opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1666 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Natural Gas for Urea Production
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

## Revival status of the Talcher & Sindri Units of FCIL:

Talcher: Revival of Talcher unit is being done on nomination basis' . The pre-project activities for revival of Talcher unit (Odisha) by the nominated Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) , namely, RCF , GAIL and FCIL are in progress to set-up a coal-based fertilizer plant: A Joint Venture (JV) Company, namely, Rashtriya Coal Gas Fertilizer Limited, has been incorporated on 13th November 2015. CIL has appointed SBICap for the purpose of technical feasibility and financial viability of the coal gasification, validating TEFR, prepared by PDIL for the project and also to carry out asset valuation of Talcher Unit   SBICap has submitted its report: It has been decided that consortium partners study the report and the Board of the JV company may build consensus on the way forward.

Sindri: Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 21.05.2015 approved revival of Sindri unit on 'bidding route'\_ An Empowered Committee (EC) has been constituted to monitor the revival process of the Sindri unit: The EC in its meeting held on 25.01.2016 has recommended that revival of Sindri unit may be taken up by FCIL through a joint venture set up with one or more Public Sector Undertakings. Accordingly, a proposal for approval of the Cabinet has been initiated for the same:

## Revival status of Durgapur; Haldia and Barauni units of HFCL:

As per CCEA approval in 2011 revival of all of these units are to be done on While considering the proposal for revival of FCIL units in its meeting held on 9.5.2013 CCEA approved that revival of HFCL Units will be taken up once the revival of FCIL units is on track: However , in the context of the recent announcement of the proposed Jagdishpur-Haldia Pipeline of GAIL, Gol decided fast  tracking of revival, of Barauni unit of HFCL by demerging Barauni from HFCL. Cabinet  approved on 31.3.2015 de-merger of Barauni Unit from HFCL and revival of the same through 'bidding route' . An Empowered Committee (EC) has been constituted to monito revival of Barauni Unit. unit

The EC in its meeting held on 31.07.2015 recommended to take fresh proposal to Cabinet for bringing out HFCL from the purview of BIFR and revive the unit by HFCL itself through bidding route instead of demerger as approved by the Cabinet on 31.03.2015. Accordingly, a Cabinet note seeking waiver of Govt. of India loan and interest thereon has been finalized and is under inter-ministerial consultation:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1665 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Storage of Onion and Potatoes
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1665

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH   MARCH, 2016

## STORAGE OF ONION AND POTATOES

1665.   DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the Government is considering to stock up on onion and potato to check price rise;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it  is  also  true  that  the  two  Government  entities/agencies  National  Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation and Small Farmers Agri Business Consortium will be tasked with procuring and storing the two kitchen staples; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्राऱय में राज्य मंत्री (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

- (a) to (d): The Government has set up the Price Stablization Fund (PSF) with a corpus of Rs.500  crore  to  support  market  intervention  operations  by  Central  Agencies  and  State Governments,  of  selected  agricultural  produce  which  are  prone  to  excessive  price  volatility namely onion, potato and pulses.

Depending  upon  production  scenario  and  anticipated  price  movement  of  onion  and potato  in  2016-17,  the  Government  may  consider  procurement  of  onion  and  potato  through National  Agricultural  Cooperative  Marketing  Federation  (NAFED)  and  Small  Farmers  Agri Business Consortium (SFAC).

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1657 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Stoppage of Freedom Fighters Pension
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1657 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 th  MARCH, 2016/PHALGUNA 18, 1937 (SAKA)

STOPPAGE OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS PENSION

1657. SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has stopped the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension being given to freedom fighters;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(c)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  continue  the  scheme/ disburse pension to freedom fighters?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (c): The  Government  has  not  stopped  the  Swatantrata  Sainik Samman  Pension  being  given  to  freedom fighters.  Disbursement  of freedom  fighter  pension  is  a  regular  process  done  through  banks  on fulfilling  the  stipulated  provisions  of  the  Swatantrata  Sainik  Samman Pension  Scheme.    This  Ministry  has  set  up  a  Pension  Disbursement Monitoring  Cell  (PDMC)  to  monitor  disbursement  of  the  freedom  fighter pension. Further, this Ministry convenes meetings with the officers of the banks  from  time  to  time  so  that  the  freedom  fighter  pension  may  be disbursed smoothly to the freedom fighter pensioners.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1656 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Good Samaritans
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1656

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 th  MARCH, 2016/PHALGUNA 18, 1937 (SAKA)

GOOD SAMARITANS

1656. SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  recently  notified  a  Standard  Operating Procedures (SOPs) on how to respectfully deal with good samaritans and bystanders  who  rush  road  accident  victims  to  hospitals  or  inform  the police;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether the SOP provides that no person who rushes a road accident victim  to hospital or  inform the police must be asked to reveal personal details  unless he/she volunteers to become an eyewitness and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b): Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways  has  issued  Standard

Operating  Procedures  (SOPs)    on  the  Good  Samaritans  on  21 st     January 2016, which is available on the website of Ministry  of Road Transport  &

Highways viz http://morth.nic.in/.

….2/

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1656 FOR 8.3.2016

(c): The  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways  issued  guidelines  on Good  Samaritan  on  12 th   May  2015,  which  indicates  under  1(1)  that:-  a bystander or good Samaritan including an eyewitness of a road accident may take an injured person to the nearest hospital, and the bystander or good  Samaritan  should  be  allowed  to  leave  immediately  except  after furnishing address by the eyewitness only and no question shall be asked to such bystander or good Samaritan and under 1(4):- a bystander or good Samaritan, who makes a phone call to inform the police or emergency services for the person lying injured on the road, shall not be compelled to reveal his name and personal details on the phone or in person.

The guidelines issued by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways are also available  on  the  website  of  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways  viz http://morth.nic.in/.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1655 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Prices of Hybrid Paddy Seeds
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: KAMALBHAN SINGH MARABI

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1655

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH   MARCH, 2016

## PRICES OF HYBRID PADDY SEEDS

1655.    SHRI KAMALBHAN SINGH MARABI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any Committee has been constituted by the Government to look into the causes of  sky-rocketing  prices  of  seeds  of  hybrid  paddy  and  examine  the  quality  of  paddy  seeds  in Chhattisgarh;
- (b) if so, the number of cases that have come to the light so far; and
- (c) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्राऱय में राज्य मंत्री (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

- (a) to (c): The  Department  of  Agriculture,  Cooperation  and  Farmers  Welfare  has  not constituted  any  Committee to look into the causes of sky-rocketing prices of seeds of hybrid paddy and examine the quality of paddy seeds in Chhattisgarh. However, the facility for testing the quality of hybrid paddy seeds is available at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1651 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Bulk Drug Production
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1651

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 th  March, 2016

## Bulk Drug Production

1651. SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  India  is  losing  its  position  as  one  of  the major  bulk  drug  producers  of  generic  drugs,  if  so,  the  details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (b) the  steps  taken/being  taken  to  arrest  the  trend  and  to  ensure availability of indigenous life-saving drugs?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  CHEMICALS  AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) & (b): As per information available in case of certain essential drugs as  defined  in  National  List  of  Essential  Medicines  (NLEM)  2011,  there  is significant dependence on imports for the drugs ingredients. The Government is examining the recommendations of the Katoch Committee, which  had  the  mandate  to  carefully  study  the  whole  issue  of  APIs  of critical importance by identifying important APIs and then working out a package of interventions/concessions required to build domestic production capabilities and examine the cost implications. The Committee has since submitted its recommendation  which inter-alia mentions establishment  of  Mega  Parks  for  APIs  with  common  facilities  such  as common  Effluent  Treatment  Plants  (ETPs),  Testing  facilities,  Captive Power  Plants /  assured  power  supply  by  state  systems,  Common Utilities/Services such as storage, testing laboratories, IPR management, designing,  guest  house/accommodation,  etc.,  maintained  by  a  separate Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV); a scheme for extending financial assistance  to  states  to  acquire  land  and  also  for  setting  up  common facilities;  revival  of  public  sector  units  for  starting  the  manufacturing  of selected  and  very  essential  critical  drugs  (e.g.  penicillins,  paracetamol etc.); financial investment  from the  Government  for  development  of

clusters which may be in the form of a professionally managed dedicated equity fund for the promotion of manufacture of APIs and extending fiscal benefits  to  creation  of  the  entire  community  cluster  infrastructure  and individual unit infrastructure; extension of fiscal and financial benefits to promote  the  bulk  drugs  sector;  promoting  stronger  industry-academia interaction, synergising R&D promotion efforts by various govt. agencies; incentivising scientists, duty exemptions for capital goods imports. These recommendations  are  being  examined  in  the  Department  for  possible implementation.

xxxxx
Lok Sabha Question No. 1650 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Funds for Recruitment
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: HARISH CHANDRA MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1650 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 th  MARCH, 2016/PHALGUNA 18, 1937 (SAKA)

FUNDS FOR RECRUITMENT

1650. SHRI HARISH MEENA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the High Court of Delhi has asked the Government to clear funds for recruitment and creation of additional posts in Delhi Police;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  fill  the  requirement  of  police personnel and further strengthen the Delhi Police?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The Hon'ble High Court of Delhi in the WP (C) No.7927/2012 titled 'Court  on  its  Own  Motion  Vs  UOl  and  Another'  has  taken  cognizance  of  the manpower  requirements  in  Delhi  Police.    Proposals  from  Delhi  Police  for creation of posts for various units and for different purposes are being received time  to  time.    Ministry  of  Home  Affairs,  in  consultation  with  Department  of Expenditure,  Ministry of Finance scrutinizes these proposals within available resources.    Recently,  Government  has  sanctioned  4227  additional  posts  in Delhi  Police  for  the  purpose  of  separation  of  crime  investigation  from  law  & order functions.  The Delhi Police periodically carries out recruitment to fill the sanctioned posts.  Government is providing funds for available manpower.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1642 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Yettinahole Water Project
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1642

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.03.2016

## Yettinahole Water Project

## 1642.  SHRI  NALIN  KUMAR  KATEEL:

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

- (a) whether the Union Government is aware that the State Government of Karnataka has initiated Yettinahole water diversion project without any study of economic feasibility and environmental impact on Western Ghats;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government has taken up the matter with Karnataka; and
- (d) if so, the response of the State Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a)  to (d)    During the year, 2012, the Government of Karnataka submitted a proposal to divert excess floodwater from west flowing rivers such as Yettinahole, Kadumanehole, Kerihole and Hongadallahole located in Sakleshpur of Hassan District and utilize the  same  for  drinking  water  purpose.  The  said  proposal  was  examined  in  the Ministry as well as by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley & Hydroelectric Projects in its meeting held on 26-27 th December, 2012. The project neither proposes any hydroelectric power generation nor irrigation use/purpose to develop any command area. The EAC noted that the drinking water supply scheme does not attract the provisions of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 and its subsequent amendment, 2009. Accordingly, the Ministry of  Environment,  Forest  &  Climate  Change  conveyed  it  to  Karnataka  Neeravari Nigam Limited, Government of Karnataka vide its letter dated 28.3.2013.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1641 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Welfare of Transgenders
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1641 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.03.2016

## 1641.WELFARE OF TRANSGENDERS

## SHRIMATI P.K. SREEMATHI TEACHER:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal/proposes  to  enact  any  law  for  ensuring welfare and development of the transgender community in the country; and
- (b) if so, the deta ils and salient features thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)

(a) & (b): A Private Member Bill viz 'The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014' has  been  passed  by  the  Rajya  Sabha on  24.04.2015  and  introduced  in  the  Lok  Sabha. However, the Government is also separately working on a proposal to frame a bill of it concerning Transgender Persons.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1640 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Cultivation of Organic Cumin and Isabgol
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: SONA RAM CHOUDHARY

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1640

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH   MARCH, 2016

## CULTIVATION OF ORGANIC CUMIN AND ISABGOL

1640.     COL. SONARAM CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Rajasthan is a pioneer State in the country in the production of indigenous/organic cumin and isabgol seeds and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  country  is  earning  revenue  with  the  export  of  such  indigenous/organic produce; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्राऱय में राज्य मंत्री (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

- (a): Rajasthan is one of the major cumin and isabgol producing states in the country.  The area and production of cumin and isabgol in the State is as under:-

## (Year 2014-15)

| Crop    |   Area (Hectare) |   Production (MT) |
|---------|------------------|-------------------|
| Cumin   |           434783 |            120828 |
| Isabgol |           355595 |            117587 |

- (b) & (c): As per the available information with APEDA, information is NIL.

********

O.I.H
Lok Sabha Question No. 1638 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Kerala Model Policing
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1638 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 th  MARCH, 2016/PHALGUNA 18, 1937 (SAKA)

KERALA MODEL POLICING

1638. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  implement  the  Kerala Model of Student Policing in the country; and

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

ANSWER

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

(a): Yes madam.

(b): Preliminary study of the Kerala model of Student Policing has been undertaken.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1636 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Inclusion in OBC List
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

†1636. Inclusion in OBC List

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1636 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.03.2016

## SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  include  some  new  castes  in  Other  Backward Classes;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken note of violent prot ests by various communities in the country demanding inclusion in OBC list; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  efforts  made  by  the  Government  to  hold  ef dialogue with such communities?

## ANSWER )

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWE RMENT (SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR

- (a)& (b): Yes. As per the National Commission for Backward Classes(NCBC) Act, 1993, Clause 9(1), the Commission shall examine s request for inclusion of any class of citizens as are backward class in the list and hear complaints of over - inclusion or under - inclusion of any backward class in such lists and tender such advice to the central government as it appropriate. The NCBC recommend inclusion of the castes /communities in the Central List of  the  OBCs  and,  the  government  after  examining  these  recommendations  notifies  t castes/communities as OBCs from time to time .
- (c)& (d):Yes,i n case of inclusion of the castes in the state lists, the state governmen after getting recommendations of the state Backward Classes Commission, notified these caste OBCs. In case of the communities which have been rejected by the NCBC for inclusion in the Central List , vide power given to it in 2011, NCBCreview its advic e.

The NCBC, in such cases has taken a stand that in order to give review advice it the Socio Economic Caste Census - 2011 data.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Effect of LPG Prices on Urea
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRYOF CHEMCIALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1634 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08-03-2016

## Effect of LPG Prices on Urea

## 1634. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

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

- (a) whether the increase or decrease in the prices of domestic LPG also affects the cost of Urea fertilizer;
- (b) whether the prices of Urea will also be decreased as the prices of LPG have come down recently so that farmers relief and if so, the details thereof; and get
- (c) if not; the reasons therefor?
- (a): Madam. No,
- (b): No, Madam:
- (c): Prices of urea has no relation to the prices of domestic LPG.

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)
Lok Sabha Question No. 1633 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Sale of Preactivated SIM Cards
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1633

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 th  MARCH, 2016/PHALGUNA 18, 1937 (SAKA)

SALE OF PREACTIVATED SIM CARDS

1633. SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  a  large  number  of  cases  were  reported  across  the  country regarding selling of preactivated SIM cards to ISI spies and others;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  the  measures  being  taken  to  prevent  such  sale  of  SIM  cards  to unauthorized persons?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Instances  of  sale  of  pre-activated  SIM  cards  by  the  Telecom Service Providers have been reported from different parts of the country. As and when such instances come to the notice of security / intelligence agencies, they initiate action under the relevant provisions of law and also inform the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for necessary action in the matter.

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1633 FOR 8.3.2016

The Government of India has issued instructions vide DoT letter no. 800-09/20010-VAS  dated  9 th August,  2012,  on  verification  of  new  mobile subscribers to all the Telecom Service Providers. As per these instructions, pre-activated SIM Card is not to be sold.  In case of sale of pre-activated  SIM  cards,  in  addition  to  immediate  disconnection  of  such mobile connection, a penalty of Rs. 50,000/- per such connection is  also levied on the Telecom Service Provider.

*******