opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2226 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Medicines Developed by DRDO
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2226

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## MEDICINES DEVELOPED BY DRDO

2226.  SHRI  PINAKI MISRA:

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

- (a)  whether  a lot of innovative medicines and medical kits / equipments developed and designed by DRDO / DRDE are not being brought out in the open market;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c)  the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## 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) to (c):   The following are medicines developed by Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), a Gwalior based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):-

- Lucoskin  a polyherbal medicine for treatment of Leucoderma is already available in the market.
- Monoisoamyl    dimcrcaptosuccinic    acid  (miDMSA)  has  been developed as a treatment for chronic arsenic poisoning.
- 2-dexiglucose (2-DG)  has been developed as radio-modifier and cancer therapy.  Phase-I trial has been completed.

Apart  from  the  above,  medicines  and  medical  kits  /  equipments specific for Services for use during Nuclear, Biological & Chemical (NBC) warfare scenario have been developed.  Therefore, these have not been brought out in the open market.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2225 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Expanding Role of NITI Aayog
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2225 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2015

## EXPANDING ROLE OF NITI AAYOG

## 2225. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is working towards expanding the role of NITI Aayog so that it does not restrict itself just with the allocation of funds to States but also play an important role ranging from process of tax collection and disinvestment to the preparation of budget;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to include other economists and experts into the NITI Aayog; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b)  The Allocation of Business Rules for NITI Aayog inter-alia  define its functions: (i) to evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States in the light of national objectives and (ii) to design strategic and long term policy and programme frameworks  and  initiatives  and  monitor  their  progress  and  their  efficacy.    These  functions  in  a  way influence budget-making. Budget-making of Central Ministries / Departments and allocation of funds to States per se is not a function of NITI Aayog.

(c)&(d)  The NITI Aayog's resolution envisages a full time organisational framework comprising of fulltime  members  with  diverse  subject  expertise  and  part-time  members  maximum  of  two  from  leading universities, research organisations and other relevant institution in an ex-officio capacity on a rotational basis.  There is also a provision for experts, specialists and practitioners with relevant domain knowledge to be nominated as special invitees by the Prime Minister.   NITI Aayog's objective is to provide advice and encourage partnerships between key stakeholders, national and international thinktanks, as well as educational and policy research institutions.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2224 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Energy Drinks
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2224 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH DECEMBER, 2015

## ENERGY DRINKS

## 2224. DR. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of a study published in Journal of American Medical Association indicating the harmful effect of energy drinks on health;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to limit the production and sale of energy drinks in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether there is a provision in the present regulation for printing health warning on energy drinks, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to create awareness about health risks by consuming energy drinks?

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

- (a)& (b): As  per  report  published  on  17.11.2015  in  the  Journal  of  American  Medica Association, a pilot study based on a Randomized Trial of Cardiovascular Responses to En Drink  Consumption  in  Healthy  Adults  was  conducted  on  25  participants.  It  showed  th consumption of commercially available energy drinks significantly increased the level of pressure and catecholamines in young healthy adults. The report recommends research in l studies to assess whether the observed acute changes are likely to incre ase cardiovascular risk.
- (c): No  decision  has  been  taken  to  limit  the  production  and  sale  of  energy  drinks  i country.
- (d): The labeling requirements for caffeinated drinks (energy drinks) have been specifi the draft regulations.
- (e): The con sumers are educated/made aware of  the food safety through consumer awareness programmes launched jointly by the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Food Safety a Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI).  These  include  advertisements  in  different  me campaigns launched by the FSSAI on social media such as Face - book,  documentary films on YouTube, educational booklets, information on FSSAI website, stalls at Fairs/Melas/Events mass awareness campaigns.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2222 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Resolving the Tax Dispute
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RAMA KISHORE SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2222

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 11th DECEMBER, 2015 20 AGRAHAYANA, 1937 (SAKA)

2222. SHRI RAMA KISHORE SINGH:

## Resolving the Tax Dispute

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a) whether some industrial companies taken cue from Vodafone, have approached the Income Tax Department for resolving the tax disputes; and top
- b) ifso, the details and the number of such industrial companies whose tax disputes are pending/settled by the IT Department?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b) The Income-tax 1961 provides the legal remedies that can be resorted to by taxpayers in case wish to dispute any tax demand raised in proceedings carried out by Income-tax Authorities in accordance with the provisions of the said Act These remedies are regularly availed by the taxpayers for resolving tax disputes The Income-tax Act, 1961 also provides the option of settlement of tax disputes by the Settlement Commission, which can be availed by the taxpayers as per the provisions of the Act Further, taxpayers can also  approach   for  resolution of tax disputes under the Mutual Agreement Procedure under tax treaties, in which case, the Competent Authorities of the two contracting states endeavour to resolve the dispute by way ofnegotiations Act, they

In addition to the above, Notices of Dispute under Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPAs) entered into by India have been received from some companies, namely Vodafone International Holdings BV, Vodafone PLC, Nokia Oyj, Cairn Energy PLC and Vedanta Resources PLC, wherein allegations have been made that tax proceedings undertaken by Income-tax Authorities under the provisions of the Income-tax Act; 1961 amounted to violation of obligations of India under the said agreements, and International Arbitration has been sought for resolving the alleged dispute under those agreements It has been conveyed to these companies that the Government of India neither finds their allegations acceptable; nor agrees with their contention that tax disputes can be resolved under the said agreements: However, in order to ensure that the interests of India in such Arbitration proceedings are protected, Arbitrators have been appointed by the Governmentin accordance with the BIPAs
Lok Sabha Question No. 2220 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: PF Rate Revision
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: BHEEMRAO BASWANTHRAO PATIL

***

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2220

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 11 TH DECEMBER, 2015/ AGRAHAYANA 20, 1937 (SAKA)

## PF RATE REVISION

## Q U E S T I O N

## 2220.  SHRI BHEEMRAO B. PATIL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to revise the Provident Fund rates; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## A N S W E R

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

(a)& (b): No, Sir. As yet no proposal has been received from Ministry   of Labour & Employment for current financial year.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2218 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Medical Tourism
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2218 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH DECEMBER, 2015

## MEDICAL TOURISM

## 2218. SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has undertaken any study/survey to identify the major diseases for which foreigners come to India for treatment;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  and  the  findings thereof  indicating  the  major  diseases and the  source countries;
- (c) the quantum of revenue generated through medical tourism during each of the last three years and the current year, State/ UT - wise; and
- (d) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure that theforeigners receive high quality medical treatment?

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

- (a): The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has not conducted any such study.
- (b) : Does not arise.
- (c): Such data is not maintained by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare . However, stud iesundertaken by industry in 2014 indicate that with an estimated USD 78.6 billion in 2012 the medical tourism has emerged as an important sector in India.
- (d): Subject  to  adherence  t o  scheme  guidelines  and  availability  of  funds,  the  Ministry  o Tourism  provides  financial  support  under  the  Marketing  Developments  Assistance  (MDA) Scheme to approved Medical Tourism Service Providers. Further, the Department of Commerce also offers incent ives to the hospitals providing medical treatment to foreigners.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2213 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Committee on CSR
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA, B.N. CHANDRAPPA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2213 ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2015/ AGRAHAYANA 20, 1937(SAKA)

## COMMITTEE ON CSR

## QUESTION

2213. SHRI BAIJAYANT JAY PANDA: SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री

- (a)  whether  the  High  Level  Committee  constituted  by  the  Government  to  suggest measures  for monitoring the progress of implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies has submitted its Report;
- (b) if so, the details of recommendations made by the said committee along with action taken by the Government thereon;
- (c) whether the Government proposes uniformity in tax exemption for CSR expenditure to all eligible activities, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to amend the Companies Act to incorporate the recommendations, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has any proposal to give a little bit freedom to companies on  CSR  expenditure,  including  increasing  the  administrative  expenditure,  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री

- (a):  Yes, Madam
- (b):    The  report  alongwith  its  recommendations  has  been  placed  on  the  Ministry's website (www.mca.gov.in).
- (c): No, Madam
- (d): The Companies Law Committee is examining the issues related to amendments required, if any, in the Companies Act, 2013 and rules thereunder.
- (e):  The Companies are required to formulate their CSR policies, if applicable, under the provision of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, Schedule VII of the Act and Companies CSR Policy Rules, 2014 read with General Circular dated 18.06.2014 issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

********

(SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)

(श्री अरुण जेटली)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2212 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Export of Defence Items
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: KULAMANI SAMAL

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2212

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## EXPORT OF DEFENCE ITEMS

2212.  DR. KULAMANI SAMAL:

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

- (a)  whether  domestic private sector companies are allowed to export defence items;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether any defence export has been made by the private companies during the last three years and the current year;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  export  by  the  private  sector companies?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

j{kk jkT; ea=h

(a) to (e):   A statement is attached.

*******

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

¼jko banzthr flag½

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2212 FOR ANSWER ON 11.12.2015

- (a) & (b):   As  per  Ministry  of  Commerce  &  Industry,  Department  of Commerce,  Notification  No.115  (RE-2013/2009-2014,  dated  13.03.2015, export  of  Military  Stores,  as  specified  in  the  Notification,  is  allowed subject  to  the  No  Objection  Certificate  (NOC)  from  the  Department  of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi as per the provisions  of  Standard  Operating  Procedure  (SOP)  of  Department  of Defence Production, as available on the website of Ministry of Defence.

(c) & (d):  The value of NOCs for export of military stores issued by the Department of Defence Production to the Private Companies during the last three years and the current year (upto 30.09.2015) is as under:-

(Rs. in crore)

| Year                      |   Value of Export |
|---------------------------|-------------------|
| 2012-13                   |            138.13 |
| 2013-14                   |            286    |
| 2014-15                   |            132.17 |
| 2015-16 (upto 30.09.2015) |            441.06 |

- (e)   To promote and encourage export of defence items, the Government has  taken  following major  initiatives in respect  of  ease  of  doing business:-
- (i) Online  system  for  receiving  applications  for  NOC  for  export  of military stores has been developed.
- (ii) Standard  Operating  Procedure  (SOP)  for  issue  of  No  Objection Certificates (NOCs)  for export of military stores has  been simplified  and has been put in public domain.
- (iii) The list of Military Stores has been notified.
- (iv) The  requirement  of  End  User  Certificate  (EUC)  to  be  signed  / stamped by the government authorities of the importing country has been dispensed with for the export of parts, component, subassemblies and sub-systems;
- (v) The provision has been made for issuing advance / in principle clearance for exploring business opportunities abroad.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2207 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Funding for Special Juvenile Police Units
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BALABHADRA MAJHI, BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2207

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 . 12.2015

## FUNDING FOR SPECIAL JUVENILE POLICE UNITS

2207. SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI: SHRI BAIJAYANT JAY PANDA:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a): whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  there  is  no  provision  under  the Integrated  Child  Protection  Scheme  for  funding  the  Special  Juvenile  Police Units that have been established  in several States and if so, the details thereof;
- (b): whether the Government has enabled States to use funds from any other  scheme  for such units and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c): the other steps taken by the Government for funding of such units?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

- (a)    to (c): Section 63 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children)   Act, 2000 (JJ Act) provides for creation of a Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU)  by State Governments/UT Administrations for every district and city to coordinate and upgrade the  treatment  by  police  of  juveniles  and  children.  In  addition,  Rule  84  of  the  Central Model Rules, 2007 framed under the JJ Act provides for appointment of child welfare officer of the rank of police inspector and two social workers by State Governments/UT Administrations, of which one shall be a woman, having experience of working in the field  of  child  welfare.  The  Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development  is  providing financial  assistance  to  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  under  Integrated  Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) for appointment of two social workers under the District Child Protection Units and deputing their services to the SJPU as and when required.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2206 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Consumer Spending and Economic Growth
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKAR

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the economic trends in consumer spending in the wake of economic slowdown; (b) if so, the details thereof and its outcome thereof; and
- (c) the likely impact of all this on economic growth?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI JAYANT SINHA) (a)  &  (b):  As  per  the  Central  Statistics  Office,  the  final  consumption  expenditure  (at constant 2011-12 prices) increased from Rs. 6790253 crore in 2013-14 to Rs. 7222057 in 2014-15. The growth rate of final consumption expenditure at constant prices was 6.5 per cent and 6.4 per cent in 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively. The final consumption expenditure (at constant 2011-12 prices) increased to Rs. 3799854 crore in first half of 2015-16 from Rs. 3571469 crore during the corresponding period of the previous year, recording a growth of 6.4 per cent.

(c): The contribution of final consumption expenditure to GDP growth was 64.9 per cent in 2013-14 and 59.7 per cent in 2014-15. Corresponding to this, the contribution of fixed investment to GDP growth increased from 13.7 per cent in 2013-14 to 19.6 per cent in 2014-15.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2204 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Irregularities in Disinvestment
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE, SAKUNTALA LAGURI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF DISINVESTMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2204

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2015 AGRAHAYANA 20, 1937 (SAKA)

## Irregularities in Disinvestment

## 2204. SHRI CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE: SHRIMATI SAKUNTALA LAGURI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  alleged  irregularities  in  the  process  of privatization/disinvestment in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs);

(b) if so, the details of such irregularities detected during each of the last three years and the current year;

(c) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government thereon; and

(d) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  streamline  and  make  the  disinvestment process more transparent?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) dated 06.11.2013 on the issues relating to disinvestment and transfer of management control  of  Hindustan  Zinc  Limited  (HZL)  in  April,  2002  in  favour  of  M/s  Sterlite Opportunities Venture Limited (SOVL). They have also registered a PE on 10.04.2014 in the matter of Disinvestment of Laxmi Vilas Palace Hotel, Udaipur, a unit of India Tourism Development  Corporation,  an  undertaking  under  the  Ministry  of  Tourism.  Regular  case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 has been registered on 13.08.2014.

(c) Further  action  in  the  matter  will  be  taken  depending  on  the  outcome  of    the  CBI investigation.

(d):  Broadly,  the  methods  used  for  disinvestment  of  minority  shareholdings  of  PSUs  are Initial  Public  Offerings  (IPO),  Follow-on  Public  Offerings  (FPO),  and  Offer  for  Sale  of shares by Promoters through Stock Exchange Mechanism  (OFS). The process of Disinvestment involves all  the  concerned  Ministries/Departments  and  the  transactions  are done  in  a  transparent  manner,  in  accordance  with  the  extant  disinvestment  policy  of  the Government and as per extant Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) guidelines.

*****