opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1111 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Development of AYUSH/Ayurveda Cluster
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Hemant Tukaram Godse

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

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 1111 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07 TH FEBRUARY, 2020

## DEVELOPMENT OF AYUSH /AYURVEDA CLUSTER

## 1111. SHRI HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE:

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

- (a) whether the Government provides assistance for development of AYUSH/ Ayurveda cluster in the country a nd if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  details  of  allocation  of  funds  to  AYUSH/  Ayurveda  clusters  set  up  in  the  co State/UT - wise during the last three years;
- (c) whether any new proposal for setting up of these clusters in the country is pending Government for approval; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) : Ministry  of  AYUSH  had  implemented  Central  Sector  Scheme  for  Development  of AYUSH Clusters during 11 th five - year plan. However, this Scheme has since be en closed w. e. f. from 01.04.2017 after a due examination of the status of the Scheme. Thus, at prese Government does not provide assistance for development of AYUSH/Ayurveda clusters in the country .
- (b) : Funds were allocated to complete on -going projects under Central Sector Scheme for Development of AYUSH Clusters during last three years with details as follows:

| Year     | Funds allotted to   | clusters States in which cluster is   |
|----------|---------------------|---------------------------------------|
| 2016- 17 | Nil                 | Nil                                   |
| 2017- 18 | Rs.100.00 lakhs     | Uttarakhand                           |
| 2018- 19 | Rs.100.00 lakhs     | Uttarakhand                           |

- (c) & (d) : Does not arise as the Scheme has been closed.

…………………
Lok Sabha Question No. 1109 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Ban on Methyl Isocyanate
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Feroze Varun Gandhi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1109

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2020

## Ban on Methyl Isocyanate

## 1109. SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to ban Methyl is ocyanate;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the number of chemical accidents occurred in the chemical industry for the past three years;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  form  a  comprehensive  law  that  governs  the different aspects of chemical industries and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to bring the National Chemical Policy, which has been pending since2012 and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a)&(b) Methyl Isocyanate is 'regulated' under the provisions of Manufacture, Storage and Import  of  Hazardous  Chemicals  Rules,  1989  (MSIHC  Rules,  1989)  and  the Chemical  Accident  (Emergency  Planning,  Preparedness  and  Response)  Rules, 1996 (CAEPPR Rules, 1996). Therefore, no proposal to ban the chemical is under consideration of the Central Government.
- (c) Based on the information provided by the Chief Inspector of Factories (CIFs) of various State Governments/ Union Territories, 119 major/ minor chemical accidents had occurred in past 3 years.
- (d) To address the environmental pollution and safety related aspects, the establishment and operation of chemicals industries is regulated under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981  and  the  Public  Liability  Insurance  Act,  1991.  Further,  in  order  to  ensure proper  management  of  chemicals  in  the  country,  Department  of  Chemicals  and Petrochemicals (DCPC) has decided to draft Chemical (Safety and Management) Rules  under  the  Environment  Protection  Act,  1986.  A  Technical  Committee  has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary (Chemicals) to finalise the outline, scope, coverage and extent of proposed rules.
- (e) The DCPC has formulated a 'Vision Document 2024'. The initiatives included in this  document  and  proposed  actions  are  in  line  with  the  objectives  of  National Chemical  Policy.  The  DCPC  has  also  formulated  the  'National  Petrochemical Policy 2007'. DCPC has, accordingly, decided that there is no need for a separate National Chemical Policy.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1108 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Setting up of NM-ICPS
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1108 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07/02/2020

## SETTING UP OF NM-ICPS

†1108. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY वान और ौयोगक मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the budgetary provisions allocated under National Mission on Interdisciplinary-Cyber  Physical  System  (NM-ICPS)  by  the  Government  for  the  financial year 2018-19 and 2019-20; and
- (b) the  extent  to  which  the  said  mission  has  contributed  towards  conforming  to  the technical requirements of the society viz-a-viz international norms and standards?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE; MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

वाय और परवार कयाण मंी ; वान और ौयोगक मंी ; और पृ वी वान मंी डॉ . हष वधन

- (a) Allocation of budgetary provisions under National Mission on Interdisciplinary-Cyber Physical System (NM-ICPS) is given below:
- (b) The  NM-ICPS  has  been  initiated  in  the  current  financial  year  and  thus,  Mission's contribution  towards  technical  requirements  of  society  viz-a-viz  international  norms  and standards has not been assessed.
- *********

|         | 2018-19 (Rupees in Crore)   | 2018-19 (Rupees in Crore)   | 2019-20 (Rupees in Crore)   | 2019-20 (Rupees in Crore)   |
|---------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
|         | B.E.                        | R.E.                        | B. E.                       | R.E.                        |
| NM-ICPS | 0.00                        | 0.01                        | 124.00                      | 123.83                      |
Lok Sabha Question No. 1107 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Revised Norms for Honey
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Kuruva Gorantla Madhav

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1107 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 th FEBRUARY, 2020

## REVISED NORMS FOR HO NEY

## 1107. SHRI KURUVA GORANTLA MADHAV:

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

- (a) whether FSSAI has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives)  Ninth  Amendment  Regulations,  2018  which has  revised  the  standards  of Honey by omi tting Specific marker for Rice Syrup, Trace marker for Rice Syrup and Foreign oligosaccharides  implying  that  if  any  company is  using  the  said  items  as  adulteration  in honey it need not mention that on label;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether pollen count is the important criteria for ascertain ing purity of honey, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether  FSSAI  has  reduced  the  required  pollens count  from  25000  to  5000  thereby disincentivising/harming the honey hunters and growers, if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a)& (b): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), vide  direction dat 29 th October, 2019, has omitted specific marker for Rice Syrup, Trace marker for Rice S and  foreign  oligosaccharides.  The  existing  standards  of  honey,  however,  still parameters  like  C4  Sugar,  δ13  Max,    δ13C  Fru -Glu,  δ13C  Protein - Honey  to  detect adult eration of C4 sugars like corn syrup, invert syrup, sugarcane syrup, maize syrup et large extent.
- (c): Yes. Pollen Count is one of the criteria which reflects authenticity and floral of the honey.
- (d): FSSAI has informed that revision in pollen count requirement has been made based on the inputs received from the Experts from Indian Agricultural Research Institute and Central Bee Research and Training Institute (CBRTI) representing true picture of p count in Indian honey.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1101 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Postpartum Depression in new Mothers
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Pratima Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UN-STARRED QUESTION NO.1101 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2020

## POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IN NEW MOTHERS

1101.  SHRIMATI  PRATIMA MONDAL :

Will the Minister of women and child development be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  raise  awareness  regarding postpartum depression in new mothers ;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the programmes initiated thereunder; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c) :  There is no specific programme to create awareness and to address the issue  of  postpartum  depression  in  new  mothers.  However,  as  per  the  guidelines  of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for Antenatal care and Skilled Attendance at Birth by Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM)/ Lady Health Visitors (LHVs)/ Staff Nurses (SNs), an ANM is supposed to do four Post Natal Care (PNC) visits for knowing the wellbeing of baby  and  the  mother.    First  visit  is  conducted  within  24  hours  in  case  of  home deliveries, second visit is conducted on 3 rd day after delivery, third visit is conducted on 7 th day after delivery and fourth visit is conducted 6 weeks after delivery.  During her 2 nd and 3 rd visits, the ANM is required to assess and counsel all the postnatal women for any postpartum depression and refer to the Medical Officer for further management if required.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1096 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Misappropriation of Funds under PMJAY
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sukhbir Singh Badal

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1096 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 th FEBRUARY, 2020

## MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS UNDER PMJAY

## 1096. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL:

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

- (a)  whether  the  State  Government  of  Punjab  has launched  a  parallel  scheme  to  PMJAY having similar features and the benefits of PMJAY are not being extended to the beneficiaries as a resul t thereof, if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether any misappropriation of funds has come to the no tice of the Government relating to PMJAY inPunjab to any other scheme thereof;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the corrective action taken by the Government in this regard?

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

- ( a): Ayushman  Bharat -Pradhan  Mantri  Jan  Arogya  Yojana (AB - PMJAY)  is  being implemented  in  the  State  of  Punjab in  alliance  with  the  State  Scheme  in  the  form  of Ayushman Bharat - Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana.  This scheme covers 45.89 lakh beneficiary families  including  14.86  lakh  AB - PMJAY  beneficiary  families  ident ified  as  per  Socio -Economic Caste Census (SECC) database.

All  the  beneficiaries  are  covered  for  health  cover  up  to  Rs.  5  lakh  per  fami annum. All the 1393 Health Benefit Packages defined under Ayushman Bharat -PMJAY are available under the scheme. Also, the benefit of national portability is being provided to -PMJAY entitled beneficiaries.

Cost in respect of AB - PMJAY beneficiaries is shared between Government of India and the State Government in the ratio of 60:40. For non - SECC beneficiaries, th e cost is being borne by the State Government.

- (b) : No.
- (c) & (d) : In view of the answer to part (b) above, question doesn't arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1092 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Installation of 1KW FM Transmitters
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Mahendrabhai Kalubhai Munjpara

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1092

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2020)

INSTALLATION OF 1KW FM TRANSMITTERS

1092.

DR. MUNJPARA MAHENDRABHAI KALUBHAI

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

- a) the details of steps taken/being taken regarding installation of  1  KW  FM  Transmitters  at  existing  LPT/HPT  DD  sites sanctioned  under  12th  Plan  at  100  places  across  the country;
- b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  setup  1  KW  FM transmitters in Surendranagar, Gujarat;
- c) if so, the details thereof; and
- d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

## (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a)  There  is  no  approved  project  for  installation  of  1  kW  FM transmitters at existing LPT/HPT DD sites.

(b)  to  (d)  A  decision  has  been  taken  to  setup  a  100  W  FM transmitter at Surendranagar, Gujarat.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1089 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Impact of Violent Video Games
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Arvind Kumar Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1089 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2020

IMPACT OF VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES

1089.  SHRI ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR):

(a)  to  (e)    There  have  been  media  reports  about  alleged threats to the children due to dangerous mobile games. The Information  Technology  (Intermediaries  Guidelines)  Rules, 2011 notified under section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, inter alia , specifies that the be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note that children and adolescents in the age group  of  5-18  years  are  being  harmfully  impacted  by  the  violent  video  games
- which are full of crime, gory and retributive stuff;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to take measures to control and improve this situation;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

intermediaries shall inform the users of computer resource not to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, update  or  share  any  information  that  is  grossly  harmful, harms minor in any way; violates any law for the time being in force; etc. Law Enforcement Agencies take action under existing legal provisions for removal of malicious contents/materials and prosecuting the offenders.

Guidelines  have  been  issued  on  18.08.2017  for  'Safe and Effective Use of Internet and Digital Technologies' to all Central Board  of Secondary  Education  (CBSE)  schools. Further, Government had issued advisories on online dangerous games including on 'Blue Whale Challenge Game' as well as 'Momo Challenge Game'.

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)  sent  an  advisory  related  to  online  dangerous games  to  Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development  on 07.08.2017  and  13.08.2018.  The  advisory  contains  best practices for parents and school teachers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1088 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Environmental Approval for Slum Rehabilitation Projects
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Francisco Cosme Sardinha

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1088

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2020

## Environment Approval for Slum Rehabilitation Projects

1088.  SHRI COSME FRANCISCO CAITANO SARDINHA:

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

- (a) whether  his  Ministry  has  received  any  proposal  from  the  State  Government  of  Goa seeking environment approval for a scheme pertaining to Slum Rehabilitation Projects in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) II (SRA);
- (b) if so, the details and the present status of the said proposal; and
- (c) the time by which the said proposal is likely to be finalized along with the reasons for delay, if any, in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO )

(a) to (e) No, Sir. There is no project proposal from the state of Goa seeking environmental approval for Slum Rehabilitation in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)-II.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1086 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Mandakol Reserved Forest
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1086

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2020

## Mandakol Reserve Forest

1086:   SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  step  to  finalise  the  interstate  boundary  of Mandakol  Reserved  Forest  between  the  states  of  Kerala  and  Karnataka  based  on Traverse Sheets as recommended by the Commission of Survey Settlement and Land Records, Bengaluru; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO )

- (a) to (b) As  per the information provided by the Government  of  Karnataka,there is a Commission of Survey Settlement and Land Records, pertaining to finalisation of the survey of interstate boundary of Mandakol Reserve Forest between States of Karnataka and Kerala. However, there is no correspondence regarding the recommendation by the Commission  of  Survey  Settlement  and  Land  Records,  Bangalore  to  finalise  the interstate  boundary  of Mandakol  Reserve  Forest  between  State  of Kerala and Karnataka based on Traverse Sheet.

Government of Karnataka has reported that a meeting was held on 15.11.2010 by the Deputy Commissioner Mangaluru, wherein decision was taken for joint verification of Karnataka-Kerala interstate boundary involving Deputy Director Land Records (DDLR), Dakshina Kannada District and Deputy Director Survey and Land Records(DDSLR), Kasargod as Team Leader. Government of Kerala has reported that survey will be conducted after getting original sketch of the Mandakol Reserve Forest.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1081 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Increase in Green Cover
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Pallab Lochan Das, Sunil Baburao Mendhe

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1081

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2020

## Increase in Green Cover

## 1081.  SHRI PALLAB LOCHAN DAS: SHRI SUNIL BABURAO MENDHE:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  or  proposes  to  formulate  any  policy  for conservation, management and/or development of 'urban greens/green parks' towards improving green cover/reduce pollution in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has identified such areas in Tier-I, Tier-II and Tier-III cities; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO )

- (a) to (d)  The  National  Forest  Policy,  1988  already  recognizes  that  a  massive  need-based programme of afforestation and tree planting on all degraded and denuded lands in the  country,  whether  forest  or  non-forest  land,  is  a  national  imperative.  The  policy further  emphasizes that  'Green  Belts'  should  be  raised  in  urban/industrial  areas  as well as in arid tracts.

The Urban and Regional Development Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2015 issued by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs also emphasizes practices and methods for protecting and enhancing urban greenery in a sustainable manner.

Further,  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  launched  two schemes  for  urban  greenings  in  2015  viz.  (i)  Nagar  Van  Yojana  and  (ii)  School Nursery Yojana.

Nagar  Van  Yojana  aims  to  create/  develop  at  least  one  City  Forest  in  each  city having  Municipal  Corporation/  Class  I  Cities  for  providing  wholesome  healthy living environment, and contributing to growth of Smart, Clean, Green, Sustainable and Healthy cities.

The  School  Nursery  Yojana  aims  at  involving  school  students  in  raising  plant nurseries  to  bring  them  closer  to  natural  environment,  help  them  understand  the natural processes of germination and feel the joy of watching saplings grow.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1078 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Special Courts under POCSO
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO.1078

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2020

## SPECIAL COURTS UNDER POCSO

## 1078. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

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

- (a) the  number   of    special    courts    set    up    under  Protection  of  Children  against Sexual Offences Act, 2012, State/UT-wise;
- (b) the number of judges appointed in special courts set  up  under  the  said  Act; and
- (c) whether the Government has proposed to increase the number of such courts and if so, the details thereof along  with  the  number  of  cases  filed/backlogs and pendency  in  such  courts,  State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c): Section 28 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act,  2012  provides  that  the  State  Government  shall  in  consultation  with  the  Chief Justice of the High Court, by notification in the Official Gazette, designate for each district,  a  Court  of  Session  to  be  a  Special  Court  to  try  the  offences  under  the POCSO Act.

As  informed  by  Department  of  Justice,  setting  up  and  functioning  of  the Special Courts come under the domain of the State Governments and the Courts are set  up  by  the  State  Governments  in  consultation  with  the  High  Courts  concerned. Besides,  as  informed  by  Department  of  Justice,  an  amount  of  Rs.99.35  crore  has been  released,  till  30.01.2020,  to  26  States/UTs  for  setting  up  of  648  Fast  Track Special Courts (FTSCs) including 363 exclusive POCSO courts.

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