/closure  of operations.
Lok Sabha Question No. 776 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Implementation of PMSSY at AIIMS
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA, MURALI MOHAN MAGANTI, B.V. NAYAK

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 776 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH DECEMBER, 2018

## IMPLEMENTATION OF PM SSY AT AIIMS

## 776. SHRI S.P.MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

SHRI M. MURALI MOHAN:

SHRI B.V. NAIK:

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

- (a) whether cardiology department, one of the speciality area under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), has not been set up at various AIIMS till now;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether emergency services like Blood Banks and post - mortem services are not available at various AIIMS till now; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government to ensureproper implementation of PMSSY?

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

- (a): No.    The  Cardiology  department  has  already  been  set  up  in  all  the  six  AIIMS  functi under Phase - I of PMSSY viz., AIIMS Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur and Rishikesh.
- (b) : Does not arise.
- (c): Blood bank services are available in all the six AIIMS set up under Phase - I of PMSSY viz., AIIMS  Bhopal,  Bhubaneswar,  Jodhpur,  Patna,  Raipur  and  Rishikesh.  Further, the  post  mortem services are also  available in all the above AIIMS except at AIIMS, Patna
- (d) : Process  of  procuring  post - mortem  table  has  been  initiated  at  AIIMS  Patna  and  the  post -mortem services will soon be available in AIIMS Patna also.

Following steps have been taken by the Union Government to ensure proper implementation ofPMSSY :

- I. The system of assigning the construction work to executing agencies on turn key basis empowerment to handle all contractual matters at their end has be en introduced.
- II. The  functional  AIIMS  have  been  empowered  with  greater  delegation  of  powers  in construction, procurement and administrative matters.
- III. The procedure for procurement of medical equipment has been simplified and made more efficient  with  greater delegation  and  empowerment  of  the  Procurement  Support  Agency (PSA).
- IV. Several measures have also been taken to improve the faculty availability at National l
- V. An online dash board has been created to facilitate closer monitoring of the progress PMSSY projects.
Lok Sabha Question No. 774 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Private Sector Investment in Healthcare
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 774 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH DECEMBER, 2018

## PRIVATE SECTOR INVES TMENT IN HEALTHCARE

## 774. SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

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

- (a) whether as per a recent survey infrastructure in Health Sector is quite poor in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to increase investments for Healthcare infrastructure from private sector, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether it is a fact that private sector is reluctant in providing healthcare f ciliti s in rural areas of the country; and

(e) if so, the necessary remedial steps tak n in this regard?

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a)& (b): PublicHealth  and  Hospitals  is  a  state  subject.  Ministry  of  Health  &  Fami Welfarehas  not  conducted  survey  in  the  recent  past  regarding  the  status  of  infrastruc health sector. However, as per Rural Health Statistics Bulletin 2017 - 18, the  shortfall of public health infrastructure in India is 18% for  Sub centres, 22% for Primary Health Centres and 30% for Community Health Centres.

(c): Public  Health  and  Hospitals  being  a  State  subject,  the  responsibility  of  ensuri adequacy of healthcare infrastructure lies with the respective States/UTs.  Under Nationa Mission (NHM) technical and financial support is provided to the States/ UTs to strengthen their healthcare systems, including for strengthening existing or setting up new public health based on proposals of States/UTs Governments in their  Programme Implementation Plans (PIP within their overall resource envelope. Some of the measures to facilitate increase investments for Healthcare infrastructure from private sector include:

- (i)Support under NHM is provided for provision of healthcare services in PPP mode
- (ii) NITI  Aayog  has  issued  guidelines  for  a  PPP  model  of  NCD  faci lity  collocated  at District Hospital.
- (iii) Health  infrastructure  has  been  included  under  Higher  Education  Funding  Agency (HEFA).
- (iv) The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana PMJAY also creates a conducive climate to facilitate private sector investment.

(d) & (e) :Public health and Hospitals beinga State subject, no such data is maintained centrally.
Lok Sabha Question No. 771 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Scheme for Development of AYUSH Clusters
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 771 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH DECEMBER, 2018

## SCHEME FOR DEVELOPME NT OF AYUSH CLUSTERS

## 771. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  assessments  indicate  a  three - fold  increase  in  market  size  of ayurvedic products from $ 2.5 billion to $ 8 billion by the year 2022;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has formulated any scheme for promotion/ development AYUSH clusters across the country; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?

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

- (a):        Yes,  estimates  indicate  approximately  three - fold  increase  in  the  market  size  of Ayurveda products by 2022 at a compound annual growth rate of about 16.2%.
- (b)  &  (c)  Implementation  of  a  'Central  Sector  Scheme  for Development  of  AYUSH  Industry Clusters'  was  initiated  in  the  11 th Five  Year  Plan  period  for  filling  in  the  critical  gaps  rel ated  to standardization, quality assurance and control, productivity, marketing, infrastructure and capacity building of AYUSH industry. Objective of the cluster based approach was to e the  level  of  organization  in  the  sector  thereby by  creating  social  capital  for  sustainability collective initiatives by  way  of grant  to the Special  Purpose  Vehicle (SPV) formed entrepreneur  from  AYUSH sector. The scheme funded ten projects in different parts of th till 3 1 st March, 2017 and has been discontinued thereafter.

Department of Pharmaceuticals is also operating a Cluster Development Scheme for pro financial assistance to Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to develop common facilities. Minim me mbers  of  SPV  must  be  pharmaceutical  manufacturers  is  the  eligibility  condition  to scheme. Subject to fulfillment of the prescribed conditions, AYUSH drug manufacturers c avail the benefits of common facilities of the cluster.

………………
Lok Sabha Question No. 770 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Promotion of Naturopathy
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

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

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 770 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH DECEMBER, 2018

## PROMOTION OF NATUROP ATHY

## 770. SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

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

- (a)  whether  Government  has  proposed  to  introduce  new  schemes  to  promote  &  spread naturopathy treatment in the country on the occasion of the Nat uropathy Day organized by the Ministry and the International Naturopathy Organisation (INO);
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to spread the benefits of Naturopathy treatment the masses?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)& (b) : There  is  no  such  scheme  launched to  promote  &spread  naturopathy treatment in the country on the occasion of the Naturopathy Day.
- (c) : Ministry  of  AYUSH  through  its  Central  Council  for  Research  in  Yoga  & Naturopathy (CCRYN) has taken following steps to spread benefits of Naturopathy in country :
1. Establishment of Post Graduate Institutes of Yoga and Naturopathy Education and Research (PGIYNER) with 200 bedded Yoga and Naturopathy hospital at Jhajjar, Haryana and Nagmangala, Karnataka.
2. Establishment of Central Research Institutes of Yoga & Naturopathy inOdisha, West  Bengal,  Rajasthan,  Andhra  Pradesh,  Kerala,  Jharkhand,  Chhattisgarh  an Jammu & Kashmir along with 100 bedded indoor hospital facilities to carry out depth research studies to establish the efficacy of Yoga and Naturopathy in various remedies.

Contd..........

3. Collaborative Research Centre to verify the efficacy of Yoga & Naturopathy in various diseases.
4. Establishment  of  Yoga  and  Naturopathy  OPDs: -The  Council  has  already opened  14  Yoga  and  Naturopathy  OPDs  in  Govt.  Hospitals/Institutes  of  Delh Haryana,Odisha, Tripura, Kerala, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand.
5. Training,  Propagation  and  Promotional  Activities: Council  participates  in Health melas/ ex hibition organized by Ministry of AYUSH and other organizations for promotion of the system.
6. Establish and run Yoga & Naturopathy Clinics and Hospitals (OPD, 10 beds, 20 beds, 30 beds, 50 beds and 100 beds).
7. Setting up of Yoga Park : Council has already set up 50 Yoga Park in various states of the Country.
8. Organising workshops/seminars in North Eastern states of India.

...................
Lok Sabha Question No. 769 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Environmental Conditions for Construction of Buildings
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: G. HARI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.769

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2018

## Environmental Conditions for Construction of Buildings

## 769. SHRI G. HARI

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

- (a) whether the Government has issued a notification recently for allowing local bodies to stipulate environmental conditions while granting building permission;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and thebenefits likely to be achieved as a resultthereof;
- (c) whether  as  per  the  said  notification,  municipalities,  development  authorities  and district  panchayats  can  stipulate  environmental  conditions  while  granting  building permission  for  buildingor  construction  projects  measuring  morethan  50,000  square metre and less than1,50,000 square metre of built up area; 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  a  Notification  vide  S.O.5733  dated  14 th November  2018  wherein  in  exercise  of  the  powers  conferred  by  section 23 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986(29 of 1986), the Central Government has delegated the power to local bodies such as Municipalities, DevelopmentAuthorities, District Panchayatsas the case may be,to ensure the compliance of the environmental conditions as specifiedin the Appendix of the Notification in respect of building or construction projects with built-up area >20,000  sq. mtrs. to 50,000 sq. mtrs. and industrial sheds, educational institutions, hospitalsand hostels for educational institutions ≥ 20,000 sq.mtrs.upto 1,50,000sq.mtrs.along with  building  permissionand  to  ensure  that  the  conditions  specified  in  the  Appendix  are complied with, beforegranting the occupation certificate/completion certificate.

The benefits likely to be achieved as a result of the Notification arestreamlining the permissions for buildings and construction sector whilesimultaneously strengthening efforts to improve the environment through greater objectivity and transparency.

However, the operation of the notification has been stayed by the Hon'ble High Court vide  order  dated  26 th November  2018  in  the  matter  of  Social  Action  for  Forest  and Environment vs. Union of India in W.P.(C) 12570/2018 and by the Hon'ble National Green Tribunal,  Principal  Bench  vide  order  dated  3 rd December 2018 in the matter of Shashikant VithalKamble vs. Union of India &Ors in O.A. no 1017/2018.
Lok Sabha Question No. 767 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Capital Requirement of Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: K. GOPAL

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 767

## MINISTRY  OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT  OF FINANCIAL  SERVICES

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  DECEMBER 2018/ AGRAHAYANA 23, 1940  (SAKA) Capital Requirement  of Banks

## 767.  DR.  K. GOPAL:

Will  the Minister  of FINANCE  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the State run  banks  require  an urgent  Rs. 1.2 lakh  crore  in capital  in the next five months  and the Government  will  have to take  a bulk  of the tab due the weak  market valuations  of these Non  Performing  Assets (NPA)  saddled banks;
- (b) if so, the details  thereof;
- (c) whether  the Government  had already  used up over 95 per cent of the deficit  target or the market  borrowings  as of October,  2018; and
- (d) if so, the details  thereof?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry  of Finance (SHRI SHIV PRATAP  SHUKLA)

- (a) and (b): Government  of India (GoI) announced  recapitalisation of Public  Sector  Banks

(PSBs) to the tune of Rs. 2.11 lakh  crore  in October  2017, through  infusion  of capital  by the Government  and raising  of capital  by  banks  from  the markets.  PSBs meet their  capital requirement  through  various  sources including, inter  alia ,  mobilisation of capital from  the market   through   issuance   of  capital instruments   and  monetisation   of  non-core   assets, internal  capital  generation  including  through  recovery  in written-off  accounts,  and capital infusion   by   the  Government.   Rs.  88,139  crore   was  infused   by   the  Government   in  PSBs during  financial  year  2017-18 after the recapitalisation announcement  and provision  of Rs. 65,000 crore  has been made in the budget  for the current  financial  year  for infusion.  Since the recapitalisation announcement  till  November  2018, PSBs have been recapitalised  to the tune of Rs. 1,28,861 crore  through  infusion  and mobilisation of capital  from  the market. (c)  and  (d):  Department   of  Economic   Affairs   has  informed   that   the  fiscal  deficit   figure shown  in monthly  accounts  during  a financial  year  is not necessarily  an indicator  of the fiscal deficit  for the year  as it gets impacted  by  temporal  mismatch  between  flow  of notdebt receipts  and expenditure  up to that  month  on account  of various  transitional factors, both on receipt  and expenditure  side, which  may  get substantially offset by  the end of the financial  year.
Lok Sabha Question No. 765 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Streamlining NEET Entrance Examination
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 765 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH DECEMBER, 2018

## STREAMLINING NEET EN TRANCE EXAMINATION

## 765. SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE:

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

(a) whether NEET has achieved the target of regulating medical education inmedical colleges and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Government has taken note of the demands from various quarters to  streamline  NEET  entrance  test,  if  so,  the details  thereof  and  necessary  steps  taken in  this regards;

(c) whether the Government proposes to further bring down the cut - off percentile ofNEET from the coming academic year; nd

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) & (b): The Central Government amended the I ndianM edical C ouncil Act, 1956 and the Dentists Act, 1948 in the year 2016 to provide for a common entrance examination i.e. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test ( NEET )from the academic year 2016 - 17. Such an exam will also lead  to  better  and  uniform  st andards  of m edical education,  save  students  from  appearing  in multiple  exams  conducted  by  various  admission  authorities  and  mitigate  litigation  in  v courts of law with respect to the examination process.

Further, a mendment s havealsobeen carried o ut in the regulations of MCI to make the provisions of common counseling wherein the D irectorate G eneral of H ealth Services , Ministry ofH ealth & FamilyW elfare and the authorities of the State Governments have beendesignated for conducting common counse lling for their respective quota seats in all U nderG r duate /Post G raduate /Super -specialty courses.

Common Counsellingis a logical corollary to a common exam (NEET). It eliminates any scope for malpractices in the admission process and ensures admissions to medical college transparent manner and the students are not required to apply to individual colleges, th ving money and opening greater choice of colleges to them.

(c) & (d): The  regulations  on  Graduate  Medical  Education  and  Post  Graduate  Medical Education  have  the  provisions  for  lowering  the  cut - off  percentile  in  the  case  when sufficient number  of  candidat es belonging  to  respective  categories  fail  to  secure  minimum marks  as prescribed in NEET in any academic year and the marks so lowered shall be applicable for the said year only .