opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3553 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Illegal Immigrants
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3553

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

†3553. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Indians in America are being seen suspiciously as a rapidly increasing community of illegal immigrants;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any study to find out the rate of increase in the number of illegal Indian immigrants in America;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to preserve the image of the country?

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

(a) & (b) There are no authoritative figures on the number of undocumented Indian   immigrants   in   the   U.S.   The   U.S.   Government   does   not   release   a comprehensive list, by nationality, of aliens detained for entering or staying in the U.S. without valid documents.

The entrepreneurship and innovation of Indians and Indian-Americans has directly benefitted both nations. Indian skilled professionals have contributed to the growth and development of the U.S. economy and have helped the U.S. retain its competitive edge and innovation advantage. In our engagements with the U.S. side, we have emphasized that this has been a mutually-beneficial partnership which should be nurtured.

- (c) No.
- (d) Does not arise.
- (e) The Government does not encourage illegal migration of Indian citizens into other countries. From time to time, our Embassy and Consulates in the U.S. facilitate repatriation of undocumented Indian immigrants after their nationality verification.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3552 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Railway Lines in Jharkhand
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3552 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## RAILWAY LINES IN JHARKHAND

## †3552. SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the location-wise details of the work pertaining to doubling of railway lines in the country especially in Jharkhand;
- (b) the amount of funds allocated during the last three years for the doubling of the railway lines in Jharkhand indicating the locations of the same; and
- (c) the works  relating to the doubling of railway lines in Jharkhand  which  are  likely  to  be  completed  in  the  current financial year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (c):      Location-wise  details  of  doubling  in  progress  and  new works including funds spent on each project, allotment of funds and expenditure are made available in public domain on Indian Railways website  i.e.  www.indianrailways.gov.in  and  are  also  available  in Pink  Books  presented  before  the  House  along  with  Budget  every year.

Contd..2/-

18 Doubling projects of 1241 km costing 15,237 Crore falling fully/ partly  in  Jharkhand  are  in  different  stages  of  execution/planning. Completion  of  railway  projects  involves  several  factors such  as shifting  utilities,  yard  remodelling,  speed  restriction  etc.,  which affect train operations. Therefore, timeline for completion cannot be given.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3551 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: National Geographic Information System
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3551 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8/8/2018

## NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

## 3551.  SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ be pleased to state:

(a) the steps taken by the Government to establish a National Geographic Information System (GIS) under the National GIS Organization;

(b) whether the Government is considering allowing private sector GIS application and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  provide  GIS  solutions  to  Ministries  like  Urban Development; and

(d) whether  the  Government  is  considering  making  GIS  mapping  mandatory  for  land registration and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ, {Éßl´ÉÉÒ ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ +ÉÉè® {ÉªÉÉÇ´É®hÉ, ´ÉxÉ A´ÉÆ VÉãÉ´ÉÉªÉÖ {ÉÉÊ®´ÉiÉÇxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ

(bÉ. c­ÉÇ ´ÉvÉÇxÉ)

(a) There is no national GIS organization established by the Government. However a National Centre of Geo-Informatics (NCOG)  has  been  established by Ministry of Electronics  and Information Technology (MeitY) to provide GIS based solutions to Central Government Ministries, organizations  and  State  Governments.  A  large  number  of  Ministries  &  State  Governments  are using this Centre for GIS based applications.

(b) Government is developing their own GIS applications for Ministries and State Governments. However, there is no restriction on allowing private sector for development of GIS applications by any Government Ministry/organization.

(c) Government  under  different  organizations  such  as  Indian  Space  Research  Organization (ISRO) / National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Department of Science & Technology (DST) / Survey of India (SOI), National Centre of Geo-informatics (NCOG) under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology etc. are providing technical support to Ministry of Urban Development for GIS based solutions. Survey of India has already covered large scale mapping of 152 towns for Ministry of Urban Development.

(d) The  registration  of  land  is  governed  by  the  land  registration  Act.  At  present,  there  is  no provision to make GIS mapping mandatory.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3547 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Data Protection Framework
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: VIRENDER KASHYAP, SAUGATA ROY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3547

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08.08.2018

## DATA PROTECTION FRAMEWORK

## 3547. SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP, PROF. SAUGATA ROY

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

- (a) whether the expert Committee on Data protection Framework of India has released a white paper and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Committee  has  submitted  its  final  report  and  if  not,  the reasons therefore;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  bringing  forward  a  legislation  on  data protection  and  whether  a  draft  bill  in  this  regard  has  been  sent  to  the Committee and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether there are cases of breach of privacy and security of biometric data in possession of UIDAI reported so far; and
- (e) if so, the number of breaches along with the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR   ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

(a) (b) and (c):  Yes, Sir. A Committee of Experts on Data Protection chaired by Justice Shri. B.N Srikrishna (Retd.) had been constituted to look into the aspects  pertaining  to  Data  Protection.  The  Expert  Committee  on  Data Protection  Framework  has  released  a  'White  Paper  on  Data  Protection Framework  for  India'  on  27 th November  2017  to  solicit  public  comments. The  White  Paper  outlined  key  data  protection  issues  and  international  best practices. The deadline for submission of responses was 31st January 2018. The committee deliberated on various inputs & has submitted its report along with draft  Bill  to  Government,  that  have  been  uploaded  on  MeitY  website. After  a  consultative  process,  the  data  protection  legislation  will  be  brought out.

- (d):   No, Sir.
- (e):   Does not arise in view of (d) above.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3546 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Permission to Pilgrims
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SHYAMA CHARAN GUPTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3546

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH  AUGUST, 2018

## PERMISSION TO PILGRIMS

3546.  SHRI  SHYAMA CHARAN GUPTA:

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

- (a) whether  the  army  is  utilising  and  staying  in  the  Fort  built  by  Akbar  at  the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna at Allahabad;
- (b) if so, whether the Government proposes to relocate them elsewhere;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  permanently  allow  the  pilgrims  to  visit hundreds of temples and 'Akshayvat Vriksh' located in the Fort; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) There is no plan for shifting the units presently located in Allahabad Fort.
- (c) Does not rise.
- (d) & (e): Pilgrims are given free access  to majority of religious / historical  places  located  inside  Allahabad  Fort  including  Akshay  Vat throughout  the  year.    There  are  two  'Akshay  Vat'  trees,  one  in  Patalpuri temple  and  the  other  in  Ordnance  Depot  (OD)  Fort.    Pilgrims  have  free access to 'Akshay Vat' in Patalpuri temple.  The tree located inside the OD Fort  premises  is  maintained  by  the  Army.    Access  to  common  people  / pilgrims inside the OD Fort is regulated due to security reasons.

******

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)
Lok Sabha Question No. 3545 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Shortage of Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: PARVESH SAHIB SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3545 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## Shortage of Coal

## 3545. SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH:

## Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) whether Delhi is facing shortage of coal for its thermal power plants and if so, the details thereof; (b) the total amount of coal allocated to Delhi in last six months; and

(c) the details regarding yearly allocation of coal to Delhi as against its total requirement?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COAL & FINANCE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

( a )  :    In  2018-19  (up  to  31.07.2018),  4.69  Lakh  Tonnes  (LT)  of  coal  was  supplied  to Badarpur TPS. Further, Delhi Discoms have sold 784.311 MU of power in the Day Ahead Market (DAM) at IEX Platform in this Financial Year (up to 31.07.2018). Also, Delhi State has  surrendered  2,128  MW  of  power  as  on  20.04.18  from  different  power  stations.

(b ) :  In the last six months (from 01.02.2018 to 31.07.2018), total quantity of 8.77 LT coal was allocated to Badarpur TPS as per its Annual Contracted Quantity.

( c ) : The total Annual Contracted Quantity with Badarpur TPS is 17.20 LT. In the year 201819 (up to 31.07.2018), CIL has dispatched 4.69 LT (provisional).

- ****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3544 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Training to Space Scientists
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: K. GOPAL

- Yes Madam.
- Indian  Space  Research  Organisation  (ISRO)  of  Department  of Space  (DOS),  Government  of  India  has  offered  to  conduct capacity building programme on small satellite development for the participants from developing countries who are interested in developing  their  space  programme.  An  announcement  in  this

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3544

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 08, 2018

## TRAINING TO SPACE SCIENTISTS

## 3544.   DR. K. GOPAL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India has decided to train space scientists of countries that lack satellite building capacity;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  India  would  not  charge  for  this  capacity  building programme but will play a role in short listing scientists for the training programme; and
- (d)
- (a)
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

regard  was  made  at  Vienna  on  June  18,  2018  during  the Symposium to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of  the  First United  Nations  Conference  on  the  Exploration  and  Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE+50). The programme, named as 'India-UN  Small  Satellites  Programme  (INDOUNSSP)',  will  be conducted  at ISRO's U.R. Rao  Satellite Centre (URSC)  at Bengaluru every year for next 3 years, starting from November 2018.  This  8-week  programme  will  comprise  of  theoretical coursework and  hands-on-training on Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) of small satellite.

- (c) Yes Madam.
- (d) ISRO will bear travel, accommodation and living expenses for the  selected  candidates  to  attend  the  course  as  per  the prevailing  norms.  The  candidates  will  be  shortlisted  by  a screening committee involving officials from ISRO and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3543 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: New Train from Dhanbad to Surat
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PASHUPATI NATH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3543 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## NEW TRAIN FROM DHANBAD TO SURAT

†3543. SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  start  a  new  train  from Dhanbad to Surat;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c)    No,  Madam.    Owing  to  operational  and  resource constraints,  at  present,  there  is  no  proposal  for  introduction  of  a new  train  between  Dhanbad  and  Surat.    However,  introduction  of new train is an ongoing process over Indian Railways and is done keeping  in  view  the  operational  feasibility,  traffic  justification, resource availability, competing demands etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3542 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Stoppage at Sirohi Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3542 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## STOPPAGE AT SIROHI STATION

† 3542.  SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  stoppage  of  important trains such as Ashram Express (12915/12916), Garib Rath Express (12215/12216), Ahmedabad Agra Superfast (12547/12548) and Surya Nagri Express (12479/12480) at Sirohi Road Railway Station;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reason therefor?

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

- (a) to  (c)  It  has  been  decided  to  provide  experimental  stoppage  of 12547/12548 Agra Fort-Ahmedabad Express (Daily) at Sirohi Road. Ahmedabad-Delhi  Ashram  Express  (Daily), 12215/12216 Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Bandra (T) Garib Rath Express (Four-daysa-week) and 12479/12480 Jodhpur-Bandra (T) Suryanagari  Express (Daily),

Stoppages of 12915/12916 at Sirohi Road, have however, not been found feasible.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3541 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Postal Store Depot
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3541 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH   AUGUST, 2018

## POSTAL STORE DEPOT

## 3541. SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Postal Stores Depot (PSD) of Madurai Postal Region is proposed to be shifted/merged with the PSD of Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the said move of the Government will affect the efficient functioning of the post office and related offices under the Postal Region of exponentially growing Madurai and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  undo  the  decision  made  by  them  with regard to the said merging/shifting of PSD, Madurai and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) In  the  year  2016,  for  preparing  a  Board  Memo  for  consideration  by  the  Postal Services Board (PSB) for consolidation of Postal Stores Depots (PSDs) and Circle Stamps Depots (CSDs)  of  the  Department  located  in  various  Circles,  with  a  view  to  economize  the  cost  of procurement and distribution and saving in manpower, views of all Postal Circles were called for. In response, Tamil Nadu Postal Circle had recommended merger of Madurai PSD with Tirunelveli PSD.  Thereafter,  the  PSB  had  directed  the  Circle  to  carry  out  cost  benefit  analysis  before  the proposal is further deliberated.  No further decision has been taken in this regard, so far.

*****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3539 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Ongoing Railway Projects
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RITI PATHAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3539 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## ONGOING RAILWAY PROJECTS

†3539. SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  delay  in  completion  of  several  ongoing  railway projects is escalating the cost thereof;
- (b) if so, the zone-wise details of such projects and the reasons for the delay;
- (c) the details of the expenditure incurred on the said projects so far; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Railways to expedite the completion of these projects to avoid any further increase in the cost?

## 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. 3539 BY SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK TO BE ANSWERED  IN LOK SABHA ON 08.08.2018 REGARDING ONGOING RAILWAY PROJECTS

(a) to (c): The completion of Railway projects requires clearances from various departments of State Government and Central Ministries like acquisition of land, statutory clearances like forestry and wild life, shifting of utilities etc.  leading to delay and cost  overrun  of  projects.      Further,  zone-wise  details  of  works  in progress  and  new  works  including,  funds  spent  on  each  project, allotment  of  funds  and  expenditure  are  made  available  in  public domain on Indian Railways website i.e. www.indianrailways.gov.in and are also available in Pink Books presented  before the House along with Budget every year. (d):    For  timely  completion  of  the  projects,  Railway  is  holding regular  meetings  with  State  Government  and  concerned  Central Government  officials  on  various  issues  involving  alignment,  land acquisition, forestry and wild life clearances, law & order problems, shifting of utilities etc. For  important  projects,  capacity  enhancement  projects,  last  mile connectivity etc, institutional financing has been done by arranging loan from M/s Life Insurance Corporation of India Limited for 1.5  lakh  crore,  which  has  increased  Railways'  capacity  for committed fund provision for essential projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3538 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Sri Ram Temple Case
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3538

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## Sri Ram Temple Case

## †3538. SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

Will the Minister of LAW ANDJUSTICE  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has made any arrangement for early disposal or  hearing  of  the  case  in  Supreme  Court  pertaining  to  Sri  Ram  Temple  in Ayodhya;
- (b) if so, the details of the action plan and the action taken therein; and
- (c)  the  time  by  which  the  judgement  in  the  said  case  is  likely  to  be delivered?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF  LAW & JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI  RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (c) Sri Ram Temple Case has been registered as Civil Appeal No. 1086610867/2010,M.SIDDIQ  (D)  THR.  LR'S  VS.  MAHANT  SURESH  DAS  AND ORS.ETC. along with other Civil  Appeals  before  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  of India. The matter is presently sub-judice with the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. The last hearing in the case has taken place on 20/07/2018.

The Judiciary is an independent body and the disposal of the case is within the ambit of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.

*****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3536 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Arms in Space
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE

- (a) to (d)

Yes Madam.    The Government is against the weaponisation of Outer Space and supports international efforts to reinforce the safety and security of space based assets.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3536

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 08, 2018

## ARMS IN SPACE

## 3536.   SHRI SADASHIV LOKHANDE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is concerned about the use of arms in space;
- (b) if  so,  the  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  avoid such situation;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  discussed/proposes  to  discuss the said matter with other countries; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

India is party to all the major international treaties relating to Outer  Space  and  Government  believes  that  this  international legal  framework  needs  to  be  strengthened  to  enhance  the security  of  space  assets  for  all  users  and  to  prevent  the weaponisation  of  Outer  Space.  To  this  end,  Government  is actively  engaged  in  international  forums  such  as  Conference on  Disarmament (CD), United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS)  and  the UN  General Assembly. India has contributed in particular to the discussions in the Working Group on Long Term Sustainability of  Outer  Space  activities  for  peaceful  purposes  in  the  Legal Sub-committee  of  UNCOPUOS  and  the  discussions  on  the Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) in Conference on Disarmament. India has also participated actively  in  discussions  led  by  the  European  Union  on  a  draft International Code  of Conduct  for Outer space  activities since 2012.

*****