opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2289 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Fiscal Deficit of Centre and the States
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH, M. CHANDRAKASI

- (a) whether fiscal deficit of Union and State/UT Governments of the country is growing uncontrollably;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for increasing fiscal deficit;
- (c) the present level of overall fiscal deficit in the country;
- (d) the steps taken by the Union Government to enforce discipline and bring fiscal deficit to acceptable level; and
- (e) whether any State Government has approached to the Union Government to provide package or debt waiver to reduce financial burden, if so, the action taken by the Union Government in this regard?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a) to (b) As a proportion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current market prices, fiscal deficit of the Central Government declined from 4.1 per cent in 2014-15 to 3.9 per cent in 2015-16 (provisional actuals) and  is  estimated  to  decline  to  3.5  per  cent  in  2016-17  (Budget  Estimates).  As  per  the  latest  information available from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the combined fiscal deficit of all States was 2.9 per cent of the  GDP  (revised  estimates)  in  2014-15  and  estimated  to  decline  to  2.4  per  cent  of  the  GDP  in  2015-16 (budget estimates).

- (c) The overall fiscal deficit of the Centre and States (combined) was placed at 6.6 per cent of GDP in 201415 (latest data available with the RBI) as against 7.1 per cent of GDP in 2013-14.

(d) The Central Government is taking necessary steps to ensure that the fiscal deficit is contained as per the revised  fiscal  consolidation  roadmap  indicated  in  the  Medium  Term  Fiscal  Policy  Statement  2016-17. The essential components of the fiscal consolidation strategy of the Central Government include: efforts at raising additional  revenue  for  infrastructure  creation;  and,  expenditure  rationalization,  including  initiatives  to  plug leakages from the public delivery system and a focus on direct benefit transfers. The higher untied devolution of  budgetary  resources  from  the  Centre  to  the  States  under  the  devolution  scheme  recommended  by  the Fourteenth Finance Commission is likely to improve the fiscal position of States.

- (e) The requests received from State Governments from time to time to provide package or debt waiver to reduce financial burden are normally dealt within the ambit of the recommendations of Finance Commissions. As per the recommendations of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Finance Commissions, debt waiver/write-off was provided to eligible States. The Fourteenth Finance Commission has not recommended any debt waiver.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2286 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Chit Fund Frauds
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: MD. BADARIDDOZA KHAN, GAURAV GOGOI, T.G. VENKATESH BABU, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, UDIT RAJ, V. SATHYABAMA, K. KAMARAAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2286 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016/SHRAVANA 7, 1938 (SAKA) CHIT FUND FRAUDS

2286. SHRI MD. BADARUDDOZA KHAN:

SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:

DR. UDIT RAJ:

SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

DR. K. KAMARAJ:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Supreme Court has recently asked the Government to chalk out a comprehensive  action  plan/norms  to  clamp  down  on  illegal  deposits  and collective investments scheme popularly known as Chit Fund;
- b) if so, the details thereof; and
- c) the steps taken to prevent such illegal deposit schemes in this regard?

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

(a) to (c): Hon'ble Supreme court in the matter of Humanity Salt Lake Vs. Union of India {Writ Petition (Civil) No. 928 of 2013} has directed the Government to submit the steps taken by the Government for controlling the menace of illegal collection of money  in  the  garb  of  collective  investment/  chit  fund  schemes.  In  this  regard, Government  has,  inter-alia,  taken  the  following  steps  to  prevent  illegal  deposit schemes:-

- i. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted a mechanism in the form of State Level  Coordination  Committees  (SLCCs)  in  all  the  States  /  UTs.  The  primary purpose of this forum is to facilitate information sharing among the Regulators and  Enforcement  agencies  about  the  mobilization/  acceptance  of  deposits  by unauthorized  entities.  SLCCs  are  chaired  by  the  Chief  Secretary  of  the  State and  its  meetings  are  held  quarterly.  For  regular  follow-up  on  the  cases,  subcommittees of the SLCCs have also been formed in 20 states/ UTs. The subcommittees  hold  meetings  in  between  two  SLCC  meetings  as  and  when necessary.
- ii. Draft  Model  Rules  under  the  Prize  Chits  &  Money  Circulation  Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978 have been formulated by the Government and circulated to all State Governments / UTs for adoption.
- iii. 23  States  /  UTs  have  enacted  the  Protection  of  Depositors  in  Financial Establishments Act (PID Acts) to protect the interest of depositors of financial institutions and are adequately empowered to take action against any scheme promising abnormal return.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2276 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Ease of Doing Business
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: ANANDRAO  ADSUL, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2276 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016/ SHRAVANA 7, 1938 (SAKA)

## EASE OF DOING BUSINESS QUESTION

2276. SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS

be pleased to state:

- (a)
- the global position of India in the zone of  'ease of doing business' ;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has made number of changes this year to the Companies Act, 2013, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether despite changes, the industry has lot of concerns and press for more amendments to have better ecosystem to do business in India, if so, the further initiatives taken to address the reservations of industries in this regard; and
- (d)  whether the Government has set up a major target for the new year to minimise  the number of days required to set up a company in India and if so, the steps taken by the Government to achieve the aforesaid target?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE                                  (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्रालर् में राज्र् मंत्री

- (a) India is ranked 130 out of 189 Countries in the World Bank's 'Ease of Doing Business' report 2016.
- (b) No, Government has not made any changes in Companies Act, 2013 (the Act) this year.
- (c) The Ministry had amended the Act through Companies (Amendment) Act, 2015. In order to examine and make recommendations on issues arising from the  implementation  of  the  Act,  the  Ministry  had  set  up  a  Companies  Law Committee (CLC) in June, 2015. The CLC submitted its report on 1st February, 2016. Based on the recommendations of the CLC, the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2016 has been introduced in the Parliament on 16.03.2016. In addition,

( श्री अर्जयन राम मेघवाल )

कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री

Ministry has also carried out various changes in Rules prescribed under the Act to address concerns of the industry and stakeholders. (d)  This  Ministry,  as  part  of  its  Government  Process  Re-engineering  (GPR) exercise, had setup the Central Registration Centre (CRC) for processing of 'Name Availability' (INC-01) and 'Incorporation' (INC-02/07/29) e-forms, with a view to speed up 'Starting a Business'.  The average time for processing an application for incorporation has significantly reduced to less than 2 working days.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2275 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Sale of Medicines
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, Shrirang Appa Barne, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2275 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH JULY, 2016

## SALE OF MEDICINES

## 2275. SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken cognizance  that  medicines  are  being  sold online  and offline without proper prescription by the doctors and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has inquired into the matter and if so, the outcome thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to revamp the Drugs and Cosmetics Act,1940 for ensuring patient safety;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the final decision is likely to be taken in this regard; and
- (e) the other steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to stop selling of medicines with out proper prescriptions?

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

- (a)& (b): Sale and distribution of drugs in the country are regulated as per the provis the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940  and  the  Rules  thereunder.  In  accordance  with  these  Rules, drugs specified in Schedules H, H1 and X cannot be sold except on and in accordance with prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner from a licensed premise. Some instances of medicines  online  have  been  reported  in  the  media  and  wherever  violation  was  notic remedial measures have been taken by State Licensing Authorities (SLA).
- (c) & (d): The Government has taken a decision to prepare fresh legislation(s) for regul thedrugs, medical devices and cosmetics keeping in view the fact that the present legisl of 1940, which has been amended a number of times.
- (e): Adequate  measures  are  already  in  existence  to  curb  the  practice  of  sale  of  medi without prescriptio n as detailed in reply to part (a) & (b) above.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2274 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: New Financial Year
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, PRATHAP SIMHA, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, SHOBHA KARANDLAJE, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., SUDHEER GUPTA, C. MAHENDRAN, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, DHARMENDRA YADAV, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, S.SELVAKUMARA CHINNAYAN, R. GOPALAKRISHNAN, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

- (a) Yes, Sir
- (b) to (d): The Committee has been constituted on 6'h July,  2016 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Shankar  Acharya,  former  Chief Economic Adviser  and three other Members.  The detailed composition and the terms of reference ofthe Committee are as given in Annexure.

## GOVERNMENT OT'INDIA MIIIISTRY OF I'INANCE DEPARTMENT  OF ECONOMIC  AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO.2274

TO BE ANSWERED  ON FRIDAY, THE 29th JULY,2OI6/ 7th  SITRAVANA,  1938 (SAKA)

## NEW FINANCIAL YEAR

## QUESTION

2274. SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI SATAV RAJEEV: SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH  SHANKARRAO:  SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA  REDDY: DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD: SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA: SHRJ ANANDRAO ADSUL: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI GAJANAN  KIRTIKAR: KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:  SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR: SHRJ SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI C. MAHENDRAN: SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH: SHRI S. SELVAKUMARA  CHINNAYAN: SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN: DR, J. JAYAVARDHAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  has constituted  a Committee to examine the "desirability  and feasibility"  under the Chairmanship  of Shri Shankar Acharya  of having  a new financial  year, replacing  the existing April-March  period;
- (b) ifso, the details thereofand  the reasons therefor;
- (c) the composition  and terms of reference of the said Committee along with the time by which it rs likely to submit ils report; and
- (d) whether  the said Committee has been mandated to work out modalities  for effecting the change, which would include appropriate  timing  of change, determination of a transitional  period, the change in tax laws  during the hansitional  period, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI ARJIJN RAM MEGHWAL)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2273 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Holdings in PNB
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, ANANDRAO  ADSUL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2273

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 th  July, 2016/ Shravana 7, 1938 (SAKA)

## Holdings in PNB QUESTION

## 2273. SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently notified the aggregate foreign share holdings  by  foreign  institutional  investors/Non  Resident  Indians  (NRIs)/  Persons  of  Indian  Origin (PRI)/Foreign  Direct  Investment  (FDI)  and  other  under  the  Portfolio  Investment  Scheme  (PIS)  in Punjab National Bank (PNB) under the extant FDI policy, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether reeling under bad loans, the PNB posted the largest quarterly loss by any public sector lender at Rs. 5,367 crore for the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2016 despite its net profit of Rs. 306.56 crores in the corresponding period of 2014-15; and
- (c)        if so, the details and the reasons for posting largest quarterly loss for the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2016?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a):   Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on July 8, 2016 notified that the aggregate foreign share holdings by  Foreign  Institutional  Investors  (FIIs)  /  Registered  Foreign  Portfolios  Investors  (RFPIs)  /  Non Resident Indians (NRI) / Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) / Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) / American Depository Receipts (ADR) / Global Depository Receipts (GDR) under Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS)   in M/s Punjab National Bank (PNB) have gone below the prescribed threshold caution limit stipulated under the extant FDI policy. Hence, the restrictions placed on the purchase of shares of the above company dated May 22, 2009 were withdrawn with immediate effect. (b) & (c):  PNB has posted a quarterly loss of Rs. 5,367 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2016 against net profit of Rs. 306.56 crore in the corresponding period of 2014-15. The Bank has incurred  these  quarterly  losses  mainly  due  to  significantly  higher  provisions  against  NPAs  made

- during the quarter ending March 31, 2016.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2269 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Joint Exercises with Foreign Countries
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2269

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 TH  JULY, 2016

## JOINT EXERCISES WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES

2269.  DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT: SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  directed  the  Armed  Forces  to  carry  out  joint exercises  with  friendly  countries  in  tune  with  India's  'Act  East  Policy',  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Armed Forces have shortlisted countries for this purpose and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which these exercises will take place?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                      (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

j{kk ea=h

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(a) to (c): India conducted a joint Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace Keeping  Operations  Field  Training  Exercise  under  ASEAN  Defence Minister's Meeting - Plus framework in Pune in March 2016.  Over 300 personnel  from  17  countries  participated  in  this  joint  exercise,  which was the largest such exercise ever held in India.

Our  Armed  Forces  regularly  conduct  joint  exercises  in  bilateral and other formats with friendly foreign countries, including those in East Asia.  In 2015, 28 such joint exercises were conducted.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2267 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Exemption on Clinical Trials
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K., ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2267 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH JULY, 2016

## EXEMPTION ON CLINICA L TRIALS

## 2267. SHRI K. PARASURAMAN: SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes to  relax  the  norms  exempting  academic institutions  to conduct clinical trials and need to get prior approvals of the Drug Controller General of India;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is concerned about the possibilities for misuse of thi  exemption; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the corrective actions taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a) & (b): The Government has vide GSR No.313 (E) dated 16.03.2016 amended the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 to inter alia provide as below:

'no permission for conduct of clinical trial intended for academic purposes in respect approved  drug  formulation  shall  be  required  for  any  new  indication  or  new  route administration or new dose or new dosage form where, -

- (a)the trial is approved by the Ethics Committee; and
- (b) the dat a generated is not intended for submission to licensing authority.

The  Ethics  Committee  shall,  however,  inform  the  licensing  authority  about  the  ca approved by it and also about cases where there could be an overlap between the clinica for  academ ic  and  regulatory  purposes  and  where  the  said  authority  does  not  convey comments to the Ethics Committee within a period of thirty days from the date of recei communication from the Ethics Committee, it shall be presumed that no permission from t e licensing authority is required.'

(c) & (d): Sufficient provisions exist in the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Rul thereunder to deal with any case of m isuse or non - compliance with any of the provisions of the Act and the rules .
Lok Sabha Question No. 2266 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Illicit Cultivation of Opium and Cannabis
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2266 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE JULY, 2016 SHRAVANA 7 1938 (SAKA) 29th

## ILLICIT CULTIVATION OF OPIUM AND CANNABIS

## 2266. SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE : SHRI SATAV RAJEEV :

Will the Minister of FINANCE be please to state:

- (a) Whether production of illicit cultivation of and cannabis are also in large circulation; opium
- (b) If so, the Narcotic Control Bureau with the help of State Governments have undertaken any drive to identify the areas of illicit cultivation of opium and cannabis and destroy them; and
- (c) The total quantity of illicit cultivation of opium destroyed during the last six months?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No. The Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act; 1985 prohibits the illicit cultivation of opium and other narcotic products in the country. A number of agencies have been empowered to carry out enforcement functions under the Act. The Central Government also uses satellite imagery to detect illicit poppy cultivation which is then eradicated by the enforcement agencies: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) coordinates such eradications actions.

Illicit opium & Cannabis destroyed in 2015:

|       |   Opium |   Cannabis (in acres) |
|-------|---------|-----------------------|
| Total |    3461 |                   818 |

Total illicit opium and cannabis seized and destroyed by law enforcement agencies for the year 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

Illicit opium & Cannabis seized in 2015 & 2016:

|       |   Opium (In Kg |   Cannabis_(In Kg) |   Opium (In Kg) |   Cannabis (In Kg) |
|-------|----------------|--------------------|-----------------|--------------------|
| Year  |        2015    |             2015   |         2016    |             2016   |
| Total |        1686.75 |            94403.1 |          953.56 |            43616.8 |

- (b) NCB with the helping State Governments have undertaken comprehensive drive to identify the areas of illicit cultivation of opium and cannabis and destroy them: Yes,
- (c) The total quantity of destruction of illicit poppy cultivation for year 2016 (up to June) is 6441.75 Acres.