opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1649 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: New Pension Scheme
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Tejpratap Singh,Yadav, ANJU BALA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

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## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 1649 TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 27, 2018/ SHRAVANA 5, 1940 (SAKA) NEW PENSION SCHEME

1649. Shri Tej Pratap Singh Yadav and Shrimati Anju Bala

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state

- (a) the details of cases of family pension sanctioned, so far, under the New Pension Scheme (NPS) to the families of deceased Central Government employees;
- (b) whether  family  pension  at  the  rate  of  old  pension  scheme  to  these  family  members  of deceased employees has been stopped after coming into force of the NPS;
- (c) if not, the fate of those who have been receiving family pension under NPS at the rate of old pension scheme;
- (d) whether  many  deceased  employees  have  left  behind  them  only  few  thousand  rupees  as Contributory Pension Fund (CPF) with the National Securities Depository Limited; and
- (e) if so, the manner by which the Government would pay them the family pension from their CPF?

## ANSWER

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla)

(a) to (e) As per the information provided by NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Ltd., which is the Central Recordkeeping Agency registered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority  (PFRDA),  1095  family  pension  cases  of  Central  Government  employees  have  been processed by it as on 20th July, 2018, who are covered under National Pension System (NPS). Further, in accordance with O.M. No. 38/41/06-P&PW (A) dated 5th May, 2009, issued by the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare, benefits of pension/family pension, at par with on disability/invalidation during service of a Government employee covered by the National Pension System (NPS). A provision in this regard has also been made in Regulation 6 (e) of the PFRDA

the employees appointed before 01.01.2004, are available on death or discharge (Exits and Withdrawals under National Pension System) Regulations, 2015.

The benefits of Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity have also been extended to all Central Government employees covered by NPS vide Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare's O.M. No. 7/5/2012-P&PW (F)/B dated 26.08.2016.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1648 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Anti-Microbial Resistance
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1648 TO BE ANSWERED ON  27 TH JULY, 2018

## ANTI - MICROBIAL RESISTANCE

## 1648. SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  address  WHO's  concern  about  the  link between air pollution and early onset of diabetes despite having a healthy lifestyle; and
- (b) whether the Government has an action plan to tackle neonatal sepsis in infants exacerbat by Anti - Microbial Resistance (AMR) as India witnesses around 56,500 neonatal deaths cause by AMR sepsis annually, if so, the steps taken in this regard?

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

- (a): The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has not conducted any study regarding lin between air pollution and early onset of diabetes.
- (b):The National Centre for Disease Control is coordinating the National AMR Containment Programme which includes surveillance of AMR in seven pathogens.  However ,no d ma cated data on neonatal sepsis is collected under this programme.

The Indian  Council  of Medical  Research  (ICMR) in  collaboration  with  the  All  India Institute of Medical Sciences a d theGlobal Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership ( GARDP) iscarrying  ou t  the Neonatal  Sepsis  Programme to  develop  an  alternative  first - line treatment fo r clinically diagnosed cases of presumed sepsis where drug - resistant Gram - negative pathogens are suspected as well as a new treatment for confirmed multi - drug resistant pathogens. The broader Paediatric Antibiotic Programme by ICMR - GARDP will accelerate het development of late - stage pipeline, newly registered antibiotics and existing antibiotics f entire paediatric group.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1647 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: GM Foods
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: K. GOPAL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1647

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2018

## GM Foods

## 1647. DR. K. GOPAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has been contemplating a system for labelling Genetically Modified (GM) foods for at least two years and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  current  laws,  prohibit  any  GM  foods  unless  cleared  by  the  Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether as per a 2007 Notification, the Government had exempted processed foods from this requirement; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provides for consolidating the laws relating to  food  and  establishing the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for  laying  down  science  based  standards  for  articles  of  food  and  to  regulate  their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import, to ensure availability of safe and wholesome  food  for  human  consumption  and  for  matters  connected  therewith  or incidental thereto. Draft  'Food  Safety and  Standards  (Labelling and  Display) Regulations, 2018', which include a provision for labelling of genetically modified(GM) foods, was uploaded byFSSAI on the website for suggestions, views and comments from stakeholders.
- (b) (c) & (d) In India, regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and products derived from  GMOs,  including  GM  foods,  are  covered  under  the  Rules  for manufacture, use/import/export and storage of hazardous microorganisms/ genetically engineered organisms or cells, 1989 (Rules 1989) under the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

After setting up of FSSAI in 2006, the Government issued a notification under Rules 1989 in 2007, exempting GM processed food, ingredients, additives and processing aids from the purview of Rule 11 of the Rules, 1989 provided the end product is not a Living Modified Organism.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1646 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Violence against Doctors
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1646 TO BE ANSWERED ON  27 TH JULY, 2018

## VIOLENCE AGAINST DOC TORS

## 1646. SHRIMATI VASANTHI M.:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that violence against doctors is a big challenge medical  fraternity  as  well  as  healthcare  structure  and  if  so,  the  reaction  of  the  Go thereto;
- (b) whethe r the Indian Medical Association has raised the issue regarding safety of doctors
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

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

( a) to (c): Yes .

Government has taken a serious view on the reported incidences of violence.

To  address  the  issue  and  the  concerns  raised  by  Indian  Medical  Association  (IMA including  'Violence  against  Doctors',  an Inter -Ministerial Committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Additional Secretary (Health).

Since,  Health  is  a  State  Subject,  therefore,  Ministry  of  Health  &  Family  Wel circulated a copy of the draft Act i.e. 'The Protection of Medical Servic e Persons and Medical Service  Institutions  (Prevention  of  Violence  and  Damage  or  Loss  of  property)  Act,  2017' provided  by  IMA  to  all  States/Union  Territories  Governments  and  requested  them  to  ei consider a specific legislation as per the draft Act or t o enforce the provisions of the existing Act, if any, strictly.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1644 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Homoeopathy for Healthy Child
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

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

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO.1644 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH JULY, 2018

## HOMOEOPATHY FOR HEAL THY CHILD

## 1644. SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  implementing  a  programme  called  'Homoeopathy  for  Healthy Child' (HHC), if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has assessed the programme and if so, the details and the outco thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to implement the same in all States; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSW ER

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

- (a) : Yes, the Ministry of AYUSH has implemented a programme called 'Homoeopathy for healthy  child''  (HHC)  through Central  Council  for  Research  in  Homoeopathy  (CCRH),  an autonomous  organization  under  Ministry  of  AYUSH. A  program  has  been  initiated  by  the Council in 12 blocks of 08 states (Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Assam, Maharashtra, Karnat Rajasthan, Jharkhand ).In this pilot program, a targeted approach to promote healthy dentit treat common ailments like diarrhoea, fever/Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) w occur during dentition period is followed. Key activist in the program are ANM and ASH , who were trained to provide home based care to children with homoeopathic medicines. A comprising  of  six  most  frequently  used  medicines  for  dentition  and  related  complaint provided to the ANM/ASHA. Dentition pattern and other associated complain ts were recorded by ASHAs along with the homoeopathic treatment provided. The monthly review meetings are conducted with ASHAs.
- (b) : So far about 70,000 children have been enrolled. The data has been analyzed and results are encouraging.  Out of 9032 children suffering from diarrhea, 8394 children responded with homoeopathy. Similarly out of 13666 suffering from URTI/ fever, 12798 responded wi homoeopathy.
- (c)  & (d) : The states have been asked to take up the programme under National AYUSH Mi ssion.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1643 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Financial Data Management Centre
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1643

## TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 27, 2018 [SHRAVANA 5, 1940 (SAKA)]

## Financial Data Management Centre

## QUESTION

## 1643. DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is in the process of establishing a Financial Data Management Centre and if so, the date by which such a centre is expected to be established;
- (b) the details of the functions and responsibilities of this centre; and
- (c) whether there is any overlap in the functions of this proposed centre with the functions of the Reserve Bank of India?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b)  Finance  Minister  in  the  Budget  Speech  2016-17  announced  that  a  Financial  Data Management Centre under the aegis of the Financial Stability Development Council (FSDC) will be set up to facilitate integrated data aggregation and analysis in the financial sector. On the basis of the  recommendation of a Committee set up for the purpose, it is proposed to set up a statutory Financial Data Management Centre for managing the repository, to enable standardization of Data across the financial sector and providing analytical support to the FSDC on issues related to financial stability of the economy and matters connected therewith. (c) No, Sir.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1642 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Freezing Accounts of Loan Fraudsters
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1642 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 27 th  JULY, 2018 [SHRAVANA 5, 1940 (SAKA)]

## FREEZING ACCOUNTS OF LOAN FRAUDSTERS QUESTION

## 1642.  SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री

- (a) whether the Government proposes to attach all assets of key accused in the Rs.  11,500  crore  Punjab  National  Bank  (PNB)  fraud  including  companies  owned  by the accused;
- (b) if so, whether his Ministry under sections 221 and 222 of the Companies Act has approached the National Companies Law Tribunal (NCLT) to freeze all assets of the 64 respondents and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which this process is likely to start and total money likely to be generated by this action of the Government?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS

(SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) to (c): The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has ordered investigation on 17/02/2018  under  Section  212(1)(c)  read  with  Section  216  of  the  Companies  Act, 2013 and Section 43(3)(c)(i) of the LLP Act, 2008, into the affairs of 107 companies and  7  LLPs  belonging  to  Nirav  Modi  (Firestar  Diamond  Group)  and  Mehul Choksi (Gitanjali  Group)  to  be  carried  out  by  the  Serious  Fraud  Investigation  Office. Simultaneously,  in  order  to  support  the  ongoing  investigation,  a  petition  under Section 221, 222, 241, 242, 246 read with section 339 of the Companies Act, 2013 was filed before the National Company  Law  Tribunal (NCLT),  Mumbai  Bench  on 23/02/2018 seeking restraint order against alienation, creation of third party rights, lien  or  transfer  or  alienation  in  any  other  manner  for  all  movable  or  immovable properties  of  67  persons.  The  NCLT,  Mumbai  Bench  while  admitting  the  aforesaid petition,  in  its  ad-interim  order  dated  23/02/2018,  granted  certain  restraint  orders against the respondents. The Ministry, thereafter, filed an appeal against the interim orders  dated  23/02/2018  seeking  further  modification  of  the  said  ad-interim  orders and also filed another appeal against the common order dated 02/04/2018, whereby relief was granted to 7 Independent Directors by the NCLT, Mumbai Bench. Further, some  respondents  also  filed  appeals  before  the  National  Company  Law  Appellate Tribunal  (NCLAT)  against  the  NCLT,  Mumbai  Bench  orders  dated  23/02/2018.  The appeals filed by the Ministry have been allowed by the NCLAT vide its orders dated 12/07/2018.  The  NCLAT  has  ordered  that  the  NCLT,  Mumbai  Bench  orders  dated 23/02/2018  shall  continue  till  further  orders,  however  the  respondents/appellants have been allowed to withdraw a sum of Rs. 1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh Only) per month from any of their accounts.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1641 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Violation of Companies Act
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

1641.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1641 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 27 th  JULY, 2018 [SHRAVANA 5, 1940 (SAKA)]

## VIOLATION OF COMPANIES ACT

## QUESTION

SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS कारपोरेट कार्य मं त्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of cases on which action has been initiated by the Government for violating the Companies Act during this year and the last three years;
- (b)
- the progress of the cases, so far; and
- (c) the details of action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS

(SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c) :  During  the  last  three  years,  there  were  a  total  of  10,522 cases  on  which  action  has  been  initiated  by  the  Government  for violating various provisions of the Companies Act, 1956/2013 and out of which 3,236 cases  have been disposed of.

Further,  during  current  year  till  date,  in  a  total  of  463  cases, action  has  been  initiated  by  the  Government  for  violating  various provisions  of  the  Companies  Act,  1956/2013  and  out  of  which  160 cases have been disposed of.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1640 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Tax Exemption
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA, RITI PATHAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1640

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 27 TH  JULY,  2018 5, SHRAVANA, 1940 (SAKA)

## TAX EXEMPTION

## 1640. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE: SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  provide  tax  relief/exemptions  to  the  family members who are taking care of disabled persons;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UTwise including Jammu and Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh; and
- (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI SHIV PRATAP SHUKLA)

(a) to (c) No Madam. Currently, there is no proposal under consideration to provide any new tax relief/exemptions to the family members who are taking care of disabled persons.

However, the existing provisions of the Income tax Act, 1961 (the Act) provides for a deduction to  a  resident  individual    in  respect  of      expenditure  incurred  on  medical  treatment  (including nursing), training and rehabilitation of a  disabled dependant. This deduction is also allowed in respect  of  any  amount paid to  Life  Insurance Corporation or any other insurer in respect of a scheme for the maintenance of a disabled dependant. The deduction allowed under section 80DD of the Act is Rs. 75,000. However, the amount of deduction is Rs. 1,25,000 in case of disabled dependant with severe disability. The deduction under section 80 DD of the Act is available to all taxpayers resident in India including the taxpayers resident in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1639 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: VRS Scheme in SBI
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: UDIT RAJ

1639.  DR. UDIT RAJ:

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1639

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH  JULY, 2018/ SHRAVANA 5, 1940 (SAKA)

## VRS Scheme in SBI

## QUESTION

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  State  Bank  of  India  (SBI)  and  its  other  associate  banks  are  proposing Voluntary  Retirement  Scheme  (VRS)  on  account  of  merger  of  SBI  with  its  five  associate
- banks;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the  number  of  employees  who  are  being  laid  off  on  account  of  the  proposed  merger, grade-wise and position-wise?

## The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance

## ANSWER (Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla)

- (a) & (b): State Bank of India (SBI) has informed that, at present, there is no plan to launch Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) in the bank. However, VRS was offered to employees and officers of five erstwhile associate banks of SBI before merger.
- (c): SBI has apprised that there was no lay-off on account of merger.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1638 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Hookah Bars
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1638 TO BE ANSWERED ON  27 TH JULY, 2018

## HOOKAH BARS

## 1638. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

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

(a) whether Hookah Bars are functioning in hotels and restaurants in the country and if details thereof, Statewise;

(b) the steps taken by the Government to regulate the functioning of Hookah Bars;

(c)  whether  the Government  has  issued  guidelines  to  prohibit  of  serving  food  and  drinks designated smoking areas by such Hookah Bars; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

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

provision. ………………..

(a):     No such information is available with this Ministry. (b)  to  (d):      This  Ministry  enacted  a  comprehensive  law  namely,  Cigarettes  and  Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production,  Supply  and Distribution)  Act,  2003 to  prohibit  the  advertisement  of,  and  to provide  for  the  regulation  of  trade  and  commerce  in,  and  production,  supply  and distribution of, cigarette and other tobacco products, with an aim to discourage the use or consumption of tobacco. Section-4  of  the  Act, prohibits  smoking  in  a  public  place,  including  restaurants provided  that  in  a  hotel  having  thirty  rooms  or  a  restaurant  having  seating  capacity  of thirty persons or more and in the airports, there is a separate provision of smoking area or space. Further,  no  service  shall  be  allowed  in  any  smoking  area  or  space  provided  for smoking. As such, the restaurant serving hookah or any tobacco product is contrary to this
Lok Sabha Question No. 1637 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Vertical Gardens
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: JAYADEV GALLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1637

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2018

## Vertical Gardens

## 1637 . SHRI JAYDEV GALLA:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  vertical  gardens  around  buildings,  roads,  etc.  will  help  in bringing down temperatures;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  gives  incentives  or  proposes  to  give  incentives  to  civil bodies/societies to encourage vertical gardens in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the details of programme being implemented for the purpose in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) Trees and green vegetation improve ecological functions including the climate of an area and any such effort will help address climate concerns. States can include such activities  in  their  Annual  Plans  of  Operation  under  relevant  State/Union  Government schemes. The National Forest Policy, 1988 encourages plantation of trees  alongside of roads,  railway  lines,  rivers/streams/canals  and  other  un-utilized  lands  to  enhance  green area in the country. Further, Ministry of Urban Development has formulated Urban Green Guidelines, 2014 to promote creation of green spaces in various forms including gardens. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has also formulated the Green Highways (Plantation,  Transplantation,  Beautification  &  Maintenance)  Policy,  2015  to  promote greening  of  Highway  corridors  with  participation  of  the  community,  farmers,  private sector, NGOs, and government institutions.

****