Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased to satate :- (a) whether it is a fact that various countries are dumping hazardous waste in India by ships in the guise of sending them for ship-breaking;
(b) the details of such cases noticed during the last three years;
(c) whether the present legal system is sufficient to punish the offenders and seek compensation and details for the last three years in this regard; and
(d) in what manner Government proposes to tackle this menace and protect our shores? ANSWER MINISTER OF SHIPPING (SHRI G.K. VASAN)
(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. 58 BY SHRI Y.S. CHOWDARY M.P., TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.11.2011 REGARDING “HAZARDOUS WASTE BY SHIPS” ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a): No, Sir. The ships sent for ship recycling contain less than 1% hazardous waste of its weight.
(b): As stated above, ships coming for dismantling contain less than 1% of hazardous waste of its weight as shown below:
Year No. of ships Light Displacement Tonnage (LDT) Hazardous waste in MT % of waste to the weight of the ship 2008-09 264 1944162 5027.84 0.25% 2009-10 348 2937802 5418.04 0.18% 2010-11 357 2816236 8215.31 0.29% 2011-12 (upto October-2011) 217 1886274 2660.37 0.36%
(c) & (d): State Maritime Boards are empowered to take action against the offenders. Rules relating to handling of hazardous waste are notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Current legal mechanism provides for development and operation of hazardous waste management facility in ship recycling sector to treat and dispose of the hazardous waste generated from ships’ recycling. Thus, wastes are not allowed to be dumped along the shore & hence, shores are protected.
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to satate :-
a) whether Government undertook ‘Skill Development Mission’ during the Eleventh Plan (2007-12) with an outlay of Rs. 22,800/- crores; b) if so, the year-wise and State wise details of amount spent on this Mission so far; c) whether any regional imbalances surfaced during this period and, if so, the reasons therefor and the corrective action taken; d) whether the present public infrastructure is sufficient to achieve the desired results of the Mission or the involvement of private enterprise is necessary; e) if so, the plans of Government; and f) what is the present State-wise status of skill requirement and availability in major sectors?
ANSWER MINISTER OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT (SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE)
(a to f) A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a to f) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *26 BY SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY REGARDING SKILL DEVELOPMENT MISSION DUE FOR REPLY ON 23.11.2011.
(a) & (b) Under Co-ordinate Action Plan for Skill Development , the following three institutions have been set up:
i. Prime Minister’s National Council on Skill Development-under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister, for policy direction and review of spectrum of skill development efforts in country. ii. National Skill Development Coordination Board-under the chairmanship of Dy. Chairman Planning Commission to enumerate strategies to implement the decisions of PM’s council and to coordinate with Union and State Governments as well as National Skill Development Corporation. iii. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), a non-profit company under the Companies Act, 1956. The corporation is being funded by trust “National Skill Development Fund” to which the Government has contributed a sum of Rs.1,500 crore. The Corporation is expected to mobilize about Rs.15,000 crore from other government, public sector, private sector, bilateral and multilateral sources.
Contd..
.2.
No specific budget allocation has been made for Skill Development Mission. However, different Ministries and Departments are carrying out skill development activities as part of their regular budget allocations.
(c) to (f) There are regional imbalances in different parts of the country. Skill development infrastructure is not evenly distributed and some regions viz hilly, border, difficult and desert areas are deficient in skill development infrastructure. Government has formulated scheme to set up1500 more Industrial Training Institutes and 5000 Skill Development Centers with active participation of private sector in these areas to reduce regional imbalance. State Skill Development Mission under the Chairmanship of Chief Ministers have also been set up to prepare state specific plan to address the skill deficit
State Governments have also been requested to carry out skill gap analysis in their states. However, National Skill Development Corporation has carried out study on requirement of skilled man power in twenty one high growth sectors, by 2022.
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 RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the basis for allocation of Central funds to various States under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY); (b) the details of funds allocated to Andhra Pradesh under these schemes during the Tenth Five Year Plan and in Eleventh Plan so far, year-wise and scheme-wise and also in the country during the period; (c) whether the allocated funds in Andhra Pradesh have been spent for the specified purpose and, if so, the results achieved thereof, year-wise and scheme-wise; and (d) whether any complaints of diversion/misuse of funds came to the notice of Government and, if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon?
ANSWER MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to Parts (a) to (d) of the Rajya Sabha Starred Question No. 14 due for answer on 22.11.2011 ….
(a): The funds under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are released to the States on the basis of PMGSY Guidelines keeping in view the pace of implementation, level of spending and the unspent balance available with the States.
Funds under IAY are allocated to States/UTs on the basis of pre-determined criteria giving 75% weightage to housing shortage and 25% weightage to poverty ratio.
(b)&(c): A statement showing the year-wise total funds released under PMGSY and IAY programme, funds released to Andhra Pradesh, funds utilized and the achievement made by Andhra Pradesh under PMGSY and IAY during the 10th Five Year Plan and 11th Plan so far, is at Annexure.
(d): The responsibility for implementation of both the PMGSY and IAY schemes and ensuring proper use of funds lies with the States/UTs. Accordingly, whenever, any complaint in respect of irregularities in the implementation of the scheme is brought to the notice of the Ministry, the matter is immediately taken up with the concerned State Government/UT for remedial measures. In respect of PMGSY, National Quality Monitors are also deputed in some cases to investigate into the complaints and their reports are shared with the States for taking corrective measures. Twitter Link To This Post Facebook Link To This Post
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGH WAYS be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether there are any guidelines for deployment of one ambulance and a crane on highways to help accident victims;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of ambulances and cranes deployed during the last five years, Statewise and year-wise and the amount spent so far;
(d) whether any performance audit has been carried out by Government during the last years of the scheme; if so, the details thereof including cases of misuse, if any, and action taken thereon; and
(e) whether this scheme has been delivering intended results and if not, the plans to make it more effective?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(DR. TUSHAR A. CHAUDHARY)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways provides cranes and ambulances to States/UTs/NGOs under the “National Highways Accident Relief Service Scheme (NHARSS)” for relief and rescue measures in the aftermath of accidents by way of evacuating road accident victims to nearest medical aid centre and for clearing the accident site. Their deployment is done by the respective State Governments/ UTs on National Highways on accident prone stretches, having a distance of 50 Kms. Ambulances are also provided by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at an average stretch of 50 km on National Highways entrusted to them. NHAI also makes available tow away cranes on every toll plaza. Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects under the new Model Concession Agreement have provision for medical aid posts at each toll plaza which will have round the clock ambulance services for victims of accidents, to be made operational on commencement of commercial operations.
(c ) The statewise and year-wise break up of ambulances and cranes sanctioned by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways during the last five years is at Annexure. A total expenditure of Rs. 61,27,36,000/- was incurred on this account. Services of ambulances and cranes are also made available by NHAI through various BOT/OMT concessionaires and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) contractors. Expenses on these services are borne by respective concessionaires under concession agreements and by O&M contractors under O&M contracts. No separate fund for provision of ambulances and cranes is provided/maintained by NHAI state wise.
(d) & (e) No, Sir. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways provides ambulances and cranes to Transport and Police Departments of States/ UTs. based on their requirements to supplement their existing deployment. Twitter Link To This Post Facebook Link To This Post
Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it is a fact that out of 17 Non-special category States only Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand crossed the target growth rate of State Domestic Product and all other States remained far below the target, the reasons for this large scale failure;
(b) whether it is not going to widen regional economic imbalances if this trend is not contained; and
(c) the steps initiated by Government in Eleventh Plan to reduce regional economic imbalance and ensure uniform growth?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING, SCIENCE & TECNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. ASHWANI KUMAR)
(a) & (b): The Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) envisaged an annual average growth rate of 9 percent in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to be achieved during the plan period. The GDP growth target was disaggregated to State specific Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth targets. The Eleventh Plan growth target along with achievement during first four years of the plan for 17 non- special category States are given at Annexure. The States of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have realised growth rate higher than the target. Other States have experienced lower growth vis a vis the target which can be attributed to global economic crisis, low growth in agriculture caused by bad monsoon, among others.
The hitherto low performing States such as Bihar, Orissa and Chhattisgarh have started growing faster than the national average and the State of Uttar Pradesh has achieved much higher than the target growth rate. This trend reflects gradual movement towards convergence in economic attainment across States and reduction in economic disparities.
(c): Reduction of inter-state disparities has always been the priority of development policy. The policy instruments for minimising the inter State disparity include plan and non-plan transfer of resources from the Centre to States favouring less developed States, tax incentives for setting up of private industries in the backward regions, etc. A number of programmes have also been initiated to reduce income disparity between States. These include Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF, which includes the district component covering 250 backward districts, special plan for Bihar and the KBK districts of Orissa, the Integrated Action Plan for 60 tribal and backward districts and the drought mitigation package for Bundelkhand), Hill Area Development Programme/Western Ghats Development Programme and Border Area Development Programme, etc. In addition, several ongoing Centrally Sponsored Schemes and State specific schemes during the Eleventh Plan are expected to accelerate the growth rate of GSDP of various States.
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 SHIPPING be pleased to satate :- (a) whether it is a fact that various countries are dumping hazardous waste in India by ships in the guise of sending them for ship-breaking;
(b) the details of such cases noticed during the last three years;
(c) whether the present legal system is sufficient to punish the offenders and seek compensation and details for the last three years in this regard; and
(d) in what manner Government proposes to tackle this menace and protect our shores? ANSWER MINISTER OF SHIPPING (SHRI G.K. VASAN)
(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. 58 BY SHRI Y.S. CHOWDARY M.P., TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.11.2011 REGARDING “HAZARDOUS WASTE BY SHIPS” ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a): No, Sir. The ships sent for ship recycling contain less than 1% hazardous waste of its weight.
(b): As stated above, ships coming for dismantling contain less than 1% of hazardous waste of its weight as shown below:
Year No. of ships Light Displacement Tonnage (LDT) Hazardous waste in MT % of waste to the weight of the ship 2008-09 264 1944162 5027.84 0.25% 2009-10 348 2937802 5418.04 0.18% 2010-11 357 2816236 8215.31 0.29% 2011-12 (upto October-2011) 217 1886274 2660.37 0.36%
(c) & (d): State Maritime Boards are empowered to take action against the offenders. Rules relating to handling of hazardous waste are notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Current legal mechanism provides for development and operation of hazardous waste management facility in ship recycling sector to treat and dispose of the hazardous waste generated from ships’ recycling. Thus, wastes are not allowed to be dumped along the shore & hence, shores are protected.
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to satate :-
a) whether Government undertook ‘Skill Development Mission’ during the Eleventh Plan (2007-12) with an outlay of Rs. 22,800/- crores; b) if so, the year-wise and State wise details of amount spent on this Mission so far; c) whether any regional imbalances surfaced during this period and, if so, the reasons therefor and the corrective action taken; d) whether the present public infrastructure is sufficient to achieve the desired results of the Mission or the involvement of private enterprise is necessary; e) if so, the plans of Government; and f) what is the present State-wise status of skill requirement and availability in major sectors?
ANSWER MINISTER OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT (SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE)
(a to f) A statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a to f) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *26 BY SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY REGARDING SKILL DEVELOPMENT MISSION DUE FOR REPLY ON 23.11.2011.
(a) & (b) Under Co-ordinate Action Plan for Skill Development , the following three institutions have been set up:
i. Prime Minister’s National Council on Skill Development-under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister, for policy direction and review of spectrum of skill development efforts in country. ii. National Skill Development Coordination Board-under the chairmanship of Dy. Chairman Planning Commission to enumerate strategies to implement the decisions of PM’s council and to coordinate with Union and State Governments as well as National Skill Development Corporation. iii. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), a non-profit company under the Companies Act, 1956. The corporation is being funded by trust “National Skill Development Fund” to which the Government has contributed a sum of Rs.1,500 crore. The Corporation is expected to mobilize about Rs.15,000 crore from other government, public sector, private sector, bilateral and multilateral sources.
Contd..
.2.
No specific budget allocation has been made for Skill Development Mission. However, different Ministries and Departments are carrying out skill development activities as part of their regular budget allocations.
(c) to (f) There are regional imbalances in different parts of the country. Skill development infrastructure is not evenly distributed and some regions viz hilly, border, difficult and desert areas are deficient in skill development infrastructure. Government has formulated scheme to set up1500 more Industrial Training Institutes and 5000 Skill Development Centers with active participation of private sector in these areas to reduce regional imbalance. State Skill Development Mission under the Chairmanship of Chief Ministers have also been set up to prepare state specific plan to address the skill deficit
State Governments have also been requested to carry out skill gap analysis in their states. However, National Skill Development Corporation has carried out study on requirement of skilled man power in twenty one high growth sectors, by 2022.
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 RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the basis for allocation of Central funds to various States under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY); (b) the details of funds allocated to Andhra Pradesh under these schemes during the Tenth Five Year Plan and in Eleventh Plan so far, year-wise and scheme-wise and also in the country during the period; (c) whether the allocated funds in Andhra Pradesh have been spent for the specified purpose and, if so, the results achieved thereof, year-wise and scheme-wise; and (d) whether any complaints of diversion/misuse of funds came to the notice of Government and, if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon?
ANSWER MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to Parts (a) to (d) of the Rajya Sabha Starred Question No. 14 due for answer on 22.11.2011 ….
(a): The funds under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are released to the States on the basis of PMGSY Guidelines keeping in view the pace of implementation, level of spending and the unspent balance available with the States.
Funds under IAY are allocated to States/UTs on the basis of pre-determined criteria giving 75% weightage to housing shortage and 25% weightage to poverty ratio.
(b)&(c): A statement showing the year-wise total funds released under PMGSY and IAY programme, funds released to Andhra Pradesh, funds utilized and the achievement made by Andhra Pradesh under PMGSY and IAY during the 10th Five Year Plan and 11th Plan so far, is at Annexure.
(d): The responsibility for implementation of both the PMGSY and IAY schemes and ensuring proper use of funds lies with the States/UTs. Accordingly, whenever, any complaint in respect of irregularities in the implementation of the scheme is brought to the notice of the Ministry, the matter is immediately taken up with the concerned State Government/UT for remedial measures. In respect of PMGSY, National Quality Monitors are also deputed in some cases to investigate into the complaints and their reports are shared with the States for taking corrective measures. Twitter Link To This Post Facebook Link To This Post
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGH WAYS be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether there are any guidelines for deployment of one ambulance and a crane on highways to help accident victims;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of ambulances and cranes deployed during the last five years, Statewise and year-wise and the amount spent so far;
(d) whether any performance audit has been carried out by Government during the last years of the scheme; if so, the details thereof including cases of misuse, if any, and action taken thereon; and
(e) whether this scheme has been delivering intended results and if not, the plans to make it more effective?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(DR. TUSHAR A. CHAUDHARY)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways provides cranes and ambulances to States/UTs/NGOs under the “National Highways Accident Relief Service Scheme (NHARSS)” for relief and rescue measures in the aftermath of accidents by way of evacuating road accident victims to nearest medical aid centre and for clearing the accident site. Their deployment is done by the respective State Governments/ UTs on National Highways on accident prone stretches, having a distance of 50 Kms. Ambulances are also provided by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at an average stretch of 50 km on National Highways entrusted to them. NHAI also makes available tow away cranes on every toll plaza. Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects under the new Model Concession Agreement have provision for medical aid posts at each toll plaza which will have round the clock ambulance services for victims of accidents, to be made operational on commencement of commercial operations.
(c ) The statewise and year-wise break up of ambulances and cranes sanctioned by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways during the last five years is at Annexure. A total expenditure of Rs. 61,27,36,000/- was incurred on this account. Services of ambulances and cranes are also made available by NHAI through various BOT/OMT concessionaires and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) contractors. Expenses on these services are borne by respective concessionaires under concession agreements and by O&M contractors under O&M contracts. No separate fund for provision of ambulances and cranes is provided/maintained by NHAI state wise.
(d) & (e) No, Sir. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways provides ambulances and cranes to Transport and Police Departments of States/ UTs. based on their requirements to supplement their existing deployment. Twitter Link To This Post Facebook Link To This Post
Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it is a fact that out of 17 Non-special category States only Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand crossed the target growth rate of State Domestic Product and all other States remained far below the target, the reasons for this large scale failure;
(b) whether it is not going to widen regional economic imbalances if this trend is not contained; and
(c) the steps initiated by Government in Eleventh Plan to reduce regional economic imbalance and ensure uniform growth?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING, SCIENCE & TECNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. ASHWANI KUMAR)
(a) & (b): The Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) envisaged an annual average growth rate of 9 percent in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to be achieved during the plan period. The GDP growth target was disaggregated to State specific Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth targets. The Eleventh Plan growth target along with achievement during first four years of the plan for 17 non- special category States are given at Annexure. The States of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have realised growth rate higher than the target. Other States have experienced lower growth vis a vis the target which can be attributed to global economic crisis, low growth in agriculture caused by bad monsoon, among others.
The hitherto low performing States such as Bihar, Orissa and Chhattisgarh have started growing faster than the national average and the State of Uttar Pradesh has achieved much higher than the target growth rate. This trend reflects gradual movement towards convergence in economic attainment across States and reduction in economic disparities.
(c): Reduction of inter-state disparities has always been the priority of development policy. The policy instruments for minimising the inter State disparity include plan and non-plan transfer of resources from the Centre to States favouring less developed States, tax incentives for setting up of private industries in the backward regions, etc. A number of programmes have also been initiated to reduce income disparity between States. These include Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF, which includes the district component covering 250 backward districts, special plan for Bihar and the KBK districts of Orissa, the Integrated Action Plan for 60 tribal and backward districts and the drought mitigation package for Bundelkhand), Hill Area Development Programme/Western Ghats Development Programme and Border Area Development Programme, etc. In addition, several ongoing Centrally Sponsored Schemes and State specific schemes during the Eleventh Plan are expected to accelerate the growth rate of GSDP of various States.
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.
