opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1751 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Income Tax Refunds
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: PRASUN BANERJEE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1751

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 27 th  JULY 2018 14 ASHADHA 1940 (SAKA)

## INCOME TAX REFUNDS

## 1751.  SHRI PRASUN BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a). the average time taken for Income Tax refunds; and
- (b). the details of all pending IT refunds since 2014 and the number of people awaiting IT refunds as on date?

## ANSWER

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

- (a). In  the  current  financial  year,  the  Centralized  Processing  Center  (CPC)  of  the Income Tax Department, Bengaluru has taken on an average 43 days to process the income-tax returns of Assessment Year 2018-19. Separate data of average time taken in respect of returns involving claim of refund is not available. However, 83% refunds in the current financial year were issued by CPC within 60 days of filing of return.
- (b). Out of all eligible refund claims filed in FY 2017-18, CPC has already processed 1.93 Cr cases. Out of the total eligible refund claims pending as on 01.04.2018, only 1.86 Lakh are pending to be issued by CPC as on 24.07.2018. Processing for eligible refund claims filed in the current financial year has already been completed in 17.92 lakh cases and processing in 19.61 lakh cases is under progress. Eligible refund cases are those cases where the return of income is free from any defect, the response of taxpayer to any notice for adjustment of income or outstanding arrears is not pending and the case is not covered under scrutiny.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1748 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Brick & Mortar Bank Branches
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1748

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

Brick & Mortar Bank Branches

## 1748. SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be  pleased to state:

- (a) whether his Ministry has issued instructions that each unbanked Gram Panchayat of the States is to be covered by a Brick and Mortar branch of a Scheduled Commercial Bank by March, 2019 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any steps have been taken by his Ministry towards opening of brick and mortar bank branches of Scheduled Commercial Banks in each of the unbanked gram panchayats in the country including Odisha within the target period of five years by March, 2019 and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Odisha; and
- (c) whether  his  Ministry  will  consider  taking  specific  measures  so  that  Commercial  Banks will  be  able  to  deliver  adequate  and  timely  credit  essential  for  economic  and  social development in neglected States including Odisha and if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) and (b)  As per extant guidelines dated 18.5.2017 on rationalizing of Branch Authorisation Policy,  Reserve     Bank  of India  (RBI)  has  granted general     permission to  domestic Scheduled     Commercial     Banks  (excluding  Regional  Rural  Banks),  to     open  banking outlets at any place in  the  country, without seeking prior approval of RBI     in each case,  subject to  at  least 25  percent of  the  total number     of banking  outlets opened during a    financial    year being in    unbanked    rural centres with population less than 10,000. For this purpose, banking outlets opened in any centre having population less than 50,000 in North Eastern states, Sikkim and also Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts as notified  by  the  Government  of  India  are  also  considered  as  equivalent  to  opening  of banking outlets in unbanked rural centres.
- (c) Reserve Bank of India has issued master circular to all Scheduled Commercial Banks with targets under priority sector lending, which includes agriculture, micro small and medium enterprises, export credit, education, housing, social infrastructure, renewable energy etc.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1745 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: LIC Properties
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1745

Friday, July 27, 2018/Shravana 5, 1940 (Saka)

## LIC Properties

## 1745. SHRI GOPAL SHETTY:

## Will the Minister of FINANCE

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  number  of  chawls  and  building  properties  owned  by  Life  Insurance Corporation  of  India  (LIC)  in  Mumbai  along  with  their  value,  residential/  commercialwise;
- (b) whether LIC made any survey related to redevelopment of the chawls/ properties and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether LIC has appointed any consultant and if so, the outcome thereof;
- (d) whether they submitted their report and if so, the details thereof along with the gain of LIC after redeveloping the chawls/properties from the 50 percent saleable FSI;
- (e)  whether  the  redevelopment  of  these  properties  is  a  policy  matter  decided  only  by  his Ministry and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether his Ministry will prepare any policy in this regard as has been done by the other Ministries/organizations, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## Answer Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance

## (Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla)

- (a) to (d): As per Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), the details of number of chawls and building properties owned by LIC in Mumbai along with their value are as under:

| Properties            |   Numbers | Value (Rs. in crores)   |
|-----------------------|-----------|-------------------------|
| Chawls                |        10 | 138.83                  |
| Investment buildings  |       101 | 5,033.29                |
| Residential buildings |        87 | 924.32                  |
| Total                 |       198 | 6,096.44                |

LIC has not made any such survey related to redevelopment of the chawls/properties. LIC has not appointed any consultant.

- (e) and (f): Redevelopment of the above mentioned properties is a policy matter of LIC.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1744 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Point of Sales Machines
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: P. C. MOHAN

## 1744. SHRI P.C. MOHAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be  pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  instructed  Public  Sector  Banks  (PSBs)  to  procure  more Point of Sales (PoS) machines;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  existing  ATM  machines  is  likely  to  operationalised  by  banks  for  the convenience of the small customers;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the  total  number  of  PoS  machines  operated  by  PSB's  as  on  date  and  the  expected increase during this year?

## Answer The  Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance

## (SHRI SHIV PRATAP SHUKLA)

- (a) and (b) As informed by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Government of India through MeitY has allocated a target to deploy 20 lakh additional Point of Sale (PoS) terminals by various public and private sector banks.
- (c) and  (d)  As  informed  by  the  banks,  ATM  machines  deployed  by  the  banks  could  be operated by all the customers, including the small customers of banks.
- (e) Deployment of PoS machines by the banks is an ongoing process. The number of PoS machines,  including  physical/mobile  PoS  deployed  by  Public  Sector  Banks  as  on 29.6.2018 is at Annexure.

***

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1744

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

## Point of Sales Machines
Lok Sabha Question No. 1743 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: E-Cigarettes
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: M. B. RAJESH, HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1743 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th JULY, 2018

## E - CIGARETTES

## 1743. SHRI M.B. RAJESH: DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU:

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

(a) whether the health Ministry is considering any mechanism to ban E - cigarettes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) across India, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the recommendations of the working group on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and the action taken so far;

(c) whether the Government is con idering to amend the COTPA, 2003 to include provisions to ban or regulate E - cigarettes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Health Ministry is aware of any study about the health impact and safety of E -cigarettes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) in India, if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (d): Ministry  of  Health  & Family  Welfare,  conducted  a  Roundtable  discussion  on Electronic  Nicotine  Delivery  Systems  (ENDS)  on  4th  July  2014,  wherein  eminent  doctor specialists,  scientists  and  officers  of  health  and  drug  department  concluded  that  a scientific evidences in dicate that the ENDS [and similar technologies that encourage tobacco u or adversely impact public health] are hazardous for an active as well as passive user a decided to constitute  sub - gro ps to consider the issue of banning/regulating ENDS i n India. The sub- groups  have  given  their  recommendations  regarding  ban/regulation  of  ENDS,  includin amendment of existing legislation, which are under consideration of the Government.

The Health Ministry is not aware of any study about the health impact and safety of E -cigarettes  or  Electronic  Nicotine  Delivery  Systems  (ENDS)  in  Indian  context.  However, global  context,  as  per  the  report  prepared  by  WHO, Electronic  Nicotine  Delivery  Systems (ENDS)  (also  known  as  e - cigarettes)  emits  nicotine,  the  addicti ve  component  of  tobacco products. In addition to dependence, nicotine can have adverse effects on the development foetus during pregnancy and may contribute to cardiovascular disease. The WHO report fur says that although nicotine itself is not a carcinogen, it may function as a 'tumour promoter' and seems to be involved in the biology of malignant disease, as well as of neurodegeneration and  adolescent  nicotine  exposure  may  have  long - term  consequences  for  brain  development, potentially l eading to learning and anxiety disorders.

The available literature suggests that Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) nicotine, the same addictive component of tobacco products and harmful for human health.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1740 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Tiger Conservation
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: BODH SINGH BHAGAT, GANESH SINGH

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1740

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2018

## Tiger Conservation

## 1740.  SHRI BODHSINGH BHAGAT: SHRI GANESH SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Union Government has implemented any special scheme for tiger conservation in the country during current year;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and funds being provided to Madhya Pradesh under this scheme;
- (c) whether the State Governments need more funds for tiger conservation project and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the efforts made by the Government to enhance the amount of funds for tiger conservation project as per the needs of States?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND

## CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) The Government of India is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger since 1973, which is ongoing.
- (b) The said project is  operational  in  50  tiger  reserves  across  18  tiger  range  States inter alia including  the  State  of  Madhya  Pradesh  also.    Details  of  financial  assistance provided to the State of Madhya Pradesh under the said scheme is as follows:
- (c) & (d) The States express their requirement for financial assistance through an Annual Plan of Operation (APO)  which  solicits activities based on a legally mandated  Tiger Conservation  Plan  (TCP).    The  Government  of  India  increased  financial  assistance under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  Project  Tiger  from  Rs.  185.02  crores  in 2014-15 to Rs. 350.00 crores in 2018-19.

| Year               | Amount released (Rs. in lakhs)   |
|--------------------|----------------------------------|
| 2014-15            | 4335.1182                        |
| 2015-16            | 1421.00700                       |
| 2016-17            | 12885.59790                      |
| 2017-18            | 11455.457                        |
| 2018-19            | 1413.264                         |
| (as on 24.07.2018) |                                  |

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1738 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Private Hospitals on Government Land
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1738 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th JULY, 2018

## PRIVATE HOSPITALS ON GOVERNMENT LAND

## 1738. ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

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

- (a) whether land is provided by the Government at subsidised rates to set up private hospitals and if so, the details thereof , State/UT - wise including Delhi;
- (b)  whether  such  private hospitals  are bound  to  treat  poor  patients/Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) free of cost or at subsidised rates and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that many cases of violation by Private Hospitals have come to the notice of the Gov ernment;
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with the  names  of  the  Hospitals  and  action taken  by  the Government against these hospitals; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to issue any fresh guidelines to private hospitals built on Government landand 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) & (b): 'Health' being a State subject, such information is not maintained centrally.

However  as  per  information  furnished  by  Land  and  Development  Office  (L&DO), Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, land has been allotted to the following private hospitals on concessional rates: -

- I. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital
- II. Veeranwali International Hospital (Delhi Hospital Society)/PRIMUS - ORTHO
- III. Dr. Vidya Sagar Kaushalya Devi Memorial Trust (VIMHANS)
- IV. Moolchand Khairati Ram Hospital
- V. St. Stephens Hospital
- VI. An additi onal strip of land measuring 773 square yards was allotted to R.B. Seth J Ram Hospital for expansion of the hospital. Initially the land has been allotted by

As per the order of Hon'ble High Court of Delhi dated 22.3.2007 in Writ Petition (C) 2866/2002, identified private hospitals will provide free treatment to 25% of the total 10% of the total IPD patients of Economically Weaker Section.

(c) to (e) : As per available information, out of six hospitals to whom L&DO has allotted land on concessional rate, two hospitals, namely, St. Stephen Hospital and Moolchand Kha Ram Hospital failed to comply with the mandatory condition and filed Writ petition befor Hon'ble High Court, who passed the order dated 28.4.2014. The Depart ment filed SLPs in the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India against the order of  Hon'ble High Court. Now, the Hon'ble Supreme  Court  vide  order  dated  9.7.2018  has  made  it  mandatory  for  the  above  mentione hospitals to strictly observe the condition of providing treatment free of cost to 10% IPD and 25% OPD  Economically Weaker Section patients.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1736 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: GST on e-Cigarette and Beedi
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT RAGHUNATH PATIL, M. B. RAJESH

## † 1736.  श्री सी॰ आर॰ पाटीऱः

## श्री एम॰ बी॰ राजेशः

क्मा वित्त भंत्री मह फताने की क ृ ऩा कयेंगे कक्

- (क)  ई-ससगयेट  मा  इरेक्रॉननक  ननकोटीन  डिरीियी  ससस्टभ  (ईएनिीएस)  ऩय  भार  औय  सेिा  कय (जीएसटी) कयाधान की भौजूदा दय का ब्मौया क्मा है ;
- (ख) बायत भें आमात ककए गए इन उत्ऩादों ऩय रगाए जाने िारे आमात शुल्क का ब्मौया क्मा है ;
- (ग) क्मा ईएनिीएस क े  विसबन्न अिमि ऩय अरग-अरग कय रगता है औय मदद हां , तो तत्संफंधी ब्मौया क्मा है ;
- (घ) क्मा फीड़ी को छ् भार श्रेणी क े  अंतगगत शासभर नहीं ककमा गमा है औय उस ऩय उऩकय नही रगता है औय मदद हां , तो तत्संफंधी ब्मौया क्मा है औय इसक े  क्मा कायण हैं ; औय
- (ङ) क्मा कई फीड़ी इकाइमों को जीएसटी से छ ू ट प्रदान की गई है औय मदद हां , तो तत्संफंधी ब्मौया क्मा है ?

## उत्तर

## वित्त मांत्राऱय में वित्त राज्यमांत्री (श्री सशि प्रताप शुक्ऱ)

- (क) : ई-ससगयेट मा इरेक्रॉननक ननकोदटन डिरीियी ससस्टभ ( ENDS) ऩय 18 % की दय से जीएसटी
- रगामी जाती है।
- (ख) इरेक्रॉननक ननकोदटन डिरीियी ससस्टभ ( के  आमात ऩय 7.5 की दय से आधायबूत
- : ENDS) % सीभा  शुल्क  रगामा  जाता  है।  औय  इस  आधायबूत  सीभा  शुल्क  ऩय  10 % का  साभाजजक  कल्माण अधधबाय बी रगामा जाता है्- औय साथ भें ही इस ऩय 18 % की आईजीएसटी (जीएसटी क े  फदरे भें) रगामी जाती है।
- (ग) : इरेक्रॉननक ननकोदटन डिरीियी ससस्टभ ( ENDS) क े  विशेष घटकों ऩय 18 % की जीएसटी औय 7.5 % आधायबूत  सीभा  शुल्क (BCD) रगामा  जाता  है।  इरेक्रॉननक  ननकोदटन  डिरीियी  ससस्टभ ( ENDS) के   सहामक/साभान्म घटकों ऩय िही कय रगता है जो कक उस टैरयप क े  संफंधधत शीषग क े
- अन्तगगत आता है जजनभें ऐसी िस्तुओं का िगीकयण ककमा गमा होता है।
- (घ) : फीड़ी ऩय सफसे अधधक 28 % की दय से जीएसटी रगामी जाती है। जीएसटी ऩरयषद ने फीड़ी ऩय प्रनतऩूनतग उऩकय रगाए जाने की ससपारयश नहीं की है।
- (ड़) : ऐसे ककसी बी िस्तु-विननभागता/सेिाओं क े  आऩूनतगकताग , जजसका एक सार भें क ु र कायोफाय 20 राख रुऩए से कभ होता है , को जीएसटी भें ऩंजीकयण से छ ू ट दी गमी है। मह रयमामत छोटी फीड़ी
- इकाईमों को बी उऩरब्ध है।

बायत सयकाय

याजस्ि विबाग

वित्त भंत्रारम

रोक सबा

## अताराांकित प्रश्न सां. 1736

(जजसका उत्तय शुक्रिाय, 27 जुराई, 2018/5 श्रािण, 1940 (शक) को ददमा जाना है)

## ई-ससगरेट और बीड़ी पर जीएसटी

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1735 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Physiotherapy Education
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Richard Hay, SUNIL KUMAR SINGH, SANTOSH AHLAWAT

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1735 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th JULY, 2018

## PHYSIOTHERAPY EDUCAT ION

## 1735. PROF. RICHARD HAY: SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH: SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

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

(a) whether the essential qualification for the recruitment of physiotherapists has been up graded from Diploma to Bachelor Degree, if so, the details of objectives and reasons therefor;

(b) whether certain changes have been brought about in the terms and conditions of the services including pay of the physiotherapists and if so, the details thereof;

( c)  whether  adequate  avenues  of employment  areavailable  for physiotherapists  in  the  public sector in the country and if so, the details thereof and if not, the steps being undertaken by the Government in this regard; and

(d )  whether  the  number  of physiotherapists  is  commensurate  with the  WHO  criteria in  the country  and  if  so, the  details  thereof  along  with  existing  ratio between patients  and physiotherapists?

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

(a): As far as three Central Government Hospitals in Delhi are concerned, the position is as under:

The  requisite  educational  qualification  for  the  post  of  Physiotherapist  at  LHM Associated Hospitals, is as per the Recruitment Rules, i.e. either degree or dipl Safdarjung Hospital, as p er the Recruitment Rules published on 21.4.2018, the essential qualification for the post of Physiotherapist has been upgraded from Diploma to Bach Degree. As far as RML Hospital is concerned, Recruitment Rules of the Physiotherap has not been upgra ded.

(b): The service condition of the Physiotherapist is governed by Recruitment Rules and fixation as per the recommendation of the Central Pay Commission from time to time.

(c ) : 'Health' being a state subject, such information is not maintained centrally.

(d ) : The  number  of  Physiotherapist  is  decided  based  on  the  workload  and  approval  of  t Competent Authority.

……………….
Lok Sabha Question No. 1734 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Augmentation of Eco-Sensitive Zones
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: SANJAY(KAKA) RAMCHANDRA PATIL

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION N0. 1734

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2018

## Augmentation of Eco-Sensitive Zone

## 1734.      SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

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

- (a) Whether  the  Government  is  working  on  a  project  to  augment  the  reserved  EcoSensitive Zones and to reduce human activities in the said zones;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the project being proposed by the Government to ban the use of plastic products in these zones?

## ANSWER

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

(a & b) Delineation of Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ) around Protected Areas (PAs) is needed  toensure  their  biological  integrity.  As  a  transition  zone  between  areas  of  high protection  to  less  protection,  the  ESZ  act  as  a  'buffer'  for  the  PAs.  In  pursuance  to  the decision taken by National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) framed 'Guidelines for Declaration of ESZ around National Parks  and  Wildlife  Sanctuaries'.  PA-specific  Eco-Sensitive  Zones  (ESZs)are  declared  by Notification  under  section  3  (v)  of  the  Environment  (Protection) Act  and  Rule  5  Sub  rule (viii)  &  (x)  of  the  Environment  (Protection)  Rules.Restrictions  are  imposed  on  certain identified  activities  which  may  have  adverse  impact  on  the  wildlife  such  as  commercial mining,setting  up  of  industries  causing  pollution,  establishment  of  major  hydroelectric projects, use/production/processing of hazardous substances, discharge of untreated effluent in  natural  water  bodies/land  area  etc.  Activities  like  construction,  establishment  of  civic amenities  and  commercial  extraction  of  surface  and  ground  water  are  regulated,while  the activities which are eco-friendly in nature are promoted in theEco-Sensitive Zones.

(c) Use of polythene bags within Eco-Sensitive Zones is a regulated activity. The disposal of plastic  waste  shall  be  carried  out  as  per  the  provisions  of  the  Plastic  Waste  Management Rules, 2016 notified by  the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Further, directions have also been issued by the Ministry to State Governments to submit the action plan to declare the Biosphere Reserves as plastic free Zones.

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