opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 906 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Performance of BEML
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: BHAVANA GAWALI (PATIL)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.906

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## PERFORMANCE OF  BEML

## 906. SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI PATIL:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE

j{kk ea=h

be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  performance  and  products  manufactured  by  Bharat  Earth  Movers Ltd. (BEML) during each of the last three years;
- (b) the details of profit earned / loss suffered by BEML during the said period yearwise;
- (c) whether BEML is also manufacturing stainless steel metro cars and is one of the competitive companies of the market now;
- (d) if so, whether BEML is manufacturing stainless steel metro cars at cheaper rates in comparison to the other private companies; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for disinvestment of BEML?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

## (a) The details of performance of BEML Ltd. during each of the last three years are:

(Rs. in Crore)

| Year        |   2014-15 |   2015-16 |   2016-17 |
|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Total Sales |   3129.65 |   3422.92 |   2836.98 |

Segment-wise details of the products manufactured by BEML Ltd., are

.......2/-

:  2  :

Defence & Aerospace Segment:  High Mobility & Recovery vehicles, Bridge Systems, Vehicles for Missile projects, Tank Transportation Trailers, Milrail Wagons,  Mine  Ploughs,  Crash  Fire  Tenders,  Aircraft  Towing  Tractors, Aircraft Weapon Loading Trolley, etc.

Rail & Metro Segment: Passenger Vehicles, EMUs, Metro Cars, Maintenance Vehicles, Utility Vehicles, etc.

Mining  &  Construction  Segment:      Bull  Dozers,  Excavators,  Dumpers, Shovels,  Loaders,  Water  Sprinklers,  Motor  Graders,  Pipe  Layers,  Tyre Handlers, etc.

- (b) The details of profit earned by BEML during the said period are:

(Rs. in Crore)

| Year                    |   2014-15 |   2015-16 |   2016-17 |
|-------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Profit Before Tax (PBT) |      6.91 |     77.92 |     98.29 |

- (c) Yes, Madam.
- (d) Yes, Madam. BEML has won various contracts on competitive basis for manufacturing metro cars at cheaper rates.
- (e) BEML  has  executed Metro Cars supplies to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRCL).

In  respect  of  Disinvestment,  Government  has  given  'in-principle' approval for strategic disinvestment of some CPSEs including BEML Ltd. Disinvestments  through  strategic  sale  are  being  considered  based  on recommendations of NITI Aayog after taking into consideration all aspects of  the  matter.  However,  after  completion  of  process,  specific  approval  of Government would be sought again.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 904 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Nuclear Plants with Foreign Support
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.904

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## NUCLEAR PLANTS WITH FOREIGN SUPPORT

## 904. SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to construct additional nuclear plants across the country with the support of Russia and France;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the locations selected for building of such plants are vulnerable to natural disasters; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  with  regard  to protection of those plants in view of vulnerability of these locations?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)&(b)  Light Water Reactors (LWRs) of large capacity are being setup at Kudankulam site in  Tamil  Nadu in co-operation with Russian Federation. Presently, at Kudankulam site, two units (KKNPP 1&2 - 2X1000 MW) are in operation, two units (KKNPP 3&4 2X1000  MW)  are  under  construction  and  two  more  units  (KKNPP  5&6  -  2X1000 MW)  have  been  accorded  administrative  approval  and  financial  sanction.  In addition, the Government has accorded 'in principle' approval of Haripur site in West Bengal for setting up nuclear power plants in cooperation with Russian Federation. The  site  at  Jaitapur  in  Maharashtra  has  been  accorded  'in  principle'  approval  for setting up reactors in cooperation with France.
- (c)&(d) The sites for locating nuclear power plants  are selected after carrying out extensive studies  to  ensure  their  safety  from  possible  natural  and  man-made  events  in accordance  with  the  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board  (AERB)  Code  on  Site Evaluation  of  Nuclear  Facilities.  These  studies  relate  to  seismicity  &  location  of faults, geology, foundation conditions, meteorology, potential from flooding (tsunamis, rain and storms at coastal sites and rain and rivers including upstream dam breaks at inland sites), proximity to airports, military installation etc. Further, the nuclear power  reactors are designed to withstand the  impact  of  maximum postulated natural disasters likely at the site based on extensive studies.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 903 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Study for Impact of Monsoon
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: P. C. MOHAN

- (a)
- Yes Madam.
- (b) Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India has launched 'National Monsoon Mission' (NMM) with a vision to develop a stateof-the-art dynamical prediction model for a) improved prediction of monsoon rainfall on extended range to seasonal time scale (16 days to one season) and b) improved prediction of temperature, rainfall and extreme weather events on  short  to  medium  range  time  scale  (up  to  15  days)  so  that  forecast  skill gets quantitatively improved further for operational services of India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Under this mission, experts from academic institutions from abroad participated in research and development towards improvement of prediction models. Scientists from USA, UK, Australia, France, Japan participated in the mission.

Through Indo-US collaboration, a 'Monsoon Desk' has been set up for working jointly  for  improving  seasonal  forecast  of  Indian  monsoon  rainfall.  Through this forum, Indian and US Scientists are exchanging their ideas and sharing their  expertise.  This  effort  has  led  to  appreciable  improvements  in  the efficiency of models in making better forecasts.

- No Madam.
- Does not arise.
- (c)
- (d)
- (e) The recent deployment of satellite is used for the monitoring and prediction of  weather  conditions.  The  satellite  data  are  also  used  for  preparing  the initial conditions for the forecast model.

*****

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 903 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

## STUDY FOR IMPACT OF MONSOON

## 903. SHRI P.C Mohan:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry  is  having  any  proposal  to  rope  in  foreign  countries  to study the impact of monsoon in a scientific way;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  deploy  underwater  robot  in  order  to predict Indian monsoon accurately;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof and the funds earmarked of the same; and
- (e) whether the recent deployment of satellites will be utilized in order to predict droughts and floods and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

(SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY)
Lok Sabha Question No. 902 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: H-1B Visa
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY, Y. S. AVINASH REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.902 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## H-1B VISA

902.  SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA: SHRI Y. S. AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has held talks with the American Government regarding revival of H-1B and L1 Visas;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of outcome of the discussions?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) The H-1B and L-1 work visa programmes in the US
- continue to remain in place.

There   are   proposals   under   consideration   in   the   U.S.   to reform the H-1B and L-1 visa programmes. However, so far, no comprehensive changes have been made.

In the current (115th) Congress, six Bills relating to H-1B and L-1 visa programmes have been introduced by individual congressmen and senators. However, so far, none of these Bills have been passed.

On the Executive side, on April 18, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) titled 'Buy American and Hire American',   which   requires   different   arms   of the   U.S. Administration to suggest reforms to the H-1B visa programme. This process is still underway. The US Administration has also taken some steps towards stricter enforcement and prevention of abuse of the work visa programmes.

Government of India remains closely engaged with the U.S.

Administration   and   the   U.S.   Congress   on   issues   relating   to mobility of Indian skilled professionals, including through H-1B and   L-1   visa   programmes.   This   issue   was   discussed   recently during EAM's meetings with the US Secretary of State in New York and Delhi on September 21 and October 25 respectively; at the Ministerial   Trade   Policy   Forum   (October   26)   and   Commercial Dialogue   (October   27);   as   well   as   during   Finance   Minister's meetings  with   Commerce   and   Treasury   Secretaries   during   his visits to USA in October 2017. It was also a subject of discussion in   our   engagements   with   the   visiting   US   Congressional delegations   and   Governors.   In   our   engagements,   we   have emphasized that Indian skilled professionals have contributed to the   growth   and   development   of   the   U.S.   economy   and   have helped   the   U.S.   retain   its   competitive   edge   and   innovation advantage. They are a big stakeholder in India-U.S. relations and their backward linkages to India have helped U.S. businesses.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 901 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Exchange of Enclaves
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.901 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## EXCHANGE OF ENCLAVES

## † 901. SHRI GOPAL SHETTY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   India   and   Bangladesh   have   exchanged   villages/
- enclaves located in border areas;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the border dispute between India and Bangladesh has
- been resolved by fresh demarcation of borders; 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) to (d) Yes.   In   keeping   with   the   Agreement   between   the Government of Republic of India and the Government of People's Republic of Bangladesh concerning the Demarcation of the Land Boundary between India and Bangladesh and Related Matters, 1974 and its Protocol, 2011, exchange of enclaves has been carried out. The Agreement and the Protocol provides for exchange of enclaves, demarcation of undemarcated areas on the international boundary and regularization of the status quo on adversely held territories by both sides.  Following the exchange of Instruments of Ratification of the Agreement on 6 June 2015, the actual exchange of territories between India and Bangladesh was carried out on 31 July 2015 whereby   111   erstwhile   Indian   enclaves   were   transferred   to Bangladesh and 51 erstwhile Bangladeshi enclaves were transferred to   India.   920   erstwhile   enclave   residents   from   Bangladesh   have since moved to India. 30 boundary strip maps pertaining to erstwhile adverse   possessions   and   undemarcated   area   were   finalized   and signed   at   Plenipotentiary   level   on   30   July   2015. With   the implementation of this Agreement, long outstanding land boundary issues between India and Bangladesh have been settled.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 900 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Deployment of Tejas
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: NINONG ERING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.900

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## DEPLOYMENT OF TEJAS

900. SHRI  NINONG ERING:

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

- (a) whether there has been delay in the production and deployment of aircraft Tejas;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the steps taken to fast track the production;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to meet the shortage of aircraft carriers; and
- (d) the steps taken to enhance the production of indigenous aircrafts?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) & (b): Yes,  Madam.    Two  contracts  were  signed  between  Indian  Air Force  (IAF)  &  Hindustan  Aeronautics  Limited  (HAL)  for  procurement  of (i)  20  Initial  Operational  Clearance  (IOC)  standard  aircraft  on  31 st March 2006  to  be  completed  by  December  2011  and  (ii)  20  Final  Operational Clearance (FOC) standard aircraft on 23 rd December 2010 to be completed by December 2016.

Out of total 20 IOC aircraft (16 fighters and 4 trainers), 5 fighters have been delivered by HAL to IAF till date.  The production of remaining 15 IOC aircraft (11 fighter + 4 trainer) are taken up at HAL.

Production for 20 FOC aircraft, will be taken up after FOC clearance by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).

:  2  :

In  order  to  fast  track  the  production  of  LCA  Tejas,  the  following initiatives have been taken:-

- For ramping up production capacity from existing 8 aircraft to 16 aircraft  per  annum,  Government  of  India  (GoI)  has  sanctioned Rs.1381.04 Crore in March, 2017.
- Establishment of second line for structural and equipping activities at Aircraft Division, HAL.
- Reduction  in  manufacturing cycle  time  through  improved  supply chain management, learning and augmentation of manpower.
- Established  contracts  for  outsourcing  of  major  modules  namely Front fuselage, Centre fuselage, Rear fuselage, Wing and various sub-assemblies to private partners.

(c) Besides,  40  aircraft  (20    IOC    &    20    FOC),  Defence  Acquisitions Council (DAC) has cleared acquisition of 83 LCA MK 1A for IAF production of which is planned from 2019-20 after completion of FOC contract. (d) Further, in order to bolster the fighter squadron strength, Government  of  India  has  also  planned  to  manufacture  fighter  aircraft through Strategic Partnership model.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 899 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Lumding-Silchar Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUSHMITA DEV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 899 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## LUMDING - SILCHAR RAIL LINE

## 899.  KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any safety surveys have been conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) on the Lumding-Silchar broad gauge railway line in Assam during the past three years and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  comply  with  the recommendations made by the CRS and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there were any derailments and railway line shut downs on the Lumding-Silchar line in the past three years and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether Railways has taken any steps to overcome such derailments and line shut down and if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a):    Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has carried out inspection of Lumding-Silchar section during 19 th  to 21 st  March, 2015 and again on 22 nd and 23 rd  June, 2015.
- (b):        On  recommendations  of  CRS,  an  expert  team  of  four  Executive Directors of RDSO, Lucknow (a research wing of Railways) has carried out

safety  inspection  of  the  section  on  15 th   April,  2015  and  measures suggested by them have been adopted. A monitoring mechanism has been introduced to ensure satisfactory working.

(c):      The  section  was  opened  for  goods  traffic  in  March,  2015  and  for passenger traffic in November, 2015. There have been two derailments in the section in 2016 and none in 2017.

(d):        Railways  has  set  up  monitoring  mechanism  in  place  and  also engaged specialists to tackle geological issues of the hill section.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 896 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Smuggling of Radioactive Material
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.896

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## SMUGGLING OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

## 896.   SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to check the smuggling of radioactive material and the radiations emanating from it;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government proposes to set up any special team for the purpose;
- (c) the measures taken by the Government to ensure safety from such materials;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  install  special  equipment  in  various cities to tackle the same; and
- (e) if so, the details of such cities?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Sir. To check the smuggling of radioactive material, the Government of India has formulated scheme which is aimed at detection, interception, interdiction, prevention, preparedness and response to mitigate consequences for unauthorized entry of radioactive material.
- (b)&(c) Yes, Sir.  A coordinated approach involving various stake holder agencies is made to deal with the threat from acquired / smuggled nuclear or other radioactive  materials.  Under  the  Department  of  Atomic  Energy  (DAE), Government has set up  an  institutional  mechanism  at  the  national  level named  as  Counter  Nuclear  Smuggling  Team  (CNST).  The  CNST  has representation from all concerned Ministries / Departments/ Agencies and meets periodically.

DAE has also developed Emergency Response Centers (DAE-ERCs) for technical  expertise  and  advice  on  using  radiation  detection,  usage  of instruments  and  systems,  analysis  of results of radiological survey, formulating detection and  response  to  Nuclear/Radiological  including emergencies in public domain.  A total of 23 DAE-ERCs are operational at various sites of DAE across India.

- (d) Yes,  Sir.  The  radiation  monitoring  gadgets  are  installed  at  entry  points which would be useful in detection, interception, interdiction, prevention of smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material across land crossings, border, airport, seaport and all entry points.
- (e) Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  /National  Disaster  Management  Authority  have selected  56  major  cities/vulnerable  locations  and  900  police  stations  for installation of these equipment.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 894 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Coal Demand
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: TATHAGATA SATPATHY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 894 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## Coal Demand

## 894. SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  according  to  Institute  for  Energy  Economics  and  Financial Analysis, India will hit peak coal demand faster than expected; and
- (b) if so, the manner in which the Ministry is planning to match or balance the demand and supply ratio?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND RAILWAYS (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)&(b): There  is  no  official  report  regarding  coal  hitting  peak  demand faster  than  expected.  As  per  the  Report  of  the  Working  Group  on  Coal  & Lignite  for  formulation  of  12 th   Five  Year  Plan  (2012-17),  the  total  coal demand projection was assessed at 1373 MT for 2021-22 against which the domestic production is expected to reach a level of 950 MT on a business as usual  basis  and  1102  MT  on  optimistic  basis.  The  gap  between  All  India Coal  Demand and indigenous supply is envisaged to be met through coal imports by consuming sectors.  For meeting future demand of coal, CIL has prepared a roadmap for achieving a coal production level of 1 Billion Tonnes. CIL has identified mines with a production capacity of 908.10 MT so far.
Lok Sabha Question No. 893 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Fencing in Border Areas
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: NIHAL CHAND CHAUHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.893

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## FENCING IN BORDER AREAS

## 893. SHRI  NIHAL CHAND:

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

- (a) the  number  of  farmers  from  Rajasthan  including  Sri  Ganganagar  district  whose agriculture land has been acquired for fencing at the Indo-Pak border in the year 2003-04 along with the area of land acquired separately;
- (b) whether there is any proposal before the Government regarding compensation for the aforesaid affected farmers and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to acquire the agriculture land that came under fencing for defence purposes and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps being taken by the Government to simplify the procedure of going across the fencing for farmers engaged in farming and thereby affected by the fencing?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) to (c): Nil.  No land has been acquired by Ministry of Defence in border districts of Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, Jaisalmer and Barmer during 2003-04 for fencing at Indo-Pak border.

- (d) Government  has  made  provision  for  fence  gates  at  appropriate places to facilitate movement of farmers for farming purpose.  The timing for opening / closing of fence gates are decided in consultation with local farmers as per their convenience.

******