opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 6427 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Working of Courts during Vacation
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD

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

******

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6427 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 12th  APRIL, 2017

## Working of Courts during Vacation

## 6427. DR. BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD

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

- (a) whether the Chief Justice of India (CJI) has made an appeal for the judiciary to work during summer breaks;
- (b) if so, the details  thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether  any  consultation  has  been  held  with  various  High  Courts  regarding the same; and
- (d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) to (d)    The Chief Justice of India (CJI) has written a letter dated April 06, 2017 to the Chief Justices of all the High Courts requesting them to  volunteer  working  for  a  few  days  during  the  vacation  to  ensure expeditious disposal of cases and 'Access to Justice' to all.

In this regard, no consultation has been held with the High Courts to work during summer breaks, as no consultation is required.
Lok Sabha Question No. 6425 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Speedy Railway Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6425 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## SPEEDY RAILWAY TRACKS

## 6425.  SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  manufacture  high  speed indigenous rakes in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  project  and  the  collaboration  decided therein; and
- (c) the proposal to setup speedy railway tracks in the country and the PPP investments, if any, made therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  &  (b):  Memorandum  of  Cooperation  (MoC)  signed  between Government of India and Government of Japan for MumbaiAhmedabad  high  speed  rail  project  provides  for  manufacture  of rolling  stock  under  'Make  in  India'.  Also  two  train  sets  having maximum  speeds  of  160  kmph  have  been  included  in  production programme for 2017-18 for Integral Coach Factory (ICF).
- (c): Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail project involving construction of high speed track has been sanctioned with financial and technical assistance from Government of Japan. The project is

proposed  to  be  commissioned  by  2023.  No  PPP  investments  are proposed in the project. Also 'Mission Raftaar' announced in 2016-17 envisages doubling of average speeds of freight trains and increasing the average speeds of non-suburban passenger trains by 25 kmph in the  next  5  years.  Works  at  a  cost  of  ₹  18,163  crore  have  been sanctioned  for  upgrading  the  speeds  to  160  kmph  on  New  DelhiHowrah and Mumbai-New Delhi sectors.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6424 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Regional Benches of SC
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6424

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 12.04.2017

## Regional Benches of SC

## 6424. SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

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

- (a) whether Government is aware that lakhs of litigants have to travel to New Delhi from extreme corners of  this  vast country to  appear  in  Supreme  Court  to appeal  against orders/judgments of the State High Courts;
- (b)  if so, whether in view of various    representations,  the  Law  Commission's recommendation  and  in  the  interest  of common  man  of  the  country,  Government would  initiate  fresh  efforts,  in  consultation with  the  Supreme  Court  to  establish Benches of Supreme Court in four regions of the country; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRl P.P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a)    :        Yes, Madam.

(b) to (c) : According to Article 130 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court shall sit in Delhi or in such other place or places as the Chief Justice of India may, with the approval of the President, from time to time, appoint.

Representations  have  been  received  from  time  to  time  from  various  quarters  for establishment  of  Benches  of  Supreme  Court  in  various  parts  of  the  country.  The  Law Commission, in its 229 th Report had also suggested that a Constitutional Bench be set up at Delhi and four Cassation  Benches be set  up  in  the  Northern region  at  Delhi,  the  Southern  region at Chennai/Hyderabad, the Eastern region at Kolkata and the Western region at Mumbai.

The   matter  was  referred  to  the  Chief  Justice  of  India,  who has informed that after consideration of the matter, the Full Court in its meeting held on 18 th February, 2010, found no justification for setting up of benches of the Supreme Court outside Delhi.

There is a Writ Petition (Civil) No.36 of 2016 filed in the Supreme Court on the subject of establishment of National Court of Appeal and the matter is sub-judice.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 6422 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Cloud Seeding
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA, C.S. PUTTARAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 6422

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017

## CLOUD SEEDING

## 6422. SHRI S. P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

SHRI C. S. PUTTA RAJU:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  has  efficient  technology  for  cloud seeding to improve rains in drought prone areas;
- (b) if so, whether Government has used this technology in last three years,
- (c)
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- the extent to which this technology has proved useful?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY)

- (a) No  Madam.    As  things  stand  today,  artificial  rain  making  techniques involving cloud seeding cannot be used for bringing adequate rains to rainfall  deficit/drought  areas.  Such  efforts  can  only  induce  potential preexisting clouds, already passing over a given place, to produce rain only if organized weather modification intervention becomes successful.

Indian  Institute  of  Tropical  Meteorology  (IITM)  is  putting  its  effort  in understanding the rain enhancement in clouds through studying cloud microphysical  characteristics  through  a  research  program  viz.,  Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX).

- (b)
- (c)
- No Madam.
- Does not arise.
- (d) The  present  scientific knowledge  suggests  artificial  rain  making techniques involving cloud seeding cannot be used as an alternate for bringing  rain  to  rainfall  deficit/drought  areas.  These  techniques  can only induce potential pre-existing clouds with adequate cloud development, to produce enhanced quantum of rain.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 6419 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Dwelling Units in Delhi
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: UDIT RAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 6419 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 th  APRIL, 2017 DWELLING UNITS IN DELHI

No. 6419     DR. UDIT RAJ:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  population  forecast  for  the  NCT  of  Delhi  in  2021  is  2.36 crore    for  which  it  is  estimated  that  16  lakh  dwelling  units  and  work spaces of around 35 million square feet are required; and
- (b)  if  so,  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  to  fulfil  this  proposed demand?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a):  According  to  Master  Plan  for  Delhi-2021,  the  projected  population  in NCT of Delhi in 2021 is 2.30 crore, for which an additional housing stock of about  24  lakh  dwelling  units  is  required.    MPD-2021  does  not  have  any projection for the work space required. (b): MPD-2021 states that about 40% of housing needs can be potentially satisfied  through  redevelopment/  up-gradation  of  areas  in  present  urban limits and in sub-cities of Dwarka, Narela and Rohini.  The remaining 60% of  the  requirement  can  be  met  through  14.4  lakh  dwelling  units  in  new areas/ urban extensions as per the Zonal Development Plans-2021.

- ………….
Lok Sabha Question No. 6417 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Brain Drain
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: NANABHAU FALGUNRAO PATOLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6417 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12/4/2017

## BRAIN DRAIN

†6417. SHRI NANA PATOLE:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

(a) whether among the large number of scientists and engineers migrating to America from Asia are Indians;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the reasons for 85 percent as per the data in the number of scientists and engineers who have migrated from India during the year 2003 to 2013;

(d) whether maximum number of Indian scientists and engineers migrate to America for better career options and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether as per the initial figures of the year, 2016 around 9.5 lakh scientists and engineers of Indian origin are residing in America and whether the Government is contemplating any scheme to check brain drain and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó

(gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

(a)  &  (b):  Yes  Madam.  As  per  the  figures  released  by  the  National  Science  Foundation  (NSF)'s National Centre for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) in September, 2015, the total number of immigrant scientists and engineers in the US increased  from 3.4 million to 5.2 million during 20032013. Of the 2.96 million Asian immigrant scientists and engineers in the United States in 2013, 9.5 lakh belong to India representing an 85 percent increase from 2003.

(c) & (d):  Broadly, the migration of Indian nationals to US has been due to educational and research opportunities in US universities in various fields and availability of job opportunities for scientists and engineers in US during the period 2003 to 2013.

(e) Ministry of Science and Technology is implementing several initiatives to encourage scientific community  and  motivate  them  to  continue  their  research  in  the  country.  The  Swarnajayanti Fellowship,  Early  Career  Research  Award  for  young  faculty,  National  Postdoctoral  Fellowship scheme, High Risk-High Reward Research funding scheme, INSPIRE Faculty Fellows, Ramanunjan Fellowships, Ramalingaswami Fellowship scheme, Women Scientist Scheme, National Women Bioscientists Awards etc. have been designed to encourage individual scientists to do quality research.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 6416 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Scientific Publications
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6416 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017)

## SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

## 6416.   SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

- Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a)      whether India's output  of  scientific  publications has increased but their quality is skewed and if so, the details thereof; (b)          whether    there  seems  to  be  no  visible    output  at  the  highest  levels regarding the attention it needs to give to various social and economic challenges and if so, the details thereof; and whether India's scholarly output rose to 1,06,065 papers in 2013 from
- (c) 62,955 papers in 2009 and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI Y.S. CHOWDARY)

(a) to(c) The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 6415 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Indus Water Treaty
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6415 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## INDUS WATER TREATY

## 6415.   SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the World Bank has urged India and Pakistan to agree to  mediation  on  how  to  proceed  on  the  dispute  over  two hydropower dam projects in Jammu and Kashmir and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether  the  World  Bank  which  is  a  signatory  to  the  Indus Water  Treaty  1960  was  favouring  Pakistan  by  going  ahead with an arbitration process and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) The  Government's  consistent  position  has  been  that  it remains  committed  to  addressing  all  matters  within  the  Indus Waters Treaty's purview bilaterally with Pakistan through appropriate mechanisms in accordance with the Treaty.

On  November  10,  2016  India  had  pointed  out  the  legal untenability of the World Bank launching two simultaneous processes for appointment of a Neutral Expert- requested by India, and establishment of a Court of Arbitration-requested by Pakistan on Kishenganga and Ratle Hydro-Electric projects.

On December 12, 2016, the Bank conveyed its decision to halt both  the  processes.  World  Bank  has  engaged  both  India  and Pakistan in the matter.

India has conveyed to the World Bank that it is in the interest of all parties to ensure workability of the Treaty and its time tested mechanisms.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6414 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Revision of Tariff for Passengers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6414 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## REVISION OF TARIFF FOR PASSENGERS

6414. ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that due to some revision made in the booking for some trains, the Railways has lost many of its passengers as they opted for air journey due to high cost of ticket;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that the railways are considering to revise the tariff to attract more passengers; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  &  (b):    During  the  Financial  Year  2016-17,  the  total  number  of passengers booked was 8219.38 million which is 0.84% more than the number of passengers booked during the previous year. The number of passengers  booked  in  the  reserved  segment  during  this  period  was 523.51  million  which  is  3.91%  higher  than  the  number  of  passengers booked during the previous year.
- (c) & (d): At present, there is no such proposal. However, evaluation of various alternatives relating to rationalization of the fare is an on-going process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6412 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6412 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## BOMB DISPOSAL AND DETECTION SQUAD

6412. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that for six years now, Delhi Unit of Railway Protection  Force  (RPF)  has  been  waiting  to  get  its  own  bomb disposal and detection squad and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  it  is  also  a  fact  that  RPF  could  not  get  it  because  of some procedural delays and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is going to clear the procedural delays and ensure that RPF Delhi Unit gets its own bomb squad as early as possible; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Prevention and detection of crime and maintenance of law and  order  over  Railways  is  the  statutory  responsibility  of  States which is being discharged by them through the Government Railway Police (GRP). Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplement efforts of GRP  to  ensure  security  of  passengers  and  passenger  area.  To supplement efforts of Delhi Railway Police for detection of explosive substance  and  suspicious  objects,  07  sniffer  dogs  have  been

deployed by the RPF in Delhi Division of Northern Railway. In addition, equipment like bomb  basket, bomb  suit, drilling machine,  thermal  cutter, RSP  tool kit, gas cutter, telescopic prodder, non linear junction detector, etc. have also been procured for handling of explosive substance, to avert any mishap.

Strengthening  and  upgradation  of  security  infrastructure  is  an ongoing process. To strengthen surveillance mechanism at sensitive stations, including Delhi area stations of Northern Railway,  an  Integrated  Security  System  has  been  envisaged  and bomb  detection  and  disposal  system  form  part  of  this  System. Issues  concerning  availability  of  eligible  vendors,  specification, inspection  of  equipment,  etc.  were  raised  by  some  of  the  Zonal Railways.  These  issues  have  since  been  addressed  and  Zonal Railways have been advised accordingly.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6410 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Mobile Phone Connections
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6410 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH   APRIL, 2017

## MOBILE PHONE CONNECTIONS

## 6410. SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India is one of the countries having the largest mobile telephone connections in the world and it continues to expand and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether  in  the  third  quarter  of  2015  India  registered  an  addition  of  13  million connections,  one  connection  per  every  second,  whilst  China  saw  an  increase  of  only  7 million and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) India  is  the  second  largest  country  in  the  world  after  China  in  terms  of  number  of mobile telephone connections and it continues to expand as per following details:

(figures in million)

|   Sr.No. | Country       | 2013    |    2014 | 2015    |
|----------|---------------|---------|---------|---------|
|        1 | China 1229.11 | 1286.09 | 1291.98 |         |
|        2 | India 886.30  |         |  944.01 | 1001.06 |
|        3 | United States | 310.70  |  355.5  | 382.31  |

Source: http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx

- (b) In  the  third  quarter  of  2015,  India  registered  an  addition  of  13.95  million  mobile telephone  connections  i.e.  1.75  connection  per  second.  As  per  the  estimates  based  on International Telecomm Union (ITU) data for 2015, China  saw an increase of  1.47 million mobile telephone connections during the same period.

**************************
Lok Sabha Question No. 6409 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Manufacturing of iphones in India
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6409

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## MANUFACTURING OF IPHONES IN INDIA

## 6409 DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

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

- (a) whether  Apple  Inc.  has  submitted  a  proposal  to  the  Government  to  manufacture iPhones in India and insisted on easier import rules and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether Apple Inc. has also sought long term fiscal concessions as pre-conditions for expanding its operations in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the decision taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

(a), (b), (c) and (d):  M/s. Apple India Private Limited (AIPL)  has made a reference to the Department of Industrial Policy  and Promotion (DIPP) seeking concessions including duty exemption  on  manufacturing  and  repair  inputs,  components,  capital  equipment  (including parts) and consumables for smart phone manufacturing and service/ repair for a period of 15 years.

The aforesaid requests made by AIPL were examined in the Department of Revenue and have not been accepted on the following grounds:

- i. Nil Basic Customs Duty (BCD), Excise Duty/ Countervailing Duty (CVD) and Special Additional Duty of Customs (SAD)  has already been prescribed for parts, components and accessories (except Charger/Adapter, Battery, and Wired Headsets) and sub-parts for manufacture of such parts, meant for manufacture of mobile phones.  However, in the Budget 2017-18, a concessional SAD of 2% has been imposed on populated Printed Circuit Boards for manufacture of mobile phones.
- ii. Further, specified  capital goods for manufacture of mobile phones have already been exempted  from  BCD  with  effect  from  09.07.2004  vide  S.No.58  of  Notification No.25/2002-Customs dated 01.03.2002.
- iii. There  is  no  exemption  from  BCD,  CVD  and  SAD  on  imports  of  parts  for  repair  of mobile phones.
- iv. Further, in GST regime, all imports will be liable to IGST and any exemptions from CGST/SGST/IGST can be granted based on the recommendations of the GST Council

only. Thus, all existing exemption from Excise Duty/ CVD will also be reviewed by GST Council.

- ********