opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 6214 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-05
Subject: ODF Villages in Rajasthan
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: HARISH CHANDRA MEENA

## Government of India

## Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6214 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05-04-2018

## ODF Villages in Rajasthan

## 6214. SHRI HARISH MEENA:

Will the Minister of DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION be pleased to state :

- (a) the number of villages declared asOpen Defecation Free (ODF) in Rajasthansince 2014;
- (b) whether it is a fact that despitedeclaring villages as ODF, there are notoilets in villages as declared on thepapers;
- (c) if  so, the details of the action takenby the Government against the concernedofficials or agency in this regard; and
- (d) the details of the procedureadopted by the Government to monitor theODF villages?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## (SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

- (a) In total 42,305 villages have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) in Rajasthan as on 28.3.2018.
- (b) and (c) As per the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) [SBM(G)] guidelines, first, villages themselves  declare  ODF  in  Gram  Sabha.  Thereafter,  States/UTs  conduct  ODF  verification using  different  processes.  Sanitation  is  a  State  subject,  hence  State  Governments  take necessary action against discrepancy/complaints, if any, in this regard.
- (d) The  Ministry  of  Drinking  Water  and  Sanitation has  issued  guidelines  for  ODF verification. These  guidelines prescribe at least two verifications to be carried out to verify the  ODF  status.  The  first  verification  is  carried  out  within  three  months  of  the  ODF declaration  in  Gram  Sabha.  Thereafter,  in  order  to  ensure  sustainability  of  ODF, one  more verification is carried out after around six months of first verification. State Governments are conducting ODF verification using different processes. ODF declared and verified Villages are being entered on Online Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of SBM(G), which  is  in  public  domain.    A  survey  has  also  been  conducted  through  Independent Verification Agency to monitor sustainability of ODF status.
Lok Sabha Question No. 6213 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-05
Subject: Old Age Pension Scheme in Kerala
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6213

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2018

## OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME IN KERALA

## 6213.   SHRIMATI P.K. SREEMATHI TEACHER:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has received any proposal from the State of Kerala for  central  assistance  for  the  old  age  pension  scheme  being  implemented  by  the Government of Kerala;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the action taken by the Union Government thereon?

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

- (a)  to  (c):  Funds  under  the  schemes  of  National  Social  Assistance  Programme  including Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) are released  by Ministry of Rural Development in two six monthly instalments on the basis of the documents submitted by  the  States/UTs  including  State  Government  of  Kerala.  During  2017-18,  an  amount  of Rs.12882.75 lakh  has been released to the State Government of Kerala under the IGNOAPS of NSAP on the basis of complete set of documents submitted for release of first installment.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6211 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-05
Subject: Import of Solar Cells/Modules from China
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-6211

TO BE ANSWERED ON-05.04.2018

## IMPORT OF SOLAR CELLS/ MODULES FROM CHINA

## 6211. SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE

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

(a) whether the country has imported large quantity of solar cells and modules from China and even upto 87 per cent of the country's total import during 2016-17;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in manufacturing  activities  of    solar  cells  and  modules  to  cater  and  cope  up  with  the requirements of solar power plants which is developing in the country at much higher growth rate; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (I/C) (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a)  & (b) In  year 2016-17, India had imported solar cells/photovoltaic cells whether or not assembled in module/panel, worth around 3196 Million US$. Out of this, solar cells/photovoltaic  cells  whether  or  not  assembled  in  module/panel,  worth  around  2817 Million US$ (about 88%) were imported from China.
- (c)  &  (d)  The  domestic  manufacturing  of  solar  PV  cells  and  modules  in  India  is  being supported by the Government of India through Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS). The scheme, inter alia, provides for:
- i. 20-25% subsidy for investments in capital expenditure for setting up of the manufacturing facility.
- ii. Reimbursement of countervailing Duty (CVD)/ Excise Duty for capital equipment for the units outside Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

There is no separate scheme for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for manufacturing solar cells and modules.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 538 (STARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Primary Health Services and Diagnostic Centres
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ANIL SHIROLE, PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.538 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## PRIMARY HEALTH SERVICES AND DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES

*538.  SHRI ANIL SHIROLE: SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  is  planning  to  open  Primary  Health  Care  and Basic  Diagnostic  Centres  at  many  of  the  railway  stations  across  the country including Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details of the funds likely to be sanctioned for this purpose and the time by which these centres are likely to be opened;
- (d)  whether  the  Railways  has  tied  up  with  the  Ministry  of  Health  and Family Welfare in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Railways has opened such centres at any of the railway stations  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the response received thereto?

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

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  REPLY  IN  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  STARRED QUESTION  NO.538  BY  SHRI  ANIL  SHIROLE  AND  SHRI  PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.04.2018 REGARDING PRIMARY HEALTH SERVICES AND DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES

(a):  No,  Madam.  However,  in  compliance  of  orders  of  Hon'ble  Supreme Court and as recommended by Committee of experts constituted at All India  Institute  of  Medical  Sciences  (AIIMS),  instructions  have  been issued  to  provide  a  Medical  Box  containing  life  saving  medicines, equipments, oxygen cylinder etc. at all Railway stations. Front line staff i.e.  Train  Ticket  Examiner,  Train  Superintendents,  Assistant  Station Master etc. are trained in rendering First Aid. Regular refresher courses are conducted for such staff. List of near-by hospitals and doctors along with their contact numbers is available at all Railway Stations. Ambulance  services  of  Railways,  State  Government/  Private  Hospitals and  ambulance  service  providers  are  utilized  to  transport  the  injured/ sick passengers to the hospitals/ doctor's clinics. In Mumbai (Maharashtra) sub-urban stations, specific space has been allocated for parking of State Government Ambulance and at 24 stations, Emergency Medical Rooms with private doctors have been established.

(b) to (e): Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 537 (STARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Australia Group
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.537

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## AUSTRALIA GROUP

- *537. SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   India   has   been   admitted   as   the   43 rd   member  of   the Australia Group;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the benefits accrued by joining the Group including keeping a tight control over exports of substances used in the making of chemical weapons?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

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

*****

PRIOTIRY-XVII

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA   STARRED   QUESTION   NO.   537   REGARDING   'AUSTRALIA

GROUP' FOR ANSWER ON 04.04.2018 India   joined   the   Australia   Group   on   19   January   2018   following   the completion of internal procedures for joining the Group. The Australia Group decided to admit India as the Group's 43rd Participant through a consensus decision. India's chemical and biotechnology sectors are significant contributors in the GDP. Membership of the Australia Group (AG) will ease the access to chem-bio technologies and enable our competitive and growing chemical and biotechnology sectors to increase their share in international trade of value added chem-bio items. Proliferation of dual-use chemicals is a cause for concern given the increasing access to such items by terrorists and non-state actors and their illicit use in chemical weapons. India's membership of the AG would be mutually beneficial and further contribute to international security and non-proliferation objectives. India's export control regulations will not impede the normal trade of materials and equipment used for legitimate purposes.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 536 (STARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Indian Workers Resource Centre
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

## PRIORITY-XVI GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.536

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## INDIAN WORKERS RESOURCE CENTRE

- *536.  SHRI ANTO ANTONY:
- Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any scheme to set up Indian Workers Resource Centre (IWRC) and if so, the details including the salient features thereof; (b) the   details   of   IWRCs   already   established   in   various   countries, country-wise along with the major services offered by IWRCs; (c) whether the Government has received any proposal for setting up some more IWRCs; (d) if   so,   the   details   thereof   and   the   response   of   the   Government thereto; and (e) whether the Government proposes to set up some more IWRCs and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the T able of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 536 REGARDING 'INDIAN WORKERS RESOURCE CENTRE' FOR ANSWER ON 04.04.2018 (a) & (b) Yes Madam. Indian Worker Resource Centres (IWRCs) have already been setup in Dubai and Sharjah (UAE), Riyadh and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Kuala Lumpur to provide guidance and counselling on all matters pertaining to overseas Indian workers. Following are some of the major activities of IWRCs: (i) 24x7 HELP LINES in all 5 centres which have been receiving, registering and monitoring grievance petitions of Indians and providing necessary advice / resolution and providing clarification to information seeking queries.  If not resolved,   the   cases   are   escalated   to   the   Embassy   /Consulate   for   further resolution. (ii) Providing counseling sessions on legal, financial, medical and psychological matters. (iii) Awareness camps that are conducted in labour camps which     educates the workers on various issues they face during their employment, health related talks by experts, various schemes of Govt of India for the welfare of the workers. (iv) Liaising with help-groups, individuals, social workers and related bodies to offer assistance to Indian Community Members. (v) To verify the genuineness of job offers received by Indians from companies in the respective countries. (c) to (e) The Government is in favour of setting up of IWRCs in the Missions in ECR countries in case such a need is felt by our Missions, based on local situation. As and when proposals are received for setting up of more IWRCs, the same are considered expeditiously on merits.  A recent proposal from Indian Mission in Qatar for setting up of an IWRC has been accorded in-principle approval.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 535 (STARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Sachar Committee
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *535 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## SACHAR COMMITTEE

## *535. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Sachar  Committee  has  recommended  to  institute 'Equal Opportunity Commission'; and
- (b)  if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a)  and (b): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  AND  (b)  OF THE  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *535  ASKED  BY SHRI  E.T.  MOHAMMED  BASHEER  FOR  REPLY  ON  04.04.2018 REGARDING 'SACHAR COMMITTEE'

(a) to (b): The Sachar Committee, had inter-alia,  recommended setting up of an Expert Group to examine and determine the structure and functions of an Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) to address the  grievances  of  deprived  groups.  Accordingly,  an  Expert  Group headed by Prof.  (Dr.)  N.R.  Madhava  Menon  was  constituted  by  the Ministry.

Based on the Expert Group report and examination by the Government, the draft EOC Bill, 2013 has gone through a process of examination and consultation as warranted for setting-up of the EOC for minorities as a statutory body through an Act of Parliament and as divergent views have emerged, the proposal is under examination.

* * * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 534 (STARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Aadhaar Linkage
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*534

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04-04-2018

## AADHAAR  LINKAGE

## *534.     SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

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

- (a)   whether the Government is aware of the grave inconvenience and difficulties being faced by the senior citizens in getting their Aadhaar linked to various services on account of biometric machines failing to read their fading finger prints and the service providers advising them to get their finger prints re-verified again and again;
- (a) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  help  and facilitate the senior citizens to end their plight; and
- (c)    the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

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

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*534 FOR 04.04.2018 REGARDING AADHAAR LINKAGE

……….

- (a),  (b)  and  (c):  Aadhaar  Authentication  using  fingerprint  depends  upon  number  of  factors  viz. quality  of  fingerprint,  network  connectivity,  placement  of  finger  etc.    However,  few  senior citizens,  persons  engaged  in  manual  labour  or  individuals  with  specific  disabilities  may  face difficulties in fingerprint authentication.

UIDAI  provides  various  modes  of  authentication  viz  Demographic,  Biometric  (Finger  Print  + IRIS), OTP and Multi-factor authentication. The Service Provider may choose suitable mode(s) of authentication.

As  per  para  14(1)(i)  of  Aadhaar  (Authentication)  Regulation  2016,  a  requesting  entity  has  to implement  exception-handing  mechanisms  and  back-up  identity  authentication  mechanisms  to ensure seamless provision of authentication services to Aadhaar number holders.

Further, DBT Mission, Cabinet Secretariat vide their letter dated 19.12.2017 has issued guidelines on exception handling for use of Aadhaar in benefit schemes of Government, which inter-alia has stipulated the following mechanism in respect of cases where Aadhaar authentication fails:

- i. Departments  and  Bank  Branches  may  make  provisions  for  IRIS  scanners  along  with fingerprint scanners, wherever feasible.
- ii. In cases of failure due to lack of connectivity, offline authentication system such as QR code bases coupons, Mobile based OTP or TOTP may be explored.
- iii.      In  all  cases  where  online  authentication  is  not  feasible,  the  benefit/  service  may  be provided  on  the  basis  of  possession  of  Aadhaar,  after  duly  recording  the  transaction  in register, to be reviewed and audited periodically.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 532 (STARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Carbon Fibre Products
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*532

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## CARBON FIBRE PRODUCTS

## *532.  SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the existing/current programmes in the country involving carbon fibre products rely on the imports of the same from various foreign sources and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  a  subsidiary  of  the  Russian  Atomic  Power  Corporation  has  signed any  Agreement  with  Indian  companies  pertaining  to  localization  of  the Russian  carbon  fibre-based  fabric  production  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the details and the salient features thereof;
- (c) whether  Russia  has  offered  for  localization  of  carbon  fibre  products  in  the country and also support for joint development and production of consumer goods and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether Russia has proposed to share modern technology in this regard and go beyond the construction of nuclear power plants, if so, the details thereof and the benefits likely to be accrued therefrom?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH) :

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

*****

## Government of India Department of Atomic Energy

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *532  DUE FOR ANSWER ON 04.04.2018 BY SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE AND  SHRI  ADHALRAO  PATIL  SHIVAJIRAO  REGARDING  'CARBON  FIBRE PRODUCTS'.

- (a) Carbon fibre is a potential material for various applications, including nuclear. Further,  Carbon  Fibre  is  used  for  many  test  facilities  and  development activities.  However, as on date, there is no proven regular indigenous source of Carbon Fibre in the country and hence large-scale use of this item is not contemplated at this stage.
- (b) No, Sir.
- (c) Department  of  Atomic  Energy,  Government  of  India  has  not  received  any such offer from Russia in this regard.
- (d) Department  of  Atomic  Energy,  Government  of  India  has  not  received  any such proposal from Russia.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 531 (STARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Shortage of Officers/Soldiers/Staff
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SUNIL KUMAR SINGH, Partha Pratim Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.531

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 4 TH  APRIL, 2018

## SHORTAGE OF OFFICERS / SOLDIERS / STAFF

## *531.  SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

SHRI  PARTHA  PRATIM  RAY:

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

- (a) whether there is a shortage of officers / soldiers / staff of various ranks / categories in the armed forces;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, rank / category and wing / segment-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any survey for the purpose during the last three years;
- (d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof, State-wise; and
- (e) the steps taken / being taken by the Government to address the issue?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jherh  fueZyk lhrkje.k )

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

*******

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 531 FOR ANSWER ON 4.4.2018

(a) Yes, Madam.  There is a shortage of officers / soldiers / staff in the armed forces. (b) The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House. (c) to (e): The Government is taking several steps to address the shortage.    To  attract  the  youth  of  the  country  to  join  the  armed  forces, concerted efforts  are  put  in  place towards publicity, conduct of  career fairs  /  career  exhibitions;  undertaking  of  numerous  motivational  lectures and  road  drives  etc.    Apart  from  this,  number  of  recruitment  zones  have been  increased  to  cover  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  country;  online recruitment procedures are given special attention in this regard; selection process  has  been  simplified;  use  of  social  media  is  being  done  and computer  based  online  application filling and  online examination  is undertaken in this regard.

*******