No. of questions: 19
|
Q No: 3734 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Health and Family Welfare |
Subject: Disposal of Bio Medical wastes. |
Question:
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government has issued guidelines for disposal of bio-medical waste of health care facilities and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether such guidelines provide for setting up of incinerators in health care facilities, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is a fact that most of Government run hospitals and medical colleges do not have such incinerators;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(e) what steps are being taken to install incinerators in Government run hospitals?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) & (b) National Guidelines on Hospital Waste Management were prepared and circulated to States and Union Territories by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in March, 2002. These guidelines have been prepared to enable hospitals to implement the Bio-Medical (Management & Handling) Rules, 1988 notified under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, by developing comprehensive plans for segregation, collection, treatment, transportation and disposal of the hospital waste.
As per these guidelines the incinerator should be installed and made operational as per specifications under Bio-Medical Waste Rules, 1998. Specific requirement regarding the incinerator and norms of combustion efficiency and emission levels have been defined in it.
(c) to (e) Health being a State subject, such information is not centrally maintained. However, as far as Central Government Hospitals namely Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi and Lady Harding Medical College, New Delhi & its associated hospitals, are concerned, Bio- Medical Waste(Management & Handling) Rules, 1998 is strictly adhered to while disposing of hospital waste materials.
|
Q No: 3567 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Overseas Indian Affairs |
Subject: University for PIOS. |
Question:
Will the Minister of OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government proposes to set up a University for PIOs;
(b) the rationale for such an institution when the scholarships programmes and reserved seats in higher education institutions are already available to the diaspora children;
(c) whether Government is considering expanding the existing schemes; and
(d) if so, whether Government has taken a final decision on the issue?
Answer:
MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)
(a) Yes, Sir. The task of setting up the first PIO/NRI university at Bangaluru has been entrusted to the Manipal Academy of Higher Education Trust (MAHET).
Expressions of Interest for setting up four more universities at places other than Bangaluru have been invited.
(b) Though provision for supernumerary seats in higher educational institutions except those imparting medical education, have been made by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), these are for all foreigners including PIOs. Higher educational institutions of excellence, e.g. IITs, IIMs, which are the institutions sought after by PIOs, do not have capacity to enroll PIO students.
The proposed NRI/PIO University would be at par with the best universities in the world in terms of the standard of education and would cater to the needs of the diaspora children.
There is no scholarship scheme available exclusively for the PIO students.
(c) No, Sir
(d) Does not arise.
|
Q No: 453 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Civil Aviation |
Subject: Performance of Air India. |
Question:
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) how does Air India (AI) compare, for on-time departure and arrival during the last one year, with other domestic and international airlines; and
(b) whether Government plans to take any specific step to improve upon AI`s performance in this regard?
Answer:
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )
(a) and (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) and (b) OF THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED () QUESTION NO. 453 FOR 04.8.2009 REGARDING PERFORMANCE OF AIR INDIA.
(a): The details of on-time performance in departures and arrival during the year 2008 in respect of scheduled domestic airlines are as under:-
NACIL(I), JetLite, Kingfisher Airlines and Spicejet do not maintain on time arrival data. On-time performance data of international airlines is not maintained
(b): DGCA has issued a circular to institutionalize a mechanism at major metro airports wherein a team comprising representatives of Airports Authority of India, the airport operator and airlines are working on a daily basis to analyze on-time performance in respect of flights operated the previous day. Further, to improve the On Time Performance, Air India is also in the process of setting up a centralized Operations Control Centre(OCC) and two Hub Control Centres(HCC) at Mumbai and Delhi Airports. The OCC and HCC will be supported with modern IT systems and communication systems to enhance the operational control and efficiency of the airline. This will improve the On Time Performance on Air India network.
|
Q No: 425 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Petrolium and Natural Gas |
Subject: Joint ventures of GAIL with state |
Question:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-
(a) what has been the annual electricity consumption for last five years;
(b) what has been the annual electricity bill of the railways during that period;
(c) at what rate the Railways have been purchasing the electricity for operations and non-operational purposes;
(d) what are the sources of power supply of Railways; and
(e) whether the Railways purchase power at uniform price from all the suppliers?
Answer:
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI E. AHAMED)
(a) to (e): A Statement is attached.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3152 BY SHRI MAHMOOD A. MADANI AND SHRI SANJAY RAUT TO BE ANSERED IN RAJYA SABHA ON 31.07.2009 REGARDING ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BY RAILWAYS.
(a) The Annual electricity consumption of Indian Railways for operational (Traction) and non operational (Non traction) purpose for the last five years are as under.
(Electricity consumption in million Kwh)
(c) Average cost of energy in paisa per unit for Operational (Traction) and Non operational (Non-Traction) purpose for the year 2007-08 are as under:
(paisa per unit)
Type Year Average cost
Operational purpose (Traction) 2007-08 429 Non operational purpose 2007-08 433
(Non traction)
(d) Power is purchased from different distribution companies (DISCOMs) in States and three power companies viz. Tata electric, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and NTPC.
(e) No Sir. However, it varied from 369 paisa per unit (in Kerala) to 518 paisa per unit (in Gujarat) during 2007-08.
|
Q No: 3152 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Railways |
Subject: Electricity consumption by Railways. |
Question:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that Hajis undertaking the pilgrimage through Central Haj Committee have been complaining about the erratic schedules of the Air India;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Haj Committee has taken up the issue with the Air Lines; and
(d) if so, the details of arrangements made to remove the difficulties?
Answer:
MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)
(a) to (d) There have been some complaints regarding delay in Air India flights which was raised with Air India and Ministry of Civil Aviation. The delays happened due to airport congestion, delay in allotting the parking bay at Jeddah and inordinate delays at immigration counters.
After the Haj 2008 Review Meeting, the issues were addressed to Air India/Saudi Arabian airlines and the Ministry of Civil Aviation to ensure that all necessary measures be taken to remove difficulties faced in the past and the concerned authorities are taking suitable action.
|
Q No: 2924 |
Dated: |
Ministry: External Affairs |
Subject: Problem of Hajis. |
Question:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGH WAYS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that the Rajasthan Government has submitted proposals for declaration of new National Highways; and
(b) if so, by when these National Highways are likely to be declared ?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI R.P.N.SINGH)
(a) to (b) The Government of Rajasthan has submitted proposal for declaring 24 roads of Rajasthan as National Highways. At present, emphasis is being given for development of roads already declared as National Highways instead of declaring more roads as National Highways.
|
Q No: 2844 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Road transport & highways |
Subject: Declaration of New NHs for Rajasthan. |
Question:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that many developmental projects are being delayed due to unnecessary delay by the Ministry;
(b) the details of time bound programme for clearance of projects by the Ministry?
Answer:
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH):
(a) & (b) The Environmental Impact assessment Notification of September 2006 provides a time limit of 60 days for conveying Terms of Reference to the applicant on receipt of application with all necessary documents. Further, a time limit of 105 days, after the receipt of the complete application with all necessary documents, has been provided for the appraisal and conveying the decision.
|
Q No: 2440 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Environment and Forests |
Subject: Delay in development clearance |
Question:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that many developmental projects are being delayed due to unnecessary delay by the Ministry;
(b) the details of time bound programme for clearance of projects by the Ministry?
Answer:
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH):
(a) & (b) The Environmental Impact assessment Notification of September 2006 provides a time limit of 60 days for conveying Terms of Reference to the applicant on receipt of application with all necessary documents. Further, a time limit of 105 days, after the receipt of the complete application with all necessary documents, has been provided for the appraisal and conveying the decision.
|
Q No: 312 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Railways |
Subject: Rail network in the country. |
Question:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-
(a) the State-wise data about the rail network in the country; and
(b) where the State of Rajasthan stands in the availability of rail network vis-à-vis other States?
Answer:
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS
(KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE)
(a) and (b) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.
|
Q No: 2109 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Communication and Information |
Subject: Unwanted calls. |
Question:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government is aware that most mobile subscribers are harassed by unwanted calls by different advertisers, etc; and
(b) whether Government plan to make it easier for the subscribers so that such calls can be stoped completely?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI GURUDAS KAMAT)
(a) & (b) Sir, cases of unsolicited telemarketing calls have come to the notice of the Government from time to time. To curb such unsolicited telemarketing calls on mobile phones, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued the Telecom Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC) Regulations, 2007 (4 of 2007) dated 5th June 2007 and a scheme of National Do Not Call (NDNC) Registry has been put in place since October 2007.
The registration process in the NDNC Registry is very simple. Any mobile subscriber willing to register in NDNC Registry needs only to either make a call to 1909 or send SMS “START DND” to 1909, where DND stands for Do Not Disturb.
The efficacy of the UCC Regulations is reviewed by TRAI from time to time.
|
Q No: 1953 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Commerce and Industry |
Subject: Commercial relations with |
Question:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government is taking steps to improve better commercial relations with neighbouring countries;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of import and export to the neighbouring countries during the last three years, value-wise?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a)&(b) Yes, Sir. In order to improve commercial relations with neighbouring countries, the Government of India has signed the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). India also provides preferential trade exchange to the neighbouring countries under Bangladesh, India, Mayanmar, Srilanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation(BIMSTEC) and Asia Pacific Trade Agreement(APTA) as well as under Duty Free Tariff Preferential (DFTP) Scheme. Besides, GOI has a number of bilateral agreements and discussions which helps deliberating upon and resolving certain vexed issues relating to trade and nontrade barriers. Several other initiatives for facilitating trade such as exchange of trade delegations, participation in fairs and exhibitions, organisation of buyers sellers meets are also organized/facilitated from time to time.
(c) The details of import and export to the neighbouring countries during the last years, value-wise is given below:-
|
Q No: 244 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Heavy industries and public |
Subject: Grants for salary of PSE employees. |
Question:
Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:-
(a) how many Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) under his Ministry have been receiving the budgetary grants to pay salary to their employees;
(b) the details of annual budgetary grant received, PSE-wise; and
(c) what is the criteria on which such grants were given and whether such grants covered all the sick PSEs.
Answer:
MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
(SHRI VILASRAO DESHMUKH)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to Rajya Sabha Starred Question No.244 for answer on 21.07.2009 regarding Grants for salary of PSE employees by Shri Mahmood A. Madani and Shri Santosh Bagrodia.
(a)&(b): Budgetary support to sick and loss making CPSEs are not given in the form of grant, but in the form of loan towards payment of Salary, wages and statutory dues. The details of such CPSEs under Department of Heavy Industry and the budgetary support given to them for the years 2004-05 to 2008-09 are given in the Annexure.
(c) : Criteria on which Budgetary support as loans are extended to CPSEs are:-
(i) The CPSEs are still loss making under the definition given in Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provision) Act, 1985/Department of Public Enterprises Resolution dated 6.12.2004.
(ii) The CPSEs are unable to pay the salary/wages due to their poor financial conditions.
(iii) The revival/closure plan is pending consideration of Government/BIFR for approval based on recommendations of BRPSE.
No salary/wage support is sought for CPSEs whose Revival plans have been approved and implemented.
Such budgetary supports have covered all sick CPSEs under the Department of Heavy Industry, which are making operational losses.
Annexure referred to in reply to Parts (a)&(b) of the Rajya Sabha starred Question No. 244 for answer on 21.7.2009 regarding grants for salary of PSE employees by Shri Mahmood A. Madani and Shri Santosh Bagrodia
Details of Budgetary Support for liquidation of pending wages/salary and statutory dues including VRS/VSS dues in PSEs since 2004
S. No. Name of the PSE Ist Tranche (Oct, 2004) IInd Tranche (July 2005) IIIrd Tranche (Oct, 2005) IV Tranche (June 2006) Vth Tranche (Sept, 2006) VI Tranche (Jan, 2007) VIIth Tranche (July, 2007) VIII Tranche(Oct, 2007) IX Tranche(Feb, 2008) X Tranche(June, 2008) XI Tranche(Sep, 2008) XII Tranche(Jan, 2009) XIII Trenche(March, 2009) 1 Bharat Heavy Plates and Vessels Ltd. 45.72 16.25 22.75 9.92 1.01 0.00 – – – – – 2 Bharat Pumps and Compressors Ltd. 14.07 1.86 3.39 0.00 0.00 0.00 – – – – – 3 Andrew Yule & Company Ltd. 32.12 7.22 0.00 29.47 12.77 14.88 23.29 7.95 24.09 – – 4 Bharat Opthalmic Glass Ltd. 1.95 1.51 0.77 1.79 0.00 0.00 1.12 – – – – 5 Burn Standard Co. Ltd. 4.27 1.30 0.65 3.25 1.95 0.00 – – – – – 6 Bharat Wagon Engg. Co. Ltd. 9.10 4.06 2.06 3.40 4.27 4.10 2.24 2.15 2.21 2.51 1.67 7 Heavy Engg. Corporation Ltd. 125.65 0.00 0.00 10.18 0.00 0.00 – – – – – 8 Hindustan Cables Ltd. 105.11 63.32 25.22 28.13 39.75 31.29 16.77 20.45 19.96 17.88 31.44 31.34 39.70 9 HMT (MT) Ltd. 38.28 0.00 5.62 9.92 6.10 7.82 – – – – – 10 HMT Watches Ltd. 30.43 22.11 14.28 18.11 19.93 20.54 10.23 10.42 10.42 12.02 18.88 15.36 25.26 11 Hindustan Photo Films Ltd. 3.06 8.74 4.24 5.92 6.93 6.19 5.63 3.24 3.23 3.58 5.14 3.97 6.65 12 Braithwaite & Co. Ltd. 1.11 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 – – 13 Cement Corporation of India Ltd. 11.55 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 – – 14 HMT (Holding) Co. Ltd. 6.65 0.00 0.00 0.00 9.17 2.44 3.55 2.74 3.15 2.75 5.41 3.75 6.98 15 HMT (Chinar) Ltd. 5.03 8.83 4.25 4.43 5.78 6.83 3.38 3.97 3.98 3.89 5.33 3.71 3.29 16 HMT (Bearing) Ltd. 1.41 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 – – 17 Praga Tools Ltd. 2.97 1.52 1.04 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 – – 18 Instrumentation Ltd. 33.64 2.14 0.00 8.02 7.63 6.64 3.88 5.88 3.97 3.83 8.95 5.71 8.73 19 NEPA Ltd. 12.86 8.95 5.06 7.07 3.26 8.68 4.33 4.43 4.41 – – 5.99 6.26 20 National Instruments Ltd. 3.90 0.46 0.25 0.27 0.33 0.34 0.29 0.20 0.20 0.22 0.29 21. Triveni Structurals Ltd. 17.80 1.09 1.69 2.26 2.40 2.47 1.49 1.27 1.35 1.30 1.56 1.15 1.74 22 Tunghbhadra Steel Products Ltd. 5.06 0.88 2.14 2.60 3.09 1.21 1.05 0.50 0.51 0.54 1.03 0.86 1.24 23 Richardson and Cruddas Ltd. 1.61 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 – – 24 Tyre Corporation of India Ltd. 4.07 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 – – 25 Scooters India Ltd.. 9.45 Total 517.43 150.24 93.41 144.74 124.37 113.43 77.25 63.20 77.48 48.52 79.70 71.84 109.30
2004-05 = Rs. 517.43 crore, 2005-06 = Rs. 243.65 crore, 2006-07 = Rs. 382.54 crore, 2007-08 = Rs. 217.93 crore,2008-09 Rs 309.36 crore
|
Q No: 1677 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Envoronment and Forests |
Subject: Plan to increase tiger population. |
Question:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:-
(a) how Government plans to increase the tiger population in the country; and
(b) the details of steps being taken to save the tigers from the poachers, State-wise?
Answer:
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) & (b) Funding support under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger is provided to tiger range States for conservation of tigers. The steps taken by the Government of India to protect wild animals including tigers are at Annexure-I.
Annexure-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) & (b) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1677 ON PLAN TO INCREASE TIGER POPULATION DUE FOR REPLY ON 20.07.2009.
Milestone initiatives taken by the Government of India for protection / conservation of tigers and other wild animals
Legal steps
1. Amendment of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for providing enabling provisions for constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau.
2. Enhancement of punishment in cases of offence relating to a tiger reserve or its core area. Administrative steps
3. Strengthening of antipoaching activities, including special strategy for monsoon patrolling, by providing funding support to Tiger Reserve States, as proposed by them, for deployment of antipoaching squads involving ex-army personnel / home guards, apart from workforce comprising of local people, in addition to strengthening of communication / wireless facilities.
4. Constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority with effect from 4.09.2006, for strengthening tiger conservation by, interalia, ensuring normative standards in tiger reserve management, preparation of reserve specific tiger conservation plan, laying down annual audit report before Parliament, constituting State level Steering Committees under the Chairmanship of Chief Ministers and establishment of Tiger Conservation Foundation.
5. Constitution of a multidisciplinary Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) with effect from 6.6.2007 to effectively control illegal trade in wildlife.
6. Declaration of eight new Tiger Reserves and in-principle approval accorded for creation of four new Reserves, namely Sahyadri in Maharashtra, Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, Ratapani in M.P. and Sunabeda in Orissa.
7 The revised Project Tiger guidelines have been issued to States for strengthening tiger conservation, which apart from ongoing activities, interalia, include funding support to States for enhanced village relocation/rehabilitation package for people living in core or critical tiger habitats (from Rs. 1 lakh/family to Rs. 10 lakhs/family), rehabilitation/resettlement of communities involved in traditional hunting, mainstreaming livelihood and wildlife concerns in forests outside tiger reserves and fostering corridor conservation through restorative strategy to arrest habitat fragmentation.
8. A scientific methodology for estimating tiger (including co-predators, prey animals and assessment of habitat status) has been evolved and mainstreamed. The findings of this estimation/assessment are bench marks for future tiger conservation strategy.
9. An area of 29284.762 sq. km. has been notified by 15 Tiger States (out of 17) as core or critical tiger habitat under section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006 (Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal). Two tiger States (Bihar and Uttar Pradesh) have taken a decision for notifying the core or critical tiger habitats (2765.04 sq.km.). The State of Madhya Pradesh has not identified / notified the core / critical tiger habitat in its newly constituted tiger reserve (Sanjay National Park and Sanjay Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary).
10. Memorandum of Understanding developed for better/concerted implementation of conservation inputs through tiger reserve States. Financial steps
11. Financial and technical help is provided to the States under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, viz. Project Tiger and Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats for enhancing the capacity and infrastructure of the States for providing effective protection to wild animals. International Cooperation
12. India has a Memorandum of Understanding with Nepal on controlling trans-boundary illegal trade in wildlife and conservation, apart from a protocol on tiger conservation with China.
13. A Global Tiger Forum of Tiger Range Countries has been created for addressing international issues related to tiger conservation.
14. During the 14th meeting of the Conference of Parties to CITES, which was held from 3rd to 15th June, 2007 at The Hague, India introduced a resolution along with China, Nepal and the Russian Federation, with directions to Parties with operations breeding tigers on a commercial scale, for restricting such captive populations to a level supportive only to conserving wild tigers. The resolution was adopted as a decision with minor amendments. Further, India made an intervention appealing to China to phase out tiger farming, and eliminate stockpiles of Asian big cats body parts and derivatives. The importance of continuing the ban on trade of body parts of tigers was emphasized. Reintroduction of Tigers
15. As a part of active management to rebuild Sariska and Panna Tiger Reserves where tigers have become locally extinct, reintroduction of tigers / tigresses have been done. Creation of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF)
16. The policy initiatives announced by the Finance Minister in his Budget Speech of 29.2.2008, interalia, contains action points relating to tiger protection. Based on the one time grant of Rs. 50.00 crore provided to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for raising, arming and deploying a Special Tiger Protection Force, the proposal for the said force has been approved by the competent authority for 13 tiger reserves. Rs. 93 lakhs each has been released to Corbett, Ranthambhore & Dudhwa Tiger Reserve for creation of STPF during 2008-09. Central Assistance will be provided to States for creation of STPF in remaining 10 Tiger Reserves in 2009-10.
|
Q No: 195 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Communication and Information |
Subject: Computers in Post Offices. |
Question:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government has installed enough computers in all the Post Offices of the country, particularly in the State of Rajasthan;
(b) if not, the plan of Government and by when all the Post Offices would be computerized fully; and
(c) the details thereof, year-wise and area-wise?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI A. RAJA)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE RAJYA SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 195 FOR 16TH JULY, 2009 REGARDING COMPUTERS IN POST OFFICES.
(a) The Government has supplied computers and peripherals to 9684 Post Offices in the country till 31.03.2009 of which 306 Post Offices are in Rajasthan.
(b) & (c) Computerisation of Post Offices is an ongoing programme and is being pursued in phased manner.
|
Q No: 1181 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Commerce and Industry |
Subject: Spices exported through spice board. |
Question:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:-
(a) how many spices are exported through Spice Board;
(b) whether it is a fact that cultivation, harvesting and production of most of the spices is not under the preview of the Spice Board;
(c) whether it has been observed that such multiplicity of agencies/Departments has had an adverse effect in cultivation and production of such spices; and
(d) if so, the steps being taken to streamline the institutional arrangement?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
a) Spices Board is an export promotion organization and not directly involved in the export business of spices. Presently about 185 different items of spices in whole and processed form are exported from India.
b) Yes Sir. As per the Spices Board Act, production development of cardamom (small & large) is vested with Spices Board. Production development of spices other than cardamom is the responsibility of Union Ministry of Agriculture and concerned State Government.
c)&d) Since production development of spices falls within the mandate of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation and State Governments and the export promotion is the responsibility of the Spices Board, concerted efforts are required for coordinating the overall performance of the sector. The Board is interacting with various research institutions such as state Agriculture Universities, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science & Technology, Indian Institute of Spices Research etc. Spices Board is also extending its activities in coordination with National Horticulture Mission/State Horticulture Mission, Directorate of Arecanut and Spices for development of identified spices based on specific projects/proposals.
|
Q No: 1012 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Women and child development |
Subject: Guidelines for Rajiv Gandhi National |
Question:
Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-
e:
(a) what are the guidelines for Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme;
(b) what is the role and contribution of State Governments in implementing the scheme ;
(c) how many creches have been set under the scheme, State-wise; and
(d) whether it is a fact that there has been serious under-performance in implementation of the schemes in terms of utilization of allocations and coverage of the scheme and if so, the reasons therefor?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a) The guidelines for Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for children of Working Mothers are available in the Ministry`s website viz. www.wcd.nic.in.
(b) Since the Scheme is being implemented through mother NGOs by the Central Government, the State Governments have no role in its implementation except making recommendations about the selection of monitoring agencies for monitoring of crèches.
(c) 31718 creches have been sanctioned upto 31.3.2009. State-wise number of crèches is given at annexure.
(d) In the meeting of the Monitoring Agencies held on 4th August, 2008 under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, certain deficiencies like lack of health check up of children, non-availability of medicine kits and playing/recreational material for the children in the crèches, no adequate space and separate kitchen in crèches, delay in release of funds by the implementing agencies to the Creche centres were pointed out by National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development and other monitoring agencies.
|
Q No: 588 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Communication and Information |
Subject: Mobile phones. |
Question:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-
(a) the total number of mobile phones in the country;
(b) the expected growth rate every year during the next ten years; and
(c) the plan of Government to stop use of illegal mobile phones being imported from different countries?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI GURUDAS KAMAT)
(a) The total number of mobile telephone connections in the country, as on 31st May 2009 are 415.25 million.
(b) At present, on an average 10-11 million mobile phones are being added every month. The growth of mobile telephones was 50.05 % during the year 2008-09. This trend is expected to continue for next few years.
(c) To stop use of illegal mobile phones being imported from different countries, Government has prohibited the import of “Mobile Handsets” (Classified under Exim Code 8517) without International Mobile Equipment Identify (IMEI) number or with all Zeroes IMEI, with immediate effect, vide Notification Number 112 (RE-2008)/ 2004-2009, dated 16th June 2009 issued by Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Further, Department of Telecom has issued directions to all Cellular Mobile Telephone Service (CMTS)/Unified Access Service (UAS) Licensees to make provision of Equipment Identification Register (EIR) in their network so that calls without IMEI or that with all zeroes are not processed and rejected after 30th June 2009.
|
Q No: 59 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Human Resource Development |
Subject: Research work in Deemed Universities. |
Question:
Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) the basis of recognizing an institution as Deemed University;
(b) whether they are supposed to conduct research in sunrise areas;
(c) if so, the method of assessing the research work conducted in these universities in such sunrise disciplines;
(d) whether the University Grants Commission ascertains the academic and research infrastructure and financial position required to undertake such research, before granting them the Deemed University status;
(e) whether there is any provision of peer review of the academic performance of these institutions; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
Answer:
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)
(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.59 FOR 07.07.2009, ASKED BY SHRI MAHMOOD A. MADANI AND SHRI SANTOSH BAGRODIA, HON’BLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, REGARDING RESEARCH WORK IN DEEMED UNIVERSITIES.
(a) & (b): The Central Government declares, under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act 1956, by notification in the Official Gazette, institutions which for historical reasons or for any other circumstances are not universities and yet are doing work of a high standard in specialized academic field comparable to a university and that granting of the status of a university would enable them to further contribute to the cause of higher education. The applicant institutions should generally be engaged in teaching programmes and research in chosen fields of specialization which are innovative and of very high academic standards at the Master’s (or equivalent) and /or research levels. Institutions that are in the emerging areas with the promise of excellence could also be declared as ‘deemed-to-be-universities’ under the de novo category.
(c) to (f): According to the University Grants Commission, the performance of such institutions, including research work done by them, is assessed by the Commission, with the help of Expert Committees constituted by it. Members of the Expert Committees are chosen from relevant disciplines, and the Committees make ‘on the spot assessments’ of the applicant institutions and give their report on the basis of various parameters, including academic and research infrastructure and financial position of the institutions.
|
Q No: 69 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Overseas Indian Affairs |
Subject: Indian student in Australia. |
Question:
Will the Minister of OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) the details of recent attacks on the Indian students in Australia;
(b) whether it is a fact that local authorities have denied such attacks as racial;
(c) whether it is also a fact that the local police have been targeting Indian students for protesting against racial attacks;
(d) whether Government has conveyed its concerns to the Australian Government against targeting by local administration;
(e) the steps that have been taken by Government to strengthen our Missions abroad to give consular services and other assistance to Indian students studying there; and
(f) whether Government has issued any advisory to the students ?
Answer:
MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)
(a) Details are attached at Annexure-I.
(b) No, Sir. Australian authorities have not ruled out some of these attacks being racial in nature.
(c) No, Sir.
(d) Govt. has conveyed its concern on the attacks against Indian students.
(e) Missions abroad provide consular and other services to students studying in those countries.
(f) An advisory for students going to Australia has been placed on the websites of this Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs as well as on the website of the High Commission of India, Canberra.