Among the hundreds of questions raised by the members and answered by the government during the current budget session of Parliament, here are some interesting and important questions.
109 Farmers from Wardha District applied for ‘Suicide Clearance’
In an answer given in the Rajya Sabha, the government reported that in Wardha District of Maharashtra, 102 farmers of Waghoda, 6 farmers of Wadad and 1 farmer of Antora had applied for permission to obtain suicide clearance. The state government of Maharashtra reported that these applications are due to low yield of Kharif crops.
The state government also reported that these farmers are demanding debt relief and assistance as the crops have failed. The government also reported that the Tehsildar with his team visited this village and counselled them. The government has so far given an assistance of Rs. 28350/- to these farmers. The Health Department of Wardha district is also implementing Prerna Project to identify psychologically depressed farmers and counsel them.
Army faces a shortage of over 9000 Officers
The government informed the Rajya Sabha that as on July 1st 2015, the Army has 40525 officers against the authorized strength of 49631 officers, with a shortage of 9106. Army has undertaken image projection campaign to create awareness among the youth on the advantages of taking up a challenging and satisfying career in the army. Awareness campaigns, participation in career fairs and exhibitions, advertisements in print and electronic media, motivational lectures in schools, colleges are some of the measures taken to encourage youth to join the Army.
The governemtn says that these measures have helped reduce the shortage of officers from around 26% in 2010 to approximately 18% in 2015.
There is no laid down regulation on the reporting time for air travelers
In an answer given in the Rajya Sabha, the Civil Aviation Minister said that there is no laid down regulation on the reporting time for air travelers at airports. The reporting time is decided by the airlines as per their operational requirement so that passengers can complete all procedural formalities including security checks before they board the aircraft.
Wrongly wearing or selling a Soldier’s Uniform is an offence under Section 140 of IPC
In an answer given in the Lok Sabha, the government said that wrongly wearing and sale of uniform of soldier, sailor or airman is punishable under section 140 of the IPC. The police authorities are supposed to take appropriate action against non-entitled persons wearing such outfits.
Section 140 of the IPC reads
‘Wearing garb or carrying token used by soldier, sailor or airman.—Whoever, not being a soldier, [sailor or airman], in the Military, [Naval or Air] service of the [Government of India], wears any garb or carries any token resembling any garb or token used by such a soldier, [sailor or airman]with the intention that it may be believed that he is such a soldier, [sailor or airman], shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both’
1398 Death Sentences awarded between 2004-2014 and only three executed
In an answer given in the Lok Sabha, the government said that 1398 persons were awarded capital punishment in the country between 2004 and 2014. Only 03 persons were executed during the same period.
The government also said that the Law Commission of India in its 262nd report has recommended that the death penalty be abolished for all crimes other than terrorism related offences and waging war. The report has since been circulated to all the State Governments for their comments.
2849 Private Chartered Flights from abroad landed in India between April 2015 & February 2016
According to the data maintained by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), 2849 permissions were given by DGCA for landing of private foreign registered aircrafts. The government also informed that a prior notice of 3 days is required for such flights from all the countries except for flights originating from Pakistan, China, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Nigeria and North Korea. For flights originating from these countries, a notice period of 7 working days is required.
515 NSG Personnel are deployed in the security of 16 VIPs
The Government informed the Lok Sabha that though National Security Guard (NSG) is primarily a Counter Terrorism Force, it has also been tasked with providing security cover to 16 protectees. 515 NSG personnel are deployed on VIP security as on 01st February 2016.
The expenditure incurred on providing NSG security cover is borne by State Government/Union Territory Administration concerned, which provides vehicles, fuel, accommodation and other logistics support to NSG.
This article was republished from Factly.in.