NEW DELHI: The parliamentarians posed serious questions in front of the government during the question hours of the recently conducted Monsoon session. This session was characterized by thorough scrutiny and vigorous questioning, showcasing the varied priorities and concerns of the lawmakers as they aimed to promote transparency and accountability in governance.
Here are the top questions and their replies
On MGNREGS
Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan sought ministry of rural development’s reply on the reduction in funds allocated for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme compared to previous year which led to budget shortfalls in several states.
He asked the ministry for details of the decrease in funds, the government’s measures to address payment delays to workers, and requested a breakdown of the MGNREGS funds allocated to each district in Assam.
The ministry replied to Bhuyan’s question and said that the scheme is a demand-driven wage employment program, with funds released to states and union territories on an ongoing basis.
The ministry of rural development said that the central government ensures that funds are made available based on the demand for work on the ground. For the fiscal year 2023-24, the initial budget estimate for MGNREGS was Rs. 60,000 crore, which was increased to Rs 86,000 crore during the revised estimate stage. By the end of the year, a total of Rs 88,554.76 crore was released to states and UTs.
The ministry further said that while the central government fully funds wage expenditures directly to MGNREGS workers, material costs are shared between the central and state governments in a 75:25 ratio.
On Prison
AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh sought home ministry’s reply on the prescribed capacity and current occupancy of prisons in India, including the percentage of overcrowding, state-wise breakdown, the increase in prisoner numbers over the past five years, new prison construction during this period, and the total number of prisoner deaths due to lawlessness, including the breakdown of natural versus unnatural causes.
The ministry of home affairs replied to Singh’s enquiry and said that the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) provides annual reports on prison statistics. The latest report for 2022 includes details on prison capacity, inmate population, and occupancy rates for each state and union territory.
According to the data, the number of prisons increased from 466,802 to 573,220 from 2018 to 2022. The ministry said that the number of new jails constructed varied each year, totaling 68 new jails during this period.
On prisoner death, the ministry said that there were 1,773 natural deaths and 159 unnatural deaths in prisons in 2022. The NCRB does not specifically track deaths caused by lawlessness, the ministry added.
On education
Rajya Sabha MP AA Rahim sought state-wise data on the total number of government and private schools, reasons for school closures, student enrollment rates over the last five years, and specifically for 2024.
The Ministry of Education, through the UDISE+ system, has recorded state-wise data on the total number of government and private schools from 2017-18 to 2021-22, with the latest data available up to 2021-22. The ministry of education said that the school closures and openings are managed by respective state and UT governments, as education falls under the concurrent list. The gross enrollment rate of students, also recorded in UDISE+, is available for the same period, with data up to 2021-22.
On drug seizures
The ministry of home affairs was asked to provide details on drug seizures, coordination with international agencies to combat trafficking, and potential updates to the NDPS Act.
The government provided state-wise data on drug seizures from 2020-2022 as per NCRB’s 2022 report and outlined several measures to combat cross-border drug trafficking. These include conducting Director General-level talks with neighboring countries, empowering border forces under the NDPS Act for drug-related operations, signing bilateral and multilateral agreements with numerous countries, and participating in intelligence sharing and controlled delivery operations. The government said that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) coordinates with international organizations and foreign drug enforcement agencies, and the Indian Coast Guard has been empowered to intercept narcotic drugs in coastal and high seas. Additionally, a dedicated group in the National Security Council Secretariat focuses on maritime drug trafficking.
On bankruptcy
YSR Congress MP Ryaga Krishnaiah sought information from minister of corporate affairs on the declining recovery rates in the insolvency and bankruptcy sector, including details of the decline, reasons behind it, and the measures taken or planned by the government to address the issue
The ministry noted that recovery rates in the insolvency and bankruptcy sector have varied year by year, with fluctuations influenced by the quality of assets and market conditions. For example, recovery rates ranged from 22% to 36% of claims over recent years. The government has responded by amending the insolvency code six times to enhance the resolution process and improve asset value recovery.
On gold smuggling
The government was asked if the customs department has seized large quantities of smuggled gold at airports and seaports over the past three years, and requests details on the quantity, value, and locations of these seizures. It was also asked about the measures taken to curb gold smuggling and whether cases have been filed against the smugglers, along with details of those cases.
The customs department and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have reported significant seizures of smuggled gold at airports, with details provided for each financial year from FY 2021-22 to FY 2024-25 (up to June 2024). The government has implemented stringent measures to control gold smuggling, including intelligence gathering, passenger profiling, and non-intrusive inspections. Cases of gold smuggling are addressed through seizure, confiscation, and legal action against smugglers. Prosecution cases under the Customs Act are filed against those involved in smuggling activities.
On deaths due to heat waves
Rajya Sabha MP Harish Beeran sought ministry of Earth science’s reply on the number of deaths attributed to heatwaves reported across the country this year, the measures implemented by the government to mitigate their impact on laborers, any discrepancies found in weather mapping at observatories, and the steps taken by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to utilize new technologies for predicting severe weather events such as cloud bursts, extreme heat, and cold conditions.
The ministry replied that the latest details on deaths from heatwaves are available in the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) annexure. The government has implemented various measures to address the impact of heatwaves, including the Heat Action Plan (HAP), which is a collaborative effort between the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and local health departments. This plan has been introduced in 23 heatwave-prone states to enhance preparedness, improve information-sharing, and coordinate responses to reduce health impacts, especially for vulnerable populations such as laborers.
Regarding discrepancies in weather mapping, the Ministry confirmed that no issues were reported at the observatories. The IMD has also made significant advances in monitoring and forecasting severe weather events. These advancements include issuing seasonal and monthly outlooks, extended-range forecasts, and disseminating early warnings through social media. Additionally, the IMD has developed a district-wise heatwave vulnerability atlas and a hot weather hazard analysis map to assist in planning and response efforts.
On road accidents
Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Balkrishna Wasnik asked the minister of road transport and highways for detailed statistics on road accidents over the last five years, including the number of accidents, fatalities, and injuries, broken down by state and year. He inquires whether highways accounted for over fifty percent of total accidents and more than sixty percent of fatalities in 2022, and if so, seeks information on the measures the government is implementing to address these issues.
The ministry provided detailed statistics on road accidents from 2018 to 2022, including a breakdown by state. For 2022, there were a total of 4,61,312 accidents, 1,68,491 fatalities, and 4,43,366 injuries. National Highways (including Expressways) accounted for 32.94% of the accidents and 36.22% of the fatalities. The Ministry is addressing these issues through a multi-pronged strategy focusing on education, engineering, enforcement, and emergency care.
This includes implementing Road Safety Action Plans, conducting road safety audits, enhancing vehicle safety standards, and improving emergency medical response systems.
(Courtesy : The Times of India)
