opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5449 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: INS Arihant
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5449

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 TH  MARCH, 2018

## INS  ARIHANT

## 5449.  SHRI  PINAKI MISRA:

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

- (a) the  extent of  damage the INS Arihant has suffered and the estimated cost of its repair; and
- (b) the time by which it is likely to be repaired and set to sail along with its complete operational capabilities?

<!-- formula-not-decoded -->

## (a) & (b): The information cannot be divulged in the interest of National Security.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5448 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Insufficient Budget Allocation
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: BHAVANA GAWALI (PATIL)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5448

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## INSUFFICIENT BUDGET ALLOCATION

- † 5448. SHRIMATI BHAWANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI PATIL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is lack of coordination in implementation of foreign policy due to insufficient budget allocation;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the budget allocation for the year 2017-2018 is sufficient;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the steps taken by the Ministry to receive more funds under budget allocation?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) The Ministry prioritizes and rationalizes its expenditure within allocated budgetary ceilings while ensuring that foreign policy priorities and objectives are addressed and met. The Ministry seeks enhancement of funds   allocation   from   Ministry   of   Finance,   where   needed,   including projecting   its   requirements   with   justifications   in   the   Supplementary Demands for Grants and at Revised Estimates stages.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5447 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Punctuality of Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5447 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## PUNCTUALITY OF TRAINS

†5447.  SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the punctuality is one of the major issues affecting railways and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  an  internal  committee  of  railways  has  carried  out  any  study  to ascertain the reasons  behind  late arrival and  departure  of trains  and submitted its report recently;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of findings and recommendations made by the committee;
- (e) whether the Government has implemented these recommendations; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken for implementing these recommendations?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  Yes,  Madam.  One  of  the  major  issues  affecting  Railways  is  punctuality which is accorded prime importance in train operations. However, at times, trains get delayed not only due to the factors related to its internal working but  also  external  factors  which  are  beyond  the  control  of  Railways.    In addition to asset failures, certain factors such as line capacity and terminal capacity constraints on account of increasing passenger and freight traffic, adverse weather conditions (fog, rains, breaches), intermittent natural calamities such as floods, cyclones, heavy rains, heavy road traffic at level crossing  gates  across  the  Indian  Railways  network,  mid-section  run  over cases involving cattle and humans etc. also adversely affect the punctuality of trains over Indian Railways.

(b)  to  (f)    Yes,  Madam.    An  internal  committee  of  Railways  has  been constituted by the Ministry to carry out an analysis of the factors affecting punctuality  and  to  recommend  structured  measures  to  bring  perceptible change  in  the  areas  related  to  the  punctuality  with  a  view  to  improve  the same. The committee is analyzing the reasons for late arrival and departure of trains and holding deliberations taking into account the various aspects of the passenger train operations including the measures to improve punctuality from the passenger/customer satisfaction point of view.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5445 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: New Law Colleges
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: NEELAM SONKER

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

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5445 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## NewLaw Colleges

## 5445.   SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  proposals  for  setting  up  of    law  colleges  from various State Governments including that of Uttar Pradesh during the last three years;
- (b) if  so,  the  number  of  such  proposals  received  along  with  the  number  of  proposals approved and the number  of proposals still pending;
- (c) whether the Government has prepared any new action plan for setting up of law colleges in recent years; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

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

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 5442 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Doubling of TrivandrumKanyakumari Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KURUPPASSERY VARKEY THOMAS

(a): Yes, Madam.

(b): Trivandrum-Kanniyakumari doubling project has been included in the Budget 2015-16.  Detailed estimate of this project is sanctioned at  a cost of ` 1432 crore in August, 2017. Earthwork/Bridge works have been taken up.

Execution/completion  of  projects  depends  on  a  number  of  factors such  as  statutory  clearances,  acquisition  of  land,  shifting  of  various utility services etc. Therefore, it is not feasible to give fixed time lines for completion of the project.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5442 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## DOUBLING OF TRIVANDRUM-KANYAKUMARI RAIL LINE

5442. PROF. K.V. THOMAS:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  a  proposal  to  double  Trivandrum-Kanyakumari railway line; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the doubling work is likely to be started and completed?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Deep/Dark Web
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SRIRAM MALYADRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5439

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 28.03.2018

## DEEP/DARK WEB

## 5439.     SHRI MALYADRI SRIRAM:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  existence  of  'deep  web'  and  'dark  web' beyond the 'surface web' on the internet and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware about the potential black markets operating on dark web such as illegal drugs, weapons etc.; and
- (c) the details of the measures taken by the Government to regulate the deep and dark web and commonly used browsers from accessing them?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR   ELECTRONICS AND  INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI K. J. ALPHONS)

(a) and (b) : The term 'deep web' is used to denote a class of content on the Internet that is not visible through general browsing and not indexed by search engines. 'Dark web' is part of 'Deep web' that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. Dark web sites serve as a platform for users for anonymity. The hidden eco system of  the  Dark  web  has  potential  of  being  used  for  malicious  activities  due  to  its  inherent anonymous  nature.  Traditional  search  engines  are  prevented  from  indexing  the  deep  web pages  by  using  techniques  such  as  dynamic  content,  pages  without  back  links  (unlinked pages), sites  requiring login, pages with limited access content etc. Dark web technologies such as The Onion Routing (TOR) provide restricted access  as well as prevent monitoring through use of encryption.  There had been media reports about role of 'deep web' and 'dark web' as potential black markets for sale of illegal drugs, weapons etc.

(c):  The  Information  Technology  Act,  2000  provides  a  legal  framework  for  addressing  all types of prevailing cyber crimes as reported in the country Also, the issue of development of effective  technical  solution  has  been  engaging  the  attention  of  academia  and  research community worldwide. Government is in touch with  academia and  research institutions to evolve and engage in suitable research activities in this area.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5438 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Supply of Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5438 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.3.2018

## Supply of Coal

## 5438. SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

(a) whether  power companies have requested to reduce the supply of coal to them;

(b) if so, the reasons therefore;

(c)  whether  coal  reserves  available  with  the  power  companies  have  gone  up  to 1/6  of its annual production; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor ?

## ANSWER

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

(a) : A number of Power Gencos had regulated their coal intake in 2016-17 and in the initial  months of 2017-18 when demand for power was subdued while preferring to consume from their own stocks owing to comfortable stock position with them. The details of some of such Power Gencos are as under:

| Name of Power Genco     | % Materialization against FSA during 2016-17   | % Materialization against FSA during 2017-18 (1st Qtr)   |
|-------------------------|------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| RRVUNL (Rajasthan)      | 53%                                            | 23%                                                      |
| PSPCL (Punjab)          | 64%                                            | 66%                                                      |
| MPPGCL (Madhya Pradesh) | 46%                                            | 51%                                                      |
| HPGCL (Haryana)         | 54%                                            | 24%                                                      |
| GSECL (Gujarat)         | 51%                                            | 68%                                                      |
| MAHAGenco (Maharashtra) | 62%                                            | 77%                                                      |

(b)  to  (d) :  In  2016-17,  pithead  stock  of  CIL  has  increased  to  68.42  MT  on 31.03.2017 from 57.64 MT on 01.04.2016 mainly due to regulation imposed by a few Power Gencos as detailed above. On the other hand, coal stock at power house end depleted from 38.87 MT on 31.03.2016 to 27.63 MT as on 31.03.2017. As the coal production of CIL for the year 2016-17 was 554.14 MT, coal stock at power house end is much lower than one sixth of the annual coal production.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5436 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Rotation of Officers Working on Sensitive Positions
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5436

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018)

## ROTATION OF OFFICERS WORKING ON SENSITIVE POSITIONS

## †5436. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Central  Vigilance  Commission  has  issued  any  instruction  regarding rotation of officials working on sensitive positions;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and whether any Ministry/Department has not complied with such instructions;
- (c) if so, the details thereof during the last three years, Ministry-wise; and
- (d) the Ministry-wise details of the action taken in this regard during the said period?

## 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): Yes  Madam.  The  Central  Vigilance  Commission  has  issued  instructions,  for effecting  rotational  transfers  of  officials  posted  in  each  organization,  vide  letters  dated 15.04.1999, 02.11.2001, 01.05.2008, 04.01.2012 and 11.09.2013. As per these instructions, all Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations and CVOs are to identify sensitive posts and staff working in these posts and also ensure that they are rotated after every two/ three years to avoid developing vested interest. As identification of sensitive posts and effecting rotational transfers  is  a  continuous  process  and  CVOs  have  been  made  responsible  for  the  same,  all Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations are required to comply with the above instructions.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5435 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: H1B Visa
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ANSHUL VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5435

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## H1B VISA

5435. DR. ANSHUL VERMA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there was an arbitrary hike in the Visa fees by the US recently and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the   steps   the   Government   has   taken   to   raise   this   issue   with   the   US Government and the result of such steps?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There has been no hike in the visa fee by the US Government recently. However,   on   December   18,   2015,   the   US   President   signed   into   law   the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Public Law 114-113) which increased the supplemental visa fee for  L-1   and   H-1B   visas   for   a   period   of   10   years   for companies employing 50 or more employees in the United States, 50% or more of which were on L-1 and H-1B visas (50:50 rule). With this legislation in place, 50:50 companies are required to pay an enhanced fee of $4,500 for each L-1 visa and $4,000 for each H-1B visa as compared to $2,250 and $2,000 previously. (b) Government of India remains closely engaged with the US Administration and the Congress on all issues relating to movement of Indian professionals under the H-1B and L-1 visa programmes, including the increase in visa fee.  In our engagements, we have emphasized that this has been a mutually-beneficial partnership   which   should   be   nurtured.   Indian   skilled   professionals   have contributed to the growth and development of the US economy and have helped the US retain its competitive edge and innovation advantage. They are a big stakeholder   in   India-US   relations   and   their   backward   linkages   to   India   have helped US businesses. The matter on US visa fee hike has also been raised by India at the World Trade  Organisation   (WTO),   Geneva.   India   held   consultations   with   the   United States on 11-12 May 2016 at the WTO, Geneva under the dispute settlement procedures of the World Trade Organisation on the basis that the increased fees appear   to   result   in   treatment   that   is   less   favourable   to   Indian   firms   and consequently violate provisions of the General Agreement on Trade in Services. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5434 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Disability Pension
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5434

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 TH  MARCH, 2018

## DISABILITY  PENSION

## 5434.  SHRIMATI  VASANTHI  M.:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  withdraw  pending  appeals  against disability pension and benefit and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  16  of  the  75  recommendations  of  the  committee  appointed  to  reduce litigation against veterans and serving personnel have been accepted; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## 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) No, Madam.
- (b) Yes, Madam.
- (c) Recommendations number 27, 28, 30, 32, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 44, 47, 48, 49, 52, 61 and 68 of the Expert Committee constituted by Hon'ble Raksha Mantri  to  suggest  measures  for  reducing  litigation  and  strengthening institutional redressal mechanism have been accepted for implementation.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5433 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Overburdened Railway Network
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, DHARMENDRA YADAV, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5433 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## OVERBURDENED RAILWAY NETWORK

## 5433.   SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT :

DR.  SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE :

DR.  PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE :

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV :

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO :

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL :

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

- (a) whether presently the railway network is overburdened and inadequate  to  meet  the  new  challenges  of  a  fast  developing economy  and  if  so,  the  main  challenges  being  faced  by  the Railways at present;
- (b) whether  some  regions  are  beyond  the  reach  of  Railways  due  to unfavourable geographical conditions, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken or being considered by the Railways in this regard;
- (c) whether the Railways has failed to attract adequate incentives and suitable  talent  due  to  lack  of  modern  management  not  making economic analysis for perspective planning tariff; and
- (d) if so, the response of the Government thereto and the steps taken to combat the situation?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) Yes, Madam.  Railway have presently 483 over saturated sections

out of 1245 sections.  Over saturation of line capacity has resulted in stiff competition from other transport modes in maintaining the freight  and  passenger modal share.  Hence, speedy execution of capacity  enhancement  works  and  availability  of  commensurate financial  resources  are  one  of  the  few  main  challenges  before Indian Railways.

- (b) Expansion of rail network is taken up on the basis of remunerativeness, last mile connectivity, missing links and alternate routes, augmentation of congested/saturated lines, socio-economic considerations etc. depending upon throwforward of  ongoing  projects,  overall  availability  of  funds  and  competing demands . .

(c)&(d) No, Madam.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5432 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Assistance to Special Category States
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5432 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## ASSISTANCE TO SPECIAL CATEGORY STATES

## 5432.    DR.  RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK':

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken decision to reduce the assistance provided to the States given special category status;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for such reduction;
- (c) the details of revenue sharing pattern of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs);
- (d) whether the CSSs for some States are running under the ratio of 90:10 funding pattern during the last four years; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the present status of the said schemes?

## ANSWER

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

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH )

(a) & (b)  No decision has been taken to reduce the assistance provided to the States given special category status for plan assistance.  The Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) in its recommendations has  not  made  any  distinction  between  General  Category  States  and  Special  Category  States  in  the horizontal  distribution  of  shareable  taxes  amongst  the  States.  As  per  the  recommendation  of  the Fourteenth  Finance  Commission,  the  devolution  to  the  States  in  share  of  Central  taxes  has  been increased from 32% earlier to 42% for the period 2015-2020.  In view of the increase in the devolution of shareable taxes to 42 per cent for all the States, the block grants like Normal Central Assistance, Special  Plan  Assistance  and  Special  Central  Assistance  (untied-SCA)  which  were  available  to  the Special Category States earlier have not been provided since Union Budget 2015-16

(c),  (d)  &  (e)    The  funding  pattern  for  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  (CSS)  is  as  per  the recommendations of the Report of the Sub-Group on Rationalisation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes which  has  been  accepted  by  the  Central  Government.  Out  of  the  28  CSS,  6  schemes  have  been categorized as Core of the Core Schemes, 21 schemes as Core  schemes and one as Optional scheme. The funding pattern for core of the core schemes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, National Social Assistance Programme etc. for all the States will continue as earlier. In the case of the 21  core schemes, the funding pattern of Centre: State share for the 8 North-Eastern States and 3 Himalayan States is 90:10 whereas it is 60:40 for all other States.  In the case of  one optional scheme  which is optional for the State Governments, the Centre : State share will be 80:20 for  the  8  North  Eastern  and  3  Himalayan States  while it will be 50: 50  for all other States. These arrangements have come into force from 2016-17.

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