opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1057 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Construction of Haridashpur-Paradip Railway Track
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KULAMANI SAMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1057 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## CONSTRUCTION OF HARIDASHPUR-PARADIP RAILWAY TRACK

1057.  DR. KULAMANI SAMAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of construction of Haridashpur-Paradeep railway track in Odisha;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  allocation  of  funds  for  construction  of  above project; and
- (c) the approximate timeframe for completion of the said project?

## 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.1057 BY DR. KULAMANI SAMAL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 08.02.2017 REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF HARIDASHPUR-PARADIP RAILWAY TRACK

(a): Construction of a new broad gauge line between Haridashpur and Paradip  has  been  taken  up  through  a  Special  Purpose  Vehicle  viz. Haridaspur Paradip Railway Company Limited. M/s Rail Vikas Nigam Limited  has  been  entrusted  with  execution  of  work.  The  latest anticipated cost of the project is ` 1118 crore and an expenditure of ` 459 crore has been incurred till 31.03.2016. Work of construction of minor and major bridges, earthwork etc. has been taken up.

(b): An outlay of ` 275 crore has been provided in the year 2016-17.

(c): The work of construction of important bridge across the Mahanadi river has been completed and the bridge across the Luna river is in advanced stage of completion.

As on date, 5.598 acre forest land and 45.462 acre private land have to be acquired. After acquisition of this land, the time frame for completion of the project can be decided. As many of these factors responsible  for  completion  of  a  project  are  beyond  the  control  of Ministry of Railways,  it is not  feasible to fix  time  frame  for completion of this project.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1055 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Nepal's Military Exercise with China
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MIDHUN REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1055 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## NEPAL'S MILITARY EXERCISE WITH CHINA

1055. SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Nepal  has  proposed  its  first  joint  military  exercise with China;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether diplomatic efforts with Nepal have not yielded positive results in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) & (b) The Government has seen reports of a proposal to hold joint  military  exercise  between  Nepal  and  China,  focusing  on counter terrorism and disaster management related issues.
- (c) & (d) India  and  Nepal  have long standing  and  extensive cooperation in the field of defence, which is mutually beneficial and stands  on  its  own  footing.  Government  is  committed  to  further expanding and deepening of this cooperation.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1054 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Fake Enrolment
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: MOHAMMAD SALIM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND  INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1054

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08.02.2017

## FAKE ENROLMENT

## 1054. SHRI MOHD. SALIM:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of fake enrolments of illegal immigrants and others for Aadhaar;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof along with the cases reported against the enrolling agencies; and
- (c)  the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):    Aadhaar  is  issued  to  the  residents  of  India.  It  is  not  a  proof  of  citizenship  or nationality.

Aadhaar is generated after a series of quality checks and biometric de-duplication. Biometric de-duplication is done to ensure that   no person can get two Aadhaars and same Aadhaar is never  issued  to  two  persons.  Every  attempt  is  made  to  ensure  that  fake  or  duplicate enrolments are identified through quality checks and biometric de-duplication  process, and rejected.  However,  in  a  miniscule  number  of  cases  of  ineligible  enrolment,  there  are provisions  for  taking  action  against  the  delinquent  operator/supervisor/enrolment  agency; financial penalties; and criminal proceedings by lodging of FIR, besides cancellation of such Aadhaar.

Aadhaar verification service is available on a public portal https://resident.uidai.net.in/ aadhaarverification where any person can check the validity of an Aadhaar instantaneously.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1053 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Digital Villages
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No 1053

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08.02.2017

## DIGITAL VILLAGES

## 1053 SHRI  PONGULETI  SRINIVASA  REDDY: DR. PRITAM  GOPINATH  MUNDE:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  proposed  to  implement  Digital  Village  pilot project;
- (b) if so, the details along with the aims and objectives thereof;
- (c) the number of villages identified for the project, State-wise;
- (d) whether Government proposes to launch the project across the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): Yes, Sir. In line with the vision of Digital India, the Government of India has envisaged the Pilot Project of Digital Village with a view to showcase the transformation that Digital India Programme can bring about to citizens, especially living in the rural areas.

The stated aims and objectives for the pilot project of Digital Village are:

-  Provide basic development services to rural areas using digital technology and demonstrate the potential of digital technologies to improve quality of life in rural areas
-  To facilitate access to regional medical centres for local population for expert opinion, thus, ensuring availability of basic tele-medicine facilities at village level.
-  To provide access to interactive tele-education in local schools at village level.
-  To provide LED lighting and WiFi at a common area in the village.
-  To  provide  Resource  Centres  to  be  used  for  providing  skill  development training sessions with experts, government officers etc.

(c), (d) and (e): The envisaged project is in pilot phase. The project is proposed to be launched in 30 States and Union Territories in 1050 Gram Panchayats.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1052 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY, KIRRON KHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1052 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP PROMOTION SCHEME

## QUESTION

## 1052. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA: SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  launched  a  new  "National  Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme" aimed at supporting basic training to the employees;
- (b) if so, the details and salient features thereof;
- (c) the criteria  adopted  to  determine  the  eligible  employees  alongwith  the categories of apprentices covered under the scheme;
- (d) the quantum of allocations earmarked along with the amount released so far to the States/UTs under this scheme State/UT-wise; and
- (e) whether  any  category  is  exempted  under  the  scheme  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) Yes  Madam.  The  government  of  India  has  notified  a  new  'National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme' on 19 th August, 2016.

The  scheme  aims  to  promote  Apprenticeship  Training by incentivizing employers who wish to engage apprentices. Under the scheme, the Government of India  reimburses  25%  of  prescribed  stipend  subject  to  maximum  Rs.  1,500/-  per apprentice per month to all employers. The scheme also supports basic training to apprentices who come directly for apprenticeship training without any formal training. For  this,  the  Government  of  India  shares  basic  training  cost  of  Rs.  7500  per apprentice for a maximum of 500 hours or 3 months with Basic Training Providers.

The  scheme  covers  all  categories  of  apprentices  except  the  Graduate, Technician  and  Technician  (Vocational)  apprentices  administered  by  Ministry  of Human Resource Development.

For  the  financial  year  2016-17,  Rs.  101  crore  has  been  allocated  for  the scheme. The amount has not been released so far to the States/UTs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1051 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Unmanned Level Crossings
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1051 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## UNMANNED LEVEL CROSSINGS

†1051.  SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of unmanned level crossings in the country along with the  number  of  the  said  level  crossings  on  broad  gauge  and  meter gauge rail networks, separately, at present;
- (b) the number of train accidents which took place on level crossings during the last year along with the number of persons who lost their lives in those accidents;
- (c)  whether  mission  zero  accident  and  elimination  of  all  unmanned level crossings were announced in the Rail Budget 2016-17; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  steps  taken  in  this  regard  along  with  the  outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

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

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1051 BY SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  08.02.2017  REGARDING UNMANNED LEVEL CROSSINGS

(a):  There  are  6388  unmanned  level  crossings  on  Broad  Gauge  (BG) and 1689 on Metre Gauge (MG) in the country as on 01.04.2016.

(b): Details of unmanned level crossing (UMLC) accidents and number of persons who lost their lives during the last year and in the current year (upto 31 st  January 2017)  are as under:-

| Year                              |   Accidents |   No. of persons who lost lives |
|-----------------------------------|-------------|---------------------------------|
| 2015-16                           |          29 |                              57 |
| 2016-17 (upto 31 st January 2017) |          16 |                              33 |

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam.  Under Mission Zero accident, it was announced to eliminate all unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) over Broad Gauge system in a phased manner by either of the following:-

-  Closure  -  Closing  unmanned  level  crossings  having  NIL/  negligible Train Vehicle Unit (TVU).
-  Merger -Merger of unmanned  level crossing gate to nearby manned/unmanned  level  crossing  or  subway/Road  Under  Bridge (RUB)/Road Over Bridge (ROB) by construction of diversion road.
-  Provision of Subways/RUBs.
-  Manning  -  Phased  manning  of  unmanned  level  crossings  which cannot be eliminated by above means.

The target of elimination of UMLC has been fixed commensurate with the availability of funds.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1050 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Energy Bill of Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HEMAMALINI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1050 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## ENERGY BILL OF RAILWAYS

## 1050.  SHRIMATI HEMA MALINI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  in  view  of  hefty  fuel  costs,  the  Railways  has  sought inputs from experts on ways to bring down the energy bill;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  views  of  the  energy  experts  who  have given inputs to Railways;
- (c) whether the Railways has since examined the views of energy experts; and
- (d) if  so,  the  reaction  of  the  Railways  on  the  implementation  of views of energy experts and action taken to reduce the cost of energy of the Railways?

## ANSWER

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

(a)    &    (b)  Yes,  Madam.  An  expert  opinion  was  taken  from  Central Electricity  Authority  (CEA)  which  advised  that  Indian  Railways  (IR) should progressively switch over procuring of electric traction power under open access through generators.

(c)  &  (d) Yes, Madam. IR has accordingly started taking power under open access from Generating Companies in five States (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan) and has requested other States to grant No Objection Certificate.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1049 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Surveillance system for Running Railway Traffic
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HARI OM PANDEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1049 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR RUNNING RAILWAY TRAFFIC

1049. SHRI HARI OM PANDEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  install  advanced Surveillance System for running Railway Traffic in near future;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)   if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) & (b): Railways have decided to establish Real-time Train Information System (RTIS) for real-time tracking of all trains  running on Indian Railway System.

RTIS  project  sanctioned  at  a  total  cost  of ` 110  crore  and  its execution  will  start  after  'S-band'  bandwidth  is  allotted  by  Indian Space Research Organisation.

(c): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1048 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Research Collaboration Programme
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1048 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2017

## RESEARCH COLLOBORATION PROGRAMME

1048. Dr. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S., are jointly working on a research collaboration programme to use combined scientific and technical skills in enhancing the observations of the Earth; if so, the details thereof;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether increasing frequency and extent of harmful algal blooms in the coastal and oceanic areas of the Indian Exclusive Zone is a cause of concern;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and its impact on marine life/ecosystem;

and

- the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  protect
- (e) fishermen, who rely on fish for their livelihood?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)
- Yes. Madam
- (b) The ministry has been actively working with NOAA, USA towards strengthening of ocean observations in the Indian Ocean with a view to improve understanding ocean process for better forecasting  capabilities  including  studying  the  Harmful  Algal Blooms (HAB). The cooperation is primarily of two folds viz.,  (i) Develop  HAB  monitoring  and  prediction  system  for  short-term prediction  of  sardine,  mackerel  and  anchovies  of  the  southeast Arabian Sea (ii)  acquisition  of  ocean  and  atmospheric  variables through moored buoys from the equatorial Indian Ocean for the betterment  of  the  prediction  of  monsoon.      As  a  part  the agreement, ship-time of 60 days and related logistics and support had been extended by India, whereas development and deployment of buoys were carried out by NOAA. So far 36 out of 46 buoys have been deployed in the equatorial Indian Ocean and all the data have been shared both by India and US scientists. As a  part  of  Ocean  Mixing  and  Monsoon,  two  campaign  -mode oceanographic  cruises  were  conducted  in  the  Bay  of  Bengal using  both  Indian  and  US  research  vessels  to  acquire  multidisciplinary data.

(c) Yes. Madam (d) & (e)   As  part  of  this  collaboration,  5  workshops  were  conducted  in India  and  a  hands-on  training  on  phytoplankton  toxin  analysis given  to  Indian  Scientists  by  NOAA  experts  at  Cochin.    The ministry  also  has  conducted  regular  surveys  along  the  coastal and oceanic area of India and recorded altogether about 84 algal blooms  recorded  during  the  period  from  1998  to  2016.  Studies suggest  a  marginal  increase  in  the  frequency  of  occurrence  of these  blooms  over  the  years  due  to  varied  reasons.  The  data required have been reported for the concerned agencies to make assessment and taking necessary action in the improvement of fishery management.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1047 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Foreign Investment
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1047

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 08, 2017

## FOREIGN INVESTMENT

No. 1047          SHRI R. GOPALA KRISHNAN:

## Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be please to state:

- (a) whether  a  number  of  Singaporean  companies  are  investing  in many  sectors  including  urban  development  projects  in  various cities in the country; and
- (b) if  so, the details thereof along with the cities where investments are  made/  being  made  by  these  companies  and  the  projects undertaken/ being undertaken by them, State, UT and city-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- a) : No, Madam.

- b) : Question does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1046 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Railway Hotels
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PARESH RAWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1046 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## RAILWAY HOTELS

1046. SHRI PARESH RAVAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Railways is going to start hotel facilities at all major railway stations in the coming years; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  &  (b):  Provision  exists  for  Budget  Hotels to come up as a part  of Multi Functional Complex (MFC) subject to their commercial viability. 197 stations have been identified for development of Multi Functional Complexes (MFCs) over Indian Railways, out of which 58 stations have been found suitable for Budget Hotels.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1045 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Norms for Naming Railway Stations/ Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MIINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1045 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## NORMS FOR NAMING RAILWAY STATIONS/TRAINS

1045.  SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there are laid down norms for naming railway stations or trains and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  run  the  trains  and  name  railway stations in the brand names of big corporate houses;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the aims and objectives thereto;
- (d) the expected revenue likely to be generated by the said move; and
- (a) the  steps  proposed  to  ensure  that  trains  do  not  promote  junk  food  or  any other  items  which  may  have  adverse  impact  on  the  health  and  minds  of people particularly youths?

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

(a)  As  per  extant  guidelines,  a  railway  station  is  named  in  consultation with  concerned  State  Government,  General  Secretary,  Indian  Railway Conference Association (I.R.C.A.) and Surveyor General of India. In view of policy  guidelines  regarding  naming  of  trains,  Ministry  of  Railways  avoid naming  trains  after  personalities,  deities  etc.  or  giving  any  name  with religious connotations which may lead to counter claims and controversies.

(b) to (d): There is no provision in the policy to run the trains and name railway stations in the brand names of big corporate houses. (e):  Packaged food supplied in trains meet standards set by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) and other food regulatory bodies of  Government of  India.    Railways  do  not  promote  junk  food.    However, packaged branded chips, biscuits etc. are sold/supplied in trains.  Ministry of  Railways  notifies  the  menu  and  tariff  of  Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto express trains and other Mail/Express trains wherein emphasis is given to promote  regional  cuisine.    However,  in  its  endeavour  to  provide  quality and  hygienic  food  to  the  passengers,  Railways  have  developed  and operationalized  an  institutionalized  mechanism  for  monitoring  of  quality and  hygiene  of  catering  services  through  regular  inspections  at  various levels to address catering complaints. Penal action is taken against the defaulting  licensee  which  inter-alia  includes  imposition  of  hefty  fines, termination of contract etc.

******