opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4442 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Appointment on Compassionate Grounds
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: K. KAMARAAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4442 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## APPOINTMENT ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS

4442. DR. K. KAMARAJ:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  applications  for    appointment  on  compassionate grounds  pending  with  the  Railways,  State-wise  including  Tamil Nadu; and
- (b)     the time by which these applications are likely to be disposed of?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a): A total of 1490 cases were pending for appointment on compassionate grounds on the Railways at the end of November 2016. State-wise details of such cases are not maintained.
- (b):   Each and every case of compassionate appointment is dealt with and  disposed  of  expeditiously  to  save  the  family  of  the  ex-employee from any hardship.  Majority of such cases are pending on account of wards being minor, non-availability of suitable vacancies, legal cases pending in courts, etc. Therefore, no time frame can be laid down for the disposal of the pending cases.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4441 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Legal Service for Foreigners
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4441 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## Legal Service for Foreigners

## 4441. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken a decision to open legal services for foreigners in a calibrated manner;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and whether several developed countries have been urging the Government to open legal service sectors for foreign firms;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and whether this move would help the country in increasing its share in the global service trade; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  to  (d)  :  The  matter  regarding  entry  of  foreign  lawyers/law  firms  is  under  consideration  of  the Government.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4440 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: New Real Estate Act, 2016
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4440

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 29, 2017

## NEW REAL ESTATE ACT, 2016

No. 4440 SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

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

- (a) whether  the  States  and  Union  Territories  have  notified
- their  final  Real  Estate  Rules  under  the  new  Real  Estate (Regulation  and  Development)  Act,  2016  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) the names of States who have failed to notify the same
- till date; and
- (c) the salient features of the rules required to be notified by the rules?

## ANSWER

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

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) to (c): Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation notified specific  Sections  of  the  Real  Estate  (Regulation  and Development)  Act,  2016  for  implementation  with  effect from 01 st   May,  2016, which inter-alia provide for making of  rules  and  establishment  of  regulatory  authorities  & appellate tribunals.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation being the 'appropriate Government' for Union Territories (UTs) without legislature,  notified  the  Real  Estate  (Regulation and  Development)  (General)  Rules,  2016  and  the  Real Estate  (Regulation  and  Development)  (Agreement  for Sale) Rules, 2016 on 31 st  October, 2016.

All  the  State  Governments  were  similarly  required  to frame Rules under this Act by 31 st  October, 2016.

Government  of  Uttar  Pradesh,  Government  of  Gujarat, Government of Kerala, Ministry of Urban Development (in respect  of  UT  of  Delhi)  and  Government  of  Madhya Pradesh have notified the Rules under the Act.

Rules  are  required  to  be  notified  for  matters  provided under  Section  84  of  the  Real  Estate  (Regulation  and Development) Act, 2016.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4438 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Online Appraisal System
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4438

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017)

## ONLINE APPRAISAL SYSTEM

## 4438. SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  introduce  the  online  appraisal  system  for grading in bureaucracy;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the salient features of the new notification issued in this regard;
- (c) whether this new system will also be applicable to Railway officials; and
- (d) 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) to (d):   Online filing of Performance Appraisal Reports (PARs) in respect of IAS officers introduced  on  pilot  basis  with  effect  from  01.04.2014  for  the  assessment  year  2013-14, through an application called SPARROW (Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window), has been made mandatory from the year 2014-15 onwards, vide DoPT D.O. letter  No.4/8/2008-EO(PR)  dated  21.04.2015  addressed  to  Chief  Secretaries  of  all  State Governments and Union Territory Administration.

Online  recording  system  of  Annual  Performance  Assessment  Report  for  Central Secretariat  Service  (CSS)  and  Central  Secretariat  Stenographers  Service  (CSSS)  has  been introduced  w.e.f.  01.04.2016  in  phased  manner  vide  DoPT  O.Ms  No.22/10/2015/CSI(APAR)  dated 01.04.2016 and 18.01.2017 and O.Ms  No.25/1/2016/CS-II(A) dated 13.04.2016  and  24.01.2017.    In  the  first  phase  SPARROW  was  made  applicable  for  the Deputy Secretary and above level officers in CSS and   Principal Staff Officers (PSO) and Senior  Principal  Private  Secretaries  (Sr.PPS)  in  CSSS.    This  has  now  been  extended  to Under  Secretary  (CSS)  and  Principal  Private  Secretaries  (CSSS)  for  online  recording  of APAR for the year 2016-17.

In  view of the success of online recording of PARs of IAS officers and CSS/CSSS officers, the Cadre Controlling Authorities of Group 'A' Central Civil Services including the Ministry of Railways, Department of Public Enterprises (for Central Public Sector Enterprises),  Department  of  Financial  Services  (for  PSBs,  FIs  and  Insurance  Companies) have  been  advised  vide  DoPT  D.O.  letter  No.2/9/2015-EO(ACC)  dated  18.05.2015  to introduce online recording of Annual Performance Assessment Reports. The progress made by the Cadre Controlling Authorities is being monitored by DoPT from time to time.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4435 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Flexi Fare Scheme
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NATUBHAI GOMANBHAI PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4435 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## FLEXI FARE SCHEME

†4435. SHRI NATUBHAI GOMANBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to start a flexi fare scheme for rail passengers;

(b) if so, the names of the trains and the class of carriage in which the said scheme is proposed to be started; and

(c) the estimated profit for the Railways as a result thereof?

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

<

(a)&(b):  Flexi  fare  scheme  has  already  been  introduced  in  all classes,  except  first  AC  and  Executive  class,  of  all  Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains w.e.f. 09-09-2016.

(c):  The  additional  earnings  from  introduction  of  Flexi  Fare  in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains during 9 th  September 2016 to 28 th  February 2017 when compared to the same period of last year is about ` 260.31 Crore.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4434 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: On Board Condition Monitoring System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KINJARAPU RAM MOHAN NAIDU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4434 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## ON BOARD CONDITION MONITORING SYSTEM

4434.  SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  called  for  domestic  bids  for  the procurement of On Board Condition Monitoring System; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the number of bids received from global vendors in this regard; and

(d)  the  timeline  fixed  for  procurement  and  implementation  of  the systems in Indian trains?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) No, Madam.
- (c) Does not arise.
- (d) Project of On Board Condition Monitoring System is presently at a very nascent stage, thus, no such timelines have been finalized yet.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4433 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Hindi and Other Regional Languages in Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4433

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 29 th  MARCH, 2017

## Hindi and Other Regional Languages in Courts

## 4433   SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:

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

- (a) whether the Government is considering to make use of Hindi and other  regional languages in the proceedings of High Courts compulsory;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the efforts made by the Government so far for use of Hindi and  other regional languages in the proceedings of court?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE & ELELCTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c) : In terms of the provisions under Article 348 (2) of the Constitution and Section 7 of the Official Language Act, 1963, use of Hindi has been authorized in the Proceedings as well as in the Decree, Judgments in the High Courts of the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The requests relating to use  of Tamil, Hindi & Gujrati languages in the High Courts of Madras, Chhattisgarh and Gujrat respectively were forwarded to Hon'ble the Chief Justice of India in accordance with the decision dated 21.05.1965 of the Cabinet Committee  which  required  that  consent  of  Hon'ble  the  Chief  Justice  of  India  be obtained on any proposal relating to use of a language other than English in the High Court.

-2-

Hon'ble the Chief Justice of India on 18.01.2016 has conveyed that the Full Court, after extensive  deliberations, did not  favour the proposals  and    reiterated  the Resolution which was adopted on 07.05.1997 and was reiterated on 15.12.1999 and on 11.10.2012, also keeping in view the Cabinet Committee decision dated 21.5.1965.

-----------
Lok Sabha Question No. 4431 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: CSC to Impart Skill Training
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4431

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 29.03.2017

## CSC  TO IMPART  SKILL TRAINING

## 4431.      DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Ministry  has  signed  an  agreement  with  cab  service  company  Uber  to  use Common Services Centres (CSCs) to impart skills training to drivers and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  aims  and  objectives  of  the  aforementioned  agreement  and  whether  this  partnership could  provide  people  at  the  grassroots  level  the  opportunity  to  become  successful  microentrepreneurs and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the other initiatives undertaken by the Government to promote access to skill development and micro-entrepreneurship opportunities?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b):  CSC e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC SPV) has signed an agreement with  Uber  for  on-boarding  interested  drivers  to  submit  applications  through  the  Common Services  Centres  (CSCs)  to  provide  an  opportunity  to  the  rural  people  having  commercial licenses to build their own transport/taxi business.
- (c):  CSC  SPV has  collaborated with  Larsen &  Toubro, Hero Motocorp, Society for Clean and Healthy Environment (SoCHE), Knowledge Podium and Siemens for skill enhancement and better opportunities towards micro-entrepreneurship.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4430 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Additional Freight Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: OM BIRLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4430 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## ADDITIONAL FREIGHT TRAINS

4430.  SHRI OM BIRLA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the railways have stepped in to quickly transport the bumper harvest of the famed red Nashik onions by operating additional freight trains;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Railways proposes to operate such trains in other parts of the country particularly Kota where there is excess production of garlic and tomatoes; and
- (d)     if not, the reasons therefor?

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

- (a) Yes, Madam. Indian Railways has taken adequate steps in this regard.

(b) During 2016-17 (April 2016- February 2017), total 316 rakes were loaded for Onions as against 191 rakes loaded during the same period in 2015-16, registering an increase of 65.4%.

(c) & (d):  No indent has been placed or pending for loading of Garlic and Tomatoes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4429 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Vacant Posts in FSI
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: BHAGWANTH KHUBA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4429 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## VACANT POSTS IN FSI

4429. SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of vacant positions in the Foreign Service Institute (FSI); and

(b) the efforts made by the Government to enter into collaboration with other similar training institutes of foreign countries?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI M. J. AKBAR)

(a) The post of Dean of the Foreign Service Institute is currently vacant  and  is  held  as  additional  charge  by  a  senior  officer  in  the Ministry of External Affairs.

(b) Foreign Service Institute enters into collaboration with other similar  training  institutes  of  foreign  countries  to  promote  bilateral cooperation through exchange of diplomats for training and sharing of best practices.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4428 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Seizure of Drugs and Money
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4428

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 29 th  MARCH, 2017

## SEIZURE OF DRUGS AND MONEY

4428. SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:

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

- (a) the details of money and drugs seized in Punjab during the recently concluded State assembly elections; and
- (b) the mode of disposing of the seized currency and drugs?

## 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 following seizures have been made during General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Punjab, 2017:-
- (i) Cash Seizure -  Rs. 58.02 Crore
- (ii) Drugs seized by Police Department & Narcotics Control Bureau -    2598 KG Drugs/ Narcotics (Heroin, Ganja, Capsules etc.), all worth Rs. 18.26 Crore (approx.).

(b):  The  Commission has further informed that the seizure made by the Flying Squads, Static Surveillance Teams, other Police Authorities and release thereof shall be dealt by the Committee formed during election in the District in terms of Commission's Standing Operating Procedure. In  cases  of  cash  seizure  involving  amounts  more  than  Rs.  10.00  Lakh,  the  Income  Tax Department  is  required  to  be  kept  informed  for  further  action  under  relevant  provisions  of Income Tax Act.

The  Commission  has  directed  to  release  the  cash  and  articles  seized  during  General Election to Punjab Legislative Assembly, 2017, where there is no link with any candidate/his or her agent/party worker, and where no FIR has been lodged or the matter has not been handed over to the  Income Tax Department.  In no case, any matter relating to seized cash/valuables shall be kept pending in malkhana or treasury etc. for more than 7 days after date of poll, unless any FIR/Complaint is filed. As per the information supplied by the Narcotics Control Bureau, Punjab the modes of disposing of the seized drugs are as under:(i) Seized Heroin, Charas, Poppy straw, Ganja etc. are disposed off as per law, by incineration, after taking disposal order from the Hon'ble Court. (ii) Seized opium is sent to Government Opium and Alkaloid factory after taking disposal order from the Hon'ble Court. As  per  the  information  supplied  by  the  State  Police  Department,  Punjab  the  mode  of disposing of the seized drugs are as under:Drugs:-  The  Drugs  seized  are  case  properties  of  various  cases  registered  in  different  Police stations  of  Punjab  and  will  be  disposed  off  with  the  due  permission  of  concerned  judicial

authorities after following the due procedure of law.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4424 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Software Technology Parks
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: BALABHADRA MAJHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  4424

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 29.03.2017

## SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY PARKS

## 4424. SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:

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

- (a) whether  the Government  has  received  proposals  for  setting up of Software Technology Parks of India (STPIs) in Odisha;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c):  According to Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), an autonomous Society under MeitY, proposals have been received  in 2014 from State Government of Odisha for setting up of STPI centres at Angul,  Jajpur, Sambalpur and Koraput (Jeypore) in the State of Odisha.

All four centres have been approved by Governing Council of STPI in their 43 rd meeting held on 23.11.2015 and MoUs have been signed with State Government on 05.11.2016.

As per the MoU, State Government has to provide land to STPI at all these locations as State contribution  for  setting  up  of  the  centres.  Accordingly,  State  Government  is  in  process  of providing suitable land to STPI.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4423 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Suspension of Pensionary Benefits
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT RAGHUNATH PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONER'S WELFARE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4423

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017)

## SUSPENSION OF PENSIONARY BENEFITS

## 4423. SHRI C.R. PATIL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  specific  grounds  on  which  pension  of  a  pensioner  can  be  curtailed  and  other retirement benefits can be withheld;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  pension  and  retirement  benefits  of  many officials  are  suspended/withheld  on  insignificant  grounds  by  the  State  Governments including NCT of Delhi; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## 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):      In  accordance  with  Rule  9  of  the  Central  Civil  Service  (Pension)  Rules,  1972,  the President reserves to himself the right of withholding a pension or gratuity, or both either in full or in part, whether permanently or for a specified period, and of ordering recovery from a pension or gratuity of the whole or part of any pecuniary loss caused to the Government, if, in any departmental or judicial proceedings, the pensioner is found guilty of grave misconduct or  negligence  during  the  period  of  service.  Under  Rule  8  of  said  Rules,  the  appointing authority may by order in writing, withhold or withdraw a pension or a  part thereof, whether permanently or for a specified period, if the pensioner is convicted of a serious crime or is found guilty of grave misconduct.
- (b) & (c):   The Central Civil Service (Pension) Rules are applicable to the civil employees / pensioners  under  the  Central  Government.  For  regulating  the  pensionary  benefits  of  the employees of the State Governments, State Governments follows their own Rules. No details regarding  withholding  of  pensionary  benefits  of  the  State  Government  employees  are available with the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4421 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Visa Limit by Australia
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4421 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## VISA LIMIT BY AUSTRALIA

## 4421. SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Australia has announced changes to the 457 visa programme, a move that will adversely affect Indians working in that country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the steps being taken by the Government to protect the Indian workers in Australia in this regard ?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Australia is making some modifications to the 457 visa programme.  These are general changes and not specific to India, although this will affect Indians as well.

The  changes  in  the  programme  relate  to  number  of  days  a person  can  stay  in  Australia  after  completion  of  the  employment contract and also to financial contribution required to be made by the  visa  holder  to  public  education  towards  the  cost  of  educating children in government schools.   The issue of 457 visa programme has been taken up with the Australian Government by the Government of India through its High Commission in Australia.

*****