opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 980 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Funding of Political Parties
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 980

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 08 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## FUNDING OF POLITICAL PARTIES

## 980. SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:

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

- (a)  whether the Government has planned a discussion for change in fund raising process of political parties and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  planned  to  frame  a  new  law  to  make  funding  of  political parties more transparent and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is mulling to have State funding of elections as recommended by the Indrajit Gupta Committee and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P.P.CHAUDHARY)

(a) to  (c):  The  issue  of  electoral  reforms  in  its  entirety,  was  referred  to  the  Law Commission to make suitable recommendations, after taking into consideration the reports of various Committees in the past, views of Election Commission and other stakeholders. The Law Commission in its 255 th report has made several recommendations on electoral reforms which, inter-alia, include  certain  changes  in  fund  raising  process  of  political  parties.  The recommendations of the Law Commission are under consideration of the Government.

The Law Commission has, however, not recommended State funding of elections.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 979 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Social Obligation Policy
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.979 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## SOCIAL OBLIGATION POLICY

## †979.     SHRI  KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways is considering to review its social obligation policy;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether Railways has received suggestions/proposals from different Ministries in respect of sharing social obligation; and
- (d) 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.979  BY  SHRI  KUNWAR  PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 08.02.2017 REGARDING SOCIAL OBLIGATION POLICY (a)  &  (b):  Indian  Railways  carries  out  certain  transport  activities which  are  uneconomic  in  nature  but  are  carried  out  in  the  larger interest  of  the  society.    Losses  incurred  on  this  account  are assessed  every  year  and  termed  as  Social  Service  Obligation  on Indian Railways. Based on the recommendation of various Parliamentary  Committees,  Ministry  of  Railways  is  pursuing  with Ministry of Finance seeking compensation for Social Service Obligation borne by Indian Railways. Ministry of Railways has approached to Ministry of Finance through an  Office  Memorandum  in  January,  2016  for  constitution  of  InterMinisterial Body for evaluation of Public Service Obligations borne by Indian Railways and reply is still awaited. (c)  &  (d):  No,  Madam.  Railways  has  not  received  suggestions/ proposals  from  different  Ministries  in  respect  of  sharing  social obligation.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 977 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Autonomy of Prasar Bharti
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: VIRENDER KASHYAP

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 977

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017)

## AUTONOMY OF PRASAR BHARATI

## 977.  SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP:

## Will the Minister of Information and Broadcasting be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government is planning to make Public Broadcaster DD and AIR as corporate entities;
- b) if so, the details thereof;
- c) Whether the Prasar Bharati (PB) has failed to achieve its mandate/objective  as  was  given  to  it  to  be  autonomous  under  the statute and if so, the details thereof;
- d) the details of the reasons that even after a long period of establishment of PB, it remained fully dependent upon the Government; and
- e) whether the Government fixed responsibility in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINSITER OF STATE IN THE MINSITRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)

(a) to (e): No proposal to make DD and AIR as separate corporate entities is under consideration of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Prasar  Bharati  was  established  as  an  autonomous  corporation  on 23.11.1997 under the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act 1990.  The  Act  provided  full  functional  autonomy  to  Prasar  Bharati.  The general  superintendence,  direction  and  management  of  Prasar  Bharati  is vested in the Prasar Bharati Board which exercises all powers and does all acts and things on behalf of the Corporation, as enshrined in the Act including disciplinary and full supervisory powers over its employees.

Prasar  Bharati  being  the  Public  Broadcaster  of  India  has  been mandated  to  organize  and  conduct  public  broadcasting  services  with  the intent to inform, educate and entertain the public. Since Public Broadcasting is largely non-commercial, the Government continues to financially support Prasar Bharati.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 975 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Modified Assured Career Progression
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 975

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017)

## MODIFIED ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION

## 975. SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has accepted the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission in respect of Modified Assured Career Progression for Central Government employees;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  it  will  ensure  one  minimum  promotion  in  every  10  years  till  30  years  of service and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether it is also true that there shall be three financial upgradation under the assured promotion scheme counted from the direct entry grade on completion of 10, 20 and 30 years service respectively or 10 years of continuous service in the same level in pay matrix, whichever is earlier; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) & (b): Yes Madam. As per the recommendations of 7 th Central Pay Commission (CPC) in Paras  5.1.44  and  para  5.1.45  of  its  report  and  as  accepted  by  the  Government  vide Department of Expenditure Resolution No. 1-2/2016-IC dated 25.07.2016, Paragraphs 1, 2 & 17  of  the  existing  Modified  Assured  Career  Progression  (MACP)  Scheme  (Annexure  to Department of Personnel & Training's OM No. 35024/3/2008-Estt.D dated 19 th May, 2009) have  been  modified  vide  Department  of  Personnel  &  Training's  OM  No.  35034/3/2015Estt.(D) dated 28.09.2016.

(c):  The  Modified  Assured  Career  Progression  (MACP)  Scheme  contemplates  merely placement on personal basis in the immediate higher Grade pay /grant of financial benefits only and shall not amount to actual/ functional promotion of the employees concerned.

(d)  &  (e):  There  shall  be  three  financial  upgradations  under  the  Modified  Assured  Career Progression  Scheme,  counted  from  the  direct  entry  grade  on  completion  of  10,  20  and  30 years services respectively or 10 years of continuous service in the same level in Pay Matrix, whichever is earlier subject to all other terms and conditions contained in the Department of Personnel & Training's OM No. 35024/3/2008-Estt.D dated 19 th May, 2009.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 973 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.973 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## INDIA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION OF OVERSEAS INDIANS

## 973.   SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is implementing any programme called India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (IDFOI); and
- (b) if so, the details thereof including its objectives and salient features?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (IDF-OI) is a  not-for-profit  Trust  set  up  by  Government  of  India  to  facilitate Overseas Indian philanthropy into social and development projects in India.
- (b) Objectives of the Trust
- 
- Lead philanthropy by Overseas Indians into India.
-  Provide a list of credible institutions, projects and programmes to Overseas Indians.
-  Function  as  a  clearing  house  for  all  philanthropic  related information on India.
-  Partner  with  States  in  India  and  encourage  credible  Indian philanthropic organisations.
-  Promote  accountability  and  'good  practices'  in  Diaspora philanthropy.

IDF-OI's present mandate is to promote Government of India's Flagship  programmes  -  National  Mission  for  Clean  Ganga  and Swachh  Bharat  Mission;  and  Social  and  Development  projects identified by State Governments, to Overseas Indians.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 971 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Modernisation of Presses
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SAUGATA ROY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 971

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

MODERNISATION OF PRESSES PROF. SAUGATA ROY:

No. 971.

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government proposes to modernize the Government of India Presses located in various parts of the country;
- (b) If so, the details thereof and the time likely to be taken to complete the modernization;
- (c) The details of land belongs to various Government of India Presses of
- the country;
- (d) Whether the Government has any proposal to use the above vacant land lying in the hearts of various cities for any other creative purpose;
- (e) If so, the details thereof;
- (f)  Whether the Government noticed that a large number of presses are on
- the verge of closure due to lack of employees; and
- (g) If so, the steps taken to recruit new employees for the Government of
- India Presses?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) & (b):  Yes Sir, it is proposed to modernize Government of India Presses, Minto Road, Ring Road, Nashik, Coimbatore and Temple Street.  After approval, it is likely to be completed in 3-4 years.
- (c): The details of land belong to various Government of India Presses of the country.

|   SI. No. | Name of the Press, Location   | Area/land (acres)   |
|-----------|-------------------------------|---------------------|
|         1 | Aligarh                       | 37.39               |
|         2 | Coimbatore                    | 132.70              |
|         3 | Faridabad                     | 99.53               |
|         4 | Koratty                       | 75.00               |
|         5 | Minto Road                    | 05.44               |
|         6 | Nashik                        | 109.00              |
|         7 | Nilokheri                     | 35.01               |
|         8 | Rashtrapati Bhavan            | -                   |
|         9 | Ring Road                     | 37.16               |
|        10 | Santragachi                   | 92.84               |
|        11 | Temple Street                 | 1.51                |
|        12 | Shimla                        | 5.28                |

(d)& (e): A proposal for transfer of 30 acres of land in Government of India Press, Coimbatore to Pasteur Institute of India under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is under consideration. (f)& (g): There is a shortage of manpower in Government of India Presses. There is no proposal for new recruitment.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 970 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Land Sensing Satellite Data
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA

## 970.

- (a)
- Yes Madam.
- (b) The  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  between  Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and United States Geological Survey (USGS) has been signed on July 09, 2016  for

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.970

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2017 LAND SENSING SATELLITE DATA

- SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  given  any  approval  to  Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Geological Survey of the  United  States  of  America  (USGS)  for  cooperation    in sharing of American Land Remote Sensing Satellite data;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  manner  in  which  ISRO  and  USGS  will  be  able  to  use satellites of each other for sharing the information of common interest?

## ANSWER

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

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

cooperation  in  the  exchange    and    use  of  satellite  remote sensing data. Under this MoU, USGS is facilitating availability of data of  Indian  region  using  American  remote  sensing satellites viz.  Landsat-7 and  Landsat-8  to ISRO. ISRO  is facilitating availability of data of US region using Indian remote sensing satellite 'Resourcesat-2' to USGS.

- (c) The  sharing  of  each  other's  satellite  remote  sensing  data provides enhanced frequency of earth observation data to both organisations.  The  AWiFS  payload  (onboard  Resourcesat-2) enables USGS to acquire earth observation data every 5 days. The  Landsat  satellites  enable  ISRO  to  acquire  multi-spectral earth  observation  data  including  thermal  data.    These  data sets help both countries to carry out applications in the field of natural resources inventory & management  and disaster management support.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 969 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Rehabilitation of Slum Dwellers
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 969 TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 08, 2017

## REHABILITATION OF SLUM DWELLERS

No. 969 SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether a working group of National Advisory Council (NAC) has stressed that slum dwellers should be resettled  at  the spot where they are currently living;
- (b)    if  so,  the  present  progress  of  rehabilitation  of  slum  dwellers  across  the country; and
- (c) whether the aim of Government to make urban India free from slums would be achieved within any specified period and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

****

(a): Yes Madam. The existing provisions under Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) are in tune with the suggestion of the working group. The preferred mode of making the cities 'slum free' under RAY is in-situ development. The Scheme guidelines also  provide  that  slum  relocation  should  be  selected  as  a  method  of  slum redevelopment  for  untenable  slums.  All  the  ongoing  RAY  projects  have  been subsumed  in  new  mission  'Pradhan  Mantri  Awas  Yojana  (Urban)'  {PMAY(U)} which was launched in June 2015 for providing houses to all eligible urban poor including slum dwellers. The PMAY (U) has also a component of 'In-situ Slum Redevelopment' using land as a resource.

(b): Out of 14,08,216 houses sanctioned under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and PMAY(U) including that of subsumed projects of RAY for rehabilitation of slum dwellers across the country 10,82,929 houses have so far been constructed. (c): Construction/allotment of houses under these schemes is the responsibility of the State/UT Governments and Urban Local Bodies concerned.  The mission period of PMAY (U) is upto the year 2022.  The States are required to submit project proposals [Detailed Project Proposals (DPRs)] duly approved for construction of houses for urban poor including slum dwellers and the projects are to be completed as per the time schedule prescribed in the DPRs.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 968 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Online Appointment System
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: BHAGWANTH KHUBA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No 968

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08.02.2017

## ONLINE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM

## 968 SHRI BHAGWANTH  KHUBA:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state: -

- (a) whether the Government proposes an online system for appointment of Government officials;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the Government has any provisions to digitize  the Government functioning that would lead to ease of accessibility to Government Departments for citizens; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (d):      Yes,  Sir.      The  Government  of  India  has  already  made  operational  an  online system of Visit Request  registration for any Government Ministry / Department.

MyVisit  is an initiative by the Government of India to facilitate the common man.  MyVisit facility enables the  citizens to have a smooth and simple process of  making an appointment. It  bridges  the  gap  between  the  Government  and  the  common  man  and  will  enhance  the opportunity of a common man to meet a government  officer, hassle free.  It has advanced features of eliminating all the cumbersome and tedious procedure of making a request for an appointment and then visiting the premises.

The URL for the portals are:   http://eVisitors.nic.in or http://MyVisit.Gov.in.

Through  these portals, the citizens can make  the request of Visit, check the approval  status online SMS and eMail  alerts are also sent to the Visitors.  There is a also a MIS module used at  the  reception  of  concerned  Ministry  /  Department  for  issuing  passes  (both  online  and offline requests) for efficient crowd  management and security at Government buildings.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 967 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Gauge Conversion of UdaipurAhmedabad Rail line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 967 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## GAUGE CONVERSION OF UDAIPUR-AHMEDABAD RAIL LINE

- † 967.   SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether the work relating to gauge conversion of UdaipurAhmedabad via Himmatnagar rail line is in progress;
- (b)       if so, the details thereof;
- (c)       the amount spent so far in this regard; and
- (d) the time by which the gauge conversion work is likely to be completed?

## 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. 967 BY SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  08.02.2017  REGARDING  GAUGE CONVERSION OF UDAIPUR-AHMEDABAD RAIL LINE

- (a) to (c): Gauge conversion of Ahmedabad-Himmatnagar-Udaipur (299 km) along with Modasa-Shamlaji (23 km) new line has been taken up at an  anticipated  cost  of ` 1215  crore  and  an  expenditure  of ` 233.69 crore has been incurred upto March, 2016, with an outlay of ` 675.25 crore  provided  for  the  year  2016-17.  The  project  has  suffered  in  the past  on  account  of  insufficient  funds  allotment.    Execution  of  this project has been taken up in phases as under:
- (i)   Ahmedabad-Himmatanagar section: All the tenders i.e. earthwork, bridges  works,  ballast  supply,  etc.  have  been  awarded  and  the work taken up.
- (ii) Himmatnagar-Udaipur  section:  Earthwork,  bridges  works,  ballast supply and station building have been taken up. Subways replacing Level Crossings (LCs) have been completed.
- (iii)  Modasa-Shamlaji:  Proceedings  for  land  acquisition  proposals  for the  new  alignment  as  approved  by  Government  of  Gujarat  bypassing the heavy built up area, have been taken up.
- (d):  Completion of a railway project is dependent upon availability of funds  for  allotment,  acquisition  of  land,  statutory  clearances  like forestry and wild life clearances, shifting of services, cutting of trees, construction  of  road  over  bridges  and  road  under  bridges  by  road maintaining agencies etc. Since many of these factors are beyond the control of Ministry of Railways, timeline for completion of this project has not been fixed.

*****