opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3225 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-05
Subject: Shortage of Customs Personnel
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: K. C. VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3225 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, 5th August; 2016,

SHRAVANA, 1938 (SAKA) 14th

## SHORTAGE OF CUSTOMS PERSONNEL

## 3225. SHRI KC VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the acute shortage of Customs personnel due to increase in passengers as well as cargo movement in Cochin International Airport;
- (b) if so, the action takenlproposed to be taken by the Government to meet this issue;
- (c) whether the Government is ready to institute a Commissionerate of Customs exclusively for CIAL to make a quicker and faster passenger clearance and cargo management and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not; the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MNSTER QF STATEITHE MNSTRY QE FINANCE (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- a) There is no acute   shortage of Customs Personnel in Cochin International   Airport. Adequate for handling passenger   clearance as well as cargo movement smoothly.
- b) Taking into account an increase of about 7.63% in the number of passengers handled at Cochin International Airport in 2015-16 as compared to 2014-15, the staff posted to the Airport has been increased about 10.2%.
3. C There is already a Commissionerate of Customs at Cochin which has jurisdiction over Cochin International Airport (CIAL) as well as International Seaport  There is no proposal to create an exclusive Commissionerate of Customs for CIAL.
- d) Reorganization of the field   formations under CBEC has recently taken place. formulation of the said  reorganization, no justification in terms of workload and functional requirements was found to create a Commissionerate of Customs exclusively for CIAL, During
Lok Sabha Question No. 3224 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-05
Subject: Disinvestment in Public Enterprises
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MNNISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF [NVESTMENT AND PUBLIC ASSET MANAGEMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3224

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 5,2016 SRAVANA 14, 1938 (SAKA)

Disinvestment in Public Enterprises:

## 3224. SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to statc:

- the  total fiind thc Government raised by  selling  stakes in state   owned   Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in the last three years;
- whether the Government is encouraging the CPSEs to divest individual assets like land, manufacturing units, etc. to release their asset value for making investments in new projects;
- where proposals are currently pending with the Government for approval; and
- (d) the details and the timc for action thereon? taking

## ANSWER

## (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- (a): The (CPSEs) during last three years are aS under:
- An announcement has been made   in the Budget 2016-17 to  leverage the assets   of CPSEs for generation of resources for investment in new projects and to encourage CPSEs to divest individual assets like land, manufacturing units, etc: to release their asset value for making investment in new projects
- (c) & (d) The matters related to asset sale of CPSEs are: handled by the CPSEs respective Administrative Departments as per procedure laid down

|         | (Rs;in crore   |
|---------|----------------|
| 2013-14 | 15.819         |
| 2014-15 | 24.,349        |
| 2015-16 | 23,997*        |
Lok Sabha Question No. 3223 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-05
Subject: Pharmacy Curriculum
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: RAGHAV LAKHANPAL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 3223 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH AUGUST, 2016

## PHARMACY CURRICULUM

## 3223. SHRI RAGHAV LAKHANPAL:

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

- (a) whether the curriculum of pharmacy education in the country is not in tune with the the pharmaceutical sector of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the remedial steps taken/being taken by the Government regard; and
- (c) whether the quality of Indian pharma products are not accepted/ recognized globally the details thereof and the steps taken by the Governm ent to make the quality of Indian pharma products comply with the global standards?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)

- (a): No.
- (b): Does not arise.
- (c ): No,  India is one of the largest producers of pharmaceutical products in the world and is exporting  nearly  55%  of  its  production  to  over  200  countries/economics  of  the  wo Pharmaceutical products of India are recognized globally.

………………
Lok Sabha Question No. 3222 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-05
Subject: Export Duty on Iron Ore
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: S.SELVAKUMARA CHINNAYAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3222

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 5 TH   AUGUST, 2016 SHRAVANA 14 , 1938 (SAKA)

## EXPORT DUTY ON IRON ORE

## 3222. SHRI S. SELVAKUMARA CHINNAYAN:

- Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has abolished 5 per cent export duty totally on iron ore pellets and if so, the details thereof; (b) the motive behind abolition of export duty on iron ore pellets completely; and
- (c) the income lost due to abolition of export duty on iron ore pellets completely?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a)  &  (b)  :  In  view  of  the  fall  in  international  prices  of  iron  ore  and  the recommendation of Ministry of Mines in consultation with the Ministry of Steel, the export duty of 5% on iron ore pellets falling under Customs tariff heading 2601 12 10, was exempted vide  Notification No.1/2016-Customsdated 4.1.2016.

(c): The estimated revenue loss on account of the aforesaid measure is about Rs.51 Crore in a full year.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3221 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-05
Subject: Availability of Gold
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: BHAVANA GAWALI (PATIL)

a

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

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO. 3221

TO BE ANSWERED  ON: Friday, August 5, 2016/Shravana  14,1938 (Saka)

## AVAILABILITY  OF GOLD

## qUESTION

## +3221. by SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO  GAWALI PATIL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE  be pleased  to state:

- (a) The estimated demand  and availability  of gold in the country  at present;
- (b) The details  of gold imported  during each of the iast three years and the current year, State-wlse;
- (c) The main reasons behind fluctuations in gold prices registered in the country recently; and
- (d) The steps taken by the Government to control  prices of gold in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal)

- (a) There are no firm statistics  on estimated  demand and availability of gold in the country. However, rough estimates  place gold demand in the country  at 800-900 tons per annum.
- (b) state-wise data on import of gold is not maintalned. However, the details of gold imported  during each of the last three  years and current year (Up to June, 2016) are as under: -
- (c)  & (d) Gold prices vary as a function  of demand and supply and other expectations  including  geo-political  events, economic  developments. Price fluctuations  are a part  of market activity,

| YEAR                           |   Quantity(TON) | Value (Million USD)   |
|--------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------|
| 2013-74                        |          661.71 | 28704.67              |
| 20t4-L5                        |          915.47 | 34407.t8              |
| 2015- 16                       |          968.06 | 3L770.75              |
| From April, 2016 to June, 2016 |          117.05 | 3921.55               |
Lok Sabha Question No. 279 (STARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Bharat Mala Project
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION No. 279

ANSWERED ON 4 TH  AUGUST, 2016

## BHARAT MALA PROJECT

*279.   DR. BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched Bharat Mala Project;
- (b) if so, the details along with salient features of the project;
- (c) whether the Government has invited bids for undertaking the work under the project; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  along  with  the  funds  allocated  so  far  for  the  purpose  and  present  status thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 279 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2016 ASKED BY DR. BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD REGARDING BHARAT MALA PROJECT

## (a) No Madam.

(b) to (d) The Ministry has formulated an ambitious programme inter alia to improve the road connectivity to coastal / border areas, backward areas, religious places, places of tourist interest, construction / rehabilitation / widening of major bridges and Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) / Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) on NHs and improvement of newly declared NHs, providing connectivity to District Head Quarters etc. Funding and other issues are yet to be tied up.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 275 (STARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Ecological Impact Assessments
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE, M. B. RAJESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 275 ANSWERED ON 4 TH  AUGUST, 2016

## ECOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

*275.  ADV. JOICE GEORGE: SHRI M.B. RAJESH:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सडक परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the National Highway projects have been/are delayed due to late submission of Ecological Impact Assessments (EIA), if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has drawn any mechanism to speed up the process and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether several NH projects have been shelved for want of environmental clearance and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the corrective steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI MANSHUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  275  ANSWERED  ON  04.08.2016  ASKED  BY  ADV.  JOICE GEORGE AND SHRI M.B. RAJESH REGARDING ECOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS.

(a)  to  (d)    No  project  is  delayed  at  present  due  to  late  submission  of  Ecological  Impact Assessments (EIA). Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a part of the project preparation. The process of EIA starts with the feasibility studies and culminated with preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR). In order to avoid unnecessary delays in environment related clearances, the  persistent  pursuance  is  done  with  the  Ministry  of  Environment  and  Forest  (MoEF).  The process of environment clearances has been streamlined by MoEF by taking important decisions as given below:

-  Process of environment clearance and forest clearance was delinked by MoEF facilitating parallel processing of clearance proposals.
-  The  requirement  of  specific  ToRs  for  highway  widening  projects  has  already  been dispensed with.
-  The threshold for triggering the requirement of environment clearance has been relaxed up  to  the  limit  of  100  km  length.    In  addition,  above  this  length,  projects  requiring additional land acquisition up to 40 m for widening and up to 60 m on the realignments are also exempted.
-  MOEF has delegated the powers for linear projects to Regional Empowered Committees (RECs).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 262 (STARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana— Gramin
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 262

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2016

## PRADHAN MANTRI AAWAS YOJANA -GRAMIN

## *262. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  achievements  made  under  the  Indira  Aawas  Yojana  (IAY),  now rechristened as Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana -Gramin (PMAY - G);
- (b) the details of monitoring mechanism in place to oversee the implementation o f IAY;
- (c) whether the Ministry has proposed any changes in stakeholder pattern of PMAY - G for  its  better  implementation  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the therefor; and
- (d) the procedural constraints faced by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR )

- ( a) to (d ):A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a), (b),(c) and (d) of the Lok Sabha Star Question No. 262  for answer on 04.08.2016.

- ( a) : Under Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), since inception 3,60,36,817 housing units have been constructed.
- ( b) :  Implementation of IAY , nowPradhanMantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin) [PMAY - G] isreviewed  in Performance  Review  Committee  ( PRC ) meetings  on  quarterly  basis,  State Coordinating Officers meeting on monthly basis, Common Review Mission, Area Officer's visits and National Level Monitors visits. In addition, progress of the scheme is monitored usingMIS Awaassoftand AwaasApp .
- ( c) and (d) : Yes Madam. The beneficiaries that are to be covered under the scheme of PMAY(G), effective from 01.04.2016, comprise of all houseless households and households living in zero/one/two room houses with kutcha roof and kutcha w all as per Socio Econo mic and  Caste  Census  (SECC)  2011  data  as  validated  by  Gram  Sabha  whereas  under  IAY, beneficiaries  were  selected  from  permanent  wait  list  prepared  on  the  basis  of  rura households.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3219 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Infrastructure to Panchayats
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL, ASHWINI KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3219 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2016

## INFRASTRUCTURE TO PANCHAYATS

## 3219.   SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL: SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken adequate steps to provide infrastructural facilities to Panchayats and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  launch  any  new  scheme  for  strengthening  of Panchayats and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government proposes to introduce  Nyaya Panchayat  Bill to  strengthen Gram Panchayats and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a)  Providing  infrastructural  facilities  to  Panchayats  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of  the concerned States Governments. However, assistance for infrastructural facilities like construction of buildings for Panchayats, repairs of Panchayat Ghars, etc., was provided by this  Ministry  in  the  past  to  the  States/Union  Territories  under  the  schemes  of  Backward Regions Grant Fund, Rashtriya Gram  Swaraj Yojana and Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan, etc.

(b)    Yes,  Madam.  Launch  of  a  new  restructured  scheme  namely  Rashtriya  Gram  Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) has been announced in the Budget Speech of the Hon'ble Finance Minister for the year 2016-17.

- (c)  No decision has been taken by the Government to introduce the Bill.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3217 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Road Safety Audit
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3217 ANSWERED ON 4 TH AUGUST, 2016

## ROAD SAFETY AUDIT

## 3217.  DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सडक परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether the Government is aware that the 12th Five Year Plan recommended periodic road safety  audits  at  different  stages  of  design,  implementation  and  operations,  to  ensure compliance with safety standards on road and highways;
- (b)      if so, the details thereof;
- (c)      if not, the reasons thereof;
- (d) whether the Government would consider collaborating and providing financial assistance to State Governments, including the State of Kerala, to check the quality of roads and the safety on sidewalks and crosswords; and
- (e) if  so,  the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to conduct road safety audits on highways?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) and (b) Government is aware of  the importance of periodic road safety audits at different stages like Feasibility Study  stage (FS),  Detailed  Project  Report  stage  (DPR),  during construction stage, pre-opening stage etc., to ensure meeting of road safety standards.   Ministry of Road Transport & Highways incorporated mandatory provisions for carrying out road safety audits at different stages in the Model Concession Agreement/Standard Contract document for highway  improvement  projects  on  BOT/EPC  modes  respectively.  Road  Safety  Audits  for projects of other modes and existing highways are also carried out as per relevant Indian Roads Congress Standards/Guidelines especially Manual on Road Safety Audit IRC-SP-88-2010.

- (c) Does not arise.

(d) and(e) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways issued detailed guidelines for carrying out  road  safety  audits  of  different  highway  development  projects  and  the  existing  highways. Standard RFP document for road safety audits has also been prepared and circulated to all the states including the state of Kerala. Various states/UTs including the state of Kerala have been requested  to  identify  some  stretches  for  carrying  out  road  safety  audits.  Ministry  of  Road Transport & Highways is responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways and  the  cost  thereon  including  the  cost  of  road  safety  audits  is  borne  by  Ministry  of  Road Transport & Highways.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3215 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Tapping of Hydrogen Energy
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: HARISH CHANDRA MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 3215

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2016

## TAPPING OF HYDROGEN ENERGY

## 3215. SHRI  HARISH MEENA

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  make  any  initiative  to  tap  the  hydrogen energy in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the funds allocated for the said purpose; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  POWER,  COAL  ,  NEW  &  RENEWABLE  ENERGY  & MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): Yes,  Madam.  Recognizing  the  importance  of  hydrogen  energy  technologies  for meeting  energy  requirement  of  transportation  and  stationary  power  generation,  the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been implementing a broad based Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) Programme in the country through academic institutions, research & development organizations and industry in this area.

(b): These  technologies  are  in  the  initial  stages  of  development  in  the  country. Currently, 24 RD&D projects in the area of hydrogen energy are under implementation with  the  support  of  the  MNRE.  The  amount  of  funds  released  by  the  MNRE  for implementation of RD&D projects related to hydrogen energy and fuel cells during the last  three  years was Rs.15.85 crore during 2013-14, Rs.10.80 crore during 2014-15 and Rs.6.00 crore during 2015-16.  The funds allocated for the Programme during the current financial year 2016-17 is Rs.20.00 crore.

(c): Does not arise.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3214 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Near Miss Aircraft Incidents
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: V. PANNEER SELVAM, SATISH KUMAR GAUTAM, RAJESH VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3214

(To be answered on the 4th August 2016)

## NEAR MISS AIRCRAFT INCIDENTS

3214.

SHRI V. PANNEERSELVAM SHRI SATISH KUMAR GAUTAM SHRI RAJESH VERMA

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken note 0f the instances where two aircraft had come too close or-aircraft had narrow escape due to technical snag;
- the details of near miss incidents where there were narrow escape of flights of various airlines including 0f Air India took place due to technical reasons or other reasons during the last three years and the
- (e) whether the Government has formed a Committee to suggest measures for air safetyi and (f) if s0, the details thereof with the recommendations made by the said Committee and the action taken 0 these recommendations ? along
- current year, year-wise; (d) whether tie Government had conducted any enquiry into such incidents, if s0, the details thereof and the action taken in each such case;

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

- (a) & (b) No such instances were reported where two aircraft had come too close or aircraft had narrow escape due to technical snag:
- (c) In the last three year and including the current year number of ai- miss incidents reported are as under:

Year

No of Air miss

2013

23

2014

31

2015 25

2016 (upto 10th July)

- (e) & (f) The Government has not formed any Committee to suggest measures for air safety. However, safety recommendations emanating from investigations of aircraft serious incidents are followed up for implementation with the concerned agencies by DGCA s0 as to prevent recurrence of Similar serious incident:
- (d) Al the incidents are investigated by Airprox Investigation Board constituted by DGCA and these investigations are reviewed at DGCA, HQ for their completeness and process for implementation of recommendations.

#****