opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3469 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Upgradation of Small Stations in Assam
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3469

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## UPGRADATION OF SMALL STATIONS IN ASSAM

## 3469.  SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any plan to upgrade the small stations in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Railways has any proposal to upgrade the small stations of Assam;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if  not,  the  steps  taken  to  upgrade  facilities  like  passenger  waiting rooms etc. at such stations?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (d): Modernisation/upgradation of  Railway station in Indian Railways is a  continuous  and  on-going  process.  At  present,  upgradation  of  stations  has been  undertaken  under  Adarsh  Station  Scheme.  The  scheme  provides  for development of stations, including small stations in the country. Selection of Railway stations under Adarsh Station Scheme is based on the identified need for  upgradation  of  amenities.  1253  stations  including  28  stations  in  Assam have been identified for development under this Scheme. Out of 28 stations in Assam, 27 stations have been developed so far and the remaining 01 station is planned to be developed by 2018-19. With a view to meet the expectations of the passengers, Indian Railways is making all out effort to provide improved facilities at all stations including those located in Assam.

List of 28 stations identified for development under Adarsh Station Scheme in Assam is as under:

Badarpur, Barpeta Road, Basugaon, Bijni, Fakiragram Jn., Goreswar, Gosaigaonhat, Hojai, Jakhalabandha, Jorhat Town, Karimganj Jn., Kokrajhar, New Bongaigaon, Rangapara North, Rangiya, Rowta Bagan, Salakati, Silchar, Srirampur,  Tangla,  Tihu,  Tipkai,  Udalguri,  Bongaigaon,  Jagi  Road,  Furkating, Tatibahar and Narangi.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3467 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Performance of Employees
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3467 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEES

## † 3467.  SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether any data is prepared by the Government for rewarding or punishing  the  railway  employees/officers  on  the  basis  of  their good or bad performance  and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  conspiracy  for  effecting  accident  in  13237  PatnaKota express at Duriabad in Barabanki district was foiled by the train driver in May 2018, but the engine of the train got derailed;
- (c) if so, whether cases of such vigilant and efficient personnel, who have protected the assets of the  Railways have been reviewed during the last three years and the current year;
- (d) if so, whether zone-wise data has been collected for rewarding or punishing such employees; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  of  the  policy  of  the  Government  for  rewarding and promoting personnel rendering excellent work?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a):  Separate data is not prepared for rewarding or punishing Railway employees on the basis of their good or bad performance. Awards are

given  to  Railway  employees  individually  as  well  as  in  groups  in appreciation of their sincere contribution in the form of Cash Awards/Shields/Merit Certificates/Medals/Commendation Letters/ Insignia/etc.

Penalties  as  prescribed  under  the  statutory  provisions  contained  in Railway Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1968 can be imposed on Railway employees by the prescribed statutory authority based on the facts and circumstances in the individual cases.

(b)and(c): No, Madam.  As per the conclusion/ findings of the Inquiry Committee formed to investigate the matter, the cause of derailment was  due  to  obstruction  on  track  by  tree  which  had  fallen  down accidently in front of the approaching Train No.13237.

(d): No  zone-wise  data  is  collected at Ministry level for either rewarding or punishing employees.

(e):  Annual awards are given during the Railway Week to meritorious employees  for  excellent  work.    Besides,  individual  cash  awards  are also  given  during  the  year  for  doing  excellent  work.    The  annual awards  given  during  Railway  Week  are  at  Railway  Board,  Zonal Railways and Divisional level.

In addition, Hon'ble Minister of Railways, Minister of State of Railways, Chairman/Railway  Board,  Board  Members  and  Director  Generals  also sanction group/individual cash award to employees for their meritorious performance/timely completion/commissioning of the project/successful organisation of any event.

There is no policy for promoting such personnel, on out of turn basis.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3465 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: War Memorial
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3465

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH  AUGUST, 2018

## WAR  MEMORIAL

## 3465.  SHRI  ASHWINI KUMAR:

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

- (a) the status of construction of India's first war memorial to remember soldiers who have sacrificed their lives since 1947, around the national capital's India Gate;
- (b) the salient features of the war memorial;
- (c) the  time  by  which  the  war  memorial  is  likely  to  be  completed  and  opened  for general public;
- (d) whether the entry to the memorial complex is likely to be free for public and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether there is any proposal to display the arsenals including tanks captured from Pakistan during war and if so, the details thereof?

A    N    S    W    E    R MINISTER OF STATE (DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE) IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE र  ा रा य मं ी (डा. सुभाष भामरे)

- (a) The  construction  work  of  National  War  Memorial  at  'C'  Hexagon  of India Gate is under progress.  Bulk of Civil work is completed.  Finishing work is concurrently underway including landscaping.
- (b) The  layout  of  the  Memorial  comprises  four  concentric  circles  i.e. Amar Chakra (Circle of Immortality), Veer Chakra (Circle of Bravery), Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice) and Rakshak Chakra (Circle of Protection).  The

:  2  :

Memorial complex will include a central obelisk, an eternal flame, murals, graphic panels, inscription of names of martyrs, busts of winners of Param Veer Chakra among other features. (c) The  expected  date  for  completion  of  the  National  War  Memorial  is October 2018. (d) Yes,  Madam.    No  entry  fee  is  proposed  to  be  charged.    However, appropriate mechanism for security of the complex will be put in place. (e) No, Madam.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3464 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: CCTV at Surat Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3464 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## CCTV AT SURAT STATION

†3464. SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has any policy regarding installation of CCTV surveillance system in parcel office, goods yard and Head TC room for the security of passengers; and
- (b) if so, the time by when this policy is likely to be implemented at Surat railway station?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  & (b): Zonal Railways have been allowed to provide Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at Parcel Office, Goods Yard, etc. as per Research  Designs  and  Standards  Organisation  (RDSO)  approved specification or as per Railway's own specification, based on threat perception and  vulnerability analysis done  at regular intervals. Presently 43 CCTV cameras are available at Surat station for round the clock surveillance.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3462 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Change in Passport Laws
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: GOWDAR MALLIKARJUNAPPA SIDDESHWARA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3462

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## CHANGE IN PASSPORT LAWS

3462. SHRI G. M. SIDDESHWARA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   is   considering   to   bring   a   change   in passport laws to exempt  infants from being physically present for a biometric finger print;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has received any representations in this regard; 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) & (b) The Ministry issued policy direction on 28 September, 2017 exempting infants/minor children below the age of five years from giving biometrics   (10   fingerprints)   to   the   Passport   Issuing   Authority   for processing   of   their   applications   related   to   passport   services.   The infant/minor children upto the age of 5 years are, however, required to be physically   present   at   the   Passport   Seva   Kendra   for   capturing   their

- photograph to be printed on the passport. (c) & (d) Yes. The Ministry of External Affairs received a representation requesting for exemption of new borns being physically present at the Passport Seva Kendra for biometric finger print for issue of passports. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3461 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: OBC Employees
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3461

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018)

## OBC EMPLOYEES

## 3461. SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  employment  level  of  Other  Backward  Classes  (OBCs)  in  the  Central Government services is far below the recommended quota of 27 per cent and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the employment level of the OBC employees in Group A cadre in Government departments and Constitutional bodies stands at mere 17 per cent and 14 per cent and the employment level of the OBC employees in Group B cadre stands at 14 per cent and 15 per cent respectively and the employment level of the OBC employees in Group C and D cadre is not much different;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## 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)  to  (d):  As  per  information  received  from  78  Ministries/  Departments  and  their  attached/ subordinate offices including Union Public Service Commission and Election Commission, the representation  of  Other  Backward  Classes  (OBCs)  in  the  posts  and  services  of  the  Central Government as on 01.01.2016 is 13.01% in Group A, 14.78 % in Group B, 22.65% in Group C (excluding  Safai  Karamchari)  and 14.46% in  Group  C  (Safai  Karamchari)  which  makes  the representation of OBCs in the posts and services of the Central Government to 21.57% .

Representation  of  OBCs  in  the  Central  Government  services  is  yet  to  reach  27% prescribed  for  them,  because  reservation  of  Other  Backward  Classes  (OBC)  started  only  in September, 1993.

In December, 2014 instructions were issued to the Central Government Ministries/Departments to constitute in-house Committee to identify backlog reserved vacancies, study  of  the  root  cause  of  backlog  reserved  vacancies,  initiation  of  measures  to  remove  such factors and to fill up such vacancies through Special Recruitment Drive.

Representation of OBCs as on 1.1.2012 was 16.55% which has increased to 21.57% as on 01.01.2016. Therefore, there is an increasing trend in the representation of OBCs in the posts and services of the Central Government.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3460 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Functioning of Churches
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: R.P. MARUTHARAJAA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3460 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08-08-2018

## Functioning of Churches

## 3460.   SHRI R.P. MARUTHARAJAA:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of churches functioning in the country as on date, church-wise and State-wise particularly in Tamil Nadu;
- (b) )  whether  the  Government  has  any  criteria/policy  with  regard  to  starting  new churches in the country, if so, the details thereof;  and
- (c)  whether the Government has received complaints on any issue from churches in the country, if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a)&(b)  The  Constitution  of  India  provides  Right  to  Freedom  of  practice    and propagation of religion.  This Ministry does not maintain information on the number of churches functioning in India
- (c)     Complaints/grievances from different religious communities/groups/ individual on  various  issues    including  churches  are  received    in  this  Ministry  and National Commission for Minorities (NCM) etc. on which appropriate action as per provision  are taken.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3459 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Reservation in Promotion
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: RODMAL NAGAR, K. ASHOK KUMAR

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3459

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018)

## RESERVATION IN PROMOTION

## †3459. SHRI NAGAR RODMAL: SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  has  issued guidelines to all its departments and State Governments to implement quota in promotion for employees belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether this move is the outcome of a recent verdict of the Supreme Court; 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) to (d):   The Supreme Court in Special Leave Petition (Civil) No.30621/2011 has passed the following order on 17.5.2018:-

'It is directed that the pendency of this Special Leave Petition shall not stand in the way of  Union  of  India  taking  steps  for  the  purpose  of  promotion  from  'reserved  to  reserved'  and 'unreserved to unreserved' and also in the matter of promotion on merits..'.

Further, in the matter related to Special Leave Petition (Civil) No.31288/2017 connected to  Special  Leave  to  Appeal  (Civil)  No.28306/2017,  the  Supreme  Court  held  as  under    on 05.06.2018:-

'Heard  learned  counsel  for  the  parties,  Learned  ASG  has  referred  to  order  dated 17.05.2018 in SLP(C) No.30621/2011. It is made clear that the Union of India is not debarred from  making  promotions  in  accordance  with  law,  subject  to  further  orders,  pending  further consideration of the matter. Tag to SLP (C) No.30621 of 2011.'

Based  on  interim Orders/directions of  the  Supreme  Court  dated  17.05.2018  and 05.6.2018, Department of Personnel and Training vide Office Memorandum No. 36012/11/2016Estt.(Res-I) {Pt-II} dated 15.06.2018 requested all the Ministries/Departments of the Government  of  India  to  carry  out  promotions  in  accordance  with  above  directions  of  the Supreme Court on existing seniority / select lists subject to further orders which may be passed by  the    Supreme  Court.  The  State  Governments  were  advised  to  take  necessary  action  in accordance with the above-mentioned orders passed by the Supreme Court.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3458 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Start-ups in Space Sector
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3458

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 08, 2018

## START-UPS IN SPACE SECTOR

3458.   SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  start-ups  involved  in  space  sector  that  have been  registered  in  the  country  during  each  of  the  last  ten years, year-wise;
- (b) the  efforts  made  by  the  Government  towards  creating  a vision/roadmap in developing foundation for start-ups involved in space sector in the country;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  received  proposals  for  Foreign Direct Investment in the space sector during each of the last five 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):

- (a) ISRO  has  a  Technology  Transfer  system  functioning  since 1975, where many a technologies related to space is transferred  to  Indian  industries  for  commercial  applications.

Several  companies  including  start-ups  have  utilised  and  got benefitted from this technology transfer programme. ISRO has transferred nearly 340 technologies so far.

- (b) Department  of  Space/  ISRO  has  mooted  a  Capacity  Building Programme with one of the core area as setting up Technology Incubation  centres  on  Space  Technology.  These  will  connect ISRO with the academia and local industries in each region.
- (c) & (d)

Yes  Madam.  Government  has  received  proposals  for  Foreign Direct  Investment  in  the  space  sector.  The  details  are  as follows:

|   Sl. No. | Name                                            | Year                                            |
|-----------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | ANIARA Communications India Pvt. Ltd. June 2016 | ANIARA Communications India Pvt. Ltd. June 2016 |
|         2 | Jupiter Satellite India Ltd.                    | June 2016                                       |
|         3 | SES - World Skies Singapore Pte Ltd.            | August 2016                                     |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3456 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Cost Effectiveness and Health Hazards of NPP
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: SONA RAM CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3456

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## COST EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH HAZARDS OF NPP

3456.  COL. SONARAM CHOUDHARY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any study has been made to assess the cost effectiveness and the health hazards from the nuclear power plants vis-à-vis renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, etc.;
- (b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR.JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a)&(b)Nuclear  power  is  a  base  load  source  of  electricity  generation  (available 24X7). The renewable energy sources like solar, wind etc are intermittent and also  location  specific.  A  detailed  analysis  of  the  economic  viability  of  each nuclear  power  project  is  carried  out  as  a  part  of  the  project  proposal  while seeking project financial sanction from the Government. The tariffs of nuclear power  are  competitive  to  other  base  load  technologies  for  generation  of electricity in the region.

An independent Environmental Survey Laboratory (ESL) is set up at each of the nuclear power plant site several years before setting up of the plant, which regularly  analyses  environmental  matrices  like  air,  water,  soil,  vegetation, crops, milk, fish, etc. around each of the nuclear power plant (NPP) site. The data collected, over the years, has established that there is negligible change in  radioactivity  and  radiation  levels  in  the  environment  /  environmental matrices due to operation of the nuclear power plants.

In  addition,  epidemiological  survey  for  heath  assessment  in  respect  of employees working in the nuclear power plants and their families, who stay in the nearby township and villages, have been carried out for the nuclear power plant  sites  by  reputed  local  medical  colleges  and  the  analysis  has  been carried out by Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, the premier cancer research centre  of  the  country.  All  these  studies  have  established  that  there  are  no adverse  effects  of  the  operation  of  the  nuclear  power  plants  on  the  people living in and around the plants.

- (c) Does not arise.
- (d) Nuclear power is clean with lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions comparable to renewables  and  has  huge  potential  which  can  provide  long  term  energy security to the country in a sustainable manner. In view of this, as a long term plan, nuclear power is pursued.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3455 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Notice to Website
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3455

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08.08.2018

## NOTICE TO WEBSITE

## 3455.    SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

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

- (a) the number of show cause notices which have been issued to the websites for spreading hatred during the last three years and the current year;
- (b)    whether any such websites have been shut down till date;
- (a) if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d):  No show cause notice has been issued to websites by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in last three years.

Section 69A of the IT Act provides for blocking any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource in the interest of - (i) sovereignty and  integrity  of  India,  (ii)  defence  of  India,  (iii)  security  of  the  State,  (iv)  friendly relations with foreign States, (v) public order, or (vi) for preventing incitement to  the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above. The Information Technology (Procedure  and  Safeguards  for  blocking  for  Access  of  Information  for  Public)  Rules 2009,  notified  under  section  69A  provides  detailed  process  including  checks-andbalances  for  blocking  of  information.  The  website/webpage  is  blocked  following  the due process prescribed in these Rules.

********