Southern States and Union Territories Lead Urbanization in the Country

14 States and 6 UTs Report Higher Urbanization than the National Average between 2001-11 Urban Delhi Grows by 4.3%; gets Rs.6,649 cr under JnNURM for Infrastructure Development Shri Venkaiah Naidu says per capita Water Supply in Urban Areas is 69 litres Against the Bench Mark of 135 litres

Urban population in the country has increased from 27.80% of the total population in 2001 to 31.10% in 2011 marking an increase of 3.30%. People living in urban areas of the country have increased by over nine crores during this period. Four southern states, six Union Territories besides the states of Gujarat, Goa, Haryana, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura have led this growth in urbanization. Details of urbanization in the country during the said period were today furnished by the Minister of Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs Shri M Venkaiah Naidu in reply to an Unstarred Question raised by Shri B.Sriramulu, Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav and Shri D.K. Suresh. Shri Naidu informed that as against the national trend, urban population in the southern states increased by 21.70% in Kerala, 6.10% in undivided Andhra Pradesh, 4.70% in Karnataka and 4.40% in Tamil Nadu. The increase in respect of UTs has been-Daman & Diu (39.00%), Lakshadweep (33.60%), Dadra and Nagar-Haveli (23.80%), Chandigarh (7.50), Delhi (4.30%), Andaman & Nicobar Islands (5.10%). Puducherry reported an increase of only 1.70%. Other states to have exceeded national average in urbanization included: Goa (22.40%), Sikkim (14.10%), Nagaland (10.70%), Haryana (6.0%), Gujarat (5.20%), Uttarakhand (4.50%), West Bengal (3.90%) and Punjab (3.60%). Major states to have fallen below the national average in urban growth included: HP(only 0.20% increase in urban population),UP(0.50%), Bihar (0.80%), Assam (1.20%), Rajasthan (1.50%), Odisha (1.70%), Jharkhand (1.80%) and Maharashtra (2.80%). In reply to another question raised by Shri Sultan Ahmed, Shri Venkaiah Naidu informed the Lok Sabha that Delhi was sanctioned 23 infrastructure projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission at a total cost of Rs. 6,649.55 cr out of which central assistance has been Rs.2,327.34 cr. Replying to Dr.Thambi Durai, Shri Venkaiah Naidu stated that the per capita water supply in urban areas is 69.20 litres per day as against the bench mark of 135 litres. He also said that the average coverage of water supply connections is 50.20% as against the bench mark of 100%.

Tourist Visa-On-Arrival

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture & Tourism Shri Shripad Yesso Naik has said that the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), as part of its on-going activities, annually releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the international markets, under the ‘Incredible India’ brand-line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country and to increase foreign tourist arrivals to the country. In addition, a series of promotional activities are being undertaken in important and potential tourist generating markets overseas through the India Tourism Offices abroad with the objective of showcasing India’s tourism potential and promoting tourism to the country. These promotional activities include participation in travel fairs and exhibitions; organising road shows, Know India seminars and workshops; organizing and supporting Indian food and cultural festivals; publication of brochures, offering joint advertising and brochure support, and inviting media personalities, tour operators and opinion makers to visit the country under the Hospitality programme of the Ministry. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today Shri Naik said, road Shows are being organised in important source markets overseas in collaboration with trade associations to promote tourism to the country. Such Road Shows have been organised in USA, Eastern Europe and China during the current financial year. He said, MoT is organising the International Buddhist Conclave in Bodhgaya, with a visit to Sarnath, in September 2014 with the objective of attracting Buddhist tourists from all over the world especially from Asian countries. MoT is also organising the third annual International Travel Mart at Shillong, Meghalaya in October 2014 with the objective of promoting tourism from the world over, to the North Eastern region. The Minister said, Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA) significantly influences the decision to travel to India. The majority of tourists availing Visa on Arrival (VoA) visit India for purposes of holidaying and are independent tourists. The benefits that accrue when VoA is implemented by any country are as follows: i. Reduction in planning time for the international tourist intending to travel to an overseas destination. ii. Attract repeat and weekend visitors. iii. Enhance the image of the country as being “tourist friendly”. Shri Naik said, the decision to extend Visa on Arrival to other countries rests with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The Ministry of Tourism has taken up the matter with MHA in various forums including Inter Ministerial Coordination Committee for Tourism Sector and this year VoA was extended to South Korea.

Funds for Scientific Research

India’s Research and Development expenditure as percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the last three years and corresponding figures for BRICS countries are Annexed.                 The Government as per the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STI) 2013, plans to increase investment in Research and Development (R&D) as percentage of GDP to 2% by the end of XII plan period from the current level of 0.88%. Government plans to achieve this target provided private sector increase its R&D investment to match at least the public sector R&D investment. STI Policy has accordingly enumerated several measures such as various policy changes, increase in investment in R&D including by-industry and strategic sectors, extension of basic science infrastructure, new models for public private partnership and encouraging international collaborations, etc.             At present there is no proposal to introduce schemes to encourage novel research by Universities. There are, however, already several schemes such as Promotion of University Research for Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities (PURSE), Consolidation of University Research for Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities (CURIE), Fund for Improvement of S&T infrastructures in Universities & Higher Institutions (FIST), Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research and Technology Development (PACE), etc. being run by the Ministry of Science and Technology to foster and encourage novel research in the universities.  Annexure R&D Expenditure as percentage of GDP for BRICS Countries Country 2009 2010 2011 Brazil 1.17 1.16 NA Russian Federation 1.25 1.16 1.12 India 0.87 0.87 0.88* China 1.70 1.76 1.84 South Africa 0.87 NA NA                 Source:  a. UNESCO Data Centre (Data extracted on 11 July, 2014)                                 b. Research and Development Statistics, 2011-12 DST (GoI)  Data for the years beyond 2011 not available for India and other BRICS countries.

Lessening Dependence on Middle-East Countries for Crude Oil

The Minister of State (I/C) in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that Public Sector Oil Companies have made significant efforts to diversify their crude oil supply sources from other regions as well.  India’s crude oil import basket is continuously expanding over last few years, with increased imports from South American and African countries.  The region-wise crude oil import details are as under during 2011-12 to 2013-14: Quantity in MMT Percentage Share Region 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 (P*) 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 (P) Middle East 118.6 115.4 115.9 69.1 62.4 61.2 Africa 31.1 29.6 30.4 18.1 16.0 16.1 Asia 3.4 3.3 3.4 2.0 1.8 1.8 South America 14.5 29.8 31.7 8.5 16.1 16.8 Eurasia 1.0 2.4 2.1 0.6 1.3 1.1 N. America 2.3 4.1 5.2 1.3 2.2 2.7 Europe 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 Australia 0.7 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.2 Total 171.7 184.8 189.2 100.0 100.0 100.0 *Provisional data Public Sector Oil Companies have term contracts for supply of crude oil for its own and associate refineries, with various National Oil Companies (NOCs) of the Middle East.  Supplies of crude oil from Middle East sources have by and large been smooth.

Fund for Indians Abroad

Government has set up the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) at the Mission level for welfare of Overseas Indians. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (lCWF) is aimed at providing the following services on a means tested basis in the most deserving cases: (i) Boarding and lodging for distressed Overseas Indian workers in household/ domestic sectors and unskilled labourers; (ii) Extending emergency medical care to the Overseas Indians in need; (iii) Providing air passage to stranded Overseas Indians in need; (iv) Providing initial legal assistance to the Overseas Indians in deserving cases; (v) Expenditure on incidentals and for airlifting the mortal remains to India or local cremation/burial of the deceased Overseas Indians in such cases where the sponsor is unable or unwilling to do so as per the contract and the family is unable to meet the cost; (vi) Providing the payment of penalties in respect of Indian nationals for illegal stay in the host country where prima facie the worker is not at fault; (vii) Providing the payment of small fines/ penalties for the release of Indian nationals in jail/detention centre. The fund is raised by the Indian Missions by levying additional charge on consular services. According to the information received from the Missions, during 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13, the total fund raised by Missions was about INR 300 crore (Three Hundred Crore). Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs provides budgetary support for setting up ICWF to the tune of Rs. 5 lakh per year. This contribution is initially for a period of 3 years or till the period fund become self sustaining, whichever is earlier.

Unorganised Workers in the Country

The Minister of State for Mines, Steel, Labour and Employment, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has said that as per the survey carried out by the National Sample Survey Organization in the year 2009-2010, the total employment in unorganized sector is 43.7 crore. State-wise data of unorganized workers is not maintained. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said, Government has already taken various initiatives to strengthen social sector security for the unorganized sector. Some of these initiatives are listed as under: The details of the schemes in as under: 1.     Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme. (Ministry of Rural Development) 2.     National Family Benefit Scheme. (Ministry of Rural Development) 3.     Janani Suraksha Yojana. (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) 4.     Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme.(Ministry of Textiles) 5.     Handicraft Artisans’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme. (Ministry of Textiles) 6.     Pension to Master Craft Persons. (Ministry of Textiles) 7.     National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen and Training and Extension.(Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries) 8.     Janshree Bima Yojana and Aam Admi Bima Yojana. (Department of Financial Services).       9.     Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana. (Ministry of Labour and Employment) The Minister said, as a social security measure for workers in the unorganised sector,  ‘Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana’ was launched on 1st October, 2007 to provide smart card based cashless health insurance cover of Rs. 30,000/- per annum to BPL families (a unit of five) in the unorganized sector.  The scheme became operational from 01.04.2008.   The premium is shared between Centre and State Government in the ratio of 75:25.  In case of States of North East Region and Jammu & Kashmir, the premium is shared in the ratio of 90:10. The definition of BPL is the one prescribed by the Planning Commission. The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) is currently active in 26 States and Union Territories covering 3, 85, 15,411 families.           He said that, it is the endeavour of the Government to extend Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) to all unorganised workers in a phased manner. During the course of implementation, apart from BPL families, RSBY coverage has been extended to various other categories of unorganised workers viz. Building & Other Construction Workers, licensed Railway porters, Street Vendors, MGNREGA Workers (who have worked for more than fifteen days during preceding financial year), Beedi Workers, Domestic Workers, Sanitation Workers, Mine Workers, Rickshaw Pullers, Rag Pickers and Auto/Taxi drivers. He said that at present there is no scheme to register all workers in the unorganised sector.           The Minister informed that International Labour Organization is the specialized agency of UN mandated to formulate international labour standards. These labour standards are prescribed in the form of binding and non-binding instruments known as Conventions and Recommendations. ILO Conventions are international labour instruments or treaties, which on ratification create legally binding obligations upon the States to ensure that the national legal framework is in conformity with the provisions of the convention. He said that ratification of an ILO Convention is a voluntary process. In India, we follow an elaborate process of ratification. We ratify an ILO Convention only when the national laws and practices are brought fully into conformity with the provisions of the Convention in question. After adoption of an ILO instrument in International Labour Conference, the member country has to place it before the competent authority for information as required under Article 19 of ILO Constitution.  Thereafter, a detailed examination of the possibility and feasibility of ratifying an ILO convention in the context of our existing legal framework is undertaken through consultation with concerned ministries and other stakeholders. Once Concurrence is obtained on the ratification issue, a Cabinet Note on the Convention in question is prepared by MOLE. On approval of the cabinet note, a statement is placed before the parliament and the same is communicated to ILO for information. Once an ILO Convention is ratified, we are obliged to provide periodic report regarding the application of the conventions under Article 22 of ILO Constitution. The Minister said that India has so far ratified 43 conventions of ILO includes four core or fundamental human rights Conventions like Forced Labour Convention (C-29), Equal Remuneration Convention (C-100), Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (C-105) and Discrimination (Employment & Occupation) Convention (C-111). Ministry of Labour & Employment conducts regular meeting of Committee on Convention (CoC), a tripartite working body to explore the possibility of ratification of ILO Conventions. We are alsoinregular consultation with other social partners & stake holders to obtain a consensus for enacting new laws or bringing about changes in the existing laws to bring it in conformity with ILO convention. He said that India has also actively supported  the adoption of Social Protection Floors Recommendation (R-202) in 101stSession of the International Labour Conference held in Geneva in June, 2012 adopted  to protect the rights and welfare of all workers including unorganised sector.

Setting up of Indian Institute of Information Technology

The Union Cabinet approved a Scheme, based on Public-Private-Partnership(PPP) model, for setting up 20 new Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in December 2010, with an outlay of Rs.2808.71 Crores (Rs.2558.71 Crores for non-recurring, Rs.200.00 Crore for recurring expenditure and Rs.50.00 Crore for faculty development expenditure). The capital cost of each IIIT is Rs.128.00 Crore to be contributed in the ratio of 50:35:15 by the Central Government, the State Government and the industry respectively (57.5:35:7.5 in case of North-Eastern region). Concerned State Government will provide 50-100 acres of land, free of cost and encumbrances. A total of sixteen proposals from fifteen States including Gujarat (IIIT Vadodara), Karnataka (IIIT Dharwad) and Kerala (IIIT Kottayam) have been approved by the Ministry. IIIT Vadodara, Gujarat has started their Academic Session in 2013-14 with 60 students each in Computer Science and Electronics & Communication at the temporary campus at DA-ICT, Gandhinagar. There is a proposal of State Govt. of Gujarat for setting up of 2nd IIIT in PPP mode at Surat. In case of Karnataka, the Site Selection Committee (SSC) has approved 61.06 acres of land at Thadasinakoppa village, Dharwad Taluka, Dharwad, Karnataka. The Government of Karnataka has been requested for forward the MoU and MoA. In case of Kerala, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Association (MoA) have been signed and IIIT Kottayam Kerala Society has been registered. The Project of establishing 20 Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs) in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Mode by the Government is targeted to reach full capacity in nine years from 2011-12 to 2019-20. Out of the 20, the Central Government has approved establishment of 16 Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs) in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Mode. The remaining IIITs would be approved as and when the State governments are able to identify land and the industry partners. The status on the scheme for setting up 20 new IIITs in PPP mode is as follows:   Ministry of HRD had invited proposals from all the State Governments for setting up of the 20 IIITs.  The State Governments who have identified land are Andhra Pradesh (Chittoor & Kakinada) Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra (Pune & Nagpur), Manipur, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.  The proposals of Andhra Pradesh(Chittoor), Andhra Pradesh (Kakinada), Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu , Maharashtra (Pune), Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal , Manipur and Tripura have been approved by the Ministry.  The MoU of IIIT- Chittoor (A.P) IIIT-Kota (Rajasthan) and IIIT-Guwahati (Assam) IIIT, Vadodra (Gujarat) & IIIT, Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu) , IIIT Bodhjungnagar (Tripura) and IIIT Kottayam (Kerala), IIIT Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) & IIIT Una (Himachal Pradesh) , IIIT Senapati (Manipur) and IIIT Kalyani (West Bengal) have been signed.  The MoU of IIIT- Chittoor (A.P), IIIT-Kota (Rajasthan) and IIIT-Guwahati (Assam) , IIIT Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu), IIIT Kottayam, Kerala , IIIT Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) IIIT, Una (Himachal Pradesh) , IIIT Vadodara (Gujarat) , IIIT Senapati, (Manipur) and IIIT Kalyani (West Bengal) have been signed and they have been registered as Societies under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.  Academic Session has started in 2013-14 in 5 IIITs with admission in Under Graduate courses in IIIT-Kota (Rajasthan), IIIT Chitoor (Andhra Pradesh), IIIT Guwahati(Assam) and IIIT Vadodra(Gujarat) and Post Graduate Courses in Tiruchirapalli(Tamil Nadu).  An amount of Rs. 3.75 crore during the F.Y. 2012-13 to IIIT-Kota (Rajasthan) has been released. Rs. 5.00 crores to IIIT-Guwahati, Assam, Rs. 2.8 crores to IIIT, Vadodara (Gujarat), Rs. 5.00 crores to IIIT, Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu) and Rs. 2.0375 crores to IIIT Una (HP) have been released during the F.Y. 2013-14.  Detailed Project Reports are awaited from State Government of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Orissa and Goa.