opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1294 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: e-Postal Ballots
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI, CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI, (SMT.) RATNA DE(NAG)

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1294

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 23 rd NOVEMBER, 2016

## e-POSTAL BALLOTS

1294. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI: DR. RATNA DE. (NAG):

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

- (a)  whether  the  Ministry has  proposed  any "Amendment to Conduct of election Rules 1961" regarding e-postal ballots in the near future;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, and
- (c) 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):  Rule  23  of  the  Conduct  of  Election  Rules,  1961  has  been  amended  on  21 st October,  2016  providing  that  the  postal  ballot  paper  may  be  transmitted  by  the Returning  Officer  by  such  electronic  means  as  may  be  specified  by  the  Election Commission for Defence Personnel and other service voters as mentioned in section 20 (8) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1290 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Nuclear Waste
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1290

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## NUCLEAR WASTE

## 1290.   SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government had entered into agreement for setting up nuclear reactors with the cooperation of foreign countries;
- (b) íf  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  Gove rnment  is  also  aware  about  the increasing amount of nuclear waste in case of implementation of these projects;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and what is the expected amount of nuclear waste in case of implementation of the nuclear projects by the year 2032; and
- (d) the steps proposed by the Government for effective management of nuclear waste?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Sir.    India  has  entered  into  agreement  for  setting  up  nuclear  reactors  with technical  co-operation  from  Russian  Federation,  United  States  of  America  and France.
- (b) to (d) The wastes generated at the nuclear power stations during the operation in solid, liquid and gaseous forms are of low and intermediate radioactivity level. These are planned  to  be  managed  at  the  site  itself.  In  this  regard  waste  management facilities  are  planned  to  be  set  up  at  each  of  the  sites.  These  wastes  are appropriately  treated,  concentrated  and  subjected  to  volume  reduction.  The concentrates  are  immobilized  in  inert  materials  like  cement,  bitumen,  polymers etc.  and  stored  in  specially  constructed  structures  located  at  the  site  under monitoring. Typically, the quantity of low and intermediate level waste to be stored at  site  is  about  0.15  cubic  meters/year/MW.  The  treated  liquids  and  gases  are diluted and discharged under continuous monitoring, ensuring that the discharges are  well  within  the  limits  set  by  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board  (AERB).    The radioactivity  level  of  the  stored  wastes  reduces with  time  and  by  the  end  of the plant life, falls to very low levels.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1289 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Finalization of EEZ
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1289 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2016

## FINALIZATION OF EEZ

## 1289. SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Exclusive  Economics  Zone  (EEZ)  of  Indian  Coast  has  been finalized and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  agency(ies)  responsible  for  supply  of  authenticated  map  of  EEZ  of India;
- (c) whether  any  agreement  has  been  reached  with  the  Government  of  Sri Lanka regarding demarcation of EEZ between India and Sri Lanka; and
- (d) if not, the steps being taken in the matter?

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

## ANSWER MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI. Y. S. CHOWDARY)

- (a) Yes, Madam. The Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone  and  other  Maritime  Zones  Act,  1976,  Act  No.  80  of  28  May  1976 defines  the  limit  of  Exclusive  Economic  Zone  (EEZ)  of  India  as  an  area beyond and adjacent to the territorial waters, and the limit of such zone is 200 nautical miles from the baseline. Baseline system was notified on 11 May 2009 by Ministry of External Affairs. This is subject to the  Maritime boundary  delimitation  agreements  with  Indonesia  dated  8  August,  1974 and  with  Maldives  dated  14  January,  1977;  with  Myanmar  dated  23 December,  1986;  with  Sri  Lanka  dated 26  and  28  June,  1974;  23  March, 1976;  and  22  November,  1976;  with  Thailand  dated  22  June,  1978;  with Indonesia and Thailand dated 22 June, 1978; with Maldives and Sri Lanka dated 23, 24 and 31 July, 1976; and with Myanmar and Thailand dated 27 October, 1993.
- (b) National  Hydrographic  Office  under  Ministry  of  Defence  is  the  National Authority for publication of nautical charts and publications.
- (c) Yes, Madam. India has signed the Maritime boundary delimitation agreements with Sri Lanka dated 26 and 28 June, 1974, 23 March, 1976, and 22 November, 1976; and with Maldives and Sri Lanka dated 23, 24 and 31 July, 1976.
- (d)
- Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Satellites Launched
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: M. K. RAGHAVAN, K. GOPAL, KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1287

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2016 SATELLITES LAUNCHED

## 1287. SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN:

DR. K. GOPAL:

SHRI K.N. RAMACHANDRAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  India's  space  capacity  of  34  working  satellites  is barely half of what the country needs and is severely limited to  meet  increasing  demands  from  both  the  centre  and  State Governments and business and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether ISRO plans to put 12-18 satellites in space each year to  meet  this  demand  and  also  wants  to  be  free  to  pursue higher technologies and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  domestic  industry  should  urgently  step  into making satellites and launch vehicles to meet this demand;
- (d) if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  encourage  the domestic industry for taking up this cause and the details of private industries working with ISRO?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) India presently has 38 operational satellites in orbit comprising of 16 Earth observation (including meteorological), 13 communication,  7 navigational and 2  Space  Science satellites.  These  satellites  are  being  utilized  to  their  full capacity to meet the demands of Central & State Governments  and  business  in  the  area  of  natural  resources management,  infrastructure  planning,  disaster  management support, enabling weather forecasting, including the demands of  satellite  communication.  To  ensure  continuity  of  services and to meet further demands in these areas, a plan is in place to suitably augment the space infrastructure.

## (b), (c) & (d)

Considering the enhanced national requirements for launching satellites for earth observation, communication & navigation, the  present  capacity  of  launches  is  a  constraint.  ISRO  has been  pursuing  a  conscious  approach  of  building  up  and nurturing the industrial capabilities in the country to maximally  support  the  Indian  Space  Programme.  Through appropriate  transfer  of  technology  and  hand-holding,  ISRO  is making  focused  efforts  to  enhance  participation  of  Indian industries  for  manufacturing  of  space  related  hardware  such as  rocket engine  &  stages,  propellant tanks,  spacecraft structures,  solar  panels,  thermal  control  systems,  electronic packages etc., required for satellites and launch vehicles. In  order  to  step  up  the  launch  capacity  within  the  country, ISRO is in the process of exploring the possibility of involving Indian industry in a greater role towards productionization of integrated systems/ subsystems, including assembly and testing by vendor as per ISRO's design. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1286 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Film Promotion Fund
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI, KIRRON KHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1286 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## FILM PROMOTION FUND

## 1286. SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

## SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- a) whether an expert panel constituted by the Government has given their recommendations on implementing Film Promotion Fund;
- b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- c) whether  any  financial  assistance  has  been  provided  through  Film Promotion Fund as on date; and
- d) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d)

: The Ministry has recently introduced an additional activity under existing Plan Scheme for providing financial assistance to filmmakers whose films are selected in competition section of an international film festival of repute or India's official nomination for Academy Awards under Foreign Film Category. Directorate of Film Festivals has been designated as the nodal agency for implementing this activity.  The details of the scheme are available at http://mib.nic.in/WriteReadData/documents/Film\_Promotion\_F und\_-\_procedure.pdf.  The  scheme  has  been  introduced  w.e.f. 03.10.2016 and so far no eligible  proposal  for  seeking  financial assistance under the film promotion scheme has been received and therefore no financial assistance has been provided.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1285 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Dam on Brahmaputra
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: DUSHYANT SINGH, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, RAMEN DEKA, GAURAV GOGOI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1285

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## DAM ON BRAHMAPUTRA

1285.

SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH: SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA: SHRI RAMEN DEKA: SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  China has allegedly blocked a tributary of the Brahmaputra  river  which  flows  into  Arunachal  Pradesh  and Assam before entering Bangladesh for carrying out works on a hydro power project in Tibet and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to review the water treaty, if any, with China and if so the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has raised its concern with China in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether this issue was also raised during the recent visit of Chinese President to India; and
- (e) if so, the response by the Chinese President thereon?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) In September 2016, the Chinese authorities announced blocking  of  Xiabuqu  River  in  Xigaze  in  Tibet  as  part  of  the  Lalho multiple hydro project. Xiabuqu is a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra) River. According to information available, the proposed  reservoir  is  designed  to  store  up  to  295  million  cubic meters of water to irrigate about 30,000 hectares of farmland. The project also proposes to have two power stations with a combined generation capacity of 42 megawatts. The Lalho project is

approximately 1100 kms  upstream  of the entry point of the Brahmaputra River into India in Arunachal Pradesh. (b) There is no water treaty between India and China. Government of India, under the Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation  on  Trans-border  Rivers  with  China,  signed  in  October 2013,  obtains  hydrological  data  from  China  on  river  Brahmaputra and Sutlej. (c) As a lower riparian State with considerable user rights to the waters of the Brahmaputra River, India has conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, including at the highest levels. India  has  urged  China  to  ensure  that  the  interests  of  downstream States are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas in Tibet. (d) & (e) Chinese President H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping visited India on 1516 October, 2016 to participate in the 8th  BRICS Summit held in Goa. Prime Minister had a bilateral meeting with President Xi on October 15, 2016. During the meeting, various issues of mutual interest and concerns  were  discussed.  Both  sides  agreed  to  make  efforts  to strengthen  the  Closer  Developmental  Partnership  on  the  basis  of mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns, interests and aspirations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1283 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Hosting of Scientific Instruments
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1283

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## HOSTING OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS

## 1283.   SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has lost out on being the destination for the world's largest telescopes, the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT); if so, the details thereof and reasons for the same;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  identified  sites  that  are  capable  of  hosting  such advanced scientific instruments and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  budget  allocation  available  under  the  ministry  to  allow  clearances  of  hosting scientific instruments of this nature for the last three budget years?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  Thirty Meter  Telescope  (TMT)  project  is  being  built by  an  international consortium of scientific organizations of Japan, China, Canada, India and USA. India is 10% partner in the project. TMT project chose Mauna Kea, Hawaii as its site for building the observatory.  However, the work was stopped by the Hawaii Supreme Court.  Subsequently, TMT Project Board shortlisted Hanle, Ladakh, India as one of the potential sites for the TMT project along with three others in the northern and few in the southern hemisphere.  Though  Hanle,  Ladakh  is  one  of  the  great  sites  for astronomy  with  good  elevation  and  dry  weather,  it  hosts  Indian  astronomical observatory with its 2-m optical telescope and Gamma Ray telescopes. Hanle fared poorly  in  comparison  with  La  Palma  in  Canary  Islands,  Spain  due  to  atmospheric turbulence (or seeing), logistics available  far away from Ladakh i.e. Mumbai airport. Hanle was not chosen due to scientific merits relative to other sites in the oceans.
- (b) Hanle  and  its  surrounding  areas  are  one  of  the  best  sites  for  astronomy.  But compared to Islands mountain tops of Mauna Kea, USA, La Palma, Spain, mountain peaks in Hanle and Tibet have relatively remote and higher atmospheric turbulence for  mega  scientific  project  like  TMT.    Department  of  Science  and  Technology  and other  government  departments  extended  full  cooperation  and  support  to  Indian astronomy community in this regard.
- (c) Government of India approved India's participation in the TMT project at 10% level with  funding  outlay  of ` 1300/-  crore  over  the  next  10  years.    It  also  has  budget component  to  make  technology  ready  to  build  mid-size  astronomy  facility  with 10-15m diameter in and around Hanle region which is still a great site for 10-m class telescopes.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1282 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Traditional Areas of Planning
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: CHINTAMAN NAVSHA WANAGA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1282 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 23.11.2016

## TRADITIONAL AREAS OF PLANNING

1282.  ADV. CHINTAMAN NAVASHA WANAGA:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether NITI Aayog will go beyond the traditional areas of plan and look at internal security, defence, social and development goals; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER 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): Yes, madam. The NITI Aayog has initiated an exercise to formulate vision and strategy for the period beyond the Twelfth Five Year Plan (which ends in March 2017), under which the following inter-connected documents, with differing time horizons, are proposed to be prepared:

-  a vision document keeping  in view the social goals set and / or proposed and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for about 15 years i.e. up to 2030 which is co-terminus with the period to achieve SDGs.
-  a 7-year strategy from 2017-18 to 2023-24 to convert the long term vision into implementable policy and action as a part of 'National Development  Agenda' with a mid-term review after 3 years i.e. the year ending March 2020.
-  a 3-year Action document for 2017-18 to 2019-20  aligned to the predictability of financial resources during the 14th Finance Commission Award period. This is to help translate into actions the goals of the government to be achieved by 2019.

The aforesaid  vision  formulation  is  envisaged  to  go  beyond  the  traditional  areas  and  also  cover aspects of internal security/defence etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1280 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: International Space Station
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1280

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2016

## INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

1280. SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:
2. SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India is yet to become a member of the international space  station  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  the  Indian  Space  Research  Organisation  (ISRO)  is developing a technology that will allow it to transfer humans from one vehicle or spacecraft to another in space and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)
- (d)
- the aims and objectives behind the move; and
- the time by which this technology will be developed?

## ANSWER

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

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) Yes Madam. India is yet to become a member. The studies on the possibilities of conducting Earth Observation experiments, utilizing  International  Space  Station  (ISS)  as  platform,  for Earth's environment and climate are underway. (b) No Madam. (c) Does not arise. (d) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1279 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Paucity of Teachers Trainees
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: RAJESH RANJAN  (PAPPU  YADAV), RANJEET RANJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1279 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## PAUCITY OF TEACHERS TRAINERS

## 1279.  SHRI RAJESH RANJAN: SHRIMATI RANJEET RANJAN:

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

- (a) whether there is paucity of teachers/trainers in the skill institutes as highlighted by the recent FICCI-KPMG report; if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) the measures being taken by the Government to improve the training capacity of DFE&T field institutes so that more teachers/skill trainers are produced; and
- (c) the  portion  of  the  32,000  crore  allocated  to  the  MSDE  that  will  be  utilised  for improving the infrastructure of skill teachers/trainers?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The FICCI-KPMG report on skilling in India emphasizes upon enhancing Training  of  Trainers  (ToT)  while  scaling  up  skill  development  in  the  country.  The Government  recognizes  the  significance  of  trainers  in  skilling.  The  annual  training capacity of DGE&T field Institutes have grown from 1600 per annum through 17 Central Field Institutes (CFIs) in 2012 to 8628 per annum (11,868 including February session) through  31  CFIs  and  16  Institute  of  Training  of  Trainers  (IToTs)  in  2016,  across  the country. Currently Training of Trainers is being imparted in 27 Engineering and 09 nonengineering trades under Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS). Entrance to CITS is being  conducted  through  All  India  Common  Entrance  Test. Further,  Sector  Skill Councils  (SSCs)  conduct  various  ToT  programmes  for  trainers  in  their  respective sectors. As on date, around 10,000 trainers have undergone Training of Trainers though SSCs.  Further,  under  PMKVY  2.0,  Training  of  Trainers  (ToT)  has  been  made mandatory to ensure adequate supply of trainers.  In addition, there are a number of skill  development  schemes  such  as  Integrated  Skill  Development  Scheme  of  M/o Textile,  which  have  an  inbuilt  component  of  Training  of  Trainers.  The  MSDE  has  a budgetary allocation of Rs. 1700 crore for 2016-17 for schemes/ programmes including Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).

******