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.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Endangered species, 14/03/2016. The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change conduct survey of threatened and important species of the country. As per the data available with BSI, out of 19156 species of vascular plants (Angiosperms, Gymnosperms, Pteridophytes) from various surveys carried out in the country, 1236 species belong to different threatened categories like Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Capacity of solar energy, 14/03/2016. The Government has revised the National Solar Mission target of Grid Connected Solar Power projects from 20,000 MW by 2022 to 1,00,000 MW by 2022. State-wise details of total current commissioned capacity of solar energy in the country is given at annexure.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Air pollution in metropolitan cities, 14/03/2016. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) are monitoring ambient air quality across the country under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). Three air pollutants viz., Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter size equal to or less than 10 micron (PM10), are monitored at all the 612 operating monitoring stations located in 254 cities/towns in 29 states and 5 union territories across the country.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Loss of Production due to Drought, 11/03/2016. State-wise list of districts where drought was notified by respective State Governments during. 2014-15 and 2015-16, are placed at Annexure-I & II. Details of the financial assistance sought by these State Governments and approved from National Disaster Respond Fund (NDRF) for drought during the years 2014-15 & 2015-16 are at Annexure-III.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Loss of Crops due to Drought, 11/03/2016. Production figures of various crops during last five years and 2nd Production estimate for the year 2015-16 issued by Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare is placed at Annexure-I. During the year 2014-15 and 2015-16, Government of India received Memoranda seeking financial assistance from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) from various States for crop loss due to hailstorm and drought.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Implementation of Crop Insurance Schemes, 11/03/2016. Cumulative State-wise details number of farmers covered under National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) are at Annexure-I. On an average 12.44% and 2.17% of total cultivated area has been covered under NAIS (since Rabi 1999-2000) and MNAIS (Rabi 2010-11) respectively. Year-wise details are given in Annexure-II.