opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3225 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-09
Subject: Economic Growth Forecast
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Sougata Ray

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3225

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2019

## ECONOMIC GROWTH FORECAST

## 3225. PROF. SAUGATA RAY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Moody's Investors Service slashed India's Economic Growth Forecast to 5.6 per cent for 2019;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the reasons for slashing the growth rate by Moody's;
- (d) whether the Government's actions are not proper to address the widespread weakness in consumption demand; and
- (e) if so, the details of steps being taken to address the issue?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

- (a) & (b) Moody's Investor Service has forecasted India's GDP growth at 5.6 per cent for 2019 with the expectation  that  economic  activity  will  pick  up  in  2020  and  2021  to  6.6  percent  and  6.7  percent, respectively.  India's  potential  growth  rate  remains  unchanged  and  assessment  by  IMF  and  other multilateral organizations continue to underline a positive outlook on India.
- (c) As per Moody's report the reasons are slowdown in consumption demand and investment activity.
- (d) & (e) Government has announced various measures on a continuous basis to boost overall growth and consumption in the economy. These inter-alia include deduction of additional income tax of Rs. 1.5 lakh  on  the  interest  paid  on  loans  taken  to  purchase  electric  vehicles;  Greater  focus  of  Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) on the distressed districts of the country;  More  support  for  retail  lending  by  strengthening  of  Non-banking  Financial  Companies  and Housing Finance Companies through partial credit guarantee scheme; Infusion of Rs. 70,000 crores into  public  sector  banks  to  improve  liquidity  in  the  market  and  approval  of  a  realty  fund  worth  Rs. 25,000 crore for stalled housing projects. This complements a cut in the repo rate by 135 basis points during  2019  by  the  Reserve  Bank  of  India  and  mandating  of  banks  to  link  their  lending  rates  with external  benchmarks  for  reducing  the  cost  of  capital.  To  boost  rural  consumption,  Government  had expanded the cash transfer scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) providing an income support of Rs. 6000 per year to all farmers, which was earlier limited to farmers with a land holding  of  less  than  2  hectares.  In  addition,  introduction  of  voluntary  pension  scheme  for  small  and marginal  farmers  along  with  retail  traders  and  shopkeepers  is  expected  to  increase  their  income security and consumption.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3223 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-09
Subject: Hindi Vital for Nation’s Global Identity
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3223 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2019

## Hindi Vital for Nation's Global Identity

## 3223. SHRI V.K.SREEKANDAN:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the Government considers only Hindi can work to unite the country and that one common language that is Hindi is vital for nation's global identity;

- (b) whether the Government is taking steps to realise the above facts and an all out efforts are being made to popularise and/or promote Hindi language; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

- (a) Article 351 of the Constitution provides that it shall be the duty of the Union to promote the spread of the Hindi  language  to  develop  it  so  that  is  may  serve  as  a  medium  of  expression  for  the  elements  of  the composite culture of India.
- (b) &  (c)  Ministry  of  Human  Resource  Development  has  established  2  institutes  for  promotion  of  Hindi language namely, Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (KHS), Agra and Central Hindi Directorate (CHD), New Delhi. KHS, Agra conducts various Teachers-Training courses for the  candidates  of Non-Hindi states and CHD works for preparation of dictionaries, conducts correspondence courses, standardisation of Devnagri Script and  Hindi  Vartani  and  provides  financial  assistance  to  Voluntary  Hindi  Organizations  for  promotion  of Hindi.

Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology, New Delhi evolves and defines scientific and technical  terms  in  Indian  languages  including  Hindi  and  publishes  technical  dictionaries/glossaries, definitional dictionaries and encyclopedias.

To implement the provisions of the Official language policy of the Govt. of India, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), has introduced 'TAKNIKI PATHYAPUSTAK PURASKAR YOJANA' since  1998  with  a  view  to  provide  state  of  the  art  knowledge  of  Engineering  and  Technology  in  Hindi language.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3222 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-09
Subject: Ad-hoc Appointments in Universities
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3222 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2019

## Ad-hoc Appointments in Universities

## †3222. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  make  appointments  in  Universities  and Institutions on ad-hoc time bound basis;
- (b)   if so, whether the Government has taken any steps so far in this regard;
- (c)   whether research work in agriculture sector will be adversely affected by this;
- (d)   if so, whether the Government proposes to reconsider it; and
- (e)   the time by when it is likely to be implemented and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

(a) to (e):  The University Grants Commission (UGC) has framed UGC Regulations on Minimum  Qualifications  for  Appointment  of  Teachers  and  Other  Academic  Staff  in Universities  and  Colleges  and  Measures  for  the  Maintenance  of  Standards  in  Higher Education, 2018 wherein the clause 13 provides that the teachers should be appointed on contract basis only when it is absolutely necessary and when the student teacher ratio does  not  satisfy  the  laid-down  norms.  These  appointments  do  not  have  any  adverse effect  on  research  work  in  agriculture sector  as  research  work  is  done  under  a  senior faculty while ad-hoc appointment is done at the lowest level.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3221 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-09
Subject: Companies Violating Employment Laws
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Devji Mansingram Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3221 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2019

## COMPANIES VIOLATING EMPLOYMENT LAWS

3221. SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)the  existing  labour  laws/norms/guidelines/rules  in  vogue  and  being/to  be followed  by  all  the  companies/firms/industries  including  the  private  and foreign  companies  situated  in  India  and  working  in  education/social security/women development field;
- (b)whether the Government is aware that recently many companies including the one situated in Mumbai have made breach of contract/violated such norms  by  withdrawing  the  offer(s)  of  employment  made  to  the  brilliant students of various colleges in the country including the one in Delhi just four to five days before date of their joining and if so, the details thereof
- and the reasons therefor;
- (c)whether the Government has noted seriously that the educational as well as  career  opportunities  of  such  students  have  come  to  halt  and  are  at stake  as  a  result  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  remedial steps taken in this regard; and
- (d)the details of the action, including blacklisting them, taken against such
- companies and direct them to compensate the affected students?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (d): Under  the  Constitution  of  India,  labour  falls  under  the Concurrent list; as such Central Government and the State Governments are  competent  to  enact  legislations  in  their  respective  jurisdictions. Ministry of Labour & Employment has the mandate to protect & safeguard the  interests  of  workers  with  due  regard  to  creating  a  healthy  work environment for higher production and productivity and to provide social security to the labour force in tandem with the process of liberalization through 32 Central Labour Laws; dealing  with

minimum  wages,  accidental  and  social  security  benefits,  occupational safety and health, conditions of employment, disciplinary action, formation of trade unions, industrial relations etc.

In  order  to  protect  interest  of  the  workers,  the  office  of Chief  Labour  Commissioner  (Central)  conducts  inspections  from  time  to time through its regional offices under various Labour Laws in respect of establishments falling under the Central Sphere to ensure that statutory provisions are implemented. Legal actions are initiated as per law in case of any violation of aforesaid laws. No such complaint has been received by  the  office  of  Chief  Labour  Commissioner  (Central)  regarding  any company of Mumbai.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 280 (STARRED), answered on 2019-12-06
Subject: Swachh-Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

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

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 280

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2019

## Swachh-Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan

## *280.  SHRI SANJAY JADHAV:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  commenced  the  programme  'Swachh-Nirmal  Tat Abhiyaan' to clean coastal areas across the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the names of the States where the said programme has been initiated;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to launch the said programme directly in various States under the classification of Central schemes; and
- (d) if so, the derails thereof, State-wise ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a), (b), (c) &(d) :  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFEREED TO IN REPLY TO PARA (a), (b), (c) & (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *280 ON SWACHH-NIRMAL TAT ABHIYAAN DUE FOR REPLY ON 06.12.2019

- (a) & (b) Central Government organised a week long intensive beach cleaning-cum-awareness drive named 'Swachh-Nirmal Tat Abhiyan' from 11 th to 17th November 2019 at 50 beaches in  10  coastal  States,  namely Gujarat,  Daman  &Diu,  Maharashtra,  Goa,  Karnataka,  Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. The drive witnessed huge stakeholders'  participation  particularly  the  students  of  schools/colleges,  volunteers,  public representatives, officials of State Governments  and  civil society organisations.  Mass awareness campaigns, quiz competitions, painting competitions, counselling sessions, pledge ceremonies, slogan writing, rallies etc. were also organised during the drive duly sensitizing all stakeholders about the importance  of protection  and conservation of the coastal ecosystems. Mechanized beach cleaning was also undertaken at 18 beach sites resulting in greater cleanliness.
- (c) & (d) The Government launched Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project in 2010 under a  Central  Scheme  to  conserve,  protect  and  manage  the  coastal  and  marine  ecosystems, pollution abatement and livelihood security of the coastal communities. Under the national component of the project, Beach Environment and Aesthetic Management Service [BEAMS] programme has been taken up in 13 pilot beaches of the coastal States/UTs. Intensive Beach cleanup  and  maintaining  high  standard  of  cleaning  in  one  of  the  major  objectives  of  the BEAMS programme. BEAMS programme also includes aspects of conservation of natural resources, pollution abatement, livelihood security of the coastal communities and capacity building.  BEAMS  programme  is  also  under  implementation  at  other  identified  beach locations in the country under the umbrella of a Central Scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 271 (STARRED), answered on 2019-12-06
Subject: Bhartiya Poshan Krishi Kosh
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Bheemrao Baswanthrao Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION  NO.271

TO BE ANSWERD ON 06.12.2019

## BHARTIYA POSHAN KRISHI KOSH

- *271.  SHRI B.B. PATIL:

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

(a) the aims and objectives of the Bhartiya Poshan Krishi Kosh; and

- (b) the manner in which it will be helpful in tackling malnutrition in the country along with the targeted/intended beneficiaries of this scheme?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to  (b) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
- ****

## Statement referred to in reply to Part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 271  for  answer  on  06.12.2019  by  SHRI  B.B.  PATIL  regarding  Bhartiya  Poshan Krishi Kosh.

- (a)  to  (b) Ministry  of Women and Child Development   along with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) announced  the Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh in New Delhi on 18 th   November,  2019.  Eminent  agriculture  scientist  Dr.  M.  S.  Swamintahan  in  his address emphasized that to make India nutrition secure - calorie rich diet for women, children and expecting mothers; intake of proteins in the form of pulses; eradication of  hidden hunger due to deficiency of micro nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Iron, and Zinc; clean drinking water supply; and nutrition literacy in every village need to be ensured. Bhartiya Poshan Krishi Kosh' project has two components -Development  of  a  Food  Atlas  and  Documentation  of  promising  practices  for  JanAndolan for POSHAN Abhiyaan.  The Agro-Food Atlas is to act as a repository of diverse  crops  across  127  agro-climatic  zones  of  the  country    having  three  partscrops currently being grown, agro-ecological conditions (soil, organic carbon content, ground  water  availability  etc)  and  guidance  on  how  a  greater  diversity  of crops  could  be  encouraged  in  a  particular  district  or  block  to  promote  dietary diversity  and  nutrition.  The  project  includes  diverse  data  sources  like  National Sample  Survey,  Agri-Census,  Soil  Health  Cards,  ISRO's  Advanced  Wide  Field Sensor  (AWiFS) and  National  Aeronautics  and  Space  Administration's  (NASA's) Moderate  Resolution  Imaging  Spectro-Radio  meter.  The  project  also  documents social, behavioral and cultural practices that promote and reinforce healthy dietary behaviors.  Identification  of  promising  practices  with  the  help  of  a  multi-disciplinary group  of  experts  and  development  of  a  tool  kit  to  disseminate  best  strategies  for Social  and  Behavioural  Change  Communication,  specific  to  population  groups  in those regions is also a part of it.
Lok Sabha Question No. 269 (STARRED), answered on 2019-12-06
Subject: Menopause Policy
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.269

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2019

## MENOPAUSE POLICY

## *269.  SHRI RAVIKUMAR D.:

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

- (a) whether the Government is considering to frame a menopause policy for such women employees in Government and private sectors who are going through physical and mental stress as a result of menopause;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

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

*****

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN  REPLY TO PART (a) TO  (c) TO THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.269 FOR 06.12.2019 BY SHRI RAVI KUMAR D. REGARDING 'MENOPAUSE POLICY'

(a) to (c)The National Health Mission envisages achievement of universal access to  equitable,  affordable  and  quality  health  care  services  that  are  responsive  to people's needs. The strategy is based on provision of comprehensive care through the  five  pillars  or  thematic  areas  of  reproductive,  maternal,  neonatal,  child  and adolescent  health  and  is  guided  by  central  tenets  of  equity,  universal  care, entitlement, and  accountability, and  it has been  developed  to  provide an understanding of ' continuum of care' to ensure equal focus on various life stages.

Menopause is a normal consequence of the ageing process and is a natural female hormone deficient state that occurs at the age of 45-55 years. In this stage, ovaries gradually become less active and reduce their production of sex hormone (estrogen and progesterone). As a result, menses cease permanently. Women are usually considered to be menopausal if they have not had a menstrual period for one year without any underlying cause. Some women experience mild problems or none  at  all  but  some  women  have  severe  symptoms  in  this  period.  It  is  an inevitable phenomenon in women's lives who further spend many years of life in the postmenopausal phase.

Currently there is no menopause policy for women employees in Government  and  private  sectors.  Before  taking  any  decision  on  the  issue  of formulation of menopause policy for women employees in government and private sectors, besides consultations with stakeholders and experts, and careful consideration  of  all  aspects  of  the  matter,  firm  research  findings  relating  to  the subject area of physical and mental stress faced by such women employees as a result of menopause, may also be required.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 267 (STARRED), answered on 2019-12-06
Subject: Autonomous Body to Regulate Medical Devices
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Gurjeet Singh Aujla

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 267 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6 TH DECEMBER , 2019 AUTONOMOUS BODY TO R EGULATE MEDICAL DEVI CES

## *267. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

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

- (a) whether the NITI Aayog has rejected the proposal of the Government to b medical devices under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (C DSCO);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is considering to set up an autonomous body on lines of FSSAI for regulation of medical devices/equipments; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 267* FOR 6 TH DECEMBER , 2019

- (a):  No .  Regulation  of medical  devices  is  within  the  purview  of  Central  Drugs Standard Control Organization only.

- (b): Question does not arise.

- (c): No such proposal has been approved by the Government.

- (d): Question does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 265 (STARRED), answered on 2019-12-06
Subject: RO Systems
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Gangasandra Siddappa Basavaraj

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.265

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2019

## RO Systems

## *265. SHRI G.S. BASAVARAJ:

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

- (a) whether the National Green  Tribunal  (NGT)  has  been  demanding  immediate notification pertaining to the prohibition on the use of Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems which result in wastage of almost eighty per cent of the water;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  NGT  order  has  been  issued  with  a  rider  that  wherever  RO  has  to  be permitted, it will be subject to the condition of recovery of water to the extent of more than sixty per cent and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether NGT has formalized the deadline for issue of notification by the Government as 31 December 2019; and
- (e) (if so, the details thereof)

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

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

*****

Statement referred to in parts (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 265  due  for  reply  on  06.12.2019  regarding  'RO  Systems'  by  SHRI  G.S. Basavaraj,  Hon'ble Member of Parliament (a)to  (c) Hon'ble  NGT  in  O.A.  134  of  2015  titled  'Friends  through  its  General Secretary versus Ministry of Water Resources' vide its  order dated 20.05.2019 has directed the  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  to  issue  appropriate  notification prohibiting  use  of  RO  where  TDS  in  water  is  less  than  500  mg/l  and  wherever  RO  is permitted, a requirement is laid down for recovery of water be more than 60%. (d) & (e ) Yes  Sir.    Hon'ble  NGT  vide  order  dated  04.11.2019  has  formalised  the deadline to issue notification by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and climate Change as st

- *****

31 December 2019.
Lok Sabha Question No. 263 (STARRED), answered on 2019-12-06
Subject: Setting up of FM Tower/Stations
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Ajay Tamta

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION No. 263

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2019)

## SETTING UP OF FM TOWER/STATIONS

*263. SHRI AJAY TAMTA:

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

(a)  whether  Sashastra  Seema  Bal (SSB)  had  sent  a  proposal  to set  up  FM  tower/stations  in  the  border  districts  of  Pithoragarh, Gangtok,  Tawang,  Jaigaon,  Supaul  and  Gorakhpur  so  as  to counter anti-India propaganda and if so, the action taken in this regard;

(b)  whether there was any decision/ announcement in February, 2018  regarding  setting  up  of  a  FM  radio  station  in  Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, if so, the progress made in this regard so far; and

(c) the time by which a FM radio station/transmitter is likely to be set up in Pithoragarh district?

## 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 (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.  *263  FOR  ANSWER  ON 06.12.2019.

(a) Government has approved 7 nos. of projects for setting up of FM  transmitters  at  premises  of  Sashastra  Seema  Bal  (SSB)  to strengthen FM coverage along Indo-Nepal border. These are for Bathnaha (Araria), Narkatiaganj (West Champaran) and Sitamarhi in  Bihar,  Gadaniya  (Lakhimpur  Kheri),  Nanpara  (Bahraich)  and Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh and Champawat, Uttarakhand.

(b)  &  (c)  AIR  has  an  operational  100  W  FM  Transmitter  at Pithoragarh.

- ******