opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5362 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Alternate Minimum Tax
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Jayanta Kumar Roy, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Raja Amareshwara Naik, Sukanta Majumdar, Bhola Singh, Rajveer (Raju Bhaiya) Singh, Vinod Kumar Sonkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5362

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 TH  APRIL, 2022

## ALTERNATE MINIMUM TAX

5362.  DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

SHRIMATI SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJU BHAIYA):

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

Will the Minister of COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री be pleased to state:

- a)  whether  the  Government  has  reduced  the  Alternate  Minimum  Tax  for  the cooperative societies in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- b)  whether  the  Government  has  also  reduced  the  surcharge  on  cooperative societies in the country from present 12 per cent to 7 per cent for those having total income of more than Rs. 1 crore and up to Rs. 10 crores, if so the details thereof: and
- c)    the  other  corrective  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  for  enhancing  the income of cooperative societies and its members who are mostly from rural and farming communities?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)

- (a) & (b): Yes, Sir. Government of India has reduced Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) rate  for  the  cooperatives  from  18.5%  to  15%  and  reduction  of  surcharge  on Cooperative Societies from 12% to 7% for those having total income of more than Rs. 1 crore and up to Rs. 10 crores in the Budget 2022-23.
- (c): Government  has  created  the  new  Ministry  of  Cooperation  to  provide  a separate administrative, legal and policy framework for strengthening the cooperative  movement  in  country.    The  Government  has  also  initiated  steps  to formulate a new National Cooperation Policy and new schemes in consultations with various  stakeholders  including  Ministries/Departments  of  Central  Governments, State Governments, Cooperative Federations etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5361 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Car Manufacturing Companies
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5361

ANSWERED ON 05.04.2022

## CAR MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

## 5361.  SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES भारी उद्योग मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the details and the number of car manufacturing companies shut down in India from March 2020 to January 2022;
- (b) whether the Government has assessed the reasons for their shut down and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the incentives provided by the Government to retain car manufacturers in India?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

- (a): As  per  information  received  from  Society  of  Indian  Automobile  Manufacturers (SIAM), no car manufacturing company has completely shut down its operations in India, for the said period.  However, in September 2021, Ford India announced that they would cease manufacturing vehicles for sale in India while manufacturing of vehicles for exports will wind down  at  Sanand  Vehicle  assembly  plant  by  4 th Quarter  of  2021,  and  Chennai  engine  and vehicle assembly plants by 2 nd Quarter of 2022.

(b & (c):

Does not arise.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 5359 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Civil Servants on Deputation
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jasbir Singh Gill

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5359

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH  APRIL, 2022/ CHAITRA 15, 1944 (SAKA)

CIVIL SERVANTS ON DEPUTATION

5359.      SHRI JASBIR SINGH GILL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Civil servants from various States including Haryana and Punjab Cadre Officers are posted on deputation to the Union Territory of Chandigarh and if so, the details and the number of such officers posted there, department-wise and cadre-wise;

- (b) whether there is any specific percentage fixed for the same and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether there is any specific selection method for the deputation posts there and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a): Yes.  Out of a total of 24858 employees including those employed in various Boards/Corporations in Union Territory of Chandigarh, 971 employees  are  on  deputation  under  various  categories.    Of  these  602 employees  are  from  Punjab, 323 from Haryana  and  46  from  other States/UTs/GOI.  The details of employees on deputation are as under:

L.S.US.Q.NO. 5359 FOR 05.04.2022

| Department                             | Punjab   | Punjab   | Punjab   | Haryana   | Haryana   | Haryana   | Other States   | Other States   | Other States   |
|----------------------------------------|----------|----------|----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
|                                        | Gr.A     | Gr.B     | Gr.C     | Gr.A      | Gr.B      | Gr.C      | Gr.A           | Gr.B           | Gr.C           |
| Education                              | 37       | 49       | 360      | 25        | 39        | 167       | 5              | 2              | 16             |
| Health                                 | 70       | 13       | 18       | 33        | 1         | 15        | 9              | 0              | 1              |
| Excise & Taxation                      | 0        | 3        | 3        | 1         | 2         | 4         | 0              | 0              | 0              |
| Police                                 | 1        | 0        | 7        | 1         | 0         | 4         | 0              | 0              | 1              |
| Others including Boards & Corporations | 23       | 3        | 15       | 19        | 3         | 9         | 11             | 1              | 0              |

(b): There is no specific percentage prescribed for the same.  However, certain posts of IAS/IPS/Heads of Departments in Chandigarh Administration are filled by taking officers on deputation mainly from the States of Punjab and Haryana in light of the Ministry of Home Affairs' OM No. 14/1/66-CHD dated 04.11.1966.

(c): Deputation  posts  are  filled  as  per  the  provisions  contained  in  the Recruitment Rules of the respective posts/cadres.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 5358 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Battery Swapping Policy
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Rajveer (Raju Bhaiya) Singh, Raja Amareshwara Naik, Sukanta Majumdar, Jayanta Kumar Roy, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Bhola Singh, Vinod Kumar Sonkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5358

ANSWERED ON 05.04.2022

## BATTERY SWAPPING POLICY

## 5358.  SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJU BHAIYA):

DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

SHRIMATI SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES भारी उद्योग मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  proposed  to  introduce  a  battery  swapping  policy  to encourage buyers to opt for such vehicles and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  planned  to  encourage  the  private  sector  to  develop sustainable and innovative business models for 'Battery or Energy as a Service';
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the battery swapping policy is aimed at two- and three-wheeler manufactures only due to their battery sizes which are more amenable and easy for quick swapping;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the other steps being taken by the Government for quick battery swapping policy and its inter-operability standards?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

(a) to (f): Yes Sir.  In Para 73 of Budget Speech 2022-23, Battery Swapping Policy finds mention  as  Government's  decision  for  a  Battery  Swapping  Policy  to  address  constraint  of space in urban areas for setting up charging stations at scale, a policy with inter-operability standards  and  innovative  business  models  for  Battery  or  Energy  as  a  Service.  This  will improve efficiency in the EV eco-system.  Department of Science & Technology (DST) has set up 4 panels comprising of experts and industry members to develop General and Safety Guidelines, Communication Protocols, Connectors and Central Management System.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5354 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Ban on Fish Aggregating Devices
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5354 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH  APRIL, 2022

## Ban on Fish Aggregating Devices

## 5354.  SHRIMAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरीमंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  banned  the  use  of  Fish  Aggregating  Devices  (FADs)  in  the country;
- (b) if so, the details of the steps taken to monitor and take action against the usage of illegal fish aggregating devices especially on the periphery of, or beyond, the territorial waters and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the usage of coconut flower stacks is becoming a popular FAD for catching fish among the fishermen; and
- (d) if so, the details of steps taken by the Government to counter this practice and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) and (b): Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is committed for conservation and optimum  utilization  of  fishery  resources  and  notified  National  Marine  Fisheries  Policy,  2017  to ensure the responsible and sustainable fishing.Government of India has not banned the use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in the country. However, destructive fishing methods such as  use of artificial lights/LED lights for fishing andpair/bull trawling are prohibited in the Exclusive Economic Zone of India beyond Territorial waters. Besides, the Central Government,from time to time, has also advised  Coastal  States  and  Union  Territories  to  issue  necessary  Government  Orders  prohibiting destructive  fishing  methods  and  to  take  strict  action  against  such  violations  which  may  include suspension or cancellation of registration/license of fishing vessel(s).

(c) and (d): Department of Fisheries, Government of India has not received any reportregardinguse of coconut flower stacks as a popular FAD for catching fish.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Online Sales of Lotteries
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Krishna Pal Singh Yadav, Unmesh Bhaiyyasaheb Patil, Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Aparupa  Poddar, Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit, Shrikant Eknath Shinde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5352

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH  APRIL, 2022/ CHAITRA 15, 1944 (SAKA)

ONLINE SALES OF LOTTERIES

5352.     DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

DR. HEENA GAVIT:

SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB PATIL:

SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT:

DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL:

SHRIMATI APARUPA PODDAR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  problems  relating  to  track online sales of lotteries which lead to loss of revenue for the State;
- (b) whether the Government has issued or plans to issue any circular/notification  related  to  regulation  of  lotteries,  if  so,  the  details thereof and the reasons for delay of 2019 rules on the subject;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  States  that  have  legalized  lottery  games  including Sikkim and the reasons for not taking action against the violator States, if any;
- (d) the details and the names of lottery game operators, State-wise;
- (e) the details of revenue collected through lottery during each of the last four years, State-wise; and
- (f)  the  details  and  the  number  of  inquiries  pending  against  lottery  game operators specially in Kerala?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) to (f) The lotteries are regulated under the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 and the Lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2010.  Directions to the States have been issued under Section 10 of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 asking State to scrupulously follow the provisions of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998  and  the Rules made  thereunder. Wherever required clarification have been issued to the States. Last such direction/clarification was issued on 22.01.2019.

As per Entry 34 of the List-II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule to the  Constitution  'Betting  and  Gambling'  are  State  Subject.  The  words 'Lottery  games'  and  'Lottery  game  operators'  are  not  defined  under  the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 and the Rules made thereunder.  As per provisions  of  the  Lotteries  (Regulation)  Act,  1998  and  the  Lotteries (Regulation)  Rules,  2010,  some  State  Governments  organize  lotteries. However, data on State-wise revenue collected is not maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5349 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Promotion of PM-AASHA
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Manjulata Mandal, Dhanush M Kumar, Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar, C.N. Annadurai, Gautham Sigamani Pon

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5349

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 5 TH  APRIL, 2022

## PROMOTION OF PM-AASHA

5349.  SHRIMATI MANJULATA MANDAL :

SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI:

SHRI GAUTHAM SIGAMANI PON:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कल् याण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched any awareness programme about the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), if so, the details thereof ad if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (b) the other steps taken by the Government to ensure remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कल् याण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a): Government  has  launched  an  umbrella  Scheme  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Annadata  Aay Sanrakshan  Abhiyan  (PM-AASHA)  consisting  of  Price  Support  Scheme  (PSS),  Price Deficiency  Payment  Scheme  (PDPS)  and  Pilot  Private  Procurement  &  Stockiest  Scheme (PPSS) in 2018 in order to provide remunerative price to farmers for procurement of notified pulses,  oilseeds  &  copra.  As  per  the  schemes  guidelines,  State/UT  Governments,  Central Nodal Agencies and State Designated Procuring Agencies make adequate publicity for the implementations of these schemes.
- (b): Government also undertakes procurement of paddy and wheat at MSP from farmers through Food Corporation of India (FCI) and State Agencies. Further, different types of nutricereals  and  maize  are  procured  at  MSP  from  farmers  by  State  Governments  itself  in consultation  with  FCI  to  the  extent  that  the  concerned  State  Government  may  utilise  the same for  distribution  under  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System  (TPDS)  as  well  as  Other Welfare  Schemes  (OWS). Further,  Cotton  and  Jute  are  procured  by  Government  at  MSP through Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and Jute Corporation of India (JCI) respectively.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5348 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Implementation of PM-KISAN Yojana in West Bengal
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Kunar Hembram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5348

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 th APRIL, 2022

## IMPLEMENTATION OF PM-KISAN YOJANA IN WEST BENGAL

5348. SHRI KUNAR HEMBRAM:

Will  the  Minister  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to implement the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana in West Bengal and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the amount of funds earmarked to West Bengal for the said yojana?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) & (b): The  Government  has  taken  all  the  necessary  steps  to  implement  the Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Samman  Nidhi  (PM-KISAN)  Yojana  in  all  States/UTs  including West Bengal. There  is  no  State-wise  allocation  of  funds  under  PM-KISAN  Scheme.  The benefits  under  the  Scheme  are  transferred  via  Direct  Benefit  Transfer  Mode  into  the bank account of beneficiaries who are enrolled after due verification by States/UTs.

So  far,  as  on  23/03/2022,a  total  of  46,18,934  eligible  farmers  of  West  Bengal have been benefitted under PM-KISAN and funds amounting to Rs. 2616.14 Crore have been transferred to them through various installments.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5345 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Cocoa Cultivation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Sanjeev Kumar Singari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5345

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH  APRIL, 2022

## COCOA CULTIVATION

5345.      DR. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a)      the details of human resource development activities to encourage and promote cocoa in the country;
- (b)      whether  the  Government  has  developed  any  framework  to  realize  the  increasing potential and popularity of cocoa cultivation in Andhra Pradesh; and
- (c)       if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ िष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a):   A centrally sponsored scheme, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is being implemented for awareness programmes, farmers trainings and exposure visits  etc.  to  aware  farmers  about  the  latest  technologies  being  used  to  encourage  and promote cocoa in the country under human resource development components.

(b & c): Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of  Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing MIDH for holistic growth of the horticulture sector including cocoa in Andhra Pradesh. All States/ UTs are covered under MIDH.

Under MIDH, for area expansion of plantation crops including cocoa, assistance is provided @ 40% of the maximum cost for meeting the expenditure on planting material, cost of drip system, INM/ IPM, canopy management etc. in 3 installment of 60:20:20. In case  of  North  East  and  Himalayan  states,  TSP  areas,  Andaman  &  Nicobar  and Lakshadweep Islands, assistance is @50% of cost.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Coaches for Various Sports Category
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: P. Ravindhranath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5343 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2022

Coaches for Various Sports Category

## 5343. SHRI P RAVINDHRANATH:

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

- (a)      whether  the  Sports  Authority  of  India  has  decided  to  increase the number of coaches in various sports category in its centres across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)      whether  the  Government  has  also  taken  this  decision  with  the objective of preparing athletes for upcoming Olympic events in 2024; (c)     if so, the details thereof;
- (d)     the details and the number of coaches currently available in the respective  categories  in  Tamil  Nadu  and  the  number  of  coaches planned to be recruited in Tamil Nadu before 2024; and
- (e)     the follow up action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

- (a) The  deployment  of  coaches  under  various  Sports  Promotional schemes implemented by Sports Authority of India (SAI), in different sports disciplines varies depending upon the strength of athletes and discipline-wise availability at the respective centres.

Presently, 615 coaches are working in SAI on regular basis, and based on the requirement of coaches in various sports disciplines, 416 coaches have been appointed on contract/deputation basis.

(b)  to  (e) Yes,  Sir.  The  recruitment/  appointment  of  416  coaches  on contract/  deputation  is  a  result  of  the  efforts  to  provide  360  degree support  to  athletes  as  they  prepare  for  important  National  and International competitions, including the Olympics 2024 and 2028. The recruitment of coaches is carried out based on the requirement under various sports disciplines in training centres of the SAI, which is not based on the state-wise requirement. At present there are 18 coaches deployed in the 3 SAI training centres in the State of Tamil Nadu.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5340 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Encryption of Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Sudheer Gupta, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shrirang Appa Barne, Prataprao  Jadhav, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5340

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2022)

## ENCRYPTION OF CHANNELS

## 5340. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

## SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK

Will the Minister of Information and Broadcasting be pleased to state:

- (a)    Whether the Government proposes to make encryption of channels mandatory for all bands other than C band;
- b) If so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard;
- c) The manner in which such a steps will be beneficial in stopping the illegal broadcast of channels;
- d) Whether the Government is considering to amend the up-linking and downlinking rules and if so, the details thereof;
- e) Whether  it  is  true  that  some  channels  are  being  beamed  on  DD  Free  Dish  without  the licences causing a huge loss to the exchequer and if so, the details thereof; and
- f) The  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  penalise  those  channels  involved  in  wrongful deeds?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR}

(a) to  (f):    Free-to-Air  channels  are  not  mandatorily  required  to  be  encrypted.  It  has  been reported that signals of certain free-to-air channels, though not on DD Free Dish platform, are also being  received  due  to  co-location  of  signals  of  these  channels  and  DD  Free  Dish  and  nonmandatory requirement for encryption of signals of free-to-air channels.

*******