opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 380 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Temple in Abu Dhabi
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P., GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.380

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## TEMPLE IN ABU DHABI

- *380. SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to build a Temple in Abu Dhabi and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Prime Minister has laid the foundation stone for the same during his recent visit to Abu Dhabi; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof including its cost along with its source of funding and the time frame for the completion of the said temple?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the T able of the House. *****

## PRIORITY-XX

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 380 REGARDING 'TEMPLE IN ABU DHABI' FOR ANSWER ON 21.03.2018 (a) No, Madam. (b) At an Indian Community function held in Dubai on 11.2.2018, Prime Minister witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony of a temple being constructed in Abu Dhabi through live feed and unveiled a replica of temple complex. (c) At the request of the Indian Community in the United Arab Emirates, the host Government has allotted a plot of land near Abu Dhabi for construction of a temple. The decisions on design, cost estimates and time-frame of construction of the building are being taken by the Indian Community, which is financing the project.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 379 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Supply of Equipment to Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VISHNU DAYAL RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 379 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## SUPPLY OF EQUIPMENT TO RAILWAYS

†*379. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the cartelisation in supply of equipment to the Railways and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ban/blacklist  such firms from supplying equipment to the Railways;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  review  the  extant  policy and  incorporate  the  required  policy  changes  in  the  present system of equipment procurement by the Railways; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  379  BY  SHRI  VISHNU  DAYAL  RAM  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  21.03.2018  REGARDING  SUPPLY  OF EQUIPMENT TO RAILWAYS (a):  Yes,  Madam.  Railways  has  suspected  cartel  in  some  cases  of procurement  of  equipment.    Three  of  the  cases  of  suspected  cartel were forwarded to the Competition Commission  of India (CCI). However,  competent  authority  has  not  found  sufficient  evidence  to prove cartel in all these cases. (b): Does not arise. (c) & (d): Ministry of Railways has issued suitable directives from time to  time  on  the  said  subject,  suggesting  steps  to  be  taken  in  such cases including reporting the matter to the Competition Commission of India.  Instructions in this regard have been issued   to all concerned vide Ministry of Railways' letters dated 05.08.2002, 03.05.2005, 19.10.2006, 17.11.2006, 12.12.2006 and 28.03.2014. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 376 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Deaths of Soldiers
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.376

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST  MARCH, 2018

## DEATHS  OF  SOLDIERS

*376.  SHRI  A.P. JITHENDER REDDY:

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

- (a) the  number of  soldiers  who have  died  in  Siachen  Glacier  and  other  such  Super High Altitude Areas along with the cause of their death in the last one decade;
- (b) the number of soldiers who have died due to reasons other than battle wound in such areas during the above period;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government for reducing deaths of soldiers occurring due to reasons other than battle wound in these areas; and
- (d) the results achieved from these steps?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jherh  fueZyk lhrkje.k )

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

*******

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 376 FOR ANSWER ON 21.3.2018

(a) & (b): Casualty  data  maintained  is  as  per  the  notified  operational areas.   Details  regarding  death  of  soldiers in  Siachen  Glacier  during  last one decade are as under:-

| Casualty   | Casualty   |
|------------|------------|
| Officers   | JCOs / ORs |
| 09         | 2008 -     |
| 13         | 2009 -     |
| 50         | 2010 -     |
| 02 22      | 2011       |
| 01 11      | 2012       |
| - 11       | 2013       |
| 01 07      | 2014       |
| 01 10      | 2015       |
| 01 19      | 2016       |
| - 05       | 2017       |
| - -        | 2018       |

Causes  of  death  in  Siachen  Glacier  and  other  Super  High Altitude Areas  range  from  those  directly  related  to  high altitude  like  High  Altitude  Pulmonary  Oedema  (HAPO),  High Altitude  cerebral  Oedema  (HACO)  and  Pulmonary  Thrombo Embolism (PTE) to other general causes.

(c) & (d): Indian  Army soldiers deployed in  extremely harsh terrain and weather conditions are suitably equipped and properly trained to undertake  operational challenges and carry out their mandated tasks.  The soldiers deployed at Siachen Glacier are provided with best quality winter clothing  including  'Extreme  Cold  Climate'  clothing.  Besides,  they  are provided  with  prefabricated  insulated  shelters  and  wherever  it  is  not possible to construct such shelters due to technical difficulties, insulated tents  are  provided    which  can  withstand  low  temperatures  upto-50 o Celsius.

- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 375 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Import of Weapons
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.375

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST  MARCH, 2018

## IMPORT  OF  WEAPONS

## *375.  SHRI  VENKATESH  BABU  T.G.:

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

- (a) whether India has  become  the world's  largest importer of  weapons and military equipment;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of weapons and military equipment imported during the last three years along with the value / cost thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jherh  fueZyk lhrkje.k )

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

*******

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 375 FOR ANSWER ON 21.3.2018

(a) to (c): No  authoritative  and  official  information  on  India  being  the largest importer of defence equipment is available as no country officially reveals information on the import of defence equipment.  However, in the report  published  in  February  2017  by  the  Stockholm  International  Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India has been shown as the largest importer of defence equipment for the years 2012-16. Capital procurement  of defence equipment  is undertaken  from various domestic as well as foreign vendors, based on threat perception, operational challenges and technological changes and to keep the Armed Forces in        a state of readiness to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges. During  the  last  three  years,  96  contracts  have  been  signed  with Indian vendors and 58 contracts have been signed with foreign vendors for capital  procurement  of  defence  equipment  for  Armed  Forces.    The  major Defence  equipment  imported  include  missiles,  aircraft,  artillery  guns, radars, rockets, helicopters, weapons and simulators.

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 371 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Salary/Pension to Retired Employees
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: PARESH RAWAL, DEVUSINH JESINGBHAI CHAUHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PENSIONERS WELFARE)

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 371

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018)

## SALARY/PENSION TO RETIRED EMPLOYEES

## *371. SHRI PARESH RAVAL: SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  made  any  rule  to  give  salary/pension  to  the  Government employees after their retirement; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## 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):    A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*******

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  &  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 371 for 21.03.2018.

- (a)  &  (b):    Central  Government  civil  servants  appointed  before  1.1.2004  are  governed  by  the Central  Civil  Services  (Pension)  Rules,  1972.  In  accordance  with  Rule  49  of  these  rules,  on retirement after completing a qualifying service of not less than 10 years, a Government servant is entitled to a pension calculated @ 50% per cent of his last drawn pay or 50% of the average of last 10 months' pay, whichever is more beneficial to him, subject to a minimum of Rs. 9,000/per month and a maximum of Rs.1,25,000/- per month.
2.    A Government servant appointed on or after 1.1.2004 is governed by the National Pension System. Under this system, a Government servant is required to mandatorily contribute during service 10% of his pay and dearness allowance to his pension account and an equal amount of 10% of pay and dearness allowance is contributed by the Government to the employee's pension account.  On  retirement  on  superannuation,  the  retiring  Government  employee  is  mandatorily required to invest at least 40% of the accumulated pension wealth to purchase an annuity from an insurance company regulated by the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) and a maximum of 60% of the accumulated pension wealth is given to the individual in lump sum.
3.    On retirement, all Government servants are entitled to a retirement gratuity based on their qualifying service subject to a maximum of Rs.20 lakh.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 370 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: H1B Visa Rules
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: JAYADEV GALLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.370

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## H1B VISA RULES

- *370. SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the US Administration/US citizenship and Immigration Services has recently issued an Order/Memorandum which tightens H1-B visa rules for Indian companies as well as individuals;
- (b) if so, the details along with the implications thereof;
- (c) whether   any   consultations   have   been   held   with   NASSCOM   in   this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the table of the House. *****

## PRIORITY -X

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 370 REGARDING 'H1B VISA RULES' FOR

ANSWER ON 21.03.2018. (a) to (d) There are proposals under consideration in the U.S. to reform the H-1B visa programmes. However, so far, no comprehensive changes have been made. In the current (115th) Congress, seven Bills relating to H-1B Visa programmes have been introduced by individual Congressmen and Senators. However, so far, none of these Bills have been passed. On the Executive side, on April 18, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) titled "Buy American and Hire American', which requires different arms of the U.S. Administration to suggest reforms to the H-1B visa programme. This process is still   underway.   The   US  Administration   has   also   taken   some   steps   towards   stricter enforcement and prevention of abuse of the work visa programmes. Most   recently,   on   22   February   2018,   the   US   Citizenship   and   Immigration Services published a policy memorandum titled, 'Contracts and Itineraries Requirements for   H-1B   Petitions   Involving   Third-Party   Worksites'.   This   policy   memorandum establishes the burden on the petitioner to demonstrate that the beneficiary is employed for   a   specific   assignment   in   a   specialty   occupation   under   an   employer-employee relationship in a third-party worksite. The memorandum does not specifically target Indian companies but applies to all companies that engage in third-party placements. Government of India is in close consultation with all stakeholders including NASSCOM in this matter. Government of India remains closely engaged with the U.S. Administration and the Congress on all issues relating to movement of Indian professionals including under the H-1B visa programme. In our engagements, we have emphasized that this has been a mutually-beneficial partnership which should be nurtured. Indian skilled professional have contributed to the growth and development of the U.S. economy and have helped the U.S. retain its competitive edge and innovation advantage. They are a big stakeholder in India-U.S. relations and their backward linkages to India have helped U.S. businesses.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 368 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Rehabilitation of Families
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.368

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2018

## REHABILITATION OF FAMILIES

- *368.   DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  rehabilitate  the  400 families that were displaced due to the creation of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre;
- (b) whether ISRO had promised to recommend special recruitment of local people or provide alternative housing facilities;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether these promises have been acted upon; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

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

*****

STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO STARRED QUESTION NO.368 REGARDING 'REHABILITATION OF FAMILIES'  ASKED  BY  DR.  SHASHI  THAROOR  FOR  ANSWER  ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2018.

(a) Rehabilitation is a subject matter of State, but ISRO has made ex-gratia payment to Kerala State Government as per procedure, for rehabilitation of the displaced families.

(b) ISRO  has  not  promised  any  special  recruitment  and  housing facility is a subject matter of State.

(c) Does not arise.

(d) ISRO has acted upon the commitment made.

(e) ISRO has acted upon its responsibilities by means of compensation and ex-gratia  payment  done  through State  and offered  preferential  consideration  upto  3 rd   generation  for  the evicted families.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 367 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Procurement of Fighter Aircraft
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: KAMAL NATH, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.367

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST  MARCH, 2018

## PROCUREMENT OF FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

## *367.  SHRI  KAMAL NATH:

SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:

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

- (a) whether  questions  have  been  raised  on  the  Government's  claims  of  adopting transparency  in  the  procurement  of  Rafale  combat  fighter  aircraft  deal  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether a scam is brewing in the procurement of fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force and if so, the facts thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has been adopting diversionary tactics on the Rafale deal and  also  violating  the  mandatory  defence  procurement  procedure  and  keeping  in abeyance the Inter-Governmental Agreement with France; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the views of the Government on the above questions / issues?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jherh  fueZyk lhrkje.k )

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

*******

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 367 FOR ANSWER ON 21.3.2018

(a) to (d): In the acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft, all relevant procedure as laid down in Defence Procurement Procedure were followed to ensure that due transparency existed in the entire acquisition process. To meet the critical operational necessity of the IAF, 36 Rafale aircraft procurement is through Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) route.  The IGA was signed between the Government of India and Government of French Republic  on  23 rd September,  2016  after  the  approval  of  the  Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on 24 th August, 2016.  The IGA for 36 Rafale is  at  implementation  stage  and  deliveries  of  aircraft  are  scheduled  from September 2019 to April, 2022.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 365 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: INS Chakra
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.365

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST  MARCH, 2018

## INS  CHAKRA

## *365.  SHRI  PINAKI MISRA:

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

- (a) whether INS Chakra, a nuclear-powered submarine which was leased from Russia, has suffered extensive damage and has been dry docked;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the damage has been assessed and if so, the extent thereof; and
- (d) the estimated cost of repairs and the time by which the submarine is likely to be made ready for sail?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jherh  fueZyk lhrkje.k )

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

*******

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 365 FOR ANSWER ON 21.3.2018

(a) to (d): The information cannot be divulged in the interest of National Security.

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 364 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Electronic Voting Machines
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: RAVNEET SINGH

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *364

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 21 st  MARCH, 2018

## ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES

## *364. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government/Election Commission is aware of the rampant cases of malfunctioning  of  Electronic  Voting  Machines  (EVMs)  being  highlighted  at  various  polling stations in different elections across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government/Election Commission thereto;
- (c) the details with regard to the cases of malfunctioning of EVMs found in the country during the last three years;
- (d)  the  details  of  private  agencies  involved  in  the  maintenance  of  EVMs  during  the  last  five years, year and State-wise; and
- (e) the action plan to ensure higher security of EVMs?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

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

*******

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *364 DATED 21 st  MARCH, 2018

(a) to  (e):    The  Election  Commission has informed that a small percentage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) get defective during the poll process, which are replaced immediately without causing any disruption of the poll process.  The Commission  has  further  informed  that  between  January,  2016  and  upto  State Assembly  elections  to  Nagaland,  Meghalaya  and  Tripura  in  2018,  a  total  of 4,61,587 Ballot Units and 4,05,478 Control Units were used in various elections, out  of  which  14,452  machines  failed,  averaging  about  1.6%.  This  too  was immediately  replaced  without  affecting  the  election  process.    The  Commission has also informed that no private agency is involved in maintenance of EVMs. Comprehensive technical and administrative safeguards have been put in place by the Commission to ensure the security of the EVMs.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 363 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Mobile Towers in Naxal Affected Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: ABHISHEK SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.363 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST     MARCH, 2018

## MOBILE TOWERS IN NAXAL AFFECTED AREAS

*363. SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  places  identified  by  the  Government  for  installation  of  mobile towers in naxal affected areas of Chhattisgarh;
- (b) the number of places where such mobile towers have already been installed so far;
- (c) the number of identified places where such towers have not been installed along with the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

Contd………2/-

## STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PART (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *363 FOR 21 ST  MARCH, 2018 ON 'MOBILE TOWERS IN NAXAL AFFECTED AREAS'.

(a) A  total  of  532  places  were  identified  by  the  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  (MHA), Government  of  India  for  installation  of  mobile  towers  in  Naxal  affected  areas  of Chhattisgarh under the scheme to provide mobile connectivity in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas (LWE, Phase-I).

For LWE Phase-II, further 1028 places have been identified by MHA for installation of mobile towers in Chhattisgarh. Accordingly, the LWE Phase II project to set up 4072 mobile  towers  in  10  LWE  affected  States  has  been  prepared  and  recommended  by Telecom Commission (TC) for consideration of the Cabinet.

- (b) In Chhattisgarh, mobile towers at 521 places have been installed.

(c) & (d) Mobile  towers  at  11  places  have  not  been  installed.  The  details  are  as follows:

- (i)  Seven towers could not be installed due to extreme Naxal activities
- (ii) Three towers are under installation
- (iii) One tower site not finalized by the State Government

The  Department  is  constantly  monitoring  and  pursuing  with  the  Implementing Agency to complete the work. Licensed Service Area  (LSA) of the Concerned State has been assigned the task of monitoring the Project.

*****************