Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Deaths due to air pollution, 25/04/2016. The details of funds released to various monitoring agencies under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) for air pollution monitoring during 2012-2016 are given at Annexure-I. The ambient air quality monitoring carried out by CPCB for 13 Indian cities during 2010-2015, which is given at Annexure-II.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Compensation for Land Acquired for Power Projects, 25/04/2016. The details of compensation paid to land owners in various States including Uttar Pradesh for setting up of Thermal/Hydro Power Projects as well as Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) by Public Sector under Ministry of Power are given in Annex.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Safety and protection of migratory birds, 14/03/2016. The Sanctuary-wise details of funds released for protection of Migratory Birds and their habitat is at Annexure.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Review of clearances to lake bed and eco-sensitive projects, 14/03/2016. The schemes of National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) have been merged in February, 2013 into an integrated scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) for synergy and to avoid overlap. A total of 115 wetlands in 24 States and 2 Union Territories, including 7 in Karnataka have been identified for conservation and management under the programme. The State-wise list of these wetlands is given in Annexure.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Pollution norms for industrial units, 14/03/2016. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) formulate and notify standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from industries, operations or processes. The standards are framed for an orderly approach to a specific activity for the benefit of environment and after consultation with stakeholders. The process is also based on consideration of the best practices and techno-economic viability.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Noise and air pollution, 14/03/2016. (a) The data on air quality and noise levels monitored under programme of National Ambient Noise Monitoring Network for some of the major cities of the country during Deepawali festival for the last four years and the year 2015 is annexed at Annexure-I and Annexure-II respectively. As per data provided by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a fluctuating trend in air quality and noise levels in cities has been observed.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Modalities for distribution of electricity to villages, 14/03/2016. Ministry of Power does not have any scheme by the name National Rural Electrification Scheme (NRES). However, the work of rural electrification is done under Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY). Cumulatively, as on 29.02.2016, electrification works in 1,14,452 villages have been completed. The State-wise details are given at Annex-I. 5686 un-electrified villages are to be electrified in 2015-16. State-wise details are given at Annex-II.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Industries polluting rivers, 14/03/2016. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has reported that it has identified 764 Grossly Polluting Industries on Ganga river basin. The key industrial sectors contributing to pollution of river are Pulp and paper, Distillery, Sugar, Textile, Tannery, Thermal Power Plant, Food, Dairy & Beverage, Chemical, Slaughterhouse etc.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Fund for Rural Electrification, 14/03/2016. The State-wise number of villages electrified under Rural Electrification component of Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) during the last three years, are given at Annex-I. Under DDUGJY, renewable energy sources are used for rural electrification in case of off-grid villages. Against the sanctioned project cost of Rs.1216.68 crore, a capital subsidy of Rs.1022.64 crore has been earmarked under the scheme. No proposal has been received from the State of Maharashtra under this component.