opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3850 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Education Quality Index
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Gangasandra Siddappa Basavaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3850 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019

## Education Quality Index

## 3850.  SHRI G. S. BASAVARAJ:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the NITI Aayog's School Education Quality Index has found that  a large percentage of schools  across  States  failed  to  meet  Right  to  Education  (RTE)  norms  for  pupil-teacher  ratio, with only 50 per cent of the Upper Primary Schools passing the muster; and
- (b)        if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) and (b):  The School Education Quality Index (SEQI) released by the NITI Aayog provides data regarding the 'Percentage of Elementary Schools meeting teacher norms'. In 2016-17, 26 States and Union Territories met the prescribed Right to Education (RTE) Teacher norms in at least 70% of their Elementary Schools.

The  RTE  Act,  2009  in  its  Schedule  lays  down  the  Pupil-Teacher  Ratio  (PTR)  for  upper  primary schools.    At  the  upper  primary  level  it  is  35:1.   As  per  the  Unified  District  Information  System  for Education  (UDISE)  2016-17,  the  PTR  at  national  level  for  upper  primary  schools  is  24:1,  which  is better than the prescribed norms.

The  Government  has  launched  a  number  of  initiatives  to  improve  children's  education  including Samagra Shiksha Abhiyhan (SSA), Scheme for Providing  Quality Education in   Madrasas (SPQEM), Infrastructure Development in Minority Institution (IDMI), National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary  Education  (NSIGSE),  National  Means-cum-Merit  Scholarship  Scheme  (NMMSS).   To improve quality of teaching,  the  Central  Government  initiatives  include  development  of  a  dedicated National Digital Infrastructure for Teachers  (DIKSHA) and launching of an integrated teacher training programme titled NISHTHA  (National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers' Holistic Advancement).  As per UDISE 2016-17, the number of teachers has also improved from 85.6 lakhs in 2014-15 to more than 89 lakhs in 2016-17.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3848 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Optimum Utilization of Post Offices
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3848 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH   DECEMBER, 2019

## OPTIMUM UTILIZATION OF POST OFFICES

## 3848. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has a plan of action to make optimum utilisation of post offices across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  any  of  the  post  offices  in  the  State  of  Kerala  is  proposed  to  function  as  a  Passport  Seva Kendra (PSK) and if so the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government proposes to open PSK in any of the post offices in Ponnani Constituency and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

- (a) The Post Offices across the country are being utilised optimally to provide traditional services such as Letter Mail and Parcels, Registration and Money Order services, Post Office Savings Bank services (POSB), Postal Life Insurance/Rural Postal Life Insurance services and Philately. In addition some new Citizen Centric services have also been introduced through the Post Office network;
- (i) 1,36,078 Post Offices have been rolled out as India Post Payment Bank (IPPB) access points.
- (ii) Aadhaar Enrolment & Updation Services through 13,352 Aadhaar Enrolment and Updation Centres.
- (iii)        Passport services through 424 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs).
- (iv) Biometric enabled digital service for securing life certificates for pensioners- ''Jeevan Pramaan'' through 811 Post Offices.
- (b) Yes,  7  Post  Offices  Passport  Seva  Kendras  (POPSK)  are  functioning  in  the  state  of  Kerala  at Chengannur (Cochin), Kattappana (Cochin), Nenmara (Cochin), Palakkad (Cochin), Kasargod (Kozhikode), Attingal (Thiruvananthapuram) and Pathanamthitta (Thiruvananthapuram).
- (c) The opening of Passport Kendras in various Post Offices including Ponnani constituency would depend on various factors such as distance from the existing Passport Kendras, volume of applications from a particular region, availability of space in the Departmental Post Offices and feasibility etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3847 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Compensation Paid
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Arjun Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3847

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 11 th  DECEMBER, 2019.

## Compensation Paid

## 3847.  SHRI ARJUN SINGH:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether State Government is bound to pay compensation for the loss suffered by a person in respect of his post or dignity if wrong or concocted allegations are levelled against him by the State Government are dismissed by the hon`ble court;
- (b)  if so, the limit of such compensation; and
- (c) if not, whether the Government will formulate any law for this?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND  ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a) to (c): Justice Malimath Committee observed that the victims were deprived of their legal rights and did not have a significant role in the criminal proceedings in India. The Committee  recommended  two  types  of  rights  to  victims:  (i)  participation  in  criminal proceedings; and (ii) right to compensation for the damage and interim relief. Following changes in the Criminal Procedure Code have been made giving some rights to victims in criminal proceedings:
1.  Section 357A provides for compensation scheme for the victim or his dependents, who have suffered loss or injury as a result of the crime and who, require rehabilitation.
2.  Section 357C provides for treatment of victims (of certain offences) free of cost.
3.  Section 372 provides that the victim shall have a right to prefer an appeal against any order passed by the Court acquitting the accused or convicting for a lesser offence or imposing inadequate compensation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3846 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Ph.D Fellowship to ASEAN Students
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: T. R. Paarivendhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3846 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019

## PH.D FELLOWSHIP TO ASEAN STUDENTS

## 3846. DR. T. R. PAARIVENDHAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recently launched a fully funded Ph.D fellowship programme at the Indian Institute of T echnology, Delhi for students from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as part of the 'Act East Policy' of the Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the motive and intention of the Government to give such degrees and the total outlay for the project including the number of students who will be awarded Ph.D degree every year;
- (c) the number of ASEAN countries included/proposed to be included in the said programme;
- (d) whether this Ph.D scholarship programme is being executed as part of   the   announcement   made   by   the   Prime   Minister   at   the   25 th anniversary to commemorate the ASEAN-India Summit held in New Delhi in January, 2018; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a) to (e) During   the   25 th  Anniversary   Commemorative   ASEAN-India Summit in New Delhi on 25 January 2018, Prime Minister had announced 1000 integrated Ph.D Fellowships for students and researchers from all ten ASEAN   countries   to   study   at   the   Indian   Institutes   of   T echnology. Accordingly,   on September   16,   2019,   External   Affairs   Minister   Dr.   S. Jaishankar  and Minister  of  Human Resource  Development Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', formally launched this programme in accordance with Prime Minister's announcement. IIT Delhi is the National Coordinator for the Fellowship Programme. Ministry of Human Resource Development has approved a total outlay of Rs. 300 crore for the programme over a period of seven years. The Fellowship programme will be conducted in three batches. In the first year, up to 250 fellowships will be granted under the Programme. In the second and third year, up to 300 fellowships and 450 fellowships will be granted.

Students admitted will be provided fellowships at the same rate as Indian students, along with yearly research grants, as applicable. The IIT s will   make   a   provision   to   cover   the   living   expenses   from   their   own resources.

This Fellowship programme will strengthen ASEAN-India relations by contributing   to   the development   of   human   resources   in   ASEAN countries. It   will   also   strengthen   the   research ecosystem   of   IIT s while enhancing   international   student   diversity   at   our IIT s,   contributing   to greater global recognition of the IIT brand.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3845 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Adulteration  Offences
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Virendra  Kumar, Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

*****

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3845 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019

## ADULTERATION OFFENCES

## 3845.  DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR SHRI  MANSUKHBHAI  DHANJIBHAI  VASAVA

Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  make  adulteration  offences  a  nonbailable crime and to make provisions for life sentence including heavy penalties for such criminals; and
- (b) if  not,  the  way  the  Government  proposes  to  combat  this  problem prevailing on a large scale across the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a) and (b): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3844 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Mining of Rock Phosphate
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3844 ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019

## MINING OF ROCK PHOSPHATE

## †3844. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the objections of the Ministry of Environment and Forests regarding mining of rock phosphate in village Sonrai, district Lalitpur of Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to remove the above objections;
- (c) the time by which permission is likely to be granted for mining of rock phosphate by the Government; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a): Rock phosphate deposit in Sonrai area district Lalitpur, mostly falls in Tori & Pisnari reserve forest. For carrying out exploration/ prospecting in forest land, NOC from forest department  is  mandatory  as  per  the  latest  guidelines  of  Ministry  of  Environment  and Forests & Climate Change under letter no. 5-3/2007/FC, dated 24.12.2018.
- (b):  After  completing  joint  inspection  with  forest  officials  and  receiving  NOC's  from village,  sub  district  and  district  level  FRA(2006)  committee's,  part  'A'  of  form  'C'  was submitted  on  Parivesh  Portal  (proposal  no.  FP/UP/MRL/L/2019  on  06.11.2019)  for receiving NOC from forest department to carrying out exploration.
- (c)  &  (d):    Geology  and  Mining  Department,  State  Government  of  Uttar  Pradesh  has granted  exploration  work  of  Rock  phosphate  to  MECL  funded  by  NMET.  Upon completion of  exploration  work  as  per  Mines  &  Minerals  (Development  &  Regulation) Act, 2015, auctionable block will be prepared and proposed for mining activity.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3842 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Chikmagalur to Kadur Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shobha Karandlaje

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3842 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019

## CHIKMAGALUR TO KADUR RAILWAY LINE

3842.   KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) the  time  by  when  the  construction  of  Chikmagalur  to  Kadur railway line would be completed and the hurdles in the construction of this rail line;
- (b) the  present  status  of  establishing  a  new  Coaching  Depot  at Shimoga;
- (c) the present status of electrification to Birur to Talaguppa, Mysore to Mangalore including Arasikere and Hassan, Kadur to Chikmagalur and Mysore to Chamarajanagar railway lines; and
- (d) whether  Karnataka  is  among  the  three  worst  States  in  the country with regard to electrification of railway lines, behind only Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3842 BY KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  11.12.2019  REGARDING CHIKMAGALUR TO KADUR RAILWAY LINE

- (a): Kadur-Chikmagalur new line is part of Kadur-ChikmagalurSakleshpur new line project (93 Km). On this project, KadurChikmagalur section (46 Km) has been commissioned.

For  works  on  balance  portion  i.e.  Chikmagalur-Sakleshpur  (47  km), Government of Karnataka has agreed to provide land free of cost and share 50% cost of Chikmagalur-Belur-Sakleshpur portion of the project in  2013.  Out  of  this,  work  on  Belur-Sakleshpur  portion  (20  Km)  has been  dropped  on  the  request  of  Government  of  Karnataka  and sanctioning of Hassan (Alur)-Belur new line project (32 Km) has been sanctioned in 2018-19.

Land  acquisition  documents  for  310  acre  land  for  Chikmagalur-Belur section have already been submitted in May 2013. Out of this, 25 acre land has been  made  available by the State  Government.  Land acquisition for balance 285 acre land taken up.

(b):  The  work  of  Development  of  Coaching  Depot  at  Koteganguru station adjacent to Shimoga was sanctioned at a cost of ` 62 crore in 2019-20.  The  Detailed  Project  Report  is  under  finalization.  After following due process, tender will be invited in current year.

(c): The electrification of Birur-Talaguppa, Mysuru-Mangalore including Arsikere-Hassan,    Kadur-Chikmagalur    and    Mysuru-Chamarajanagar sections  was  sanctioned  in  September,  2018.  All  these  projects  are under process of tendering.

(d): Presently, in Karnataka, out of total 3,746 Broad Gauge (BG) Route Kilometer (RKM), 664 RKM have been electrified, which is 17.73% of total BG rail network of Karnataka. Out of balance BG routes of 3,082 RKM,  2,135  RKM  are  sanctioned  during  last  3  years  (i.e.  2016-17, 2017-18 & 2018-19). Decision for 100% electrification has already been taken.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3841 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Procurement of Anti Tank Missile
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: C.N. Annadurai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3841

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  December, 2019

## PROCUREMENT OF ANTI TANK MISSILE

3841. SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any order has been placed for procurement of Anti Tank Spike Missiles from Israel;
- (b) if so, the total number of missiles to be procured and their cost in Indian rupee;
- (c)  the  advantage  of  such  missiles  over  similar  type  of  missiles  produced  by  other countries; and
- (d)  the  other  countries  which  are  using  such  missiles  and  whether  such  missiles  are acquired and developed by Pakistan and China?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

- (a)  Yes, Sir.
- (b) A suitable number of Missiles and allied systems have been procured to meet operational requirement of the Indian Army.
- (c)  Spike Long Range (LR) Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) system is a man portable 4 th Generation  system  which  can  engage  targets  in  both  Fire  &  Forget  and  Fire,  Observe  & Update mode, thus enhancing the operational flexibility and crew survivability.  Dual mode seeker of the system allows precise engagement both during day and night.  The system also has Top Attack capability to enhance the lethality of the missile against tank targets.
- (d)    Israel,  Germany,  Spain  are  among  the  other  users  of  4 th Generation  Spike LR ATGM system.  As per available inputs in open source, China has developed a 3 rd Generation ATGM System while Pakistan does not have such a capability yet.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3840 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Joint Venture Agreements
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Pritam Gopinath Munde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3840 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019

## JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENTS

3840. SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU: DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  with  a  view  to  ensure  greater  participation  of States,  Union  Government  allowed  the  Indian  Railways  to form  Joint  Venture  companies  with  State  Governments  to mobilize resources for speedy implementation of rail projects;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  manner  in  which  these  joint  venture  companies  will work  and  areas  identified  for    joint  venturing  with  the States;
- (d) the  extent  to  which  the  Railways  will  be  able  to  mobilize funds for their projects with these agreements; and
- (e) the States which have signed the joint venture agreements with the Railways including the areas of agreements?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) Yes, Sir.  In view of the essential requirement of number of new rail infrastructure projects in various States to serve their

-2- core  sector  industries,  ports,  mines,  industrial  corridors  etc., which cannot be taken up by Ministry of Railways at present at desired  pace,    State  specific  Joint  Venture  (JVs)  Companies between the Ministry of Railways and willing State Governments have been incorporated.

- (b) States of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Odisha,  Haryana,  Jharkhand  and  Karnataka  have  incorporated the Joint Venture Companies.
- (c) The company will undertake project development, resource mobilization and monitoring of mutually identified rail infrastructure projects.
- (d) Each  of  these  Companies  has  been  set  up  as  a  Joint Venture Company  with equity participation of Ministry of Railways  (limited  up  to  maximum  50%)  and  concerned  State Government(s).
- (e) States of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Odisha,  Haryana,  Jharkhand  and  Karnataka  have  incorporated the Joint Venture Companies for execution of mutually identified rail infrastructure projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3839 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Freight Classification
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: A. Chellakumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3839 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019

## FREIGHT CLASSIFICATION

## 3839. DR. A. CHALLAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the norms/criteria laid down for freight classification under the goods transport system;
- (b) whether the Railways has recently made further changes in the categorisation  of  different  commodities  for  determining  the applicable rates;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  manner  in  which  Railways  ensure  transparency  in  the decision making process in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) The freight classification  under  the  goods  transport  system  is done in accordance with Section 31 of Railways Act, 1989. The various  norms/criteria  taken  into  account  for  classifying  a commodity  inter-alia  are:  cost  of  service,  physical/chemical properties, loadability, value of the commodity,  what  the commodity can bear, usage as raw or finished goods, comparisons with other modes of transportation, type of wagon required  for  loading,  packing  condition,  and  any  other  detail specifically linked with the transportation of the commodity.

(b) Review of classification of a commodity is an ongoing process and is done from time to time. Indian Railways has not changed the category of any commodity in the current financial year.

(c) Does not arise.

(d) The change of classification of a commodity is a pricing/rating exercise  and  usually  forms  a  part  of  tariff  rationalization  of Indian Railways. Tariff rationalization decisions are highly sensitive and cannot be made public before implementation, so as  to  ensure  that  no  undue  or  unfair  advantage  is  taken  by anyone. The notifications regarding the same are uploaded on Railway Board's official website in real time.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3838 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Estimation of Poverty
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Rama Devi, Annpurna Devi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3838 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019

## Estimation of Poverty

## †3838. SHRIMATI  RAMA  DEVI: SHRIMATI  ANNPURNA  DEVI:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the NITI Aayog reviews the methodology for poverty estimation from time to time;
- (b) if so, the details of the review conducted during the last three years;
- (c) the outcome of the said review; and
- (d) the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a)  to (d): Pursuant to the decision taken in the first meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog held under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble Prime Minister on 8th February, 2015, a Task Force on Elimination of Poverty in India was constituted by NITI Aayog on 16th March, 2015 under  the  Chairmanship  of  Dr.  Arvind  Panagariya,  former  Vice  Chairman,  NITI  Aayog.  The report of the Task Force was submitted to Prime Minister's Office on 11 th July, 2016. The Terms of Reference for the Task Force inter-alia included to 'Develop a working definition of poverty'. The  report  of  the  Task  Force  primarily  focuses  on  issues  of  measurement  of  poverty  and strategies to combat poverty. Regarding estimation of poverty, the report of the Task Force states that  'a  consensus  in  favour  of  either  the  Tendulkar  or  a  higher  poverty  line  did  not  emerge. Therefore, the Task Force has concluded that the matter be considered in greater depth by the country's top experts on poverty before a final decision is made. Accordingly, it is recommended that an expert committee be set up to arrive at an informed decision on the level at which the poverty  line  should  be  set.'  The  Report  of  the  Task  Force  is  under  consideration  of  the Government.

***