opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3170 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Balubhau (Alias Suresh Narayan) Dhanorkar, Kani K. Navas

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED Q. No 3170 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 th  AUGUST 2021

## ASSESSMENT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

## 3170. SHRI BALUBHAU ALIAS SURESH NARAYAN DHANORKAR: SHRI K. NAVASKANI:

Will the Minister of Health and Family Welfare be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government has taken note of the misplaced assessment made regarding the end of COVID -19 pandemic in India prior to the advent of the second wave and if so, the details thereof;
- b) whether the said  assessment  was  made  on  the  recommendations  of  India's  COVID-19 National Task Force (NTF)and endorsed by it;
- c) if so, the details thereof; and
- d) if not, the reasons for making such an assessment without the concurrence of NTF?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTERY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (d) After recording the first peak COVID-19 trajectory in India with 97,894 cases on 17 th September,  India  was  recording  a  sustained  and  considerable  decline  in  number  of  daily  new cases. India's active caseload was as low as 1.48% of India's total positive cases.

Further  the  COVID-19  outbreak  was  contracting  since  only  two  States  namely  Kerala  and Maharashtra were accounting for more than ~70% of total active cases in the country. This was further  corroborated by the fact that more than 400  districts were reporting less than 10 cases with a test positivity of less than 1% which shows that the transmission was limited. This decline was also evident in terms of test positivity rate which had fallen to less than 5% in more than 25 States which indicated that the spread of infection was on the decline.

Government of India had acknowledged the hard work done by the healthcare, frontline workers and  community  at  large  and  had  continuously  highlighted  the  need  to  focus  on  COVID appropriate behavior and use of vaccine.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Stakeholders Consultations
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3165

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06 th   AUGUST, 2021

STAKEHOLDERS CONSULTATIONS

3165.

SHRI MANISH TEWARI

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

- a)  whether  Inter-Ministerial  Consultations  between  the  Ministry  of Information and Broadcasting and Ministry of Electronics and Information  Technology  had  been carried  out  before  promulgation  of the Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 and if so, the details thereof indicating the dates on which these Consultations were held;
2. (b)  whether  stakeholders  consultations  had  been  carried  out  by  the Ministry  before  promulgating  The  Cable  TV  Networks  (Amendment) Rules 2021 and if so, the details thereof indicating the dates on which these consultations were held;
3. (c)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  above  mentioned  rules  have  been challenged before multiple courts of law across the country; and
4. (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  status  of  Legislative
5. approval obtained in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER  OF  YOUTH  AFFAIRS  AND  SPORTS  (SHRI  ANURAG  SINGH THAKUR): (a): The  Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media  Ethics  Code)  Rules,  2021    were  notified  on  25.2.2021  under Information Technology Act, 2000 after consultation between  Ministry of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology  (MeITY)    and  Ministry  of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). (b):  The  Cable  Television  Networks  (Amendment)  Rules,  2021  were notified on 17 th June, 2021, inter-alia providing for a statutory mechanism  for  redressal  of  grievances/complaints  for  violation  of Programme  Code  and  Advertising  Code    of  content  broadcast  by television channels.  These  Rules  were  framed  after taking into account the extant institutional  mechanism for grievance redressal, including  of  several  non-Governmental  self-    regulating      bodies  in electronic media,  the observations of Hon'ble Supreme Court   in order dated 12.1.2017 in WP(C) No. 387/2000 to frame appropriate rules for grievance redressal under  the Cable Television Networks(Regulation) Act, 1994  regarding content broadcast on private  TV channels,  and requests received from self-regulating bodies to grant them recognition under the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994. (c)    and  (d)  :    With  regard  to  Information  Technology  (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, Writ Petitions have been filed in various High Courts. Government has filed petitions for transfer of these Writ Petitions to  the Supreme Court. With  regard  to  Cable  Television  Networks  (Amendment)  Rules,  2021, one Writ Petition has been filed in the Kerala High Court.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Cardiology
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

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

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO.3164 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06 th AUGUST, 2021

## POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY

## 3164.  SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  holders  of  post  graduate  diploma  in  clinical cardiology  from  Indira  Gandhi  National  Open  University  are  facing  difficulty  due  to  delay  in approval by National Medical Commission and if so, the action taken thereon; (b) whether the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi has given certain directions in this regard and if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon; and (c)  whether  the  Government is  competent to overrule the decision of NMC and if  so, the action taken/proposed to be taken on the matter?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a)  to  (c):  The  Hon'ble  High  Court  of  Delhi  in  Writ  Petition  Civil  (WPC)  No.  11819/2016  vide judgment dated 17.09.2019 directed the Central Government to consider afresh the application of Indira  Gandhi  National  Open  University  (IGNOU)  for  grant  of  recognition  to  the  Post  Graduate Diploma  in  Clinical  Cardiology  (PGDCC)  qualification.    Accordingly,  the  application  dated 04.11.2019 of IGNOU was considered by the erstwhile BoG-MCI in its meeting dated 18.12.2019 and decided not to recognize PGDCC course of IGNOU.

After  the  constitution  of  the  National  Medical  Commission(NMC),  the  NMC  in  their meeting held on 16.03.2021 re-considered the matter and unanimously resolved that the PGDCC qualification awarded by IGNOU from 2006 to 2013 cannot be recognized.

Further,  the  National  Medical  Commission  Act,  2019  under  Section  35(5)  provides  for appeal to NMC within the specified time against the decision of Boards for not granting recognition to a medical qualification.  Also Section 35(7) of the Act, has a provision of second appeal to the Central Government within the specified time against the decision of the Commission.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Violation of Environmental norms by Hydro Power Projects
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Ramapati Ram Tripathi

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3163 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2021

## Violation of Environmental norms by Hydro Power Projects

## 3163. DR. RAMAPATI RAM TRIPATHI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  violation  of  environmental  norms  by certain hydro power projects in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  issued  instructions  to  such  violators  for  taking  the necessary corrective measures and if so, the details thereof and the response of the violators thereto; and
- (d) the other corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) to (d) No  specific  instance  has  been  reported  wherein  a  hydro-power  project,  that was required to obtain  Environmental Clearance (EC), has not done so. However, cases of non-compliance of conditions stipulated in the EC are identified based on site inspection or six-monthly compliance report filed by the respective hydro- power project. Para 10 of the EIA  Notification,  2006  mandates  the  project  proponent  to  submit  half-yearly  compliance reports in respect of the stipulated Environmental Clearance (EC) conditions to the Ministry and its Integrated Regional Offices (IROs). IROs analyze these six monthly progress reports, undertake inspection of the unit, if required; and take further action, which inter-alia include, identifying minor and major non-compliance, seeking Action Taken Report (ATR), closure of ATR etc. Based on the inspection reports received from the IROs, Ministry may issue Show Cause notice, if required, and final directions with or without closure of the Unit. MoEF&CC may also  take  action  under  Section  15  and  Section  19  of  the  Environment  Protection  Act, 1986; as amended.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Irregularities in ICDS
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Pratap Chandra Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION No. 3162

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2021

## IRREGULARITIES IN ICDS

## 3162.   SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI:

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

- (a) whether several complaints have been regularly made to her Ministry with regard to the  implementation  of  Integrated  Child  Development  Scheme  scheme  in  different States;
- (b) if so, the nature of the complaints and their disposal;
- (c) whether the Government has felt the need for revamping the Scheme; and
- (d) if so, the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken in in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a)  &  (b) Anganwadi  Services  is  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  and  the  administration, management and monitoring of the Scheme is the responsibility of the State Governments/UT  Administrations.  Accordingly,  if  any  complaint  is  received,  the  same  is forwarded  to  the  concerned  State/UT  for  examination  of  the  issue  in  the  light  of  extant rules/regulations/guidelines  of  Anganwadi  Services  and  thereby  taking  appropriate  action under intimation to the MWCD.
- (c) & (d) Revamping of Anganwadi Scheme is a continuous process for which various steps have been taken from time to time which are as follows:
- (i)  Joint  guidelines  have been issued by Ministries of Women & Child Development, Rural Development  and  Panchayati  Raj  for  construction  of  AWC  buildings  across  the  country under  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (MGNREGS)  in convergence with Anganwadi Services.
- (ii)        Streamlined  guidelines  have  been  issued  on  13.01.2021,  covering  several  aspects such  as  quality  assurance,  roles  and  responsibilities  of  duty  holders,  procedure  for procurement and integrating AYUSH concepts and Data management.
- (iii)         Ministry  of WCD  has  conceptualized a digital platform," Poshan Tracker', a robust ICT  enabled  digital  platform,  launched  in  March,  2021  to  ensure  real  time  monitoring  of provisioning of supplementary nutrition by use of data analytics for prompt supervision and management  of  services,  tracking  of  all  AWCs,  AWWs  and  beneficiaries  on  defined indicators.   States/UTs  are  also  submitting  progress  reports  on  the  implementation  of Anganwadi Services to this Ministry.
- (iv)       Mission  Poshan  2.0  (Saksham  Anganwadi  and  Poshan  2.0)  announced  in  budget 2021-2022 is an integrated nutrition support programme, to strengthen nutritional content, delivery,  outreach  and  outcomes  with  focus  on  developing  practices  that  nurture  health, wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Irregularities in Rating Measurement
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Mimi Chakraborty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3161 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2021)

## IRREGULARITIES IN RATING MEASUREMENT.

3161. MS. MIMI CHAKRABORTY

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) is the world's  largest  television  measurement  science  industry-body  in  the  country and if so, the details and main functions thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  complaint  of  irregularities  with regard to measuring ratings/viewership of TV channels; and (c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken for setting up transparent rating
- system for different channels?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING;  AND  MINISTER  OF

## YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a): The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has granted permission only to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) on 28.07.2015 for carrying out audience  rating  measurement.  BARC  is  a  self-regulatory,  industry-led  body created  by  the  Indian  Broadcasting  Foundation  (IBF),  the  Indian  Society  for Advertisers  (ISA)  and  the  Advertising  Agencies  Association  of  India  (AAAI). BARC  operates through its Technical Committee, Oversight Committee, Disciplinary  Council  and  Board  of  Directors.  It  measures  and  publishes  TV viewership estimates based on an elaborate process and currently reports on the  viewership  of  more  than  550+  channels  for  the  estimated  210  million  TV

homes in India. (b) and (c): Yes Sir.  There have been inputs on anomalous viewership behavior in  the  audience  measurement  ratings.  The  'Guidelines  for  Television  Rating Agencies in India' notified by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on

16 th January,  2014  already  have  provisions  like  methodology  for  audience measurement,  panel  selection,  viewing  platform,  secrecy  and  privacy,  data analysis, transparency etc. which are essential for a transparent and accountable rating system in India. Further, in order to address the issues in the light of fresh recommendations of the Telecom  Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the technological advancements  / interventions to address the system, a  Committee  was constituted under the Chairmanship of Chief Executive Officer, Prasar Bharati with members from IIT, C-DOT and IIM.   Based on the recommendations of the Committee  headed  by  CEO,  Prasar  Bharati  along  with  recommendations  of TRAI, the present guidelines have been analysed / evaluated vis-à-vis strengthening of transparency / panel homes and other parameters.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: e-Office in Prasar Bharti
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Chinta Anuradha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3160 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2021)

## E-OFFICE IN PRASAR BHARATI

## 3160. SHRIMATI CHINTA ANURADHA:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  operations  in  Prasar  Bharati  have  been  made  hundred percent paperless with all its centres functioning as e-offices; (b) if so, the details thereof; and the total number of centres and employees of DD and AIR who have

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]

(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. Prasar Bharati has configured 100% of its 577 offices for carrying  out  various  activities  through  different  modules  of  e-Office  as  of June,  2021.  More  than  50,000  e-Files  were  created  by  then.  22,348 employees  working  in  these  offices  have  been  configured  for  e-Office operation across its network in the country.

*****

- (c) embraced e-office operation?
Lok Sabha Question No. 3158 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Abolition of Patriarchy in Government Business
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 3158 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2021

## ABOLITION OF PATRIARCHY IN GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

3158.  SHRI RAVIKUMAR D.

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  introduce  mother  name  as  middle name or surname in birth certificate and all Government documents;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken by her Ministry to abolish patriarchy in Government businesses?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c): Government has not introduced any provision for indicating mother's name as middle name or surname in birth certificate and all Government documents.  It is the choice  of  citizens  to  choose  any  name,  middle  name  or  surname  for  themselves. Further, to abolish patriarchy in Government business, the government has consciously made enabling and engendered provisions related to filing of applications for various Government documents. For instance, the Income Tax Department under the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Ministry of Finance has amended the relevant provisions for the applicants of  PAN Card to mention the mother's name only, if the mother is a single parent  or  in  cases  where  the  applicant  wishes  to  furnish  only  the  mother's  name. Similar  provisions have been made for application of passports, where the applicants have  the  option  either  to  give  mother's  name  or  father's  name,  while  applying  for passports.

Further, under the provisions of the 'Registration of Births and Death Act (RBD Act), 1969', the prescribed birth reporting form (Form 1) also includes column of 'Name of the Mother' and 'UID number of mother, if any', and the birth certificate (Form 5) is issued on the basis of the information furnished in the reporting form.

In  addition, University  Grants  Commission  (UGC),  Central  Board  of  Secondary Education (CBSE) and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) have issued instructions to all the Universities/ Institutions/ Schools under their control to include mother`s name alongwith  that  of  father`s  name  in  all  the  Registration/  Admission  forms, degrees, certificates etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3153 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Environment Impact Assessment
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Sougata Ray

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3153

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2021

## Environment Impact Assessment

## 3153. PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  issued  Standard  Operating  Procedure (SOP)  for identification of violations under Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)Notification, 2006;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  number  of  such  violations  reported  in  the country, State-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  noticed  that  some  State  Governments  are  reluctant  to take stern action to curb such violations; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) and (b) The Ministry has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for identification and handling of violation cases under EIA Notification 2006 vide Office Memorandum dated 7 th July,  2021.  The  SoP  is  based  on  the  'Polluter  Pays  Principles'  and  'Principle  of Proportionality' for taking action under statutory provisions against defaulters/violators and for taking decision on the closure of the project/activity or otherwise, expeditiously. The SoP duly takes into account the principles enunciated by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and High Courts  from  time  to  time  on  the  issue.  The  Ministry  has  not  yet  considered  any  violation proposal for Environmental Clearance as per the provisions of the SoP.

- (c) and (d) No such instances have been reported to the Central Government.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Revival of Closed Textile Mills
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Anil Firojiya

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3152 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2021

## REVIVAL OF CLOSED TEXTILE MILLS

## 3152. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

(a) whether the Government has formulated any plan to revive the six textile mills and a large number of cotton ginning factories that were operational in Ujjain that have now closed down with the time;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether the Government is planning to set up textile parks in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh in place of the said closed ginning factories and mills from the seven textile parks proposed in the Union Budget 2021;

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

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

(a)  &  (b): As  per  information  with  the  Ministry,  three  Cotton  and  Manmade  Fibre  spinning mills  viz.  Bharat  Commerce  &  Industries  Limited,  Binod  Mills  Co  Ltd  and  Bimal  Mills  in Ujjain are presently closed. Hira Mill, Ujjain is one of the National Textile Corporation mills which  was  unviable  and  has  been  closed  under  Industrial  Disputes  Act  as  per  Board  for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) approved Revival Scheme. There is no plan for its revival.

(c) to (e): In the Union Budget 2021-22, it was announced that a scheme of Mega Investment Textile Park will be launched. Under the scheme, seven Mega Textile Parks will be set up in the country over next 3 years. Ministry of Textiles is in the process of obtaining approval of the Cabinet for the proposed Scheme.