opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2120 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Over Bridges
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2120 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## OVER BRIDGES

†2120. SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of Railway overbridges in Gujarat for which the construction work  is pending  at present and  the  reasons therefor;
- (b) the present status of construction work of  the said pending work of the said overbridges, project-wise; and
- (c) whether  any  targets  have  been  set  by  the  Government  for the  completion  of  the  said  overbridges  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

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.  2120  BY  SHRI  MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI  VASAVA  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 15.03.2017 REGARDING OVER BRIDGES

(a)  to  (c):  As  per  Pink  Book  2016-17,    work  for  construction  of 115  Road  Over  Bridges  (ROBs)  have  been  sanctioned  in  the State of Gujarat.  Out of these, 13 ROBs have been completed. Works for remaining 102 ROBs are at various stage of progress like planning, estimation and execution etc.

So  far  as  status  of  ROBs  is  concerned,  Railway  undertakes construction of ROBs  in Railway Bridge portion whereas approaches are being constructed by State Government. Completion of ROB depends on various factors like removal of encroachment, land acquisition, availability of funds and other regional priorities. Railways shall make every effort to complete its  portion  of  work  alongwith  that  of  approaches  by  State Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2119 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Municipal Waste
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: C.S. PUTTARAJU

No. 2119

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2119

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 15, 2017

## MUNICIPAL WASTE

SHRI C.S. PUTTA RAJU:

## Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has made it mandatory for private companies to buy compost that is extracted from municipal solid waste and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  finding  creative  ways  to  turn  mounting municipal waste into a national asset and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether about 45 compost producing plants in the country were almost defunct  because  private  firms  were  not  interested  in  marketing  their products; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) to (d): To  improve  processing  of  solid waste,  far-reaching policy interventions  have  been  introduced  to  facilitate  waste  processing  and conversion to compost and energy. In order to encourage conversion of solid waste  to  wealth,  a  variety of policy initiatives  have  been  taken,  to encourage processing of waste to compost and waste to energy, mandatory use  of  plastics  in  road  construction,  and  mandatory  use  of  recycled construction  and  demolition  waste  in  all  construction  projects.  Details  of such policy interventions are given below:

- (i) Policy on promotion of City Compost by M/o Chemicals & Fertilizers, provides Market Development Assistance of Rs. 1,500 per Tonne to scale up compost production & consumption. Compost manufacturing  plants  have  been  tagged  with  fertilizer  distribution companies  in  all  States.  Tripartite  MoUs  have  been  signed  by  50 ULBs  till  date.  Currently,  45  compost  plants  are  functional  in  the country, and 283 are under construction across various states/ UTs in the country.
- (ii) Generic  tariff  for  Waste-to-Energy  for  RDF  (Refuse  Derived  Fuel) notified by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). Ministry  of  Power  has  revised  the  Tariff  Policy  2006  under  Indian Electricity Act, 2003, making it mandatory for DISCOMS to purchase power from Waste-to-Energy plants. The determined generic tariff for Municipal Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants is Rs. 7.04 per unit and for energy plan using Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) is Rs. 7.90 per unit.
- (iii) In  order  to  process  Construction  and  Demolition  waste  in  a  costeffective manner, standards for recycled Concrete aggregate and its usage have been notified by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and CPWD has incorporated recycled materials in construction activities, complying with BIS standards.
- (iv) To facilitate Procurement of Waste Management Equipment, DGS&D has  notified  Solid  Waste  Management  linked  equipment  in  DGS&D rate contracts, for over 150 items.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2118 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Legalisation of Betting in Cricket
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2118 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## Legalization of Betting in Cricket

2118. SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:

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

- (a) whether  Law  Commission  has  examined  relevant  British  Laws  to  determine whether betting in cricket can be legalized in India, as is the case in the United Kingdom; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a)  and  (b)  :  Yes  Madam.  The  Law  Commission  of  India  has  informed  that  they  have undertaken the study on the subject titled 'Regularization of Betting and Gambling' in view of the  order/judgment dated 18.07.2016 in Civil Appeal No. 4235/2014, Board of Control for Cricket  vs.  Cricket  Association  of  Bihar  and  Ors. by  the  Supreme  Court.  The  relevant paragraph 83 of the order reads as under:-

'83.  So  also  the  recommendation  made  by  the  Committee  that  betting  should  be legalized  by  law,  involves  the  enactment  of  a  Law  which  is  a  matter that  may  be examined  by  the  Law  Commission  and  the  Government  for  such  action  as  it  may consider necessary in the facts and circumstances of the case.'

The examination undertaken by the Law Commission involves examination of laws relating to betting  and  gambling  in  foreign  countries  including  the  relevant  British  laws  i.e.  The Gambling Act, 2005 and the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1963.

The  Law  Commission  of  India  is  yet  to  submit  report  on  the  issue,  therefore,  question regarding reaction of the Government does not arise.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2116 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Freedom of Speech in Universal Periodic Review
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2116 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW

2116. SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN :

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India's recent  track  record  in  protecting  freedom  of expressions is expected to come under close scrutiny in the United Nation's next Universal Periodic Review in 2017;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether a recent human rights watch report prompted Holland to point at India's human rights record; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) India's national report for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)-III  would  be  reviewed  on  the  4 th   May,  2017  and  the  same would  be  adopted  on  the  9 th   May,  2017  during  the  27 th   Session  of UPR Working Group to be held from the 1st to 12th May, 2017.  Hence, it is not possible at this stage to indicate what issues will be raised during India's UPR Report in May, 2017. The UPR mechanism is the 'peer  review'  mechanism  established  under  the  United  Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Under this peer review members of the  United  Nations  review  each  other's  progress  in  advancing Human Rights in their respective jurisdiction, share best practices, and offer technical assistance.
- Non-Governmental Organization  (NGO)  and  there  is  no  legal  obligation  to  act  on  the
- (c) & (d) Human Rights Watch is a basis of the report.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Impact of Demonetisation on Poverty Index
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2115 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## IMPACT OF DEMONETISATION ON POVERTY INDEX

## 2115. SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

(a) whether the demonetisation has adverse impact on poverty index;

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

(c) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) to (c): The official poverty estimates are based on the recommendations made by the experts in the field from time to time. The present poverty estimates are based on the methodology recommended by the Expert Group under the Chairmanship of Prof. Suresh D. Tendulkar in 2009. The poverty estimates are computed from data of Large Sample Surveys on Household Consumer Expenditure carried out by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. These surveys are normally conducted on quinquennial basis. The latest data of Large Sample Survey on Household Consumer Expenditure has been collected by NSSO in its 68 th round conducted in 2011-12. No new equivalent survey has been done by NSSO since 2011-12. Hence, the impact of demonetization on poverty cannot be assessed at this juncture.

---------
Lok Sabha Question No. 2114 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Establishment of New Benches
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: (SMT.) RATNA DE(NAG), MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI, DHARAMBIR BHALERAM

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2114

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 15.03.2017

## Establishment of New Benches

## 2114. DR. RATNA DE (NAG): SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: SHRI DHARAMBIR:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  establish  new  benches  of  various  High
- Courts across the country including Kolkata, Allahabad and Chandigarh;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether this initiative will help to provide time-bound justice to the citizens of the country and if so, the details thereof?

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

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (c)  :  In  accordance  with  the  recommendations  made  by  the  Jaswant Singh Commission  and  judgment  pronounced  by  the  Apex  Court  in  W.P.(C)    No.379    of 2000,  Bench(es)  of  the  High  Court  are  established  after  due consideration of a complete proposal from the State Government, which is to provide infrastructure and meet  the  expenditure,  along  with  the  consent  of  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  concerned High Court, which is required to look after the day to day administration of the High Court and its Bench. The proposal should also have the consent of the Governor of the concerned State.

Establishment  of  Bench(es)  of  High  Courts  is  one  of  the  several  factors  for providing  time  bound  justice  to  citizens.  Requests  for  establishment  of  High  Court Benches  in  different  parts  of  the  country  have  been  received  from  various  sources including some State Governments. However, at present there is no proposal complete in all aspects pending for consideration by the Central Government including the High Courts of Calcutta, Allahabad and Punjab & Haryana.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2113 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Staff Strength in Passport Offices
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2113 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## STAFF STRENGTH IN PASSPORT OFFICES

## 2113.   SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  has  been  no  increase  in  the  staff  strength  in  various cadres at  various regional passport offices across the country;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has made any assessment/study to enhance the  staff  strength  in  regional  passport  offices  across  the  country  in view of increase in the volume of issuance of passport;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the  time  when  the  last  study  was  conducted  by  the  concerned Department; and
- (f) the measures taken by the Government to address the issue?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (f) The  Staff    Inspection  Unit  (SIU)  under  the  Ministry  of  Finance conducted    a  work  study  of  Central  Passport  Organization  in  2005  and recommended  creation  of  395  posts  and  abolition  of  102  posts  in  different grades. Following this, the sanctioned strength of Central Passport Organization  was  increased  from  2056  to  2349  in  2006.    The  sanctioned strength has also been increased from 2349 to 2697 on 11.6.2010 in view of the introduction of the Passport Seva Project.  Since then, there has been no increase in the staff strength of the CPO.

There are 2157 posts filled-up against the sanctioned strength of 2697. The vacant non-Gazetted posts in CPO are filled up through promotion/Limited Departmental Competitive Examination and Direct Recruitment through Staff Selection  Commission  on  regular  basis  as  per  Recruitment  Rules.    As  an interim measure, Data Entry Operators have been deployed against the vacant non-Gazetted  posts  for  smooth  functioning  of  the  Passport  Offices.    The vacant Gazetted posts are filled up through promotion and deputation as per

Recruitment Rules.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2112 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Training to Rural Youth
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2112 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## TRAINING TO RURAL YOUTH

## 2112. SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS:

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

- (a) whether Government is planning to train rural youth in various trades and if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise;
- (b) whether  Government  has  any  plans  to  establish  training  centre  in  each  MP constituency to train youth and if so, the number of MP Constituencies covered till date; and
- (c) whether Government has any programme to train women separately and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Ministry  is  implementing  its  flagship  scheme  known  as  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) on pan -India basis. PMKVY enables large number of prospective youths  which  includes  rural  youth  for  taking  short  term  fresh  training  and  Recognition  of Prior Learning (RPL) through accredited and affiliated training partner/training centers. The schemes runs across 221 job roles related to 35 Sector Skill Councils which is a diverse and exhaustive representation of the industry.
- (b) Ministry  is  also  implementing  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Kendra  (PMKK)  on  pan  India  basis  to  cover  the  prospective  youths.  Under  the  scheme,  Government  intends  to establish  a  Model  Skill  Centre  in  every  district  for  imparting  skill  training  to  aspirational youths  through  PMKVY.  As  of  7th  February  2017,  PMKKs  in  443  districts  have  been allocated, out of which 65 have been inaugurated by the Hon'ble MPs.
- (c) The Women's Training Division, Directorate General of Training under Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship conducts Vocational Training Programmes through a network  of  1  National  and  15  Regional  Vocational  Training  Institutes  (NVTI/RVTIs) exclusively for women. In various vocational courses being conducted at NVTI/RVTIs, 7003 women are undergoing training during the current session i.e. 2016-17.  Since inception, NVTI/RVTIs have trained around 1,30,103 women till January, 2017.

Also,  training  is  being  provided  through  Craftsmen  Training  Scheme  (CTS)  and Crafts  Instructor  Training  Scheme  (CITS)  under  Semester  System.  Under  State  Sector, vocational training to women under Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) is provided through 1408 Women Industrial Training Institutes (WITIs) / Women Wings with about 83,270 seats. In addition, 30% seats in General ITIs are reserved for women trainees. Around 1,35,459 women are trained in ITIs (both Govt. & Private) every year.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2111 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Consultation Services through CSC’s
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2111

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 15.03.2017

## CONSULTATION SERVICES THROUGH  CSC'S

## 2111   : SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  provide  tele-consultation  services  for animal healthcare as well as legal issues through Common Service Centres (CSCs) where kits for testing diseases such as malaria and dengue will also be available and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the CSCs provide digital access services in areas without digital connectivity; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Common Services Centres (CSCs) are being managed by CSC e-Governance Services India  Limited  (known  as  Common  Services  Centre  Special  Purpose  Vehicle-  CSC  -SPV). The  CSC-SPV has  considered  providing  tele-consultation  services  on  pilot  basis  from  the month of November 2016 for animal healthcare through CSCs in Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. However, kits for testing diseases such as malaria and dengue are not available at CSCs.
- (b)  and (c): CSCs are providing various services to citizen where internet connectivity is available.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2109 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Social Security Agreement with Germany
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2109 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH GERMANY

## 2109. ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  recently  ratified  social  security  agreement with Germany;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including its effective date; and
- (c) whether  the  agreement  would  promote  investment  flow  between  the  two countries and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) An Agreement on Social Insurance (ASI) between India and Germany was signed  on  8  October  2008  and  came  into  force  on  1  October  2009.  As  per  the Agreement, detached workers of the two countries were exempted from making social security contributions in either countries so long as they were making such contributions  in  their  respective  countries.  Subsequently  a wider  encompassing Agreement  on  Social  Security  (SSA)  including  Totalisation  of  benefits  was negotiated  and  the  SSA  was  signed  by  the  competent  authorities  of  the  two nations on 12 October 2011. The Agreement was ratified by the Hon'ble President of India on 31 October 2011. However the exchange of the ratification document was undertaken only on 23 February 2017.
- (b) Under the provisions of the Article 26 (1) of the Social Security Agreement (SSA),  the  Agreement  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  first  day  of  the  third  month following the month in which the instruments of Ratification have been exchanged.  Accordingly,  upon  the  exchange  of  instruments  of  Ratification between India and Germany on this 23rd  day of February 2017, the Social Security Agreement (SSA) shall enter into force with effect  from 1 st   May  2017.  The  SSA shall replace the earlier Agreement on Social Insurance (ASI) with effect from the said date of 1 st  May 2017 as per the provisions of the SSA.
- (c) The  Social  Security  Agreement  (SSA)  between  India  and  Germany  when operational  from  1 st   May  2017  will  favourably  impact  the  profitability  and competitive position of Indian and German companies with foreign operations in either countries by reducing their cost of doing business. Since the cost of doing business in a foreign territory would be reduced this would incentivise investments  into  the  respective  countries.  Accordingly,  the Social  Security Agreement SSA will also help promote more investment flows between the two countries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2106 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Inspection of Tracks to Avoid Accidents
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NATUBHAI GOMANBHAI PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2106 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## INSPECTION OF TRACKS TO AVOID ACCIDENTS

†2106. SHRI NATUBHAI GOMANBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is preparing any scheme to check railway tracks and signals;
- (b)  if  so,  the  time  by  which  this scheme is likely to be started along with the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon; and
- (c) whether the Government is doing this work to avoid train accidents or for other reasons and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Indian Railways is already having system of monitoring/checking of railway tracks and signals. The detailed guidelines in this regard are well  laid  down  in  Indian  Railways  Permanent  Way  Manual  &  Indian Railway Signal Engineering Manual respectively.
- (b) Does not arise.
- (c) Does not arise.

*****