opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1638 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Re-orienting Social Sector Subsidies
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1638 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## RE-ORIENTING SOCIAL SECTOR SUBSIDIES

1638.   SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY:

Will the Minister of Planning be pleased to state (a) whether NITI Aayog proposes to re-orient social sector subsidies; and (b) if so, the details thereof and the progress made in this regard so far?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) & (b): NITI Aayog has indicated in the draft Three Year Action Plan document to reorient the food subsidy and fertilizer subsidy. A number of measures for rationalization and better  targeting  of  food  and  fertilizer  subsidies  have  recently  been  undertaken  by  the Government.  There is a need to continue these reform measures including the use of Socioeconomic Caste Census.

The Three Year Action Plan document draft has been circulated to the States and UTs for comments. It has not yet been finalized.

- --------
Lok Sabha Question No. 1636 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Cyber Labs
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1636

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 26.07.2017

## CYBER LABS

## 1636 SHRIMATI  RAKSHATAI  KHADSE:

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

(a) whether the Government is taking efforts in capacity building and setting up high-end cyber labs  are capable of critically inspecting every IT component before these are deployed in critical infrastructure across industry sectors; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has an operational common criteria test laboratory at Kolkata. The security testing of IT and Network devices are being carried out at this lab. The  security  test  reports  generated  by  this  laboratory  are  recognized  by  the  participating nations  worldwide under the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA).  STQC has also setup two more labs in Delhi and Bangalore where trial testing is being carried out. The services of these labs will also be available for inspecting the IT components before they are deployed in critical infrastructure.

Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Govt. of India is in the process of establishing a Telecom  Testing  and  Security  Certification  Center.  This  center  will  develop  systems, processes, adopt/develop security standards, and test tools etc. for telecom equipment security testing & certification for network elements before they are inducted into telecom networks. Based  on  these  standards,  processes  and  tools,  DoT  can  accredit  the  test  labs  for  security testing  and  certification  of  telecom  equipment  used  by  various  telecom  service  providers. Such  test  labs  can  be  set  up  /established  under  Government,  private  or  public  or  as  joint venture entity.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1635 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Introduction of Low Fare AC Compartments
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JAYADEV GALLA

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) Does not arise.
- (c) At present, there is no such proposal.

****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1635 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## INTRODUCTION OF LOW FARE AC COMPARTMENTS

1635. SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  there  are  any  plans  to  start  AC  compartments  at lesser fare than the present 3AC fares;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c)  the  time  by  which  such  compartments  are  likely  to  be introduced?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
Lok Sabha Question No. 1634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Induction of State Services Officers
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1634

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017)

## INDUCTION OF STATE SERVICES OFFICERS

## 1634.   SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  proposal  is  under  consideration  to  increase  the  upper  age  limit  of  54 years of State Services Officers for induction into three All India Services- IAS, IPS and IFS, as retirement age in Central Government has been increased from 58 to 60 years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## 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):  The  Central  Government  in  consultation  with  State  Governments  and  Cadre Controlling Authorities, has already raised the maximum age limit from 54 years to 56 years for induction of State Services officers into three All India Services, i.e. Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) by making necessary amendments to the rules vide Notifications No. 14015/30/2015-AIS-I, 14015/30/2015-AIS-IA and 14015/30/2015-AIS-IB, dated 17.3.2015 respectively .

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1633 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Bungalows in LBZ
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAGHAV LAKHANPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1633 TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 26, 2017.

## BUNGALOWS IN LBZ

NO. 1633  SHRI RAGHAV LAKHANPAL :

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

- (a) Whether the Government has assessed the number of bungalows in  the  Lutyens  Bungalows  Zone  (LBZ)  which  are  structurally unsafe  and  required  to  be  razed/refurbished/replaced  with  new
- constructions; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the decision taken in this regard?

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

- (a) & (b): As per assessment made by Central Public Works Department  (CPWD),  at  present  708  old  bungalows  in  Lutyens Bungalow Zone (LBZ) are considered structurally unsafe against earthquake forces.  Razing / refurbishment / replacement of such
- bungalows are considered in a phased manner.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1631 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Cases registered by CBI
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: BAHADUR SINGH KOLI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1631

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017)

## CASES REGISTERED BY CBI

## †1631. SHRI BAHADUR SINGH KOLI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  number  of  cases  registered  by  the  Central  Bureau  of  Investigation  in Rajasthan during the last three years, year-wise;
- (b) the number of cases in which FIR has been registered along with the cases remaining pending; and
- (c) the number of cases registered by CBI found to be genuine and those found fake?

## 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):  CBI  has  registered  149  cases  [Regular  Cases  (RCs)  and  Preliminary  Enquiries (PEs)] in Rajasthan during the period of 01.01.2014 to 30.06.2017 as per the following year wise details :-

| Year                   | No. of cases   | No. of cases   |
|------------------------|----------------|----------------|
|                        | RCs            | PEs            |
| 2014                   | 23             | 17             |
| 2015                   | 43             | 05             |
| 2016                   | 43             | 02             |
| 2017 (upto 30.06.2017) | 16             | 00             |
| Total                  | 125            | 24             |

Out of the above, FIRs have been registered in 125 cases (including 5 PEs converted into RCs) during the said period and 17 PE cases have been disposed off leaving 2 balance PE cases.

The CBI registers cases as per the provisions of Criminal Procedure Code 1973 (Cr. PC).  After  investigation,  the  Police  Report  under  section  173  of  Cr.PC  is  filed  in  the Competent Court for conducting the trial or for closing the case if no evidence is available to substantiate the allegations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1630 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Representations from ABRKPLWA
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SANKAR PRASAD DATTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1630 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## REPRESENTATIONS FROM ABRKPLWA

1630. SHRI SANKAR PRASAD DATTA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any representations from the Association
- Akhil Bhartiya Railway Khan-Pan Licensees Welfare (ABRKPLWA) against Railway Board Circular No.22/2017;
- (b) if so, whether the Association has drawn attention of the Government towards unemployment caused/going to be caused to thousands of small catering vending licensees and their vendors as a result of implementation of the circular and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has received suggestions for withdrawal of circular  No.22/2017  so  as  to  protect  employment  and  livelihood  of thousands of vendors and their dependent families working on different catering vending units of Indian Railways; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  Yes, Madam.

- (b)  to  (d):  Representations  /  suggestions  from  Akhil  Bhartiya  Railway Khan-Pan  Licensees  Welfare  Association  have  been  received  against Railway  Board  Commercial  Circular  number  22/2017.    The Akhil Bhartiya Railway  Khan-Pan  Licensees  Welfare  Association  has  raised

its objections and has demanded modification of the above Commercial Circular,  which  has  been  issued  pursuant  to  Judgement  delivered  by Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  on  29/01/2016.    The  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  of India, vide its Judgement dated 29/01/2016 has ordered that only those licensees shall be eligible for renewal of their licenses who can declare on affidavit that they do not have the license of more than one shop or kiosk  in  their  name  or  benami  license  at  the  railway  stations.  One license will be renewed with periodical reasonable increase of license fee.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1629 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Hiring of Staff in Government Service
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: K. GOPAL, SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1629

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017)

## HIRING OF STAFF IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE

## 1629.   DR. K. GOPAL:

## SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI :

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to hire 2.8 lakh staff per year in the Government service;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the action taken by the Government in this regard;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to hire talent from private sector for Government jobs;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the proposal/recommendations received from policy think tank NITI Aayog in this regard; and
- (f) the  action  taken  by  the  Government  along  with  the  scope  of  employment  and  the beneficial effect thereof?

## 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): The vacant posts in Government Ministries/ Departments are required to be filled as  per  the  Recruitment  Rules  for  the  post.  Information  related  to  recruitment  of  staff  by Government of India is not centrally maintained.

Recruitment  to  various  posts  in  Government  of  India  is  made  through  various recruitment agencies constituted for the purpose such as Union Public Service Commission, Staff  Selection  Commission  etc.  Recruitment  agencies  conduct  examinations  based  on indents  received  from  various  Ministries/Departments/offices  of  Government  of  India. Ministries/Departments  and  the  recruitment  agencies  have  been  sensitized  to  take  all  the required steps for filling up of the posts.

(d) to (f):  The Government is always committed to appoint best available talent subject to provisions  of  rules.  NITI  Aayog  in  the  Three  Year  Action  Agenda  for  2017-2020  has recommended for inducting specialists into the system through lateral entry in policy making areas  on  fixed  term  contract.  This  recommendation  alongwith  suggestions  received  from other quarters are under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1627 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Redressal of Consumer Grievances
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: MANOJ RAJORIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1627 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH  JULY, 2017

## REDRESSAL OF CONSUMER GRIEVANCES

## 1627. DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has made provisions for proper redressal of consumer grievances relating to mobile, landline and internet services;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  laid  down  quality  standards/benchmarks  for  the service providers; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) Telecom  Regulatory  Authority  of  India  (TRAI)  has  laid  down  the  framework  for redressal of complaints of telecom consumers through 'Telecom Consumers Complaints Redressal Regulations, 2012'.The Regulation provides for a two tier Complaint redressal mechanism of Complaint Centre and Appellate Authority, to be run by all the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).

Telecom consumers, who  are not Satisfied with the grievance redressal mechanism of TSPs, can also lodge their grievance to Department of Telecommunications (DoT) either online through Public Grievances portal of Government of India or offline through phone, Fax, by post.

- (c) & (d) Yes, TRAI has laid down the Quality of Service Standards for Basic Telephone Service, Cellular Mobile Service, Broadband Service and Wireless Data Service through Quality of Service Regulation issued from time to time.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1625 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Adarsh/Model Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NISHIKANT  DUBEY, PINAKI MISRA, ABHISHEK SINGH, SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI, RAJESH PANDEY, ASHWINI KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1625 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## ADARSH/MODEL STATIONS

1625. SHRI NISHIKANT DUBEY:

SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:

SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:

SHRI RAJESH PANDEY:

SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of railway stations upgraded/proposed to be upgraded as Model stations in the country including Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Karnal railway station in Haryana;
- (b) the details of target fixed to develop all railway stations as Model stations;
- (c) the details of amenities and facilities provided/likely to be provided at these stations; and
- (d) the names of stations which are proposed to be upgraded as Model stations in the future?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (d): Development of stations under 'Model' Station Scheme was in vogue from June, 1999 to November, 2008.  Under this scheme, 594 stations were identified for development, which inter-alia includes 82 Railway Stations in the State of Uttar Pradesh, 16 Railway Stations in the  State  of  Jharkhand  and  Karnal  Railway  Station  in  Haryana.  All Railway Stations have already been developed. 'Model' Stations are provided with 'Desirable Amenities', depending  upon  the  category  of  the  station,  such  as,  retiring  room, waiting room, public  address  system/computer  based  passenger announcement system, electronic train indicator board, water coolers, standardized signages, Pay & Use toilets etc. At  present,  stations  are  undertaken  for  development  under 'Adarsh' Station Scheme. Till date 1253 stations have been identified for development under this scheme. However, upgradation of station is  a  continuous  and  on-going  process  and  works  in  this  regard  are undertaken  depending  upon  need,  volume  of  passenger  traffic  and inter-se priority, subject to availability of funds.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1624 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Conference of Heads of Missions
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1624 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF MISSIONS

1624. SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  convened  any  Conference  of Heads of Missions;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether bilateral relations, FDI and Foreign Policies have been discussed in the said conference; 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) Yes. Heads of Missions Conference is an annual event in the Ministry of External Affairs. This year it was organised from 4-7 May 2017. The theme of the Conference was 'Effective Diplomacy, Excellent Delivery'.
- (c) & (d) The  annual  Heads  of  Missions  Conference  offers  an opportunity  to  discuss  the  government's  foreign  policy  priorities with our Ambassadors and High Commissioners, to take stock of the situation on the ground, and  to discuss  the contours  of our engagement. As such, the discussions are wide-ranging and include topics  such  as  bilateral  relations,  increasing  FDI  inflows  into  our country by identifying opportunities in the areas of trade, investments  and  infrastructure,  consular  issues,  Diaspora  issues etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1623 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Violation of DoPT Guidelines
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: ANUPAM HAZRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND PUBLIC GRIEVANCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1623

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017)

## VIOLATION OF DOPT GUIDELINES

## 1623.   DR. ANUPAM HAZRA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the year-wise statement from 2014 to 2016 showing present status/final result of the departmental disciplinary action, if any, against official for violation of instruction of M.O. P guidelines and D.O. no. 3001/3.97-0 & M.dt. 31/3/1997 and no. 48013/1/2011-Hon'ble  O&M,  G.O.I.,  the  Ministry  of  P.G.P.  dt.  25/02/2013  (O&M Divn.); and
- (b) whether  Chancellor,  Vice  Chancellor,  Pro-Vice  Chancellor,  Registrar  of  central universities  are  exempted  from  the  gamut  of  the  aforesaid  M.O.P  guidelines  and instructions and if so, the relevant order/notification details?

## 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)  Central  Secretariat  Manual  of  Office  Procedure  (CSMOP)  lays  down  broad procedures for process management in the Central Secretariat.  The CSMOP does not contain any  provision  for  initiating  disciplinary  action  against  an  official  for  non-compliance  of procedure laid down in the CSMOP.  It is for the concerned Central Secretariat office to take action against its officials, under the relevant Conduct Rules of service.  Information relating to  disciplinary  action  taken  by  Central  Government  offices  against  their  officials  for  not following the procedure of CSMOP is not centrally maintained.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1622 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: CBI Investigation against Ponzi Companies
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1622

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017)

## CBI INVESTIGATION AGAINST PONZI COMPANIES

## 1622. DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Central  Bureau  of  Investigation  (CBI)  has  received  complaints  against various ponzi companies for fraud and scams;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  CBI  has  filed  charge-sheet  against  those  companies  and  investigation  has been initiated;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the present status of investigation and action taken against ponzi companies?

## 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  (e):  Yes,  Madam.  CBI  has  registered  and  investigated  cases  against  various  Ponzi Companies  for  fraud  and  scams  on  the  basis  of  complaints  received/directions  of  the Court.CBI  has  registered  115  cases  against  such  companies  for  fraud  and  scams  from 01.01.2014  till  30.06.2017.  Further,  CBI  has  filed  charge  sheets  in  56  cases  during  this period.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1620 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Proposal for Construction of Level Crossings
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1620 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION OF LEVEL CROSSINGS

1620.  SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Railways has received proposals/requests for construction  of  level  crossings  in  various  States/districts,  including Dhubri district of Assam;

(b) if so, the details of action taken/to be taken in this regard; and

(c) the total number of level crossings selected for construction during the current year, State-wise, especially in Assam?

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

(a)  to  (c):  Yes,  Madam.  Proposals for construction of level crossings are normally received from various VIPs like Union Ministers, MP, MLA, general public, etc.  A proposal was received for construction of level crossing  in  front  of  Shree  Krishna  Gaushala  in  Gauripur  of  Dhubri district, Assam.  As per extant policy, no new level crossings are being provided on existing lines, as level crossings are safety hazard for both rail  and  road  users  more  so  for  road  users.    Moreover,  Ministry  of Railways  has  announced  a  specific  sub-mission  to  eliminate  all unmanned level crossings on Broad Gauge by March 2020.

*****