opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 6372 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Proposals for ITIR
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: BALABHADRA MAJHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED DIARY NO. 6372

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 12.04.2017

## PROPOSALS FOR ITIR

## 6372 SHRI  BALABHADRA   MAJHI:

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

- (a) whether  the  proposals  for  IT  Investment  Region  (ITIR)  of  State  Government  of Odisha is pending with the Government for last four years;
- (b) if so, the reasons thereof; and
- (c) the time by which it is likely to be approved?

## ANSWER

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

(a),  (b)  and  (c):    The  Cabinet  Committee  on  Economics  Affairs(CCEA)  while  considering proposal of Government of Odisha to set up ITIR in  Bhubaneswar, in its meeting held on 10.9.2014,  directed  that  ITIR  Policy  Resolution  2008  be  examined  comprehensively. Accordingly,  a  note  on  Amendments  to  the  ITIR  Policy  Resolution  2008  incorporating recommendations of Committee of Secretaries, has been submitted to Cabinet Secretariat for consideration  of  CCEA.  The  proposal  of  Government  of  Odisha  to  set  up  ITIR  in Bhubaneswar will be submitted for approval of CCEA after the approval of Amendments in ITIR Policy Resolution 2008.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 6371 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Catering Jobs by IRCTC
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVNTHI)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6371 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## CATERING JOBS BY IRCTC

6371. SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI):

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  announced  new  catering  policy  for popular  trains  by  giving  responsibility  to  the  Indian  Railways  Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Ministry is mulling to handover  catering  jobs in Parliament  House/Parliament  House  Annexe/North  Avenue  canteens  to the IRCTC; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  New  Catering  Policy  has  been  notified  on 27 th   February,  2017  with  the  objective  to  provide  quality  food  to  rail passengers by unbundling of catering services on trains. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has been mandated to carry out the unbundling by creating a distinction primarily between food preparation  and  food  distribution.  In  order  to  upgrade  quality  of  food preparation,  IRCTC  shall  be  setting  up  new  kitchens  and  upgrading

existing  ones.  New  catering  policy,  inter-alia,  includes  the  following features  for  unbundling  of  catering  services  (i)  IRCTC  shall  manage catering services on all mobile units. (ii) Meals for all mobile units will be picked up from the nominated kitchens owned, operated and managed by  IRCTC.  (iii)  IRCTC  will  engage  service  providers  from  hospitality industry  for  service  of  food  in  trains.  (iv)  IRCTC  shall  not  outrightly outsource or issue licenses for provision of catering services to private licensees. IRCTC shall retain the ownership and shall be fully accountable for all the issues pertaining to setting up and operation of the Base Kitchens and quality of food.

(c) & (d): No, Madam. Catering facilities are provided departmentally by Northern  Railway  in  Parliament  House/Parliament  House  Annexe/North Avenue canteens.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 6370 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: PIN Domain
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: JOSE K. MANI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6370 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH   APRIL, 2017

## PIN DOMAIN

## 6370. SHRI JOSE K. MANI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  a  top  level  domain  under  India's  country  code  PIN  domain  has  been  in operation for many years;
- (b) if so, when this domain was established;
- (c) the number of times the domain has been renewed; and
- (d) the other relevant details about the functioning of the domain?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Yes  Madam.  .IN  is  the  country  code  Top  Level  Domain  (ccTLD)  name, designated for use to represent India. In 1989, the National Centre for Software Technology (NCST), an autonomous organization of Government of India, was entrusted the responsibility for the operations of .IN.
- (c) There  is  no  renewal  process  of  .IN  the  top  level  domain  assigned  to  India.  In November 2004, the Government of India designated and appointed the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) a company registered under Section 25 of Companies Act, 1956 (now section 8 under Companies Act, 2013) as .IN registry to look after the operations of .IN, the .IN registry till date.
- (d) NIXI  functioning  as  the  .IN  registry  ensures  operational  stability,  security  and reliability  of  the  .IN  ccTLD.  The  .IN  registry  implements  the  .IN  policies  of  Government  of India and facilitates the registration of domain names through its accredited registrars.

At present, 117 Registrars have been accredited to offer .IN domain name registration worldwide to customers. This has helped proliferation of web hosting in the Country. Over 2.2 million .IN Domain names have so far been registered.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 6369 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: GST
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: K. GOPAL

## 6369.  DR. K. GOPAL:

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

- (a) whether the States' demand for a share in the administration of the tax on inter-state transfer of goods and services under the GST regime will not be in consonance with the constitutional amendment as per the Law Ministry;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether allowing States to have a say in administration of GST will be constitutional; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

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

- (a)  and  (b): In  the  9 th GST Council meeting held on 16 th January,  2017,  it  was  decided  that powers under the IGST Act (which deals with inter-State transfer of goods and services) shall be cross empowered to the State tax administration on the same basis as under the CGST and the SGST Acts either under law or under Article 258 of the Constitution but with the exception that the Central tax administration shall alone have the power to adjudicate a case where the disputed issue relates to place of supply, or when an affected State requests that the case be adjudicated by the CGST authority and for such issues of export and import as may be discussed in the Law Committee of officers and brought back to the Council for decision.
- (c) and (d): In the 9 th GST Council meeting held on 16 th January, 2017, it was decided that there shall be a division of taxpayers between the Central and the State tax administrations for all administrative purposes and that out of the total number of taxpayers below Rs.1.5 crore turnover, all administrative control over 90% of the taxpayers shall vest with the State tax administration and 10% with the Central tax administration.  In respect of the total number of

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6369

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 12 th APRIL, 2017

*****

## GST

taxpayers above Rs.1.5 crore turnover, it was decided that all administrative control shall be divided equally in the ratio of 50% each for the Central and the State tax administration.
Lok Sabha Question No. 6367 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Export of Software Services
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  6367

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 12.04.2017

## EXPORT OF SOFTWARE SERVICES

## 6367. SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY:

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

- (a) whether  India's  software  industry  has  experienced  a  decline  in  export  and  if  so,  the reasons therefor and the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (b) whether  any  committee  has  now  been  set  up  in  this  regard  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): According  to  National Association  of  Software  and  Services  Companies (NASSCOM), the Indian IT-ITES industry export revenue continues to grow at about 8.5% and is estimated to generate  US $ 117.0 billion in FY 2016-17 as compared to US $ 107.8 billion in FY 2015-16.  However, though there has been a growth in real terms, growth % has declined from 10.3% to 8.5%. This is largely attributed to the global   political uncertainties as clients go slow on their decision-making and investment processes.
- (b): Government  of  India  has  undertaken  a  consultative  approach  with  the  industry associations including NASSCOM and industry members to discuss measures to improve the overall state of the IT industry and key challenges being faced. Besides, efforts are also being made  to  diversify  global  markets  which  include  markets  like  Africa,  South  America, Australia, Israel, China and Japan.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 6366 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Digital Payment Security Alliance
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (MeitY)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 6366

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 12.04.2017

## DIGITAL PAYMENT SECURITY ALLIANCE

## 6366.  SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR

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

- (a) whether Google India and the Ministry has jointly launched 'Digital Payment Security Alliance''  initiative  to  create  community  awareness  on  safe  and  secure  digital  practice and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether Google, in collaboration with the Ministry also announced 'Digital Unlocked' initiative to train one lakh artisans per year across India and enable them to tap into newer markets through improved visibility of their products on internet; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):   No, Sir.

(b) and (c):   No, Sir.   With the target of 2500 crore digital transactions in the financial year 2017-18, there will be 8 fold increase in digital transactions. Therefore, it becomes imperative to strengthen the security of digital payments ecosystem. Strengthening the cyber security is a continuous process and can be achieved by participation of all stakeholders including private players such as Google India.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 6365 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Skill Training in Central Jails
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: PREM DAS RAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6365 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## SKILL TRAINING IN CENTRAL JAILS

## 6365. SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

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

- (a) whether the Government is running any skill development programmes in central jails focused on jail to civil life transition of inmates;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if  not,  whether  the  Government proposes to introduce such programmes and if so, the plan chalked out in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) 'Prisons' is a State subject as per the  Seventh  Schedule  to the Constitution of India and management of jails, including skilling of inmates is primarily the responsibility of the States. However, training of prisoners in various vocational skills has  received  a  lot  of  importance  in  almost  all  the  States/Union  Territories  and  these programmes are organized by the jail authorities with the help of State Government/industry/other voluntary organizations from time to time.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 2015-16, 851 inmates of Tihar Jail, Delhi were enrolled and trained in a range of trades including Beauty and Wellness, Retail, Data Entry Operator, Electrician, Hospitality, Telecom, Customer Care Executive, Sewing Machine Operator etc. through two training partners of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 6364 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Harmful Effects of Social Media
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6364 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH   APRIL, 2017

## HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

†6364. PROF. PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the US-based radiological association has published a report which claims that use of social media including the use of smart phones are harmful to humans;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any research study in view of the said report; and
- (d) 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) Madam, no such report, published by US-based radiological association, which claims that use of social media including the use of smart phones are harmful to humans, has been brought into the knowledge of Department of Telecommunications (DoT). However, there are studies which have evaluated the impact of excessive use of social media/ internet, mobile  phone  etc.  Institute  like  National  Institute  of  Mental  Health  and  Neuro  Sciences, Bengaluru  has  been  providing  consultation  to  the  patients  of  internet  addiction  at  its specialized outpatient department (OPD). National Mental Health Programme also addresses these issues in its clinical interventions.

Further,  some  concerns  regarding  ill  effects  of  electromagnetic  emission  on  human health,  from  use  of  mobile  phone,  have  also  been  raised.  However,  the  World  Health Organisation  (WHO)  in  its  Fact  Sheet  193  published  in  June  2011  has  concluded  that  ' A large number of studies have been performed over the last two decades to assess whether mobile phones pose a potential health risk. To  date,  no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use '.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 6363 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Regional Climate Services
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: ANIL SHIROLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 6363 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017

## REGIONAL CLIMATE SERVICES

## 6363. SHRI ANIL SHIROLE:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of Regional Climate Services set up so far in the country, State/UTwise including in Maharashtra;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to develop an Advanced Regional Climate Services Framework across the country;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and the reasons therefor;
- (d) the details of the funds likely to be sanctioned and target set in this regard; and
- (e) the time by which it is likely to be developed?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY)

- (a) India  Meteorological  Department  (IMD)  is  the  nodal  Government  agency responsible  for  providing  operational  weather  and  climate  services  required for the country.

For providing region-wise weather and climate services, , there are 6 Regional Meteorological Centres (RMCs) with headquarters at Chennai, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Kolkata, & Guwahati.

Under  each  RMC,  there  is  State  Meteorological  Centers  (MC)  in  each  of  the state capitals.

The  RMCs  and  MCs  provide  basic  climate  services  like  climatological  and extreme weather and climate information, agromet advisories etc and other service  products  disseminated  from  office  to  Climate  Research  &  Services (CRS), IMD, Pune.

CRS carries out many India specific specialized climate related activities like Climate  Monitoring  and  Analysis,  Climate  Prediction  (Seasonal  Forecasts),

Climate Data Management, Climate Research and Climate Applications.

- (b-c)   CRS is made functional to roll out climate services. Various groups have been created under CRS to render specific climate services activities in a gradual manner.
- (d-e)   The  climate  services  activity  was  a  part  continuing  activities  from  12 th   plan and will be supported for rendering all necessary service delivery during the current planning period (2017-20).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 6362 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Guidelines to Release MPLAD Funds to New MPs
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6362

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 12 TH  APRIL, 2017

## GUIDELINES TO RELEASE MPLAD FUNDS TO NEW MPS

## 6362.   SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether  as  per  the  guidelines,  MPLAD  funds  will  not  be released to new MPs who have not completed three months of tenure  and  upto  nine  months,  only  half  of  funds  will  be released;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c)   whether  the  Ministry  is  aware  that  in  such  cases,  new  MPs will lose practically half years' MPLAD funds;
- (d)   if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  revise  the  said guidelines for releasing the  MPLAD  funds  to  new  MPs, irrespective of their service months; and
- (e)   if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION [SHRI  D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA]

(a) to (c): The entitlement  of  funds  of  a  Member  of  Parliament  for  a particular financial year is determined  on  the basis of  months completed during the financial year as follows:

| Period in the financial year as MP   | Entitlement   |
|--------------------------------------|---------------|
| Less than 3 months                   | Nil           |

| Up to 9 months     | 50% of the annual allocation   |
|--------------------|--------------------------------|
| More than 9 months | 100% of the annual allocation  |

The first instalment of Rs. 2.5 crore will be released to a newly elected MP, if entitled, at the time of constitution of Lok Sabha and election as a Rajya Sabha member.

The  tenure  of  a  Lok  Sabha  MP  is  for  5  years,  which  makes  him/her eligible  to  receive  10  instalments  of  Rs.  2.5  crore  each  during  the tenure. In case of a new MP who has not completed the tenure of three months or nine months during his/her first year, the entitlements are reduced only for the first financial year. However, the same MP would get  the  left  over  instalment  of  the  first  year,  during  the  last  year  of his/her term. Hence, the question of loosing half year's MPLADS fund does not arise.

This principle would apply mutatis-mutandis to Rajya Sabha MPs who are eligible to receive 12 instalments of Rs. 2.5 crore each during their 6 years tenure.

(d): No, Madam.

(e): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6360 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Indo-Canadian Science Programme on Clean Water Technology
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: RITI PATHAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6360 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12/04/2017

## Indo- Canadian Science Programme on Clean Water Technology

## 6360. SHRIMATIRITI PATHAK:

## Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- ( a) the funds allocated for Indo - Canadian Science Programme focussed on clean water technology;
- ( b) the outcome of technologies adopted for ensuring supply of clean drinking water and effective wate r management;
- ( c) whether the said technology has been put to use in India; and
- ( d) if not, the reasons therefor and the time by which the said technology is likely to to use in India?

## ANSWER

- ( a) Yes,  Madam.  The  Department  of  Biotechnology  and  Department  of  Science  and Technology,  Ministry  of  Science  and  Technology  are  collaborating  with  The  Indi -Canada Centre for Innovation Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Communi Transformation and Sustainability (IC - IMPACTS), to promote multidisciplinary research partnerships. Five projects addressing the issue of Clean Water Technologies are implemented by the Departments at the total cost of Rs. 572 lakhs with matched fun from Canada.
- ( b) The following technologies are being developed and envisaged as outcomes:
- i ) Biosensors for detection of toxins: -impedance- based  handheld  biosensors  for assessment of the water quality and a nanoparticle based water treatment sys

to eliminate toxins and m icroorganisms in water. Toxins which will be detected are  cyanotoxin  (microcystins,  anatoxins)  and  microorganisms  ( Enterococcus , Salmonella , Staphylococcus ).

## ii ) Heavy metal detection and  removal :

Plastic cartridges for color based test monitoring kit for detection of multiplex heavy metal

Developing fixed bed biochar columns to remove heavy metals from waste water

- iii ) Biorecovery fr om waste water ( waste to wealth) : -Integrated pilot - scale 915 MHz MW - AOP for advanced anaerobic digestion system for resource r ecovery
- iv ) Survey to identify and explore alternatives in domestic water management: -technology and financial appropriateness of water and wastewater infrastruct inselected cities of India
- ( c) These Technologies are currently being developed with the aim tha t these technologies will be implemented in India.
- ( d) Prior art is available for the technologies being developed. The technologies are adapted and modified for Indian conditions. Technologies developed will be taken feasibility studies and shall b e implemented on pilot scale within two years.