opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2948 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-06
Subject: Revision in Equipment Purchase Policy
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF COAL**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2948**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON  6.8.2015**

**Revision in Equipment Purchase Policy**

**2948.  DR. P. VENUGOPAL :**

Will the **MINISTER OF COAL** be pleased to state :

1. Whether the Government is considering to revise the equipment purchase policy;

1. if so, the details thereof;

1. Whether it is a fact that in the absence of such policy the Coal India Limited is not able to achieve its growth plan to help to meet the 1 billion tonne production target by 2020; and

1. if so, the details thereof?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OFCOAL, POWER AND NEW AND RENEWABLEE ENERGY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)**

(a)	: A Task Force/ Working Committee headed by Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), Central Mining Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI) has been constituted to address /review the terms and conditions to be incorporated in Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) of procuring equipment /HEMM.

(b) to (d):	  Equipment are being procured by Coal India Ltd (CIL) as per the guidelines in its Purchase Manual.  E-procurement system has already been invoked in CIL and accordingly amendment has been made in the Purchase Manual.  However, the Committee mentioned at the answer to part (a) above has been tasked to review the process of procurements including that of equipment.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2947 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-06
Subject: Special Courts for Crimes Against Children
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: ANIRUDHAN SAMPATH

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE

(DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE)

L O K   S A B H A

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2947

TO BE ANSWERED ON THURSDAY, THE 6 TH AUGUST, 2015

Special Courts for Crimes Against Children

2947.	DR. A. SAMPATH:

Will the Minister of LAW & JUSTICE be pleased to state:

1. the number of special courts set up so far under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, to deal with crimes against children, State/UT-wise ;

1. the number of cases disposed of in these courts during each of the last three years and the current year along with the number of cases lying pending as on date, State/UT-wise; and

1. the steps taken by the Government to set up more such courts for speedy disposal of such cases?

A N S W E R

MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE

(SHRI D.V. Sadananda Gowda )

(a) to (c):	Section 28(1) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 provides that for the purposes of providing a speedy trial, the State Government shall in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, by notification in the Official Gazette, designate for each district, a Court of Session to be a Special Court to try the offences under the Act provided that if a Court of Session is notified as a Children’s Court under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 or a Special Court designated for similar purposes under any other law for the time being in force, then, such court shall be deemed to be a Special Court under this section.  As per these provisions, it is for the State Government to designate the Special Courts. Information on the number of Courts so designated or the number of cases disposed of and pending in these Courts is not maintained Centrally. However, as per the reports published by National Crime Records Bureau, the cases reported and conviction rate in respect of crimes against children during the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 are as under:

Crime against children

|   Year |   Number of cases reported |   Conviction rate  |
|--------|----------------------------|--------------------|
|      1 |                          2 |                  3 |
|   2013 |                      58224 |               30.9 |
|   2012 |                      38172 |               29.0 |
|   2011 |                      33098 |               34.6 |

------
Lok Sabha Question No. 2946 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-06
Subject: Tapping of Wind Energy
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 2946 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2015

## TAPPING OF WIND ENERGY

## 2946.  SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has received any proposals from the State Government for tapping and development of Wind Energy Generation in Telangana;

- (b) if so, the details thereof, location-wise;
- (c) the details of the funds allocated for each State under this head; and
- (d) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to increase the wind energy in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  POWER,  COAL  &  NEW  AND  RENEWABLE ENERGY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a): No, Madam.

(b): Wind power projects are installed with private sector investment.  Ministry does not approve any proposal for establishment of wind power projects.

- (c): Question does not arise.

(d): The Government is promoting wind power projects through private sector investment by  providing  fiscal  and  promotional  incentives  such  as  Accelerated  Depreciation  benefit, concessional  custom  duty  on  certain  components  of  wind  electric  generators,  excise  duty exemption  to  manufacturers.  10  years  tax  holiday  on  income  generated  from  wind  power projects is also available. A Generation Based Incentive (GBI) is available for the projects not availing Accelerated Depreciation benefit, under  which  Rs.0.50/unit generated is provided with a ceiling of Rs.1.00 crore per MW. Loans for installing wind power projects are  available  from  Indian  Renewable  Energy  Development  Agency  (IREDA)  and  other Financial Institutions. Technical support including wind resource assessment and identification of potential sites is provided by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE, erstwhile C-WET), Chennai. States with wind potential also provide preferential tariffs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2944 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-06
Subject: Non-Availability of Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF COAL**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2944**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2015**

**“Non-Availability of Coal"**

**2944. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:**

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

1. whether the medium and small scale enterprises have been affected due to non-availability of coal in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Coal India Limited (CIL) has held a meeting with the  State Governments recently for the purpose of supply of coal to medium and small scale enterprises; and

(c) if so, the details and the findings thereof?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER AND NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY**

**(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )**

**(a):** As per the New Coal Distribution Policy (NCDP), 2007, the medium and small scale industries whose requirement is less than 4200 tonnes per annum are required to take coal through State Agencies nominated by the respective State Governments.  An aggregate of three million tonnes of coal is made available for this purpose. This quantity is allotted amongst various States/UTs depending on past trends. Coal India Limited (CIL) has not received any complaint of medium and small scale enterprises affected due to this arrangement.

**(b)&(c)** :  A meeting was held  on 19.06.2015  by CIL, Kolkata  which  representatives of State nominated agencies of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Odisha,  Assam and Telangana  attended.

Various issues such as expediting the signing of FSA, timely raising of coal bills, carrying out regular reconciliation of accounts, expediting the refund, settling of old dues, grade of coal supplied, making FSA's for two years subject to the period for which nomination is received etc. were discussed in this meeting.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-06
Subject: Samarthya Portal under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI, SANTOSH AHLAWAT

## GOVERNMENTOF  INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO, 2940

TO BE ANSWERED  ON 06,08,2015

## SAMARTHYA PORTAL UNDER MGNREGS

## 2940. SHRI SUMEDHANAND  SARSWATI: SHRIMATI  SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

Will the Minister of RURAL  DEVELOPMENT  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Govemment has recently launched  'SAMARTHYA" the online leaming portal  for Mahatma  Gandhi National Rural Employment  Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)  technical staff and if so, the details  thereof;
- (c) the manner and extent to which"SAMARTHYA"  portal is likely to benefit the staJf and workers under MGNREGS?
- (b) the salient features and the purpose thereof;  and

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI  SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

(a)&(b):  Yes, Madam. Samarthya technical manual on Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment  Guarantee  Scheme (MGNREGS) works developed is transformed into online leaming portal for the benefit  of technical and non-technical  functionaries of MGNRIGS in the country by providing text and video material on each work. This OLP is expected to ensure  flow of knowledge and skill from the brains of MGNREGS  field functionaries  through the hands  of MGNREGS  unskilled  labourers on to the ground to result in qualitative and sustainable assets with enhanced  livelihoods.  All the field functionaries  like Gram Rozgar Sevak, Technical Assistants, Junior Engineer,  Engineering  Consultants and others  can take this OLP.

The Purpose of Online Learning Po*al is-

- o To build capacities oftechnical functionaries
- o  To leam at own pace perlaining to all technical  pararneters
- o  To help in developing qualitative and sustainable  assets.
- o To monitor the technical skills  ofthe functionaries.

(c): The technical staff working  in the field and in remote  areas can also use this on line leaming  portal for selfJearning,  so that the assets  created under Mahatma Gandhi  National Rural Employment Guarantee Act are productive of prescribed  quality and durability  to strengthen  the livelihood resource  base of the rural poor.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2938 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-06
Subject: Retention of Coal Blocks
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: E. AHAMED

**GOVERNMENT OF**

**MINISTRY OF COAL**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2938**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2015**

**Retention of Coal Blocks**

**2938.    SHRI RAVNEET SINGH:**

**SHRI E. AHAMED:**

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government had field an affidavit before the Supreme Court requesting it to consider retention of 40 producing and 6 ready to produce coal blocks and proposed imposition of an additional levy of Rs. 295/- tonne of coal extracted for their retention;

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

(c) whether the Supreme Court cancelled these 46 coal blocks and also imposed an additional levy since start of production contrary to the Government’s plea;

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

(e) whether the Government had appealed against this order/filed for a review of this imposition of additional levy since the start of production; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY**

**(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)**

(a) & (b):  The affidavit filed by the Government on 08.09.2014 before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition (Crl.) No.120 of 2012 had mentioned that there were 40 coal producing blocks along with their linked end use plants and 6 coal blocks which were ready to produce coal.

In its submission in the said affidavit, Government had stated that retention of the aforesaid 40 blocks and 6 blocks, if the Court thought appropriate, could be considered, provided additional levy @ Rs.295/- per tonne as suggested by CAG was imposed. Furthermore, in case of allocatees of power sector, it should be mandated that they would enter into Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with State utilities/ DISCOMS, so that benefit is passed on to the consumers.

(c) & (d): The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide order dated 25.09.2015 cancelled allocation of 204 coal blocks including these 40 producing and 6 ready to produce coal blocks and imposed an additional levy of Rs. 295/- per tonne of coal extracted since start of production. In pursuance of the said order, necessary action was taken by the Government to implement the Hon’ble Court’s order.

(e): No, Sir.

(f): Does not arise in view of reply given at (e) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2937 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-06
Subject: Guidelines Issued under RGPSA
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2937**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2015

**GUIDELINES ISSUED UNDER RGPSA**

**2937.** SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

1. whether the Government has issued any guidelines under the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA) scheme in the country; and

1. if so, the details thereof?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

(SHRI NIHAL CHAND)

1. Yes Madam,

1. “Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Shashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA) was introduced from the year 2012-13 for providing financial support to States/UTs to strengthen the administrative, technical and infrastructure facilities of Gram Panchayats. The funding of RGPSA for State plans is on a 75:25 sharing basis by the Central and State Governments respectively.  For NE States, this ratio is 90:10. States are required to fulfill certain essential conditions for availing funds under RGPSA which inter-alia include the following:-

- Regular elections to Panchayats or local bodies in non-part-IX areas under the superintendence and control of the State Election Commission (SEC).
- At least one third reservation for women in Panchayats or other local bodies.
- Constitution of SFC every five years, and placement of Action Taken Report on the recommendations of the SFC in the State legislature.
- Constitution of District Planning Committees (DPCs) in all districts, and issuing of guidelines/rules to make these functional.

The components for which funding is available include

1. Technical and Administrative Support at GP Level.
2. Construction and repair of GP buildings.
3. Capacity building and Training.
4. Institutional structures for training.
5. Distance learning facility through SATCOM or IP based tech.
6. Intermediate/Block Resource Centre.
7. E-enablement of Panchayats.
8. Panchayats Process for GPs with inadequate resource base.
9. Special support for Panchayats in PESA areas.
10. Strengthening SECs.
11. IEC activities.
12. Programme management.

States fulfilling essential conditions are relaeased funds on the basis of approval of their Annual Plans as per the guidelines. As of 2015-16, the State componant of RGPSA stands transferred to States to be met from their own resources.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2936 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-06
Subject: Shipment of Goods
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR S.R.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2936

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  AUGUST, 2015

## SHIPMENT OF GOODS

## 2936.   SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased to state:

## पोत प�रवहन मंत्

- (a) whether a number of  Indian ports  are  clogged  with  raw  material  and  goods awaiting shipment and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the foreign buyers have refused to accept these goods and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the total value of these locked goods;
- (d) whether such non-clearance of goods has any adverse effect on our economy and if so, the remedial steps taken in this regard; and
- (e) the time by which these goods are expected to be cleared?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a)to(e):No,  Madam.  Major  Ports  are  not  clogged  with  raw  materials.  However, Haldia Dock Complex of Kolkata Port Trust has about 1,20,116 MT Iron ore in bulk meant for shipment, on account of various exporters.  The shipments could not be undertaken by them primarily due to fall in price of the cargo in the overseas market. No information of foreign buyers refusing to accept these goods is available with  KoPT. The total value of this cargo is about Rs. 24 Crore.  The  said  cargo  is  occupying  storage  space  inside  dock.  The  auction process has been initiated.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2935 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-06
Subject: Utilisation of Lands
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2935 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 th  AUGUST, 2015

## UTILISATION OF LANDS

## 2935. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be please to state :

## पोत प�रवहन मंत्

- (a) whether a large pool of land is lying unused under the various Port Trusts in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, Port Trust-wise;
- (c) whether the Cochin Port Trust proposes to lease out land for building granaries and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether other ports also propose to utilise their unused land and increase revenue generation; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a)&(b):The details of lands lying unused in Major Ports is as follows:-

| S.No.   | Name of the Port       |   Total Land (in acres) |
|---------|------------------------|-------------------------|
| 1.      | Kolkata                |                    3765 |
| 2.      | Haldia                 |                    1304 |
| 3.      | Paradip                |                    1625 |
| 4.      | Visakhapatnam          |                    1269 |
| 5.      | Kamarajar              |                    1387 |
| 6.      | Chennai                |                     121 |
| 7.      | V.O. Chidabaranar Port |                     647 |
| 8.      | Cochin                 |                     342 |
| 9.      | New Mangalore          |                     160 |
| 10.     | Mumbai                 |                     190 |
| 11.     | Jawaharlal Nehru Port  |                    1771 |
| 12.     | Kandla                 |                    2023 |
|         | Total                  |                   14604 |

- (c): Cochin Port Trust has decided to invite tenders for lease of 1.215 HA of land for 30 years on annual lease  rent  basis  for  warehouse  purpose  (setting  up  of  silos  and  infrastructure  facilities  for  handling  food grains) in the back up area of Q8 berth at Willingdon  Island on tender-cum-auction and on assurance of Minimum Guarantee Tonnage (MGT) of 2 lakhs tonnes per annum.
- (d)&(e): Yes madam.  The land of Major Ports are utilised in accordance with the land use plan of the concerned Port and all Major Ports have drawn up plans to utilise all their lands available with them.  To ensure  that  land  resources  are  put  to  their  optimum  use  and  to  ensure  optimum  value  is  realised  by licensing/leasing  port  land  through  a  transparent  tender-cum-auction  methodology,  the  Land  Policy Guidelines for Land Management by Major Ports has been brought out by this Ministry in 2014.  The Land Policy Guidelines has laid down the procedure for revision of rates to enable maximum resource generation for the Major Ports and methodology for regular updating of the rates in line with the corresponding market rates.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2933 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-06
Subject: Irregularities in Tender Supply for Mining Equipment
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: RODMAL NAGAR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COAL

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2933

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2015

**Irregularities in tender supply for mining equipment**

**2933.	SHRI NAGAR RODMAL:**

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

1. whether any irregularity has been noticed in tender supply for providing mining equipments and other tools in Western Coalfield Limited (WCL);

1. if so, the details thereof;

1. the names of the firms/persons whose responsibility has been fixed in the matter;

1. whether the Government proposes to bring transparency in the tender system of WCL; and

1. if so, the details thereof?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY**

**(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)**

(a)to (e):	Coal India Limited (CIL) has informed that no irregularity has been noticed in tender supply for providing mining equipment and other tools in Western Coalfields Limited(WCL).  To bring transparency in the tender system, WCL has signed Integrity Pact with Transparency International and 2 Independent External Monitors (IEMs) were appointed to WCL to resolve tender related issues.  Further, e-tendering is being followed in procurement of mining equipment and other tools.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2932 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-06
Subject: Unloading of Imported Goods
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: MANOJ RAJORIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2932 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  AUGUST, 2015

## UNLOADING OF IMPORTED GOODS

## †2932. DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased to state:

## पोत प�रवहन मंत्

- (a) the criteria,  rules  and  check-list  of  documents  required  at  the  time  of  unloading  the imported goods from ships at Indian ports;
- (b) whether  several  instances  of  not  conforming  to  that  requirement  have  come  to  the notice  of  the  Government  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  action  taken thereon during the last three years and the current year;
- (c) the number of ships sent back as a result thereof during the said period, country-wise;
- (d) the  details  of  the  ships  found  to  be  violating  the  prescribed  rules  for  the  purpose during the said period along with the action taken against them; and
- (e) the steps taken to prevent recurrence of such violations?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a) The  primary  criteria,  rules  and  check-list  of  documents  required  at  the  time  of unloading of imported goods from a ship at Major Ports, are submission of Bill of Lading,  Commercial  Invoice  cum  Packing  List  and  Bill  of  Entry.  Besides,  list  of dangerous good, if any, carried by the ship as well as ISPS/ IMO regulated documents required to enter the port, are also required to be submitted.

In  case  of  import  of  certain  commodities  such  as  explosives,  medicines  & drugs,  logs  of  wood,  alcohol,  spirits,  etc.,  clearance  from  the  concerned  Govt. Authority is required.

- (b) No, Madam.

(c)to(e):Does not arise.

*****