opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3292 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Rejuvenation of Existing Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3292 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017

## REJUVENATION OF EXISTING TRACKS

## 3292. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any proposal regarding 'entire rejuvenation of existing railway tracks' in the wake of recent train accidents;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the details of the plan outlay, financial and technical constraints, if any?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (c)  Railway  tracks  are  replaced  through  track  renewal  works which  is an ongoing process. Track renewal works are undertaken as and when stretch of track becomes due for renewal on the basis of criteria  laid  down  in  Indian  Railway  Permanent  Way  Manual  on  age cum condition basis viz. traffic carried in terms of gross million tonnes & incidence of rail fracture/failure, wear of rails, and maintainability of track as per standards etc.

(d) Budget outlay in year 2016-17 has been enhanced from ì 4000 Crore to ì 6735.74 Crore to speed up the track renewal works in the country. Accordingly, physical targets have also been increased from 1500 km to  2668 km. For 2017-18, Budget Outlay of ì 9960.76 Crore has been allocated for track renewal works.

Track  Renewal  works  are  planned  in  advance  every  year  and  their execution is prioritized according to the condition of track and overall availability  of  funds  ensuring  all  the  time  that  track  is  in  a  sound condition for safe running of trains. In case any stretch of track is not renewed  in  time  due  to  various  reasons  including  scarcity  of  funds, material etc., suitable speed restrictions are imposed to ensure safe running of trains.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3291 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Rail Line from Amravati
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3291 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017

## RAIL LINE FROM AMRAVATI

## 3291.     SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken for new rail lines from Amravati to Bengaluru and Amravati to Rayalaseema regions and to other areas from new capital of Andhra Pradesh; and
- (b) the time set to complete these projects with funds sanctioned/spent so far?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a):  The new line project from Vijayawada to Guntur via Amravati has been  proposed  in  Budget  2017-18  subject  to  obtaining  requisite approvals.    Length  of  the  project  is  106  km.  and  anticipated  cost  is ` 2679.59  crore.    Also,  project  for  doubling  of  Guntur  -  Guntakal (401.470  km)  at  an  anticipated  cost  of ` 3631.07  crore  has  been included in the Budget 2016-17.  Niti Aayog has been apprised of the project of Guntur-Guntakal and the project is in process of obtaining approval of Cabinet Committee for Economic Affairs(CCEA). Both these projects will give improved connectivity to Bengaluru and to Rayalaseema regions and other areas from the new capital of Andhra Pradesh. (b): Since completion of project depends upon several factors including  complete  handing  over  of  encumbrance-free  land  by  the State Government, shifting of utilities, etc. and most of these factors are  beyond  the  control  of  Ministry  of  Railways,  target  date  for completion of the above projects has not been fixed. ` 124 crore have been earmarked for the project of doubling of Guntur-Guntakal during 2017-18.  An allotment of ` 1  crore has been given for Vijayawada to Guntur via Amravati new line project during 2017-18. ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3289 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Auction of CWG Flats
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

No. 3289

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3289

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 22, 2017

## AUCTION OF CWG FLATS

SHRIMATI VASANTHI M.:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the auction for Commonwealth Games
- Village (CWG) flats has been pending for a long time;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has expressed interest in buying some of them;
- (c) if  not,  whether  the  Government  is  conducting  an  eauction for these flats; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a): Delhi  Development  Authority  (DDA)  has  informed  that auction      for  Commonwealth  Games  Village  flats  was conducted in May-June, 2015.
- (b): DDA has sold 20 flats to Rajya Sabha Secretariat and 6 flats to Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India. Further it has received request for allotment of 27 flats from  Income  Tax  Department  and  6  flats  from  Indian Navy.
- (c)& (d):  DDA sells available flats through e-auction or allots the flats at pervious auctioned price duly updated to government department as per their requests and availability.

*******

- .
Lok Sabha Question No. 3288 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Udupi Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3288 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017

## UDUPI RAILWAY STATION

3288.  KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is  any  plan  to  develop  Udupi  railway  station  in Karnataka and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the existing entry and exit would be widened at Udupi station and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether construction of 3rd platform has been planned ostensibly to help the student community from Manipal who use the trains running on the Konkan route; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof and the time by which the said project is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

(MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS)

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (d)  Presently  there  is  no  proposal  to  develop  Udupi  Railway Station in Karnataka. The existing facilities are considered adequate for the requirement at this stage.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Non-functional ARGs and AWSs
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3287 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017

## NON-FUNCTIONAL ARGs AND AWSs

## 3287. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) located in hills and other remote  areas  and  a  number  of  recently  installed  Automatic  Rain Gauges  (ARGs)  and  AWSs  are  not  working  to  capacity/  lying  nonfunctional;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether several instruments remain non-functional because of lack of qualified personnel to repair them; and
- (d) if so, the remedial steps taken/ being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

(SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY)

- (a-d)  Yes Madam. As on today, 364 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) out of  682  and  563  Automatic  Rain  Gauges  (ARGs)  out  of  1350  are functional.  Automated  observing  systems  are  non  functional  largely on account of delay in procurement and supply of spares, sensors and accessories. However, efforts are made to expedite the procurement process but due to certain unforeseen reasons beyond control, supply of shares and accessories get delayed at time.

Field maintenance staff are trained to address the functional issues periodically as AWSs are operated without placing any manpower at their locations. Various measures are being taken up to avoid and to rectify malfunctioning of AWSs. These are;

-  Zonal Instrument Maintenance Centres (ZIMC) and Field Maintenance Units (FMU) are established for routine inspection as well as maintenance of all unmanned field observing systems.
-  Rate contract based supply of spares and consumables for rectifying the disfunctionality of the systems.
-  Periodic preventive calibration of the field sensors and the systems.
-  Periodic maintenance of the AWS sites.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3286 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Regional News Units
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: C.S. PUTTARAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3286

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017)

## REGIONAL NEWS UNITS

3286. SHRI C. S. PUTTA RAJU:

## Will the MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the States where Regional News Units of Doordarshan yet to be started and the names of the States where more than one News Unit has been setup;
- (b) whether the Government is not in a position to start Regional News Units of Doordarshan in Karnataka and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  places  where  Regional News Units are being run from rented  buildings  and  the  time  since  when  these  are  being  run  from  rented accommodation?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING {COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

- (a)  Prasar  Bharati  has  informed  that  Regional  News  Units  (RNUs)  are functioning  in  all  States  except  Uttarakhand  &  Sikkim.  One  RNU  has  been approved for Dehradun (Uttarakhand). In Jammu & Kashmir state there are 3 RNUs at Jammu, Srinagar & Leh.
- (b)  One Regional News Unit is already functioning in Karnataka at Bangalore.
- (c)  No Regional News Unit is operating from a rented building.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3285 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Films and TV Serials in Public Life
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO. 3285 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 22.03.2017

## FILMS AND TV SERIALS IN PUBLIC LIFE

## 3285: SHRI BHARATHI  MOHAN R.K.:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION  AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- whether the Government  has made any study on the impact of Films and TV serials in various National  and local television networks  on the day to day life of common public and their social life and if so, the details  thereof;  and a)
- the steps taken by the Government to reduce the effects ofsocial  ills and evil effects caused bv substandard  filns and television shows? b)

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION  AND BROADCASTING  [COL  RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]:

:t  {.  {.  {.  {.

- (a):  No Madam. No such study has been conducted  by the Ministry  of lnformation  and Broadcasting.
- (b): As per Cinematograph  Act, 1952, all the films require  certification  by the Central Board of Film Certiflcation (CBFC)  for public  exhibition.  CBFC certifies the films in accordance  with the provisions of Cinerratograph  Act, Rules and Guidelines made thereunder.  The telecast  of programme on television  channels  is governed  by the Cable Television  Network Rules 1994. So f'ar as telecast of content  on television is concemed, there is no pre-censorship  of any programme  or advertisement telecast by the private TV channels.  However, TV channels  are required to broadcast in conformity with the provisions  of Prograrnme  and Advertising  Codes  prescribed  under the Cable Television Netrvork (Regulation)  Act 1995 and Rules. Any violation  of the codes are dealt with according to the mcchanism as established  by the Ministry.

Further, as part of the self-regulation  mechanism'  News Broadcasters Association(NBA)hassetupNewsBroadcastingStandardsAuthority(NBSA)in2008 and formulated  a Code of Eihics and Broadcasting  Standards  covering a wide range of principles  to self-regulate  news broadcasting'

Indian Broadcasting  Foundation  (lBF) has also set up a mechanism  for selfregulation  through Broadcasting  Content  Complaints  Council  (BCCC)  in case of nonnews channels.  As part of this, iBF  has laid down Content  Code & Certification  Rules 20llcoveringanentiregamutofcontent-relatedprinciplesandcriteriafortelevision broadcast.

With regard to regulation of advertisements  on TV channels' the Code adopted bytheAdvertisingStandardscounciloflndia(ASCI),aself-regulatorybody'hasbeen incorporated  in ihe Advertising  Code stipulated in Cable Television  Networks (Regulation)  Act 1995 and Rules framed  thereunder
Lok Sabha Question No. 3284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Skill Training and Placement
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3284 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017

## SKILL TRAINING AND PLACEMENT

## 3284. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

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

- (a) whether only 82,000 of the 1.76 million officially trained were actually recorded as having jobs;
- (b) if  so, whether the Government has also initiated steps for maintenance of data about the placement beneficiaries trained under Skill Development Programme; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Under Pradhan  Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY),  20,69,871 candidates have been trained throughout the country till now. Under PMKVY 2015-16, it was not mandatory for NSDC's training partners to report employment data. However, at  least  2.37  lakh  candidates  have  been  provided  with  the  placement  offers  under PMKVY 2015-16, as per the reported data.

After  successful  implementation  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana (PMKVY)  during  2015-16,  Government  has  modified  its  guidelines  to  make  scheme more effective, transparent and beneficiary oriented. Under PMKVY 2.0, which started from 2 nd October 2016 onwards, placement tracking is mandatory. The trainings under PMKVY 2.0  are  currently  underway.  The  placement  data  will  be  available  once  first round of training are over.

Under  the  modified  scheme,  focus  on  employment  has  been  significantly enhanced.  Scheme  incentivizes  Training  Centers  (TCs)/  Training  Partners  (TPs)  for facilitating  placement  of  the  trained  candidates.  TCs  are  mandated  to  organize placement/rozgar  melas  every  six  month  with  the  support  of  Sector  Skill  Council. Further, the reimbursement of last 20% of training cost to TCs would be made only after wage  employment  or  self  employment  to  at  least  70%  of  the  trained  candidates. Various  IT  interventions  such  as  Direct  Benefit  Transfer,  Aadhaar  linkage  of  trainers and trainees, Biometric attendance of candidate, SMART portal based Accreditation & Affiliation of TCs etc have been ensured. Additionally, there is a special provision in the scheme  to  provide  post  placement  support  to  women,  PwDs  and  candidates  from special areas (LWE, North East region and J&K).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3282 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Cancellation of Vendor Licences
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAJESH VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3282 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017

## CANCELLATION OF VENDOR LICENCES

†3282. SHRI RAJESH VERMA: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  all  the  catering  vendor  licences  at  all  the  railway  stations under  Agra  Railway  Division  were  cancelled  and  stalls  and  trolleys  were removed  citing  reasons  for  overcrowd  at  the  railway  stations  and  new licences were issued for catering stalls and trolleys at these stations;

(b) if so, whether the Railways have conducted any inquiry into the matter; and

(c)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  officials  found  guilty  and  action  taken  against those officials in this regard?

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

(a) : No, Madam.  To ensure free movement of passengers on platforms and at the same time making sure that adequate catering facilities are provided to the passengers, Zonal Railways have been advised to prepare a Master Plan  specifying  desirable  scale  of  catering  facilities.  Accordingly,  some catering stalls and trolleys have been removed at a few stations of Agra Division  in  order  to  decongest  the  stations  in  terms  of  approved  Master Plan.

(b) & (c): Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3277 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Patent Rights held by CSIR
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3277 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017)

## PATENT RIGHTS HELD BY CSIR

3277.    SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

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

- (a) the  number  of  patent  rights  held  by  Council  of  Scientific  and  Industrial Research (CSIR) in the country and in foreign countries as on date;
- (b)    the  expenditure  incurred  by  CSIR  in  the  process  of  obtaining  the  said patent rights; and
- (c)    the  advantages  and  benefits  gained  by  CSIR  on  account  of  its  patent holdings during the last three years in terms of money value?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Madam, the number of patent rights in force held by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as on 15 th  March 2017 is 1386 in India and 2883 in foreign countries, respectively.
- (b) The   expenditure  incurred  by  CSIR  in  the  process  of  obtaining  the  said patent rights Rs. 23.04 crore for Indian patents and Rs. 159.93 crore for foreign patents, respectively.
- (c) CSIR  derives  diverse  advantages  and  benefits  from  its  patent  holding namely,  high  reputation  in  the  community  of  global  R&D  Institutions, catalyze collaborative and sponsored projects and avert competition for its  licensees. CSIR has earned Rs. 32.69 crore as royalty over the three years period 2013-14 to 2015-16.
- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3275 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Schemes of Department of Bio-technology
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3275 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22/03/2017

## Schemes of Department of Bio-technology

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased t0 stale:

- the details of   schemes projects implemented under implementation by the Department of Bio-technology (DBT) during the last three years in Gujarat:
- (b) the quantum of funds allocated in this regard during the last three years. year-wise;
- (c) whether the Department contemplates starting any new scheme/project for Gujarat in 2017-18: and

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES

- (a) Madam  the Department has supported implementation of 70 and 59 projects inciuding research projects and PG teaching programs in Gujarat during   financial 72.
- 2013-2014. 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. respectively.
- (c) No Madam
- There is no such proposal received from Government of Gujarat; which is pending with the Department.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3272 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Railway Projects in Bihar
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3272 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017

## RAILWAY PROJECTS IN BIHAR

†3272.  SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  new  proposal  for railway projects in Bihar State;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether there is any target for launching new railway projects in future in Bihar and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3272 BY SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  22.03.2017  REGARDING RAILWAY PROJECTS IN BIHAR.

- (a)  to  (c):  Requests/demands  for  new  lines,  gauge  conversion  and doubling, both formal as well as informal, are received by Railways at various  levels  i.e.  Railway  Board,  Zonal  Railways  and  Divisional Headquarters, etc.  As receipt of such requests/suggestions/demands is a continuous and dynamic process, centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained. However, in the Budget 2017-18, one new Railway  project  namely  'Wazirganj-Natesar  via  Gehlaur  (20  km)  new line'  falling  in  the  State  of  Bihar  has  been  proposed,  subject  to approval  of  Government.  Simultaneously  9  new  surveys  for  Railway projects falling fully/partly in the State of Bihar have been included in Budget 2017-18 as per details mentioned below:-
- (i) Reconnaissance Engineering-cum-Traffic Survey for new line between Lalitgram-Puraini-Murliganj (55 km).
- (ii) Reconnaissance Engineering-cum-Traffic Survey for new line between Hasanpur-Tilrath (35 km).
- (iii) Reconnaissance  Engineering-cum-Traffic Survey for new  line between  Bihariganj  and  Birpur  via  Murliganj,  Triveniganj,  Khurda, Jadia, Chatapur, Pratapganj, Bhimnagar (92 km).
- (iv) Reconnaissance  Engineering-cum-Traffic Survey for new  line between Bihar Sharif -Nawada (36 km).
- (v)  Preliminary  Engineering-cum-Traffic  Survey  for  Mughalsarai-PatnaKiul 3rd line (335 km).
- (vi)  Preliminary  Engineering-cum-Traffic  Survey  for    Gorakhpur  CanttValmiki Nagar doubling (91 km).
- (vii)  Preliminary  Engineering-cum-Traffic  Survey  for  Katihar-Mukuria doubling (39 km).
- (viii)    Preliminary  Engineering-cum-Traffic  Survey  for  Malda  TownKumedpur-Barsoi 3rd line (56 km) and
- (ix) Preliminary Engineering-cum-Traffic Survey  for Barsoi -  New Jalpaiguri 3rd line (145 km).

*****