opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3872 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Water Supply
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, DHARMENDRA YADAV, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3872 TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 09, 2017

## WATER SUPPLY

No. 3872.         SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV: DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  supplements  the  efforts  of  State Governments in providing adequate water supply facilities by providing financial assistance under various ongoing schemes;
- (b) if so, the details of the schemes implemented, State-wise;
- (c) whether  some  States  are  being  given  less  importance  while
- sanctioning the centrally funded schemes; and
- (d) if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)&(b) Yes, Madam. Water supply is a State subject. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs assists the State Governments in this endeavor through its Programmes/Schemes given below:
- (i)  Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban
- Transformation(AMRUT)

AMRUT focuses on development of basic urban infrastructure including  water  supply  in  500  mission  cities  in  all  36  States and  Union  Territories(UTs).  An  objective  of  the  Mission  is  to ensure  that  every  household  has  a  tap  with  assured  water supply connection.

## (ii)  Smart Cities Mission(SCM)

The Mission is being implemented in 90 cities. Adequate water supply including waste-water recycling and storm water reuse, and rain water harvesting are some of the essential features of a Smart city proposal.

(iii)  North Eastern Region Urban Development Programme(NERUDP)

NERUDP  is  being  implemented  with  financial  assistance from  Asian  Development  Bank  (ADB)  in  capital  cities  of  5 North Eastern States viz. Agartala (Tripura), Aizawl (Mizoram), Gangtok (Sikkim), Kohima (Nagaland), and Shillong (Meghalaya) for improvement of basic infrastructure services including water supply.

## (iv) 10% Lump Sum Scheme for North Eastern States

10%  of  Annual  Budget  of  Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban Affairs is earmarked for implementation of projects/ schemes, including those for water supply, for the 8 States of  North  Eastern  Region  viz.  Arunachal  Pradesh,  Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.

(v)Scheme  for  Urban  Infrastructure  Development  in  Satellite Towns around seven Megacities (UIDSST)

The  pilot  scheme  of  UIDSST  was  started  in  July,  2009  to provide basic urban infrastructure, in select satellite towns around seven mega cities to ameliorate pressure on mega cities  by  improving  infrastructure,  including  water  supply. The  scheme  covers  seven  satellite  towns  viz.  Vikarabad (Telangana), Sanand (Gujarat), Sonepat (Haryana), Hoskote (Karnataka), Vasai-Virar (Maharashtra), Sriperumbudur (Tamil Nadu) and  Pilkhuwa  (Uttar Pradesh).

- (c) No, Madam.
- (d) Does not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3871 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Cultivation near  Railway Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SONA RAM CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3871 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## CULTIVATION NEAR RAILWAY TRACKS

3871.   COL. SONARAM CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that huge wasteland is available along the railway tracks throughout the length and breadth of the country;
- (b) if  so,  whether  there  are  any  plans  to  use  such  land  for cultivation of local crops and generation of solar/wind energy;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (d):    Indian  Railways  have  about  51165  hectares  of  vacant land (not waste land) out of total land of 472155 hectares, which is mostly  in  the  form  of  narrow  strips  along  the  tracks.    The  fifteen (15)  metre  width  of  this  strip  from  toe  of  the  embankment  comes under  safety  zone,  as  most  of  the  electrical,  signalling  and  other installations required for operation of trains lie in this zone, and this width is also used for servicing and maintenance of track, bridges and other railway infrastructure.  The vacant land is also utilized for …2/-

execution  of  various  infrastructural  projects  for  meeting  future growth needs of Railways which include projects like doubling/tripling and traffic facilities works, etc. Railways' operations also necessarily require development of ancillary logistic support/infrastructure  such  as  bulk  oil  installations  &  oil  depots, steel  yards,  concrete  sleeper  plants,  coal  dumps,  connectivity  to private sidings, connectivity  to ports and  other  infrastructure, commercial plots, vending stalls, etc. for which land is leased/licensed. The vacant land, which is not required by Railways for its immediate operational needs, is utilized in the interim period for commercial development through Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), wherever feasible, in order to mobilize additional financial resources.

Railways license its vacant land to their Group 'C' employees under Grow More Food (GMF) scheme for cultivation of local crops.

Railways  has  also  planned  to  utilize  vacant  Railway  land where commercial development is not feasible for Railways' captive energy sources, such as solar/wind energy.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3870 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Nano SIM Cards
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3870 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH   AUGUST, 2017

## NANO SIM CARDS

†3870. SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the demand of smart phones has increased substantially and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  all  companies  are  launching  nano  sim  card  smart  phones  in  the market and providing nano sim to its customers and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Mahanagar  Telephone  Nigam  Limited  (MTNL)  and  the  Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) have failed to provide nano sim to its customers due to  which  the  customers  are  being  compelled  to  purchase  the  sim  cards  of  other companies;
- (d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the  time  by  which  the  MTNL  and  the  BSNL  propose  to  provide  nano  sim  to their customers?

## 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. Details of demand of smart phones in the last 3 years are as under:

| Year   | Domestic Market in India   | Domestic Market in India   |
|--------|----------------------------|----------------------------|
|        | Volume (Million)           | Value (Rs. crore)          |
| 260    | 75000                      | 2014-15                    |
| 270    | 110000                     | 2015-16                    |
| 280    | 132000                     | 2016-17                    |

(b) to (e) There is no difference between a normal sim, a mini sim, a micro sim and a nano sim as far as functionality is concerned. The sims available in the market can be converted into one another (for example micro into  nano) with the help of specially provided  jackets  by  the  Telecom  service  Providers  (TSPs)/  vendors.  A  normal  sim can easily be converted into mini sim, micro sim or nano sim and vice-a-versa, as per requirement. Nano sims are being provided by TSPs including BSNL and MTNL and there is no shortage of nano sims with BSNL and MTNL.

****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3869 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: RTI Cases in States
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: DEVAJIBHAI GOVINDBHAI FATEPARA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3869

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017)

## RTI CASES IN STATES

## 3869. SHRI DEVAJIBHAI G. FATEPARA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the new study on the working of RTI in States which indicated that applicants have to wait for decades for reply to their RTI queries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (c) the steps being taken to improve the working of RTI in States?

## 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 (c):   Madam, no study has come to the notice of the Government till date in respect of such working of RTI in the States.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3868 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Infrastructure Projects
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: JYOTI DHURVE, (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE, M. B. RAJESH, GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3868

TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 09, 2017

## INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

No. 3868.        SHRIMATI JYOTI DHURVE: ADV. JOICE GEORGE: SHRI M.B. RAJESH: SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  progress  of various  urban  missions/urban  development  schemes  in  the country and if so, the details of schemes reviewed;
- (b) the  detailed  review  of  the  progress  and  implementation
- issues noticed, State/ UT-wise;
- (c) whether  the Government  has  assessed  that the major
- infrastructure  projects  announced  for  cities  in  the  country are  likely  to  boost  the  GDP  of  the  country  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (d) whether  various  schemes/projects  like  Smart  City  Mission and AMRUT are likely to be completed in their timeframe and
- if so, the complete details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  funds under its various schemes and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a)&(b) Yes, Madam. Monitoring of progress of various Missions/Schemes  launched  by  the  Ministry  of  Housing  and Urban  Affairs  (MoHUA)  with  a  view  to  resolve  issues  is  a continuous process. Such  reviews are done regularly by MoHUA in meetings, through video conferencing with officers of  States/Union Territories (UTs) and field visits of the senior officers  and  Hon'ble  Minister.  States/UTs  have  been  urged  to fast track sanction and  grounding  of  housing  and  urban infrastructure projects.
- (c)   No, Madam.
- (d) The Ministry is taking all efforts to ensure timely completion of the Missions/Schemes.
- (e)   No, Madam.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3867 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Criteria for Compensation
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PANKAJ CHOWDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3867 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## CRITERIA FOR COMPENSATION

†3867. SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of people injured and died in rail accidents during 201415 and 2015-16 and the number out of them given financial assistance/ compensation;
- (b)  the  total  amount  of  compensation  paid  to  the  victims  of  rail accidents during the above period;
- (c) the criteria laid down for providing financial assistance/compensation to the families of those killed and injured in the rail accidents;
- (d)  whether  the  Railway  Claims  Tribunal  considers  the  cases  for granting compensation to the dependants of those died and injured in the rail accidents; and
- (e)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Railways  to  ensure  that  the  cases  of compensation are disposed of quickly by the above Tribunal?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  &  (b):  359  passengers  died  and 592  were injured in year 2014-15 and 2015-16 due to rail accidents. A sum of ` 390.44 Lakh was paid to the victims/ next to the kin of victims during the period.  The compensation  paid  in  a  year  need   not  necessarily  relate  to  the

accidents/  casualties  in  that  year  alone.  This  amount  depends  upon the number of cases which are finalized in a particular year irrespective of the year(s) in which the accident they pertain to, have occurred.

(c)  :  Compensation liability of Railway Administration for death/injury of railway passengers in train accidents is laid down in Section 124 of the Railway Act, 1989. Admissibility of such compensation is decided by Railways Claims Tribunal (RCT) on the basis of a claim application filed before them. Railway Administration is liable to pay compensation  to  rail  passengers  only  when  a  decree  is  awarded  by Hon'ble  RCT  in  favour  of  the  claimant  and  Railways  decide  to implement  the  decree.  The  scale  of  compensation  as  specified  in Railway Accident and Untoward Incidents (Compensation) Amendment Rules,  2016  is ` 8  Lakh  for  death  and ` 64,000/-  to ` 8  Lakh  for  injury depending upon the gravity of injury.

(d)  & (e) : Yes, Madam. Various steps have been taken to ensure that the  cases  of  compensation  are  disposed  of  quickly  by  the  Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT), such as filling up of the vacancies including the vacancies of  Members in various Benches of RCT, holding of regular Circuit  Benches  at  RCT  Benches  where  the  posts  of  Members  are vacant and pendency of cases is high, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3863 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: High Speed Rail Training Centre
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3863 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## HIGH SPEED RAIL TRAINING CENTRE

3863.   SHRI P. NAGARAJAN :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  has  decided  to  set  up  its  first  high speed rail training centre at Gandhinagar, Gujarat;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the centre is likely to be function;
- (c) the  total  number  of  persons  to  be  trained  in  the  proposed  training centre;
- (d) whether such centre will be set up in other parts of the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (e) : As part of the Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Railway (MAHSR) Project,  it  has  been  decided to set up a Training Institute at Ahmedabad ….2/….

area/Gujarat State with the technical and financial assistance of Government  of  Japan.  The  Training  Institute  is  an  integral  part  of  the project. Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the Government of Japan  and  Government  of  India  signed  in  December,  2015  envisages training of 4000 officials of High Speed Rail.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3861 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Delayed Projects Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SAKSHI SWAMI MAHARAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3861 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## DELAYED PROJECTS ABROAD

## 3861. DR. SWAMY SAKSHI MAHARAJ:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has devised any mechanism to check the time and  cost overrun  in respect of projects being implemented in other countries;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  achieved  success  in  reducing time  and  cost  overrun  in  respect  of  projects  implemented during the last three years; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Time and cost overruns in respect of projects implemented by Ministry have been addressed through mechanisms such  as  Project  Management  Consultants,  review  committees, bilateral  working,  monitoring  &  steering  committees,  task  forces etc. and continuous supervision through concerned Indian Missions and Posts abroad. In addition, projects abroad are being reviewed at Pragati Sessions by Prime Minister and regularly monitored by the External Affairs Minister.
- (c) & (d) By  adopting  effective  project  monitoring  and  review mechanism  outlined  above,  Ministry  has  been  able  to  reduce  the cost  and  time  overruns  in  respect  of  projects  implemented  in  the last three years. A number  of projects such as the Afghan Parliament Building, Afghan-India Friendship Dam, Power substations,  Transmission  Lines,  Hospitals  and  Training  Centres have been completed. The remaining projects are at different stages of implementation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3859 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Poor/Unhygienic Conditions of Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MEENAKASHI LEKHI, A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3859 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## POOR/UNHYGIENIC CONTDITIONS OF RAILWAY STATIONS

## 3859. SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI: SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that use of toilets of trains cause  unhygienic  and  filthy  conditions  during  the  period  they remain stationary at the railway stations;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  details  of  concrete  steps  the  Government  has  decided  to take to tackle this menace to improve the unhygienic condition of the Railway Stations;
- (d) whether the Ministry  of  Railways  proposes  to  join  hands  with the Ministries of Urban Development and Tourism to formulate a well-conceived programme as part of Clean India Initiative; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to  (c)  Yes,  Madam.  Following  actions  have  been  taken  by Railways to reduce human waste falling on to the platform tracks at stations:

- (i) Locking of empty coaching rakes stabled in the platforms is being done for preventing unauthorised use of toilets in the coaches when these are not under maintenance.
- (ii) Provision of Bio-toilets prevents human  waste  from falling  onto  the  track.  Coaches  in  service  are  being progressively fitted with bio-toilets. Till 30.06.2017, over 79,500  bio-toilets  have  been  fitted  in  more  than  22,400 coaches.
- (iii) Awareness  among  the  rail  users  is  being  increased through display of information by means  of public announcement system as well as display boards / labels to  advise  passengers not to use toilets when the trains are at stations.
2.  In  addition  to  the  above,  to  avoid  an  unhygienic  situation due  to  human  waste  falling  on  the  tracks  at  stations,  following actions are taken:
- (i) Provision of washable concrete aprons for tracks in the platform area.
- (ii) Proper mechanised arrangement for cleaning of tracks at platforms.
- (iii) Provision and maintenance of toilets at stations for the use of passengers.
- (d) &  (e)  Ministry  of  Railways,  in  consultation  with  Ministry  of Urban  Development  is  organising  periodical  campaigns  under Swachh  Rail  Swachh  Bharat  Mission  at  major  and  important stations,  which  include  generation  of  awareness  among  the  rail users through special drives to inculcate correct practices on the use of toilets and to improve cleanliness at stations.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3856 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: NSDC
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: PREM DAS RAI, PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3856 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## NSDC

## 3856. SHRI PREM DAS RAI: SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

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

- (a) whether the Ministry has any scheme that aim to train jail inmates across the country;
- (b) if so, the role the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) plays in skill development among inmates of prisons across the country;
- (c) whether  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY)  have  specific provision  with  regard  to  skill  development  of  inmates  and  if  so,  the  achievement made in this regard;
- (d) whether the Centre maintains a record of how many States have incorporated skill development programmes in prisons in order to facilitate jail to civil life transition of inmates and if so, State-wise details thereof; and
- (e) whether  industries  and  voluntary  organizations  have  been  involved  with States in support of such a programme and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) 'Prisons'  is  a  State  subject  as  per  the  Seventh  Schedule  to  the Constitution  of  India  and  management  of  jails,  including  skilling  of  inmates  is primarily  the  responsibility  of  the  States.  However,  training  of  prisoners  in  various vocational  skills  has  received  a  lot  of  importance  in  almost  all  the  States/Union Territories and these programmes are organized by the jail authorities with the help of State Government/industry/other voluntary organizations from time to time.

Under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY)  2015-16,  851 inmates of Tihar Jail, Delhi were enrolled and trained in a range of trades including Beauty and Wellness, Retail, Data Entry Operator, Electrician, Hospitality, Telecom, Customer  Care  Executive,  Sewing  Machine  Operator  etc.  through  two  training partners of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

PMKVY  has  been  further  extended  for  four  years  (2016-2020)  to  train  10 million youth of the country with an outlay of Rs. 12000 crore. Under PMKVY 201620, training allocation of 480 inmates of Central Jail, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh has been done.

******