No. of questions found : 16
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Q No: 40 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Railways |
Subject: Commercial |
Question:
(a) whether the Railways have received proposals for utilisation of
unused Railway land for commercial projects during the last three
years;
(b) if so, the details of the proposals; and
(c) the action taken by the Railways thereon?
Answer:
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS(SHRI K.H.MUNIYAPPA)
(a): Yes, Madam.
(b): M/s Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited (ILF&S) in November, 2006 proposed for development of railway properties as a Joint Venture (JV) partner with Railways on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis and as a pilot project ILF&S proposed to develop vacant railway land at Bandra (East)/Mumbai.
(c): The proposal was not considered feasible since Ministry of Railways have set-up a Statutory body namely Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) to undertake commercial development of railway land. Such commercial use may include development of residential or commercial complexes, depending upon market study and other factors.
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Q No: 96 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Petroleum |
Subject: Petroleum |
Question:
(a) whether the Government has been permitted to operate private sector petroleum retail outlets throughout the country ;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; (
(c) whether private sector petroleum outlets are charging more than the Government approved rates;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor ; and
(e) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard ?
Answer:
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS(SHRI JITIN PRASADA )
(a) & (b) : As per the Resolution of 8th March 2002,Government have granted authorization to market transportation fuels to four private companies namely, M/s. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), M/s. Essar Oil Limited (EOL), M/s. Shell India Marketing Pvt. Limited (SIMPL) and M/s. Reliance Petroleum Limited (RPL).
As on 01.04.2009, RIL, EOL and SIMPL have set up 1432, 1285 and 69 Retail Outlets (ROs) respectively in the country. State-wise number of ROs established by these companies is indicated in the Statement.
RPL has informed that they have not set up any RO in the country.
(c) to (e) : The private sector oil companies are free to take pricing decisions on commercial considerations and they are not covered under the subsidy sharing mechanism as per the Government Resolution of 8th March, 2008.
STATEMENT
State-wise number of Retail Outlets set up by private sectors in the country as on 01.04.2009.
STATE/UT RIL EOL SIMPL
ANDHRA PRADESH 129 77 08
BIHAR 60 62 0
DELHI 46 54 0
GUJARAT 246 198 05
KARNATAKA 80 71 22
KERALA 44 39 0
MADHYA PRADESH 111 107 0
MAHARASHTRA 160 172 12
NORTH EAST STATES 35 45 2
ORISSA 42 33 0
PUNJAB 85 45 0
RAJASTHAN 107 97 0
TAMIL NADU 95 63 20
UTTAR PRADESH 143 190 0
WEST BENGAL 49 32 0
TOTAL 1432 1285 69
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Q No: 114 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Power |
Subject: Power |
Question:
(a) the hydel and thermal generation of power in various parts of the
country during the last three years and the current year, State- wise
and year-wise;
(b) whether the generation of power meets the existing requirements;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) the details of targets set and the actual achievements in capacity
augmentation programme of power under the public and private sectors
during the Ninth and Tenth Plan periods; and
(e) the reasons for shortfall in achieving the targets and the
corrective steps taken to ensure that there is no slippage of targets
in the Eleventh Plan period?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF POWER ( SHRI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE )
(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 114 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 10.07.2009 REGARDING POWER GENERATION.
(a) : A Statement indicating State-wise and year-wise power generation from hydro and thermal stations in the various parts of the country during the last three years (2006-07, 2007-08 & 2008-09) and the current year (April – June, 09) is enclosed at Annex.
(b) & (c) : Despite achieving growth rate of 7.3%, 6.3%, 2.7% & 5.8% in power generation during the years 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 & 2009-10 (April – June,`09) respectively, there is overall shortage of power in the country. The shortages vary from State to State and season to season as well as time of day depending on the demand and supply of power. The details of power supply position in the country during the last three years and in the current year (April – June,`09) are given below:
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
(April–June,`09)
Energy (MU) 690587 739343 777039 202238
Requirement
Energy (MU)
Availability 624495 666007 691038 182412
Energy (MU)
Shortage 66092 73336 86001 19826
% 9.6 9.9 11.1 9.8
Peak Demand(MW) 100715 108866 109809 111066
Peak Met (MW) 85818 90793 96785 97355
Peak Shortage (MW) 13897 18073 13024 13711
(%) 13.8 16.6 11.9 12.3
(d) : The capacity addition target of 40245 MW and 41,110 MW was fixed for 9th and 10th Plan respectively. As against this, the actual augmentation of capacity of 19,119 MW and 21,180 MW was achieved during 9th & 10th Plan respectively. The details of Sector- wise targets fixed & achievement for the above two Plans are as given below:
(Figures in MW)
Category Sector 9th Plan 10th Plan
Target Achievement Target Achievement
Thermal Central 7574 3084 12790 7330.00
State 4938 5440.6 6676 3553.64
Private 17033 5176.2 5951 1230.60
Total 29545 13700.8 25417 12114.24
Hydro Central 3455 540 8742 4495.00
State 5810 3912.25 4481 2691.00
Private 555 86 1170 700.00
Total 9820 4538.25 14393 7886.00
Nuclear Central 880 880 1300 1180.00
All India Central 11909 4504 22832 13005.00
State 10748 9352 11157 6244.64
Private 17588 5262.2 7121 1930.00
Total 40245 19119 41110 21179.64
(e) : The main reasons for shortfall in achieving the targets during 10th Plan are given below:
# Delay and non sequential supplies / erection by suppliers / contractors.
# Delay in tie-up of super critical technology by indigenous manufacturers.
# Non-availability of gas / fuel.
# Delay in award of works.
# Projects not taken up / Escrow cover not given / financial closure not achieved / funds not tied-up.
# Delay in approval of investment decision of Hydro projects.
– Delay in environmental clearance, geological surprises, natural calamities, R&R issues, delay in signing of MoU with host State, Court Cases for hydro projects.
# Law & Order problems.
The corrective steps being taken during the 11th Plan include expediting Letter of Award (LOA) in respect of 11th Plan projects augmentation of annual manufacturing capacity of main plant equipment of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) from 5000 MW to 10,000 MW and subsequently to 15,000 MW by December, 2009 and 20,000 MW by 2011 depending on the market demand, enhancing manufacturing capacity of power plant equipment through Joint Ventures, sensitizing stakeholders towards enlarging the vendor base so as to meet the balance of plant requirements, rigorous monitoring of the on-going projects by the Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power and a Power Project Monitoring Panel (PPMP).
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Q No: 134 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Heavy |
Subject: Revival of |
Question:
(a) whether the Government proposes to revive closed / sick Public Sector Heavy Industries in the country;
(b) if so, whether there is any revival proposal of Mining and Allied
Machinery Corporation Limited (MAMC) of Durgapur in Joint Venture with
Coal India Ltd. and Damodar Valley corporation; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
Answer:
MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI VILASRAO DESHMUKH)
(a) So far as Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) under the Department of Heavy Industry are concerned, Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE) is making recommendations on revival and future of the PSEs. Based on recommendations of BRPSE Government has approved implementation of revival / restructuring packages in case of 15 PSEs.
(b)&(c) The revival of the MAMC (In liquidation) in the form of taking over the assets of the company by a Consortium consisting of Coal India Limited (CIL), Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) is under consideration subject to the permission by the High Court of Calcutta.
On 16.5.2002 winding up order of MAMC was passed and the Official Liquidator was appointed by the High Court of Calcutta to auction the assets of the company.The assets of the company were to be auctioned on 5th October, 2007, but CIL and DVC moved an application seeking permission for the takeover of the company. The High Court, Calcutta accepted an application moved by both CIL and DVC to takeover and granted time of 14 weeks for due diligence.The Court has periodically extended the time limit for filing a reply.
Meanwhile BEML had joined CIL and DVC as the lead partner in the consortium.
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Q No: 169 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Health |
Subject: Cardiac |
Question:
(a) whether cases of cardiac ailments, particularly among youth, are increasing in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the corrective measures taken by the Government to check its growing menace?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a)&(b) As per the study on ‘Assessment of Burden of Non-communicable Disease’ carried out by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the number of ischemic heart disease (IHD) was estimated to have increased from 18.6 million in 1998 to 22.37 million in 2004.
No separate data of the prevalence of the disease in younger population is available.
The four major risk factors which are directly or indirectly associated with the causation of chronic non-communicable disease including coronary heart diseases are as follows:-
(i) Tobacco use; smoking, chewing of tobacco products;
(ii) Alcohol use;
(iii) Physical inactivity; and
(iv) Unhealthy diet.
(c) Healthy lifestyle can prevent many of the non-communicable diseases including heart ailments. Early detection and treatment also avoids the complications in heart ailments.
An outlay of Rs.1660.50 crore has been allotted for the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPDCS) during 11th Five Year Plan. On pilot basis, the NPDCS has been initiated in 10 districts in 10 states.
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Q No: 346 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Road |
Subject: Accidents |
Question:
(a) whether accidents on expressways and highways have increased during each of the last three years and the current year;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) the action taken by the Government in this regard?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS(SHRI MAHADEO SINGH KHANDELA)
(a) & (b) Yes,Sir.State-wise details of road accidents that occurred on the National Highways(including Expressways) and State Highways in the country for the calendar years 2005 to 2007(the latest available data) are at Annexure.
(c) The safety of road users is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government. However, this Ministry has taken several steps to improve road safety for road users which are as under:
(i) Road safety is an integral part of road design at the planning stage for National Highways/Expressways.
(ii) Various steps to enhance road safety such as road furniture, road markings/road signs, introduction of Highway Traffic Management System using Intelligent Transport System, enhancement of discipline among contractors during construction, road safety audit on selected stretches, have been undertaken by National Highways Authority of India.
(iii) Refresher training to Heavy Motor Vehicle drivers in the unorganized sector being implemented by the Ministry since 1997-98 under plan activities.
(iv) Involvement of NGOs for road safety activities by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and National Highways Authority of India.
(v) Setting up of Driving Training School in the country.
(vi) Publicity campaign on road safety awareness both through the audio-visual and print media.
(vii) Institution of National Award for voluntary organizations/individual for outstanding work in the field of road safety.
(viii) Tightening of safety standards of vehicles.
(ix) Providing cranes and ambulances to various State Governments/NGOs under National Highway Accident Relief Service Scheme. National Highways Authority of India also provides ambulances at a distance of 50 Km. on each of its completed stretches of National Highways under its Operation & Maintenance contracts.
(x) Widening and improvements of National Highways from 2 lanes to 4 lanes and 4 lanes to 6 lanes etc.
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Q No: 569 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Water |
Subject: De-silting |
Question:
(a) whether the Government proposes to take special drive to de-silt Damodar river;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the time by which the work is likely to be commenced/completed?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI VINCENT H. PALA)
(a) No Sir.
(b) & (c) Does not arise.
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Q No: 602 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Health |
Subject: National |
Question:
(a) whether the number of cases of TB patients are increasing in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the target fixed by the Government under the National TB Control Programme (NTCP) has been achieved;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(e) the number of TB patients detected and died during the last three years and the current year, year-wise, State-wise;
(f) the details of allocations made and funds utilised for the treatment of TB patients during the said period;
(g) the number of TB patients benefited under NTCP, State-wise; and
(h) the effective measures taken by the Government to eradicate the disease from the country?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) & (b) No. On the contrary the incidence and prevalence of TB cases in the country is showing a declining trend.
The ARTI has come down from 1.7% in 2000 to 1.5% in 2003 (National ARTI survey).
The estimated incidence of all cases per lakh population has come down from 184/lakh in 2001 to 168/lakh in 2007 (WHO Global TB report).
Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC) Chennai, has demonstrated that DOTS results in rapid reduction of TB prevalence compared to previous 30 years. In their local survey area, there was an annual decline of approximately 12% in prevalence of TB.
( c) & (d) Yes. The targets fixed by the Government for the National TB Control Programme have been achieved. The details pertaining to same is given at annexure-I
(e) The details regarding number of patients registered for treatment under RNTCP and died during last three years, year wise and state wise are enclosed at Annexure – II.
(f) The details of funds allocated and released under the Programme during the last three years is as under:-
Rs. in crores
Year Allocation (RE) Expenditure
2006-07 224.50 20.97
2007-08 267.00 262.12
2008-09 280.00 279.90
(g) The details regarding number of TB patients benefited under RNTCP year wise and State wise are enclosed at Annexure-III.
(h) The Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) widely known as DOTS, which is WHO recommended strategy, is being implemented as a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme from 1997 in the country in a phased manner with an objective to achieve cure rate of 85% of new sputum positive cases and to detect at least 70% of such cases. By March 23, 2006, the States entire country is implementing RNTCP, allowing access of DOTS to all TB patients in the country. Under the programme, diagnosis and treatment facilities including a supply of anti TB drugs are provided free of cost to all TB patients. For quality diagnosis, designated microscopy centres have been established for every one lac population in the general areas and for every 50,000 population in the tribal, hilly and difficult areas. Sputum microscopy instead of X-ray avoids over diagnosis and identifies infectious cases. More than 12666 microscopy centres have been established in the country. Drugs are provided to the TB patients in patient wise boxes to ensure that all drugs for full course of treatment are earmarked the day one a patient is registered for treatment under the programme. Treatment centres (DOT centres) have been established near to residence of patients to the extent possible. All government hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHC), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Sub-centres are DOT Centres, in addition, NGOs, Private Practitioners (PPs) involved under the RNTCP, Community Volunteers, Anganwadi workers, Women Self Groups etc. also function as DOT Providers/DOT Centres. Drugs are provided under direct observation and the patients are monitored so that they complete their treatment.
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Q No: 1101 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Commerce |
Subject: Trade on |
Question:
(a) the details of items traded between the cross—Line of Control during the last three years, year-wise and item-wise;
(b) whether there is lack of proper checking on the trade between Line of Control (LoC);
(c) if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps being taken in this regard;
(d) whether trade of non-State items have been increasing between the countries; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a) to (e) LOC trade between Salamabad on the Indian side and Chakoti on the Pakistani side on Srinagar – Muzzafarabad Highway; and between Chakkanda-bagh on Indian side and Rawalkote on the Pakistan side commenced as a confidence building measure (CBM) with effect from 21.10.2008. Both sides can trade 21 items as indicated in the list annexed hereto. The objective behind allowing this trade is to facilitate movement of goods traditionally exchanged between the two sides, to maintain people to people contact and to allow access to nearby markets for local produce. It has been reported that quantities of items traded between two sides have increased in the month of March 2009 over the figures reported for October, 2008. Steps have been initiated to improve facilitation mechanism on entry/exit points so that only trade of products in the agreed lists is allowed.
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Q No: 1165 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Shipping |
Subject: Setting up |
Question:
(a) whether the Government has any proposal to set up deep-sea-ports in the country; and
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise and location-wise?
Answer:
MINISTER OF SHIPPING (SHRI G.K. VASAN)
(a): No, Sir.
(b): Does not arise.
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Q No: 1208 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Labourand |
Subject: Eradication |
Question:
(a) whether the Union Government has identified, rescued and rehabilitated child labourers including the bonded child labourers in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, separately, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to eradicate the child labour and to ensure stringent punishment to the guilty persons;
(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the number of cases registered against the guilty during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
(e) whether the Union Government proposes to create a separate Child Labour Rescue Force in the country; and
(f) if so, the details thereof, State-wise?
Answer:
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) & (b): The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 does not differentiate between child bondage and adult bondage.The State-wise break-up of sanctioned coverage for rehabilitation of identified and rescued, child labour for providing bridging education for mainstreaming them into formal education system is given in a statement annexed herewith at Annexure-I. Under the scheme, about 5.21 lakh children have been mainstreamed into regular education system since inception of the scheme.
(c) & (d): Section 14 of the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in 16 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 a 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/- or with both.State Governments are the appropriate Government for implementation of the provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 for the areas coming under their jurisdiction. As per the information received from the State/UT Governments, state-wise details of prosecutions launched during the period 2005-06 to 2007-08 are at Annexure II.
(e): No, Sir.
(f): Does not arise.
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Q No: 1300 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Youth |
Subject: Action |
Question:
(a) the details of the programmes/action plan formulated so far by the Government in consultation with sporting institutes/organizations for preparing the Indian teams for success in the Commonwealth Games, 2010;
(b) the name/title of the sporting events for which special attention has been given;
(c) the number of sportspersons identified so far for providing intensive training/ coaching for each event;
(d) the names of the various places in India and outside where training/coaching is being imparted; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government for improving the level of performance of the sportspersons of the country in the Commonwealth Games?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI PRATIK PRAKASHBAPU PATIL)
(a): To improve the performance of the Indian contingent in the Commonwealth Games, 2010, a Scheme with allocation of Rs.678.00 crore (2008-09 to 2010-11) is being implemented for providing training to elite sportspersons in all the disciplines of the Commonwealth Games, 2010.
(b): The Scheme will cover all the competition sports disciplines included in the Commonwealth Games to be held at Delhi during 3rd to 14th October, 2010. These disciplines will be Archery, Athletics, Aquatics, Badminton, Boxing (M) , Cycling, Gymnastics, Hockey , Lawn Bowls, Netball (W), Rugby 7s(M), Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis, Wt. Lifting, Wrestling, Elite Athletes with Disability (Athletics, Powerlifting, Table Tennis and Swimming).
(c): A statement indicating the number of sports-persons identified for training in each discipline of Commonwealth Games 2010, is placed at Annex I.
(d): The training/coaching to probables of CWG 2010 is being provided at Patiala, Bangalore, Sonepat, Gandhinagar, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Pune, New Delhi, Ajmer, Chennai etc. Training proposals abroad at South Africa , USA, China, Italy, UK etc have also been approved.
(e): Support as per the provisions of the Scheme for Preparation of Indian Team for Commonwealth Games, 2010 is being provided to the sportspersons for improving their performance.
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Q No: 1361 |
Dated: 14/07/2009 |
Ministry: Mines |
Subject: Lease to private sector |
Question:
(a) whether the Government has granted mining lease for various mines to the private sector;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) whether any mechanism exist to monitor production and mining process of mines in the private sector; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)
(a) & (b) State Governments are the owners of the minerals lying within the boundary of the concerned State. Prior approval of the Central Government is required only in case of minerals specified under the first schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR) before grant of mineral concession by the State Government. Details of the cases in which prior approval of the Central Government on the proposal of the State Government has been accorded are available on the web site of the Ministry of Mines (www.mines.nic.in).
(c) & (d) As per section 5(2) (a) of the MMDR Act, no mining lease shall be granted in respect of a major mineral by the State Government unless a mining plan for the area under mining lease has been approved by either Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), a subordinate office under the administrative control of the Ministry of Mines or the State Government concerned. The mining plan inter-alia includes the extent of manual mining, use of machinery and mechanical devices and plan for excavation. Also, under Rule 45 of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988, the lease holder is required to submit returns regarding production, despatch and stock from the leasehold area to IBM for monitoring by them.
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Q No: 1406 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Information |
Subject: Media |
Question:
(a) whether a large number of applications received for media empanellment with the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) during the last one year are still pending;
(b) if so, the details of the number of applications received and approved;
(c) the reasons for pendency; and
(d) the time frame by which these are likely to be cleared?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING(SHRI C.M. JATUA)
(a) to (d): During 2008-09, all the applications relating to audio-visual empanelment were processed and no case is pending for that period.
However, for newspaper empanelment, out of 867 applications received till the month of August, 2008, Panel Advisory Committee (PAC), approved 31 cases and rejected 41 cases in its meeting held in November, 2008. The remaining 795 cases could not be seen by the PAC. In addition, 828 fresh applications were also received till February, 2009. The meeting of the PAC is held twice a year. Applications received upto August are placed before PAC in the month of November and applications received upto February are placed before PAC in the month of May. The tenure of the PAC expired in February, 2009. The proposal for constitution of new PAC is under process.
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Q No: 1836 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Panchayati |
Subject: Directsupport |
Question:
(a) whether the Government proposes to support different panchayat samities of the country for some project directly from the central exchequer;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
Answer:
MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ(Dr. C. P. JOSHI)
(a), (b) & (c): Central Government scheme funds are generally transferred to the Consolidated Fund of the State. This practice is being followed in the case of schemes of Ministry of Panchayati Raj also. The State Governments in turn transfer funds to Panchayats/Implementation Agencies as the case may be.
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Q No: 1892 |
Dated: |
Ministry: Urban |
Subject: Arsenic |
Question:
(a) whether the Government is aware that arsenic laden drinking water is being supplied in arsenic prone areas of the country;
(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to take action to supply arsenic free water in such areas; and
(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise?
Answer:
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT(SHRI SAUGATA ROY)
(a)to(c): Arsenic contamination in ground water has been reported from 8 districts of West Bengal, 15 districts of Bihar and 28 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Central Ground Water Board has evolved suitable design of tube wells by cement sealing technique. Successful exploratory wells have been handed over free of cost to the concerned State agencies for utilization in their water supply schemes. So far a total of 20 exploratory tube wells have been constructed in Bihar, 20 in Uttar Pradesh and 122 in West Bengal. Besides these, a pilot scheme was executed in West Bengal successfully to dilute shallow arsenic contaminated aquifers by artificially recharging it through renovation of silted ponds and tanks making space for surplus surface water infiltration. Mass awareness campaigns have been organized in arsenic affected villages to raise level of awareness about the problems of arsenic contamination and precautionary measures to be adopted. In addition, the State Governments undertake mitigation measures for arsenic affected villages.