opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 530 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Strategic Defence Cooperations
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.530

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  FEBRUARY, 2016

## STRATEGIC  DEFENCE  COOPERATIONS

530. ADV. JOICE  GEORGE:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government recently signed Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) with US; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the key areas of  strategic cooperation envisaged therein?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

j{kk jkT; ea=h

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

¼jko banzthr flag½

(a) & (b): The Terms of Reference (TOR) of Indo-U.S. Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) were signed on 22 nd January, 2015.  The aim of the  DTTI  Group  is  to  work  towards  resolving  process  issues  impeding cooperation and alignment of systems; increasing the flow of technology and investment; developing capabilities and partnership in co-development and co-production; and intensifying cooperation in research and development.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 529 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: New Institutional Arrangement
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RITA TARAI

(a) & (b)

The Fourteenth Finance Commission at Para 9.110 has  urged the Union Government to consider a larger, sustained and more effective direct intervention for the upgradation of administration as well as development of the areas covered under the proviso of Article 275 (1) and excluded from the consideration of Finance Commission in the Terms of Reference, in order to bring such areas on par with other areas `

The Government has approved a One Time Assistance of < 1000 crore under Special Assistance under Demand No. 37 of Ministry of Finance in 2015-16 (BE) based on the examination of various pending priorities by NITI Aayog towards 'One time assistance to areas covered under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution'\_ This assistance has been proposed for development f the areas covered under the proviso to Article 275(1), which are excluded from the consideration of 14th Finance Commission, in order to bring such areas on par with other areas.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 529

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY 26TH FEBRUARY, 2016

[7 Phalguna, 1937 (SAKA)]

## 'New Institutional Arrangement'

## No. 529, Shrimati Rita Tarai:

Will the MINISTER OF FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any has been taken: for evolution of a new institutional arrangement, as recommended by the 14th Finance Commission, for identifying the sectors in the States that should be eligible for grants from the Union for providing area-specific grants etc. if so, the details thereof; and step
- (b) if not; the immediate steps on this score; to facilitate early release of specificpurpose grants (as visualised by the commission) in favour of the State?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (Shri Jayant Sinha)
Lok Sabha Question No. 526 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Pension to Bank Employees
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.526

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH FEBRUARY, 2016/PHALGUNA 7, 1937(SAKA)

## Pension to Bank Employees

## 526: SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## QUESTION

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the bank pensioners are not allowed exactly the same model available to pensioners of Central Government as per Pension Regulations and Settlement Scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether Bank Pensioners of Pre-2002 are being denied uniform dearness relief as available to other pensioners, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether Government has any plan to review it and modify the pension scheme to bank pensioners as available to Central Government and RBI pensioners; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Shri Jayant Sinha)

- (a): Pension to bank employees is paid in terms of Pension Regulations of the respective Public Sector Bank and is not on the same model available in Central Government. The pension in Central Government is paid out of Budget provisions, whereas scheme in Public Sector Banks is a funded scheme for which corpus is created during the service period of the employee.
- (b): In terms of Pension Regulations, Pensioners in Public Sector Banks are entitled to draw dearness relief on their pension at rates which are at par with what is payable to an employee in service during the relevant wage settlement period, in which the employees have retired. This arrangement is based on the industry-wide settlement with officers/ workmen.
- (c) & (d): No such proposal is under consideration of the Government.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 525 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: MUDRA Scheme
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: ARJUN RAM  MEGHWAL

## 525Shri Arjun Meghwal

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether financial assistance under intervention named 'Sishu', 'Kishor' and 'Tarun' is provided under 'MUDRA' scheme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the number of persons to whom financial assistance has been made available in these sectors after implementation of the said scheme;
- (c) whether less financial assistance under 'Tarun' sector is made available by the banks under 'MUDRA' Scheme;
- (d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State in Ministry of Finance (SHRI JAYANT SINHA)

- (a) Loans are extended under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Scheme by banks and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) in three categories : -
- (b) Till 12 th February, 2016, the loans extended are as follows : -

Shishu (Loans upto Rs.50,000);

Kishore (Loans from Rs.50001 to Rs.5 lakh); and

Tarun (Loans from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.10 lakh).

| Category   | No. of borrowers   |
|------------|--------------------|
| Shishu     | 2,50,54,052        |
| Kishore    | 16,53,010          |
| Tarun      | 2,93,566           |
| Total      | 2,70,00,628        |

(c) The PMMY is a demand driven scheme, and all loans proposals are considered on commercial merits. Out of the total disbursement of Rs. 99,467 crore as on 12 February, 2016, Rs.21,119 crore is under Tarun Sector. This constitutes 21.23% of the total portfolio.

- (d) & (e) Does not arise in view of (c) above.

## Govt. of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial services LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 525 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 th

## February, 2016 2016/ PHALGUN 7 1937 (SAKA)

## MUDRA Scheme

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 524 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Defence Imports
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.524

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  FEBRUARY, 2016

## DEFENCE  IMPORTS

## 524. SHRI  M. CHANDRAKASI:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of major defence procurements from foreign countries during the last three years;
- (b) whether all these procurements have been made in accordance with guidelines laid down in the Defence Procurement Manual and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  progress  achieved  in  the  implementation  of  recommendation  of  Kelkar Committee Report to promote greater transparency in defence procurements;
- (d) whether  the  Defence  Procurement  Manual  has  been  revised  to  incorporate recommendations made by Kelkar Committee, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken / being taken by the Government to ensure that manual is followed in letter and spirit?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                            (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jh euksgj ijhZdj½

(a) & (b): During financial years 2012-13 to 2014-15, total 67 orders have been  placed  on  foreign  vendors  for  major  defence  procurements  by following  the  guidelines  laid  down  in  Defence  Procurement  Procedure (DPP).    However,  revenue  procurement  is  made  following  provisions  of Defence Procurement Manual (DPM).

(c) to (e): Nine recommendations of Kelkar Committee related to procurement have been implemented.  DPP has been revised from time to time to introduce increased level of transparency and accountability in the defence acquisition process.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 520 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Setting up of All India Institute of Ayurveda
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

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

(AYUSH)

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 520 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH FEBRUARY, 2016

## SETTING UP OF ALL IN DIA INSTITUTE OF AYU RVEDA

## 520. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

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

- (a)  whether  the  plan  for  setting  up  of  All  India  Institute  of  Ayurveda (AIIA)  has  not  been completed by the stipulated time;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether such delay has cuased for cost escalation of the projects which in turn also a realization of AIIA; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and f urther steps taken by the Government to setting up AIIA in a time bound manner?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b):    Yes.   The slow progress is due to delay in obtaining statutory clearances from local bodies.
- (c):     Government had approved an amount of Rs. 134 crore for the project but later o revised to Rs. 157 crore in March, 2013 which includes certain items / works which wer ot taken at the initial stage.
- (d):      The progress of the project is being reviewed from time to time with the c agencies  in  the  Project  Management  Committee  Meeting  and  also  review  undertaken  by Secretary (AYUSH) with Senior Officers regularly. The construction of the building is almost complete. OPD is working with 9 Ayurveda specialties. Basic medical equipments, machine and allied services have been procured.

……………….
Lok Sabha Question No. 517 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Food Testing Laboratories
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: R.P. MARUTHARAJAA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 517 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH FEBRUARY , 2016

## FOOD TESTING LABORAT ORIES

## 517. SHRI R.P. MARUTHARAJAA:

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

- (a) whether the State run food testing laboratories need major revamp for ensuring food and standards;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has impleme nted the recommendations of 14th Finance Commission on it; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with its present status?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) & (b): The Food Safety and Standards Authority f India (FSSAI) has stated that most of the State Food Laboratories need to be upgraded in terms of infrastructure, equipme trained manpower.
- (c ): No  grant    for  food  testing  laboratories  has  specifically  been  recommended  by Fourteenth Finance Commission.
- (d): Does not arise.

…………….
Lok Sabha Question No. 515 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Women Fighter Pilots
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.515

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  FEBRUARY, 2016

## WOMEN  FIGHTER  PILOTS

515. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  induct  women  fighter  pilots  in  the armed forces;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  total number of  women pilots undergoing trial training at present;
- (c) whether the women pilots were eager to join the regular fighter aircrafts fleet; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                            (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jh euksgj ijhZdj½

(a) to (d): Government has accorded approval for women to join as Short Service Commission Officers in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on  experimental  basis  for  a  period  of  five  years.    Three  women  trainees have  volunteered  and  have  been  inducted  in  the  Fighter  Stream  and  are undergoing training.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 513 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Emission of Smoke & Ultra Violet Rays
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 513 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH FEBRUARY , 2016

## EMISSIO N OF SMOKE & ULTRA V IOLET RAYS

## 513. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

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

- (a) whether the excessive emission of smoke in the kitchen and ultraviolet rays increa lungs and respiratory diseases;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Governm ent has taken any step to check the same; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN  THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a) to (d):  Air  pollution  is  known  to  be  one  of  the  aggravating  factors  for  many  respi ailments and cardiovascular disease. The exposure to air pollution is associated with b and  respiratory  problems,  aggravation  of  existing  respiratory  and  cardiov ascular  diseases, adverse effects on the immune system, damage to the lung tissue and is also carcinoge Several epidemiological studies have shown an association between particulate air polluti exacerbations of illness in people with respirator y disease as well as rise in the number of deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory disease among older people.

National  Health  Profile  (NHP),  2013  reports  that  the  prevalence  of  acute  respir infections is almost constant over the last years but ha s shown a slight increase in 2013.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) carried out a multicentric study in districts in different parts of India to determine nationwide population prevalence and ri for asthma and Chronic Bronchitis ( CB) in adults. The overall prevalence of asthma and Chronic Bronchitis was respectively 2.05% (adults aged > 15 years) and 3.49% (adults aged > 35 y Advancing age, smoking, household environmental tobacco smoke exposure, asthma in a fir -degree rel ative, and use of unclean cooking fuels (the major source of indoor air pollution) we e associated with increased odds of asthma and Chronic Bronchitis. The National burden of as and Chronic Bronchitis was estimated at respectively 17.23 and 14.48 mill ion.
Lok Sabha Question No. 512 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Scheme for Promoting Entrepreneurship
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: MEKAPATI RAJAMOHAN REDDY

## GOVT. OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 512

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  FEBRUARY, 2016 / PHALGUNA 7, 1937 (SAKA)

## Scheme for Promoting Entrepreneurship

## QUESTION

## 512.  SHRI M. RAJA MOHAN REDDY:

- (a) whether the Government has approved a scheme that is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among women and scheduled castes and tribes;

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (b)  if so, the salient features of the scheme; and

- (c) the time by which the said scheme is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER (MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE) (SHRI JAYANT SINHA)

(a) to (c) : The Cabinet has approved the 'Stand Up India Scheme' to promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste/Schedule Tribe and Women.

The Scheme provides for composite loans by banks between Rs. 10 lakh and upto Rs.100 lakh, inclusive of working capital component for setting up a new enterprise.  These  loans  would  be  eligible  for  refinance  and  credit  guarantee cover.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 511 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: KPMG Survey on CSR
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: JAYADEV GALLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 511 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 26th FEBRUARY, 2016/ PHALGUNA 7, 1937 (SAKA)

## KPMG SURVEY ON CSR

## QUESTION

## 511.   SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India is one of the three countries leading the way globally in terms of reporting corporate responsibility activities if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) has surveyed on this recently and released the report;
- (c) if so, the findings of the report; and
- (d) reaction of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री

(SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)

( श्री अरुण जेटली )

(a)  to (d):  The KPMG  report available in public domain regarding a survey of Corporate  Responsibility  (CR)  Reporting  by  4500  companies  across  45 countries in 2015, places India as the leading country in terms of reporting Corporate Responsibility. The key findings of the survey suggest inter alia, (a) India has the highest CR reporting rates with a 27 percentage point increase between 2013-15; (b) the rise in CR reporting is primarily driven by mandatory reporting requirements in country's legal /regulatory framework.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) mandated Business Responsibility Reporting (BRR) for top 100 listed entities in the Year 2012. This provision has been extended to top 500 listed entities in the year 2015 vide gazette notification dated 22.12.2015.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 510 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Abnormal Withdrawal of Money in Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 510

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 th February,2016/Phalguna 7, 1937 (SAKA)

## Abnormal Withdrawal of Money in Banks

## QUESTION

## 510 . DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the Union Bank's abnormal withdrawal of Rs. 800 crore by a private company and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether similar illegal / abnormal withdrawals have been identified in other banks also; and
- (c) the corrective action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance

(SHRI JAYANT SINHA)

- (a): RBI has informed that there were withdrawals of Rs. 794.12 crores in cash by three Companies from Union Bank of India from 2004 to 2015 on various dates. In addition, there were some more cash withdrawals by other group accounts.
- (b): RBI has no information about it.
- (c): The matter has been reported to Financial Intelligence Unit, Government of India.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 509 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Institutional Guidelines adopted by CCI
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: E. AHAMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 509 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 26TH FEBRUARY, 2016 [PHALGUNA 7, 1937 (SAKA)]

## INSTITUTIONAL GUIDELINES ADOPTED BY CCI

## QUESTION

509.  SHRI E. AHAMED:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether  there  is  any  institutional  guidelines  adopted  by Competition  Commission  of  India  (CCI) while calculating percentage of penalty imposed by it under Section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if so, whether the penalties on the companies drive them out of business itself/or lead them to shut down their entire operations; and
- (d)     if so, the reaction of the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS              (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)

कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री

(

अरुण जेटली )

- (a) and (b) As mandated under the Competition Act, 2002, the Competition Commission of  India  may impose  penalties,  and/or  issue cease & desist order in appropriate cases.  However, while imposing penalties  under  section  27  of  the  Act,  the  Commission  takes  into account the aggravating and mitigating factors before arriving at the fair and judicious quantum of such penalties.
- (c) and (d) No,  Madam.    Penalties  are  imposed  in  order  to  eliminate practices having adverse effect on competition, as well as for promoting and  sustaining  competition,  primarily to protect the interests of consumers.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 507 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Procurement of Modular Jackets
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: S. RAJENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.507

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  FEBRUARY, 2016

## PROCUREMENT OF MODULAR JACKETS

507. SHRI  S. RAJENDRAN:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Defence  Acquisition  Council  had  cleared  acquisition  of  light  weight modular jackets in October, 2009;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the number of such modular jackets procured so far; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                            (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jh euksgj ijhZdj½

(a) to (c): The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) in October, 2009 for procurement of Bullet Proof Jackets (BPJs) inclusive of quantity 1,86,138 to be procured in 11 th Army Plan.   The Request for  Proposal was retracted on  5.10.2015 as  the BPJs fielded by the vendors failed in the trials.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 506 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Development of Backward Region
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION   NO. 506 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.02.2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF BACKWARD REGION

## 506. Shri Gopal Shetty :

Will the MINISTER OF PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has identified the socio-economic backward regions/districts in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  any  schemes/programmes  for  overall development of such backward regions/districts in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) & (b)  No region/district has been identified  as socio-economically backward per se.  However, various norms have been adopted for identification of districts/areas for coverage under different schemes from time to time.

(c) & (d)    As per the report of the 14 th Finance Commission (FFC), share of States in the net proceeds of the union taxes has been significantly enhanced from 32% to 42%, which is the biggest ever increase in vertical tax devolution/share of the States in the Central divisible pool.  Thus, the recommendations of FFC will enhance the availability of funds at the disposal of States.  The higher tax devolution will allow States greater autonomy in financing and design of schemes as per the needs and requirements including for filling the development gap in the deficit regions.

……