opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1080 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: Quality of Road Construction Material
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1080 ANSWERED ON  21 ST  DECEMBER, 2017

## QUALITY OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION  MATERIAL

1080.  PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सडक परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether irregularities  in  the  quality  of  material  being  used  in  construction  of  roads  by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and State Governments have come to the light;
- (b) if so, the details of the standards for the material to be used in the construction of roads by NHAI/State Government;
- (c) whether the road construction companies are ensuing the quality of construction materials for roads; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (d) National  Highways  are  continuously  being  developed  and  maintained  through State PWD, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Border Road Organization (BRO) and  National  Highways  and  Infrastructure  Development  Corporation  (NHIDCL).  As  per  IRC Guidelines  and  Quality  Assurance  Manual,  Quality  checking  of  materials/testing  is  being conducted  by  the  Quality  Assurance  Team  of  NHAI  and  by  the  respective  Engineer  of  the Project for ensuring quality of material used in construction work. Besides, as per Concession/Contract  Agreement,  Independent  Engineer/Authority  Engineer  of  the  respective Packages review the quality of construction of Highways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1079 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: Timely Disbursement of Wages under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: JOSE K. MANI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1079

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2017

## TIMELY DISBURSEMENT OF WAGES UNDER MGNREGS

## 1079.   SHRI JOSE K. MANI:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether despite the Supreme Court's earlier directives for timely disbursement of daily wages under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and compensation for any delay  in  payments,  72  per cent  of  payments  due  since  September  2017  are  pending  with  3.6  lakh workforce facing payment delays of over a month;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the delay in payments of wages has become more complicated with the introduction of National Electronic Fund Management System(NEFMS);
- (d) whether  the  MGNREGS  Sangharsh  Morcha's  study  over  the  delay  of  wage payments reveal that the Government wants to curtail the outgo of allocations by delaying payments; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

(a)&(b): The Ministry along with the States/UTs has been making all efforts for improving the timely  payment  of  wages.  This  has  resulted  in  considerable  improvement  in  the  status  of timely  generation  of  pay  order  and  leading  to  improvement  in  actual  time  taken  to  credit wages in the workers account. The timely payment (pay order generation) status is illustrated below:

| Financial year                                 | 2017-18 (As on 15th Dec, 2017)   | 2016-17   | 2015-16   | 2014-15   |
|------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Timely generation and submission of pay orders | 85.11%                           | 43.64%    | 36.92%    | 26.85%    |

Further, sum of Rs.75.64 Crore has been paid as compensation towards delay in payments of wages since 3 rd January, 2014.

(c): No Sir.

(d)&(e):  The  Ministry  is  not  aware  about  any  such  study  conducted  by  MGNREGA Sangharsh Morcha. The fund release for implementation of MGNREGA to States/UTs is a continuous process and Central Government is making funds available keeping in view the demand.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1078 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: Setting up of Solar Power Plants
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: VINOD CHAVDA, KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1078

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2017

## SETTING UP OF SOLAR POWER PLANTS

## 1078. SHRI VINOD LAKHAMASHI CHAVDA: SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

(a): the  policy  of  the  Government  regarding  the  setting  up  of  solar  power  plants  in  the country;

- (b): the necessities of the present system to improvise the international market standards in setting up of solar power plants;
- (c): the efforts made by the Government for the setting up of solar power plants which are up to the international market standards; and
- (d): the details of the solar power systems which can be used for domestic purposes and at a cheaper cost?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY (I/C) (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a): The  Government  have  launched  several  schemes  for  promotion  of  solar  energy  in  the country  providing  fiscal  and  promotional  incentives  such  as  capital  and/or  interest  subsidy, accelerated depreciation, waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges and losses, viability gap funding (VGF), financing solar rooftop systems as part of home loan, preferential tariff for power generation through renewables, and permitting Foreign Direct Investment up to 100 per cent under the automatic route.

In addition, Government provides capital subsidy for setting up of manufacturing units for solar cells and modules and the entire value chain under Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

- (b) and (c): The solar power plants are setup in accordance with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standards prescribed in different scheme guidelines of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The Ministry has issued order for ensuring the quality of solar cells, solar modules and its components.

(d): Various off-grid  systems  such  as  solar  lanterns,  standalone  power  plants,  solar  pumps, street lighting systems, solar water heating systems, solar cookers etc. and grid connected rooftop systems are frequently used for domestic purposes.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1075 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: Penalty on Offenders for Polluting Ganga River
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. †1075

ANSWERED ON 21.12.2017

## PENALTY ON OFFENDERS FOR POLLUTING GANGA RIVER

## †1 075. SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched a cleaning campaign to make the Ganga river pol free;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the works b eing undertaken by the Government to make the river clean;
- (c) whether the Government has issued any guidelines/notifications regarding penalising/ penalty on those found guilty of throwing garbage in the river; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the number of people penalised in this regard during years?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES, RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND GANGA REJUVENATION & HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

( DR. SATYA PAL SINGH )

(a) & (b) Government has launched a number of schemes and campaigns for cleaning Ganga riv the latest being an umbrella program named Namami Gange, on 13 May 2015. Cleaning of r Ganga is being carried out through various coordinated activities incl uding treatment of municipal sewage,  treatment  of  industrial  effluent,  river  surface  cleaning,  rural  sanitation,  a biodiversity etc. Under Namami Gange Program, 187 projects for various activities such a infrastructure, river front de velopment, ghat & crematoria, ghat cleaning, rural sanitation etc been sanctioned, out of which 47 projects have been completed so far.

(c)  &  (d ) For causing  environment  pollution,  action  is  taken  against  the  offenders  und provisions  of  Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986  and  rules  made  thereunder.  Vide  Noti dated 07.10.2016 ,Government has also constituted authorities under EP Act, at National and Level s who have been given certain powers to prevent pollution in river Ganga including p issue direction under Section 5 of E(P) Act, 1986.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1073 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: SC and ST Sub-Plans
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: BHAGIRATH PRASAD

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1073 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2017

## SC AND ST SUB-PLANS

## 1073.   DR. BHAGIRATH PRASAD:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Ministry  has  implemented  Scheduled  Caste  Sub-Plan  (SCSP) and Scheduled Tribe Sub-Plan (STSP) under the restructured Government schemes during 2015-16;
- (b) if so, the funds allocated for the said plans during the last two years and the current year; and
- (c) the details of the number of male and female who were benefited from the development of silk, wool, handlooms and handicraft during the said period?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र      मंरी (श्री

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

- (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The funds allocated during the last two years and the current year are given below:-

Rs. in cr.

|   Year |   SCSP | STSP    |
|--------|--------|---------|
| 176.17 |  42.28 | 2015-16 |
| 167.5  |  40.2  | 2016-17 |
| 172    |  63.95 | 2017-18 |

- (c): No separate data is maintained for male and female beneficiaries.  However, a  total  of  108672  persons  under  SCSP  and  98661  persons  under  STSP  have benefitted   from handlooms, handcraft and Silk Sectors during the above period. Funds  were  allocated  and  fully  utilized  under  Wool  Sector  for  Sheep  and  Wool Improvement  Scheme (SWIS) under SCSP during 2015-16.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1072 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: Operation of Smaller Aircraft at Salem Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: ANBUMANI RAMADOSS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIA TION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO\_ 8 1072 (To be answered on the 21st December 2017)

## Operation of Smaller Aircraft at Salem Airport

## 1072. DR. ANBUMANI RAMADOSS

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Union Government has commissioned Salen airport for services by smaller aircrafts; and
- (b) if the details thereof and the taken by the Government in this regard? S0, steps

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) & (b): Madam. The Salem airport is an operational airport with runway dimension of 1829m x 4Sm suitable for ATR-72 type of aircraft operations. Presently, non-scheduled flights are operating from the airport: Further; flight operations in domestic sector have been deregulated and the airlines are free to operate anywhere in the country subject to Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDG) issued by the Government: It is upto the airline operators to provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability: However, Ministry of Civii Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme [Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN)] in October, 2016 with the objective to facilitate 1 stimulate regional air connectivity to currently underserved and unserved airports. Yes, only
Lok Sabha Question No. 1070 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: Delay/Cancellation of Flights
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: PANKAJ CHOWDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1070 December 2017)

## DELA YICANCELLATION OF FLIGHTS

1070.

SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- whether cases of flight delays and canceilations by Air India have came to the (a) notice of the Government;
- 2017 to October, (b) if so, the on-time-performance of Air India during January,
- to ensure on-time(c) operation of Air India flights; and plan
- this regard?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL A VIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

- (a) & (b): Yes; Madam: The OTP o Air Indix flights for the of January 2017 to October 2017 is attached as Annexure: period
- well as Ministry of Civil Aviation   Further, following measures are being taken to improve the punctualitylon-time performance of Air India\_ sthe
- (ii) To ensure better on-time performance; & meeting is conducted every day wherein heads 0f verticals as well as heads discuss the previous operation and take corrective action in the review day regional
- On-time Performance of flights are monitored at highest level within Air (i) India:
- (iii) Initiatives have been takea to increase the availability of resources in terms of crew and aircrait thereby improving the on-time performance Extra efforts are being made tc ensure passenger connection:
- Steps have been taken for befter coordination with airport operators, ground handling agencies wherever required
- (iv) Steps have been taken for improving availability of aircraft spares to improve aircraft availability.

| Month           |      |
|-----------------|------|
| January 2017    | 63.7 |
| February, 2017  | 73.0 |
| March, 2017     | 82.5 |
| April, 2017     | 86,1 |
| 2017 May,       | 81.3 |
| June, 2017      | 76.0 |
| July, 2017      | 73.4 |
| August; 2017    | 75.1 |
| September, 2017 | 81.7 |
| October, 2017   | 82.7 |

## ANNEXURE

.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1069 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: IEC under SBM
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: DUSHYANT SINGH

## Government of India

## Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1069 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21-12-2017

## IEC under SBM

## 1069. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION be pleased to state :

- (a)  whether  his  Ministry  has takenany steps  to  tackle the  situation  of  lowutilization  of  the Information,  Educationand  Communication  (IEC)  funds  underSwachh Bharat  Mission (Gramin) by theState Governments to spread awarenessregarding sanitation facilities among thecitizens;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not,the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposesto revise the guidelines for usage of fundsfor IEC; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not,the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION (SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

(a)  to(d)  This  Ministry  has  initiated  several  steps  to  increase  expenditure  on  Information, Education  and  Communication  (IEC).  For  release  of  2 nd instalment  for  the  financial  year 2017-18, State/UTs have to spend a mandatory 2.5% of available funds onIEC. This Ministry is  regularly  monitoring  expenditure  including  IEC  through  a  series  of  meetings/video conferences  and  during  various  workshops  organised  with  States/UTs  and  States/UTs wherein they  have to report all expenditure on Online Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) as maintained by Ministry.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1068 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: Public Transport Fare
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: JITENDRA CHAUDHURY

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether it is  a  fact  that  public  transport  fares  are  increasing  day-by-day  throughout  the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any advisory/rules/policy have been issued by the Union Government to the State Governments in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1068

ANSWERED ON 21 ST  DECEMBER, 2017

## PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARE

1068. JITENDRA CHAUDHURY:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) Public Transport fares varies across States/regions. Information on increase in fares is not available with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- (b) Doesn't arise in view of (a).
- (c) No, Madam.
- (d) Doesn't arise in view of (c).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1067 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: Cancellation/Refund of Air Tickets
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: HARI OM PANDEY, (SMT.) RATNA DE(NAG), MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE, R. GOPALAKRISHNAN, C.S. PUTTARAJU, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA, P. KUMAR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1067 (To be answered On the December 2017) 21st

## CANCELLATIONMREFUND OF AIR TICKETS

1067.

SHRI HARI OM PANDAY

DR. RATNA DE (NAG)

SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE

SHRI R: GOPALAKRISHNAN

SHRI CS. PUTTA RAJU

SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANIME GOWDA

SHRI P. KUMAR

Will the Minister of CIVIL A VIATION

be pleased to state: -

- (2) whether the Government has received any complaints regarding irregular ticket cancellation charges of all airlines and if 50, the detaiis thereof during the last three years and the current year; year-wise;
2. (c) if the details thereof;
3. (b) whether the Directorate General f Civil Aviation (DGCA) has formulated policies/rules/guidelines for cancellation charges/refund of air tickets by various airlines;
4. (d) whether the rules would be applied uniformly on all the airlines and for all types of fares Offered by airlines; and
5. (e) if the details of the positiou in case 0f change of date of journey or flight and the details of relief proposed to be given to the air passengers?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) to (e) Directorate General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) has not received any complaiats specific t0 irregular ticket cancellation charges DGCA has issued Civii Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 3 Air Transport Series 'M', Part II titled Refund of Airline Tickets to Passengers of Public Transport Undertakings

When & passenger buys an air ticket; he enters into & contract with the airline; thereby agreeing with the terms and condition stipulated therein. All the information regarding the rights of the to seat ticket itself, are available in the

flight, it is stated that, respect 0f, With passenger has to abide by the airline'$ policy. any additional for correction in the airline shall not when error in his name spelling is pointed name of the same person; out by the passenger to the airline change ticketing Jevy charge

DGCA Prescribes minimum requirements for refund of Persons/passengers with respect to air ticket purchased by scheduled domestic/non-scheduled transport undertakings included to/irom India: As per this carriers operating With regard to refund position in plus fuel CAR, levy surcharge:

.

,
Lok Sabha Question No. 1063 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: Analysis of the Performance of Sports Persons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: RAMESH BIDHURI

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1063 TO BE ANSWERD ON 21.12.2017

Analysis of the Performance of Sports Persons

- +1063.  SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has carried out the critical analysis of the performances of the Indian players during Rio Olympic 2016;
- (b)  if  so,  the  steps  taken/likely  to  be  taken  to  improve  the  poor performance of Indian players in upcoming sports events including Olympic games;
- (c) whether the Government is making any long term plan;
- (d)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  prepared  any  plan  for  the
- Olympic games 2020; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR

YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]

(a) to (e): Madam,  the  Department  had  held  consultations  with various stake holders including eminent sportspersons, coaches and National  Sports  Federations  (NSFs),  etc.  in  an  effort  to  improve India's  performance  in  future  competitions.    It  has  been  decided, among  others,  to  enhance  performance  monitoring,  emphasize  on greater  role  of  coaches  in  devising  training  programmes  of  medal prospects and strengthen sports science set up. National Observers have been appointed in select disciplines to support athletes and the federations.

Further, NSFs have been advised by the Department to identify medal prospects and their support staff for the 2020 Olympic Games so as to ensure that the core probable get support of dedicated world class support staff on a continuing basis to be able to work as a coherent team and deliver.

The TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) Identification Committee identifies elite sportspersons and the Mission Olympic Cell examines and  provides  assistance  to  these  sportsperson  for  training  and participation in international competitions in preparation for Commonwealth Games 2018, Asian Games 2018 and Olympics 2020 with an aim to increase the medal tally in the aforesaid events.

The Government had set up a Task Force to prepare a comprehensive action plan for effective preparation of Indian sportspersons in the next  three  Olympic  Games  (2020,  2024  and  2028).    SAI  has  been tasked  with  the  responsibility  to  take  action  for  preparation  of Commonwealth,  Asian  Games  and  Olympics  which  include,  tailormade  sports  specific  strategies,  to  develop  Key  Result  Areas,  to review the list of core probable, to review the Annual Calendar for Training and Competitions (ACTCs), formulating Qualification Requirements (QRs) for inducting professionals and the High Performance Managers, etc.

- ******