opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3918 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-04
Subject: Child Helpline Number
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Adhikari Dibyendu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3918

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2019

## CHILD HELPLINE NUMBER

## 3918.  SHRI DIBYENDU ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that calls received by the child helpline number during the last four years have doubled from 27 lakhs to 55 lakhs and if so, the details thereof
- (b) whether out of all the calls, 6 lakh calls required the helpline's intervention therein and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) out of total calls in three years period, how many calls were considered as potential cases of those who may call again; and
- (d) the total number of calls received by the child helpline and the 'protective' measures taken thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a): No Madam. Calls received by the child helpline number during the last four years have increased more than three-fold. CHILDLINE (1098) had answered 38,22,081 calls in the year 2013-14 which increased to 1,15,59,750 calls in the year 2017-18.
- (b): No Madam. Out of all the calls, 7,09,202 calls required direct intervention in the form of medical help, shelter, restoration, protection from abuse, sponsorship etc.
- (c) & (d): No such data is maintained. However, CHILDLINE responds to all the calls received.  Child  helpline  takes  protective  measures  as  per  the  provisions  of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The total number of calls received by the child helpline during 2017-18 is 1,15,59,750.  As per need of the child, assistance is provided with support of stakeholders. Out of these, direct intervention  was  provided  in  218266  cases,  where  appropriate  immediate  help was given to children and they were connected to service delivery set up under the relevant law.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3917 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-04
Subject: Implementation of PMMY by Private Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: VIRENDER KASHYAP

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

## UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 3917

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 04 th , 2019 / PAUSHA 14, 1940(SAKA)

Implementation of PMMY by Private Banks

## QUESTION

3917: SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (b) if so, the details thereof?

- (a  )  whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  that  the  private  Banks  discourage  the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) scheme of the Government; and

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (SHRI SHIV PRATAP SHUKLA)

- (a)  &  (b)  Private  Sector  Banks  have  participated  in  Pradhan  Mantri  Mudra  Yojana  (PMMY). Over 3 crore loans amounting to Rs 1.44 lakh crore have been extended by Private Sector Banks under the scheme, as on 21.12.2018, since inception of the scheme.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3915 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-04
Subject: Restriction on Imports
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

- *****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3915

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 4 TH  JANUARY, 2019 PAUSHA 14, 1940 (SAKA)

## RESTRICTION ON IMPORTS

## 3915. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  levy  Excise  Duty  to  impose

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: restriction on imports, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether any steps have been taken in this regard till date; (c) if so, the details thereof ; and

- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a), (b), (c) & (d): Central excise duty has been subsumed in GST, except on petroleum products. Hence, there is no such proposal.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3914 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-04
Subject: Sale of PSUs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: ANIRUDHAN SAMPATH

3914. DR A. SAMPATH :

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government proposes to sell successfully running public sector infrastructure projects such as power and steel plants, to power companies;
- b) if so, the details thereof;
- c) whether the Government has held any detailed consultations regarding this proposal with all Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs); and
- d) if so, the details thereof and the response of those CPSEs thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- a)The present disinvestment policy, inter-alia, envisages:
- (i) Disinvestment through minority stake sale in listed CPSEs to achieve minimum public shareholding norms of 25 %. While pursuing disinvestment of CPSEs, the Government will retain majority shareholding, i.e. at least 51% and management control of the Public Sector Undertakings.
- (ii) Listing of CPSEs to facilitate people's ownership and improve the efficiency of companies through accountability to its stake holders.
- (iii) Strategic Disinvestment by way of sale of substantial portion of Government shareholding in identified CPSEs up to 50 per cent or more, along with transfer of management control.
- (iv) Efficient management of Government's investment in CPSEs by adopting a comprehensive approach for addressing inter-linked issues such as leveraging of assets to attract fresh investment, capital restructuring, financial restructuring, etc.
- b) Recently, CCEA has given 'in principle' approval for selling Gol stake in REC to PFC. Also, the Government has 'in principle' decided to undertake Strategic Disinvestment of certain Steel units of Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC).
- c) No Sir
- d) Does not arise

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF INVESTMENT AND PUBLIC ASSET MANANGEMENT

## LOKSABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3914

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 4,2019 PAUSHA 14, 1940 (SAKA)

## Sale of PSUs

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3911 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-04
Subject: Discrimination against Women and Girls
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3911 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2019

## DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

3911.  SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: SHRI D.K. SURESH:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  special  measures  to  end  all  forms  of discrimination against women and girls in the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a) &  (b):    Ending  gender  based  inequities,  discrimination  and  violence  faced  by  girls and women in the country is of utmost priority for the Government. The Government of  India  has  already  enacted  a  number  of  legislations  to  address  gender  based discrimination. These includes the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961; Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986; the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013; the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA), Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 and 73 rd  - 74 th  Amendment of the Constitution mandating 33% reservation for women in the local governance.

Apart  from  the  above,  Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development  is  also implementing  schemes  of  One  Stop  Centre  to  provide  integrated  support  and assistance  to  women  affected  by  violence  and  Scheme  for  Universalisation  of Women Helpline intended to provide 24 hours immediate and emergency response to women affected by violence. Further, to address the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR), the Beti Bachao Beti Badhao scheme is being implemented addressing the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio and empowerment of women on a life cycle continuum.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 339 (STARRED), answered on 2019-01-03
Subject: Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*339

ANSWERED ON 03. 01.201 9

## PUNJAB TERMINATION O F AGREEMENTS ACT, 20 04

†*339. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN

Will  the  Minister  of  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Supreme Court has expressed its views regarding the Constitutional val the  Punjab  Termination  of  Agreements  Act,  2004  regarding  Ra vi - Beas  water  in  Presidential Reference 1 of 2004;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to provide remaining surplus 0.60 MAF Ravi - Beas water to Rajasthan;
- (d) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  WATER  RESOURCES, RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION, ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS AND SHIPPING

( SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GA DKARI )

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  STARRED QUESTION  NO  †*339 TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  03.01.2019 REGARDING 'PUNJAB TERMINATION OF AGREEMENTS ACT, 2004' ASKED BY SHRI RAHUL KASWAN , M.P. (a)& (b) Yes , Madam. TheHon'bleSupreme Courtof India on 10 th November, 2016 has given its opinion on the Constitutional validity of the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act regarding  Ravi -Beas  water  in  Presidential  Reference  1  of  2004;  the  extracts  of  which  a under: 'Fo r the aforestated reasons, in our opinion, the Punjab Act cannot be said to accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of India and by virtue of the said Ac of  Punjab  cannot  nullify  the  judgment  and  decree  referred  to  hereinabove  a nd  terminate  the Agreement dated 31 st December, 1981. Thus, in our view, all the questions referred to this are answered in the negative.' (c )to (e) BhakraBeas Management Board (BBMB) has informed that the deliveries to States ar given as per requirements projected by States and decided by the Technical Committee comprises of representatives of the partner States of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan a also Officers of the Central Water Commission and Agriculture Department, in its monthly meet BBMB  has  further  intimated  that  during  the  last  ten  years,  except  in  2009 - 10,  the deliveries  of  Ravi - Beas  waters  to  Rajasthan  are  more  as  compared  to  those finalized by  the partner S tates in the Technical Committee Meetings.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 335 (STARRED), answered on 2019-01-03
Subject: Bio-toilets in Village Panchayats
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 335 (15 th Position) TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2019

## Bio-toilets in Village Panchayats

## *335. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to set up bio-toilets in a large number of village panchayats in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise;
- (c) whether it is proposed to extend the scheme throughout the country;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the time by which all the village panchayats are likely to be covered under the scheme?

## ANSWER

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

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

## Statement referred to in the reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No.335 due for reply on 03.01.2019.

(a) to (e) Sanitation is a State subject. However, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, as the coordinating Ministry for Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme,  facilitates  States  in  accelerating  rural  sanitation coverage through technical and financial support.

States are encouraged to adopt local toilet technology options as per local context. The SBM(G)  guidelines provide flexibility to the States/UTs to choose appropriate  toilet  technology  for  safe  disposal  of  human  excreta  including  biotoilets. For most parts of the country, the Ministry encourages use of the twin pit toilet  technology, a low cost and effective technology, in which human feces is converted to manure in less than 1-2 years and is safe to use.

The  Swachh  Bharat  Mission  was  launched  in  October  2014  with  an  aim  to achieve  Open  Defecation  Free  (ODF)  status  for  the  entire  country  by  October 2019, as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150 th birth anniversary. As on date, 5,40,000 villages are ODF and the Mission is on track for an ODF India before October 2019.
Lok Sabha Question No. 333 (STARRED), answered on 2019-01-03
Subject: District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO JADHAV

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 333

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2019

## DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION AND MONITORING COMMITTEE

## *333.   SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken/  proposes  to  take  any  steps  to  empower  the People's  Representatives  in  the  District  Development  Coordination  and  Monitoring Committee constituted in each district  which  with  the  help  of  officers  monitors  the Central Schemes  at the district level to check prevalent irregularities in the implementation  of  Central  Schemes  including  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Mudra  Yojana (PMMY);
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

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

******

## Statement referred to in reply to Lok  Sabha Starred Question Number *333 to be answered on 3 rd January, 2019 regarding District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee

(a)to (c): District  Development  Co-ordination  and  Monitoring  Committees  (DISHA)  have been  constituted  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Members  of  Parliament  with  a  view  to  fulfill  the objective  of  ensuring  better  coordination  among  all  elected  representatives  in  Parliament,  State Legislature  and  Local  Governments,  in  monitoring  the  progress  of  major  programmes  aimed  at socio-  economic  transformation  at  the  district  level.  The  para  4(ix)  of  Guidelines  stipulate  that DISHA Committee in its meeting can look into complaints/alleged irregularities received in respect of the implementation of the programmes, including complaints of wrong selection of beneficiaries, mis-appropriation / diversion of funds and recommend follow-up action. The Committee may refer any  matter  for  enquiry  to  the  District  Collector/CEO  of  the  Zila  Panchayat/Project  Director  of District Rural Development Agency (or Poverty Alleviation Unit) or suggest suitable action to be taken in accordance with the rules which should be acted upon by him within 30 days. Presently, 42 Schemes of various Ministries are included under DISHA Monitoring System, However, Pradhan Mantri  MUDRA  Yojana  (PMMY)  presently  does  not  figure  in  the  list  of  42  Schemes  being monitored by DISHA Committee.
Lok Sabha Question No. 332 (STARRED), answered on 2019-01-03
Subject: Allocation of Funds
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*332 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2019

Allocation of Funds

†*332. SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government is aware that sports officer has not been  posted/  appointed  on  permanent  basis  and  funds  have  not been allocated to Chitrakoot district in Uttar Pradesh even after years since Chitrakoot was declared a district;
- (b)  if  so,  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the  reaction  of  the Government in this regard; and
- (c) the time by which the sports officer is likely to be posted/appointed in Chitrakoot district on permanent basis?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD.)]

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  †*332  FOR  03.01.2019 ASKED BY SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA REGARDING ALLOCATION OF FUNDS

(a) As  per  the  information  provided  by  State  Government  of Uttar  Pradesh  there  is  already  a  sanctioned  post  of  Regional Sports Officer for Circle Office of Chitrakoot Dham under Chitrakoot  District  against  which,  Shri  Ajay  Kumar  Sethi,  is posted/appointed in Chitrakoot district on permanent basis. In the FY 2018-19, for organizing various sports activities in Chitrakoot District, Rs.8,25,000/- has been allocated by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh.

- (b) & (c) In view of (a) above, question does not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 323 (STARRED), answered on 2019-01-03
Subject: Losses Suffered by Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

STARRED QUESTION NO. : 323 (To be answered on the January 2019) 3rd

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

## LOSSES SUFFERED BY AIRPORTS

## *323. SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether 85 per cent airports under Government control are running in losses as reported in the media;
- (c) whether the airports located in Indore; Bhopal, Raipur etc are incurring losses;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (d) if so, whether the Government is taking any steps to enable these airports to overcome their losses; and
- (e) if the details thereof and if not; the reasons therefor? SO,

## ANSWER

## Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

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

*****

(Shri Suresh Prabhu)

Statement in reply to parts (a) to (e) of the Starred Question No. 323 for answer on 03.01.2019 regarding 'Losses Suffered by Airports'

- (2) & (b): Airports Authority of India (AAD) owns and manages 129 airports out of which 94 were running into loss in the financial year 2017-18. The losses are mainly due to low revenue generation to meet the total expenditure of the respective airports.
2. (d) & (e): AAI has taken steps to enhance aeronautical revenue in the form of increase in tariff at non-major airports and measures for commercial exploitation at some airports to increase the revenue and to reduce losses.
3. (c): Yes; Madam. The airports located\_in Indore, Bhopal and Raipur have incurred loss in the financial year 2017-18.
Lok Sabha Question No. 322 (STARRED), answered on 2019-01-03
Subject: Operation of Media Units
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. *322 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2019)

## OPERATION OF MEDIA UNITS

## *322. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will  the  MINISTER  OF  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any review of operation of media units working under his Ministry was done recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  asked  the  States  and  UTs  to restrict airing objectionable contents and unauthorized channels and ensure effective implementation of Cable TV Act and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to install FM transmitters at different places of the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  any  decisions  has  been  taken  by  the  Government  in regard to publications under the Press and Registration Act and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

{COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD.)}

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *322 FOR ANSWER ON 03/01/2019

(a)&(b)  Functioning  of  some  of  the  media  units  under  Ministry  of Information & Broadcasting was recently reviewed with a view to bring convergence  and  synergy,  whereby  the  erstwhile  media  units,  viz., Directorate  of  Advertising  and  Visual  Publicity  (DAVP),  Directorate  of Field Publicity (DFP) and Song & Drama Division (S&DD) were merged on 8 th   December,  2017  to  create  a  new  entity,  namely  the  Bureau  of Outreach and Communication (BOC).

- (c) The Ministry issued an Advisory under Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 on 8 th  July, 2016 to the Authorised Officers in the State  Governments/UT  administrations,  to  ensure  that  only  Satellite Channels permitted by the Union Government are transmitted by Cable Operators. The registered Multi Service Operators (MSOs) have also been directed not to carry on their networks the Satellite TV Channels which are not permitted by the Government.
- (d) At  present,  486  FM  Transmitters  of  All  India  Radio  (AIR)  are installed across the country, and approval has been granted for installation of another 145 transmitters.
- (e) Registration  of  publications,  including  newspapers,  is  done  by Registrar  of  Newspapers  for  India  (RNI)  under  the  provisions  of  Press Registration of Books Act, 1867 and the extant procedure laid down for this purpose.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3910 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-03
Subject: Development of Solar Parks
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: (SMT.) RATNA DE(NAG), HARI OM PANDEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3910

TO BE ANSWERED ON-03.01.2019

## DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR PARKS

## 3910. DR. RATNA DE (NAG) SHRI HARI OM PANDAY

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  utilise  barren  and  unused  land  available  under  its control for developing solar parks specially in West Bengal;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(c)  the  details  of  action  taken  by  the  Government  on  the  proposal  received  from  a  US  based company to develop solar park on barren and unused land in the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (I/C) (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) and (b) The Government encourages the States/UTs including West Bengal to use waste/nonagricultural land with appropriate insolation levels for development of solar parks by providing Central  Financial  Assistance  under  Development  of  Solar  Parks  and  Ultra  Mega  Solar  Power Projects  Scheme.  So  far,  one  solar  park  of  500  MW  capacity  has  been  sanctioned  to  West Bengal.

(c)  No  such  proposal  has  been  received  by  the  Government  from  any  US  based  company  to develop solar park on barren and unused land in the country under the Solar Park Scheme.

*****