opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 762 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Neela Kurinji
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: R. PARTHIPAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.762

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2018

## Neela Kurinji

## 762. SHRI R. PARTHIPAN:

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

- (a) whether the Tamil Nadu Government has announced Scheme for protection of exotic Neela Kurinji (Strobilanthus Kunthianus) plants recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  noted  that  these  rare  and  ecologically  unique  flowers  are being packaged and sold on the commercial basis; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) and (b) Yes, Madam. The Tamilnadu Government has announced a scheme for protection of exotic Neela Kurinji (Strobilanthus Kunthianus). The Neela Kurinji, native to the Western Ghats, is a major attraction to foreign and native tourists and one of the prime foreign exchange earners from tourism. Though the taxon has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List, the Tamilnadu government has recently announced a scheme for the protection of the unique Neela Kurinji plants (confined to South Western Ghats in India) that flower only once in 12 years.
- (c) and (d) Yes, complaints have been reported regarding selling of these flowers on commercial basis. Following such complaints, the State department has warned that strict fines will be imposed on offenders. Placards, announcing the new initiative, have been placed in various vantage points of the Nilgiri district of Tamilnadu.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 760 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Corporate Frauds
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: ANIRUDHAN SAMPATH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 14 TH DECEMBER, 2018

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 760 [AGRAHAYANA 23, 1940 (SAKA)]

## CORPORATE FRAUDS

## QUESTION

## 760. DR. A. SAMPATH:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

कॉर्पोरेट कार्य मंत्री

- (a) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take steps to check corporate frauds including Multinational Corporations (MNCs) across the country;
- if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  investigation  undertaken  by  the
- (b) Government during the last three years, company-wise; and
- (c) whether the Government has levied penalty after such investigation and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND         (SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS

(

विधध और न्र्ार्  एिं कॉर्पोरेट कार्य मंत्रालर् में राज्र् मंत्री

श्री र्पी र्पी चौधरी )

- (a) & (b): Government has established Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) to look into serious corporate frauds including those by Multinational Companies (MNCs). 67 investigations involving 520 companies  were  assigned  to  SFIO  in  last  three  years.  Further,  124 investigations  have  also  been  assigned  to  Regional  Directors  (RDs)  and Registrars of Companies (ROCs) in last three years.
- (c): During the last three years, 95 complaints were filed before various courts of appropriate jurisdiction in respect of the offences/ non compliances  reported  in  the  investigation  reports.  Further  an  amount  of Rs. 6,90,140/- has been collected as fine ordered by the courts during the above said period.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 759 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: New Capital Framework for the RBI
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY, RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.759

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 {AGRAHAYANA 23, 1940 (SAKA)}

## New Capital Framework for the RBI

## QUESTION

759.  SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY: SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce a new capital framework for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether Government has had a joint meeting with RBI board for transfer of passing the excess contingency reserves to the Government, if so, the details thereof and the types of reserve funds RBI is maintaining during the last three years;
- (c) whether the Government with RBI has jointly decided on the panel constitution to identify the excess capital, along with its terms of reference, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government seeks to reduce reserves of the RBI, if so, the details of the excess reserve threshold determined by it along with the operational challenges that might arise in doing the same?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (SHRI P. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a) to  (d):  The  Government did ask RBI for a review of its Economic Capital Framework adopted  in 2016. The matter was discussed by the Central Board of RBI, in its meeting held on November 19, 2018 and the Board has decided to constitute an Expert Committee to  examine  the  Economic  Capital  Framework  of  RBI.  The  Terms  of  Reference  and Composition of the Expert Committee are to be jointly determined by the Government and RBI.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 758 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Currency Shortage
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 758

th TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 December, 2018 AGRAHAYANA, SAKA, 1940. 23rd \_

## CURRENCY SHORTAGE

## QUESTION

758. ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state

- (a) Whether the Government has taken note of currency shortage in Public Sector Banks in many regions of the country;
- (b) If so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and
- (c) Whether the Government have taken prompt action to rectify the situation

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI Pon. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- a) RBI has not received reference from public sector banks regarding currency shortage in the recent past: Position of fresh/ re-issuable notes in currency chests of banks are being monitored on regular basis by RBI and adequate supply of cash is being ensured. any
- b) & c) Does not arise.

*******************
Lok Sabha Question No. 757 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: SFIO Probe
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 757 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 14TH DECEMEBR, 2018 AGRAHAYANA 23, 1940(SAKA)

SFIO Probe

## QUESTION

757.   SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN: Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री

- (a)  whether the Government has taken efforts to step up further the scam cases  involving  Mumbai  based  diamond  jewellers  and  a  leading  private bank in the country through Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and to expedite the probe;
- (b)  if so, the details and the present status of the probe; and
- (c)  the time by which the probe will be complete and the absconders will be held?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS                                (SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

विधि और न्र्ार् एिं कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्रालर् में राज्र् मंत्री ( श्री पी॰ पी॰ चौिरी )

(a)  &  (c):  The  Ministry  has  ordered  investigation  into  the  affairs  of  114 entities directly or indirectly associated with jewellers Mr. Nirav Modi, Mr. Nishal  Modi,  Smt.  Ami  Nirav  Modi  and  Mr.    Mehul  Chinubhai  Choksion 17.02.2018  and  has  assigned  the  same  to  Serious  Fraud  Investigation Office (SFIO) with most of these entities having their   registered offices in Mumbai /Maharashtra.  SFIO has not yet submitted the investigation report to the Central Government.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 756 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Ill-Effects of Tobacco Consumption
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: RAJENDRA AGRAWAL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 756 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH DECEMBER, 2018

## ILL - EFFECTS OF TOBACCO C ONSUMPTION

## 756. SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL:

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

(a) the details of measures and campaigns initiated by the Government to spread awareness about the ill - effects of tobacco consumption especially among y uth and children;

(b) whether the outcome of such initiatives would affect the livelihood of millions of tobacco farmers and farm labourers and if so, the measures taken by the Government to safeguard their interests;

(c) the measures taken by the Government to promote and encourage tobacco growing farmers to shift to alternate crops/cropping systems;

(d) whether the Government has carried out campaigns recently on adverse effects of tobacco usage on health through various media; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a): The stakeholders are being made aware on a regular basis about the adverse effec tobacco  usage  on  health  through  various  anti -tobacco  campaigns  vide  differe nt  mode  of communication including TV, Radio, Print media, social media, films, train wrap etc. a displaying awareness material in trade fair, mela etc.

Government of India has notified rules to regulate films and TV programmes depict scenes of to bacco usage to spread awareness. Such films and TV programmes are statutoril required to run anti - tobacco health spots, disclaimers and static health warnings.

Further, to spread awareness on adverse impact of consumption of tobacco products, size  of specified  health  warnings  on  packages  of  tobacco  and  tobacco  products  has  be increased to 85% w.e.f. 1 st April, 2016.

(b) & (c): The initiatives taken by the Government are aimed at spreading awareness abo the harms and adverse health consequences of tobacco use, with a view to promoting public health.

The Crop Diversification Programme, an ongoing sub scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vika Yojana (RKVY) run by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has been extended to tobacco growing states w.e.f. 2015 - 16 to encourage tobacco growing farmers to shift to alternat crops/cropping systems.

(d) & (e): Recently,  a  tobacco  control  spot,  namely  'Sunita'  on  the  harmful  effects  of tobacco use was aired on Doordarshan channels for a period of one month during September -October, 2018.
Lok Sabha Question No. 755 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Gramin Bank Branches
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN, MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.t755 To be answered on the December 14,2018/Agrahayan 23, 1940 (SAKA)

## Gramin Bank Branches

t755.SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN: SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Gramin Bank branches in Maharashtra are overcrowded and customer services in these branches are pathetic;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereon;
- (c) whether the Government is considering to increase the number of bank branches due to soar in accounts and overcrowding at the Gramin Bank branches; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not; the reasons therefor?

## Answer

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

(a) to (d) Two Regional Rural Banks(RRBs) namely Maharashtra Gramin Bank(MGB) and Vidharbha Konkan Gramin Bank(VKGB) are functioning in the State of Maharashtra: As reported by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and VKGB, VKGB and MGB have 326 and 409 branches, respectively, in the State. In addition, VKGB and MGB have deployed 418 and 898 Business Correspondents(BCs) respectively, to cater to the banking services in rural areas.

As per Reserve Bank of India's (RBI)   guidelines on "Rationalising the Branch Authorisation Policy" dated 18.05.2017 , general   permission has been   granted to domestic Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) , to open banking outlets at any place in the country without seeking approval of RBI in each case, subject to at least 25 per cent of the total number of banking outlets opened during a financial year being in unbanked rural centres with population less than 10,000. prior

Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), inter alia, focussed on providing banking services in rural areas. To achieve this object;, the villages were mapped into 1.59 lakh sub-service areas (SSA) of 1,000 to 1,500 households Out of these SSAS, 0.33 lakh are served by bank branches and 1.26 lakh are served by BCs. As allowed by RBI, scope of Financial Inclusion has been further widened by roping in Common Service Centres (CSCs) , Fair Price Shops (FPS) , Self Group members, Gramin Dak Sewaks etc. as BCs to provide banking services throughout the country: each. Help
Lok Sabha Question No. 754 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Upgradation of Medical College of Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: LAKHAN LAL SAHU

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 754 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH DECEMBER, 2018

## UPGRADATION OF MEDIC AL COLLEGE OF JAGDALPUR, CHHATT ISGARH

## 754. SHRI LAKHAN LAL SAHU:

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

- (a) whether the Government has received any proposal/request from Chhattisgarh to upgrade the hospital affiliated to present medical college of Jagdalpur -Bastar and make it a super speciality hospital;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the decision 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) to (c): Yes.  Government  Medical  College,  Jagdalpur  has  been  approved  by  Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 03.08.2016 for the upgradation under Phase -IV of Pradhan Mantri  Swasthya  Suraksha  Yojana  (PMSSY).  The  cost  approved  for  GMC,  Jadgalpur  is Rs.  200  crore  with  Central  share  constituting  of  Rs.  120  crore  and  State  share  cons of Rs. 80 Crore.
Lok Sabha Question No. 752 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: CSR by Dormant Companies
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: BHEEMRAO BASWANTHRAO PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 752 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 14 TH   DECEMBER, 2018 [AGRAHAYANA 23, 1940 (SAKA)]

## CSR BY DORMANT COMPANIES

## QUESTION

752. SHRI BHEEMRAO B.PATIL:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS कॉर्पोरेट कार्य मंत्री

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  the details of registered companies in Telangana;
- (b) the  details  of  companies  which  are  declared  as  dormant  and  the companies  out  of  them  that  are  filing  their  statutory  returns  regularly; and
- (c) the contributions of those companies in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)  funding  and  the  details  of  their  utilization  during  the  last  three years?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND                   (SHRI P.P.CHAUDHARY) JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS ( श्री र्पी र्पी चौधरी )

विधध और न्र्ार्  एिं कॉर्पोरेट कार्य मंत्रालर् में राज्र् मंत्री

- (a) The number of Companies registered in the state of Telangana under the jurisdiction  of  Registrar  of  Companies,  Hyderabad  as  on  10.12.2018  is 1,01,035.
- (b) The number of companies declared as dormant under section 455 of the Companies Act, 2013(e-Form MSC-3)in the state of Telangana under the jurisdiction  of  Registrar  of  Companies,  Hyderabad  as  on  10.12.2018  is 44.
- (c) As per filings made by companies upto 30.06.2018 in the MCA21 registry for the years 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17, the details of  CSR expenditure  by  the  companies  registered  in  Telangana  is given  in  the Table below:

|   Sl. No. | Financial Year   |   No. of companies which reported CSR expenditure |   CSR Expenditure (in Rs. Crores) |
|-----------|------------------|---------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|         1 | 2014-15          |                                               296 |                            263.32 |
|         2 | 2015-16          |                                               422 |                            446.01 |
|         3 | 2016-17          |                                               431 |                            316.42 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 750 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Demarcation of State Boundaries of Karnataka
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MNISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 750

TO BE ASWERED ON 14.12.2018

## Demarcation of State Boundaries of Karnataka

750. SHRIMATI P.K.

SREEMATHI TEACHER:

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

- (a) Whether the Government has received any proposal from the State Government of Kerala regarding demarcation of State boundaries of Karnataka in connection with construction of roads and bridges in Thalassery- Mysoor road;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and present status of proposal;
- (c) Whether the Forest Department, Karnataka has submitted a factual reports in this regard to his Ministry; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Ministry in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) No. Madam.
- (b) to (d)  Does not arise.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 748 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Financial Irregularities in Kalawati Saran Children Hospital
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 748 TO BE ANSWERED ON  14 TH DECEMBER, 2018

## FINANCIAL IRREGULARI TIES IN KALAWATI SAR AN CHILDREN HOSPITAL

## 748. SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE:

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

- (a) whether the Government has received complaints regarding financial irregularities/s Kalawati Saran Children Hospital, New Delhi;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and punitive measures taken in this regard; and
- (c) the other preventive measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

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

- (a)  & (b) : A complaint dated 26.11.2017 of Shri Sanjay Dhotre, Hon'ble MP (Lok Sabha) was received  in  the  Ministry  through  Central  Vigilance  Commission  vide  OM  dated  18.12.201 requesting to initiate an enquiry to unearth scam in Kalawati Saran Children Hospital, a Central Government Hospital under the administrative control of Lady Hardinge Medical College, N Delhi.

The said Hospital has informed that a 3 members Inquiry Committee was constituted investigate into the matter. The said Commi ttee has submitted its findings to Directorate General of Health Services, Department of Health & Family Welfare for taking appropriate decisions

- (c): The Government has a well established mechanism to prevent any administrative an financial irregularities in the hospital. Appropriate action as per rules and procedures against the erring officials.

……………………
Lok Sabha Question No. 747 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Consolidation of RRBs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA, KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 747

To be answered on the December 14, 2018/ Agrahayan 23, 1940 (SAKA)

## Consolidation of RRBs

747. Shri Gutha Sukender Reddy: Shri Konakalla Narayana Rao:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to consolidate the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in the country and intends to bring down the number of banks to  strengthen   efficiency, productivity and robust financial health of RRBs and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government has taken the opinion of the State Governments as are the sponsors of RRBs and if so, the details thereof? they

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): With a view to enable Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to minimize their overhead expenses, optimize the use of technology, enhance the capital base and area of operation and increase their exposure, the Government has initiated the process of consolidation of RRBs in the country. NABARD has suggested a road map which proposes to bring down the number of RRBs to 38 from the present 56.

The views of the concerned State Governments and Sponsor Banks have been sought on individual cases of amalgamation included in the roadmap and the same are considered, in consultation with NABARD, before taking a final decision:
Lok Sabha Question No. 746 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Speedy Disposal of Environmental Clearance
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: ABHISHEK SINGH

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 746

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2018

## Speedy Disposal of Environmental Clearance

## 746. SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:

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

- (a) the steps taken by the Union Government for speedy disposal of environmental clearance required to set up any industry;
- (b) whether single window system has been started for all type of clearances;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the details of proposals pending due to delay in issuance of environmental clearance from his Ministry at present; and
- (e) the time by which the said proposals are likely to be approved?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (c) The Ministry has taken several steps to expedite the process of environmental and forest  clearances  which  inter-alia  include  introduction  of  Single  window  clearance  portalPARIVESH(Pro-Active and Responsive facilitation by Interactive, Virtuous and Environmental Single window Hub), online system of processing of environmental clearances, introduction of Short Message Service (SMS) functionality for Project proponent, auto alert system; separate module to track the progress of recommended projects, delegation of powers to Regional Empowered Committee (REC) to finally dispose of proposals seeking forest clearance to linear projects, etc.

(d) to (e) Currently 162 proposals are pending at Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change and are being appraised, as per the timelines mentioned under Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 and its amendment from time to time.

*****