(a) the details of uranium resources available across the country, State-wise;
(b) whether it is a fact that there is acute shortage of uranium in country; and
(c) the steps/measures taken by Government to increase the production of uranium?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) :
(a) The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy, has established 1,75,010 tonnes insitu uranium (U3O8) resources as on January, 2012. The State-wise details of the same is as given in the annexure:
(b) No, Sir.
(c) The Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy, is engaged in commercial scale operation of Uranium mines and process plants in the country. UCIL has undertaken an expansion plan under which three (3) numbers of mines and one new process plant have been constructed in last seven (7) years. UCIL is further constructing a large mine and process plant at Tumallapalle in Andhra Pradesh which is nearing completion. It has plans to expand capacity of some of these mines and process plants.
(a) the details of fund earmarked for the purpose of vocational training centres across the country, State-wise;
(b) the details of expenditure incurred, State-wise;
(c) whether the objectives and targets have been achieved; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
(a) & (b) : State-wise details of funds earmarked and released by the Ministry of Labour and Employment under the following Schemes is at Annexure :- (i) Upgradation of Government ITIs into Centres of Excellence. (ii) World Bank assisted Vocational Training Improvement Project. (iii) Upgradation of 1396 ITIs in Public Private Partnership. (iv) Skill Development Initiative.
(c) & (d) : The objectives and targets are being continuously monitored at National and State levels and are being achieved.
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-998
ANSWERED ON-22.03.2012
(a) the number of whistle blowers killed during the last three years across the country;
(b) whether Government has paid any compensation package to aggrieved family members;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) (a) to (d): The identity of whistle blowers is confidential as per Department of Personnel and Training’s Resolution dated 21st April, 2004. The data relating to whistle blower killed is not maintained Centrally. However, the Government has introduced a Bill for protection of whistle blowers which has been passed by the Lok Sabha on 27th December, 2011 as the “Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, 2011” and is presently in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill provides for adequate safeguards against victimization of the person making disclosure on any allegation of corruption or willful misuse of power or willful misuse of discretion against any public servant. It is also provided that if the Competent Authority is of the opinion that either the complainant or public servant or the witnesses etc. need protection, the Competent Authority shall issue appropriate directions to the concerned Government authorities (including police) which shall take necessary steps, through its agencies, to protect such complainant or public servant or persons concerned.
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to satate :- (a) the details of the countries with which Government has agreements for getting details of black money stashed abroad;
(b) the reasons for not entering into agreements with all the sensitive countries so far;
(c) whether Government intends to be more proactive in this regard and the details of action plan, if any; and
(d) how do Government intends to bring back the country's money illegally stashed abroad? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI S.S. PALANIMANICKAM)
(a) The Government of India has Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) with 81 countries, namely Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordon, Kazakstan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Libya, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portuguese Republic, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Swiss Confederation, Syria, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turkmenistan, UAE, Uganda, UK, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.
Further, Government of India has Tax Information Exchange Agreements with 5 jurisdictions viz. Bermuda, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Isle of Man and Cayman Islands. All these agreements contain article concerning exchange of information for tax purposes which allow for exchange of tax information. 75 of the 81 DTAAs do not have specific paragraph for exchange of banking information. All these 75 DTAAs have been picked up for renegotiation. The renegotiations have been completed in 22 cases.
(b) Does not arise
(c) & (d) Yes Sir. The Government of India has framed a comprehensive five pronged strategy in order to bring back the country's money illegally stashed abroad. The strategy comprises of:
(i) Joining the global crusade against ‘black money’ (for example our action in G-20, Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, Task Force on Financial Integrity and Economic Development, Financial Action Task Force, UN, OECD etc.);
(ii) Creating an appropriate legislative framework (Various anti-tax evasion measures legislated in existing Act and proposed in the DTC, New DTAAs and TIEAs, amending existing DTAAs);
(iii) Setting up institutions for dealing with Illicit Funds (10 Income-tax Overseas Units, dedicated computerized Exchange of Information [EOI] Unit);
(iv) Developing systems for implementation (new manpower policy); and
(v) Imparting skills to the manpower for effective action (constant training for skill development).
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it is a fact that at present there are more than six crore child labourers in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether around Rs. 1,20,000 crore is pocketed as profit by employers of child labour annually in India, an amount that is rarely reported as income to Government in order to evade taxes; and
(d) the steps taken/being taken by Government to stop exploitation of child labour?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE)
(a) & (b): As per 2001 census, the total number of working children between the age group of 5-14 years in the country was 1.26 crore. However, in the Survey conducted by NSSO, in 2004-05 the number of working children were estimated at 90.75 lakhs.
(c): No such report has been received in the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India.
(d): The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in 18 Occupations and 65 Processes. Any person who employs a child in any occupation or process where employment of children is prohibited under the Act, is liable for punishment with imprisonment for term which shall not be less than 3 months but which may extend to one year or with fine ranging from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 20,000/-.
Will the Minister of FINANCEbe pleased to state :- (a) whether according to some reports, India`s growth is likely to slow-down in 2012; (b) if so, whether Government contemplates to initiate proactive measures for avoiding such a scenario; (c) if so, the details thereof; and (d) the growth rate of the country at present as per the estimates of Government? ANSWER FINANCE MINISTER (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE) (a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 274 BY SHRI Y.S. CHOWDARY DUE FOR ANSWER ON 15th March, 2011 (a) to (d) The Indian economy has emerged with remarkable rapidity from the slowdown caused by the global financial crisis of 2007-09. With growth in GDP at factor cost at constant (2004-05) prices in 200910 now estimated at 8.0 per cent by the Quick Estimates released on 31 January 2011 and 8.6 per cent in 2010-11 as per the Advance Estimates of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) released on 7 February 2011, the turnaround has been fast and strong. The CSO does not have any estimate for growth in the next fiscal or beyond. However, the Economic Survey 2010-11 indicates that outlook for the medium term remains bright and expects growth to be 9.0 per cent (+/- 0.25) for 2011-12 on the strength of pickup in savings and investment rates at the given incremental capital output ratio. There are other institutional projections that estimate somewhat lower growth rates for the Indian economy. The International Monetary Fund forecast (as per the January 2011 World Economic Outlook [WEO] update) estimates growth in constant market prices in the Indian economy at 8.4 per cent in 2011 and 8.0 per cent in 2012 following a growth of 9.7 per cent in 2010. Growth forecasts, by whichever agency however carefully made, are subject to error. The Government has pursued prudent macroeconomic policies on an ongoing basis with a countercyclical focus in recent- years to obviate the impact of global financial crisis, strengthened structural measures to promote growth, develop product as well as financial markets, and increased social spending to provide a stronger foundation to protect the poor.
(a) the details of uranium resources available across the country, State-wise;
(b) whether it is a fact that there is acute shortage of uranium in country; and
(c) the steps/measures taken by Government to increase the production of uranium?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) :
(a) The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy, has established 1,75,010 tonnes insitu uranium (U3O8) resources as on January, 2012. The State-wise details of the same is as given in the annexure:
(b) No, Sir.
(c) The Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy, is engaged in commercial scale operation of Uranium mines and process plants in the country. UCIL has undertaken an expansion plan under which three (3) numbers of mines and one new process plant have been constructed in last seven (7) years. UCIL is further constructing a large mine and process plant at Tumallapalle in Andhra Pradesh which is nearing completion. It has plans to expand capacity of some of these mines and process plants.
(a) the details of fund earmarked for the purpose of vocational training centres across the country, State-wise;
(b) the details of expenditure incurred, State-wise;
(c) whether the objectives and targets have been achieved; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
(a) & (b) : State-wise details of funds earmarked and released by the Ministry of Labour and Employment under the following Schemes is at Annexure :- (i) Upgradation of Government ITIs into Centres of Excellence. (ii) World Bank assisted Vocational Training Improvement Project. (iii) Upgradation of 1396 ITIs in Public Private Partnership. (iv) Skill Development Initiative.
(c) & (d) : The objectives and targets are being continuously monitored at National and State levels and are being achieved.
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-998
ANSWERED ON-22.03.2012
(a) the number of whistle blowers killed during the last three years across the country;
(b) whether Government has paid any compensation package to aggrieved family members;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) (a) to (d): The identity of whistle blowers is confidential as per Department of Personnel and Training’s Resolution dated 21st April, 2004. The data relating to whistle blower killed is not maintained Centrally. However, the Government has introduced a Bill for protection of whistle blowers which has been passed by the Lok Sabha on 27th December, 2011 as the “Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, 2011” and is presently in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill provides for adequate safeguards against victimization of the person making disclosure on any allegation of corruption or willful misuse of power or willful misuse of discretion against any public servant. It is also provided that if the Competent Authority is of the opinion that either the complainant or public servant or the witnesses etc. need protection, the Competent Authority shall issue appropriate directions to the concerned Government authorities (including police) which shall take necessary steps, through its agencies, to protect such complainant or public servant or persons concerned.
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to satate :- (a) the details of the countries with which Government has agreements for getting details of black money stashed abroad;
(b) the reasons for not entering into agreements with all the sensitive countries so far;
(c) whether Government intends to be more proactive in this regard and the details of action plan, if any; and
(d) how do Government intends to bring back the country's money illegally stashed abroad? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI S.S. PALANIMANICKAM)
(a) The Government of India has Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) with 81 countries, namely Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordon, Kazakstan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Libya, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portuguese Republic, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Swiss Confederation, Syria, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turkmenistan, UAE, Uganda, UK, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.
Further, Government of India has Tax Information Exchange Agreements with 5 jurisdictions viz. Bermuda, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Isle of Man and Cayman Islands. All these agreements contain article concerning exchange of information for tax purposes which allow for exchange of tax information. 75 of the 81 DTAAs do not have specific paragraph for exchange of banking information. All these 75 DTAAs have been picked up for renegotiation. The renegotiations have been completed in 22 cases.
(b) Does not arise
(c) & (d) Yes Sir. The Government of India has framed a comprehensive five pronged strategy in order to bring back the country's money illegally stashed abroad. The strategy comprises of:
(i) Joining the global crusade against ‘black money’ (for example our action in G-20, Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, Task Force on Financial Integrity and Economic Development, Financial Action Task Force, UN, OECD etc.);
(ii) Creating an appropriate legislative framework (Various anti-tax evasion measures legislated in existing Act and proposed in the DTC, New DTAAs and TIEAs, amending existing DTAAs);
(iii) Setting up institutions for dealing with Illicit Funds (10 Income-tax Overseas Units, dedicated computerized Exchange of Information [EOI] Unit);
(iv) Developing systems for implementation (new manpower policy); and
(v) Imparting skills to the manpower for effective action (constant training for skill development).
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it is a fact that at present there are more than six crore child labourers in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether around Rs. 1,20,000 crore is pocketed as profit by employers of child labour annually in India, an amount that is rarely reported as income to Government in order to evade taxes; and
(d) the steps taken/being taken by Government to stop exploitation of child labour?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE)
(a) & (b): As per 2001 census, the total number of working children between the age group of 5-14 years in the country was 1.26 crore. However, in the Survey conducted by NSSO, in 2004-05 the number of working children were estimated at 90.75 lakhs.
(c): No such report has been received in the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India.
(d): The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in 18 Occupations and 65 Processes. Any person who employs a child in any occupation or process where employment of children is prohibited under the Act, is liable for punishment with imprisonment for term which shall not be less than 3 months but which may extend to one year or with fine ranging from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 20,000/-.
Will the Minister of FINANCEbe pleased to state :- (a) whether according to some reports, India`s growth is likely to slow-down in 2012; (b) if so, whether Government contemplates to initiate proactive measures for avoiding such a scenario; (c) if so, the details thereof; and (d) the growth rate of the country at present as per the estimates of Government? ANSWER FINANCE MINISTER (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE) (a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 274 BY SHRI Y.S. CHOWDARY DUE FOR ANSWER ON 15th March, 2011 (a) to (d) The Indian economy has emerged with remarkable rapidity from the slowdown caused by the global financial crisis of 2007-09. With growth in GDP at factor cost at constant (2004-05) prices in 200910 now estimated at 8.0 per cent by the Quick Estimates released on 31 January 2011 and 8.6 per cent in 2010-11 as per the Advance Estimates of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) released on 7 February 2011, the turnaround has been fast and strong. The CSO does not have any estimate for growth in the next fiscal or beyond. However, the Economic Survey 2010-11 indicates that outlook for the medium term remains bright and expects growth to be 9.0 per cent (+/- 0.25) for 2011-12 on the strength of pickup in savings and investment rates at the given incremental capital output ratio. There are other institutional projections that estimate somewhat lower growth rates for the Indian economy. The International Monetary Fund forecast (as per the January 2011 World Economic Outlook [WEO] update) estimates growth in constant market prices in the Indian economy at 8.4 per cent in 2011 and 8.0 per cent in 2012 following a growth of 9.7 per cent in 2010. Growth forecasts, by whichever agency however carefully made, are subject to error. The Government has pursued prudent macroeconomic policies on an ongoing basis with a countercyclical focus in recent- years to obviate the impact of global financial crisis, strengthened structural measures to promote growth, develop product as well as financial markets, and increased social spending to provide a stronger foundation to protect the poor.
