Questions asked by Mr. Shafiqur Rahman Barq during Lok Sabha Budget session 2010

    No. of questions found: 09

    244


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    STARRED

    15.03.2010

    LABOUR AND
    EMPLOYMENT

    EMPLOYMENT
    OPPORTUNITIES

    244 . Shri SHAFIQUR RAHMAN BARQ
    SURESH KODIKUNNIL
    Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-

    (a) the target fixed and the success achieved in creation of employment opportunities indicating the employment and unemployment growth rate during the Eleventh Five Year Plan period;

    (b) the details of the employment generated and provided in each sector including organized, unorganized and industrial sectors of the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise and sector-wise;

    (c) whether these employment opportunities generated have met the demands of such sectors;

    (d) if not, the reasons therefor and the action taken by the Government in this regard; and

    (e) the efforts made by the Government to generate additional employment opportunities in the country along with the funds allocated and released for the purpose during the said period, State-wise, sector -wise and year-wise?
    ANSWER

    MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE)

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

    STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 244 BY DR. SHAFIQUR RAHMAN BARQ AND SHRI KODIKKUNNIL SURESH REGARDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES DUE FOR REPLY ON 15.3.2010.

    (a) to (d) Eleventh Five year Plan aims at creating 58 million additional job opportunities.Employment is projected to grow at an average rate of growth of 2.73 percent per annum and unemployment at an average growth rate of (-) 8.65 percent per annum. Data for assessment of employment and unemployment is based on quinquennial labour force surveys conducted by National Sample Survey Organization. Last such survey was conducted in 2004-05. The next survey is currently in progress from July, 2009 and will be completed in June, 2010. Achievement of the Plan targets for employment and unemployment can be assessed after the results of the ongoing survey become available in 2011.

    (e) Government has been constantly making efforts to increase additional employment opportunities through normal growth process and by implementing various employment generation programmes, such as, Swarana Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY); Prime Minister`s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP); Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

    The statements showing State-wise funds allocated and released for various employment generation schemes for the last three years 2006-07, 2007-08 2008-09 and the current year are given at Annex I to IV.

    ANNEXURE

    490

    UNSTARRED

    25.02.2010

    RAILWAYS

    RAILWAY LINES IN
    UTTAR PRADESH

    490 . Shri SHAFIQUR RAHMAN BARQ
    Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether the Railways have any plan to connect some cities of Uttar Pradesh with the railway line during this year;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether the Railways have received any request for laying railway line between Sambhal-Gajraula via Hasanpur in Uttar Pradesh; and

    (d) if so, the time by which the work on said railway line is likely to be started?
    ANSWER

    MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA)

    (a) & (b): The new line from Agra to Bah via Fatehabad and Lalitpur-Udaipura are targeted for completion during 2010-11.

    (c): Requests have been received for the new line, and survey was done in 2008-09. However, another survey for new line from Gajraula to Manipuri via Sambhal, Rajghat, Budaun, Etah has been taken up.

    (d): Does not arise.

    515

    STARRED

    30.04.2010

    POWER

    POWER FOR ALL

    515 . Shri SHAFIQUR RAHMAN BARQ
    GORAKH PRASAD JAISWAL
    Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether there is acute shortage of power in the rural areas of the country;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether the resolve of the Government for providing power to all by the year 2012 is likely to be accomplished;

    (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

    (e) whether the Union Government has urged the State Governments to contain Transmission and Distribution Losses and improve supply side management of power; and

    (f) if so, the follow-up action taken thereon?
    ANSWER

    THE MINISTER OF POWER(SHRI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE)

    (a) to (f) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

    STATEMENT

    STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 515 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 30.04.2010 REGARDING POWER FOR ALL.

    (a) & (b) : Yes, Madam. There is a continuing shortage of power in the country including the rural areas. The electricity generation in the country falls short of the total requirement of electricity in the country, primarily due to growth of capacity addition not being commensurate with the growth in demand for electricity. Electricity being in the concurrent list in the Constitution of India, responsibility for supply and distribution of power to various areas within a State primarily comes under the purview of respective State Government/State Power Utility. The overall shortage of electricity in terms of energy and peak in the country during the year 2009-10 was 10.1% and 12.7% respectively. The State-wise power supply position during 2009-10 in the country is given at Annex.

    (c) & (d) : The Government is consistently working towards fulfilling the objective of meeting demand for power fully by 2012. As per mid- term appraisal of 11th Plan capacity addition programme, a total capacity of 62,374 MW is likely to be commissioned during the Plan period with a high level of certainty. Out of this, projects aggregating 22,302 MW have already been commissioned till 31st March, 2010 and a capacity aggregating 40,072 MW is likely to be commissioned during the remaining period of 11th Plan. In addition, projects aggregating 12,590 MW are being attempted for commissioning during the 11th Plan on best efforts.

    Other measures taken for improving availability of power in the country are as under:
    # Rigorous monitoring of capacity addition of on-going power generation projects.
    # Development of Ultra Mega Power Projects of 4,000 MW each under competitive bidding.
    # Harnessing surplus captive power into grid.
    # Renovation, modernization and life extension of old and inefficient generation units.
    # Import of coal to bridge the shortfall between requirement of coal and its availability from the domestic sources.
    # Augmentation of gas supply to improve utilization of gas based power stations.
    # Facilitation for transfer of power from surplus to deficit areas.

    (e) & (f) : The prime responsibility for improvement in AT&C losses of distribution utilities lies with State Government. However, the Central Government has launched the following programmes for improving AT&C losses of the State Distribution Utilities:

    10th Plan APDRP: The Accelerated Power Development & Reforms Programme (APDRP) was launched in 2002-03 as additional Central assistance to the States for strengthening and upgradation of sub- transmission and distribution systems of high-density load centers like towns and industrial areas with main objectives of reduction in AT&C and commercial losses; improve quality and reliability of supply of power. Total 571 projects at the cost of Rs.17,033.58 crore were sanctioned in 10th Plan APDRP. On implementation of APDRP, the AT&C losses could be brought down below 20% in 215 towns (163 towns less than 15% & 52 towns between 15-20%) in the country.

    R-APDRP for 11th Plan: Government of India has launched Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) in July 2008 as a Central Sector Scheme for XI Plan aimed at turnaround of power distribution sector. The scheme comprises of two parts – Part – A & Part – B. Part – A of the scheme being dedicated to establishment of IT enabled system for achieving reliable & verifiable baseline data system. Part – B deals with regular Sub-Transmission & Distribution system strengthening & un-gradation projects. It is expected that on successful completion of the scheme, the AT & C losses will be reduced to the extent of 15% in the project areas.

    Under Part-A of R-APDRP, cumulatively 1387 projects at the cost of Rs.5,130.70 crore have been approved to 27 States/UT (Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal).

    Under Part – B of R-APDRP, 239 projects worth Rs.3,059.28 crore have been approved to seven States (Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu).

    ANNEXURE

    815

    UNSTARRED

    02.03.2010

    CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
    FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

    COMMITTEE ON
    PRICES

    815 . Smt. BHAVANA PUNDLIKRAO GAWALI PATIL
    SYED SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN
    SUMITRA MAHAJAN
    HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR
    SHAFIQUR RAHMAN BARQ
    ANANT KUMAR HEGDE
    SAMBASIVA RAYAPATI RAO
    ARJUN MUNDA
    JAGDISH SHARMA
    P.R. NATARAJAN
    Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether the Government has constituted a high level committee to study price rise and devise ways to control the same;

    (b) if so, the details thereof and the terms of reference of the said committee alongwith the manner in which the committee proposes to check the price rise;

    (c) the names of the essential commodities the prices of which were discussed during the conference on price rise;

    (d) whether the Government has also issued certain directives/ instructions to the States to control prices; and

    (e) if so, the details thereof and the response of the States thereto?
    ANSWER

    THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K. V. THOMAS)

    (a) & (b): A Core Group on prices of essential commodities is proposed to be constituted.

    (c): The price rise of key essential commodities, such as rice, wheat, pulses, vegetables and sugar, were discussed during the conference.

    (d) & (e): During the periodic meetings with the State Governments and UT Administrations, they were requested to initiate steps to bring down the prices. It has also been reiterated by the Minister for Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and the Prime Minister, that the State Governments have an important role in checking the rise in the prices of essential commodities through a set of administrative and regulatory measures. For instance, in Delhi, retail prices of essential commodities were reduced due to the market intervention by the State Government.

    1171

    UNSTARRED

    04.03.2010

    PETROLEUM AND
    NATURAL GAS

    HIKE IN PRICES OF
    PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

    1171 . Dr. THOKCHOM MEINYA
    BHAVANA PUNDLIKRAO GAWALI PATIL
    BRIJ BHUSHAN SHARAN SINGH
    SHAFIQUR RAHMAN BARQ
    MADHU GOUD YASKHI
    ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT
    RAMESH RATHOD
    P. BALRAM
    JAYARAM PANGI
    JOSE K. MANI
    Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether the Government proposes to increase the prices of petroleum products in the country;

    (b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor;

    (c) the number of times prices of petroleum products have been increased during the last three years, till date;

    (d) whether the Government has assessed its impact on the prices of essential commodities and common man;

    (e) if so, the details thereof; and

    (f) the steps taken by the Government to keep the prices of petroleum products stable?
    ANSWER

    MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

    (a)&(b): In the Budget 2010-11, Finance Minister has restored the Customs Duty on Crude Oil from Nil to 5%, from 2.5%, to 7.5% on Petrol & Diesel, and from 5% to 10% on other specified petroleum products. The Excise Duty on Petrol and Diesel has also been increased by Re.1 per litre. As a consequence of this, the retail selling prices of Petrol and Diesel have been increased by Rs.2.71 per litre and Rs.2.55 per litre respectively (at Delhi) with effect from 27.2.2010 with corresponding increases in the rest of the country. The retail selling prices of PDS Kerosene and Domestic LPG have not been increased.

    (c) The details of major revisions in the retail selling price of sensitive petroleum products during the last three years (at Delhi) are given below:

    (Rs. per litre/cylinder)

    Revision Petrol Diesel PDS Domestic
    Kerosene LPG

    01.04.07 42.85 30.25 9.09 294.75
    06.06.07 43.52 30.48 – –
    15.02.08 45.52 31.76 – –
    05.06.08 50.56 34.80 – 346.30
    09.06.08 – – – 304.70#
    06.12.08 45.62 32.86 – –
    29.01.09 40.62 30.86 – 279.70#
    02.07.09 44.63 32.87 – –
    27.02.10 47.43 35.47 – –
    Current Price 47.43 35.47 9.23 281.20#

    # State Government of Delhi has provided subsidy of Rs.40 per cylinder w.e.f. 09.06.08.

    (d) to (f): While increase in the retail prices of Petrol and Diesel will impact the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) to some extent, any increase in the rate of inflation will depend on the trend of prices of other commodities considered in the WPI basket.

    There has been an unprecedented rise in the international oil prices since 2004. The Government has not passed on the full burden of the increased international oil prices to the common man. As passing on the entire impact of the increase in the oil prices to the consumers would result in a steep increase in the domestic prices and aggravate inflationary conditions, the Government has been following an equitable Burden Sharing Mechanism, to ensure that the burden of under-recoveries is shared by all the stakeholders; namely the Government, the Public Sector Oil Companies and the consumers in the following manner:

    # Government through issue of Oil Bonds/Cash Subsidy

    # Domestic upstream oil companies through price discounts to OMCs

    # OMCs to bear a portion of the under recoveries and

    # Consumers to bear minimal price increases.

    1420

    UNSTARRED

    05.03.2010

    URBAN DEVELOPMENT

    DEVELOPMENT OF
    NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

    1420 . Shri SHAFIQUR RAHMAN BARQ
    SHRUTI CHOUDHRY
    Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether a meeting of the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) has been held recently; and

    (b) if so, the details of discussion held and decisions arrived thereat?
    ANSWER

    MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SAUGATA ROY)

    (a): Yes, Madam.

    (b): Highlights of the discussions held and decisions taken in the Board meeting held on 11-11-2009 are as follows:-

    (1) The revised budget of the Board for the financial year 2009-10 and the budget for the financial year 2010-11 has been approved.

    (2) The Board has agreed to provide total financial assistance of Rs. 2700 crore during the financial years 2009-10 & 2010-11 to the participating states. To achieve these targets, the Board decided to raise resources from ADB/World Bank/KFW and domestic capital market.

    (3) The Board approved a new scheme of Project Development Facility (PDF) to provide technical assistance to the participating states and their implementing agencies for project planning, formulation and development.

    (4) The Board also took note of the decision of the Empowered Committee for undertaking new studies on social infrastructure, Health, Education, Economic Profile and Household industries in the National Capital Region (NCR). These studies are expected to identify gaps and target interventions/investment needs in the region.

    (5) The Board approved inclusion of three more towns viz. Ambala in Haryana, Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh and Dehradun in Uttarakhand as Counter Magnet Areas, in addition to existing five Counter Magnet Areas (namely, Hissar, Barielly Kota, Gwalior and Patiala).

    (6) The Board also approved a new Integrated Multi-modal Transportation Plan for NCR which includes the proposal for Roads (Expressways, National Highways, State Highways & other roads), Bus systems, bus terminals, new rail lines, Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), MRTS, Airports, logistic hubs, integrated freight complexes, etc. in the region.

    (7) The Board decided to initiate action for priority implementation of a region-wide rail based system connecting various metro/regional centres and sub-regional centres, which is considered necessary to widely share the benefits of economic density and agglomeration and thus to integrate leading and lagging areas of the NCR.

    (8) Looking at the fast depletion of ground water resources in the region, the Board approved further course of action for Functional Plan on Ground Water Recharge in NCR. The Functional Plan highlights the need for recharging and techniques for implementing the same.

    (9) Further, in view of many new developments in the area such as Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Dedicated Freight Corridors etc, the Board decided to initiate process for review of Regional Plan -2021, which is due in September 2010.

    (10) The Board reviewed the progress of implementing common transport agreement signed by the states in the year 2009 for free movement of taxis/autos in NCR and requested the participating states to speedily implement and operationalize it.

    (11) The Board also called on states to urgently conclude the common Transport Agreement for stage carriages between Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, which will facilitate seamless travel of vehicles in the entire region.

    (12) The Board also discussed the feasibility of creating a Special Component Plan to finance infrastructure projects in NCR.

    3502

    UNSTARRED

    16.04.2010

    HEALTH AND FAMILY
    WELFARE

    MEDICINES TO FAKE
    REGISTERED PATIENTS

    3502 . Shri SHAFIQUR RAHMAN BARQ
    Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether the Unani Dispensaries under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) in Delhi are distributing medicines to fake registered patients for the past few years;

    (b) if so, whether the Government has conducted any inquiry in this regard;

    (c) if so, the details thereof; and

    (d) the action taken by the Government against the doctors found guilty?
    ANSWER

    THE MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE(SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

    (a) to (c) One Complaint was received from one Sh. M.C.Datta against Dr. Kauser Perveen. Preliminary enquiry conducted by the CGHS has revealed that the allegation leveled in the Complaint could not be enquired into in absence of the complainant as well as name and address of patients mentioned in the complaint.

    (d) In view of above, question does not arise.

    5546

    UNSTARRED

    29.04.2010

    MINORITY AFFAIRS

    UNDER UTILIZATION
    OF FUNDS

    5546 . Shri SHAFIQUR RAHMAN BARQ
    RAJAIAH SIRICILLA
    P. BALRAM
    PRABHAKAR PONNAM
    ABDULRAHMAN
    Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether the funds allocated by the Union Government under various welfare schemes for minorities are being under -utilized by many State Governments;

    (b) if so, the details of funds allocated by the Union Government and utilized by the States under various welfare schemes to the States during each of the last three years and the current year, scheme-wise and State-wise; and

    (c) the corrective measures initiated or proposed to be initiated by the Government for effective utilization of funds in this regard?
    ANSWER

    MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SALMAN KHURSHID)

    (a) to(c): No, Madam. The utilization certificate becomes due from the State Government one year after the closure of financial year in which the funds were released. Further release of funds to the State Governments is subject to submission of utilization certificates by the State Governments. State Governments have been advised to ensure expeditious utilization of funds released within given time frame. Regular review meetings are held with the State Governments in this regard at various levels. The scheme-wise and State-wise details regarding allocation of funds during the last three years and the current financial year under four schemes namely, Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Post – Matric Scholarship Scheme, Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme and Multi-Sectoral Development Programme are given in annex I to IV.

    ANNEXURE

    6644

    UNSTARRED

    06.05.2010

    HEAVY INDUSTRIES
    AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

    CLOSED PUBLIC
    SECTOR ENTERPRISES

    6644 . Shri SHAFIQUR RAHMAN BARQ
    NARAHARI MAHATO
    Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:-

    (a) the number of Public Sector Enterprises Units closed down, till date;

    (b) the details of loss of revenue per year to the Government on account of closure of these PSUs;

    (c) whether there are plans of Government to revive these closed down units;

    (d) if so, the amount required to revive the closed down units in the country;

    (e) whether Government proposes to run these units under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model;

    (f) if so, the details thereof;

    (g) the details of loss of revenue alone from Hindustan Photo Films Limited lying closed since 1994; and

    (h) the future plan of the Government regarding the Hindustan Photo Films Limited and other units which are lying closed?
    ANSWER

    THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES & PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI ARUN YADAV)

    (a) As per available information, 5 Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) have been closed between the period 2005-06 to 2008-09.

    (b) No estimation on loss of revenue per year to the Government on account of closure of these PSUs is available; the Government is generally redeemed of meeting the expenditure on fixed cost (e.g. salaries and wages of employees) of these sick CPSEs.

    (c) & (d) The Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE) was constituted in December 2004, to advise the Government for strengthening, modernizing, reviving, and restructuring of CPSEs. On the recommendations of BRPSE, the Government have, so far, approved 37 cases for revival and restructuring of CPSEs involving a cash assistance of Rs.2,921 crore and a non-cash assistance of Rs.12,333 crore.

    (e) & (f) The concerned administrative ministries / departments of the CPSEs prepare proposals for revival / rehabilitation / closure or disinvestment on a case to case basis and refer the cases to BRPSE for its recommendations, which are thereafter put up for approval of the Government. While recommending the revival proposals of CPSEs, all options are considered by BRPSE, including Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

    (g) Hindustan Photo Films Manufacturing Company Ltd. is not closed.

    (h) The future plans of CPSEs are made on case to case basis. In respect of Hindustan Photo Films Manufacturing Company Ltd. the company was referred to BRPSE and the Board has given its recommendation for its revival.

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