opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3231 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-15
Subject: Slow Down of Renewable Energy Sector
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3231

TO BE ANSWERED ON-15.03.2018

## SLOWDOWN OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR

3231.SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the renewable energy sector is in the midst of a lull after the storm, as bidding for wind and solar energy projects is seeing a short term slow down;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the wind energy sector is facing near term headwinds and the capacity addition in the near term remains adversely impacted due to migration from feed-in tariff to bid-tariff route; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (I/C) (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) to (d)  No Madam.

The capacity additions in Biomass, Solar, Small Hydro and Wind Sectors during 2016-17 and 2017-18 (up to February, 2018) are as given below.

| Sector      |   2016-17 (in MW) |   2017-18 ( up to Feb. 2018) (in MW) |
|-------------|-------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Biomass     |               162 |                                232   |
| Solar       |              5525 |                               7295   |
| Small Hydro |               105 |                                 96.8 |
| Wind        |              5502 |                                597   |

The  gestation  period  for  wind  power  generation  plant  installation  is  approximately  18 months. Therefore, the capacity addition in a particular  year is the result of projects under taken up about 18 months before.  This year the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and State government  utilities  have  already  bid out  8500  MW  of  capacity  against  total implementation of 5502 MW during 2016-17.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3229 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-15
Subject: NRDWP
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: C. N. JAYADEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3229

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2018

## NRDWP

## 3229. SHRI C.N. JAYADEVAN:

Will  the  Minister  of  DRINKING WATER  AND  SANITATION be pleased to   state

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  decided  to  restructure  the  National  Rural  Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) intended for providing safe and sustainable piped water through household connections to the rural population of the country; and
- (b)   if so, the details of the changes proposed to be made under the NRDWP?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION (SHRI S.S.AHLUWALIA)

(a) & (b) Yes Madam. National Rural Drinking Water Program (NRDWP) has been restructured on  10.11.2017  to  make  it  competitive,  outcome  based  and  result  oriented.  Under  restructured NRDWP, the Ministry aims to achieve ' Har Ghar Jal '  i.e.  providing  safe  &  adequate  drinking water to each rural household through coordinated efforts of the State Governments by 2030. As per restructured NRDWP, weightage for distribution of funds to the states is as under:

| Criteria                                                                                                                                                        |   Weightage (%) |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
| Rural Population (as per last Census)                                                                                                                           |              40 |
| Rural SC and ST population (as per last Census)                                                                                                                 |              10 |
| States under DDP, DPAP, HADP and special category Hill States in terms of rural areas                                                                           |              40 |
| Population (as per IMIS) residing in habitations having affected by chemical contaminants including heavy metals (as on 31st March of preceding financial year) |              10 |

Under restructured guideline, release of funds would be made as under:

- i. 50 % of allocation will be released as per pre-approved criteria
- ii. 25%  Sustainability  (Functionality)  of  allocation  will  be  released  after  third  party evaluation of functionality of completed schemes in States
- iii. 25%  of Normal component will be released after expenditure by States on reimbursement mode.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3227 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-15
Subject: Involvement of Lawmakers in Sports Administrative Bodies
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: SAUGATA ROY

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . 3227

## TO BE ANSWERD ON 15.03.2018

Involvement of Lawmakers in Sports Administrative Bodies

3227. PROF. SAUGATA ROY:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  exclude  the  lawmakers  from  the administrative bodies of various sports organizations in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d)  the  details  of  the  lawmakers involved  with the administrative bodies of various sports organizations in the country at present?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE ( INDEPENDENT CHARGE FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [COL . RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD . )]

)

(a) to (c): The Government has brought out a National Sports Development Code of India 2011, effective from 31.01.2011, which lays down basic universal principles of good governance for National Sports Federations (NSFs). As per this Code, NSFs have to follow proper democratic and healthy management practices  which  provide  for  greater  accountability  and  transparency  at  all levels;  adhere  to  age  and  duration  of  tenure  limit  of  office  bearers;  follow guidelines on Good governance in the context of 'Basic Universal Principle of Good Governance of Olympic and Sports Movement'; etc. These instructions are applicable to all persons, including the lawmakers.

In view of recent developments relating to good governance in sports bodies including judicial pronouncements, international best practices, etc., Government had set up a Committee under the Chairmanship of  Secretary

(Sports), Government of India consisting of prominent international medalists, Olympians, an international level coach, a lawyer, a media person and sports administrators to re-visit the existing provisions of NSDCI-2011 and to make recommendations to further strengthen the governance frame work for the sports  bodies.  The  Committee  completed  its  deliberation  and  has  already submitted its report to the Government. Hon'ble Delhi High Court has ordered that the report of the Committee be submitted to the Court in a sealed cover. The same has been complied and the matter is sub-judice. (d)

## The  details  of  lawmakers  involved  with  the  administrative  bodies  of sports organizations are not maintained.

## \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Lok Sabha Question No. 3226 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-15
Subject: Review of Information and Communication Policy
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3226 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 15/03/2018)

## REVIEW OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION POLICY

## 3226. DR. BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has reviewed the Information and Communication Policy;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  developments  have  been  made  in  making  Information  and  communication infrastructure and new technologies accessible to the rural areas of the country and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Government has always adopted an integrated communication approach. The communication  approach  of  the  Government  is  to  enhance  outreach  through  focused dissemination  and  advocacy  in  order  to  ensure  appropriate  and  relevant  information  to  the people.  Being  a  dynamic  process,  changes  in  approach  are  taken  into  account  regularly through communication requirements of policies & programmes.

The objective is to ensure focused communication through multiple media platforms incorporated  within  Media  Units.  This  has  ensured  a  360  degree  approach  in  addressing critical issues on a regular basis.

(c)  &  (d)  Prasar  Bharati  has  informed  that  for  both  All  India  Radio  and  Doordarshan, modernization/infrastructure  upgradation  is  a  continuous  process  to  keep  pace  with  the technological  advancement.  Modernisation/  Upgradation  plan  covers  a  broad  spectrum, which, inter-alia, includes digitalization; adoption of new  technologies at par with International standards; replacement of old ageing equipments and their upgradation etc.

As  far  as  other  Media  Units  are  concerned,  the  technological  tools  such  as  use  of smart phones, better internet  connectivity  etc.  to  enhance  outreach  and  dissemination  have been  incorporated  in the  work  plan  and  publicity  mechanism  so  as  to  address  the communication needs of the targeted audience.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3225 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-15
Subject: Kanhangad-Madikeri National Highway Project
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: FAIZAL P.P. MOHAMMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3225

ANSWERED ON 15 TH   MARCH, 2018

## KANHANGAD-MADIKERI NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECT

3225. MOHAMMED FAIZAL:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

## lM+d ifjogu vkSj jktekxZ ea=h

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to start survey of the Kanhangad-Pnathur-Madikeri and Nanjangud-Nilambur National Highway project; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the funds allocated and released for this purpose?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

(a) & (b)  Out of these two stretches , only stretch from Hosdurg-Panathur-Bagamandala-Madikeri passing  through  the  States  of  Karnataka  and  Kerala  has  been  considered  for  preparation  of Detailed Project Report regarding which amount of Rs.255.00 lakhs has already been sanctioned for the stretch passing through Kerala. And for the remaining stretch passing through Karnataka, the  proposal  is  included  in  the  Annual  Plan  for  the  year  2017-18  for  an  amount  of  Rs.215.00 lakhs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3223 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-15
Subject: Increase in Pension for Widows and Old Age People
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3223

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2018

## INCREASE IN PENSION FOR WIDOWS AND OLD AGE PEOPLE

## 3223.   SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any scheme to increase the pension of widows and old age people living below poverty line across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the time by which such a scheme is likely to be formulated?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

(a) to (c): No Madam, at present there is no proposal to increase the pension of widows and old age people living below poverty line across the country. No timeline has been set for rolling out a new scheme with enhanced entitlements.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 280 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Setting Up of World Class Institutions
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.*280 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## SETTING UP OF WORLD CLASS INSTITUTIONS

## *280.   SHRIMATI  SANTOSH  AHLAWAT:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  recently  a  seven  member  committee  has  been  constituted  by  the  Centre  for drawing  up  a  blueprint  to  set  up  five  world  class  institutions  in  different  parts  of  the country to provide a mix of academic, technical and skill based education with a focus on minority communities;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there is any proposal for opening one such institution in Rajasthan; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI )

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

****

## Statement as referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.*280 asked by Shrimati Santosh Ahlawat regarding Setting Up of World Class Institutions.

(a): The Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF), an autonomous body under the Ministry of  Minority  Affairs, Govt. of  India, in its 52nd  meeting held on 29.12.2016, constituted an 11 member Committee to go into the modalities for establishment of institutions in different parts of the country with a view to facilitate educational development of the minorities.

(b): This Committee recognized the fact that school education is the most important phase for the deprived  children  of  minority  communities  and  there  is  an  urgent  need  to  ensure  that  these children  have  access  to  quality  primary,  secondary  and  higher  secondary  education.  The Committee also noted the fact that the majority of these minority children drop out or fail to clear the  matriculation  examination  or  have  been  unable  to  continue  with  further  studies.  These children,  thus,  needed  to  be  appropriately  brought  back  into  the  education  system  through  the institution of community colleges.

The said committee has submitted its report on 06.07.2017 to the MAEF. The Committee in its report has recommended for a three tier model of educational institutions for minorities having:

-  211 Central Schools at the bottom;
-  25 Community Colleges at the middle; and
-  5 National Institutes at the top level.

(c)  &  (d):  The  MAEF  has  requested  the  Government  of  Rajasthan  for  allotment  of  land  for establishment of a National Institute.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 279 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Satellite Launching Stations
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.279

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2018

## SATELLITE LAUNCHING STATIONS

- *279.   SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  names of places in the country where satellite launching stations are located and the performance thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  set  up  another satellite launch station at Kulasekarapattinam or Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu which are close to the equator; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  the  new satellite launching stations are likely to be set up?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG &

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

(a) to  (c)  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. *****

STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO STARRED  QUESTION  NO.279  REGARDING  'SATELLITE  LAUNCHING STATIONS' ASKED BY SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G. FOR ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2018.

(a) India has one satellite launching station with two launch pads at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota located in Andhra Pradesh State. So far, 65 launches have taken place from this launching station.

(b) As of now, the Government has no proposal to set up another satellite launching station in the country.

(c) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 278 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Hydrological Data of Brahmaputra and Satluj Rivers
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: NINONG ERING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.278

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## HYDROLOGICAL DATA OF BRAHMAPUTRA AND SATLUJ RIVERS

- *278.  SHRI NINONG ERING:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether China has shared the hydrological data for Brahmaputra and Satluj rivers, under India-China Expert-Level Mechanism;
- (b) if so, the details thereof for the current year; and
- (c) if not, the alternative steps taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

- (a) to (c) A Statement is laid on the table of the House. *****

## PRIORITY-XVIII

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 278 REGARDING 'HYDROLOGICAL DATA OF BRAHMAPUTRA AND SATLUJ RIVERS' FOR ANSWER ON 14.03.2018

(a) to (c) Under existing bilateral Memorandums of Understanding, China provides to India hydrological information of Brahmaputra River (Yarlong Zangbo) and Sutlej River (Langqen   Zangbo)   during   the   flood   seasons.   The   Chinese   side   did   not   provide   the hydrological information with respect to either of the two rivers in 2017. This issue has been taken up with the Chinese side, who have conveyed that the non-provision of data was due to technical reasons.

Government continues to carefully monitor the water flow in trans-border rivers, including Brahmaputra and Sutlej Rivers, for early detection of any abnormality so that corrective and preventive measures are taken to safeguard livelihood of the people in these regions.

Various issues relating to trans-border rivers are discussed with China under the ambit of an institutionalized Expert Level Mechanism which was established in 2006, as well as through diplomatic channels.  We intend to remain engaged with China on the issue of trans-border rivers to safeguard our interests.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 275 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Operating Ratio of Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 275 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## OPERATING RATIO OF RAILWAYS

*275.  DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways is likely to end this financial year with an operating ratio of 95 per cent and is set to achieve 93 percent in the next fiscal and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Railways is considering to reduce its working expenses in 2018-19 to achieve better financial health by the end of next fiscal and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that this year's operating ratio at 95 per cent is a marginal improvement over the last year's 96 per cent as per revised estimates of budget 2018-19; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  275  BY  DR.  P.  VENUGOPAL  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 14.03.2018 REGARDING OPERATING RATIO OF RAILWAYS

(a) Railways have targeted to achieve an Operating Ratio of 96% in  Revised  Estimates  2017-18  and  92.8%  in  Budget  Estimates 2018-19.

(b) Yes, Madam. It has been the constant endeavour on part of the Railways  to  take  all  measures  to  keep  the  working  expenses,  a major part of which  is represented  by the Ordinary  Working Expenses  (OWE)  and  appropriation  for  pension  payments,  under control. The implementation of 7 th Central Pay Commission recommendations  is  assessed  to  have  impacted  the  Railways  by over ` 20,000 cr. The OWE  and pension appropriations have increased  by  13.3%  in  Revised  Estimates  2017-18  whereas  in Budget Estimates 2018-19, these at ` 1,85,500 cr have been provided with  a  bare  minimum  growth  of  6.4%.  As  may  be  seen  from  the above, efforts are being made for improved efficiency.

(c)&(d)  Yes,  Madam.  The  Operating  Ratio  target  of  96%  kept  in Revised Estimates 2017-18 is a marginal improvement over  96.5% achieved in 2016-17.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 274 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Haj Pilgrimage
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kunhalikutty, P.K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 274 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## Haj Pilgrimage

## *274.  SHRI P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a difference between the actual expenditure being incurred on Haj pilgrimage and that being charged from Haj pilgrims; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  for  the  difference  along  with  the corrective steps being taken in the matter?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a) and (b)  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
- *****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) AND (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.274 FOR 14.03.2018 RAISED BY SHRI P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY REGARDING HAJ PILGRIMAGE

(a) and (b) Haj expenses are incurred on air travel of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, their accommodation  and  travel  in  Makkah  and  Madinah  and  other  miscellaneous expenditure  incidental  to  the  Haj  pilgrimage.  Haj  Committee  of  India,  a  Statutory body under the Ministry of Minority Affairs is responsible for making arrangements of pilgrims going through it for their air travel, accommodation and local transport in Saudi Arabia in coordination with Consulate General of India, Jeddah and M/o Civil Aviation. It works on the principle of No Profit No Loss and charges the pilgrims the actual  amount  to  be  incurred  on  their  travel,  accommodation  and  some  misc. expenditure  incidental  to  Haj  pilgrimage  in  Saudi  Arabia.  Indian  Haj  pilgrims  are provided quality facilities and services commensurate with the charges paid by them in conformity with the rules and regulations of Saudi Government.

*****