opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 6289 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Jobs in Overseas Countries
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: B. SREERAMULU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6289

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## JOBS IN OVERSEAS COUNTRIES

## 6289. SHRI B. SRIRAMULU:

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

- (a) whether the Government has prepared scheme/plan for providing training and jobs in overseas countries to unemployed youths;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  identified  prospective  countries  and  trades  for training-cum-employment;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps being taken by the Government to provide training and jobs in overseas countries to unemployed youths?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e) Government envisages making India a global hub of skilled manpower to cater to domestic as well as overseas demand for skilled manpower. Government has taken following steps in this regard:
- (i) The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has been engaging  in  international  collaborations  with  a  number  of  countries, focused  on  two  parallel  strands  of  activity.  Firstly,  MSDE  has  been engaging with countries such as Germany, United Kingdom (UK), China and Australia to understand international best practices in skill training and apply these to the Indian context, to ensure that Indian youth are trained according to global standards. The skilling  standards have already been aligned  with  UK  and  Australia  across  110  job  roles.  Secondly,  MSDE  is also collaborating with countries such as United Arab Emirates (UAE), to mutually  recognize  qualifications  and  certifications  to  ensure  that  those trained in India can be employed in UAE and other GCC countries.
- (ii) The  Government  has  launched  Pravasi  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY) which  would  provide  requisite  skill  training  and  certification  to  youth looking for overseas job opportunities across various sectors as per global standards. MEA  would  provide  inputs on Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT) relating to knowledge of the local culture, language, work ethics and other soft skills relevant to the country in which they obtain a job.
- (iii) Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship  (MSDE)  under  the 'Skill India' Mission is setting up India International Skill Centre (IISC) to provide skill trainings and  certification benchmarked  to  International Standards.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 6287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: State-of-the-Art Technology
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6287 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12/4/2017

## STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY

## †6287. SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

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

(a) whether India is being deprived of the state-of-the-art technology due to the baseless and outdated restrictions imposed by the developed countries;

(b) if  so,  whether  the  scientific  initiatives  of  India  have  been  hampered  due  to  the  nonavailability of such foreign technology; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and the corrective action taken in this regard?

## 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  (c):  Yes,  Madam.  Access to high technology and dual use items was, in the past, tightly controlled by the four multilateral export control regimes, namely, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement. In fact, India was the target of these regimes and Indian entities/companies were regularly denied access to such technologies and items by the members of these regimes. However,  since  2004,  Government  engaged  constructively  with  these  regimes  and  its members with a view to ease domestic access to such technologies and items. Some of the notable developments that enabled this were the India-U.S. Civil Nuclear Initiative of 2005, the policy decision of the NSG in 2008 to permit nuclear commerce with India and the removal of Indian entities from the 'denied entities list' of countries such as US and Japan. The 2008 NSG decision has enabled India to sign Civil Nuclear Cooperation with a number of countries thereby easing the access to critical nuclear items. In June 2016, India joined the MTCR thus paving the way for better access to space technologies. India traditionally has a well developed indigenous technological base in the nuclear and space domain that has thrived well in spite of the sanctions/denials it has faced in the past.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 6284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Postal Imports
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6284 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH   APRIL, 2017

## POSTAL IMPORTS

## 6284. SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Government has reviewed the postal imports in the country;
- (b) if so, the details and the present status thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) (i) The Government has reviewed the legal provisions in the Customs Act, 1962 pertaining to postal imports and changes have been made to the Customs Act, 1962 vide the Finance Act, 2017.
- (ii) The Government of India vide Notification No. 22/2015-2020 dated 12 th August, 2016  has  enhanced  the  CIF  (Cost,  Insurance  and  Freight)  value  of  import  of consumer electronic items at any one time by any person through post or otherwise for personal use. The value has been enhanced from Rs 2,000/- to Rs. 50,000/-.
- (c) Does not arise in view of (b) above.

**************************
Lok Sabha Question No. 6283 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Indo-Japan Nuclear Cooperation
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6283 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## INDO-JAPAN NUCLEAR COOPERATION

## 6283. SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India and Japan differed on nuclear tests and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  Japan  wanted  India  to  maintain  its  commitment  to voluntary unilateral moratorium; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the response of India thereto?

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

- (a) The  Agreement  between  the  Government  of  the  Republic  of India and the Government of Japan for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was signed on November 11, 2016. Article 3 of the Agreement, inter-alia, states that 'Cooperation under this Agreement shall be carried out only for peaceful and non-explosive purposes'.

(b) & (c) India independently maintains a voluntary and unilateral moratorium on testing. This policy remains unchanged.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6281 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Narrow Gauge Line between Raipur and Kendri
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KAMALBHAN SINGH MARABI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6281 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## NARROW GAUGE LINE BETWEEN RAIPUR AND KENDRI

## †6281.     SHRI KAMALBHAN SINGH MARABI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the narrow gauge line between Raipur and Kendri in Chhattisgarh has been transferred to the State and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether sanction has also been granted for rupees 7.1 crore for construction of road for maintenance of narrow gauge Loco and Coaches as was proposed;
- (c) if so, the time by which the said amount is likely to be paid by the Ministry of Railways; and
- (d)
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):    It  has  been  decided  in  consultation  with  State Government  of  Chhattisgarh  to  close  the  narrow  gauge  line between Raipur and Kendri and transfer the Railway land to the Chhattisgarh  Government.  Chhattisgarh  State  Government  has 7.10 crore for construction of new shed at Kendri for maintenance of already  paid ` 139.04  crore  towards  cost  of  the  land  and ` narrow gauge Loco and coaches.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6280 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6280 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## KALADAN MULTI-MODAL TRANSIT TRANSPORT

6280. SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  developing  the  Kaladan  Multi-Modal Transit Transport project;
- (b) if so, the details of this project;
- (c) whether  the  project  development  fund  that  was  proposed  to  be created for this project has since been created;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether this project has been delayed and is long-pending and if so, the  details  thereof  and  the  timeline  of  the  project  along  with  its current status?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes. Government of India (GoI) is developing the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project in Myanmar.
- (b) The project includes a waterways component of 158 km on Kaladan river from Sittwe to Paletwa in Myanmar and a road component of 109 km from  Paletwa  to  Zorinpui  on  the  India-Myanmar  border  in  Mizoram  State. The waterways component comprises Sittwe Port, Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminals, backup facilities and navigational channel.
- (c) & (d) The  project  is  being  implemented  with  GoI's  grant  assistance under the head of 'Aid to Myanmar'.
- (e) Under waterways component, Port and Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal  at  Sittwe  and  related  infrastructure/back  up  facilities;  IWT/transshipment  terminal  and  related  facilities  at  Paletwa;  navigational  channel along  Kaladan  river  from  Sittwe  to  Paletwa  and  six  self-propelled  IWT vessels have been completed. The construction of the road component is behind schedule.  The work on road construction has already been awarded on 17 March 2017 and the construction period is 36 months.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6278 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Outsourcing of Hospitality Service
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: A.T. (NANA) PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6278 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## OUTSOURCING OF HOSPITALITY SERVICE

6278. SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  proposes  to  outsource  its  certain  non-core functions like hospitality services;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and
- (c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve  performance  and strengthen internal management system of Railways?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) : New Catering Policy has been notified on 27 th  February, 2017 with the objective to provide quality food to rail  passengers  by unbundling of catering services on trains. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism  Corporation  Limited  (IRCTC)  has  been  mandated  to  carry  out the unbundling by creating a distinction primarily between food preparation and food distribution. In order to upgrade quality of catering services, IRCTC will engage service providers from hospitality industry for  service  of  food  in  trains.    In  the  case  of  tourist  trains,  products, executive lounges etc.  service providers are engaged.

Contd..2/-

Further, in order to provide better and improved services to passengers, Indian Railways has decided to hand over the Retiring Rooms/dormitories  and  their  management  to  IRCTC.  Expression  of Interest (EOI) has been called for for Empanelment of Reputed Organizations by IRCTC to undertake the work of Renovate, Operate and Transfer of retiring room in a phased manner.

Railways also propose to outsource the housekeeping of major stations and trains by engaging professional agencies so that integrated cleaning can be taken up as a specialised activity. (c):  Indian  Railways  is  going  for  development  of  Commercial  Contract Management  System  (CCMS)  for  management  of  internal  processes related with  commercial  contracts to improve the efficiency  and performance. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between the Zonal  Railway  and  Railway  Board  for  the  year  2016-17  to  ensure accountability and improve performance.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6277 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Titanium Metal
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6277

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## TITANIUM METAL

## 6277.   SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of schemes promoting research and development of Titanium Metal in the country;
- (b) whether the country is capable of commercially producing the said metal and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Research to develop Titanium Metal production technology in the country was initially carried  out  in  Bhabha  Atomic  Research  Centre  (BARC),  a  constituent  unit  of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).  Based upon this technology, a pilot plant was set up in Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), Hyderabad (an industrial unit of DAE). This technology was subsequently transferred to Defense Metallurgical Research Laboratory  (DMRL),  Ministry  of  Defence,  who  successfully  operated  a  pilot  plant. Based  on  the  same  technology,  Department  of  Space  in  association  with  Kerala Minerals & Metals Ltd. (KMML), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Government of Kerala, is now operating an industrial scale unit for production of Titanium metal.
- (b)
- Yes, Madam. Details are as follows:
- (i) India  is  capable  of  producing  Titanium  metal.  Kerala  Minerals  &  Metals Limited  (KMML),  a  Kerala  State  Government  Undertaking,  has  an  installed capacity of 500TPA Titanium Sponge.
- (ii)  Currently KMML operates approximately at 50% capacity for producing high quality sponge, which is mainly consumed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). There is a potential to increase the capacity to 1000 TPA in  case domestic demand arises.
- (iii) Billets  are  produced  at  Mishra  Dhatu  Nigam  Limited  (MIDHANI),  a  Public Sector Undertaking under Ministry of Defence and end products like tubes, bars etc. are produced at NFC, Hyderabad as per user requirement.
- (c) Not applicable, in view of (b) above.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 6276 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Rail Development Authority
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6276 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## RAIL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

6276.   DR. BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Indian Railways has come out with a Concept Paper on Rail Development Authority (RDA);
- (b) if so, the aims and objectives of the RDA;
- (c) the details of functions of the RDA;
- (d)  whether  the  recommendations  of  the  RDA  are  persuasive  in nature or are binding on the Railways; and
- (e) if so, the salient features/structure of the said Authority?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  Yes,  Madam.  Ministry  of  Railways  had  brought  out  a  concept paper  for  public  consultation  on  setting  up  of  Rail  Development Authority  of  India.  Based  on  inputs  received  from  stakeholders,  a proposal for setting up of RDA has been approved by Government.

- (b)  &  (c):  Some  of  the  aims  and  objectives  of  Rail  Development Authority are: pricing of services commensurate with costs; enhancement of Non Fare Revenue; protection of consumer interests

by  ensuring  quality  of  service  and  cost  optimization;  competition, efficiency  and  economy;  market  development;  creation  of  positive environment of investment; benchmarking  of service standards against international norms; providing framework for nondiscriminatory  open  access  to  Dedicated  Freight  Corridor  (DFC); absorption of new technologies for achieving efficiency and performance standards; and human resource development to achieve any of its stated objectives. Rail Development Authority's envisaged functions pertain to the above aims and objectives.

(d) & (e): It is envisaged that RDA comprising a Chairman and three Members shall make recommendations to Government for appropriate consideration/decision.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6275 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Vacant Posts of Ambassadors
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN, K. GOPAL, KAMLA DEVI PATLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6275 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## VACANT POSTS OF AMBASSADORS

† 6275. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN: DR. K. GOPAL:

SHRIMATI KAMLA DEVI PAATLE:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the category-wise and country-wise number of Indian Ambassadors and diplomats posted in foreign countries as on date;
- (b) the category-wise and country-wise number of vacant posts of Ambassadors and diplomats and since when these posts are lying vacant and the time by which these are likely to filled;
- (c) the  total  number  of  Ambassadors/diplomats  other  than  from Indian  Foreign  Service,  Indian  Administrative  Service  and Government Services; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  preparing  any  scheme  to  recruit Ambassadors/Diplomats for working in Indian Missions abroad and if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) As  on  date,  85  Ambassadors,  29  High  Commissioners,  6 Permanent Representatives to multilateral organizations in the rank of Ambassador and 1 Representative are posted in foreign countries. There  are  1116  officers  from  Indian  Foreign  Service  and  other cadres  of  the  Ministry  of  External  Affairs  as  well  as  from  other Ministries  and  Departments  of  GOI  who  are  posted  on  diplomatic assignments to Indian Missions and Posts abroad.

(b) Five posts of Ambassadors in following countries have recently fallen vacant - Belgium (March 2017), Bulgaria (April 2017), Germany  (April  2017),  Mali  (February  2017)  and  The  Philippines (November 2016). These Missions are currently headed at the level of Charge d'Affaires and are at different stages of being filled in. In addition, Indian Missions to Libya and Yemen, which are temporarily relocated to Malta and D'jbouti respectively, are also headed at the level of Charge d'Affaires.

(c) & (d)    All Ambassadors and diplomats posted in Indian Missions one Ambassador who was appointed after retirement. No new scheme to recruit  Ambassadors/  Diplomats  for  working  in  Indian  Missions and Posts abroad are from Government Service except abroad is currently under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6274 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Pending CBI Cases
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6274

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017)

## PENDING CBI CASES

## 6274. SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  cases  that  are  pending  for  investigation  with  the  Central  Bureau  of Investigation (CBI) for different periods from two, five, ten and fifteen years;
- (b) the  number of cases relating to disproportionate assets, cheating and  forgery out of them;
- (c) the rate of conviction by the CBI; and
- (d) the steps taken/proposed by the Government to increase the conviction rate?

## 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):   As on 28.02.2017, 1174 cases are pending under investigation. Out of these, 157 cases are pending for more than 2 years, 36 cases are pending for more than 5 years, 06 cases are pending for more than 10 years and 02 cases are pending for more than 15 years.
- (b):   Out of these 1174 cases, 108 cases relate to possession of disproportionate assets and 223 cases relate to cheating and/or forgery.
- (c):   The conviction rate of CBI during the last three years is as under: -
- (d):    In  order  to  ensure  better  conviction  rate,  Government  has  taken  various  measures  for improving  the  functioning  of  the  CBI  which,  inter  alia,  includes  modernization  of  CBI, enhanced  quality  of  training,  upgradation  of  infrastructure,  creation  of  additional  posts  of Public Prosecutors, training of Public Prosecutors, modernization of Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) etc.

|   YEAR |   CONVICTION RATE% |
|--------|--------------------|
|   2014 |              69.02 |
|   2015 |              65.1  |
|   2016 |              66.8  |

*****