opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1923 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: Open Market Operations
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1923

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018/AGRAHAYANA 30, 1940 (SAKA)

## QUESTION Open Market Operations

## 1923.  SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to pump in more liquidity in December by infusing Rs. 40,000 crore into the system through Open Market Operations (OMOs);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the RBI has decided to conduct purchase of Government securities under OMOs for an aggregate amount of Rs. 100 billion in the month of December, 2018; and
- (d) the auction dates set by the RBI for the purchase of Government securities under OMOs?

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

- (a),  (b)  and  (c):  Reserve  Bank  of  India  (RBI),  vide  a  Press  Release  dated  27 th November, 2018,  announced  its  decision  to  purchase  Government  securities  under  Open  Market Operations  (OMOs)  for  an  amount  aggregating  to  ₹  400  billion  during  the  month  of December 2018. The amount of OMOs was subsequently further increased to ₹ 500 billion vide RBI's Press Release dated 18 th December, 2018.
- (d): RBI has already conducted two auctions on 6 th and 13 th December, 2018 for an amount aggregating to ₹ 200 billion. RBI has decided to conduct another auction for an amount of ₹150 billion  on  20 th December,  2018.  The  auction  date  for  the  remaining  amount  of  ₹150 billion is yet to be announced by RBI.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1922 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: Guidelines for Supplementary Food Products
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1922 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST DECEMBER, 2018

## GUIDELINES FOR SUPPL EMENTARY FOOD PRODUC TS

## 1922. SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

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

- (a)  whether  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  has  notified  nutrit guidelines for supplementary food products meant for children between 2 - 3 years; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) &(b): Yes, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently  presc the standards for formulated supplements for children through Food Safety and Standards ( Products Standards and Food Additives) (Eleventh Amendment) Regulations, 2018 published in the  Gazette  of  India  on  16.11.2018  .  The  prescribed  standard  specifies  requirement formulated supplements for children of age above 24 months till the age of 36 months.  Th regulation has also been uploaded on the website of FSS AI i.e. www.fssai.gov.in on 27.11.2018.

………………………
Lok Sabha Question No. 1921 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: Regulatory Mechanism for Ayurvedic Medicines
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH)

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO.1921 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST DECEMBER, 2018

## REGULATORY MECHANISM FOR AYURVEDIC MEDICI NES

## 1921. SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM:

Will  the  Minister of AYURVEDA,  YOGA  AND  NATUROPATHY,  UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the regulatory mechanism for ayurvedic medicines is quite weak in the country;
- (b) if so, the details of the steps being taken by the Government to increase the popula ayurvedic medicines;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  make  the  clinical  trial  of  ayurvedic  medic mandatory; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a) & (b): Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder have exclusive provisions fo regulation and quality control of Ayurvedic medicines. Accordingly the regulatory mecha has been evolving in the country in respect of licensed manufacturing and quality p arameters of Ayurvedic medicines.  Central Government makes and amends the regulatory provisions fro time to time on the recommendations of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Drugs Technical Advisor Board  and  the  State  Governments  are  responsible  to  enforce  thes e  provisions  through  the Licensing Authorities, Drug Controller and other regulatory staff. Pharmacopoeia Commiss of Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy and Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Committee are set up by the Government to develop quality standards of Ayurved ic Drugs and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are prescribed under Drug and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 for compliance by the Ayurvedi Drug    manufacturers.  Financial  support  is  also  provided  to  the  states  through  Cen Sponsored  Scheme  of  National  AYUSH  M ission  for  strengthening  the  infrastructural  and functional  capacity  of  State  Pharmacies,  Drug  Testing  Laboratories  and  the  enforce framework.    Ministry  of  AYUSH  has  implemented  a  number  of  Central  Sector  Scheme  for promoting and popularizing Ayurvedic and other AYUSH systems of medicine.
- (c) & (d):  Pilot studies for generating proof of effectiveness of certain categories of Siddha and Unani medicines is the requirement prescribed in the Rule 158 - B of the Drugs and Cosmetics  Rules,  1945 to  grant  manufacturing  license.  Any  amendment  in  the  Drugs  & Cosmetics  Rules  with  regard  to  Inclusion  of  clinical  trials  of  Ayurvedic  medicines intended as of now since there is no such recommendation or proposal under consideration.

………………..
Lok Sabha Question No. 1920 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: Innovate in India for Inclusiveness Project
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: C. MAHENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1920

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21,2018/ AGRAHAYANA 30, SAKA 1940

## Innovate in India for Inclusiveness Project

## 1920. SHRI C. MAHENDRAN

## Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state

- (a) whether the Government has signed a loan  agreement   with the World Bank for Innovate in India for Inclusiveness Project;
- if s0, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the objective of project is to nurture indigenous innovation, foster local product development and accelerate commercialization process in biopharmaceutical and medical devices industry in India; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE SHRI PON RADHAKRISHNAN )

(a) to (d) Yes; Sir: The project titled "Innovate in India for Inclusiveness Project" is being   executed by the Department of   Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance  Council (BIRAC) under the Department of Biotechnology, as the project  entity. A Loan  Agreement to execute this project has been signed on April, 2018 for an amount of USD 125 million between the Government of India and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) of the World Bank The project became effective on 2018 with   closing date June 2023. to facilitate innovation in biopharmaceutical products and medical devices that address public health priorities in India,  and consists of components (i) Strengthening the  pilot-to-market innovation ecosystem; (ii) Accelerating the pilot-to-market process for specific products; and (iii) Project Management and Monitoring & Evaluation. 24th 23rd May 30th
Lok Sabha Question No. 1919 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: Training to ASHA Workers
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: ABHIJIT MUKHERJEE

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1919 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST DECEMBER, 2018

## TRAINING TO ASHA WOR KERS

## 1919. SHRI ABHIJIT MUKHERJEE:

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

- (a) whether the Government is considering to conduct National Level/ Regional level sympos to impart training to ASHA workers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the concret e steps being taken to increase the remuneration of ASHA workers?

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

- (a)& (b) There is no such proposal under consideration.

(C ): Under  the  National  Health Mission,  ASHAs  are  envisaged  to  be  community  health volunteers  and  are  entitled  only  to  task/activity  based  incentives.  The  incentives  to finalized at the national level are regularly reviewed by the Government and activities f ASHAs would  get incentives are  expanded from time to time. The Government of  India ha recently approved  increase in the amount of routine and recurring incentives under Na Health Mission for ASHAs that will enable ASHAs to get at least Rs 2000/ -per month subje ct to ASHAs carrying out the activities.

……………………..
Lok Sabha Question No. 1915 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: Excise Duty
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE

भारत सरकार

ͪवƣ मंğालय

राजèव ͪवभाग

## लोक सभा

## अतारांͩकत Ĥæन सं . 1915

( िजसका उƣर शुĐवार , 21 Ǒदसàबर , 2018/30 अĒहायण , 1940 ( शक ) को Ǒदया जाना है )

## उ×पाद शुãक

† 1915. Įी मिãलकाजु[न खड़गेः Èया ͪवƣ मंğी यह बताने कȧ कृ पा करɅगे ͩकः

- ( क ) ͪवƣीय वष[ 2013-14 से लेकर आज कȧ Ǔतͬथ तक वष[ -वार पेĚोल और डीजल पर वाͪष[क उ×पाद शुãक संĒहण का Þयौरा Èया है ; और
- ( ख ) पेĚोल और डीजल कȧ बढ़ती कȧमतɉ का सामना करने क े  ͧलए अÈतूबर , 2018 मɅ हाल हȣ मɅ घोͪषत उ×पाद शुãक मɅ कटौती क े  कारण सरकार को ͩकतनी अनुमाǓनत हाǓन हु ई है ?

उƣर ͪवƣ मंğालय मɅ राÏय मंğी ( Įी ͧशव Ĥताप शुÈल )

( क ) : वसूले गए क े Ûġȣय उ×पाद शुãक ( करोड़ ǽपये मɅ ) का Þयौरा नीचे सारणी मɅ Ǒदया गया हैः

| ͪवƣ वष[                   |   पेĚोल / मोटर िèĤट |   डीजल / हाई èपीड डीजल |
|---------------------------|---------------------|------------------------|
| 2013-14                   |             21416.4 |                24969.4 |
| 2014-15                   |             28526.2 |                41462.6 |
| 2015-16                   |             51887.7 |               101177   |
| 2016-17                   |             69164   |               151214   |
| 2017-18                   |             73516.8 |               150405   |
| 2018-19 ( अĤैल - ͧसतàबर ) |             25318.1 |                46548.8 |

[

İोतः डाटा Ĥबंधन Ǔनदेशालय ]

( ख ) : Ǒदनाँक 04 अÈटूबर , 2018 को पेĚोल और डीजल पर क े Ûġȣय उ×पाद शुãक मɅ कमी ͩकए जाने क े  कारण चालू ͪवƣीय वष[ क े  बाकȧ Ǒहèसे क े  दौरान क ेÛġ सरकार को 7000 हजार करोड़ ǽपए क े  राजèव का नुकसान होने का अनुमान है।

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1913 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: Swachh Bharat Cess
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1913

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 21 ST  DECEMBER, 2018 AGRAHAYANA 30, 1940 (SAKA)

## SWACHH BHARAT CESS

## 1913. DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  amount  collected  as  Swachh  Bharat Cess since inception, year-wise along with  the  amount  spent  for  Swachh  Bharat  Mission  from  the  amount  collected  as cess;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  decided  any  alternative  to  fund  Swachh  Bharat Mission after abolition of the cess since implementation of Goods and Services Tax, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether  there  is  likely  to  be  any  impact  on  the  Swachh  Bharat  Mission  in  the absence of Swachh Bharat Cess and if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Swachh Bhaat Cess was introduced w.e.f. 15.11.2015 and subsumed under GST w.e.f. 1 st July,  2017.  The  amount collected/utilised under Swachh  Bhaat Cess during 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 (RE) were Rs. 3926 crore, Rs. 12475 crore  and  Rs.  4100  crore  respectively.    The  total  amount  spent  for    Swachh Bharat Mission (including Swachh Bharat Cess fund) during 2015-16, 2016-17 and  2017-18  (RE)  were  Rs.  7469  crore  Rs.  12616  crore  and  Rs.  18348  crore respectively.

(b): Yes, Sir. Consequent upon abolition of Swachh Bharat Cess on the roll-out of  Good  and  Service  Tax,  the  Swachh  Bharat  Mission  (Rural  and  Urban)  is financed  out  of  General  Finances  like  any  other  scheme/project  of  the Government.

(c): No, Sir.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1911 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: Setting up of Dental Research Centres
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1911 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST DECEMBER, 2018

## SETTING UP OF DENTAL RESEARC H CENTRES

## 1911. SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  setup  Dental  Research  Centres  having technique in some major hospitals of the country;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and

- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a)  to (c ): Presently, there is no such proposal.

………………….
Lok Sabha Question No. 1910 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: Tiger/Wild Life Sanctuaries
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1910

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2018

## Tiger/Wild Life Sanctuaries

## 1910.  SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

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

- (a) the details of the laws governing the rights of tribes habituating in forest/sanctuary areas;
- (b) the manner in which rights of such tribes living in areas declared as tiger/wild life sanctuaries are protected and secured in various States including Maharashtra;
- (c) whether  various  incidents  of  displacement  of  these  tribes  from  their  original habitation have been brought to notice during the last three years; and
- (d) if so, State-wise details thereof along with the corrective action taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Rights  of  tribes  habituating  forest  and  sanctuary  areas  are  derived  from  the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest  Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 read along with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- (b) Rights of tribes in tiger/wildlife sanctuaries are secured as per sections 2(b) and 4(2) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of  Forest  Rights)  Act,  2006  read  along  with  section  38  V  of  the  Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- (c) & (d) There has been no displacement of tribals from their original habitation as village rehabilitation is an entirely voluntary process governed by section 38 V (5) of the Wildlife  (Protection)  Act,  1972.    218  families  have  been  voluntarily  resettled from core/critical tiger habitats of tiger reserves of the country.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1909 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: Cancer Medicine from Cannabis
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: RAKESH SINGH, RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH)

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO.1909 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST DECEMBER, 2018

## CANCER MEDICINE FROM CANNABIS

## 1909. SHRI RAKESH SINGH: SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

Will  the  Minister of AYURVEDA,  YOGA  AND  NATUROPATHY,  UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has successfu developed medicin e for cancer from cannabis, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the clinical test of the said medicine has been successful, if so, the details
- (c) whether the said medicine has been useful for all types of cancer, if so, the details th
- (d) the scheme of the Government to manufacture the said medicine and make it available i market; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes further research to fi nd whether cannabisbased drug helps to alleviate the side effects of post chemotherapy or radiotherapy, if so, the details the

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a):       The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS ) has not developed any medicine for cancer from cannabis.
- (b) to (d):     Does not arise in view of answer to (a) above.
- (e):      No such proposal is under consideration at present.

………………………
Lok Sabha Question No. 1906 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: Scrapping of MCI
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1906 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST DECEMBER, 2018

## SCRAPPING OF MCI

## 1906. ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government is considering to scrap Medical Council of India;
- (b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor; and
- (c)  whether  the  Indian  Medical  Association  has  also  objected  to  the  said  move  of the Government and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (c): The Medical Council of India (MCI) was established under the provisions of the Indian Medical Council (IMC) Act, 1956 to maintain minimum standards of medical education in  the  country.  The  working  of  MCI  has  been  under  scrutiny  since  long  and  the  same examined  by  various  expert  bodies including  the  Department  related  Parliamentary  Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, which in its Ninety - second Report, in March, 2016 severely indicted MCI . The Committee recommended that the Government should bring a new comprehensive Bill in Parliament at the earliest so as to restructure and revamp the regula system of medical education and medical practice and to reform the MCI .A committee under the Chairmanship of  Vice - Chairman  NITI  Aayog  drafted the National Medical Commission Bill, 2017. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) was opposed to the Bill. However, the NITI Aayog committee had consulted various stake holders including IMA during the drafting of the After Cabinet approval, the Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha in December , 2017to repeal the IMC Act, 1956 and to constitute a National Medical Commission in place of MCI .

…………………..
Lok Sabha Question No. 1903 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: GST Rebate on Digital Payments
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1903

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 21 ST  DECEMBER, 2018 AGRAHAYANA 30, 1940 (SAKA)

## GST REBATE ON DIGITAL PAYMENTS

## 1903. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  for  rebate  in  the  Goods  and  Services  Tax (GST) for which payment is made through digital mode to speed up digital payments; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the details of rebate which is likely to benefit the consumers, retailers and wholesalers indicating the span of percentage of such rebate at lower end; and (c) the other measures taken by the Government to promote payment through digital
- mode?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b): Based on the recommendation of the Group of Ministers [GOM], the GST Council has given in principle approval in its 29 th meeting held on 04.08.2018 for the proposal to provide GST concession, by way of refund, to the extent of 20% GST paid per transaction subject to the total ceiling of Rs 100 and only on the B2C transactions made through RuPay (Debit Card), BHIM, UPI and USSD.

It  is  decided  to  implement  the  proposal  in  the  initial  phase  as  a  pilot  project,  on volunteering basis by the states, after putting in place the requisite modalities for the same.

(c): MeitY has come out with MDR Reimbursement Scheme for a period of two years from 1st January 2018 to promote low value digital payment transactions. As per the scheme,  government  is  reimbursing  the  Merchant  Discount  Rate  (MDR)  charges  on transactions  up  to  Rs  2,000/-  made  through  Debit  Cards,  BHIM  united  payments interface  (UPI)  and  Aadhaar  Pay.  The  payments  are  being  released  to  banks  on quarterly basis by RBI.

- *****