opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1953 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Mother and Child Protection Card Under PMMVY
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1953

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2021

## MOTHER AND CHILD PROTECTION CARD UNDER PMMVY

1953.  COL. RAJYAVARDHAN SINGH RATHORE:

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

- (a)      the  amount  of  funds  allocated  and  number  of  beneficiaries  who  have  received financial assistance under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY);
- (b)       the  number  of  Mother  and  Child  Protection  Cards  (MCP)  issued  under  the scheme  since  its  inception  both  nationally  and  district-wise  in  the  State  of Rajasthan;
- (c)      the  time  taken  to  process  MCP  applications  along  with  the  number  of  pending applications district-wise for the State of Rajasthan;
- (d)      the time taken for disbursal of funds once application is filed after procurement of MCP; and
- (e)      the details of such cases where there have been delays in payment of benefits?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)   As  on  29.01.2021,  maternity  benefits  amounting  to  Rs.7995.65  crores  (including Central and State share) have been paid to more than 2.40 crores eligible beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) since inception of the scheme.
- (b) & (c)  No Mother and Child Protection Cards are issued under PMMVY scheme.
- (d)  The  average  time  taken  for  disbursal  of  funds  once  a  beneficiary  is  registered  on Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana-Common Application Software (PMMVY-CAS) is 35.14 days.
- (e)  The PMMVY scheme guidelines provide for payment of maternity benefits to eligible beneficiaries within 30 days from the date of registration on PMMVY-CAS. Around 23% of total applications received took more than 30 days for payment of maternity benefits to  beneficiaries on account of corrections required in the applications and due to delays in release of State share. Therefore, time taken to process applications depends on how fast States respond.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1950 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: HUBS for COVID-19 Testing
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dibyendu Adhikari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1950

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2021)

## HUBS FOR COVID-19 TESTING

## 1950. SHRI DIBYENDU ADHIKARI:

Will the  Minister of  SCIENCE AND  TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

विज्ञान एिं प्रौद्योगिकी मंत्री

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  start  'HUBS'  capable  of  whole genome  next  generation  sequencing  tests  for  COVID-19  in  the  country soon; and
- (b)  if so, the details of initiatives of CSIR in developing 'MEGA LABS' and the time by which it will start activity at random therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE; MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) Yes Sir. Sequencing hubs are being created under the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics  Consortium  (INSACOG)  Program  being  coordinated  by  the Department  of  Biotechnology  (DBT)  along  with  Ministry  of  Health  and Family  Welfare  (MoH&FW),  Indian  Council  of  Medical  Research  (ICMR) and  Council  of  Scientific  and  Industrial  Research  (CSIR).    Under  this program,  it  is  proposed  to  have  regional  hubs  where  sequencing  is performed for states assigned to the hub. Two constituent laboratories of CSIR,  namely  CSIR-Centre  for  Cellular  and  Molecular  Biology  (CSIRCCMB),  Hyderabad  and  CSIR-Institute of Genomics  and  Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), New Delhi have been identified as such hubs, among
- others.
- (b) Mega Lab concept proposed by CSIR is being deployed at the aforesaid CSIR  hubs.  The  initial  proof  of  concept  runs  have  been  performed  and published.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1947 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: National Level Yoga Webinar Event
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 1947 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH February, 2021

## NATIONAL LEVEL YOGA WEBINAR EVENT

## 1947. SHRI A. RAJA:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that large number of non - Hindi speaking South Indian participants, especially doctors from Tamil Nadu had demanded th e use of English language in National level Yoga webinar conducted in Hindi in August 2020, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  had  refused  to  conduct separate  English  medium  yoga programme for South Indian delegates/participants, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  non - Hindi  speaking Tamil/South  Indian  participants  were asked to leave the National level Webinar event as a result, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS AND ADDITIONAL CHARGE OF MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (d): A National level virtual training on Yoga was organized by the Ministry AYUSH  from  20 th to  22 nd August  2020  for  the  Master  Trainers  from  all  the  States/UTs. During the training program, both Hindi and English la uages were used for convenience and  understanding  of  the  participants  belonging  to  different  States/UTs  and  all  the point presentations and training materials was in English. In spite of that, few pa were continuously demanding for the use of English language, and they were asked not to disturb the smooth running of the program. The event continued in bilingual format and concluded successfully as per schedule.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1946 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Child Protection Policy
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Rita Bahuguna Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO.1946

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2021

## CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

## 1946. SHRIMATI RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI:

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

- (a) the steps taken/being taken by the Government under the Child Protection Policy for the rehabilitation of children rescued from sexual  abuse  and other forms of exploitation;
- (b) the amount of funds disbursed under the said programme so far; and
- (c) the  number  of  rescued  bonded  child  labourers out   of   the   total   said   rescued children  under  the  said programmes?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)  Under  the  provisions  of  the  Juvenile  Justice  (Care  and  Protection) Act,  2015  (JJ Act), a safety network  of  service  delivery structures alongwith  institutional  and  noninstitutional  care  has  been  stipulated  for  children  in  need  of  care  and  protection  including children who have been rescued from sexual abuse and other forms of exploitation, inter-alia.

The  Protection  of  Children  from  Sexual  Offences  (POCSO)  Rules,  2020  was  notified  on 9 th March,  2020.  Section  3(5)  of  the  POCSO  Rules,  2020  mandates  the  respective Governments to formulate a child protection policy based on the principle of zero-tolerance to violence  against  children,  which  shall  be  adopted  by  all  institutions,  organizations,  or any  other  agency  working with, or coming in contact with children.

The Government implements  centrally sponsored Child Protection Services (CPS) Scheme, for  supporting  the  children  in  difficult  circumstances,  including  the  children  who  have  been rescued from sexual abuse and other forms of exploitation. Fund of Rs.745.46 crores was released to the States/UTs under 'Child Protection Services' (CPS) during 2019-20.

Under  the Bonded  Labour  System  (Abolition) Act, 1976, identification, release and rehabilitation of freed bonded labour is the direct responsibility of the State Government/UT Administration concerned. The Central Government provides funds to the State Governments/UT Administrations for the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers, 2016.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1945 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Self Reliance in Medical Devices
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak, Manne Srinivas Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1945 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH FEBRUARY, 2021

## SELF RELIANCE IN MED ICAL DEVICES

## 1945. SHRI MANOJ KOTAK: SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY:

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

- (a) whether India currently imports 80 to 90 percent of its medical devices and the vast majority of which are unregulated for quality and safety, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)the details of the such country/countries which export high technology medical equipment to India;
- (c) whether the Government has set up a roadmap for India's self - reliance in medical equipment, medicaldevices, medical lab kit sector;
- (d) if so, the detai ls thereof and progress made so far; and
- (e) the funds sanctioned/utilized so far for the pu pose?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a)  &  (b):  India  currently  imports  approx.  80%  of  its requirement  of  medical  devices.  USA, Germany, China, Singapore and Netherlands are the top exporters of medical devices to Indi

Central  Drugs  Standard  Control  Organisation  (CDSCO)  is  presently  regulating  2 categories of notified medical devices under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and Medical Devices Rules, 2017 thereunder.

Further, in order to regulate all medical devices, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued notification vide S.O. 648 (E) dated 11.02.2020 defining medical devices and 102(E)  dated  11.02.2020  specifying  mechanism  for  regulation  of  all  non - notified  medical devices in a phas ed manner to ensure the quality safety and performance of medical devices.

- (c) to (e): Various schemes/initiatives have been formulated to promote domestic manufacturin of medical devices/equipments and to attract large investment in the sector; such as:

(i)  National Biopharma Mission.

(ii)  DBT -AMTZ  COMManD  [Covid - 19  Medtech  Manufacturing  Development]  Consortia launched  by  Department  of  Biotechnology  (DBT)  with  Andhra  Pradesh  Med - tech  Zone (AMTZ).

(iii) Production  Linked  Incentive  Scheme  for  Promoting  D omestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices.

(iv) Scheme for "Promotion of Medical Devices Parks"

A  scheme  called 'Production Linked Incentive  Scheme  for  Promoting  Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices' has been approved by the Government of India with a total financial outlay of the Scheme of Rs.3,420 crore.

A scheme called 'Promotion of Medical Device Parks' has also been approved by the Government of India with a financial outlay of Rs.400 crore.

The  National  Biopharma  Mission,  wi th  an  outlay  of  Rs.148.79  crore  is  meant  for establishment of infrastructure and facilities for manufacturing and testing of medical d such facilities have been funded and Rs.105.42 crore have been utilized.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1943 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Sanction for Ayurveda Doctors to Perform Medical Procedures
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Raksha Nikhil Khadse

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 1943 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH February, 2021

## SANCTION FOR AYURVED A DOCTORS TO PERFORM MEDICAL PROCEDURES

## 1943.SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  mandate the  basic  qualification  of  BAMS  for Ayurveda doctorsimilar to MS surgery or MS ENT in Allopathic system in view of recent announcement by Central Council for Indian Medicine (CCIM);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has mandated BAMS Doctor to mention the Degree so obtained by them ontheir display boards at clinics/hospitals so as to apprise the patient undergoing surgery that the medical practitioner is qualified for Ayurveda and not from the Conventional Modern Medicine Practitioner (Allopathy); and
- (d)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS AND ADDITIONAL CHARGE OF MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) & (b) : No, Government has not allowed to any Ayurveda Doctor having just BAMS qualification to perform surgical procedure so notified vide Indian Medicine Central Council (Post Graduate Ayurveda Education) Regulations, 2016, dated 19 th November, 2020.Only PG scholars of Shalya (General Surgery) and Shalakya (Diseases of Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat, Oro- Dentistry) Departments are allowed to perform such surgical procedures as it is part of thei curriculum.

- (c)  &  (d) : As  per  Practitioners  of  Indian  Medicine  (Standards  of  Professional  Conduc Etiquette and Code of Ethics) Regulations, 1982,  it shall be compulsory for a pract itioner of Indian medicine to affix the correct degree or diploma before or after his name.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1942 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Funding For Expansion of Technical Field
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Vijay Baghel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1942 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2021

## FUNDING FOR EXPANSION OF TECHNICAL FIELD

1942. SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL:

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

- (a) whether  various  organizations  have  been  involved/managed  by  his  Ministry  for expansion of technical field/sector;
- (b) if so, the detail of the facilities being provided by the Government, organizationwise;
- (c) the  name of  the organizations which are presently funded by the Government; and
- (d) the name  of the organizations which do not require funding from the Government?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) to  (d)  Prasar  Bharati,  as  an  autonomous body  under Ministry of Information & Broadcasting with its field network of Doordarshan and All India Radio, provides technical knowledge in the field of broadcasting. As the public broadcaster of the country, the mandate of Prasar Bharati is to organise and provide broadcasting services to inform,  educate  and  entertain  the  public  and  to  ensure  balanced development of broadcasting on radio and television. It has one of the largest terrestrial networks in the world comprising of TV and radio transmitters, studios, Direct-to-Home (DTH) network, Outdoor Broadcasting  (OB)  vans,  etc.  Prasar  Bharati  has  also  made  its presence  felt  in  the  digital  platforms  by  live  streaming  of  content, providing  informative  new  websites,  availability  of  programmes  on YouTube, mobile apps, etc. Similarly, Broadcast Engineering Consultants of India (BECIL) as a Central Public Sector Enterprise(CPSE) under the Ministry provides consultancy services of international standards for broadcasting, transmission and production technologies, including turnkey solutions in the specialized fields of terrestrial  and  satellite  broadcasting,  cable  and  various  IT-related fields, including acoustics and audio-video systems. Ministry  of  Information  &  Broadcasting  provides  grants-in-aid  to Prasar  Bharati  for  implementation  of  Broadcasting  Infrastructure Network Development (BIND) scheme, a Central Sector Scheme and also provides grants-in-aid for meeting Other Central expenditure of Prasar  Bharati.  However,  no  funding  is  provided  to  BECIL  by  the Ministry.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1941 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Digitization of TV Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Devusinh Jesingbhai Chauhan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1941

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2021)

DIGITIZATION OF TV CHANNELS

1941.

SHRI DEVUSINH JESINGHBHAI CHAUHAN:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  expand  the network of FM channels and to complete the digitization of TV channels and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government has any plan for digitization of film archives for skill development of the media and entertainment sectors; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) Prasar  Bharati  is  continuously  expanding  All  India  Radio (AIR)  Network  of  FM  Channels  as  per  approved  Central  Sector Scheme.  Projects  for  setting  up  of  140  new  FM  transmitters  in various areas of the country have been approved. In addition to this, projects for providing of 5 nos. of mobile  5  kW  FM Transmitters (3 in J&K and 2 in Ladakh) have also been approved.

In  so  far  as  digitalization  of  TV  channels  is  concerned, Prasar  Bharati  is  currently  operating  36  Satellite  DD  channels. Transmission  of  all  these  channels  is  in  digital  mode.  Further, Prasar Bharati is also operating 'DD FreeDish', a free-to-air DTH platform  carrying  various  Satellite  TV  channels  including  DD channels,  and  Radio  Channels  of  All  India  Radio  apart  from making available several  TV  and  Radio  services  in  Digital  mode for  live  streaming  and  on-demand  access  through  'NewsOnAir' App and through third party Internet Platforms.

(b) and (c)  Yes,  Sir.  The  National  Film  Heritage  Mission  (NFHM) implemented by the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Pune was launched in 2014-15 for preservation, conservation, digitization and restoration of India's rich filmic heritage and to safeguard this important legacy for posterity. NFAI has also setup a 'Digital  Library'  in  September 2019  for  streaming  of  digital filmic content for the masses and cinephiles. The Digital Library has  computer  terminals  with  database  from  NFAI  collection which  includes  digitized  posters,  song  booklets,  journals  and magazines, etc.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1939 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Closure of Public Sector Undertakings (PSU’s)
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Su Thirunavukkarasar

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1939 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2021

## CLOSURE OF PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS (PSU'S)

## 1939.  SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU:

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

(a)  whether any proposal is under consideration of the Government to close down two PSUs namely The British India Corporation and the Handicrafts and Handloom Exports Corporation of India Limited; and

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor and its likely impact on the workforce of these organizations?

## उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्रीमती स्मृतत ज़ूबिन इरानी )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (b): Yes  Sir.    British  India  Corporation  Ltd.  (BICL)  has  been  incurring  losses  since  its nationalization in the year 1981. Owing to continuance losses, BIC was referred to Board for Industrial & Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) in 1991 and was declared sick in 1992. The government approved revival schemes in November, 2001, 2005 and 2011 also failed.

The  Handicrafts  &  Handloom  Export  Corporation  of  India  Limited  (HHEC)  has  been continuously incurring losses for a long time and there is little scope for revival of these PSUs.

The  concerns  of  employees/work  force  of  these  organizations  will  be  dealt  with  as  per  the guidelines issued by Department of Public Enterprises on closure of sick/ loss making Central Public Sector Enterprises.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1938 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Projects in Protected Areas
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Jyotsna Charandas Mahant

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1938

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2021

## Projects in Protected Areas

## 1938. SHRIMATI JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  several  petitions  and  appeals  from  the  NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs)/Environmentalists and others regarding three linear projects  passing  through  protected  areas  of  Bhagwan  Mahaveer  Wildlife  Sanctuary, Mollem  National  Park  and  double  tracking  of  railway/transmission  lines  in  Western Ghats;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken on these petitions/appeals thereon;
- (c) whether the  Western  Ghats  are  recognized  as  an  UNESCO  world  heritage  site  besides being a global biodiversity hotspot; and
- (d) if  so,  the  reasons  for  undertaking  such  huge  infrastructure  projects  at  the  cost  of environment?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a), (b), (c) and (d)

The  Ministry  has  received  several  petitions  and  appeals  from  the  NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs)/Environmentalists and others regarding three linear projects passing through protected areas of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem National Park and double tracking of railway/transmission lines in Western Ghats, Goa recommended in the 56 th and 57 th meetings of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life.

As  per  the  order  of  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  of  India  in  W.P.  (C)  No. 202/1995 dated 5 th October, 2015, minutes of thesemeetings were sent to the Central Empowered Committee.

The  Western  Ghats  are  recognized  as  UNESCO  world  heritage  site besides being a global biodiversity hotspot.

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life, comprising expert  members  also,  considers  and  takes  informed  decisions  on  the proposals  falling  within  protected  areas  and  Eco-sensitive  Zones  of  the National  Parks  and  Sanctuaries  which  have  been  recommended  by  the State/UT Governments,  concerned State  Board for  Wild  Life  and  Chief Wild Life Warden. In these cases also, the proposals had the recommendations of the State Government, State Board for Wild Life and the Chief Wild Life Warden.

*****