opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 747 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Separate Railway Zone
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MURALI MOHAN MAGANTI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.

## 747 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## SEPARATE RAILWAY ZONE

747. SHRI M. MURALI MOHAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government is fully committed to establish a separate Railway Zone at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh as per Section 93 of the  Thirteenth  Schedule  of  the  Andhra  Pradesh  Reorganization  Act, 2014; and
- (b)  if so, the reasons for delay in implementation of establishment of a separate new Railway Zone?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  &  (b):  As  per  Item  8  of  Schedule  13  (Infrastructure)  of  Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014, Ministry of Railways was required to examine  the  feasibility  of  establishing  a  new  Railway  zone  in  the successor State of Andhra Pradesh. To inter-alia, examine the feasibility of establishing a new Railway Zone, a Committee of senior Railway  officers  had  been  constituted.  The  Committee  was  asked  to consult  various  stakeholders,  including  the  Members  of  Parliament, State Governments, etc. before a final decision is taken. The Committee has already submitted its report. In view of the complexities involved,  the  matter  is  under  further  detailed  examination  in  the Ministry of Railways.

* * * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 746 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: 5G Auction
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: UDIT RAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 746 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018

## 5G AUCTION

746. DR. UDIT RAJ:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the 5G auction will be conducted by selling spectrum in bands over 3000 MHz and the sale in this regard will be conducted for the first time; and
- (b) 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) & (b) Spectrum above 3000 MHz will be put up for auction for the first time in the forthcoming auction. The Government has sought recommendations from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on the applicable Reserve Price and related issues for auction of right to use of spectrum in the frequency bands 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300-3400 MHz and 3400-3600 MHz. Recommendations from TRAI are awaited.

It is for information that the standardisation work in respect of 5G technology is in progress  in  the  International  Telecom  Union  (ITU),  Geneva,  Switzerland  under  the official name of IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication) 2020. The standardisation  is  expected  to  be  completed  around  the  year  2020  after  which  the frequency bands, already auctioned and proposed to be auctioned, can be utilised for deployment of 5G technology.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 745 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Recruitment of Scientists
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: M. B. RAJESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MNISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION DIARY NO. 745

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07/02/2018

## RECRUITMENT OF SCIENTISTS

## No. 745   SHRI  M.B. RAJESH

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether any relaxation is given to the Department of Biotechnology for recruitment of Scientists in its headquarters against the existing   rules laid down by the Government of India for notifying positions reserved for SC/ST/OBC; and
- (b) If so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  SCIENCE  &  TECHNOLOGY  AND  EARTH SCIENCES

(Y.S. CHOWDARY)

- a)  Respected Madam, it is to inform the esteemed House, that Department of Biotechnology adheres to extant reservation policy of Government of India notified vide DOP&T O.M. No.9/2/73-Estt.(SCT) dated     23 rd June, 1975 and OM No.36012/27/94-Estt.(SCT) dated 13.05.1994 which is applicable to  all  Scientific  Departments/Ministries.    Exemptions  against  reservation required from the extant reservation policy are made with due approval of Hon'ble Minister (as per the policy) before initiating any recruitment.
- b)  (i) In the last 05 years, only position in Scientist 'H' (Level-15 in 7 th CPC) has   been advertized to be filled up on direct recruitment basis 5 times. Of  these,  exemption  from  reservation  policy  were  allowed  by  Hon'ble

Minister on 04 occasions and 05 candidates have been duly appointed as below:

|    | Name of Scientist     | Date of appointment   |
|----|-----------------------|-----------------------|
|  1 | Dr. T.S. Rao (OBC)    | 07.10.2013            |
|  2 | Dr. Renu Swarup (UR)  | 31.07.2014            |
|  3 | Dr. Rajesh Kapur (UR) | 22.08.2016            |
|  4 | Dr. Suman Govil (UR)  | 13.09.2017            |
|  5 | Dr. S.R. Rao (UR)     | 13.09.2017            |

- (ii)    No  exemption from reservation was allowed by the Hon'ble Minister for the vacancy arising due to superannuation of Dr. Rajesh Kapur, Scientist 'H' on 31 st January, 2017.   Accordingly, the said post has been advertized on 26.08.2017 as reserved for Scheduled Caste candidate and is in the process of being filled up.
- (iii)  No other recruitment against open advertisement has been made in any other scientific positions during the last 5 years.
Lok Sabha Question No. 744 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Online Mechanism for Court Proceedings
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: KALIKESH NARAYAN SINGH DEO

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 744 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 7 th  FEBRUARY, 2018

## Online Mechanism for Court Proceedings

744.   SHRI KALIKESH N. SINGH DEO:
2. Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:
3. (a) whether there is any online application or online mechanism  to  track  the  court  proceedings,  status  and judgements for the courts in the country;
4. (b) if so, the details thereof; and
5. (c) if not, the initiatives taken by the Government to address the issue?

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

(a) to (c) Yes Sir. The eCourts portal (http://www.ecourts.gov.in) provides an online mechanism to stakeholders such as litigants, advocates and members of judiciary to track the court proceedings, status and judgments for the computerized district and subordinate courts in the country. The National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) portal provides statistical information of court cases pan country, State-wise and district-wise. eCourts services such as  details  of  case  registration,  cause  list,  case  status,  daily orders, and final judgments are also made available to litigants and  advocates  through  SMS  (Push  and  Pull),  email  and  mobile application. At present, litigants can access case status information in respect of 9.38 crore cases and 5.85 crore orders / judgments.
Lok Sabha Question No. 743 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Fare in Festive Seasons
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P., GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 743 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## FARE IN FESTIVE SEASONS

743.  SHRI P. NAGARAJAN: DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether it is fact that the Government has constituted a committee to review the fares for various trains during festival seasons and levy additional  charges  for  allotment  of  lower  berths,  etc.  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b)  whether it is also fact that the committee has submitted its report to the Government;
- (c) if so, the details of the recommendations made by the committee;
- (d)  whether the Government has accepted the recommendations made by the said committee; and
- (e)  if  so,  the  time  by  which  the  recommendations  are  likely  to  be implemented?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER ( 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. 743 BY SHRI P. NAGARAJAN AND DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.02.2018 REGARDING FARE IN FESTIVE SEASONS

(a) to (e): An eight member Committee comprising General Manager/West Central Railway, Principal Financial Advisor/East Central Railway, Executive Director Passenger  Marketing, Railway Board, Executive Director Traffic Commercial (Rates), Railway Board, Advisor (Transport)/Niti Aayog,  Executive  Director/Revenue  Management  & Marketing Automation/Air India, Director/Revenue/Le Meridian and Professor of Transport Economics/Walchand Hirachand was constituted to review the flexi fare scheme.

The  terms  of  reference  of  the  committee  was  to  examine  all options  and  recommend  best  option  keeping  in  mind  interest  of passengers and Railways. The committee was mandated to examine the following issues:

Impact  of  implementation  of  flexi  fare  in  its  current  form  with respect to:

- (i) Impact on Revenue generated for Railways.
- (ii) Impact on Passenger in terms of their choice of railway as means of transport (with increased fare).
- (iii) Competitiveness of flexi fare viz-a-viz other means of transport.
- (iv) Amendment/modification if any in
-  Flexibility  of  rates  in  peak  and  lean  season/week  days  and weekend/festival season.
-  'Add on' if any to be provided with flexi fare for better patronage of the scheme like loyalty points/deferred benefits etc.
-  Any other aspects deemed fit by the committee.

- (v) Fare of special trains like Humsafar etc. also to be reviewed.
- (vi) Implementability of suggestions.

The  Committee  has  submitted  its  report  on  16.01.2018.  Important recommendations are to rationalise the Flexi fare scheme based on the occupancy of the trains and also offer discounted fare in trains having low occupancy. The Report along with recommendations has been put up for consideration of the Board.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 742 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Uncertainty in Telecom Job Market
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: SAUGATA ROY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 742 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018

## UNCERTAINTY IN TELECOM JOB MARKET

742. PROF. SAUGATA ROY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any prevailing uncertainty in the job markets of telecom sector of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c ) The  Telecom  sector  is  one  of  the  highly  competitive  high-tech sectors  and  is  currently  going  through  a  phase  of  consolidation  with  mergers  and acquisitions happening among various companies. Mergers and acquisitions can have an impact on certain specific telecom service providers. However, it may be mentioned that there is a vast potential for growth in this sector, with the increasing convergence in voice  and  data  and  related  technologies  and  the  consequent  demand  for  telecom services.

Keeping in view the need for better connectivity and for increasing the potential for  further  growth,  especially  in  the  rural  areas,  the  Government  is  implementing programmes to improve connectivity through the flagship project 'BharatNet' which aims at linking each of the nearly 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats of India through a vast optical fibre  network  that  in  turn  is  expected  to  boost  various  economic  activities  in  the  rural sector. This endeavour will open up avenues for telecom operators, cable TV operators and e-commerce companies, etc. to launch new services and in turn aid the creation of local employment opportunities.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 741 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Use of IT to Enhance Services
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  741

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 07.02.2018

## USE OF IT TO ENHANCE SERVICES

## 741.    SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is taking up several initiatives to use IT to improve the services and asked IT experts to use Government services through the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) to innovate in this direction and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government has started BPO promotion scheme to encourage small towns for setting up of call centres and if so, the details thereof and the present status thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  Yes, Sir. The Government has taken-up a number of initiatives such as e-Kranti under the  Digital  India  programme  to  improve  the  delivery  of  Government  Services  using  IT. Through these initiatives, including the infrastructure and incubation facilities at the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Centres, IT experts are welcome to develop and innovate IT/ ITeS solutions and services.
- (b) The  Government  launched  two  BPO  promotion  schemes,  namely India  BPO Promotion  Scheme  (IBPS)  and  North  East  BPO  Promotion  Scheme  (NEBPS)  under  the Digital  India  programme,  for  creation  of  employment  opportunities  and  promotion  of investment in IT/ITeS sector across the country, particularly in small cities/towns including rural areas. The Schemes, with an outlay of ₹ 493 crore and ₹ 50 crore respectively, aims to incentivize  setting  up  of  a  total  of  48,300  and  5,000  seats  BPO/ITeS  operations  by 31.03.2019. The Schemes provide financial support along with special incentives up to ₹ 1 lakh/seat in the form of Viability Gap Funding (VGF). The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), an autonomous society of MeitY, is the implementing agency for the Schemes.

Till  now,  under  IBPS,  a  total  of  31,732  seats  have  been  allocated  to  successful  bidders, resulting in setting up of 180 units distributed across ~90 locations of 20 States & 2 UTs. Out of these, 79 units have reported commencement of operation for a total of 13,780 seats with initial employment to 10,517 persons distributed across ~50 locations of 17 States & 2 UTs. While in NEBPS, a total of 2060 seats have been allocated to successful bidders, resulting in setting  up  of  19  units  across  5  NER  States.  Out  of  these,  total  7  units  have  reported commencement of operation for a total of 900 seats with initial employment to 954 persons.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 738 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Promotion of Indian Languages
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.738

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## PROMOTION OF INDIAN LANGUAGES

738. SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of steps taken by the Ministry for the promotion of Indian languages in foreign countries;
- (b) the steps taken for promotion of Tamil language in foreign countries like Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, Reunion Island etc.; and
- (c) whether the Government has any proposal to promote and aid teaching of Indian languages in foreign countries and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) ICCR promotes teaching of   Indian   languages   in   foreign   countries   by supporting   Chairs   of   Indian   studies   which   are   established   on   the   basis   of recommendation of Indian Missions abroad
- (b) The Council has established a long-term Chair of Tamil language at the Warsaw University, Warsaw, Poland in 2017.  Also, books on teaching Tamil have been sent to Kenya.
- (c) Ministry of External Affairs is in the process of setting up 'India Corner' in the libraries of select educational institutes abroad. The 'India Corner' will stock books promoting various aspects of India in 22 officially recognised languages of India,   including   Hindi   as   well   as   English.   The   selection   of   books   and   their language is being done, in consultation with our Missions abroad, reflecting the requirement and interest in that country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 737 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Violation of USOF Agreement
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 737 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018

## VIOLATION OF USOF AGREEMENT

737. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  services  of  some  of  the  private  telecom  companies  have  been suspended in certain telecom circles for the violation of the conditions of the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) agreement;
- (b) if so, the details thereof company-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has imposed penalties on such erring companies; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  of  penalty  imposed  and  recovery  made from them, companywise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) No Madam.
- (c) & (d) Yes  Madam,  the  details  of  penalty  imposed  and  recovery  made  from private telecom companies in respect of violation of USOF conditions  is enclosed as Annexure -A.

Contd……2/-

## Statement of penalty imposed and recovered

| Private Telecom Companies                            | Amount in Rs.   |
|------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
| Reliance Infocomm Limited                            | 1,74,67,530     |
| Dishnet Wireless Limited                             | 40,73,792       |
| Global Telesystem Infrastructure Limited             | 78,554          |
| Kamani Engineering Corporation International Limited | 1,88,990        |
| Reliance Communication Infrastructure Limited        | 8,47,614        |
| Reliance Communication Limited                       | 9,73,773        |
| Reliance Telecommunications Ltd                      | 49,74,562       |
| Vodafone Essar Cellular Limited                      | 39,466          |
| Grand Total                                          | 2,86,44,281     |

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 736 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Approval for Doubling of Road
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.736 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2018

## APPROVAL FOR DOUBLING OF ROAD

## 736. SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the matter regarding financial approval for doubling of Jhansi-Manikpur road and Kharad-Kanpur is lying pending in the NITI Aayog for a long  time; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the time by when it is likely to be approved, so that doubling work of the said very busy and important routes can be completed?

## ANSWER

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

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) & (b):     No, Madam. Does not arise

------
Lok Sabha Question No. 735 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Living Conditions of Families of Soldiers
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.735

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018

## LIVING CONDITIONS OF FAMILIES OF SOLDIERS

## 735. SHRI  RAHUL KASWAN:

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

- (a) whether  the  families  of  soldiers  receiving  gallantry  awards  posthumously  are living in miserable conditions;
- (b) if so, whether there is any mechanism in place to ensure welfare of such families;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the steps taken / being taken by the Government to look after widows and dependent parents of such soldiers?

<!-- formula-not-decoded -->

- (a) The families of soldiers awarded gallantry awards posthumously are adequately compensated and are taken care through various schemes of the Government.  Timely payment of all dues / benefits to Next of Kin of all martyrs  as  sanctioned  by  the  Government  is  ensured  through  a  wellestablished procedure / system.  All assistance is provided to the widows as per Government orders / instructions.

(b) to (d): Kendriya Sainik Board Secretariat at the central level & Rajya Sainik  Boards  at  the  State  level  alongwith  392  Zila  Sainik  Boards  at  the District  level  are  entrusted  with  the  welfare  of  Ex-Servicemen  and  their families  including  the  families  of  gallantry  awardee  defence  personnel killed in military operations.

Regiments and local formations / establishments / units have system in  place  to  periodically  interact  formally  /  informally  with  the  families  of defence personnel killed during operations.

******