opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2404 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Concession in Fares to Senior Citizens
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2404 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2018

## CONCESSION IN FARES TO SENIOR CITIZENS

†2404. SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether, in the recent past, the Prime Minister made an appeal to the rich senior citizens to give up the concession in passenger fares;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

- (c) the revenue earned by the railways as a result thereof during the last and the current financial year, so far;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  withdraw  concessions for passengers earning more than 50,000 rupees per month; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER ( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

(d):  There  is  no  such  proposal  to  withdraw  concessions.  As  a  social obligation Railways grant concessions to more than 50 categories of passengers including four categories of Divyangjan, 11 categories of patients, war widows, students, senior citizens, workers of unorganised sector, artists, sports person etc. (e): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2403 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Renovation of Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2403 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2018

## RENOVATION OF RAILWAY STATIONS

2403. SHRI KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has decided to renovate the railway stations in the State of Andhra Pradesh under its railway stations redevelopment programme;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of the stations being considered for renovation and redevelopment, particularly in the state of Andhra Pradesh; and
- (d) the quantum of funds allocated for this purpose?

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.  2403  BY  SHRI  KONAKALLA  NARAYANA RAO  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  01.08.2018  REGARDING RENOVATION OF RAILWAY STATIONS

(a)to(c)  :  Railways  have  planned  for  redevelopment  of  major  Railway stations by  making Indian Railway Stations  Development Corporation Limited  (IRSDC)  as  Nodal  Agency,  through  simplified  procedures  and with longer lease tenures.  These include Railway stations situated in the State of Andhra Pradesh. Most of these stations will be redeveloped under PPP mode.

An MOU  has  been signed between Rail Land Development Authority(RLDA) and National Buildings Construction Corporation India Limited(NBCC)  for  redevelopment  of  Nellore  and  Tirupati  Railway stations in Andhra Pradesh.  Bids have been invited for Tirupati Station. For Nellore station, Detailed Project Reports(DPR) is under approval.

(d)    Redevelopment  of  stations is  planned through leveraging of commercial  development  of  vacant land/air space  in and around stations.  Therefore,  no  funds  have  been  earmarked  for  the  purpose. Such projects shall generally be cost neutral to Railways.

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2402 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2402

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2018

## NUCLEAR SAFETY REGULATORY AUTHORITY

2402.   SHRI  ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Prime Minister be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  a  Nuclear  Safety  Regulatory Authority (NSRA) in the country;
- (b) if so, the details, the objectives and the salient features thereof; and
- (c) the  present status  of the said proposal along with the time by which it is likely to be set up?

## ANSWER

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

(a)to(c)  Government of India attaches the highest importance to nuclear safety and will take  all  the  necessary  measures  to  ensure  safety  of  our  plants.  All  nuclear power projects undergo an elaborate in-depth safety review during their various consenting  stages,  viz.  siting,  construction,  commissioning,  etc.    In  order  to convert the functional independence of our national nuclear regulator, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), into de jure independence, the proposal for setting  up  a  Nuclear  Safety  Regulatory  Authority  (NSRA)  is  being  pursued. The inter-ministerial consultations on the preliminary draft are to be carried out.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2401 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Digital District in Bihar
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: RAMA DEVI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2401 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 ST  AUGUST, 2018

## DIGITAL DISTRICT IN BIHAR

## †2401. SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Sheohar district in Bihar has been made a digital district;
- (b) if so, the details in this regard; and
- (c) the details of the infrastructure set up for making this district a digital district?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The Government of India does not have any scheme/project called 'Digital District'. However, the telecom infrastructure in Sheohar district in Bihar includes mobile coverage  in  all  inhabited  villages  (as  per  census  2011)  of  the  district,  and  57  Gram Panchayats (out of 58 Gram Panchayats) ready for broadband service under BharatNet.

*****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2400 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Indonesian Port for India
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2400

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2018

## INDONESIAN PORT FOR INDIA

2400. SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Indonesia has proposed to open its sea port for India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether India proposes to set up deep sea port in the marine-line of Andaman sea and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a)   to   (c)     During   the   visit   of   Prime   Minister   Shri   Narendra   Modi   to Indonesia on 29-30 May 2018, the two sides agreed to upgrade bilateral relationship from strategic partnership, which was established in 2005, to a New Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two sides agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in economic, investment and infrastructure field. The Joint Statement issued during the visit inter alia stated that the two sides 'appreciate the decision to set up a Joint T ask Force to undertake projects   for   port   related   infrastructure   in   and   around   Sabang'   and 'welcome the plan to build connectivity between Andaman Nicobar - Aceh to unleash the economic potentials of both areas.'

In   addition,   during   the   visit,   the   two   sides   have   issued   'Shared Vision of India-Indonesia Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific' which called for two sides 'to take necessary steps to enhance connectivity (institutional , physical, digital and people - to people) between Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India and Provinces in Sumatra Islands of Indonesia to promote trade, tourism and people to people contacts; facilitate B to B linkages between the Chamber of Commerce of Andaman and the ones of the Provinces in Sumatra, including Aceh.'

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2397 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Landing of Aircrafts on National Highways
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2397

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 1 ST  AUGUST, 2018

## LANDING OF AIRCRAFTS ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

2397.  SHRI  RAHUL KASWAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to land the aircrafts of Indian Air Force on the national highways;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has taken any steps in this regard so far; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) to (c): The  Indian Air Force  (IAF) has  identified  certain  highway stretches  across  the  country  to  be  used  as  landing  strips  for  aircraft operation during operational contingencies and natural disaster.  A generic plan in this regard was sent to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways which has found some of the locations suitable.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2396 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Palamu Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUNIL KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2396 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2018

## PALAMU EXPRESS

†2396. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  total  time  taken  by  Train  No.  13347/13348  Palamu  Express  from Patna to Barkakana as well as during its return journey;
- (b)  the  reasons  for  the  said  train  taking  around  two  hour  extra  time  in completing to and fro journey;
- (c) whether there is possibility to reduce the time taken by Palamu Express from Barkakana to Patna; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) & (b)  The journey time of 13347 Barkakana-Patna Palamau Express and hrs respectively.  The extra running time in the former is owing to operational reasons which includes precedence given to Rajdhani Express trains over
- 13348 Patna-Barkakana Palamau Express is 14.00 hrs & 12.15 this service.
- (c)  &  (d)  At  present,  reduction  in  journey  time  of  13347/13348  BarkakanaPatna Palamau Express is not feasible. However, reduction of time/speeding up of trains is an ongoing process over Indian Railways and is done keeping in view the operational feasibility and availability of resources,  availability  of  path,  platform  availability  at  the  stations  where the train has stoppage, infringement of corridor maintenance blocks, speed of rolling stock/Loco, type of signaling system, maximum permissible speed of the section on which the train is passing etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2395 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: LTC to Employees
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, S. RAJENDRAN, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., SUDHEER GUPTA, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2395

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2018)

## LTC TO EMPLOYEES

## 2395. KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI S. RAJENDRAN:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  servants  may  avail  LTC  to  visit  any  place  in  Jammu  and Kashmir, North-East Region and Andaman and Nicobar Islands against the conversion of their one home town LTC;
- (b) if so, the period for which the said facility will be available;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  extend  the  said  facilities  after  expiry  of  the completion of said period to boost tourism in such States;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same; and
- (e) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  expand  such  facilities  to  their employees in other States?

## 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) & (b) :    Yes Madam. All  eligible Central Government employees can avail LTC to visit any place in Jammu and Kashmir, North-East Region and Andaman and Nicobar Islands against the conversion of their one home town LTC.  The currency period of the said scheme is up to 25 th September, 2018.
- (c) to (e) :    The proposal to extend the present scheme of Home Town LTC conversion to visit any place in Jammu and Kashmir, North-East Region and Andaman and Nicobar Islands is under active consideration of the Government.

There is no proposal to extend such facilities for visit to any other State.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2393 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Railway Development Authority
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA, DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2393 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2018

## RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

2393.  SHRI KUNDARIYA MOHAN BHAI KALYANJI BHAI : SHRI D. S. RATHOD :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- whether the Government has constituted the Railway Development
- (a) Authority (RDA) ;
- (b)
- if so, the details, objectives and the mandate thereof;
- (c) whether RDA is facing a shortage of professionals;
- (d) If  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  remedial  steps  taken  in  this regard; and
- (e)
- the activities so far undertaken by RDA?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) : Government has approved the constitution of the Rail Development
- Authority (RDA) in April, 2017.
- (b) : The objective/mandate of RDA is to get expert advice/make informed decision on :-
- (i)    Pricing of services commensurate with costs;
- (ii)   Measures for enhancement of non-fare Revenue;
- (iii)   Protection of consumer  interests, by ensuring quality of service and cost optimization;
- (iv)   Promoting competition, efficiency and economy;

- (v) Encouraging market development and participation of stakeholders in the rail sector and for ensuring a fair deal to the stakeholders and customers;
- (vi)   Creating positive environment for investment;
- (vii)  Promoting efficient allocation of resources in the Sector;
- (vii)  Promoting efficient allocation of resources in the Sector;
- (viii) Benchmarking of service standards against international norms  and specify and enforce standards with respect to the quality, continuity and reliability of services provided by them;
- (ix)  Providing framework for non-discriminatory open access to the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC)  infrastructure  and others  in future;
- (x) Suggesting measures to absorb new technologies for achieving desired efficiency and performance standards; and
- (xi)  Suggesting  measures  for  human  resource  development  to achieve any of its stated objectives.

(c) to (e) :  The process of selection of  Chairman and Members has been initiated. A search-cum-selection committee, under the Chairmanship of Cabinet  Secretary,  has  been  constituted  to  select  the  Chairman  and three Members of the Rail Development Authority (RDA). The terms and conditions governing the appointment  of the Chairman  and  three members have been finalized.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2392 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Duronto Express between Allahabad and Dehradun
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHYAMA CHARAN GUPTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2392 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2018

## DURONTO EXPRESS BETWEEN ALLAHABAD AND DEHRADUN

†2392.  SHRI SHYAMA CHARAN GUPTA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  run  any  other  fast  train (Duronto Express) between Allahabad and Dehradun for the convenience of passengers; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  &  (b):  At  present,  there  is  no  proposal  for  introduction  of  a  new Duronto  Express  between  Allahabad  and  Dehradun  due  to  operational and resource constraints.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2391 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Defence Cooperation Pact
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2391

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 1 ST  AUGUST, 2018

## DEFENCE COOPERATION PACT

2391.  SHRI  JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposal  from  China  for  a  border defence cooperation pact;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and
- (c) the steps taken / proposed to be taken by the Government to strengthen the defence cooperation between both the countries?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

- (a) & (b): An  Agreement  on  Border  Defence  Cooperation  between  India and China was signed on 23 rd October 2013.  No new proposal for a border defence cooperation pact has been received from China.
- (c) The  Government  has  taken  various  steps  to  strengthen  defence cooperation  with  China,  including  mechanisms  to  enhance  military  to military  exchanges  and  to  ensure  maintenance  of  peace,  stability  and tranquillity along the India-China border.  These include:
- (i) Annual Defence and Security Dialogue
- (ii) Exchanges at the level of border troops
- (iii)  Border Personnel Meetings
- (iv)  Meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs; and
- (v) Agreements and protocols relating to Confidence Building measures.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2389 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Auction and Handing over of Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## Government of India Ministry of Coal LOK SABHA

## Unstarred question no. 2389 To be answered on 01.08.2018

## Auction and Handing over of Mines

## 2389. DR. P. VENUGOPAL

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the majority of the mines currently, which have been auctioned or allocated are scheduled to be handed over by 2019-20 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the delayed clearances, land acquisition problems, resettlement and rehabilitation issues, evacuation constraints, etc. can delay materialization of these plans and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  estimated  coal  production  in  short  term  Financial  year  2020-22,  is  1050 MTPA which is comparable to the demand and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COAL, FINANCE & CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) & (b): As on date, 84 coal mines have been Auctioned/Allotted under the provisions of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015. The details of coal mines scheduled for operationalisation are as under:-

| Year          |   No. of mines scheduled operationalisation as per Agreement | for the No. of mines having mine opening permission   |
|---------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|
| Up-to 2017-18 |                                                           33 | 19                                                    |
| 2018-19       |                                                           15 | 03 (As on date)                                       |
| 2019-20       |                                                           23 | -                                                     |
| 2020-21       |                                                           11 | -                                                     |
| 2021-22       |                                                           01 | -                                                     |
| 2022-23       |                                                           01 | -                                                     |
| Total         |                                                           84 | 22                                                    |

The Allocatee companies have to develop the coal mine as per the milestones prescribed in the Agreement.  However,  issues  like  financial  distress  of  the  Allocatte  companies,  delay  in  land acquisition,  court  cases  etc.  have  impact  on  the  schedule  of  operationalisation/development  of some of the coal mines. In

order to remove these bottlenecks and facilitate the Allocatee company in the development of the coal mine, regular follow up with the concerned stakeholders is being done.

Point (c) Coal production for the financial year 2020-22 has not been estimated so far.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2386 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Cost Overrun of Projects
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2386 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2018

## COST OVERRUN OF PROJECTS

## 2386.   SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  60%  of  the  Railway  projects  are facing  huge  cost  overrun  due  to  various  reasons  and  if  so, the details thereof;
- whether the cost overrun amounts to Rs. 1.61 lakh crore due
- (b) to projects running behind schedule; and
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (c):    The  completion  of  Railway  projects  requires  clearance from various departments of State Government and Central Ministries like acquisitions of land, statutory clearance like forestry and  wild  life,    shifting  of  utilities  etc.,  which  affect  the  pace  and timely execution of projects, hence the cost overrun.

******