opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3216 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Women Beggers in Prostitution
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3216**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2015

**WOMEN BEGGERS IN PROSTITUTION**

3216.	SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA:

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

1. the number of women/girls beggars reportedly indulged themselves in prostitution in the absence of their rehabilitation in the country during each of the last three years and the current-year, State/UT-wise; and
2. the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a):		The Government does not maintain such data.

(b):		The Government implements a number of programmes/schemes for economic empowerment of women and addressing the vulnerability of women in distress, such as –

1. ‘Swadhar  Scheme’ under which women in difficult circumstances who do not have any social or economic support are provided primary need of shelter, food, clothing, and other support services.  In addition, vocational training for their economic rehabilitation is also provided.

1. Ujjawala – a comprehensive scheme for prevention of trafficking and rescue, rehabilitation, re-integration and repatriation of women and child victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation, provides various services including rehabilitative services to women and children who are vulnerable to trafficking or victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.

1. Support for Training and Employment Programme (STEP) seeks to upgrade the skills of poor, assetless and marginalised women and to provide employment on a sustainable basis.

1. Schemes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) focus on enhancing livelihood security in rural and urban areas and address the livelihood issues at their doorstep.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3215 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Upgradation of FTII
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: HARI MANJHI, MAHEISH GIRRI, P.R. SUNDARAM, CH. MALLA REDDY, MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING**

**LOK  SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3215**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2015**

**UPGRADATION OF FTII**

**3215:		SHRI HARI MANJHI**

**SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI**

**SHRI P.R.SUNDARAM**

**SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY**

**SHRIMATI  MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH**

Will the Minister of INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

be pleased to state :

1. whether  the Government  has assessed the performance of film and                       Television Institute  of India (FTII) and if so, the details thereof;
2. whether the Government  has any plan to upgrade the facilities, syllabus and course content at the FTII Pune, if so, the details thereof along with the extent  to which  up-gradation  is likely to  be beneficial for the students;

(c)	whether the Government also proposes to increase the number of faculty and intake of students in the said institutes, if so, the details thereof;

(d)	whether the 90% of the cost per student in FTII is born by the Government, if so, the details thereof; and

(e)	the steps taken /being taken by the Government to make the institute more accountable  and transparent?

**ANSWER**

**THE Minister of Finance, Minister of Corporate Affairs and Minister of Information and Broadcasting  (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)**

(a): The performance of the Institute is periodically assessed through          meetings of the Society and Governing Council, Audit and Annual Report submitted by the Institute and audit by the C&AG.

(b):  For the twelfth five year plan Rs. 80 crores have been allocated for up-gradation of FTII. The primary targets of the scheme are:

(i) Up-gradation of existing infrastructure of FTII and creation of additional infrastructure to meet the growing needs of the Institute. This includes construction of new main theatre, class room theatres, student hostels etc.

(ii)  Replacement of obsolete equipment and procurement of modern equipment to keep pace with the technological changes in film and television industry including HD technology.

FTII is also in the process of aligning the syllabus and course content, in view of the technological advances so as to enhance the analytical and creative abilities of the students.

(c):  No Sir.

(d):	Yes Sir. For the academic year 2014-15, approximately 94% of the cost per student was born by the Government.

(e):	There exists a mechanism of periodic audit including audit by C&AG, meetings of the Society and Governing Council of the Institute which include representatives from the Government and domain experts.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3212 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Funds for Research and Development in Defence Sector
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

**LOK  SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3212**

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 TH AUGUST, 2015

**FUNDS FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN DEFENCE SECTOR**

3212.	DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE    j{kk ea=h

be pleased to state:

(a) 	the funds allocated for research and development in defence sector during the last three years and the current year;

(b) 	whether the Government proposes to increase fund allocated in the coming years for defence research and development; and

(c) 	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 (c):** **A statement is attached.**

***********

**STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3212 FOR ANSWER ON 7.8.2015**

**(a)	Details of funds allocated for defence research and development during the last three years and the current year are as follows:-**

**(` in crores)**

| **Year**    | **Budget Estimates**   |
|-------------|------------------------|
| **2012-13** | **10,635.56**          |
| **2013-14** | **10,610.17**          |
| **2014-15** | **15,282.92**          |
| **2015-16** | **14,358.49**          |

**(b) & (c):** **Allocation of funds in the future would depend on various factors including the overall state of the economy, requirement of other Services and agencies and availability of resources.**

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3211 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Attack on Doctors and Hospital Staffs
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: RENUKA BUTTA

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3211**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 7** **TH** **AUGUST, 2015**

**Attack on Doctors and Hospital Staffs**

**3211. SHRIMATI BUTTA RENUKA:**

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

(a) whether the Government has taken note of rise in the number of assault on doctors and hospital staffs in various Government hospitals across the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the number of such cases reported during each of the last three years and the current year, hospital and State/UT-wise; and

(c) the preventive steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)**

(a) & (b):		Health is a State subject and no such information is maintained centrally. In so far as three Central Government hospitals in Delhi viz. Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. RML Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College and associated hospitals are concerned, there have been sporadic instances of Assault/misbehavior on Doctors and hospital staff in these hospitals in the recent past. Details are given in Annexure.

(c):	In these hospitals Quick Response Team has been formed and extra Security Guards and Team of Bouncers deployed to deal with emergent situations in vulnerable areas. Sensitive areas of these hospitals have been put under CCTV Surveillance.

**ANNEXURE**

**Details of sporadic instances of assault/misbehaviour on doctors and hospital staff**

Safdarjung hospital, New Delhi:- 	As far as Safdarjung hospital is concerned, no such case of assault on doctors and hospital has been reported.

LHMC  & Associated Hospitals, New Delhi:	 	There have been two complaints during 2012 and 2014 each of misbehaviour by attendants of patients.

Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi: 	There are two complaints of misbehaviour by attendants of patients during 2015.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Corporate Governance
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3210

ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015/

SHRAVANA 16, 1937 (SAKA)

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

QUESTION

3210.  SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

**Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS 	                           कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री**

**be pleased to state:**

1. whether the Government has issued an order to auditors directing to   highlight any lapse in companies related to frauds, internal control, inventories and outstanding dues in order to curb fraudulent practices in companies;
2. if so, the details thereof; and
3. the measures taken by the Government to strengthen the overall  corporate governance standard in the country?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS                        (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)**

**कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री   						                 (श्री अरुण जेटली)**

### 1 to (b):- Yes, Madam. The Government, has issued the Companies (Auditor’s Report) Order, 2015 requiring the auditors of relevant companies to include in their report a statement on various matters, including fraud noticed/reported, internal control system, physical verification of inventories and repayment of dues to financial institutions or banks. Sub-paragraphs 3(ii) (a), (iv), (ix) and (xii) of paragraph no. 3 of the Companies (Auditor’s Report) Order, 2015, which has been made available on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ Website http://www.mca.gov.in, are particularly relevant.

(c):- The Companies Act, 2013 which replaces the Companies Act, 1956 incorporates various provisions aimed at strengthening of corporate governance in companies in India. These include, inter-alia, enhanced responsibilities for the Board and its committees like the Audit Committee and Nomination and Remuneration Committee, enhanced disclosures to stakeholders, appointment of Independent Directors, stricter norms for ensuring independence and accountability of auditors and greater level of investor protection.  Further, the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) have also been notified in February 2015, and are expected to contribute to improved corporate governance.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3209 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Meeting with Stakeholders of Tea Industry
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI, A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3209**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 7** **TH** **AUGUST 2015**

**MEETING WITH STAKEHOLDERS OF TEA INDUSTRY**

**3209. 	SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:**

**SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (´ÉÉÉÊhÉVªÉ A´ÉÆ =tÉÉäMÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ)** be pleased to state:

*a)* whether the Government has held any meeting with the stakeholders of the tea industry, especially those pertaining to the tea auction segment and the small tea growers; and

1. if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

### 

### ANSWER

### okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h  )Lora= izHkkj) (Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k)

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) & (b):	A consultation with stakeholders of tea sector including representatives of small tea growers, large tea estates, buyers, dealers, auctioneers of tea, etc. was held at Guwahati on 13.10.2014.  Another meeting was held in Kolkata on 17.7.2015 to discuss issues relating to mandatory sale of tea through public auction and changes needed in the procedures and norms governing tea auctions.  Views of stakeholders obtained in course of the consultations has enabled the government to analyze and undertake improvements as necessary in the rules of marketing of tea.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3207 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Salt Production in Rajasthan
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SONA RAM CHOUDHARY

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY**

**DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3207.**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 7** **TH** **AUGUST, 2015.**

**SALT PRODUCTION IN RAJASTHAN**

**3207. 	COL. SONARAM CHOUDHARY:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY** be pleased to state:

**वाणिज्‍य एवं उद्योग राज्‍यमंत्री**

1. the present status of salt producing areas in the country;

1. whether a large portion of salt in the country is produced in Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof;

1. whether the salt production in Rajasthan including in Barmer district is reducing day-by-day and if so, the reasons therefor; and

1. whether the Government proposes to promote the salt production in saline areas of Thar region including Pachpadra and if so, the details thereof?

**ANSWER**

**वाणिज्‍य एवं उद्योग राज्‍यमंत्री (स्‍वतंत्र प्रभार)(श्रीमती निर्मला सीतारमण)**

**THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)**

**OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY**

**(SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)**

(a):	At present, the country has around 6.16 lakh acres of salt producing land.  The Central Government owns about 60,586 acres of salt pan lands out of which 50,488 acres of land are under salt production in various salt producing States of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha and Tamil Nadu.

(b):	Rajasthan is the third largest salt producing State in the Country after Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.  Out of the total of 268.87 lakh ton of salt produced in the country in 2014-15, the total salt produced in Rajasthan is 21.58 lakh ton.

(c):	The production of salt in Rajasthan including in Barmer district during the last three years i.e. 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-5 is as follows:

In lakh ton

|                 |   2012-13 |   2013-14 |   2014-15 |
|-----------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Rajasthan       |     18.25 |     17.01 |     21.58 |
| Barmer district |      0.35 |      0.31 |      0.31 |

From the above, it may be seen that the salt production in Rajasthan including in Barmer district is not reducing day-by-day.

(d):	Currently, the Government does not have any proposal under consideration to promote the salt production in saline areas of Thar region including Pachpadra.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3205 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Labour Law for SEZ
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI, AJAY (TENI) MISRA

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3205**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 7** **TH** **AUGUST 2015**

**LABOUR LAW FOR SEZ**

**3205. SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:**

**SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (´ÉÉÉÊhÉVªÉ A´ÉÆ =tÉÉäMÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ)** be pleased to state:

- 1.1. whether the Government proposes to have a unique labour law for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and if so, the details thereof;
- 1.2. whether the Government has held discussions with the Development Commissioners of the zones in this regard, if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- 1.3. whether the Government is actively considering to review the SEZ policy in this regard; and
- 1.4. if so, the details and the present status thereof?

### 

### ANSWER

### okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h  )Lora= izHkkj) (Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k)

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) to (d):	Madam, as per Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Act and Rules framed thereunder, the Central Government shall have no authority to relax any law relating to the welfare of the labour in the SEZs.  All Labour laws are applicable in Special Economic Zones. The rights of the workers/labour are therefore protected under the SEZs Act. Ongoing review and reform, as necessary, of Government policy and procedure is inherent to Public Policy. The Government, on the basis of inputs/suggestions received from stakeholders on the policy and operational framework of the SEZ Scheme, periodically reviews the policy and operational framework of SEZs and takes necessary measures so as to facilitate speedy and effective implementation of SEZ policy.

****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3200 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Facilities in Government Hospitals
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: CHANDU LAL SAHU, OM BIRLA

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3200**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 7** **TH** **AUGUST, 2015**

**Facilities in Government Hospitals**

**3200. 	SHRI CHANDU LAL SAHU:**

**SHRI OM BIRLA:**

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

(a) whether there is a reported shortage of trollies, wheel chairs and ward-boys in all Central Government and its associated hospitals in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the number of trollies, wheel chairs and ward-boys presently available in these hospitals. department-wise and hospital wise; and

(c) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government to meet the said shortage?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)**

(a):		In so far as the three Central Government Hospitals in Delhi viz. Safdarjung Hospital (SJH), Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (Dr. RMLH) and Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) & Associated Hospitals   are concerned, there is no shortage of trolleys, wheel chairs and ward-boys in these hospitals.

(b) & (c):	As far as Safdarjung Hospital is concerned, there are 590 Trolleys and 478 Wheel Chairs in the hospital. There is no post of ward boy in the hospital. However, 499 posts of Nursing Attendant and 64 posts of Stretcher Bearer   exist.  In addition, the services of  70 Nursing Attendant and 18 Stretcher Bearer are also outsourced.

As far as Dr. RML Hospital is concerned, there are 323 Trolleys and 137 Wheel Chairs. The services of most of the Ward-boys have been outsourced from private agency and they are deputed in various departments as per requirement.

As far as LHMC & Associated Hospitals are concerned, there are 73 Trolleys, 37 Wheel Chairs   in these hospitals.  The post of ward boy does not exist in these hospitals. However, 191 posts of Aaya, Ward Orderly/ Stretcher Bearer and Nursing Orderly/MTS exist in these hospitals.

Procurement of trolleys and wheel chairs and deployment of ward-boys/additional assisting staff is a continuous process as per requirement of various departments of the hospitals.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3198 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Pilotless Target Aircraft
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR, VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI, NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN, R. GOPALAKRISHNAN, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

**LOK  SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3198**

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 TH AUGUST, 2015

**PILOTLESS TARGET AIRCRAFT**

3198.	SHRI  VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE:

ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

SHRI  B. VINOD KUMAR:

SHRI NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN:

SHRI  R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE    j{kk ea=h

be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Government has approved a proposal of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for Transfer of Technology (ToT) for commercial production of its Lakshya, Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA), to a private sector defence manufacturer;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof;

(c) 	whether any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed in this regard;

(d) 	if so, the details and salient features thereof along with the names of countries which have shown interest in purchase of Lakshya; and

(e) 	the time by which the commercial production of Lakshya is likely to be started?

#### 

#### A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                            (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

#### j{kk ea=h    			        ¼Jh euksgj ijhZdj½

**(a) to (c):** **Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology (LAToT)       has been signed between Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru,  Defence  Research  and   Development Organisation (DRDO)**

**.....2/-**

**:  2  :**

**Laboratory and Larsen & Tubro (L&T) Ltd., Mumbai for upgraded digital version of Lakshya.**

**(d)   This is agreement for non-exclusive production and supply to Indian Armed Forces. However, as per serial No. 7.2 of LAToT with L&T, “For enquiries received from abroad for the product, L&T shall seek prior approval of DRDO in writing indicating the country to which such export is sought. The grant of license for export of product shall be subject to Government approvals and there may be additional licensing fees and royalty rates applicable and shall be decided by DRDO on case to case basis.” So far, ADE has not received any such request from L&T.**

**(e)     First delivery can be done within Eighteen months after the placement of orders from Users.**

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3197 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Insurance Scheme for BPL People
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Financial Services

Lok Sabha

Unstarred Question No. 3197

To be answered on Friday, 7 th August, 2015/   16 Shravana, 1937 (Saka)

**Insurance Scheme for BPL People**

3197.  SHRI NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN:

SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

Will the Minister of FINANCE

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to introduce premium free life insurance policy/scheme and universal health insurance to the people living Below Poverty Line(BPL); and

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

Answer

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) and (b): It is priority of the Government to work towards enabling social security protection for citizens, especially from the economically weaker and vulnerable sections. In accordance with this priority, the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) were recently launched to address the areas of life and accidental risk, and old age income security.  The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) is also operational to provide health insurance cover to persons living below the poverty line etc.

There is also an existing Social Security Scheme namely, Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) which caters to unorganised sector persons under various vocational groups. The scheme extends life and disability cover to such persons between the age of 18 and 59 years. 50% of the premium under the scheme is borne by Government of India. The balance 50% is paid by State Governments / Nodal agencies / individuals, as the case may be.

The Government would continue to work towards the furtherance of these objectives.