opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1652 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: BRGF
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1652

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2017

## BRGF

## †1652. SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL :

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is  a proposal for widening the scope of Backward Regions Grant  Fund (BRGF) in future, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has blocked the fund to be given to the States under BRGF;
- (c) if  not,  the  details  of  the  fund  provided  to  the  districts  of  border  States  under  BRGF during the financial year 2016-17; and
- (d) the details of the districts not to be provided fund under BRGF and the reasons therefor, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a)  to  (d):  The  Backward  Regions  Grant  Fund  Programme  has  been  delinked  from  budgetary support of the Central Government with effect from the financial year 2015-16. Therefore, no fund was released to the States since 2016-17 under BRGF. This is in view of enhanced fiscal space made available to the States by the Fourteenth Finance Commission on account of higher devolution  to  the  States  from  32%  to  42%  of  the  Centre's  net  tax  receipts.  Moreover,  under Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) award (2015-20), grants to the tune of Rs. 2,00,292.20 crore have been allocated to duly constituted Gram Panchayats, which is more than three times the allocation under the Thirteenth Finance Commission award. FFC award are used by Gram Panchayats for providing  drinking water, sanitation, roads, street lights and other basic services.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1650 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Cost of Air Travel
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1650 (To be answered on the 28th December 2017)

Cost of Air Travel

1650. DR: P VENUGOPAL

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the cost of distance air travel in the country is Rs.5/- per kilometre which is equivalent to auto rickshaw fares, if the details thereof; long SO,
- (c) whether sixteen crore people in the country either travelled on a domestic or international flight last fiscal compared to thirteen crore people who travelled in air conditioned rail coaches; and
- 0) whether the demand for aviation services in the country is continuously increasing, if $0, the details thereof;
- (d) if s0, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to meet the growing demand in aviation sector?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) & (): No analysis has been made by Directorate General of Civil Aviation in this regard However; number of passenger travelled and corresponding growth in domestic as well as international during the year 2013-14,2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 (Provisional) (in million) is as foilows:

| Year    |   International |   Domestic |   Total |
|---------|-----------------|------------|---------|
| 2013-14 |           46.62 |     122.3  |  168.92 |
| 2014-15 |           50.8  |     139.33 |  190.13 |
| 2015-16 |           54.66 |     169.3  |  223.96 |
| 2016-17 |           59.29 |     205.68 |  264.97 |

- (c): No specific survey has been done in this regard  However, based on the available data, the turnover of Indian airlines industry during 2015-16 is which is close to the revenue Of Indian Raiiways (Rs 1.68 lakh crore) during the year 2015-16. The total number of Indian airlines passengers during 2016

was approx 11 crores while the total number of passengers on Indian Railways' air conditioned coaches was approx 12 crores.

(d): The development of airport infrastructure is a continuous process; which depends on the forecast of demand; Government has already prepared action plan for meeting\_the high growth in domestic air passenger,traffic by constructing new Terminal Building expanding existing Terminal Buildings operationalizing the non-operationai airports/ airstrips and constructing Civil Enclaves in defence airports:

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1649 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: SAUNI Project Phase-II
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

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

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 1649

ANSWERED ON 28 .12.2017

## SAUNI PROJECT PHASE - II

1649. DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI

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

- (a) the latest status of proposal for SAUNI Project Phase -II;
- (b) the time by which it is likely to be cleared; and
- (c) the details of sources of intern al as well as external funding for the same along with the quan financial aid/ loan granted/ to be granted by each of the funding agencies?

## ANSWER

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

( SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHW AL )

(a)  to  (c) Government  of  Gujarat  submitted  the  project  proposal  of  Saurashtra  Narmada  Ava Irrigation (SAUNI) Project Phase -II in October, 2016 for availing loan assistance of Rs.3200 from Asian Development Bank (ADB). The total estimated cost of the project is Rs.6400 crores The internal  funding  from  the  Government  of  Gujarat  will  be Rs.3200  crores.  The  Department  of Economic  Affairs  (DEA)  has  posed  the  SAUNI -II  project  to  ADB  on  02. 06.2017  for  financial assistance  of  Rs.3200  crores.  The Government  of  Gujarat  has  submitted  Detailed  Project  Repor (DPR) to the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation in Oc 2017.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1647 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Inclusion of ATF in GST
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: B. SREERAMULU, ANJU BALA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVI AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1647 (To be answered on the 2gd December 2017)

Inclusion of ATF in GST

1647.

SHRI B. SRIRAMULU SHRIMATI ANJU BALA

.

Will the Minister 0f CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- furbheeherethe Ministry has requested Finance Ministry to include \_ therbine Fuel (ATF) in the ambit of Goods andeServices jet fuel or Aviation thereof; Tax (GST) and if the details SO,
- Ministry that the airfares to the destinations brought it to the notice of the particularly winter and if in the State are 'irrationally exorbitant the details thereof; and during
- (c) the country? near steps being

## ANSWER

Minister Of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

Fuel (ATFin the ambit of Goods and Services Ta Aviation tax credit at the earliest possible (GST) regime with full input Yes;

- (c) ` Various have been taken to lessen the noise pollution in across the areas near airnorts vicinity, continuous descent planning in the airport on engines, phasing out of steps country , aiia,

(b) Madam: This Ministry had received a communication from the State airfares %f carriers operating air travel is controlled within reasonable is brought about and the cost 0f Ministry that the airlines are free limits; In response it has been highlighted bthe Rule (1) of Rule 135 of Aircraft tdleix reasonable tariff under the provisions 0f Sube demand, seasonality, and other Rules; 1935, keeping in mind, inter the market; compliant with the regulations schemes even during peak seasons Airlines remain as the airfare charged by them does not exceed the website: Yes, alia, long
Lok Sabha Question No. 1646 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Inclusion of Rural Roads under SAGY
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER, M. B. RAJESH

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1646

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2017

## INCLUSION OF RURAL ROADS UNDER SAGY

## 1646.   SHRIMATI P.K. SREEMATHI TEACHER: SHRI M.B. RAJESH:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has received a proposal from Government of Kerala on 15.07.2017 for inclusion of more roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the Panchayats selected by the Member of Parliament under Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the new proposal has been approved by the Union Government; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (d): A proposal was received from Government of Kerala for sanctioning of  roads in  lieu  of  the  dropped  roads  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana    (PMGSY)  in  the Panchayats identified by Hon'ble Members of Parliament under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY).  Since the State is required to prepare and submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to the Ministry in accordance with the PMGSY  guidelines,  the  Ministry of Rural Development has advised the State Government to submit DPRs for upgradation of roads in the SAGY Panchayats as per the PMGSY guidelines for formal sanction.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1645 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Wedding Season Sarees
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: CHINTAMAN NAVSHA WANAGA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1645 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2017

## WEDDING SEASON SAREES

## 1645. ADV. CHINTAMAN NAVASHA WANAGA

Will the Minister of TEXTILES be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether Zari Linen sarees are in more demand than any other sarees during wedding seasons;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof;
- (c)          the  demand  for  paithani  silk,  Banarasi  and  other  sarees  in  wedding seasons;  and
- (d)          the  details  of  positive  and  negative  impact  of  GST  on  the  textiles industry?

## उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र मंरी ( श्री अज ) MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES

## (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

- (a)  to  (c) The  demand  for  various  kinds  of  sarees  is  more  during  the wedding season.  However, no data of wedding seasons is maintained by the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India.
- (d): GST  has  been  introduced  by  the  Govt.  of  India  to  rationalise multiple tax structure on goods and services.  In accordance, it is applicable to all the Sectors including Textiles. With the implementation of GST, there will be transparency in taxation system.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1642 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: National Water Task Force
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: RAMCHARAN BOHARA

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

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. †1642

ANSWERED ON 28 .12.2017

## NATIONAL WATER TASK FORCE

## †1642. SHRI RAM CHARAN BOHRA

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to establish National Water Task Force separately at level for compliance of inter - State water agreements;

( b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) if not, whether the Government proposes to establish the task force in future and if thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## ( SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHW AL )

(a) to (c) There  is  no  proposal  under  consideration  of  the  Central  Government  to  es National Water Task Force separately at national level for compliance of inter - State water agreements. However, the mechanism for settlement of inter - state river water disputes is available in the form of Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956. In order to further streamline the adjudica -State  river  water  disputes,  the  Inter - State  River  Water  Disputes  (Amendment)  Bill,  2017  was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Min ister for WR, RD & GR on 14.03.2017. The Bill envisages t constitute  a  standalone  Tribunal  with  permanent  establishment  and  permanent  office  s infrastructure so as to obviate with the need to set up a separate tribunal for each wate is  invariably  a  time -consuming  process.  The  proposed  amendments  in  the  Bill  will  speed  up adjudication of water disputes referred to it. The Bill was referred by the Speaker, Lok Sabha to t Standing Committee on Water Resources for examination on 25 .05.2017. The Standing Committee submitted its recommendation on the Bill vide Lok Sabha Secretariat letter dated 11.08.2 form  of  'Nineteenth  Report  of  Standing  Committee  on  Water  Resources  on  The  Inter - State  River Water  Disputes  (Amendment)  Bill , 2017'. The Officials Amendments  on  the basis of the recommendations have been drafted by the Ministry and submitted to Ministry of Law & Jus legal vetting.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1640 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Highway Projects
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1640

ANSWERED ON 28 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## HIGHWAY PROJECTS

1640.   ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recently approved highway projects worth Rs. 7 lakh crore;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, project-wise separately; and
- (c) the extent to which there will be an increase in job opportunities following implementation of the highway projects?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) & (b) Yes Madam. The Cabinet has accorded approval to the investment proposal for the programme Bharatmala Pariyojana (BMP) Phase I on 24.10.2017 for development/upgradation of 34,800 km of National Highways (NHs) with an outlay of Rs 5,35,000 crore. There are six components under this approved programme apart from balance  works  under  the  ongoing  National  Highways  Development  Project  (NHDP). Details are as follows:

| i.   | Economic Corridors                          | 9,000 km   |
|------|---------------------------------------------|------------|
| ii.  | Inter corridors and Feeder Roads            | 6,000 km   |
| iii. | National Corridors Efficiency Improvement   | 5,000 km   |
| iv.  | Border and International Connectivity Roads | 2,000 km   |
| v.   | Coastal and Port Connectivity Roads         | 2,000 km   |
| vi.  | Expressways                                 | 800 km     |
|      | Total:                                      | 24,800 km  |
|      | Balance works under NHDP                    | 10,000 km  |
|      | Total for Phase I                           | 34,800 km  |

The above is to be implemented over a period of five years i.e. 2017-18 to 2021-22.

In  addition,  48,877  kms  of  projects  under  other  ongoing  schemes  like  NH(O),  Special Accelerated  Road  Development  Programme  in  North  East  (SARDP-NE),  Externally

Aided Projects (EAP) and Roads Projects in left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (LWE) are  also  to  be  implemented  during  the  same  period.  This  has  an  approved  outlay  of Rs.1,57,324 Crore. Therefore, including Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I, 83,677 kms of highway  sector  projects  are  proposed  to  be  implemented  with  an  overall  cost  of Rs.6,92,324 Crore.

(c )  Implementation of Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase I will enable to create more than 10 crore mandays of work. The programme will also have a force multiplier effect on the economy.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1635 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Road Construction under PMGSY in Kerala
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1635

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2017

## ROAD CONSTRUCTION UNDER PMGSY IN KERALA

## 1635.   SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  roads  constructed  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana (PMGSY) in Kerala during the last five years and the current year;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to sanction more roads to the State under PMGSY-2 and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has received any request from the State in this regard; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  decisions  taken  by  the  Union  Government thereon?

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

- (a) : Under  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana  (PMGSY),  status  of  roads  and length  completed  during  the  last  five  years  and  current  year  as  reported  by  Kerala  are  as under:

| Year                    |   Road works completed (Nos) |   Length completed (in Km.) |
|-------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------|
| 2012-13                 |                           46 |                         109 |
| 2013-14                 |                           77 |                         192 |
| 2014-15                 |                          118 |                         346 |
| 2015-16                 |                          155 |                         364 |
| 2016-17                 |                          134 |                         324 |
| 2017-18 (till Nov.2017) |                           24 |                         126 |

(b) to (d): Under  PMGSY-II,  the  State  of  Kerala  has  been  sanctioned  583.32  Kms against the allocated length of 570 Kms under PMGSY-II and, as such, the State has been sanctioned its full entitlement.

A proposal was received from Government of Kerala for sanctioning of  roads in lieu of the dropped  roads  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana    (PMGSY)  in  the  Panchayats identified by Hon'ble Members of Parliament under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY). Since  the  State  is  required  to  prepare  and  submit  Detailed  Project  Reports  (DPRs)  to  the Ministry in accordance with the PMGSY guidelines, the Ministry of Rural Development has advised  the  State  Government  to  submit  DPRs  for  upgradation  of  roads  in  the  SAGY Panchayats as per the PMGSY guidelines for formal sanction.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: MSP of Cotton
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1634 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2017

## MSP OF COTTON

## 1634.   SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES be pleased to state:

- (a) the measures being taken by the Union Government to promote the procurement of cotton from farmers on Minimum Support Price (MSP) through Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCIL);
- (b) whether the remuneration received by farmers from contract agriculture through CCIL is equal to or greater than MSP;
- (c) if so, whether measures are being taken by the Government to promote the cultivation of cotton; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र      मंरी (श्री अज      )

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

(a): Government  of  India  is  taking  various  steps  to  promote  the  procurement  of  cotton from farmers on Minimum Support Price (MSP) through Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCIL) as under:-

- i) During  current  cotton  season,  CCIL  has  opened  348  procurement  centres  to ensure  remunerative  prices  to  the  cotton  farmers.    As  on  20.12.2017,  97.59 lakh bales arrived for cotton season 2017-18.  Out of which, 3.66 lakh bales have been procured by CCI under MSP operations from farmers.
2. ii) With  a  view  to  enable  the  cotton  farmers  to  avail  the  full  benefit  of  MSP, CCIL  has  disseminated  information  about  MSP  through  advertisements  in newspapers,  distribution  of  pamphlets  to  individual  farmers  and  displaying banners in APMCs in order to avoid distress sale of cotton by farmers.
3. iii) All  payments  to  farmers  are  made  through  Real-time  Gross  Settlement Systems  (RTGS)  to  ensure  that  the  benefit  of  MSP  goes  directly  to  the concerned farmers.
4. iv) Awareness  campaign  has  been  taken  up  in  a  big  way  including  display  of Minimum Support Price (MSP) rate and quality parameters in local languages.
- v) MSP procurement is being monitored closely on a continuous basis at the highest level.
6. vi) To address the grievances of farmers, Grievance Cell has also been opened at Zonal and Headquarter Offices.
7. (b): No, Madam.  There is no such purchases through CCIL under contract agriculture.
8. (c) & (d): Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1633 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Access to Electricity in Rural Areas
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: MEENAKASHI LEKHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1633 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2017

## ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY IN RURAL AREAS

## 1633.  SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  percentage  of  rural  households  in  the  country  which  have  access  to electricity;
- (b) whether  the  Union  Government  is  aware  that  electrical  infrastructure  in rural areas in various States is inadequate such as transformers whose earthing hasn't been done properly; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken/being  taken  to  inspect  the villages and rectify this problem?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  R. K. SINGH )

(a) : As per census 2011, out of 16.78 crore rural Households, 9.28 crore (55.3%)  households  had  electricity  as  primary  sources  of  lighting.    Under  Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), 2.77 crore BPL Households have been released free  electricity  connections  so  far.    In  addition,  the  State  Power Departments/Distribution  Companies  (DISCOMs)  have  released  connections  to other categories of consumers too.

(b) & (c) : Electricity is a concurrent subject and  creation of intra-state electricity infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of concerned  State Government/Distribution  utility.  However,  Government  of  India  is  supplementing the efforts of the States in creation as well as augmentation of rural electricity infrastructure including installation of transformers through DDUGJY.   In order to ensure the quality of the infrastructure created in villages/habitations under the scheme,  a  quality  monitoring  mechanism  has  been  put  in  place  and  any discrepancy found is forwarded to the respective Project Implementing Agencies for rectification.

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