opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3048 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Modern Warfare Equipment
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3048

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2018

## MODERN WARFARE EQUIPMENT

3048.  SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL:

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

- (a) whether  naval  vessels  are  fully  equipped  with  modern  warfare  equipment,  to defend the maritime frontiers in high seas, keeping in view the fast changing technology scenario to sustain the Nation's defence mobility capabilities to withstand the onslaught of any sudden eventuality;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Defence  Shipyards  located  in  west  and  east  coasts,  have embarked upon expansion and modernization plans;
- (c) if so, whether the said shipyards are able to meet the increasing demands of Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, etc.; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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) Modernisation  of  Indian  Navy  is  an  ongoing  process,  which  is undertaken  in  accordance  with  the  Maritime  Capability  Perspective  Plan and  Long  Term Integrated  Perspective Plan.   To  ensure  that  Indian  Navy units are ready to meet any emergent operational requirement, reviews are undertaken regularly to equip our forces with the latest weapons, sensors and equipments.
- (b) to (d): Yes, Madam. The Defence Shipyards have undertaken comprehensive  modernization  program  based  on  the  requirement  of  the ongoing and future projects.  The modernization program is intended not only  to  upgrade  the  existing  infrastructure  but  also  to  expand  their capacities so as to reduce build periods and increase productivity.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3047 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Qualification to Pursue Law Degree
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: DILIP PATEL

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

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3047 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## QUALIFICATION TO PURSUE LAW DEGREE

## 3047. SHRI DILIP PATEL:

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

- (a)  the  reasons  behind  Bar  Council  refusing  to  accept  candidates  to  take admission  in  law  courses  who  pursued  graduation  or  PG  through  open University recognised by UGC;
- (b)  whether  the  justification  of  Bar  Council  that  15  years  of  regular  education (10+2+3)  cannot  be  equated  with  degree  from  open  university  and  such candidates cannot be expected to have  a  mature  understanding  when compared to 15 years of learning is correct;
- (c)  if not, the steps the Government proposes to take to address the issue;
- (d) whether such training is not a violation of equality to education and right to livelihood; and
- (e)  if so, the efforts the Government will make to ensure that all graduates are entitled to study law ?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to  (e):  The information is being collected and will be  laid on the Table of the House.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3044 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: New Rail Line between Nashik and Pune
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3044 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## NEW RAIL LINE BETWEEN NASHIK AND PUNE

## †3044. SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a new railway line from Nashik to Pune has been sanctioned;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the works undertaken in this direction as well as the funds allocated for the above purpose?

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

(a) to (c):    Nashik-Pune (265 km) new line project was included in Railway Budget 2016-17 subject to requisite Government approvals at  an  estimated  cost  of ` 2425  crore.    As  per  Detailed  Project Report (DPR), cost of the project assessed is ` 5341.68 crore with Rate  of  Return  (-)1.86%  and  length  is  313.50  km.  Government  of Maharashtra  has  identified  this  project  to  be  developed  through Maharashtra  Rail  Infrastructure  Development  Limited  (MRIDL),  a Joint Venture Company of Government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3043 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Aircraft with IAF
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY, RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3043

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2018

## AIRCRAFT  WITH  IAF

3043.  SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY: SHRI  RAMSINH RATHWA:

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

- (a) whether  a  large  number  of  fighter  aircraft  with  the  Indian  Air  Force  (IAF)  are nearing the end of their operational life and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the measures taken to replace these ageing aircraft of the IAF;
- (c) the number of aircraft crashed during each of the last three years and the current year and the number out of them that were ageing aircraft; and
- (d) the reasons for such crashes?
- (a) The  Indian  Air  Force  inventory  is  a  mix  of  old  and  new  equipment. Ageing of equipment is a natural process and is dealt with through proper maintenance, obsolescence management, upgrades and acquisition of new equipment  without  compromising  safety.  The  MiG-21  and  MiG-27  UPG aircraft of Indian Air Force will be phased out on completion of their Total Calendar Life / Total Technical Life by 2024.
- (b) Phasing  out  of  aircraft  and  their  replacement  with  new  generation aircraft depends upon national security, strategic objectives and operational  requirements  of  the  defence  forces  and  is  reviewed  by  the Government from time to time.  This is a continuous process.

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

:  2  :

(c) Every aircraft which is launched by Indian Air Force is fully airworthy. Further,  the  details  of  aircraft  accidents  during  last  three  years  and  the current year (upto 04.03.2018) are as follows:

| Year                      |   No. of aircraft accidents |
|---------------------------|-----------------------------|
| 2014-15                   |                          10 |
| 2015-16                   |                          06 |
| 2016-17                   |                          10 |
| 2017-18 (upto 04.03.2018) |                          05 |

(d) Every  aircraft  accident  in  the  Indian  Air  Force  is  investigated  by a Court of Inquiry (CoI) to ascertain the cause of accident which may range from human error, technical defect, bird strike etc.

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3042 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Decongesting Delhi
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3042 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## DECONGESTING DELHI

## 3042. SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Ministry  is  aware  of  the  fact  that  Delhi  being  the heart  of  the  country,  trains  from  all  directions  come  to  Delhi, leading to heavy load on tracks and platforms;
- (b) if  so,  the  steps  being  taken  to  decongest  Delhi  and  New  Delhi railway stations;
- (c) whether the Ministry is planning to revive and integrate Delhi's 43 year old ring rail system with Delhi metro in a bid to give the capital a comprehensive suburban network that will help unclog the Delhi roads; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Four satellite terminal station works viz., Anand Vihar, Holambi Kalan, Bijwasan and Shakurbasti have been sanctioned. These works are in different stages of execution. Also, ten pairs  of  trains  have  been  shifted  to  other  terminals  in  Delhi  area  to decongest Delhi and New Delhi terminals.
- (c)  &  (d):    Yes,  Madam.  The  revival  of  Ring  Railway,  Delhi  depends upon operational requirement, commercial justification and technical feasibility.  In  this  regard,  a  prefeasibility  study  for  revival  of  Ring Railway, Delhi through a consultant has been approved.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3041 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Prime Minister New 15 Point Programme
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3041. TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## Prime Minister New 15 Point Programme

## 3041.  SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Prime  Minister's  new  15-Point  Programme  is  being  fully implemented in the country including in the north east States;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise and details of the funds spent on this scheme during the last three years;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Union  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Prime  Minister's  New  15  Point  Programme  (PM's  New  15-PP)  for the welfare of minorities is an overarching programme, covering 24 schemes/initiatives of 11 participating Ministries/Departments; and is fully implemented  throughout  the  country  including  North-Eastern  States.  All  these schemes/initiatives are being implemented by the participating Ministries/Departments,  either  exclusively  or  by  earmarking  of  15%  of  overall physical/financial targets (under the concerned scheme/initiative) or by monitoring the flow of funds in the minority concentration areas for the welfare of minorities throughout  the  country.  The  programame  aims  to  promote  opportunities  for education as well as social welfare by ensuring equitable share  for minorities in economic activities and employment through existing and new schemes, enhanced credit support for self-employment and recruitment to State and Central Government jobs.

Details of the schemes/initiatives covered under the programme as well as Statewise and details of funds spent under the programme during the last three years, as available, are on the Ministry's official website, at www.minorityaffairs.gov.in.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3040 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: PoS Machines
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: GOWDAR MALLIKARJUNAPPA SIDDESHWARA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3040 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## POS MACHINES

3040. SHRI G.M.SIDDESHWARA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has made significant progress in the Government's digitisation push with 97 per cent of its freight business  and  almost  half  of  its  passenger  business  going cashless and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether Railways has tied up with the State Bank of India to  acquire  and  operate  a  large  number  of  PoS  machines  to cater  to  the  requirement  of  railway  stations,  unreserved  and suburban  ticket  counters  and  parcel  offices  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (c) the extent to which the Railways enjoy the advantage of a well-laid out communication system to provide connectivity for the PoS operations?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a): The cashless transaction in the case of freight business is more  than  99%.  As  far  as  passenger  business  is  concerned, during the period April, 2017 to February, 2018 approximately 66%  of  total  reserved  tickets  were  booked  through  cashless modes  of  payment  through  internet  or  through  credit/debit cards across counters and approximately 70% of revenue has been received through cashless modes of payment in respect of reserved passenger segment.

(b):  Keeping  in  view  the  Government's  directive  to  promote digital  transactions  and  to  facilitate  passengers  to  make payments using  credit/debit  cards,  Indian  Railways  have  tied up with State Bank of India to install 10,000 Point of Sale (POS) machines at various locations of Indian Railways i.e. Passenger  Reservation  System  (PRS)/  Unreserved  Ticketing System (UTS) ticket booking counters and Parcel/Goods locations.

(c):  As  the  POS  machines  are  General  Packet  Radio  Service (GPRS)-  based,  the  communication system of  Railways is  not required for operation of these machines.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3036 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: AFT
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SONA RAM CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3036

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2018

## AFT

3036.  COL. SONARAM CHOUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether decisions of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) are not binding in nature and the aggrieved persons have no opportunity to file civil contempt proceedings in the Tribunal and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  avenues  are  available  to  the  petitioners  for  enforcement  of  the  final decisions of AFT; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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): The Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 does not confer powers on  the  Tribunal  to  punish  for  Civil  Contempt.    However,  an  aggrieved person  can  file  an  application  under  Section  29  of  the  said  Act  for  the enforcement of the order of the Tribunal.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3035 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Criminal Justice Reforms
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3035

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2018.

## Criminal Justice Reforms

## 3035. SHRI A. P. JITHENDER REDDY:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  implement  the  criminal  justice reforms as suggested by the Malimath Committee;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  specific  reforms  which  are  under  the  Government's consideration; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (c):  Justice  Malimath  Committee  Report  of  2003  and  the  Professor Madhava Menon Committee Report of 2007 have been referred to the Law Commission  of  India  with  a  request  for  giving  a  comprehensive  report covering  all  aspects  of  criminal  law  so  that  comprehensive  amendments could  be  made  in  the  various  laws  viz  Indian  Penel  Code  and  Code  of Criminal  Procedure.  The  Law  Commission  of  India  has  intimated  that  they have identified certain focus areas and formed sub-groups to deliberate on such areas.

***************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3032 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Failed Launch
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

- (a)
- (b)
- (c)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3032

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2018

## FAILED LAUNCH

3032.   ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- whether after 39 successes the launch of PSLV failed recently;
- if so, the details thereof;
- whether this was the PSLV's first failure; and
- (d) if so, the corrective measures proposed by ISRO to ensure that future launch will be a successful one?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) The launch of 41 st  flight of PSLV (PSLV-C39) that took place on August  31,  2017,  from  the  Second  Launch  Pad,  at  Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, with Indian Regional Navigational Satellite (IRNSS-1H weighing 1425 kg) at 19:00  hrs  IST,  could  not  reach  the  designated  orbit  of  284  x 20650  km,  due  to  non-separation  of  Payload  Fairing  (also known  as  heat  shield)  during  the  2 nd   stage  of  the  flight.

A detailed analysis of the flight data and ground test data of the  PSLV-C39  Mission  revealed  that  the  root  cause  of  the non-separation of Payload Fairing was due to the malfunctioning of the vertical jettisoning system. The cause for the malfunctioning was the non-initiation of detonation in the vertical jettisoning system. (c) No,  Madam.  The  recent  failure  of  PSLV-C39  was  the  second failure.  In  September  1993,  the  first  developmental  flight  of PSLV (PSLV-D1) was unsuccessful. (d) Towards enhancing the robustness of the jettisoning system in future launches, certain changes have been incorporated in the vertical jettisoning system of the Payload Fairing, which were validated through extensive simulations including the full scale Payload Fairing separation test. The reliability of the system was  demonstrated by the subsequent successful PSLV-C41/Cartosat-2 Series Mission on January 12, 2018.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3031 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Anti-Microbial Resistance Fund
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, P.R. SUNDARAM, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3031 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14/03/2018

## Anti-Microbial Resistance Fund

## 3031. SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

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

- a) whether  the  Government  through  the  Biotechnology  Industry  Research  Assistance Council has invested an initial $1,00,000 in an anti-microbial resistance fund;
- b) if so, the details thereof;
- c) whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  assessment  of  the  need  for  the  antimicrobial resistance;
- d) if so, the details thereof; and
- e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- a&b) Yes,  Madam,  Biotechnology  Industry  Research  Assistance  Council  (BIRAC)  has provided  support  to  Innovators for creating a pipeline of  innovations  for the Longitude  Prize  in  the  area  of  Antimicrobial  Resistance  (AMR).  The  Discovery Awards were launched in 2016 and 9 Indian teams have been funded so far.

- c&d) To generate relevant evidence on the extent of drug resistance in the country, ICMR has initiated  the  Antimicrobial  Resistance  Surveillance  and  Research  Network (AMRSN) in 2013. The  ICMR's  network  monitors  AMR  patterns  in following  six pathogenic groups:
-  Diarrheagenic bacterial organisms, CMC, Vellore
-  Enteric fever pathogens: AIIMS, New Delhi
-  Enterobacteriaceae causing sepsis: PGIMER, Chandigarh
-  Gram negative non fermenters: CMC, Vellore
-  Gram positives including MRSA: JIPMER, Pondicherry
-  Fungal infections: PGIMER, Chandigarh

The six nodal centers (NCs) for the above mentioned pathogenic groups collect data  from  four  tertiary  care  hospitals  across  the  country.  The  nodal  centers  follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) formulated by ICMR to collect resistance data. The data for the year 2014 and 2015 are available on ICMR website.

The  Department  of  Biotechnology  in  partnership  with  Research  Councils United  Kingdom  (RCUK)  commissioned  a  study  mapping  the  AMR  research landscape in India. This report  summarizes  the current  AMR  situation  in  India and identifies research gaps to determine future research priorities in India. Detailed report is available in the public domain at http://www.dbtindia.nic.in/wpcontent/uploads/ScopingreportonAntimicrobialresistanceinIndia.pdf."

- e) Does not arise

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3030 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Missions in Small Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA, C.S. PUTTARAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3030

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## MISSIONS IN SMALL COUNTRIES

3030. SHRI S. P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA: SHRI C. S. PUTTA  RAJU:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether despite India's ambitious global plans, the Government has failed to set up diplomatic missions in a large number of small countries and island nations;

(b) if so, the countries and island nations where India does not have its own diplomatic missions;

- (c) whether in the last decade along, at least 17 countries have opened new embassies in India but India has not reciprocated so far to most of those countries; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) The Government of India is expanding ties with small countries and island nations based on its assessment of various relevant factors. The opening of more Missions in such states is under active contemplation.

(b) The countries where India does not have resident Mission are: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Gabon, Gambia (Islamic Republic   of   the),   Georgia,   Grenada,   Guinea,   Guinea   Bissau,   Haiti,   Honduras, Kiribati, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia (Federated State of), Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, Nicaragua, Palau, Paraguay, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino,   Sao   T ome   and   Principe,   Sierra   Leone,   Solomon   Islands,   Somalia, Swaziland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, The Holy See, TimorLeste, T ogo, T onga, T uvalu, Uruguay and Vanuatu. All these countries are covered by concurrent accreditation.

(c) & (d) Yes. Since 2007, the following countries have opened new Embassies in India: Equatorial Guinea, Latvia, Guatemala, Bolivia, Estonia, Republic of Congo, South   Sudan,   Niger,   T ogo,   Costa   Rica,   Burundi,   Macedonia,   Benin,  Guinea, Malawi, Malta, Iceland, Botswana, Papua & New Guinea, Bahrain, Georgia and

Lithuania. Of these, India does not have resident Mission in Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Latvia, Lithuania, Bolivia, Estonia, Republic of Congo, Togo, Costa Rica, Burundi,   Benin,   Macedonia   and   Georgia.   Proposal   to   open   new   resident diplomatic   Missions,   including   in   countries   which   have   resident   diplomatic Missions in India, is currently under active consideration.

*****