opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 753 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: Facilities to Defence Personnel
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF DEFENCE**

**DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE**

**LOK  SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.753**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24** **TH** **JULY, 2015**

**FACILITIES TO DEFENCE PERSONNEL**

753.  SHRI  GOPAL SHETTY:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE    j{kk ea=h

be pleased to state:

(a)	whether defence personnel deployed in border areas in difficult terrain are being provided adequate facilities including allowances and salaries;

(b)	if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c)	whether the Government has received any complaint / representation in this regard; and

(d)	if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?

#### A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                   (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

j{kk ea=h    			           ¼Jh euksgj ijhZdj½

**(a) to (d):** **Pay and allowances and other benefits / facilities are provided to the Armed Forces Personnel as per Government orders issued from time to time.  Apart from pay, the Armed Forces Personnel deployed on borders in tough conditions, are being given certain compensatory allowances i.e. Field Area Allowance, Siachen Allowance, High Altitude Allowance, Island Special Duty Allowance, etc. and special clothing and ration as per extant rules.  Improvement of facilities, service conditions, pay and allowances of the Armed Forces personnel is also    a continuous process.**

**Further, provisioning of facilities to soldiers is a command function.  It is ensured that all soldiers are provided facilities as per their entitlements.  However, if in any case it is found that this is not done, suitable action is taken if any personnel is found to be erring.**

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 752 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: IRDA Norms
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Financial Services

Lok Sabha

Unstarred Question No. 752

To be answered on Friday, 24 th July, 2015/   2  Shravana, 1937 (Saka)

**IRDA Norms**

752.  SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

Will the Minister of FINANCE

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the insurance regulator proposes to relax the proposed corporate agency norms that mandate banks to sell a specified percentage of insurance policies of other companies;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority(IRDA) also plans to do away with the percentage limits for banks to sell products of insurance companies; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

Answer

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) to (d): The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has informed that the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Act, 2015 defines corporate agents as an insurance intermediary under section 2(1) (f) of the IRDAI Act, 1999. This necessitated the Authority to come out with new set of regulations for corporate agents and accordingly IRDAI had come out with an exposure draft on 31 st March, 2015 for seeking comments of various stakeholders. Based on examination of the responses/concerns of various stakeholders, the Authority has come out with a revised second exposure draft on 29.05.2015. This exposure draft does not mandate percentage limits for banks to sell products of insurance companies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 751 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: Impact of Digitization of DD and AIR
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA SHETTI

**GOVERNMENT OF**

**MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 751**

**(TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2015)**

**IMPACT OF DIGITIZATION OF DD AND AIR**

**751.  shri raju shetty:**

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

(a)  whether digitization of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) sector is likely to have any impact on Doordarshan (DD) and Akashwani (AIR);

(b)   if so, the details thereof;

(c)  the likely expenditure incurred on the same and likely benefits accrued from the same;

(d)  whether the Government has received any opposition from any quarter regarding digitization of Doordarshan and Akashwani; and

(e)   if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING**

**RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)**

(a) to (c)  For Doordarshan, digitization results in better quality of program production thereby ensuring a better quality of service to the viewers.  High Definition TV (HDTV) picture quality is 5 times the resolution of Standard Definition (SD) picture. Digital Television offers new possibilities to the viewers and broadcasters with the improved technical quality of picture and sound, additional programmes and additional reception modes (portable and mobile).

For All India Radio, the impact of digitization includes reception of   better quality of sound  through FM receiver, covering more uncovered areas by expansion of AIR FM Services, access to AIR’s  popular channel on internet and availability of AIR’s News on mobile through applications (apps) on different platforms like Android, iOS, Black Berry etc apart from availability of AIR’s 21 channels on DTH Platform through out the  country.

Prasar Bharati has informed that expenditure incurred on digitization of Studios, Transmitters and HDTV during last three years by Doordarshan is Rs. 301.45 crore. The expenditure incurred by AIR on the digitization in last three years is Rs. 506.78 crore.

(d)  No, Madam.

(e)  Does not arise in view of (d) above.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 750 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: Water Bowser Manufacturing at Jabalpur Vehicle Factory
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: RAKESH SINGH

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF DEFENCE**

**DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION**

**LOK  SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.750**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24** **TH** **JULY, 2015**

**WATER BOWSER MANUFACTURING AT JABALPUR VEHICLE FACTORY**

750.  SHRI  RAKESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE    j{kk ea=h

be pleased to state:

(a)	whether any drawback has been noticed in the water bowser manufactured after research in vehicle factory of Jabalpur;

(b)	if so, the details thereof;

(c)	whether the manufacturing of water bowser has been handed over to the private sector;

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

(e)	whether the Government proposes to handover the manufacturing of such water bowser to vehicle factory, Jabalpur and if so, the details thereof?

#### A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE           			       (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

j{kk jkT; ea=h    				 ¼jko banzthr flag½

**(a) & (b):** **Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ) had developed 5 KL Water Bowser on Stallion Chessis as per JSQR No. 2320-005 (May-2000) and CAQE Specification No.CAQF/2540/1611.  After all the trials the User approved for the introduction of the equipment for plains / deserts only in February 2010.  The equipment was not recommended for introduction in High Altitude Areas.**

**(c) & (d):** **Army HQ is procuring the vehicle from M/s. Ashok Leyland because the vehicle ex-VFJ is costlier as compared to Ashok Leyland vehicle.**

**(e)	 At present there is no proposal to handover the manufacturing of 5KL water bowser to Vehicle Factory, Jabalpur (VFJ).  However, 2KL water bowser is being procured from VFJ.**

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 749 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: National Media Award Scheme
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: RITI PATHAK

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION No.749**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2015**

**NATIONAL MEDIA AWARD SCHEME**

**749 :ShrimatiRiti Pathak**

Will the Minister of **INORMATION AND BROADCASTING**

be please to state:

(a)	whether the Government proposes to initiate National Media Award Scheme;

(b)	if so, the details thereof and the people likely to be included in this scheme, category-wise; and

(c)	the time by which this scheme is likely to be finalised?

**ANSWER**

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

(a):	No.

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

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 748 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: Fund Allocation for AFFPD
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF DEFENCE**

**DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE**

**LOK  SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.748**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24** **TH** **JULY, 2015**

**FUND ALLOCATION FOR AFFPD**

748.  DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE    j{kk ea=h

be pleased to state:

(a)	whether the Government  is proposes to increase fund allocation for Armed Forces Film and Photo Division (AFFPD); and

(b)	if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated for AFFPD during each of the last three years and the current year?

#### A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                   (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

j{kk ea=h    			           ¼Jh euksgj ijhZdj½

**(a) & (b):** **The fund allocated to Armed forces Film & Photo Division (AFFPD) during the last 3 years and the current year are as under:**

**(Rs. in Crores)**

| **FY**      | **BE**     | **RE**     |
|-------------|------------|------------|
| **2012-13** | **0.7484** | **0.7484** |
| **2013-14** | **0.7858** | **0.7858** |
| **2014-15** | **0.8487** | **0.8487** |
| **2015-16** | **0.8500** | **--**     |

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 747 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: Investment Projects
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: P. KUMAR

भारत सरकार

वित्‍त मंत्रालय

आर्थिक कार्य विभाग

**लोक सभा**

**अतारांकित प्रश्‍न संख्‍या 747**

(जिसका उत्‍तर 24 जुलाई, 2015/2 श्रावण, 1937(शक) को दिया जाने वाला है।)

**निवेश परियोजनाएं**

**747. श्री पी. कुमार:**

क्या **वित्त मंत्री** यह बताने की कृपा करेंगे कि:

(क) क्या रुकी हुई निवेश परियोजनाओं को तीव्र गति प्रदान करने हेतु परियोजना निगरानी समूह (पीएमजी) नामक एक विशेष प्रकोष्ठ गठित किया गया है;

(ख) यदि हां, तो उक्त समूह द्वारा मंजूर निवेश परियोजनाओं की संख्या कितनी है और कितनी लंबित हैं; और

(ग) लंबित परियोजनाओं को कब तक मंजूर किए जाने की संभावना है?

**उत्‍तर**

**वित्‍त मंत्रालय में राज्‍य मंत्री (श्री जयंत सिन्‍हा)**

**(क):** जी, हां। परियोजना मानीटरिंग समूह (पीएमजी) जून, 2013 से मंत्रिमंडल सचिवालय के अंतर्गत कार्य कर रहा है।

**(ख) और (ग):** परियोजना मानीटरिंग समूह परियोजनाएं स्‍वीकृत नहीं करता है। 1000 करोड़ रूपए से अधिक के निवेश वाली कार्यान्वित की जा रही परियोजनाओं, सरकारी और निजी दोनों, के परियोजना प्रस्‍तावकों को अवसर दिया जाता है कि उनकी परियोजनाओं के सामने आ रही समस्‍याओं, यदि कोई हों, को पीएमजी पोर्टल पर समाविष्‍ट करें। ये समस्‍याएं केंद्रीय मंत्रालयों, राज्‍य सरकारों अथवा स्‍थानीय प्राधिकरणों से संबंधित हो सकती हैं। परियोजना मानीटरींग समूह द्वारा एक बार परियोजनाएं/ मुद्दे विचारार्थ स्‍वीकार करने पर संबंधित प्राधिकरण द्वारा इन मुद्दे पर निर्णय न लेने तक परियोजना प्रस्‍तावकों को सम्मिलित करके त्रिपक्षीय बैठकें भी आयोजित की जाती हैं। अब तक (17.7.2015 की स्थिति के अनुसार) 272 परियोजनाओं (9,44,692 करोड़ रूपए का निवेश) के सभी मुद्दों का समाधान हो गया है। वर्तमान में नए मुद्दों के लिए खुली एक समाधान हो चुकी परियोजना सहित 314 परियोजनाएं (13,37,656 करोड़ रूपए का निवेश) पीएमजी के विचाराधीन हैं। संबंधित प्राधिकरणों द्वारा इन मुद्दों का शीघ्रता से समाधान करने के लिए निरंतर अनुवर्ती कार्रवाई की जा रही है।

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 746 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: Survey of Children
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.746**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 24** **TH** **JULY, 2015**

**Survey of Children**

**746. SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:**

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

(a) whether the Government has carried out any survey of children in collaboration with the UNICEF, if so, the details and outcomes thereof;

(b) whether the Government has released the data on the said survey, if so, the details thereof and if not, the time by which the said data is likely to be released; and

(c) the expenditure incurred on conducting the said survey?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)**

(a) to (c):	The Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD) commissioned a Rapid Survey on Children (RSOC) across 29 States during 2013-14 with technical and financial assistance from UNICEF India. The field work of the survey was conducted during November 2013 to May 2014. The key objective of the survey was to assess the situation of children and women in the country with special emphasis on access and utilization of services under the ICDS Scheme and to provide baseline data for the restructured ICDS Scheme.

A positive trend has been observed in respect of improvement in key health and nutrition indicators (child nutrition and maternal health) at the national level, in comparison to the last held national survey viz., NFHS-III during 2005-06. As per the findings of the survey, proportion of moderately underweight children below five years is 29.4 percent as against 42.5 percent in NFHS-3, 2005-06 and severely underweight is 9.5 percent as against 15.8 percent in NFHS-3, 2005-06.

The provisional national fact sheet containing key maternal and child health and nutrition indicators including information on access and utilization of ICDS services has been released by the MWCD and is available on its website. A Technical Committee led by Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) with Members from MoHFW, MWCD and NITI Aayog has been entrusted for review of State level factsheets with respect to sampling methodology.

The survey was conducted with financial assistance from UNICEF.
Lok Sabha Question No. 745 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: Bank Strike
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 
MINISTRY OF FINANCE 
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

**LOK SABHA 
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.745**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH JULY, 2015/SHRAVANA 2, 1937(SAKA)

**Bank Strike**

**745: SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM**

**QUESTION**

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a *)* whether All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) called for a nationwide strike on   24 June, 2015 in support of various demands of the State Bank Employees Association: and

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government in this regard?

**ANSWER**

**The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance 
(Shri Jayant Sinha)**

(a): Yes Sir.

(b) The Strike call for 24.6.2015 was given by the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) in support of demands related to the Associate Banks of State Bank of India. The Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) convened conciliation meetings on 10.6.2015 & 19.6.2015 and strike action was postponed.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 744 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: National Food Science and Risk Assessment Centres
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.744**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 24** **TH** **JULY, 2015**

**National Food Science and Risk Assessment Centres**

**744. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:**

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

(a) whether there was a proposal to establish National Food Science and Risk Assessment Centres (NFSRAC) with an investment of Rs. 900 crore to strengthen state level laboratories as well as to undertake awareness, training and capacity building and educational programmes;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Union Government has also asked the state Government to bear major share of the expenditure for setting of up of NFSRAC; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the present status of NFSRAC?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)**

(a) & (b):      A National Food Science and Risk Assessment Centres (NFSRAC) is proposed to be set up as part of the scheme to strengthen the food regulatory structure in the country.

(c) & (d):      The Central Government has not asked the States to bear any expenditure on account of  setting up of the NFSRAC. The proposal to set up the NFSRAC has, however, not been approved as yet.

…………
Lok Sabha Question No. 743 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: Development of Cow Urine as a Medicine
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY,**

**UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY**

**(AYUSH)**

**LOK  SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.743**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 24** **TH** **MARCH, 2015**

**Development of Cow Urine as a Medicine**

**743. SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:**

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

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to develop cow urine as a medicine; and

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the research and development works undertaken by the Government in this regard along with the agency/institute selected for the purpose?

Illegal vaccine trials

214. SHRI MOHD. ALI KHAN: Will

the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY

WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether illegal vaccine trials are

taking place in the country; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the action

taken against such trials and persons

responsible for such acts?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,**

**YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY**

**(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)**

(a) & (b): Panchagavya is a classic collective name of five products obtained from cow viz milk, curd, ghee, urine and dung. Cow urine is ingredient of several Ayurvedic formulations and also used as adjuvant with medicinal formulations and for pharmaceutical processing called Shodhana (Purification) and Bhavana (Triturition) of medicinal materials.

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) through its constituent laboratories has conducted research studies in collaboration with Go Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra, Nagpur on cow urine distillate for its antioxidant and bio-enhancing properties on anti- infective and anti-cancer agents and nutrients. Four US Patents have been secured since 2002 and one pharma- ceutical product containing cow urine distillate with anti-oxidant property is available in the market.

Panchagavya and its ingredients are part of the course curricula of Ayurvedic studies at degree and post-graduation levels. Opportunities of postgraduate and postdoctoral research as well as extramural research on Panchagavya are available to the interested scholars and scientists.

Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences has conducted a National Seminar on Panchagavya Chikitsa in the year 2014 for promotion and awareness building and brought out a compilation document of published research papers on Panchagvya and its ingredients. The published research papers on Panchagavya have been uploaded in the ‘AYUSH Research Portal’ for ready access to the public.

…………
Lok Sabha Question No. 742 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: Introduction of PPI-MTS
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: R. VANAROJA

GOVERNMENT  OF  INDIA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

**LOK  SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION  No.  742**

TO BE ANSWERED ON  24 TH JULY,  2015  (FRIDAY)/SHRAVANA  2, 1937 (SAKA)

**Introduction   of   PPI-MTS**

**Question**

**742. SHRIMATI  VANAROJA  R. :**

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

1. whether  the  Reserve  Bank  of  India  has  proposed  to introduce  a  separate  category  of semi-closed   Prepaid Payment  Instruments  for  Mass  Transit  System  (PPI-MTS);
2. if  so,  the  details  thereof  along with  the  salient  features  of  the  said  system;
3. whether  the  PPI-MTS  can  be  used within  the  mass  transit  systems  and  have  a  minimum  validity  of  six months  from  the  date  of  issue; and
4. if  so, the  details  thereof?

**Answer**

**The  Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance**

**(SHRI  JAYANT  SINHA)**

1. to (d) Reserve  Bank of India (RBI)   vide  its  circular  dated  09.07.2015 introduced  a  new  category  of  semi-closed  Prepaid Payment  Instrument (PPI)  with the  following  features:

1. The  semi-closed PPIs   will  be  issued  by  the  mass  transit  system  operator   (PPI-MTS)  after  authorization under  the  Payment and Settlement  Systems  Act, 2007 to  issue  and operate  such  semi-closed  PPIs;
2. The  PPI-MTS  will  necessarily  contain the  Automated  Fare  Collection  application  related  to the  transit  service  to  qualify  as  PPI-MTS;
3. Apart  from  the mass  transit  system,  such  PPI-MTS  can be  used  only  at  other  merchants  whose  activities  are  allied  to or are  carried  on  within  the premises  of  the  transit  system;
4. The  PPI-MTS  issuer  will  ensure   on-boarding of  merchants  (only  those  permissible  as  under  (iii) above)  following  due  procedure   applicable  to  any  other  PPI  issuer;
5. The  PPI-MTS  will have  minimum  validity of  six  months from  the  date  of  issue;
6. The  issuer  may  decide  upon  the  desired  level of  KYC,  if  any,  for  such  PPIs;
7. The  PPI-MTS issued  may  be reloadable  in  nature  and  at  no  point  of  time  the  value / balance  in PPI  can  exceed  the  limit  of  Rs.2,000/-;
8. No  cash –out  or  refund will  be permitted  from  these  PPIs;
9. Funds  transfer  under  the Domestic  Money  Transfer (DMT)   guidelines  will  also  not  be  applicable  to  these  PPIs.
10. All  other  extant  guidelines  for  escrow arrangement,  customer  grievance  redressal  mechanism,  agent/merchant  due  diligence, reporting  and  MIS  requirements etc.  applicable to  issue  of  PPIs  would  continue  to  be  applicable  in  respect  of  PPI-MTS.

*********