opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3911 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: Criticising of Policies
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: HUKUM SINGH

## 3911: SHRI HUKUM SINGH:

## Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  issued  warning  to  some  of  its  employees  of  penal action  criticising  its  policies  and  action  especially  in  relation  to  GST  network including social media;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the extent to which such a move is likely to infringe upon the fundamental right of free speech?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) to  (c)  The  conduct  rules  applicable  to  every  person  appointed  to  a  civil  service  or post  in  connection  with  the  affairs  of  the  Union  Government  provide  that  no Government servant  shall,  in  any  radio  broadcast,  telecast  through  any  electronic media or in any document published in his own name or anonymously, pseudonymously or in the name of any other person or in any communication to the press or in any public utterance, make any statement of fact or opinion, which has the  effect  of  an  adverse  criticism  of  any  current  or  recent  policy  or  action  of  the Central Government or a State Government.  Violation of conduct rules may invite penal proceedings.  The Government has time and again been bringing the attention of  its  employees  to  various  provisions  relating  to  service  matters.    However,  no warning has specifically been issued to the employees of penal action for criticising the policy of the Government in relation to GST Network.

***

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3911

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 9 TH  DECEMBER, 2016 18 th Agrahayana, 1938 (SAKA)

## Criticising of Policies
Lok Sabha Question No. 338 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Jute Processing Industry
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: George Baker

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*338 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## JUTE PROCESSING INDUSTRY

## *338. SHRI GEORGE BAKER:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Jute Processing Industries/Mills functioning in the country along with their quantum of production;
- (b) the number of Jute Industries/Jute Mills closed or on the verge of closure, State/UT-wise;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to re-open the closed industries/mills in the country;
- (d) whether the Government propose to open the closed industries/mills under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the closed industries/mills are likely to be opened?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंरी ( )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *338 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016.

(a): At  present,  there  are  97  jute  mills  in  the  country.  The  total  quantum  of production of jute goods during the year 2015-16 was 12.17 lakh tonnes

- (b): As  on  31 st October,  2016,  22  jute  mills  were  closed  in  the  country. The state-wise number of closed jute mills is as under:-
- (c): Jute mills are closed due to various factors such as low productivity, trade unionism,  low  demand  in  lean  season,  etc.  Since  most  of  the  mills  depend  on Government supply orders, closure  and  re-opening of these mills depend upon seasonal supply orders from Government. In view of the cyclical nature of the demand, the decision to reopen private mills rests with the management of such mills.  In  so  far  as  the  Government  mills  under  National  Jute  Manufactures Corporation  (NJMC)  are  concerned,  3  mills  have  been  closed  as  part  of  the approved revival plan. Production in the remaining three mills namely, RBHM Jute mill in Katihar, Bihar and Kinnison Jute Mill and Khardah Jute Mill in West Bengal is currently under suspension due to low productivity, and Industrial Relations (IR) problems.
- (d): No, Madam. There is no proposal to reopen closed mills under the Public Private Partnership mode.

| State          |   No. of closed jute mills |
|----------------|----------------------------|
| West Bengal    |                         10 |
| Andhra Pradesh |                          7 |
| Bihar          |                          1 |
| Uttar Pradesh  |                          2 |
| Odisha         |                          1 |
| Chhattisgarh   |                          1 |
| TOTAL          |                         22 |

(e): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 333 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Technology Upgradation for Apparel Industry in Rural Areas
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*333 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## TECHNOLOGY UPGRADATION FOR APPAREL INDUSTRY IN RURAL AREAS

*333. SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the textile sector in the country enjoys a comparative advantage in terms of skilled manpower and cost of production over major textile producers in the world and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there is a notable difference in the use of technology in apparel making between the rural and urban areas of the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Union Government proposes to implement technology upgradation scheme/programme for rural areas so as to bridge the technology gap and if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंरी ( )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES

(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  No.*333 for 08.12.2016  REGARDING TECHNOLOGY  UPGRADATION  FOR  APPAREL  INDUSTRY IN RURAL AREAS.

- (a): The major textile producers of the world include China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam. For textiles manufacturing the largest cost component is raw material/ inputs contributing to two third of the cost followed by labour and rent and utilities contributing one fifth each. A relative comparison of labour and cost of utilities is as below:-

| Costs                | Unit           | India   | Bangladesh   |   China | Vietnam   |
|----------------------|----------------|---------|--------------|---------|-----------|
| Minimum Labour wages | US$/ month     | 101     | 68           |     211 | 170-190*  |
| Power                | US cents / Kwh | 10- 12  | 9-12         |      13 | 8         |

Source:  World Bank 2016 Report-Stitches to Riches, International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF-Zurich) cost comparison report * cost for semi-skilled labour; includes all benefits

It  is  clear  that  India  has  a  comparative  advantage  with  respect  to  labour cost vis-a-vis China and Vietnam and with China with regard to cost of power.

- (b) & (c): No Madam, there is no notable difference in the use of technology in apparel making between the rural and urban areas of the country. Ministry is already implementing Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) which is available to units in both Urban and Rural Areas.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 328 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Phone Helpline on National Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: KINJARAPU RAM MOHAN NAIDU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO. 328

ANSWERED ON 8 TH   DECEMBER, 2016

## PHONE  HELPLINE  ON  NATIONAL  HIGHWAYS

*328.   SHRI  RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  all  the National Highways(NHs) in the country have phone helpline to be used in case of a medical emergency and  if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there are any stretches of  National Highways which do not have this facility and if so, the details  thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the Government plans to cover these stretches with Save Our Soul (SOS) phones in the near future and  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government has received any complaints with regard to the functionality of these phones and if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether app based cabs are provided with customer care centre number and other  details for registering complaints and for SOS and if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e)    A statement  is laid on the table of the  house.

STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  328  ANSWERED  ON  08.12.2016  ASKED  BY  SHRI  RAM MOHAN  NAIDU  KINJARAPU  REGARDING  PHONE  HELPLINE  ON  NATIONAL HIGHWAYS.

- (a) & (b)    No, Madam. All national highways are yet to be covered by a unified helpline to be used in case of medical emergency. However, on stretches of national highways under operation and  maintenance  contract,  ambulances  are  deployed  at  intervals  of  about  50  kilometres  and helpline number is displayed at the toll plazas and at regular intervals.
- (c) Presently, there is no such proposal is under consideration of Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
- (d) Does not arise.
- (e) Regulating the provision of customer care number for app based cab services comes in the domain of respective State Governments / UTs. The Central Government has mandated the provision of vehicle location device and one or more panic buttons in transport vehicles.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 324 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Brownfield Projects in Roads and Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 324

ANSWERED ON 08 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## BROWNFIELD PROJECTS IN ROADS AND HIGHWAYS

- *324.   SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK: DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the mode of financing the brownfield projects in roads and highways at present;
- (b) whether the Government is inviting foreign pension funds to finance road projects and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether asset recycling is being employed as mode of creation of road assets and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether  ownership  and  toll  collecting  rights  are  proposed  to  be  under  the  asset  recycling mode and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  324  ANSWERED  ON  08 TH DECEMBER,  2016  ASKED  BY SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK AND DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT REGARDING 'BROWNFIELD PROJECTS IN ROADS AND HIGHWAYS'

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- (a) National  Highway  (NH)  projects  are  financed  by  Budgetary  allocation  which include Internal and Extra Budgetary Resources (IEBR).

(b) to (d) Government  has  approved  the  monetization  of  public  funded,  operational National  Highway  (NH)  projects  that  are  generating  toll  revenue  for  at  least  two  years  after start of operations through the Toll Operate Transfer (ToT) Model. The recycling of brownfield assets shall be done by inviting bids under the ToT Model in which foreign pension funds can also participate subject to, the bidder satisfying the eligibility criteria required in the bid. As of now, 75 operational NH projects have been identified for monetization under the ToT Model. The aggregate length of these projects is around 4,500 km and their annual toll collection is around Rs 2,700 crores. The proceeds from such monetization will go to the Consolidated Fund of India, and are to be ring-fenced for utilization by the National Highways Authority of India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3909 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Unemployment of Artisans
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: RAMESH BIDHURI

## UNEMPLOYMENT OF ARTISANS

## 3909.  SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether unemployment is increasing among handicraft artisans in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether Government is providing any financial assistance for the rehabilitation of such unemployed handicraft artisan;
- (c) if so, the financial assistance provided to each of them during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise & year-wise;
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  the  export  and  commercial  development  of handicraft products; and
- (e) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to create more demand for Indian handicraft products in the global market?

## ANSWER (                       )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a): Handicraft  is  an  unorganized  sector.    Year-wise  employment  statistics  is  not  compiled centrally.
- (b) & (c): The Government does not provide any financial assistance for the rehabilitation of unemployed handicraft artisans. However, the Ministry provides interest subvention @ 6% per annum for 3 years upto maximum benefit of Rs.1.00 lakh to Handicrafts Artisans registered with the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under the Ministry of Textiles.
- (d) & (e): The steps taken by the Government for the export and commercial development of handicraft  products  and  steps  proposed    to  create  more  demand  for  Indian  handicrafts  in  the global market are as under:-
-  Identification of genuine artisans under 'Pehchan' initiative to issue Aadhar linked Identity Cards to them and in the process to create a producers' database.
-  Promotion of e-commerce in marketing of handicraft products in order to develop direct marketing channels.
-  participations in fairs/exhibitions abroad;
-  thematic display and live demonstration of handicrafts in exhibitions abroad;
-  organizing buyer-seller meets in India and abroad;
-  brand image promotion of Indian handicrafts abroad through seminars and publicity;
-  awareness  programmes  about  technology,  packaging  and  export  policies  in  India  to exporters;
-  organizing Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fairs as well as product specific shows; and
-  providing assistance under  Market Development Assistance and Market Access Initiative Schemes of Ministry of Commerce.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3907 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway on DBFO Basis
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: LILADHARBHAI KHODAJI VAGHELA

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  approved  Vadodara-Mumbai  Expressway  on  Design,  Built Finance, Operate (DBFO) basis;
- (b) if so, the details and the present status thereof; and
- (c) the  action  taken  to  expedite  connectivity  with  Mumbai  in  the  interest  of  accrual  of economic benefits?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

(a)to(b) Yes Madam. The project is proposed to be taken up in 3 Phases and the Status of land acquisition is as under:-

Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway Phase I: km 378.740 (Vadodara) to km 104.700 (Talasari)

- (i) Part A of Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway phase-I, km 378.740 (Vadodara) to km 254.430 (Kim): Notification for  acquisition of land under section  3(D) of NH  Act 1956 is published for 100% area. Request for Qualification (RFQ) for construction of expressway from Vadodara to Kim section on DBFO pattern from contractors is invited with last date of submission as 20.12.2016.
- (ii) Part  B  of  Vadodara-Mumbai  Expressway  phase-I,  km  254.430  (Kim)  to  km  104.700 (Talasari): Notification for acquisition of land under section 3(D) of NH Act 1956 is published for 90% area.  Feasibility study is in progress.

Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway Phase II: km 26.32 to km 104.700 (Main Expressway) & SPUR to JNPT (km 0.000 to km 94.390)

Notification for acquisition of land under section 3(A) of NH Act 1956 is published for 21.12% area and section 3(D) of NH Act 1956 is under process.  Feasibility study is in progress.

Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway Phase III : km 0.00 to km 26.32 of  NH-8

Notification for acquisition of land under section 3(a) of NH Act 1956 is published for total area of 279 ha. However, Notification for acquisition of land under section 3(A) of NH Act 1956 could not be processed since alignment passes through urban/industrial area. Feasibility study is in progress.

- (c) NHAI is pursuing with State Government for early acquisition of land and other clearances.

*****

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3907

ANSWERED ON 8 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## VADODARA-MUMBAI EXPRESSWAY ON DBFO BASIS

3907.  SHRI L. K. VAGHELA:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सडक़ परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 3905 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: CSR of Damodar Valley Corporation
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3905 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## CSR OF DAMODAR VALLEY CORPORATION

†3905.  SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  sanctioned,  current  and  pending  projects  of Damodar Valley Corporation Limited and each of its subsidiary companies during the last three years and current year for corporate social obligation and skill development schemes, project-wise; and
- (b) the details of the amount allocated and spent under skill development and corporate social obligation projects during the aforesaid period?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) : The project-wise details of the  current  and  pending  projects taken  up  under  the  Corporate  Social  Obligation  Programme  and  skill development  activities  by  Damodar  Valley  Corporation  (DVC)  during  the last three years and the current year are given at Annexure.

- (b) : The Year wise details of the allocation and Expenditure made for Corporate Social Obligation (Development) Projects is as under:

|         | Corporate Social Obligation (Development)   | Corporate Social Obligation (Development)   |
|---------|---------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Year    | Allocation (Rs in lakh)                     | Expenditure (Rs in lakh)                    |
| 2013-14 | 2356.39                                     | 1672.58                                     |
| 2014-15 | 1290.78                                     | 758.80                                      |
| 2015-16 | 1660.21                                     | 880.21                                      |
| 2016-17 | 1466.25                                     | 289.46 (till October,2016)                  |

Besides this, an expenditure of Rs 12.60 lakh, Rs 42.16 lakh, Rs. 40.85 lakh and Rs. 20.24 lakh have been incurred for the years 201314,  2014-15,  2015-16  and  2016-17  respectively  on  Rehabilitation  and Resettlement activities wherein skill development is a major component.

**************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3904 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Insurance to Weavers
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3904 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## INSURANCE TO WEAVERS

3904.   SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the decision to increase the insurance cover of handloom weavers is likely to increase the number of weavers under the insurance coverage net; and
- (b) if so, the details of the expected increase in number of insured weavers?

## ANSWER

## ( )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) & (b): Yes Madam. Ministry of Finance, Government of India is coordinating  with  concerned  Ministries  to  converge  all  Insurance  Schemes including Mahatma  Gandhi  Bunkar  Bima  Yojana  (MGBBY)  to  Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti  Bima  Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) from the next financial year and planning to cover all handloom weavers under the insurance coverage.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3903 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Facilities to Differently Abled Persons at Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3903

(To be answered on the December 2016) 8th

## FACILITIES TO DIFFERENTLY ABLED PERSONS AT AIRPORTS

3903.

SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to make amendments in view the recent directions issued by the Supreme Court;
- whether the Government has taken steps to ensure that any handicapped person is not denied boarding the aeroplane; and

## ANSWER

(Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati)

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

Court of India, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has amended the Civil Aviation Requirements Section-3, Series M; Part-l Rev. 4, dated 12th July 2016 issued 0n "Carriage by Air of Persons with Disability andlor Persons with Reduced Mobility " in order to protect them against any form of discrimination and to ensure that receive all possible assistance during their travel: they

#****