opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1695 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Arrest of Journalists
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Ritesh Pandey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1695

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 nd  JULY, 2019/ ASHADHA 11, 1941 (SAKA)

ARREST OF JOURNALISTS

1695. SHRI RITESH PANDEY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  number  of  journalists  arrested  during  the  last  ten  years  under  the Information Technology Act;

(b)  the  number  of  journalists  arrested  under  Section  66A  of  the  Information Technology Act since the Supreme Court judgment in Shreya Singhal vs Union of India (2015);

(c)  the steps taken by the Government to prevent unlawful arrests made under defunct provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Information Technology (IT) Act; and

(d) the reparations owed by the Government to citizens arrested unlawfully under defunct provisions of the IPC and the Information Technology Act?

ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b): The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) does not maintain specific data on arrest of journalists.

(c)  &  (d):  Central  Government  attaches  highest  importance  to  the  safety  and security to every citizen of the country including journalists. The existing laws for  protection  of  citizens  also  cover  journalists.  'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India and State Governments are responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation  of  crime  and  for  prosecuting  the  criminals  through  their  law enforcement  agencies.  States  &  Union  Territories  and  their  law  enforcement agencies are required to follow all provisions of law including that of Information Technology Act, 2000 and IPC.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1694 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Release of Funds under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Y. S. Avinash Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1694

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.07.2019

## RELEASE OF FUNDS UNDER MGNREGS

## 1694.   SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken a decision to release the funds to the States for the present financial year under MGNREGS;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the quantum of funds being released to the State of Andhra Pradesh?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (c): Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) is a demand driven scheme. The  release of funds is  a  continuous  process.  The Ministry releases funds periodically in two tranches with each tranche consisting of one or more instalments  based  on  agreed  to  Labour  Budget  (LB),  opening  balance,  pace  of  utilization  of funds,  pending liabilities of the previous  year, if any and overall performance. The agreed to labour  budget  of  Andhra  Pradesh  is  20  crore  persondays  for  FY  2019-20.  The  Central Government has released Rs.3246.84 crore to Andhra Pradesh during the current financial year 2019-20 (as on 25.06.2019) under MGNREGA.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1693 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Attack on Journalists
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1693

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 nd  JULY, 2019/ ASHADHA 11, 1941 (SAKA)

ATTACK ON JOURNALISTS

1693. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  the  growing  incidents  of attack on journalists; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the measures taken by the Government to ensure the safety of media persons?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b): Central Government attaches highest importance to the safety and security  to  every  citizen  of  the  country  including  journalists.  The  existing laws  for  protection  of  citizens  also  cover  journalists.  'Police'  and  'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India  and  State  Governments  are  responsible  for  prevention,  detection, registration  and  investigation  of  crime  and  for  prosecuting  the  criminals through their  law  enforcement agencies. The Ministry of  Home Affairs has issued advisories to the States and UTs, from time to time, to maintain law & order and to ensure that any person who takes law into his/her own hands is punished  promptly  as per law. An  advisory specifically on safety of journalists was issued to States/UTs on 20 th  October 2017 requesting them to  strictly  enforce  the  law  to  ensure  the  safety  and  security  of  media persons, which is available on the Ministry's website : www.mha.gov.in.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1692 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Corrupt IPS Officers
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Rebati Tripura, Vijay Kumar Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1692

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 nd  JULY, 2019/ ASHADHA 11, 1941 (SAKA)

CORRUPT IPS OFFICERS

1692. SHRI REBATI TRIPURA: SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government has any proposal to take action against some corrupt IPS officers under Rule-56 in the near future;

(b) if so, the details of such officers, specially from Uttar Pradesh;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d)  the  details  of  steps  taken/likely  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) to (d): The services of IPS officers are reviewed under sub-rule 3 of Rule

16  of  the  All  India  Services  (Death-Cum-Retirement  Benefits)  Rules,  1958

periodically. During the last two years, nine IPS officers have been retired from service in public interest. This does not include any officer belonging to

Uttar Pradesh cadre.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1683 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Selling of Land and Assets
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Rebati Tripura, Vijay Kumar Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1683 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.07.2019

## SELLING OF LAND AND ASSETS

## 1683. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: SHRI REBATI TRIPURA: SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state?

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to sell the land and other assets of Sick Feitilizer Units in the near future;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the steps taken/likely to be taken in this regard, specially in Uttar Pradesh and North East region?
- (c) if not; the reasons therefor; and

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS.

## (D V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

(a) to (c): At present; there are two sick fertilizer companies viz. Madras Fertilizers Limited (MFL) and Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT) situated in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala respectively. MFL has identified about 70 acres surplus vacant land for sale to Chennai a group company of IOCL. Similarly, FACT has identified total 651.479 acres of land for sale to Government of Kerala (481.79 acres) and Bharat Petroleum  Corporation Limited (169.689 acres). Transaction for sale of land from FACT to Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited has already been executed.

- (d): There are no sick units in UP and North East.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1679 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Relaxation of Population Norms under PMGSY
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Tapir Gao

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1679

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.07.2019

## RELAXATION OF POPULATION NORMS UNDER PMGSY

## 1679.   SHRI TAPIR GAO:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that there are many habitations with less than 250 population which are not eligible under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the hilly State of Arunachal Pradesh as per the existing guidelines;
- (b) whether there is any proposal to relax the population norms under PMGSY specially for the State of Arunachal Pradesh;
- (c) whether the Ministry has any plan to provide connectivity with all weather road to all the left out habitations in Arunachal Pradesh as per 2011 census;
- (d) if not, the alternate policy to provide connectivity to all the left out habitations; and
- (e) the time by which connectivity is likely to be provided to the said habitations?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a): All the eligible habitations in the category of 250+ (as per 2001 census) under Pradhan Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana  (PMGSY)  found  feasible  to  provide  connectivity  in  the  State  of Arunachal Pradesh have been sanctioned by the Ministry. PMGSY does not provide connectivity to habitations with less than 250 population in Hilly and North Eastern States, including that of Arunachal Pradesh.
- (b): No Sir, there is no such proposal under consideration as of now to relax the population norms under PMGSY States including Arunachal Pradesh.
- (c) to (e): No  Sir,  there  is  no  such  proposal  as  of  now  to  provide  connectivity  with  all weather road to all the left out habitations of Arunachal Pradesh as per 2011 Census.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1677 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: PM-Kisan Credit Card Scheme
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1677

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND   JULY, 2019

## PM-KISAN CREDIT CARD SCHEME

1677.   SHRIMATI  POONAMBEN MAADAM:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  urged  all  the  States  and  Union  Territories  (UTs)  to expedite  farmers'  enrollment  process  to  get  the  benefit  under  the  PM-Kisan  Credit    Card Scheme;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  implementation  plan  and  the targets  that  have been set for the same;
- (c) whether States have been identified where KCC penetration was found lagging; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  to expedite  the process to achieve the targets?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a): Yes Sir.

(b) to (d): As  per  the  advisory  issued  by  the  Department  for  Kisan  Credit  Card  (KCC) saturation drive, the implementation plan is as under :

- (i)       Camps  to  be   Organized  Bank-wise  /  village-wise  to  collect  Kisan  Credit  Card  (KCC) application forms from eligible farmers (ii)      The District Level Bankers Committee (DLBC) to decide the modalities of the camp and the date wise schedule (iii)    District  Collector and Lead District Manager (LDM) to  play a  key role in the campaign for all these activities carried out for KCC saturation (iv)     In  the  camps,  the  State  machinery  to  facilitate   completion  of   application  forms  which includes   documentation   like  identity  proof  ,  Residence  proof,  Land  records  and  one photograph (v)     Applications collected in the camps to be submitted to the Bank's branch and KCC to  be
- issued within 2 weeks from the receipt of completed application.

Contd…2 /-

- (vi)    Details of Aadhar Card Number of the applicants to be captured
- (vii)    The progress  will be monitored by State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC).

KCC  enrollment  is  a  continuous  process  and  it  is  Government's  intent  to  cover  every eligible  farmer  with  KCC.   Union  Government is closely working  with States  and  progress is being  monitored through Video Conference (VC) by Government of India, District level target monitoring by the States and visit of Central Teams to selected States especially where KCC penetration is less.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Ordinance on Child Rape
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Prasun Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1675

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 nd  JULY, 2019/ ASHADHA 11, 1941 (SAKA)

ORDINANCE ON CHILD RAPE

1675. SHRI PRASUN BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has promulgated an ordinance regarding death penalty for child rape;
- (b) if so, the details and present status thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government will implement the ordinance with retrospective effect and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) Yes, Sir.
- (b) The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 was promulgated on 21.04.2018 which was subsequently replaced by the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 (No.22 of 2018). The provisions of the Act came into effect  from  21.04.2018  i.e.  the  date  of  promulgation  of  the  Ordinance.  The law as amended through this Ordinance/ Act inter alia provides for:
- (i) enhancement of the minimum punishment of 7 years imprisonment in rape cases to 10 years;
- (ii) enhancement of the minimum punishment for the offence of rape of  a  girl  child  under  16  years  of  age  from  10  years  rigorous imprisonment to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, extendable to imprisonment for rest of convict's life;

## LS.US.Q.NO.1675 FOR 02.07.2019

- (iii) stringent punishment upto death sentence have also been provided in cases of rape of a girl child under 12 years of age;
- (iv) minimum punishment of imprisonment for the rest of convict's life or  death  for  the  offence  of  gang  rape  of  a  girl  child  below  12 years;
- (v) mandatory  completion  of  the  investigation  of  all  cases  of  rape within two months and the trial of all rape cases to be completed in two months. Six month time limit for disposal of appeals in all rape cases;
- (vi) withdrawal  of  the  provision  of  anticipatory  bail  to  the  person accused of rape or gang rape of a girl under 12 years/ 16 years of age;
- (vii) notice  of  15  days  to  the  Public  Prosecutor  before  deciding  the regular bail application of the accused by the High Court or the Court of Sessions, where presence of a person authorized by the victim is mandatory.
- (c) No, Sir.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1672 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Presence of IS in Kerala
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1672

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 nd  JULY, 2019/ ASHADHA 11, 1941 (SAKA)

PRESENCE OF IS IN KERALA

1672.

SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  seized  of  reports  indicating  the  heightened presence of Islamic State (IS) in Kerala and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  received  intelligence  inputs  that  boats carrying Islamic State terrorists had set of from Sri Lanka to the Lakshadweep  islands  and  coastal  areas  of  Kerala  have  been  put  on  high alert;
- (c) if so, the steps taken towards enhancing coastal patrolling in Kerala;
- (d) whether the State Government of Kerala has requisitioned for additional coastal patrolling and interceptor boats;
- (e) if so, whether the Government has acceded to the request; and
- (f) if so, the details of funds allocated under the Central Government scheme in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a):    Some  instances  of  individuals  from  different  States  including  Kerala having joined IS have come to the notice of Central and State Security

Agencies.    The  National  Investigation  Agency  (NIA)  and  the  States  Police have registered cases against IS members / sympathizers and have arrested 160 accused so far all over the country.

- (b) to (c): Intelligence  inputs  on  terror  threats  are  regularly  shared  with State   Governments/Agencies  concerned   with  advice  to  take  appropriate

## LS.US.Q.No.1672 FOR 02.07.2019

measures  and  sensitize  their  field  formations  to  prevent  any  untoward incident.  Advisories are issued regularly to all Coastal States / UTs to ensure proper patrolling and surveillance along their respective coastline.

(d) to (f): The Government of India has approved implementation of Coastal Security  Scheme  in  phases,  to  strengthen  security  of  coastal  areas  and augment the capabilities of police forces of coastal States / UTs for patrolling and surveillance in territorial waters.  Various components under the Coastal Security  Scheme  have  been  sanctioned  after  due  consultations  with  all stakeholders  concerned.    Under  the  Phase-II  of  the  Scheme,  18  Coastal Police  Stations,  44  boats,  4  jetties,  26  four-wheelers  and  44  two-wheelers have  been  sanctioned  for  Kerala.      A  sum  of  Rs.  12.68  crore  has  been released to the Government of Kerala under the scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1670 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Schemes for OBCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Giridhari Yadav, Rama Devi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINSTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTTCE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. +1670 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.07.2019

## SCHEMES FOR OBCs

## +1670. SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:,

- (a) the measures taken   by the Government to spread awareness   regarding the schemes implemented for the development of backward classes;
- (b) whether people belonging to the backward classes are not able to avail full benefits of the said schemes in the absence of their proper promotion and propagation;
- the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (d) the success achieved by the Government as a result thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

- (a): The following measures taken by the Government to spread awareness regarding the schemes implemented for the development of backward classes:
- Through Print; Electronic & Outdoor Media from time to time:
- (ii)   Through a Jeevan Ki Rahein   (SJJR) is broadcast through AlL India Radio (ATR) in Hindi & other 17 Regional languages
- (iii) Through website of the Ministry:
- (iv)  Conducting   seminars,   workshops, cultural   activities, fairs, exhibitions etc. organised by National Backward Classes and Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) or through socially active groups/ organizations/States/UTs.
- Publish Annual Report/Booklet etc.
- (vi) Through notification of Scholarship in academic year by States/UTs in local newspaperldailies etc.
- (b): No sir; belonging to Backward Classes are availing the benefit of the schemes people
- (d): The number of beneficiaries is increasing from year to year as people of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are availing the benefit of the schemes.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1664 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Welfare Schemes for SCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Nishikant  Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1664 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.07.2019

## WELFARE SCHEMES FOR SCs

## 1664. DR NISHIKANT DUBEY:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether various schemes for the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs) are implemented properly in the country; being
- (b) if the details thereof; and SO,
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure properleffective implementation of the schemes by various State Governments, including Jharkhand?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)

- (a) The Ministry of Social Justice  and   Empowerment is  implementing  following schemes for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes throughout the country including Jharkhand:
- (i) Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Pre-Matric Scholarship to the SC Students studying in classes IX & X
- (ii) Pre-Matric Scholarship to the Children of those engaged in occupations involving cleaning and prone to health hazards
- (iii) Post matric Scholarship for SC
- (iv) Central Sector Scholarship of Class Education for SC Students Top
- (v) Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students
- (vi) Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana
- (vii) Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan
- (viii) National Overseas Scholarship
- (ix) Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana for and Girls; Boys
- (x) National Fellowship for SC students;
- (xi) Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (prevention of Atrocities) Act; 1989; and
- (xii) Central Sector Scheme of Grant in Aid to Voluntary and other organizations working for Scheduled Castes i.e. for running Non-residential schools, Residential schools and Hostels.

(xiii) Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (VCF-SC);

(xiv) Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for Scheduled Castes (CEGSSC);

and

(xvi) Assistance to State Scheduled Castes Development Corporations (SSCDC)

(c): For the successful implementation of the Schemes Government undertakes steps like (i) Mandatory annual inspections by District Authorities; (ii) Scrutiny of proposals by Multidisciplinary State Level Grants-in-aid Committee; (iii) Mandatory submission of audited statement of accounts duly verified by Chartered Accountants; and (iv) Periodic review by holding meetings, video conferences, field visits etc.