opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4509 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Visit of Israeli President
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, KAMAL NATH, RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

4509.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4509 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2016

## VISIT OF ISRAELI PRESIDENT

SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:

SHRI KAMAL NATH: SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the President of Israel  recently  paid  a  visit  to  India and  held  discussions  with  Prime  Minister  of  India  and  other leaders at New Delhi;
- (b) if so, the details of discussions held;
- (c) whether  several  agreements  were  signed  between  India  and Israel on various issues; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the likely benefit to India on the signing of such agreements?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes,  President  of  Israel  H.E.  Mr.  Reuven  Rivlin  paid  a  State visit to India from 14-21 November, 2016. He held discussions with the  President  and  Prime  Minister.  Vice  President  called  on  Israeli President during his visit.
- (b) A range of issues were  discussed to intensify bilateral cooperation, which include agriculture, water, Science & Technology and education. Our Prime Minister highlighted the need for technology transfer particularly in defence through joint ventures under make in India. Israel has shown keen interest to participate in our 'Make in India' campaign.
- (c) Yes.

(d) An  MoU  on  Water  Resources  Management  and  Development Cooperation between India and Israel and a Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture were signed during the visit. The MoU on Water Resources Management and Development Cooperation  will  facilitate  means  and  ways  to  bring  Israeli  knowhow into India in a greater way to address water shortages in India as Israel is considered to have great expertise in desalinisation and recyclying of water. Whereas, Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture  will  help  India  in  increasing  agricultural  productivity through crop management, recycling of irrigation water, soil treatment, green house farming etc. through the Centres of Excellence (CoE) set up in collaboration with Israel. It will help to bring a large number of farmers in India to increase their productivity.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4508 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Vacant Land to Farmes
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: LAXMAN GILUWA, PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4508 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2016

## VACANT LAND TO FARMERS

## †4508. SHRI LAXMAN GILUWA: SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  acreage  of  surplus  railway  land  for  which  licence  has been  given  under  'grow  more  foodgrains'  schemes  in  the country, zone-wise;
- (b) whether only railway employees are given license under grow more foodgrain scheme;
- (c) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the  remedial  measures  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard  so  that  poor  and  landless  agricultural  labourers  may also take the benefit of the scheme; and
- (e) the details of the success achieved by way of the aforesaid remedial measures?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  4508  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK SABHA ON 14.12.2016 REGARDING VACANT LAND TO FARMERS

(a)  to  (e):    The  vacant  Railway  land  is  given  on  license  to Railway employees working in Group 'C' and 'D' category  under Grow  More  Food  (GMF)  scheme.  As  per  the  extant  policy, licensing  of  Railway  land  to  private  parties/persons  for  the purposes not connected with Railway working is not permitted. Zone wise details of land under Grow More Food scheme as on 31.03.2016 are as under:-

| Zonal Railway      |   Area under GMF (in acres) |
|--------------------|-----------------------------|
| Central            |                      733.83 |
| Eastern            |                      626.73 |
| East Central       |                     2309.25 |
| East Coast         |                      440.51 |
| Northern           |                     1233.55 |
| North Central      |                      162.18 |
| North Eastern      |                       15    |
| Northeast Frontier |                     2473.55 |
| North Western      |                        0    |
| Southern           |                      265.39 |
| South Central      |                        2.47 |
| South Eastern      |                        0    |
| South East Central |                      371.32 |
| South Western      |                        0    |
| Western            |                      108.45 |
| West Central       |                      116.93 |
| Total              |                     8859.18 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4507 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Public Cycle Sharing System
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: DHARAM VIRA GANDHI

No. 4507

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4507

## TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 14, 2016

## PUBLIC CYCLE SHARING SYSTEM

SHRI DHARAM VIRA:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to implement Public Cycle Sharing System in the cities and if so, the present status thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  cycle  sharing  system  is  being  implemented  as  it  was designed under the scheme;
- (c)  if  so,  the  cities  in  which  the  scheme  is  being  implemented and the benefits or its usage;
- (d) whether all the cycles meet the specifications as proposed under the scheme; and
- (e) if so, the cities where the scheme is likely to be implemented in future?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e): There is no exclusive scheme of this Ministry on Public Bike Sharing (PBS).  'Urban Transport' is inter-twined with Urban Development, which is a State subject. As such, the implementation including planning of urban transport system that includes PBS, are taken up by the States/ Union  Territories/  Urban  Local  Bodies.    However,  this  Ministry  has supported/ is supporting implementation of PBS in the following ways:
- (i) MoUD is presently supporting a PBS project in Mysore (Karnataka) being  implemented  by  Mysore  City  Corporation  (MCC)  through  a  grant received from Global Environment Facility (GEF) through World Bank under SUTP.

Cont….

(ii) Ministry  has  prepared  a  generic  guidance  document  on  PBS  and advised  all the  States  to  use  these  documents  for  planning  and implementation of Public Bike Sharing in their cities for safe, sustainable and environment friendly mobility. Further, city specific documents have been prepared for Vadodara and Gurugram. (iii) Non-motorised transport (e.g. bicycles) is an eligible component for funding under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation

(AMRUT).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4506 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Cash Crunch in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4506 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2016

## CASH CRUNCH IN RAILWAYS

4506. SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways Protection Force had to call off its drive to net petty offenders as the latter were unable to shell out change for penalties;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether due to cash crunch to pay back the balance of the fined amount, the railways has suffered huge cash loss from November till date; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  corrective  action  taken  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  No, Madam. (b):  Does not arise. (c):  No, Madam. (d):  Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4505 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Stoppage at Metro Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VINOD CHAVDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4505 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2016

## STOPPAGE AT METRO STATIONS

4505.  SHRI VINOD LAKHAMASHI CHAVDA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Railways  plan  to  stop  trains  at  all  the  metro  railway stations in India to control the city traffic at the main railway stations; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b):  Provision  of  stoppages  over  Indian  Railways  is  an  ongoing process depending upon the factors like traffic offering at the stations, operational  feasibility,  commercial  viability,  availability  of  alternative services, passing time of the train at the station, pattern of services, population  and  significance  of  towns/cities  and  new  developments taking place etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4503 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Harmful Algal Blooms
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI, PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4503

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2016

## HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS

4503. SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDYl:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),  U.S.  are  jointly  working  on  a  research  collaboration  programme  to  use combined scientific and technical skills for enhancing the observation of the Earth;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any survey to understand the increasing frequency and extent of harmful algal blooms in the coastal and oceanic area of the India's Exclusive Economic Zone;
- (d) if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  prevent  rapid  increase  of algal bloom and improve fishery management; and
- (e)
- (a)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY)

- Yes Madam.
- (b) The ministry has been actively working with NOAA, USA towards strengthening of ocean  observations  in  the  Indian  Ocean  with  a  view  to  improve  understanding ocean  process  for  better  forecasting  capabilities  including  studying  the  Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB). The cooperation is primarily of two folds viz., (i) Develop HAB monitoring  and  prediction  system  for  short-term  prediction  of  sardine,  mackerel and  anchovies  of the southeast  Arabian  Sea  (ii) acquisition  of  ocean  and atmospheric variables through moored buoys from the equatorial Indian Ocean for the betterment of the prediction of monsoon. As a part the agreement, ship-time of 60  days  and  related  logistics  and  support  had  been  extended  by  India,  whereas development and deployment of buoys were carried out by NOAA. So far 36 out of 46 buoys have been deployed and all the data have been shared both by India and US scientists.
- (c)
- Yes Madam.
- (d) & (e) As part of this collaboration, 5 workshops were conducted in India and a hands-on training  on  phytoplankton  toxin  analysis  given  to  Indian  Scientists  by  NOAA experts  at  Cochin.    The  Ministry  also  has  conducted  regular  surveys  along  the coastal and oceanic area of India and recorded altogether about 84 algal blooms during the  period from 1998 to 2016. Studies suggest a marginal increase in the frequency of occurrence of these blooms over the years due to varied reasons. The data required have been reported for the concerned agencies to make assessment and take necessary action in the improvement of fishery management.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Revamp of PMKVY
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI, (SMT.) RATNA DE(NAG), HARI OM PANDEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4502 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2016

## REVAMP OF PMKVY

## 4502.  SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: DR. RATNA DE (NAG): SHRI HARI OM PANDAY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has proposed any plan to revamp Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) to reduce its shortcomings and loop holes in the wake of a recent financial decision;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the details regarding the steps taken/ being taken and time limit decided for fulfilling the aforesaid proposal?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) After  successful  implementation  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana (PMKVY) during 2015-16, Government has modified its guidelines to make scheme more effective, transparent and beneficiary oriented. The modified scheme, PMKVY (2016-20) has targeted to provide skilling to one crore people (60 lakh under Fresh Training and 40 lakh under RPL) over the four years (2016-2020) with an outlay of Rs.12,000 crore.

The  salient  features  of  the  modified  scheme  includes  NSQF  based  quality assurance framework, alignment with common norms, market relevant training programmes,  recognition  of  prior  learning,  curriculum  alignment,  national  certification, employable skills, placements etc. Under the modified scheme, the focus on employment has  been  significantly  enhanced.  Scheme  incentivizes  Training  Centers  (TCs)/  Training Partners (TPs) for facilitating placement of the trained candidates. TCs are mandated to organize placement/rozgar melas every six month with the support of Sector Skill Council. Further, the reimbursement of last 20% of training cost to TCs would be made only after wage employment or self employment to at least 70% of the trained candidates. Various IT interventions  such  as  Direct  Benefit  Transfer,  Aadhaar  linkage  of  trainers  and  trainees, Biometric attendance of candidate, SMART portal based Accreditation & Affiliation of TCs etc have been ensured. All candidates are provided the course curriculum booklet along with the customized Induction kit. Additionally, there is a special provision in the scheme to provide  post  placement  support  to  women,  PwDs  and  candidates  from  special  areas (LWE, North East region and J&K).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4501 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Pending Cases against NRIs
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE

## DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4501 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2016

## Pending cases against NRIs

+4501. SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA: Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state: (a)  the number of cases pending against NRIs in various Indian courts at present; (b)  whether the orders of Indian courts are not being followed by the NRIs and the summons are not being served on them; and (c)  if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER MINSTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) : Such information is not maintained by the Government.

(b) & (c):  Ministry of Law & Justice, in respect of civil and commercial matters and the Ministry of Home Affairs, in respect of criminal law matters, examine and forward Judicial documents, including  summons,  etc.,  issued  by  the  various  Indian  Judicial  Authorities  to  the  Indian Missions/   Authorities abroad by further service upon the persons residing there irrespective of their  citizenship. There is no information received from Indian Courts about non-compliance of their  summons, i.e., appearance in the respective Indian Courts.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4498 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Adoption of Village
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## 4498.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4498

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2016

## ADOPTION OF VILLAGE

- SHRIMATI  KOTHAPALLI  GEETHA: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
- (a) whether ISRO  has adopted drought hit villages to help farmers;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  manner  in  which  ISRO  is going to help the villagers in these villages;
- (c) whether ISRO has any plan to adopt more such villages in the coming years; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) As a part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, Antrix Corporation Limited, a Public Sector Unit under Department  of  Space  and  the  commercial  arm  of  ISRO,  has adopted Brahmasandra Village, Tumukuru district, Karnataka.
- (b) Adoption  of  Brahmasandra  village  is  through  Bharatiya  Agro Industries  Foundation  (BAIF),  an  NGO,  empanelled  by  the Ministry  of  Drinking  Water  &  Sanitation,  New  Delhi.  Various activities planned include rain water harvesting, tank rejuvenation, construction of water harvesting structures, skill development, income generation, women empowerment, construction  of  household  toilets,  Anganwadis,  services  to livestock and fodder development. These activities are expected  to  improve  agricultural  productivity,  availability  of drinking water, sanitation facilities, ground water table, milk production,  children's  education,  women  empowerment  and formation  of  a  vibrant  village  development  community  for sustaining  the  benefits.  Overall,  the  project  aims  to  improve the quality of life of farmers and to address the basic needs of the village community.
- (c) No Madam. Adoption of more number of villages has not been envisaged at present.
- (d) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Indian Standard Time
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: CHINTAMAN NAVSHA WANAGA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4497 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14/12/2016

## INDIAN STANDARD TIME

4497.  ADV. CHINTAMAN NAVASHA WANAGA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Assam has demanded that the country should have two Indian Standard Times and if so, the details thereof; and

- (b) the reaction of the Government thereto along with the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó (gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

- (a) No, Madam. Department of Science and Technology has not received any such request from Assam.

- (b) Does not arise.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4496 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Waste Storage and Sanitisation Methods
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: OM BIRLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4496 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2016

## WASTE STORAGE AND SANITISATION METHODS

4496.  SHRI OM BIRLA :

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  is  aware  that  train  tracks  face  massive corrosions due to release of human soil and other waste on them during journeys;
- (b) if so, the steps taken to prevent the same and find alternate waste storage and sanitisation methods; and
- (c) the steps taken to implement the recommendations of the reports of the Kakodkar and Pitroda Committees in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) Yes, Madam. The general corrosion in the train track happens due to  aggressive  environmental  conditions  and  especially  so  in  the coastal areas due to salinity, in the tunnels, cuttings and yards due to  dampness,  and  in  sidings  where  corrosive  goods  are  handled. Corrosion  of  rails and  fittings also  takes  place  due  to  toilet droppings from passenger trains.

- (b)  To  prevent  release  of  human  soil  on  to  the  tracks,  environment friendly bio-toilets are now being provided in mainline coaches progressively.  Besides,  waste  from  train  en-route  is  being  collected  in garbage bag and disposed off during cleaning at nominated clean train stations where limited mechanized cleaning of identified trains is being done by on-board cleaning  staff  under  on  board  housekeeping  scheme (OBHS) on select trains.

In addition, following measures are being taken to protect the rails from corrosion due to above reasons:

- (i) The corrosion resistant rails, Nickel-Chromium-Copper (NCC) rails and Copper-Molybdenum (Cu-Mu) rails, are under development and laid in few Zonal Railways in limited stretch on trial basis.

(ii) Anti-corrosive bituminous painting of rails and greasing and sealing of liner contact area being done on identified corrosion prone areas.

- (c) Kakodkar Committee has made a number of recommendations in its Report  including  therein  that  toilets  either  with  no  discharge  or  with harmless  discharge,  should  be  introduced  in  all  the  43000  coaches within  next  five  years.  Sam  Pitroda  committee  has  recommended adoption of Green toilets on all passenger trains.

As  on  31.10.2016,  approximately  49000  Bio-toilets  have  been  fitted  on approximately  14,000  coaches.  Continuous  efforts  are  underway  to  fit Bio-tiolets on all coaches and convert entire fleet of coaches on Indian Railways.

***