opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5491 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-26
Subject: National Medical Commission Bill
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Y. S. Avinash Reddy

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5491 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH JULY, 2019

## NATIONAL MEDICAL COM MISSION BILL

## 5491. SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  observed  that  there  are  some  shortcomings  in  the  propo National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has received any representation regarding the noted shortcomings and remedial measures for incorporation;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps being taken by the Government to revise the NMC Bill?

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

(a)to (d): Based on the recommendations of the Group of Experts (GoE) headed by Late Prof. Ranjit Roy Chaudhary and the Department Related Parliamentary S tanding Committee on Health & Family Welfare , a four member committee headed by Vice Chairman NITI Aayog framed the N ational M edicalC ommission Bill,  after  due  consultation  with  stakeholders  an d  inviting comments from public. The Bill provides for constitution of N ational M edical C ommission in place  of  M edical C ouncil  of I ndia .  The  draft  Bill  was re - examined by  a  Group  of  Ministers (GoM)  constituted  for  the  purpose.  The  GoM  ha d approved  the  draft  Bill  with  some modification. The Nation al Medical Commission Bill, 2017 after having been approved by the Cabinet was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 29 th December,2017 andwas subsequently referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health & Family Welfare. The Committee , after due con sultation with all stakeholder, had p esented its 109 th report on theNMC Bill, 2017 to both  the Houses  of  Parliament  on  20 th March,  2018.  Most  of  the  recommendation  of  the Committee were accepted and based on those recommendations the Ministry had moved o fficial amendments to the Bill. However, the Bill could not be passed and got lapsed on thedissolution of 16th Lok Sabha. Now, the National Medical Commission Bill 2019 has been introduced in Lok Sabha on 22 nd July, 2019 .

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-26
Subject: Handloom and Handicraft Export Corporation of India Limited
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Jyotsna Charandas Mahant, Kunhalikutty P.K.

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5488 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2019

## 'HANDLOOM AND HANDICRAFT EXPORT CORPORATION OF INDIA LIMITED'

## 5488. SHRIMATI JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT: SHRI P.K.KUNHALIKUTTY:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी

be pleased to state:

- a) whether Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has received complaints regarding withholding  of  payments  of  small  bullion  parties  by  Handlooms  and  Handicrafts  Export Corporation of India limited (HHEC) on the plea of some alleged investigations, if so, the details  thereof  and  the  action  taken  against  the  officers  for  harassing  small  bullion  parties continuously for five years;
- b) whether CVC has examined the reasons for delay in making payments by HHEC to small bullion  parties  which  have  since  been  released,  if  not,  the  reasons  thereof  including  the action  taken  against  the  officers  of  HHEC  for  violating  CVC  guidelines/circular  on  nonrelease of payments;
- c) the details of payments of bullion parties and the mandatory directives given by the CVC, if any to HHEC for settlement of their dues; and
- d) whether  HHEC  would  consider  depositing  the  due  payments  of  small  bullion  parties  in scheduled  banks  so  that entrepreneurs can get their monthly  interest as a  way  of compensation till their settlements of dues and if not, the reasons therefor?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र मंरी ( श्रीमती स्मृ तत ज़ूबिन इरानी )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) to (d): No, Sir. Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has confirmed that they have not received  any  complaints  regarding  withholding  of  payments  of  small  bullion  parties  by Handicrafts and Handlooms Exports Corporation of India limited (HHEC). However, Central Bureau  of  Investigation  (CBI)  has  registered  two  cases  against  the  bullion  parties  of  M/s Edelweiss Commodities Ltd. (ECL) and Aaryavart Commodities Pvt. Ltd (ACPL). Bullion parties whose payments have been withheld by HHEC have followed the process of imports as per agreements which are identical to the agreement signed between ECL and HHEC.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5486 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-26
Subject: Pollution from Mining Activities
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Nalin Kumar Kateel

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5486

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2019

## Pollution from Mining Activities

## 5486.   SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  pollution  from  mining  activities  is  causing serious health problems among the people living in adjacent mining areas;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  end  pollution  in  order  to  protect  the citizens living in such areas and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is contemplating to bring stringent provisions to prevent the pollution caused by mining activities; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Mining  projects  can  contribute  to  pollution  in  nearby  areas,  and  may  cause health problems if the approved Environment Management Plans (EMP) are not implemented in letter and spirit.

(c) to (e) The  Central  Government  has  issued  Environment  Impact  Assessment  (EIA) Notification,  2006,  under  the  Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986,  which  mandates  the requirement  of  prior  environmental  clearance  (EC)  for  all  new  projects  or  activities, expansion  or  modernization  of  existing  projects  or  activities  listed  in  the  Schedule  to  the Notification.  These  include  mining  of  minerals/coal,  requiring  EC  from  the  concerned regulatory authority.

These projects are required to undertake EIA studies to evaluate the impact of mining activities  on  different  environmental  components  namely  air,  water,  land,  socio-economic, etc.  and prepare EMPs accordingly. Based on likely impacts, EMPs suggested by the project proponent, are examined for their efficacy and adequacy and finalized to ensure protection of environment and citizens living in adjoining areas.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5485 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-26
Subject: Drive towards Afforestation
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: B. Y. Raghavendra

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIO N NO.5485

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2019

## Drive towards Afforestation

## 5485.SHRI B.Y. RAGHAVENDRA:

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

- (a)   whether the Government proposes to launch any drive towards afforestation and to check deforestation in the country;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c)   whether the Government has made any efforts to delegate the work of afforestation to the Panchayats; and
- (d)   if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) &  (b)  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  has  decided  to  make plantation a people's movement through various programmes which will promote school nursery,  urban  forestry,  planting  trees  on  vacant  lands,  bunds  on  farm  land  etc. In addition,  this  ministry  implements  two  major  afforestation  schemes  namely  National Afforestation Programme (NAP) for tree plantation in degraded forests through people's participation and National Mission for a Green India (GIM), for plantation on landscape basis. An area over 2 million ha. has been afforested with an investment of about Rs.3874 crore under NAP since its launching year 2000 and under GIM Rs. 166.97 crores released during last three years. The fund under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), inter-alia , is also used in plantation activity including compensatory afforestation.

Besides,  tree  plantation/afforestation  activities  are  taken  up  cross-sectorally  by  various Departments, under various Central and State Plan/Non Plan Schemes.

- (c) &(d)  In  consonance  with  the  National  Forest  Policy  1988  emphasizing  the  local community based approach by creating a massive people's movement for achieving the objectives  and  to  minimize  pressure  on  existing  forests,  the  concept  of  Joint  Forest Management  was  launched  and  Joint  Forest  Management  Committees  (JFMCs)  were formed in each State/UT Government which function on care and share principle. JFMCs have been  recognized  as  organs  of  the  Gram  Sabha  having  active  linkages  with  Gram Panchayats.Various  schemes  including  NAP  and  GIM  are  being  implemented  by  the Ministry and the State/UT governments with the participation of these committees.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5484 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-26
Subject: Waste Management
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Sumedhanand Saraswati

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5484

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2019

## Waste Management

## 5484. SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to impart training to panchayat members regarding Waste Management;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of participating countries and organisations from other countries and India in the said initiatives;
- (d) whether any specific use of waste is possible through application of technology; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to  (c)  The  Ministry  in  supersession  of  Municipal  Solid  Waste  (Management  and Handling) Rules, 2000, has notified the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The Rules, under the duties and responsibilities of local authorities, village panchayats of census towns and urban agglomerations prescribes to provide training on solid waste management to wastepickers  and waste collectors. The village panchayats of census towns are also mandated to create  public  awareness  through  information,  education  and  communication  campaign  and educate the waste generators on minimizing the generation of waste, reuse the waste to the extent possible,  practice  home  composting,  vermin-composting,  bio-gas  generation  or community level composting, storage of segregated waste at source in different bins etc.

(d)  and (e) The  bio-degradable  waste  is  processed,  treated  and  disposed  off  through composting or bio-methanation. Regarding plastic waste, the key technologies prescribed are (i)  utilization  of  plastic  waste  in  road  construction,  (ii)  Co-processing  of  plastic  waste  in Cement Kilns, (iii) Conversion of plastic waste into liquid RDF (Oil) and (iv) Disposal of plastic waste through Plasma Pyrolysis Technology (PPT).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5483 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-26
Subject: Genetically Modified Crops
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Prabhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, K. Subbarayan

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5483 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2019

## Genetically Modified Crops

5483. SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA: SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE: SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU: SHRI SUBBARAYAN K.:

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

- (a) the details of genetically modified (GM) crops approved and permitted for cultivation and commercial production till date along with the GM crops yet to be approved;
- (b) whether the Government is aware of a demand for GM crops in Maharashtra running contrary to the ban on planting unapproved HT Bt. cotton seeds and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether farmers in Maharashtra and other States have started cultivating GM cotton and  Bt.  Brinjal  and  have  demanded  approval  to  cultivate  such  crops  and  if  so,  the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  conduct  enquiry  for  the  sale  of  unapproved variety of GM cotton and Brinjal seeds in Maharashtra, if so, the details thereof along with the action taken against such companies selling unauthorised GM seeds?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Bt  cotton  is  the  only  Genetically  Modified  crop  approved  and  permitted  for cultivation and commercial production in India. Applications seeking approval for cultivation of Genetically Modified (GM) Mustard and Brinjal have not yet been approved for want of additional data/studies regarding impact on human health and environment.
- (b) to (c) A Farmers' Union in Maharashtra had sown Herbicide Tolerant (HT) Bt cotton seeds  on  10 th July  2019  and  has  also  written  to  this  Ministry  for  permitting access to more GM Crops. Government is not aware of a similar demand from farmers  in  other  States.  However,  this  Ministry  has  received  complaints regarding  illegal  cultivation  of  Bt.  Brinjal  and  HT  Bt  Cotton  in  the  States  of Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Punjab.
- (d) Government  of  Maharashtra  has  been  requested  to  constitute  and  strengthen State/UT Biotechnology Coordination Committees and District Level Committees  for  monitoring  instances  of  illegal  cultivation  of  GM  Crops  and taking appropriate action under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 480 (STARRED), answered on 2019-07-25
Subject: Closure of Pakistan’s Airspace
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. : 480 (To be answered on the 25th

2019) July

## CLOSURE OF PAKISTAN'S AIRSAPCE

*480 SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL A VIATION

(Shri Hardecp Singh Puri)

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

be pleased to state:-

- () whether the closure of Pakistan's airspace following tensions related to the Pulwama suicide bombing has affected nearly 400 flights a including international flight services of other countries and if s0, the details thereoz; day
- level with Pakistan as utimately Passengers are at a loss with airlines passing 0n the higher operating costs and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

Statement referred in reply to Part (a) to (c) of the Lok Sabha starred question no 480 regarding "Closure of Pakistan's Airspace" to be answered on 25.07.19

- (a) Yes Sir; the closure of Pakistan airspace on 27th Feb. 2019 had affected around 600 flights that operate per across India-Pakistan airspace boundary and these flights were re-routed through Arabian Sea Airspace day
- (b) The Airspace restrictions that were put in place by Pakistan on February, 2019 have been lifted with effect from I6th 2019 July
- (c) Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 478 (STARRED), answered on 2019-07-25
Subject: Development of Waterways
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: Hema Malini

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.*478 To BE ANSWERED oN 2sr|' JULY,2o1g

## DEVELOPMENT OF WATERWAYS

- *478. SHRIMATI HEMA MALINI:

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased  to state: milqfu{-fltrfi

- (a) whether the Government is working on any project to develop wateruvays  by linking Yamuna and Ganga rivers under which both commercial and passenger transport services are likely to be made available;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether work on the said watenruays  project is going on smoothly and as per the target fixed in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR SHIPPING (SHRI MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

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

## Pr3s.oz.zqlg r",""a on S i Waterwavs"

(a) to (d) River Yamuna from Jagatpur (Derhi)  to sangam (prayagrai)  is Nationar Watemay-'l  10 (NW-l 10) and it merges into Ganga River (NW-1) at Sangam (prayagraj).

NW-1 is already operationar  for cargo and passenger  transportation.  To further augment  the navigation capacity on the Haldia-Varanasi  stretch of NW-1, lnland  wateMays Authority of lndia is implementing the Jal Marg Vikas  project  (JMVp)  at an estimated cost of Rs.5369  crore. Under JMVp, various sub-projects  worth Rs.1g0o crore (approx.) have commenced on the ground in a time period  of three years after statutory crearances.

A Detailed  Project  Report (DpR) of NW-1 1o (River  yamuna)  has been taken up to assess the techno-economic  feasibility of navigation.
Lok Sabha Question No. 473 (STARRED), answered on 2019-07-25
Subject: Execution of Projects by NHAI
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Ramya  Haridas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 473

ANSWERED ON 25 TH  JULY, 2019

## EXECUTION OF PROJECTS BY NHAI

## *473.   MS. RAMYA HARIDAS:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सडक़ परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  various  projects  proposed  to  be  executed  by  the  National  Highways Authority of India (NHAI) during the next five years;
- (b) the length of new national highways in kilometers constructed during the last five years;
- (c) whether there is any financial crunch for the development of national highways; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

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

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- (a) to (d) The Government of India approved the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I in October, 2017  for  development  of  economic  corridors,  inter  corridors,  feeder  routes, national  corridors,  border  roads,  international  connectivity  roads,  coastal  roads, port connectivity roads and expressways with an aggregate length of about 34,800 km (including 10,000 km residual NHDP stretches) at an estimated outlay of Rs. 5,35,000.00  crores,  spanning  a  period  of  5  years.    The  National  Highways Authority  of  India  (NHAI)  along  with  National  Highways  &  Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) and State PWDs have been entrusted with  the  road  stretches  envisaged  for  development  under  this  programme. Moreover, works under various other schemes such as NH(O) etc. have also been entrusted to NHAI for execution/development.

Under  Bharatmala  Pariyojana  Phase-I,  total  of  225  nos.  road  projects  with  an aggregate length of 9,613 km have been appraised and approved till March, 2019 with Total Capital Cost as Rs. 2,43,415 crores (including LA & pre-construction cost). NHAI has been mandated to raise funds through market borrowing under Internal and External Budgetary Resources (IEBR) and the IEBR outlay for this year is Rs. 75,000 crore. In addition to Toll Plough Back and Cess, NHAI does resource mobilization through asset monetization and utilizing financial instruments such as Masala bonds to ensure that requisite funds are available for national highway development.

About 39,000 km length of National Highways have been constructed during the last 5 years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 472 (STARRED), answered on 2019-07-25
Subject: Beautification of National Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.472

ANSWERED ON 25 TH  JULY, 2019

## BEAUTIFICATION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

*472. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the measures taken by the Government for beautification of national highways spread across various parts of the country;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  more  such  projects,  particularly  for  the national highways in Rajasthan; and
- (c)   if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated for this purpose, State/ UT-wise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

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

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (A)  TO  (C)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.472 ANSWERED ON 25TH  JULY, 2019 ASKED BY SHRI CHANDRA  PRAKASH  JOSHI  REGARDING  'BEAUTIFICATION  OF  NATIONAL HIGHWAYS'

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(a) to (c) Government has issued the Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification & Maintenance) Policy - 2015 to develop green corridors along NHs and beautify all NHs with avenue as well as median plantation along with landscaping on the available ROW. A total of 1,01,67,484  plants have been planted during the last three years.

Plantation and landscaping is an integral part of road development and the same is included in the  scope  of  work  of  the  Contractors/Concessionaires.  In  projects  where  this  activity  is  not covered  in  the  scope  of  work,  the  plantation  is  undertaken  either  through  Government departments  or  private  agencies.  A  total  of  Rs.200  Crore  have  been  allocated  by  National Highways Authority  of  India  (NHAI)  for  the  year  2019-20  for  plantation  in  all  such  projects including those in the state of Rajasthan.

*****