opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2854 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Employment to Differently Abled
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: CHANDU LAL SAHU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2854 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017)

## EMPLOYMENT TO DIFFERENTLY ABLED

## 2854.   SHRI CHANDU LAL SAHU:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  gives  priority  in  employment  and  promotion  to  the differently-abled persons;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has observed the fact that the partly blind employees are unable to compete with others in writing departmental promotion test;
- (c) if so, whether the Government is considering to give promotion to such employees on the basis of the service in merits in departments and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the time by which a final decision in this regard is likely to be taken?

## 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): Section 34 of the ' The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016' mandates every appropriate Government to appoint in every Government establishment, not less than four per cent of the total number of vacancies in the cadre strength in each group of posts meant to be filled with persons with benchmark disabilities of which, one per cent each shall be reserved for  persons with benchmark disabilities under clauses (a), (b) and (c) and one per cent for persons with benchmark disabilities under clauses (d) and (e), namely:-

- (a) blindness and low vision;

(b) deaf and hard of hearing;

(c) locomotor disability  including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy;

(d) autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness;

(e) multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d) including deafblindness in the posts identified for each disabilities.

Section  34  of  the  Act  also  provides  that  the  reservation  in  promotion  shall  be  in accordance with such instructions as are issued by the appropriate Government from time to time.

(b)to(d):  Promotions  to  the  higher  grades  are  made  as  per  provisions  of  the  relevant Recruitment Rules. In some of the Recruitment Rules, provisions exist for promotion either on the basis of seniority in service or through Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations.  The  candidates,  who  do  not  qualify  the  Limited  Departmental  Competitive Examination are promoted on the basis of their inter-se-seniority in the feeder grade.

However,  in  cases  where  the  departmental  promotion  test  is  the  only  mode  of promotion, proposal to give promotion on the basis of the seniority or merit in service alone is not under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2853 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Employment Data
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: C. MAHENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2853 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2.08.2017

## EMPLOYMENT DATA

## 2853.   SHRI C. MAHENDRAN

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether the Government has set up a task force on employment data ;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof;
- (c)      whether  the  task  force  has  submitted  its  report  and  if  so,  the  details  of  the  major recommendations made by it: and
- (d)    the reaction of the Government on each of the recommendations?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR   MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) & (b) The Government of India appointed a Task Force on Improving Employment Data on May 11, 2017 under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog. The Task Force was tasked to assess the existing data systems and sources that provide information on jobs and job creation;  identify  alternate  sources  that  could  provide  data  on  jobs  and  job  creation  and recommend mechanism(s) for capturing information on jobs and job creation on a regular basis for  both  informal  and  formal  sector  and  making  recommendations  on  changes  to  existing schemes, legislation and rules to facilitate exchange of information on jobs/employment across platforms and strengthening of the available infrastructure.

(c)  The Task Force has prepared a draft report which is currently posted on NITI   Aayog's website.  Comments from public have been sought on the Draft Report.

(d)  The Task Force will submit its final report incorporating the comments received from public.  The Government's reactions will come only after submission of the final report.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2852 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Freight Transport
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2852 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## FREIGHT TRANSPORT

† 2852. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  prescribed  parameters  for  classification  of  freight  under freight transport system;

(b) whether  the Railways  has recently made  changes  in  the classification of various items for determining the applicable rates;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the manner by which transparency is ensured by the Railways in decision making process in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

ANSWER (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. 2852 BY SHRI JUGAL KISHORE TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  02.08.2017  REGARDING  FREIGHT TRANSPORT

(a)  The  parameters  laid  down  for  fixing  tariff  for  transportation  of goods  by  Rail  includes  cost  of  the  service,  value  of  the  service, what  the traffic can bear, competition from other modes  of transportation,  elasticity  of  demand,  socio-economic  conditions  of the country etc.

(b) & (c) Recently, classification of Coal & Coke  has been rationalized from Class-145 to Class-145A along with rationalisation of  distance  slabs  from  24.08.2016.  The  classification  of  Red  Mud and  Ochre  also  been  revised  from  Class-150  to  Class-120.  Oliflux and  Monazite  have  been  included  in  the  classification  of  Goods under the main commodity head-Minerals and Ores other than Iron Ore.  From  09.03.2017,  Waxy  Crude  Oil  and  Books/Exercise  Books/ Note Books and Work Books have been classified at Class-180 and Class LR1 respectively. Further, from 10.07.2017, Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) has been classified at Class-130.

(d)  All  policy  instructions  are  uploaded  on  the  website  of  Indian Railways on real time basis.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2851 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Implementation of Seventh Pay Commission
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: C. N. JAYADEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2851

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 02.08.2017

## IMPLEMENTATION OF SEVENTH PAY COMMISSION

## 2851 . SHRI C.N. JAYADEVAN:

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

- (a) the  autonomous  bodies under  his  ministry  which  have  already  implemented  the  7 th Pay Commission Recommendations;
- (b) whether the Centre for Development Advanced Computing (C-DAC) has not implemented the 7 th Pay commission recommendations as yet; and
- (c)   if  so,  the  reasons  therefor  and  the  schedule  for  implementation  of  7 th Pay  Commission Recommendations in C-DAC?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  Software Technology Park of India (STPI), ERNET India & NIELIT have implemented the recommendations of 7 th CPC for their employees.
- (b) and (c): Yes, Sir.  The implementation of 7 th CPC is delayed in C-DAC due to paucity of funds.   The organization is partly supported by MeitY by way of Grant in Aid and partly by self generated revenue.  Efforts are being made to source the funds in order to meet the extra liability to implement the 7 th CPC recommendations.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2849 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Trains to Pakistan
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2849 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## TRAINS TO PAKISTAN

## 2849.  SHRI CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Indian railways is running train services to various places in Pakistan;
- (b) if so, whether any accident took place during train journeys due to lack of security during  the last three years;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for these accidents; and
- (d) whether the Government has any plan to stop the train services to Pakistan  due  to  continued  sponsorship  of  cross  border  terrorism  by Pakistan in India and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a):  The  following  train  services  are  running  between  India  and
- Pakistan:-
1. Samjhauta  Express  is running from Attari (India) to Lahore (Pakistan) via Wagha. This route is also opened for the movement of freight trains.
2. Thar Express is running from Munabao (India) to Zero Point Railway
- Station near Khokhrapar(Pakistan).
- (b):   No, Madam.
- (c):   Does not arise.
- (
- d):   No, Madam.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2848 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Helpline for Muslims
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2848 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## HELPLINE FOR MUSLIMS

## 2848. DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Ministry is on the process of setting up of a helpline for Muslims living across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the main functions and objectives of this proposed helpline;
- (d) the reasons for setting up this helpline; and
- (e) the time by which it will start functioning?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a)  to  (e):          A  Helpline  is  already  working  in  Ministry  of  Minority  Affairs  since  08 th August,  2013  with  the  objective  of  providing  information  on  the  various  schemes  and programmes of Ministry for the welfare of Minority communities.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2847 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Assignments for Judges Post Retirement
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

- (a)   No Sir.
- (b) to (c):  In  the  Constitution, there is no bar on the Judges for taking up post retirement  jobs.    Besides,  the  Chairpersons  and  Members  in  many  of  the Tribunals, Commissions and Authorities  are required to  be appointed from amongst  the  retired  judges  of  the  High  Courts/Supreme  Court  or from amongst the retired judges of the State Judicial Services.
- -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2847

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 2 ND   AUGUST, 2017

## Assignments for Judges Post Retirement

- 2847     SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

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

- (a) whether the  Government  has banned Judges from taking any allied judicial assignments for minimum two years after their retirement;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government on defiant judges; and
- (c) if  not,  the  reasons  therefor  and  the  steps  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE & ELELCTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2844 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Underwater Tunnel
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PROF. RAM SHANKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2844 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## UNDERWATER TUNNEL

## † 2844.    DR. RAM SHANKAR KATHERIA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to run a metro train by constructing  country's  first  underwater  tunnel  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) the total cost likely to be incurred on this project and the time by which  the work  of construction of tunnel is likely to be completed; and
- (c) whether the Government proposes to undertake the work of such projects in other States of the country also and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) : Yes, Madam. In Kolkata East West Metro corridor project, a twin tunnel is being constructed below river Hooghly,  between Howrah  and  Mahakaran  stations.  This  is  the  first  underwater transportation  tunnel  under  construction  in  the  country.  The length of river crossing is 520 meters and the internal diameter of each tunnel is 5.55 meters.
- (b) :  The  total  estimated  cost  of  the  Kolkata  East  West  Metro Corridor Project is ` 8996.96 crore. Construction of the underwater tunnel below is completed. The work of construction of tunnel (total 10.81 Km)  in this project is targeted for completion by December, 2019.
- (c) : There is no such proposal at present.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2843 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Indo-China Strategic Dialogue
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: G. HARI

## 2843. SHRI G. HARI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  India  and  China  held  first  strategic  dialogue  in  the  month  of February, 2017;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether during the strategic dialogue, the Government raised the issue of  Chinese  obstruction  towards  India  becoming  a  member  of  Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of Chinese side thereto;
- (d) whether Chinese have also protested the visit of Taiwanese parliamentary delegation to India; 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) Foreign Secretary held the first restructured India-China Strategic Dialogue with his counterpart, Executive Vice Minister in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 22 February 2017 in Beijing. The Strategic Dialogue was preceded by senior official level dialogues between India and China covering issues  of  Afghanistan,  multilateral  diplomacy  including  counter-terrorism, nuclear issues as well as bilateral relations. During his visit, Foreign Secretary also called on State Councillor Mr. Yang Jiechi and Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi.  During  these  meetings,  the  two  sides  held  in-depth  discussions  on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern.

(d) to (e) Government of India's  policy  on  Taiwan  is  clear  and  consistent. However, Chinese side from time to time shares its views on this matter.  It has been conveyed and clarified to the Chinese side on numerous occasions and at various levels, that there is no change in Government of India's policy of promoting exchanges in trade, investment, tourism, culture, education and other such people-to-people areas.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2843 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## INDO-CHINA STRATEGIC DIALOGUE
Lok Sabha Question No. 2842 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Extradition from UK
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: M. B. RAJESH, C. MAHENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2842 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## EXTRADITION FROM UK

2842.

SHRI M. B. RAJESH

SHRI C. MAHENDRAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of extraditions India sought from the UK since the extradition treaty between the two countries came into force;
- (b) the number of accused extradited by the UK;
- (c) whether  any  economic  offenders  were  extradited  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (d) whether  any  extradition  demand  of  economic  offenders  is  still pending with the UK Government; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  current  status  and  the measures proposed to be taken by the Government of India in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) As  per  the  records  available  with  the  Ministry  of  External  Affairs, India has made 23 extradition requests to UK since the Extradition Treaty between the Government of the Republic  of  India  and  the  Government of  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and  Northern  Ireland  came  into force in 1993.
- (b) & (c) One  accused  has  been  successfully  extradited  from  the  UK since the extradition treaty came into force.
- (d) & (e) The extradition requests relating to four economic offenders Mr. Jatinder Kumar Angurala, Mrs. Asha Rani Angurala,Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Chawla  and  Mr.  Vijay  Mallya  -  are  pending  adjudication  before  the concerned  UK  court.  The  Government  of  India  has  been  continuously monitoring  developments  in  these  cases  and  taking  action,  including submission of additional information/documents and bilateral discussions, in consultation with the concerned UK authorities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2840 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Qatar Standoff
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2840 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## QATAR STANDOFF

## 2840. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether several Arab countries have cut-off ties with Qatar;
- (b) if so, the number of such countries;
- (c) the  number  of  Indians  at  present  residing  or  working  in  that country;
- (d) whether  any  assistance  has  been  provided  by  India  to  its citizens in that country; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  stand  taken  by  the  Indian Government  on  the  cutting  off  ties  by  many  countries  with Qatar?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Yes, some Arab countries, including  Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt,  Bahrain,  Yemen  and  Libya,  have  recently  cut  off  ties  with Qatar.
- (c) About  6,30,000  Indians  are  presently  residing  or  working  in Qatar.
- (d) & (e) There has been no need for providing any assistance to Indians residing in Qatar since the situation there has been normal. However, to meet the increased demand for travel due to Eid and school  holiday  period  in  June  2017,  additional  commercial  flights were operated by Indian carriers from Doha to some cities in India in the light of decision by some Gulf carriers to stop flight operations to and fro Doha.

The  Government  has  been  closely  following  the  emerging situation  in  the  region.    We  are  in  regular  touch  with  the  regional countries which have assured us of their continued support for the welfare and well-being of over eight million Indian expatriates in the region. As regards the cutting off ties by these countries with Qatar, India's  position  is  that  all  parties  should  resolve  their  differences peaceful negotiations  based  on  well-established  international  principles  of mutual  respect,  sovereignty  and  non-interference  in  the  internal through a process of constructive dialogue and affairs of other countries.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2839 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Buy Tickets Now and Pay Later
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RODMAL NAGAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2839 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## BUY TICKETS NOW AND PAY LATER

†2839.  SHRI NAGAR RODMAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  prepared  a  scheme  for  passengers  to purchase rail ticket through IRCTC and make payment after 15 days;
- (b) if so, whether service charge is likely to be levied thereon; and
- (c) if so, the steps taken by the Government to make people aware of e-ticket system?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a):  A  scheme  of  booking  e-ticket  online  and  making  payment  after  15 days through 'ePaylater' powered by M/s Arthashastra Fintech Pvt. Ltd., as  a  pilot  project,  has  been  introduced  by  Indian  Railway  Catering  and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC). Under this scheme, a customer has the option to pay after 15 days of booking an e-ticket through IRCTC website.

(b):  The  service  charge  levied  on  using  'ePaylater'  scheme  is  3.50%  of transaction amount and applicable taxes.

- (c):  Online ticketing through IRCTC website is gaining popularity and its share  vis-à-vis counter  tickets  is increasing. Further, online ticket booking is also being promoted as a cashless mode of transaction.

ePaylater as a payment option is displayed at the payment page of IRCTC  website  to  make  people  aware  about  the  availability  of  this payment  method. Details about its service charge and 'Terms  & Conditions' of the scheme are also provided at the payment option page.

*****