opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1612 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Patriotism based Films
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA MINISTRY  OF INFORMATTON  & BROADCASTING

## ,"rro**rtoo{ut#rlf" "o. ru, TO BE ANSWERED  ON 28.12.2OI7

## PATRIOTISM  BASED  FILMS

## 1612. SHRI  HARISH CHANDRA  1r,15 HARISH DWIVEDI

Will the Minister  of TNFORMATION  AND BROADCASTING  be pleased  to stare:

- (a) the numbcr  of patriotism  based filrns made  ancl broadcast by l)oordarshaD  during  each of the last thrcc ycars ancl the currcnr  yearj
- (bl whether  a sharp  decrine  in the making  of patriotism  based  firnrs has been observed  during  the past few years;
- [cJ ifso, the detaiis thereof,  ano tne reasons  therefbr;
- (dl whether  the covernment  proposes  to pr.omotc  patriotism  based firms and stop production  of films depicting violencej  and
- [eJ ifso, thc details  thereofand  ifnot, thc rcasons  therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER  OF STATE TN THE MINISTRY  OF INFORMATION  AND BROADCASTTNc JCOL. MIYAVARDHAN  MTHoRE (Retd.jl, -'-'  -..".^,

(a) to  [c): 36 patriotic  feature  film] intherastthreeyear"i,"t"di"g,h".,t.:u"it"yt"ti;T:::;::fiff:T::i:,:::::; DD national  Channcl arc as under:

| Films   |
|---------|

Films Division  has produced  six patriotic  documentary  fitms during the last three years & till date in the current financial year:

1.  Iyotindranath  Mukherjee (Bagha jatin)
2. Teerth ofPeace  (Longer  Version)
3. Mere Bapu
4. Hamare Bapu
5. Pandit  Motilal Nehru
6. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel

Children's Film Society,  lndia has also  produced  films Senani  Sane Guruji during the year 2016.

{d]  and (e): Films Division under this Ministry  has been mandated  to  produce documentary films on various social subjects which includes patriotic  films, As per the guidelines of certification of films for public exhibition,  the Board of Film Certification shall  ensure that anti-social activities  such as violence  are not glorified  or  justified, pointless  or avoidable  scenes of violence, cruelty and horror scenes  of violence are primarily intended  to provide  entertainment  and such scenes as may haye the effect of desensitizing  or dehumanizing people are not shown.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1611 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: STPs under GAP
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: RAGHAV LAKHANPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 1611

ANSWERED ON 28

## .12.2017

## STP sUNDER GAP

## 1611. SHRI RAGHAV LAKHANPAL

## Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to be constructed under the Gang Plan (GAP) and the actual number of plants established so far;

(b) whether the treatment capacity of the present treatment plants is not sufficient and i thereof; and

(c) the steps taken/to be taken to upgrade the capacity of these plants?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES, RIV ER  DEVELOPMENT  AND GANGA REJUVENATION & HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

( DR. SATYA PAL SINGH )

(a) Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched by Government of India for cleaning of river Gan 1985. Under GAP, 1098.31 MLD sewage treatment capacity was created. In 2015, Namami Gange Programme, an integrated Ganga conservation was launched by Govt. of India. Under Namami G Programme Government has sanctioned 93 sewage management projects at a cost of Rs. 14,167.94 Crore. These projects aims at cr eating 2205 MLD sewage treatment capacity apart from rehabilitat 564 MLD capacity sewage treatment plants (STP) and laying 4762 km of sewerage network. Of 19 projects have been completed creating 155 MLD new capacity, rehabilitating 17 MLD ex g capacity and 343 Km sewerage network. In addition, projects in Haryana (Panipat and Sonep created 70 MLD new STP capacity and rehabilitation of 75 MLD existing STP capacity.

(b) Sewage generation estimated in 97 towns and cities along the main stem of river Gang states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal is 2953 MLD. The installed  capacity  along  the  main  stem  of  river  Ganga  in  towns  and ci ies  of  Uttarakhand,  Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal is 1580 MLD. 63 no. of projects for creation MLD capacity of STPs have been sanctioned and are at various stages of implementation.

(c) 84  STPs  (1579  MLD)  were  constructed  un der  various  programmes  (GAP,  NGRBA  and  state projects) along river Ganga main stem. It has been reported that many of the existing STP non- functional or underutilized and many of them do not meet standard norms prescribed by Pollution C ontrol Board (CPCB). National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has taken initiati make  these  STPs  functional  and  operate  them  to  their  optimum  capacity.  NMCG  has  accord sanctioned  up -gradation/rehabilitation  for  23  such  STPs.  For  other  57  STPs,  con sultant  has  been engaged to study these STPs and develop Detailed Progress Reports (DPRs) to make them functional as per design standards.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 139 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Induction of INS Kiltan
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SRINIVAS KESINENI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.139

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## INDUCTION OF INS KILTAN

## *139.  SHRI  KESINENI  NANI:

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

- (a) whether  the  recently  inducted  INS  Kiltan  lacks  offensive  capabilities  like  the Active  Towed Array Sonar (ACTAS) system, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has approached international companies for purchase of heavyweight torpedoes for submarines;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the current stock of the same and requirements; and
- (d) the mode for the said acquisitions taken or likely to be taken?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jherh  fueZyk lhrkje.k )

(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. 139 FOR ANSWER ON 27.12.2017

(a)     INS Kiltan is fitted with State-of-the-Art indigenously developed Bow Mounted Sonar designed to detect modern stealth submarines.  The ship is designed  to  operate  Active  Towed  Array  Sonar  (ATAS),  which  provides enhanced  Under  Water  detection  capability.    Presently,  the  trials  of indigenous  Active  Towed  Array  Sonar  are  under  progress  by  Defence Research and Development Organisation. (b) & (d):  INS Kiltan is fitted with anti-submarine Heavy Weight Torpedoes. As far as Heavy Torpedoes for Submarines are concerned, the procurement would be undertaken as per the extant provisions of Defence Procurement Procedure. (c)    The weapon induction for submarines is an ongoing process and is planned  keeping  the  current  holding  of  weapons vis-a-v is  the  future requirement.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 137 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Railway Safety
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, ANANDRAO  ADSUL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 137

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## RAILWAY SAFETY

- *137.    SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

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

- (a) whether various corrective  actions suggested by safety officers on railway safety-related  issues are pending  for a long time, posing a threat to railway passengers;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor and the steps taken for speedy implementation of the  suggestions for railway safety;
- (c) whether the Government had  appointed a High Level Safety Review Committee under the chairmanship of Shri Anil Kakodkar;
- (d) if  so,  the  recommendations of the committee along with the action taken so far thereon and the present status thereof; and
- (e) the manner in and the extent to which the safety in the Railways will be    enhanced  after  implementing  the  recommendations  of  the  said committee?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 137 BY SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE AND SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.12.2017 REGARDING  RAILWAY SAFETY (a) &  (b):  No,  Madam.  Safety  is  given  the  topmost  priority  in  Railways. Corrective  actions  on  the  suggestions  made  by  Safety  officers  through inspections  are  taken  on  a  continuous  basis.  Time  taken  in  compliance depends on the scale and nature of work involved. (c): Yes, Madam. (d): The Committee has given 106 recommendations. Out of 87 fully/partially  accepted  recommendations,  65  have  been  implemented. Remaining 22 recommendations are at various stages of implementation. 19 recommendations have not been accepted. (e): Although safety is an ongoing multi-disciplinary exercise, implementation of the recommendations of the Kakodkar Committee will enhance  the  safety  and  asset  reliability  as  the  recommendations  are about infrastructure like tracks and bridges, upgradation of rolling stock, emphasis  on  education  and  training  of staff, augmentation  of  line capacity,  prevention  of  sabotage,  induction  of  latest  technology  etc. Adequate resources are being mobilized to implement the recommendations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 135 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Roadmap for Space Programme
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.135

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

## ROADMAP FOR SPACE PROGRAMME

- *135.   SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  a  new  roadmap  for  the  space  programme  is  being prepared  by  the  Government  which  will  provide  long  term vision besides fulfilling short term needs of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- whether a concrete action plan in this regard will come up only in  the  next  six  months  since  the  Indian  Space  Research Organisation (ISRO) has been entrusted with several tasks for
- (c) the next two or three years; and
- (d) 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):

- to  (d)  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.135  REGARDING  'ROADMAP  FOR  SPACE PROGRAMME'  ASKED  BY  SHRI  KAPIL  MORESHWAR  PATIL  FOR

ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017.

- (a) Yes, Madam.

(b) Department  of  Space  has  a  roadmap  for  the  Country's  space programme addressing the short-term and long-term needs in the areas of Space Transportation Systems, Space Infrastructure, Space Applications and Capacity Building.

- (c) & (d)

Yes,  Madam.  As  desired  by  NITI  Aayog,  ISRO  has  evolved  a 3 year action plan, 7 year strategy and 15 year long-term vision for Space Programme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 132 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Terror Organisations
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVNTHI)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.132 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## TERROR ORGANISATIONS

- *132.   SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI):

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) have  unequivocally  named  Pakistan-based  groups,  Jaish-eMohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as terror organizations and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether in the backdrop of this decision India will be able to get support from China in designating the head of the Pakistan based JeM as an international terrorist in the United Nations Security Council 1267 Committee;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  manner  in  which  India  will  be  able  to  get  support  from China on this issue?

THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## ANSWER (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

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

*****

## PRIORITY - XII

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF  THE LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  132  REGARDING  'TERROR ORGANISATIONS' FOR ANSWER ON 27.12.2017

(a) Yes, Madam. The Ninth BRICS Summit was held on 4-5 September, 2017 in Xiamen, China. BRICS Leaders adopted Xiamen Declaration at the Summit, wherein the following reference has been included:

'We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence  caused  by  the  Taliban,  ISIL/DAISH,  Al-Qaida  and  its  affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan,  the  Haqqani  network,  Lashkar-e-Taiba,  Jaish-e-Mohammad,  TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir.'

(b) to (d) Government has raised the issue with China, including at the highest level,  and  has  pointed  out  that  China's  position  on  listing  of  well  known  terrorists under the 1267 Sanctions regime should be in consonance with its stated positions on terrorism. Government remains engaged with the Chinese side on this issue.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 131 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Bullet Train through Vidarbha Region
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO JADHAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION  NO. 131 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## BULLET TRAIN THROUGH VIDARBHA REGION

†*131.  SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government is considering to connect Vidarbha region of Maharashtra with high speed/bullet trains;
- (b) if  so,  the  time  by  which  the  said  region  is  likely  to  be connected with high speed/bullet trains; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 131 BY SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  27.12.2017  REGARDING  BULLET TRAIN THROUGH VIDARBHA REGION.

(a)  to  (c)  :  In  the  Railway  Budget  2014-15,  setting  up  of  Diamond Quadrilateral  network  of  high  speed  rail  connecting  major  metros and growth centres of the country was announced.

As  a  follow  up  of  the  announcement,  feasibility  studies  of different  segments  connecting  four  major  metros  have  been  taken up.  Mumbai-Nagpur  segment  of  Mumbai-Kolkata  section  has  been taken on hand under Government to Government cooperation with Government  of  Spain.  Similarly,  Delhi-Nagpur  segment  of  DelhiChennai  section  has  been  taken  on  hand  under  Government  to Government  cooperation  with  Government  of  China.  Sanction  and implementation  of  project  are  tied  to  completion  and  findings  of feasibility report, with  regard  to  technical  feasibility, financial viability and availability of resources.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 127 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research Regional Chapter
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: R.P. MARUTHARAJAA

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

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. *127 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017)

CENTRAL INSTITUTE OF MINING AND FUEL RESEARCH REGIONAL CHAPTER

*127.  SHRI R.P. MARUTHARAJAA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  start  CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research Regional Chapter in Perambalur area, Tamil Nadu; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

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

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 126 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: New Rail Projects in Bihar
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 126 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## NEW RAIL PROJECTS IN BIHAR

†*126.    SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to launch any new rail projects in Bihar;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(c) whether the Government has any target to launch any rail project in Bihar in future and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 126 BY SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.12.2017 REGARDING NEW RAIL PROJECTS IN BIHAR. (a)  to  (c):  At  present  4  new  rail  projects  costing ` 4302 crore namely (i) Muzaffarpur-Sagauli (101 km) doubling with electrification (ii) Sagauli-Valmikinagar (110 km) doubling with electrification (iii)  Vikramshila-Kataria  (32  km)  new  line    &    (iv)  Wazirganj-Jethaian via  Gehlaur    new  line  (20  km)  falling  fully/partly  in  Bihar  have  been included in Annual Budget for 2016-17 and 2017-18 subject to requisite approval  of  Government.  Launching  of  these  rail  projects  depends upon  financial  viability  of  respective  projects  and  sanction  of  the Government (NITI Aayog and Cabinet Committee for Economic Affairs). As such target date for launching cannot be fixed. In addition to above projects, Railways have taken up 32 new lines, 5 gauge conversions and 11 doublings falling fully/partly in Bihar costing ` 51,412 crore. Moreover, surveys have also been taken up for 38 more new rail projects comprising 30 new lines & 8 doubling projects falling fully/partly in Bihar.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 124 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Job Creation and Infrastructure Financing
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: NINONG ERING, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*124 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## JOB CREATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING

- *124. SHRI NINONG ERING SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government's Economic Advisory Council has recently spelt out a clear roadmap to ramp up job creation and infrastructure financing avenues;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the sectors in which job creation and infrastructure financing avenues have been identified;
- (c) whether the targets of providing jobs and financing in infrastructure projects is likely to be achieved during the next two years; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *124 FOR ANSWER ON 27.12.2017 FROM SHRI NINONG ERING and SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA REGARDING 'JOB CREATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING'.

(a)  to  (d)    Government  has  set  up  Economic  Advisory  Council  to  the  Prime  Minister  vide Notification dated September 26, 2017 under the chairmanship of Dr. Bibek Debroy, Member, NITI Aayog.  The Council has held three meetings so far wherein it has deliberated on wide ranging  issues  such  as  review  of  macro-economy,  agriculture  and  rural  development,  skill upgradation, enhancing investments in health, etc.  Based on deliberations, the Council has been providing advisory inputs to the Government from time to time.  However, there is no specific policy paper submitted by the Council on the roadmap for job creation and infrastructure financing avenues.

- ---------
Lok Sabha Question No. 122 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Wages to Indian Labourers Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA, HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.122 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## WAGES TO INDIAN LABOURERS ABROAD

- † *122. SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA: SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  wages  and  other  benefits/  facilities  are  not  being provided to the Indian labourers in many countries as per the rules of International Labour Organisation;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) the  details  of  the  countries  with  which  the  Government  has held  discussions  in  this  regard  during  the  last  three  years along with the outcome thereof; and
- (d) the details of the countries where the local police intervened/used force during protests by the Indian labourers against  the  violation  of  wages  and  work  conditions,  placewise?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

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

*****

## PRIORITY - II

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO  PARTS (a) TO (d) OF  THE LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  122  REGARDING  'WAGES  TO INDIAN LABOURERS ABROAD' FOR ANSWER ON 27.12.2017

(a) India is  not  a  signatory  to  ILO  Minimum Wage Convention 1970 (No.131) and none of the GCC countries too are signatories to the ILO Minimum Wage Fixing Convention 1970 (no.131).

(b) As reported by some of the Indian Missions in Gulf countries, there have been sporadic  incidents  of  delayed  payment  of  wages  to  Indian  workers.    On  receipt  of reports  of  Indian  emigrants  in  distress,  our  Mission/Posts  in  that  country  intervene with  the  concerned  government  authorities  and  the  foreign  employer/sponsor  to resolve outstanding disputes and help repatriate Indian workers whenever necessary.

(c) Government  of  India  has  signed  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoUs)/ Agreement  on  labour  cooperation  with  6  Gulf  countries  viz  United  Arab  Emirates (UAE),  Kuwait,  Oman,  Bahrain,  Qatar  and  Kingdom  of  Saudi  Arabia,  Jordan  and Malaysia.  Constitution  of  Joint  Working  Groups  (JWGs)  is  one  of  the  features  of these MoU and meeting of JWG is held regularly to find solutions to bilateral labour problems.

(d) As per reports received from the Indian Missions, there was discontentment among  the  workers  in  Saudi  Arabia, Kuwait,  Oman  and  Bahrain,  due  to  delayed payment of wages and lack of some basic amenities in the workers' camps.  Indian workers  protested  in  a  form  that  is  against  the  law  in  these  countries.  Resultantly, protesting workers were segregated by police to restore law and order.

*****