opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 573 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Housing for Tribal Areas
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: DHARAMBIR BHALERAM

No. 573

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 573

TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 19, 2017

## HOUSING FOR TRIBAL AREAS

SHRI DHARAMBIR:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal for mandatory housing for BPL  section across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)  in  tribal  areas  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not, the reasons therefor; and
- (b) the details of the key points and plan outlay, legal constraints and future implications of the aforesaid proposal?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a)  &  (b)   :   'Land'  and  'Colonization'  are  State  subjects  and  it  is  the responsibility of the State / UT Governments to provide housing to all its citizens. Government of India, however, has launched 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)' Mission on 25.6.2015 to provide central assistance to States/UTs in facilitating housing to all urban poor.

For rural areas, housing schemes are implemented by Ministry of Rural Development.  M/o. Rural Development  has  reported  that with a commitment of the Government to provide 'Housing for All' by 2022, the erstwhile rural housing scheme, IAY has been restructured into Pradhan

Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY - G) w.e.f. 1 st  April, 2016

Contd/-

to  provide  a  pucca  house  with  basic  amenities  to  all  houseless households and to those households living in kutcha and dilapidated house, by 2022. The beneficiaries are selected using housing deprivation  parameters  under  Socio-Economic  and  Caste  Census (SECC), 2011 data instead of BPL data. The list of beneficiaries is then verified  by  the  Gram  Sabha.  For  people  in  Tribal  Areas,  following provisions are there under PMAY-G:

-  The Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) are automatically included as beneficiaries so as to avail themselves of the financial assistance under PMAY-Gramin.
-  Beneficiary family given forest rights under The Scheduled Tribes & other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act,  2006,  can  avail  themselves  of  Central  funds  under  Special Project for the purpose of settlement or relocation.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 571 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Abolition of Tribunals/Commissions
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 571

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 19.07.2017

## Abolition of Tribunals/Commissions

## 571. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is planning to abolish the Tribunals/Commissions  System  as  they  have  become  outdated  and  do  not suit the present needs of the Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has envisaged any other system for introduction in their place and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE & ELECTRONICS

## AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) No Sir.
- (b) & (c) Does not arise in view of reply to (a) above.
Lok Sabha Question No. 569 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Construction of Affordable Houses
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: DILIP PATEL

No. 569

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 569

TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 19, 2017

## CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSES

SHRI DILIP PATEL:

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

- (a) whether there is big gap in the demand and supply of affordable houses in Gujarat and rest of the country and if so, the details thereof, State and UT-wise; and
- (b) whether the Government proposes to take steps to substantially reduce the gap within a timeframe and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a)  :  Technical  Group  constituted  by  the  Ministry  of  Housing  and Urban Poverty Alleviation has estimated the Urban Housing shortage at the beginning of the 12th Plan period i.e. 2012 at 18.78 million and shortage of houses in urban area of Gujarat was estimated at 0.99 million.    State  and  UT  wise  details  of  urban  housing  shortage  as estimated by the Technical Group is Annexed.

(b):  Housing  being  a  state  subject,  State  Government  /  Municipal Authorities concerned are responsible for providing housing to all its citizens.  The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is supplementing the efforts of State Governments in creation of affordable housing stock through programme interventions.

Government  of  India  has  launched  Pradhan  Mantri  Awas  Yojana (Urban) mission on 25th June, 2015 and the Mission aims to assist the  States  /  ULBs  in  providing  housing  to  all  eligible  families  / beneficiaries  among  the  urban  poor.  The  Mission  comprises  four components  viz  in-situ  slum  redevelopment;  affordable  housing through credit-linked subsidy; affordable housing in partnership; and subsidy for beneficiary-led individual house construction.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 568 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Postal Life Insurance
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK

## 568. SHRI B.V. NAIK

- Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) whether  the  Postal  Department  is  unable  to  extend  the  facilities  of  Postal  Life Insurance (PLI) to villagers; (b) if so, the number of such villagers which are not able to utilize the services of the PLI and the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and whether  there  is  any  special  provision  to  provide  PLI  to  the  small  and  the
- (c) marginal agricultural farmers and if so, the details thereof?

## 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. Department of Posts is already providing life insurance cover to all villagers permanently residing in rural areas, which emphasis on weaker sections and women workers, through Rural Postal Life insurance since 24.03.1995.
- (b) & (c) Does not arise in view of (a) above.

## ****************

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.568 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  JULY, 2017

## POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE
Lok Sabha Question No. 567 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Tampering of EVMs
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 567

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 19 th JULY, 2017

## TAMPERING OF EVMs

## 567. SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

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

(a) whether the Government has received any representation regarding tampering of EVMs in the elections and to ban the use of EVMs;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  whether  the  Election  Commission  has  received  any  challenge  to  show  how  tampering  of EVMs is possible and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and  (b):  The  Election Commission  has  informed  that  some general/vague  complaints  regarding alleged manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been received in the Commission. However,  they  have  submitted  that  no  specific  complaint  regarding  tampering  or  manipulation  of EVMs at any polling station has ever been brought to the notice of the Commission nor any evidence in support of any tampering ever submitted.

The Commission has further informed that 120 petitions/representations/suggestions regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been received in March-April, 2017. In 24 cases, where generalized allegations of tampering of EVMs were levelled, the petitioners were requested to cite  specific  instances  of  alleged  tampering  and  submit  credible  evidence  or  any  relevant  material information  in  support  of  their  claims  to  the  Commission.  However,  so  far,  no  one  has  provided information about any tampering nor any credible evidence to substantiate their allegations.

(c): No, Madam.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 566 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Funds for IHDSP
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

No. 566

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  566

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS

## TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 19, 2017 FUNDS FOR IHSDP

SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

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

- a) whether the Government has released any fund to Maharashtra for the Integrated Housing and Slum
2. Development Programme (IHSDP);
- b) if so, the details of the last three years including the amount
4. utilized out of the fund released; and
- c) the details of the work executed in Maharashtra through this programme?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) & (b) Under Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP), Government released Rs. 1,163.14 crore to Maharashtra,  out of which Rs. 9.58 cr. was released during last three years. Out of the fund released, Utilization Certificates of Rs.  909.02  cr.  have  been  received  of  which  utilization  of  Rs. 543.45 cr. was made during the period of last three years.
- (c) In  Maharashtra,  out  of  77,885  EWS  houses  sanctioned  under
- IHSDP, construction of 59,023 houses has been completed so far.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 565 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Backlog of Vacancies
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NEELAM SONKER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.565 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017

## BACKLOG OF VACANCIES

- +565.  SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of employees employed in the Railways and the backlog of vacancies in various categories;
- (b) whether  the  railway  network  is  getting  affected  due  to  the shortage of skilled employees and if so, the policy formulated by the Government for this purpose; and
- (c) the number of new employees recruited in the Railways along with the number of employees retired during the last three years?

## 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. 565 BY SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER  TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 19.07.2017 REGARDING BACKLOG

OF VACANCIES

- The  total  number  of  employees  employed  in  the  Railways  in Group 'A', Group 'B' and Group 'C' (including erstwhile Group 'D') as on 01.01.2017  are 7,728, 5,062 and 13,00,894 (Provisional) and the respectively
- (a) backlog of vacancies 1,870; 432 and 2,38,592 (Provisional).
- No,  Madam.   The  Indian  Railways  have  a  continuous  process  of filling  up  the  vacancies.    Recruitment  is  made  through  Union Public  Service  Commission,  Railway  Recruitment  Boards  and Railway Recruitment Cells. Regarding skilling of staff, we impart induction,  refresher  and  promotional  training  to  staff  to  hone  up
- (b) their skills in various training institutes/schools.
- (c) Railway  Recruitment  Boards  (RRBs)  and  Railway  Recruitment Cells (RRCs) empanelled 1,12,073 (Provisional) persons and number of employees retired are 1,79,322 in the last 3 years.
Lok Sabha Question No. 564 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Diplomatic Missions in Small Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.564 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017

## DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN SMALL COUNTRIES

564. SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

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 alone, 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 therefor?

## 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 consideration.
- (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  Tome  and  Principe,  Sierra  Leone,  Solomon  Islands, Somalia,  Swaziland,  The  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia, The  Holy  See,  Timor-Leste,  Togo,  Tonga,  Tuvalu,  Uruguay  and Vanuatu. All these countries are covered by concurrent accreditation. (c) & (d) Yes. Since 2007, 23 countries have opened new Embassies in India. These are Equatorial Guinea, Honduras, Latvia, Lithuania,  Guatemala,  Bolivia,  Estonia,  Republic  of  Congo,  South Sudan, Niger, Togo, Costa Rica, Burundi, Macedonia, Benin, Guinea, Malawi,  Malta,  Iceland,  Botswana,  Papua  &  New  Guinea,  Bahrain and  Georgia.    Of  these,  India  does  not  have  resident  Mission  in Equatorial  Guinea,  Honduras,  Latvia,  Lithuania,  Bolivia,  Estonia, Republic of Congo, Togo, Costa Rica, Burundi, Benin, Macedonia and Georgia.  Proposal  to  open  new  resident  diplomatic  Missions  on reciprocal basis in countries which have resident diplomatic Missions in India is currently under contemplation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 562 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Dangerous Flats
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: SAKSHI SWAMI MAHARAJ

## O.I.H. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 562 TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 19, 2017.

## DANGEROUS FLATS

## NO. 562 DR. SWAMI SAKSHIJI MAHARAJ :

## Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether  the  Central  Public  Works  Department  (CPWD)  has declared a number of Government quarters/accommodations/bungalows/flats as not fit-to-live across the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  existing  details  in  this  regard,  State-wise  including
- Uttar Pradesh;
- (c) the  reasons  for  poor  maintenance  of  these  Government  flats
- and dwelling units; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government  to  redevelop these Government accommodations in phased manner?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a): Yes, Madam.
- (b): The details in this regard, State-wise, are annexed.
- (c) & (d): Maintenance  of  Government  accommodation  is  carried out  by  CPWD  as  per  requirements  based  on  laid  down norms.  Redevelopment of Government colonies is being taken up on a case-to-case basis beginning with Delhi in a phased manner.

******

Annexure  referred  to  in  the  reply  to  Part  (b)  of  the  Lok  Sabha Unstarred Question No. 562 for 19.07.2017 ****

State wise details of the Quarters / Residences / Bungalows / Flats declared as uninhabitable by CPWD.

|   Sl. No | Name of State   |   No. of Bungalows/Qrts. etc declared uninhabitable. |
|----------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Delhi           |                                                 1305 |
|        2 | Maharashtra     |                                                  627 |
|        3 | J&K             |                                                   50 |
|        4 | Haryana         |                                                  248 |
|        5 | West Bengal     |                                                  440 |
|        6 | Goa             |                                                   40 |
|        7 | Uttar Pradesh   |                                                   00 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 561 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Videorecording of Court Proceedings
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: UDIT RAJ

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 561.

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 19 TH JULY, 2017.

## Videorecording of Court Proceedings

561. DR. UDIT RAJ:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to ensure that all proceedings in the Supreme Court, High Courts and District Courts are recorded on video; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the progress made in this regard, so far?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The decision on audio-video recording of proceedings in all courts of the country lies within the domain of judiciary.  The Government has been receiving  suggestions  for  the  implementation  of  audio-video  recording  of court proceedings.  The issue has also been discussed in the meetings of Advisory Council of National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms. In  the  meeting  of  eCommittee  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  India  held  on 8 th January, 2014, Hon'ble Chief Justice of India advised deferment of audiovideo recording of court proceedings as this would require consultations with Hon'ble Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts.  The matter was again taken up with Hon'ble Chief Justice of India.  It was taken up for discussion by  the  full  court  of  the  Supreme  Court.  However,  no  consensus  on  the subject could emerge.

In  Writ  Petition  (Criminal)  No.99  of  2015  (Pradyuman  Bisht  versus Union of India & others), Supreme Court of India sought a report from senior counsel  on  functioning  of  CCTV  cameras  (without  audio  recording  )  at Gurugaon Courts and after receipt of report, Supreme Court of India inter-alia directed that at least in two districts in  every State/Union Territory (with the exception of small States/Union Territories where it may be considered to be difficult to do so by the concerned High Courts) CCTV cameras (without audio recording) may be installed inside the courts and at such important locations of the court complexes as may be considered appropriate.

***************
Lok Sabha Question No. 554 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Intake in Law Universities
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 554 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017

## Intake in Law Universities

† 554. SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  ordered  the  Indian  Legal  Council  to  reconsider increasing  the number of  seats for admission  in law  in  the University  of  Delhi; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) and (b) : The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 553 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: EVMs
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY, M. CHANDRAKASI

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 553

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 19 th

## EVMs

## 553. SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY: SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

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

- (a) the details of countries where elections are held using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs);
- (b) whether the Government intends to introduce a system whereby an endorsement slip will be dispensed to the voter through a VVPAT machine attached to the EVM and if so, details thereof;
- (c) the details relating to reported incidents of malfunctioning of VVPAT machine of electronic voting machine during a demonstration exercise carried out before the Assembly bye-elections of Bhind Assembly constituency in April, 2017 in Madhya Pradesh along with the action taken in the matter;
- (d) whether Election Commission proposes to purchase VVPAT machines from ECIL and BEL; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the progress made thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  The  Election  Commission  has  informed  that  the  elections  are  held  using  Electronic  Voting  Machines (EVMs) in Namibia, Armenia, Bhutan, Australia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, USA, Argentina, Brazil and  Venezuela.

- (b): Yes, Madam.
- (c):  The  Election  Commission  has  informed  that  the  incident  pertains  to  the  bye-election  to  Ater  Assembly Constituency in Bhind District of Madhya Pradesh in Mar-Apr 2017, wherein it was claimed that on pressing 4 (four) different buttons on the machine, only the symbols of one party were printed. A detailed enquiry into the reported allegations of EVM tampering to favour a specific political party was conducted by the Commission. The  Enquiry  report  clearly  pointed  out  that  the  allegations  were  totally  unsubstantiated  and  baseless.  The technical  examination of the Ballot Unit (BU), Control Unit (CU) and VVPAT unit, oral examination of the officials  present  and  the  data  retrieved  from  the  Control  Unit have  conclusively  established  that  during  the demonstration held on 31 st March, 2017, symbols corresponding to the buttons pressed on the ballot unit were displayed. Therefore, there was no malfunctioning of the VVPAT unit.

(d) and (e): Yes, Madam. The Commission has informed that it has already placed work order on 19 th May, 2017, for procurement of  8,07,500 VVPATs each from M/s Bharat Electronics Limited and M/s Electronics Corporation of India Limited.

*******

## JULY, 2017