opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2113 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Amendment to FSSAI Act
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: RAVNEET SINGH

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2113 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH DECEMBER, 2015

## AMENDMENT TO FSSAI A CT

## 2113. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  certain  amendments  to  the  Food  Safety  and  Standar (FSSAI) Act, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the time by said Act is likely to be amended;
- (b) whether the Government has constituted an expert panel in this regard, if so, the de the composition thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for effective implementation of the said and to make it more stringent for punishment to adulterators of food items?

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

- (a): The  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Act,  2006  is    proposed  to  be  amended  to  remove ambiguity  in  some  provisions  of  the  Act,  provide  harsher  punishment  for  offences  suc adulteration, make the composition of the Food Authority more compact, bring clarity about the process of appointment  of members representing States/UTs, appointment and functions of Chief Executive Officer, specify the powers of the Chairperson, etc.
- (b): A Committee had been constituted on 16.12.2014 to undertake a comprehensive re view of  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Act,  2006.  The  Committee  included  representatives  of Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Departm of Agriculture and Cooperation,  Department of Animal Husbandry, Dair ying and  Fisheries, Department  of  Consumer  Affairs,  Department  of  Commerce,    Department  of  Legal  Affairs, CEO, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, and Food Safety Commissioners of Andhr Pradesh,  Maharashtra,  Uttar  Pradesh,    Himachal  Pradesh, West  Bengal    and  Orissa.    The Committee has since submitted its report.
- (c)  : The  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Act,  2006  is  a  comprehensive  act  for  regulati manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of article of food to ensure availabi and  wholesome  food.  The  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  has  und ertaken a exercise  to  harmonise  Indian  Standards  with  Codex  Alimentarious  Commission,  increase  t number of Scientific Panels from 8 to 15, increase the frequency of their meetings, and h interactingwith  State/UT  Governments  to  undertake  regular surveillance,  monitoring  and sampling of food products and also to undertake periodic inspection and monitoring of major fruit  and  vegetable  markets,  soft  drinks  and  ready  to  serve  beverages  to  check  the pesticides in food items.

…………….
Lok Sabha Question No. 2112 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: New Verification System for Pensioners
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2112 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 th DECEMBER, 2015/20 AGRAHAYANA, 1937 (SAKA) NEW VERIFICATION SYSTEM FOR PENSIONERS

## QUESTION

## 2112. SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA.:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is working on digital verification of pensioners to do away with the present cumbersome system of providing life proof certificate; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the new life verification system will allow pensioners to seed their pension accounts with Aadhaar number with an additional touch application to demonstrate that the person is alive and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the time by which the new life verification system is likely to be put on real time application across bank counters?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b): Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare (DOPPW) has informed that pensioners are required to submit Life Certificate to the pension disbursing agency every year in the month of November by visiting the pension disbursing branch of the bank or by submitting a Certificate signed by a Gazetted officer or any other designated authority. In November, 2014, a computer application 'Jeevan Pramaan' prepared by Department of Electronics & Information Technology (DeitY) to enable pensioners to submit Life Certificate on-line from their homes was also made available for the benefit of pensioners as an additional method to submit this certificate. (c): Yes, sir. (d): The new life verification system has already been implemented by most of the Public

- Sector Banks.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2110 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Merger of Defence Food Research Laboratory with CSIR
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2110

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## MERGER OF DEFENCE FOOD RESEARCH LABORATORY WITH CSIR

2110.  SHRI  PRATHAP SIMHA:

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

- (a)  whether  the Government had earlier proposed to merge Defence Food Research Laboratory,  Mysore  under  DRDO  with  CSIR  on  the  recommendation  of  Dr.  P. Ramarao Committee;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the merger plan has been shelved for the time being; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

j{kk jkT; ea=h

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

¼jko banzthr flag½

(a) & (b): The  Committee  headed  by  Dr.  P.  Rama  Rao  recommended demerger of Mysore based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) i.e. Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), with Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), a laboratory functioning under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

(c) & (d):  It was decided by the Government in September 2010 to retain DFRL with DRDO for its effective functioning and better utilization for the benefit of the troops.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2108 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: RBI Directives
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA 2108

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.

## TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 11, 2015 / AGRAHAYANA 20, 1937 (SAKA)

## 'RBI Directives'

## QUESTION

## 2108:  SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR

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

- (a) whether the Reserve Bank of India has  warned against accumulation of vulnerabilities and sudden  and  sharp  overshooting  in  markets  as  the  weak  global  outlook  may  prolong  easy money stance in most advance economies;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the growth in the banking business and activity in primary capital markets remained subdued due to moderate investment intentions; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

***

(a)  &  (b): Reserve  Bank of  India,  in  its  monetary  policy  statement  dated  December  1,  2015,  has stated  that    'following  the  early  November  release  of  robust  US  jobs  data  which  increased  the likelihood of US monetary policy starting to normalise in December, the US dollar has appreciated significantly, and US yields have hardened. Bond markets in emerging market economies (EMEs) have  generally  been  tracking  the  hardening  of  US  yields.  Currency  markets  in  EMEs  have experienced selling pressures as portfolio investors continue to exit them as an asset class. Unease in investor  sentiment  is  likely  to  increase  ahead  of  the  imminent  divergence  in  advanced  economy monetary policy stances.'

(c) & (d): Growth in bank credit and deposits has been relatively subdued in nominal terms in the  recent  past.  Credit  growth  reflects  a  combination  of  factors  such  as  reliance  on  alternative sources of funding, balance sheet repair and slack in demand as also an element of risk aversion.

During  2015-16  (till  November  30,  2015),  53  companies  raised  approx.  Rs  18259  crores  from primary  capital  market  through  issuance  of  equity  shares  and  convertibles  through  Initial  Public Offer  (IPO)  and  Rights  issue  compared  to  41  companies  raising  approx.  Rs  3872  crores  in corresponding period last year and 64 companies raising approx. Rs 9788 crores from April 2014 March 2015.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2107 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: National Early Childhood Care and Education Council
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RITI PATHAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2107

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2015

## NATIONAL EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION COUNCIL

## 2107. SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Government has formed the National Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Council;
- (b) if so, the details and objectives thereof ;
- (c) the details of ECCE Council meetings held during 2014 and 2015 indicating the agenda and key decisions taken in these meetings; and
- (d) the  further  progress  made  by  the  Council  to  strengthen  the   foundation  of    ECCE programmes?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) The National Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy envisages a National ECCE Council for laying the system of early childhood care and education in India. The  resolution  for  National  ECCE  Council  has  been  notified  in  the  Gazette  on  15 th March, 2014. The main objective of the National ECCE Council is to embed the concept and practice for holistic and integrated development of the young children in the age group of 0-6 years with requisite quality.
- (c) &(d) Question Does not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2106 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Electronic Healthcare Services
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2106 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH DECEMBER, 2015

## ELECTRONIC HEALTHCAR E SERVICES

## 2106. SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any guidelines/framework to regulate the Indian  as  well  as  foreign  electronic  healthcare  service  providers  such  as  m applications and websites;
- (b) if so, the details and salient features thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

- (a) to (c):    Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has notified the Electronic Health Standards (EHR) Standards in September2013 to promote inter - operability of electronic health  records. This  include  various  standards  and  guidelines  for  healthcare  softwa (desktop/mobile/  website)  includi g  requirement  specification  and  functioning  of  an EHR system.

Setting - up of a statutory body viz. National eHealth Authority (NeHA) is als envisaged  for  promotion/adoption  of  EHR  standards,  to  enforce  privacy  &  securi measures for electronic health data, and to regulate storage & exchange of Electronic Health Records.

………………….
Lok Sabha Question No. 2102 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Special Exemption to Women Entrepreneurs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: JAYSHREEBEN  PATEL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

LOK     SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 2102

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE  11 TH    DECEMBER ,2015 AGRAHAYANA 20    , 1937 (SAKA)

## SPECIAL EXEMPTION TO WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

. SHRIMATI JAYSHREEBEN PATEL

ill the Minister of FINANCE  be pleased to state:

- position  of  India  in  the  world  in  regard  to  women  entrepreneurs  including  the  businesses  in  which  the entrepreneurs have established themselves;
- hether  there  is  any  provision  for  giving  special  exemption  in  tax  including  income  tax  to  women eneurs;

, the details thereof, and if not the reasons therefor; and steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

such data is maintained by this Ministry.

(d): Exemption  from  payment  of  Customs  duty/  Central  Excise  duty  /  Service  Tax,  under  the  relevant t tax laws are granted to goods of any specified description or taxable services of any specified description ch  exemption  is  not  granted  to  individual  entrepreneurs.   Accordingly,  vide  notification  no.  88/1988-CE 1.03.1988, as amended from time to time, whole of the duty of excise leviable on certain specified items een exempted provided such goods are manufactured in rural areas, inter-alia, by women's s.   Further,  vide  Sr.no.  26  (e)  of  notification  no.  25/2012  dated  20.06.2012,  the  services  of  general ce business provided under Group Personal Accident Policy for Self-Employed Women is exempted from nt of Service Tax.

far  as  direct  taxes  are  concerned,    currently  there  is  no  such  provision  in  the  Income  Tax  Act,1961. er, the exemptions/incentives available to entrepreneurs in general are available to women entrepreneurs

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2101 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Recognition of Yoga and Naturopathy, Courses
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2101 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH DECEMBER, 2015

## RECOGNITION OF YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, COU RSES

## 2101. SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT :

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

- (a) whether there is absence of regulatory framework in distinction between Bach of Naturopathy and Yoga Sciences (BNYS) degr ee and other diploma and certificate courses resulting in problems for BNYS degree holders;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the reaction of the Government to regulate naturopathy and yoga courses and gi due recognition to such courses?

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

(a) & (b):   There is no regulatory frame - work at Central level in the matters relating to education  and  practice  of  Yoga  and  Naturopathy.    However,  some  States  have provision  for  registration  of  Yoga  and  Naturopa thy  practitioners.    Bachelor  of Naturopathy  and  Yoga  Sciences  (BNYS)  is  a  combined  Naturopathy  and  Yoga  5½ years  Degree  course.  Many  Institutions  under  different  Universities  are  conduc three years Degree Course in Yoga, two years Master Degree Course in Y ga and also Ph. D programmes, besides, diploma/ certificate courses of various durations. Th who  have  studied  (BNYS)  degree  from  a  recognized  University,  are  eligible  to registered as doctors in Naturopathy and Yoga Sciences. Those, who have st udied any degree/ diploma such as B.A/ B.Sc./ M.A./ M.Sc., Diploma/ Certificate courses in Y normally work as Yoga Teacher/ Instructor/ Therapist, but they are not register Yoga doctors.

- (c):    A Task Force was constituted in April, 2015 by the Ministry to delibera make  recommendations  on  various  important  issues  concerning  the  Ministry  of AYUSH, including the preferred option for promotion, development and regulation o yoga & natu ropathy for education and practice. The task force has since submitted report.

………………
Lok Sabha Question No. 2099 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Film Festival in Regional Languages
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: VISHNU DAYAL RAM

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTTON NO.2099 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.I2.2O15

## FILM FESTIVAL  IN REGIONAL  LANGUAGES

## 2099 : SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM

WiII the Minister of INFORMATION  AND BROADCASTING  be oleased to state:

- (a) whether various  film festivals on local regional  languages are organized in the country;
- (b) if so, the details of such festivals organized during the last one year, State-wise  ;  and
- (c) the total expenditure incurred thereon during the said period, State-wise  includinq Jha rkhand?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING  (COL RAJVAVARDHAN  RATHoRE (Retd.)

- (a) to (c) :  Directorate  of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting organizes  film festivals at different parts of the country showcasing films in different Indian languages.  The details of such festivals organized  during the year 2015 alongwith expenditure incurred, are  qiven  below :-

| Sl.No   | Name of the event                         | Dates                               | State          | Expenditure incurred [amount in Rs.l   |
|---------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|----------------|----------------------------------------|
| 1.      | Screening of India n Panorama Films       | Jr-- January to Bth Februa ry, 2015 | Delhi          | 8,15,689.00                            |
| 2.      | Indian Panorama Film Festival, Mysu ru    | zJ - Feoruary to 1" March 2015      | Karnataka      | 5,33,253.00                            |
| 3.      | Indian Panorama Film Festiva l, Sh illonq | 12th to L4rn March 2015             | Meghalaya      | 6,52,048.00                            |
| 4.      | Indian Panorama Film Festival, Bhopal     | 23 ro to z5 tn March 2015           | Madhya Pradesh | 5,95,945.00                            |
| 5.      | North East Film Festiva I                 | 2 1't to 23'd Auqust 2015           | Delhi          | 35,82,476.O0                           |
|         | Total                                     | Total                               | Total          | 6r,79,4tr.oo                           |
Lok Sabha Question No. 2098 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Portability of DTH Operators
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2098 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2015)

## PORTABILITY OF DTH OPERATORS

## 2098.  SHRI ALOK SANJAR :

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

- a)  whether the Government is contemplating to provide the benefit of portability of DTH operators to the subscribers;
- b)  if so, the details thereof; and
- c)  if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) :Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in its recommendation on 'Issues relating to New DTH Licenses' dated 23.07.2014 has inter-alia recommended  that  the  DTH  license  conditions  should  mandate  the  licensee  to comply with the tariff order/scheme prescribed by TRAI for commercial interoperability.  Moreover,  in  order  to  ensure  effective  commercial  interoperability, TRAI notified on 01 April 2015, a Tariff Order (TO), namely the Telecommunication (Broadcasting  and  Cable)  Services  (Seventh)  (the  Direct  to  Home  Services)  Tariff Order,  2015  (2  of  2015).  The  said  TO  prescribes  a  framework  for  commercial interoperability  of  Customer  Premises  Equipment  (CPE)  offered  by  the  Direct-toHome (DTH) operators to their subscribers. With regard to interoperability  of  DTH STBs, the interests of consumers can largely be protected through the provision of Commercial interoperability of CPEs. Commercial interoperability provides for an exit option to a DTH subscriber in case he wishes to change the operator/platform and avail the services from another DTH operator/platform for any reason.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2095 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Super Hornet Fighter Jets
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR, NAGARAJAN P.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2095

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## SUPER HORNET FIGHTER JETS

2095.  ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR: SHRI  P. NAGARAJAN:

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

- (a)  whether  the Government proposes to purchase F/A-18 Super Hornet Fighter Jets for induction into Indian Air Force;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the terms and conditions for purchasing, delivery and maintenance of these fighter jets?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

j{kk jkT; ea=h

¼jko banzthr flag½

- (a)      No, Madam.

(b) & (c):     Do not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2094 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Price Deflation
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SAUGATA ROY

- (a) whether price deflation poses real challenges to Indian economy;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to address the challenges effectively?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) In an emerging and developing economy moderate inflation is desirable to spur growth impulses and sustained  deflation is  a challenge as it  generally lowers aggregate demand  and economic activity.

In the Indian economy inflation as per the Consumer Price Index -New Series (CPI) and  other  inflation  indices  has  been  in  low  positive  territory  while  Wholesale  Price Index(WPI)  is  in  the  negative  zone,  since  November  2014.  Under  the  Monetary  Policy Framework Agreement signed between the Government and the Reserve Bank of India, year on year change in CPI has been accepted as the anchor for inflation in the Indian economy.

The behavior of WPI is influenced by the prices of international commodities including crude oil, which have been declining in the recent past while CPI inflation affects the ultimate consumers and includes consumer goods and services.

In view of movement in  CPI inflation   and growth in the GDP, the Indian economy cannot be characterized as the one undergoing a deflationary situation.

- (c)  To  address  the  challenges  posed  to  the  Indian  economy,  the  Government  has undertaken a series of sectoral and macroeconomic reforms and  is boosting aggregate demand through public investment in roads, railways and irrigation; liberalizing FDI flows ; unblocking large number of stalled projects etc. Further, RBI has reduced the repo rates by 125 basis points since January 2015 which have impacted a reduction in interest rates and would spur investment and growth in the economy.

*****