opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2058 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: NH Projects pending for Environmental Clearance
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Sudheer Gupta, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Shrirang Appa Barne, Bidyut Baran Mahato

## be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  National  Highway  (NH)  projects  in  the  country pending  for  environmental  clearance  during  each  of  the  last three years and the current year, State/ UT-wise;
- (b) the reasons therefor along with the details of cost escalation in these projects;
- (c) the length of NHs on which work has been completed during the said period;
- (d) the  present  status  of  plantation  on  both  sides  of  NHs  in  the country;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to take action against those companies which have violated the contract agreement on NH construction projects and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  complete pending NH projects in a time bound manner?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2058 ANSWERED ON 22 ND  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## NH PROJECTS PENDING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE

2058. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

औ

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## [GEN. (DR) V.K. SINGH (RETD.)]

(a)  &  (b)    There  is  no  such  project  pending  due  to  environmental clearance. (c) 34,243 km length of National Highway has been constructed in the country during the last three years and current year up to August 2020. (d) NHAI  successfully  planted  about  42  lakhs  plants  during  the current financial year till date. (e) Violation  of  Contract  Agreement  is  examined  on  case  to  case basis.  Government  takes  action  against  the  contractors  in  case  of violation  of  Contract  Agreement  by  the  contractors  as  per  the conditions  of  Contract  including,  but  not  limited  to,  imposition  of penalties, termination of contract etc. (f) Various steps have been taken by Government to expedite the construction viz. streamlining of land acquisition process, completion of major portion of land acquisition prior to initiation of bid, revamping of Disputes Resolution mechanism, making adequate preparation (like obtaining various clearances, utility estimates, etc.) before awarding projects, simplified & online procedure for GAD approval by Railways for ROBs, close coordination with other Ministries and State Governments,  one  time  fund  infusion  scheme,  regular  review  at various levels, rationalised exit for Equity Investors, securitization of road sector loans, rationalized compensation for delays attributed to Authority, issuing of guiding principles for resolution of stuck projects aiming at foreclosure of projects which are stuck on account of the concessionaire/contractor  or  mutual  default  of  both  Authority  and Contractor/Concessionaire etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2057 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: Selling of SCI
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2057

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22"d SEPTEMBER, 2O2O

## SELLING  OF SCI

2057,SHRI  BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI SANJAY  SADASHIVRAO  MANDLIK: SHRI SHRIRANG  APPA BARNE:

Will the Minister  of SHIPPING  be pleased to state: +dcff:d&Tlifr

- (a) whether the Government  has decided  to sell Shipping  Corporation  of lndia  (SCl);
- (b) if so, the details  thereof and the  percentage of stake  to be sold;
- (c) whether  the Government  had appointed assets valuers for valuation of all assets of SCI and if so, the details  thereof;
- (d) whether  assets valuers have submitted their report to the Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government  is likely to consult all stakeholders  along with '"' ir'r" ".proyees union before making disinvestment  in SCI and if so' the response of the stakeholders  in this regard;  and
- (f) the time by which the disinvestment  is likely to be completed?

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

(a) to (0: CCEA in its meeting held on 20 11 2019 accorded  "in  principle" "ppro"rf for strategic disinveitment  of Government  of lndia's shareholding oi oa.zSy"  in SCI along with transfer  of management  control  to a strategic buyer. M/s Protocol  lnsurance  Surveyors  & Loss Assessors  Pvt Ltd have beln appointed  as the Asset Valuer  for the Strategic  Disinvestment  of Shipping Corporation of lndia The process  of transaction  is underuay'
Lok Sabha Question No. 2056 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: Construction of All-weather Roads
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Prataprao Govindrao  Patil Chikhalikar, Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Pushpendra Singh Chandel

## be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  construct  all-weather roads in the country particularly in Uttarakhand;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the estimated expenditure to be incurred on these projects and
- the steps taken to finance them;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  construct  all-weather roads in flood affected and wet-land areas also;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the details of locations identified for construction of all-weather roads in the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

[GEN. (DR.) V. K. SINGH (RETD.)]

(a) to  (c) This Ministry is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). The projects for development  of  NHs  in  the  country  including  in  Uttarakhand  are taken up based on the design and guidelines for National Highways to  make  them  all  weather  roads.  Ministry  has  allocated  funds

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2056 ANSWERED ON 22 ND  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## CONSTRUCTION OF ALL-WEATHER ROADS

2056. SHRI PRATAPRAO PATIL CHIKHLIKAR: SHRIMATI MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH: SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

amounting to Rs. 1,46,457.45 Cr for development of NHs during FY 2020-21 for States/ UTs in the country.

(d)  to (f)  The development of NHs is a continuous process including in  areas  affected  due  to  flood  and  wet-land,  depending  on  various factors  like  terrain,  road  condition,  traffic  ,inter-se  priority  and availability  of  funds  .  The  design  principles  and  guidelines  are  so framed to provide (i) the road section at least one meter above the highest  flood  level/water  table.  (ii)  adequate  surface  and  subsurface  drainage  measure  including  camber  on  the  top  of  the pavement and (iii)bituminous or concrete pavements as a top layer.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2054 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: Violations of Guidelines of NGT
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Nayab Singh, Manoj Kumar Tiwari, John Barla, Sangamlal Kadedin Gupta, Ravindra Kushawaha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2054

To BE ANSWERED ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

## VIOLATION OF GUIDELINES OF NGT

NO. 2054.

SHRI NAYAB SINGH:

SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

SHRI JOHN BARLA:

SHRI SANGAM LAL GUPTA:

SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a few builders are violating the guidelines Iaid down by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and if the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to amend the guidelines as per the current requirements; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including action being
- taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a) No specific instances of violation guidelines of National Green Tribunal by builders have been brought to the notice of this Ministry:

(b)&(c) Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2045 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: NCRPB
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Jayanta Kumar Roy, Raja Amareshwara Naik, Sukanta Majumdar, Bhola Singh

- ·
- ·
- ·
- ·
- ·

4

ANNEXURE-I

Part  (e)  of  Lok  Sabha  Unstarred  Admitted  Question  No.  2045  for  22.09.2020  raised  by  Shri  Vinod  Kumar

Sonkar,  Shrimati  Sangeeta  Kumari  Singh  Deo,  Dr.  Jayanta  Kumar  Roy,  Shri  Raja  Amareshwara  Naik,  Dr.

Sukanta Majumdar and Shri Bhola Singh regarding NCRPB.

Major Transport Sector Projects funded by NCR Planning Board

(In Rs. Cr)

S.No.

1

2

3

5

Construction

Name of the Projects of

2

lane

Relief

Road from

Ghogripur to Haryana-Delhi Border near Hareveli

Village  along  the  banks  of  Westrern  Yamuna

Canal (WYC) falling in Sonipat District

Project of Metro connection between Noida and

Greater Noida (29.707 km)

Development of Six lane Elevated Road (Hindon)

in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh by GDA

Construction  of  Elevated  Road  from  Sodala  Tri- junction  to  LIC  Office  near  Ambedkar  Circle,

Jaipur by JDA

Development

RD

83.320

of access

controlled

Kundli-

Manesar-Palwal  Expressway  section  (Manesar to

Palwal

RD.

135.650

HSIIDC,Haryana (balance works)

Total km)

by

Implementing

Agency

PWD (B&R)

Haryana

Noida Metro Rail

Corporation

Ghaziabad

Development

Authority

Jaipur

Development

Authority

Haryana State

Industrial

Development

Corporation

Date of sanction

Jun-19

Jan-16

Jan-16

Jan-17

Jan-16

Estimated

Cost

200.00

5,503.00

1,147.60

225.00

457.81

7,533.41

Loan

Sanctioned

150.00

1,587.00

700.00

168.75

343.35

2,949.10
Lok Sabha Question No. 2044 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: Death of Migrant Workers in Road Accidents
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Jasbir Singh Gill, Mohammad Jawed, D.K. Suresh, Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2044

ANSWERED ON 22 ND  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## DEATH OF MIGRANT WORKERS IN ROAD ACCIDENTS

2044.SHRI JASBIR SINGH GILL

DR. MOHAMMED JAWED SHRI D.K.SURESH AND ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of migrant workers who travelled on foot to return home  in  the  months  of  March  and April,  2020  during  the lockdown in the country;
- (b) the number of migrant workers died in road accidents during the said period in the country; and
- (c) the  measures undertaken by the Ministry to ensure safety of migrant workers walking back home during the said period?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD

TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS [GEN. (DR.) V.K. SINGH (RETD.)]

(a) Covid-19 has resulted in migration of large number of workers from  destination  states  to  the  Home  States.  As  per  the  data compiled by Ministry of Labour and Employment, more than 1.06 crores  migrant  workers,  including  those  who  travelled  on  foot during the lock-down, returned to their home-state. (b)  As  per  provisional  available  information  81385  accidents occurred  on  the  roads  including  National  Highways  during  the period March-June   2020 with 29415  fatalities. However, This Ministry  does  not  maintain  separate  data  in  respect  of  migrant workers who have died in road accidents during the lockdown. (c)  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  (MHA)  issued  regular  advisories  to State/UTs  to  take  all  necessary  measures  to  provide  shelters, food,  water,  health  facilities  and  also  proper  counseling  to migrant  workers.  This  Ministry  had    assisted  the  movement  of migrant  labourers  walking  on  foot on  the various National Highways all across the Country by providing them food, drinking water,  basic  medicines  and  foot  wears,  etc.  They  were  also provided with the resting places to take rest and assistance in terms  of  the  arrangement  of  transport  with  the  help  of  local administration  to  take  them  to  the  places  nearest  to  their destinations.  MHA  vide  orders  dated  29th  April,  2020  and  01st May, 2020 allowed movement of migrant workers to their native places by buses and Shramik special trains respectively.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2041 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: Relaxation on Working Capital Loans
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Bellana, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Kotagiri Sridhar, Pocha Brahmananda Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2041

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.09.2020

## RELAXATION ON WORKING CAPITAL LOANS

2041. SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR BELLANA: SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY: SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI: SHRI POCHA BRAHMANANDA REDDY:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has approved a one-time relaxation on the limit of working capital loans extended to State-owned distribution companies by the Power Finance Corporation and the Rural Electrification Corporation; and
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, NEW &  RENEWABLE  ENERGY  AND  THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  SKILL DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

( SHRI  R.K. SINGH)

(a) & (b): Yes,  Sir.  Government  of  India  has  approved  a  one-time relaxation to Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Ltd. and Rural Electrification  Corporation  (REC)  Ltd.  for  extending  loans  to  Power Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) above limits of working capital of 25% of last year's revenues impose d under Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) to discharge their liabilities as existing on 30.06.2020 in favour of Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Generation (Genco) & Transmission Companies (Transcos), Independent Power Producers (IPPs)  and  Renewable  Energy  (RE)  generators,  with  the  proviso  that these loans above the 25% limit will not be counted against the working capital limit imposed under UDAY till the loans are repaid.

**************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2040 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: Power Generation and Transmission Companies
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Talari Rangaiah, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Kotagiri Sridhar, Chandra Sekhar Bellana, Pocha Brahmananda Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2040 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.09.2020

## POWER GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION COMPANIES

2040. SHRI TALARI RANGAIAH: SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY: SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI: SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR BELLANA:

SHRI POCHA BRAHMANANDA REDDY:

Will the Minister of POWER

be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  has  advised  power  generation  companies (gencos)  and  transmission  companies  (transcos)  to  cap  the  late  payment surcharge charged to distribution companies at a simple interest rate of 12% per annum;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has observed that while interest rates have softened in the country over the last few years, the applicable rate of late payment surcharge have remained high (up to 18% per annum);
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to rectify the said anomaly?

## A N S W E R

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  POWER,  NEW  & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

( SHRI  R.K. SINGH)

(a) & (b) :  To alleviate the financial stress on the Discoms due to impact of  Covid-19,  the  Government  vide  letter  20.08.2020  has  advised  the Generating  Companies  and  Transmission  Companies  to  charge  Late Payment Surcharge (LPS) at a rate not exceeding 12% per annum for all payments made under the Liquidity Infusion Scheme through PFC and REC under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

……….2.

(c) & (d) :   The interest rates in the country have softened over the last few  years.  While  the  rate  of  LPS  for  generating  and  transmission companies regulated by CERC under CERC Tariff regulations is 18% per annum, the rates for other generating and transmission companies are as per provisions of PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) / TSA (Transmission Service Agreement) or the SERC regulations, which vary from PPA/TSA to PPA/TSA and State to State.

(e) : On directions of the Central Government, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission had reduced the rate of LPS applicable under the  CERC  Tariff  Regulations  to  12%  per  annum  for  the  period  from 24th March 2020 to 30th June 2020. Further as mentioned  above, the Generating Companies and Transmission Companies have been advised to  charge  reduced  rate  of  LPS  for  all  payments  made  under  the Atmanirbhar Bharat Liquidity Infusion Scheme.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2039 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: Allocation of Funds for Nai Roshni Scheme
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Talari Rangaiah, Chandra Sekhar Bellana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2039 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.09.2020

## ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR NAI ROSHNI SCHEME

## 2039.   SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI: SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY: SHRI TALARI RANGAIAH: SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR BELLANA:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the funds allocated for the Nai Roshni Scheme during the last two financial years;

(b) the funds disbursed to the State of Andhra Pradesh during the last two financial years under this scheme.

(c) whether the Government has conducted any independent or third party evaluation of the said scheme in the country: and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a)  &  (b):Ministry  of  Minority  Affairs  is  implementing  Nai  Roshni  scheme  for  Leadership Development of Minority Women across the country. The scheme aims to empower and instil confidence in women by providing knowledge, tools and techniques. Funds are not allocated/released State-wise but are released to Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) empanelled under Nai-Roshni scheme. The funds allocated under the scheme during the last two financial years is Rs. 30 crore out of which Rs. 38 lakh has been disbursed to PIA's working in State of Andhra Pradesh.

(c)  &  (d):  The  Evaluation  study of  Nai  Roshni scheme  was conducted by NITI Aayog in June 2016 and based on this study the scheme has been revised in year 2017. The findings of the study indicate  that  the  programme  has  been  appreciated  by  most  segments  of  the  society  and  it  has assisted in creating confidence among minority women and developing leadership spirit in them. Moreover, the trained women  are also utilizing their enriched knowledge within their surroundings and thereby helping their families as well as their neighbours in raising their rights and entitlements from various government authorities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2038 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: Renewable Energy Projects
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: M V V Satyanarayana, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Talari Rangaiah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2038

ANSWERED ON-22/09/2020

## RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS

## 2038. SHRI M.V.V. SATYANARAYANA SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY SHRI TALARI RANGAIAH

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has given an extension of five months since March 2020 in the scheduled commissioning dates of Renewable Energy (RE) Projects;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government considers the COVID-19 as a force majeure event;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the consideration of COVID-19 as force majeure by respective State RE departments will be at their discretion; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY, POWER and MoS for  SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) to (f) The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued instructions dated 13 th August, 2020, which inter-alia, state as follows:
- (i)  All  Renewable  Energy  (RE)  implementing  agencies  of  the  Ministry  of  New  &  Renewable Energy (MNRE) will treat lockdown due to COVID-19, as Force Majeure.
- (ii)  All  RE  projects  under  implementation  as  on  the  date  of  lockdown,  i.e.  25th  March  2020, through RE Implementing Agencies designated by the MNRE or under various schemes of the MNRE, shall be given a time extension of 5 (five) months from 25th March 2020 to 24th August 2020.
- (iii)  The  State  Renewable  Energy  Departments  (including  agencies  under  Power/  Energy Departments  of  States,  but  dealing  in  renewable  energy)  may  also  treat  lockdown  due  to COVID-19, as Force Majeure and may consider granting appropriate time extension on account of such lockdown.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2037 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: DNV Senthilkumar. S., Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Manickam Tagore B, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2037

TO BE ANSWERED ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

## URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE: SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:: SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: DR\_ SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AFFAIRS be pleased to

AND URBAN state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has allocated any funds to States of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu for implementing Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns during the last three years and the current year and if sO, the details thereof indicating the funds allocatedlreleased and utilized and the details of works done from the said funds in the concerned areas;
- (b) whether there is delay in releasing funds to States for implementing Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme and if sO, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether there is any mechanism to monitor the utilisation funds allocated to the States;
- (d)
- (e) the steps taken to make urban local bodies more efficient and
- if so, the details thereof and the steps takenl likely to be taken to strengthen this mechanism; and
- to empower them in order to make demand for funds and utilise them?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a) to (d): No Sir. The Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT), a component of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) came to an end on 31 March, 2014. However, all those projects of UIDSSMT in which 50% or more of the Central Assistance had been released

and physical progress was 50% or more as on 31 March, 2014 or were sanctioned during transition phase of the Mission, were approved for funding under AMRUT upto 31 March, 2017 . This period has also come to an end and all the projects have been handed over to the respective States, on closure of the Scheme:

(e): Does not arise in view of (a) to (d) above.

****