opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1356 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Rake Points
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RITA TARAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1356 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## RAKE POINTS

## 1356. SHRIMATI RITA TARAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that due to non-availability of required infrastructure at existing rake points and provision of new rake point and two point rakes, supply of fertilizers and its distribution is affected a lot;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken for modernisation of existing rake points, notification of new rake points and provision of two point rakes?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) No, Madam. Existing facilities are adequate to meet the demand
- of fertilizer traffic.
- (b) Does not arise.
- (c)  With a view to facilitate development of a network of freight terminals with private investments to provide efficient and cost

effective logistics services with warehousing solutions and users, a new scheme namely Private Freight Terminal (PFT) was launched on 31.05.2010, which was further reviewed during the year 2012 and 2015. So far, 37 terminals have been notified for commercial working.

Development, upgradation and modernization of rake points on Indian Railways is a continuous and ongoing activity. 64 works for development, improvement and augmentation of Goods Sheds are already sanctioned.

To further facilitiate loading, a new liberalised mini rake and two point loading policy of covered rake has been introduced in the current financial year.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1355 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Common Mobility Card
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SULTAN  AHMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1355 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## COMMON MOBILITY CARD

1355. SHRI SULTAN AHMED:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes  a common mobility card for the metros;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the benefits likely to accrue from it?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  &  (b):  Ministry  of  Urban  Development  has  taken  initiatives  for implementation  of  an  interoperable  Automatic  Fare  Collection  (AFC) system for public transport in accordance with National Urban Transport  Policy  (NUTP),  2006  which  envisages  that  various  urban Public  Transport  Systems  are  well  integrated  and  offer  a  seamless system to the users. A user should be able to pay one fare and travel in all  the  required  modes  to  reach  the  destination.  National  Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has been entrusted to prepare the standards & specifications of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC).
- (c):  The  benefits  of  National  Common  Mobility  Card  (NCMC)  are  as under:-
- i. Interoperability for passenger between bus, train, metro, parking etc. in the urban area.
- ii.
- Single e-purse with access to multiple products.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1351 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Retirement and Death Gratuity Benefit
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PENSIONERS' WELFARE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1351

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016)

## RETIREMENT AND DEATH GRATUITY BENEFIT

## 1351. SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to extend the benefit of retirement and death gratuity to all, irrespective of the date on which they had entered into the Government services;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that the Government has issued a notification in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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) to (d):   The retirement gratuity and death gratuity  in respect of the Central Government servants  appointed  on  or  before    31 st December,  2003  is  regulated  in  accordance  with  the provisions of Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 or corresponding rules applicable to All India Services, Railway employees and Defence personnel.

Orders  issued  vide  Department  of  Pension  &  Pensioner's  Welfare  O.M. No.7/5/2012-P&PW(F)/(B) dated 26.8.2016 provide that the Government employees appointed after 31.12.2003 and covered by National Pension System shall also be eligible for benefit  of  retirement  gratuity  and  death  gratuity  on  the  same  terms  and  conditions  as  are applicable to employees covered by the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1350 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Raising of Licence Fee of Catering/ Vending Units
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: TARIQ ANWAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1350

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## RAISING OF LICENCE FEE OF CATERING/ VENDING UNITS

## 1350. SHRI TARIQ ANWAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the North-East Frontier Railways have enhanced licence fee of catering/vending  units  including  modular  tea  stalls  at  various  road  side Railway Stations of Katihar Division including Dalkola Railway Station;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the reasons for raising the licence fee exorbitantly;
- (d) whether in view of representation from the existing vending contractors of  road  side  stations  against  imposition  of  exorbitant  rate,  railways  are proposing to issue fresh guidelines in regard to fair fixation of licence fee for the petty vending and catering/modular tea stalls; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (c) : No, Madam. No enhancement of license fee for road side station has been done in Northeast Frontier Railway. Fixation of license fee is done based on Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) Officers' formula in accordance  with  Catering  Policy  2010  which  is  based  on  the  following components:-  (i) category  of  station,  (ii) type  of  licence,  (iii) number  of

Contd..2/..

originating  passengers,  (iv)  number  of  trains  stopping  (day  &  night), (v) duration of stoppages (vi) location of the unit at the station, (vii) approximate licence fees of a similar type of unit at a similar category of  station  in  proximity.  In  case  of  Static  Units  on  'A1'  and  'A'    Category stations of Metro cities and on 'C' Category stations having high purchasing power,  the  fixation  of  minimum    licence  fee  will,  apart  from  all  other factors,  take  into  account  the  Circle  rates  fixed  and  notified  by  the Competent Authority of the State Government from time to time.

(d): No, Madam.

(e): Does not arise.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1349 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Special Package for Holistic Development
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: RAM SWAROOP SHARMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:  1349 TO BE ANSWERED ON:  23.11.2016

## SPECIAL PACKAGE FOR HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT

1349. SHRI RAM SWAROOP SHARMA:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to provide special package for holistic development of other tribal areas in the country on the lines of north-eastern States; and
- (b) if so, the complete details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a)   No, Madam. There is no such proposal under consideration of NITI Aayog.
- (b)   Question does not arise.
- -------
Lok Sabha Question No. 1348 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Research Project in Gujarat
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1348

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## RESEARCH PROJECT IN GUJARAT

1348.  SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the research projects implemented or in process by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) during the last three years in Gujarat;
- (b) the amount of funds allocated in this regard;
- (c) whether BARC extends research collaboration in the field of Agriculture with Navsari Agriculture University for joint research for mangoes by using atomic methods; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) Sewage Sludge generated at various sewage treatment plants in towns and cities produce highly infectious sewage sludge which could spread diseases. However,  it  is  also  a  good  source  of  carbon  and  other  elemental  nutrients useful for growth of plants.   Radiation technology can be utilized to hygienise sludge  and  make  it  safer  and  a useful  product  for  farmers  and  other  land applications.  Under  a  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU),  Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) have commenced the implementation of 100 tons per day irradiation facility for dry Sewage Sludge Hygienisation at Ahmedabad after obtaining all statutory approvals  from  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board  (AERB).  The  project   is scheduled    to  commence  the  commercial  production  in  the  last  quarter  of 2017. BARC is providing all technical and scientific support.  BARC  is already operating  a  demonstration  sludge  hygienisation  facility  in  Vadodara  since 1994 and supplying hygienised sewage sludge to local farmers. BARC has

also  undertaken  project  and demonstrated  the   use  of  radiation  grafted materials  for  cleaning  textile  dye  effluents.  Pilot  scale  facilities  which  are under fabrication will be installed in Ahmedabad and Surat for demonstration and   evaluation  of  performance  and   economics.    BARC  has  provided technical  support  for  implementation  of  NISARGRUNA  biogas  plant  at Gajarawadi,  Vadodara  for  processing  of  carcass  of  dead  animals  in  the premises of Vadodara Municipal Corporation.

- (b) Funds for  the  NISARGRUNA project  were  provided  by  Vadodara  Municipal Corporation. BARC provided technical guidance. Funds for setting up of dry sludge hygienisation project at Ahmedabad will be provided by Ahmedabad Municipal  Corporation.  BARC  will  provide  scientific  and  technical  support. Radiation  Source  will  be  provided  by  Department  of  Atomic  Energy  (DAE). BARC  through  Board  of  Research  in  Nuclear  Science  (BRNS)  has  also funded about ` 17.30 lakh to Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh for groundnut research project.
- (c) No, Sir.
- (d) Does not arise in view of (c) above.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: CMRTS
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1347 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD   NOVEMBER, 2016

## CMRTS

1347. SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  State  Government  of  Gujarat  has  applied  for  Captive  Mobile  Radio Tracking Service (CMRTS) Frequency Licence from Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for implementation of Digital Trunk Radio System (DTRS) for modernization of their Police Communication System;
- (b) if so, keeping in view the hostile country border with Gujarat the time by which the CMRTS Licences is likely to be issued;
- (c) whether  issue  regarding  waiving  off  of  spectrum  charges  (including  licence fees  and  late  fees)  payable w.e.f. 01/06/2004  till  31/03/2016  amounting  to  Rs. 9,51,17,673/- has been settled and if so, the time by which the necessary licence for implementation of 'DTRS' system is likely to be issued to Gujarat Police;
- (d) whether keeping in view the sensitivity  and  urgency for modernization of  the State Police, the DoT would issue the licence without linking amount due of spectrum charges,  with  the  application  for  issuing  licence  for  DTRS  system  and  treat  the matters separately; and
- (e) if so, the time frame fixed for the same?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) to (e) Madam,  the  Additional  Director  General  of  Police  and  Commissioner, Technical Services, Gujarat State applied for Captive Mobile Radio Trunking Service (CMRTS) Licence using digital technology for Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot cities and Gandhinagar district service areas. These applications were examined as per the laid down procedures and Captive Mobile Radio Trunking Service (CMRTS) license  for  Ahmedabad,  Vadodara,  Surat,  Rajkot  cities  and  Gandhinagar  district service areas have been issued on 28 th September, 2016 subsequent to payment of principle amount in respect of spectrum charges.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1346 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: FDI in Nuclear Power Sector
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE, (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1346

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## FDI IN NUCLEAR POWER SECTOR

1346.  SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE: ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is allowed in nuclear power sector in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether new nuclear power plants are proposed in the country under FDI; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the sites selected for the same?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) No, Sir.
- (b) to (d)  Do not arise.
- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Bilateral Agreements
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: P.R. SUNDARAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1343

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2016

## BILATERAL AGREEMENTS

## 1343. SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- the  details  of  the  bilateral  agreements  signed  with  foreign countries  in  the  fields  of  space  research  and  rocket  launch
- (a) technology; and
- (b) the expected developments from new space projects initiated by the Department of Space in the next two years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) Government of India  and  its  national  space  body,  the  Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) of Department of Space (DOS)  has  signed  MoU/  bilateral  agreements  with  39  foreign countries  on  peaceful  uses  of  outer  space  viz.  Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Mauritius,

Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Norway, Peru, Republic of Korea, Russia,  Saudi  Arabia,  Spain,  Sweden,  Syria,  Thailand,  The Netherlands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Vietnam. The scope  of cooperation under these MoUs  include  Joint development  of  scientific  instruments;  joint  realization  of satellite missions; joint calibration and validation experiments; development of advanced technologies for building  and  launching  of  spacecrafts  for  earth  observation and space science exploration.

- (b) The  outcomes  expected  from  various  new  space  projects  in the next two years include - (i) continuity of data and services for natural resources monitoring, all weather imaging, oceanography,  disaster  management  support;  (ii)  enhancing remote  sensing  capability  with high resolution data; (iii) augmentation of INSAT/GSAT capacity; (iv) enhancing communication capability with high throughput satellites; (v) building indigenous capability for launching 4 ton class communication satellites; (vi) building operational applications of indigenous navigation system NavIC.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1342 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Decline in Freight Revenue
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1342 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## DECLINE IN FREIGHT REVENUE

1342.  ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  freight  revenues  of  the  Railways  has  declined  by 7.74% in July and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  it  is  true  that  the  coal  loading  has  also  witnessed  a decline in the last four months during April-July, 2016; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1342 BY  ADV. M.  UDHAYAKUMAR

## TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  23.11.2016  REGARDING DECLINE IN FREIGHT REVENUE

(a):  Yes,  Madam.  There  has  been    a  decline  of  7.74%  in  the monthly Freight Revenue for the month of July 2016 as compared to that in month of July, 2015 and the details are as under:-

( ` in crore)

|       |   2015-16 For July |   2016-17 ForJuly(Originating) |   %Variation over July-2015 |
|-------|--------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------|
| Total |            8398.24 |                        7787.33 |                        7.74 |

(b)  &  (c):  Yes,  Madam.  Coal  loading  on  Indian  Railways  during April-July 2016 has witnessed a decrease of 3.03 million tonnes as compared to the corresponding period in the last year 2015-16 and the details are as under:-

( in million tonnes)

|                                   |   2015-16 April-July |   2016-17April-July (Tonnes Originating) |   Variation over 2015-16 |
|-----------------------------------|----------------------|------------------------------------------|--------------------------|
| (i) Total Coal (excluding import) |               148.05 |                                   148.02 |                     0.03 |
| (ii)Total Coal (imported)         |                31.97 |                                    28.97 |                     3    |
| Total Coal (i+ii)                 |               180.02 |                                   176.99 |                     3.03 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1341 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: SAARC Summit
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1341 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## SAARC SUMMIT

1341. SHRI RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  SAARC  Summit  scheduled  to  be  held  in  Pakistan  was cancelled recently and if so, reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government had any consultation with SAARC nations regarding the future of SAARC; and
- (c)
- if so, details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  19th   SAARC  Summit  scheduled  on  9-10  November  2016  in Islamabad was postponed following communications from India, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh to the current SAARC Chair Nepal conveying their inability to participate.

India  conveyed  that  increasing  cross-border  terrorist  attacks  in the  region  and  growing  interference  in  the  internal  affairs  of  Member States  by  one  country  had  created  an  environment  that  was  not conducive  to  the  successful  holding  of  the  Summit  and  that  in  the prevailing circumstances Government of India was unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad.

Afghanistan  conveyed  the  unavailability  of  its  President  due  to increased level of violence and fighting as a result of imposed terrorism on  Afghanistan.  Bangladesh  cited  growing  interference  in  the  internal matters of Bangladesh by one country. Bhutan conveyed its concern on the recent escalation of terrorism in the region.

- (b) & (c) Since the postponement, there have been no consultations within  SAARC  framework  regarding  the  future  of  SAARC.  However, Government of India had also conveyed that it remained steadfast in its commitment  to  regional  cooperation,  connectivity  and  contacts  but believed that those can only go forward in an atmosphere free of terror.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1340 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Natural Resource Data Management System
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA, REKHA ARUN VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1340

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23/11/2016

## NATURAL RESOURCE DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

†1340. SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:

## SHRIMATI REKHA VERMA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  districts  of  State  of  Karnataka  covered  under  Natural  Resources  Data Management System;
- (b) whether the Government is planning to cover all districts in aforesaid Management system;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) time by which all districts of the States may be covered in Natural Resource Data Management System?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó (gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

(a) to (d): All 30 districts of State of Karnataka have been covered under Natural Resources Data Management System (NRDMS) Programme of the Department of Science & Technology.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1339 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Online Voting
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1339

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 23 rd NOVEMBER, 2016

## ONLINE VOTING

1339. SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering on-line voting through PIN by the Defence and  the  Para  Military  personnel  who  are  invariably  on  duty  in  remote  areas  during Elections; (b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which a decision is likely to be taken in this regard; and (c)  if  not,  the  manner  in  which  the  Minister  propose  to  resolve  the  issue  in  order  to ensure that the Defence and Para Military personnel also are able to exercise their right
- of adult franchise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P.P.CHAUDHARY)

- (a): No, Madam.
- (b): Does not arise.

(c): Rule 23 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 has been amended on 21 st October, 2016 providing that the postal ballot paper may be transmitted by the Returning Officer by such electronic means as may be specified by the Election Commission for Defence Personnel and other service voters as mentioned in section 20 (8) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.