opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2015 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Anti-India Stand by Newspapers
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF INFORMATON AND BROADCASTING**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2015**

**(TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2015)**

**ANTI-INDIA STAND BY NEWSPAPERS**

**2015. SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:**

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

(a)	whether the Government is aware that some Urdu and English newspapers published from Jammu & Kashmir are reportedly taking an anti-India stand in the Valley and getting Government advertisement;

(b)	if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c)	whether the Government has any proposal to stop/withdraw Government advertisement from such newspapers/publication; and

(d)	if so, the details thereof and corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF FINANCE; MINISTER OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND MINISER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING. (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)**

(a) and (b) No such report has come to the notice of the Government. As per the Advertisement Policy, Government would avoid releasing advertisements to newspapers/journals, which incite or tend to incite communal passion, preach violence, offend the sovereignty and integrity of India or socially accepted norms of public decency and behavior.

(c) and (d) Does not arise.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2013 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: White Paper on Defence
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: JOSE K. MANI

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF DEFENCE**

**DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE**

**LOK  SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2013**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 31** **ST** **JULY, 2015**

**WHITE PAPER ON DEFENCE**

2013.	SHRI  JOSE K. MANI:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE    j{kk ea=h

be pleased to state:

(a)	whether the Government has taken note of a white paper on defence released by China unveiling an aggressive military strategy, especially with reference to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea;

(b)	if so, the details thereof; and

(c)	the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

#### A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                              	        (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

j{kk ea=h    			             ¼Jh euksgj ijhZdj½

**(a) & (b):** **Government is aware of a white paper released by China in May 2015.  But, this does not include reference to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.**

**(c)	Government keeps a constant watch on all developments having       a bearing on India’s security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it.**

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2011 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Import Duty on Commercial Products
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SAUGATA ROY

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2011**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 31** **ST** **JULY 2015**

**IMPORT DUTY ON COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS**

**2011. PROF. SAUGATA ROY:**

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

- 1.1. whether some State Governments have made requests to hike the import duty of certain commercial products;
- 1.2. if so, the details thereof; and
- 1.3. the reaction of the Government on their requests, State/UT-wise?

### 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): Yes, Madam. Two representations have been received in the Ministry of Finance from State Governments of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to hike Import Duty on Raw Silk from 10% to 30% or at least to15%.

(c): The proposal for reduction in basic Custom Duty on Raw Silk from 15% to 10% was received in Ministry of Finance from Ministry of Textiles. The same was examined and Duty on Raw Silk (not thrown) was reduced from 15% to 10%, vide Notification No. 28/2015-Customs, dated 30 th April, 2015 (G.S.R. 338(E), dated 30.04.2015). Ministry of Textiles is the nodal Ministry for matters relating to Silk and Central Silk Board monitors price of cocoon and yarn, arrival of cocoon and silk yarn in important markets, quantity of yarn/ raw silk being imported and change in price/ quantity, etc. Besides, the sericulturists are assisted under the ongoing schemes of the Central and State Governments as per field requirements. The prices of silk are dependent on various factors such demand and supply and other market conditions.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2010 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Seventh Pay Commission
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P., THOKCHOM MEINYA, ANOOP MISHRA, ALOK SANJAR

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2010

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 31ST JULY, 2015/ SHRAVANA 9, 1937 (SAKA)

## SEVENTH PAY COMMSSION

2010. SHRI P. NAGARAJAN: DR THOKCHOM MEINYA: SHRI ANOOP MISHRA: SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

Will the MINISTER OF FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the 7th Commission has submitted its recommendations, if so, the details and present status thereof; Pay
- (b) whether the representatives of defence forces are part of the aforesaid pay commission, if so, the details thereof and if not; the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to implement the 7th Pay Commission w.e.f. 1st January, 2016, if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the time by which the said Commission is likely to be implemented? Pay

## ANSWER

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

- (a), c) & (d): The Report of the 7th Central Commission has not been submitted to the Government: Therefore , the question of its implementation and its date of effect do not arise at this stage yet Pay
- (b): The   composition of the 7th Central   Pay Commission does not   comprise a representative from the defence forces as the same is   broadly in line with the composition of the previous Central Pay Commissions.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2009 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Inflow of FDI
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: GAURAV GOGOI

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY**

**DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2009.**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 31** **ST** **JULY, 2015.**

**INFLOW OF FDI**

**2009. 	SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:**

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

**वाणिज्‍य एवं उद्योग मंत्री**

1. whether the Railways, Insurance and Real Estate sector have seen any rise in the inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) after relaxation of norms in these sectors; and

1. 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)&(b):	FDI policy as contained in Consolidated FDI Policy Circular 2014 on Insurance was revised vide Press Notes dated 02.03.2015. FDI received in Insurance sector after the amendment of the policy and corresponding figures of the preceding period is as under:

|   Sl. No. | Sector    | Period                   |   Amount  (in US$ million) | Percentage change   |
|-----------|-----------|--------------------------|----------------------------|---------------------|
|        1. | Insurance | March, 2015 to May, 2015 |                     184.97 | (+292.38%)          |
|        1. | Insurance | March, 2014 to May, 2014 |                      47.14 |                     |

Railway Infrastructure was opened to FDI vide Press Note dated 27.08.2014 and data on FDI inflows on this sector is not separately maintained.

FDI policy on Real Estate sector has not been revised recently.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2008 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Income Tax on Cricket Boards and Cricketers
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO JADHAV, LAXMAN GILUWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

------------

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2008

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 31 st  July, 2015 SHRAVANA 9, 1937 (SAKA)

……..

## Income Tax on Cricket Boards and Cricketers

## 2008.   SHRI PRATAP RAO JADHAV: SHRI LAXMAN GILUWA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a) whether income tax is levied on Cricket Boards and Cricketers;
2. (b) if so, the amount of income tax recovered/outstanding from Cricket Boards and Cricketers during the last three years ;
3. (c) whether any penalty is charged from Cricket Boards and Cricketers for delay in Income tax payment;
4. (d) if so, the details thereof; and
5. (e) the reaction of the Government regarding the status of compliance of the said rules?

## A N S W E R

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

Part(a): Yes Madam.

Part(b): Amount of Income-tax recovered/ outstanding from Cricket Boards and Cricketers is not maintained in a centralized manner. Further, in the absence of specific names of 'Cricket Boards' and 'Cricketers', it is not feasible to extract information from the Income-tax database.

Part (c)(d)&(e): Delay in payment of Income-tax attracts interest under the provisions of Income Tax Act, 1961 ('Act'). Penalty under section 221 of the Act may also be imposed when an assessee makes default in payment of Tax. These provisions are applicable to all assessees including Cricket Boards and Cricketers and the relevant provisions are invoked whenever violations are noticed. Case-wise details  in  respect  of  compliance  of  timely  payment  of  taxes  are  not  maintained  in a centralized manner.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2005 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Industrial Parks
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: BALKA SUMAN

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY**

**DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2005.**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 31** **ST** **JULY, 2015.**

**INDUSTRIAL PARKS**

**2005. 	SHRI SUMAN BALKA:**

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

**वाणिज्‍य एवं उद्योग मंत्री**

1. the countries with which India has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up of industrial parks during the last three years and the current year;

1. the progress made in regard to setting up of such parks in the country along with the present status thereof;

1. the extent of which such parks help to generate employment in the country;

1. whether the Government proposes to sign MoUs with some more countries in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and

1. the security measures taken while signing MoUs with countries in this regard?

**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):	During  the  last  three years, including  the  current  year , Government of India  has  signed  one  MoU on “Cooperation  on Industrial  Parks  in India” with  Peoples  Republic  of  China  on 30.06.2014.

(b):	As a follow up of the signing of MoU with China, Industrial Extension Bureau, a Govt.  of  Gujarat Organisation  signed  an MoU  with  China  Development  Bank  Corporation, China  for  supporting  setting  up of  Industrial  Parks  in Gujarat.  Further,  Maharashtra  Industrial  Development  Corporation, an  undertaking of  Government  of  Maharashtra  signed  an  MoU with  Beiqi  Foton Motors Co. Ltd., a  company  incorporated  in China  for  setting  up  an  Industrial  Park  in  Maharashtra. The concerned entities are in discussion for taking necessary steps to operationalise the MoUs.

(c):	Based on the type of industries being set up, industrial parks have the capacity to   generate sufficient employment.

(d):	There  is  no  such  proposal  under  consideration  with  the  Government of  India.

(e):	Wherever necessary, Ministry  of  Defence  and  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  are  consulted  before  signing  MoUs  with  foreign  countries.  In  all  cases,  consultation  is  done  with  Ministry  of  External  Affairs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2003 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Cut in Interest Rates
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SUSHMITA DEV

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF FINANCE**

**DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES**

**********

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2003**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 31, 2015/SHRAVANA 9, 1937 (SAKA)**

**“Cut in Interest Rates”**

**QUESTION**

**2003. KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV:**

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has reduced interest rates on various schemes;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the objective laid down by the Government for reduction in the interest rates; and

(c) whether the reduction in the interest rated might impact the banks ability to manage  NPAs and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

**ANSWER**

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance

(SHRI JAYANT SINHA)

(a) & (b): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has deregulated the interest rates on term deposits from October, 1997. Accordingly, banks are now free to fix the interest rates on term deposits subject to the approval of their respective Boards. The Reserve Bank has also deregulated the savings bank deposit interest rate with effect from October 25, 2011.  Accordingly, banks are now free to determine their savings bank deposit interest rate, subject to the following two conditions:

(i) 	Each bank is required to offer a uniform interest rate on savings bank deposits up to Rs.1 lakh;

(ii) 	For savings bank deposits over Rs.1 lakh, a bank may provide differential rates of interest, if it so chooses. However, there should not be any discrimination from customer to customer on the interest rates for similar amount of deposit.

With the introduction of Base Rate system since July 1, 2010, all rupee lending rates (including advances up to Rs. 2 lakh) have been deregulated. In a deregulated environment, banks have complete freedom in deciding their spread, risk premia, term premia and other customer specific charges as considered appropriate on the loans and advances based on their commercial judgment. However, there are some exceptions where the loans can be priced without reference to the Base Rate viz: Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) advances, loans to banks’ own employees and loans to banks’ depositors against their own deposits.

(c): As far as managing NPAs is concerned, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Government has taken several legal and procedural steps towards better  recovery  of loans from different sectors and for improvement in asset quality of banks. Banks have been instructed to have a Board approved loan recovery policy and take recourse to legal mechanisms like SARFAESI Act, 2002, Debt Recovery Tribunals and  Lok Adalats apart from information sharing and systems of early detection of distress for which RBI has issued guidelines on 30 th January, 2014.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2002 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Pending Patent Applications
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY**

**DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2002.**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 31** **ST** **JULY, 2015.**

**PENDING PATENT APPLICATIONS**

**2002. 	DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:**

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

**वाणिज्‍य एवं उद्योग मंत्री**

1. whether a number of patent applications are lying pending with the Government for approval on account of shortage of professionals for the purpose;

1. if so, the details thereof; and

1. the measures taken/being taken by the Government to clear the pending applications along with the target, if any, fixed in this regard ?

**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):	Yes.

(b):   	Pendency of patent applications is measured in terms of pending Requests of Examination which are awaiting disposal at different stages of processing in Patent Offices.The details of  Requests for Examinations pending in the Indian Patent Offices, location-wise, are as under:-

| **Location**   |   **No. of Requests for Examinations** |
|----------------|----------------------------------------|
| Delhi          |                                  83291 |
| Chennai        |                                  74390 |
| Kolkata        |                                  40558 |
| Mumbai         |                                  28100 |

(c):	Measures taken by the Government to clear the pending applications are as under:

1. The Government has approved additional 252 posts of Examiners and 76 posts of Controllers (supervisory officers) in the 12th Plan under the Plan Scheme for ‘Modernisation and Strengthening of Intellectual Property Offices’. With this, the total sanctioned strength of Examiners and Controllers has become 589 and 170 respectively. The process of recruitment to 459 vacant posts of Examiners has already been initiated and advertisement issued in this regard.

1. Besides, as a short-time measure, 263 posts of Contract Examiners of Patents have also been sanctioned.

1. In order to facilitate the examination work and optimise the speed and quality of examination, number of measures viz., computerised work-flow, automation and IT enablement in the functioning of Patent Office have been initiated. Prior Art Search facility has been strengthened by subscribing to the global patent databases.  A common search engine for rapid Prior Art Search has also been initiated. These modern facilities have contributed in expediting the examination work of the Patent Examiners.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2001 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Role of States in Central Schemes
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF PLANNING**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2001**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2015**

**ROLE OF STATES IN CENTRAL SCHEMES**

2001. SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE:

Will the Minister of  PLANNING be pleased to state:

(a)     whether several State Governments have demanded a greater role in formulating 	  	  	     the Central Schemes;

(b)     if so, the details thereof indicating the names of the States;

(c)     whether the Government has acceded to such demands and if so, the details thereof;   	     and

(d)     if not, the reasons therefor?

**ANSWER**

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

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) to (d) : Under the Cooperative Federalism Model, the States/UTs have greater role to play jointly with Centre in developing contours of the national development agenda. The Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) are important instruments for meeting the National Development Agenda.  CSSs are formulated on the basis of consultation between Union and the States/UTs. These schemes are implemented by the States/UTs and are funded jointly by the Centre and the States.   In pursuance of the decision taken in the first meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, held on February 8, 2015 a Sub-Group of CMs under the Convenership of  the Chief Minister,  Madhya Pradesh was constituted on 9 th March 2015 for rationalization of CSS, to be serviced by NITI Aayog. During the meetings of the  Sub-Group, several State Governments raised the issue of assigning greater role to States in formulating the central schemes.   All the issues have been noted by the Sub-Group and the report is in the advance stage of finalization.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2000 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Atal Innovation Mission
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: SRIRAM MALYADRI

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF PLANNING**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2000**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON   31.07.2015**

**ATAL INNOVATION MISSION**

2000.	SHRI MALYADRI SRIRAM:

Will the Minister of  PLANNING be pleased to state:

1. whether the Government proposes to establish the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) across the country;
2. if so, the details along with the salient feature thereof;
3. the details of funds earmarked for the purpose; and
4. the time-frame fixed by the Government to complete its process?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNING

AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a):   	Yes Sir. The Finance Minister in his Budget Speech, 2015 (para 48) announced the  intention of the Government to establish, in NITI, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).

(b):   AIM will be an Innovation Promotion Platform involving academics, entrepreneurs, and researchers and draw upon national and international experiences to foster a culture of innovation, R&D and scientific research in India. The platform will also promote a network 	of world-class innovation hubs and Grand Challenges for India.

(c):      The Finance Minister in his Budget Speech stated that initially, a sum of ` 150 crore will be earmarked for this purpose.

(d):    NITI Aayog has constituted an Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. Tarun Khanna, Director, South Asia Institute, Harvard University, USA to work out the detailed contours. The Expert Committee is expected to submit its report in August, 2015.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1999 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Contribution of Swachch Bharat Abhiyan
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1999**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 31** **ST** **JULY, 2015**

**Contribution of Swachch Bharat Abhiyan**

**1999. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:**

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

(a) whether any evaluation has been made on the contribution of Swachch Bharat Abhiyan towards improvement of health indicators, if so, the details and the findings thereof; and

(b) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to create awareness about the benefits of low Total Fertility Rate among the people across the country?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)**

(a):	   No. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has not conducted any study to evaluate the contribution of Swachch Bharat Abhiyan towards improvement of health indicators.

(b):	World Population Day is celebrated at national, State and district level on 11 July of every year, wherein benefits of family planning and low fertility is also widely disseminated. The mass media are also used for creating awareness on benefits of adopting family planning and thereby reducing fertility rates.  A national helpline has also been launched by the Government for  creating awareness about the benefits of low fertility rates, etc.