No. of questions: 29
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Q No: 485 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Micro, small and medium enterprises |
Subject: Schemes launched in view of |
Question:
Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:-
(a) whether in view of large-scale unemployment or under-employment of youth in rural areas, any specific schemes have been launched containing incentives like access to finance or giving preference to purchase of their products;
(b) whether training facilities in organizations like State-run Industrial Training Institutes have adequate rural penetration to avoid wastage of to and fro journeys involving significant time and distance factors; and
(c) whether Khadi and Village Industries Commission has broadly achieved the purpose for which it was set up aiming at optimum utilization of local resources and talent?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SHRI DINSHA PATEL)
(a) to (c): A statement is placed on the table of the Sabha.
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Q No: 3763 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Micro, small and medium enterprises |
Subject: Hassle free access to finance for |
Question:
Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:-
(a) whether there is hassle-free access to finance from public sector banks or other financial institutions for the development of industries, especially in micro, cottage sector;
(b) whether any alternative arrangement exist on institutional basis to meet the power requirements of micro, small sector industries in view of the continuous power outages, either due to fixed duration of power shut-down or due to random fault-oriented reasons; and
(c) what is the perspective planning for development of micro, cottage, small sector industries for the Eleventh and Twelfth Five Years Plans?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SHRI DINSHA PATEL)
(a): The constraints faced by the micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in accessing the required credit facilities from institutional sources, inter alia, relate to elaborate procedural requirements, inadequate exposure to banks/financial institutions and collateral requirements. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued detailed guidelines to all scheduled commercial banks on lending to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector which, inter alia, provide for a time frame for disposal of loan applications, loan limit for dispensing the collateral requirement and sub-targets for micro enterprises within the MSE lending. Further, the Government is implementing schemes like Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, Credit Guarantee Scheme, etc., to facilitate enhanced flow of credit to the sector, particularly the micro enterprises.
(b): While there is no alternative arrangement existing on institutional basis to meet the power requirements of MSEs across the country, MSEs are encouraged to install own diesel generator sets and use non-conventional energy sources. For the purpose, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has introduced Diesel Generator (DG) Set Financing Scheme and the public sector banks provide finance for purchase of gensets on soft terms. In some States, separate feeder connections have been provided to industrial areas to reduce outages and provide more reliable power supply.
(c): The Eleventh Plan period extends from 2007-08 to 2011-12. The Plan recognises the MSE sector as an important segment of industry and emphasises on the need for meeting their credit, technology, marketing, skill development and infrastructural needs. Further, the Plan envisages increasing the production (at current price) and employment in the MSE sector from Rs.6,82,613 crore and 322.28 lakh persons in 2007-08 to Rs.13,98,803 crore and 391.73 lakh persons in the terminal year (2011-12) of the Plan period respectively.
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Q No: 475 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Tourism |
Subject: Redesigning of ITDC hotel rooms for |
Question:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:-
(a) whether, to cater to the high-profile clientele of the Commonwealth Games, 2010, the Delhi-based ITDC hotels have started giving ‘fashion designing’ touch to their rooms;
(b) if so, whether this work would be done by Indian fashion designers or some foreign experts are also involved; and
(c) whether the expenditure involved would be met by the concerned hotels or special allocation has been made by her Ministry or the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, etc. for this purpose?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM
(KUMARI SELJA)
(a) to (c): No, Sir. However, Ministry of Tourism has provided Rs.73 crore to ITDC as equity support for the renovation/refurbishment work of Hotel Ashok.
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Q No: 3578 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Planning |
Subject: Prediction for export growth. |
Question:
Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Planning Commission predicted in February, 2009 that export growth could be as little as 3 percent during 2009-2010;
(b) whether Government is aware of the predictions of the World Bank in their publication released in February, 2009 `Global Economic Prospects` that world GDP growth was set to contract 1.7 percent during 2008-2009; and
(c) if so, in what manner this position is going to be addressed during 2009-10?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a): The Planning Commission has projected the growth rate of exports to be 3% during the year 2009-10 based on an internal exercise carried out on the assumption that India`s exports depend on the growth rate of advanced economies rather than the growth rate of the World economy.
(b): As per the World Bank`s document `Global Economic Prospects- 2009` the real GDP for the world is expected to increase by 0.9% during the year 2009. However, as per the document `Global Development Finance – Charting a Global Recovery` of the World Bank, the real GDP of the world, measured at 2000 Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) weights, is expected to contract by 1.7% during the year 2009.
(c): Government and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have taken both fiscal and monetary measures in order to restore the growth momentum, including measures for providing impetus to export sectors as well as manufacturing sector. The fiscal measures, inter-alia, include increased plan expenditure, reduction in indirect taxes, levies etc. The monetary and credit related measures taken by the RBI related to provisioning of adequate liquidity and credit delivery, reduction in cash reserve and statutory liquidity ratios (CRR & SLR) for banks, etc. These measures have been supplemented with sector specific credit measures for exports, housing, micro and small enterprises and infrastructure.
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Q No: 3453 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Human resources development |
Subject: Increased investment in PPP |
Question:
Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that though educated and trained talent has remained insulated from the impact of global economic slowdown, but it faces a huge challenge of reducing the gap of educated yet unemployable personnel;
(b) if so, whether it requires increased investment in Public- Private-Partnership (PPP) programme to improve education quality at the bottom of pyramid; and
(c) the manner in which Government proposes to include about 14 million students who are out of education field in school system as only 40 per cent of a total of 219 million students are enrolled in schools ?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SMT. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) & (b): No study has been carried out about the reducing the gap of educated unemployable personnel on account of slow down of global economy. As per the National Policy on Education (as modified in 1992), Government is against the commercialization of education. Several pronouncements of the Supreme Court of India, have also prohibited commercialization of education in India, though reasonable surpluses can be generated for further development of the educational institutions. However, the Government favours the active support and involvement of the not- for-profit private participation for funding and management of educational institutions subject to reasonable surplus earned being ploughed back into the development of institutions.
(c): Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) follows a holistic approach to improve the quality of elementary education, and subject to certain norms provides for :-
• Opening of new primary schools
• Upgradation of Primary schools to upper primary schools
• Construction of school buildings
• Construction of additional classrooms to improve the student
classroom ratio
• Recruitment of additional teachers to improve the pupil
teacher ratio
• In-service training of the teachers and training of untrained teachers
• Provision of text books
• Learning Enhancement Programme
• Remedial Teaching
• School and Teacher grant
• Regular academic support to the school through Block Resource Centres and Cluster Resource Centres to improve the quality of classroom practices.
Besides, efforts are made to address the interests of children with special needs, out of school children and those living in SC/ST and minority concentration districts. A variety of interventions have been implemented for bringing out of school children to school. These include inter alia, the Education Guarantee Centres (EGS), Residential Bridge Courses and Non- Residential Bridge Courses.
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Q No: 3259 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Mines |
Subject: Repealing of MMDR act. |
Question:
Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:-
(a) whether there is any proposal to amend or repeal the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, which remained ineffective in fully exploring vast reserves of coal in the country; and
(b) if so, whether coal and lime-stone in Meghalaya and mica in Central India worth over Rs.1200 crore annually would be regulated so that they conform to health and environmental standards?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
(SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)
(a)& (b) The existing Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) is not ineffective, and as per available information till 1.4.2008, 264535 million tones of coal resources have been identified. However, the Government has prepared a draft Mines and Minerals (Scientific Development & Regulation) Act, for scientific development of mines and minerals of the country including coal and lime stone in Meghalaya and mica in Central India, which has been circulated to all State Governments and put up on the website of the Ministry (http://www.mines.gov.in).
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Q No: 2954 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Planning |
Subject: Estimate of poverty and BPL. |
Question:
Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:-
(a) whether factors like access to education, health, infrastructure, clean environment and benefits for women and child are taken into consideration while National Sample Survey Organisation and National Accounts Statistics estimate the poverty and below poverty level of our population;
(b) if so, the percentage of poor and below poverty line poor during 2006 and 2007; and
(c) the perspective planning and the number of five-year plans that are required to wipe it out completely?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a): The National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) and National Accounts Statistics
(NAS) do not estimate the level of poverty and population living below poverty line. The Planning Commission estimates the number and proportion of persons living below the poverty line at the national and state level from the large sample survey on household consumer expenditure conducted by the NSSO at an interval of approximately five years following the methodology contained in the report of the Expert Group on Estimation of Proportion and Number of Poor (Lakdawala Committee). The survey on household consumer expenditure includes expenditure on education and health.
(b): As per the latest estimates, the numbers of persons living below poverty line (BPL) for the year 2004-05 is estimated to be 301.7 million accounting for 27.5% of the total population. As such, no official estimates of poverty are available for the years 2006 and 2007.
(c): The Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) envisages reduction in the headcount ratio of consumption poverty by 10 percentage points. As per the document `India Vision 2020` brought out by the Planning Commission in 2002, achievement of GDP growth rate of
8.5 to 9 per cent over the next 20 years would result in almost eliminating the incidence of poverty in the country.
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Q No: 2972 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Social justice and empowerment |
Subject: Disability certificates. |
Question:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) whether any window of hope has been launched by Mayurbhanj District which offers a single window system with decentralization of service delivery at block level and has re-engineered complex procedures/processes to suit the needs of physically challenged people to get the prescribed disabilities certificates on the camp site, free of cost; and
(b) if so, whether Government would study this system and replicate its application throughout the country to enable 100 per cent issuance of disabilities certificates, so that a suitable database could be created for such persons at district, State and national level?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(D. NAPOLEON)
(a) & (b) `Window of Hope` was a special mission launched in 2006-07 in Mayurbhanj District, Orissa. Under this mission, single window camps were organized at the block level to provide various services to physically challenged persons free of cost, including issue of disability certificates. Similar services were provided at the block level all over the State of Orissa in 2007-08 and 2008-09. The system can be adapted suitably by other States.
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Q No: 2791 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Home Affairs |
Subject: NDMA S structural mitigation measures |
Question:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that 229 districts of the country fall within seismic zones IV and V thus cautioning about high seismic risk and vulnerability;
(b) if so, whether National Disaster Management Authority existing guidelines give full attention to structural mitigation measures; and
(c) whether the Disaster Management Authority developed capabilities for monitoring and enforcement of earth quake resistant codes and town planning byelaws?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)
(a): Yes, Sir. As per Vulnerability Atlas prepared by the Building Materials Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC), 229 districts of the country falls under seismic zone IV &V.
(b): The Guidelines for management of earthquakes released by the National Disaster Management Authority aims at ensuring the compliance of the construction of all new structures to the National Building Code 2005, earthquake resistant codes and other safety regulations.
(c): Town Planning & Building Bye –Laws falls under the jurisdiction of the State Government. Advisories have been sent to State Governments and Union Territories from time to time on disaster mitigation and preparedness measures including those relating to earthquake through adoption of model Building Bye- laws.
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Q No: 2819 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Labour and employment |
Subject: Non utilization of money meant for |
Question:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that Rs.300 crores collected to improve lives of 8 lakh construction workers in Delhi, is lying unused ;
(b) if so, whether there are no guidelines for utilization of such funds for the welfare of construction workers; and
(c) in the absence of any specific utilization plan for a long-term programme, why can’t this amount be used for scholarships to children of construction workers, or building low-cost dwellings?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) to (c): The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi has collected cess amounting to Rs. 226.05 Crore out of which 0.68 crore has been spent as on 31.03.2009. As per the provisions of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, the State Building and Other Construction Welfare Board may utilize the fund for the immediate assistance in case of workers accident, pension after age of 60 years, loans for the purpose of construction of house, the premium for group insurance scheme, assistance for education of children of beneficiaries, medical expenses, maternity benefits to females, etc. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi has framed various schemes including grant of scholarship to the children and advance for purchase/construction of houses for the welfare of construction workers. As per the provisions of the Act every building worker registered as a beneficiary with the Welfare Board shall be entitled to the benefits provided by the Board from its fund. The Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board has registered 17890 workers as on 31.03.2009.
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Q No: 2489 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Law & Justice |
Subject: Funds for Judicial Administration. |
Question:
Will the Minister of LAW & JUSTICE be pleased to state:-
(a) Whether a Judicial Panel, headed by Justice M. Jagannadha Rao, has opined that the Planning Commission and Finance Commission must, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, allocate sufficient funds for judicial administration, to ensure the basic human right of access to speedy justice; and
(b) If so, whether the prevailing position of 13 Judges for 10 lakh population in India, would be improved, to bring it near the global standard of 150 Judges, to cater to the population of 10 lakh?
Answer
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(DR. M. VEERAPPA MOILY)
(a) The Task Force on Judicial Impact Assessment under the Chairmanship of Justice M. Jagannadha Rao has, inter alia, made such a recommendation.
(b) The Law Commission in its 120th Report recommended that the strength of Judges per million population may be increased from 10.5 to 50 Judges per million population.
With regard to Subordinate Judiciary, the Supreme Court, in its judgment of 21st March, 2002, in All India Judges’ Association & Ors, directed that an increase in the Judge strength from the existing 10.5 or 13 per 10 lakh people to 50 judges per 10 lakh people should eb effected and implemented within a period of five years in a phased manned to be determined and directed by the Union Ministry of law. The Central Government has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court praying that the increase in judge strength in the Union Territories, for which Central Government is administratively responsible, be allowed based on workload and pendency of cases. The matter is dub-judice.
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Q No: 2509 |
Dated: |
Ministry: New and renewable energy |
Subject: National mission on solar energy. |
Question:
Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government has recommended a National Mission to boost the use of solar energy;
(b) if so, whether the existing technology would be used on new materials like solar concentrators to increase the use of solar energy; and;
(c) whether this would contribute towards decarbonising India’s growth trajectory through reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
Answer
THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
(DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)
(a),(b) & (c): The National Action Plan on Climate Change have identified development of solar energy in the country by setting up a National Solar Mission. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing several schemes to expand use of solar energy in the country by utilizing various technology options, including solar concentrators. Many of the solar energy applications such as solar lights, solar roof top systems, concentrating solar cookers and solar water heaters etc. are already helping in saving of kerosene, diesel or fuel oil.
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Q No: 318 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Agriculture |
Subject: Need to formulate an act to protest |
Question:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether an Agriculture Act, on the lines of the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980, is being formulated so that States keep a fixed percentage of land exclusively for cultivation of food-related crops;
(b) if not, how it is proposed to protect farm land from rapid industrialization, especially in view of the fast depletion of fertile agricultural land; and
(c) whether Government fully appreciates the apprehension that industries alone cannot mitigate hunger and requisite agricultural inputs are indispensable?
Answer
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 318 FOR 24/07/2009 REGARDING NEED TO FORMULATE AN ACT TO PROTECT FARM LAND.
(a): No, Sir.
(b): As per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, Agriculture, Water and Land fall under the purview of the State Governments and, therefore, it is for the State Governments to bring suitable Act/Legislation to protect use of agricultural land for non agricultural purposes including industries.
The Government is aware of the consequences of transfer of agricultural farm land for non-agricultural purposes. Land for setting up of industries including under the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) is procured as per the policy and procedures of the respective State Governments. The State Governments have been advised that in case of land acquisition for SEZs, first priority should be for acquisition of waste and barren land and if necessary single crop agricultural land could be acquired for SEZs. If perforce a portion of double cropped agricultural land has to be acquired to meet the minimum area requirements, especially for multi-product SEZs, the same should not exceed 10 percent of the total land required for the SEZ. The Ministry of Rural Development formulated a revised National Rehabilitation and Re-settlement Policy, 2007(NRRP-2007), which was approved by the Cabinet on 11th October, 2007. NRRP- 2007, which inter-alia, envisages that as far as possible project may be set up on wasteland, degraded land or un-irrigated land. Acquisition of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes in the project may be kept to the minimum; multi-cropped land may be avoided to the extent possible, and acquisition of irrigated land, if unavoidable may be kept to the minimum.
(c): The Government of India is fully aware of the need for taking measures to increase agricultural productivity and production to ensure food security in the country. Towards this end, the States are being incentivized for more public spending under agriculture and related sectors through programmes, such as the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). As per the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), public investment on agriculture and allied sectors increased to Rs.22,107 crores in 2007-08 from Rs.10,805 crores in 2003-04.
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Q No: 295 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Planning |
Subject: Report on labour and employment. |
Question:
Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Planning Commission in their Report on Labour and Employment, released during February 2009, predicted that `worst hit would be the elderly in rural areas where 1.40 crore senior citizens, including 44 lakh women` would be forced to work, mostly as casual labour, for their subsistence; and
(b) if so, whether the collective wisdom of our planners would do perspective planning so that after 62 years of Independence, our senior citizens are not forced to work for their subsistence?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a) & (b): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) and (b) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 295 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23-07-2009 REGARDING REPORT ON LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT BY SHRIMATI SYEDA ANWARA TAIMUR AND SHRI VIJAY JAWAHARLAL DARDA.
(a) & (b): The Technical Note on Employment prepared for the Eleventh Five Year Plan
(2007-12) by the Planning Commission has made projections for labour force and its participation rates. The note projects the number of 60+ persons that will remain in labour force at the end of the Eleventh Five Year Plan as 1.43 crore including 33.49 lakh women. These projections are based on the 61st round of National Sample Survey. This Technical Note provided the statistical and analytical base for the estimates and projections of Labour Force and Employment for the Eleventh Five Year Plan Document. The above projections are not classified by levels of income or consumption expenditure.
The Government of India has initiated a number of programmes to provide social security to senior citizens like Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
(IGNOAPS), Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), Aam Admi Bima Yojana (AABY) etc.
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Q No: 2203 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Social Justice and empowerment |
Subject: Survey of beggars. |
Question:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government is aware that a survey conducted by Delhi Social Work Department of about 3500 beggars, has revealed that four are Degree holders, six have completed college courses and many of them earn around Rs. 500 a day, which is higher than what several blue and white collar workers make;
(b) if so, how Government proposes to deal with growing menace of begging, in Delhi itself, where they are 75000, so that educated and literate are not forced to resort to begging; and
(c) the perspective planning to end begging menace all over India?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(D. NAPOLEON)
(a) A survey on beggary was conducted by Department of Social Work, University of Delhi on the request of Government of NCT of Delhi. Out of surveyed beggars, 6 were found to be graduates and 4 were post graduates. As per the report, 22 beggars earn between Rs. 200/- to 500/- per day.
(b) &(c) As per above report it is difficult to assess the exact number of beggars at any given time in Delhi as beggar population is floating and they keep migrating in and out of Delhi. As per the figures collected from different areas at different times, the average number of beggars in Delhi was 58,570.
Government of Delhi have reported earlier that regular raids are conducted to apprehend Beggars under Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959 as extended to Delhi. Many other steps like mobile courts under the Act, Opening of Shelter Homes, involvement of NGOs in training and rehabilitation of Beggars, Public Awareness Campaigns to make people desist from giving alms have been part of perspective plans to end begging menace.
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Q No: 1960 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Commerce and Industry |
Subject: Decline in exports. |
Question:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:-
(a) what is the percentage of exports decline in 2008-09;
(b) whether this decline was for `Made in India stuff` only, or it was a world-wide phenomenon due to global recessionary trends since June, 2008;
(c) whether imports also shrunk due to squeeze in domestic demand, and continuous piling up of inventories with the manufacturers; and
(d) the details of long-term measures so that sporadic global trends do not affect our exports and imports significantly?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a) to (d): Recession, particularly in developed countries, leading to erosion in demand, is a significant factor in decline of merchandise exports world wide. India’s merchandise exports and imports are indicated below:-
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Q No: 1980 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Defence |
Subject: Need to revamp defence acquisition |
Question:
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that since 2000-2001 India has not been fully spending its Defence budget;
(b) if so, is it attributable to the existing Defence acquisition system;
(c) does this system needs revamping; and
(d) whether any expert opinion has been sought for improving this acquisition system so that our defence inventory of all the three arms of services is kept fully updated to safeguard the national frontiers especially when belligerent forces are surrounding from all sides?
Answer
(SHRI A.K. ANTONY) MINISTER OF DEFENCE
(a) Yes, Sir. It is correct that the funds allocated in the Budget Estimates could not be fully spent over the years. However, with reference to the Revised Estimates, the utilization has been to the extent of approximately 99% of the Revised Estimates, except for the years 2000-2001 and 2001-2002, when the utilization was 91.11% and 95.20% respectively.
(b) Utilization of Defence Budget under Capital Acquisition is made against the committed liabilities due for the year and new schemes proposed to be processed in that year as approved under the Annual Action Plan. Payments under committed liabilities are released depending upon the contractual terms and conditions. Sometimes the payments get delayed for the reasons that milestones as envisaged under the contract are not achieved, or delivery of the equipment is delayed by the vendor. As regards New schemes, those are processed as per the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) which aims to ensure expeditious procurement of approved requirement of the Armed Forces in terms of capability sought within the timeframes prescribed by optimally utilizing allocated budgetary resources. Delays, however, do occur on account of various reasons, such as, insufficient and limited vendor base, field trials, complexities in contract negotiation, etc.
(c) There is a provision of periodic review of the system. The Defence Procurement Procedure is normally reviewed after every two years to keep the system revamped.
(d) There is a provision for periodic review of Defence Procurement Procedure after every two years. It was last revised in 2008. Expert opinions and feedback based on experience in implementation are relied upon while undertaking the exercise of revision.
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Q No: 1822 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Finance |
Subject: Software Technology |
Question:
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the export-oriented firms set up in Government-run Software Technology Parks, are enjoying a tax-free status;
(b) if so, whether this tax-free status to such firms is adversely affecting the commercial viability of private sector industry;
(c) whether Government is thinking of mitigating the effect of global recession in this prime market of information technology; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI S.S. PALANIMANICKAM)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): No, Sir.
(c) & (d): Yes, Sir. The details are as under:
In the Finance Bill 2009-2010 Government has proposed:
i) extension of sunset clause for deduction in respect of export profits under section 10A of the Income Tax Act by one more year till 31.03.2011.
ii) Weighted deduction of 150% on expenditure incurred for in-house R&D.
iii) Safe harbour approach being formulated for transfer pricing related issues.
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Q No: 1879 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Human resource development |
Subject: Number of students passing from |
Question:
Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) the number of Deemed Universities in the country, State- wise;
(b) whether these are teaching or affiliating universities;
(c) whether this system of granting Deemed University status, contributed towards improving the quality of graduate, post- graduate and professional courses; and
(d) if so, the percentage of students passing out of these universities as compared to regular universities functioning in the country?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SMT. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) & (b): As on 16th July, 2009, One hundred twenty-nine institutions have been declared by the Central Government, under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956, as Institutions ‘Deemed-to-be-Universities. The State-wise details are given below:
Institutions ‘Deemed to be Universities’ are only teaching institutions, and they are not permitted to affiliate any college or institution.
(c) & (d): Institutions ‘deemed-to-be-universities’ have expanded the base of higher education in the country and are offering education and research facilities in various disciplines such as Medical Education, Physical Education, Fisheries Education, Languages, Social Sciences, Population Sciences, Dairy Research, Forest Research, Armament Technology, Maritime Education, Yoga, Music and Information Technology, etc. However, no data regarding the number and percentage of students who pass out of Institutions ‘deemed to be Universities’ is maintained centrally.
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Q No: 131 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Environment and Forests |
Subject: Poaching and Trafficking. |
Question:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether a holistic view has been taken regarding poaching and trafficking, as that cannot be contained in isolation in the face of global anti-poaching operations having revealed the ruthlessness and sophistication of poachers; and
(b) if so, whether Government has constituted a pilot task force, comprising high officials from the police, paramilitary forces and environmental officials, to investigate and root out the wildlife mafia, instead of targeting the poor poachers, as sentencing the kingpin only would yield decisive results?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) & (b) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
(a) & (b) Taking a holistic view of the problem of poaching and trafficking of wildlife and its products, Ministry of Environment & Forests has constituted the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, comprising of officials from Forests, Police and Customs. The mandate of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau includes collection and collation of intelligence related to organized wildlife crime, coordination with State Governments and other authorities in connection with the enforcement of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, developing infrastructure and capacity building for scientific and professional investigation into wildlife crimes and assist State Governments to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife crimes. In addition a multi disciplinary Special Coordination Committee on wildlife crime has also been constituted recently. No other task force has been setup.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a)& (b) OF THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 131 REGARDING “POACHING AND TRAFFICKING” BY SHRIMATI SYEDA ANWARA TAIMUR AND SHRI VIJAY JAWAHARLAL DARDA DUE FOR REPLY ON 13-07-2009.
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Q No: 898 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Environment and Forests |
Subject: Regulation and coastal management |
Question:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether a former expert with the United Nations Development Fund had opined in 2008 that measures provided in the draft regulation on Coastal Management Zone, i.e., India’s 6600 kilometre-long coastline were inadequate to protect the environment;
(b) whether views of the Green Lobby, seeking demolition of existing dwelling units and other infrastructure on the seaward side, were considered; and
(c) how Government is ensuing protection of environment especially in the coastal belt?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH):
(a) & (b) : Large number of suggestions and objections have been received on the draft Coastal Management Zone Notification issued on 1st May, 2008, which was renotified on 21st July, 2008 from various stakeholders including from the United Nations Development Programme Office, New Delhi. These suggestions and objections include comments on the protection of the coastal environment, livelihood security, protection of dwelling units of local communities etc. For the purpose of examining these suggestions and objections and to advise on the policy and legal framework, the Ministry has constituted an Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, which shall submit its report by 15th July, 2009.
(c) : For the purpose of conserving and protecting the coastal environment, the Ministry has issued the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991, which regulates developmental activities in the zone.
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Q No: 105 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Agriculture |
Subject: Credit policy for farm sector. |
Question:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether incidence of suicides amongst farmers in Vidarbha region came down during 2008-09 when more than Rs. 60,000 crores debt relief package was implemented; and
(b) if so, to avoid elimination of such trends, whether Government would frame a holistic policy rather than piecemeal measures, as indebtedness has been caused not only by the conditions of agriculture market, but also from the farmers’ inability to cope with increased privatization of basic services like healthcare and school education?
Answer
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) & (b): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) & (b) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.105 FOR 10/07/2009 REGARDING CREDIT POLICY FOR FARM SECTOR.
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The State Government has reported decline in incidence of suicides amongst farmers in Vidarbha region during 2008-09 as compared to previous years since 2006. The Government has initiated several measures for mitigation of farmers’ distress. The major steps taken by the Government are as follows:
(i) Effective implementation of the rehabilitation package for mitigation of agrarian distress in 31 identified farmer’s suicide prone districts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra.
(ii) Other schemes, such as, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Macro management of Agriculture, National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Agriculture Extension, National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) are also being implemented through the State Governments. Further, the Union Budget 2009-2010 has also proposed, inter- alia, the following initiatives:-
– Agriculture credit shall be increased from Rs.2.87 lakh crore in 2008-09 to Rs.3.25 lakh crore in 2009-2010. – Crop loans upto Rs.3 lakh will be provided at 7% by giving 3% interest subvention to banks. – Additional subvention of 1 % will be paid from this year, as incentive to those farmers who repay short term crop loans on schedule. Thus, the interest rate for these farmers will come down to 6 % per annum.
– Under the Agricultural Debt Waiver & Debt Relief (ADWDR) Scheme, 2008, other farmers i.e., farmers having more than two hectares of land can pay 75% of their overdues by 31st December, 2009 instead of 30th June, 2009.
– In some regions of Maharashtra, a large number of farmers had taken loans from private money lenders and the loan waiver scheme did not cover them. The Government in the Union Budget 2009-10 has announced constitution of a Task Force to address this issue.
– For National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA), the outlay has been increased by 144% in 2009-10 i.e. Rs.39,100 crores.
– In the Union Budget 2009-10, the areas of health care and education have also been given adequate emphasis. Outlay for National Rural Health Mission during 2009-10 has been increased by Rs.2,057 crores to Rs.14,127 crores. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has already shown significant results in the field of school education. Besides this, it has been decided to launch a National Mission for Female Literacy with focus on minorities, SC, ST and other marginalised groups. These measures are expected to benefit the farmers and enhance their access to basic services like health care and school education in the public sector.
Maharashtra Government also has taken steps ameliorate the condition of farmers, which include:
An Agriculture Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, 2009 to cover those farmers who could not get benefit under the Government of India scheme and those who have repaid their regular and overdue loans.
A Special Package inter alia covering various socio-economic aspects under implementation in 6 affected districts in Vidarbha for the last 3 years.
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Q No: 636 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Overseas Indian Affairs |
Subject: Problems during admission of NRI |
Question:
Will the Minister of OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether problems have been faced by NRIs in getting their children admission in Indian universities;
(b) if so, whether assurances were given to NRIs that the procedure for admission of their children in Indian universities would be further streamlined; and
(c) the number of NRI children who applied for admission in Indian universities and the numbers that were actually admitted during 2008?
Answer
MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)
(a) Such problems, if any, have not been brought to the notice of this Ministry.
(b) Does not arise.
(c) No such data is maintained.
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Q No: 547 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Road transport & Highways |
Subject: Tackling of accidents on national |
Question:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGH WAYS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that a recent study conducted by Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, which was released by the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission in March, 2009, has opined that construction of new roads in urban and rural areas seems to have resulted in an increase in road accidents and that death rate per kilometer on National Highways in richer States is higher than those in hilly States; and
(b) if so, how the 1,06,000 casualties during 2006 projecting an increase to 2,60,000 in 2030, would be tackled on long-term basis?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI MAHADEO SINGH KHANDELA)
(a) A recent study report namely “Road Safety in India: Challenges and Opportunities” has been prepared by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute ( UMTRI). The report is coauthored by Shri Dinesh Mohan, Professor, IIT Delhi, a visiting researcher at UMTRI, and UMTRI researchers, Omer Tsimhoni, Michael Sivak and Michael J. Flannagan. This report was released by Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission on 09th March 2009. The report has shown the fatalities on different category of roads in Indian States and observed that about two-thirds of fatalities take place on national and state highways . As per report, the average fatality rate for national highways in non-hilly states was 59 persons per km per year in 2004 whereas the same rate in hilly states was 16. The report indicates that states with higher per capita income experience a higher incidence of traffic fatality per 100 km of road length.
(b) It is not easy to project fatalities due to road accidents as the latter is influenced by the interplay of a host of factors which amongst others include growth in population, motorization level, quality and expanse of road network, human and behavioural factors, road safety measures etc. In the report, Mr. M. Koornstra has predicted the year 2030 for the peak traffic fatalities in India. Based upon this, the report has calculated that there could be about 2,60,000 fatalities in the year 2030. However, the report suggests that this projected date i.e. 2030 cannot be accepted as road safety goal for the country. It is the constant endeavour of both the Union and State Governments to promote road safety. To this end, Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to reduce road accidents which interalia includes promoting road safety awareness and education, better road geometry and design, better enforcement of road safety regulations, emergency medical care for accident victims, road safety audit etc.
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Q No: 51 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Finance |
Subject: Effect of recessionary trends on tax |
Question:
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government have realised the revised tax target of Rs.3.45 lakh crore during 1st April, 2008 and 31st March, 2009;
(b) if so, whether the recessionary trends resulting in shrinkage of export orders or piling up of inventory of finished goods in the third and fourth quarters of the fiscal have adversely affected tax collections; and
(c) if so, what is the percentage-wise impact on exports, manufacturing and services sectors?
Answer
FINANCE MINISTER
(SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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Q No: 292 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Civil Aviation |
Subject: Nominal security at small airports. |
Question:
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that there is nominal security at smaller airports from where flights are also undertaken towards the metropolitan airports;
(b) if so, whether this lackadaisical approach could endanger fligts being commandeered by subversives and insurgent elements like suicide bombers; and
(c) whether the Central Government in co-ordination with State law-enforcing agencies, has developed any foolproof security system to guard against such eventualities?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )
(a) No, Sir. Equal standards of security for all airports has been laid down in the country. Aviation Security Group of Central Industrial Security Force provides security cover to 57 airports (including major/metropolitan airports) in India, as per guidelines issued by this Ministry. The basic security scheme is the same for all airports irrespective of their size.
(b) Question does not arise.
(c) Yes, Sir.
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Q No: 398 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Panchayat Raj |
Subject: National level consultation with |
Question:
Will the Minister of PANCHAYAT RAJ be pleased to state:-
(a) what concrete measures were adopted towards operationalisation of National Policy for Farmers after March, 2008 session of national level consultation with Panchayats;
(b) what has been the result towards developing greater technical support for each Gram Panchayat and attaching Agriculture University students with the Panchayati Raj institutions; and
(c) whether structured programmes were formulated for achieving the objectives stipulated during March, 2008 session?
Answer
MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ
[ Dr. C. P. JOSHI ]
(a) to (c): During the National Consultation of Panchayats for operationalisation of National Policy for Farmers 2007 held on 16-17 March, 2008, it was unanimously agreed that Panchayats have an important role to play in order to give an impetus to agricultural production, productivity and sustainability to farming. Accordingly, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Agriculture have written to all concerned Ministries and Departments, Agriculture Universities and State Governments to operationalize the National Policy for Farmers in accordance with the decision taken/recommendations made during the National Consultation. Indian Council of Agriculture Research has also been requested to organize a conference of Vice Chancellors of all the universities and other related organizations and PRIs in order to achieve greater technical support to farmers by involving Agriculture Universities’ students to strengthen the extension services at the grass root level.
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Q No: 160 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Chemicals and Fertilizers |
Subject: Life saving medicines. |
Question:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that taxes and tariffs are contributing significantly towards raising the prices of life saving medicines;
(b) if so, what steps have been taken to ensure that economically weaker segments are able to purchase life saving medicines so that poor patients’ lives are saved; and
(c) what are the details of the reduction in taxes, tariffs, etc. to keep the life-saving medicines within the reach of poor patients, during 2006, 2007 and 2008?
Answer
THE MINSTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA)
(a) Yes, Madam.
(b) The Drug Policy as amended from time to time envisages that quality medicines at reasonable price are made available to the masses. This Department has started ‘JANAUSHADHI’ programme where generic drugs are available at a price cheaper than their branded version.
(c) In 2006 Union Budget, a concessional basic duty @ 5% were provided on 10 specified anti-AIDS; 14 specified anti-cancer and 4 specified life saving drugs including their bulk drugs. These drugs were also exempted from countervailing duty by way of excise duty exemption. In 2007 Union Budget there was no change in duty structure of drugs. In 2008, Union Budget five specified life saving drugs including their bulk drugs and one specified anti-cancer diagnostic kit, were provided a concesional 5% basic custom duty with nil countervailing duty by way of excise duty exemption. Further one anti-AIDS drug and the bulk drugs for the manufacturer of the said drug were also fully exempted from excise duty. In same year, the central excise duty on pharmaceutical products including drugs/medicines were reduced from 16% to 8%. Thereafter, the central excise duty on drugs/medicines was further reduced from 8% to 4% with effect from 7th December, 2008.
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Q No: 7 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Communication and Information |
Subject: Working and non-working connections. |
Question:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the total outstanding till June 2007, i.e. 3,496.21 crore has come down to nearly 95 per cent as on 31st of March, 2009;
(b) how many defaulters belong to Government Departments and how many are private subscribers;
(c) in 2002-03 there were only 92.29 per cent and why this quantum jump in 2006-07 when it was escalated to nearly 95 per cent;
(d) the details of outstanding relating to working connections and non-working connections as on 31st March, 2009; and
(e) how many special collection drives were launched during 2007 and 2008 and what is the result thereof?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI GURUDAS KAMAT)
(a) Sir, BSNL`s total outstanding dues for more than three months old in respect of landline connections as on 30.06.07 were Rs. 3495.21 crores only against private customers which is nearly 95.20 % of the total outstanding as on 31.03.09.
(b) As on 31.03.09, number of defaulters for BSNL & MTNL are as follows:-
GOVERNMENT DEFAULTERS PRIVATE DEFAULTERS BSNL 1,30,705 97,43,256 MTNL 24,923 35,31,437 TOTAL 1,55,628 1,32,74,693
(c) This increase is due to migration of defaulting private subscribers to other service providers without clearing dues pending against them.
(d) Details of outstanding relating to working connections and non-working connections as on 31.03.09 are as follows:-
(Rs. in crores) OUTSTANDING AGAINST OUTSTANDING AGAINST NON- WORKING CONNECTIONS WORKING CONNECTIONS BSNL 886.58 2195.72 MTNL 93.50 776.65 TOTAL 980.08 3972.37
(e) Many special collection drives were launched by both BSNL & MTNL, which included incentives & discounts to staff and customers for recovery of outstanding dues. As a result of these efforts, outstanding dues have come down as detailed below :-
(Rs. in crores) OUTSTANDING AS ON 30.06.07 OUTSTANDING AS ON 31.03.09 BSNL 3665.51 3082.30 MTNL 1040.36 870.15