opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3190 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Electronic Hubs
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: DUSHYANT SINGH

Will  the  Minister  of  ELECTRONICS  AND  INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY be please to state:

- (a) the  progress  on  setting  up  of  Electronics  Hubs  across  India  in  eight  mega  cities,  city wise;
- (b) whether the Government plans to set up Electronics Hubs in the State of Rajasthan and mobilize business across the neighbouring cities;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government has any plans to expand the plan of establishing Electronics Hubs across all cities with emerging IT industries; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor ?

(a)  to  (e):        Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology  (MeitY),  Government  of India, under Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) scheme, has approved setting up of Twenty (20) Greenfield Electronics Manufacturing Clusters at Sixteen (16) cities in Thirteen (13)  states  across  the  country  including  two  (2)  Greenfield  Electronics  Manufacturing Clusters  in  the  state  of  Rajasthan.  The  details  of  these  EMCs  are  placed  at  Annexure. Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) scheme was open for receipt of applications upto 21 st October, 2017. At present , no new application is being accepted under the scheme.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3189 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: CCTV in Trains in Karnataka
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE, RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3189 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## CCTV IN TRAINS IN KARNATAKA

## 3189.  SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE: SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Indian Railways has decided to install CCTV surveillance cameras in all mail and express trains and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  these cameras  are  installed in every compartment including  general  unreserved  compartments  of  the  above  said trains and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)   the details of the trains passing through Karnataka equipped with surveillance cameras; and
- (d)   the additional measures being taken to complete the process in its totality?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a): Ministry of Railways  has  proposed  to  provide  CCTV  based surveillance system  in  all passenger  carrying  trains. Funding  is contemplated from Nirbhaya Fund.
- (b): All passenger carrying coaches shall be provided with cameras.

Contd…2/-

(c):  At  present,  Train  No.  22705,  Tirupati  -  Jammu  Tawi  (Humsafar Express) passing through Karnataka, has been equipped with surveillance cameras.

(d):  Ministry  of  Railways  has  approached  Ministry  of  Women  &  Child Development, the nodal Ministry for Nirbhaya Fund, to provide requisite funds from Nirbhaya fund to complete the work on priority.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3188 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Enhancement of MPLADS Fund
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Sajda Ahmed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3188

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2018

## ENHANCEMENT OF MPLADS FUND

3188.   SHRIMATI SAJDA AHMED:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  assesses  the  need  of enhancement  of  MPLADS  fund  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to increase the annual allocation of MPLADS fund and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  separate agencies at district level to monitor and implement the MPLADS works; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION  AND  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  MINISTRY  OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS [SHRI VIJAY GOEL]

(a) & (b): Hon'ble Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha (16 th  Lok Sabha)  and Chairman,  Lok  Sabha  Committee  on  MPLADS  vide  letter  dated 25.02.2015  had  requested  for  increase  of  annual  allocation  of MPLADS funds per Member of Parliament to Rs. 25 crore.

The issue of enhancement of annual allocation of MPLADS fund was examined  in  consultation  with  the  Ministry  of  Finance  which  has conveyed that it is not possible to find fiscal space for such huge liability on the exchequer in a fiscally constrained environment where scarce resources are to be allocated among competing demand of various flagship programmes catering to socio-economic/ infrastructural as well as special needs.

At present there is no proposal to increase the annual allocation of MPLADS funds.

(c): No, Madam.

(d): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3186 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Rafale Deal
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, KAMAL NATH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3186

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2018

## RAFALE  DEAL

3186.  SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA: SHRI  KAMAL NATH:

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

- (a) whether some Defence experts as well as some political  leaders have  urged  the Union Government to issue a white paper on 'Rafale' deal;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Union Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the decision of the Union Government to procure Rafale fighter aircraft was discussed in the Cabinet Committee on Security;
- (d) if so, the date on which the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the decision of the Government to procure Rafale Fighter aircraft; and
- (e) the procedure adopted by the Union Government in procuring fighter aircraft from global aircraft manufacturers?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

- (a) No such proposal has been received.
- (b) Does not arise.

(c) to (e): All Capital procurements of the Indian Air Force are undertaken as  per  the  existing  Defence  Procurement  Procedure  (DPP).  The  DPP ensures conformity to the highest standards of transparency, probity and public accountability.

The  Rafale  deal  has  also  followed  the  requisite  procedures  and  all necessary approvals have been taken and steps followed.

An  Inter-Governmental  Agreement  for  procurement  of  36  Rafale aircraft  was signed with the French Government on 23 rd September, 2016 after approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on 24 th August, 2016.

******

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)
Lok Sabha Question No. 3184 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Women Employess in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.3184 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 14.03.2018

## WOMEN  EMPLOYEES  IN RAILWAYS

3184.    SHRI  B. VINOD KUMAR:

Will  the Minister of  RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  women  employees  currently  employed  by  the Railways;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware    of  Jaipur's    Gandhinagar station becoming the first all women run railway station in the country and if  so,  the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government plans to replicate this model in other railway stations; and
- (d) if  so,  the details thereof and the steps being taken to increase the employment of women in the railways?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN    REPLY  TO PARTS  (a) TO (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3184 BY SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  14.03.2018  REGARDING    WOMEN EMPLOYEES IN RAILWAYS. (a):    Total  number of women employees in  Indian  Railways,  as on 31.03.2017,  is  91,284. (b):   Jaipur's  Gandhinagar  station  is  the  2 nd   all  women  Railway Station  on  Indian  Railways  after  Matunga  of  Central  Railway. Gandhinagar station is an  'A'  Class  Station  on  Jaipur  -  Delhi  Main route  of  North  Western  Railway.    Total  40  Women  employees  are posted  on  this  station  on  various  duties  including  Train  operation (Station  Superintendent/Station  Master/Assistant  Station  Master), Commercial  duties  (Reservation  and  Booking),  Railway  Protection Force and all other supporting duties of operating and commercial department. (c):  While  there  is  no  policy  as  such  on  'all  women  run  railway stations' issued by Ministry of Railways, Zonal railways are adequately empowered  to take a decision in this regard on case to case basis as per need & feasibility. (d):   In order to encourage the employment of women in recruitment by  Railways  through  Railway  Recruitment  Boards,  they  have  been exempted  from  examination  fees.  As  per  present  norms,  women initially pay the fee which is returned to such of them who actually appear in the examination.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3183 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Chinese Threat in Indian Waters
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: KURUPPASSERY VARKEY THOMAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3183

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2018

## CHINESE THREAT IN INDIAN WATERS

3183.  PROF. K.V. THOMAS:

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

- (a) whether  Naval  Chiefs  of  Quadrilateral  Nations,  i.e.  U.S.,  India,  Australia  and Japan, have called China a disruptive power;
- (b) if so, whether Chinese Navy had made big changes to its deployment pattern in the waters of India; and
- (c) if  so,  the  steps  the  Government  has  taken  to  meet  this  Chinese  threat  in  Indian waters?
- (a) No  such  statement  has  been  made  by  the  Chief  of  Naval  Staff  of India.
- (b) & (c): Government is aware of China's stated objective of becoming a 'maritime power'.  As part of this strategy, China is undertaking maritime activities  and  developing  ports  and  other  infrastructure  facilities  in  the littoral  countries  in  the  Indo-Pacific  region,  including  in  the  vicinity  of India's maritime boundary.

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

Government  keeps  a  constant  watch  on  all  developments  having a bearing on  India's  security  and  takes  all  necessary  measures  to safeguard it.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3180 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Special Courts for Politicians Involved in Corruption Cases
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: BHOLA SINGH, PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3180 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 14.03.2018

## Special Courts for Politicians Involved in Corruption Cases

3180. SHRI BHOLA SINGH: PROF.PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Supreme Court has urged the Government to quickly set up a special court to try politicians involved in corruption for speedy trials in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and
- (c) the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State for  Law & Justice and Corporate Affairs (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c): In Writ Petition (Civil) No.699/2016 (Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay Vs UoI & Anr), the Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  of  India  on  the  01 st November,  2017  had  directed  the  Union Government  to  prepare  a  scheme  for  setting  up  of  Special  Courts  exclusively  to  deal  with criminal cases involving elected MPs/MLAs.  A draft Scheme had accordingly been submitted before  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  for  implementation.  The  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  of  India vide its Order dated 14.12.2017 has approved the Scheme and directed the Union Government to proportionately allocate the amount to  the different states (in which the proposed Special Courts are proposed to be located) forthwith and thereafter the State Governments will make necessary arrangements for  judicial officers, staff and infrastructure in consultation with the High Courts. The Union Government has released the funds earmarked for the financial year 2017-18 to the State Governments (wherever applicable) and as per the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, the said Courts, had to start functioning from 01.03.2018.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3178 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Doubling of Miraj-Pune Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SANJAY(KAKA) RAMCHANDRA PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3178 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## DOUBLING OF MIRAJ-PUNE RAIL LINE

†3178. SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of doubling of Miraj-Pune rail line project;
- (b) the  details  of  the  amount  allocated  and  spent  so  far thereon;
- (c) the time frame fixed for the completion of the said project and the steps being taken by the Government to complete the project at the earliest;
- (d) whether  survey  for  the  new  proposed  Baramati-PhaltanDahivadi-VitaTasgoan-Miraj (approx. 180 k.m.) rail  line  has been conducted and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the said proposal has been sent to NITI Aayog for its approval; and
- (f) if so, the details of the steps being taken by the Government  for  the  approval  and  finalization  of  the  said projects?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) 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. 3178 BY SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  14.03.2018  REGARDING DOUBLING OF MIRAJ-PUNE RAIL LINE

(a) & (b): Pune-Miraj Doubling (279 km) is part of Pune-Miraj-Londa doubling project (467 km).  This project was sanctioned in 2015-16 and has been taken up at latest anticipated cost of ` 3627 crore.  An expenditure  of ` 180  crore  has  been  incurred  upto  March,  2017. Outlay of ` 273 crore (Revised) has been provided for 2017-18.

Contracts  for  Earthwork  and  minor  bridges  for  the  entire project  length  between  Pune-Miraj  have  been  awarded  and  the work  has  been  commenced.    Land  acquisition  proposals  for  3 villages in Pune District and 18 villages in Satara District have been submitted to respective Collectors.

(c): The  completion  of  project  requires  clearances  from  various departments  of  State  Government  and  Central  Ministries  like acquisition of land, shifting of services, construction of road over bridges and road under bridges by road maintaining agencies, NOC from  State  Irrigation  Department  and  Power  Corporations,  etc. Moreover, the funds are allotted to each project on annual basis. Therefore,  it  is  not  feasible  to  fix  time  line  for  completion  of  the entire project.

(d): No  survey  for  Baramati-Phaltan-Dahivadi-Vita-Tasgaon-Miraj has  been  sanctioned.    However,  Baramati-Lonand  via  Phaltan  (54 km) new line work is a sanctioned project and Lonand-Phaltan (26 km) section of this project has been completed and commissioned. In Phaltan-Baramati section, land acquisition has been taken up.

(e) & (f): Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3177 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Visa to Jaspal Atwal
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3177

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## VISA TO JASPAL ATWAL

3177. SHRI KODUKUNNIL SURESH

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government is aware of the fact that a convicted Khalistani terrorist   Jaspal   Atwal   was   issued   a   visa   to   enter   India   despite   being blacklisted;
- (b) If   so,   whether   the   Government has launched an investigation into the matter; and
- (c) If so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Yes. Jaspal Atwal was issued a valid visa to enter India. He was removed from black list in 2017.

(b) & (c) Government of India has a conscious policy of outreach to the Indian   Diaspora,   including   misguided   elements   who   in   the   past   may   have harboured anti-India sentiments which they have since renounced. There are well established procedures for grant of visa to foreign travellers which were followed for grant of visa to Jaspal Atwal.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3175 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Funds for Railway Development Works
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NIHAL CHAND CHAUHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3175

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## FUNDS FOR RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT WORKS

†3175. SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  cases  that  came  to  the  notice  of  the  Government regarding irregularities committed in the development works of railway stations during the last three years;
- (b) the amount of funds allocated by the Government for the development of stations during the said period; and
- (c) the strategy/rules prepared by the Government in case of any kind of irregularities in the development works?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a):  Sixteen  cases  of  irregularities  have  been  noticed  by  Vigilance Organization during the last three years over Indian Railways.
- (b):  Works  of  development  of  Railway  stations  are  generally  funded under  Plan  Head  -  'Passenger  Amenities'. ` 1045.91  Crores, ` 1200.12 Crores  and ` 917.91  Crores  have  been  allocated  under  this  Plan  Head during  the  years  2014-15,  2015-16  and  2016-17  respectively  under Budgetary Sources.
- (c): Railways has well established systems, rules and procedures which guide its various functions. The Railways also has 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.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3174 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Judges from SC/ST/OBC Category
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: RAVINDRA BABU  PANDULA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3174

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 14.03.2018

## Judges from SC/ST/OBC Category

3174. DR. RAVINDRA BABU:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that as per National Commission for  Scheduled  Castes's  report  of  2011,  there  are  only  21  judges  from  SC/ST community in High Courts against a total number of 850 judges and 14 out of 21 High Courts did not have a single judge from these communities; and (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to provide opportunities for citizens from SC, ST and OBC category to become judges?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a)  and (b): Yes Madam. The appointment of Judges of the High Courts is made under  Article  217  of  the  Constitution  of  India,  which  does  not  provide  for reservation for any caste or class of persons. Therefore, no caste or class-wise data relating to High Court Judges is maintained. The Government has, however been    requesting  the  Chief  Justices  of  the  High  Courts  that  while  sending proposals  for  appointment  of  Judges,  due  consideration  be  given  to  suitable candidates  belonging  to  Scheduled  Castes,  Scheduled  Tribes,  Other  Backward Classes, Minorities and Women.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3172 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Passport Seva Kendras
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: BODH SINGH BHAGAT

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3172

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## PASSPORT SEVA KENDRAS

†3172.     SHRI BODHSINGH BHAGAT:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) have been sanctioned in Balaghat and Shivni districts in Madhya Pradesh;
- (b) if so, whether these passport offices have started functioning; and
- (c) if not, the time by which these PSKs are likely to start functioning?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Yes. The Ministry in association with the Department of Posts has decided to open 251 Passport Seva Kendras at the Head Post Offices (HPO)/ Post Offices (PO) in the country called 'Post Office Passport Seva Kendra' (POPSK). In Madhya Pradesh, 16 POPSK have been sanctioned which includes POPSK at Balaghat and Shivni.

(b) & (c) The POPSK at Balaghat has become operational on 4 March, 2018. The   Ministry   intends   to   complete   the   requisite   formalities   for   the operationalization of the remaining POPSK in Madhya Pradesh by 31 March, 2018.

*****