opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Corruption in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, DHARMENDRA YADAV, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE

(a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2714 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## CORRUPTION IN RAILWAYS

†2714.   SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT: SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV: DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has information that corruption is rampant in various services of Railways;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  action  taken  by  the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that corruption is rampant in  booking  of  goods  in  railways,  railway  catering  service, providing berths in trains and in Rail Neer in connivance with certain  officers  and  as  a  result  the  passengers  are  not getting the entitled facilities;
- (d) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard;
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  set  up  any  committee  to examine the said problems and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  make railway  corruption  free  and  to  ensure  that  passengers  get those facilities which they are entitled to?

## ANSWER

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

to (f):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. *****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  2714  BY  SHRI  VINAYAK  BHAURAO RAUT,  SHRI  DHARMENDRA  YADAV  AND  DR.  PRITAM  GOPINATH 03.01.2018

MUNDE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON REGARDING CORRUPTION IN RAILWAYS (a)  to  (e)  No,  Madam.  However,  complaints  received  are  duly investigated  and  if  any  official  is  found  indulging  in  corrupt practices,  he/she  is  taken  up  under  disciplinary  action.  In  2017 (upto  September),  disciplinary  proceedings  have  been  initiated against 400 officials. (f) Railways have well established systems, rules and procedures which  guide  its  various  functions.  The  Railways  also  have  a vigilance organization, spread over the entire railway system which conducts preventive, decoy and surprise checks. It also investigates complaints of corruption received. If any irregularity is detected, suitable disciplinary action is taken, depending upon the gravity of the charges and in consultation with the Central Vigilance Commission,  in  cases  involving  Group  'A'  officers.    Corrective measures for system improvement and increasing transparency are taken regularly. Some of the recent initiatives include e-tendering of works  contract, procurements  through e-tendering, e-auctions, changes  in  Tatkal  reservation  processes,  registering  of  indents through Freight Operations Information System  (FOIS), on-line allotment  of  rakes  etc.  Regular  training  and  seminars  are  also organized to educate the officials and enhance their knowledge and awareness.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2713 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Order for Rafale
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: KAMLESH  PASWAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2713

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  JANUARY, 2018

## ORDER  FOR  RAFALE

2713.  SHRI  KAMLESH  PASWAN:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  agreement  to  buy  126  aircraft  for  IAF  from  Rafale  by  previous Government was final order;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the reasons for long delay of more than twelve years?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jherh  fueZyk lhrkje.k )

(a) to (c): As  no agreement could be reached to buy 126 Rafale aircraft, therefore no final order was placed.

To replace the existing MiG-21 aircraft, a case to procure 126 Mirage2000  aircraft  was  initiated  in  the  year  2000.    This  was  later  converted  to procurement of 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft.  The Request for Proposal  (RFP)  was issued in 2007,  wherein  six  vendors  had  responded. On completion of Field  Evaluation Trials, two out of the six aircraft  were found to be fully compliant.  Commercial proposals of both vendors EADS and Dassault Aviation (DA) were opened and negotiations were commenced with Dassault  Aviation  as  the L1  vendor  in November, 2011. The contract negotiations reached an impasse on various issues including those related to 108 aircraft, which were to be produced by HAL.  The RFP was withdrawn on 24 th June, 2015 following the due procedure.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2712 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: UPSC and SSC Exams in Regional Languages
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2712

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018)

## UPSC AND SSC EXAMS IN REGIONAL LANGUAGES

## 2712.   SHRI D.K. SURESH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)  examinations  are  not  being  conducted  in  regional  languages  which  are  badly affecting the chances of candidates from non-Hindi speaking States;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has any proposal to conduct SSC and UPSC exams in regional languages;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of candidates recruited through SSC during the last three years, State-wise?

## 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 (d) :  Normally, the question papers in the recruitment examinations conducted by Staff Selection Commission (SSC) & Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) are in Hindi and English. In some examinations, the question papers are in English only. However, in the Civil Services Examinations conducted by UPSC, candidates are provided the option of answering all the question papers, except the Qualifying Language Papers, Paper-A and Paper-B, in any of the languages included in the eighth schedule to the Constitution of India or in English. Also, in the examination for recruitment of Multi Tasking Staff (Non-technical), conducted by SSC, the candidates have the option of answering in the descriptive paper in English or in any language included in the eighth schedule to the Constitution of India.

- (e):  As the Staff Selection Commission makes its recruitments on an All India basis, statewise  recruitment  data  is  not  maintained  centrally  by  SSC.  During  the  last  three  years,  the number of candidates recruited by the Commission through various examinations conducted by it are given below:

- i. 2014-15 :    58066

ii.

2015-16 :    25138

iii.

2016-17 :    68880

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2709 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: High Speed Rail Network
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, KAMAL NATH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2709

TO BE ANSWERED ON  03.01.2018

## HIGH SPEED RAIL NETWORK

2709.   SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA: SHRI KAMAL NATH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Union Government has recently initiated the process of  drawing  up  a  blueprint  to  interconnect  the  four  metros-Delhi, Mumbai,  Chennai  and  Kolkata  with  high  speed  network  of  trains running at 160 kmph;
- (b) if so, the details of the project and the likely expenditure involved;
- (c) whether the Railway tracks would be upgraded to interconnect the four metros with high speed network of trains; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (d):  Yes,  Madam.    Principal  routes  of  the  railways  connecting four  metros-Delhi,  Mumbai,  Chennai  and  Kolkata  constitute  Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) and diagonals routes namely Delhi - Mumbai, Delhi -

Howrah,  Howrah-  Chennai,  Chennai  -  Mumbai,  Delhi  -  Chennai  and Howrah - Mumbai.

These  principal  six  Golden  Quadrilateral  (GQ)  and  diagonals routes carry about 58% of freight traffic and 52% of coaching traffic with a share of approximately only 16% of the rail network.

Two  speed  raising  projects  for  trains  running  at  160  kmph  on Delhi-Mumbai  and  Delhi-Howrah  routes  have  been  included  in  Pink Book 2017-18. However, the works for other four Golden Quadrilateral (GQ)/Diagonal routes are yet to be processed.

The details of the speed raising projects to 160 kmph on DelhiMumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes are as under:-

-  New Delhi-Mumbai Route (including Vadodara-Ahmedabad), 1483 Route km at an estimated cost of ₹ 11,189 crore.
-  New Delhi-Howrah route (including Kanpur-Lucknow), 1525 Route kms at an estimated cost of  ₹ 6974 crore.
-  No expenditure so far has been incurred under these projects.
-  Scope  of  Work:  It  involves  strengthening  of  track  structure, removal of all level crossings, through fencing, Train Protection Warning  System  (TPWS),  Mobile  Radio  Communication  System, augmentation  of  power  supply,  automated  and  instrumented diagnostics for rolling stock etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2708 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Price Fluctuation of Imported Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2708 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## Price Fluctuation of Imported Coal

## 2708.  SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to insulate Ultra Mega Power Plants (UMPPs) from steep fluctuations in prices of imported coal and if so, the details thereof ;
- (b) the formula to be used to index costs of imported coal used in such UMPPs;
- (c) whether such insulation of imported coal could also be extended to all other coal-based power plants, irrespective of their size; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS AND COAL (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (d)     : Based  on  the  recommendation  of  the  Expert  Committee  and  consultations  with stakeholders, Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs) and Guidelines for Ultra Mega Power Plants (UMPPs) based  on  allocated  domestic  coal  block  and  for  UMPP  based  on  imported  coal  are under finalization.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2707 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Speed of Kalindi Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kunhalikutty, P.K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2707 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## SPEED OF KALINDI EXPRESS

2707. SHRI P.K.  KUNHALIKUTTY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the average speed of Kalindi Express;
- (b)  the  details  of  average  speed  of  that  train  between  Shikohabad  and Farrukhabad and between Farrukhabad and Kanpur; and
- (c) the steps being taken to increase its speed?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

ANSWER (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. 2707 BY SHRI P.K.  KUNHALIKUTTY TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 03.01.2018 REGARDING SPEED OF KALINDI EXPRESS.

(a) and (b) Average  speed of 14723/14724 Kanpur Central-Bhiwani Kalindi Express  (daily)  on  end  to  end  basis  and  on  Kanpur-Farrukhabad  and Farrukhabad-Shikohabad sections are as shown under.

|                                              | Average speed (in Kmph)   | Average speed (in Kmph)     | Average speed (in Kmph)         |
|----------------------------------------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Train No.                                    | end to end basis          | Kanpur- Farrukhabad section | Farrukhabad- Shikohabad section |
| 14723 Kanpur Central-Bhiwani Kalindi Express | 37.67                     | 45.15                       | 39.86                           |
| 14724 Bhiwani-Kanpur Central Kalindi Express | 36.91                     | 39.77                       | 26.54                           |

(c) At present, there is no proposal to increase the speed of  14723/14724 Kanpur Central-Bhiwani Kalindi Express (daily). However, speeding up of trains is an on-going process on Indian Railways. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2706 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Rohingya Issue
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2706

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## ROHINGYA ISSUE

## 2706. SHRI RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any engagement took place or taking place with Bangladesh on the issue of Rohingyas;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Rohingya crisis has been discussed with Myanmar and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (d) Government of India has taken up the issue of the exodus of people from Rakhine State of Myanmar both with Government of Myanmar and Government of Bangladesh. This exodus followed military operations by the Myanmar security forces in the northern Rakhine State after terrorist attacks on August 25, 2017. The matter was discussed with the Myanmar leadership during the visit of Prime Minister of India to Myanmar in September 2017, and the two sides agreed that the only long lasting solution to the problem lay in overall development of the Rakhine State. Myanmar has welcomed India's offer of assistance in this regard. External Affairs Minister of India, during her visit to Bangladesh on October 2223, 2017, had discussed this issue with the Bangladesh leadership. Both sides shared the view that normalcy can only be restored with the return of the displaced persons to Rakhine State, and that the only long-term solution to the situation in that State is rapid   socio-economic   and   infrastructure   development   that   would   help   all communities living in the State. In this regard, Governments of India and Myanmar signed an MoU on December 20, 2017, on Rakhine State Development Programme. In   order   to   meet   the   pressing   relief   needs   of   the   displaced   persons, Government of India has supplied essential requirements to about 300,000 persons in Bangladesh and about 15,000 persons in Myanmar in October and November 2017 respectively. India has welcomed the signing of an Arrangement on November 23, 2017

between Government of Myanmar and Government of Bangladesh on return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2705 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Revenue in Coal Sector
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2705 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## Revenue in Coal Sector

## 2705: SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the revenues in the coal sector have drastically fallen in the current fiscal year due  to  low  demand;
- (b)  whether the Government is planning to allow commercial mining of coal in the country, if so, the  details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)    whether  the  Government  is  working  towards  finding  alternate  uses  of  coal  as  demand from the power  sector wanes, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d)  whether the Government will consider using coal to make fertilizers and methanol like China or/and to make oil and chemicals like South Africa, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a): No Madam. Figures of the Net sales and Off-take in respect of Coal India Limited (CIL) are as follows:

|                           |   Half Year ended 30.09.2017 |   Half Year ended 30.09.2016 |
|---------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|
| Net Sales (Rs. In Crores) |                        37289 |                     35822.8  |
| Off-take (Million Tonnes) |                          269 |                       249.11 |

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

(c) &(d) : CIL is exploring alternative uses of coal. CIL, through a Joint Venture with GAIL, Rashtriya  Chemical  Fertilizers  Limited  (RCF)  and  Fertilizer  Corporation  of  India  Limited (FCL), is involved in a venture to set-up a coal based fertilizer plant at the site of the defunct Talcher unit of FCIL. This is in line with approval of CCEA, whereby revival of the Talcher unit  of  FCIL  was  awarded  to  a  consortium  of  CIL,  GAIL,  RCF  and  FCIL  on  nomination basis.  Also,  CIL  is  exploring  techno-commercial  feasibility  of  production  of  methanol  and other chemicals. These initiatives are under feasibility study stage at present.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2704 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Coal Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: BHAGWANT MANN, SADHU SINGH

- (a) & (b): No Sir.
- (c) to (d): Does not arise in view of reply to part (a) & (b) above.
- (e):  Enabling  provisions  have  been  made  in  the  Coal  Mines  (Special Provisions)  Act,  2015  for  allocation  of  coal  mines  by  way  of  auction  and allotment for the sale of coal. The methodology for allotment of coal mines under  the  provisions  of  the  Coal  Mines  (Special  Provisions)  Act,  2015  to Central  /  State  Public  Sector  Undertakings  for  sale  of  coal  has  been approved by the Government.  In accordance with these provisions, 13 coal mines  have  been  allotted  to  Public  Sector  Undertakings  for  sale  of  coal. Further, the methodology for auction of coal mines / blocks for sale of coal under the provisions of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 and the  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  and  Regulation)  Act,  1957  is  under consideration of the Government.

Further, as per information provided by Ministry of Mines, amendments have been carried out in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 to ensure investors participation which inter alia includes:

- (i) All mineral concessions will be granted only through auction.

## Government of India Ministry of Coal Lok Sabha

## Unstarred Question No. 2704 To be answered on 03.01.2018

## Coal Mines

## 2704. SHRI BHAGWANT MANN: PROF. SADHU SINGH:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has allowed prospective owners of coal mines to sell 25% of produce in open market from nil previously by relaxing the end use norms for non-coal mines;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  such  move  will  help  in  dumping  the  waste  not  used  for captive purpose;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the other changes made by the Government to rekindle the investors interest in mining sector?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (ii) To ensure the uninterrupted supply of raw material to the industries, section 8A (5) and 8A (6) of MMDR (Amendment) Act, 2015 provides for  deemed  extension  to  non-captive  mines  upto  the  year  2020  and captive mines upto the year 2030.
- (iii) The previous approval of the Central Government has been dispensed with in respect of Part C minerals as contained in the First Schedule of the MMDR Act, 1957.
- (iv) Provision for constituting special courts in states has been introduced through section 30A, 30B and 30C of the MMDR Act.
- (v) In order to attract private investment and Foreign Direct Investment and also in the perspective of ease of doing business, easy transferability & concession granted through auction is ensured.

The MMDR Act was further amended through the MMDR (Amendment) Act, 2016  to  allow  transfer  of  a  mining  lease  granted  otherwise  than  through auction. Transfer of captive mining leases, granted otherwise than through auction also is permitted to be transferred subject to the prescribed terms and conditions.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2699 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Recruitment in Army
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2699

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  JANUARY, 2018

## RECRUITMENT  IN  ARMY

2699.  DR. RAMESH  POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK':

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  special  step  in  view  of  the  decreasing interest of the youth towards the Army and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any programme is being conducted to provide comprehensive training and create awareness for recruitment of the youth in the Army and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether assistance of self-help groups is also being taken for the purpose and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether any special step is being taken to encourage women to join the Army and if so, the details thereof?

<!-- formula-not-decoded -->

(a) to (c): Government has taken a number of measures to encourage the youth to join the defence forces, including (i) sustained image projection; (ii)  Publicity  campaign  to  create  awareness  among  the  youth  on  the advantages of taking up a challenging and satisfying career; (iii) participation in career fairs and exhibitions; (iv) motivational lectures in schools and colleges etc.  The support of State Government authorities is also solicited in disseminating requisite information to the target population.  Further, recruitment rallies are conducted in different parts of the  country  to  provide  opportunity  to  youth  to  join the Armed Forces.

Government  has  set  up  Sainik  Schools  and Rashtriya Military Schools in  various parts of  India  with  the  primary  aim  of  preparing  boys academically, physically and mentally for entry into the Defence Services. (d) The induction of women is based on the organizational requirement, fighting  efficiency,  combat  effectiveness  and  functionality  of  the  Army. Presently,  women are recruited in  Indian  Army as Officers through Short Service  Commission  (SSC)  on  all India merit  basis,  alongwith  men candidates.    Women  officers  are  inducted  in  Army  Service  Corps,  Army Ordinance Corps, Army Education Crops, Judge Advocate Branch, Signals, Intelligence and Electrical and Mechanical Engineering branches.

*******