opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 464 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-20
Subject: Taxes on Handloom Weavers
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE *****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.464

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 20 TH  JULY, 2018 ASHADHA  29, 1940 (SAKA)

## TAXES ON HANDLOOM WEAVERS

464. SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Rules, all the input materials used in handloom production in addition to the finished cloth, attract a tax;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the other avenues where the handloom weaver operations are taxed?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b): Certain  items  used  in  handloom  production  and  handloom  products  are exempt from GST, which inter alia include

- (1) Khadi yarn
- (2) Khadi fabric
- (3) Gandhi Topi
- (4) Amber charkha
5. (c): Handloom fabrics are taxed at 5% GST rate.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 463 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-20
Subject: Misleading Advertisements on Food Products
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 463 TO BE ANSWERED ON  20 TH JULY, 2018

## MISLEADING A DVERTISEMENTS ON FOO D PRODUCTS

## 463. SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce the Food Safety and Standard Regulation B to check misleading advertisements and claims;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)the time by which the Government is likely to take any steps to introduce such law?

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

- (a)  to  (c): Section  24  of  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Act, 2006  places  restriction  on misleading  advertisements relating to food and Section 53 thereof prescribes penalty f advertisements. Further, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had no the draft Food Safety and Standards (Ad vertising and Claims) Regulations on 13.03.2018 for public comments. Comments received from stakeholders were examined by the Scientific Pan and the Scientific Committee of FSSAI. The Food Authority approved the draft Regulations its meeting held on 1 4.06.2018 for final notification.

………………..
Lok Sabha Question No. 462 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-20
Subject: Census on Peacocks
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.462

TO BE ANSWERED ON  20.07.2018

## Census on Peacocks

## 462. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any census of National bird 'peacock';
- (b) if so, the number of peacocks at present in the country, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether the number of peacocks is decreasing in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)and(b) Peacocks are commonly found birds, both inside forest  areas as well  as in agricultural  or  human  habitations.  Management  and  protection  of  wildlife including birds is the responsibility of the concerned Stare/Union Territory Governments. Population estimation with respect to certain flagship species/mega  fauna  is  carried  out  by  the  State  Governments  at  periodic intervals. The State/UT-wise population of peacocks are not collated in the Ministry.
- (c)and(d) Fluctuation in the population of wildlife is a natural phenomenon, which is generally  attributed  to  biotic  factors  like  predation,  natural  death,  etc  and abiotic factors like consumption of pesticide treated seeds etc.  There are no reports to indicate the declining trend  in the population of peacocks. As per the Red List data published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), peacocks (P avo cristatus ) are listed as ' least concern'.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 461 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-20
Subject: Rise in Sea Level
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: GOWDAR MALLIKARJUNAPPA SIDDESHWARA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 461

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2018

## Rise in Sea Level

## 461.  SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWARA

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

- (a) whether global sea levels are rising every year;
- (b) if so, the rise of sea level in the Indian coastal regions during the last three years;
- (c) the likely possibility of rise in the next ten years; and
- (d) the action taken by the Government and/or proposals to tackle the serious threat in near future?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (c):    According  to  the  fifth  Assessment  Report  of  Intergovernmental  Panel  on  Climate Change, the global mean rate of sea level rise was 1.7 mm per year between 1901 and 2010. As per the studies carried out by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), the sea levels are changing at different rates along the Indian coast. On an average, the sea level along the Indian coast is rising at the rate of 0.33 to 5.16 mm/year and the trend is expected to continue.
- (d):  The  Government  of  India  has  formulated  the  National  Action  Plan  on  Climate  Change (NAPCC),  which  outlines  a  number  of  steps  relating  to  mitigation  of  greenhouse  gases  and adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change.  32 States and UTs have prepared their State Action  Plans  in  line  with  the  NAPCC.  The  Government  of  India,  Ministry  of  Environment, Forest & Climate Change has notified Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2011 and the Island Protection  Zone  Notification  2011  with  the  objectives  of  protection  of  livelihoods  of  fishing communities,  preservation  of  coastal  ecology  and  promotion  of  economic  activity  that  have necessarily to be located in the coastal region. The developmental activities along these Coastal Regulation Zones are required to be in accordance with these notifications. The Ministry is also implementing Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project in the identified coastal stretches of three states namely Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 40 (STARRED), answered on 2018-07-19
Subject: Revival of Natural Springs
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: PREM DAS RAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 40 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2018

## Revival of Natural Springs

## *40.  SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

Will the Minister of DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION be pleased to state:

- a) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  revive  and  maintain  natural  springs across the country in order to ensure water security and access to safe drinking water;
2. (b)   whether  the  Government  has  considered  replicating  the  successful  Dhara Vikas  model  of  spring-shed  development  in  Sikkim  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
3. (c)   the  manner  in  which  the  Government  seeks to  finance  the  groundwater  and spring mapping for the implementation of spring-shed development programme across the country, especially in the North-Eastern Region?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION (SUSHREE UMA BHARTI)

## (a) to (c)   A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## Statement referred to in the reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 40 due for reply on 19.07.2018

- (a) Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation assists the States technically and financially through Centrally Sponsored Scheme, National Rural Drinking Water  Programme  (NRDWP)  for  providing  safe  drinking  water  to  rural population.  The  implementing  agency  under  the  State  Government  may take necessary steps for strengthening of sources including natural springs.
- (b) & (c) State Governments have the flexibility of taking necessary steps for strengthening  of  sources  including  natural  springswhile  constructing  / maintaining  rural  water  supply  schemes.  As  provisioning  of  Drinking Water Supply is a State subject, specific schemes may be undertaken by the States.
Lok Sabha Question No. 39 (STARRED), answered on 2018-07-19
Subject: National Power Distribution Company
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: T. RADHAKRISHNAN, SUDHEER GUPTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.39 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2018

NATIONAL POWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY

*39. SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  plans  to  set  up  a  national  power  distribution company;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the aims and objectives thereof;
- (c) the time by which it is likely to be set up;
- (d) whether the Government also plans to impose penalty on power distribution  companies  who  carry  out  load  shedding  in  any  area  across  the country and if so, the details in this regard; and
- (e) the  further  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  provide  24x7 power supply to each and every citizen of the country?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  R.K. SINGH )

(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*******

## STATEMENT

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.39 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 19.07.2018 REGARDING NATIONAL POWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY.

*********

(a) to (c) :   Recently, Ministry has received proposals in regard to setting up  of  a  National  Company  in  Distribution  Sector.  Some  Central  Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under the administrative jurisdiction of Ministry of Power, including NTPC Limited, NHPC Limited, and POWERGRID Corporation of India Limited already operate in Distribution related  projects.  Setting  up  of  a  dedicated  Company  for  Distribution Sector is contingent upon its need assessments.

(d) : In the proposed draft amendments to the National tariff policy, 2016 provision for imposition of penalties on the Distribution companies for power cuts other than force majeure conditions or technical faults by appropriate  commission  has  been  included.  The  draft  amendments  are under inter-ministerial consultations.

- (e) : Electricity is a concurrent subject and providing 24x7 electricity to all the consumers is the primary responsibility of concerned State Governments/Power Distribution Companies (DISCOMs). Government of India has taken a joint initiative with all the States/UTs for drawing up of State specific plans for providing 24x7 power supply to all households, industrial  &  commercial  consumers  and  adequate  supply  of  power  to agricultural consumers as per State policy. All the State Governments and Union  Territories  have  signed  the  '24x7  Power  for  All'  document  to provide electricity  to  all  from  1 st   April,  2019.  In  addition,  Government  of India supplements the efforts of the States through its schemes including Deen  Dayal  Upadhyaya  Gram  Jyoti  Yojana  (DDUGJY),  Integrated  Power Development  Scheme  (IPDS),  Ujwal  Discoms  Assurance  Yojana  (UDAY) and Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana - Saubhagya.

**************
Lok Sabha Question No. 38 (STARRED), answered on 2018-07-19
Subject: Driving Schools
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: KANWAR SINGH TANWAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  38 ANSWERED  ON   19-07 2018

## DRIVING  SCHOOLS

- *38.  SHRI  KANWAR  SINGH  TANWAR:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to start 2000 driving schools, each on two acres of land;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has invited the industry to join hands to impart skill development by way of providing driving skills; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the response of the industry thereto?

## 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.

## STATEMENT  REFFERED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 38 ANSWERED ON  19.07.2018 ASKED BY SHRI KANWAR  SINGH  TANWAR  REGARDING  'DRIVING  SCHOOLS'.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(a) & (b) The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has launched a scheme for setting up of Driving  Training  Centre  (DTC)  to  provide  quality  training  to  commercial  vehicle  drivers  to improve  road  and  environment  safety  and  strengthen  overall  mobility  on  roads.  Any  legal entity  such  as  a  State  Government  Undertaking/  NGO/  Trust/  Cooperative  Society/  Vehicle Manufacturer/  Firm  etc.  registered  under  a  State  or  Central  Government  Law  is  eligible  to apply under the scheme. The requirement of land to set up the DTC is about 2 acres which has to  be  made  available  by  the  applicant.  It  is  planned  to  approve  the  DTCs  at  district  Head Quarter   in the first phase. As  per  the  scheme  guide  lines,  the  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways  would provide one-time assistance to the extent of 50% of the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs 1.00 crore, for setting up the DTC. (c)  &  (d)        Any  industrial  entity  desirous  of  setting  up  a  Driving  Training  Centre  as  per approved guidelines is also eligible to avail support under the scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 37 (STARRED), answered on 2018-07-19
Subject: Review of Uplinking/Downlinking Guidelines
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *37 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2018

## REVIEW OF UPLINKING/DOWNLINKING GUIDELINES

## *37. SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION & BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the present uplinking and downlinking guidelines which came into effect from 5th December, 2011 are now more than 5 years old and require changes and if so, the facts in this regard;
- (b) whether his Ministry has felt any need to review/amend some of the provisions of these guidelines to ensure healthy growth of the broadcasting sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Telecom  Regulatory  Authority  of  India  (TRAI)  has  recommended several measures on 'Ease of Doing Business in Broadcasting Sector'; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  implementation  of  the  aforesaid recommendations?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING  {COL.  RAJYAVARDHAN  RATHORE (Retd.)}

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

## Statement  as  referred  to  in  reply  to  parts  (a)  to  (d)  of  Lok  Sabha  Starred

Question No. 37 for 19.07.2018. (a)  &  (b): The present Policy Guidelines for Uplinking of television channels from India and Policy Guidelines for Downlinking of television channels came into effect on 5 th December, 2011. The  Central  Government  has  felt  the  need  for  changing  the  extant  Guidelines  to facilitate  healthy  growth  of  the  broadcasting  sector  along  with  a  sound  regulatory network, and for this purpose had requested Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)  on  21.08.2017  for  giving  its  recommendations.  TRAI  has  furnished  its recommendation on 25.06.2018 which is under consideration of the Government.

(c) & (d): Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has furnished its recommendations on 'Ease of Doing Business in Broadcasting Sector' on 26.02.2018, which are under consideration of the Government.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 36 (STARRED), answered on 2018-07-19
Subject: Expansion of Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR S.R., S. RAJENDRAN

*36.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTIONNO: : 36 (To be answered on the July 2018) I9th

## EXPANSION OF AIRPORTS

SHRI S.R VIJAYAKUMAR SHRI S. RAJENDRAN

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state: -

- (a) whether the   Ministry of Environment; Forest and Climate Change has accorded environmental ciearance for expansion %f the Delhi airport and if s0, deddetails thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be expanded;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the funds earmarked for the purpose;
- (69 whether the Government has taken any steps to ease air traffic at various congested airports in the country;
- Climate Change for seeking permission for various expansion programmes of seven airports including the Pune airport; and
- (d) whether the Airports Authority of India (AAD) has also approached the Ministry of Environment, Forest and

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House:

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

- Statement in reply to part () to (e) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No.36 for 19.07.2018 regarding "Expansion of Airports'
- (a) Yes, Madam: The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has accorded environmental clearance for expansion of Indira Gandhi International Airport on 30th 2018. The preparatory work for expansion has already been started May,
- (b) & (c) : The congestion occurs during certain periods %f the when demand exceeds capacity and this problem is being resolved in the near-teri through management of slot allocation/co-ordination with airlines to avoid bunching of flights: As a of the NABH Nirman airport capacity capacity of airports by 4 to 5 times to handle & billion passenger] per year over the next next 10 to 15 years: To meet the demand, AAI has embarked a Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) plan %f Rs. 20,000 crores innext 4 modernisation / upgradation of terminal buildings of AAI airports in the country including Calicut; Port Blair, Agartala; land;0 commercial viability, socio-economic considerations, traffic demand / willingness of airlines to operate to/from such airports day, part trips
- (d) & (e): Yes, Madam: AAI has applied for Environmental Clearance for andGhas submitted the draft Environmental Impact Assessment  report with the concerned Pollution Control Boards Expert Appraisal Committee for public hearing and Environmental Clearances
Lok Sabha Question No. 34 (STARRED), answered on 2018-07-19
Subject: PMGSY
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAM KUMAR SHARMA KUSHWAHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 34 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2018

## PMGSY

## *34. SHRI RAM KUMAR SHARMA:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether projects  are  being  executed  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana (PMGSY)  for  the  development  of  rural  areas  of  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has fixed annual targets for construction of roads under the said scheme;
- (c) if so, the details thereof including the targets fixed and the achievements made in this regard during the last three years and the current year; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to speed up rural connectivity in the remaining areas?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## Statement referred to in reply to Parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 34  for answer on 19.07.2018

- (a) : Yes, Madam. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a one-time special intervention of the Union Government to provide rural connectivity, by way of single all-weather road, to the eligible unconnected habitations in the core network. PMGSY is executed through State Governments.
- (b) & (c): The annual targets fixed and the achievements made during the last three years and the current year is as follows:-

## Length in Km

| Year    | Annual Target   | Achievement                   |
|---------|-----------------|-------------------------------|
| 2015-16 | 33,649          | 35,154.006                    |
| 2016-17 | 48,812          | 47,446.838                    |
| 2017-18 | 51,000          | 48,746.310                    |
| 2018-19 | 61,000          | 5,855.374 ( as on 16.07.2018) |

- (d):    The Government of India has taken a decision to accelerate execution of all-weather road connectivity to eligible habitations as per the Core Network of PMGSY by March, 2019. In view of the above, the sanctioning of the projects has been expedited. The progress of implementation of PMGSY is regularly reviewed by way of Regional Review Meetings (RRMs), Performance Review Committee (PRC) Meetings, Pre-Empowered/Empowered Committee Meetings with the States. At District  level,  the  District  Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (Disha) headed by Member of Parliament (LS) monitors the implementation of various schemes of Government of India including PMGSY.  In addition to this, special review meetings are also held by Secretary/ Additional Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development with Chief Secretaries of the States.