opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 911 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Opening of Nathu La Route
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.911 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2017

## OPENING OF NATHU LA ROUTE

## 911.   DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken up the issue of opening of the closed Nathu La route after Doklam standoff for Indian pilgrims;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether China recently referred the 1890 UK-China treaty on the demarcation of Indo-China border in Sikkim sector to follow and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government will rebut to Chinese side and place India's claim on the issue; and
- (e) if so, the details of Government's view point in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via the Nathu La route was not undertaken in 2017 after the Chinese government cited unfavourable conditions to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the Yatra on this route.   This   matter   was   raised   by   the   Government   with   the   Chinese government, including during the meeting of the External Affairs Minister with the Chinese Foreign Minister in December 2017. Subsequently, the Chinese government has confirmed resumption of Yatra on this route.
- (c) to (e) India-China   boundary   in   the   Sikkim   Sector   is   yet   to   be finalized. It is part of the mandate of the Special Representatives of India and China on Boundary Question, who are engaged in discussions, to find a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary question, including the Sikkim Sector.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 910 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Employment Generation by BPOs
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  910

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 07.02.2018

## EMPLOYMENT GENERATION BY BPOs

## 910. SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state: -

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  created  huge  employment  opportunities  under  its  BPO scheme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the number of persons so far employed under the scheme and the future plans thereof;
- (c) whether it is proposed to promote BPO operations in small cities and towns; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF  ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) and  (b):  Yes,  Sir.  Under  Digital  India  programme,  the  Government  has  launched  two BPO promotion schemes namely India BPO Promotion Scheme (IBPS) and North East BPO Promotion  Scheme  (NEBPS),  for  creation  of  employment  opportunities  and  promotion  of investment  in  IT/ITeS  sector  across  the  country  particularly  in  small  cities/towns,  by incentivizing setting up of 48,300 and 5,000 seats BPO/ITES operations by 31.03.2019 with an outlay of ₹ 493  crore  and ₹ 50  crore  respectively.  Software  Technology  Parks  of  India (STPI), an autonomous organization of MeitY is the implementing agency for these schemes. Till  now,  under  IBPS,  a  total  of  31,732  seats  have  been  allocated  to  successful  bidders, resulting in setting up of 180 units distributed across ~90 locations of 20 States & 2 UTs. Out of these, 79 units have reported commencement of operations to STPI for a total of 13,780 seats with initial employment to 10,517 persons.  While in NEBPS, a total of 2,060 seats have been allocated to successful bidders, resulting in setting up of 19 units across 5 NER States. Out of these, total 7 units have reported commencement of operation for a total of 900 seats with initial employment  to  954  persons.  Based  on  the  feedback  received  from  the stakeholders, the schemes are revised from time to time, so as to meet the objectives of these schemes at the earliest.

(c) and  (d):  The  focus  of  the  above  BPO  schemes  is  to  promote  BPO/ITeS  operations  in smaller cities/towns across the country, and the metro cities with significant level of IT/ITeS activity viz.   Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, NCR and Pune have been excluded from IBPS. Further, there is a provision for Special Incentive for units setting up BPO/ITeS operations at locations other than the State capital.
Lok Sabha Question No. 908 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: NERSDS
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: PREM DAS RAI

## 908. SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

Will  the  Minister  of  DEVELOPMENT  OF  NORTH  EASTERN  REGION  be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of North East Road Sector Development Scheme (NERSDS);
- (b) whether the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been finalized  and if so, the steps  taken by the Government to ensure completion of targets by March, 2018 as stated;
- (c)      if not, the reasons for delay in the implementation of the scheme; and
- (d)        the  powers  and  autonomy  of  the  North  Eastern  Council  with  regard  to  the implementation of the said scheme?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr.Jitendra Singh]

- (a) North  East  Road  Sector  Development  Scheme  was  launched  during  the Financial  Year  2015-16.  Three  (3)  roads  were  identified  and  entrusted  to  National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for implementation.  The  scheme  has  already  been  taken  up  for  extension  beyond March, 2017 till March, 2020.
- (b) & (c) The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the three roads was finalized before taking up the work. The works have since been awarded and are at different stages of implementation.
- (d)    The scheme was originally conceived and launched in the Ministry of DoNER during  2015-16  and  then  transferred  to  North  Eastern  Council  during  2016-17  for implementation.  The  Inter-Ministerial  Committee  has  been  reconstituted  under  the Chairmanship of Secretary,  North  Eastern  Council  (NEC)  for  screening,  appraisal, sanction and monitoring of the works under the scheme. NEC has been authorized to operate the budget head of NERSDS.

*****

## Government of India

## Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA

Unstarred Question No. 908

To be answered on

Wednesday, February 07, 2018/Magha 18, 1939 (Saka)

## QUESTION

## NERSDS
Lok Sabha Question No. 907 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Haj Pilgrims
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: FAIZAL P.P. MOHAMMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.907 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## HAJ PILGRIMS

907.  SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  give  any  relaxation  for  disabled  Haj pilgrims;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a) to (c) Haj pilgrimage is generally physically demanding to be performed in a foreign land. Therefore, as per practice prevailing old practice for more than 30 years, the Haj Policy/ guidelines for Haj Committee of India (HCoI) pilgrims provided that any person who is physically disabled or suffering from specified diseases are not eligible to  apply  for  Haj  pilgrimage  through  HCoI.    The  Ministry  has  directed  to  make necessary corrections/amendments in the Haj policy/guidelines to allow persons with disabilities in terms of the Rights of persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 906 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Research and Development Institutions
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.906 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7/2/2018

## RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTIONS

†906.  SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  Research  and  Development  Institutions  under  the  Ministry  along  with  the number of Scientists, technocrats and researchers working therein and the number of posts lying vacant, institution-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has assessed the functioning of these institutions; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the outcome thereto?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI Y.S. CHOWDHARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó

(gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

- (a) to (c):   The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 905 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Diplomatic Vision
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: INNOCENT

## 905. SHRI INNOCENT:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any diplomatic plan/vision for the next ten years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to have a considered and clear foreign policy with India's short/long term national interests clearly defined?

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

(a) to (c) The   Government   continually   assesses   and   refines   its diplomatic stance and policies in response to evolving global challenges and opportunities which have a bearing on India's short-term and longterm   interests.   While   no   single   overarching   and   formalized   policy document can capture all aspects of India's foreign policy, the underlying principles of our diplomatic strategy are long-established and enduring. These include safeguarding  India's sovereignty and security,  enabling India's   domestic   economic   transformation,   and  building   influence   in global forums  through bilateral, multilateral and regional efforts.  This pragmatic and outcome-oriented foreign policy orientation has revitalised our traditional ties, re-energised our strategic and commercial relations with new partners and re-connected us with our Diaspora abroad.

In   recent   months,   the   Ministry   of   External   Affairs   has   significantly strengthened its Policy Planning & Research Division by increasing its manpower and   budget,   including   the   inclusion   of   experts   from   other   specialized departments of Government of India and engagement with scholars from the wider strategic community. This effort is aimed at improving the Government's efforts   to   anticipate   and   react   to   long-term   international   trends   and developments through rigorous analysis, and feeds into the continuous process of self-evaluation of the Ministry and appraisal of foreign policy.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.905 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## DIPLOMATIC VISION
Lok Sabha Question No. 901 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Make in India Policy
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAVNEET SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 901 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## MAKE IN INDIA POLICY

901. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has floated an international tender for the procurement of Rails;
- (b) if so, the value of tender within the threshold of the 'Make in India' policy that requires all infrastructure projects worth more than 500 million rupees to use locally-made steel;
- (c) the details of the intended purchase quantity against actual purchase of rails for the last three years, year-wise;
- (d) whether the Government has evaluated Indian corporations/ companies that can meet the criteria and requirements of the Rails and if not, the reason therefor; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  a  study  to  evaluate  the impact of shortage of rails on the maintenance and expansion work of the Indian Railways and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  901  BY  SHRI  RAVNEET  SINGH  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.02.2018 REGARDING MAKE IN INDIA POLICY

(a), (b) and (d): Yes, Madam. Ministry of Railways have floated global tender following 2 packets system for procurement of 4.87 lakh Metric Tonnes  of  Rails  to  meet  the  shortfall  in  supply  of  rails  by  Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), subject to placement of developmental order of 20%  of quantity under procurement on domestic producer provided Railways is prima facie satisfied that they are technically suitable and capable of executing the order.

(c)    Indian  Railway's  requirement  and  quantity  of  rails  supplied  to Indian Railways during 2014-15 to 2016-17 by Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) are as under:

| Year      | Indian Railway's Requirement of Rails   | Supply of Rails by SAIL   |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------|---------------------------|
|           | (in Metric Tonnes)                      | (in Metric Tonnes)        |
| 2014-2015 | 580750                                  | 583787                    |
| 2015-2016 | 812417                                  | 645514                    |
| 2016-2017 | 825000                                  | 620050                    |

(e)  Indian  Railways  has  prioritized  the  track  maintenance  works  to ensure safety and therefore presently for track renewal works rails are supplied on priority.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 898 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Gauge Conversion in Maharashtra
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 898

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## GAUGE CONVERSION IN MAHARASHTRA

## 898.  SHRI GODSE HEMANT TUKARAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has conducted any survey for gauge conversion  in  Maharashtra  during  the  last  three  years  and  the current year;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, section-wise; and
- (c) the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon and the time by which these projects are likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b):   Only one survey i.e. Preliminary Engineering-cum-Traffic Survey for  Gauge  Conversion  from  Narrow  Gauge  (NG)  to  Broad  Gauge  (BG) between Pachora and Jamner and extension upto Bodwad (Malkapur) (84 km)  has  been  sanctioned  during  last  three  years  and  current  year  in Maharashtra.  Survey Report of the project has been received in Railway Board  in  October,  2017.    As  per  survey  report,  cost  of  the  project  has been assessed as ` 849.68 crore with Rate of Return (-) 1.82%.

The  project  has  been  shelved  as  there  are  no  large  and  medium scale  industries  in  the  catchment  area  of  the  section  Pachora-JamnerMakapur  and  ROR  of  the  project  is  also  negative.  Further,  additional traffic  in  future  will  be  catered  after  completion of ongoing works of 3 rd and  4 th   line  between  Manmad-Jalgaon  and  Railway  Electrification  work between Manmad-Mudkhed-Dhone.

- (c):      No expenditure incurred as project is unsanctioned.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 892 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Poverty Alleviation Initiatives
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: SANJAY JAISWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 892 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## POVERTY ALLEVIATION INITIATIVE

## 892. DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any new initiatives for poverty alleviation as part of sustainable development goals;

- (b) if so, the details of these initiatives/schemes and their status of implementation; and
- (c) the channels for accessing these schemes?

## ANSWER

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

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a), (b) & (c) In order to facilitate implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), NITI Aayog has carried out a detailed mapping of the 17 SDGs and associated targets on Central Ministries, Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  and  other  Government  initiatives.  As  a  part  of  this  mapping,  the Centrally Sponsored Schemes and other Government initiatives have been mapped on the SDG 1 (End poverty in all its forms everywhere) and its associated targets. The mapping has been circulated to the Central  Ministries  and  placed  in  public  domain  on  the  NITI  Aayog's  website  to  facilitate  better awareness, common understanding and faster implementation of programmes/ schemes focused on poverty alleviation. Several State Governments have also done similar mapping of their Departments and programmes/schemes.

Several initiatives and schemes contribute to poverty alleviation, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY) National Livelihood  Mission,  National  Social  Assistance  Programme,  Pradhan  Mantri  Jan  Dhan  Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, etc. These programmes/schemes  are  being  implemented  by  concerned  Ministries  in  collaboration  with  State Governments as per well-defined guidelines.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 891 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Post Offices to Issue Aadhaar
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 891

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07-02-2018

## POST OFFICES TO ISSUE AADHAAR

## 891. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to entrust the responsibility  of  making  Aadhaar cards by incorporating changes therein and to maintain its confidentiality to the post offices in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the time by which the said scheme is likely to be started;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  established  any  mechanism  to  implement  the  said scheme in the country; and
- (e) if so the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF  ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (e): Department of Posts (DoP), as Registrar of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), has been mandated to set up Aadhaar enrolment and update facility in post offices throughout the country. DoP has already started rolling out these facilities in designated post offices.

In  addition,  scheduled  commercial  banks  have  also  been  mandated  to  set  up  Aadhaar enrolment and update facility in a minimum one out of every ten bank branches.

Registrar only collects data from the residents during enrolment/ updation. Actual Aadhaar generation and updation in Aadhaar takes place after the data so collected is verified in the UIDAI system at various stages.

The Aadhaar Act, 2016 and the Regulations framed there under have necessary provisions for  ensuring the security and confidentiality of residents' information collected during the course of enrolment/updation. It is the responsibility of Registrar to follow the Act and the Regulations framed there under and guidelines issued by UIDAI from time to time.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 889 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Ties with North Korea
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.889 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## TIES WITH NORTH KOREA

889. SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether post North Korean missile test, India is under pressure from the US Government to scale down the ties with North Korea;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any attempt has been made by the Government to urge North Korea to roll back its nuclear and missile programme;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether   India   is   making   any   effort   to   rope   in   the   international community to deal with this serious situation and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether any positive results have been achieved in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (f) The   Government   of   India   shares   international   community's concerns   with   regard   to   DPRK's   destabilizing   activities   which   adversely impact peace and stability in the region and beyond.  India has called upon DPRK to refrain from such actions. DPRK's continued pursuit of nuclear and ballistic   missiles   programmes   and   its   proliferation   links   directly   impacts India's national security, while posing a grave threat to international peace. The Government of India is of the view that any solution to the Korean Peninsula   must   take   into   account   and   address   concerns   about   the proliferation linkages of DPRK's nuclear and missile programmes.

India   remains   engaged   with   the   international   community   on   the situation in the Korean Peninsula.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 888 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Dry Cleaning in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KIRRON KHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 888 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## DRY CLEANING IN RAILWAYS

## 888.  SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  periodicity  of  washing  railway  linens  and  dry  cleaning  of blankets in depots across the country;
- (b) the  percentage  of  linens  that  are  hand-washed  and  washed  in machines;
- (c) the storage provision for washed linens and dry-cleaned blankets in depots across the country; and
- (d) the mechanism in place for compliance to the norms for washing of linens by the depots?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) Washing of bed linen (except blanket) is done after every single use.  Washed  bed  sheets,  pillow  covers  and  towels  are  provided  to passengers. Blankets are cleaned at least once in two months.

(b) More than 65% linen are washed in mechanised laundries set up in Railway  premises.  Most  of  the  remaining  linen  is  also  washed  in outside mechanised laundries through contracts. (c) Nominated storage places with facilities like racks and compactors are provided at depots for storage of washed linen and blankets. (d) Sample  checking  of  washed  linen  is  done  before  dispatch  from laundry. Regular inspections are carried out by officers and supervisors for compliance to the norms for washing of linen items. In case of unsatisfactory work or passenger complaint, suitable penalty is also imposed.

*****