opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2080 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Recommendation of Seventh Pay Commission
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2080

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 29th JULY, 2016 SHRAVANA 7, 1938 (SAKA)

## RECOMMENDATION QE SEVENTH PAY COMMISSION

## QUESTION

## 2080. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (b) whether the Government has also constituted another committee to scrutinise the recommendations submitted by the 7th Commission; Pay
- (a) whether  there are several recommendations of the 7th Commission which could be accepted by the Government; if the details thereof, point-wise; Pay SO,
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the steps taken or proposed to be taken to give pay hike to Central Government employees without hassles?

## ANSWER

## MNISTER OF STATE IN THE MNISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRIARJUN RAMMEGHWALL

- (a) to (c): The Government has   accepted the recommendations of the 7th Commission pertaining to Minimum Fitment Factor, Index of Rationalization Matrix and general recommendations on pay and pension: However, in view of significant departure in the regime of allowances and a number of representations received from employees associations and other stakeholder; the Government has decided that a committee headed by Finance Secretary will examine these recommendations before taking a final decision Further, certain issues relating to Central Government Employee Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) National Pension Scheme (NPS), revision of pension in case of those who retired to 01.01.2016 and the question of anomalies, if any, will also be examined before an appropriate decision. Pay Pay, Pay prior
- (d) Based on the recommendations of the Commission, the Government has already issued notification on 25.07.2016 in respect of matters already accepted by the Government: Pay

#***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2076 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Service Tax on Cooperative Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE *****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2076

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 29 TH   JULY, 2016 SHRAVANA 7 , 1938 (SAKA)

## SERVICE TAX ON COOPERATIVE BANKS

## 2076. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Union  Government  has  imposed  service  tax  on  primary  cooperative  banks  and primary cooperative credit societies, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the move has badly affected the functioning of cooperative banks and credit societies, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  of  Kerala  has  requested  to  exclude  primary  cooperative  banks  and credit societies from service tax; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Union Government thereon?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):  In  the  'Negative  list  of  services'  regime,  all  services  other  than  services  in  the negative  list  provided  in  Section  66D  of  the  Finance  Act,  1994  and  services  which  are specifically exempted, are leviable to service tax. One of the services falling in the Negative list  is  the  services  by  way  of  extending  deposits,  loans  or  advances  in  so  far  as  the consideration is represented by way of interest or discount. Service tax being an indirect tax, the  burden  of  such  tax  is  generally  passed  on  to  the  ultimate  consumer  and  would  not appear to have an adverse effect on functioning of cooperative banks and credit societies. Further,  Service  tax  paid  on  input  services  is  available  as  credit  to  service  provider,  for setting off the output tax liability.
- (c)   &  (d):  Government  had  received  a  request  from  Government  of  Kerala  to  exclude  the Kerala Co-operative Deposit Guarantee Fund Board from paying Service Tax. As stated in reply to paras (a) and (b), services by way of extending deposits, loans or advances insofar as consideration is represented by interest or discount is not leviable to Service Tax. The service element associated with these activities for which any charge or amount is collected over and above the interest or discount is leviable to Service Tax. It is a conscious policy of the Government to minimize exemptions as a precursor towards GST. Exemptions break the seamless flow of CENVAT credit, lead to cascading of taxes and distort the tax structure, as credit of input taxes sticks to service provider and makes the services costly.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2075 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Share of Service Sector to GDP
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: KINJARAPU RAM MOHAN NAIDU

- (a) whether the share of Service Sector to GDP is far greater than manufacturing even though the contribution of the Government is almost nominal, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has identified for itself to give a further boost to the Service Sector in future and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to bring convergence between the Service Sector and Industry; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken in this regard?

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

(a) & (b) As per the data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the share of service sector in Gross Value Added (GVA) at current basic prices was 53.2 per cent in 2015-16, whereas the share of manufacturing sector was 16.2 per cent. Among the service sector activities, a substantive presence of the General Government is limited only to 'public administration, defence and other services', whose average growth was 6.5 per cent in the last four years. The remaining services, where the presence of the General Government is minimal, grew at an average rate of 9.6 per cent during the last four years. Given  the targets for fiscal consolidation mandated  by  the  Fiscal  Responsibility  and  Budget Management (FRBM) Act, the possibility of significantly expanding the Government services, especially public administration, is limited. At the same time, the Government has made sizeable allocations to social sector activities like health, sanitation, education, etc.

(c)  &  (d)  Strengthening  the  industrial  base  of  the  country  is  one  of  the  highest  priorities  of  the Government and it has been taking a number of steps to boost industrial growth. The 'Make in India' programme has identified  twenty  five  thrust  areas  from  both  manufacturing  and  services  sectors  to provide  major  push  to  both  these  sectors.  Apart  from  this,  the  policy  initiatives  like  Start-up  India, Stand-up  India,  Digital  India  and  Skill  India;  fillip  to  manufacturing  and  infrastructure  through  fiscal incentives and concrete measures for transport, power, connectivity, smart cities and other urban and rural  infrastructure;  and,  efforts  at  improving  the  ease  of  doing  business  through  a  number  of facilitatory initiatives; are also likely to promote industrial growth. The substantive changes in the policy regime for foreign direct investment are expected to boost both industrial and service sector growth.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2074 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Anti-Dumping Duty on Steel Imports
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2074

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 29 TH   JULY, 2016 SHRAVANA 7 , 1938 (SAKA)

## ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ON STEEL IMPORTS

## 2074. SHRI D.K. SURESH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any representations seeking imposition of higher import duty on steel imports, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the adverse impact of import of steel on the steel industry of the country;
- (c) whether the Government is taking any steps to provide relief to the local industry by increasing import duty on steel, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Government had received representations from the steel industry for increase in basic customs duty (BCD) in view of the increase in imports. Simultaneously, the users industry of steel had requested not to increase BCD.

(b): The increase in imports of steel has resulted in sharp decline in domestic steel prices. Declining  prices  have  led  to  lower  realization  for  domestic  steel  producers  which  has adversely affected the health of the domestic steel industry.

(c): In order to ensure growth and protection to domestic steel industry and to control cheap imports, the Government has taken the following measures:-

- (i) the basic customs duty (BCD) rate had been increased on ingots & billets, alloy steel (flat & long), stainless steel (long) and non-alloy long products from 5 % to  7.5%  and  on  non-alloy  and  other  alloy  flat  products  from  7.5%  to  10%  in June,  2015  taking  into  consideration  all  relevant  factors.  This  was  further increased in August, 2015 on flat steel from 10% to 12.5%, long steel from 7.5% to 10% and on semi-finished steel from 7.5% to 10%;
- (ii) Further, anti-dumping duties at specified rates have been imposed from time to time on various steel products based on the investigations and recommendations  of  the  Designated  Authority,  Directorate  General  of  AntiDumping and Allied Duties;
- (iii) Safeguard Duty at specified rate on hot-rolled flat products of non-alloy and other  alloy  steel,  in  coils  of  width  of  600  mm  or  more  has  been  imposed  in September, 2015.
- (iv) In  addition  to  the  above,  Minimum  Import  Price  (MIP)  condition  has  been imposed  on  173  steel  products  in  February,  2016.  Imports  of  items  covered under MIP notification will not be allowed into the country below the notified price.

(d): Does not arise in view of reply to (c) above.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2073 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Import Duty on Raw Cashew
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE *****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2073

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY THE 29 TH   JULY, 2016 SHRAVANA 7 , 1938 (SAKA)

## IMPORT DUTY ON RAW CASHEW

## 2073. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has imposed any import duty of the raw cashewnut from abroad;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the period of applicability;
- (c) whether the Government has received any request from the traders and exporters to withdraw
- the import duty of raw cashewnut; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): Yes Sir. In the Budget 2016-17, exemption from basic customs duty on cashew nuts in shell was withdrawn and a basic customs duty of 5% was imposed, with effect from 01.03.2016. Consequently, SAD of 4% also became applicable on cashew nuts in shell.

(c)  and  (d):  Yes  Sir.  Representations  were  received  from  various  trade  and  industry associations such as the Andhra Pradesh Cashew Manufacturers Association, the Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers Association, Kerala Cashew Processors and Exporters Association, the  Cashew  Factory  Owners  Development  Association  of  Tamil  Nadu,  the  Cashew  Export Council of India seeking withdrawal of imposition of basic customs duty of 5% on cashew nuts  in  shell.  The  matter  was  examined  and  the  requests  for  withdrawal  of  imposition  of basic customs duty of 5% and SAD of 4% on cashew nuts in shell were not acceded to.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2072 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: NPA of MSME
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2072

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 th  JULY 2016 / SHRAVANA 7, 1938 (SAKA)

## 'NPA OF MSME'

2072 :

SHRI P. NAGARAJAN

## Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state :

- (a) whether NPAs of MSME sector is on the rise;
- (b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to take any corrective measures to reduce the number of NPAs of MSMEs; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof ?

## Answer

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance

## (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) &  (b)  :  NPAs  in  Micro  and  Small  Enterprises  (MSE)  Sector  as  reported  by Scheduled  Commercial  Banks  as  on  March  31,  2014,  2015  and  2016  are  as under :

| Category of the banks      | Year ended   |   %of NPA in MSE |
|----------------------------|--------------|------------------|
| Scheduled Commercial Banks | 31-Mar-14    |             4.99 |
|                            | 31-Mar-15    |             6.32 |
|                            | 31-Mar-16    |             8.35 |

Source: RBI

- (c)  &  (d):  Banks  have  been  advised  to  sanction  limits  after  proper  appraisal  of genuine  working  capital  requirements  of  the  borrowers  keeping  in  mind  their business cycle and short term credit requirements. Banks have also been urged to fix realistic repayment schedules on the basis of cash flows of the borrowers.

In  order  to  provide  a  simpler  and  faster  mechanism  to  address  the  stress  in  the accounts  of  MSMEs  and  to  facilitate  the  promotion  and  development  of  MSMEs, Reserve  Bank  of  India  has  issued  guidelines  on  'Framework  for  Revival  and Rehabilitation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises' to banks for implementation thereof. The revival and rehabilitation of MSMEs having loan limits up to Rs.25 crore is to be done in terms of these guidelines.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2071 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: Ban on Tobacco and Cigarette
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 2071 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH JULY, 2016

## BAN ON TOBACCO AND C IGARETTE

## 2071. SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to impose complete ban on production and marketing of liquor, tobacco and cigarette in the country; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the t ime by which said ban is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

(a) & (b) : There is no such proposal at present. However, there is ban on sale of cigare any other tobacco product to and by persons below the age of eighteen years, ban on s cigarette  or  any  other  tobacco  product  within  100  yards  of  educational  institut ions,  ban  on promotion/advertisement of cigarettes or any other tobacco products, under Cigarettes and Tobacco  Products  (Prohibition  of  Advertisement,  Regulation  of  Trade  and  Commerce,

Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA, 2003) and Rules made thereunder. Further,  there  is  ban  on  manufacture,  storage,  distribution  or  sale  of  food  p containing tobacco or nicotine, such as Gutkha, vide the Food Safety Regulations issued i under the Food Safety & Standard Act, 2006.

- ……….
Lok Sabha Question No. 174 (STARRED), answered on 2016-07-28
Subject: Tribunals
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 174

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2016

## Tribunals

## *174.            SHRI  RAJAN  VICHARE:

Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  on  the functioning/effectiveness  of  tribunals  and  if  so,  the  outcome thereof;
- (b)  whether  these  tribunals  have  been  successful  in  achieving their objectives and if not, the steps taken/being taken by the Government  to review/improve their functioning;
- (c)  the  present  status  of  progress  made  regarding  merger  of various Tribunals in the country; and
- (d)    whether  the  Government proposes to introduce a legislation to enable a High Court Judge to be appointed as Chairperson of such tribunals and  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO.174 FOR 28.7.2016.

A  study  has  been  conducted  by  the  Department  of  Legal  Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice in consultation with Indian Law Institute(ILI) and  other  stakeholders  including  administrative  Ministries  administering the Tribunals. The ILI in its report has recommended that the 36 identified Tribunals  functioning  under  various  administrative  Ministries  may  be merged to 17 Tribunals and a single nodal  Ministry  can  be  entrusted  for administration of these Tribunals.

A  High  Level  Inter-Ministerial  Group  was  constituted  to  examine  the issue of merger of Tribunals.  The Terms of Reference of the IMG were as under:

- i) The  IMG  shall  study  the  report  submitted  by  Indian  Law  Institute, look into the comments received from various Ministries/Departments and give its suggestion on convergence/merger of tribunals; and
2. ii) Issue  relating  to  the  feasibility  and  need  for  one  nodal  agency  for administrative control over Tribunal.

Subsequently, the ambit of the IMG was  extended to look into the issue of  uniformity  of  service  conditions  of  the  Chairman  and  Members  of  the Tribunals. Several meetings has taken place and the IMG is likely to finalize its views.
Lok Sabha Question No. 173 (STARRED), answered on 2016-07-28
Subject: Assistance for Construction of Toilets
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. * 173 (13 th Position) TO BE ANSWERED ON 28-7-2016

## Assistance for Construction of Toilets

## †*173. SHRI LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV:

Will the Minister of DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Union Government is providing Rs. 12000 to the people living in rural areas for construction of toilets and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether this amount is considered adequate to construct a decent toilet;
- (c)  if  not,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  said  amount  to  facilitate  proper construction of toilet with provision of water in rural areas of the country; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

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

## Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *173 for 28.07.2016.

(a) Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), there is a provision for providing an incentive of Rs. 12,000 for the construction of Individual household latrine (IHHL) to all Below poverty Line (BPL) households  and  to  identified  Above  Poverty  Line  (APL)  households  (all  SCs  /STs,  small  and marginal farmers, landless labourers with homestead, physically handicapped and women-headed households).

(b)  Yes.  The  incentive  to  eligible  beneficiaries  for  construction  of  toilet  was  increased  from  Rs. 10000 to Rs. 12000, to provide for water availability, including for storing water for hand-washing and cleaning with effect from 2 nd October, 2014 with the launch of the Swachh Bharat MissionGramin  (SBM-G).  This  programme  emphasizes  behavior  change  and  is  not  a  supply-driven construction  led  programme.  Therefore,  Rs.  12,000  per  toilet  is  an  incentive  amount  and  not  a reimbursement of the cost of the toilet, which may be lower or higher than this incentive amount, depending upon several factors.

(c) Does not arise.

(d) Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 166 (STARRED), answered on 2016-07-28
Subject: Facilities to Air Passengers
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: BHEEMRAO BASWANTHRAO PATIL, M. B. RAJESH

'

*166.

SHRI BHEEMRAO B PATIL SHRI MB. RAJESH

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

.

`

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government/ Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have canceilation charges, enhanced compensation for denying boarding by the airline and a massive reduction in fee for carrying five extra baggage in an aircraft; and if so, the details thereof; kg
- (6) the time by which these measures are likely to be implemented; and whether the Government has issued orders to refund all statutory taxes/levies in case of cancellation and delay of flight, and if the details thereof?

## ANSWER

(Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati)

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTIONNO: 8 166 (To be answered on the July 2016) 28th

## FACILITIES TO AIR PASSENGERS

## STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF HOUSE WITH RESPECT TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO: 166 ON 98 AIR PASSENGERS" TO ANSWERED ON 28-07-2016.

- (a): Following Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) and Air Transport Circular (ATC) have been amended and issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recently:
- (ii) CAR Section-3, Air Transport; Series-M; Part-IV Rev. 1 issued on "Facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding cancellation of flights and delays in flights" There is enhancement in compensation amount in cases of denied boarding to passenger and flight cancellation.
- () CAR Section -3, Air Transport, Series-M,Part-IL, RevL issued O "Refund or Airline Tickets to Passengers 0f Public Transport Undertakings" As per the amendment; "Under no circumstances, the airline shall levy cancellation charge more than the basic fare plus fuel surcharge"
- (iii) ATC 02 of 2016 issued on "Unbundle %f services and fees scheduled airlines As per amendment; 'Between 15-20 kgs of checked-in baggage, the charge per kg shall not be more than INR 100" by
- (b): The amendments to the above mentioned two CARs will be effective from 01/08/2016 and the ATC is effective from 01/07/2016. .`
- (c): In cases of flight cancellation; conditions for refund is as specified under the