opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3920 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-10
Subject: Household Toilets under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: VINCENT H PALA

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3920

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 .08.2017

## HOUSEHOLD TOILETS UNDER MGNREGS

## 3920. SHRI VINCENT H. PALA:

W ill  the  Minister  of RURAL  DEVELOPMENT be  pleased  to  state the number  of  Gram  Panchayats  which  are  using  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) funds to construct and use household toilets/latrines even after the delinking of MGNREGS funds from the new Swachh Bharat Mission - Gramin (SBM - G)?

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

Construction of IHHL is a permissible activity under MGNREGA.  The scheme of IHHL  construction  under  MGNREGA  shall  focus  on  construction  of  IHHLs  in  Pradhan Mantri  Awas  Yojana - Gramin            (PMAY -G),  houses  being  constructed  under  other schemes.  Under  Mi ssion  Antyodaya,  IHHL  may  be  constructed  from  MGNREGS  for households who do not have a toilet and have not been provided funds under SBM (G) f construction of IHHL. In all other Gram Panchayats, MGNREGS funds would be utilized only for PMAY- G beneficiari es.

Presently  IHHLs  are  targeted  for  construction  by  all  the  States  /  UTs  except  Puduc Therefore, wherever PMAY - G houses are targeted for completion, the MGNREGS funds are being  utilized  for  construction  of  IHHLs  and  GPs  covered  under  Mission  Antyoda ya  and there is no linkage from new SBM -G.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3919 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-10
Subject: Operation of Haj Flights from Calicut Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Kunhalikutty, P.K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIQN NO. : 3919 (To be answered on the August 2017)

## OPERATION OF HAJ FLIGHTS FROM CALICUT AIRPORT

3919\_

SHRI PK KUNHALIKUTTY

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether Haj flights were earlier operating from Calicut airport and that the same were suspended for some years in the recent past due to renovation of the said airport; if the details thereof;
- (b) whether the renovation Of the said airport has been completed and Haj flights from that airport have still not been started; and
- (c) if the reasons therefor and the time by which Haj flights would be operated from the airport?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

- (a): Madam. The Haj operations were shifted from Calicut airport to Cochin due to the runway recarpeting work at Calicut airport in 2015. Yes;

(b) and (c) Runway recarpeting work at Calicut Airport was completed on 28.02.2017. Since the process of Haj operations 2017 had already been initiated; Haj Committee %f India had decided to maintain status quo in respect of number of embarkation points for Haj 2017 as for Haj 2016. The airport is licensed for operations of aircraft upto Code 'D'\_ Due to operational safety reasons in view Of inadequate runway iength and width of basic strip, Directorate General of Civil Avietion has not granted permission for operations of Code 'E' type of aircraft at this airport No timeline has been fixed for commencement Of Haj operation from Calicut airport:

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3917 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-10
Subject: Awareness Drive under Drinking Water and Sanitation Schemes
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

## Government of India

## Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3917 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10-08-2017

## Awareness Drive under Drinking Water and Sanitation Schemes

## †3917. SHRI KIRTI AZAD:

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

- (a) The details of various drives launched for creating mass awareness about schemes related to safe drinking water and sanitation:
- (b) Whether the Government has any proposal to lay emphasis on 'construction and use of toilets' in dwelling units during these drives: and
- (c) If so, the details thereof?

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

## ANSWER (SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

- (a)  The  government  has  run  following  awareness  oriented  media  spots  in Doordarshan, All India Radio, Private Televisions and Radios etc:

## Sanitation related:

- (i) 03 Media spots associating Ms.Vidya Balan during the year 2015 and 2016.
- (ii) Two  messages  from  Shri  Amitabh  Bachhan  and  Shri  Sachin Tendulkar urging people to construct and use toilets in their houses and to stop open defecation.
- (iii) Two Spots associating Shri Amitabh Bachhan run during the year 2016 and till May 2017.
- (iv) Media spots in Digital Cinemas
- (v) Nationwide outdoor publicity
- (vi) Publicity through Community Radios

In  addition,  on  the  call  of  government,  State  Governments  have organized  Gram  Sabhas  during  special  Swachh  Bharat  Abhiyan (Gramin) drives on the occasion of Independency day celebrations and Gandhi Jayanti.

Government has also started Swachhta Pakhwara from April 2016 in  which  Central  Government  Ministries  are  actively  participating and promoting Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

## Drinking Water related:

Government has run two drinking water related media spots in Doordarshan and other media vehicles.    In  addition,  print  ads  on  Water Conservation have also been published in nationwide newspapers.

Government is also planning to launch a campaign on Water Conservation.

- (b) Yes.
- (c) Government  is  already  running  a  'Darwaza  Band'  media  campaign featuring Amitabh Bachhan and another campaign featuring Ms Anushka Sharma in following media vehicles:-
- (i) Doordarshan and its regional channels
- (ii) All India Radio
- (iii) Private TVs and Radios through DAVP
- (iv) Community Radios

The themes of these media spots are construction of toilets and using it regularly.

Outdoor dissemination is also under preparation on the same campaign.

Government is also planning to launch a campaign for creating awareness among the people to adopt Twin Pit Technology while constructing toilets in their houses.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3914 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-10
Subject: Pension to Destitute and Unmarried Women
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BODH SINGH BHAGAT

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3914

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 .08.2017

## PENSION TO DESTITUTE AND UNMARRIED WOMEN

## 3914. SHRI BODHSINGH BHAGAT:

W ill the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether destitute and unmarried women who are above 50 years of age will be included in Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS);
- (b) ifso, the time by which they are likely to be included in the said scheme; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (c) : No Madam, at present there is no proposal to include destitute and unmarr women who are above 50 years of age under Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) as the scheme is  a welfare scheme and is targeted to extend benefits only t widows of 40 years plus age belonging to Below Poverty Line(BPL) Category.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3912 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-10
Subject: Minimum Wages to Labourers
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: FAIZAL P.P. MOHAMMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3912 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2017

Minimum Wages to Labourers

## 3912.  MOHAMMED FAIZAL:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to give minimum wages to the labourers working under various Sports Departments of Union Territory of Lakshadweep;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of funds allocated and released for this purpose during the last three years and the current year?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

- (a) & (b): The minimum wages to the labourers working under the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs of Union Territory (UT) of Lakshadweep has been given  as  per  the  rates  of  daily  wages fixed  by  the  Directorate  of  Labour  and  Enforcement,  UT  of Lakshadweep, Kavarati Island. The details are as under:

High Skilled Labourers -Rs. 275/- + Variable DA (per day); and Casual Labourers -Rs. 200/- + Variable DA (per day). (c): The details of funds allocated and released for this purpose during the last three years and the current year is as shown below:I.  Wages paid by the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs:-

| Year    | Funds Allocated   | Funds Released             |
|---------|-------------------|----------------------------|
| 2014-15 | Rs. 50000/-       | Rs.33000/-                 |
| 2015-16 | Rs. 100000/-      | Rs.93000/-                 |
| 2016-17 | Rs. 200000/-      | Rs.134000/-                |
| 2017-18 | Rs. 200000/-      | Upto 31/07/2017 Rs.48000/- |

II. Wages  paid  by  the  Lakshadweep  Island  State  Sports  Council (Running under Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, Kavaratti)

| Year    | Funds Allocated   | Funds Released              |
|---------|-------------------|-----------------------------|
| 2014-15 | Rs. 2860000/-     | Rs.1559000/-                |
| 2015-16 | Rs. 2900000/-     | Rs.1643000/-                |
| 2016-17 | Rs. 1900000/-     | Rs.1841000/-                |
| 2017-18 | Rs. 1500000/-     | Upto 31/07/2017 Rs.533000/- |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3911 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-10
Subject: Taxi Policy for Women Safety
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3911

ANSWERED ON  10 th  August, 2017

## TAXI POLICY FOR WOMEN SAFETY

3911.   SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the  present  status  of  the  taxi  policy  for  ensuring  safety  of  females  in  our country;
- (b) the main goals of this policy; and
- (c) the response of the taxi operators on the recommendations made in regard to this policy?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a)  &(b) :   The report submitted by the Committee set up under the Chairmanship of  Secretary  (RTH)  was  accepted  by  the  Ministry  and  forwarded  to  the  State Government for taking necessary action. The policy envisages the objective of providing  safe  and  secure  public  road  transport  to  people  of  the  country, particularly to women and girl child. It also recommended that for the safety of women and child passengers, the central locking system in the taxis should not be  allowed.  MoRTH  has  issued  notification  vide  GSR  No.  1095(E)  dated 28.11.2016 whereby GoI has mandated the provision of vehicle location device and one or more panic button in public transport vehicles w.e.f. April 1st, 2018.

- (c) No response has been received in this regard.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 340 (STARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: AC Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 340 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## AC COACHES

- †*340. SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Railways  is  aware  that  people  are  facing  difficulty due  to  lesser  number  of  AC  coaches  in  train  No.  15273/  15274 Satyagraha Express and in train No. 12557/12558;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  increase  the  number  of  AC coaches in the aforesaid trains; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO.340 BY SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.08.2017 REGARDING AC COACHES

(a)  to  (d)  15273/15274  Raxaul-Delhi  Satyagraha  Express  (daily)  via Bareilly-Gonda-Gorakhapur-Narkatiaganj and 12557/12558 MuzaffarpurAnand Vihar (T) Sapt Kranti Express (daily) via  Moradabad-LucknowGorakhpur-Narkatiaganj are running with maximum permissible load of 24  coaches.  Presently,  15273/15274  Raxaul-Delhi  Satyagraha  Express have 12 general class, 6 sleeper class, 3 AC III Tier class, one 1 st  cum 2 nd   AC class and 2 SLR/SLRD coaches while 12557/12558 MuzaffarpurAnand Vihar (T) Sapt Kranti Express have five general class, three AC III Tier class, one AC II Tier class, one First AC class and 2 SLR/SLRD coaches in their composition. As 15273/15274 Raxaul-Delhi Satyagraha Express is a long distance and an overnight train and introduced much earlier to 12557/12558 Muzaffarpur-Anand Vihar (T) Sapt Kranti Express,  it  is  proposed  to  provide  better  facilities  to  passengers  by increasing  the  component  of  reserved  coaches.  Accordingly,  it  is planned  to  increase  one  AC  3  Tier  class  coach  and  3  sleeper  class coaches  in  lieu of 4 general  class coaches  (out  of 12) in the composition  of  15273/15274  Raxaul-Delhi  Satyagraha  Express.    The revised composition will be 8 general class, 9 sleeper class, 4 AC III Tier  class  and  one  1 st   cum  2 nd   AC  class  coaches  and  2  SLR/SLRD coaches.  Changing the composition of 12557/12558 Muzaffarpur-Anand Vihar (T) Sapt Kranti Express which is running  with  maximum permissible load is not feasible presently as any augmentation in AC 3 Tier  class  coaches  here  would  lead  to  reduction  in  sleeper  coaches which is highly patronized.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 339 (STARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Captive Mobile Radio Trunking Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA, KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS

## DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.339 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH  AUGUST, 2017

## CAPTIVE MOBILE RADIO TRUNKING SERVICES

- *339.  SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA: DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the State Government of Gujarat has applied for Captive Mobile Radio Trunking Services (CMRTS) frequency licence to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for implementation of Digital Trunk Radio System (DTRS) meant for Police Communication System;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon along with the time by which the said licence is likely to be issued;
- (c) whether  the  DoT  proposes  to  issue  this  licence  and  settle  the  matter  of spectrum  charges  separately  keeping  in  view the sensitivity and  urgency  for mordenization of the State Police; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the time-frame therefor?

## ANSWER

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

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

## STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  339  FOR  9 TH AUGUST, 2017 REGARDING ' CAPTIVE MOBILE RADIO TRUNKING SERVICES '.

(a) & (b) No,  Madam.  The  frequency  assignment  for  Captive  Mobile  Radio Trunking Services (CMRTS) is a two step process. In the first step, the end-user (the applicant)  signs  a  license  agreement  with  DoT  for  provisioning  of  CMRTS.  In  the second and final step, the applicant places his spectrum requirement with Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC Wing), DoT. WPC Wing carries out technical analysis  and  thereafter  assigns  the  appropriate  number  of  frequencies  and,  if possible, in the frequency band requested by the applicant.

In  this  context,  it  may  be  added  here  that  Gujarat  State  Police  has  already completed that first stage of CMRTS licensing by entering into agreements with DoT for  cities  of  Ahmedabad,  Vododara,  Surat,  Rajkot  and  Gandhinagar.  However,  the Gujarat State Police has not yet placed its request for spectrum for the CMRTS in the aforesaid cities as yet. Whenever such request is made, the same will be considered as per the extant rules.

(c) & (d) Yes, Madam. Pending the payment of late fee, Gujarat State Police will be  assigned  frequencies  for  CMRTS  in  Ahmedabad,  Vododara,  Surat,  Rajkot  and Gandhinagar, when it makes applications to this effect to DoT as it has recently paid entire outstanding dues on account of principal spectrum usages charges.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 330 (STARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Irregularities in Political Funding
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: SADHU SINGH, PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.*330

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 9 th AUGUST, 2017

## IRREGULARITIES IN POLITICAL FUNDING

- *330. PROF. SADHU SINGH:

PROF. PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA:

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

- (a)  whether  there  are  reports  regarding  irregularities  in  political  funding  during  assembly  and general  elections  in  the  country,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reaction  of  the  Government thereto;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to review the pattern of political funding and to frame law in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to control irregularities in political funding in the elections?

## ANSWER

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

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *330 DATED 09 TH AUGUST, 2017

(a):    As  per  the  information  from  Election  Commission, there are reports regarding bribing of voters  and  use  of  money  power  by  the  candidates  and  by  political  parties  during  Assembly Elections and General election to Lok Sabha. They are acted upon by the authorities empowered to do so by the Election Commission of India as per instructions issued from time to time.

(b) to(d): As per section 29B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every political party may accept any amount of contribution voluntarily offered to it by any person or company other than  a  Government  company,  subject  to  certain  other  conditions  specified  therein.    Further, section 13A of the Income Tax Act was amended recently whereby no donation exceeding two thousand rupees can be received by political parties otherwise than by an account payee cheque drawn on a bank or an account payee bank draft or use of electronic clearing system through a bank account or through electoral bond.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 328 (STARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Misuse of Franchisee System under PMKVY
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *328 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## MISUSE OF FRANCHISEE SYSTEM UNDER PMKVY

## † *328. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the concept of franchisee system under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY)  has  been  misused  on  a  large  scale  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether  thousands of fake students have  been registered at these training centres in the States and if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
- (c) whether the Government has taken a decision to do away with the franchisee model for the training centres with regard to the Skill Development programmes?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (C) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *328 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017 ASKED BY SHRI  RAHUL  KASWAN  REGARDING  MISUSE  OF  FRANCHISEE  SYSTEM

UNDER PMKVY As  per  PMKVY  (2016-20)  guidelines,  only  first  level  franchising  is

(a) to (c) allowed with lower priority and it would be gradually phased out.

However, in the course of implementation of the scheme it was found out that franchisee  centers  comprised  of  around  50%  of  the  centers  under  the  scheme. During monitoring visits, it was observed that the compliance to scheme guidelines was  significantly  lower  in  case  of  franchisee  centers  as  compared  to  Training Provider Owned centers. In view of this, Ministry has decided to provide a pathway for all franchisees to become Training Providers, thus converting franchisee centers under  PMKVY  into  Training  Provider  Owned  centers.  Further,  no  new  franchising centre will be allowed under the scheme.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 327 (STARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Indians in Pak Jails
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.327 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## INDIANS IN PAK JAILS

- *327.  SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Indians in Pakistani prisons at present;
- (b) the  number  of  Indians  in  Pakistani  prisons  who  have  been extended legal help by the Government of India during the last two years and the current year;
- (c) whether  the  Indian  nationals  are  subjected  to  inhumane treatment in Pakistani jails and by investigating agencies and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the number of dead bodies of Indian nationals handed over by Pakistan during the last three years and the current year?

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

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

*****

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  327  REGARDING  'INDIANS  IN  PAK JAILS' FOR ANSWER ON 09.08.2017

As per the available information, there are 60 civilian prisoners including Shri Kulbhushan Jadhav and 416 fishermen, who are believed to be Indian, in the custody of Pakistan. Besides, there is a matter of 75 missing Indian defence personnel, whose custody has not been acknowledged by Pakistan so far.

Government from time-to-time provides humanitarian and legal assistance to Indian nationals imprisoned in Pakistan. This includes provision of items of daily use to Indian prisoners by the visiting officials of High Commission of India in Islamabad during consular access.  Since 2014, Government has provided legal assistance  to 3 Indian civilian prisoners in Pakistan. Besides, the case of Shri Kulbhushan Jadhav has been taken to the International Court of Justice.

From time-to-time, there have been reports of ill-treatment of Indian prisoners in  Pakistan's  custody.  Government has consistently and strongly stressed on several occasions to the Government of Pakistan the latter's responsibility to ensure  safety, security and well being of all Indian prisoners and fishermen who are in their custody.

Since 2014, 10 Indian fishermen and 2 Indian civil prisoners have died in the custody  of  Pakistan  authorities.  Mortal  remains  of  all  these  prisoners  were  brought back to  India,  except  in  the  case  of  late  Shri Abu  Bakar  Nohri,  who  was  buried  in Pakistan as per the wishes of his family and as per Islamic rules.

*****