opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 808 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Increase in Fares
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: M. B. RAJESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.808 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## INCREASE IN FARES

808. SHRI M.B. RAJESH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  increase  the passenger fares;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the details of train fares hiked during the last three years?

## 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. 808 BY SHRI M.B. RAJESH TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 20.12.2017 REGARDING INCREASE IN FARES (a)  &  (b)  Evaluation  of  various  alternatives  relating  to  rationalization  of passenger  fare  is  an  on-going  process.  At  present,  there  is  no  such proposal. (c) The details of increase in passenger fares during the last three years are as under:(i) In 2014-15, passenger fares for all classes were increased from 25.06.2014  by  14.2%  inclusive  of  4.2%  on  account  of  Fuel Adjustment Component (FAC). However, there was no increase in Second  Class  (Ordinary)  Suburban  fares  upto  a  distance  of  80 kilometers. (ii) During 2015-16, passenger  fares have  not been  increased. However,  the  minimum  chargeable  passenger  fare  for  Second Class Non-suburban services has been increased from ₹ 5 to ₹10 to bring it at par with the rate of platform tickets from 22.11.2015. There is no increase in passenger fares in 2016-17 & 2017-18 till
- *****
- (iii) now.
Lok Sabha Question No. 807 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Employment Generation Potential
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 807 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## EMPLOYMENT GENERATION POTENTIAL

## 807.   SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is assessing the employment generation potential in Indian Railways against the investments made and proposed by the Government;
- (b) if so, whether any report has been submitted to the Government about the gaps in employment potential against investments; and
- (c) if so, the detail thereof ?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) & (c):  Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 805 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Effective Resolution of Commercial Disputes
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 805

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2017.

## Effective Resolution of Commercial Disputes

## 805. SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  urged  the  Supreme  Court  for  expeditious  and effective  resolution  of  commercial  disputes  in  Delhi  and  Mumbai  lower  courts through e-filing and e-services of summons and adherence to time-lines;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that there were certain issues that could be addressed by the judiciary through its initiatives in the larger interest of efficient and effective delivery of justice; and
- (d) if so, the response received by the Government from the Supreme Court in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) & (b): The Chief Justice of India and Chief Justices of Delhi and Bombay High Courts have been  requested  regarding  the  implementation  of  the  existing  provisions  in  the  Code  of  Civil Procedure, 1908 relating to grant of adjournments, adherence to timelines and electronic filing and  electronic  service  of  summons  by  the  City  Courts  of  Delhi  and  Mumbai  with  a  view  to providing timely and effective 'enforcement of contracts' for improving the ease of doing business in India.

(c)  &  (d):  Initiatives  have  been  taken by  the  Judiciary  for  early  and  effective  delivery  of  justice through Arrears Committee for clearing the backlog of cases pending for more than five years. National Court Management System (NCMS) has been put in place  to address various issues for improving the functioning of the judicial system. Further, the National Legal Services Authority (  for  providing legal aid to poor) and eCommittee (for computerisation of courts under eCourts project) are also taking necessary steps for efficient and effective delivery of justice.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 804 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Attacks on Minorities Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.804 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## ATTACKS ON MINORITIES ABROAD

## 804. SHRI SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the incidents of religious attacks on minority
- Hindus living in Bangladesh since the year 1971 till date;
- (b) whether the Bangladeshi Hindus and also Hindus of other neighbouring countries have taken asylum in India and if so, the details thereof, State/UT and year-wise; and
- (c) whether the Government has registered its protest with such countries in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Sporadic incidents of violence against members of the minority   Hindu   community   and   their   properties   and   places   of worship have been reported in Bangladesh. Government of India closely monitors such incidents and regularly conveys its concerns and sensitivities to the Bangladesh Government since the primary responsibility for the protection of life, liberty and property of all citizens   of   Bangladesh,   including   minorities,   rests   with   the Government   of   Bangladesh.   Government   of   Bangladesh   has assured us that it investigates these attacks very seriously and takes stern action against the perpetrators.

Government   of   India   has   seen   reports   of   persecution, incidents of abduction, forced conversion and marriages of the minority communities, including Hindus in Pakistan. Government has  from   time   to   time   called   upon   Pakistan   to   discharge   its obligations towards its citizens, including Hindus, and to look after   the   well-being,   safety   and   security   of   its   minority communities, including Hindus.

India is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention of 1951

or its 1967 Protocol. Such matters in India have been dealt with under national laws related to foreigners as well as citizenship and naturalization. Government has issued a Gazette Notification on September 8, 2015 amending the Foreigners Act, 1946, to exempt persons belonging to minority communities in Bangladesh and Pakistan, namely, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who were compelled to seek shelter in India due to religious   persecution   or   fear   of   religious   persecution   and   had entered into India on or before the 31 st   of December 2014 from the application of certain provisions of the Act in respect of their stay in India.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 803 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Turnover of CSD
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.803

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## TURNOVER OF CSD

803. SHRI  LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV:

j{kk ea=h

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  turnover  made  by  the  Army's  Canteen  Store  Department  (CSD) canteen during the last three years;
- (b) whether CSD canteens have been directed to curtail its business;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Ministry is likely to face obstacle in providing goods to the soldiers at concessional rates due to the said directions; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

- (a) Turnover of Canteen Stores Department (CSD) for the past 3 years is as under:

| Year    | Turnover in Crores   |
|---------|----------------------|
| 2014-15 | Rs.13709.32          |
| 2015-16 | Rs.15781.73          |
| 2016-17 | Rs.17156.26          |

(b) to (e): No restriction  has  been  put  on  entitlement  of  the  beneficiary. However, instructions have been issued to Unit Run Canteens (URCs) for local restrictions on bulk purchases to prevent pilferages.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 802 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Coal Blocks
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

## Government of India Ministry of Coal Lok Sabha

## Unstarred Question No. 802 To be answered on 20.12.2017

## Coal Blocks

## 802.  SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has reviewed the status of 72 coal blocks;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has passed any order on the beneficiaries of the said 72 coal blocks; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (d): Status of all the allocated coal mines under the provisions of the Coal  Mines  (Special  Provisions)  Act,  2015  is  reviewed  at  the  highest  level. Ministry  of  Coal  is  in  constant  engagement  with  various  stakeholders  for enabling expeditious commencement of mining operations.  Review meetings have been held at regular intervals for various number of coal mines with the allocattees of the coal mines/blocks as well as with the representatives of the State (s) concerned with a view to bring allocated coal mines into production expeditiously.  The progress made by 72 coal mines was reviewed by the Nominated Authority in a meeting held on 21/26.12.2016  and  action  as  required  after  due  examination,  on  part  of various State/Central agencies /allocattees were  taken  to enable the allocattees to develop the coal mines in a timely manner.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 801 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Attack on Fisherman by Sri Lanka
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PR. SENTHILNATHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.801 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## ATTACK ON FISHERMAN BY SRI LANKA

## 801. SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is in receipt of letters from the Honourable   Chief   Minister   of   Tamil   Nadu   regarding   the frequent attacks by Sri Lankan Navy, harassing/arresting the fishermen of Tamil Nadu with impunity;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the Government's response in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has taken up this issue strongly with the Sri Lankan Government and ensured that the Sri Lankan Navy refrains from harassing Indian Fishermen and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the measures taken by the Union Government in this regard?

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

(a) & (b) Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has written on a number of occasions to the Government of India highlighting cases of arrest of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities. Government of India attaches the highest priority to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen. Government regularly takes up the matter   of   apprehension   of   Indian   fishermen   and   their   fishing boats with the Government of Sri Lanka.

(c) & (d) The fishermen issues have been raised at the highest level, including by the Prime Minister with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister   during   the   latter's   visit   to   India   in   November   2017. External Affairs Minister (EAM) had also raised the matter with the Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister during her visit to Colombo earlier this year. This also figured in EAM's discussion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka during the latter's visit to New Delhi in September 2017. It was reiterated that Sri Lankan Government may consider the fishermen issue as a purely humanitarian and livelihood concern and both sides should ensure that there was no use of force under any circumstances.

Following the 2+2 initiative in November 2016 when the Foreign and Fisheries Ministers of the two countries met in New Delhi,   a   bilateral   Joint   Working   Group   (JWG)   mechanism   was institutionalized   to   address   the   fishermen   issues.   It   was   also agreed that Ministers for Fisheries of the two countries meet every six months to review the progress. So far three rounds of the JWG meeting have been held. The 3 rd  meeting of the JWG and the 2 nd   Ministerial meeting held on 13 October and 14 October 2017 respectively in New Delhi took stock of the measures taken by   both   sides   to   address   the   fishermen   issues   pending   a permanent solution. As a result of sustained diplomatic efforts, Government has so far secured the release of 347 fishermen from Sri Lankan custody in 2017.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 799 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Revenue Sharing Model
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: R. VANAROJA

## Government of India Ministry of Coal Lok Sabha To be answered on 20.12.2017

## Unstarred Question No. 799 Revenue Sharing Model

## 799.  SHRIMATI VANAROJA R.:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether private players have criticized the revenue sharing model for award of coal block for commercial mining;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is considering to reverse auction where the bidder who promises to charge the least from the ultimate consumer would be the block winner and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is considering that the reverse auction would fulfil  the  Government's  stated  objective  of  providing  cheap  energy  to the masses that still use the fuel for cooking; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (e): The methodology for auction of coal mines / blocks for sale of coal under the provisions of the Coal Mines (Special  Provisions) Act, 2015 and the  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  and  Regulation)  Act,  1957  is  under consideration of the Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 798 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Three Tier Education Model
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 798 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## THREE TIER EDUCATION MODEL

## 798. SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering a three tier education model for minorities;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  received  a  suggestion  from  a  committee  in  this regard;
- (c) whether  the  report  of  the  said  committee  recommended  setting  up  of  167  central schools in rural area/blocks of minority dominated and minority concentrated districts and 44 in minority dominated and minority concentrated cities across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the said committee wanted the norms of Navodaya Vidyalaya and Kendriya Vidyalaya should be suitably amended and made applicable; and
- (e) if so, the details therof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a)  &  (c):  The  Maulana  Azad  Education  Foundation  (MAEF)  a  society  working  under  the aegis of Ministry of Minority Affairs, MAEF constituted a Committee on Establishment of Educational Institutions for Minorities which  has  submitted  its  report  to  MAEF  on 06.07.2017.  The  Committee  in  its  report,  has  recommended  for  a  three  tier  model  of educational institutions for minorities having:

-  211 Central Schools at the bottom;
-  25 Community Colleges at the middle; and
-  5 National Institutes at the top level.

Out of 211 Central schools, the Committee has recommended for setting up of 167 central schools in rural area/blocks of minority dominant and minority concentrated districts and 44 in minority dominant and minority concentrated cities across the country.

(d) & (e): The said committee has also recommended for establishing Central Schools on the pattern of Navodaya Vidayalaya / Kendriya Vidyalaya by suitably amending their norms.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 797 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Electricity from Ocean Water
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: KAMLA DEVI PATLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 797 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

## ELECTRICITY FROM OCEAN WATER

797.  SHRIMATI KAMLA DEVI PAATLE:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the National Institute of Ocean Technology is working towards generating electricity from ocean water;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any cost analysis has been conducted in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  start  pilot  projects  for  this purpose in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the progress made so far in this regard?

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

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has conducted experiments  on  harnessing  energy  from  ocean  and  developed  small units for wave and current energy for which open sea trails have been conducted.  NIOT  has  also  submitted  a  proposal  for  establishment  of pilot experimental desalination plant at Kavaratti, Lakshadweep Islands powered by Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).
- (c) No, Madam. It is too early to undertake cost analysis of ocean energy projects in India since they are still at demonstration and scaling up levels.
- (d) Yes, Madam.
- (e) The proposed capacity of the OTEC powered desalination plant is one lakh  liter  of  potable  drinking  water  per  day.  The  bathymetric  survey has  been  completed  and  site  for  location  of  the  plant  has  been identified.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 796 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Pantry Car
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NEELAM SONKER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.796 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## PANTRY CAR

†796. SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

(a) whether 12226/12225 Kaifiyat express running from Delhi to Azamgarh does not have pantry car due to which passengers do not get dinner and refreshment facility and private vendors financially exploit the passengers;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Railways proposes to attach pantry car in Kaifiyat express in public interest; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (d):  Attachment  of  pantry  car  to  any  train  depends  upon  order  of priority  with  respect  to  category  of  train  viz.  Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto/ Mail/Express  trains  etc,  availability  of  pantry  cars,  load  limitation  and journey  time  of  train  etc.  The  running  time  of  Train  No.12226/12225 Kaifiyat  express,  is  approximately  15  hours.    Since  this  train  is  running with  maximum  permissible  load  of  22  LHB  (Linke  Hofmann  Busch) coaches,  it  is  not  operationally  feasible  to  attach  pantry  car  without replacement  of  existing  coach.  However,  passengers  of  this  train  can order food of their choice through e-catering which is available at all major stations en-route and through static units available at all stations en-route.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 795 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Informative Data Breaches
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 795

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 20.12.2017

## INFORMATIVE DATA BREACHES

## 795 SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of Electronics & Information Technology be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is aware of informative data breaches in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the United Nations has also urged for data safety reform issues; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ALPHONS KANNANTHANAM)

(a)  and  (b)  :  With  the  innovation  of  technology  and  rise  in  usage  of  cyber  space  for businesses,  cyber attacks are on the rise. Such cyber attacks target organisations and users to gain unauthorised access to data. Government is aware of such instances.

Government has taken measures for preventing informative data breaches and unauthorised access to data by enhancing the cyber security of  information technology infrastructure in the country. These are:

- i) The  Indian  Computer  Emergency  Response  Team  (CERT-In)  issues  security  alerts, advisories and guidelines to prevent occurrence of cyber incidents and also conducts security  workshops and training programs on regular basis to sensitize organisations about the cyber security threat landscape and enabling them to prepare and implement the cyber security measures in their organisation.
2. ii) Cyber  security  mock  drills  are  being  conducted  regularly  by  CERT-In  to  enable assessment of cyber security posture and preparedness of organizations in Government and critical sectors.

(c) and (d) : The issues of data protection and mapping of databases have found mention in the  discussions  at  the  United  Nations  Group  of  Government  Experts  (UNGGE)  and  at  the Working  Group  on  Enhanced  Cooperation  (WGCE)  respectively.  India  has  been  actively participating in these Groups to help formulate global policies in this regard.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 793 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Tarapur to Anand Junction Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DILIP PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 793 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## TARAPUR TO ANAND JUNCTION RAIL LINE

793.   SHRI DILIP PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether a team of railway officers has explored the possibility of Tarapur to Anand Junction rail line in Gujarat;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether  the  funds  for  the  survey  of  the  above  rail  line  would  be allocated and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  to  (c):  There  is  already  an  existing  broad  gauge  line  between Tarapur and Anand Junction.

*****