opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 677 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Banned on Sending Money
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  banned  sending  of  money  by  parents  to  their children studying  abroad; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor (c)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  complaints  from  such  parents residing in rural areas of the country and if so, the details thereof; and (d)  the steps taken by the Government to remove the difficulties being faced by the rural poor in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  FINANCE

## (SHRI JAYANT SINHA)

***

(a) to (d): No Madam. Under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), all resident individuals, including minors, are allowed to freely remit up to USD 2, 50,000 per financial  year  for  any  permissible  current  or  capital  account  transaction  or  a combination of both. These include the purpose of education/higher studies. As per  first  proviso  to  Para  1  of  Schedule  III  to  Foreign  Exchange  Management (Current Account Transaction) Rules, 2000 dated May 3, 2000 as amended from time  to  time,  the  remittances  of  higher  education  can  be  made  by  a  resident individual under Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), up to the limit prescribed by the Overseas University.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 676 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: News Quality
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 676 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.02.2016

## NEWS QUALITY

## 676. SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE

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

- (a) Whether the Government proposes to make investments in training of journalist to improve the quality of news related programmes being presented; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.))

(a) & (b) Yes Madam. The government has taken several measures to facilitate training of journalists in order to also improve the quality of news related programmes being presented. Some of the measures undertaken are as follows:-

-  Four New Regional Centres of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC)  have  been  established  at  Amravati  (Maharashtra),  Aizawl (Mizoram),  Jammu  (J&K)  and  Kottayam  (Kerala)  in  addition  to  the existing two centres at New Delhi and Dhenkanal (Orissa) in order to fulfill the regional requirements of media education and training. A sum of  Rs.90  crores  has  been  earmarked  for  construction  of  permanent campuses of the four new regional centres under the 12 th  five year plan.
-  IIMC  conducts  teaching  and  training  in  journalism,  media  and  mass communication.  IIMC  conducts  six  courses  namely  advertising  and public relations, journalism Hindi, journalism English, journalism Oriya, journalism Urdu and Radio and TV journalism.
-  The institute  also  conducts  annual  programme  on  Development Journalism  sponsored  by  Ministry  of  External  Affairs  for  mid-career Journalists from Non-aligned and Developing countries.

* * * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Super Speciality Hospitals
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 675 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH FEBRUARY, 2016

## SUPER SPECIALITY HOS PITALS

## 675. SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

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

- (a) whether India is emerging as a health care hub in Asia due to the growing number of multi and single super speciality care hospitals in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether certain overseas organisations have shown interest in setting up of hospital in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken or being taken by the Government in this regard?

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

- (a)& ( b) : As perstudy undertaken by KPMG and FICCI in September 2014 , there has been a steady growth in the number of persons visiting India for medical purposes.
- (c): As per data available in the Secretariat Industrial Assistance (SIA) newsletter o 2015, the total Foreign Direct Investment ( FDI) inflow in the hospital sector during 2013 and 2014 wasabove Rs. 6000 Crore.Further, as per SIA newsletter of July 201 5,the total Foreign Direct  Investment  ( FDI) inflow in the hospital sector duringJanuary  2015  to  June  2015  was above Rs. 2800 crore.
- (d): The Ministry of Tourism provides financial support under the Marketing Developmen Assistance (MDA) Scheme to approved Medical Tourism Service Providers subject to adherence to scheme guidelines and availability of funds. Further, the Department of Commerce also incentives to the hospitals providing medical treatment to foreigners.
Lok Sabha Question No. 673 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Myopia in Children
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 673 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH FEBRUARY, 2016

## MYOPIA IN CHILDREN

## 673. SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

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

(a) whether the Government is aware that the incidence of myopia is on the rise among children, particularly among schoolchildren, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Government is awar e that AIIMS conducted study has revealed the prevalence of myopia in an alarming degree in school children, if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the initiatives/programmes undertaken by the Government to rid the children of the myopia disorder?

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

(a) & (b): According to the study conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Scie (AIIMS), New Delhi, the prevalence rate of myopia in school going children in Delhi sch has been  found  to  be  13.1%,  which  is  significantly  higher  than  the  findings  of  the  s conducted in 2001.  However, nation - wide data on the prevalence rate of myopia among school children in the country is not available.

The likely reasons for increase i n prevalence rate of myopia among school going children are as under:

- Spending greater number of hours in reading and writing at school and home;
- Excess use of  computers, video games and television;
- Family history of myopia;
- Poor nutritional status;
- Reduced outdoor activities etc.

(c): The following initiatives have been taken under the National Programme for Control o Blindness (NPCB) to rid the children of the myopia disorder:

- Training of school teachers to identify refractive errors and common eye ail ments  among school children;
- Distribution of free spectacles to school children detected with refractive erro School Eye Screening Programme;
- Training of eye surgeons in various eye specialties including pediatric ophthalmol enhance skill evel;
- Development  of  IEC  material  to  create  awareness  about  preventive  measures  for  e diseases including myopia among children;
- Financial assistance to NGOs for treatment of childhood blindness;
- Setting up of pediatric ophthalmology units at Medical Co lleges and Regional Institutes of Ophthalmology.
Lok Sabha Question No. 671 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Free Treatment of Poor Patients
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: P. KUMAR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 671 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH FEBRUARY, 2016

## FREE TREATMENT OF PO OR PATIENTS

## 671. SHRI P. KUMAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the private hospitals do not provide free treatment to the EWS category patients;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether such private hospitals were given land at concessional rates and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that private hospitals provide free treatment to EWS/poor patients?

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

( a)to( d) : Health is a State subject and no such information is maintained centrally. It responsibility of the State Government to issue such instructions and ensure their compl per the Act/Rules of the respective State/UT.
Lok Sabha Question No. 670 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: New Yoga Centres in Tribal Areas
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA

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

(AYUSH)

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 670 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH FEBRUARY, 2016

## NEW YOGA CENTRES IN TRIBAL AREAS

## 670. SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to establish new yoga centres in tribal areas of the including Gujarat and Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the time by which these centres are likely to be developed; and †Original notice of the question received in Hindi. 208
- (c) the name of the districts where yoga centres are likely to be opened?

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

- (a)  to  (c): Ministry  of  AYUSH  through  its  flagship  scheme,  namely,  National  AYUSH Mission (NAM), provides aid to State Government in accordance with their Annual Action Pl for AYUSH Wellness Centres including Yoga and Naturopathy. Financial Assistance of Rs.3 Lakhs has been approved during 2015 - 16      to  the  State  Government  of  Gujarat.  No  proposal from the State of Maharashtra has been received.

………….
Lok Sabha Question No. 669 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Mountain Strike Corps
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: A.T. (NANA) PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.669

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  FEBRUARY, 2016

## MOUNTAIN  STRIKE  CORPS

669. SHRI  A.T. NANA  PATIL:

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

- (a) the present status of the creation of Mountain Strike Corps (MSC) in the Indian Army;
- (b) whether the Government has reduced the budget for creation of MSC and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the time by which the MSC is likely to be made operational?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                            (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jh euksgj ijhZdj½

(a) to (c): Military  capacity  enhancement  is  a  dynamic  and  continuous process based on threat perception.  Appropriate measures including force accretion  are  accordingly  taken  from  time  to  time  to  safeguard  the sovereignty,  territorial  integrity  &  security  of  the  country.    However, disclosure of further details in this regard on the floor of the House will not be in the national interest.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 668 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Deposits in Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: JAYSHREEBEN  PATEL

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †668

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

## Deposits in Banks

## QUESTION

## †668 . SHRIMATI JAYSHREEBEN PATEL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the nature of deposits made by the people in public, private and cooperative banks in the country;
- (b) the details of the factors responsible for lower deposits in Cooperative Banks; and
- (c) the remedial measures taken/being taken by the Government to increase bank deposits?

## ANSWER

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance

## (SHRI JAYANT SINHA)

- (a): The deposits are made by people in savings bank accounts, current accounts, time/term deposits, NRI deposits and certificates of deposits of public and private banks.
- (b): Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has informed that total deposits in Urban Cooperative Banks have increased during 2013-14 to 2014-15. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has informed that Total deposits in District Central Cooperative Banks have also increased, but it has declined marginally in State Cooperative Banks due to decrease in Term Deposits. Details are as under:

## Rs. In crores

|   S. No. | Cooperative Banks                  | Year            | Total Deposit       |
|----------|------------------------------------|-----------------|---------------------|
|        1 | Urban Cooperative Banks            | 2013-14 2014-15 | 315502.76 355133.72 |
|        2 | District Central Cooperative Banks | 2014 2015       | 236887.10 252441.43 |
|        3 | State Cooperative Banks            | 2014 2015       | 104368.61 102858.81 |

- (c) : RBI has informed that there is growth in deposits in the banks though it is as slower rate. Further, the remedial measures taken / being taken by the Government to increase bank deposits in Rural Cooperative Banks are as under:
- 1) Implementation of Revival Package for unlicensed Cooperative banks in four states, viz., Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir and West Bengal;
- 2) Bringing all the Rural Cooperative Banks into the mainstream of Core Banking Solutions (CBS);
- 3) In some States, (viz Karnataka), specific orders to keep deposits with the Rural Cooperative Banks have been issued to Government Departments;
- 4) The number of licensed State Cooperative Banks and Central Cooperative Banks which stood at 24 and 222 respectively as on 31 March 2011 had increased to 32 and 348 respectively as on 31 March 2015.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 667 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Facilities to Reporters
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: TAMRADHWAJ SAHU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.667 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.02.2016

## FACILITIES TO REPORTERS

## 667.   SHRI TAMRADHWAJ SAHU:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) the  present  status  of  facilities/amenities  being  provided  to  media  persons  including  Press Information Bureau (PIB) accredited media persons;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  extend/provide  more  facilities  to  all  media  persons including PIB accredited media persons; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION  AND BROADCASTING [(COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]

- (a) The following facilities are being provided by Government of India to the media persons including Press Information Bureau (PIB) accredited media persons: -
- (i) One time ex-gratia relief on urgent basis under "Journalists Welfare Scheme (JWS)" to journalists/their families in the event of death or permanent disability; the cost of treatment  for  major  ailments  and  in  cases  of  accidents  causing  serious  injuries necessitating hospitalization.  Besides, non-accredited journalists are also eligible for financial assistance from JWS if they have been journalists as defined under the JWS Guidelines for a minimum period of five years.
- (ii) Central  Government  Health  Services  {CGHS}  facility  by  Ministry  of  Health  & Family Welfare to PIB accredited journalists based in Delhi and National Capital Region.
- (iii) Allotment  of  Government  accommodation  under  Press  Pool  to  PIB  accredited journalists based in Delhi and National Capital Region.
- (iv) Concession  in  rail  fares  is  given  by  the  M/o  Railways  to  press  correspondents accredited  by  Government  of  India,  State  Governments,  Union  Territories  and Districts for unlimited travel on bonafide press works.
- (b) & (c) At present, there is no proposal under consideration to extend/provide more facilities to all media persons including PIB accredited media persons.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 664 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Committee for Seventh Pay Commission
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR S.R., P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER

Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.664

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

## QUESTION

## 664. SHRI SR. VIJAYA KUMAR:

SHRIMATI P.K. SREEMATHI TEACHER:

Will the MINISTER OF FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has set up a high powered Committee to  process the recommendations of the 7th Commission; Pay
- (c) the time by which the Committee is likely to submit its report to the Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the composition of the Committee;
- (d) whether the income inequality between officers and lower staff has increased after the implementation of recommendations of 7th Commission; Pay
- (0) the   steps   takenlbeing taken by the Government for   implementation of 7th Commission Report in a time bound manner? Pay
- (e) if the corrective measures takenlbeing taken by the Government to reduce income inequality between officers and lower staff of Central Government employees; and

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): An Empowered Committee of Secretaries under the chairmanship of Cabinet  Secretary has been constituted to function as the Screening Committee to screen the recommendations of the 7th Central Commission after   taking into account the views of the concerned  stakeholders viz: Ministries/Departments , Staff Associations and the Joint Consultative Machinery, SO as to firm up the final conclusions for approval of the Cabinet: The   composition of the Committee is as under Pay

- Cabinet Secretary

Chairman

- Finance Secretary/Secretary(Expenditure)

Member

- Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training

Member

- (iv)

- Secretary- Department of Pension & PW

Member

- (v) Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs

Member

- (vi)

- Secretary, Ministry of Defence

Member

- (vii) Secretary, Department of Revenue

Member

- (viii)

- Secretary, Department of Posts

Member

- (ix) Secretary, Department of Health

Member

- Secretary, Department of Science & Technology

Member

- Chairman, Railway Board

Member

- (xii)

- Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General

Member

- (xiii)

- Secretary(Security), Cabinet Secretariat Member

(c ) to (f): While taking a final decision on the recommendations of the 7lh Central Commission, all relevant factors will be kept in mind Pay
Lok Sabha Question No. 663 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Defective Currency
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU, R. VANAROJA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.663 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH FEBRUARY, 2016/7 TH PHALGUNA, SAKA,1937

LOK  SABHA

## DEFECTIVE CURRENCY

663. DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

DR. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU:

SHRIMATI VANAROJA R.:

## QUESTION

## Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether thousands  of  defective  currency  produced  in  the  Government  owned Security  Printing  and  Minting  Corporation  of  India  is  found  to  be  in  circulation recently;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any enquiry in this regard;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the number of officials found guilty along with the action taken by the Government against the guilty persons;
- (f) the preventive measures taken/being taken by the Government to prevent such type of incidence in the future?
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to recall the defective currency in circulation; and

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI JAYANT SINHA)

- (a) & (b): On December 11, 2015 it was informed by one of the Regional Office of RBI that they had received some banknotes of ₹ 1000 denomination without having security thread. Other essential features were present in the banknotes in question.
- (c) & (d): An enquiry has been instituted by Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India  Limited (SPMCIL)  and  the  Units  involved,  viz., Security  Paper  Mill  (SPM), Hoshangabad and Currency Note Press (CNP), Nashik. Four personnel of SPM have been  issued  Show  Cause  Notice  and  two  among  them  have  been  suspended.  Eight personnel of CNP have been issued Show cause Notices. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the officials involved.
- (e): All the bank branches/currency chests & RBI offices were immediately instructed to stop  issuing  all  banknotes  of` ₹ 1000 denomination  belonging  to  the detected  series. Further they were advised to do detailed verification of these notes in stock. Instructions were issued to all the Concerned Regional Offices of RBI regarding detailed verification of stocks of notes as indicated by SPMCIL. It was decided to remit back these notes to SPMCIL for thorough verification and resupply only those which are found to be fit for circulation.
- (f): Action has been taken to strengthen quality procedure and to initiate online inspection system in manufacturing process. Additional inspections have been introduced to ensure defect-free production.

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