opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3512 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Rajdhani Train to Vadodara
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3512 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## RAJDHANI TRAIN TO VADODARA

3512.  KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  is  contemplating  to  run  Rajdhani  Train  from Delhi  to  Mangalore via  Vadodara  and  Madgaon  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b)  the  reasons  for  not  running  important  trains  like  Rajdhani  on  this route so far; and
- (c)  whether  the  Ministry  is  contemplating  to  run  YPR  Duranto  Express (12214/12213) from weekly to at least thrice a week and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) and (b):  No, Madam. Mangalore is connected to Delhi by 10 pairs of Mail/Express  train  services  including  1  pair  of  Rajdhani  Express  and  1 pair of Duronto Express. Of these, 8 pairs of train services are running via Vadodara and Madgaon. At present, there is no proposal for introduction of new Rajdhani Express from Delhi to Mangalore due to operational and resource constraints.

(c): No, Madam.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3511 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Biometric Attendance System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RANGASWAMY DHRUVANARAYANA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3511 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## BIOMETRIC ATTENDANCE SYSTEM

## 3511.  SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether biometric attendance system has been introduced in the various departments and offices of the Ministry of Railways to ensure punctuality of employees and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  said  system  has  also  been  introduced  in  the Customer Care Institute of the Ministry located in Kishanganj, Delhi;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the  time  by  which  the  aforesaid  system  is  likely  to  be introduced in Customer Care Institute, Kishanganj?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes, Madam. Biometric attendance system has been introduced in most of the departments and administrative offices of the Ministry of Railways.
- (b) to (d): No, Madam. Biometric attendance system is not available  in  Customer  Care  Institute,  Kishanganj,  Delhi  at  present because  only  two  Group  'C'  staff  and  two  Group  'D'    staff  are working in Customer Care Institute, Kishanganj, Delhi.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3510 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Converting Sea Water to Potable Water
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3510

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018)

## CONVERTING SEA WATER TO POTABLE WATER

## 3510.  SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  CSIR  has  developed  a  technology  to  convert  sea  water  into potable water to mitigate the shortage of potable water in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the technology developed by CSIR is too, costly or economically unviable to be used on a large scale; and
- (d) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to make it economically more viable?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- Yes, Madam.
- (b) The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, through its constituent laboratory,  CSIR-Central  Salt  &  Marine  Chemicals  Research  Institute (CSIR-CSMCRI), Bhavnagar has developed a membrane based RO technology for converting sea water into potable water to mitigate the shortage of potable water in the country.  CSIR-CSMCRI  has developed  two  stage  sea  water  desalination  technology  by  using  the indigenous  membranes  developed  at  CSIR-CSMCRI.  In  the  first  stage 93%-94% rejection of salt with a flux of 40 to 45 LMH at the pressure of 650-700 psi is  achieved  while  in  the  second  stage  98%  of  rejection  of salt is achieved with a flux of 65 to 70 LMH at pressure of 400 psi.
- (c)&(d) The technology is reasonably viable from an economic standpoint compared to imported desalination units at comparable scales. For a 1000 LPH plant, the cost of 1 litre water complying with the WHO specifications would be around 12-13  paise  per  litre.    CSIR-CSMCRI  is  continuing  its  efforts  to  make  the technology more robust and bring down the cost of potable water further.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3509 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: eSIM
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3509 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH   AUGUST, 2018

eSIM

## 3509. SHRIMATI VASANTHI M.:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  allowed  the  use  of  Embedded  Subscriber  Identity Module (eSIM);
- (b) if so, the details and the benefits thereof;
- (c) whether eSIM is a virtual equivalent of normal SIM cards and come embedded in the mobile device and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether these eSIM cannot be removed from the device but can be updated over the air and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) to  (d)  In  order  to  cater  to  the  needs  of  modern  technological  developments  in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications/Internet of Things (IoT), the Department of Telecommunications  on  16.05.2018  has  permitted  the  use  of  'Embedded-Subscriber Identity Module (E-SIM)' with both Single and Multiple profile configurations with Over the Air (OTA) subscription update facility, as the case may be, as per the prevailing global specifications and standards.

E-SIM  performs  the  same  function  of  authenticating  the validity of  mobile subscription as that of normal SIM (Subscriber Identity Module); however, it has better form factor, endurance, temperature and data retention capabilities compared to normal SIM.  The normal SIM is pluggable, whereas, the E-SIM is embedded in the devices.

As  the  E-SIM  is  not  intended  to  be  removed  or  replaced  by  the  user  from  the device, it is not easily accessible or replaceable by the user and is generally hard wired (soldered) until the end  of life of the device/product by the original  equipment manufacturer.    In  the  E-SIM,  it  is  possible  to  manage  (including  addition/deletion)  the subscriptions/profiles using Subscription Management Tools Over the Air (OTA) securely.

*****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3507 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Corruption under MPLAD Schemes
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3507

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 8 TH   AUGUST, 2018

## CORRUPTION UNDER MPLAD SCHEMES

## 3507.    DR. PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH:

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

- (a) whether cases of corruption/ irregularities in the implementation of schemes under MPLADS have come to the notice of the Government during the last three years and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) the  punitive  action  taken  by  the Government in this regard along with the funds recovered therefrom; and
- (c) the other corrective steps taken/ being taken by the Government for effective implementation of the said scheme in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  STATISTICS  AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE

MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

- (a)  and  (b)  :  Implementation  of  the  Members  of  Parliament  Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) in the field is undertaken by the District Authorities in accordance with the State Government's technical, administrative and financial rules and in accordance with the Guidelines on MPLADS.

Instances  of  violation  of  guidelines/  rules/  irregularities  in  the implementation of the Scheme come to notice from time to time.  In all such cases, District Authorities/ State Governments are advised to  take  appropriate  action  in  the  matter  including  fund  recovery where necessary.

(c):  For  effective  implementation  of  the  scheme,  an  integrated MPLADS  Portal  (www.mplads.gov.in)  is  in  operation  at  macro  and micro  level.    The  portal  is  used  for  reporting  and  monitoring  of MPLADS funds and status of implementation of works and expenditure  incurred.    The  Ministry  also  regularly  reviews  the implementation of the MPLADS through national-level review meeting with officers of State Governments/ Districts and visits to States/ Districts.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3506 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Safety in Rail Operations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3506 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## SAFETY IN RAIL OPERATIONS

3506.   DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that laying of new lines and doubling of tracks have suffered because of the focus on safety;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Railways has asked its zones not to compromise safety  while  undertaking  the  work  of  laying  new  lines  and doubling of tracks; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (d): In the last four years , 2555 km of New Line, 3396 km of Gauge Conversion and 3577 km of Doubling has been commissioned.  During  2017-18,  1862  km  has  been  commissioned including 409 km of New Line, 454 km of Gauge Conversion and 999 km of Doubling.

Contd...2/-

Safety is accorded the highest priority by Indian Railways and all possible steps are being undertaken on a continual basis including upgradation  of  technology  to  aid  safe  running  of  trains.  Further, during  2017-18,  due  to  highest  priority  given  to  safety  works  of track renewals and capacity constraints of supply of rails, commissioning of Railway Lines was less.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3505 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Welfare Schemes
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: KAMLA DEVI PATLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3505 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## WELFARE SCHEMES

## 3505. SHRIMATI KAMLA DEVI PAATLE:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the common man is not getting the proper benefit of majority of the welfare schemes due to lack of wide publicity of these schemes;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and whether the Government proposes to give wide publicity to its ongoing/proposed schemes;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the amount spent for this purpose during each of the last three years and the current year; and
- (d) the details of the monitoring mechanism put in place for the proper utilisation of the funds?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a):  No, Madam, all Government schemes have budget component for publicity and outreach.
- (b)&(c): The expenditure incurred on advertisements issued on behalf of various Ministries/Departments by Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC) (erstwhile Directorate of  Advertising  and  Visual  Publicity)  through  Electronic,  Print  and  other  media  from  2014-15 onwards  is as under:
- (d):  The  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes(CSSs)  are  reviewed  periodically  on  the  basis  of guidelines  of  the  individual  Schemes  by  the  implementing  Departments/Ministries.  Such reviews by Central Ministries ordinarily have the provision of assessing performance under the Schemes for key indicators and measures to rectify any shortfall, including taking the benefit of the scheme to targeted population, subject to overall availability of the budget under the concerned scheme.

| Financial Year   |   Expenditure (Rs. in Crores) |
|------------------|-------------------------------|
| 2014-15          |                        979.78 |
| 2015-16          |                       1160.16 |
| 2016-17          |                       1264.26 |
| 2017-18          |                       1313.57 |

------
Lok Sabha Question No. 3504 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Shortage of Staff in Passport Offices
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3504

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## SHORTAGE OF STAFF IN PASSPORT OFFICES

3504.   ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there were 2697 passport office employees in 2009-10 against approximately 60 lakh applications and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there has been an increase of 65 lakh applications requiring appointment of additional 2080 staff members and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether a large number of passport office employees have been posted at various other offices on deputation resulting in shortage of staff at passport offices; and
- (d) If so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) The sanctioned strength of the Central Passport Organization (CPO) was 2697 in 2009-10.  The number of passport applications received in India in 2009 and 2010 were 51.66 lakh and 55 lakh respectively.
- (b) The  number   of   passport   applications   was   1.17   crore   in   2017.     The sanctioned strength remains 2697 in 2018-19.  In addition, 15 T echnical and 6 supporting staff man the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Passport Seva Project.   The working strength of the CPO is 1985 as on 1 August, 2018.  As an interim measure, 354 Data Entry Operators and 96 Office Assistants (MTS) have been deployed against the vacant non-Gazetted posts for smooth functioning of the Passport Offices through an Outsourced Agency to bridge the gap between the sanctioned strength and the working strength of the non-gazetted posts
- (c) & (d) No.   The employees of the CPO have not been posted to other offices on deputation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3503 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Pension Scheme
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3503

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH  AUGUST, 2018

## PENSION SCHEME

3503.  SHRI  B.V. NAIK:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce pension scheme for short service candidates in defence sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to approve pension and other welfare schemes for defence personnel serving less than 15 years and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  representation  from  Military  Service Pensioners Association in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

- (a) & (b): At  present,  the  Short  Service  Commissioned  officers  granted commission from other rank are entitled  to pension on  completion of  12 years of qualifying service.  However, Short Service Commissioned officer who  is  granted  commission  from  direct  civil  life  is  entitled  to  Terminal Gratuity only.  There is no new proposal under consideration.

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

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Weather Satellites
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3502

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 08, 2018

## WEATHER SATELLITES

3502.   SHRI RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKAR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  satellites  launched  by  ISRO  specifically  to predict accurate weather forecast, rainfall, cyclones etc. with a view to helping common man, farmers and fishermen;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to launch more satellites in the  country  to  provide  all  useful  information  for  common people, agriculturists, fishermen and rural industries; and
- (c)
- 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) At  present,  India  has  four  satellites  operational  in  the  orbit namely,  INSAT-3D,  INSAT-3DR,  Megha-tropiques  and  Scatsat-1 providing data on various weather parameters viz. clouds, outgoing long-wave radiation, atmospheric motion vector, vertical profiles  of  temperature  &  humidity,  sea  surface  temperature, ocean  surface  winds,  radiation  budget  etc.  The  meteorological

data  obtained  from  INSAT-3D  &  3DR  every  15  minutes  and humidity  profile  data  of  SAPHIR  on-board  Megha-tropiques  is being operationally assimilated in the numerical weather models by India Meteorological Department (IMD) for improving weather forecast. The Ocean surface wind vector data from SCATSAT-1 is also being used operationally for prediction of cyclone track, its intensity & landfall with improved accuracy. The fishing sector is being  supported  through  advisories  on  Potential  Fishing  Zones and the ocean state forecast generated by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).

- (b) Yes, Madam.
- (c) ISRO  proposes  to  launch  17satellites  for  earth  observation, including weather satellites during next three years. The data from these satellites will be used to ensure data continuity for operational applications and enhance satellite-enabled services, which include (i) advisories on weather, pest infestation,  agro-meteorology  to  support  farming  operations; (ii) advisories on potential fishing zones for fishermen; (iii) rural development  applications  viz.  crop  intensification,  wasteland inventory,  identifying  ground  water  prospect  zones,  inland aquaculture suitability.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Agreements for Coal Mining
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3492 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## Agreements for Coal Mining

## 3492.  SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:-

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a)   whether the Government/Coal India Limited (CIL) has carried out/proposes to carry out  any  agreement  with  the  foreign  companies  for  both  open  and  underground  coal mining in the country; and

- (b)   if so, the details thereof along with the percentage stake held by such countries in coal mining in the country, country-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS, COAL, FINANCE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)&(b) Presently there are no ongoing agreements executed between CIL and foreign companies  on  the  basis  of  bilateral  cooperation,  for  carrying  out  either  open  cast  or underground coal mining in its mines.

- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3491 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Demographic Data of UIDAI
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3491

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## DEMOGRAPHIC DATA OF UIDAI

3491.     SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

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

- (a)    whether  the  Government  proposes  to  share  the  demographic  data  of UIDAI with the State of Rajasthan;
- (b)  if so, the details in this regard; and
- (c)  if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR   ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI S. S. AHLUWALIA)

(a) and (b): No, Sir.

- (c): Sharing of Aadhaar data is dealt only in accordance with Aadhaar Act, 2016  and  the  Aadhaar  (Sharing  of  Information)  Regulations,  2016  framed thereunder.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3490 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Development of Railway Facilities in Sri Lanka
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3490 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## DEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAY FACILITIES IN SRI LANKA

†3490.  SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has signed an agreement for the development of railway facilities in Sri Lanka; and
- ( b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  and (b) Two Public Sector Undertakings, namely IRCON International Limited  and  RITES  Limited,  have  signed  agreement  with  Government  of Sri Lanka for development of railway facilities.

IRCON International Limited has signed agreement in following areas:

- (i) Rehabilitation of Colombo-Matara Coastal Railway line on 06.03.2009;
- (ii) Restoration of  Medawachchiya-Madhu  Road  Railway  line  in Northern province of Sri Lanka on 17.08.2010;

- (iii) Restoration  of  Madhu  Road-Talai  Mannar  Pier  Railway  line  in Northern province of Sri Lanka on 09.06.2010;
- (iv) Restoration of Omanthai-Pallai Railway line in Northern province  of Sri Lanka on 10.01.2010;
- (v) Restoration of Pallai-KKS Railway line in Northern province of Sri Lanka on 26.06.2012;
- (vi) Installation  of  signalling  and  telecommunication  system  in Railway  line  in  Northern province of  Sri Lanka on 17.08.2012.

RITES Limited has signed agreement  with Government of Sri Lanka for  supply  of  rolling  stock,  manufactured  by  Indian  Railways,  including six sets of Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) with air conditioned compartments  (2  AC  compartments  per  DMU)  comprising  of  seventy eight coaches and ten numbers Diesel Electric Locomotives with AC-AC traction system.

*****