opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 500 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Growth of Space Activities
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: MANOJ RAJORIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.500

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2017

## GROWTH OF SPACE ACTIVITIES

## 500. DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated a policy for supporting the  overall  growth  of  space  activities  with  increased  level  of private participation; and
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG &

## PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

(a) & (b)

Department of Space has drawn a long term perspective plan, addressing  various  facets  of  Indian  space  programme  viz., Space  Transportation  Systems,  Space  Infrastructure,  Space Applications  and  Capacity  Building.  In  order  to  cope  up  with the  enhanced  national  requirements  of  space  systems  and services, ISRO is making focused efforts, through appropriate transfer of technology and hand-holding, to enhance involvement  of  Indian  industries  towards  productionisation  of integrated systems/ subsystems, including assembly and testing by vendor as per ISRO's design. Towards this, discussions  are  being  held  with  the  Indian  industry  towards formulating  a  plan  &  strategy  to  enhance  the  capacity  and capability  of  managing  the  Polar  Satellite  Launch  Vehicle (PSLV) programme on an end to end basis. ISRO has involved a consortium of industries for Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT)  of  two  similar  satellites,  wherein  the  sub-systems  and infrastructure is being provided by ISRO. The  Government  is  in  the  process  of  formulating  a  National Space Act for supporting the overall growth of space activities with increased level of private participation. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 499 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Financial Assistance to Southern States
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: FAIZAL P.P. MOHAMMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 499

## TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 19, 2017 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SOUTHERN STATES

No. 499 MOHAMMED  FAIZAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to provide more financial assistance to Southern  States  under  Urban Housing  Scheme  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) the details of amount that has been sanctioned for this purpose; and
- (c) the details  of  the  amount  which has been utilised in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

****

- (a)  to  (c):    Under  Pradhan  Mantri  Awas  Yojana  (Urban)  {PMAY(U)}  mission, States/UTs  have  to  submit  Detailed  Project  Reports(DPRs)  duly  approved  by State Level Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (SLSMC) in consonance with the  mission  guidelines  for  consideration  of  Government  of  India  for  grant  of admissible central assistance.

Central assistance of Rs. 12899.57 Cr has been sanctioned under PMAY(U) for the  Southern  States  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  Karnataka,  Kerala,  Tamil  Nadu  and Telangana. Rs. 3905.52 Cr has been released as part of 1 st  instalment to these States.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 498 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Promotion of Tourism
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: George Baker, Richard Hay, PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.498 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM

498.  SHRI GEORGE BAKER: PROF. RICHARD HAY: SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  formulate  a  policy  to promote tourism by railways across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (c) the details of the funds likely to be sanctioned for this along with the target likely to be set up;
- (d) the time by which it is likely to be formulated; and
- (e) whether the Government has tied up with the Ministry of Tourism in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (e): Policy to promote tourism through various tourism products has  been  in  place.  However,  an  exercise  has  been  initiated  to formulate a comprehensive revised tourism policy by March, 2018, in consultation with all stakeholders including Ministry of Tourism.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Rebate on Home Loan
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

No. 497

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 497

TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 19, 2017

## REBATE ON HOME LOAN

SHRI GOPAL SHETTY:

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

- (a) whether the work in regard to Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Housing for all by 2022' is running as per schedule and if so, the details thereof; and

(b) whether the Government has announced many kinds of rebates on home loan in urban areas recently and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a):  The  Pradhan  Mantri  Awas  Yojana  (Urban)  {PMAY  (U)}  Mission, launched on 25.06.2015, aims to provide assistance to States/UTs in addressing  the  housing  requirement  of  the  urban  poor.  The  Mission guidelines provide flexibility to States/UTs for appraising and approving project proposals based on demand assessed and approach the Ministry only for release of Central assistance for projects approved at the State level.

So far, 4,884 projects for construction of 20,57,692 houses have been sanctioned under PMAY (U) mission.

(b):    Government of India has recently launched a new Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme to provide interest subsidy for housing loans to eligible beneficiaries  belonging  to  Middle  Income  Group  (CLSS  for  MIG).  The scheme will be implemented initially in 2017 for a period of one year w.e.f. 01.01.2017.

The  Scheme  covers  two  income  segments  in  the  MIG  viz.  annual household  income  between  Rs.6,00,001  to  Rs.12,00,000  (MIG)-I)  and annual household income between Rs.12,00,001 to Rs.18,00,000 MIG-II. The  interest  subsidy  under  the  new  scheme  will  be  available  to beneficiaries  of  MIG-I  category  and  MIG-II  for  loan  amounts  upto Rs.9,00,000/- and 12,00,000/, respectively. The interest subsidy will be at the rate of 4% and 3% on the principal amount of the loan for the MIG I and MIG II beneficiary, respectively and would be credited upfront to the housing loan account of the beneficiary. Additional housing loans beyond Rs.9,00,000/- and Rs.12,00,000/-, respectively, if any, will be at non-subsidized rate.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 496 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Delivery of Public Services
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 496

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017)

## DELIVERY OF PUBLIC SERVICES

## 496. SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  his  Ministry  has  taken  steps  for  efficient  and  timely  delivery  of  public services, including timely and effective redressal of grievances of citizens related to non-delivery of entitled goods and services by the Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years;
- (c) the status of Delivery of Services and Grievances Redressal Scheme-2016; and
- (d) the timeframe for delivery of goods under the scheme and provisions for administrative action for delay?

## 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): Yes, Madam. Some of the steps taken during the last three years include:-
- (i)   Guidelines have been issued to all the Ministries/Departments of Central Government to ensure  that  the  Citizens'  Charter  of  the  Ministries/Departments  and  their  subordinate Organizations, inter-alia incorporating list of services, service standards and timelines, are  duly  uploaded  and  updated  on  the  respective  websites.  For  timely  and  effective redressal of grievances, an online Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System(CPGRAMS) is operational.  A Public Grievances Call Centre has been set up for reminding the concerned Ministries/Departments receiving bulk of the grievances in the  Central  Government, for  expediting action on grievances pending on CPGRAMS for more than two months.
- (ii)     Grievance  Analysis  Study  has  been  conducted  in  respect  of  Ministries/Departments receiving  bulk  of  the  grievances.  Systemic  Reforms  have  been  put  in  place  in consultation with concerned Ministries/Departments.

(c) & (d): The Government is committed to ensuring efficient and timely delivery of public services,  including  timely  and  effective  redressal  of  grievances  of  citizens  related  to  nondelivery  of  entitled  goods  and  services  by  the  Government.  For  this  purpose,  Delivery  of Services  and  Grievances  Redressal  Scheme  has  been  prepared  and  is  in  the  process  of stakeholders  consultation.  The  ambit  of  the  Scheme inter-alia  includes  goods  and  services being offered by the public authorities of the Government.  The Scheme also has provisions for  administrative  action  with  respect  to  delays,  among  others  in  provision  of  designated services in specified timeframe.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 493 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Proposals from States on Affordable Housing
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 493

TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 19, 2017

## PROPOSALS FROM STATES ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING

No. 493

SHRI KIRTI AZAD:

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

- (a) whether the Union Government has asked all State Governments and Union Territories to submit proposals in regard to construction of affordable housing for the urban poor and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the proposals from all States and Union Territories have been received and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether  construction  work  is  likely  to  begin  after  decision  on
- those proposals and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) to (c): 'Land' and 'Colonization' being State subjects, it is for the State  /  UT  Governments  to  frame  housing  policies/schemes  and provide  affordable  housing  to  all  its  citizens.  The  Government  of India, however, has launched Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) {PMAY(U)} Mission for providing assistance to States/UTs in addressing  the  housing  requirement  of  urban  poor.    The  Mission comprises four components viz in-situ slum redevelopment; affordable housing through credit-linked subsidy; affordable housing in  partnership;  and  subsidy  for  beneficiary-led  individual  house construction.

PMAY(U) mission scheme guidelines provide flexibility to States/UTs to appraise and approve projects based on the demand assessed by it. States/UTs are thus required to approach the Central Government only for release of  Central  assistance.  States/UTs  have  been requested  to  ensure  that  the  construction  of  houses  sanctioned under the projects are completed in time.

So far, 4,884 projects for construction of 21,00,475 Houses of EWS category have been sanctioned under PMAY (U) in various States/UTs.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 491 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: PTI and UNI News Service in AIR
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: CHINTAMAN NAVSHA WANAGA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 491

( TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017 )

## PTI AND UNI NEWS SERVICE IN AIR

## 491. ADV. CHINTAMAN NAVASHA WANAGA:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  stop  PTI  and  UNI  News service  in  All  India  Radio  and  to  get  news  service  from  Hindustan Samachar in Indian language as well as in English and Hindi in one or two months;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether the Government would recruit permanent news readers in the same as early as possible to give job to the youth and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)

- (a):  No, Madam.
- (b): Prasar Bharati has informed that presently, News Services Division, All India Radio is subscribing to PTI and UNI news agencies. It is also having free trial service of Hindustan Samachar.  Reviews of performance of News Agencies are done from time to time to assess their value and relevance taking into accounts the unique position of AIR in the country.
- (c):   The services of news agencies are used to supplement the news requirement of AIR.  No separate news readers are required to be recruited for the same.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 490 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: PMKVY
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 490 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017

## PMKVY

## † 490. SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

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

(a) the  agency  to  which  work  related  to  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana (PMKVY) in the Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh has been assigned along with the date of contract;

- (b) whether the said agency has started working;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor, and
- (d) the action being taken against the agency for such recklessness?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Ministry  is  implementing  two  flagship  skill  India  schemes  known  as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) on pan -India basis to cover the prospective youths.  PMKVY enables large number of prospective youths for taking short term fresh training and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) through accredited and affiliated training partner/training centers. This scheme has two components known as Centrally Sponsored Centrally Managed (CSCM) and Centrally Sponsored State Managed (CSSM). Under CSCM, as of 12 th July,  2017,  total  4,01,093  candidates  trained  in  the  State  of  Uttar  Pradesh.  Out  of them 1,885 candidates trained through 7 empanelled Training Centres in the district of Chitrakoot. Under CSSM, a target to train 1,42,552 candidates has been approved for the State of Uttar Pradesh covering Chitrakoot district.

Under  PMKK,  Government  intends  to  establish  a  model  aspirational  skill centres  in  every  district  including  Chitrakoot  for  imparting  skill  training  through PMKVY. Out of 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh, 66 districts have been already allocated under  PMKK.  The  district  of  Chitrakoot,  Uttar  Pradesh  has  been  allocated  to  Don Bosco  Tech  Society.  The  PMKK  agreement  with  NSDC  was  signed  on  9 th March, 2017, however, due to infrastructural non-compliance with PMKK Guidelines, the TP was  advised  to  revise  its  location.  Further,  as  per  the  PMKK  Guidelines,  a  Notice dated 6 th June 2017 has been issued to Don Bosco Tech for failing to identify location and  getting  location  sign-off  from  NSDC  within  60  calendar  days  from  the  date  of agreement.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: A.T. (NANA) PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.488 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017

## SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION

488. SHRI A. T. NANA PATIIL: SHRI RAOSAHEB DANVE PATIL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  joined  Shanghai  Cooperation Organisation (SCO) recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  line  adopted  by  the  Government  to  work  out  a  common strategy for combating terrorism at SCO platform?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes.
- (b) India was admitted as a Full Member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization  (SCO)  on  9 th   June  2017  during  SCO  Heads  of  State Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. India has joined the SCO to secure peace, progress and prosperity for the region as also to create new opportunities for economic engagement.
- (c) SCO comprises of two regional bodies - SCO Secretariat and SCO-RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure). SCO-RATS deals with counter  terrorism  and  promotes  interaction  among  the  security agencies  of  the  region.    All  the  Member  States  work  towards combating  terrorism  by  eliminating  infrastructure  and  ending  the support structure financing terrorism.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 487 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Construction of Tunnel
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 487 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017

## CONSTRUCTION OF TUNNEL

## † 487.     SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the construction work of railway tunnel near Zawar mines on railway gauge conversion route from Udaipur to Ahmedabad via Himmat Nagar has been started and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the amount of funds allocated by the Government for construction of this tunnel; and
- (c)  if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to  (c): Construction work of railway tunnel near Zawar Mines is a part  of  Ahmedabad-Himmatnagar-  Udaipur  gauge  conversion  project which is to be constructed  on forest land. The diversion of forest land is  in  progress  and  construction  of  tunnel  will  be  taken  up  once  this diversion  work  is  completed.  No  separate  fund  has  been  allotted  for construction of this tunnel. However, an outlay of ` 422.00 crore has been provided for the entire Ahmedabad-Himmatnagar-Udaipur gauge conversion project for the year 2017-18.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 486 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Escalators for Disabled
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ANSHUL VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 486 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017

## ESCALATORS FOR DISABLED

## †486.  SHRI ANSHUL VERMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has provided the facility of automated escalators and other machines for the use of disabled persons at railway platforms in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  any  facility  of  installing  automated  escalator  at  'A' grade railway stations is available and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the construction work of VVIP air-conditioned waiting room  has  started  and  automated  escalator  facility  has  been sanctioned  at  Hardoi  'A'  grade  railway  station  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) & (b) To facilitate easy movement of elderly and differently abled passengers,  escalators/elevators  are  being  provided  progressively based on techno commercial feasibility and availability of fund.  So far,  about  394  no.  of  escalators,  (162  at  'A1'  &  73  at  'A'  category stations)  and  about  219  no.  of  lifts  (94  at  'A1'  &  77  at  'A'  category stations) have been provided.

- (c)  One VIP A.C. Room is already available at Hardoi Railway Station. At present, there is no plan to construct VVIP A.C. Room.

At present, there is no sanction available for provision of escalator at Hardoi Station.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 485 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Digigaon Project
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: V. SATHYABAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 485

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 19.07.2017

## DIGIGAON PROJECT

## 485.    SHRIMATI  V. SATHYA BAMA:

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

- (a)    whether  Government  has  envisaged  DigiGaon, a  pilot  project  of  Digital  villages  to  be implemented in 1050 Gram Panchayats in the country;
- (b)    if  so,  the  State-wise  list  of  Gram  Panchayats  selected/to  be  selected  under  DigiGaon project and the amount allocated/sanctioned for each Gram Panchayat;
- (c)    whether  the  Government  has  any  idea/plans  to  involve  IT  companies/NGO's to  create more Digital villages in the country; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes, Madam. The Government has approved a Pilot Project called 'DigiGaon'.
- (b): The  DigiGaon  project  has  been  approved  to  be  implemented  in  1050  Gram Panchayats (GPs) spread across 30 States/UTs. However, after assessment of the readiness of the States/UTs, and recommendations of the Empowered Group of DigiGaon, the project will be piloted in three States out of the following five states, viz. Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The 'DigiGaon project envisages providing telemedicine, tele-education,  LED  lighting,  Wi-Fi  hotspots  and  skill  development  in  the  selected  Gram Panchayats (GPs) and does not entail any GP wise budgeting allocation/sanction of funds.

(c) and (d):    No, Madam.

********