opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Revival of HMT
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: V. PANNEER SELVAM

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

DEPARTMENT OF HEAVY INDUSTRY

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 154**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2015**

**Revival of HMT**

154. SHRI V. PANNEERSELVAM:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has approved a revival plan for the loss-making HMT Watch Ltd. factory at Ranibagh;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether a report prepared by Price  Water House Coopers, an auditor company has been placed before the Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises for revival of HMT, Ranibagh; and

(d) if so, the details and present status thereof?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER  OF  STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF  HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES  (SHRI  G.M. SIDDESHWARA)**

(a): No, Madam.

(b): Not applicable.

(c): The report prepared by Price Water House Coopers for revival of HMT Watches Ltd. which includes HMT Ranibagh, was considered   by the Department of Heavy Industry and not placed before Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE),

(d): HMT Factory at Ranibagh is a unit of HMT Watches Ltd., which is dependent on the GoI Budgetary support for payment of salary/wages and statutory dues to its employees.  The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, in its meeting held on 29.12.2014 has approved the Cabinet Note on Roadmap for phasing out Non-plan budgetary support to Central Public enterprises (CPSEs) under the Department of Heavy Industry which also includes the proposal for the closure of HMT Watches Ltd., by offering attractive VRS/VSS to its employees.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Pesticide Mixed Vegetables and Fruits
Ministry: AGRICULTURE
Asked by: M. K. RAGHAVAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & COOPERATION

**LOK  SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.152**

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  21 ST JULY, 2015

**PESTICIDE MIXED VEGETABLES AND FRUITS**

152. 	 SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE 	     कृषि मंत्री

be pleased  to state:

(a) 	whether the Government is aware that Kerala is solely dependent on neighbouring States for the availability of fruits and vegetables for its domestic use;

(b)	 if so, the details thereof;

(c)	 whether the Government is also aware that there is accusation of usage of large scale pesticides on the fruits and vegetables being supplied to the State leading health risks; and

(d)	 if so, the measures are being taken by the Government to ensure availability

of healthy fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices to consumers?

### 1 ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

कृषि मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री  (SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA)

(a) & (b):	As per information provided by Government of Kerala, schemes including Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, Vegetable Initiative for Urban Clusters, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and State Plan schemes etc have increased production of vegetables and fruits in recent times in the state.  A portion of the requirement of cool season vegetables is being met from the production in Idukki district.  A major share of the requirement of cool season vegetables such as onion, potato, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower etc. is coming from outside states as only Idukki district is climatically suitable for cultivation  of cool season crops.

(c) & (d):	As per information provided by Government of Kerala, reports of the Pesticides Residue Analysis Lab under ICAR at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University, Thiruvananthapuram, indicate that pesticide residues have been identified in some vegetable samples coming from other states.  Measures being taken by Government of Kerala to ensure availability of fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices include implementation of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in the state promotion of organic farming through adoption of Good Agricultural Practices, procurement of fruits and vegetables through Horticorp, a governmental agency and through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 151 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Smuggling of Snake Venom
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†151

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST JULY, 2015/ ASHADHA 30, 1937(SAKA)

**SMUGGLING OF SNAKE VENOM**

†151.	 SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR  PANDEY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether snake venom weighing 4082 kilogram worth Rs. 100 crore had been seized by the Police and persons involved in snake venom smuggling had been arrested in West Bengal;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether cases of illegal trading of snake venom are increasing and the smugglers are smuggling the snake venom to Bhutan through West Bengal; and

(d) if so, the effective steps taken by the Government to check smuggling of snake venom and to arrest and punish the guilty persons?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY  OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d):	Some incidents of **Smuggling of Snake Venom** have been reported in the Media. The data on **Smuggling of Snake Venom** is not maintained centrally. **‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are the State subjects under the seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and therefore, the State Governments are primarily responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and for prosecuting the criminals through the machinery of their law enforcement agencies as also for protecting the life and property of**

**--2/-**

**-2-**

**LS.US.Q. NO. 151. DATED FOR 21.07.2015**

**the citizens. Further, Section 12 (d) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, empowers the State Chief Wildlife Warden, with the previous permission of the concerned State Government, to grant a permit, by an order in writing stating the reasons therefore, to any person, on payment of such fees for the derivation, collection or preparation of snake-venom for the manufacture of life-saving drugs.**

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 149 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Decline in Automobile Industry
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

DEPARTMENT OF HEAVY INDUSTRY

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 149**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2015**

**Decline in Automobile Industry**

149. SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that the automobile industry of the country is under stress due to non-sale of products particularly trucks and other heavy vehicles and cars etc., as well as other factors;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the remedial measures taken by the Government to protect automobile industry?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER  OF  STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF  HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES  (SHRI  G.M. SIDDESHWARA)**

(a): The automobile industry had been under stress in the last three years and had been witnessing de-growth in a few segments on account of slowdown in the economy. The passenger vehicle segment, the commercial vehicle segment (specially the Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles) were either flat or de-growing during this period. The growth in these segments has revived in the current financial year.

(b):  Details of the domestic sales and growth since FY 2013 - 14 are given below:

| **Category**        | **Domestic Sales**   |                |                |                |                                   |                |
|---------------------|----------------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|-----------------------------------|----------------|
| **Segment**         | **2013-14**          |                | **2014-15**    |                | **2015-16**  **(Upto June 2015)** |                |
|                     | **Units**            | **Growth (%)** | **Units**      | **Growth (%)** | **Units**                         | **Growth (%)** |
| Passenger Vehicles  | 25,03,509            | -6.05          | 26,01,111      | 3.90           | 6,53,302                          | 6.17           |
| Commercial Vehicles | 6,32,851             | -20.23         | 6,14,961       | -2.83          | 1,46,159                          | 3.55           |
| Three Wheelers      | 4,80,085             | -10.90         | 5,31,927       | 10.80          | 1,13,041                          | -6.77          |
| Two wheelers        | 148,06,778           | 7.31           | 160,04,581     | 8.09           | 39,75,724                         | 0.64           |
| **Grand Total**     | **184,23,223**       | **3.53**       | **197,52,580** | **7.22**       | **48,88,226**                     | **1.24**       |

(c):  The remedial measures taken by the Government to protect the industry were as below:

i. The Government had lowered the duty on   vehicles in February 2014, which continued until December 2014.

ii.  Orders were placed for buses under the JNNURM scheme.

iii. Subsidies are being given electrical vehicles.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 148 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Restoration of Sasthamkotta Lake
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.148

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2015

## Restoration of Sasthamkotta Lake

## 148.  SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

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

- (a)       whether  the  State  Government  of  Kerala  has  submitted  a  project  for  the restoration of Sasthamkotta freshwater lake; and
- (b)        if so, the status of the proposal?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b)  The Comprehensive Management Action Plan (CMAP) for conservation and restoration of Sasthamkotta wetland at a total cost of Rs.24.80 crore was received from the Government of Kerala during the year 2013-14 for financial assistance under  the scheme  of    National  Plan  for  Conservation  of  Aquatic  Eco-systems  (NPCA).  The proposal included various activities like soil and water conservation, pollution abatement, conservation of flora  and fauna,  weed  control, fisheries  development,  desiltation,  public  awareness,  etc.    The  Annual  Plan  of  Operation  for  the  year  2014-15 costing Rs.4.07 crore, as a part of CMAP of Sasthamkotta wetland, was also received from the State Government of Kerala. As the CMAP was not in conformity with NPCA scheme, it has been returned to the State Government of Kerala.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 147 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Irregularities in Relief Work
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: YOGI ADITYANATH

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†147

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST JULY, 2015/ ASHADHA 30, 1937(SAKA)

**IRREGULARITIES IN RELIEF WORK**

†147. 	SHRI YOGI ADITYA NATH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether massive irregularities have taken place in the relief works with regard to the natural calamity that hit Uttarakhand in the year 2013;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the amount of assistance provided under various heads by the Union Government to the State Government of Uttarakhand for relief works;

(d) whether the Government reviews the utilisation of funds provided for relief work from time to time and if so, the details

thereof;

(e) whether the Government proposes to conduct inquiry in regard to check the irregularities committed in the calamity relief work; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

1. to (f)

The primary responsibility of rescue, relief and rehabilitation in the wake of natural disaster rests with the States. Financial assistance from State Disaster Response Fund and National Disaster Response Fund is towards immediate relief and not for compensation of loss as suffered.

--2/-

-2-

LS.US.Q.NO. 147. DATED FOR 21.07.2015

In order to support the affected people of Uttarakhand, the Government of India released an amount of Rs. 145 crore from SDRF to the State on 20.06.13 to enable relief and restoration works. In addition, the GOI has released an amount of Rs. 546.306 crore (Rs. 250 crore on 19.7.2013 + Rs. 17.66 crore on 28.2.14 + Rs. 61.84 crore on 31.3.14+ Rs. 132.03 crore on 19.09.14 + Rs. 40.29 crore on 21.10.14 + Rs. 44.486 crore on 04.02.15) from the NDRF to the State Government for management of relief necessitated by notified natural disasters in the affected areas during 2013.

As per the scheme of SDRF the State Government is responsible to ensure that money drawn from the SDRF account is actually utilized for the purposes for which the SDRF has been set up and only on item of expenditure and as per norms approved by the GOI.  The State Accountant General is required to monitor the expenditure as per the items and norms of assistance. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India causes audit of SDRF every year in terms of the scheme of the SDRF. This Ministry has not received any report from State AG in the matter.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 144 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Threat to Species
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: OM PRAKASH YADAV, SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI, MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 144

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2015

## Threat to Species

## 144. SHRI OM PRAKASH YADAV SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI SHRI MANOJ TIWARI :

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

- (a) whether  as  per  the  research  report  by  a  foreign  research  group,  the  existence  of species other than human beings is under threat;
- (b) if so, the details thereof ;
- (c) whether the bio-diversity is depleting at rapid pace in the whole world ;
- (d) if so, the details thereof ;
- (e) whether it is a fact that 320 out of 1500 species of present vertebrate animals have become extinct ; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) & (b)   Ministry is not aware of any such  report.
- (c)  &  (d)    Biodiversity  is  depleting  at  an  unprecedented  rate  due  to  direct  drivers  of biodiversity  loss  namely  habitat  degradation,  invasive  alien  species,  pollution,  climate change and overexploitation etc. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005, a global scientific study, has found that changes in biodiversity due to human activities have been occurring more rapidly in the past 50 years.
- (e) & (f)   As per reports by Zoological Survey of India,  species reported to be extinct from India during the last century include birds viz . Pink Headed Duck ( Rhodonessacaryophyllacea ),  a  large  diving  duck  once  found  in  parts  of  the  Gangetic plains of India in 1950s and the Himalayan Quail ( Ophrysiasuperciliosa ) last reported in 1876.  Among Mammals, Cheetah ( Acinonyxjubatus ) known to exist in India for a very long time, is extinct since 1940s as a result of hunting and other causes.  The Sumatran Rhinoceros ( Dicerorhinussumatrensis )  is  classed as extinct from India, primarily due to illegal poaching.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 143 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Suspended NGOs
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA, R. VANAROJA

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 143**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st JULY, 2015/ASHADHA 30, 1937 (SAKA)

SUSPENDED NGOs

143.	SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD **:**

**SHRIMATI VANAROJA R:**

**Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:**

1. **whether it is a fact that a cross section of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) representatives had said that certain civil societies were being actively muzzled by the Government;**

1. **if so, whether they have also said that labeling certain civil societies as a foreign funded organization was misleading;**

1. **whether it is also a fact that according to them the funds received by the suspended NGOs were from Indian donors; and**

1. **if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard?**

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS**

**(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)**

1. to (d):  The Ministry of Home Affairs is mandated to administer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, for regulating the receipt and utilization of foreign contribution by the associations/NGOs.

...2/

-2-

L.S. U.S.Q. No. 143 for 21.07.2015

The NGOs/Civil Societies registered/given Prior Permission under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 are required to follow the provisions of Act, Rules and instructions issued in this regard from time to time.

If any NGOs/Civil Societies violate any of the provisions of the Act and Rules, then only, action is initiated as per provisions of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. Penal Actions have been taken against defaulting NGOs/Civil Societies for proven violations of the Act and Rules. Actions include compounding of offence, putting in prior reference category, suspensions of registration, freezing of accounts, cancellation of registration, prosecution etc.

Actions are taken only after giving them adequate opportunity and following due process of law.  Hence, the question of muzzling NGOs/Civil Societies by Government does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 142 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Alleged Atrocities by BSF
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: ARPITA GHOSH

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 142**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21** **st** **JULY, 2015 / ASHADHA 30, 1937 (SAKA)**

**ALLEGED ATROCITIES BY BSF**

**142.  	SMT. ARPITA GHOSH :**

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the discretionary powers enjoyed by the Border Security Force (BSF) with regard to interrogation and arrests of suspected persons in the border areas;

(b) whether there are reports of atrocities by the BSF personnel against the people living in villages along the border areas;

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

(d) the mechanism/agency available for redressal of complaints of such atrocities against the people living in the border areas of the country?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS**

**(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)**

(a):  Border Security Force (BSF) has been vested with powers of arrest, search and seizure under some Central Acts exercisable in a specified border area / belt.

(b) & (c):  There is no such report of atrocities by the BSF personnel against the people living in villages along the border areas.  However, during the current year, one complaint for atrocities by BSF personnel in border areas has been received, but the same was not found correct.

(d):  In such cases the victim can avail the services of local police or legal services as applicable to every citizen of India by filing FIR in local police stations, lodging complaint with respective BSF local unit, lodging online complaint in Grievance redressal system etc.  However, if any complaint is received in MHA / BSF, the same is dealt as per the provisions of BSF Act and Rules.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 139 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Withdrawal of CISF Personnel from Airports
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 139**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21** **ST** **JULY, 2015/** ASHADHA 30, **1937 (SAKA)**

**WITHDRAWAL OF CISF PERSONNEL FROM AIRPORTS**

139.	DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to pull out Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) from all airports in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Airports Authority of India has made a demand to withdraw CISF personnel from duty at all airports in the country; and

(d) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard?

ANSWER

**MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS**

**(SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)**

**(a) to (d): No, Madam.  At present there is no proposal or demand for withdrawal of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel from all airports in the country.**

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 138 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Fertilizer Centres
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

Government of India

Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

Department of Fertilizers

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED** QUESTION **NO.138**

TO BE ANSWERED ON **:21.7.2015**

**FERTILIZER CENTRES**

**138.	SHRIMATI VASANTHI M:**

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

1. Whether the Government has taken any decision to open subsidized fertilizers centres in various parts of the country for the benefit of the farmers;
2. If so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon, so far; and
3. If not, reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERILIZERS

**(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)**

(a) No, Madam.

(b) Question does not arise.

(c) Subsidized fertilizers are sold to farmers through a well-established network of dealers/retailers from State/Central Cooperatives and private individuals/companies. As the present system is working properly, there is no requirement for subsidized fertilizer centres.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 137 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Employment to Overstaying Foreigners
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.** 137

**TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21** **ST** **JULY, 2015/** ASHADHA 30, **1937 (SAKA)**

**EMPLOYMENT TO OVERSTAYING FOREIGNERS**

**137.** SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR **:**

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that a number of Pakistani nationals whose visa has expired long ago have managed to get employment in Government/Semi Government/educational institutes in various States;

(b) if so, whether the Government has sought any report from the State Governments; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the State Governments thereto?

ANSWER

**MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS**

**(SHRI KIRAN RIJIJU)**

(a): As per information available, no such specific instance of overstaying Pakistani nationals having obtained employment in Government/Semi Government/educational institutes in various States has been reported to the Government However,  State Governments/Union Territories are empowered to grant permission to Pakistani nationals staying on Long Term Visa under eligible category to engage themselves in employment of purely private nature i.e. excluding Government/Semi Government, local bodies, cooperative jobs etc.

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

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