opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3086 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Railway Rakes for Coal
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: GAURAV GOGOI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3086 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## RAILWAY RAKES FOR COAL

3086. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is an insufficiency in rail line links to mines;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken to address unavailability to railway rakes with a view to ensure efficient coal supply?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  &  (b):  No,  Madam.  All  major  mines  are  presently  well  served  by existing rail line links. However, development of additional rail line link is a need based ongoing continuous process. The links are developed as per operational, commercial and technical needs of users.
- (c): To ensure efficient coal supply, railway rakes are supplied as per demands of customers. To fulfil these demands additional wagons are inducted  on  a  continuous  basis.  In  the  year  2015-16  and  2016-17, 18,261  new  wagons,  suitable  for  carrying  coal  (BOXN  and  BOBR wagon) have been inducted.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3085 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: IAS and IPS Officers on Deputation
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK, RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3085

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018)

## IAS AND IPS OFFICERS ON DEPUTATION

## †3085. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK: SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  a  number  of  IAS  and  IPS  officers  are  working  in  PSUs  on  deputation  due  to which a shortage of IAS and IPS officers is being felt in the States;
- (b) if so, the details of the officers who are on deputation for more than three to five years and the State cadres they belong to;
- (c) whether due to the IAS and IPS officers holding important positions in various PSUs, the country is devoid of taking services of experts in PSUs functions; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to retain only experts in PSUs functioning?

## 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): Out of 8909 IAS and IPS officers in position as on 1.1.2017, 20 officers are presently on deputation to CPSUs. Of these, only 2 officers are on deputation for more than 3 years in CPSUs (one each from Himachal Pradesh and Telengana cadres).   In addition, 11 IAS and IPS officers  are  working  as  Chief  Vigilance  Officers  (CVOs)  in  CPSUs  on  deputation  basis.    Of these, 3 officers (one each from Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and AGMUT cadres) are on deputation for more than 3 years as CVO in CPSUs.

- (c) & (d):   In view of the above, do not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3084 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Mission on Cyber Physical System
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: PREM DAS RAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3084

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14/3/2018

## MISSION ON CYBER PHYSICAL SYSTEM

## 3084.  SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ pleased to state:

- (a) the ways and means through which the Ministry aim to promote research under the Mission on Cyber-PhysicalSystems under Budget 2018;
- (b) the areas listed under this particular Mission; and
- (c) whether the Ministry plan on according special focus to build capacity for research in the North Eastern Region through this Budget and if so, the details thereof

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ, {Éßl´ÉÉÒ ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ +ÉÉè® {ÉªÉÉÇ´É®hÉ, ´ÉxÉ A´ÉÆ VÉãÉ´ÉÉªÉÖ {ÉÉÊ®´ÉiÉÇxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ (bÉ. c-ÉÇ ´ÉvÉÇxÉ)

- (a) & (b):  Madam, Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) is a new initiative launched in 2016 to promote and foster the upcoming and futuristic technologies.  The Ministry aims to promote R&D under the Mission  on  Cyber  Physical  Systems  through  expert  driven  research  projects  across  the  country involving & supporting multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary cluster based network programmes,  setting  up  of  Centre  of  Excellences,  Entrepreneurship  and  Start-ups  development, HRD and skill enhancement, and International Collaborative Research.
- (c) Yes, Madam.  10% of total allocation is dedicated for North Eastern Region.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3082 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Physical Verification of Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: SUNIL KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3082 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.3.2018

## Physical Verification of Coal

## 3082.    SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state :

(a)         whether  physical  verification  of  the  land  of  Coal  India  Limited  (CIL)  has  been done through any survey;

(b)          if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  date  on  which  the  said  verification  was done;

(c)         if  not,  whether the Government proposes to carry out physical verification of the land; and

(d)       if so, the time by which it will be completed?

## A N S W E R

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

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Physical verification in case of Forest land is done through DGPS survey whereas in case of Non- Forest land, physical verification is done through survey at the time of taking physical procession of land either through survey team of the subsidiary independently or under supervision of State officials.

The  job  of  physical  verification  of  land  through  survey  is  a  continuous  process.  It  is  also dependent on the mode of acquisition. In case of land acquired under LA Act 1894, State Government  gives  possession  of  land  after  completion  of   all  the  formalities  like  plot information/verification,  disbursement  of  compensation  etc.  Similarly,  in  case  of  land acquired   under Section 9(1) and 11(1) of CBA(A&D) Act, 1957,  physical verification  is done  at  the  time  of  taking  over  physical  possession  of  the  land  after  providing  all  the legitimate  claims  of  compensation  and  other  Resettlement  and  Rehabilitation  benefits including employments.

(c) & (d):  Does not arise in view of reply given in (a) & (b).

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3081 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Delay in Compliance of Court Orders
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: K.R.P. PRABAKARAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3081 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018 Delay in Compliance of Court Orders

3081.   SHRI K.R.P.PRABAKARAN:

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

- (a) whether the instances of delay in compliance of the orders of various Courts has increased in the country; and
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW & JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS

(SH. P.P.Chaudhary)

- (a) & (b) No such information is maintained by the Ministry of Law and Justice. *********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3079 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: NESIDS
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: SUSHMITA DEV, PREM DAS RAI

## Government of India

Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA

Unstarred Question No. 3079

To be answered on

Wednesday, March 14, 2018 / Phalguna 23, 1939 (Saka)

## Question

## NESIDS

3079.  KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV: SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

Will the Minister of DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that a North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) has been launched by his Ministry;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  allocation  of funds for  the  scheme to each of the North Eastern States, State and year-wise;
- (c) the criteria for allocation of funds under the scheme;
- (d) the details of projects taken up during 2017-18 along with their approved cost, State-wise and the total expenditure incurred under the scheme till date; and
- (e) whether the scheme aim to cover creation of infrastructure in the social sector as well  and  if  so,  the  steps  taken  to  improve  health  and  education  in  the  North-Eastern Region?

## The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) In December, 2017, Government of India approved North East Special Infrastructure  Development Scheme (NESIDS) with an outlay of Rs.1600.00 crore for the period of 2017-18 to 2019-20.

## ANSWER [Dr. Jitendra Singh]

- (c) The  funds  under  the  scheme,  will  be  distributed  among  eight  North  Eastern States on the basis of well defined criteria on certain parameters e.g. Area, Population, Human Development Index, Road density, etc. as follows:-
- (d) Under the NESIDS, no project has been taken up during 2017-18 till date.
- (e) The  scheme, inter  alia ,  aims  to  cover  the  social  sectors  namely  health  and education in North Eastern Region.

| S. No.   | States            |   Distribution of funds (%) |
|----------|-------------------|-----------------------------|
| i)       | Arunachal Pradesh |                       13.06 |
| ii)      | Assam             |                       27.78 |
| iii)     | Manipur           |                        9.98 |
| iv)      | Meghalaya         |                       10.76 |
| v)       | Mizoram           |                       10.42 |
| vi)      | Nagaland          |                       10.18 |
| vii)     | Sikkim            |                        6.54 |
| viii)    | Tripura           |                       11.28 |
|          | Total             |                      100    |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3078 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Special Category Status
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: YERRAM VENKATA SUBBAREDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3078 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## SPECIAL CATEGORY STATUS

## 3078.    SHRI Y.V. SUBBA REDDY:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the 14th Finance Commission recommended not to confer Special Category Status on any State;
- (b) if so, the details and the major recommendations thereof;
- (c) whether it is true that the Government has taken a decision that henceforth no Special Category Status would be given to any State;
- (d) if so, the likely fate of Andhra Pradesh and other States which were assured of being given special category status; and
- (e) the justification of extending tax and other benefits to the Special Category Status  States in spite of purported refusal by 14th Finance Commission?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH )

(a)  &  (b)    Special  Category  Status  for  plan  assistance  has  been  granted  in  the  past  by  the  National Development Council (NDC) to some States that are characterized by a number of features necessitating special consideration. The Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) in its recommendations has not made any  distinction  between  General  Category  States  and  Special  Category  States  in  the  horizontal distribution of shareable taxes amongst the States. The Fourteenth Finance Commission has considered both Plan and Non-Plan expenditure in assessing the revenue requirements of States. The objective of the FFC  has  been  to  fill  the  resource  gap  of  each  State  to  the  extent  possible  through  tax  devolution. Accordingly, the States' share of Central taxes has increased from 32% earlier to 42% for the period 2015-2020 as per the recommendations of the Fourteenth Finance Commission.  Also, post-devolution revenue deficit grants have been provided to States where devolution alone could not cover the assessed gap.

(c)  &  (d)  Special  Category  Status  for  plan  assistance  had  been  granted  in  the  past  by  the  National Development Council (NDC) to some States that were characterized by a number of features necessitating special  consideration.  Since  14 th Finance  Commission  in  its  recommendations  has  not  made  any distinction between General category states and Special category states in the horizontal distribution of sharable taxes among the states, no state is being considered for grant of special category status for plan assistance.

(e) Specific tax benefits are not provided to States granted Special Category Status for plan assistance.

-----
Lok Sabha Question No. 3076 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Pucca Platform at Puri
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Pratyusha Rajeshwari Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3076 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## PUCCA PLATFORM AT PURI

## 3076. SHRIMATI PRATYUSHA RAJESHWARI SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether a separate Pucca platform and cover are being provided for the wagons commuting at Puri/Khurda and Nayagarh railway stations;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(a) & (b): No, Madam.

(c):  There  is  no  goods  shed  at  Puri.  Pucca  platform  without  cover  is available at Khurda and the number of rakes handled in a month is less than stipulated traffic as per policy guidelines. For provision of cover at  Nayagarh,  pucca  platform  is  available  and  cover  has  not  been provided as loose commodity (mainly iron ore) is handled.

*****

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
Lok Sabha Question No. 3074 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Adarsh Station Scheme
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA, RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3074 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## ADARSH STATION SCHEME

3074. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA: SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the Railways has undertaken work for the development of Railway  stations  under  the  Adarsh  Station  Scheme  and  1253  stations have been identified under this scheme;
- (b) if so, the details of funds allocated during the last three years under this  Scheme  to  Central  Railway,  Southern  Railway,  South  Central Railway,  South  Western  Railway  and  Konkan  Railway  which  cover  the State of Karnataka, zone-wise; and
- (c) the names of railway stations in the State of Gujarat to be developed as smart stations?

## ANSWER

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

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3074 BY SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA AND SHRI RAJESHBHAI  CHUDASAMA  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 14.03.2018 REGARDING ADARSH STATION SCHEME

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Works of development of railway stations under 'Adarsh'  Station  Scheme  are  generally  funded  under  Plan  Head  'Passenger Amenities'. The details of funds allocated (under budgetary sources)  under  this  Plan  Head  to  Central  Railway,  Southern  Railway, South Central Railway and South Western Railway during the last three years as under:

(figures in thousand of rupees)

|               | Financial Year   | Financial Year   | Financial Year   |
|---------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|
| Railway       | 2014-15          | 2015-16          | 2016-17          |
| Central       | 770011           | 1306494          | 615471           |
| Southern      | 625827           | 1238013          | 633689           |
| South Central | 1042392          | 1334683          | 655763           |
| South Western | 358171           | 840697           | 412803           |

Konkan Railway Corporation Limited is an autonomous corporation and its works do not form part of Railway Budget.

(c): Gandhinagar and Surat Railway stations in the State of Gujarat have been  identified  for  redevelopment.  The  work  has  commenced  at Gandhinagar.

At present, Ministry of Railways is formulating revised schemes for station redevelopment on fast track. The proposals for redevelopment of  more  stations  in  the  State  of  Gujarat  will  be  taken  up,  once  the revised strategy for redevelopment of stations is finalized.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3073 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Speed on Delhi-Howrah Route
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3073 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## SPEED ON DELHI-HOWRAH ROUTE

## 3073.  SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it is fact that the average speed of trains is much less on DelhiHowrah rail route than that on other very busy rail routes in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the remedial steps taken/being taken to cut running time of trains on the said route?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (c) No, Madam. Several high speed train like Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto  Express  presently  run  on  the  Delhi-Howrah  rail  route.  Average speed  of  trains  of  Indian  Railways  vary  and  is  dependent  on  factors  like sectional  speed,  composition/type  of  rolling  stock,  number  of  stoppages enroute etc. Speeding up of trains, on various sectors of Indian Railways is a  constant  endeavour  and  continuous  process  on  Indian  Railways  and  is dependent on constant optimization of the investment made by Railways in modernization of technology, high power locos, modern coaches and better tracks.  With  a  view  to  increasing  speed  of  trains  on  Indian  Railways, 'Mission Raftaar' has been announced in the Railway Budget 2016-17. The Mission envisages replacing slow moving conventional loco hauled passenger trains by MEMU/DEMUs. Twenty pairs of passenger trains have been  identified  for  replacement  on  New  Delhi-Howrah  route.  Ten  pairs  of conventional trains have been replaced by MEMU/DEMUs on this route.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3072 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Access to DUQM Port
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: JAYADEV GALLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3072 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## ACCESS TO DUQM PORT

## 3072. SHRI JAYDEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is an agreement between India and Oman which paves the way for India's access to Duqm port of Oman;
- (b) if   so,   the   details   thereof   and   the   extent   to   which   this   strategic   reach westwards will help India to counter China's access to Gwadar;
- (c) whether it is true that China has found that Gwadar is prone to earthquake and sent its team to assess about the same; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI M. J. AKBAR]

- (a) Yes.
- (b) During the recent State visit of Prime Minister to Oman on 11-12 February 2018, an Annexure to the existing MoU on Military Cooperation between India and Oman was signed which relates to Duqm port in Oman. This will help Indian naval ships to inter alia, extend their anti-piracy operations in Gulf of Aden for longer durations and strengthen our bilateral strategic partnership with Oman.
- (c) & (d) Government has seen relevant media reports.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3071 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: ‘B’ Category to Hazaribagh Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3071

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## 'B' CATEGORY TO HAZARIBAGH STATION

## †3071.  DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Hazaribagh Road station, despite being a 'B' category station, has not been given the said status;
- (b) if  so, whether the Government proposes to provide more facilities in this station by giving it the status 'B' category station;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):  Hazaribagh Road was earlier 'D' category Station based on the earnings of the station. The categorisation of stations is done once in five years. A review has been carried out in the year 2017-18 on the basis of annual  passenger  earnings  (reserved  and  unreserved)  and  number  of outward passengers handled at station for the year 2016-17. As per new categorization,  Hazaribagh  Road  station  has  been  categorised  as  Non Suburban  Grade  (NSG-5)  station.  All  minimum  essential  amenities  have been  provided  at  this  station  as  per  norms.  This  station  has  also  been developed under Modern Station Scheme. However, upgradation of stations is  a  continuous  and  on-going  process  and  works  in  this  regard  are undertaken  depending  upon  need,  volume  of  the  passenger  traffic  and inter-se priority subject to availability of funds.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3068 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Complaints by Residents
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3068

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2018

## COMPLAINTS BY RESIDENTS

## 3068.   DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- whether the residents near the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) have complained about operations of the Centre which has  caused  air  and  water  pollution  and  if  so,  the  details
- (a) thereof;
- (b) whether the operations of VSSC are affecting the life of people, predominantly of the fishermen community, as rocket boosters used  in  the  units  are  damaging  fishing  nets  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  address  these issues  without  compromising  the  essential  functions  of  the VSSC;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) 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):

- (a) Yes, Madam. The complaints received from the residents near Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) were examined by the Kerala  State  Pollution  Control  Board  in  2012  and  no  adverse remarks  were  made  by  the  Board.  All  activities  of  VSSC  are carried  out  with  all  precautions  without  giving  any  scope  for environmental pollution and the safety mechanisms are reviewed periodically.

(b) No, Madam. No incidents of rocket boosters damaging fishing nets were reported in the recent past. A mechanism has been established  to  compensate  the  fishermen  community  for  the damages  to  the  fishing  nets,  if  any,  on  production  of  the damaged nets and rocket parts to VSSC officials.

- (c) & (d)

Yes,  Madam.  A  mechanism  has  been  established  to  address and resolve issues raised by the local residents, as and when required, along with the State Government authorities.

- (e) Does not arise.

*****