The Haj Committee Bill, 2000 as introduced in Rajya Sabha on 15^th December 2000, has been referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs headed by Smt. Krishna Bose, M.P. for examination and report. The Bill proposes to establish a Haj Committee of India and State Haj Committees for making arrangements for the pilgrimage of Muslims for Haj and for various matters connected therewith. The Bill defines the authority of the Central and State Governments in the area of Haj Policy and Management besides providing for a reformed and representative Haj Committee, with an effective mechanism to ensure financial propriety, and above all to eliminate ambiguities relating to jurisdictional matters.

    A Centrally Sponsored Scheme for development of infrastructural facilities for the judiciary is in operation since 1993-94. Allocations to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations are made on the basis of norms fixed by the Planning Commission. Accordingly, the State Governments are required to contribute equivalent matching share against the funds released by the Central Government. The State Governments are free to spend more than their matching share.

   The Government have decided to set up 1734 additional courts in the country on the basis of the recommendations of the Eleventh Finance Commission. These courts are expected to serve as fast track courts for the expeditious disposal of long pending cases, priority being given to sessions cases and cases involving undertrails in jails.

    Tonnage acquisition targets are fixed during the Plan period and efforts are made to provide conducive atmosphere to encourage tonnage addition. The Government had set up a Shipping Policy Committee in 1997 which has examined the various issues relating to shipping industry and identified measures for development of the National Merchant Fleet with reference to the fiscal and other incentives, cargo and allied support mechanisms required for Indian flag vessels. The Committee has made 31 recommendations, out of which 17 have been accepted by the Government and the balance recommendations including the following, are being vigorously pursued with the concerned Ministries.

    The Election Commission has informed that during elections, a large number of complaints/representations from various political parties, organisations, candidates, etc. are received raising charges and counter-charges. The Election Commission has stated that it looks into these complaints/representations and takes action wherever necessary and as such it is difficult to furnish details since no specific memoranda have been mentioned in the Question.

   The matter concerning setting up of a welfare fund for lawyers is under consideration of the Government. It is, however, difficult to indicate any definite time-frame within which the said fund may be set up, since the same involves various steps, including inter-departmental consultation.

   The Study Group on Corporate Excellence set up by the Government had submitted its Report to the Government on December 20, 2000. This Report contains several far reaching recommendations that would take standards of Corporate Governance in the country to commanding heights. One of the important recommendations made by the Group is to set up, under the aegis of Department of Company Affairs, an Independent, Autonomous Centre for Corporate Excellence to mainly accord accreditation and promote policy research and studies, training and education and awards in the field of corporate excellence through improved corporate governance.

    The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) is contemplating starting a direct container service to South-East Asia and Far East during mid 2001. A feasibility study based on the market reports is being carried out for taking a decision in the matter.

    The Budget allocation for the Ministry of Human Resource Development for the year 2001-02 has gone up by about 10% from Rs. 6,910 crore to Rs. 7570 crore compared to last year. The allocation for science and technology went up by Rs. 91 crore from Rs. 856 crore representing an increase of about 9%.

    Shri R.K.Thoopal, General Manager, South Eastern Railway has taken over as the new Member (Traffic), and ex-officio Secretary, Railway Board on the superannuation of Shri Shanti Narain here yesterday.

    Shri Thoopal who joined the Indian Railway Traffic Service in 1964 , has held many a prestigious posts with Eastern, Central , South Central, Western and South Eastern Railways as also in Railway Board. The highly experienced officer has worked with different Departments like Operations, Commercial, Safety, besides traffic , costing and computerisation.

    Known for his studies on various aspects of Railways, the project reports prepared by Shri Thoopal include Strategy for augmenting capacity on high density routes, Multi-Skilling, impact of bulk movement on costs and pricing policy, passenger traffic and related amenities, and Vision 2010 for Indian Railways.

    Mr. Mustafa Mansouri, Minister for Mines, Industries and Commerce, Government of Morocco today met the Union Minister Shri Sundar Lal Patwa and the Minister of State for Mines Shri Jayasingrao Gaikwad Patil and discussed bilateral cooperation in the Mines sector. The Minister offered exchange of experts and scientists between the two countries to strengthen mutual ties. He wanted India to assist in streamlining the Mapping and Data Management in Mining sector of Morocco.

   A draft Tourism Policy prepared by the Government includes action plans for promoting tourism, as an instrument for employment generation and economic development through public and private participation. It also includes provisions for facilitating foreign investments and incentives for hotel and related tourism industry. This was stated by Shri Ananth Kumar, Union Minister of Tourism & Culture in a written reply to Col. (Retd.) Sona Ram Choudhary, in the Lok Sabha today.

    India’s exports during January 2001 are valued at US 3407.38 million ($ 3.4 billion) which is 24.01% higher than the level of US $ 2747.69 million in January, 2000. In rupee terms, the exports were Rs.15859.26 crore, which is 32.53% higher than the value of exports during January 2000. Exports during April-January 2000-2001 are valued at US $ 35656.91 million (i.e. $ 35.65 billion) which is 20.70 % higher than the level of US $ 29541.59 million (i.e. $ 29.54 billion) during April-January 1999-2000. In rupee terms, the exports were Rs.162334.29 crore, which is 26.93% higher than the value of exports during April-January 1999-2000.

IMPORTS & EXPORTS -- TRADE DATA (PROVISIONAL)

(Unadjusted for late returns)

(US $ Million)

• Final figures as given by DGCI&S

'38'

THE OVERALL STORAGE POSITION OF 70 MAJOR RESERVOIRS OF THE COUNTRY IS BELOW AVERAGE

    The Central Water Commission (CWC) monitors storage position of 70 major and important reservoirs spread all over the country of which 26 reservoirs have significant hydro-power benefit with installed capacities of more than 60 MW. Out of these 70 reservoirs, there are presently only 42 reservoirs where this year’s storage capacity is less by 20% or more than the average of previous years. However, out of the 26 reservoirs with significant hydro-potential, there are only 21 reservoirs which have storage built up less than the average of previous years. The combined storage capacity of these 70 reservoirs is presently 20% of the designed capacity and the present storage is 68% of the last year’s storage and 65% of the last 10 years storage during the same period. The overall storage position is below average by 53.37% as on 23.02.2001.

    The basin wise storage position is better than the average of previous 10 years in Cauvery & neighbouring East Flowing Rivers and less than 20% of average of previous 10 years in Krishna and West Flowing rivers of South. The basin wise position is less by 20% or more than the average of the previous 10 years in the Mahi, Sabarmati, Indus, Rivers of Kutch, Ganga, Narmada, Mahanadi & neighbouring East Flowing Rivers and Tapi.

    The infrastructural investment on Gram Sarak Yojna, Rural Electrification Works and National Highway Development Programme including promise of additional flow of credit to agriculture will provide a Thrust to production and development of
Agriculture Sector.

    The Finance Minister has stressed that provision of adequate flow is critical for agricultural production. The total level of agricultural credit is expected to increase to Rs. 64,000 crores in the year 2001-02, representing an increase of 24% over the level of current year. In order to step up investment in rural infrastructure, the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund corpus will be increased from Rs. 4,500 crores to

    Rs. 5,000 crores next year and the interest rate charged by NABARD will be reduced from 11.5% to 10.5%.

    Under the Kisan Credit Card Scheme 110 lakh cards have been issued so far. All eligible farmers are proposed to be covered under the Scheme within next 3 years. A personal insurance package would be extended to card holders covering them against risks to accidental death or permanent disability up to a limit of Rs. 50,000 and

    Rs. 25,000, respectively. Further, the promotion of Self Help Groups will be accelerated by NABARD to link one lakh additional groups in 2001-02, providing access to credit to additional 20 lakh families. Share croppers and tenant farmers will also become eligible for the Scheme and special attention will be given to SC/ST categories. A Micro Finance Development Fund has also been set up in NABARD with contribution of Rs. 40 crores each by NABARD and RBI. NABARD will be permitted to continue to issue Capital Gains Tax Exemption Bonds like last year.

    The resources from watershed development fund, set up with a corpus of Rs. 200 crores with NABARD, would be used to promote people’s participation for implementing irrigation schemes. The Credit Link Subsidy Scheme for construction of cold storages announced in 1999 have helped in creation of additional capacity of 9.69 lakh tons. A subsidy of Rs. 78 crores was given last year for setting up of these cold storages. The Scheme is now being extended to cover rural godowns and would considerably reduce the possibility of distress sale. Five years tax holiday has been provided as also 30% deduction of profits for next 5 years to those enterprises who are engaged in the integrated business of handling transportation and storage of foodgrains

    In order to promote extension services and strengthening the transfer of technology while providing self-employment opportunities to agricultural graduates in rural areas, the scheme for agri-clinics and agri-business centres will be launched with the support of NABARD.

    In order to maximise productivity and production in agriculture sector regionally differentiated strategies need to be adopted. The budget has made a provision of Rs. 61 crores for the scheme "On-Farm Water Management" for increasing crop production in Eastern India. Further a provision of Rs. 38 crores has been made for the "Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in the North Eastern States". The Scheme will play an important role in the overall development of the region and in generating employment.

    In order to provide increased protection to producers, the import duty on crude oil will be increased from the present rate of 35-55% to a uniform rate of 75%. On refined oil, import duty will be raised to 85% from the present level of 45-65%. Crude palm oil imported by vanaspati manufacturers will attract a duty of 55% against existing 25% only for sick industries. Others will pay 75%.

    A major boost has been given to the Food Processing Industry by exempting fruit and vegetables from Excise Duty. This will encourage value addition in the agriculture/horticulture sector. To rationalise the fertilizer subsidy, a phased programme of complete de-control of urea by the year 2006 has been announced. While maximum retail price arrangement will be continued, the unit specific retention price system will be modified and replaced by a group specific system.

    On management of food economy two important points have been made. FCI will procure foodgrains for maintaining food security reserves and State Govts. will be given financial assistance to enable them to procure and distribute foodgrains to BPL families at subsidised rates. A comprehensive review of the essential Commodities Act is also proposed with a view to removing restrictions on free inter-State movement of foodgrains and agriculture produce, and also storage and stocking of such commodities..

    The budget allotment for the year 2001-02 in the plan sector for agriculture and cooperation is 1970 crores, for Department of Agriculture Research & Education is Rs. 684 crores, for Animal Husbandry & Dairying is Rs. 300 crores and for food processing is Rs. 55 crores.

    The sentiment of sympathy for, and the resolve to stand united with the victims of the earthquake in Gujarat finds a forceful manifestation, as contributions to Prime Minister’s Relief Fund continue to pour in unabated. Till date, the total contributions to the PM’s Relief Fund have crossed the Rs. 200 crore mark, doubling itself within a fortnight. Just two weeks back, the contributions to the PM’s Relief Fund had crossed the Rs. 100 crore mark.

RAJYA SABHA

BPL AND APL FAMILIES

    Based on the recommendations of the Expert Group on Estimation of Proportion and Number of Poor (Lakdawala Committee) the Government has applied state-specific poverty estimates in order to identify the poor i.e., persons living below the poverty line (BPL). The State-wise poverty estimates have been worked out by the Planning Commission from the national level poverty lines, using state-specific price indices and inter-state price differentials. The national poverty lines are expressed as monthly per capita consumption expenditure of Rs. 49.09 in rural areas and Rs. 56.64 in urban areas at 1973-74 prices corresponding to a basket of goods and services anchored on a norm of per capita daily calorie requirement of 2400 kcal in rural areas and 2100 kcal in urban areas.

    With a view to restructuring of Public Distribution System (PDS) for levy sugar, the Government has decided that w.e.f. February 1, 2001, levy sugar supply under PDS will be restricted to only BPL families except in case of North-Eastern States, Hilly States and Island Territories. The Government has also decided to allocate sugar under PDS on the basis of projected population as on March 1, 2000 and the per capita norm for allocation of sugar has also been enhanced from 425 gms. to 500 gms. per month.

    This information was given in Rajay Sabha today by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Sriram Chauhan, in a written reply.

RAJYA SABHA

DISTRIBUTION OF FOODGRAINS UNDER PDS

    Public Distribution System is implemented under the joint responsibility of the Central and State Governments/UT Administrations. The Central Government is responsible for procurement, storage and transportation of the PDS commodities up to the designated central godowns and making them available to the States. The responsibility for identification of the families living below the poverty line, issue of ration cards for distribution of essential commodities under the PDS to the consumers through the fair price shops in a transparent and accountable manner rests with the State Government.

    The State Governments have been requested to closely monitor the Public Distribution System at the Fair Price Shops (FPS) and other levels and to make foolproof arrangement for distribution of PDS commodities. They have been requested to actively involve the Panchayati Raj Institutions in monitoring and supervising the work of the FPS owners as a measure of social audit to check diversion of essential commodities distributed under the PDS. They have also been asked to eliminate bogus ration cards and initiate action against erring FPS owners under section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act 1955.

    This information was given in Rajay Sabha today by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Sriram Chauhan, in a written reply.

‘11’

SMT. SWARAJ CONDOLES THE DEATH OF SHRI SIVARAMAN

    The Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Smt. Sushma Swaraj has condoled the death of veteran journalist and former editor of Tamil daily Dina Mani, Shri A.N. Sivaraman. In her condolence message the Minister said that Shri Sivaraman’s death is a great loss for the media world. She said that Shri Sivaraman, a freedom fighter always fought for the freedom of press and was a father figure of Tamil journalism.

    National Highways Authority of India have signed on 19.12.2000 a Memorandum of Agreement with a Malaysian Consortium headed by Malaysian Construction Industry Development Board for development of Tada-Nellore Section of National Highway-5 I a length of 110.8 km. and Ibrahimpatnam-Nandigama Section of National Highway-9 in a length of 35 Km. to 4-lane standards on Build Operate and Transfer basis.

LOK SABHA

DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL HIGHWAY-54

    The development and maintenance of newly declared National Highway No. 54 in Assam has been taken up. The funds for construction/repair/maintenance are allotted State-wise and not NH-wise. For the State of Assam, funds to the tune of Rs. 58.00 crore for development works and Rs. 26.93 crore for repair and maintenance have been allotted during 2000-2001. Two estimates amounting to Rs. 541.23 lakhs for improvement of riding quality in respect of NH-54 have been sanctioned.

    This information was given by Major General (Retd), B.C. Khanduri, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways (Independent Charge) in the Rajya Sabha today in a written reply to a question by Shri Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi.

RAJYA SABHA

INVOLVEMENT OF PRIVATE SECTOR IN ROAD SECTOR

    National Highway Act, 1956 has already been suitably amended to enable private sector participation in National Highway projects and a number of other incentives in the for of tax concessions, duty free import of specified equipments, Capital Grant, permitting Foreign Direct Investment and External Commercial borrowings etc. have been given.

    There has been no FDI in National Highways so far. However, a project of four-laning of Tada-Nellore section of NH-5 and Ibrahimpatnam-Nandigama section of NH-9 is to be executed on BOT basis under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between India and Malasia. The total project cost is Rs. 760 crore with a capital grant of Rs. 167.50 crore. A part of this project cost is likely to be met from FDI.

    This information was given by Major General (Retd), B.C. Khanduri, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways (Independent Charge) in the Rajya Sabha today in a written reply to a question by Shri Suresh Pachouri.

    Shri Ram Naik, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply today that the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 has been amended in August, 2000 to permit the use of LPG as an automotive fuel. The draft Central Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules have been published on 12^th February, 2001 inviting objections and suggestions from the public within 30 days. In addition, LPG (Regulation of Use in Motor Vehicles) order is under finalisation. Till these processes are completed, use of LPG as an automotive fuel remains prohibited.

    Shri Ram Naik, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply today that the quantum of imports of crude oil and petroleum products of a country depends on the level of its economic development as reflected in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the indigenous availability of the products. In developed countries, the per capita consumption levels are high, compared to India. The demand for petroleum products in India is growing at annual rate of 6-7%.

'43'

PROGRAMME FOR DEVELOPMENT OF 500 MODEL VILLAGES AND 500 MODEL BASTIS ON THE ANVIL

    A major programme for the development of 500 Model villages and 500 Model Bastis over a period of five years is being launched. This was announced by the Rural Development Minister Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu in a meeting with the Minister of Culture and Tourism here today. Objectives of this programme is to adopt villages and bastis as Model villages and model Bastis for demonstration of integrated inputs for sustainable development of human settlements.

    Shri Naidu highlighted that these Model villages/Model Bastis will have the provision of adequate housing, basic amenities like water supply, approach road, drainage, sanitation, primary health centres, primary schools and community centres. Shri Naidu said that it will incorporate environment friendly, energy efficient, cost effective and affordable systems in the various settlement components. Shri Naidu further said approach to model village will be convergence of already ongoing schemes. This will include Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (Gramin Awaas) for housing, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana for rural connectivity, Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission for water supply, Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana for rural infrastructure, Innovative Stream for Rural Housing and Habitat Development for innovative technology adoption and dissemination, KVIC for smokeless Chulhas and Bio-gas initiatives, MNES for Solar Photovoltaic/electrification requirements, Scheme for Rural Building Centres for technology dissemination, Samagra Awass Yojana for infrastructure and community facilities and Operation Blackboard for literacy improvement. The village to be a nodal centre and having the potential to act as a centre for providing services to many feeder villages in its vicinity, he further added.

    Shri Ananth Kumar, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism suggested that process of selection of villages has to be worked out. Shri Naidu pointed out that employment generation component has to be incorporated in this programme. Secretary, Rural Development, Shri Arun Bhatnagar, Secretary, Urban Development, Shri K. Kosal Ram, Secretary, Culture Dr. R. V. V. Ayyar and Chairman, HUDCO were also present in the meeting.

RAJYA SABHA

EDIBLE OILS AND PULSES

    The Planning Commission has fixed a production target of 300.00 lakh tonnes for oilseeds and 165.00 lakh tonnes for pulses by the end of Ninth Five Year Plan i.e. 2001-02. In order to achieve these targets, two Centrally Sponsored Schemes namely, Oilseeds Production Programme (OPP) and National Pulses Development Project (NPDP) are being implemented in various States/Uts for increasing the production of these crops and to make the country self-sufficient.

    Under both these schemes financial assistance is provided for various inputs like production and distribution of seed, distribution of seed minikits, distribution of improved farm implements, sprinkler sets, rhizobium culture/PSB and micro nutrients. In order to disseminate the production technology amongst farmers, frontline demonstrations are organized by the ICAR. Besides, block and integrated pest management demonstrations are also organized through State Department of Agriculture.

    A new component of crash Programme for production of quality seeds of Groundnut, Soybean, Gram, Arhar, Moong, Urad and Moth has also been introduced during Ninth Plan under the schemes of OPP & NPDP from 2000-2001. In order to meet the contingent demand of seed during natural calamities, a seed bank scheme has also been introduced during the Ninth Plan.

    Presently Edible oils & pulses are being imported to meet the gap between demand and supply as production of these commodities is not sufficient to meet the requirements.

    This was stated by Union Agriculture Minister Shri Nitish Kumar today in Rajya Sabha in a written reply to question raised by M.Ps., Shri Raj Mohinder Singh and Shri Ram Jethmalani.

    Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply today that the Union Minster for Petroleum and Natural Gas has appealed to the Chief Ministers of all the States to consider a pro rata reduction in sales tax on petroleum products so as to neutralise the impact of ad valorem sales tax on the revised prices of petroleum products effective 30.9.2000. The Government of Goa has reduced the sales tax on petrol and diesel by 3% effective 15.11.2000. Some of the State Governments viz. Maharashtra, Kartnataka, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have expressed that lowering of sales tax rates is not desirable.

'15'

CBDT ISSUES NOTIFICATION FOR INSERTION OF TWO NEW RULES 7A AND 7B IN THE IT RULES, 1962

    Income earned through manufacture and sale of plantation crops has both agricultural and non-agricultural component. No Central tax is levied on the agricultural income as the Constitution empowers only the States to tax income from Agriculture, and the Centre is empowered to tax income other than Agriculture. In the case of tea, Rule 8 of Income Tax Rules prescribes that forty per cent of income derived from the sale of tea grown and manufactured by the seller will be considered as if it were income derived from business. On similar lines, two new rules 7A and 7B have been inserted with reference to rubber and coffee. The new rule 7A prescribes that 35% of income derived from sale of centrifuged latex or cenex manufactured from rubber plants grown by the seller will be considered as if it were income derived from business. The new rule 7B prescribes that 40% of income derived from sale of coffee grown and manufactured by the seller, with or without mixing of chicory or other flavouring ingredients, will be considered as if it were income derived from business. The amendment will come into force on the 1^st day of April 2002 and thus apply to assessment year 2002-2003 and subsequent years.

    The Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, has urged the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan to further improve its performance. It will have to workout a plan to upgrade further the standard and quality of education of the Central Schools. Dr. Joshi was addressing the 69^th Meeting of the Board of Governors of Kendriay Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), here today. Some Central Schools have been doing much better than even public schools.

'19'

LOK SABHA

    National Textile Policy, 2000 does not make a mention of opening of textile industry to multinational companies. However, the garment sector has been de-reserved on the recommendations of Advisory Committee on Reservation and it is hoped that this decision would encourage investment from both domestic and outside sources. It is expected that it will not adversely affect the SSI units.

    A portal containing comprehensive information on different crafts, artisans and related organizations will be launched by Shri Pramod Mahajan, Minister of Information Technology and Parliamentary Affairs tomorrow. The Office of the Development Commissioner Handicrafts has developed a GIS based portal on Indian Handicrafts named indianhandicrafts.org.in

    The services of professionals of Indian Institute of technology Delhi had been requisitioned for designing and developing this portal. Announcing this at a press preview here today, Ms Tinoo Joshi, Development Commissioner for Handicrafts has stated that the portal will meet the requirements of the Indian Handicrafts Industry.

'19'

LOK SABHA

HANDICRAFTS EXPORTING UNITS

    The number of registered handicrafts units (including hand knotted carpet) in the country exporting handicrafts and carpet including the State of Madhya Pradesh, State-wise, is as under: -

    The steps taken to boost the export of Indian Handicrafts include: organization of buyer-seller's meet; overseas publicity; organization of workshops on design development; participation in various international fairs; sponsoring of sales-cum-study teams abroad and organization of Indian Handicrafts and Gifts fairs (Autumn and Spring) and Indian Carpet Expo by Export Promotion council for Handicrafts and Carpet Export Promotion Council respectively annually at New Delhi.

    This Information was given by the Minister of State for Textiles, Shri V.Dhananjay Kumar in a written reply to Shri Ramanand Singh in the Lok Sabha today.

    In 1997-98 Central Assistance of Rs. 200.00 Lakhs was provided to the earthquake affected handloom weavers of Jabalpur area of Madhya Pradesh for construction, as per guidelines, of 1000 new Urban Workshed-cum-Houses under the Scheme. However, despite passage of more than three years, the State Government has not been able to utilize the funds, since no suitable land was identified for the construction of these units. The Central Govt. has now requested the State govt. to refund the funds sanctioned to them for the purpose.

    Shri Kashiram Rana, Minister of Textiles has welcomed the announcement of a comprehensive "Textile package" in the Union budget 2001-02. Commenting on the Textile Package announced yesterday, the Textile Minister has said that this is expected to stimulate growth and help in the implementation of the new Textile policy 2000. "This budget has brought back textile sector into main focus by according it the required importance", Shri Kashiram Rana added. The textile Minister has particularly welcomed the "Integrated Apparel park scheme" announced with a provision of Rs 10 Crore which, he said, is expected to provide the textile sector much needed push. Shri V.Dhananjay Kumar, Minister of State for textiles and Shri Anil Kumar, Secretary, Textiles, were also present at the post budget press conference specially convened to address issues arising out of the Textile Package presented in the budget 2001-02.

'31'

    The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will be setting up mobile emergency medical units so as to reach medical relief at the time of natural calamities. Informing the members of the Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament, Dr.C.P.Thakur, Minister for Health and Family Welfare said that the Units would have about 100 beds.

    The Minister informed the members about the various relief measures undertaken by the Ministry for the earthquake affected persons in Gujarat. Talking about the extensive damage to the health infrastructure in the State, Dr.C.P.Thakur said that five district/taluk hospitals, 21 CHCs, 48 PHCs, 227 sub-centres, 110 ISM facilities etc. have been fully destroyed, whereas 31 district/taluk hospitals, 67 CHCs, 166 PHCs, 584 Sub Centres and 118 ISM facilities had suffered substantial damage.

    Dr. Thakur informed the members that the District hospital at Bhuj would be reconstructed by the Centre. He also told them that in total Rs.5.75 crore worth of medical relief items were sent to Gujarat so far by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

    Video presentations on the medical relief operations by the Ministry's teams and the Red Cross teams were also made for the members of the Consultative Committee.

    Shri D. Venugopal, Shri Virender Kumar, Dr. R.C. Dome, Shri Bal Krishna Chauhan, Dr. M. Jagannath, Shri Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi, and Shri R.S. Patil, from Lok Sabha, and Dr. Y. Radhakrishna Murthy, Dr. M.N. Das and Prof. M.M. Agarwal, from Rajya Sabha attended the meeting.

    The Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, has urged the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan to further improve its performance. It will have to workout a plan to upgrade further the standard and quality of education of the Central Schools. Dr. Joshi was addressing the 69^th Meeting of the Board of Governors of Kendriay Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), here today. Some Central Schools have been doing much better than even public schools.

    A portal containing comprehensive information on different crafts, artisans and related organizations will be launched by Shri Pramod Mahajan, Minister of Information Technology and Parliamentary Affairs tomorrow. The Office of the Development Commissioner Handicrafts has developed a GIS based portal on Indian Handicrafts named indianhandicrafts.org.in

    The services of professionals of Indian Institute of technology Delhi had been requisitioned for designing and developing this portal. Announcing this at a press preview here today, Ms Tinoo Joshi, Development Commissioner for Handicrafts has stated that the portal will meet the requirements of the Indian Handicrafts Industry.