opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2409 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Quota for Soldiers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DADDAN MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2409 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2016

## QUOTA FOR SOLDIERS

†2409. SHRI DADDAN MISHRA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the soldiers have a ticket reservation quota in the Railways and whether this facility is available in all the trains and classes;
- (b) if so, the basis on which the said quota is fixed;
- (c) whether the Railways proposes to formulate any scheme of providing seat reservation to the military personnel deployed in the remote areas for their private/official journey as per the demand; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  difficulty  being  faced  in formulating any such plan?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (d): The extent of reservation quota to be earmarked under Defence Department  Quota(DDQ)  is  decided  by  Zonal  Railway  concerned  on request  of  Ministry  of  Defence  depending  upon  demand  pattern  and availability of accommodation.  The quota so earmarked is reviewed on periodical  basis  and  adjustments  made  wherever  required.    During  the period from 01.04.2015 to 31.03.2016, 1742031 berths/seats were earmarked under DDQ which were utilised to the extent of 49.5%.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2406 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Vacant Posts of Disabled Persons
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2406

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2016)

## VACANT POSTS OF DISABLED PERSONS

## 2406. SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether as per the latest census, the percentage of disabled persons in Government departments is less than 3%;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any steps have been taken to fill up all the vacant posts of disabled persons in the Government departments;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the time by which all the vacant posts reserved for them are likely to be filled up?

## 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): As per the census data collected by the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, the estimated population of Persons with Disabilities during 2011 census was about 2.68 crores.

Section 33 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (PWD Act, 1995) mandates every appropriate Government to appoint in every establishment such percent-age of vacancies not less than three per cent for persons or class of persons with disability of which one per cent each shall be reserved for  persons  suffering  from:  (i)  blindness  or  low  vision;  (ii)  hearing  impairment  and  (iii) locomotor disability or cerebral palsy, in the posts identified for each disability.

Thereafter, as per the provisions of the Act, reservation for persons with disability is vacancy based and not based on population.

As  per  information  received  from  59  Ministries/Departments,  the  representation  of persons  with  disabilities  in  the  posts/services  of  the  Central  Government  Departments/ Ministries is 20,570 as on 01.01.2015.

(c) to (e):  The Government has issued instructions on 22 nd May, 2015 to all concerned to take immediate necessary action for filling up of vacancies for persons with disabilities and launched a Special Recruitment Drive for this purpose. 15,694 vacancies were identified for persons  with  disabilities,  out  of  which  12,786  vacancies  have  been  filled  up.  Monitoring meetings  are  being  held  by  the  Department  of  Personnel  &  Training  with  the  concerned Departments/  Ministries  and  they  have  been  advised  to  expedite  the  filling  up  of  those remaining vacancies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2403 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Laws on Divorce
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA

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

## L O K     S A B H A

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2403

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 30 TH  NOVEMBER, 2016.

## LAWS    ON   DIVORCE

## 2403. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA

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

- (a) whether  2011  census  was  the  first  data  which  reported  on  separated  and  divorced population separately;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, religious community-wise;
- (c) whether restrictive provisions of the divorce law and the long delays are linked to a high proportion of separated individuals and the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to make marriage laws more women-friendly and allow both parties to file for divorce on the ground of 'irretrievable breakdown' of marriage;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  amend/simplify  Hindu  Marriage  Act  and Christian law and if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) and (b) Yes, Madam. The details thereof are available in the official website of the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the link: http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-series/c-3.html
- (c) It cannot be stated with any degree of accuracy that the provisions of the divorce law and the long delays are linked to a high proportion of separated individuals.
- (d) No such proposal is under consideration at present.
- (e) Does not arise.
- (f) Yes,  Madam.  A  proposal  to  amend  the  Divorce  Act,  1869  (4  of  1869)  (law relating to the divorce of persons professing Christian religion) on the basis of the recommendations made by the Law Commission of India in its 224 th Report and orders passed by various High Courts, with regard to the provisions of the said Act, is under consideration of the Government.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2402 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Release of Soldiers
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2402 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2016

## RELEASE OF SOLDIERS

2402. DR. PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to devise a mechanism for expeditious  release  of  soldiers  strayed  inadvertently  to  the enemy territory;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  number  of  such  exchanges  taken  place  since  2014 between India and Pakistan?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) The current mechanisms for securing release of soldiers who  stray  inadvertently  across  the  Line  of  Control  (LoC)  into Pakistan controlled territory are as following:
- i. On occurrence of an incident, Pakistan Army is contacted on the  hotline  existing  at  the  Formation/  Military  Operations Directorate.
- ii. The  case  is  further  pursued  by  the  Directorate  General  of Military Operations (DGMO) through a telephone contact with the Pakistani counterpart on the hotline.
- iii. This  Ministry  also  pursues  the  matter  through  diplomatic channels.
- (c) No  exchange  of  Army  personnel  has  taken  place  between India and Pakistan since 2014 through the above channels.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2398 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Skill Development India Mission
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: RANJIT SINGH  BRAHMPURA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2398 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2016

## SKILL DEVELOPMENT INDIA MISSION

## 2398. SHRI RANJIT SINGH BRAHMPURA:

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

- (a) the  number  of  meetings  of  Governing  Council  of  Skill  Development  India Missions that has been convened so far;
- (b) whether the Government has initiated steps for better coordination between Skill India and Entrepreneurship Promotion Programmes such as Start-up India and Standup-India: 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) One meeting of the Governing Council of National Skill Development Mission has been convened so far. In addition, review of Skill India Mission has been held at the level of Hon'ble Prime Minister a number of times during last one year.
- (b) & (c) Yes Madam. Keeping in view the mandate of Ministry of Skill Development and  Entrepreneurship  for  youth  entrepreneurship  education  and  capacity  building  to become entrepreneurs, an end to end customized entrepreneurship orientation module has been integrated under the Life Skill Course module in the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY)  Courses  so  that  every  candidate  undergoing  PMKVY  skill training  will  receive  orientation  in  Entrepreneurship.  In  ITI  course,  the  module  on Entrepreneurship is already integrated as a section in the employability skills.  Ministry of  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship  has  recently  launched  Pradhan  Mantri YUVA Yojana which aims to impart entrepreneurship education to the youths from 2200 institute  of  higher  learning  including  polytechnics,  500  ITIs  and  300  Entrepreneur Development Programmes (EDPs) covering approximately 7 lakh candidates over the period of five years (2016-2020). Under this scheme, the students receiving skill training will be imparted entrepreneurship education to build their capacity to  become entrepreneurs.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2396 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Visa Process for Pakistanis
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2396 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2016

## VISA PROCESS FOR PAKISTANIS

2396. SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  decided  to  expedite  the  visa process for Pakistani citizens and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Indian High Commission has taken up this issue with the department concerned to expedite clearance; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

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

- (a) Government  has  a  well  defined  visa  policy,  including  for Pakistani nationals.  Appropriate visa is issued to a Pakistani national in accordance with that policy and applicable guidelines.
- (b) & (c) Yes, the High Commission of India in Islamabad takes up the  matter  of  expediting  the  necessary  processes  for  issuance  of visas  with  concerned  Indian  authorities,  as  and  when  required. These include visitors in various categories like pilgrimage, business and medical treatment.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2395 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Intermediary in Telecom
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2395 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30 TH  NOVEMBER, 2016

## INTERMEDIARY IN TELECOM

2395. SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the telecom companies in their response to TRAI's consultation paper have opposed mandating a Telecommunications Service Priority agnostic intermediary for the purpose while demanding for free data for users;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the TRAI has made public comments it received for its consultation paper on free data; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a consultation paper  on  'Free  Data'  on  19.05.2016,  in  which  a  few  stakeholders  have  opposed mandating Telecommunication Service Provider agnostic platform, while demanding for  Free  Data  for  users.  Telecom  Service  Providers  namely  Aircel,  Airtel,  BSNL, Vodafone and MTNL have opposed such platform.
- (c) & (d) In keeping with the practice, TRAI has placed comments and countercomments on the consultation paper on Free Data on its website www.trai.gov.in

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2394 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Rotegaon-Puntamba Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2394 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2016

## ROTEGAON-PUNTAMBA RAIL LINE

## †2394. SHRI CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether survey of Rotegaon-Puntamba railway line connecting Aurangabad with Tirupati and Shirdi has been completed;
- (b) if so, the outcome of the survey; and
- (c) the  nature  of  works  that  have  been  done  so  far  to  start  the construction work of above railway line?

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

(a)  to  (c):        Yes,  Madam.    Survey  for  Rotegaon  to  Puntamba (27 km) new line was completed in 2009-10.  As per survey report, the cost of this line has been assessed as ` 97 crore with a negative Rate of Return of  5%.    Due  to  its  unremunerative  nature,  huge  throwforward  of ongoing projects, limited availability of funds for new lines and other competing priorities, this project could not be taken forward.

However, to reassess viability of the line, an updating survey has been taken up.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2393 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Encroachment of Land of Waqf Board
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: NANABHAU FALGUNRAO PATOLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2393

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2016

## Encroachment of Land of Waqf Board

## 2393. SHRI NANA PATOLE:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the large scale encroachment of land of wakf board in the country and if so, the  details thereof, State-wise; and
- (b)  the total land in acres found encroached upon and the stringent measures taken by the Government till date to remove encroachment and   transfer land to the Board?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a) & (b): According to Section 32(1) of the Waqf  Act, 1995, the general superintendence  of  all  Auqaf  in  a  State  vests  in  the  State  Waqf  Board, established by the State/UT Government. It is the duty of the Board to exercise its power under this Act and to ensure that Auqaf under its superintendence are properly maintained, controlled and administered. Hence, the details of encroachment  of  land  of  waqf  board  in  the  country  are  not  maintained  by  the Central Government.

The Government of India brought amendments in Waqf Act, 1995 through Waqf  Amendment  Act,  2013  which  came  into  force  w.e.f.  1/11/2013.  Major provisions  to  deal  with  encroachment  issues  added  in  the  Waqf  Act,  1995 through the amendment inter alia include addition of the definition of Encroacher; mandate to State Governments to appoint Survey Commissioners and complete the survey of Waqf Properties; provisions of rigorous imprisonment for alienation of Waqf Properties without prior approval of the State/UT Waqf Board; provision to prohibit sale,  gift,  exchange,  mortgage  or  transfer  of  any  movable  or immoveable Waqf Property to any other person.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2392 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Height of Platforms
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2392 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2016

## HEIGHT OF PLATFORMS

## 2392.  SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Railways is aware of the fact that the gap between the levels of railways passengers carriage door and the heights of the platforms at railway stations is wide enough and in some cases more than 1.1/2 feet;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  this  gap  not  only  causes  inconvenience  to  the passengers  but  also  endangers  their  lives  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c)  whether  Mumbai Central Station has the same problem and thus causing anxiety among passengers especially of Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani Express while alighting; and
- (d) if so, the remedial measures taken by the Railways to bridge the gap?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (d): Platforms of different levels viz. rail level, medium level and high level are provided as per prescribed schedule of dimensions at various  categories  of  stations.  It  is  Railways'  endeavor  to  provide platform of appropriate height conforming to the prescribed schedule of  dimensions as per category of station. The gap between platform and coach floor may cause slight inconvenience and may occasionally result in accident, only if passengers try to entrain or detrain from a moving train.

Mumbai Central Main station is an 'A-1' category station and high level platforms are already available at this station, as per norms. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2391 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Support to Special Category States
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI

## Government of India Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA

Unstarred Question No.2391

To be answered on Wednesday, November 30, 2016/Agrahayana 9, 1938 (Saka)

## Question

## Support to Special Category States

## 2391. SHRI SISIR  KUMAR  ADHIKARI:

Will  the  Minister  of  DEVELOPMENT  OF  NORTH  EASTERN  REGION  be pleased to state:

- (a)        whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Government  has  proposed  to  discontinue  the support given to special category States of the entire North Eastern Region;
- (b)      if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c)       the details of the last five years sponsored outlet schemes funded under 90:10 pattern; and
- (d)      the present status of the said schemes?

## ANSWER The Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Development of

## North Eastern Region [Dr. Jitendra Singh]

(a)  to  (d)  :  The  Fourteenth  Finance  Commission  in  its  recommendations  has  not made any distinction between Special Category States and General Category States in  applying  the  horizontal  devolution  formula. The  recommendations  of  the  14 th Finance Commission which have been accepted by the Union Government provide for  higher  devolution  of  42%  of  the  divisible  pool  of  resources  as  against  32% recommended  by  the  Thirteenth  Finance  Commission.  This  has  increased  the quantum  of  fund  flow  to  the  States.  Block  Grants  viz.,  Normal  Central  Assistance (NCA), Special Central Assistance (ACA) and Special Plan Assistance (SPA) have not been provided since Union Budget 2015-16 (Plan). The State Governments have been  requested  to  utilize  enhanced  fund  flow  due  to  increase  in  devolution    of divisible  pool  of  resources  for completion of on-going projects. Limited financial assistance was also provided during the financial year 2015-16 out of Demand No. 37 of Union Budget 2015-16.

Under the rationalized Centrally Sponsored Schemes, 90:10 sharing pattern for the North Eastern States have been continued in respect to 6 'Core of the Core Schemes' and 20 'Core Schemes'. For the 2 Optional Schemes, the funding pattern for  NE  States  would  be  80:20.  The  list  of  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  is  at Annexure-I. It has also been decided to continue with existing pattern of transfers for externally aided projects for North East and Himalayan States in the grant:loan ratio of 90:10 during the Fourteenth Finance Commission award period.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2389 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Reducing Time of AP Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Y. S. AVINASH REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2389

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2016

## REDUCING TIME OF AP EXPRESS

2389. SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has received any proposal from the State Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) for reduction in running time of AP AC express and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the above request of AP Government has not been considered and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the reasons for not acceding to the request? ANSWER

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

- (a)  Requests/representations for speeding up of trains are received at various levels of Railways administration viz. Stations, Divisional level,  Zonal  level  and  Railway  Board's  level  and  action  as  found feasible and justified is  taken from time to time.  However, Indian Railways do not maintain compendium of such representations.
- (b)  &  (c)  Train  No.22415/22416  Visakhapatnam-New  Delhi  AC  AP Express with 19/20 stoppages enroute is only cleared to run at 110 Kmph for major part of the journey.   Given these constraints, any reduction  of  travel  time  of  Train  No.  22415/22416  VisakhapatnamNew Delhi AC AP Express would necessarily mean upgradation of the maximum permissible speed of the train as well as reduction in the number of stoppages, which has not been found feasible yet.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2387 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Commercial Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS *****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2387 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30 TH  NOVEMBER, 2016

## Commercial Courts

## 2387. SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

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

- (a) the progress made in setting up of commercial courts in the country including State level and district level courts set up already; and
- (b) the  time  by  which  the  process  of  setting  up  commercial  courts  will  be  completed  and these courts will become functional throughout the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND  ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

****

- (a) & (b):   The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

****