No. of questions found : 18
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Q No: 88 |
Dated: |
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS |
Subject: E- INDO CHINA BILATERAL RELATIONS |
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether bilateral relations between India and China has shown a growth in the recent times;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the effective measures being taken by the Government to build confidence between India and China?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (DR. SHASHI THAROOR)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) & (c) India and China have established a Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity. There are regular political high-level contacts between the two countries. Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister met their Chinese counterparts in October,2009. The bilateral trade between the two countries has crossed $50 million in 2008. The two sides have established a dialogue architecture at all levels to discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations. The two sides have begun an Annual Defence Dialogue and held joint military exercises. The functional cooperation between India and China is expanding. Both sides have also promoted people to people exchanges, including exchanges between parliamentarians, political parties, academics and youth. The two sides are committed to resolving outstanding differences, including on the boundary question, through peaceful negotiations, while ensuring that such differences are not allowed to affect the positive development of bilateral relations.
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Q No: 277 |
Dated: |
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC |
Subject: IMPORT OF FOODGRAINS |
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government proposes to import foodgrains including pulses, rice, gram and sugar during the current year to improve availability and check prices;
(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the production, stock and import of the said commodities during each of the last three years and the current year alongwith the names of the countries from where it was imported;
(c) the price of the said imports alongwith the agencies involved therein; and
(d) the concessions including duty cuts provided/proposed to be provided to the importing agencies?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a), (b), (c) & (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO.277 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 08.12.2009 IN THE LOK SABHA.
(a): No decision has been taken by Government to import wheat, rice sugar and pulses on Government account in the current year. However, import duty on these commodities have been reduced to nil to facilitate imports and to increase availability.
(b)&(c): The production, stock and import of wheat, Rice, Sugar and pulses on Government account during the last three years and the current year and countries of import and price are as under :-
Wheat:- (Quantity in lac tons)
Year Production Stocks with FCI Imports on
(April-March) Date Quantity Government Account
2006-07 758.1 1.7.2006 82.07 53.79
2007-08 785.7 1.7.2007 129.2 8.44
2008-09 805.8# 1.7.2008 249.12 Nil
2009-10$ 1.7.2009 329.22 Nil
#Fourth Advance Estimate
$ No estimate available
During 2006-07 wheat was imported from Russia, Australia, Canada, Hungary, France, Ukraine,
Argentina, Czech Republic & Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria. During 2007-08, wheat was
mported from Russia, Argentina, Canada, Brazil and Australia.
During 2006-07 wheat was imported at the weighted average price of US $ 205.34 per ton
(Approx).The agency involved in import of wheat was State Trading Corporation. During
2007-08 wheat was imported at the weighted average price of US $ 366.83 per ton (Approx).
The agencies involved in the import of wheat were STC, MMTC & PEC Ltd.
Rice:- (in lac tons)
Year Production Stocks with FCI Imports on
(Oct.-Sept.) Date Quantity Government Account
2006-07 933.50 1.4.2006 136.75 Nil
2007-08 966.90 1.4.2007 131.72 Nil
2008-09 991.50# 1.4.2008 138.35 Nil
2009-10 694.50$ 1.4.2009 216.04 Nil
# Fourth Advance Estimates
$1st Advance Estimates for Kharif Season.
Sugar:-
The production and stock of sugar for the month of October during last three years and the
current year is given as under:
(in lac tons)
S.No. Sugar Year Production Stock with Sugar Mills
(October-September)
1. 2006-07 282.00 110.00
2. 2007-08 263.00 105.00
3. 2008-09 146.80 24.70
4. 2009-10 1.85 (Upto Oct.,09) N.A.
There has been no import of sugar on Government account.
Pulses:-:
(In lac tons)
S.No. Year Production
1. 2006-07 142.0
2. 2007-08 147.6
3. 2008-09# 146.6
4. 2009-10$ 44.2
#Fourth Advance Estimate
$Estimate for kharif
The Government does not maintain stocks of pulses. There has been no import of pulses on Government account.
d): The current import duty structure of wheat, rice, pulses and sugar is as under:
S.No. Commodity Custom duty
1 Wheat Nil
2 Meslin Nil
3 Rice (semi or wholly milled) Nil
4 Rice (in husk or husked) 80%
5 Pulses (including grams) Nil
6 Sugar Nil
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Q No: 306 |
Dated: |
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY |
Subject: DEVELOPMENT OF COST EFFECTIVE AND |
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) the effectiveness of Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO) role in financing and supporting environment friendly and cost effective building material industries and promoting its applications in projects financed by it; and
(b) the present status of HUDCO in developing cost effective and affordable housing?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION (KUMARI SELJA)
(a): As reported by Housing & Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO), it has so far sanctioned 30 Building Material schemes for a total loan assistance of Rs.2901.52 lakh and participated by way of equity in six building material schemes for an amount of Rs.57.19 lakh.
(b) : HUDCO is one of the Appraising Agency for Projects received under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), which caters to provision of housing and basic services to urban poor in 65 specified cities under the Sub-Mission Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) and in other cities and towns under the Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP). Houses at Affordable costs for slum dwellers/urban poor/ Economically Weaker Sections(EWS)/Low Income Group (LIG) categories is one of the admissible components under these schemes.
Under BSUP, HUDCO has so far appraised 293 projects with a total project cost of Rs.16761.59 crore with a central assistance of Rs.8352.66 crore covering 6.09 lakh housing unites. Under IHSDP, HUDCO has so far appraised 806 projects with a total project cost of Rs.8101.57 crore with a central assistance of Rs.5412.82 crore covering 4.42 lakh housing units.
HUDCO is also functioning as implementing agency for the weaker section housing under BSUP Programme at Patna and Bodhgaya on 58 sites for facilitation of 14500 housing units. The housing units having an area of around 39 sq. mts. are being constructed at a cost of Rs.2.50 to 2.80 lakhs, by way of providing innovative and cost effective design solutions and building materials. All basic amenities within the house as well as in the neighborhood, which includes proper roads, landscaping, sanitation and water supply as well as other social infrastructure is also being envisaged under these projects.
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Q No: 373 |
Dated: |
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING |
Subject: HEADEND IN THE SKY SERVICES |
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government while allowing Headend in the Sky (HITS) services in the country has taken steps against the emergence of monopolies in the sector and adequately protected the interests of workers employed in the cable industry;
(b) if so, the details of measures taken in this regard;
(c) whether the existing cable viewers and cable service providers would have the flexibility to shift to HITS and help bring down the cost of viewership rentals;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therfor; and
(e) the extent to which HITS services is likely to benefit viewership in rural areas?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRIMATI AMBIKA SONI)
(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 373 TO BE REPLIED ON 15.12.2009
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Government has made adequate provisions in the ‘Guidelines for providing Headed in the Sky (HITS) Broadcasting Service in India’ (hereinafter referred to as the Policy Guidelines’) to ensure the prevention of monopolies and protect the interests of workers employed in the cable industry. Provisions pertaining to restrictions on cross holding and adoption of a Band neutral policy are two specific provisions kept with a view to prevent vertical and horizontal monopolies and promote competition.
The policy guidelines allows HITS operations both in C-Band and Ku-Band keeping in view the limitations on the availability of satellite transponder space so that more players can be accommodated thus enabling greater competition.
As per clause 1.6 of the Policy guidelines, the Broadcasting Company(ies) and/or DTH licensee company (ies) will not be allowed to collectively hold or own more than 20% of the total paid up equity in the company at any time during the permission period. Simultaneously, the HITS permission holder should not hold or own more than 20% equity share in a broadcasting company and/or DTH licensee company. Further, any entity or person holding more than 20% equity in a HITS permission holder company shall not hold more than 20% equity in any other Broadcasting Company(ies) and/or DTH licensee and vice versa. This restriction, however, will not apply to financial institutional investors. However, there would not be any restriction on equity holdings between a HITS permission holder company and a MSO/cable operator company. Under Clause 1.7 of the guidelines, it has been further provided that while determining the shareholding of a Company or entity or person as per clause 1.6., both its direct and indirect shareholding will be taken into account. The cross holding restrictions which take into account both direct and indirect holdings vis-à-vis Broadcasters prevents vertical integration and ensures inter-alia that HITS service provider is not controlled by a particular broadcaster and thus does not block content from other broadcasters. The restrictions vis-à-vis Direct-to-Home service providers prevents horizontal integration across distribution platforms thus ensuring that the platforms compete with each other to the benefit of the viewer not only with regard to pricing and quality of service but also ensuring diversity of content delivered. This also benefits broadcasters and provides them ease of access to the subscriber.
The policy prohibits a HITS service provider from providing his services directly to subscriber and requires him to route his signals necessarily through a cable operator thereby protecting the cable industry. Further, the existing cable operators most of whom are providing their services in analog form are under business compulsion to digitalise and upgrade their services to be able to survive and withstand competition from DTH and IPTV services. Digitalisation of a cable headend is a capital intensive project which a local cable operator cannot afford. By making available digital multichannel television signals on a pan-India basis, the HITS policy brings down the cost of digitalization for the last mile local cable operator and thereby enabling him to retain his business.
(c) to (d): HITS is purely voluntary on the part of either the multi system operator or cable operator or subscriber. The HITS policy framework is of enabling nature only and there is no mandate for either the cable operators or subscribers to necessarily obtain signals from a HITS platform/network. The subscribers and cable operators can continue with the existing system. In case they find merit they may decide to switchover to the HITS provider network. Since HITS increases the choice of distribution platforms for the subscriber it is expected to bring more value for the subscriber.
(e): A subscriber of HITS service in rural area will have the benefit of high quality digital picture combined with value added services and a large choice of channels as a larger number of channels can be packed into the same spectrum when digitally transmitted through the HITS platform transmitted through the HITS platform. The lower investments required to start digital cable operations by subscribing to signals from a HITS provider enables spread of cable operations into rural areas thereby providing an opportunity of infotainment provided by the TV channels to such areas. The increased competition amongst different service providers is expected to result in reduced tariff and better quality of service to the subscribers.
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Q No: 380 |
Dated: |
Ministry: FINANCE |
Subject: PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP |
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) the present status of Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative in infrastructure building projects under the Public Private Partnerships division of Finance ministry;
(b) whether Kerala has been allocated a PPP initiative apart from the highways sector;
(c) if so, the details of projects thereunder;
(d) whether the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) pegged at present as Rs.200 crore would increased in PPP initiatives; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and sectors proposed to be included in the ambit of VGF?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) To create an enabling framework for PPPs, initiatives by Ministry of Finance include setting up of Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC)[137 projects approved -Total Project cost (TPC) Rs.144644.06 crore]; launch of Scheme for Financial Support to PPPs in Infrastructure to provide Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to PPP projects (50 projects with approved TPC of Rs.35928.10 crore) and the scheme for `India Infrastructure Project Development Fund`(IIPDF)[29 projects approved]. To speed up the process of building up a pipeline of credible PPP projects, a panel of pre-qualified Transaction Advisers have been established. State Governments and Central Infrastructure Ministries which indicated their willingness to avail of TA programme on Mainstreaming PPPs at the State level and Central line Ministries are provided with technical assistance in the form of in-house PPP experts, MIS experts and access to legal panel of firms. www.pppinindia.com has been launched to provide information on PPP projects and policies and www.pppindiadatabase.com to provide comprehensive status of infrastructure sector PPPs. Department of Economic Affairs has identified 30 pilots projects under the Fast Track projects initiatives and the Pilot Projects initiatives.
(b) and (c) Till date, one project from Government of Kerala has been received and granted approval under the India Infrastructure Project Development Fund.
(d) and (e) Do not arise. VGF at present is not pegged at Rs.200 crore. The total VGF from Government of India under the Scheme for Financial Support to Public Private Partnerships in Infrastructure is upto twenty percent of the TPC.
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Q No: 1176 |
Dated: |
Ministry: RAILWAYS |
Subject: RAIL LINKAGE FOR WAYANAD DISTRICT |
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether directions have been issued to various Central Ministries for the welfare of the minorities and their representation in Government services;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the extent to which the implementation of the Sachar Committee Report and Prime Minister’s New Fifteen Point Programme is likely to improve the job status of minorities; and
(d) the number of persons belonging to minority community employed during each of the last three years under various Ministries and their organizations, community-wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SALMAN KHURSHID)
(a) and (b): The Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities provides for giving special consideration to minorities in recruitment of police personnel, Central police forces, Railways, nationalized banks and public sector enterprises and for this purpose, the composition of selection committees should be representative.
In pursuance of this, the Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT) has issued Office Memorandum on 8th January,2007. The salient features are as follows:-
(i) The composition of Selection Committees should be representative. It should be mandatory to have one member belonging to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe and one member belonging to minority community in Selection Boards/Committees for making recruitment to 10 or more vacancies.
(ii) Where the number of vacancies against which selection is to be made is less than 10, efforts should be made to have the Scheduled Caste/Tribe officer and a Minority community officer included in such Committees/Boards.
(iii) Wide publicity should be given to all appointments in Government, public sector enterprises and public sector banks and financial institutions. Advertisements should be issued in the language(s) spoken by a large number of people of the State/UTs, apart from English and Hindi. Further, for Group C and D level posts, having only basic qualifying requirements, information about vacancies for recruitment should also be disseminated through schools and colleges in that area, in addition to normal channels.
(iv) Where there is concentration of minority community population in local areas, the vacancy circular in local language may be distributed in those areas by suitable arrangements.
The guidelines issued by DOPT include instructions for monitoring the progress in recruitment of minorities in all Ministries/ Departments, public sector enterprises, public sector banks and financial institutions.
(c) and (d): As envisaged in the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities and also one of the decisions of the Government on the follow-up action on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee, three scholarship schemes and a coaching and allied scheme have been introduced exclusively for students from the minority communities. These schemes would enable students to pursue education starting from the primary level to higher education, including technical and professional courses, and provide coaching for employment in jobs in the Government and private sector enabling them to compete effectively.
The data is not collected minority community-wise by the DOPT, but for the five minority communities as a whole. The number of persons belonging to the minority communities recruited during the last three years in the various Ministries/departments and their organisations are given below:
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09
Minorities recruited Minorities recruited Minorities recruited
(in respect of 70 (in respect of 61 (in respect of 32
Ministries/Departments/ Ministries/Departments/ Ministries/Departments/
organizations) organizations) organizations)
12,182 12,195 4,479
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Q No: 1428 |
Dated: |
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE |
Subject: DECENTRALIZED HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM |
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Railways propose to enhance the rail linkage of Wayanad district in Kerala; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS(SHRI K. H. MUNIYAPPA)
(a) and (b): The planning of the Railway network is done railway-wise keeping in view the prescribed policies and requirement of traffic.District-wise plans are not made.
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Q No: 1556 |
Dated: |
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT |
Subject: FUNDS FOR CHILD PROTECTION IN UNION |
Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) the total share of funds earmarked for child protection in the Union Budget 2009-10 in terms of child health, child development and child education ;
(b) the details of Budget allocation made to various States in this regard, State-wise; and
(c) the measures taken by the Government to address the anomalies in budgeting for children?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a) to (c) The budget provision earmarked under different child welfare schemes of various Ministries/Departments in the Union Budget for 2009-2010 is Rs. 39,647.18 crore. This constitutes 3.88% of the total Union Budget, and is meant for addressing the needs of children, including their health, development, education, protection, etc.
The States/UTs are given funds by the respective Ministry/Department for implementation of its schemes and programmes for child welfare. The quantum of funds allocated to the Ministries/Departments are as projected by them based on their assessed requirement and overall availability of resources with the Government of India.
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Q No: 2174 |
Dated: |
Ministry: CULTURE |
Subject: LAND MULTI PURPOSE CULTURAL COMPLEXES |
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has sanctioned any multi-purpose cultural complexes for the State of Kerala; and
(b) if so, the details thereof ?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a) Yes, Sir
(b) Two multi-purpose cultural complexes sanctioned for the State of Kerala:
I. A multi-purpose cultural complex at Nalanda Hills in Thiruvananthapuram was sanction in the year 1998 with a total cost of Rs. 200 Lakh, to be shared equally between the State Government and the Central Government.
II. A multi-purpose cultural complex at Anakulam, Kozhikode was sanction in the year 2007 with a total cost of Rs. 200 Lakh, to be shared equally between the State Government and the Central Government.
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Q No: 3254 |
Dated: |
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS |
Subject: DISMANTLING OF SHIP AT ALANG |
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the US ship Platinum-II, laden with hazardous and toxic wastes and anchoring at Alang in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat Poses threat to the environment of the area;
(b) is so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the ship was allowed to be anchored at Alang for dismantling even when its ownership was doubtful;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to check the threat to the environment and the resultant health hazards to the workers as a result of dismantling of the ship?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (e): The passenger ship “Platinum-II” was anchored at Bhavnagar anchoring point on 06-10-2009 with the permission of the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB). Subsequently, this Ministry has received complaints pertaining to ownership of the ship and presence of hazardous substances in the ship.
This Ministry had constituted an inter-ministerial technical team to inspect and examine the ship. The team inspected the ship and submitted its report on 26-10-2009. As per this report, there are no hazardous and radio-active wastes on board the ship in loose form or as cargo. However, hazardous materials like asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and radio-active materials are present in the ship as part of its structure. The team reported that there are 653 smoke detectors and exit points in the ship containing radio-active materials as in-built structure of the ship. The team also estimated that approx. 238 MT of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) is present in the structure of the ship. A team of officers of Gujarat State Pollution Control Board inspected the ship on 10-10-2009 and estimated that about 20 MT of PCBs are present as in-built structure of the ship and presence of hazardous substances in the ship.
In exercising the ‘Precautionary Principle’, this Ministry has communicated to GMB that granting permission for beaching and breaking purposes of the ship will not be advisable.
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Q No: 4012 |
Dated: |
Ministry: MINES |
Subject: GRANT OF MINING LEASE |
Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:-
(a) the number of companies granted permission for mining of various mineral including iron ore, chromite, dolomite and manganese in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise, mineral-wise and companywise including private company;
(b) the estimated quantum of mineral resources/deposits available in the country, mineral-wise and State-wise; and
(c) the details of mineral exported/imported in the country separately, mineral-wise and country-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)
(a): State Governments are the owner of the minerals located within their respective boundaries. They grant the mineral concessions [Reconnaissance Permit (RP), Prospecting Licence (PL) and Mining Lease (ML) ] under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation ) [MMDR] Act, 1957. Prior approval of the Central Government is required under Section 5(1) of the MMDR Act, 1957 for grant of RP, PL and ML in respect of atomic and metallic minerals specified in Parts B & C of the First Schedule to the Act. Information relating to mineral concession proposals recommended by the State Governments seeking prior approval of the Central Government under Section 5(1) of the MMDR Act, 1957, including the status of each proposal, State-wise, mineral-wise and companywise, is available on the website of the Ministry of Mines (www.mines.nic.in).
(b) State-wise information on resources/deposits of minerals is given in the Indian Minerals Year Book, published by the Indian Bureau of Mines, a copy of which is supplied to the Parliament Library on regular basis.
(c) Mineral-wise and country-wise export/import data is available on the website of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (www.commerce.nic.in) and the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics [DGCI&S] (www.dgciskol.nic.in).
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Q No: 333 |
Dated: |
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY |
Subject: NURSE-DOCTOR RATIO |
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-
(a) the nurse-doctor ratio in the country and the measures taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to improve the same;
(b) whether there are inadequate staff and training facilities in the nursing institutes in the country and;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard ?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE(SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) The nurse-doctor ratio in the country is 1.4:1. The Government is taking measures for opening of more nursing institutions across the country with special focus on un-served and underserved states.
(b) Yes, Madam.
(c) The Government has formulated several schemes for opening and strengthening of nursing institutions across the country which would result in more number of trained nurses and faculty.
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Q No: 3279 |
Dated: |
Ministry: PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND |
Subject: FLY ONLY BY AIR INDIA POLICY |
Will the Minister of PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is insisting on the Central Government and PSU employees and officers to fly only on Air India flights on official duty and for availing LTC;
(b) if so, whether the fares offered by Air India are competitive to those offered by other airlines;
(c) if not, whether the policy adversely affects the austerity measure initiated by the Government;
(d) if so, whether the Government proposes to review the policy of `fly only by air India`considering the hardships of the officials in the matter;
(e) if not, whether the Government would permit the officials to fly by other airlines if the fares are less than that offered by Air India;and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF THE STATE (Independent Charge) IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; MINISTER OF THE STATE (Independent Charge) IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCE; MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE; MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS;AND MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLLIAMENTARY AFFAIRWS.(SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)
(a): In all cases of air travel, both domestic and international, where Government of India bears the cost of air passage, the journeys have to be performed by Air India only.
(b) to (f): Air India is offering special packages/concessions for Government of India officials. Individual cases of deviation on account of operational or other reasons on account of non- availability are to be referred to Ministry of Civil Aviation for relaxation.
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Q No: 3314 |
Dated: |
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS |
Subject: PROTECTION OF FLORA |
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the study conducted by Scientists of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) at Puthurvayal, Wayanad, Kerala had identified 2,034 plants including three new species belonging to Annonaceae family (custard apple family) and oberonia swaminathanil of the orchid family;
(b) if so, the action taken by the Government to promote and protect the rare flora available in Wayanad, Kerala;
(c) whether the Government proposes to increase the facilities by increasing the infrastructure and scientists for setting up Research Institute of International standard in Wayanad, Kerala;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government proposes to allocate additional funds for research relating to the rare flora in Wayanad District of Kerala; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) Yes, sir. The study conducted by the scientists of M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation on the Taxonomy of the Wild Plant Diversity of Wayanad district, Kerala recorded a total number of 2034 species belonging to 903 genera and 171 families from an area of 2031 sq. km. The study resulted in the discovery of three new taxa, viz. Miliusa wayanadica, Miliusa gokhalae and Oberonia swaminathanii.
(b) Government of India has sanctioned Rs. 30 lakhs for the protection and conservation of the High Value Biodiversity of Kurichiyarmala- Banasuramala in the South Wayanad Division under the scheme “Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat-Protection of Wildlife Outside the Protected Areas”.
(c) & (d) No, sir.
(e) & (f) There is no such proposal for allocation of additional funds for research relating to the subject. Ministry funds research projects in the prioritized areas as and when received as per the prescribed guidelines.
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Q No: 3824 |
Dated: |
Ministry: DEFENCE |
Subject: PROTECTION OF FISHERMEN |
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the coast guard provides due protection to Indian fishermen and their boats in Indian Territorial waters;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the number of cases when the fishermen and their boats have been seized and detained by foreign coast guards;
(c) the number of incidents when foreign fishing boats have entered the Indian Territorial waters; and
(d) the steps taken to check such incidents?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF DEFENCE(SHRI A.K. ANTONY)
(a) to (d): Indian Coast Guard provide assistance to the Indian fishermen at sea while they are in distress. Their aircrafts and ships carry regular patrols to prevent Indian fishing boats crossing the International Maritime Boundary Lines (IMBL) and also conduct ‘Community Interaction Programme’ to inform the fishermen on the perils of cross border fishing. Indian fishermen are generally apprehended by foreign Navies when they have been engaged in fishing inside their territorial waters. As per records in Navy, 35 Indian fishing boats with 200 fishermen have been apprehended by Pakistani Navy and 31 fishing boats with 123 fishermen have been apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy this year. 14 Pakistani and 119 Sri Lankan fishing boats were apprehended while fishing in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) since 1st January, 2009. Enhanced aerial and surface surveillance/patrolling off the sea-coast by the security agencies would be continued to deter such incidents.
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Q No: 3924 |
Dated: |
Ministry: DEFENCE |
Subject: MARITIME SECURITY |
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has recently undertaken review of coastal security system;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the status of setting up of Maritime Security Advisory Board as recommended by the Kargil Review Committee to coordinate with security agencies; and
(d) the status of integration of maritime agencies in coastal security mechanism?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF DEFENCE(SHRI A.K. ANTONY)
(a) to (d): Government has accorded top priority to coastal security and for this purpose continuous review and monitoring mechanism has been established including reviews by Raksha Mantri.A high level committee under the Cabinet Secretary has also been constituted comprising of officers from various Central Ministries and agencies and the Chief Secretaries of the Coastal State Governments/Union Territories. For effective Coastal Security an integrated approach has been put in place. The intelligence-sharing mechanism has been streamlined through the creation of Joint Operation Centres and multi agency coordination mechanism. The coastal surveillance and patrolling has been enhanced both by Navy and Coast Guard. Joint and operational exercises are taking place on regular basis between Navy, Coast Guard, Coastal Police, Customs and others in order to check the effectiveness of the new systems.
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Q No: 4246 |
Dated: |
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT |
Subject: QUALITY OF INDIAN ENGINEERS |
Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government’s attention has been drawn to study report by Nasscom, a software industry group, saying that 75 percent engineering students in India are unemployable;
(b) if so, that details thereof; and
(c) the reasons for the low quality of our engineering students and measures proposed to be taken to make them employable in the industry?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT(SMT. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) to (c): Yes sir. As per information given by the Department of Information Technology, the NASSCOM in their Report “NASSCOM Perspective 2020: Transform Business, Transform India” have indicated employability rate of 26 % for engineering graduates. A working group was constituted by the Ministry to examine the issues raised by NASSCOM. The Working Group has, inter-alia, recommended Finishing Schools for engineering graduates to enhance their employability, changes in the syllabi of various engineering colleges so as to make them compatible with the needs of the industry etc. For the present Finishing Schools are being organized by the IT sector to alleviate the problem.
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Q No: 4381 |
Dated: |
Ministry: OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS |
Subject: DOCUMENT PROCESSING FEE |
Will the Minister of OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that the Indian missions in Riyadh and Jeddah are charging an additional fee of Saudi Riyal 8 for processing of documents; and
(b) if so, the purpose for which this levy is being collected ?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): The additional charge of Saudi Riyals 8 (equivalent of Indian Rupees 100/-) has been levied on all Consular services except death registration cases by the Embassy of India, Riyadh and Consulate General of India, Jeddah for raising funds for the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) which has been setup in the Mission to provide on-site welfare for the Overseas Indian Citizens who are in distress, in accordance with the ICWF scheme approved by the Cabinet.