opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 26 (STARRED), answered on 2016-04-26
Subject: Impact of Microbeads on Environment
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.26

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.04.2016

## Impact of Microbeads on Environment

## 26. SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK: SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

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

- (a) whether all leading brands including herbal brands are reportedly using microbeads for manufacturing soap, toothpaste and other products causing adverse impact on environment;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the National Green Tribunal has issued notices to the Ministries of Environment, Forests and Climate Change; Water Resources and Health and Family Welfare seeking their comments on the use of microbeads in personal care products;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the response thereon; and
- (e) the other corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a)&(b)   According to the Central Drug Standards Control Organization, it has not received any report of adverse impact on environment regarding use of microbeads for manufacturing soap, toothpaste and other products. However, existing regulations under Schedule S of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, prescribe that Cosmetics in finished form shall conform to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications laid down from time to time by the BIS.    Ministry of Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  has  not  commissioned  any  study  to  ascertain  the extent and type of microbeads being used for manufacturing soap, toothpaste and other products and their impact on environment.

- (c)   Yes, Madam.

(d)   The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the matter of O.A. No.112/2016, Ashwini Kumar Vs Union of India & Others, issued notices to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change;  Ministry  of  Water  Resources,  River  Development  and  Ganga  Rejuvenation  and Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  seeking  responses.  The  Ministry  has  already  initiated action to file reply to the NGT.

- (e)   Since no study has been carried out on the matter, no corrective steps have been taken.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 23 (STARRED), answered on 2016-04-26
Subject: Files on Netaji
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*23 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  APRIL, 2016/VAISAKHA 6, 1938 (SAKA)

FILES ON NETAJI

*23.  DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has released the second batch of declassified files relating to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in the recent past;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  there  is  any  guidelines  regarding  the  purpose  for  which information available on these files are to be used by the public; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

## STATEMENT IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*23 FOR 26.04.2016.

(a) to (d): Yes,  Madam.  Government  of  India  has  released  and  put  in public domain i.e. www.netajipapers.gov.in 50 declassified files pertaining to the period 1956 to 2009 in second batch on 29 th  March, 2016 to meet the  public  demand to access these files and facilitate scholars to carry out further research on Netaji.  The access of these files to the public is in accordance with the provisions of the Public Records Act, 1993 and the Public Records Rules 1997.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 22 (STARRED), answered on 2016-04-26
Subject: Violence in J&K
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: HARISH CHANDRA MEENA, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*22 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  APRIL, 2016/VAISAKHA 6, 1938 (SAKA)

VIOLENCE IN J&K

*22. SHRI HARISH MEENA: SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  incidence  of violence  in  J&K  including  attacks  on  non-Kashmiri  students  in  the National Institute of Technology, Srinagar and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  asked  for  detailed  report  on  these incidences and if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  in  this  regard  along  with  the measures taken to check recurrence of such incidents?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

## STATEMENT IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*22 FOR 26.04.2016.

- (a) to (c): Yes, Madam.    Details are as under:-
- (i) Two  FIRs,    No.  43/2016  u/s  147,  148,  149,  427,  323  RPC  and  No. 45/2016 u/s 147, 148, 149, 336, 323, 353 RPC have been registered at Police Station, Nageen, Srinagar.
- (ii) State Government ordered a Magisterial Enquiry to enquire into the incident at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar.
- (iii) A  three-member team of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) visited NIT to assess the situation.
- (iv) NIT,  Srinagar  constituted  a  fact  finding  committee  to  look  into  the circumstances leading to the incident and a committee headed by a Senior Professor for addressing student grievances.
- (v) State  Government  has  established  a  24x7  helpline  at  P/S  Nageen, Srinagar to address security concerns of students at NIT.
- (vi) Adequate security has been provided to the NIT campus.
- (vii) A joint mechanism between Administration, Police and NIT has been put in place to pre-empt any such incident in future.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 460 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-26
Subject: Indian Explosives used by IS Terrorists
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 460

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  APRIL, 2016/ VAISAKHA 6, 1938 (SAKA)

INDIAN EXPLOSIVES USED BY IS TERRORISTS

460. SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  recent report of Conflict Armament Research on majority of the explosives used by IS terrorists having Indian manufacturing tag; and
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reaction  of  the  Government thereto?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (b): The 'Conflict Armament Research' (CAR), claiming to be an  independent  organization  mandated  by  European  Union  (EU)  to investigate the supply of weapons into the areas of armed conflicts, released an online document titled 'Tracing the supply of components  used  in  Islamic  State  (IS)  IEDs'.  The  CAR  examined nearly  700  components  used  by  IS  to  manufacture  IEDs  between 2014 to February 2016. The   Report    indicates   that   some  of   the components  procured  by  the  IS  operatives  included  detonators, detonating   cords    and    safety  fuses,   which,   in   addition   to other  countries,   were  also supplied by 7 Indian companies. All such

## LSSQ No. 460 for 26.04.2016

components documented by CAR were legally exported from India to business entities in Lebanon and Turkey. As per CAR report, there is no evidence to suggest any direct transfer of goods to IS forces by the countries and companies mentioned in that report.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 455 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-26
Subject: Standards for Services and System
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 455

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.04.2016

## STANDARDS FOR SERVICES AND SYSTEM

## 455. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

(OIH)

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  ensure  enforcement  of  minimum  standard  for services and system under the New Standard Order;
- (b) if so, the details and the salient features thereof;
- (c) details of the areas/sectors likely to be covered under the said order;
- (d) whether  the  Government  had  invited  comments  of  the  various  stakeholders  before finalising the said amendments;
- (e) if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
- (f) the benefits likely to accrue to the customers under the proposed new order?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=ky; ea=h ¼Jh jke foykl ikloku½

## THE MINISTER FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)

- (a) to (c): The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, (recently legislated and notified on 22 March, 2016) enables to bring systems and services under the ambit of BIS, apart from goods, articles and processes. There is also a provision in the Act to have multiple conformity assessment schemes  for  goods,  articles,  processes,  systems  and  services.  Further,  the  Act  empowers  the Central Government to notify goods, articles, processes systems and services which shall conform to  a  standard  and  direct  the  use  of  Standard  Mark  as  compulsory,  thereby  making  mandatory certification in respect of certain goods, articles, processes, systems and services. Specific Areas/ Sectors will be identified as per requirement from time to time.
- (d) to (e) : Yes, Madam, Stakeholders including Government Departments/ Ministries, Industry Association, Accreditation Bodies, VCOs and Consumer Activists were consulted before finalizing  the  BIS  Act,  2016.  The  proposed  amendments  were  hosted  on  the  website  of Department of Consumer Affairs and Bureau of Indian Standards  for seeking the comments of public and stakeholders.
- (f) : The BIS Act, 2016 will  enable the  Central Government to bring  more products, systems and services under the ambit of compulsory Certification if  it is necessary or expedient to do so, in the public interest or for the protection of human, animal or plant's health, safety of the environment, or prevention of unfair trade practices, or national security .

Hence, the Act will accrue benefits to the consumers and society at large.

*****

## ORIGINAL IN HINDI
Lok Sabha Question No. 454 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-26
Subject: Profit Sharing of PSUs
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: B. SREERAMULU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES DEPARTMENT OF HEAVY INDUSTRY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.454 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.04.2016

## Profit Sharing of PSUs

## 454. SHRI B. SRIRAMULU:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to share the profit earned by PSUs, particularly BHEL; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF  HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC

## ANSWER ENTERPRISES (SHRI  G.M. SIDDESHWARA)

- (a): Bharat Heavy Electricals  Limited (BHEL) has been paying dividend to the Government from the profits earned by the Company.

The dividend paid to the Government by BHEL during the last three years is as under:-

| Finance year   |   Amount on Cash Basis (Rs. In crores) |
|----------------|----------------------------------------|
| 2015-16        |                                     96 |
| 2014-15        |                                    318 |
| 2013-14        |                                    762 |

***************
Lok Sabha Question No. 453 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-26
Subject: Storage of Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: SHARAD TRIPATHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . 453+

TO BE ANSWERED

ON : 26.04.2016

## Storage of Fertilizers

## 453+    SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether lack of proper storage facilities is creating hindrance in fulfilling demand of fertilizers in backward and remote areas;
- (b)    whether the supply of fertilizers is obstructed due to poor condition of roads during monsoon and rainy season; and
- (c)     if so, the steps taken by the Government to tackle this situation?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE   MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

- (a):   There is no report of unfulfilment of demand of fertilizers due to lack of proper storage facilities from any part of the country.
- (b)& (c):   Maximum quantity of fertilizer is moved through railways and states and all others  involved  in  the  fertilizer  supply  chain  are  encouraged  for  prepositioning  of fertilizers  before  the  onset  of  monsoon  by  providing  adequate  supply  in  time. Therefore, there is no report of shortage of fertilizers in monsoon and rainy season.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 450 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-26
Subject: Performance of Sports Activities
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: SAKSHI SWAMI MAHARAJ

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †450 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.04.2016

Performance of Sports Activities

†450. DR. SWAMI SAKSHIJI MAHARAJ:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  performance of  sports  in  various  States  including  Uttar Pradesh is not up to the mark;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any District-wise study/survey in this regard if so, the outcome thereof; and
- (d) the details of various steps taken by the Government to improve the performances  of  sports  activities in various States including Uttar Pradesh?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) to (c) The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has not undertaken any exercise with a view to assessing the performance of sports in various States including Uttar Pradesh and coming to a conclusion whether the same  is  up  to  the  mark  or  not.  The  Ministry  has  not  conducted  any District-wise study/survey in this regard.
- (d) The Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, implements the following sports promotional schemes all over the country in order to identify young

sports talent in the age group ranging from 8-25 years and to nurture and train them to excel at National and International competitions :

-  National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)
-  Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC)
-  SAI Training Centre (STC)
-  Special Area Games (SAG)
-  Extension Centres of STC/SAG
-  Centre of Excellence (COE)
-  SAI National Sports Academies

At  present,  11773 talented sports persons (6626 Boys and 5147 Girls)  are  being  trained  in  27  sports  disciplines  in  251  Centres  under Residential & Non-Residential basis. The selected trainees are provided with  facilities  in  the  form  of  Expert  Coaches,  Playfields,  Equipment, Boarding  &  Lodging,  Sports  Kit,  Competition  Exposure,  Educational Expenses, Insurance /Medical Expenses and Stipend as per the approved schemes norms.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 448 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-26
Subject: Royalty for Bt. Cotton Seed
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: C. N. JAYADEVAN, CH. MALLA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.448

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  26 TH  APRIL, 2016

## ROYALTY FOR BT. COTTON SEED

448.   SHRI C.N. JAYADEVAN: SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं किसान िल्याण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) the  amount  of  royalty  paid  by  the  Government  of  Bt.  Cotton  seed  companies including Monsanto during the last three years and the current year, year-wise;
- (b) whether a Government Committee has recommended 70 per cent reduction in the royalty fee for Monsanto's genetically modified Bt. cotton seeds, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether many States have also opposed payment of royalty to  Bt.  Cotton  seed companies after large scale destruction of Bt. Cotton crops in the country;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (e) the  details  of  the  institutes  engaged  in  developing  genetically  modified  cotton seeds in the country; and
- (f) the steps taken by the Government to popularize the indigenously by developed genetically modified cotton seeds among the farmers?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं किसान िल्याण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ Àã·¾ã ½ãâ¨ããè (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

- (a): The Central Government has not paid any amount of royalty to Bt. Cotton seed companies for Bt. Cotton technologies. However, the National Seeds Association of India (an  association  of  Indian  seed  companies)  has  reported  that,  during  last  three  years, Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech (India) Limited has  collected  royalty  from  domestic  (private) seed companies as per details given below:-

| Year    |   Royalty (Rs. in lakh) |
|---------|-------------------------|
| 2011-12 |                 60969.4 |
| 2012-13 |                 64773.5 |
| 2013-14 |                 69941.1 |
| 2014-15 |                 83491.7 |

(b): Yes, the Committee had recommended a trait value of Rs.49 per 450 gm packet of BG-II Bt. Cotton seeds as against last year's trait value charged of Rs.174.40 for northern India and Rs.163.28 for the rest of India.

(c) & (d): The cotton growing States like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat,  etc.,  have  reported  increased  incidence  of  pink  Bollworm  in  Bt.  Cotton  and suggested for reduction in trait value of Bt. Cotton.

(e): Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, University of Agriculture Sciences, Dharwad, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, etc., are involved in trying to develop genetically modified cotton seeds in the country.

(f): ICAR has initiated testing of 20 Indigenously developed Bt. Cotton varieties during Kharif 2016 to identify suitability of the variety in different agro-climatic zones and these lines will be further promoted through Front Line Demonstrations.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 447 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-26
Subject: Skill Development through PSUs
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES DEPARTMENT OF HEAVY INDUSTRY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.447 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.04.2016

## Skill Development through PSUs

## 447. SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  utilise  the  facilities  available  with  PSUs  for  skill development activities; and (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF  HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI  G.M. SIDDESHWARA)

(a): Yes, Madam.

(b):  The  Public  Sector  Undertakings  (PSUs)  under  Department  of  Heavy  Industry  (DHI)  are engaged in imparting/arranging training and skill development activities through various programmes covering diploma/graduate apprentices, vocational apprentices, non-statutory trainees. This includes on job training to the employees and contract labourers on sustainable basis in association with local ITIs, Polytechnics and other external faculties.

***************
Lok Sabha Question No. 444 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-26
Subject: Safety of Senior Citizens
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 444

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  APRIL, 2016/ VAISAKHA 6, 1938 (SAKA)

SAFETY OF SENIOR CITIZENS

444. SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  threat  to  the  lonely  senior  citizens persists  even  within  the  gated  residential  complexes  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any proposal to install panic buttons with  distress  indicators  at  the  Security  Office  of  their  residential complexes and in such houses where there are senior citizens living all alone so that immediate help could be provided in case of need;
- (c) if so, whether the Government has taken up the matter with the resident welfare associations through the local police stations; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the other steps taken by the Government to provide security to senior citizens in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d): As  per  the  seventh  schedule  to  the  Constitution  of  India `Police`  and  `Public  Order`  are  State  subjects  and,  as  such,  the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crime, lies with the State Governments/  Union  Territory  Administrations.  Ministry  of  Home Affairs has issued an Advisory dated 30 th  August, 2013 on 'Protection of  life  and   property   of  senior  citizens'    which    is   available   at http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload\_files/mha/files/Advisory\_040913.pdf

The  advisory  enumerates  the  special  crime  control  measure   for

## LSUS.Q.NO.444 FOR 26.04.2016

elderly which include Review of Policing arrangements, strengthening community  Policing,  Engaging  the  Resident  Welfare  Associations, Creation of Self Help Groups and Need for greater awareness.

Section 22(2) of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen's  Act,  2007  mandates the State Governments to prescribe a comprehensive  action  plan  for providing protection of life  and property of senior citizens.

As per paragraph 66 of the National Policy on Older Persons, 1999, Voluntary  Organisations  and  Association  of  older  persons  will  be assisted  to  provide  protective  services  and  help  to  senior  citizens through helpline services, legal aid and other measures. Para 67 of the NPOP, 1999 calls for the Police to keep a friendly vigil on older couples or old single persons living alone and promote mechanism of interaction with neighborhood associations.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing a Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  Integrated  Programme  for  Older Persons  under  which  Grant  in  aid  is  given  to  NGOs/  Voluntary Organisation/ Panchayati Raj Institutions for running and maintenance  of  Help  Lines  and Counselling facilities for older persons.

*****