opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1249 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Sukanya Samridhi Yojana
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: M. I. SHANAVAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1249 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD   NOVEMBER, 2016

## SUKANYA SAMRIDHI YOJANA

1249. SHRI M.I. SHANAVAS: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) whether  there  has  been  any  reports  from  States  demanding  a  review  of  the guidelines  and  policies  intended  to  be  implemented  through  the  Sukanya  Samridhi account scheme; (b) if so, the details of such demands made by various States; (c) the reaction of the Government thereon; (d) whether the scheme provide tax benefits and the people's participation in this scheme is encouraging; and if so, the details thereof and if not, the steps taken by the Government to make

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) & (c) In view of (a) above, question does not arise.
- (d) & (e) Yes, Madam. The scheme was notified on 02.12.2014 and it is about to complete  two  years.  In  this  short  time,  total  number  of  accounts  opened  under  this scheme is 99,96,051 and total collection is Rs.9283.84 Crore. This shows that people are participating in this scheme.
- **********
- (e) it more people centric?
Lok Sabha Question No. 1248 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Production of Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1248 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## PRODUCTION OF COACHES

1248. KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state :

- (a) the  annual  target  for  production  of  coaches  by  Rail  Coach Factories, factory-wise;
- (b) whether the target to produce additional coaches has not been achieved by the Rail Coach Factories for the last several years and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to enhance the production of coaches and wagons in order to meet the growing demands of railway traffic?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN )

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS   (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1248 BY KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE TO BE ANSWERED  IN LOK SABHA ON 23.11.2016 REGARDING PRODUCTION OF COACHES

- (a)    The  target  for  production  of  coaches  by  Rail  Coach  Factories under the Ministry of Railways for the year 2016-17 is as below:-
- (b)  The two established Rail Coach Factories i.e. ICF, Chennai and RCF, Kapurthala  have,  by  and  large,  met  the  targets  and  their  average shortfall  with  respect  to  the    target  over  the  last  ten  years  has  been less than 0.5%. The Rail Coach Factory, Raebareli and DEMU Factory, Haldia are still in the stabilization phase  and their outturn is planned to increase gradually.

| Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai   | 2319                     |
|-----------------------------------------|--------------------------|
| Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala    | 1583                     |
| Modern Coach Factory (MCF),Raebareli    | 625                      |
| DEMU Factory, Haldia                    | 100(for furnishing only) |
| Total                                   | 4627                     |

(c)  In  order  to  meet  further  traffic  demand,  the  following  steps  have been taken by Indian Railways to enhance the production of coaches;

-  Setting up of DEMU Coach Factory at Haldia.
-  Setting up of Rail Coach Factory at RCF/Raebareli.
-  Sanction  of  projects  for  setting  up  of  Rail  Coach  Factories  at Palakkad, Kanchrapara and Kolar.

Enough capacity is available in the country for manufacture of wagons to meet the requirements.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: FM Radio Service
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: C. MAHENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1247 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## FM RADIO SERVICE

## 1247. SHRI C.MAHENDRAN

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION  &  BROADCASTING [COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]

(a) to (e): As far as All India Radio is concerned, FM service of AIR is being provided from 416 FM transmitters (including 194 Nos. of 100 W FM transmitters for localised coverage) functional across the country and presently reaching to about 47% of the total population of  the  country.  In  order  to  further  augment  the  FM  coverage  of  AIR,  123  new  FM transmitters  are  being  commissioned.  Apart  from  this,  power  of  existing  old  61  FM transmitters is also being upgraded by replacing with higher power FM transmitters. After commissioning of these new transmitters, AIR FM coverage is likely to be available to about 60% population of the country.

The Policy on expansion of FM Radio Broadcasting services through Private Agencies (Phase-III) approved in 2011 seeks to extend FM radio services to a total of 294  cities with  839 new FM radio channels.  It envisages setting up of Private FM radio channels in all cities/towns having population above one lakh (based on 2001 census).  Besides 11 towns in Jammu & Kashmir, North East & Island Territories (having population less than one lakh) have also been proposed for setting up FM radio channels.

The  Policy  guidelines  for  expansion  of  FM  Radio  broadcasting  through  private agencies  provision  annual  fee  on  a  revenue  sharing  mechanism.    The  operators  are required  to  pay  their  annual  license  fee  at  the  rate  of  2.5%  of  the  bid  amount  (Nonrefundable one time entry fee) or 4% of the gross revenue, for the previous financial year, whichever is higher, in four quarterly instalments.

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to expand the reach of FM radio to cover 60 per cent of the population;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  promoting  private  operators  to  provide  FM  radio services in metros and small cities and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  private  participation  is  encouraged  in  providing  quality  services  and replacing  the  existing  system  of  bidding  for  licenses  with  a  revenue  sharing mechanism; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?
Lok Sabha Question No. 1246 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Sharing of Infrastructure
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1246 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD   NOVEMBER, 2016

## SHARING OF INFRASTRUCTURE

1246. SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) whether  the  BSNL  and  MTNL  have  entered  into  pacts  with  private  service providers for 2G and 3G roaming on infrastructure sharing basis; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether  the  customers  of  private  service  providers  will  get  access  to  BSNL network and vice-versa where there is a coverage gap; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the benefit accrued to the telecom PSUs as a result thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b) Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  has  entered  into  2G  intra-circle roaming  agreement  with  private  operators  namely,  M/s  Aircel,  M/s  Vodafone  and  M/s Reliance Jio. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) has not entered into such pacts with

any private service provider for 2G and 3G roaming on infrastructure sharing basis.

- (c) to (e) At present services have not been started commercially by BSNL with any of the  aforesaid  private  operators.  Once  the  intra  circle  roaming  services  are  commercially launched the benefits will be available to BSNL customers.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1245 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Status of Assam to Meghalaya Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VINCENT H PALA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1245 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## STATUS OF ASSAM TO MEGHALAYA PROJECT

1245. SHRI VINCENT H. PALA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of projects from Assam to Meghalaya till Shillong and the steps taken to complete the same;
- (b) the name of NGOs who are against the project and the steps taken to avoid confrontation with the NGOs;
- (c) the  amount  sanctioned  for  the  projects  till  Shillong  and  the  target date of completion of the project; and
- (d) whether the Government plans to set up a Loading/Unloading point to carry heavy materials to/from Meghalaya to any parts of India and if so, the details thereof?

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

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1245 BY SHRI VINCENT H. PALA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA  ON  23.11.2016  REGARDING  STATUS  OF  ASSAM  TO  MEGHALAYA PROJECT.

(a) to (c): Two new line projects have been taken up to connect Meghalaya with  Indian  Railway  network.    These  projects  are  (i)  Teteliya  (Assam)  Byrnihat (Meghalaya) (22 km) and (ii) Byrnihat (Meghalaya) -Shillong (Meghalaya) (108 km).

(i) Teteliya-Byrnihat (22 km):  Project has been taken up at latest anticipated cost  of ` 496  crore.    An  expenditure  of ` 235  crore  has  been  incurred  upto March, 2016.  Earthwork, bridges and tunnels works have been taken up.  An allocation of ` 150 crore has been made in 2015-16 and ` 160 crore in 2016-17 to expedite the completion of the project.

(ii) Byrnihat-Shillong  (108  km):    Project  has  been  taken  up  at  a  latest anticipated cost of ` 5308 crore.  An expenditure of ` 21 crore has been incurred upto March, 2016 and an outlay of ` 300 crore has been provided for 2016-17. The Project is held up due to protest of Khasi Students' Union.  Final Location Survey was stopped by Khasi Students' Union (KSU), in November, 2010 after survey  upto  19.00  km.    The  survey  was  restarted  in  December,  2013,  since then it has been stopped by KSU on many occasions of varying durations.  The Final Location Survey has since been completed for 104 km. Regular meetings with State Government are being convened to sort out issues.  Due to various uncertainties with reference to land acquisition, law and order etc., it is not feasible to fix time lines for completion of this project.

(d): Yes, Madam.    In Teteliya-Byrnihat and Byrnihat-Shillong new  line projects,  location  of  Byrnihat  and  Shillong  are  identified  for  development  of goods handling facilities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1244 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Accident Prone Locations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Richard Hay

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1244 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## ACCIDENT PRONE LOCATIONS

1244.   PROF. RICHARD HAY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has identified the accident  prone locations;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the details of these locations;
- (c) whether the Railways is planning to work with German Railways on safety in rail operations; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with its targets?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  &  (b):  Asset  monitoring  for  safety  is  a  continuous  activity  and  is undertaken on a regular basis as per laid down criteria.

(c)  &  (d):  A  Protocol  between  Ministry  of  Railways  and  the  Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure of the Federal Republic of  Germany  on  Cooperation  in  Rail  Sector  was  signed  in  May  2016 wherein a concept for improving operational safety to avoid incidents and accidents is one of the areas of cooperation.

The Protocol provides for establishment of working group for the field of cooperation area followed by expert level working group meeting.

This is an ongoing process.  Hence no target has been specified.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1243 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Industrial Training Institute
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: RODMAL NAGAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1243 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## INDUSTRIAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

## 1243. SHRI NAGAR RODMAL:

## Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether special norms have been fixed by the Government for  recognition of Industrial Training Institutions conducted by private institutions by providing protection to unemployed youths connected with different skill development and Entrepreneurship programmes by the Government;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  rules  regarding  giving  recognition  and  cancelling  their recognition; and
- (c) if not, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

- (a) to (c) There  are  common  norms  for  Government  &  private  Industrial  Training Institutes (ITIs) in the country.

The  National  Council  for  Vocational  Training  (NCVT)  has  laid  down  standard norms for infrastructure in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) for each trade, available on DGT' website . Infrastructure in ITIs includes Power supply, spaces for Workshops & Classrooms  and  machinery  &  equipment  etc  for  the  respective  trade.  Norms  & standards are revised, time to time in consultation of States/UTs and are uploaded on website after approval of NCVT.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1242 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Slum Development Programme
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  1242

## TO BE ANSWERED ON NOVEMBER 23, 2016

## SLUM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

No. 1242

SHRI KIRTI AZAD:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY

ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the target of creating housing and infrastructure facilities  for  providing  essential  services  to  urban  poor under Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) in the country particularly in Bihar has been achieved;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (c) whether the said programme has been ever evaluated/reviewed; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

***

- (a) & (b): Under Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme  (IHSDP)  component  of  Jawaharlal  Nehru  National Urban  Renewal  Mission  (JNNURM),  Central  Government  has been assisting State/UT Governments for providing housing and basic infrastructural facilities to urban poor and slum dwellers in  the  country  including  Bihar.  As  against  4,51,999  dwelling units (DUs) sanctioned under IHSDP, 3,67,956 DUs have been

completed and 72,888 DUs are at different stages of construction.  In  Bihar,  out  of  23,945  sanctioned  DUs,  14,205 DUs have been completed and 8,899 DUs are at different stages of construction. State-wise  physical  and  financial  progress under IHSDP is annexed.

(c)& (d):  The  progress  in  JNNURM  projects  along  with  the  basic infrastructural facilities connected with the projects is reviewed  by the Ministry at regular intervals in meetings at the level of Secretary (HUPA) and  of  Central  Sanctioning  &  Monitoring  Committee  (CSMC)  as  well  as through  Video  Conferences  with  the  States/UTs,  field  visits  by  Ministry officials  and  also  through  monthly/quarterly  progress  reports  submitted by the States/UTs. Through these reviews, States/UTs have been advised to complete the ongoing projects including the connected basic infrastructure expeditiously within the Mission period i.e. by 31.03.2017 and ensure 100% occupancy of the houses by the selected beneficiaries.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1241 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Killing of Bus Driver in Australia
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1241 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## KILLING OF BUS DRIVER IN AUSTRALIA

1241. SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that an Indian origin bus driver was burnt to death in Australia recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Indian Government has taken up the matter with the Australian authorities  for  a  probe  and  also  for  the  safety  of  Indians  living  in  the  subcontinent and adequate compensation to the kin of dead;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Yes,  Government  of  India  is  aware  of  the  tragic  incident  that  took place in Brisbane, capital of Australian state of Queensland, on  28 October, 2016 when Shri Manmeet Sharma alias Alisher, a 29 years old Australian citizen of Indian origin  hailing  from  Punjab,  was  killed  by  an  unidentified  assailant  by  throwing  a highly inflammable substance, leading to his death from severe burns, while he was on duty driving a Brisbane city bus.
- (c) & (d) Government  of India has taken up the matter with Australian Government at the highest level. On 30.10.2016, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi telephoned  Mr.  Malcolm  Turnbull,  the  Prime  Minister  of  Australia  and  conveyed concern over the brutal killing. Prime Minister Turnbull assured that the matter is being investigated. Our High Commission in Canberra provided all assistance to the brother and a friend of the deceased who travelled from India for bringing back his mortal remains. Government of India has called for a thorough investigation so that justice is delivered to the bereaved family. There was an outpouring of shock and grief  over  the  incident  both  by  people of Indian origin and Australians in general. The Brisbane Council has set up a fund to support Shri Manmeet Sharma's family and has pledged to honour him with a permanent memorial. Mortal remains of Shri Manmeet Sharma arrived in New Delhi on 3.11.2016 and a team from Ministry of External Affairs headed by a senior officer provided full assistance in clearance of the mortal remains at the airport.
- (e) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1239 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Poverty Line
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1239 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 23.11.2016

## POVERTY LINE

## 1239.  SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  States  have  agreed  to  use  the  poverty  line  for  tracking  the  progress  of  welfare schemes rather than for identifying the beneficiaries and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of innovative and successful model used by different States in addressing poverty reduction;
- (c) whether Government has decided radical reform instead of incremental reforms to eradicate poverty by 2032 and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reaction thereto; and
- (d)     whether Government has focused on capacity development to block level functionaries and if so, the details thereof and if not the reaction thereto?

## ANSWER

## INISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a)  &  (b):  The  Ministry  of  Rural  Development  has  conducted  the  Socio  Economic  and  Caste Census (SECC) 2011 (Rural) in the country through State Governments/UT Administrations to collect information on socio-economic status of rural households across the country to determine eligibility and entitlements for its Schemes. The Ministry has decided to use the SECC 2011 data for identification of beneficiaries under its schemes/programmes.

The SECC data is being used for identifying beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY), Deendayal Antodaya Yojana -National Rural Livelihood Mission and Deen Dayal Upadhayay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana. SECC data are also being used by some States for implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA). M/o Petroleum & Natural Gas has used the SECC 2011 data for its scheme Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

(c) The Ministry of Rural Development, inter alia, is implementing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission,  Deen  Dayal  Upadhaya  -  Gramin  Kaushalya  Yojana,  Indira  Awaas  Yojana  now restructured  as  Pradhan  Mantri  Awaas  Yojana-Gramin,  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission, Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme and National Social Assistance Programme to bring about overall improvement in the quality of life of  the  people  in  rural  areas  through  employment  generation,  strengthening  of  livelihood opportunities, promoting self-employment, skilling of rural youths, provision of social assistance and other basic amenities.

(d):  National  Institute  of  Rural  Development  &  Panchayati  Raj  and  State  Institutes  of  Rural Development  are  providing  training  to  various  stakeholders  engaged  in  rural  development including rural development functionaries for capacity building.