opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2177 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Hover Port for Indian Coast Guard
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2177

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## HOVER PORT FOR INDIAN COAST GUARD

2177.  SHRI  ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY:

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

- (a)  the  details  of  the  operational  hover  port  for  Indian  Coast  Guard  to  prevent poaching and smuggling;
- (b)  the  total  number  of  poaching  and  smuggling  cases  came  to  the  notice  of  the Government and the action taken thereon;
- (c)  whether  civilians  are  allowed  to  use  the  port  for  their  Hovercraft  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether the Government proposes to open more hover ports and if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

j{kk jkT; ea=h

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

¼jko banzthr flag½

- (a)  Four  Hoverports  of  Indian  Coast  Guard  are  operational  at  Okha, Mumbai,  Mandapam and Haldia.    Further,  the  Indian  Coast  Guard  also operates Hovercrafts from New Mangalore.  However, this Hoverport is temporary in nature.
- (b)  As per the records, since 2011, a total of 13 incidents of smuggling / poaching were intimated to the Indian Coast Guard for which a  commensurate  number  of  operations  were  undertaken  by  the  Coast Guard.    The  apprehended  crew  along-with  the  seized  items  have  been handed over to local police for investigation and further prosecution.
- (c)  Civilians are not permitted to use Indian Coast Guard Hoverports due to inherent security implications.
- (d)  At present, there is no such proposal.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2176 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Guidelines for Water Purifiers
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2176 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH DECEMBER, 2015

## GUIDELINES FOR WATER PURIFIERS

## 2176. SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  lay  down  regulatory  standar ds/guidelines  for  water purifier brands available in the country, if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any study on the safety of chemicals used to water and by product formed after treatment by various water purifier brand available  in  the country, if so, the details and findings thereof; and
- (c)the measures being taken by the Government to ensure that water purifier brands comply the regulatory standards/guidelines?

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

- (a):     Laying down standards or guidelines for the manufacture of water purifier does not come under the mandate of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. However, the Bureau Indian Standards (BIS) has formulated the following standards on water purifier: -
- i)  IS  16240:2015,  Reverse  Osmosis  Based Point - of - Use    Water  Treatment  system -Specification
- ii) IS 14724:1999, Water Purifiers with Ultra - Violet Disinfection -Specification.
- (b): No such study has been  conducted by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
- (c):Compliance of  the BIS standards is voluntary.

……………..
Lok Sabha Question No. 2175 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Army Aviation Corps
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2175

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## ARMY AVIATION CORPS

2175.  SHRI  SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY:

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

- (a)  whether  the helicopters used by the Army Aviation Corps are very old, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  for  upgradation  of  various  defence equipment  including  helicopters,  radar  network  and  air  defence  guns  of  the  Indian army;
- (c)  if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the details of tenders floated for purchase of arms and ammunition during the last three years and the current year along with those pending finalisation; and
- (e)  the  details  of  complaints  received  regarding  alleged  corruption  in  defence  deals during the said period along with the action taken by the Government thereon?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

j{kk jkT; ea=h

¼jko banzthr flag½

(a) to (d):     Government constantly reviews security scenario and accordingly decides to induct appropriate defence equipment to keep the armed forces in a state of readiness.  Further, modernisation of modern weapon  systems  is  undertaken  through  procurement  from  various indigenous as well as foreign vendors.  Such procurement is carried out in  accordance with  the  extant Defence Procurement Procedure and

Defence  Procurement  Manual.    During  the  last  three  years  and  the current year,  contracts  have  been  signed  with  Indian  and  foreign vendors  for  Capital  and  Revenue  procurement  of  various  equipments including  helicopters,  tanks,  radars,  rockets.    Tenders  have  also  been issued for procurement of fuzes, simulators,

(e)  The complaints regarding corruption in defence deals are dealt with as per the extant provisions and where necessary, the cases are referred to appropriate agency including CBI for further investigations.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2173 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Basic Trainer Aircraft
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2173

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## BASIC TRAINER AIRCRAFT

2173.  KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

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

- (a)  whether    the  Government  has  adequate  training  aircraft  and  trainees  to  provide much needed aircraft training to Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  buy  Pilatus  PC-7  MK  II  Basic  Trainer Aircraft (BTA) to train IAF pilots;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard to train more IAF pilots; and
- (e)  the steps taken by the Government to have adequate trained pilots and engineers to manage the air bases all over the country?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

j{kk jkT; ea=h

¼jko banzthr flag½

(a) to (e):   A  comprehensive  roadmap  for  ab-initio  training  in  IAF  to increase  training  capacity  is  already  in  place.    Acquisition  of  trainer aircraft  is  a  continuous  process  and  is  based  on  the  Services  Capital Acquisition Plan (SCAP).

The  training  is  currently  conducted  on  Pilatus  PC-7  Mk-II,  Kiran Mk-I/A and Hawk Mk-132 aircraft.

Government had contracted with M/s Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, Switzerland to supply 75 PC-7 Mk-II Basic Trainer Aircraft.  Against this contract all 75 aircraft have been inducted in IAF by October 2015.

Further, there is no shortage of engineers in the IAF.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2171 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Rating of TV Programmes
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: N.K. PREMACHANDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2171

( TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2015 )

## RATING OF TV PROGRAMMES

## 2171.  SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to implement a centralised system for accessing the rating of TV  Programmes  under  the  control of the Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether the proposals from Doordarshan requesting for implementing  a centralised  system  for  accessing    the  rating    of  programmes  is  pending with  the  Government,  if  so,  the  reasons  therefor  and  the  corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c)  whether it comes to the notice of the Government that the private agencies are  operating  system  for  accessing  the  rating    of  programmes  in  the channels create unhealthy practice for canvassing advertisements; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  action  taken  to  control  such agencies and regulate a system for accessing the rating of  programmes?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): The Ministry has notified policy guidelines for Television Rating agencies in India on 16.01.2014 for granting permission to Television Rating Agencies  in  India.  These  guidelines  are  available  on  website  of  Ministry  at www.mib.nic.in. Any eligible entity can apply for obtaining such permission.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2169 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Ordnance Factories
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SANKAR PRASAD DATTA

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2169 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## ORDNANCE FACTORIES

2169.  SHRI  SANKAR PRASAD DATTA:

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

- (a)  whether    the  Government  proposes  to  establish  new  ordnance  factories  in  the country;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof,  State / UT-wise;
- (c)  whether the Government has received any proposal for the States 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 STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

j{kk jkT; ea=h

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

¼jko banzthr flag½

(a) & (b):    No, Madam.

(c) & (d):    No proposal has been received in this regard.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2168 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Review of NRHM
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2168 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH DECEMBER, 2015

## REVIEW OF NRHM

## 2168. SHRI ARVIND SAWANT:

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

(a)  the  number  of  Common  Review  Missions  (CRM)  and  Joint  Review  Missions  (JRM) undertaken to monitor the functioning of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) across vari States/ UTs including Maharashtra during each of the last three years and the current year;

(b) the details of the observations made by the above mentioned missions with regard functioning of NRHM, State/ UT - wise; and

(c) the action taken/being taken by the Government to implement the recommendations of th said missions and to make the reforms as per the recommendations thereof, across the count

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

( a): Four Common Review Missions (CRMs) have been undertaken to monitor the functioning of  National  Rural  Health  Mission  (NRHM)/National  Health  Mission  (NHM)  across  various States/UTs during the last three years (2012 - 2014) and the current year (2015).

The  State  of  Maharashtra  was  covered  during  2013  and  2015  CRMs.  No  Joint  Review Missions (JRMs) were undertaken during the last three years and the current year.

(b): The  State/UT -wise  details  of  the  observations  made  by  the  CRMs  held  so  far, are availa ble at the URL http://nhm.gov.in/monitoring/common - review - mission.html .

(c ) The CRM report is disseminated at the National level Dissemination Workshop which attended by the State Health Secretaries and Mission Directors. Ministry also sends State spec suggestions  to  the  States  every  year  based  on  the  observations of  CRM. The  States  mostly incorporate  these  suggestions  in  their  Programme  Implementation  Plans  (PIPs)  which approved by the Government.

...................
Lok Sabha Question No. 2167 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Value of Indian Rupee
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI, SANGANNA AMARAPPA KARADI

- (a) the impact of appreciation and depreciation of the value of Rupee against the dollar on the   Indian economy, sector-wise;

(b) whether there has been a fall in the value of Indian Rupee against the dollar; (c) if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year; and

- (d) the steps taken by the Government to arrest the decline of the value of Rupee against the dollar?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI JAYANT SINHA) (a)  The  impact  of  exchange  rate  appreciation  or  depreciation  of  Indian  Rupee  against  the  dollar  on different  sectors  of  Indian  economy  depends  on  a  number  of  factors  like  elasticity  of  exports  and imports, import intensity of exports, relative prices of domestic and global products, etc.  The softening of  international commodity prices, particularly crude oil prices, notwithstanding the moderate nominal depreciation, will have favourable impact on the value of imports, trade and current account balances as well as macroeconomic stability.  While there is a depreciation of the rupee vis-à-vis US dollar in nominal terms, the impact on the economy is best assessed by the real effective exchange rate (REER) which is defined as a weighted geometric average of nominal exchange rates of the home currency in terms of the foreign currencies adjusted for relative price differential. In terms of REER, there has been an appreciation of 3.7 per cent in 2015-16 (April-October) compared to 2014-15 (April-October). (b  &  C)The  average  annual  exchange rate  of  the  rupee  depreciated from  Rs.  54.4  per  US  dollar  in 2012-13 to Rs. 60.5 in 2013-14 and further to Rs. 61.1 in 2014-15. In the current fiscal 2015-16 (AprilNovember), the average monthly exchange rate of rupee (RBI's reference rate) was Rs. 64.6 per US dollar.

- (d) The exchange rate of the rupee is by and large market determined. The Government and the RBI are closely monitoring the emerging external position including exchange rate of the rupee in nominal and  real  terms  and  on  an  on-going  basis  calibrating  policies  or  regulations  to  support  robust macroeconomic outcome.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Upgradation of Defence Equipment in Afghanistan
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: P.P. CHAUDHARY, SUNIL KUMAR SINGH, DILIP KUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2165

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## UPGRADATION OF DEFENCE EQUIPMENT IN AFGHANISTAN

2165.

SHRI  P.P. CHAUDHARY: SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH: SHRI DILIPKUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI:

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

- (a)  whether  India is upgrading Soviet era Defence equipment in Afghanistan;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof,  and the expenditure incurred in such projects;
- (c)  whether  complaints  of  alleged  corruption  or  delays  in  implementation  of  such projects and cost overruns have been received by the Government; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof and the remedial action taken by the Government?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

j{kk jkT; ea=h

¼jko banzthr flag½

- (a)   No, Madam.

(b) to (d):    Do not arise.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Flagship Programme for Agriculture Sector
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2164 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2015

## FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME FOR AGRICULTURE SECTOR

## 2164 : SHRI J. J. T. NATTERJEE

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state :

- (a)     whether the NITI aayog in its meeting concerned about the absence of any flagship programme for the agriculture sector, which is constrained by high costs and low productivity;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  for  the  development  of  agriculture  with  the  specific features for low costs with high productivity ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) & (b) Yes Madam. The first meeting of Governing Council (GC) of NITI Aayog was held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister on 08 th February, 2015 in which issues concerning several sectors including agriculture were discussed. The GC inter alia decided to constitute a Task Force on Agricultural Development  in  NITI  Aayog  to  suggest  measures  for  rejuvenating  agricultural  development  in  the country.  Similar  task  forces  were  also  constituted  in  the  States.  The  NITI  Aayog's  Task  Force  on Agricultural Development was assigned the task of co-ordinating and developing synergy with the central Ministries and State Governments' Task Forces and recommend strategies for re-invigorating agriculture in all its aspects.

(c) The Government  has  taken  several  initiatives  for  the  development  of  agriculture  and  enhance productivity and profitability. The Prime Minister Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) has been launched with an allocation of Rs. 5300 crore during 2015-16. The PMKSY envisages minimum assured irrigation to all agricultural fields ( HAR KHET KO PANI ) and maximum output with every unit use of water ( PER DROP MORE CROP ). To provide better opportunities to farmers for marketing of their produce and earn more profit, the central sector Scheme on promotion of National Agricultural Market through Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund (ATIF) has been launched for transparent sale transactions and price discovery in regulated markets and Kisan mandis, etc. The soil health card scheme is under operation to economise the use of fertilizers and maintain soil fertility for higher crop productivity.  To increase the profit and productivity  in  livestock  sub-sector,  Rashtriya  Gokul  Mission  has  been  launched  for  conservation  of indigenous cattle breeds and to sustain milk production.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Powers of PCI
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Dr. BHOLA SINGH, PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2163 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2015

## POWERS OF PCI

## 2163. SHRI BHOLA SINGH: SHRI PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Press Council of India (PCI) has been set up as a watch with a mandate to evaluate professional standards and trends for media, if the details and the functions thereof; dog SO,
- b) whether PCI has requested for increase in its legislative and financial powers to make it more effective and tackle rising attack on members of media and if so, the details thereof;
- whether PCI has also advocated reduction in Government funding to maintain its autonomy and if the details thereof; and SO,
- (d) the response of the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING [(COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd )]

- maintaining   and  improving the   standards in India and to inculcate the principles of self regulation among the press, has set up Press Council of India (PCI), an autonomous body under  the Press Council Act; 1978. Accordingly,  PCI in order to encourage the media to practice self-regulation, have formed Norms of Journalistic Conduct under section 13(2)(b) of the Press Council Act; 1978. These norms cover general principles and ethics of journalism and is available on PCIs website The complaints of contents in media, which are violative of the ethics of journalistic practice, public taste, O professional conduct, are adjudicated by PCI under section 14 of the Press Council Act; 1978. The Council, after holding inquiry in accordance with Press Council (Procedure of Inquiry) Regulations, 1979, may warn; admonish or censure the newspapers, news agency journalist or editor; as the case may be. print print

- (6) PCI having observed that more powers provided under Press Council Act; 1978 for effective implementation of its directives, has proposed amendments in the Press Council Act; 1978 to arm the Council with more power: The salient features of their proposal are as under: they require
2. (i) The Council may have jurisdiction over electronic media.
3. (ii) To provide more penal powers such as stoppage of release of Govt. funded advertisement to editor or journalist, suspension of the registration of the newspaper for a specified period etc.
4. (iii) Besides making observations, the Council may also be given power to pass such orders and give directions to the authorities including Governments

The proposal needs wide consultations with the stakeholders and evolving of consensus on the important issues relating to the media.

- (c) Sir. At present, there is no such proposal under consideration of the Government: No,
- (d) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Scheme for Economic Growth
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: DALPAT SINGH PARASTE, SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTIUENT  OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

Unstarred Question No. 2'162

Friday, December  11  ,  2015

## Scheme for Economic Growth

## 2162: SHRI DALPAT SINGH PARASTE:

## SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV

Will the Minister of FINANCE be please to state

- (A) Whether lndia has signed a declaration  with ASEAN countries to establish an economic block for economic cooperation;
- (B) lf so, the details  thereof and its impact on economic policies in lndia;
- (C) Whether any announcements  have been made to provrde loan to ASEAN countriesi  and
- (D) lf so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- A) & (B) No, lndia has not signed any declaration with ASEAN  countries to establish an economic block
- C) Yes
- D) During  the  1  3th ASEAN-lndia  Summit in Kuala Lumpur  on 21 November  20 15, Prime Minister has proposed  to commit a Line of Credit of US$ 1 billion to promote projects  that support  physical and digital connectivity  between lndia and ASEAN