Questions asked by Mr. Amir Alam Khan during Rajya Sabha session November – December 2009

No. of questions found: 56

3468. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of LAW & JUSTICE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that State Government of Uttar Pradesh has made any request to the Central Government to set up a bench of Allahabad High Court in western Uttar Pradesh;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Government is bringing any Bill in this regard; and

(d) the immediate steps being taken by Government to set up the bench?
Answer
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE

(Dr. M. VEERAPPA MOILY)

(a) to (d) Setting up of a Bench of a High Court away from its principal seat is considered by the Central Government on receipt of a complete proposal from the State Government in terms of section 51(2) of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, which has the consent of the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court. The Central Government has not received any such proposal from the Government of Uttar Pradesh for setting up of a Bench of the Allahabad High Court in western Uttar Pradesh.

3396. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the allotment of coal blocks is affecting the economy in the scale of production;

(b) if so, the steps being taken by Government to discourage the same;

(c) whether it is a fact that Government’s move to auction coal blocks has been strongly opposed; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

(SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a) & (b): The allocation of coal blocks contributes to the economic growth of the country, by helping the industrial sector to become self-reliant in coal, which is an important raw material required for generation of power, production of iron & steel, cement etc.

(c) & (d): Comprehensive consultations were held with the stakeholders before the proposal was finalized. Majority of the coal/lignite bearing State Governments and also other stake holders have supported the proposal.

3395. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:-

(a). whether the Government has conducted any study regarding the likely effects on the health of the labourers engaged in the mining of coal ;

(b). if so, the details thereof ;

(c). the status of study and the step taken by Government to improve health of the labourers engaged in the mining of coal; and

(d). the details of the medical facilities available to these labourers irrespective of their working status/position being provided by various coalfields?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISITICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

(SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a) to (c) : The information is being collected and would be laid down on the Table of the House.

(d) In Coal India Ltd. (CIL), the medical Out Patient Division (OPD) and indoor facilities are being provided to labourers through Colliery dispensaries, regional hospitals and central hospitals situated in different subsidiaries. If required, they are referred to empanelled hospitals and also different tertiary care hospitals in other parts of the country for specialized treatment irrespective of their working status/position.
Singareni Coal Collieries Ltd. (SCCL) has seven hospitals and 28 dispensaries. There are no super-specialty services in SCCL hospitals. The employees and their direct dependents who are in need on super-speciality services are referred to about 20 empanelled super specialty hospitals at Hyderabad and nearby places and the expenditure is borne by the SCCL.
Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. (NLC) has a general hospital with 389 bed facility offering services like General medicine, General surgery, Occupational Health Services, Paediatrics, Neo- natology, Intensive Care, Renal Care, Reproductive and Child Health, Eye, Dental, Ortho, ENT, Skin, Revised National Tuberculosis Programme, Integrated counseling and Emergency Services providing holistic treatment care to the employees, labourers and their dependents. NCL hospital has tie-up arrangement with leading multi-speciality hospitals in Chennai, Puducherry for super speciality services in case of need.

450. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Coal India Ltd and its subsidiaries, especially the Western Coal Fields Ltd., have made excess payment to the coal contractors;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the excess payment made, company-wise and project-wise, during the last three years, till date;

(c) whether Government has prepared any action plan/policy to recover the excess payment made to these coal contractors;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the action taken by Government against the erring officers?
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) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
<><><>
Statement referred in parts (a) to (e) of the reply to Rajya Sabha Starred Question No. 450 for 21.12.2009

(a) & (b) : There has been no excess payment made to coal contractors during the past three years and in current year till date in Western Coalfields Limited (WCL). However, in Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), there was one case of excess payment to coal contractor in Samleshwari OCP, IB Valley Area during the last three years and the same has already been recovered. The details of excess amounts paid and recovered are as under:

Name of the Name of work Excess Remarks
Contractor amount
paid in
Rupees
M/s IB Valley Transportatio 16,51,598. The amount has
Transport n of crushed 30 already been
coal from recovered.
Samleshwari
OCP
CHP/Crushed
Coal Stock to
Siding-I, II
& III.
M/s Gajanand 18,65,474. The amount has
Agarwal 05 already been
recovered.
M/s Coal 22,01,371. The amount has
Carrier 58 already been
recovered.
M/s Jalaram 19,90,978. The amount has
Transport 66 already been
recovered.
Total : 77,09,422.
59

No excess payment to coal contractors has been made in any other subsidiary of Coal India Limited.

(c) & (d): Payment of Bills is the look out of coal companies as a routine business matter and Government’s intervention in such matters is not needed.

(e) : In view of the reply to part (a) to (d) above, taking action by the Government does not arise.

<><><><><> 10th Position
NOTE FOR SUPPLEMENTARY FOR THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 450 FOR 21.12. 2009 REGARDING EXCESS PAYMENT TO COAL CONTRACTORS
INDEX
Name of the M.P :- Shri Amir Alam Khan Name of the State :- Uttar Pradesh Party :- Samajwadi Party
Q. Subject Page No No. . 1 Why outsourcing of operations are being 1 resorted to by the coal companies ? 2 Whether outsourcing of mining operations 2 contradict the provisions of Contract Labour

(Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970? 3 Since how long the outsourcing operations have 3 been started in CIL.?
4 Furnish policy and provisions of outsourcing in 4 CIL. 5 What are the major operations being 5 outsourced? 6 What is the trend in coal production and OB 6 removal through departmental and outsourcing modes?
10th Position
NOTE FOR SUPPLEMENTARY FOR THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 450 FOR 21.12.2009 REGARDING EXCESS PAYMENT TO COAL CONTRACTORS

Question 1. Why outsourcing of operations are being resorted to by the coal companies ?
Answer : From the points of consideration of Economics and efficiency of operations outsourcing is being resorted to some of the major areas like OB removal, coal production, coal transportation, maintenance of workshops, canteens etc….
Question 2. Whether outsourcing of mining operations contradict the provisions of Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970?
Answer : Under the provisions of Contract Labour

(Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970 operations of perennial nature are not supposed to be carried out with contract labour. However, the operations of overburden removal and coal extraction are being carried out by the coal companies by hiring Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) on wet leasing basis and the operators of the machinery are the employees of the company lending HEMM. Thus, such an arrangement does not contravene the provisions of the statute of the said act as per the legal opinion obtained from the Solicitor General of India by SCCL.

Question 3. Since how long the outsourcing operations have been started in CIL.?
Answer :
SECL- OB removal-2002; Deployment of surface miner-2005; coal transportation – since inception of company NCL – OB Removal- 2006 WCL- OB Removal – sometime in 1979-80

Question 4. Furnish policy and provisions of outsourcing in CIL.

Answer : Coal India Ltd. has adopted the concept of outsourcing for better economic returns. The activities outsourced by Coal India Ltd. include certain activities of coal production by hiring of equipments and transportation of coal in some mines of some subsidiaries.
Considering the fund constraint for opening new OC mines and replacement of old outlived equipments for excavation of coal in some opencast patch deposits having limited life, equipments are being hired to get the desired production and exploitation of reserves.
Certain operations in number of mines of Coal India has been outsourced mainly by hiring of equipments in order to improve on the economics of operation, to bridge the gap between capacity and target of coal production and where coal deposits do not justify large investment due to low reserves and are not economical to work departmentally. Moreover, CIL does not have to provide heavy capital investment to increase its own excavation and transportation capacities in different projects. Again, some of the new projects are being sanctioned with outsourcing variant.
Outsourcing has grown in importance world wide because economic and competitive pressures have made it imperative for organization to focus on the efficiency of operations of all their activities including turning to third parties to assume responsibilities for some of their activities. In line with many other industries and agencies, Coal India Ltd. has also adopted the concept of outsourcing for better economic returns and to bridge the gap in capacity and target. The experience of Coal India Ltd. reveals that outsourcing of some of it’s activities has been financially and economically viable.

In an Opencast mine the major operations that can be considered for outsourcing are
(i) removal of OB.
(ii) extraction of coal
(iii) loading of coal at face and transporting to a designated place
(iv) construction & maintenance of haul roads
(v) drilling
(vi) blasting
(vii) managerial supervision
(viii)safety. Complete outsourcing will involve getting all these operations carried out by an outside agency . Normally for reasons of safety and other statutory considerations, storage & supply of explosives, design of pattern of drill holes ,blasting operations, power supply, Managerial supervision, environmental mitigation and many other activities related to running of a mine such as construction & maintenance of haul roads, pumping etc. are not generally outsourced.

Question 5. What are the major operations being outsourced?
Answer : In an Opencast mine the major operations that can be considered for outsourcing are
(i) removal of OB.
(ii) extraction of coal
(iii) loading of coal at face and transporting to a designated place
(iv) construction & maintenance of haul roads
(v) drilling
(vi) blasting
(vii) managerial supervision. In addition to these maintenance of workshops, canteens, hospitals etc. are being outsourced.

Normally for reasons of safety and other statutory considerations, storage & supply of explosives, design of pattern of drill holes ,blasting operations, power supply, Managerial supervision, environmental mitigation and many other activities related to running of a mine such as construction & maintenance of haul roads, pumping etc. are not generally outsourced.

Question 6. What is the trend in coal production and OB removal through departmental and outsourcing modes?
Answer : Information is being collected.

(please provide the updated information in regard to Question 1 and data for Question 2) Question 1 :Number of persons engaged in outsourcing work of OB removal and coal production
Reply : Coal India Ltd. and its subsidiary companies do not directly employ / engage labourers on contract basis . However , certain works of coal production in some of the opencast mines i.e. mechanized extraction, loading and transportation of coal from face to face and Overburden Removal are undertaken by hired equipments. Since the works are mainly of temporary nature and as a result , number of contractors/ workmen keeps changing. However , while replying a parliament Question an attempt was made during July 06 to assess the number of workers engaged in Outsourcing, company wise details of which are as under :-
Name of Com. ECL Manpower engaged in 05-06 by the contractor by outsourcing of HEMM for excavation and transportation of OB & Coal is on an average of about 417 persons per day & manpower engaged for surface transportation of Sand & Coal by outside agencies in 05-06. is on an average of about 1842 persons per day . BCCL The average number of workers engaged in outsourcing work for hired equipment in mechanized extraction of coal , OB removal, Coal and Sand transportation including workers engaged by ESM Agencies is 688. Average number of workers including ESM Agencies engaged during 2004-05 was 548. CCL 314 Nos. WCL The average number of workers engaged in outsourcing work for hired equipment for removal of OB is 279, for Coal transportation is 603 and for sand transportation 137. Average total number of workers is about 1019. SECL No of workers engaged in outsourced job is about 4197 as on 01.11.2005 and Average number of workers engaged during 2004-05 is 4225. The workers are engaged mainly for working in hired equipment for removal of OB, coal production & excavation work. MCL Workers engaged in different outsourcing works (for hired equipments engaged in mechanized extraction of coal, OB removal and sand transportation as on 01.11.2005 on an average is 2319 persons & average number of workers engaged during 2004-05 in the same jobs was also 2319 persons NCL NIL. However recently NCL has started out sourcing during 2006-07 only and about 800 persons are engaged on date in outsourcing work of OB removal . NEC 949 workers were engaged in OB removal, Coal production extraction and transportation during the year 2004-05.
Question 2 :What is the trend in coal production and OB removal through departmental and outsourcing modes in the last 5 years?

No.54017/12/2009-CPAM Government of India Ministry of Coal CPAM Section <><><>
Subject:- Rajya Sabha Starred Question No. 148 regarding Dumping of imported coal in Goa.
An admitted version of Rajya Sabha starred question 148 due on 30.11.2009 regarding dumping of imported coal in Goa has been received. The extracts of the question are as under.

(a) whether a huge dump of coal near the berthing jetties at Mormugao Port Trust has been causing large scale dust pollution in Goa;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) The quantity of imported coal dumped in Goa as on 31 October, 2009;

(d) The reasons for the delay in clearance of unloading sites by the importers; and

(e) The details of the measures being taken in this regard?

It is stated that the notice of the question was received in the section after it was admitted. In fact the question is not related to this Ministry as the thrust of the question is regarding pollution created by the imported coal in the Mormugao Port Trust. The Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Environment and Forest and the Mormugao Port Trust were requested to furnish information in respect of the starred question. The information has been received in this regard only from the Mormugao Port Trust. A draft reply alongwith the note for supplementary, based on the information furnished by the Mormugao Port Trust have been attempted and place below for approval.

3380. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Railways has expanded the network of its computerized rail ticket counters in the entire country;

(b) if so, the details of such counters, State-wise and region-wise;

(c) whether certain railway stations are yet to be computerized in the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the target set for their computerization in the State of Uttar Pradesh during the Eleventh Plan?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

( SHRI E. AHAMED )

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) Data is maintained railway-wise (and not state-wise). Similarly, facility is maintained station-wise and not counter-wise. The detailed number of stations is enclosed as Appendix-‘A’.

(c) Yes, Sir.

(d) No state-wise data is maintained. Northern Railway, North Central Railway & North Eastern Railway cover state of Uttar Pradesh along with other states. Number of stations planned for computerization on Northern Railway, North Central Railway North Eastern Railway are given at Appendix-‘B’.

3349. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:-

(a) whether KVIC proposes to collaborate with the big industrial houses active in the organized retail market to strengthen the rural area economically and financially;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the names of the industrial houses selected so far for the purpose; and

(d) the criteria adopted for selection of these industrial houses?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

(SHRI DINSHA PATEL)

(a): No, Sir.

(b) to (d): Do not arise.

3213. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that incidents of technical snag and breakdown in the operations of Metro train has increased in the recent past;

(b) if so, the loss of lives and property due to this;

(c) whether it is also a fact that it would be very difficult to handle any big disaster keeping in view the health facilities available with Delhi Metro;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) if not, the reasons therefore; and

(f) the efforts being made by the Government to provide health facilities like doctor, trained staff, wheel chair, stretcher, First Aid Box etc. at Metro stations?
Answer

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI SAUGATA ROY)

(a): Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Ltd. has reported that incidents of technical snag and break down in the operations of Metro train have not increased in the recent past.

(b): No loss of lives and property has occurred due to this.

(c): No, Sir.

(d)&(e): Do not arise.

(f): The following safeguards have been taken by DMRC to handle any disaster on the Delhi Metro network:-
Operations Control Centre (OCC) of Delhi Metro is equipped with hotline facility with Delhi Police, Fire Authorities, Ambulance Services (CATS) and National Disaster Management Authority.
List of nearby hospitals is maintained at all the Metro stations and OCC for ready reference.
Station staff is provided Basic First Aid Training and refresher courses for the same are also arranged from time to time.
Mock drills for safe emergency evacuation and to deal with disaster like situations are carried out periodically in coordination with all concerned agencies. Analysis is done to take preventive action during such time.

3206. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) whether due to low income of municipal corporations and municipalities several hindrances are arising in development of cities;

(b) whether Government has made any plan to give financial assistance to municipal corporations and municipalities; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?
Answer

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI SAUGATA ROY)

(a): Yes Sir. Lack of adequate resources is an important factor affecting the development of cities.

(b) : Government of India has launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) on 3 December 2005 to give focused attention to integrated development of urban infrastructure and services in select 65 cities with emphasis on provision of basic services like water supply, sanitation, road network and urban transport.

(c) : A provision of Rs.50,000 crore has been made as reform-linked Central assistance over the Mission period of seven years 2005-12.

3064. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGH WAYS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has received proposals from various State Governments for conversion of stretches of National Highways into four lanes;

(b) if so, the details thereof, stretch-wise and State-wise; and

(c) the action taken by Government thereon?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)

(a) to (c) The State-wise and stretch-wise details of proposals for conversion of stretches of National Highways (NHs) into four lanes received from various State Governments and sanctioned during the last three years and current year are annexed. Four laning of NHs is a continuous process and proposals are sanctioned based on Annual Plan provisions, fulfilling the technical requirements, inter-se-priority and availability of funds.

3038. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGH WAYS be pleased to state:-

(a) the State-wise latest details of the roads sanctioned under the Central Road Fund; and

(b) the Central assistance granted and utilized for these roads during the last three years?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)

(a) & (b) The State-wise details of the Central Road Fund (CRF) works approved up to 30th November, 2009 are at Annexure-I. The accruals and release of funds from CRF during the last three years are at Annexure-II.

2928. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether foreign industrialists have shown their interest in investing in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Government propose to urge to these industrialists to establish industries in the remote and rural areas of India;

(d) if so, the reaction of foreign industrialists in this regard; and

(e) the steps taken by Government for balanced industrial development and for removing the feeling of insecurity that exist in the minds of common people?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI ANAND SHARMA)

(a) & (b): The details of Foreign Direct Investment inflows, during April, 2004 to September, 2009, financial year-wise, are as under:

(Amount in US $ billion)
Financial Year FDI Inflows as per international practices
2003-04 4.32
2004-05 6.05
2005-06 8.96
2006-07 22.83
2007-08 34.36
2008-09 35.17
2009-10(April-October) – only equity inflows 17.65

*Provisional

(c) to (e): FDI has the potential of enhancing economic activity and employment in the country, by complementing and supplementing domestic investment, for achieving a higher level of economic development and providing opportunities for technological upgradation, as well as access to global managerial skills and practices. Additional investments brought in through FDI, over and above investments possible with the available domestic resources, assist in providing additional employment opportunities.
The Government of India has put in place a liberal and transparent policy for FDI, including investments from Non-resident Indians (NRIs). The FDI policy is applicable uniformly for the entire country.
Under the liberalized economic environment, investment decisions of foreign investors are based on the macro-economic policy framework, investment climate in the state, investment policies of transnational corporations and other commercial considerations.
With a view to promoting balanced industrial development in the country, the Central Government has launched a number of schemes. Besides these schemes, Government is also implementing a number of schemes for generating employment and development of backward areas such as National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Bharat Nirman, Backward Regions Grant Fund etc.

385. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the trade deficit has increased as compared to the last fiscal year;

(b) if so, the details of import-export value, year-wise, during the last three years;

(c) the reasons for increase in trade deficit during the said period; and

(d) the steps taken in this regard?
Answer
MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

(SHRI ANAND SHARMA)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 385 FOR ANSWER ON 16TH DECEMBER, 2009 REGARDING “TRADE DEFICIT ”

(a): No Sir.

(b): India’s merchandise export and import figures for the period 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and for the period April to October 2009-10 in US Dollar terms, are given in Annexure I.

(c): Increase in trade deficit during 2007-08 and 2008-09 was predominantly accounted for by higher imports of petroleum crude / products, fertilizers, and raw material and machinery / equipment required for Indian industry. On the export front, India’s merchandise exports declined since October 2008, which can be attributed significantly to shrinkage of demand in developed countries due to global economic slowdown, and the reduced international prices of commodities. The trade deficit during April to October, 2009-10 has reduced in comparison to the same period last year, mainly on account of reduced prices of crude petroleum etc. leading to reduced import bill and the progressive reduction in the decline in export growth.

(d): To arrest the decline in exports, and to extend support for growth in exports, various measures have been taken by the Government and RBI in the last 3 years in the form of stimulus packages and in the Budget, 2009-10, particularly for exporting sectors, as given in Annexure II. Additional measures had been announced in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2009-14 released on 27.08.09. FTP, 2009-14 has been laid in Parliament.

2851. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government proposes to take a major policy initiative to curb the declining sex ratio in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) by when the said measures and policy initiatives are expected to be announced?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

(SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI)

(a)to(c): The Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act was enacted on September 20, 1994 by the Governemnt of India. This Act came into force in 1996.
The Act was amended in 2003 to improve regulation of technology capable of sex selection and/or sex determination in order to curb the decline in the child sex ratio as revealed by the Census 2001. With effect from 14.2.2003, due to the amendments, the Act is known as the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.
The main purpose of enacting the PC & PNDT (prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 has been to:
i) Ban the use of sex selection techniques before or after conception;
ii) Prevent the misuse of pre-natal diagnostic techniques for sex selective abortions;
iii) Regulate such techniques
Stringent punishments have been prescribed under the Act for using pre-conception and pre-natal diagnostic techniques to illegally determine the sex of the foetus. The Appropriate Authorities at the District and State levels are empowered to search, seize and seal the machines, equipments and records of the violators. The sale of certain diagnostic equipment is restricted only to the bodies registered under the Act.
The Government has also taken various steps to support implementation of the legislation, including through constitution of Central and State Supervisory Boards, National Inspection & Monitoring Committees (NIMC), capacity building of implementing agencies, including the judiciary and public prosecutors and community awareness generation through PRIs and community health workers such as Auxiliary Nursing Midwives (ANMs) and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched a pilot scheme, “Dhanlakshmi – Conditional Cash Transfer for Girl Child Insurance Cover(CCT)” in March, 2009 in eleven blocks across seven states of the country, wherein cash transfers will be made to the family of the girl child (preferably the mother) on fulfilling certain specific conditionality (birth & registration, immunization, school enrolment and retention and delay in the marriage of the girl child till age of 18 years.

2820. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

(a) the total number of refund applications pending with the Income-tax Department especially in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh for the last three tax assessment years in the country;

(b) the reasons for delay in action against refund cases;

(c) the steps being taken to improve the situation; and

(d) the total amount refunded by the Income-tax Department during the last three financial years, year-wise?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(SHRI S.S. PALANIMANICKAM)

(a) Assessment Year wise data with respect to returns claiming refund is not maintained because the statutory time limit to process the return of income is with reference to their receipt in Financial Year. The total number of returns claiming refund pending with the Income Tax Department as on 1.4.2009 was 38.17 lakhs. Department has processed 27.93 lakhs returns claiming refund till 31st October, 2009. The number of returns claiming refund pending for processing in the Commissionerate of Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh is 2943.

(b) Processing of returns and issuance of refund is a continuous process in the Income Tax Department. According to the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961, the returns received during Financial Year 2008-09 can be processed upto 31st March, 2010. Normally, after receipt of returns, processing of returns and issuance of refund (if due) are done in due course. However, in some cases difficulties are encountered primarily due to the following reasons:-

i) Wrong quoting of PAN by the assessee in the return of income,
ii) Illegible recording of address in the return of income by the assessee,
iii) Non-reporting of new/altered address by the assessee to the Assessing Officer,
iv) Incorrect particulars about bank account.
v) Difficulty in verification of taxes paid or deducted, due to data mismatch.
vi) Technical constraints like link failure, system overload, etc.

(c) To expedite the process of issue of refunds, some of the steps taken by the Department are:

i) Mandatory Computerized processing of returns.
ii) Introduction of e-filing of return for speedy processing.
iii) The Department has set up a Centralized Processing Centre at Bangaluru. It will provide speedy processing of returns and issuance of refunds for all the tax payers of Karnataka region and for all the e-filed returns.
iv) Through Citizen’s Charter and other press releases issued by the Department, tax payers are requested to carefully mention the relevant particulars in the return of income, more so about common deficiencies mentioned above.

(d) The total amount refunded during last three Financial Years is as follows:

Financial Year Amount of Refund (in Rs. Crores)
2006-07 37313
2007-08 4042 40742
2008-09 41122

376. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of amount of different nationalized and non-nationalized banks` dues, including borrowers and credit card liabilities during the last three years;

(b) the number of these borrowers in respect of each bank;

(c) whether the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has prepared a list of such defaulters through Credit Information Bureau of India Limited (CIBIL) and the same is published for public information;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether various banks are denying loans to borrowers after the disclosure of their names in CIBIL by mistake;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and (g) the measures being taken by Government for the recovery of dues of banks?
Answer

THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)

(a) to (g): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT FOR RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.376 FOR 15th DECEMBER, 2009 REGARDING RECOVERY OF DUES BY BANKS TABLED BY SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

(a) & (b) : The details of non-performing assets (NPAs) in credit cards (consolidated) pertaining to all banks during the last three years are given below –

(Amount Rs. in crore)
Month / Year RetailImpaired CreditCard Receivables-`A` RetailOutstanding Credit Card Receivables-`B` Share of `A` in
`B` (%)
March 2007 1,520 18,317 8
March 2008 2,852 27,437 10
March 2009 5,094 29,941 17

Bank-wise details of Gross NPAs and gross advances are given in ANNEX-I. Bank-wise details of credit card holders for the last three years are given in ANNEX-II.

(c) & (d) : Reserve Bank of India (RBI) disseminates list of non-suit filed borrowers of banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) with outstanding aggregating Rs. 1 crore and above as on 31st March and 30th September each year to the banks and FIs for their confidential use. The list of non-suit filed accounts of willful defaulters of Rs. 25 lakh and above is also disseminated on quarterly basis to banks and FIs for their confidential use. Further, Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited (CIBIL) is maintaining a database on suit-filed accounts of Rs. 1 Crore and above and suit-filed accounts (wilful defaulters) of Rs. 25 Lakhs and above. The information can be accessed at CIBIL website www.cibil.com. RBI has, vide its circular dated 24.06.2009, advised all banks / FIs to furnish, on request and against payment of requisite fees, a copy of the Credit Information Report obtained from Credit Information Company to such persons, who have applied for grant or sanction of credit facility from the bank or Fl.

(e) & (f) : One or two instances have been brought to the notice of RBI where the borrowers have alleged wrong reporting by CIBIL and subsequent denial of credit by banks. Such cases are taken up by RBI with the concerned banks and CIBIL for suitable redressal.

(g): Government and RBI have put in place a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for recovery of NPAs, which, inter-alia, include prudential norms for provisioning and classification of NPAs, guidelines for prevention of slippages, Corporate Debt Restructuring and other restructuring Schemes, One Time Settlement schemes, the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002 and the Recovery of Debts due to Banks and Financial Institutions (DRT) Act, 1993.

2719. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has given approval to increase the share capital of National Minority Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC);

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the areas where NMDFC would utilize this amount for the benefit of minorities?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SALMAN KHURSHID)

(a)& (b) Yes Sir. The Government of India has approved enhancement of authorized share capital of National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) from Rs. 850 Crores to Rs. 1000 Crores, in September 2009. Rs. 125 crores has been released during the current year to NMDFC towards central share capital.

(c) NMDFC utilizes the share capital contribution for extending loans to persons belonging to minorities, living below double the poverty line for undertaking self employment and income generating activities. The schemes of NMDFC are being implemented through State Channelising Agencies (SCAs) spread across States & UTs and through a network of NGOs. NMDFC also provides loans to individuals through its State Channelising Agencies. Besides, it provides micro credit to the poorest of poor among the minorities, organized into Self Help Groups (SHGs) through established NGOs. It also extends Educational Loan through its State Channelising Agencies for pursuing technical and professional courses.

2676. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that the number of endangered birds and animals including lions, tigers and elephants in reserve forests is declining every year;

(b) if so, the details of these animals and birds during the last three years; and

(c) the necessary action being taken by Government to protect these species?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS

(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a)&(b) Fluctuation in the population of wild fauna and flora is a natural phenomenon. There are no specific reports indicating that the population of endangered wild animals like tiger, lions, elephants including birds are dwindling in the country. On the contrary, the population of lion and elephant has increased over the years. The details of the last all India Estimation of Tiger, carried out between 2006 and 2008 is at Annexure I. Similarly, the details of the last all India enumeration of wild elephants in the country carried out in 2007-08 is at Annexure II. Further, as per the estimation carried out in Gujarat in 2005, the total population of lions in the Gir forests is 359+10. However, no such countrywide population estimation has been carried out for birds.

(c) The steps taken by the Central Government for the protection of wildlife, inter alia, include the following:

1. Threatened species of wildlife are included in the Schedules of the Wildlife (Protection), Act, 1972, thereby according them the highest degree of protection.

2. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has been amended from time to time and made more stringent against wildlife related offences.

3. A network of Protected Areas has been established to conserve wildlife and their habitats including rare animals.

4. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to check illegal trade in wildlife and its products.

5. The State/ UT Governments have been requested to strengthen the field formations and intensify patrolling in and around wildlife rich areas.

6. Financial and technical assistance is extended to the State/UT Governments under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, viz, ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats`, ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ for providing better protection and conservation of wildlife.

7 Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme – `Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats`, a new component has been added for initiating `Recovery Programme for critically endangered species and their habitats` during the 11th Five Year plan period.

2631. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government is considering to promote coal gasification;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether some foreign companies have sought permission to start their business by using the technique of converting coal into oil;

(d) if so, the details of such proposals; and

(e) whether above proposals have been considered by Government and if so, the details thereof?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

(SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. In order to facilitate allotment of coal blocks to potential entrepreneurs a Gazette Notification has been issued in July 2007 notifying the production of syngas obtained through coal gasification (underground and surface) and coal liquefaction as end uses for the purposes of Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act 1973. Guidelines for undertaking Underground Coal Gasification has also been published.

(c) to (e): Government has notified coal liquefaction as one of the end uses as mentioned in reply to part (a) & (b) above. Further, Government has allotted two coal blocks in Talcher coalfields, Orissa, one each to M/s Strategic Energy Technology Systems Ltd. (SETL) a joint venture of M/s. Tata Steel and M/s. SASOL of South Africa and M/s Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. (JSPL). Each Coal-to-Liquid project is likely to produce 80,000 barrels per day (bbl/day) of oil and oil products, as per the proposals submitted by them.

2512. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN
GYAN PRAKASH PILANIA LALIT KISHORE CHATURVEDI
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that there are around 3.5 crore fake ration cards in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, Statewise;

(c) the details of the estimated losses occurred to public distribution system due to fake ration cards;

(d) whether Government has conducted any survey regarding fake ration cards and to ascertain the losses occurred due to that;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the action taken by Government to scrap the fake ration cards?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a)to(f): Based on findings of earlier evaluation studies on Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), a Nine Point Action Plan evolved for strengthening TPDS is under implementation by State/UT Governments since July, 2006. As a part of this action plan, States and UT Governments have been directed to continuously review lists of Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families to eliminate bogus ration cards so that only eligible BPL and AAY families get covered under the TPDS. The State/UT Governments are competent to take penal action under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 against those indulging in malpractices under TPDS.

To assess impact of implementation of 9-point action plan, Government has undertaken concurrent evaluation of TPDS in 26 States and UTs where earlier studies had indicated malpractices. National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) has completed this study in 12 States. Copies of the NCAER reports have been sent to concerned State Governments for necessary action.

Details of fake ration cards are not available. However, specific instructions were issued in January, 2008 to all States/UT Governments to take action as per law against the families / persons found in possession of bogus or fake ration cards and also against officials found responsible for issuing ration cards to ineligible families/persons.

As part of implementation of 9-point action plan and as per these directions, State/UT Governments have been taking action to detect and delete fake/bogus/ineligible BPL and AAY rations cards. Since July, 2006 onwards, 17 State/UT Governments have reported detection and deletion of 159.42 lakh fake/bogus/ineligible ration cards (by 15.11.2009) as per details given in Annex-1.

Further instructions have been issued to all State/UT Governments to carry out an intensive campaign from October, 2009 to December, 2009 to verify existing BPL/AAY families and eliminate ineligible/bogus ration cards.

2511. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:-

(a) whether prices of essential consumable items like wheat, sugar, rice, pulses, edible oils and vegetables are rising day-by-day;

(b) if so, the details of rise in prices of these items during year 2008-09 and up to November, 2009;

(c) the plans of Government to check trend of price hike of these items;

(d) the details of import of wheat, rice, pulses, sugar and edible oils during year 2008-09 and up to November, 2009 alongwith the import price of these items; and

(e) the necessary steps being taken by Government to check the increase in inflation and increase the production of agriculture products and foodgrains?
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): The All India average wholesale prices has increased in the case of wheat by 13.24%, sugar by 64.21%, rice by 8.83%, Pulses such as Tur dal by 65.83%, Gram by 1.83%, Potato by 115.44 % and Onion by 54.52% but had declined in the case of edible oil such as Groundnut oil by (-4.70%), Mustard oil by (-14.00%), Vanaspati by (-12.41%) respectively over the past one year. The detail of rise in prices of these items during year 2008-09 and up to November, 2009 is given in Annexure 1.

(c) : The Government has taken steps to protect poor sections of society through Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Antodaya Anna Yojna (AAY). Under the TPDS, wheat, rice, coarse grains and kerosene are allocated to State Governments/UTs for distribution through the Fair Price Shops. The Central Issue Price for rice and wheat has not been revised since 2002. For wheat it remains at Rs 4.15 per kg for BPL and Rs 2 per kg for AAY. For rice, it is Rs 5.65 per kg for BPL and Rs 3 per kg for AAY. Pulses are distributed to the State Governments under the PDS @ Rs.10 per kg subsidy scheme. In view of the rise in prices of essential commodities witnessed during the recent past, Government has allocated imported edible oils to State/UT Governments. States are free to distribute the edible oil through whatever outlets they decide on.
Government has taken steps to promote the consumption of yellow peas by mounting a campaign and asking NAFED,NCCF, Kendriya Bhandar, Mother Dairy to distribute it through their selected retail outlets in Delhi.

(d) : There has been no import of wheat and rice during 2008-09 and 2009-10 up to November 2009.Details of imports of pulses, sugar and edible oils, along with their values are given in Annexure II.

(e) : The Government Measures to check the prices of essential commodities are given in Annexure III.
Enhancement of MSP of foodgrains year after year is meant to make agriculture production remunerative.
The Government has in addition to ongoing schemes, new initiatives like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission

(NFSM) and National Horticulture Mission has been taken up.
RKVY aims at achieving 4% annual growth in agriculture and allied sector by ensuring holistic development of agriculture and allied sector. The outlay for 11th Five year Plan is Rs. 25,000 crore.
NFSM, whose primary objective is to enhance production of rice, wheat and pulses through increased productivity of rice and wheat and productivity/ area coverage of pulses. The outlay for 11th Five year Plan is Rs. 4,883 crore.
National Horticulture Mission targets to promote horticulture crops with an outlay of Rs. 8,809 crore for 11th Five Year Plan.

2381. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government is aware that General Public have to suffer a lot to get information on time under Right to Information;

(b) if so, whether Government has organized any review meeting to assess the working of Right to Information Act;

(c) whether Government is contemplating to establish any mechanism to provide full information on time to public;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
Answer
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

(SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)

(a) to (e): The Right to Information Act already has an inbuilt mechanism to ensure that complete information to an information seeker is supplied in time. If a public information officers fails, without any reasonable cause, to supply correct and complete information within the prescribed time limit, a penalty upto Rs. 25,000/- can be imposed on him.

319. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that Government has allotted full spectrum to various companies;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of the revenue collected through spectrum fee during the last three years, year-wise; and

(d) the steps being taken by Government to collect more revenue through allotment of future spectrum?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

( SHRI A. RAJA )

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE RAJYA SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 319 FOR 10TH DECEMBER, 2009 REGARDING “REVENUE COLLECTED THROUGH SPECTRUM FEE”.

(a) & (b) Clause 43.5 of the Unified Access Service License (UASL) conditions mandates allotment of start up / initial spectrum, subject to availability. Spectrum where ever available was allotted in the entire service area. In other cases, spectrum was allotted in part of the service areas as per availability of spectrum. Details of spectrum allotted is at Annexure I, II, III and IV.

(c) The revenue collected through spectrum fee during the last three years, years – wise is as under:
Year 2006-07 Year 2007-08 Year 2008-09
Spectrum charges collected Rs.1957.39 Crores Rs. 2884.17Crores Rs. 3248.57 Crores

(d) The report of the committee on “Allocation of Access (GSM / CDMA) Spectrum and Pricing” has been referred to TRAI for their recommendations as the recommendations of the committee have wider implications on telecom sector. A decision on spectrum pricing & method of allotment will be taken by the government on receipt of TRAI recommendations.

2223. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) the number of deaths reported by the National Human Rights Commission during each of the last three years till date in custody, State-wise and Union Territory-wise;

(b) the State-wise compensation being provided to the next of the kin of the each person who died in custody;

(c) the action taken by Government against the officials responsible for it; and

(d) the measures taken by Government to prevent custodian deaths in future?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI AJAY MAKEN)

(a): A statement indicating the State/Union Territory-wise number of custody death cases registered by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) during the period between 2006-2007 to 2009-2010 (up to 30th November, 2009) is at Annexure-I.

(b): A statement mentioning the State/UT-wise amount of monetary relief recommended by the NHRC during the period between 1.4.2006 to 30.11.2009 is at Annexure-II.

(c): “Police” and “Public Order” are State Subjects under the Constitution of India. It is for the State Governments to take appropriate action in every custodial crime. In respect of deaths of persons in the custody of Central Police Forces, departmental inquiry against the officials responsible for the cause of death is conducted and the officials found guilty are suitably punished. In all proven cases of violation of human rights, the NHRC also recommends either compensation or disciplinary proceedings or prosecution or a combination thereof. Further action by the Government is taken accordingly.

(d): Section 176 of the Criminal Procedure Code has been amended vide Code of Criminal Procedure ( Amendment) Act 2005 to provide that in cases of death or disappearance of a person or rape of a woman while in custody of the police, there shall be a mandatory judicial inquiry and in case of death, examination of the dead body shall be conducted within twenty four hours of death. The Union Government have also been issuing guidelines to the State Governments from time to time advising them to ensure that adequate steps are taken to check instances of custodial deaths.

2174. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of the places in the country, specially in Uttar Pradesh where export processing zone, special economic zone, foreign trade zone and agriculture export zone are functioning;

(b) the details of the activities conducted in these zones during last three years;

(c) whether these zones are not working as per their goals;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the incentives being provided by Government to achieve these targets?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

(a) and (b): In addition to the Seven Central Government SEZs and 12 State/Private Sector SEZs set up prior to the enactment of SEZ Act, 2005, formal approval have been accorded to 570 proposals out of which 346 SEZs have been notified. Of these, 16 notified SEZs are located in Uttar Pradesh, besides, Noida SEZ established by the Central Government. Details of location, sector and land involved in 16 notified SEZs are annexed.

A total of 60 Agri Export Zones have been established in the country out of which 4 are located in Uttar Pradesh.

As on 30th September, 2009, an investment of Rs. 1,30,341 crore has been made in SEZs, direct employment for 4,18,129 persons have been generated and export of Rs. 89,750.75 crore has been made from SEZs in period of April-September, 2009 as against the total export of Rs. 99,689 crore during the financial year 2008-09.

(c) to (e): In terms of Rule 6 of the SEZ Rules, validity of approval is for a period of three years within which time effective steps are to be taken by the developer to implement the approved proposal. On a request received from the developer the Board of Approval can extend the validity period upto two years. As regards incentives etc., SEZs developers/units do enjoy duty benefits as per the provisions of the SEZ Act, 2005 and SEZ Rules, 2006. Some State Governments have also extended duty benefits apart from a hassle free clearance mechanism under a single window.

2044. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

(a) the total housing loan sanctioned and disbursed by the Life Insurance Corporation Housing Finance Ltd. (LICHFL) during the years 2008 and 2009 till date in the country especially for Delhi zone;

(b) whether the LICHFL is charging a processing and documentation fee @ 1 per cent from the applicants for home loans;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the LICHFL offers any discount in the processing and documentation fee to the Government servants, autonomous bodies, corporate clients and PSU employees;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether there are different slabs of fee for officer category and staff category employees of these organizations;

(g) whether LICHFL proposes to refund the excess fee charged from these categories of people; and

(h) if so, the details thereof?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a):As per the information provided by LICHFL, total housing loan sanctioned and disbursed during 2008 and 2009 (up to 31.10.2009) in the country and for Delhi zone is as per statement annexed.

(b)&(c): As is the industry practice, LICHFL charges the normal processing fee @ 1% of the sanctioned loan. This has the approval of the Board of the Company.

(d)&(e): Employees of large organizations in the approved list of LICHFL are charged 50% of normal processing fee irrespective whether they belong to Government/ Public Sector or Private Sector. However, the Board has authorized officials in certain positions to reduce the processing fee on a discretionary basis irrespective whether the borrowers are employed with large organizations or not.

(f) to (h): As no such practice exists, question of refund of the excess fee does not arise.
Annexure Statement as referred in reply to part (a) of Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2044 for 8.12.2009.
FOR THE COUNTRY For the year 2008 (01.01.08 to 31.12.08) For the year 2009 (01.01.09 to 31.10.09)
Sanction 10252.93 14025.43
Disbursement 8204.7 10585.55
FOR DELHI ZONE
Sanction 2432.44 2750.27
Disbursement 2025.74 2292.18

2031. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether there is a shortage of notes of small denominations like one rupee, two rupees, five rupees, ten rupees, twenty rupees and fifty rupees in the country;

(b)if so/the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(c) whether it is a fact that Government has discontinued the circulation or stopped the printing of notes of small denominations;

(d)if so, the details thereof; and

(e)the steps being taken by Government to meet the shortage of notes of small denomination in the country ?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a) to (e): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has informed that in view of the short life span of the lower denomination notes of Re.1, Rs.2/- and Rs.5/- and the high cost involved in printing and processing of soiled notes of these denomination, the Government has decided to discontinue the printing of lower denomination notes. The notes of these denomination have been coinised. However, due to inadequate production capacity of Government Mints, it was decided to re-introduce Rs.5/- bank note to supplement the Rs.5/- coins. There is ho shortage of Rs.10/- Rs.20 bank notes and Rs.50/- in the country.

1976. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government proposes to provide monetary relief to the rape victims besides enforcing a stringent law;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Government also proposes to implement some more policy measures to deter the rapists from committing such heinous crimes;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) by when these measures are likely to be adopted and the said scheme is likely to be implemented?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

(SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)

(a)&(b) The Government has a proposal to provide monetary relief to rape victims. The details of the scheme are yet to be finalized.

(c),(d)&(e) The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2008 ( 5 of 2009) has been enacted by the Parliament which inter-alia provides that inquiry or trial in such cases shall, as far as possible, be completed within a period of two months from the date of commencement of the examination of witness ( Section- 309).

1834. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has decided to import coal during 2008 and 2009;

(b) if so, the quantity of coal imported/ to be imported;

(c) the name of the country and price at which it was imported/to be imported;

(d) the reserved stock of coal in tonnes in the country and the production of coal during the above mentioned period and

(e) the extent to which the shortage of coal in domestic sector would be met as a result thereof?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

(SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a) to (c) : As per the present import policy of the Government, coal can be imported by any entity under Open General Licence (OGL) on payment of applicable import duties. Coal India Ltd., has not been importing coal directly so far.

(d) The total closing stock of coal with CIL as on 01.04.2008 and 01.04.2009 was 45.59 mts & 47.72 mts respectively. The production during 2007-08 & 2008-09 was 379.46 mts & 403.73 mts respectively.

(e) During the year 2007-08 and 2008-09, the shortage of coal was met by imports by the end users which were 49.79 mts & 59.00 mts respectively.

1823. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Railways proposes to develop group housing and commercial projects in its unused land all over the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Railways have identified the plaes for these projects;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether Railways have established any statutory mechanism for said purpose?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI E.AHAMED)

(a) to (e): Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has been set up by Railways through the Railway (Amendment) Act, 2005 to undertake commercial development of vacant railway land which is not required by Railways for its immediate future operational needs. Such commercial utilisation includes commercial as well as residential projects. 133 sites measuring 3744 acre have been entrusted to RLDA for development.

1720. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether sub-standard and spurious fertilizers are being sold with brand names in different States;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the action taken by Government in this regard;

(d) whether Government proposes to provide good quality fertilizers in different States; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

(SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA)

(a) to (e): No, Sir. The State Governments, as the enforcement agencies, are
adequately empowered under Clause 26, 27 and 28 of Fertiliser Control Order,
1985 (as Annexed) to take appropriate action against any offender who
indulges in any kind of malpractices including sale of sub-standard and spurious
fertilizers.

ANNEXURE

THE FERTILISER (CONTROL) ORDER 1985

VII. ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES

Clause. 26: Appointment of registering authority

The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
appoint such number of persons, as it thinks necessary, to be registering
authorities for the purpose of this Order and may, in any such
notification define the limits of local area within which each such
registering authority shall exercise his jurisdiction.

Clause. 27: Appointment of inspectors
The State Government, or the Central Government may, by notification
in the Official Gazette appoint such number of persons, as it thinks
necessary, to be inspectors of fertilizers for the purpose of this Order, any
may, in any such notification, define the limits of local area within which
each such inspector shall exercise his jurisdiction.

Clause. 28: Powers of inspectors

(1) An inspector may, with a view to securing compliance with this
order:-

(a) require any manufacturer, importer, pool handling agency,
wholesale dealer or retail dealer to give any information in his
possession with respect to the manufacture, storage and
disposal of any fertilizer manufactured or, in any manner
handled by him:

(b) draw samples of any fertilizer in accordance with the procedure
of drawal of samples laid down in Schedule-II.

Provided that the inspector shall prepare the sampling details in
duplicate in Form J, and hand over one copy of the same to the
dealer or his representative from whoM the sample has been
drawn;

(c) enter upon and search any premises where any fertilizer is
manufactured/imported or stored or exhibited for sale, if he has
reason to believe that any fertilizer has been or is being
manufactured/imported, sold, offered for sale, stored, exhibited
for sale or distributed contrary to the provisions of this Order;

(d) seize or detain any fertilizer in respect of which he has reason to
believe that a contravention of this Order has been or is being
or is attempted to be committed:

(e) seize any books of accounts or documents relating to
manufacture, storage or sale of fertilizers, etc. in respect of
which he has reason to believe that any contravention of this
Order has been or is being or is about to be committed;

Provided that the inspector shall give a receipt for such
fertilizers or books of accounts or documents so seized to the
person from whom the same have been seized;

Provided further that the books of accounts or documents so
seized shall be returned to the person from whom they were
seized after copies thereof or extracts therefrom as certified by
such person, have been take.

(2) Subject to the proviso to paragraphs (d) and (e) of sub-clause

(1), the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

(2 of 1974) relating to search and seizure shall, so far as may
be, apply to searches and seizures under this clause.

? Provided also that the inspector shall give the stop sale
notice in writing to the person whose stocks have been
detained and initiate appropriate action as per the provisions
of this order within a period of twenty one days. If no action
has been initiated by the inspector within the said period of
twenty one days from the date of issue of the said notice, the
notice of stop sale shall be deemed to have been revoked.

(3) Where any fertilizer is seized by an inspector under this
clause, he shall forthwith report the fact of such seizure to
the collector whereupon the provisions of sections 6A, 6B,
6C, 6D and 6E of the Act, shall apply to the custody,
disposal and confiscation of such fertilizers.

(4) Every person, if so required by an inspector, shall be bound
to afford all necessary facilities to him for the purpose of
enabling him to exercise his powers under sub-clause (1).

1587. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the shortage of houses in the urban areas of the country is rising by the day;

(b) if so, the expected shortage of houses in the country during the year 2008 and 2009 as of now;

(c) whether Government has formulated any housing policy to remove the shortage of houses in the urban areas of the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government for the implementation of the said policy?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

(KUMARI SELJA)

(a)&(b):A Technical Group constituted by the Ministry in 2006 to assess the urban housing shortage has estimated that at the end of the 10th Five Year Plan (2007-08), the total housing shortage in the country was 24.71 million. Further, an additional requirement of 1.82 million dwelling units has been projected for the 11th Plan, bringing the total housing requirement during the 11th Plan Period to 26.53 Million dwelling units.

(c)&(d):The Union Government has formulated the first urban area focused National Urban Housing & Habitat Policy, 2007 to set in motion a process in providing ‘Affordable Housing for All’ particularly the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low Income Group (LIG).

The Policy seeks to bridge the gap between need and supply of housing and infrastructure; and inter-alia provides for accelerating the pace of development of housing and related infrastructure; creating an adequate and affordable housing stock both on rental and ownership basis. The policy also seeks to promote the use of proven and cost effective building materials and technologies. Further, the policy encourages State Governments/Development Authorities to periodically review their master plans and zonal plans and facilitate accelerated supply of serviced land for housing with particular focus on Economically Weaker Section (EWS) the Lower Income Group (LIG) and also make special provisions for Scheduled Castes (SC)/Scheduled Tribes(ST)/Other Backward Classes(OBC)/Minorities/Disabled and empowerment of women. This policy intends to promote sustainable development of habitat in the country with a view to ensuring equitable supply of land, shelter and services at affordable prices to all sections of society.

The Policy has been widely circulated among States/Union Territories and other stakeholders. However, ‘Land’ and ‘Colonisation’ being State subjects, it is primarily the responsibility of State Governments to follow up on the initiatives propounded in the Policy.

213. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of financial support provided to State Governments, particularly Uttar Pradesh, for preservation of protected monuments and construction of new museums during the last three years, monument wise, museum-wise and plan-wise ;

(b) whether the entire allocated amount was utilized for these activities during the said period; and

(c) If not, the reasons therefor?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS & PLANNING

(SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a) to (c) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

1521. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of TEXTILES be pleased to state:-

(a) the State-wise and UT-wise names of the closed textile mills in the country including Uttar Pradesh;

(b) the number of such closed mills;

(c) the reasons for the closures of these mills;

(d) the details of the assets and liabilities of each closed mill;

(e) whether any proposal is pending with Government regarding the sale and commercial use of these mills;

(f) if so, the mill-wise details thereof; and

(g) by when these proposals are likely to be implemented?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES

(SMT. PANABAAKA LAKSHMI)

(a) & (b): Details of closed textile mills in the country including Uttar Pradesh is at Annexure – I.

(c): The main causes of closure of textile mills can be attributed to various external and internal factors such as excess capacity, low productivity of both machine and labour due to lack of modernisation, poor management, stagnant demand and inability on the part of them (sick units) to access export market, failure to diversify in emerging areas, increase in the cost of inputs particularly labour and electric power, difficulties in getting timely and adequate working capital finance, irrational fiscal levies, internal factors etc.

(d): The details of assests and liabilities of closed NTC mills are at Annexure-I. The details of assets and liabilities in respect of Non-SSI mills other than NTC are not available.

(e): No, Sir.

(f) & (g): Does not arise.

Annexure-I
STATE WISE NO. OF COTTON MAN-MADE FIBRE TEXTILE MILLS (NON-SSI UNITS) CLOSED AS ON Sept-2009
S.No Mill_Name

ANDHRA PRADESH
1 ANANTAPUR COTTON MILLS
2 THE ANDHRA COOP SPG MILLS LTD
3 THE CHIRALA CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
4 KARIMNAGAR COOP SPG MILLS LTD
5 SATHAVAHANA COTTON GROWERS COOP SPINNING MILLS LTD
6 THE NANDYAL CO-OP SPG MILLS LTD
7 THE HEMALATHA TEXTILES LIMITED
8 THE RAYALASEEMA MILLS LIMITED
9 SHREE RAMCHANDRA SPG. MILLS
10 SRI VEERA VENKATALAKSHMI TEXTILES (P) LIMITED
11 G.N.PRODUCTS (P) LTD (ADONI SPG & WVG CO) KOTHARI IND CORPN
12 ANDHRA COTTON MILLS LTD
13 SAICHARAN COTTONS (P) LTD (ANUSUYA SPINNERS LTD)
14 SRI MURALI SPINNING MILLS LTD. (VENKATACHALAPATHI MILLS LTD)
15 SARVARAYA TEXTILES LIMITED
16 PENGUIN TEXTILES LIMITED
17 VSM SPINNING MILLS P LTD (VENKATARAYA SPG MILLS P LTD)
18 LEENA TEXTILES LIMITED
19 OMKARESHWAR SPINNING MILLS (P) LTD (QUALITY SPG & WEAV P LTD
20 NAVYA SPINNING MILLS LIMITED (EOU)
21 SRI NAGARATNAMMA TEXTILES LTD
22 KUMARS COTEX LTD (EOU)
23 SRINIVASA SPG MILLS PVT. LTD.
24 SREE SRINIVASA SPG MILLS P LTD
25 SUDHA SEWING THREADS LIMITED
26 SREE KALYANA SRINIVASA TEX LTD
27 SAMRAT SPINNERS LTD EOU (SREE SATYAM SPG. & WVG. MILLS LTD.)
28 SHRI MARUTHI TEXTILES LTD
29 PARKINS TEXTILES (P) LIMITED
30 FENO FIBER LIMITED
31 S.L.S. TEXTILES LIMITED
32 SIRILAXMI FIBRES LIMITED
33 DEWAN BAHADUR RAMGOPAL MILLS LTD
ASSAM
1 ASSAM CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILLS
2 ASSAM COTTON MILLS LTD
3 ASSAM POLYTEX
4 SAHID KUSAL KANWAR SUTAKAL LIMITED
5 ASSAM SYNTEX LTD – NO 2
6 ASSAM POLYESTER CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED
7 ASSAM STATE TEXTILE CORPORATION LIMITED
BIHAR
1 BHAGALPUR CO-OP. SPG MILLS LTD.
2 PANDAUL CO OP SPG MILLS LTD.
3 SIWAN CO OP SPG MILLS LTD.
4 DUMRAON TEXTILES LIMITED
GUJARAT
1 AHMEDABAD NEW TEXTILE MILLS
2 SHREENATH SPINNERS LIMITED
3 STAR OF GUJARAT TEXTILES MILLS LIMITED
4 HATHISING MFG. CO. LTD
5 NEPTUNE SPIN FAB LIMITED
6 THE AHMEDABAD KAISER-I-HIND MILLS. CO. LTD.
7 AHMEDABAD MFG CALICO PTG CO. LTD
8 NAV-JYOTI INVESTMENT AND DEALERS LTD.
9 MAHESHWARI MILLS LIMITED
10 CONTINENTAL TEXTILES MILLS LTD
11 THE RAIPUR MANUFACTURING COMANY LIMITED
12 SHRI AMBICA MILLS LTD NO. 1
13 MANJUSHRI TEXTILES
14 MANECHCHOWCK & AHMEDABAD MFG. CO. LTD.
15 MONOGRAM MILLS CO. LTD.
16 AHMEDABAD COTTON MILLS
17 NEW SWADESHI MILLS
18 SARANGPUR COTTON MANUFACTURING CO.
19 SILVER COTTON MILLS
20 SAHAYOG TEXTILES
21 JAGRUTI SYNTHETICS LIMITED
22 KAMADGIRI SYNT. LTD
23 THE MAHENDRA MILLS LIMITED
24 ARYAMAN SPINNERS (P) LIMITED
25 ARUNODAY MILLS LIMITED
26 ASARWA MILLS (UNIT OF BENGAL TEA & FABRICS LIMITED)
27 BROACH TEXTILE MILLS LIMITED
28 MADHU TEXTILES AHMEDABAD LTD.
29 NIRANJAN MILLS ( A DIVN. OF PIRAMAL SPG. & WVG. MILLS LTD.)
30 STANDARD INDUSTRIES LIMITED (SURAT COTTON UNIT)
31 NAVSARI COTTON & SILK MILLS LTD
32 PRIYALAXMI MILLS (UNIT OF G.S.T.C. LTD.)
33 KANTI COTTON MILLS (A UNIT OF G.S.T.C.LTD.)
34 NEW JEHANGIR VAKIL MILLS (UNIT OF G.S.T.C.LTD.)
35 SHREE SHUBHLAXMI MILLS
HARYANA
1 B R D TEXTILES LIMITED (SRI BABA RUPADAS SPG. MILLS (P) LTD)
2 JAI LAXMI SPINNING MILLS
3 K. K. SPINNERS PVT LTD
4 MATTA YARN
5 S.K.COTEX PVT LTD
6 SHEETAL SPINNING MILLS (P) LIMITED
7 MOUDGIL FIBRES LTD
8 AGGARSAIN SPINNERS LTD
9 RADHIKA SPINNING MILLS LTD
10 JIND TEXTILES LTD
11 MITTAL COT-FAB (P) LTD
12 A.V.COTTEX LIMITED
13 SETIA SPINNING MILLS
14 GARG SPINNING MILLS
15 SUNHERI COTTON SPINNERS (P) LTD
16 PADAM COTTON YARNS LIMITED
17 POPULAR SPINNERS (P) LTD
18 SAHIL INDUSTRIES (P) LTD
19 S.R.COTTEX (P) LIMITED
20 CELESTE INTERNATIONAL UNIT NO.2
21 MAHALAKSHMI COTSPIN LIMITED (PARSHVA EXPORTS LTD)
22 RADHIKA FIBRES INDIA LTD
23 LAXMI FIBRE (P) LTD
24 SHREE JAGDAMBA COTEX LTD
25 K.C. TEXTILES LIMITED
26 RAMA FIBRES LTD
27 EAST INDIA SYNTEX LIMITED
28 GEE KAY TEXTILES LIMITED
29 VARSHA SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
30 MAHALAKSHMI SPINNERS LTD
31 RAJ FIBRES (P) LTD
32 SHREE SHYAM COTSPIN LTD (SHREE SHYAM TEXTILE LTD)
33 CELESTE INTERNATIONAL LTD. (FORMER ORDE TEXTILES LTD) (EOU)
JAMMU & KASHMIR
1 HINDUSTAN ELECTRO GRAPHITE LIMITED (TEXTILE DIV)
KARNATAKA
1 SREE YALLAMMA COTTON WOOLLEN & SILK MILLS
2 SRI VENKATESH CO-OP TEXTILE MILL
3 THE BAGALKOT COOP SPINNING MILL LTD
4 THE CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
5 THE BELGAUM CO-OPERATIVE COTTON SPINNING MILL LIMITED
6 MALAPRABHA CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILL LIMITED
7 TUNGABHADRA FARMERS CO-OP SPG. MILL LTD
8 RAYOTS TEXTILES & OILS (P) LIMITED
9 SAI LAKSHMI IND. P LTD (EOU)
10 LALJI MANEKJI IND. LTD
11 CHANDRA SPG. AND WVG MILLS PVT LTD.
12 NANDI HASBI TEXTILE MILLS LTD
13 SREE SIDDHESWARA TEXTILE MILLS (P) LIMITED
14 SREE JAYALAKSHMI TEXTILES
15 DAVANGERE COTTON MILLS
16 CHIGATERI MILLS
17 BECLAY SPG & WVG CO. LTD.
18 DODBALLAPUR SPINNING MILLS P LTD
19 SHANKAR TEXTILE MILL
20 SRIDEVI TEXTILES PVT. LTD.
21 MALADINNI YARN (P) LIMITED
22 MAHADEV TEXTILE MILLS
23 MINARVA MILLS LTD
24 BINNY LIMITED (BANGALORE WOOLLEN COTTON & SILK MILLS)
25 T R MILLS PVT LTD
26 RAMKUMAR MILLS PVT LTD (RAMKUMAR MILLS)
27 GOGTE TEXTILES LIMITED EOU
KERALA
1 BALAJI MODERN SPINNERS PVT LTD
2 THANIKUDAM BHAGAWATI MILLS LTD
3 SREELA SPINNERS LTD
4 SRI ASOKA TEXTILES LTD
5 VANAJAA TEXTILES LIMITED
6 MADRAS SPINNERS LIMITED
7 TRIVANDRUM SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
8 THIRUVEPATHI MILLS (P) LIMITED
9 KERALA SPINNERS LIMITED
10 PARVATHI MILLS
11 THE WESTERN INDIA COTTONS LTD
12 CHAKOLAS SPG & WEV. MILLS LTD
MADHYA PRADESH
1 KOWA SPINNING LIMITED
2 DHAR SPINNERS (P) LIMITED
3 MAYA SPINNERS LIMITED UNIT NO. II (EOU)
4 NIMAR TEXTILES LIMITED
5 BHARAT COMMERCE & INDUSTRIES LIMITED
6 HOPE TEXTILES
7 HOPE TEXTILES LTD.
8 HIND SYNTEX LTD
9 BINOD MILLS CO LTD
10 BIMAL MILLS
11 GANGWAL UDYOG
12 HUKUMCHAND MILLS LTD
13 SHREE SAJJAN MILLS LTD (M.P.STATE TEXTILE CORP. LTD.)
MAHARASHTRA
1 THE MODERN MILLS LIMITED
2 THE DAWN MILLS CO LTD
3 THE BOMBAY DYEING & MFG. CO. LIMITED (SPRING MILLS)
4 SHREENIWAS COTTON MILLS LTD
5 THE SIMPLEX MILLS
6 WESTERN INDIA SPG & MFG. MILLS(UAP)
7 AGASHIV SHETKARI VINKARI SAHKARI SOOT GIRNI LIMITED
8 BARAMATI CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILL LIMITED
9 JAWAHAR SHETKARI SAHAKARI ROTO SOOT GIRNI LIMITED
10 SHRI MARKANDEYA HATMAG VINKAR SAH SOOT GIRANI NIYAMIT
11 THE NAGPUR VINKAR SAHAKARI SUT GIRNI MARYADIT
12 SOLAPUR VINKAR SAHAKARI SOOT GIRANI NIYAMIT
13 VISHWA BHARATI SPG & WVG COOP SOCY LTD
14 THE MAHARASHTRA CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
15 THE NANDED SAHAKARI SOOT GIRNIMARYADIT
16 SHRIRAMPUR TALUKA KAPUS UTPADAK SAHSOOT GIRNI MARYADIT
17 JAWAHAR SAHAKARI KAPUS UTPADAK SOOT GIRNI MARYADIT
18 JALGAON KAPAS UTPADAK SAH SOOT GIRNI LTD
19 YESHWANT SAHAKARI SOOT GIRANI NIYAMIT
20 NASIK DISTRICT CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
21 PRABHAWATI SAH SOOT GIRNI MARAYADIT
22 SANJAY GANDHI KAPUS UTPADAK
23 RAJARAMBAPU CO-OP. SPG. MILLS LIMITED (EOU)
24 RATNAGIRI CO-OP SPINNING MILLS LIMITED (EOU)
25 AMBIENT SPINTEX LIMITED
26 VIJAY MILLS (UNIT OF M.S.T.C.)
27 SHREE BALAJI SPINNING & WEAVING MILLS
28 NARSINGGIRJI MILLS
29 THE PRATAP SPG. WVG. & MFG. CO. LIMITED
30 EMPRESS MILLS (CENTRAL INDIA SPG. & WVG. & MFG. CO. LTD.)
31 PULGAON COTTON MILLS LIMITED
32 DEVAGIRI TEXTILE MILLS LIMITED
ORISSA
1 GOPINATH WEAVERS CO-OP SPG. MILLS
2 THE ORISSA WEAVERS CO-OPERATIVE SPG MILLS LIMITED
3 KALINGA WEAVERS CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
4 UTKAL WEAVERS COOP SPG MILLS LTD
5 JAGANATH WEAVERS COOP SPG MILLS
6 SHREE SARALA WEAVERS CO-OP. SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
7 AKHANDALMANI SPINNERS & EXPORTERS LIMITED
8 BAIKUNTHA COTTON MILLS PVT. LTD
9 ORISSA SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
10 BARIPADA SPINNING MILLS
11 LINGNRAJ TEXTILES P LTD
12 BHASKAR TEXTILE MILLS
13 SONEPUR SPINNING MILL
14 ORISSA TEXTILE MILLS LIMITED
PUNJAB
1 KHARAR TEXTILE MILLS
2 THE ABOHAR CO-OPERATIVE COTTON MKTG. & SPG. MILLS LIMITED
3 THE MANSA CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
4 THE GOINDWAL CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
5 GANPATI COTSPIN LIMITED
6 ARIHANT COTSYN LIMITED
7 TREVENY SPINNING MILLS (P) LIMITED
8 ACCORD COTSYN LIMITED
9 BHARAT COMMERCE & INDUSTRIES LIMITED
10 PUNJAB SPINNING & WEAVING MILLS LIMITED
11 ARIHANT COTSYN LIMITED EOU
12 A.P ENZYMES (INDIA) LIMITED
RAJASTHAN
1 UDAIPUR COTTON MILLS
2 SIMRA INDUSTRIES (P) LIMITED
3 BHAVAL SYNTHETICS (I) LIMITED
4 M V COTSPIN LIMITED
5 REFLEX TEXTILES LIMITED
6 SHREE SAKARIA SPINNERS LIMITED
7 THE KRISHNA MILLS LIMITED
8 JAIPUR SPG & WVG MILLS LTD
9 PODAR SPG MILLS LTD
10 DERBY TEXTILES LIMITED
11 MODERN THREADS (INDIA) LIMITED
12 JAIPUR SYNTEX LIMITED
13 SAGAR SPG MILLS LIMITED
14 ADITYA MILLS LTD.
15 SHREE SHIVA SPINNERS LIMITED
16 MODERN SYNTEX (INDIA) LIMITED
17 SHRUTI SYNTHETICS LIMITED
18 SUPER SYNCOTEX (INDIA) LIMITED
19 MODERN POLYSTER YARN (EOU) (UNIT OF MODERN THREADS (I) LTD)
20 SARAF SYNTHETICS (RAJ) LTD.
21 JCT LTD
22 THE MEWAR TEXTILE MILLS LIMITED
TAMILNADU
1 THE ERODE DISTRICT CO-OP. SPG. MILLS LTD. (PERIYAR DIST.)
2 CHANDRA TEXTILES LIMITED (UDAMALPET UNIT)
3 SRI MUTHUKUMARAN COTTON MILLS (P) LIMITED
4 AMUTHA MILLS (P) LIMITED
5 ENVIRO CLEAN SYSTEMS LIMITED (FIBRE DIVISION)
6 COIMBATORE POPULAR SPINNING MILLS LIMITED UNIT – II
7 GNANAMBIKAI MILLS LIMITED B- UNIT
8 SREE NIVEDITHA TEXTILES (P) LIMITED
9 VIDHYA LAKSHMI MILLS (UNIT OF SRI SHARADA PARAMESHWARI TEX)
10 K.V.S. SPINNERS (P) LIMITED
11 RAJAM TEXTILE MILLS LIMITED (VANGOTHAI TEXTILE MILLS LTD.)
12 UMW INDUSTRIES LIMITED (TEXTILES DIVISION)
13 GANESH SPINNERS
14 SRI VIGNESWARA TEXTILES(FORMERLY B.P.L SPINNERS)
15 NANGALLAR TEXTILES P LTD
16 THE COIMBATORE PIONEER MILLS LIMITED (UNIT A)
17 THE KASTHURI MILLS LIMITED
18 RAJANARAYAN TEXTILES LTD
19 KWALITY SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
20 THE COIMBATORE PIONEER MILLS LIMITED B- UNIT
21 PRASHANTH TEXTILES LTD
22 SARGUNA TEXTILES (P) LIMITED
23 COIMBATORE POPULAR SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
24 SWARNAMBIGAI TEXTILES
25 THE KRISHNA MILLS (P) LIMITED
26 K. SIVASUBRAMANIAM SPINNERS P LTD
27 SURYASREE SPINNING MILLS (P) LTD. (SURYA SPG. MILLS (P) LTD)
28 NAINA MOHAMED SPINNING MILLS (P) LTD
29 VISHNU LAKSHMI MILLS
30 COIMBATORE SRI DEEPA TEXTILE MILLS (P) LIMITED
31 PALANI ANDAVAR COTTON & SYNTHETIC SPINNERS LTD. UNIT – 2
32 TAMARAI MILLS LTD(THE CBE KAMALA MILLS)
33 THE SUGUNA MILLS PVT. LTD
34 THE DHANALAKSHMI MILLS LIMITED
35 PIONEER SPINNERS
36 THE RAMANATHAPURAM DISTRICT CO-OP. SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
37 THE SOUTH INDIA CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
38 THE TIRUCHENDUR CO-OP SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
39 THE SALEM CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
40 THE TIRUCHIRAPALLI DISTRICT CO-OP SPG. MILLS LIMITED
41 THE SOUTH ARCOT DISTRICT CO-OP SPG. MILLS LIMITED
42 THE MADURAI DISTRICT CO-OP SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
43 THE KANCHEEPURAM KAMAKSHIAMMAN CO-OP. SPG. MILLS LIMITED
44 THE MISEREOR CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
45 SRI VIGNESWARA COTTON MILLS LIMITED
46 SHRI SKANDHA SPINNERS
47 NAMAKKAL COTTON MILLS P LTD
48 ANAR TEXTILES
49 SRI VINAYAGAA TEXTILES(UNIT OF BALAJI MODERN)
50 SUNDARAM TEXTILE LTD (O.E UNITS\)
51 EM YEM TEXTILE (P) LIMITED
52 SREE ALAGAMMAI TEXTILE MILLS P.LTD
53 SREE PARVATHAVARTHINI MILLS (P) LIMITED
54 SREE NARAYANA TEXTILES P LTD
55 JANAKI TEXTILES (P) LIMITED
56 KAMALKUMAR SPINNING MILLS (P) LIMITED
57 SREE KUMAR TEXTILES (P) LIMITED
58 SRI VEERAKUMAR SPINNING MILL (P) LIMITED
59 NEO INTEX MILLS LIMITED (UNIT-I)
60 SRI MAPPILLAI VINAYAGAR SPINNING MILLS
61 SRI RATHINAGIRI SPINNING (P) LTD
62 SRI MANICKA VINAYAGAR SPINNING MILLS
63 THANJAVUR TEXTILES LIMITED B- UNIT
64 RAGAS SPINNERS (P) LTD (RAGAS EXPORTS P LTD)
65 VETRI SPINNING MILLS P LTD
66 KASTHURI RENGA RAMANUJAM COTTON MILLS (P) LIMITED
67 V.K.SPINNING MILL (P) LIMITED
68 THAILA SPINNERS (P) LIMITED (CAUVERY SPG & WVG MILLS LTD)
69 THE JAWAHAR MILLS LIMITED
70 SHRI CHAKKRA YARNS (P) LIMITED
71 VIJAYSHREE SPG. MILLS LTD. (VIJAYSHREE & CO) UNIT NO. III
72 RUKMINI MILLS LTD
73 KALYANA CHAKRAVARTHI TEX.P.LTD
74 EASTERN RAYONS LIMITED (L/O.AZHAGAPPA SPG. MILLS (P) LTD.)
75 SREE SABARI MILLS (DIV. OF THE AMALGAMATED COALFIELDS LTD.)
76 SURAKSHA BHARTHI MILL P LTD
77 STERLING SPINNERS LTD
78 PRIYADARSHINI FABS LTD
79 SIVAGURUNATHAN TEXTILES LIMITED
80 SWAMIJI MILLS LIMITED
81 SRI NADIAMBAL TEXTILE MILLS LIMITED
82 VEERARAGHAVA TEXTILES (P) LIMITED
83 MARSON`S TEXTILES LIMITED
84 JAYABHARATH TEXTILES (P) LIMITED
85 NEO INTEX MILLS LIMITED UNIT II
86 KUMARAGURUPARAR TEXTILES (SREE LAKSHMI COTTON MILLS)
87 S.SANNKARALINGAM CHETTIAR WASTE COTTON MILLS
88 ARCHANA SPINNERS LTD
89 SRI RAMVILAS SPG AND WVG MILLS (P) LIMITED
90 SHRI LAXMI SPINNERS LIMITED
91 ARUNA TEXTILES & EXPORTS LIMITED
92 SANKAR SPINNING MILLS PRIVATE LIMITED
93 KONGARAR TEXTILES LIMITED
94 KATHIRVEL TEXTILES P LTD
95 TIRUCHENDUR MURUHAN SPG. MILLS (P) LTD.(NANJAPPA TEXTILES)
96 ARAVIND SPINNERS (P) LTD
97 K PARTHASARATHY SPINNING MILLS
98 GEETHA RAMKRISHNA MILLS P LTD.
99 NAGAPPAN SPINNING MILLS (THE ANNAMALAR TEXTILE MILLS)
100 KRISHNA COTTON AND SYNTHETIC MILLS PVT. LTD.
101 SRI RATHNAVEL TEXTILES (P) LIMITED (DHM SAKTHI MILLS)
102 SREE UMAYAMBIGAI TEXTILE MILLS (P) LIMITED
103 ANNAMALAIAR TEXTILES (P) LIMITED
104 JAGAJOTHI SPG MILLS
105 ASCCARD SPINNERS (P) LTD.
106 DEVI SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
107 SREE VISALAKSHMI MILLS P LTD
108 SREE AKILANDESWARI MILLS P LTD. (RAJENDRA MILLS LTD. -A)
109 MINAR TEXTILE INDUSTRIES LTD
110 SUSI TEXTILES MILLS
111 GOWRI SANKAR SPINNING MILLS (P) LIMITED
112 S.K.G. MILLS (P) LIMITED
113 SOMASUNDARAM SUPER SPINNING MILLS LTD. (UNIT B)
114 VEENA TEXTILES LIMITED
115 BINNY LIMITED (BUCKINGHAM & CARNATIC MILLS)
UTTAR PRADESH
1 THE ELGIN MILLS COMPANY LIMITED NO.1 (BIC)
2 THE ELGIN MILLS COMPANY LIMITED NO.2 (BIC)
3 CAWNPORE TEXTILES LIMITED (BIC)
4 J K COTTON SPG. & WVG. CO.LTD.
5 SWADESHI COTTON MILLS (UNIT OF N.T.C. (UP) LTD.)
6 MAYUR SYNTEX LTD
7 U.P. CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILLS LIMITED
8 THE CO-OP TEXTILES MILL LTD
9 SANT KABIR SAHAKARI MILLS LIMITED
10 NAGINA SAHKARI KATAI MILLS LIMITED
11 SITAPUR SAHKARI KATAI MILLS LIMITED
12 U.P. SAHKARI KATAI MILLS LIMITED
13 U P SAHKARI KATAI MILLS LTD.
14 SHAMKEN SPINNERS LTD (EOU)
15 DCM CLUSONE SPINNING MILLS
16 TIRUPATI SPINNERS
17 SOAMI TEXTILES PVT. LIMITED
18 EASTERN SPINNING & TEXTILE MILLS PVT LTD
19 MORADABAD SYNTEX LTD
20 MADAN INDUSTRIES LTD.
21 AJANTA TEXTILES LTD
22 AMAUSI TEXTILES MILLS LTD.
23 SINGHAL SPINTEX (P) LTD (L/O.MODI THREADS LTD)
24 MODERN SPINNERS LTD (MODI YARN MILLS B UNIT)
25 MODERN INDUSTRIES
26 VASANT SPINNERS
27 VISHAL SYNTEX LTD (MODI SYNTEX LTD.)
28 U P STATE TEXTILE CORPN. SPG. MILLS
29 U P STATE SPG MILLS CO LTD
30 U P STATE SPG CO. LTD.
31 U P STATE TEXTILE CORPN LTD
32 UTTAR PRADESH STATE TEXTILE CORPORATION LIMITED
33 U P STATE YARN COMPANY LIMITED
34 U P STATE YARN CO LTD.
35 U.P.STATE YARN COMPANY LIMITED
36 AMETHI TEXTILES LIMITED
37 MODI SPG & WVG. MILLS CO. LTD.UNIT A
38 RAZA TEXTILES LTD.
39 HINDON RIVER MILLS
WEST BENGAL
1 VIKRAM SPINNERS (UNIT OF EASTERN SPG MILL& INDS LTD)
2 SHINEUP FIBRES LIMITED
3 ANANTPUR TEXTILES LIMITED
4 SHAKTIGARH TEXTILE & INDUSTRIES LTD
5 PODDAR PROJECTS LIMITED
6 INDIA JUTE & INDUSTRIES LIMITED (COTTON DIVISION)
7 SWAN MILLS
8 BOWREAH COTTON MILLS CO. LTD.
9 DUNBAR MILLS LTD NO.1 TO 5
10 KESORAM TEXTILE MILLS LTD (KESORAM INDUSTRIES LTD) TEXTILE
11 SRIDURGA COTTON SPG & WVG MILLS LTD
12 THE BANGODAYA COTTON MILLS LTD
PONDICHERRY
1 ENNARAM SPINNERS
MANIPUR
1 MANIPUR SPG MILLS CORP LTD ( MANIPUR SPG PVT LTD)
CHHATTISGARH
1 BILASPUR SPG MILLS & INDS LTD
UTTARANCHAL
1 AMITABH TEXTILE MILLS LIMITED
2 BELWAL SPINNING MILLS LIMITED

NATIONAL TEXTILE CORPORATION LIMITED
DETAILS OF THE CLOSED MILLS

(Rs. In lacs)

S.No Name of Closed Mills Location State Assets Liabilities

NTC – Delhi, Punjab & Rajasthan New Delhi Delhi

1 Dayalbagh Spg. & Wvg. Mills Amritsar Punjab 8880.72 8880.72

2 Kharar Textile Mills Kharar Punjab 9348.70 9348.70

3 Panipat Woolen Mills Kharar Punjab 11179.94 11179.94

4 Suraj Textile Mills Malout Punjab 8846.06 8846.06

5 Edward Textiles Mills Beawar Rajasthan 6218.44 6218.44

6 Shree Bijai Cotton Mills Bijay Nagar Rajasthan 8228.40 8228.40

7 Ayodhya Textile Mills Delhi Delhi 4195.90 4195.90

NTC – Madhya Pradesh Indore Madhya Pradesh

1 Indore Malwa United Mills Indore Madhya Pradesh 11199.32 11199.32

2 Swadeshi Textile Mills Indore Madhya Pradesh 1220.45 1220.45

3 Kalyanmal Tapti Mills Indore Madhya Pradesh 17663.82 17663.82

4 Bangal Nagpur Cotton Mills Rajnandgaon Madhya Pradesh 17545.17 17545.17

5 Hira Mills Ujjain Madhya Pradesh 13513.88 13513.88

NTC – Uttar Pradesh Kanpur Uttar Pradesh

1 Muir Mills Kanpur Uttar Pradesh 20472.30 20472.30

2 New Victoria Mills Kanpur Uttar Pradesh 24451.47 24451.47

3 Swadeshi Cotton Mills Kanpur Uttar Pradesh 21660.10 21660.10

4 Luxmi Rattan Cotton Mills Kanpur Uttar Pradesh 13528.15 13528.15

5 Atherton West Mills Kanpur Uttar Pradesh 10899.93 10899.93

6 Shree Vikram Cotton Mills Lucknow Uttar Pradesh 6906.79 6906.79

7 Lord Krishna Textile Mills Saharanpur Uttar Pradesh 10729.79 10729.79

8 Swadeshi Cotton Mills Naini Uttar Pradesh 17782.39 17782.39

9 Raebareli Textile Mills Raebareli Uttar Pradesh 3477.96 3477.96

10 Bijli Cotton Mills Hathras Uttar Pradesh 3561.61 3561.61

NTC – South Maharastra Mumbai Maharastra

1 Bharat Textile Mills Mumbai Maharastra 21549.70 21549.70

2 Digvijay Textile Mills Mumbai Maharastra 29516.61 29516.61

3 Elphinstone Spg.&Wvg. Mills Mumbai Maharastra 33252.16 33252.16

4 Jupiter Textile Mills Mumbai Maharastra 7066.11 7066.11

5 Madhusudan Mills Mumbai Maharastra 12603.57 12603.57

6 Mumbai Textile Mills Mumbai Maharastra 58475.66 58475.66

7 New Hind Textile Mills Mumbai Maharastra 24995.86 24995.86

8 Podar Processors Mumbai Maharastra 12397.66 12397.66

NTC – Maharastra North Mumbai Maharastra

1 India United Mills No 2 Mumbai Maharastra 23675.55 23675.55

2-3 India United Mills No 3, 4 Mumbai Maharastra 36531.97 36531.97

4-5 India United Mills no5&Dye Works Mumbai Maharastra 16995.80 16995.80

6 Jam Manufacturing Mills Mumbai Maharastra 14873.30 14873.30

7-9 Kohinoor Mills No 1, 2, 3 Mumbai Maharastra 26991.08 26991.08

10 Shir Sitram Mills Mumbai Maharastra 11209.25 11209.25

11 Vidarbha Mills Achalpur Maharastra 10441.26 10441.26

12 RSRG Mohta Spg.Wvg. Mills Akola Maharastra 10583.22 10583.22

13 Model Mills Nagpur Maharastra 11999.75 11999.75

NTC – Gujarat Ahmedabad Gujarat

1 Ahmedabad Jupiter Textile Mills Ahmedabad Gujarat

2 Ahmedabad New Textile Mills Ahmedabad Gujarat

3 Himadri Textile Mills Ahmedabad Gujarat

4 Jehangir Textile Mills Ahmedabad Gujarat

5 New Manekchowk Textile Mills Ahmedabad Gujarat

6 Mahalaxmi Textiles Mills Bhavnagar Gujarat

7 Petlad Textiles Mills Petlad Gujarat

8 Rajkot Textiles Mills Rajkot Gujarat

9 Virangam Textile Mills Virangam Gujarat

NTC – APKKM Bangalore Karnataka

1 Adoni Cotton Mills Adoni Andhra Pradesh 3005.01 3005.01

2 Ananthapur Cotton Mills Tadaprti Andhra Pradesh 6684.59 6684.59

3 Azam Jahi Mills Warrangal Andhra Pradesh 14500.01 14500.01

4 Nataraj Spg. & Wvg. Mills Adilabad Andhra Pradesh 3759.27 3759.27

5 Netha Spinning Mills Secunderabad Andhra Pradesh 3341.55 3341.55

6 MSK Mills Gulbarga Karnataka 18708.22 18708.22

7 Sree Yallmma Cotton Mills Devangere Karnataka 6729.90 6729.90

NTC – Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry Coimbatore Tamilnadu

1 Kishnaveni Textile Mills Coimbatore Tamilnadu

2 Om Paraskthi Mills Coimbatore Tamilnadu

3 Somasundram Mills Coimbatore Tamilnadu 4559.42 4559.42

4 Balaramverma Textile Mills Shencottah Tamilnadu

5 Kaleeswarar Mills ‘A” Unit Coimbatore Tamilnadu 9771.46 9771.46

6 Kothandaram Spinners Madurai Tamilnadu

NTC – WBAB&O Kolkata West Bengal

1 Associated Industries C handrapura Assam 6841.99 6841.99

2 Bihar Co-op Weavers Spg. Mills Mokameh Bihar 6953.93 6953.93

3 Bangasri Cotton Mills Sonepore Bihar

4 Bengal Fine Spg.&Wvg. Mills No.1 Konnagar West Bengal

5 Bengal Fine Spg. & Wvg.Mills No.2 Katagunj West Bengal

6 Bengal Laxmi Cotton Mills Serampore West Bengal

7 Central Cotton Mills Serampore West Bengal

8 Joyti Weaving Factory Patipukur West Bengal

9 Manindra B.T.Mills Cossimbazar West Bengal

10 Rampooria Cotton Mills Rishra West Bengal

11 Shree Mahalaxmi Cotton Mills Palta West Bengal

12 Gaya Cotton & Jute Mill Gaya Bihar

Note: i) The Assets & Liabilities transferred to respective Sub offices on the date of closure.

ii) The assets & Liabilities of the Mills include accumulated losses and Head Office liabilities. The figures are as per audited accounts as on 31.03.2009.

1387. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of special export incentives being given to the exporters of sea products by Government;

(b) the quantity of export of sea products during the last three years alongwith its value;

(c) the quantity and value of sea products exported to the South-East Asian countries during the said period; and

(d) the names of these importer countries?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

a) Following schemes/incentives are available to the exporter of sea products:-

(i) Fisheries sector has been exempted from maintenance of average EO under EPCG Scheme, subject to the condition that Fishing Trawlers, boats, ships and other similar items shall not be allowed to be imported under this provision.

(ii) Duty free import of specified specialized inputs / chemicals and flavouring oils is allowed to the extent of 1% of FOB value of preceding financial year’s export.

(iii) Import of monofilament longline system for tuna fishing at a concessional rate of duty and Bait Fish for tuna fishing at zero duty.

(iv) Marine products has been included for VKGUY scheme.

(v) Incentive of 10% of FOB value of exports of ornamental fish exported from India to countries other than South East Asian countries.

(vi) Financial assistance under “Sea Freight Assistance Scheme” for import of raw material for value addition and re-export of specified value added products.

(b) Quantity of seafood exports during the last 3 years with its value.

OVERALL EXPORT OF SEAFOODS FROM INDIA

DETAILS 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Quantity – Ton 612641 541701 602835

Value – Rs. Crore 8363.53 7620.92 8607.94

(c) Quantity and value of seafood products exported to SE Asian countries.

SEAFOOD EXPORTS TO THE SOUTH EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES

Details 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Quantity – Ton 67650 63818 88953

Value – Rs. crore 616.70 573.97 873.09

(d) The above mentioned seafood are exported to the following South East Asian countries:- Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei and Hong Kong.

1327. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of PANCHAYAT RAJ be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has taken initiatives for people’s planning at the grass root level by the Panchayats and local bodies;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the steps taken to strengthen the financial health of the Panchayats?
Answer
MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

(Dr. C. P. JOSHI)

(a) to (c): Article 243 ZD of the Constitution provides for constitution of District Planning Committees (DPCs) to consolidate plans prepared by the Panchayats and Municipalities for the district and to prepare a draft development plan for the district as a whole.

As the concept of grass-roots planning through the DPCs was almost non-existent in most of the States, the Ministry has pursued, in the first instance, the establishment of DPCs in all the Districts where Part IX of the Constitution applies. As of now, 22 States out of the 24, covered by Part IX of the Constitution, have constituted the DPCs. The Planning Commission has issued guidelines regarding the district plans on 25th August 2006 in which all the States were advised that the district planning process should be an integral part of the process of preparation of the States’ Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012). The Planning Commission has also released a Manual for Integrated District Planning which the States can use as handbook for participatory grassroots level planning.

(d): “Sound finances” of the Panchayats is a Constitutional obligation enjoined on the States by Article 243-I. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is pursuing the States for the devolution of finances based on activity mapping, inclusion of Panchayat Sector in the State budget, timely action on the recommendations of the State Finance Commissions (SFCs) and assignment of adequate and appropriate revenue sources to Panchayats to strengthen the own resources of Panchayats.

The Twelfth Finance Commission has recommended grants amounting to Rs. 20,000 crore for allocation to States in ten equal half yearly installments during the period 2005-06 to 2009-10 to supplement the resources of Panchayats.

1219. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a) the number of operational airports in Uttar Pradesh at present and the locations/thereof;

(b) whether any proposal for setting up new airport of International standards is under consideration of Government to provide the facility of aerial movement to the people of Uttar Pradesh and to promote tourism as well; and

(c) if so, by when the construction work of these airports would commence?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )

(a): There are seven operational airports in the State of Uttar Pradesh at Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur, Agra, Kanpur (Chakeri), Allahabad and Gorakhpur.

(b) & (c): Yes, Sir. Government of India has considered the proposal of the State Government of Uttar Pradesh for `in-principle` approval for setting up of a Greenfield International Airport at Greater Noida and referred it to Group of Ministers. The Group of Ministers has desired a revised Techno Economic Feasibility Report (TEFR). The State Government has been asked to prepare a supplementary TEFR. In addition, the State Government has also forwarded a proposal for setting up of new greenfield airport at Kushinagar.

1194. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) the criteria fixed for adopting children in the country;

(b) whether there is any proposal from Government to encourage parents going for adoption and to lesson their social burden;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether Government propose to simplify the criterion regarding adoption of children; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

(SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)

(a),(b),(c),(d),(e)&(f) The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 was amended in 2006 amending some existing provisions under the Act and adding some new provisions including the following regarding adoption of children, to make it more child friendly and simpler:

(i) adoption shall be resorted to for the rehabilitation of the children who are orphan, abandoned or surrendered.

(ii) in keeping with the provisions of the various guidelines for adoption issued from time to time, by the State Government or the Central Adoption Resource Agency and notified by the Central Government, children may be given in adoption by a court after satisfying itself regarding the investigations having been carried out, as are required for giving such children in adoption.

(iii) State Government shall recognize one or more of its institutions or voluntary organizations in each district as specialized agencies to facilitate more number of adoption of orphan, abandoned and surrendered children in the country.

(iv) Court may allow a child to be given in adoption – (a) to a person irrespective of marital status; or (b) to parents to adopt a child of same sex irrespective of the number of living biological sons or daughters; or (c) to childless couples.

Ministry of Women and Child Development through Central Adoption Resource Agency[CARA] and its associated agencies encourages domestic adoption through publicity, advertisements, awareness campaign,etc.

1190. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has launched any scheme for development of aborigines in the country ;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the States where these tribals are residing; and

(d) the amount allocated for development of tribals in those States during the last three years?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

(DR. TUSHAR A. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d) : The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has schemes for the development and welfare of the Tribes scheduled as per Article 342 of the Constitution only. No scheme has been launched by this Ministry for aborigines.

952. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) the number of literacy projects approved by the National Literacy Mission for NGOs during each of the last three years especially in rural areas, State-wise and UT-wise;

(b) whether the performance of the NGOs in such projects has been reviewed by Government periodically;

(c) if so, the details thereof ;

(d) whether punitive action has been taken by Government against those NGOs not having satisfactory performance;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(SMT. D. PURANDESWARI)

(a): The number of literacy projects approved by the National Literacy Mission to NGOs (State/UT-wise) during the last three years is enclosed as Annexure.

(b) to (c): Review of functioning of NGOs is a standard administrative exercise that is undertaken periodically on regular basis internally by the National Literacy Mission Authority as well as through third party evaluation. During the reviews it has been noticed that system of monitoring of performance requires further strengthening; financial norms need to be adhered to scrupulously; there is a need to develop capacity building of staff; adequate infrastructure needs to be available to carry out assigned roles; and their activities need to be demand led and relevant to the core clientele of the scheme.

(d) to (f): On account of violation of guidelines, norms and administrative instructions, grant of funds has been stopped in respect of the following NGOs:
1 JSS, Darbhanga (Bihar)
2 JSS, Mandya (Karnataka)
3 JSS,Chikballapur(Kolar),Karnataka
4 JSS, Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh)
5 JSS, Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu)
6 SS, Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh)

874. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that irrigation through canals has been reduced continuously during last five years and the use of underground water has increased;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) the percentage area of land being irrigated through surface water and underground water in the country; and

(d) the details of efforts being made to augment irrigation area in the country?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES

(SHRI VINCENT H. PALA)

(a) to (d) No, Sir. There has been continuous increase in the irrigation potential through canal and water distribution system created under major & medium irrigation projects and minor irrigation schemes utilizing surface water. The created irrigation potential through major and medium projects and minor irrigation schemes utilizing surface water has increased from about 50.65 million hectares (Mha) at end of IX Plan to about 56.66 Mha at the end of X Plan and the irrigation potential utilized has increased from about 42.45 Mha at the end of IX Plan to about 46.42 Mha at the end of X Plan. Similarly, the created irrigation potential through ground water has also increased from 43.30 Mha at the end of IX Plan to about 46.11 Mha at the end of X Plan and the irrigation potential utilized through ground water schemes during the same period has increased from 38.55 Mha to 40.81 Mha. As per the Land Use Statistics for 2006-07 compiled by Ministry of Agriculture, the net irrigated area by wells and tubewells is 59% and through canals, tanks and other sources is 41%.
Water being a State subject, planning and implementation of water resources projects are undertaken by respective State Governments. Several schemes have been planned for implementation by the respective State Governments. Government of India provides central grants to State Governments under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme for early completion of the schemes. Ministry of Water Resources has also prepared National Perspective Plan for optimal utilization of the water resources particularly through diversion of surplus flood water to water deficient areas. National Perspective Plan envisages various links to divert surplus flood water to water deficient areas. Ministry of Water Resources has also launched a scheme for Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies under which assistance is provided to States.

856. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:-

(a) whether attention of Government has been drawn towards increasing incidents of sexual harassment of foreign tourists;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether it is a fact that the number of foreign women tourists has steeply decline after such incidents; and

(d) if so, appropriate steps being taken by Government to attract more foreign tourists and to tackle with such serious problem?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(KUMARI SELJA)

(a) & (b): There have been reports in the media highlighting case of harassment and misbehavior with tourists in India. However, ‘Public Order’ and ‘Police’ are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and as such, registration, investigation, detection and prevention of crime is primarily the responsibility of the State Government including sexual harassment of foreign tourists. However, in order to ensure safety and security of the tourists, Ministry of Tourism has advised all the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to deploy Tourist Police in one form or the other.

(c): The foreign tourist arrivals to India witnessed an increase of 5.6 % in 2008 and 14.3 % in the year 2007.

(d): To increase the number of FTAs Ministry of Tourism through its India Tourism offices overseas is undertaking a series of promotional activities like advertising, participation in travel fairs, exhibitions, road shows, India evenings, seminars and workshops, Indian food and cultural festivals, publication of brochures, inviting media personalities, tour operators and opinion makers to visit the country under the Hospitality Programme of the Ministry.

788. SHRI NAND KISHORE YADAV
KUSUM RAI KAMAL AKHTAR AMIR ALAM KHAN
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) the number and details of Chinese intrusion in Indian territory during last two years, till date;

(b) whether it is a fact that China has claimed over Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and the details of steps taken by Government to redress the situation?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(DR. SHASHI THAROOR)

(a) to (c) China disputes the international boundary between India and China in the Eastern Sector and claims approximately 90,000 square kilometres of Indian territory in the State of Arunachal Pradesh. China does not have claims over the Indian State of Sikkim. The two countries have appointed Special Representatives to explore from the political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship the framework for a boundary settlement. There have been thirteen meetings of the Special Representatives till date. Since 1993, the two Governments have agreed to maintain peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas, without prejudice to their respective positions on the alignment of the line of actual control as well as on the boundary question. Government regularly takes up any violation along the LAC with the Chinese side through established mechanisms including the Joint Working Group, the Expert Group, border personnel meetings, flag meetings and diplomatic channels. There has been no increase in the number of incidents of Chinese intrusions.

120. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of the proposals for Central assistance received from the Uttar Pradesh Government for projects on tourism; and

(b) the action taken by Government in this regard?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(KUMARI SELJA)

(a) & (b): A statement is laid on the table of the Sabha.

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) & (b) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.+120 ANSWERED ON 26.11.2009 REGARDING CENTRAL ASSISTANCE TO TOURISM PROJECTS IN UTTAR PRADESH.

(a) and (b) : Development and Promotion of Tourism is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. However, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, extends Central Financial Assistance to project proposals received from the State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations which are complete in all respects as per the scheme guidelines, subject to inter-se- priority and availability of funds. Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned tourism projects of Rs.68.34 crore to the State Government of Uttar Pradesh in the eleventh Plan.

457. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has hiked the air fares for Haj pilgrims this year;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) the current fares for each Haj pilgrim and the separate details of actual fares and subsidy thereon;

(d) the expected number of Haj pilgrims going from India for Haj this year;

(e) the details of assistance provided to Haj pilgrims by the Central Government;

(f) whether Government has received any representation to withdraw the hiked fares; and (g) the reaction of Government in this regard?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )

(a) and (b): Yes, Sir. The cost of travel per pilgrim for Airlines has increased considerably mainly due to increase in input costs, increase in embarkation points etc. However, the amount charged per pilgrim as travel cost had remained static since 1994.

(c): The fare being charged per pilgrim for Haj 2009 is Rs. 16,000/-. The total cost of Haj operations for the carriage of pilgrims this year is expected to be Rs. 67,000/- per pilgrim, out of which Rs. 51,000/- will be borne by the Government as subsidy.

(d): The number of pilgrims for Haj 2009 will be around 1,21,500.

(e): The following facilities are provided to the Haj pilgrims by Air India:
(i) Free baggage allowance of 45 Kgs. per pilgrim;
(ii) Provision of 10 litres of zam zam water free of charge to each pilgrim and carriage of same;
(iii) Box meal is provided to the pilgrims on departure from India and arrival into Saudi Arabia;
(iv) All other facilities as provided to the International passengers.

(f) and (g): The Ministry of External Affairs has received representations to withdraw hiked fares.

449. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has permitted to increase the share capital of Airports Authority of India (AAI);

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the sectors wherein this amount will be utilized by AAI for the benefits of the activities of the company and welfare of its employees?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )

(a): No Sir.

(b) & (c): Do not arise.

340. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government proposes to provide subsidy on interest to such agriculture based industries which take loan from banks;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Government has held discussion with all the concerned parties in this regard;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) by when it is likely to be finalized?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

(SHRI SUBODH KANT SAHAI)

(a): No, Sir.

(b): In view of (a) above, Question does not arise.

(c): No, Sir.

(d) & (e): In view of (c) above, Question does not arise.

161. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has made available funds to the State Governments specially Uttar Pradesh to compensate small and marginal farmers for loss of their crops due to rain, drought and flood during the year 2009-10;

(b) if so, to what extent and level the funds have been disbursed to different States, specially Uttar Pradesh;

(c) whether Government has carried out the assessment of the losses of crops in each State;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the other remedial steps being taken by Government for compensation?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION)

(SHRI K.V. THOMAS)

(a) to (e): It is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments concerned to take necessary measures in the wake of natural calamities. The Government of India supplements the efforts of the States with financial and logistic support. There is ready availability of funds with the States under the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) to take immediate necessary measures including relief to the farmers for crop loss of 50% and above as per norms. The Government of India and State Governments concerned contribute to CRF in the ratio of 3:1. If additional assistance over and above CRF is required to deal with natural calamities of severe nature, the same is considered from the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) in accordance with an established procedure of submission of Memorandum for assistance from NCCF by the State Government.
The Inter-Ministerial Central Teams visited the States, which submitted Memorandum for assistance under NCCF and assessed the losses including crop loss suffered due to natural calamities and made their recommendation, on the basis of which the Central Government approved assistance from NCCF. Details of funds made available / approved to the States under CRF & NCCF are at Annexure I & II, respectively.

160. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government is contemplating to formulate a policy on private sector`s participation in the infrastructure segment of the agriculture sector particularly for integrating production and marketing related activities;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the extent to which it would help small and marginal farmers of the country in achieving better price for their produce?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION)

(SHRI K.V. THOMAS)

(a) & (b): There is no proposal for formulating a specific policy on private sector`s participation in the infrastructure segment of the agriculture sector. However, the National Policy for Farmers announced in 2007 envisages private sector participation in the following:-

(i) Inclusion of private sector Research & Development (R&D) institutions under the umbrella of National Agricultural Research System.

(ii) Development of terminal markets for agriculture in public-private partnership mode to provide better market access to farmers with better price realization in a transparent trading environment with suitable backward and forward linkages.

(iii) Biotechnology research in the area of vaccine development would be stepped up, encouraging public private partnerships.

(iv) Inclusion of private initiatives in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for inclusive and broad based development.

(v) Involving competent private institutions to provide vocational training to the youth.

(vi) Reforms initiative in agricultural marketing taken by Ministry of Agriculture for amending present State Agricultural produce Marketing (Regulation) Act (APMC Act) on the lines of Model Act which provides avenues to the private sector for direct marketing, contract farming and setting up of markets in private and cooperative sectors.

(c): The above initiatives taken by the Government facilitate integration of production with marketing through better post-harvest infrastructure and management practices for the farmers. The reforms also facilitate in direct marketing and contract farming with the objective of enhancing the farmer`s income. The reforms also bring in rationalization of market fees, dissemination of market information at the right time and better market-led-extension etc. These would help the farmers in the country in achieving better price of their produce.

137. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) the quantum of sugarcane produced in the country for the last three years and in the current year so far;

(b) whether it is a fact that there is a gradual decrease in the sugarcane production;

(c) if so, the reasons for fall in production and the names of the States facing this shortfall;

(d) whether Government proposes to set target for producing more sugarcanes in the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the details of the measures to be adopted in this regard?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION)

(SHRI K.V. THOMAS)

(a) & (b): The quantum of sugarcane produced in the country during the years 2006-07 to 2009 10 is given in the table below:
Year Sugarcane Production (Million tonnes)
2006-07 355.52
2007-08 348.19
2008-09 273.93
2009-10# 249.48
4th advance estimates released on 07.07.09
#1st Advance Estimates released on 03.11.09

(c): Major reasons which may have impacted the sugarcane production in the last few years include
shortfall in area coverage and decline in productivity due to delayed/deficient/un-seasonal rains in the
sugarcane producing States, shift in area coverage from sugarcane to other foodgrain crops due to higher
minimum support price (MSP) of foodgrain crops; higher percentage of ratoon area lowering yield of
sugarcane etc. Major States which experienced fall in sugarcane production are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

(d): A production target of 340.0 million tonnes of sugarcane has been fixed for 2009-10.

(e): In order to increase the production of sugarcane, Government is implementing a centrally sponsored
scheme of Sustainable Development of Sugarcane Based Cropping Systems (SUBACS) in various sugarcane
growing States of the country. The main components of the scheme include field demonstrations, training of
farmers & extension workers and assistance for implements, seed multiplication, setting up of heat treatment
plants and drip irrigation sets. To give more flexibility to the States and implement the scheme on the basis
of States’ priorities and requirements, this scheme has been clubbed under the Macro Management Mode of
Agriculture (MMA) development with other 26 schemes. Under the MMA, the scheme is implemented as
per the Work Plan prepared by the concerned States. For most of the components, the pattern of assistance
between GOI & State Governments is 90:10. In addition, the Government of India provides 100% financial
support for organization of front line demonstrations, national level trainings and breeder seed production
through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities.

132. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that the levels of alkalinity and salinity of soil/land have increased due to regular and excessive use of chemical fertilizers;

(b) if so, the steps being taken by Government to reduce the levels of alkalinity and salinity of land;

(c) whether the discontinuance of chemical fertilizers and use of traditional cow-dung and other bio- manures would result in fall in foodgrain production; and

(d) if so, the method by which Government proposes to enhance production?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI K.V. THOMAS)

(a): The area affected by alkalinity and salinity has increased due to imbalanced and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and unscientific use of soil and water resources.

(b): A new scheme, namely, National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) has been introduced during 2008-09 to promote soil test based balanced and judicious use of chemical fertilizer in conjunction with organic manure and bio-fertilizer. Financial assistance is also provided for reclamation and development of both alkali and acid soils under various programmes.

(c): Yes, Sir.

(d): The Government is promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) envisaging conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources of nutrients to sustain good soil health and higher crop productivity in the country.

27. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether there is an increase in the incidents of suicides and self-immolations by farmers in different parts of the country despite the rehabilitation package being in place;

(b) if so, the number of such incidents reported during the last two years and till now in the current year, State-wise; and

(c) the corrective steps taken by Government to tackle this problem?
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. 27 FOR 20/11/2009 REGARDING SUICIDE BY FARMERS.

(a) to (c): The Government of India approved in the year 2006 a rehabilitation package of Rs. 16978.69 crore for 31 suicide prone Districts in the four States of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala. The package is being implemented over a period of 3 years and includes both immediate and medium term measures with an aim of establishing a sustainable and viable farming and livelihood support system through debt relief to farmers, improved supply of institutional credit, crop centric approach to agriculture, assured irrigation facilities, watershed management, better extension and farming support services and subsidiary income opportunities through horticulture, livestock, dairying, fisheries etc.
It has been decided by the Government to extend the period for implementation of the non credit components of the package by 2 more years i.e. 30th September, 2011. An amount of Rs.15840.82 crore (i.e. 93.30% of total package cost) has been released by Centre/State Governments and Banks in 4 States up to 31st March, 2009. After implementation of the Rehabilitation Package, there has been declining trend in farmers’ suicides in most States. The latest available State-wise information regarding number of suicides by farmers is given in Annexure-I. As reported by the State Governments and revealed in some studies conducted earlier, the causes for suicides by farmers are manifold including personal and other reasons. However, some suicides out of the total number of suicides have been attributed to crop failure, indebtedness, drought and socio- economic reasons.
In order to address the distressed condition of farmers a Debt waiver and Debt Relief scheme, 2008 has been implemented in all districts of the country. As per provisional figures, a total of 3.01 crores small and marginal farmers and 0.67 crore other farmers have benefitted from the scheme involving debt waiver and debt relief to the tune of Rs. 65,318.33 crores, as their line of credit has been declogged due to clearing off of their principal and interest liabilities. Besides, a number of plan schemes and programmes are being implemented across the country for revitalization of agriculture sector which include National Food Security Mission to improve production and productivity of foodgrains, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana with an objective to incentivise the States so as to increase public investment in agriculture and allied sectors in a decentralized manner, National Horticulture Mission, Macro Management of Agriculture, Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management and Support to Agriculture Extension Services etc. The National Policy for Farmers, 2007 has also definite provisions to improve economic viability of farming.

107. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has disbursed amount to Uttar Pradesh Government under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in current year;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the names of projects which have commenced under this Mission during the last three years, State-wise especially in Uttar Pradesh;

(d) the details of amount allocated and spent by each State under the Mission during current year; and

(e) the progress made in development of above-said projects so far?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI SAUGATA ROY)

(a) and (b): Yes Sir. A list indicating disbursal of amount during the current year i.e. 2009-10 for the projects sanctioned under Urban Infrastructure & Governance (UIG) of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for Uttar Pradesh is enclosed at Annexure-I.

(c): Details of the projects sanctioned under UIG of JNNURM during the last 3 years i.e. 2006-07, 2007-08 & 2008-09 is available at the website http.www.jnnurm.nic.in.

(d) & (e): List is enclosed at Annexure-II.

99. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government is aware about growing vast possibilities in realty sector in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Government is setting up any regulatory mechanism to organize developers and builders;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether Government has held any consultations with various groups in this regard; and

(f) if so, Government’s reaction thereto?
Answer
MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

(KUMARI SELJA)

(a) & (b) : Government of India has recognized that housing is a very important source of employment; has a large multiplier effect on the economy and demand in allied manufacturing sectors; and there is a large unmet need for housing in the country, especially for low income housing.

(c) to (f) : In order to promote planned and healthy real estate development of colonies and apartments with a view to protecting consumer interest on the one hand and to facilitate smooth and speedy urban construction on the other, the Ministry in consultation with various stakeholders has drafted a draft Model Real Estate (Regulation of Development) Act 200_____. The draft bill has been put on the website of the Ministry (http://mhupa.gov.in). Comments/ suggestions on the draft bill were sought by 06.11.2009 through the web site and issue of public notice and the feedback received is being collated and compiled for suitably incorporating in the proposed bill.

65. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a) the number of housing units allotted to urban poor in Uttar Pradesh during last three years, year-wise and city-wise;

(b) the number of housing units proposed to be constructed during the year 2008-09 and 2009-10, year-wise and city-wise and the number of eligible families to whom these units would be allotted; and

(c) the break-up of expenditure incurred by Union / State Government on these schemes during last three years?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

(KUMARI SELJA)

(a) to (c) A total of 67 projects under Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) and 133 projects under Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) have been approved for construction/ upgradation of 67,992 and 31,969 houses respectively during the years 2006-07 to 2008-09 for the State of Uttar Pradesh. The year-wise and town-wise details of these projects, including details of Central share are given in Annexure. No project under BSUP or IHSDP has been approved in the State of Uttar Pradesh during 2009-10. However, Rs. 23.78 crore of enhanced Additional Central Assistance (ACA) has been approved during 2009-10 for 77 IHSDP projects in Uttar Pradesh.

20. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of preserved monuments situated in Uttar Pradesh;

(b) the amount spent on the maintenance of these monuments during the last three years;

(c) the revenue received by Government from those monuments during the above mentioned period; and

(d) the steps being taken by Government to preserve more monuments in the State?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a) The details of centrally protected monuments under the control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Uttar Pradesh are at Annexure – I.

(b) The details of expenditure incurred for conservation of these monuments during the last three years are as under :

(Amount in Rupees)

Sl. No. Year Expenditure

1. 2006-07 13,02,51,433

2. 2007-08 15,13,94,225

3. 2008-09 20,58,82,532

(c) The details of revenue received from ticketed monuments in Uttar Pradesh during the last three years are as under :

(Amount in Rupees)

Sl. No. Year Revenue received

1. 2006-07 29,01,93,700

2. 2007-08 36,05,91,430

3. 2008-09 30,79,12,690

(d) Proposals for declaring new monuments as of national importance received from the concerned State Government are examined by the ASI as and when they are received. Presently, no proposal in this regard received from the State Government of Uttar Pradesh is pending with the Archaeological Survey of India.

13. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN
AMAR SINGH
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that incidents of incursion into the Indian territory by the Chinese security forces have increased in the recent past;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the special steps taken by Government to stop re-occurrence of such incidents?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SMT. PRENEET KAUR)

(a) to (c) There has been no increase in the incidents of incursions in the recent past. Since 1993, the two Governments have agreed to maintain peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas, without prejudice to their respective positions on the alignment of the line of actual control as well as on the boundary question. Government regularly takes up any violation along the LAC with the Chinese side through established mechanisms including the Joint Working Group, the Expert Group, border personnel meetings, flag meetings and diplomatic channels.