opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 886 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Coal Washeries
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 886 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018 Coal Washeries

## 886. SHRI ARVIND SAWANT

Will the MINISTER OF COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has set up coal washeries in coal areas of Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, details thereof;
- (c) whether every washery out of these is functional at present;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (f) whether the Government proposes to increase number of coal washeries in the State;
- (g) if so, the details thereof; and
- (h) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL ( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a): As informed by Coal India Limited (CIL), there is no coal washery in Maharastra state under the command area of Western Coalfields Limited(WCL) a subsidiary of CIL.
- (b)(c)(d)&(e): Not Applicable in view of above.
- (f)(g)&(h): At present there is no plan to set up a washery in the State since the coal supplied to power sector from the mines of WCL is as per the stipulations laid down by Ministry of Environment and Forest & Climate Change.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 885 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Foot Over Bridge
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NIHAL CHAND CHAUHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.885 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## FOOT OVER BRIDGE

†885. SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of railway stations of North-Western Railway without foot over bridge facility due to which passengers meet with accidents while crossing rail tracks;
- (b)  the  procedure  proposed  for  the  construction  of  foot  over  bridge  on the said railway stations; and
- (c) the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (c): As per extant instructions, Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) are to be provided at all 'A-1', 'A' and 'B' category railway stations. There are 37 'A-1', 'A' and 'B' category Railway stations over North Western Railway. Out  of  these,  FOBs  already  exist  at  36  railway  stations  except  Jawai Bandh  Railway  station,  for  which  it  has  been  planned  to  provide  FOB during 2018-19.

As per extant instructions, FOBs shall be provided at all crossing stations  during  doubling/gauge  conversion  upto  'D'  category  stations, where the same is not provided. FOBs already exist at 30 'D' category railway stations over North Western Railway.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 883 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Income from Freight
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PRASUN BANERJEE

(a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.883 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## INCOME FROM FREIGHT

883.  SHRI PRASUN BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) the  amount that has been received as income from the freight by the Railways during each of the last three years, year-wise;
- (b) whether there has been upswing in the freight during the current financial year;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of quantity of material transported by the Railways on paid basis during each of the last three years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.883 BY SHRI PRASUN BANERJEE  TO BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  07.02.2018  REGARDING INCOME FROM FREIGHT

## (a) The freight earnings of the Indian Railways for the last three years are as under:

(₹ in crore)

| Year    |   Freight Earnings |
|---------|--------------------|
| 2014-15 |             105791 |
| 2015-16 |             109208 |
| 2016-17 |             104339 |

- (b) &  (c):  Yes,  Madam.  The  freight  earnings  of  Indian  Railways during the current year upto December-2017 are ₹81427.77crore, which reflects an increase of ₹ 6232.61crore (8.29%),  when  compared  to  freight  earnings  of  ₹75195.16 crore during  corresponding period of the last year.

## (d):  The  details  of  commodities-wise loading of last three years are as under:-

(in million tonne)

| A   | Freight Loading             | Period   | Period   | Period   |
|-----|-----------------------------|----------|----------|----------|
|     | Commodity                   | 2014-15  | 2015-16  | 2016-17  |
| 1   | Coal                        | 545.81   | 551.83   | 532.83   |
| 2   | Raw material for Steel      | 18.28    | 20.29    | 22.75    |
|     | Plants                      |          |          |          |
| 3   | Pig Iron and Finished Steel | 42.84    | 44.79    | 52.41    |
| 4   | Iron Ore                    | 112.77   | 116.94   | 137.55   |
| 5   | Cement                      | 109.80   | 105.35   | 103.29   |
| 6   | Foodgrains                  | 55.47    | 45.73    | 44.86    |
| 7   | Fertilizers                 | 47.41    | 52.23    | 48.34    |
| 8   | Mineral Oil (POL)           | 41.10    | 43.24    | 42.42    |
| 9   | Container Service           | 48.38    | 45.83    | 47.35    |
| 10  | Balance other goods         | 73.40    | 75.28    | 74.35    |
|     | Total (A)                   | 1095.26  | 1101.51  | 1106.15  |
| B   | Parcel Loading              | 6.52     | 6.41     | 6.11     |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 881 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Relations with Neighbouring Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RANGASWAMY DHRUVANARAYANA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.881 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2017

## RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

## 881.   SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the relations between India and China have improved since the Doklam standoff in 2017;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the manner in which the Government plans to improve our relations with our neighbouring country;
- (d) whether the Government is taking any extra measures to ensure the security of the North Eastern States, bordering China; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) India's   engagement   with   China   is   multifaceted.   In   areas where we have commonality of views, engagement has expanded and upgraded in recent years.  Issues where there are differences are being handled   through   dialogue   to   seek a   fair,   reasonable   and   mutually acceptable solution based on mutual respect and due sensitivity to each other's interests, concerns and aspirations.

Both sides share the view that India-China bilateral relationship has an important role to play in the 21st Century in Asia and in the world, and that it serves the shared interest of the two sides to strengthen their

Closer Developmental Partnership.

In view of the significance of the bilateral relationship, both sides are   working   towards   utilizing   their   bilateral   dialogue   mechanisms   to promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhancing communication at all levels in order to build greater trust and understanding.

Both sides agree that progress in bilateral  relations should be guided by the consensus reached between their leaders that at a time of global uncertainty, India-China relations are a factor of stability and that both sides must not allow their differences to become disputes.

- (d) & (e) Government   is   fully   seized   of   the   security   needs   of   the country   and   remains   prepared   to   deal   with   and   counter   all   kinds   of

security   challenges   including   at   our   borders.   Government   regularly reviews  the   threat   perception   to   secure   our   borders   and   protect   our national interest. Appropriate measures are taken from time to time to maintain and upgrade the country's defence preparedness to safeguard the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 880 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Job Cuts in IT Sector
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: V. SATHYABAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  880

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 07.02.2018

## JOB CUTS IN IT SECTOR

## 880. SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

Will the Minister of Electronics & Information Technology be pleased to state: -

- (a) whether the Government has taken a serious note of the recent layoffs and job cuts by major IT companies;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the Government's stand on this issue;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the management of the IT companies are engaging bouncers and counsellors to threaten their laid off employees;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  protect  the  jobs  and  lives  of  the  IT employees?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): No such matter has been reported to the ministry.The IT sector is expected to continue to be a net hirer in FY 2017-18, also.

(c) and (d): No such matter has been reported to the ministry.

(e): The  industry,  both  globally  and  in  India,  is  witnessing  unprecedented  technology driven changes.  These demand new sets of skills and are opening opportunities for newer job roles.  The stakeholders covering industry, academia and Sector Skills Councils are working to ensure that the existing workforce is re-skilled/up-skilled in emerging technologies and job roles.  Most  companies  (large,  medium  &  small)  are  also  implementing  rigorous  training programs  to  re-skill/up-skill  their  existing  employees  in  new  and  emerging  technologies. According to National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM), the industry continues to be a net hirer and employs nearly 3.9  million people in FY 2016-17, an addition of over 170,000 people over FY 2015-16.  Industry is expected to add 130,000 to 150,000 jobs in FY 2017-18.

In addition, various skilling/training initiatives have been taken under the aegis of MeitY to enhance  the  skill  of  IT  workforce  and  improve  its  employability  in  the  manufacturing  & service  sectors  of  electronics  and  IT  industry.    The  National  Institute  of  Electronics  and Information Technology (NIELIT) and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), the autonomous societies of MeitY, offer both short and long term, industry specific courses.    Further,      other  organizations  /  attached  offices  of  Meity  such  as  ERNET  India,

Media  Lab  Asia,  CSC  E-Governance  Services  India  Limited,  STQC  and  NIC  are  also engaged in training of various stakeholders in small numbers.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 879 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Overhauling of Railway Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 879 TO BE ANSWERED ON  07.02.2018

## OVERHAULING OF RAILWAY TRACKS

879.  SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  initiatives  taken  and  progress  made  to  upgrade the infrastructure of railways, specifically rail tracks that are found damaged and unfit for regular use;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  put  in  place  a  timely  structured plan to identify railway zones that need urgent overhauling;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Eastern  Railway  has  identified  rail  tracks  which need urgent overhauling; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  879  BY  SHRIMATI  MAUSAM NOOR  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  07.02.2018 REGARDING OVERHAULING OF RAILWAY TRACKS

(a):  The  details  of  investments  made  in  development  of infrastructure for the last three years are as under:-

( ` In Cr.)

| Year    |   Amount spent on Infrastructure |   Amount Spent on Track Renewals |
|---------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| 2014-15 |                            58718 |                             3735 |
| 2015-16 |                            93442 |                             4368 |
| 2016-17 |                           101669 |                             5075 |

(b) and (c): Railway tracks are replaced through track renewal works,  which  is  an  ongoing  process.    Track  renewal  works are undertaken as and when stretch of track becomes due for renewal on the basis of criteria laid down in Indian Railways Permanent  Way  Manual  on  age/condition  basis.    The  track renewal works are planned in advance every year and their execution are prioritized according to the condition of track and other factors ensuring all the time that track is in sound condition for running of trains. In case, if any stretch of track is not renewed  in time due to various reasons,  speed restrictions,  if  required  are  imposed  to  ensure  safe  running trains.

As  on  01.04.2017,  track  renewal  covering  7546  km  is sanctioned out of which 3600 km in Complete Track Renewal units is targeted for the year 2017-18.

(d) and (e): On Eastern Railway, for the year 2017-18, a target of 246 km for track renewal has been kept against which 155 km track has been renewed upto December, 2017.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 878 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Cloud Computing
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN, V. SATHYABAMA, PR. SENTHILNATHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 878

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 07/02/2018

## CLOUD COMPUTING

## 878.        SHRI BHARATHI MOHAN R.K.: SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA: SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has any special programmes or schemes to promote the cloud computing in both Educational and Government Institutions in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the cloud computing contributes substantially to the advancements in communication and networking systems in the country;
- (d) if so, the effective steps taken by the Government to enhance and facilitate the use of cloud computing in Government services along with the  funds allocated for the same in the last three years and the current year?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):    Yes, Sir.
- (b):  Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) runs a Cloud Computing programme under the name 'MeghRaj' to utilize and harness the benefits offered by Cloud Computing. There is no separate scheme for Education Institutions, they can also make use of the 'MeghRaj' programme.
- (c):     Yes, Sir.
- (d):      Union  Government  started  offering  Cloud  Services  through  NIC  Cloud  under 'MeghRaj'  in  February  2014.  The  Government  has  also  empanelled  12  Cloud  Service Providers (CSPs) from Private & Public Sector for the purpose of offering Cloud services to the Government Institutions. The fund allocated over last 3 years including current year is Rs. 255.18 crore.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 875 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Standardization of Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUDHEER GUPTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.875

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## STANDARDIZATION OF COACHES

## 875. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways is planning to rationalize the number of coaches in trains;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the aims and objectives thereto;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  formed  a  Committee  to  suggest  standard number of coaches for all trains;
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  the  said  committee  is likely to submit its report to the Government; and
- (e)  whether  extra  infrastructure  is  required  for  the  standardization  of coaches and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) &  (b)  Rationalization  of  rakes  is  an  on-going  process  over  Indian Railways and inter-alia is aimed at improving utilization of coaching stock, ensuring  punctual  running  of  trains,  releasing  maintenance  slots  and improving turn-around time.
- (c) No, Madam.
- (d) Does not arise.
- (e) Yes, Madam. In some cases, up-gradation of infrastructural facilities like lengthening of platform/pit line etc, may be required.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 874 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Special Court’s for MP’s And MLA’s
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE)

## L O K    S A B H A

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.874

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018

## Special Court's for MP's And MLA's

## 874. SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

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

a)  the  details  on  the  exact  number  of  cases  pending  against  legislators  in  the country;

(b)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  this  data  is  updated regularly;

(c) whether the Government plans to institute special courts for disposal of such cases,  if  so,  whether  these  courts  would  be  permanent  in  nature  or  would  be dissolved after disposal of such pending cases; and

(d) whether the Government plans to fix a timeline for disposal of such cases by the special courts?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW & JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a)  & (b): In Writ Petition (Civil) No. 699/2016 (Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay Vs. Union of India & Anr.) as per records presented in the Hon'ble Supreme Court, 1581  criminal  cases  involving  Members  of  Legislative  Assembly  (MLAs)  and Members of Parliament (MPs) as declared at the time of filing of the nomination papers  to  the  2014  elections  were  pending  in  various  Courts  of  the  country.

Hon'ble Supreme Court of India has directed the Union Government to prepare a Scheme for Special Courts for trial of these cases, which has been done. The Union Government has written to all the related High Courts and State Governments for bringing  upto  date  lists  of  criminal  cases  to  enable  their  trial  in  these  Special Courts.

(c):    The  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  of  India  vide  its  Order  dated  14.12.2017  has approved  the  Scheme  and  directed  the  Union  Government  to  proportionately allocate  the  amount  to  be  incurred  by  the  different  states  in  which  the  proposed Special  Courts  are  planned  to  be  located  forthwith  and  thereafter  the  State Governments  will  make  necessary  arrangements  of  judicial  officers,  staff  and infrastructure in consultation with the High Courts.  The Union Government has released the funds earmarked  for the financial year 2017-18  to the State Governments (where  applicable)  to  ensure  that  the  said  Courts  start  functioning from  01.03.2018.    The  next  date  of  hearing  in  the  case  is  on  07.03.2018.  At present, the matter is sub-judice.

(d):  No such timeline has been fixed by the Supreme Court for disposal of such cases by the Special Courts.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 873 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Indian Hostages in various Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MANSHANKAR NINAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.873

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## INDIAN HOSTAGES IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

- † 873.  SHRI MANSHANKAR NINAMA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Indians who are still the hostages of terrorists in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan like war-stricken countries, country-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps to bring those Indians back safely to the country from those countries where they are stranded; and
- (c) if   so,   the   details   thereof   and   the   number   of   abducted   Indians brought back safely from these countries?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) As per information available in the Ministry, except Iraq where a group of 39 Indian nationals working in a construction company in Mosul reportedly went missing when the terrorist organization ISIS took over control of a large part of Iraqi territory, no Indians are still held hostage in war-stricken countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. The Indian workers in Iraq are reported to have been taken captive by the ISIS.
- (b) & (c) The Government has been making all possible efforts to trace the 39 Indian nationals.  Assistance has been sought from the countries in the region, including Iraq, in locating their whereabouts.  After liberation of Mosul in July 2017, MOS (VKS) has visited Iraq thrice in this regard.

*****