No. of questions found : 6
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Q No: 1102 |
Dated: 13/07/2009 |
Ministry: Labour |
Subject: Women |
Question:
(a) whether the Government has received a proposal from Government of
Assam for Grant-in-Aid to Non-Governmental Organisations to launch a
programme on Women labourers in the construction industry;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the status of the proposal; and
(c) the steps taken/likely to be taken by the Union Government to overcome such inordinate delay in this regard?
Answer:
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. The Government of Assam had forwarded a proposal from a Non-Governmental Organisation for financial assistance to organize women labourers of construction industry in Assam under the Women Labour Scheme.The proposal seeks to provide social security,Welfare Boards, insurance scheme, education programme etc.The grant-in-aid scheme for women labour is for organizing awareness generation campaigns, seminars/workshops and educating them about their rights and duties.Since the proposal does not conform to the scheme parameters,it has not been approved.Proposals found eligible for grant are processed as per the prescribed procedure and care is taken to avoid delays.
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Q No: 1532 |
Dated: 15/07/2009 |
Ministry: Culture |
Subject: Development |
Question:
(a) the measures taken by the Government to preserve the unique
cultural heritage of Majuli in Assam, the largest river Island in South
Asia; and
(b) the steps taken by the Government so far to ensure enlistment of
Majuli as a World Heritage Site at the next session of the UNESCO World
Heritage Committee?
Answer:
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SH. V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a) To protect and preserve the cultural resources of the Majuli Island including its Sattras, the Government of Assam has enacted “The Majuli Cultural Landscape Region Act, 2006”. Under the Act, the Majuli Cultural Landscape Management Authority and an Executive Group have been notified by the State Government. It has also sanctioned a sum of Rs. 185 lakhs for the improvement of the physical infrastructure of the Sattras.
Under its Majuli Development Project, the State Government has sanctioned a Cultural Centre for propagation of and training in Sattriya & Folk Dance, and has also given funds for the development of an ethnic village for the conservation and promotion of the island’s tribal culture. Regular workshops and training programmes are organized under the aegis of the Cultural Centre.
Manuscripts lying in the Sattras have been surveyed and documented by the National Manuscript Mission.
(b) As a prerequisite to the enlistment of the site in the World Heritage List, Majuli Island is included in the Tentative List of UNESCO. The process for its re-nomination for inscription in the World Heritage List under the “cultural category” has been initiated. A consultant is being appointed for the preparation of its nomination dossier which would, inter-alia, bring out its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory body of UNESCO for World Heritage inscriptions, would also be invited for site visit to evaluate and ascertain the OUV of Majuli Island.
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Q No: 1576 |
Dated: 15/07/2009 |
Ministry: External |
Subject: Compulsory |
Question:
(a) whether compulsory International Passport is required for Haj pilgrims during the year 2009;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard ?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS(SHRI SHASHI THAROOR)
(a) Yes.
(b)&(c) Government has issued new policy guidelines to all the Passport Offices after consultation with the National and State Haj Committees to ensure that no Haj pilgrim faces any hurdles in obtaining his/her passport to undertake the pilgrimage.All passport offices have been instructed that the Haj passports should be handed over to the Haj pilgrims/Haj Committee within the due date stipulated by the Committee to ensure that no Hajis face any difficulty in undertaking the sacred journey.
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Q No: 1755 |
Dated: 16/07/2009 |
Ministry: Civil |
Subject: Handling |
Question:
(a) whether the Government has received many complaints regarding
mismanagement of Hajj flights, inordinate delays, loss of luggage and
overall misbehaviour of Air India staff towards Hajj Pilgrims during
the last Hajj season;
(b) if so, the action taken in this regard; and
(c) the steps likely to be taken to avoid repetition of such mismanagement this year during Hajj Season 2009?
Answer:
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI PRAFUL PATEL)
(a): Yes, Sir. Few complaints were received regarding inordinate delays and delays in delivery of baggage and discourteous behaviour of Air India staff posted at Jeddah. However, the overall arrangements made by Air India for Haj 2008 operations were appreciated by the Haj Committee of India and the various State Haj Committees.
(b): Though the inconvenience caused to Haj pilgrims was primarily because of operational constraints, Air India had taken due care of all passengers and had kept them informed about the delay from time to time. The pilgrims at airports were served refreshments and later on shifted to hotels after getting the re-scheduling notice.
(c): Air India staff to be positioned at Jeddah & Madina would be selected in advance and would be trained to meet the special requirements for Haj flights & pilgrims.
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Q No: 2242 |
Dated: 21/07/2009 |
Ministry: Road |
Subject: Status of |
Question:
(a) the status of completion of the Srirampur-Silchar stretch of East-West corridor in Assam;
(b) the details of land acquired by the National Highways Authority of
India (NHAI) during the last three years and the current year; and
(c) the time fixed for the completion of Srirampur-Silchar corridor?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS(SHRI R.P.N SINGH)
(a) The entire stretch of East West Corridor from Srirampur to Silchar in Assam having a length of 678 km is divided into 28 packages. Out of these, one package of Guwahati Bypass (18 km) has been completed and one package of 31 km from Balachera to Harangajo is yet to be awarded. Status of works on 26 packages having length of 622 km is Annexed.
(b) Encumbrance free land of East West Corridor in Assam handed over to NHAI during last three and current year is as under:
Year Assam
2006-07 : 633.65 ha
2007-08 : 329.01 ha
2008-09 : 249.23 ha
2009-10 : 37.78 ha
Total 1249.67 ha
(c) The works of the ongoing 26 packages from Srirampur to Silchar Corridor are targeted for completion by December, 2010. The completion date of 31 km from Balachera to Harangajo will depend on the timing of the clearance by National wild life Board, as the stretch passes through Borail Wild Life Sanctuary, and therefore, it is too early to indicate the target completion date for this package.
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Q No: 2431 |
Dated: 22/07/2009 |
Ministry: Environment |
Subject: Rhinos |
Question:
(a) the present population of rhinos in reserved forests of Assam;
(b) the number of rhinos killed by poachers during the last three years in the reserved forests of Assam;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry into the reported rhinos poaching in Assam;
(d) if so, the outcome thereof;
(e) the number of persons arrested for poaching during the last three years; and
(f) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to protect rhinos in the country?
Answer:
MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRYI OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) As per the information received from the State Government, the estimated population of rhinos in the different Protected Areas of Assam in 2009 are as below:
1. Kaziranga National Park – 2048 Nos.
2. Orang National Park – 64 Nos.
3. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary – 84 Nos.
4. Manas National Park – 5 Nos.
(b) The number of rhinos killed by poachers during the last three years in Assam are as below:
2006 – 9 Nos.
2007 – 21 Nos.
2008 – 16 Nos.
(c) Government of Assam had constituted several Enquiry Committees to enquire into the reported killings of Rhinos. These are as below:
1.High Power Committee vide notification No. FRW. 18/2003/59, dated 22.01.2009 for making suggestions for revamping of protection measures in the Kaziranga National Park.
2.One Man Committee vide notification No. FRW. 18/209/62, dated 1/2/08 to inquire into the reasons for rise in the incidences of poaching in Kaziranga National Park and to make recommendation for prevention of such incidences in future and for effective protection of the Park.
3.One Man Committee vide notification No. FRW.18/2003/77, dated 28th May 2009 to enquire into the circumstances leading to the death of a male Rhino at Medella beat in Dehing Mukh Reserved Forests.
In addition, the Regional Deputy Director (Eastern Region) of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau of the Ministry had also conducted an enquiry in 2008 on the poaching of rhinos in Assam.
(d) The Committees had suggested certain measures for strengthening the protection of rhinos, which inter alia, include the intensification of patrolling, strengthening intelligence network, seeking co-operation of the fringe villagers, providing employment to suitable local youths, exchange of information with police and forests officials, augmentation of staff strength and armed personnel, providing facilities to field staff, etc. The State Government has taken action on the lines of the suggestions made by the Committees.
(e) The number of persons arrested for poaching of rhinos in Assam during last three years are given below:
2006 – 57 Nos.
2007 – 37 Nos.
2008 – 38 Nos.
(f) The steps taken by Government of India to protect wildlife including rhinos are as under:
1. The Central Government has enacted the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to deal with the issues of wildlife crime. Stringent penalties are imposed on the offenders for the contravention of the provisions of the Act.
2. A network of Protected Areas has been set up across the country to protect wildlife including the habitats of rhinos.
3. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, with a network of five Regional and three Sub Regional Offices, has been set up to control wildlife crime.
4. Financial support is being provided under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes –Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats,Project Tiger and Project Elephant, to State/UT Governments for the conservation and development of wildlife and its habitats including those of rhinos.
5. India is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) that regulates international trade in wildlife and its derivatives.
6. India has bilateral arrangements with China and Nepal on combating wildlife crime.
In addition, the State Governments have also taken the following measures to protect wild animals including rhinos:
1. Intensive patrolling in sensitive areas and filling up of vacant posts.
2. Coordination with other law enforcement agencies.
3. Provision for arms and ammunition, and communication facilities.
4. Conducting nature awareness campaigns for the public.
5. Soliciting cooperation from the local communities.