opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2105 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Shortage of Manpower
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: RAJESH VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2105

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017)

## SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER

## †2105. SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a shortage of manpower in the Central Government Departments and many important posts are lying vacant;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the details of posts at higher level lying vacant;
- (c) whether the recruitment of staff  is  not  proportionate to the posts  vacated by  retired employees; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the measures taken to improve the staff strength in Government Departments and to fill up the vacancies at crucial level?

## 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) &  (b): The number of sanctioned posts and number in position in various Ministries/Departments as available in the Annual Report on Pay and Allowances of Central Government Civilian Employees 2015-16 as on 1.3.2015, published by Pay Research Unit, Department  of  Expenditure,  Ministry  of  Finance,  is  at  Annexure  'A'.      As  per  the  report 11.52% of  the  total  sanctioned  posts  are  vacant.  Vacancies  at  various  level  at  the  Centre under Central Staffing Scheme are as follows:

|                      |   Sanctioned Strength |   Vacancy (As on 10.03.2017) |
|----------------------|-----------------------|------------------------------|
| Secretary            |                    85 |                            4 |
| Additional Secretary |                    70 |                           15 |
| Joint Secretary      |                   283 |                           25 |

(c) & (d):  The data regarding recruitment of staff vis-à-vis posts vacated by retirement of employees  is  not  maintained  centrally.  However,  the  posts  sanctioned  in  Government Ministries/ Departments are required to be filled as per the Recruitment Rules as and when vacancies arise. The vacancies of Joint Secretary, Additional Secretary and Secretary level in Government of India are filled up as per the process outlined in the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS).  The  filling  up  of  posts  is  a  continuous  process  depending  on  the  vacancies  arising across  Ministries/Departments  during  the  years  and  action  calendars  of  the  recruitment agencies.  In  this  regards  all  Ministries/Departments  have  been  requested  to  take  advance action for reporting vacancy position with respect to Direct Recruitment Posts to recruitment agencies such as Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) etc. Further all Ministries/ Department have also been requested for timely convening of the Departmental Promotion Committee meeting for filling up of promotional posts.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2104 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: New Metro Rail Policy
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2104

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 15, 2017 NEW METRO RAIL POLICY

No. 2104   SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government has any proposal to unveil a New Metro Rail Policy;
- (b) If so, the details thereof along with its features thereof;
- (c) The time by which the above policy is likely to be unveiled; and
- (d) Whether  the  Government  proposes  to  implement  Green  Mobility Scheme and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a  &  b)  Yes  Madam.  The  new  metro  rail  policy  will  enable  greater private  participation,  innovative  financing  through  Transit  Oriented

Development,  Value  Capture  Finance,  bonds  and  entail  a  rigorous appraisal process. Some of the salient feature of the proposed metro rail policy are as under:

- I. It  enables  a  wider  range  of  Public  Private  Partnership
2. (PPP) models;
- II. It  envisages  provisions  for  enhancing  non-fare  revenues and reducing costs;
- III. It stipulates that Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) be a mandatory prerequisite for planning any metro project;
- IV. It  requires  that  the  alternative  analysis  report  will  be necessarily  incorporated  in  the  detailed  project  report (DPR) to ascertain viable mode of transport;
- V. It provides for inclusion of proposals for feeder systems to enlarge the serviceable area of facilities for para transit modes will be
7. each  metro  station. Last mile connectivity through pedestrian pathways, Non Motorised  Transport  (NMT)  infrastructure,  induction  of essential requirement  for  availing  any  central  assistance  for  the proposed metro rail projects;
- VI. It mandates that Minimum Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is to be  8%  for  ascertaining  financial  viability. Further, sensitive analysis has to be carried out;
- VII. It mentions that all metro rail projects will be governed by
10. the Central Metro Acts.

(c) The Policy requires extensive consultations with all stakeholders before firming up and is likely to be made operational from the next financial year.

(d) Yes Madam. A green urban mobility scheme is being proposed to promote  urban  mobility  initiatives  such  as  footpaths,  cycle  tracks, public  bike  sharing,  bus  rapid  transit  systems,  intelligent  transport systems, urban freight management  and other public transport systems  on  sustainable  and  alternative  fuels.    The  scheme  requires extensive stakeholders consultations before firming up the details.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2103 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Kadapa-Bengaluru Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Y. S. AVINASH REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2103 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## KADAPA-BENGALURU RAIL LINE

2103.     SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has committed to complete the KadapaBengaluru railway line which is an ongoing project;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the quantum of funds allocated for this railway project; and
- (d)  the  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  complete  the railway line at the earliest?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (c): A new line project between Kadapa-Bengaluru (255.40 km) was included in the Railway Budget 2008-09 with an anticipated cost of ` 2061  crore.  Expenditure  incurred  upto  March,2016  is ` 183.35 crore.  Railway has given the outlay of ` 156.16 crore for 2016-17 and further  outlay  of ` 240  crore  has  been  proposed  for  2017-18.    This project is being executed in five phases. Phase-I: Kadapa-Pendlimari(21 km) work completed and engine rolling done. Phase-II: Pendlimari-Rayachoti(79.20 km) Detailed Estimate amounting  to ` 922.59  crore  is  sanctioned  and  land  acquisition  is taken up. Phase-III: Rayachoti-Vayalpadu (53.93 km) Detailed Estimate amounting to ` 512.49 crore has been sanctioned. Phase-IV(Madanapalli-Mulbagal-61.6 km): Detailed estimate has been taken up. Phase-V:  Madghatta(Mulbagal)  to  Kolar  -36  km:    Land  acquisition proposals have been submitted to State Government. (d):  Completion  of  project  depends  upon  several  factors  including complete handing over of encumbrance-free  land by the State Government,  shifting  of  utilities,  forestry  clearances,  electrical  and canal crossings etc.  As most of these factors are beyond the control of  Ministry  of  Railways,  target  date  for  completion  of  the  above project has not been fixed.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2102 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Press and Electronic Media in J&K
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: MUZAFFAR HUSSAIN BAIG

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO. 2IO2

## TO BE ANSWERED  ON 15.03.2017

## PRESS AND ELECTRONIC  MEDIA IN J&K 2102. SHRI MUZAFFAR HUSSAIN BAIG:

will the Minister of INFORMATION  AND BROADCASTING be pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the disturbance  of 5-6 months in Kashmir valley has led to loss to the press and electronic  media in Jamrnu and Kaslimir and if so. the details thereot-:
- (b) whether  the Government has any special plan for providing  relief to the newspapers  by increasing DAVP rates fbr Kashmir Vallev: and
- (c) if so. the details rhereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING  {COL RAJVAVARDHAN  RATHORE (Retd.)}

- (a) No' Sir. DAVP has issued advertisements  on regular  basis to the newspapers published  from J&K during the period under reference.

The Audio-Visual  campaigns released  through DAVP for  pan-India  or State/Region's are ns per the requirement of the client Ministry  in terms of focus areas, target groups  to be reached, message to be delivered  and campaign  duration amongst other things. Since the campaigns on TV are telecast across the states, wherein the viewer  of J&K are in a position to receive the broadcast  signals of all the TV channels  telecast from within or outside the state there would be hardlv anv impact of such ground  situation.

- (b)  & (c) DAVP makes every effort to release advertisemenrs special emphasis  on J&K and other remote areas as mentioned Advertisement  Policv-20  I 6. to newspapers with in the Print Media
Lok Sabha Question No. 2101 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Tender/Notification Process in I&B
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: K.R.P. PRABAKARAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY  OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED  QUESITION  NO.2 1O1 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## TENDER/NOTIFICATION PROCESS IN I&B

## 2101. SHRI K.R.P. PRABAKARAN

Wili the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that many of the Government  Tenders notifications come on various  dates as per their convenience;
- (b) if so, the details  thereof;
- (c) whether the Government  is taking steps to ease the process  of doing business and also bring about transparency  in tender notification  process;
- (d) if so, the details  thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons  therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF  STATE IN  THE MINISTRY OF  INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING  {col,  RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.f}

- (a) & (b) Yes, Sir. There is no provision  in General Financial Rules (GFR) regarding dates on which tenders notification  needs to be published.

Directorate of Advertising  and Visual Fublicity (DAVP),  a media unit under the Ministry of  Information  and Broadcasting issues tender notification  for procurement of services etc. on behalf of several Departments/ Ministries of Government of India and they are released  as per the requirement of client Departments.  During 2015-16, about 18055 Released Orders for classified disolav advertisements were issued by DAVP.

- (c) and (d)  To ease the process of doing business  and also bring about transparency  in  tender process, the Government has notified new General Financial Rules (GFR), 2ol7 on 07ft March,  2orr. Tte cFR 20lz can be viewed at the website of Ministry of Finance (www.finmin.nic.in).
- (e)  Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2100 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Bio-Toilets
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAKESH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2100 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## BIO-TOILETS

## †2100.   SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  progress  made  in  the  work  related  to  the installation of bio-toilets in trains;
- (b)  whether  the  said  work  is  progressing  at  a  snails  pace  in  West Central Railway Zone-Jabalpur and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether mechanical staff and sweepers can not discharge their duties properly due to the overflow of toilets and hidden tool parts and also causing inconvenience to the passengers; and
- (d) if so, whether the Government proposes to remove the shortcomings and expedite the work and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) Bio-toilets, based on the indigenous design & technology developed  in  association  with  Defence  Research  &  Development Organisation (DRDO), are being proliferated in the coaches of Indian Railways (IR). As on 28.02.2017, about 63,000 bio-toilets have been installed  in  passenger  carrying  coaches.  Coaches  equipped  with bio-toilets are running in more than 800 trains over IR network.

(b) No, Madam. In current year 2016-17, more than 2,500 bio-toilets have  been  installed  in  existing  in-service  old  coaches  in  West Central Railway till 28.02.2017. (c) & (d) Mechanical Staff are always endeavoring to ensure proper cleanliness  and  hygiene  on  trains.  Improvement  in  design  of  biotoilets is a continual process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2098 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Weather Forecast Information to Farmers
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: RAVNEET SINGH

- (a)
- Yes Madam.
- (b) The  Gramin  Krishi  Mausam  Seva  (GKMS)  of  India  Meteorological Department (IMD) is rendered twice a week to farmers in collaboration with  State  Agricultural Universities (SAUs).  Institutions of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), IITs etc. District level weather forecast for next 5-days in respect of:
-  Rainfall
-  maximum temperature, minimum temperature
- 
- wind speed, wind direction
-  relative humidity and clouds
-  weekly cumulative rainfall forecast
-  Crop specific advisories

The GKMS of IMD has been successful in providing the crop specific advisories to the farmers through different print/visual/Radio/ IT based media  including  short  message  service  (SMS)  and  Interactive  Voice Response Service (IVRS) facilitating for appropriate field level actions. Weather forecast based agrometeorological advisories are disseminated through Kisan portal launched by the Ministry of Agriculture  and  also  under  public  private  partner.  At  present,  20.6 million farmers out of 95 million estimated farming households in the country are receiving the SMS based advisories.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2098

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2017

## WEATHER FORECAST INFORMATION TO FARMERS

## 2098. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken measures to provide the information related to weather forecast directly to farmers; and
- (b)
- 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)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2096 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Urban Street Vendors
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: DILIP PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2096

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## URBAN STREET VENDORS

No. 2096 SHRI DILIP PATEL:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN PROVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government has comprehensively revised the
2. National Policy on Urban Street Vendors;
- b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  objectives  of  the
4. revised policy;
- c) whether street vendors selling tobacco products also come under  the  purview  of  this  policy  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- d) whether  health  hazards  and  spread  of  waste  by  these vendors  have  been  considered  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION (RAO INTERJIT SINGH)

- (a) & (b):  In order to protect rights of urban street vendors and to regulate street vending activities, the Government has enacted  the  Street  Vendors  (Protection  of  Livelihood  and

Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 which came into force w.e.f. 1 st  May, 2014. The provisions of the Act are implemented thorough respective State/UT Governments.

- (c): As per provisions of the Act, street vendor is a person engaged in vending of articles, goods, wares, food items or merchandise  of  everyday  use  or  offering  services  to  the general public, in a street, lane, side walk, footpath, pavement, public  park  or  any  other  public  place  or  private  area,  from  a temporary built up structure or by moving from place to place and includes hawker, peddler, squatter and all other synonymous terms which may be local or region specific; and the  words  'street  vending'  with  their  grammatical  variations and cognate expressions, shall be construed accordingly.
- (d):  The  Act,  also,  provides  for  rights  and  obligations  of  street vendors towards maintaining cleanliness and public hygiene in the vending zones and adjoining areas.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2093 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Equal Opportunities Commission
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2093 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION

## 2093. SHRI SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any decision to set up Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasonS therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure equal opportunities for all the communities in the country as on date?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to (c): In  pursuance  of  one  of  the  recommendations  made  by  the  HighLevel  Committee  set  up  under  the  chairmanship  of  Justice  (Retd.)  Rajinder Sachar, popularly known as Sachar Committee, the Government had set up an Expert Group to examine and determine, inter alia , the structure and functions of an Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) to address the grievances of deprived groups. Based on the Expert Group Report and examination by the Government, the draft EOC Bill has been re-circulated for inter-ministerial consultations as per laid down procedure.

To  enable  the  minorities  to  avail  opportunities  in  development  process  of  the country,  the  Ministry  of  Minority  Affairs  is  already  implementing  various  welfare and development schemes/programmes and has taken initiatives for educational empowerment, infrastructure development, skill development, economic empowerment, women empowerment and also to meet the special needs of the communities.  Moreover,  under  Prime  Minister's  15  Point  Programme  for  the Welfare of Minorities (PM's New  15-PP),  24  schemes/programmes  of  11 Ministries/Departments including 7 exclusive schemes  of this Ministry are covered.  Details  of  the  schemes  /  programmes  /  initiatives  taken  up  by  the Ministry of Minority Affairs exclusively for minorities, and various schemes of other Central Ministries / Departments under PM's New 15-PP and Sachar Committee recommendations is available on the website of the Ministry, www.minorityaffairs.gov.in.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2091 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Derailment of Hirakund Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2091 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## DERAILMENT OF HIRAKUND EXPRESS

2091.  SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Railways   has  investigated the derailment of Odisha-bound Hirakund Express which derailed on 23.01.2017 midnight at Kuneru  of  Komarada  Mandal  of Vijayanagaram  in  Andhra  Pradesh,  causing  several  deaths and injuries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the investigations and the action taken against the errant  persons ?

## 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.2091 BY SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY TO BE  ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 15.03.2017 REGARDING DERAILMENT OF  HIRAKUND EXPRESS

(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. In the derailment of Train No. 18448 JagdalpurBhubaneswar  Hirakhand  Express  at    Kuneru  station  on  Singapuram Road-Vizianagaram Section of East Coast Railway on 21.01.2017, a case vide Cr. No.06/2017 u/s 174 Cr. P.C. dated 22.01.2017 was registered by Government Railway Police/Vizianagaram.  The case was subsequently transferred  to  CID/Andhra  Pradesh  where  a  case  vide  No.CID/17/1306 dated 07.02.2017 has been registered. Simultaneously, National Investigation Agency/Hyderabad has also registered a case vide No.RC01/2017/NIA-HYD dated 27.01.2017.  Policing on Railways being a State subject,  prevention  of  crime,  registration  of  cases,  their  investigation and  maintenance  of  law  and  order  in  Railway  premises  as  well  as  on running trains are the statutory responsibility of the State Government, which  they  discharge  through  Government  Railway  Police  (GRP).  Also, Statutory Inquiry into the said derailment has been ordered to determine the causes and responsible factors of the accident to be conducted by the Commissioner  of Railway Safety (CRS), South Central Circle, Secunderabad under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2090 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Mumbai Suburban Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2090 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## MUMBAI SUBURBAN RAILWAYS

## 2090.  DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Railways is  planning  to  procure  new  air-conditioned rakes  for  Mumbai  suburban  railways  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether any final decision has been taken in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Ministry  will  procure  these  rakes  directly  or through some other organizations and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether any sample rake has been in place for trial and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the time by which these rakes will be placed in operation?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to (e) No, Madam. There is no plan to procure new air conditioned rakes for Mumbai  suburban  Railways  through  bidding  process. However,  one  air-conditioned  Electrical  Multiple  Unit  (EMU)  rake manufactured  by  Integral  Coach  Factory  (ICF),  Chennai  is  under necessary tests/trials  in  Central  Railway  and  same  will  be  put  into passenger services during 2017-18.

*****