opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4560 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Direct to Home
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: RAVINDRA BABU  PANDULA, K. ASHOK KUMAR, RAJENDRA AGRAWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4560 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017)

## DIRECT TO HOME

## 4560.  DR. RAVINDRA BABU:

SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL:

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

- (a) whether  the  auction  of  10  vacant  slots  on  Doordarshan's  direct  to  home platform DD Freedish has been completed;
- (b) if so, the details along with amount earned in this regard;
- (c) whether  the  Doordarshan's  revenue  has  increased  from  DD  Freedish  this year and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the highest bid for a slot and the reserved price kept for the slot for private TV channels on DD Freedish for the financial year 2016-17 along with the channel-wise bid amount?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)&(b) Yes Madam. Prasar Bharati has informed that 32 nd  e-Auction conducted on 14.02.2017 and Rs. 65.5 crore was earned.
- (c) Yes Madam. The revenue earned during 2015-16 was Rs. 180.34 crore and revenue earned during 2016-17 (till 28.02.2017) is Rs. 253.56 crore.
- (d) The highest bid for a slot was Rs. 7.3 crore for Sony Pal against the reserve price  of  Rs.  4.80  crore.  However,  channel-wise  bid  price  is  a  strategic business information.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4558 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Increase in Reform Incentive Funds
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, DHARMENDRA YADAV, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4558

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## INCREASE IN REFORM INCENTIVE FUNDS

No.4558    DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE: SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE: SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV: DR. SHRIKANTH EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government proposes a six-fold increase in reform incentive  fund  to  push  implementation  of  various  schemes  in the urban sector;
- (b) If so, the details thereof along with the names of schemes for
- which the incentives are proposed;
- (c) The criteria fixed by the Union Government to provide incentives for implementation of schemes;
- (d) Whether the Union Government has set up a group of
- secretaries for bringing in transformation in the urban sector;
- (e) If  so,  whether  the  aforesaid group has given its report to the Union Government and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) The  extent  to  which  the  sets  of  reforms  recommended  by  a
- group of secretaries is likely to bring in transformation in the urban sector ?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) to (f): Government has launched Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) in June, 2015 which has a reform agenda linked to providing incentives to push implementation of the desired reforms by various States and UTs.  The Mission provides 10% of Budgetary allocation to be distributed as reform incentives each year.  In October, 2016, Government  had  set  up  Group  of  Secretaries  on  Health, Sanitation and Urban Development.  The Group in its report, inter  alia,  recommended  transformational  reforms  in  urban sector linked to stronger incentives.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4557 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: GST in Real Estate Sector
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, DHARMENDRA YADAV, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4557

TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 29, 2017

GST IN REAL ESTATE SECTOR

No. 4557 SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

## Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Goods and Services Tax (GST) would lead to rise in prices of real estate sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban  Poverty Alleviation requested the Ministry of Finance for exempting affordable housing from service tax under the GST regime so that prices for low-cost homes do not rise;
- (d) if so, the response of the Minister of Finance thereon;
- (e) whether the Union Government has requested the State Governments to waive stamp duty for affordable housing projects and rationalize it for others;
- (f) if  so,  the  response  of  the  State  Governments  thereon; and

- (g) the  extent  to  which  the  real  estate  sector  will  benefit from the implementation of GST?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a), (b) & (g): No  such  information  is  available  with  Ministry  of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation.
- (c) & (d):   Ministry  of  Housing  &  Urban  Poverty  Alleviation  has suggested  to  Ministry of Finance  in respect  of the Finance Bill, 2017 that the service tax exemption should continue for affordable housing even under GST.

Response of Ministry of Finance is awaited.

- (e) & (f): Ministry  of  Housing  &  Urban  Poverty  Alleviation  vide letters  dated  11.05.2016  and  02.03.2017  has  requested the Hon'ble Chief Ministers / Administrators of all States/Union Territories to consider rationalization/waiver of stamp duty for affordable housing projects.

The  Madhya  Pradesh  Government  is  providing  reduced rates  for  stamp  duty  to  Economically  Weaker  Sections (EWS),  Lower  Income  Group  (LIG)  and  Middle  Income Group (MIG) for houses made by Development Authorities and Housing Board.

The State Government of Haryana has rationalized stamp duty from 12.5% to 5%. Further a reduction of 2% stamp duty  is  being  granted  in  case  of  women  and  there  is complete  exemption  in  case  of  transfer  of  property between family members.

Subsequent to the launch of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) (Urban), the Government of Rajasthan is charging a stamp duty for EWS at Rs. 50 per flat and for LIG at Rs. 100 per flat. Similarly,  Government  of  Maharashtra  has  reduced  the stamp duty to Rs. 1000 for residential premises upto an area of 30 sq. mts. belonging to EWS. No stamp duty for affordable housing is being charged in

Andhra Pradesh.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4556 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Verification of Lawyers
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY, SURESH KODIKUNNIL, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS *****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4556 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## Verification of Lawyers

4556. SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY: SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH: SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

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

- (a) whether credentials and qualifications of a large number of lawyers were found to be fake by the bar council of India and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether several lawyers with years of service in various high courts were found to be holding fake degrees;
- (c) if so, whether the Government has initiated any investigation into the matter;
- (d) whether a decision has been taken in the cases which have been argued by such lawyers; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) to (e) : The Bar Council of India, a statutory body under the Advocates Act, 1961 has informed  that  the  BCI  had  introduced  'Bar  Council  of  India  Certificate  and Place  of  Practice  (Verification)  Rules,  2015',  in  order  to  weed-out  the  farzi, non-practicing and unscrupulous Advocates from the Bar. The said rules were also  published  in  the  official  Gazette  of  India  after  having  been  seen  by  the Hon'ble  Chief  Justice  of  India.  The  verification  of  certificates  under  such circumstances have been  found to be necessary by the Hon'ble Apex Court. The Supreme Court of India stayed the said rules in Transfer Case (Civil) No. 126/2015 (Ajayinder Sangwan Vs. Bar Council of Delhi and Ors).  The matter is  subjudice  before  the  Hon'ble  Apex  Court.  Therefore,  until  the  matter  is disposed  off  by  the  Supreme  Court,  the  verification  process  cannot  be completed. The next date fixed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the matter is 30.03.2017.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4555 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Staff Strength in Prasar Bharati
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: BHARAT SINGH, PARASURAMAN K., MANSHANKAR NINAMA, RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4555 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017)

## STAFF STRENGTH IN PRASAR BHARATI

4555.  SHRI BHARAT SINGH: SHRI K. PARASURAMAN: SHRI MANSHANKAR NINAMA: DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK':

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

- (a) whether Prasar Bharati is not able to function well due to lower staff strength and if  so,  the details thereof including details of vacant posts in Directorate General Doordarshan and Akashvani;
- (b) whether the Government is working to fill the vacant posts in the Prasar Bharati; and
- (c) if so, the steps taken by the Government to fill the vacancies, State-wise including Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Utter Pradesh and the time by which it is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Though there are vacancies in Prasar Bharati, there is a need to reassess actual requirement  of  staff  in  Prasar  Bharati  keeping  in  view  changes  in  broadcast technologies.  Prasar  Bharati  has  been  advised  to  carry  out  a  Manpower  Audit  to identify posts actually needed to be filled up.
- (b)  and  (c):  However,  limited  recruitment  has  been  undertaken  as  a  special dispensation  through  Staff  Selection  Commission  for  critical  Group  'B'  and  'C' vacancies which were revived by the Government. In addition, special recruitment drive for filling  up  of  backlog  vacancies  of  Persons with Disabilities  has also been carried out in Prasar Bharati.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4551 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Replacement of EVMs
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: SUDHEER GUPTA, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4551

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 29 th  MARCH, 2017

## REPLACEMENT OF EVMs

4551. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN: SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH: SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government has decided to replace all Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) purchased before 2006 with advance M3 machines;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for the same;
- (c) the main features of the advance M3 machines;
- (d) the details of the expenditure likely to be incurred on the procurement of said machines;
- (e) the time by which it is likely to be introduced; and
- (f)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  these  machines  do  not  adversely affect the booth management system?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P.P.CHAUDHARY)

(a)  and  (b): The Election Commission has informed that as the life of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)  has  been  estimated  at  15  years,  the  Commission  has  decided  to  replace  9,30,430  EVMs purchased  before  2006  with  advance  M3  machines  in  a  phased  manner  before  the  next  General Election to Lok Sabha and simultaneous election in some States due in 2019.

(c): The main features of the new M3 Machines are as under:-

- (i) Public Key Interface (PKI) based mutual authentication between various EVM units for identifying a genuine unit, of authorized manufacturer, in the field. This ensures that only genuine EVMs can communicate with each other.
- (ii) Design  ensures  that  the  EVMs  become  inoperable  the  moment  an  attempt  in  made  to physically open the EVMs.
- (iii) Self  diagnostics  for  automatic  authentication  of  genuineness  of  the  EVMs  as  well  as health evaluation of units.

(d) and (e): As per the Election Commission, approximately Rs. 1940 crore (excluding taxes, duties and  freight  charges  etc.)  will  be  required  for  procurement  of  the  said  machines.  It  is  likely  to  be introduced by the end of 2018.

(f):  The  M3  Machines  are  technologically  advanced  EVMs.  However,  there  is  no  operational difference between M3 EVMs and other EVMs manufactured earlier. Hence, it does not affect the booth management system.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4549 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: USTAAD Scheme
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, BHARATENDRA SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4549 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## USTAAD SCHEME

## 4549. SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

KUNWAR BHARATENDRA

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  individuals  benefited  from  the  Upgrading  Skills  and  Training  in  Ancestral Arts/Crafts for Development (USTAAD) scheme till date since its inception;
- (b) the programme-wise beneficiaries under the USTAAD scheme;
- (c) the number of Project Implementing Agencies registered for implementation of USTAAD scheme;
- (d) the details of the girls benefited from the scheme; and
- (e) the funds allocated and utilized for implementation of USTAAD during the last three years and the current year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a)  and  (b): Under  the  USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) scheme, 16200 trainees have been allocated to various Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) in November, 2016 for training in 34 traditional arts/crafts for the first time.
- (c): Total 38 Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) have been empanelled under USTTAD.
- (d): As per scheme guidelines, 33% seats under USTTAD are earmarked for girl trainees.
- (e): The funds allocated and utilized for implementation of USTAAD during last two years and current

| Name of schemes   | Year                     |   Budgetary Allocation (Rs. in crore) | Funds utilized (Rs. in crore)   |
|-------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| USTTAD            | 2014-15                  |                                  0.5  | 0.44                            |
| USTTAD            | 2015-16                  |                                 17.01 | 16.90*                          |
| USTTAD            | 2016-17 (upto 20.3.2017) |                                 20    | 16.37                           |

year are as under:-

*Funds released to Knowledge Partners for working in craft clusters with Master Craftsmen /artisans for (a)design intervention, (b) product range development, (c)packaging, (d) brand building, in order to preserve and develop traditional arts/crafts.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4548 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Delhi Ring Railway
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAJESH VERMA, GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4548 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## DELHI RING RAILWAY

† 4548.    SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

## SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Delhi Ring Railway can be developed as an alternate to the Delhi Metro and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has set up a Committee to look into the revival of the Ring Railway project in Delhi and if so, the details thereof and the time by which the Committee is likely to give its report;
- (c) whether  encroachments  along  the  rail tracks by anti-social elements are also likely to be removed along with the development of ring rail;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the time by which the revival work is likely to be started?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (e) :  Delhi Ring Railway cannot be an alternative to the Delhi Metro. At best,  it  can  supplement  the  suburban  rail  services  at  a  limited  stretch. Ministry of Railways is examining the possibility of revival of the Ring Railway. For this purpose, a study is being undertaken to look into the role that Ring Railway can play in overall mass rail transit system of Delhi, depending upon the traffic demand, availability of land, scope of commercial development at stations,  assessment  of  infrastructure  required  and  financial  viability.  The work for revival of Ring Railway is not sanctioned.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4546 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Child Care Leave
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: THOKCHOM MEINYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4546

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017)

## CHILD CARE LEAVE

## 4546. DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering extension of Child Care Leave (CCL) to the working fathers also;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

- (c) whether the period of CCL proposed to be shared between the husband and wife if both are working; and

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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):   No, Madam.

- (b):   Does not arise.

- (c):  No, Madam.

- (d):  Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4545 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Increasing Frequency of Train No. 12489/12490
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4545 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## INCREASING FREQUENCY OF TRAIN NO. 12489/12490

- † 4545 .  SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

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

- (a) whether need to increase the frequency of Bikaner-Dadar superfast Train No.12489/12490 running two days a week from Bikaner to Dadar is being felt and demand for the same has been raised several times and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  its  frequency  is  not  sufficient  in  view  of  the  number  of passengers and this train is  earning  huge  revenue  from  the  district and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  revenue  of  the  Railways  is  likely  to  increase  and  the passengers are likely to get relief from long waiting list if this train is run on all the days of the week and if so, the details thereof;
- whether the Government proposes to run the said train all the seven
- (d) days of the week; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) A large number of representations are received at various levels of Railway administration viz. Railway station, Division, Zonal Headquarter and Railway Board's level for increasing the frequency of  existing  train  services.  Action  as  found  feasible  and  justified  is taken  from  time  to  time.  This  is  an  ongoing  exercise  in  Indian Railways.
- (b) &  (c)  The  demand  pattern  on  Indian Railways  is not uniform throughout the year and it varies during the peak and lean seasons. The demand for travel surges especially during the peak season like during summer holidays, festivals etc. The overall occupancy of train no.  12489/12490 during  the  Financial  Year  2016-17  (  upto  February, 2017) was more than 100%. However, state-wise/district-wise statistics are not maintained.
- (d) &  (e)  No,  Madam.  Increase  in  frequency  of  12489/12490  BikanerDadar Express from bi-weekly to daily is not feasible at present, due to operational and resource constraints including path constraints on several sections enroute and terminal constraints at Dadar.

*****