Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to satate :-
(a) the programmes undertaken under Border Area Development Programme (BADP);
(b) the year-wise and sector-wise amount spent in Tenth Plan and so far in Eleventh Plan for the programme;
(c) the year-wise and sector-wise targets set and results achieved;
(d) whether any case of misuse of funds came to the notice and if so, the action taken thereon;
(e) whether any case of illegal migrants availing the benefits have come to surface; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken to prevent such misuse?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)
(a) & (b): Government of India has been implementing a Border Area Development Programme (BADP) through the State Governments as a part of a comprehensive approach to Border Management. The developmental activities under BADP relate to social infrastructure, link roads, employment generation, education, health, agriculture and allied sectors. The funds are provided to the States as a 100% non-lapsable Central grant for supplementing the State efforts.
The financial targets, allocation and release of funds to the States for undertaking the developmental activities in the identified border blocks under BADP is fixed by Government of India. During 10th Five Year Plan the budgetary allocation under BADP was Rs. 1754.14 crore and in 11th Five Year Plan i.e. from 2007-08 to 2011-12 is Rs. 3441 crore. State wise details for the amount spent, year-wise are given in the Statement at annexure-I. State Governments had undertaken developmental activities under this programme in various sectors namely: (i) Roads (ii) Education (iii) Social infrastructure (iv) Agriculture (v) Health (vi) Power (vii) Security and other allied sectors. During 10th Five Year Plan, utilization of funds was not maintained specifically sector-wise. However, sector-wise break up of utilization of funds under BADP by the States during the 11th Five year plan from 2007-08 to 2010-11 has been given in the Statement at annexure-II.
(c): Government of India sets year-wise financial targets as fund allocation which is given in Annexure-I. Sector wise achievement from 2007-08 to 2010-11 is given in Annexure-II.
(d): Yes Sir, implementation of BADP is the primary responsibility of State Governments. Complaints received regarding misuse of funds are sent to the State Governments for appropriate action at their level.
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it has come to the notice of Government that Kuchipudi Exponent Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna, winner of several awards including Padmabhushan, passed away recently and had a pathetic end due to lack of financial support;
(b) whether Government will agree that while promotion and preservation of our art and culture is important, taking care of our legends and icons of culture in their old age, who are not second to any of our national monuments, is much more important especially when their financial position is bad; and
(c) whether Government would like to carve out a special scheme to tackle this issue and safeguard the self respect of our veterans?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND MINISTER OF CULTURE
(KUMARI SELJA)
(a) A Padmashree and a Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellow, Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna expired on 07.06.2011 at the age of 87. However, it would not be correct to say that he had a pathetic end due to lack of financial support. Before his death, Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna was looked after well by his disciples and received hospital care, with assistance from the Sate Government, for over 10 days in Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad.
(b) &(c) Yes, Sir. Government of India is already administering a scheme of financial assistance to persons distinguished in letters, arts and such other walks of life, who may be in indigent circumstances and their dependents. Under this scheme, a financial assistance of Rs. 4000/- p.m. is paid to the artistes who have made significant contribution to arts, letters, etc.; are not less than 58 years of age; and whose income (including income of the spouse) does not exceed Rs. 4000/- p.m.
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to satate :-
(a) the number of times, the prices of petroleum products like petrol, diesel, LPG, Kerosene etc. have been hiked during the last three years in the country;
(b) what are the details of the hikes;
(c) the details of crude oil prices increased during the last three years at International level;
(d) whether Government has paid any subsidy during the last three years to the Oil Marketing Companies; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)
(a)&(b): The details of revisions in the retail selling prices of Petrol, Diesel, PDS Kerosene and Domestic LPG (at Delhi) during the last 3 years are given in the Annexure.
(c): The annual average price of Indian basket of crude oil in the international market during the last 3 years are given below: ($ per barrel) Year Annual Average Price 2008-09 83.57 2009-10 69.76 2010-11 85.09
(d) to (e): The Government is providing subsidy of ` 0.82 per litre on PDS Kerosene and ` 22.58 per cylinder on Domestic LPG from the fiscal budget under the “PDS Kerosene and Domestic LPG Subsidy Scheme, 2002” to the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). The details of the subsidy paid by the Government under the said Scheme to the OMCs during the last three years are given below: (` Crore) 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Subsidy on PDS Kerosene and Domestic LPG 2,688 2,770 2,904 In addition to the above fiscal subsidy, the OMCs have incurred under-recoveries on the sale of PDS Kerosene, Domestic LPG, Petrol (upto 25.6.2010) and Diesel. Under the burden sharing mechanism being followed, these under-recoveries are shared by the Government and the Public Sector Oil Companies. The details of under-recoveries incurred by the OMCs and the sharing thereof during the last three years are given below: (` Crore) 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Total Under recovery on sensitive petroleum products 1,03,292 46,051 78,190 Burden Sharing through : Oil Bonds/ Cash assistance from Government 71,292 26,000 41,000 Discount by Upstream Oil Companies 32,000 14,430 30,297 Net Under recoveries absorbed by OMCs Nil 5,621 6,893 Under recovery on Petrol is up to 25.6.2010 only. Twitter Link To This Post Facebook Link To This Post
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it is a fact that the Ministry has approved several projects violating the green norms;
(b) if so, the details of approvals given during the last two years; and
(c) the reasons for violation of the norms?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) No Sir. Ministry of Environments & Forests (MoEF), in discharge of its statuary function accords Forest and Environment clearances to the projects, as per the procedures laid down in the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Rules framed there-under. MoEF did not accord approval to any project in violation of the norms/procedure stipulated under the afore-mentioned statutes.
(b) & (c) In view of reply to part (a) above, reply to parts (b) and (c) does not arise.
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to satate :-
(a) the details of amount spent by Government under Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana (RSVY) during Tenth Five Year Plan and Eleventh Five Year Plan so far and which districts have been covered;
(b) the details of programmes undertaken in Andhra Pradesh under this scheme during the above periods and results achieved so far; and
(c) the results achieved under this programme at national level?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a): The Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana (RSVY) implemented by Ministry of Panchayati Raj was launched in 2003-04 with the objective of putting in place programmes and policies that would remove barriers to growth, accelerate the development process and improve the quality of life of the people in 147 identified backward districts of the country with the joint efforts of the Centre and the States. The scheme is now subsumed under Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. All the 147 districts covered under the RSVY had been released their full allocation of Rs.45 crore in each of the district by December, 2009. The State wise list of districts covered under the scheme is at Annex-1. The State-wise details of funds released under the RSVY is at Annexe-2.
(b) & (c): As per details provided by Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the State Governments including Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, have utilized the funds released under the scheme for filling up the infrastructural gaps in various sectors. These are Rural Water Supply, Road Connectivity, Drought Proofing, Irrigation, Water Conservation Structures, Infrastructure support to Medical Health & Family Welfare, Infrastructure support to Pisciculture, Electricity Department, Infrastructure support to SHG Federations, Infrastructure support to Higher Education, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Disabled Welfare, Fisheries, Health, Horticulture, Textiles & Handlooms and Tribal Welfare.
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it is a fact that per capita availability of pulses in the country has declined to 34 Grams from 66 Grams during last five decades;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the reasons for this sharp decline;
(d) whether Government has taken any initiatives to encourage cultivation of pulses; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the results achieved?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) to (c): The per capita availability of pulses since 1960 has been as follows:
(Grams per day) Year Per capita net availability 1960 65.5 1970 51.9 1980 30.9 1990 41.1 2000 31.8 2010(P) 31.6 The fluctuations in per capita availability are mainly due to fluctuations in production on account of variations in weather conditions, return on competing crops, increasing population etc.
(d) & (e): In recent years a higher increase in the MSP for pulses, as compared to other crops, has been given in order to incentivise the production of pulses in view of the demand-supply gap. In addition, the Government implements schemes to increase the production and availability of pulses in the country namely National Food Security Mission – Pulses
(NFSM-Pulses), Accelerated Pulses Production Programme, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) etc. Production of pulses has increased from 13.39 million tonnes in 2005-06 to 18.09 million tonnes in 2010-11 (4th Advance Estimate).
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it is a fact that Government is considering to supply gas at regulated prices to some priority consumers only;
(b) if so, the details of the proposal; and
(c) by when it is likely to be implemented?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI R.P.N SINGH)
(a) to (c): The price of Administered Price Mechanism (APM) gas is determined by Government. The following sectors are being supplied APM gas at APM rate:
1. Fertilizers
2. Power
3. Court Mandated Customers
4. Small Customers Having Requirement of gas less than 50,000 SCMD. The gas produced from various other fields has no sector wise variations in price.
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to satate :-
(a) the programmes undertaken under Border Area Development Programme (BADP);
(b) the year-wise and sector-wise amount spent in Tenth Plan and so far in Eleventh Plan for the programme;
(c) the year-wise and sector-wise targets set and results achieved;
(d) whether any case of misuse of funds came to the notice and if so, the action taken thereon;
(e) whether any case of illegal migrants availing the benefits have come to surface; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken to prevent such misuse?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)
(a) & (b): Government of India has been implementing a Border Area Development Programme (BADP) through the State Governments as a part of a comprehensive approach to Border Management. The developmental activities under BADP relate to social infrastructure, link roads, employment generation, education, health, agriculture and allied sectors. The funds are provided to the States as a 100% non-lapsable Central grant for supplementing the State efforts.
The financial targets, allocation and release of funds to the States for undertaking the developmental activities in the identified border blocks under BADP is fixed by Government of India. During 10th Five Year Plan the budgetary allocation under BADP was Rs. 1754.14 crore and in 11th Five Year Plan i.e. from 2007-08 to 2011-12 is Rs. 3441 crore. State wise details for the amount spent, year-wise are given in the Statement at annexure-I. State Governments had undertaken developmental activities under this programme in various sectors namely: (i) Roads (ii) Education (iii) Social infrastructure (iv) Agriculture (v) Health (vi) Power (vii) Security and other allied sectors. During 10th Five Year Plan, utilization of funds was not maintained specifically sector-wise. However, sector-wise break up of utilization of funds under BADP by the States during the 11th Five year plan from 2007-08 to 2010-11 has been given in the Statement at annexure-II.
(c): Government of India sets year-wise financial targets as fund allocation which is given in Annexure-I. Sector wise achievement from 2007-08 to 2010-11 is given in Annexure-II.
(d): Yes Sir, implementation of BADP is the primary responsibility of State Governments. Complaints received regarding misuse of funds are sent to the State Governments for appropriate action at their level.
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it has come to the notice of Government that Kuchipudi Exponent Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna, winner of several awards including Padmabhushan, passed away recently and had a pathetic end due to lack of financial support;
(b) whether Government will agree that while promotion and preservation of our art and culture is important, taking care of our legends and icons of culture in their old age, who are not second to any of our national monuments, is much more important especially when their financial position is bad; and
(c) whether Government would like to carve out a special scheme to tackle this issue and safeguard the self respect of our veterans?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND MINISTER OF CULTURE
(KUMARI SELJA)
(a) A Padmashree and a Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellow, Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna expired on 07.06.2011 at the age of 87. However, it would not be correct to say that he had a pathetic end due to lack of financial support. Before his death, Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna was looked after well by his disciples and received hospital care, with assistance from the Sate Government, for over 10 days in Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad.
(b) &(c) Yes, Sir. Government of India is already administering a scheme of financial assistance to persons distinguished in letters, arts and such other walks of life, who may be in indigent circumstances and their dependents. Under this scheme, a financial assistance of Rs. 4000/- p.m. is paid to the artistes who have made significant contribution to arts, letters, etc.; are not less than 58 years of age; and whose income (including income of the spouse) does not exceed Rs. 4000/- p.m.
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to satate :-
(a) the number of times, the prices of petroleum products like petrol, diesel, LPG, Kerosene etc. have been hiked during the last three years in the country;
(b) what are the details of the hikes;
(c) the details of crude oil prices increased during the last three years at International level;
(d) whether Government has paid any subsidy during the last three years to the Oil Marketing Companies; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)
(a)&(b): The details of revisions in the retail selling prices of Petrol, Diesel, PDS Kerosene and Domestic LPG (at Delhi) during the last 3 years are given in the Annexure.
(c): The annual average price of Indian basket of crude oil in the international market during the last 3 years are given below: ($ per barrel) Year Annual Average Price 2008-09 83.57 2009-10 69.76 2010-11 85.09
(d) to (e): The Government is providing subsidy of ` 0.82 per litre on PDS Kerosene and ` 22.58 per cylinder on Domestic LPG from the fiscal budget under the “PDS Kerosene and Domestic LPG Subsidy Scheme, 2002” to the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). The details of the subsidy paid by the Government under the said Scheme to the OMCs during the last three years are given below: (` Crore) 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Subsidy on PDS Kerosene and Domestic LPG 2,688 2,770 2,904 In addition to the above fiscal subsidy, the OMCs have incurred under-recoveries on the sale of PDS Kerosene, Domestic LPG, Petrol (upto 25.6.2010) and Diesel. Under the burden sharing mechanism being followed, these under-recoveries are shared by the Government and the Public Sector Oil Companies. The details of under-recoveries incurred by the OMCs and the sharing thereof during the last three years are given below: (` Crore) 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Total Under recovery on sensitive petroleum products 1,03,292 46,051 78,190 Burden Sharing through : Oil Bonds/ Cash assistance from Government 71,292 26,000 41,000 Discount by Upstream Oil Companies 32,000 14,430 30,297 Net Under recoveries absorbed by OMCs Nil 5,621 6,893 Under recovery on Petrol is up to 25.6.2010 only. Twitter Link To This Post Facebook Link To This Post
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it is a fact that the Ministry has approved several projects violating the green norms;
(b) if so, the details of approvals given during the last two years; and
(c) the reasons for violation of the norms?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) No Sir. Ministry of Environments & Forests (MoEF), in discharge of its statuary function accords Forest and Environment clearances to the projects, as per the procedures laid down in the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Rules framed there-under. MoEF did not accord approval to any project in violation of the norms/procedure stipulated under the afore-mentioned statutes.
(b) & (c) In view of reply to part (a) above, reply to parts (b) and (c) does not arise.
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to satate :-
(a) the details of amount spent by Government under Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana (RSVY) during Tenth Five Year Plan and Eleventh Five Year Plan so far and which districts have been covered;
(b) the details of programmes undertaken in Andhra Pradesh under this scheme during the above periods and results achieved so far; and
(c) the results achieved under this programme at national level?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a): The Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana (RSVY) implemented by Ministry of Panchayati Raj was launched in 2003-04 with the objective of putting in place programmes and policies that would remove barriers to growth, accelerate the development process and improve the quality of life of the people in 147 identified backward districts of the country with the joint efforts of the Centre and the States. The scheme is now subsumed under Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. All the 147 districts covered under the RSVY had been released their full allocation of Rs.45 crore in each of the district by December, 2009. The State wise list of districts covered under the scheme is at Annex-1. The State-wise details of funds released under the RSVY is at Annexe-2.
(b) & (c): As per details provided by Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the State Governments including Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, have utilized the funds released under the scheme for filling up the infrastructural gaps in various sectors. These are Rural Water Supply, Road Connectivity, Drought Proofing, Irrigation, Water Conservation Structures, Infrastructure support to Medical Health & Family Welfare, Infrastructure support to Pisciculture, Electricity Department, Infrastructure support to SHG Federations, Infrastructure support to Higher Education, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Disabled Welfare, Fisheries, Health, Horticulture, Textiles & Handlooms and Tribal Welfare.
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it is a fact that per capita availability of pulses in the country has declined to 34 Grams from 66 Grams during last five decades;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the reasons for this sharp decline;
(d) whether Government has taken any initiatives to encourage cultivation of pulses; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the results achieved?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) to (c): The per capita availability of pulses since 1960 has been as follows:
(Grams per day) Year Per capita net availability 1960 65.5 1970 51.9 1980 30.9 1990 41.1 2000 31.8 2010(P) 31.6 The fluctuations in per capita availability are mainly due to fluctuations in production on account of variations in weather conditions, return on competing crops, increasing population etc.
(d) & (e): In recent years a higher increase in the MSP for pulses, as compared to other crops, has been given in order to incentivise the production of pulses in view of the demand-supply gap. In addition, the Government implements schemes to increase the production and availability of pulses in the country namely National Food Security Mission – Pulses
(NFSM-Pulses), Accelerated Pulses Production Programme, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) etc. Production of pulses has increased from 13.39 million tonnes in 2005-06 to 18.09 million tonnes in 2010-11 (4th Advance Estimate).
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it is a fact that Government is considering to supply gas at regulated prices to some priority consumers only;
(b) if so, the details of the proposal; and
(c) by when it is likely to be implemented?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI R.P.N SINGH)
(a) to (c): The price of Administered Price Mechanism (APM) gas is determined by Government. The following sectors are being supplied APM gas at APM rate:
1. Fertilizers
2. Power
3. Court Mandated Customers
4. Small Customers Having Requirement of gas less than 50,000 SCMD. The gas produced from various other fields has no sector wise variations in price.
