Question raised in Lok Sabha on Water Projects, 28/07/2016. Water Resources Project are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priority.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Restoration of Water Bodies, 28/07/2016. Water Resources Projects are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priority.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on New Power Plants, 28/07/2016. As per Section 7 of the Electricity Act 2003, any generating company may establish, operate and maintain a generating station without obtaining a license/permission under this Act, if it complies with the technical standards relating to connectivity with the grid. Accordingly, sanction of the Government is not required for setting up of thermal power projects.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Allocation of Power, 28/07/2016. As per the information reported by the States to Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Energy Shortage at all India level was reduced to 2.1% during the year 2015-16 which is the lowest in last two decades. During the current year 2016-17 (April, 2016 to June 2016), Energy Shortage has further reduced to 0.9%. The state-wise details of power supply position during the last three years and the current year is given at Annex-I.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Special Economic Zones, 25/07/2016. In addition to 7 Central Government Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and 11 State/Private Sector SEZs set-up prior to the enactment of the SEZ Act, 2005, approval has been accorded to 412 SEZs, out of which 204 SEZs are functional and remaining 226 SEZs are non-functional as on date. States/UTs-wise details of functional/non-functional SEZs is at Annex-I.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Socio-Economic Conditions of Farmers, 26/07/2016. The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) conducted Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of Agricultural Households during January-December, 2013 in the rural areas of the country for the reference period of the agricultural year July 2012-June 2013. The results of the survey have been presented by different size classes of land possessed. However this survey did not classify the farmers as below poverty line and landless.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Sewage Treatment Plants, 26/07/2016. As per the report published by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in March, 2015, the sewage generation from urban areas in the country is estimated at 61,948 million litres per day (mld), whereas the total sewage treatment capacity available is only 23,277 mld, or 37% of the sewage generation. The State-wise details of sewage generation from urban areas and corresponding treatment capacity available are at Annexure.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Protection of Wetlands, 26/07/2016. For conservation and management of identified wetlands in the country, the scheme of National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) was implemented till the year 2012-13.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Protection of Rhinos, 26/07/2016. Rhinos are found in the State of Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. The inputs given have resulted in increase in number of Rhino population in the States of Assam, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Sanctuary-wise details of rhino population in Assam, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal is given in the Annexure.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Population of Tigers, 26/07/2016. Three major species of big cats are found in India, namely, tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus) and Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica). As per the assessment of the Status of Tigers, Co-predators and Prey, 2014 using the refined methodology, the tiger number has shown 30% increase countrywide with an estimated number of 2226 (range 1945-2491) as compared to 2010 estimation of 1706 (range 1520-1909 tigers).