opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2905 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Unutilized Government Buildings as Skill Development Centres
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2905 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## UNUTILIZED GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AS SKILL DEVELOPMENT CENTRES

## 2905. DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU:

## Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Ministry  has  entered  into  any  MoUs  with  other  Ministries  and Departments  for  identification  of  unutilized    Government  buildings  which  can  be converted to Skill Development Centres;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof and if not, whether the Ministry proposes to form such MoUs  regarding  identification  of  infrastructure    for    setting    up    Skill  Development Centres; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

(a) to (c) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has entered into MOUs with various Ministries including Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of  Defence,  Ministry  of  Water  Resources,  Ministry  of  Civil  Aviation  etc.  One  of  the agenda under these MOUs is optimal utilization of unutilized Government buildings/infrastructure for skill development related trainings. Ministry has also signed an MOU with Ministry of Railway for setting up of skill development centres in unused railway infrastructure. The TPs affiliated with NSDC have been selected for working in 10 identified locations for rolling out batches of training under PMKVY.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2904 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Visa for Kailash Mansarovar
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MIDHUN REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2904 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## VISA FOR KAILASH MANSAROVAR

2904. SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether diplomatic passport holders are not endorsed visa for Kailash Mansaorvar by the Chinese authorities;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  up  the  matter  with  the authorities concerned; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI M. J. AKBAR)

- (a) Diplomatic passport holders have been issued visa to undertake Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.
- (b) to (d) Question does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2903 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Digital Addressable System (DAS)
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2903 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## DIGITAL ADDRESSABLE SYSTEM (DAS)

## 2903.  SHRI KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  a  suspense  over  notification  issued  for  mandatory implementation  of  set  top  boxes  and  there  is  no  clarity  whether  it  is compulsory or voluntary; and;
- (b) Whether there is a possibility of cable operators to telecast analog system apart from Digital Addressable System (DAS) and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING {COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

- (a) Digitization is  now  mandatory throughout the country. It is compulsory and  not  voluntary.  With  effect  from  1.04.2017,  only  digital  encrypted signals can be carried on the cable TV networks in the country, for which consumers need to connect a Set Top Box with their TV sets.
- (b) No Sir, after 31.3.2017, no analog signals can be carried on the cable TV network in the country. Ministry had issued directions on 30.03.2017 to all stakeholders to ensure that no analog signals are carried on cable TV networks after 1.4.2017. However, in the State of Tamil Nadu, due to court order, Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation, has been allowed to switchover to digital in Tamil Nadu by 17.8.2017.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2902 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Logistic Support in Embassies
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: V. SATHYABAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2902 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## LOGISTIC SUPPORT IN EMBASSIES

## 2902. SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  bought/constructed  any  new assets/buildings in foreign countries during the last five years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, year and country-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has adequate infrastructural facilities and  logistic  support  in  Indian  Embassies,  High  Commissions, Consulates, Official Departments and other government organizations located in foreign countries; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to ensure availability of these requirements?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) & (b) Yes.  Details  of  new  assets/buildings  bought/constructed in last five years are as below:

|   Year | Country                                                                     |
|--------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   2012 | Thailand, Armenia and USA                                                   |
|   2013 | Papua New Guinea, Australia, USA, Vietnam, Myanmar, Serbia and Afghanistan. |
|   2014 | Brazil, Thailand, Croatia, Finland and Nigeria.                             |
|   2015 | Poland.                                                                     |
|   2016 | Saudi Arabia and Tanzania                                                   |
|   2017 | Jordan, Switzerland and Bangladesh                                          |

(c) & (d) Infrastructural  facilities  exist  in  all  Indian  Missions  and Posts  abroad.  However,  persistent  efforts  are  being  made  to  make them more efficient and in accordance with India's requirements.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2899 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Irregularities in Skill Development
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: JAY PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2899 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## IRREGULARITIES IN SKILL DEVELOPMENT

## † 2899. SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV:

## Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  schemes  related  to  skill  development  have  been  closed  by  Union Government owing to gross irregularities;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  set  up  any  committee  to  conduct  an enquiry into such irregularities;
- (c) the number of youths trained under skill development schemes; and
- (d) the number of youths who got jobs therefrom?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

(a) and (b) No Madam. Ministry is presently implementing Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana through State Governments and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), to impart skill training to one crore people for over four years

(2016-20).

(c) and (d) Under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), as on 6th July 2017,  total  30,67,080  candidates  are  trained  /  undergoing  training  across  country. Under  PMKVY  2015-16,  it  was  not  mandatory  for  Training  providers  to  report employment data. However, under PMKVY 2016-20, which started from 2nd October 2016  onwards,  placement  tracking  is  mandatory.  Till  now,  a  total  of  2.9  lakh candidates have been provided placements offer.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2894 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Vacancies in AIR and Doordarshan
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: VIRENDRA  KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2894 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.8.2017)

## VACANCIES IN AIR AND DOORDARSHAN

## 2894. DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR:

## Will the MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a)   the  total  number  of  posts  lying  vacant  in  various  cadres  of  All  India  Radio  (AIR)  and Doordarshan under the direct recruitment quota;
- (b) whether the Department avails the service of personnels retired from programmes/administrative  cadre  instead  of  recruiting  new  candidates  and  if  so,  the reasons therefor; and
- (c)   the steps being taken by the Government to fill up the vacant posts?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION  AND BROADCASTING [COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]

(a)  to  (c):    Though  there  are  vacancies  in  Prasar  Bharati,  there  is  a  need  to  reassess  actual requirement  of  staff  in  Prasar  Bharati  keeping  in  view  changes  in  broadcast  technologies. Prasar  Bharati  has  been  advised  to  carry  out  a  Manpower  Audit  to  identify  posts  actually needed to be filled up.

Prasar Bharati has informed that to overcome shortage of staff, as an interim measure, it engages retired personnel under the contractual policy of Prasar Bharati 2012 on need basis.

Limited  recruitment  has  been  undertaken  as  a  special  dispensation  through  Staff Selection Commission for critical 2365 Group 'B' and 'C' vacancies which were revived by the Government.  Till  date,  1358  persons  have  joined  the  organization.  In  addition,  special recruitment drive for filling up of backlog vacancies of Persons with Disabilities has also been carried out in Prasar Bharati.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2893 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Governor and Chief Justice Office under RTI
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: RAM KUMAR SHARMA KUSHWAHA, SULTAN  AHMED

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2893

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017)

## GOVERNOR AND CHIEF JUSTICE OFFICE UNDER RTI

## †2893. SHRI RAM KUMAR SHARMA: SHRI SULTAN AHMED:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the office of the Chief Justice of India and the Governors are not covered under the Right to Information (RTI) Act;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Supreme Court of India has made observation for bringing these offices under the RTI;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the action taken by the Government in the light of the Supreme Courts' observation?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a)  &  (b):  The  Office  of  Chief  Justice  of  India  and  Governor  are  not  recorded  as  Public Authority on the records of Central Information Commission.

As per Section 2(h) of Right to Information Act, 2005 a "public authority" means any authority or body or institution of self-government established or constituted-

- (a) by or under the Constitution;
- (b) by any other law made by Parliament;
- (c) by any other law made by State Legislature;
- (d) by notification issued or order made by the appropriate Government, and includes any-
- (i) body owned, controlled or substantially financed;
- (ii) non-Government organisation substantially financed, directly or indirectly by funds provided by the appropriate Government.
- (c) to (e): No such observation is available in the record.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2892 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Sewer Lines
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: SANTOSH KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2892

## TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 02, 2017

## SEWER LINES

## No. 2892   SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR:

Will the Minister of HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any proposal to lay sewer lines in the area under Purnea Nagar Nigam of Bihar and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  undertake  the  requisite
- work;
- (c) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) to (d): The Govt. has launched the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation
- and  Urban  Transformation  (AMRUT)  for  strengthening  basic urban infrastructure in the Mission cities/towns. Purnea (Municipal  Corporation)  is  a  city  covered  under  the  Mission. Under the Mission, the Centre approves the State Annual Action Plans  (SAAPs)  submitted  by  the  States/  UTs.  The  State  Govts concerned have been empowered to select individual projects to be  taken  up,  prepare,  appraise  and  approve  the  Detail  Project Reports  (DPRs)  and  thereafter  implement  the  projects.   The Centre  has  already  approved  all  the  three  SAAPs  of  Bihar  to cover  the  full  Mission  period.  The  State  has  not  proposed  any project related for laying sewer lines in Purnea Nagar Nigam in these SAAPs.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2891 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Centralised System for Issue of Passports
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR, PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2891 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## CENTRALISED SYSTEM FOR ISSUE OF PASSPORTS

2891.    SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR: DR. P.K. BIJU:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  a  centralised  system  for  issuing  passports  is  being introduced; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) A  centralised  system  of  issuing  passports  called  the Passport Seva Project (PSP) is being successfully run in the PublicPrivate-Partnership (PPP) mode with M/s Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as the Service Provider.

There are 92 Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) and 56 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) functioning as on 29 July, 2017 as extended arms of the 38 Passport Offices (PO) across the country thus  providing  extended  reach  to  passport  applicants  in  various States/  Union  Territories.  The  Government  has  decided  to  open another  180  POPSK  and  thereafter  intends  to  open  POPSK  in  the Head Post Offices (HPO) in the country in such a manner that there is a PSK available within a radius of 50 km of every HPO. The PSK and  the  POPSK  are  rendering  passport-related  services  to  the citizens in a timely, transparent, more accessible manner and in a comfortable environment through streamlined processes.

The entire passport issuance process is online. The Passport Portal (www.passportindia.gov.in) is accessible to anyone, anywhere  and  anytime.  The  applicants  apply  for  passport  service online,  pay  the  passport  fee  also  through  the  Portal  and  visit  the

PSK/  POPSK  at  the  appointed  date  and  time.  The  presence  of  the applicant in person at the PSK/ POPSK enables the Passport Issuing Authority to capture their photographs and biometrics. The applicants also get full opportunity to see and affirm their personal particulars to be entered in the passport. Status of applications can be  tracked  by  the  applicants  through  the  passport  website  or through  the  mPassport  Seva  mobile  application.  Periodic  SMS messages are sent to the citizens intimating the various stages of the process of passport application including date of police verification  and  dispatch  of  passport.    In  the  current  system  of passport issuance, there is no manual intervention at any stage, and the complete process is digitally flown with re-engineered process through a single visit clearance.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2887 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Abolition of Posts
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BHARATENDRA SINGH, DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2887 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## ABOLITION OF POSTS

## + 2887.  KUNWAR BHARATENDRA : SHRI DEVJI M.PATEL :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  a  shortage  of  employees'  in  the  Railways    as against  the  sanctioned  strength  at  present  and  whether  it  is proposed  to  abolish  about  10000  posts  in  case  the  posts  remain vacant;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the process of abolishing more than 10000 posts in the Railways is going on throughout the country and if so, the names of the posts which are proposed to be abolished, zone-wise;
- (d) whether the Railways is working towards reducing the opportunities of employment by abolishing these posts; and
- (e) if so, whether the Railways is formulating a plan to provide other opportunities of employment and if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) to (e):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2887 BY KUNWAR BHARATENDRA  AND SHRI  DEVJI  M.  PATEL  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 02.08.2017 REGARDING ABOLITION OF POSTS

(a)  &  (b)  The  vacancies  of  non  gazetted  staff    against  sanctioned strength on  Zonal Railways in Group 'C' and  erstwhile  Group 'D' as on 01.04.2017 were 2,20,137 (Provisional). Filling up of vacancies is a continuous  process  through  various  modes  of  intake.  The  policy  of the Railway administration is to fill up the vacancies as per the laid down  procedure  through  Railway  Recruitment  Boards  (RRBs)  and Railway  Recruitment  Cells (RRCs). There  is always  a time-lag between occurrence of vacancies and processing the same for filling up,  which  involves  notification  of  vacancies,  holding  examinations, finalizing of select panels and issue of appointment letters. However, manpower planning requires continuous review of sanction strength in view of ever changing technology, working systems and creation of new assets and introduction of new trains.

(c) & (d) No, Madam. (e)   Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2886 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Educational Programmes on Doordarshan
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2886

( TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017 )

## EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES ON DOORDARSHAN

2886.

SHRI D.S. RATHOD:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Doordarshan is going to start more educational programmes; and
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  these  programmes  are likely to be started?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)

(a)  &  (b):  Prasar  Bharati  has  informed  that  as  public  service  broadcaster, Doordarshan  regularly telecasts educational programmes  on  its entire network  (including  regional network) viz. educational programmes of Indira Gandhi  National  Open  University,  University  Grants  Commission  and  also those  on  career  guidance,  entrance  test  guidance,  science  education,  girl child  education  etc.  In  addition,  there  are  phone-in  programmes,  quiz programmes,  documentaries,  discussions,  interviews  etc.  Content  of  the programmes  under  this  genre  are  continuously  enriched/  added    to  make them useful for the viewers.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2885 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Rail Line Conversion
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA, SADHVI SAVITRI BAI PHOOLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2885 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## RAIL LINE CONVERSION

## †2885. SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI: SADHVI SAVITRI BAI PHULE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  work  on  all the rail  line  conversion  schemes  has commenced that were announced in the Union Budget 2016-17;
- (b)    if so, the details thereof along with the details of the funds sanctioned and allocated particularly for Uttar Pradesh and Mailani-Bahraich rail line in the State;
- (c)    whether  the  No  Objection  Certificate  (NOC)  has  been  received  for starting work on the stretch of above rail line which falls in the forest area;
- (d)    if  not, the time by which the work is likely to commence on the said rail line; and
- (e)    the present position in this regard and the efforts being made by the Government to obtain NOC?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a):    In  Rail  Budget  2016-17,  2  Gauge  Conversion  projects  viz.  IndaraDohrighat & Mailani-Bahraich including bye pass at Mailani were included subject to requisite Government clearances. Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for the projects have been prepared after Final Location Survey.

(b):  As per DPR, Mailani-Bahraich (227.42 km) is estimated to cost ` 1277.04 Cr. This will require  Cabinet  Committee  of  Economic  Affairs  (CCEA) clearance.  In  Principle  Approval  (IPA)  for  the  project  has  been  given  and project appraisal has been done by NITI Aayog.  For this sanctioned project an outlay of ` 17 Crore has been allotted in Rail Budget 2017-18.  In IndaraDoharighat (34.37 km)  project at an estimated  cost of ` 213.35 Cr., scrutinization of DPR has been taken up. (c):    For  Bahraich-Mailani,  No  Objection  Certificate  for  starting  work  in forest area will be taken formally after sanction of project. However, in this project  only  gauge  conversion  is  being  done  on  the  same  alignment  of existing Railway track. (d):    Likely  time  lines cannot be given at this stage as required clearance from Finance Ministry and CCEA is awaited. (e):    Detailed  Project  Reports  (DPR)  for  the  projects  have  been  prepared after Final Location Survey. Further requisite approvals have been taken.

******