opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2554 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Encouraging Cooperatives
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: S. Muniswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2554

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 th  December, 2021

## ENCOURAGING COOPERATIVES

2554.    SHRI S. MUNISWAMY:

Will the Minister of COOPERATION सहकारता मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there has been an effort to identify and further encourage cooperatives who have made difference in the lives of the common man:
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, whether there will be an effort in this direction, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF COOPERATION

सहकारता मंी

(SHRI AMIT SHAH)

- (a)  to  (c):  The  Country  has  a  rich  cooperative  heritage  and  a  robust  cooperative sector  which  has  been  greatly  contributing  to  the  national  economy  as  well  as boosting  the  productivity  in  various  sectors,  especially  agricultural  sector.  The percentage  share  of  cooperatives  in  national  economy  in  certain  key  sectors  has been as follows:

Fertilizer production: 28.80%

Sugar production: 30.60%

Liquid Milk Marketing: 84.17%

Wheat Procurement: 13.3%

Paddy Procurement: 20.4%

(Source: Indian Cooperative Movement - A Statistical Profile, 2018 - NCUI)

Government has further created a new Ministry of Cooperation with a view to provide a separate administrative, legal and policy framework for strengthening the cooperative  movement  in  country.  Its  aim  is  to  deepen  co-operatives  as  a  true people-based movement reaching up to the grassroots and develop a cooperative based economy model where each member works with a spirit of responsibility.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2553 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Food Testing Lab Under PMKSY
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Bheemrao Baswanthrao Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 2553

ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2021

## FOOD TESTING LAB UNDER PMKSY

## 2553. SHRI B. B. PATIL

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  food  testing  laboratories  which  have  received  grants  from  the Government till date;
- (b) the  total  funds  disbursed  to  food  testing  laboratories  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) from the year 2016; and
- (c) the number of such food testing laboratories which receive grants under the said scheme along with the number of laboratories which have not been accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a): The Government has approved grant-in-aid to 175 Food Testing Laboratories till date.
- (b): An amount of Rs.135.26 crore has been disbursed to Food Testing Laboratories as grant in aid under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) since year 2016-17.
- (c): Out of 93 Food Testing Laboratories which received grant-in-aid under PMKSY,  35 Laboratories have not received accreditation by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2552 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Process for Renouncing Citizenship
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2552

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2021/ AGRAHAYANA 23, 1943 (SAKA) PROCESS FOR RENOUNCING CITIZENSHIP

2552. SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has simplified the process for Indians who want to renounce  their  citizenship  and  provisions  have  been  made  for  applicants  to upload documents online, with an upper limit of 60 days for the renunciation;

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

(c)  the  number  of  Indians  who  have  renounced  their  citizenship  during  the  last seven years and till date?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Yes  Sir.    Citizenship  of  India  may  be  renounced  under  provisions  of Section 8 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 read with rule 23 of the Citizenship Rules, 2009.  The online portal for renunciation of Indian citizenship has been activated in August, 2021.  End to end processing of renunciation applications is carried out in the online Citizenship Module.

(c): As  per  the  information  available  with  the  Ministry  of  External  Affairs,  the number of Indians who have renounced citizenship in the last seven years is as follows :-

L.S.US.Q.NO.2552 FOR 14.12.2021

| Year                    | No. of Indians who have renounced citizenship   |
|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| 2015                    | 1,31,489                                        |
| 2016                    | 1,41,603                                        |
| 2017                    | 1,33,049                                        |
| 2018                    | 1,34,561                                        |
| 2019                    | 1,44,017                                        |
| 2020                    | 85,248                                          |
| 2021 (as on 30.09.2021) | 1,11,287                                        |
| Total                   | 8,81,254                                        |

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2551 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Promoting COVID-19 Vaccination Awareness
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Adala Prabhakara Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2551 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2021

## PROMOTING COVID-19 VACCINATION AWARENESS 2551.   SHRI ADALA PRABHAKARA REDDY

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

- a)   whether the Government has outreach strategy to promote awareness with respect to COVID-19 vaccination; and
- b)    if  so,  the  details  thereof  alongwith  the  expenditure  incurred  for  the  media  outreach programmes?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

- (a)  and  (b) Since  January  2021,  the  Government  has  undertaken  awareness  generation activities  with  respect  to  COVID-19  vaccination,  including  promotion  of  vaccine  seeking behaviour and curbing vaccine hesitancy through various media units like Press Information Bureau (PIB), Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC) and Prasar Bharati, the public broadcaster,  through  Doordarshan  (DD)  and  All  India  Radio  (AIR)  in  English,  Hindi  and other regional languages utilizing various media vehicles like print, electronic media, social media, internet websites, outdoor publicity, live arts and interpersonal media along with press conferences, press releases, webinars, etc.

Special  outreach  activities  were  also  launched  during  Tika  Utsav  in  April,  2021, National vaccination drive on 21st June and on the occasion of India's historic milestone of 100 crore vaccine doses. Some of the major themes of the outreach campaigns were 'Jab Tak

Dawai Nahi Tab Tak Dhilai Nahi', 'Safai Bhi, Dawai Bhi, Kadai Bhi-Jeetenge Corona se Ladai bhi', 'Vaccination for All', 'Sabko Vaccine - Muft Vaccine', etc.

Private media  including TV  and  FM  Radio  supplemented  the  efforts  of the Government by positioning Public Service Announcements, jingles, spots, special mentions by anchors, radio jockeys, experts and influencers. Pre-Caller tunes on Mobile phones were also  deployed for  awareness generation on COVID-19 vaccination. Expenditure relating to COVID-19 vaccination outreach activities is not separately maintained.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2549 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Issue  of Begging
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Feroze Varun Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2549 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2021

## ISSUE OF BEGGING

## 2549. SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of the Persons in Destitution (Protection, Care and Rehabilitation) Model Bill of 2016;
- (6) whether the Government is aware that begging is a crime in several States, if SO, the detail thereof of the States where begging has been criminalised, along with the maximum punishment;
- the number of persons arrested under anti begging laws in the country from 2018 to 2021; and
- whether the Government recognises that begging should not be a crime and proposes to in a model legislation for States to decriminalise begging and if $0, the details thereof? bring

## ANSWER MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(DR VIRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a): "The Persons in Destitution (Protection; Care and Rehabilitation) Model Bill of 2016" was considered and dropped by the Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment;
- (b): As per information available, as many as 19 States and 3 UTs have either enacted their own Anti Beggary Legislation Or  adopted the legislation enacted by other States However; the provisions of these legislations vary from oe another and their implementation; including the measures taken for rehabilitation of   beggars, are also not uniform. Most of the States/UTs have adopted The Bombay Prevention of Begging Act 1959" which criminalizes beggary.
- (c): Ministry does not maintain such data.
- No   Sir, at this   point; there is   no proposal to model   legislation for States to decriminalise begging: bring
Lok Sabha Question No. 2547 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Revival of Paper Mills
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Kripanath Mallah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2547

ANSWERED ON 14.12.2021

## REVIVAL OF PAPER MILLS

## 2547. SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH :

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

- (a) the details of the non-functional paper mills in Assam along with reasons for the same;
- (b) whether the Government is planning for revival of these non-functional paper mills to restore sources of employment for lakh of youths in Assam;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the time by which these are likely to be rejuvenated or made functional?

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

(a) to (d): Cachar Paper Mill, Panchgram and Nagaon Paper Mill, Jagiroad are mills of Hindustan  Paper  Corporation  Limited  (HPC)  in  Assam.    These  mills  are  presently  nonoperational.    National  Company  Law Tribunal (NCLT), New Delhi through an order dated 13.06.2018 directed initiation of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process against HPC under the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.  Presently, HPC is under liquidation on the directions  of  NCLT  and  the  National  Company  Law  Appellate  Tribunal  (NCLAT).   The Liquidator  appointed  for  HPC  by  the  NCLT,  New  Delhi  is  undertaking  the  process  of liquidation as per the provisions of law.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2545 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Amendment in Model Prison Manual 2016
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2545

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2021/ AGRAHAYANA 23, 1943 (SAKA) AMENDMENT IN MODEL PRISON MANUAL 2016

2545. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether any amendment in National Model Prison Manual 2016 has been made or is proposed to be made;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the programes being run by the Government to help with the amelioration of the lives of women, old and the specially abled Jail inmates?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISHRA)

(a) & (b): The Model Prison Manual, 2016 prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the year 2016 was forwarded to all States and Union Territories (UTs) for adoption and implementation in their jurisdictions. There is no proposal to amend the Model Prison Manual, 2016.

(c): 'Prisons'/'persons detained therein' is a 'State' subject as per Entry 4 of List II of the Seventh  Schedule  to  the  Constitution  of India. Administration  and management of prisons and prisoners is the responsibility of State Governments, who  are  competent  to  take  appropriate  steps  for  amelioration  of  the  lives  of women,  old  and  the  specially  abled  inmates.  However,  MHA  has  also  been supplementing  the  efforts  of  the  State  Governments  in  this  regard  by  issuing various   advisories  for  efficient  prison  administration   and   for  improving  the

## RS.US.Q.NO.2545 FOR 14.12.2021

condition  of  prison  inmates.  The  Model  Prison  Manual,  2016  contains  detailed guidelines  on  wide  ranging  issues  like,  Welfare  of  Prisoners,  Medical  Care, Vocational  Training  and  Skill  Development  programmes  etc.  for  the  safety, security and welfare of prison inmates.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2539 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Reducing the Cost of Electric Vehicles
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2539

ANSWERED ON 14.12.2021

## REDUCING THE COST OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES

## 2539. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that due to high cost of electric vehicles, there is very less demand of such vehicles in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the correctional steps taken by the Government to reduce the cost of the vehicle;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that there are only 2 per cent electric vehicles that are presently used in the Union Ministries; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government to increase the number of electric vehicles in the Ministries?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (b): The  cost  of  electric  vehicle  is  relatively  higher  as  compared  to  corresponding  IC engine vehicle cost, the following steps have been taken by the Government to  bring down the cost of electric/Hybrid vehicles on par with those internal combustion engines.
- i. The demand incentive for electric  two  wheelers  has  been  increased  to  Rs.  15,000/KWh from Rs. 10,000/KWh with an increase in cap from 20% to 40% of the cost of vehicle from 11 th June, 2021, thus enabling cost of Electric two wheelers at par with that of ICE two wheeler vehicles.
- ii. The Government on 12 th May, 2021 approved a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for  manufacturing  of  Advanced  Chemistry  Cell  (ACC)  in  the  country  in  order  to  bring down prices of battery in the country.  Drop in battery price will result in cost reduction of electric vehicles.
- iii. Electric  vehicles  are  covered  under  Production  Linked  Incentive  (PLI)  scheme  for automobile and auto  components, which was  approved on 15.09.2021  with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 25,938 Cr. for a period of five years.
- iv. GST on electric vehicles has been reduced from 12% to 5%; GST on chargers/ charging stations for electric vehicles has been reduced from 18% to 5%.
- v. Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways  (MoRTH)  announced  that  battery-operated vehicles will be given green license plates and be exempted from permit requirements.
- vi. MoRTH issued a notification advising states to waive road tax on EVs, which in turn will help reduce the initial cost of EVs.
- (c): No such data is available in the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
- (d): The Ministry of Finance has written to all Ministries/Departments of the Government of India to replace the petrol and diesel cars hired by them in their Secretariats and attached offices by electric cars for mobility in Delhi.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2536 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Income Limit Fixed for EWS
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Deepak Baij

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2536 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2021

## INCOME LIMIT FIXED FOR EWS

## +2536. SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the income limit fixed for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) to become eligible for ten per cent reservation in General Category for various Government services;
- (6) the ground for income in respect of EWS in General Category, Other Backward Classes (OBC); and fixing
- (c) whether categorisation of OBC candidates in creamy layer and income limit exemption for the candidates of General Category is not considered economic inequality?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a):   Persons who are not covered under the existing scheme of reservations for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes and whose family has gross annual income below Rs.8.00 lakh are to be identified as EWSs for the benefit of reservation:
- (b): The annual family income. The same income limit has been adopted by the Government for determination of EWS beneficiaries.
- (c): No Sir: The prescribed condition for determination of OBC candidates in Creamy layer and for determination of EWS candidates are entirely different except that in both cases the income limit of Rs.8.00 lakh per annum is prescribed:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2535 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Production of Electric Vehicles
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2535

ANSWERED ON 14.12.2021

## PRODUCTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES

## 2535. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  have  envisaged  any  programme  of  action  on  leveraging production of electric vehicles in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefore?

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

(a) & (b): Yes Sir, in order to promote manufacturing and adoption of electric vehicle in India,  the  Government  launched  the  Faster  Adoption  and  Manufacturing  of  (Hybrid  &) Electric  Vehicles  in  India  (FAME  India)  Scheme  in  2015.    At  present,  Phase-II  of  FAME India Scheme is being implemented for a period of 5 years w.e.f.  01 st April, 2019 with a total budgetary support of Rs. 10,000 crores.  This phase focusses on supporting electrification of public & shared transportation and aims to support, through subsidies, 7090 e-Buses, 5 lakh e3  Wheelers,  55000  e-4  Wheeler  Passenger  Cars  and  10  lakh  e-  2  Wheelers.    In  addition, creation of charging infrastructure is also supported to address range anxiety among users of electric vehicles.

Further,  to  promote  indigenous  manufacturing  of  Advanced  Chemistry  Cell  (ACC) battery  for  electric  vehicles,  the  Government  on  12 th May,  2021  approved  a  Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for manufacturing of Advance Chemistry Cell (ACC) in the country.    The  total  outlay  of  the  scheme  is  Rs.  18,100  crore  for  5  years.    The  scheme envisages  to  establish  a  competitive  ACC  battery  manufacturing  set  up  in  the  country  50 GWh.   Additionally, 5GWh of niche ACC technologies is also covered under the scheme.

Further,  battery  electric  vehicles  are  also  eligible  for  incentive  under  Production Linked  Incentive  Scheme  for  Automobiles  and  Auto  Components,  which  was  approved  on 15 th September, 2021 with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 25,938 crores over a period of five years.

- (c): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2534 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Regulatory Agency for Social Media
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2534 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2021

REGULATORY AGENCY FOR SOCIAL MEDIA

2534. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up a regulatory agency to minimize the damage caused by social media;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR): a)  to  c):-    The  Government  has  notified  Information  Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, on 25th February, 2021 under Information Technology Act, 2000 which require  the  intermediaries,  including  social  media  intermediaries  to follow due diligence as provided for in these Rules. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2533 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Forensic Labs/Electronic Evidence
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Aparajita Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2533

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2021/ AGRAHAYANA 23, 1943 (SAKA) FORENSIC LABS/ELECTRONIC EVIDENCE

2533. SHRIMATI APARAJITA SARANGI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  there  exist  forensic  labs  for  technology  and  electronic  evidence  in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government plans to commission to set up or increase such labs in the country, if so, the details and target thereof;
- (c)  whether  such  labs  will  help  in  strengthening  the  position  of  electronic evidence in the country, if so, the reasons thereof;
- (d)  whether  any amendment in law or rules will be introduced for  regulation of such forensic labs, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether at present such forensic labs, if any, are efficiently utilized to their potential, if no, reasons thereof.

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISHRA)

(a) The Ministry has seven Central Forensic Science Laboratories in the country which  have  dedicated  facilities  for  electronic  forensic,  including  computer  and cyber forensics. A state-of-the-art National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (NCFL) has been  established  at  CyPAD,  Dwarka,  New  Delhi  to  provide  early  stage  cyber forensic assistance to Investigating Officers (IOs) of State/UT Police. Further, as per  available  information,  Cyber  forensic-cum-training  laboratories  have  been commissioned  in 28 States/Union Territories,  namely Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal

## LS.US.Q.NO.2533 FOR 14.12.2021

Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, Punjab, Assam, Tripura, Puducherry, Jammu &Kashmir, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and West Bengal.

- (b) The Ministry has approved setting up a National Cyber Forensic Laboratory for Evidentiary purposes in the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad.
- (c) Yes, Madam. The capacity addition will strengthen the mechanism to deal with cyber crimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.
- (d): There  is  no  such  proposal.  However,  the  Directorate  of  Forensic  Science Services  has  issued  a  Working  Procedures  Manual  to  ensure  quality  in  such laboratories.
- (e) As per available information, the Central Forensic Science Laboratories are using the available resources for early  disposal of cases.  Information on State Forensic Science Laboratories is not maintained centrally.

*****