opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 6148 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Cooperation with Oman
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6148 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## COOPERATION WITH OMAN

6148. SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government recognizes the need for broadening areas of bilateral cooperation with the Sultanate of Oman particularly in shipping,   transport,   infrastructure   building,   mining,   logistics   and tourism sectors and if so, the details thereof including the potential strategic benefits accruing to the Country in the Gulf region; and
- (b) whether the Government also recognises the need for a high level political engagement between Sultanate of Oman and India in order to boost economic relations and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes. India and Oman have agreed to cooperate in various areas, including   shipping,   minerals   and   mining,   manufacturing,   logistics, infrastructure,   tourism,   agriculture   and   fisheries,   IT   and   IT   enabledservices, skills development, innovation etc.  Our relationship with Oman contributes to our existing strong ties with the Gulf region which holds vital stakes for us, including of diaspora, energy, trade, remittances, etc. Oman facilitates Indian naval ships conducting anti-piracy operations in Gulf of Aden.
- (b) The recent visit of Prime Minister to Oman on 11-12 February 2018 has further strengthened our bilateral partnership with Oman across the sectors.  Besides high level political exchanges, India and Oman have also established   various   institutional   mechanisms   to   promote   trade   and investment including Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) held at the level of Minister of Commerce and Industry from both the countries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6147 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Reduction of Sentences
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6147

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## REDUCTION OF SENTENCES

6147. SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the death sentence of 15 Indians, lodged in Kuwaiti jails, have been commuted to life imprisonment by Emir of Kuwait and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Emir has also directed that the sentences of 119 Indian nationals be reduced and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether   the   Government   is   considering   to   take   up   the   issue   of   Indian prisoners languishing in jails in the Middle East with the respective countries; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes.   The   death   sentences   of   15   Indians   have   been   commuted   to   life imprisonment.
- (b) Yes. The sentences of 119 Indian nationals have been reduced vide Amiri Decree issued in 2017. The details are given below:
- (c) & (d) The Government of India attaches the highest priority to the safety, security   and   welfare   of   Indian   nationals   abroad,   including   Indian   prisoners languishing in jails in the Middle East. The Government of India through its Missions abroad   and   through   bilateral   mechanisms   regularly   takes   up   cases   of   Indian nationals   lodged   in   foreign   jails   with   the   concerned   authorities   for   taking   a sympathetic view of all such cases, including in Middle East countries.  Our consular officers regularly visit Indian nationals in foreign jails and in all deserving cases, consular/legal assistance and guidance is provided within Government of India's guidelines.
- *****

With immediate release                                       :

22

Reduction of three quarters of the sentence      :

18

Reduction by half period of the sentence           :

25

Reduction by one quarter of the sentence          :     1

Reduction from life to 20 years                           :

53
Lok Sabha Question No. 6145 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Freight Classification
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6145 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## FREIGHT CLASSIFICATION

6145.  SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  norms/criteria  laid  down  for  freight  classification  under  the goods transport system;
- (b) whether the Railways has recently made further changes in the categorisation  of  different  commodities  for  determining  the applicable rates; and
- (c) the  manner  in  which  Railways  ensure  transparency  in  the decision making process in this regard?

## 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. 6145 BY SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.04.2018 REGARDING FREIGHT CLASSIFICATION (a) The  norms/criteria  laid  down  for  freight  classification  under  the goods transport system are cost of service and value of service, which inter-alia includes what the traffic can bear taking into account railway's competitiveness and elasticity of demand. (b) Yes, Madam. There has been following changes in classification of different commodities as given in Goods Tariff:-

1. The  classification  of  Coal  &  Coke,  Red  Mud  and  Ochre  have  been revised.
2. Following commodities have been included in the Goods Tariff:-
- i. Oliflux & Monazite added under Minerals and Ores other than Iron Ore.
- ii. Groundnut seeds added under Oil Cakes and Seeds.
- iii. Waxy Crude Oil added under Petroleum Products & Gases.
- iv. Books/Exercise  Books/Note  Books  and  Work  Books  added  in Division 'A'.
7. (c) Decisions  are  taken  as  per  powers  delegated  under  the  Railways Act, 1989 after approval by the competent authority. All policy instructions are uploaded on the website of Indian Railways on real time basis.
8. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6142 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Separate High Courts/Benches
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6142

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 04.04.2018

## Separate High Courts/Benches

6142. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE: SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE:

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

- (a) whether the Government has received proposals from States/UTs for establishment of separate High Courts/ Benches during each of the last three years and the current year, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has augmented the resources of the State Governments for  development  of  infrastructure  facilities  of  judiciary  under  the Centrally Sponsored Scheme during the said period, if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise; and
- (c) the other steps taken by the Government  to expedite the process of establishment of separate High Courts/ Benches?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF  LAW & JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SH. RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (c): The setting up of separate High Courts/Benches is subject to the creation of all necessary infrastructure facilities by respective State/UT Governments/ requisite approval of  concerned  High  Courts.  No  proposal  of  States/UTs  during  the  last  3  years  which  is complete  in  all  aspects  for  establishment  of  High  Courts/Benches  of  High  Courts  is pending for consideration by the Union Government.

Central Government  is implementing the Centrally Sponsored  Scheme  for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Subordinate Judiciary in order to augment the resources of State/UT Governments. Rs. 1722.94 Crores has been sanctioned to States and UTs during last 3 years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6141 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Promotion of Electric Vehicles
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, SUDHEER GUPTA, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, ANWHAR RAAJHAA, NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., T. RADHAKRISHNAN

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) to (d) No Task Force has been set up for the purpose.
- (e) In order to promote electric vehicles, NITI Aayog in its role as Government think tank has proposed the formation of six committees, each headed by the respective Secretaries to decide on the matters and issues pertaining to the following subjects:
- i. Finalization of Non-fiscal Incentives for Electric Mobility
- ii. Promotion of Last Mile Connectivity
- iii. Electric Mobility in Public Transport
- iv. Technology Development of R&D for Electric Mobility
- v. Charging Infrastructure for Electric Mobility
- vi. Demand and Supply Side incentives

NITI  Aayog  has  also  submitted  a  draft  cabinet  note  on  developing  a  strategy  to  scale  up transformative mobility for uptake of zero emission vehicles and ancillary technology.

-------

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.6141 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## PROMOTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES

## 6141. SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI A. ANWHAR RAAJHAA:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  NITI  Aayog  has  been  designed  as  the  nodal  agency  for  promotion  of  electric vehicles/clean mobility solutions and if so, the details along with the aims and objectives thereof;
- (b) whether his Ministry has set up a task force with other Ministries for framing guidelines         to encourage the use of electric vehicles;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the manner in which it is likely to function;
- (d) the time by which the task force is likely to frame the guidelines in this regard; and
- (e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote and increase the use of electric mobility in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)
Lok Sabha Question No. 6140 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Budget Allocation
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: PARESH RAWAL, BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6140

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 4 TH  APRIL, 2018

## BUDGET  ALLOCATION

6140.  SHRI  PARESH  RAVAL: SHRI  BHAIRON  PRASAD  MISHRA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  increased  the  Defence  Budget  allocation  for  this year; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the budget allocation for the year 2018-19?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jherh  fueZyk lhrkje.k )

(a) & (b): The  Budgetary  allocation  in  respect  of  Ministry  of  Defence excluding  Defence  Pension  has  increased  from  Rs.274114.12  crore  in Budget Estimate 2017-18 to Rs.295511.41 crore in Budget Estimate 2018-19.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 6139 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Shortage of Staff in  Embassies
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN, V. SATHYABAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6139

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## SHORTAGE OF STAFF IN EMBASSIES

6139. SHRI BHARATHI MOHAN R. K.: SHRIMATI V. SATHYABAMA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any shortage of staff in Indian embassies, consulates and high commissions in various countries abroad;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor and the current status of vacancy position;
- (c) the time by which they are likely to be filled;
- (d) whether the Government has assigned and appointed any attache for various ministerial jobs abroad particularly in European Union; and
- (e) 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) There are 667 officers and 1251 support staff in our Missions and Posts.  In addition, there are more than 2800 locally recruited staff currently deployed in Missions and Posts abroad. The requirement of manpower in any establishment changes depending upon varying workload from time to time. Ministry of External Affairs regularly reviews the requirement of manpower at various levels in Missions and Posts abroad as well as at the Headquarters, and takes appropriate action, including recruitment of additional officers and staff, through placement of requisite indents with the Union Public Service Commission and the Staff Selection Commission respectively, in case of

(d) & (e) Defence Attaches are posted to Missions/Posts abroad, including in the European Union, against designated posts. Further, Section Officer level   officers   posted   to   Missions   /   Posts   abroad   are   also   designated   as

- *****

shortfall. Attache.
Lok Sabha Question No. 6136 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Constitutional Status to NCM
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: B. SREERAMULU, Tejpratap Singh,Yadav, ANJU BALA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6136 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04-04-2018

## Constitutional Status to NCM

6136. SHRI B. SRIRAMULU: SHRI TEJ PRATAP SINGH YADAV: SHRIMATI ANJU BALA:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS  be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether 40 years after National Commission for Minorities (NCM) was set up and 25 years after it became a statutory body, the NCM still does not have constitutional status and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b)  whether proposed legislation to grant constitutional status to the NCM is still pending before the Government and if so, the details thereof and the Government's reaction thereto;
- (c)  Whether  due  to  lack  of  constitutional  status,  the  NCM  is  not  able  to  take  necessary  action against rising incidents of atrocities against minorities and
- (d)  if so, the steps taken by the Government to provide constitutional status to the NCM?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a)  to (d) : The matter regarding conferment of Constitutional status to National Commission for Minorities (NCM) was earlier considered in this Ministry. The Constitution (One Hundred and Third  Amendment)  Bill  to  confer  constitutional  status  to  NCM  was  introduced  in  the  Lok Sabha  in  December,  2004.    However,  it  was  decided  to  close  the  proposal  for  grant  of Constitutional Status to NCM.

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) takes appropriate action as per provisions of National  Commission for  Minorities  Act,  1992  and  procedure  adopted.  As  mandated  under Section  9  of  the  NCM  Act,  1992,  the  Commission  has  been  taking  up  cases  regarding violation of rights and safeguards of the minorities with the concerned authorities in the State Governments and Central  Government  as  and when  they  are  brought  to  the  notice  of  the Commission.  The  Commission  also  takes  suo-moto  cognizance  of  cases  of  any  violence against  the  minorities  including  visits  to  affected  areas.    The  number  of  complaints  from minorities received by the NCM have progressively reduced from 2638 in 2013-14 to 1498 in 2017-18. The NCM is committed to various constitutional and statutory provisions relating to safeguarding the interest of minorities in India.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 6135 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Establishment of National Data Warehouse
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: ANJU BALA, Tejpratap Singh,Yadav, B. SREERAMULU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6135

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 4 TH  MARCH, 2018

ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL DATA WAREHOUSE

SHRI TEJ PRATAP SINGH YADAV:

6135. SHRIMATI ANJU BALA: SHRI B. SRIRAMULU:

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

- a) whether  the  Ministry  is  planning  to  prepare  National  Report  on baseline  data  to  monitor  the  status  of  progress  for  goals  and targets under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), if so, the details thereof;
- b) whether  a  National  Quality  Assurance  Framework  for  Official Statistics  is  to  be  prepared  by  the  Ministry,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- c) whether the Ministry is also planning to establish a National Data Warehouse on official statistics;
- d) if so, whether the Government is planning to launch UPaAI app to provide data/ information on Central schemes and MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds; and
5. e)
6. if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION  AND  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS [SHRI VIJAY GOEL]

- (a) :  Yes  Madam.  The  Ministry  has  developed  National  Indicator Framework for adoption by the Government for monitoring of Sustainable  Development  Goals  (SDGs).  The  Framework,  including baseline  report  at  national  level,  forms  the  basis  for  monitoring  of SDGs, based on the data provided by concerned Ministries/Departments.

(b)  :  The  United  Nations  Statistical  Commission,  in  its  43 rd   session, endorsed the generic National Quality Assurance Framework developed by one of its Expert Groups for use by all member countries including India. (c) to (e) : The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation(MoSPI) envisages to establish National Data Warehouse on Official Statistics wherein the Statistical Information of various Ministries/Departments of Central and State Governments and Public Sector Undertakings(PSUs) / Local bodies are to be hosted. The information  regarding  launch  of  UPaAI  app  is  not  available  with  the Ministry.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 6134 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Strength of Indian Army
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P., GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6134

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 4 TH  APRIL, 2018

## STRENGTH  OF  INDIAN  ARMY

6134.  SHRI  P. NAGARAJAN: DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

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

- (a) whether India has been adjudged as the fourth strongest army in the world;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the criteria / methods followed to declare the army's strength of a country; and
- (d) the total number of staff working in the army, navy and air force in the country?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jherh  fueZyk lhrkje.k )

(a) to (c): There is no such internationally accepted institutional mechanism to rank the nations based on the size and shape of their armed forces.    However,  India  has  robust  strength  of  the  armed  forces,  to safeguard the  borders and protect  the unity, integrity  and  sovereignty  of the Nation.

## (d) The number of staff in the three forces is as follows:

## OFFICERS:

| Indian Army: (excluding Medical, Dental and Nursing)   |   42253 |
|--------------------------------------------------------|---------|
| Indian Air Force: (excluding Medical & Dental branch)  |   12375 |
| Indian Navy:                                           |   10621 |

## SOLDIERS / SAILORS / AIRMEN:

| Indian Army      |   1194864* |
|------------------|------------|
| Indian Air Force |     127519 |
| Indian Navy      |      56214 |

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 6130 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Online Visa Facilities
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6130

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## ONLINE VISA FACILITIES

6130. SHRI D. S. RATHOD:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any details about the arrival  and online visa facilities to the Indian citizens by the foreign countries; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the details of the visa fees being charged by such countries?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Every foreign country has its own visa regime characterised by its own policy and rules. The visa policy varies from country to country and therefore, Indian citizens may receive varied visa facilities from different foreign countries. While some of the foreign countries have extended visa-on-arrival facility to the Indian citizens, some have allowed electronic visa or pre-arrival authorisation to Indian citizens. Apart from these, there are a few countries which have allowed visa free entry to Indian citizens. A list of countries, prepared on the basis of information available in the public domain, which provide different visa facilities like visa-on-arrival, electronic visas and visa free This is a dynamic list and needs constant updation as the visa rules/guidelines of the

*****

entry to Indian citizens has been put up on the Ministry web portal, www.mea.gov.in. foreign countries keep changing, owing to multiple factors. As regards visa fee details, it is a matter solely under the purview and jurisdiction of the foreign country. Issuance of visa and fees to be charged is a prerogative of the visa issuing country. The visa fees are fixed, keeping into consideration multiple factors, such as, functional costs, reciprocity, tourism and investment policies and others. There are also countries which do not charge any visa fee from the Indian citizens owing to bilateral arrangements. The visa fee structure of a country is normally characterised by multiple  slabs,   catering   to   different   categories,   duration/validity,   number   of   entries permitted etc. These rates also keep changing due to changes in visa policy of a country or other factors, including financial and economic considerations. The latest visa fees charged by different foreign countries can be checked on the websites of the foreign Embassies and Consulates in India or on the websites of their outsourced service providers or in the website of their concerned Ministry or department dealing with visa matters. In many cases, the visa application portal of the foreign country/Mission also contains the fee list. As such, this Ministry does not maintain a list of visa fees charged by various foreign countries from Indian citizens.