opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3726 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Power to Bangladesh
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3726 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## POWER TO BANGLADESH

3726. SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Bangladesh  has  sought  more  power  from  our  country  to meet its rising demand;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof including the details of quantum of power Bangladesh seeks to purchase from the country;
- (c) the quantum of power supplied to that country presently; and
- (d) the details of current weighted average tariff of Bangladesh's power purchase?

## A N S W E R

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

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) & (b) : Power  is  supplied  to  Bangladesh  under  the  Memorandum  of Understanding  (MoU)  between  India  and  Bangladesh.  Bangladesh  have sought additional 60 MW power for meeting it's demand in the Eastern part of Bangladesh.

(c) : During the current year 2016-17 (April - November, 2016), the electricity energy supplied to Bangladesh was about 2991 Million Units.

(d) : The  tariff  of  250  MW  power  from  Central  Generating  Station being  supplied  to  Bangladesh  is  as  per  the  norms  determined  by  the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).  The weighted average tariff  of  remaining power is around Rs.5.35 per unit.  In addition to this, Bangladesh  also  pays  the  transmission  charges  and  other  grid  related operation charges as per the CERC regulations.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3724 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Adherence to Traffic Rules
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  studies  have  revealed  that  the  buses  and  other  vehicles  do  not  adhere  to  traffic  rules  in Delhi which result in increase in accidents and traffic jams;
- (b) if so, the measures being adopted in this regard;
- (c) whether studies have also revealed that encroachments on the roads also lead to traffic jams; and
- (d) if so, the details in this regard?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3724

ANSWERED ON 8 TH   DECEMBER, 2016

## ADHERENCE TO TRAFFIC RULES

3724. SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a)    The  National  Transport  Development  Policy  Committee  (NTDPC)  report,  published  by  NITI Aayog,  suggests  that  the  main  reason  for  traffic  jams  is  declining  public  transport,  non-motorized transport and increasing use of private vehicles.
- (b) Delhi Police is taking strict action to check and control lane violations committed by buses and other vehicles on Delhi roads. The general public is educated through print and electronic media to follow  lane  discipline.  Refresher  courses  are  also  conducted  for  drivers  of  commercial  vehicles  by Delhi Traffic Police in which they are briefed and sensitized towards their responsibility which drive and to follow traffic rules and regulations including lane violations.
- (c) & (d) No, Madam. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways does not have information about such a finding or study. The prime responsibility to keep the roads and footpaths clear from encroachment lies with local agencies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3722 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Public Transport System
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce trams in the National Capital Region to augment public transport system; and
- (b) if so, the details of the proposed scheme?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3722

ANSWERED ON 8 TH   DECEMBER, 2016

## PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM

3722. SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a)  At  present,  there  is  no  proposal  under  consideration  of  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  & Highways  for  introducing  trams  in  the  National  Capital  Region  to  augment  Public  Transport System.

- (b) Doesn't arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3721 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Distribution of Surplus Power
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3721 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS POWER

3721. SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government of Telangana has submitted a proposal to avail the power produced at Dadri and Jhajjar power plants as the Delhi Government  proposes  to  surrender  the  surplus  power  of  2,255  MW  of electricity provided by 11 Central Government power plants;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the present status of the proposal?

## A N S W E R

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

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) to (c) : Government  of  National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi,  in  their letter  dated  6 th   July,  2015,  requested  for  surrender  of  2,255  MW  power from 11 different power stations.

As requested by Government of Telangana and depending on the  availability  of  Inter  regional  transmission  corridor  towards  Southern Region,  374  MW  from  Aravali  Power  Company  Private  Limited  (APCPL), Jhajjar was allocated till 31.03.2016. Further 100 MW from APCPL, Jhajjar was allocated during 01.04.2016 to 31.05.2016.

At present, there is no request from Government of Telangana to avail power from Dadri and APCPL Jhajjar.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3720 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Re-sale of Cotton Stocks
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

## RE-SALE OF COTTON STOCKS

## 3720.  SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) proposes to start re-sale of cotton stocks available with it to small and medium scale textile mills so as to keep the prices under control and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether  the  CCI  has  purchased  8.4  lakh  bales  of  cotton  at  minimum  support price this year and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the cost of cotton purchased from CCI will be lower than the current market price and the CCI proposes to sell cotton at just minimum support price so that the small textile units can survive; and

(d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

## ( )

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (b): During  cotton  season  2015-16  (1st  October,  2015  to  30th  September, 2016), CCI purchased seed cotton (kapas) equivalent to 8.44 lakh bales at Minimum Support  Price  (MSP).  The  statement  showing  state-wise  procurement  under  MSP during 2015-16 is annexed. During cotton season 2015-16, cotton prices in the country abnormally increased in the month of May/July 2016 due to damage by white fly pests in Northern region & pink boll worm attack in Gujarat region and panic buying by the mills to cover their lean season requirement. In such situation, in order to safeguard the interest  of  the  textile  Industry  including  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises (MSMEs), Government of India, Ministry of Textiles decided in July, 2016 to sell the balance unsold stock available with CCI to MSME units through e-sale so as to provide them  some  relief  from  cotton  price  volatility  in  the  market  and  stabilize  the  market prices. Accordingly, all the cotton stocks of CCI has been sold.

- (c): No, Madam. CCI sells its cotton stocks at market driven rates through e-auction.
- (d): Does not arise, in view of (c) above.

Annexure

| State          | Procurement under MSP by CCI during Cotton Year 2015-16 (in bales)   |
|----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Telangana      | 5,95,159                                                             |
| Maharashtra    | 1,16,799                                                             |
| Gujarat        | 51,501                                                               |
| Andhra Pradesh | 39,967                                                               |
| Madhya Pradesh | 29,104                                                               |
| Odisha         | 11,633                                                               |
| West Bengal    | 368                                                                  |
| Total          | 8,44,531                                                             |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3719 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Assistance of International Organizations in Waste Management Training
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3719 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## Assistance of International Organisation in Waste Management Training'

## 3719. SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  take  the  assistance  of  international organisations to impart training to Panchayat members on waste management;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the details of the countries and organisations to be part of the said initiative ; and
- (c) the steps being taken by the Union Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)  :    No,  Madam.  No  specific  training  programme  for  Panchayati  Raj  Institutions (PRIs) for Waste Management is being run by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) with the assistance of any international organisation.   The Ministry is availing technical assistance in  the  form  of  manpower  for  capacity  building  under  the  United  Nations  Development Programme (UNDP) project 'Strengthening Capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions'. MoPR has developed material on sanitation for Panchayats.  The Ministry also provides funds to the State  Governments  for  capacity  building  for  various  activities  of  PRIs  including  waste management.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3718 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Construction of Roads, Bridges and Culverts in Rural Areas
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: NIHAL CHAND CHAUHAN

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO .3718 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.1 2.2016

## CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, BRIDGES AND CULVERTS IN RURAL AREAS

## 3718. SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  proposals  received  by  the  Union  Government  from  the  Sta Government of Rajasthan for construction of roads, bridges and culverts in t areas of the state during the las t three years and the current year, and if so, the d thereof;
- (b) the number of proposals sanctioned out of them and the number of proposals pending; and
- (c) the time by which the pending proposals are likely to be sanctioned?

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

(a)to(c) : The  State  Governments  are  required  to  submit  Detailed  Project  Repo (DPRs) to the Ministry for consideration/approval of projects in accordance with pro gui delines  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana  (PMGSY).  The  project  proposals  ar scrutinized  by  National  Rural  Roads  Development  Agency  (NRRDA)  to  ensure  that  t proposals are in accordance with the programme guidelines and duly verified by th Techni cal  Agencies  (STAs). These proposals  are examined for  consideration by the -Ministerial  Empowered  Committee,  chaired  by  Secretary  (RD)  in  the  Ministry  of  R Development. The proposals approved by the Competent Authority are conveyed to the S Go vernment  to  take  further  necessary  action  before  seeking  funds.  Year -wise  details  of project proposals received and sanctioned by the Ministry for the State of Rajasth under:

| Year     | Received          | Received                         | Cleared           | Cleared                          | Comments                                       |
|----------|-------------------|----------------------------------|-------------------|----------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|
| Year     | No. of road works | Value of Proposals (Rs in crore) | No. of road works | Value of Proposals (Rs in crore) | Comments                                       |
| 2013- 14 | 2408              | 2189.60                          | 1435              | 1306.36                          | 973 proposals were returned to the State Govt. |
| 2014- 15 | 691               | 986.87                           | -                 | -                                | 691 proposals were returned to the State Govt. |
| 2015- 16 | 1468              | 1617.62                          | -                 | -                                |                                                |
| 2016- 17 | -                 | -                                | 1467              | 1611.92                          |                                                |

As on date  no PMGSY proposal of Rajasthan is pending with the Ministry.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3717 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Use of Explosives by Polavaram Project Authority
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3717

ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## USE OF EXPLOSIVES BY POLAVARAM PROJECT AUTHORITY

## 3717.        SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY

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

(a) the quantum of explosives used by Polavaram Project Authority during 2014- 15 and 201516;

(b) whether the Government is aware that Polavaram Project Authority is using explosives very casually to save costs of using earth-moving equipment, if so, the facts thereof;

(c)  whether any permission in this regard has been obtained by the Authority from concerned Directorate of Explosives, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the steps being taken to stop the unauthorised use of explosives and without consultation with human settlements and wildlife in the adjacent Papikonda game sanctuary?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION (Dr. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a)    As  intimated  by  the  Polavaram  Project  Authority  (PPA)  the  quantum  of  explosives  used during 2014-15 and 2015-16 are 2839 MT and 5745 MT respectively.

(b)  to  (d)  As  per  information  received  from  the  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  blasting operations are required for excavation in rock portion for construction of different component of works.    The  Earth  Work  Excavation  is  carried  out  strictly  in  accordance  with  the  safety precautions  as  per  clause  78  of  General  Conditions  of  Contract  (GCC);  duly  taking  all precautionary  measures  for  storage,  transportation  and  handling  of  explosives  during  blasting operations  in  accordance  with  Indian  Explosives  Act  and  other  relevant  rules  during  the excavation in rock.

Further,  the  contracting  agency  has  obtained  no  objection  certificate  from  the  District Joint  Collector  and  Additional  District  Magistrate  East  Godavari  District  as  well  as  District Collector & District Magistrate, West Godavari District.

As  per  the  explosives  rules,  explosives  are  used  in  the  required  quantity  during  the blasting operations.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Lower Tapti Project
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: A.T. (NANA) PATIL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3714

ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## LOWER TAPTI PROJECT

## 3714.            SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL

Will  the  Minister  of  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has accorded approval to the lower Tapti Project of Maharashtra, if so, the details thereof; (b) if not, the reasons therefor and the current status of the project; and (c)  the  steps  taken/to  be  taken  to  approve  the  project  and  provide  requisite  funds  for  its

- implementation at the earliest?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) to (c)   The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Lower Tapi project of Maharashtra has been received  in  CWC.  The  Project  Authority  have  submitted  the  compliance  on  design  of embankment aspects on 14.10.2016.  The proposal is currently under examination of CWC.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3712 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Remunerative Prices to Domestic Textile Manufacturers
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: DEVUSINH JESINGBHAI CHAUHAN, ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## REMUNERATIVE PRICES TO DOMESTIC TEXTILE MANUFACTURERS

## 3712.  SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN: ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether domestic textile and apparel industry is facing stiff competition from countries like China, Pakistan and Bangladesh and are not getting remunerative price due to import of garments from those countries at cheaper rates;
- (b) if so, whether the Union Government has taken or proposes to take any steps to remove bottlenecks in the textile industry with a view to compete with China and other neighbouring countries and to ensure remunerative prices to domestic textile manufacturers; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the timeframe for the same and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## ( )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a): While India is facing competition from countries like China, Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is one of the most competitive garment manufacturing countries in the world. Garment import in India is only 3.4% (US$ 581 million) as compared to total garment export of  US$ 16,989 million in 2015-16.
- (b) & (c): In  order  to  improve  the  competitiveness  of  domestic  garment  manufacturing sector,  Government  has  announced  a  special  package  of  approximately  Rs  6,000  crores  for garment  sector  for  three  years  which  includes  relaxation  in  certain  labour  laws,  income  tax concession, 100% employer's contribution to EPFO by Government, rebate of state levies for exports  etc.  Apart  from  the  special  package,  Government  has  various  schemes  to  increase competitiveness  of  textile  and  apparel  sector.  These  schemes  include  Amended  Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS), Scheme for Integrated Textiles Park (SITP), Integrated Processing Development Scheme (IPDS) and Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS).

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3711 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Slow Pace of Capacity Addition in Solar Sector
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 3711

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## SLOW PACE OF CAPACITY ADDITION IN SOLAR SECTOR

## 3711. DR. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU:

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether there is a slow pace of capacity addition in the solar sector which have created room for a variety  of off-grid solar solutions to grow and provide electricity and the Government is forced to heavily dependent on the off-grid solar industry;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the capacity addition being achieved against target set per year and the reasons for slow pace of progress in capacity addition;

(c) whether most of the solar input  products have zero customs  duty on imports but the companies have to pay a 30% duty on battery imports, which renders making solar lanterns and invertors  in the country economically unviable ; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL, NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY & MINES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): No Madam, there  is  a  Cumulative  Annual  Growth  Rate  (CAGR)  of  37%  solar  power capacity  addition  during  the  last  three  years.  The  objective  of  Solar  Off-grid  Applications programme is to provide electricity in the areas where there is no electricity or facing irregular power supply or diesel usage is more. The growth of Off-Grid Solar Programme is not related to slow pace of capacity addition in the solar sector.

(b): The Government has set a target of 1,00,000 MW Grid Connected Solar Power to be achieved  by  the  year  2022  through  installation  of  projects  under  various  schemes.  As  on 31.10.2016, 8727.62 MW Solar Plants were Commissioned.

(c) & (d): Customs & Excise exemption certificates are given to solar power developers for installation of grid connected solar projects. However, there is no customs duty exemption on the imported components like battery or inverter. Further, the solar lantern attracts Basis Concessional Duty (BCD) of 5%, while the solar lantern is exempt from excise duty.The parts consumed within the factory of production for the manufacture of solar lantern are exempt from excise  duty  subject  to  actual  user  condition.    Concessional  5%  BCD  on  Active  Energy Controllers for manufacture of Renewable Power System is also allowed subject to actual user condition.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3710 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Road Connectivity in NH-66
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3710

ANSWERED ON 8 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## ROAD CONNECTIVITY IN NH-66

## 3710.   SHRIMATI P.K. SREEMATHI TEACHER:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has received any proposal from Government of Kerala requesting for  declaration  of  road  connecting  Chovva  (in  NH-66)  to  Mattannur  of  Kannur  district  as National Highways; and

(b) if so, the present status of the proposal?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (b) Yes, Madam.

Expansion of National Highway (NH) network is a continuous process and declaration of State roads as new NHs is made from time to time depending upon requirement of connectivity, inter-se-priority and availability of funds.

The work of preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the road connecting NH-66 near Chovva/Kannur to Mattannur has been assigned to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

*****