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Q No: 2203 |
Dated: |
Ministry: CULTURE |
Subject: HISTORICAL MONUMENTS IN AGRA |
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-
(a) the details of recommendations made by the Supreme Court for the protection of Taj Mahal in Agra;
(b) the action taken in this regard;
(c) whether Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has proposed to prepare a plan to promote the viewing of historical monuments at Agra in view of the forthcoming Common Wealth Games, 2010;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether historical monuments situated at Trans Yamuna area of Agra has less visitors;
(f) if so, the reasons therefore and the steps taken in this regard;
(g) the details of monuments in Agra having Cultural Notice Board and not having the Notice Boards; and
(h) the steps taken to instal Cultural Notice Boards in these monuments?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a)&(b) The Supreme Court has given several directions from time to time in connection with the protection of Taj Mahal. These include, among others
(i) restrict construction activities near Taj Mahal;
(ii) prohibit petrol/diesel vehicular traffic within 500 meters radius of Taj Mahal;
(iii) create green-belt around Taj Mahal;
(iv) remove commercial activities, shops etc. from the premises of Taj Mahal;
(v) ban polluting industries, brick kilns within 20 km radius of Taj Mahal.
The Archaeological Survey of India has compiled with the directions of the Supreme Court.
(c)&(d) No specific plan has been chalked-out by the Archaeological Survey of India. However, all the basic tourist related amenities viz. drinking water, toilets, wheel chair, ramps for physically challenged person, signages, etc. have already been provided at all the protected monuments in Agra and Fatehpur Sikri.
(e) No, Sir.
(f) Does not arise.
(g)&(h) The cultural notice boards have already been provided at all the ticketed monuments in Agra. The upgradation of the cultural notice boards is a continues process.
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Q No: 2327 |
Dated: |
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION |
Subject: PAYMENT OF DUES TO AAI |
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether private airlines have failed to pay dues to Airport Authority of India Ltd. (AAI) for using airport facilities;
(b) if so, the amount due from these airlines as on 31st October,2009 airlinewise;
(c) whether the Government proposes to initiate action against such airlines including refusal to provide credit;and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION(SHRI PRAFUL PATEL)
(a) :- Most of the private domestic airlines are paying their dues for services availed by them to Airports Authority of India (AAI) on time.
(b):- The outstanding dues payable by major private domestic airlines as on 31st October, 2009 are as under:- Go Air-908.67 lakhs, Interglobe Aviation Ltd. (Indigo)- 872.78 lakhs, Jet Airways – 4986.62 lakhs, Jetlite (India) Ltd. -1466.60 lakhs, Kingfisher Airlines – 16792.19 lakhs, Paramount Airways – 853.96 lakhs and Spicejet Ltd. – 1542.42 lakhs.
(c) and (d):- In the case of defaulting airlines, AAI takes action to realize their dues by way of :-
(i) Interest is levied on the defaulting airlines for the delayed settlement of AAI dues.
(ii) In case of sustained default, wherever necessary, the Security deposit furnished by the airlines in form of Bank Gurantee/Fixed Deposits is en-cashed.
(iii) Security Deposit in respect of defaulting airlines is suitably increased based on their operational/dues.
(iv) If necessary, credit facility to the airline is withdrawn and the defaulting airline`s operations are put on Cash & Carry basis.
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Q No: 2422 |
Dated: |
Ministry: STEEL |
Subject: GRIEVANCES OF PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS |
Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:-
(a) the current mechanism to address the concerns of the steel industry;
(b) whether there exists any statutory regulator to consider grievances of prospective investors in the Steel Sector of the country; and
(c) if not, the steps the Government proposes to take in the matter?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STEEL(SHRI A. SAI PRATHAP)
(a) The concerns of steel industry are addressed in the Ministry of Steel, as and whenever represented, either directly or through the concerned Ministries of the Union Government and the State Governments. In order to monitor and coordinate various issues, including state related issues concerning major steel investments in the country, an Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) has been constituted in the Ministry of Steel, under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Steel).
(b) No Madam. There is no statutory regulator to consider the grievances of prospective investors in steel sector in the country.
(c) Currently, the concerns of the steel industry are addressed as in answer (a) above.
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Q No: 2465 |
Dated:
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Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS |
Subject: PROMOTION OF USAGE OF WATER SOLUBLE |
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government is formulating a new policy that seeks to promote the usage of water soluble fertilizers;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether water-soluble fertilizers are being imported from Israel, Norway and other countries; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and price at which these fertilizers are being imported?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA)
(a) and (b): Presently, Department of Fertilizers administers Concession Scheme on decontrolled Phosphatic & Potassic fertilizers. Accordingly, Di Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MOP), 12 grades of NPK Complexes, Mono Ammonium Phosphate (MAP), Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), Ammonium Sulphate (AS) and Single Super Phosphate (SSP) are provided to the farmers at the subsidized rates. Water soluble fertilizers are not covered under the Concession Scheme of decontrolled Phosphatic & Potassic fertilizers. However, the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 incorporates liquid and 100% water-soluble fertilizers, which are allowed to be sold as fertilizers in India.
(c) & (d) The main exporting countries of water soluble fertilizes are Israel, Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands, China etc. Indian Importer import Water Soluble Fertilizers from these countries for marketing in India. It is estimated that import of Water Soluble Fertilizers in India is about 37000-40000 MT annually at present. Prices of water soluble fertilizers vary from time to time and from country to country. However, the current indicative prices of some of important water soluble fertilizers as indicated by the Fertilizer Industry Association are as under:-
Water soluble fertilizer/Product Price (US$/tonne)
NPK 19:19:19 950
Potassium Nitrate (13:0:45) 900
Calcium Nitrate 375
Mono Ammonium Phosphate 800
(MAP) 12:61:0
Mono Potassium Phosphate 1000-1200
(MKP) 0-52-34
Sulphate of Potash (SOP) 700
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Q No: 3175 |
Dated: |
Ministry: COAL |
Subject: ACQUISITION OF OVERSEAS COAL ASSETS |
Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Coal India Ltd (CIL) has intensified its efforts for acquisition of overseas coal assets;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether CIL has floated global Expression of Interest(EoI)
(d) if so, the details thereof and the names of the countries which have responded to EoI
(e) the modalities worked out/being worked out for the partnership in this regard; and
(f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government/CIL in this regard?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL & MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION(SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. Coal India Limited (CIL) is pursuing its foreign venture initiatives through Coal Videsh Division functioning at CIL Headquarter, Kolkata. Australia, South Africa, Mozambique, USA and Indonesia have been prioritized by CIL for acquiring mining assets based on combination of factors like availability of good quality coal resources, infrastructure, favourable policy of FDI for coal mining etc.
Besides this, the Government of India has approved formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) through Joint Venture between Coal India Limited (CIL)/ Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)/ Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL)/ National Mineral Development Corporation Limited (NMDC) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), which has been registered as “International Coal Ventures Private Limited” (ICVL). ICVL was registered as a company on 20th May, 2009. The purpose of ICVL is to invest in coal resources abroad to meet the coal demand of the partner companies.
(c) & (d): Yes, Sir. CIL had floated a global Expression of Interest (EoI) to select “Strategic Partner” in Australia, USA, South Africa and Indonesia. 58 responses from these countries have been received.
(e) & (f): The modalities being worked out for entering into a “Strategic Partnership” with a foreign coal company include:
i) Creating foothold in the destination country by taking stakes in operating mine or Greenfield projects of the Strategic Partner(s).
ii) Forming Joint Venture to jointly explore opportunities for acquiring coal resources in destination country.
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Q No: 3576 |
Dated: |
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE |
Subject: TRIAL OF PNEUMONIA VACCINE |
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether deaths of some infants during the trial of Pneumonia Vaccine have been reported in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the action taken by the Government thereon?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE(SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI)
(a) & (b): There was a report of serious adverse events regarding death of a subject involved in a clinical trial of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine at one of the site in the country.
(c) A team was constituted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to investigate the matter.The team conducted the inspection on 13th December & 14th December, 2008.The Inspection revealed various Good Clinical Practices (GCP) violations. Therefore, the concerned investigator, sponsor and monitor were issued warning letters asking corrective actions to be taken by them to prevent such violation in future. The clinical trial remained suspended at all the twelve sites from 06-11-2008 to 22-04-2009. The sponsor submitted various corrective actions taken to ensure GCP compliance.The CDSCO,after scrutiny of the same, decided to revoke the suspension of 23-04-2009 from all the sites except the inspected site. Further the monitor and investigator of the inspected site also submitted details of corrective action taken by them, based on which the suspension from the inspected site was also revoked on 02-06-2009.
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Q No: 3989 |
Dated: |
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING |
Subject: ILLEGAL TV CHANNELS |
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:-
(a) the number of television channels permitted downlinking and broadcasting services during each of the last three years and the current year;
(b) the number and nature of complaints received with regard to television channels illegally broadcasting content in the country alongwith the action taken against such channels/ cable operators under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1995 during the said period, channel-wise;
(c) whether there are reports of News Television Channels running illegally without obtaining the requisite licence and clearances in the country including Punjab;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken against them;
(e) the number of complaints received regarding cable service providers running local news programmes in contravention of their licence conditions during the said period alongwith the action taken thereon; and
(f) the details of suo moto actions taken in such cases by the Government during the said period?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING ( SHRI C.M. JATUA )
(a) : Ministry has permitted 512 private satellite TV channels under uplinking and downlinking guidelines. Out of this, 485 TV channels have been permitted to downlink in India. Year-wise details of permitted channels is given below:
Years Number of channels
2006 39
2007 74
2008 160
2009 76
(b) : As per clause 5.1 of the Downlinking Guidelines, the companies permitted to downlink registered channels shall comply with the Programme and Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. A statement showing the number and names of TV channels which have violated the provisions of the Programme and Advertising Codes and action taken thereon during last three years i.e. 2006, 2007, 2008 and current year 2009 is enclosed in the Annexure. Government has issued 260 show cause notices to the private TV channels for violation of the Programme and Advertising Codes. The number of show cause notices issued during each of the last three years and the current year is as below:
Years Number of show cause notices
2006 159
2007 29
2008 33
2009 39
(c) & (d) : The Government is in receipt of inputs on some channels which have neither been permitted to uplink from India nor permitted/registered to downlink in India as per the uplinking and downlinking guidelines are being shown illegally. The Programme Code permits cable operators to carry only such satellite TV channels as are registered with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. The Authorized Officers under the Cable Act which include District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Commissioners of Police are empowered to take action against the cable operators in case of carriage of unregistered channels. The Ministry has been communicating with the State Governments for setting up of State and District level Monitoring Committees to ensure compliance of the Provisions of the Cable Act and the Rules thereunder. The Government on 7.10.2009 has issued an advisory to all authorized Multi System Operators and Cable Operators Associations to discontinue with immediate effect transmission/re-transmission of illegal channels failing which penal action would be taken. The Ministry is also in touch with the Ministry of Home Affairs to curb the carriage of unauthorized TV channels by cable operators.
(e) & (f) : A cable operator can provide cable television network services only after registration as per Section 3 and 4 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 (herein after referred to as Cable Act) and the Rules made thereunder. Section 2(g) of the Cable Act further enables a cable operator to transmit re-recorded or live programmes in his cable service. However as per the provisions of Section 5 &6 of the Cable Act, any programme and advertisement included in the cable services should comply with the programme and advertisement codes as prescribed under Rules 6 and 7 respectively. The requirement of registration mentioned in Rule 6(6) of the Cable Television Networks Rules 1994 is not applicable to local cable channels. If any violation is reported, the Authorized Officers under the Cable Act which include District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Commissioners of Police can take action under various provisions of the Cable Act. Since the cases of violation are dealt at district level Ministry does not maintain such records.