opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5345 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Operational Cost of Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5345 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## OPERATIONAL COST OF RAILWAYS

5345. SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has slashed its operational cost and working expenses and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the operational cost of Railways is higher than that of China and America and if so, the details thereof, country-wise; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to reduce the operational cost of railways?

## 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.5345 BY SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 28.03.2018 REGARDING OPERATIONAL COST OF RAILWAYS.

(a) It has been a continuous endeavor on part of the Railways to control its Working Expenses of which operational cost of Railways is also a part. As a result of various measures taken in this regard, the Railways have been able to substantially control the growth of Ordinary Working Expenses.  The Ordinary Working Expenses in 2016-17 and 2017-18 grew only by about 10% despite being the years of implementation of the 7th Central  Pay  Commission  recommendations  as  against  about  30%  on  the  earlier occasion.

(b)    Cross-country  data  of  operational  cost  of  Railways  is  not  maintained  in  this Ministry.

(c)  The steps taken by the Ministry to reduce the operational cost of Railways are as under:

-  Railways  are  given  spending  limits  lower  than  the  sanctioned  budget.  They  are also repeatedly instructed to effect savings in revenue expenditure to compensate for unavoidable post-budgetary increases such as revision of diesel prices, hike in power  tariff,  increase  in  rates  of  certain  allowances/incentive  bonus  etc.    The expenditure is monitored strictly according to the spending limits through monthly financial reviews.
-  Tight control over expenditure in areas such as fuel/power consumption, contractual payments, purchase of materials etc is maintained.
-  Energy  audit  of  major  load  centres,  effecting  savings  in  electricity  bills  due  to purchase of power by railways as 'distribution licensee'
-  Prioritization of expenditure  on  works/activities  for better use  of available resources.
-  Improvement in Manpower productivity.
-  Improvement in asset utilization by taking innovative measures and best practices available.
-  Improvement in inventory management.
-  Reducing the cost of operation and maintenance of rolling stock.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5342 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Vacancies in CIC
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5342

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018)

## VACANCIES IN CIC

## 5342. SHRI A.P. JITHENDER REDDY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of sanctioned posts of the Information Commissioners in the Central Information Commission (CIC);
- (b) the total number of vacancies in the Commission as on March, 2018 and the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) the reasons for delay, if any, in filling up of the vacancies in CIC?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a)  to  (c):      As  per  the  provisions  of  the  Section  12(2)  of  the  RTI  act,  2005,  the  Central information Commission shall consist of :-

- a) The Chief Information Commissioner and
- b) Such  number  of  Central  Information  Commissioners  not  exceeding  ten  as  may  be deemed necessary.

Presently  the  Chief  Information  Commissioner  and  six  Information  Commissioners are posted in the Central Information Commission.

The selection of the Information Commissioners in Central Information Commission is made under Section 12(3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 after inviting applications through  open  advertisement  and  following  the  due  process  and  with  the  approval  of competent authority.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5341 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: FTCs for Politicians/Legislators
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI, HARI OM PANDEY, (SMT.) RATNA DE(NAG)

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5341 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 28 th  MARCH, 2018

## FTCs for Politicians/Legislators

5341. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: SHRI HARI OM PANDAY: DR. RATNA DE (NAG):

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  proposed  to  set  up  Fast  Track  Courts (FTCs) for speedy trial of cases involving politicians/legislators;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the time by which it is likely to be established?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State for  Law & Justice and Corporate Affairs (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c): Setting up of subordinate courts  including Fast Track Courts lies within the domain of the State Governments who set up such courts as per their need and resources, in consultation with the respective High Courts.

In  Writ  Petition  (Civil)  No.699/2016  (Ashwini  Kumar  Upadhyay  Vs UoI & Anr), the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India on the 01 st November, 2017 had  directed  the  Union  Government  to  prepare  a  scheme  for  setting  up  of

Special  Courts  exclusively  to  deal  with  criminal  cases  involving  elected MPs/MLAs.    A  draft  Scheme  had  accordingly  been  submitted  before  the Hon'ble Supreme Court for implementation. The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India vide its Order dated 14.12.2017 has approved the Scheme and directed the Union Government to proportionately allocate the amount to be incurred to the different states in which the proposed Special Courts are planned to be located forthwith and thereafter the State Governments will make necessary arrangements of judicial officers, staff and infrastructure in consultation with the  High Courts. The Union Government has released the funds earmarked for the financial year 2017-18 to the State Governments (where applicable) and as per orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court the said Courts had to start functioning from 01.03.2018.

….
Lok Sabha Question No. 5337 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Mission on Moon and Mars
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT

- (a)
- Yes Madam.
- (b) Chandrayaan-2  is a totally indigenous mission with Orbiter, Lander and rover configuration. Orbiter is to be placed in 100 km orbit around the Moon. After reaching the 100 km lunar orbit, the Lander will be separated from the orbiter and it will soft land on the lunar surface and deploy a Rover. The Rover will then move around the landing site. The Orbiter will continue to orbit around the  Moon  and  perform  remote-sensing  observations  of  the  lunar surface.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5337

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2018

## MISSION ON MOON AND MARS

5337.   SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether ISRO is working on any new mission to the Moon and the Mars;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the benefits likely to accrue from the said missions along with the amount of expenditure likely to be incurred thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

ISRO has formed a study team to formulate plans to explore solar system  bodies.  The  study  team  has  recommended  a  future mission to Mars. Scientific proposals for payloads are selected by an expert committee.

(c) The Orbiter will study the Moon for its topography, elemental and mineralogical  distribution  and  extent  of  subsurface  water  ice. The lander will land on the lunar surface and demonstrate ISRO's capability for landing on Moon. Subsequently, the Rover will roll out of the Lander and move around the landing site. The lander and  rover  payloads  will  conduct  observations  on  the  elemental composition and study the lunar ionosphere.  The Chandrayaan-2 mission will definitely expand the scientific knowledge on Moon by remote-sensing from Orbiter and in-situ studies from lander/rover. Total expenditure on the mission is around ` 800 Cr. Mission planning for next MARS mission is under progress.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Sugar Free Tea in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5335 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## SUGAR FREE TEA IN TRAINS

†5335. SHRI GOPAL SHETTY: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take any steps for providing sugar free/sugar less tea to the rail passengers suffering from diabetes; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) & (b): Instructions already exist with zonal railways to provide proper food  to  diabetic  passengers  on  demand.  Guidelines  have  already  been issued to Zonal Railways to provide sugar free sachet of reputed brand in all  trains  as  an  alternative  of  sugar  for  rail  passengers  suffering  from diabetes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5334 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Discontinuing Blankets in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

(a) No, Madam.

- (b) to (d) Do not arise. However, efforts are being made to improve cleaning of blankets.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5334 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## DISCONTINUING BLANKETS IN TRAINS

5334. SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  the  Railways  is  considering  on  a  pilot project  to  discontinue  providing  blankets  to  passengers  in  AC coaches in some trains;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  it  is  also  true  that  this  was  necessitated  because  of complaints  that  the  blankets  served  in  trains  were  dirty  and unhygienic; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
Lok Sabha Question No. 5333 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Grievances of OEM
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: PR. SENTHILNATHAN, V. SATHYABAMA, R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5333

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 TH  MARCH, 2018

## GRIEVANCES  OF  OEM

5333.  SHRI  PR. SENTHIL  NATHAN: SHRIMATI  V. SATHYA  BAMA:

SHRI  BHARATHI  MOHAN  R.K.:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in Slovakia with regard to their grievances written to the  Department  of  Defence  Production  (DDP),  Ministry  of  Defence  in  its  letter  dated 4 October, 2017;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government had directed the DDP to discuss this issue further after the receipt of the said letter;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the current status of this issue raised by the said OEM from Slovakia?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam.  A copy of the letter dated 4 th October 2017 from the  OEM  was  received,  whereby  the  Original  Equipment  Manufacturer (OEM) desired to know as to what was the incorrect procedure followed by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), due to which the proposal of MoU between OFB  and  the  OEM  was  returned  to  OFB  by  the  Department  of  Defence Production (DDP).

:  2  :

(c) to (e): In  September  2016,  the  DDP  had  directed  OFB  to  formulate a  Standard  Operating  Procedure  (SOP)  for  selection  of  technological partners.  The proposal for signing MoU with M/s Grand Power, Slovakia for co-production of small arms was deliberated by OFB in their 2 nd Board meeting  of  2017  held  on  28 th February  2017  and  was  subsequently forwarded for approval to DDP in March 2017.  The MoU was returned to OFB in July 2017 as it was found deficient in terms of procedure followed. OFB forwarded the draft SOP in August 2017 which after examining was returned to incorporate suggestions of the Ministry. OFB after incorporating  the  suggestions  in  the  SOP,  forwarded  revised  SOP  in February  2018.    In  March  2018,  Department  of  Defence  Production approved the above SOP.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Lawyers Pleading their Own Cases
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: KAUSHAL KISHORE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5332 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

Lawyers Pleading their Own Cases

## 5332. SHRI  KAUSHAL KISHORE

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

- (a) whether several lawyers are pleading their cases themselves in the court in the fraud cases related to duping of people by making false promises for jobs in the  Supreme Court/High Courts and the complaints with regard to their frauds are pending  with  the  Law  Commission and Bar Council for cancellation of their licences.
- (b) if so, the details thereof, case-wise; and
- (c) the reasons for not cancelling their licences in this regard ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) to (c)  The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Proposals for Development Works
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5331 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## Proposals for Development Works

## 5331 .   SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of proposals received by the Ministry for development works during the last three  years  from  the  Gujarat  Government  and  the  amount  involved  therein,  schemewise and the details of action taken thereon;
- (b) the reasons for which proposals received from the State Government are still pending;
- (c) whether any time limit has been stipulated for disposal of proposals, if so the details thereof;
- (d) whether delays in the execution of proposals hampers the development works  and the manner in which cost escalation related to the works is adjusted; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF COAL IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND RAILWAYS

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): Ministry  of  Coal  does  not  implement  development  works  related  schemes  in  the  States. However, four proposals were received from Govt. of Gujarat in 2015-16 for prior approval for reservation  of  lignite  bearing  areas  in  favour  of  Gujarat  Mineral  Development  Corporation  Ltd. (GMDC). These proposals as mentioned below were examined under the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation)Act, 1957 and accordingly prior approval of the Central Government was conveyed for reservation of lignite bearing areas  in favour of GMDC:-

|   1 | 1400 hectare area of Damlai                       | Approval of MoC conveyed to Govt. of Gujarat vide letter no 11033/09/2015-CA-II dated 24.06.2016   |
|-----|---------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   2 | 3015 hectare area of EFG                          | Approval of MoC conveyed to Govt. of Gujarat vide letter no 11033/09/2015-CA-II dated 17.02.2016   |
|   3 | 1600 hectare area of Ghala lignite blocks         | Approval of MoC conveyed to Govt. of Gujarat vide letter no 11033/09/2015-CA-II dated 24.06.2016   |
|   4 | 2973hect. Area of village Lakhpat and Punharajpur | Approval of MoC conveyed to Govt. of Gujarat vide letter no 11033/09/2015-CA-II dated 07.12.2016   |

(b) to (e):

Does not arise in view of answer to (a) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5329 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Subsidy in Rail Fares
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5329 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## SUBSIDY IN RAIL FARES

## 5329.  SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  subsidy  on  all  types  of  rail  fares  extended  to the railway passengers at present;
- (b) the total losses incurred by the Railways on account of subsidy given every year;
- (c)  whether  after  the  success  of  the  'Give-it-Up'  campaign  on  LPG subsidy,  the  Government  has  now  drawn  up  a  similar  plan  for  rail fares;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with aims and objectives thereto;
- (e) the time by which the said scheme is likely to be launched; and
- (f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to encourage rich and affluent passengers to give up subsidy on rail fares?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  5329  BY  SHRI  ASHOK  SHANKARRAO CHAVAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 28.03.2018 REGARDING SUBSIDY IN RAIL FARES (a) & (b) There is no subsidy on passenger and freight segment. However, Indian Railways carries out certain transport activities which are uneconomic  in  nature  and  are  carried  out  in  the  larger  interest  of  the country. The tariff policy on Indian Railways has traditionally been one of restraint  with  regard  to  increase  in  passenger  fare.  Indian  Railways continues  to  incur  losses  every  year  by  performing  a  variety  of  unremunerative  service.  These  losses  are  mostly  due  to  (i)  Low  ordinary second class fare, (ii) Low Suburban and non-suburban season ticket, (iii) Loss on essential commodities carried below cost, and (iv) a variety of concessions granted on passenger ticket. Working of uneconomic branch lines,  too,  imposes  a  heavy  burden  on  Indian  Railways'  finances.  The overall losses incurred on coaching operation services and on essential commodities carried below the cost of operation was ₹35959 Cr. in 201516 & ₹39607 in 2016-17. (c) to (f)  Yes,  Madam.  With  effect  from  22.07.2017,  Senior  Citizen passengers  have  been  given  option  of  voluntarily  giving  up  50%  of  the concession in addition to the existing option of giving up  100% concession.  Number of senior citizens who gave up concession for the period from 22-07-2017 to 28-02-2018 is as under:(a) 100% concession of concession value: 9.08 lakh senior citizens

- (b) 50% concession of concession value: 8.55 lakh senior citizens The 'give up' concession scheme has the effect of increasing the earnings of the Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5326 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Schemes for Strengthening of Minority Institutions
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, P.R. SUNDARAM, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5326 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.3.2018

## SCHEMES FOR STRENGTHENING OF MINORITY INSTITUTIONS

## 5326. DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any schemes for strengthening of minority institutions in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that aid sanctioned for Minority Institutes has not been fully utilized by them;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the grants-in-aid sanctioned and released for these institutions during each of the last three years and the current year till date, State-wise; and
- (f) the steps being taken by the Government for proper utilisation of the said aid?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) &  (b)  Maulana  Azad  Education  Foundation  (MAEF)  is  implementing  the  scheme namely 'Grants-in-aid to Non-Governmental Organisation' (NGOs) for infrastructure development of minority institutions wherein  Grants-in-Aid to NGOs are provided by MAEF for the following purposes:
-  Construction / expansion of schools
-  Purchase of Science/Computer lab equipments / furniture
-  Construction/Expansion of Vocational Training Centre/ITI/ Polytechnic
-  Construction of hostel building
-  Construction/expansion of D.Ed./B.Ed. college
-  Financial assistance for construction of toilets.

The detailed guidelines containing eligibility criteria, ceiling limits, application format etc is available on website of MAEF www.maef.nic.in.

- (c) :  No, Madam,
- (d):   Does not arise.

(e):  The  MAEF  has  sanctioned  Grants-in-aid  of  Rs.20.73  crore  to  165  NGOs  and released an amount of Rs. 20.32 crore during the last three years i.e. 2014-15 to 2016-17 The State-wise / Year-wise details of Grants-in-aid sanctioned by MAEF are available on website  of  MAEF  www.maef.nic.in.  Grants-in-aid  for  the  2017-18  is yet to be sanctioned.

(f):  The  MAEF  conducts  physical  inspection  of  each  project  through  its  empanelled Inspecting Authorities before releasing first/subsequent installments of grants-in-aid. The second/subsequent  installment  of  grants-in-aid  is  released  only  after  ensuring  proper utilization of amount of grants already released.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5323 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Rake Points
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RITA TARAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5323 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## RAKE POINTS

## 5323. SHRIMATI RITA TARAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether due to non-availability of  required infrastructure in the existing  rake  point,  provision  of  new  rake  points  and  the  two points rakes, supply and allocation of chemicals, fertilizers and foodgrains are adversely affected;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken on the States' long standing  demand  for modernisation  of  existing  rake  points,  notification  of  new  rake points and provision of two point rakes at proposed places?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) to (c): Infrastructure at any rake point is provided as per quantum of traffic handled at the terminal. Improvement of existing rake points, notification  of  new  rake  points  and  provision  of  two  point  rakes  is  a need based and ongoing continuous process on Indian Railways.  In the  last  two  years,  20  works  of  rake  point  improvement  have  been sanctioned.  In  addition,  a  new  liberalised  mini  rake  and  two  points loading policy of covered rake has been introduced in 2016-17

*****