opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2261 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: Speed Limit
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, P.R. SUNDARAM

be pleased to state:

(a) the speed limit within which the commuters can ply their vehicles on all National Highways and expressways;

(b)  whether  the  Union  Government  has  approved  increasing  the  speed  limit  of  cars  on  National Highways to 100 kmph and on expressways to 120 kmph, if so, the details thereof and the objective behind the move;

(c) whether the Government has also decided to put an electronic control unit which will not allow vehicles to go at very high speeds, if so, the details thereof; and

(d)  whether  increasing  the  speed  limit  is  possible  considering  poor  safety  standards  on  roads  that witness  the  highest  road  accident  deaths  in  the  world  and  if  so,  the  corrective  steps  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

(a)  The Government has notified S.O. 1997(E) dated 5 th August, 2014 fixing the maximum speed in kilometres per hour in respect of the different class of motor vehicles.

(b)  and  (d)  Yes,  Madam.  The  technology  in  automobiles  and  the  quality  of  road  infrastructure  is undergoing continuous improvements.  Therefore,  keeping  in  view  of  the  better  vehicle  technology and improved road infrastructure, a committee was constituted in the Ministry to review the speed limits of motor vehicles. The committee has submitted its recommendations which has been accepted by the Government.

(c) This  Government  has  issued  notifications  GSR  290(E)  dated  15.04.2015  and  GSR  424(E) dated 01.05.2017 mandating fitment of speed governor on certain category of transport vehicles.  The requirement of speed governors are waived in cases where speed limiting function through electronic control unit is already provided for at the time of manufacture of the vehicle.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2261

ANSWERED ON 8 TH  MARCH, 2018

## SPEED LIMIT

## 2261.   SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## lM+d ifjogu vkSj jktekxZ ea=h
Lok Sabha Question No. 2260 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: World Press Freedom Index
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, P.R. SUNDARAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2260 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.03.2018

## WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX

## 2260.   SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India has been placed at 136th position out of 180 countries as per the World Press Freedom Index, 2017 compiled by the body 'Reporters Without Borders';
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether India's position in World Press Freedom Index has not improved during the last three years;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (e) the methodology adopted by 'Reporters without Borders' for arriving at this index; and
- (f) the  reaction  of  the  Government  to  the  World  Press  Freedom  Index  along  with  the measures taken by the Government to ensure the freedom of press in the country and to improve the performance on the criteria underlying in the ranking?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e) The Government has come across media reports carrying the results of survey by 'Reporters Without Borders' and World Press Freedom Index 2017 compiled by the body.  A number  of  reports  are  available  on  internet  covering  aspects  like  freedom  of  speech, transparency and censorship on internet. Different methodology, data and techniques for data collection  are  followed  for  preparing  the  reports.  The  sources  of  data  collection  are  not disclosed.
- (f) In pursuance of its policy to uphold the freedom of press, the Government does not interfere in the functioning of newspaper industry. The Government is committed to ensure the  right  to  freedom  of  speech  and  expression  enshrined  under  the  Article  19  of  the Constitution of India. However, Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory autonomous body, has  been  set  up  under  the  Press  Council  Act,  1978  mainly  to  preserve  the  freedom  of  the Press and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in the country and also to inculcate  the  principles  of  self-regulation  among  the  press.    Besides,  Ministry  of  Home Affairs  has  issued  a  comprehensive  advisory  on  safety  of  journalist  on  20 th October,  2017 which  can  be  accessed  at  https://mha.gov.in/  sites/upload\_files/mha/files/AdvisoJournalists \_19022018 .pdf.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2259 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: Contamination of Brahmaputra River
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: JITENDRA CHAUDHURY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 2259

ANSWERED ON 08.0 3.201 8

## CONTAMINATION OF BRA HMAPUTRA RIVER

## 2259. SHRI JITENDRA CHAUDHURY

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Brahmaputra river water is getting contaminated day by day details and the facts thereof;

(b) whether the Go vernment is aware that China interrupts the country's water sources and has made dams on this river;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the action the Government has taken or is going to take in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES, RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## ( SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHW AL )

(a) Water samples collected and tested by Central Water Commission (CWC) and North East Research Institute for Water a nd Land Management (NERIWALM) during the month of November, 2017 and December, 2017 at Tuting and Passighat Hydrological observation sites on Sian were found to be highly turbid in nature. Presence of Aluminium (Al)& Iron(Fe) was also be be yond the permissible limit for drinking water as per IS 10500:2012. Though, the conta has reduced significantly over the period since December 2017, but it was still beyond limit on 14/15 January, 2018 as per IS 10500:2012.

(b ) to ( d) Ministry of External Affairs has informed that the Chinese side has conveyed t several occasions that they are only undertaking run - of - the - river hydropower projects which do not involve diversion of the waters of the Brahmaputra.

Government,  in close  cooperation  with  various  State  G overnments  which  are  users  of  the waters  of  Brahmaputra  River,    carefully  monitor s the  water  flow  in  river  Brahmaputra  for  early detection of abnormality so that corrective and preventive measures are taken to safeguard livelihood of peoples of these S tates of Union of India.

As a lower riparian State with considerable established user rights to the waters o -border  rivers,  Government  has  consistently  conveyed  its  views  and  concerns  to  the authorities,  including  at  the  highest  levels,  and  has  urged  them  to  ens ure  that  the  interests  of downstream States are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas. The issue was also by the External Affairs Minister with the Chinese Foreign Minister during his recent visi 11 December 2017.

Governmen t  intends  to  remain  engaged  with  China  on  the  issue  of  trans - border ivers  to safeguard our interest, including through an institutionalized Expert Level Mechanism w established in 2006.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2257 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: Drainage along NHs and SHs
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn towards the problems created from not having drainage along the National and State Highways of the country and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has received proposals or has a plan for construction of drainage system along the National Highways (NHs) and the State Highways (SHs); and
- (c) if  so,  the details thereof and the reaction of the Government on the proposals received from the States?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) This  Ministry  is  primarily  responsible  for  development  and  maintenance  of  National Highways.  Provision  of  adequate  drainage  system  is  an  integral  part  of  the  development  of National Highways. Appropriate camber/cross fall is provided to the wearing surface of the roads to drain off the rain water at the earliest. The drain off water is collected in longitudinal drain and eventually  goes  to  the  cross  drains  or  streams.  All  the  National  Highways  are  being  provided either lined (especially urban areas) or unlined drains depending on the site requirement, inter-sepriority and availability of funds in accordance with the Indian roads Congress (IRC) guidelines.
- (b)        There  is  no  separate  scheme  exclusively  meant  for  providing  drains  along  National Highways.
- (c)     Does not arise.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2257

ANSWERED ON 8 TH  MARCH, 2018

## DRAINAGE ALONG NHS AND SHS

## 2257.  SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2253 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: Pre-flight Safety Instructions
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH, NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

2253.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2253 (To be answered on the &th March 2018)

Pre-flight Safety Instructions

SHRI DK SURESH . SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

- (b) if the details thereof; SO,

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether on-board announcements 0f pre-flight safety instructions informing passengers about seat belts, emergency exits, oxygen masks and life vests are made only in Hindi and English in all the flights;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that thousands of flyers are facing difficulty in understanding the announcements as do not understand either Hindi or English; they
- (e) whether the Government is taking any measures to meet demands of the
- (d) if s0, the details thereof;
- thousands of domestic travellers to ensure that all the announcements of preflight safety instructions are made in regional languages; and
- (f) if the response Of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

Minister 0f State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) & (b) On-board announcements of pre-flight safety instructions for passengers about seat belts, emergency exits, oxygen masks and life vests are normally made in Hindi and Engiish on all flights. These are consistent with printed ianguage on all documents for passengers' safety information. (c) & (d) No such information is available with this Ministry. However; the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had received two generic grievances in 2015 and 2016 whereby the complainant had stressed the usage of regional language during the use of cabim safety announcements. (e) & (f) No such measures are

- proposed by this Ministry at present: being
Lok Sabha Question No. 2252 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: Houses to Differently Abled Persons Living Below Poverty Line
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PRASUN BANERJEE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2252

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.03.2018

## HOUSES TO DIFFERENTLY ABLED PERSONS LIVING BELOW POVERTY LINE

## 2252.   SHRI PRASUN BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state

- (a) whether the Union Government has formulated any scheme to provide houses to the differently abled persons living below poverty line in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the total number of the houses constructed in the country; and
- (d) the total number of differently abled persons benefited therefrom till date?

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

(a) & (b) : No Madam. However, Ministry of Rural Development implements Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) under which financial assistance of Rs.1.20 lakh in plain areas and Rs. 1.30 lakh in North Eastern States/ Hilly States/ Difficult areas including IAP Districts  is  provided  to  the  beneficiaries  selected  from  Socio-Economic  and  Caste  Census (SECC), 2011 data base for construction of houses in rural areas of the country.

Under PMAY-G special provisions have been made for differently abled persons which are as follows:

- (i) The States to ensure, to the extent possible, 5% of the beneficiaries are from among persons with disabilities.
- (ii) Households with any disabled  member and no able bodied adult  member are given priority.
- (c) :  Under  PMAY-G,  as  on  05.03.2018,  a  total  of  23,51,017  houses  have  been constructed.
- (d) :  Under PMAY-G as on 05.03.2018, the number of houses sanctioned to differently abled persons are 16,820 out of which 5,879 houses have been constructed.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2250 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: Fixing of Leaking Taps for Water Conservation
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: KIRRON KHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 2250

ANSWERED ON 08.0 3.201 8

## FIXING OF LEAKING TA PS FOR WATER CONSERV ATION

## 2250. SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to fix leaking taps in public faciliti conservation;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whet her any steps are being taken to monitor loss of water due to poor plumbing in Gov as well as private residential areas; and

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES, RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

( SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHW AL )

(a)to (d) Water is a S tate subject. The Government has launched Atal Mission for Rejuvenation Urban  Transformation  (AMRUT)  on  25 th June,  2015  in  500  Mission  c ities.  Water  supply  in  the Mission cities is the major focus area under the Mission. Under the Mission, individual selected, appraised, approved and implemented by the States /UTs and the Ministry of Hou Urban Affairs only approves Sta te Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) and releases central assistance per Mission guidelines. However, making action plan to reduce water losses to less than publish on the website is one of the 54 milestones covered in 11 reforms that are manda der AMRUT Mission. States are incentivized for implementing these reforms.

In addition, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation is supplementing the efforts States technically  and  financially  in  implementation  of  National  Rural  Drinking  Water  Pro mme ( NRDWP ) w ith present guidelines, 25% of the NRDWP funds are allocated on functionality of the schemes which inter - alia takes into consideration these aspects.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: IEC Activities under SBM(G)
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

## Government of India

## Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2247 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08-03-2018

## IEC Activities under SBM(G)

## 2247. SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

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

(a)  the  percentage  of  total  allocation  spent  on  Information,  Education  and  Communication (IEC) Activities under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin since the launch of the scheme;

(b) the reasons for not meeting the annual target of 8% of total allocation expenditure for IEC Activities;

(c)  whether  any  additional  measures  have  been  taken  by  his  Ministry  to  achieve  the aforementioned of target 8% and if so, the details thereof; and (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION (SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

(a)   Out of the total expenditure under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin [(SBM(G)] since its launch, 3.24% has been incurred on Information, Education and Communication (IEC).

(b)   Under SBM (G), 8% of Central fund allocation for the project is to be utilized on IEC and capacity building activities. The utilization under IEC and capacity building does not link with annual allocation or expenditure. However, the funds should be used in a phased manner for both the pre-ODF and post-ODF activities. The States have the flexibility of deciding the division  of  expenditure  depending  on  the  baseline  survey  reports  and  acceleration  of sanitation  coverage.  Since,  sanitation  is  a  behavioural  issue,  it  is  experienced  that  a sustainable sanitation outcome  can  be effectively achieved through behavior change communication,  inter-personal  communication  and  community  participation.  Thus,  while spending the money of IEC and capacity building activities, it shall be taken care of that a sustainable sanitation and hygiene outcome is achieved through such activities.

(c)    This  Ministry  has  initiated  several  steps  to  increase  expenditure  on  IEC  and  capacity building  activities.  It  has  been  made  mandatory  for  the  States  to  spend  2.5%  of  available funds on IEC and capacity building for release of 2 nd instalment from the financial year 201718 onwards. This Ministry is regularly monitoring expenditure on IEC and capacity building through Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of SBM (G) and also through a series of meetings/video conferences and during various workshops organised with States/UTs. The Ministry has also issued detailed guidelines on IEC for the States suggesting preferable activities to be undertaken by the States under IEC and capacity building in order to  achieve  and  sustain  open  defecation  free  villages.  The  Ministry  is  regularly  doing  pan India campaigns through mass media and various events at national level.

(d)  Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2243 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: Increase in Time Slot of News Bulletins
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: VISHNU DAYAL RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2243 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.03.2018)

## INCREASE IN TIME SLOTS OF NEWS BULLETINS

## 2243.   SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of   steps taken by the Government to increase the time slot allotted for  the  telecast/broadcast  of  news  bulletins  in  regional  languages  at  national  level through  Doordarshan  and  Akashvani  and    also  to  improve  the  quality  of  such bulletins;
- (b)  Whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  promote  telecast/broadcast  of  such bulletins with a view to accord more importance to various regional languages in the country;
- (c)  If so, the details thereof; and
- (d) If not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Prasar Bharati has informed that at present, there is no plan to increase the time slot for broadcast of News Bulletins in regional languages at National level. Improving the quality of news bulletins is part of an ongoing process and effort.

Details of regional and national News bulletins may be accessed at:

- (i) All India Radio website allindiaradio.gov.in/

- (ii) Doordarshan website: www.ddindia.gov.in/

****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2242 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: Production of Solar Energy
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVNTHI)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2242

TO BE ANSWERED ON-08.03.2018

## PRODUCTION OF SOLAR ENERGY

2242. SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI)

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether the Government has fixed targets to produce 60,000 MW solar energy from large plants and 40,000 MW from rooftops by March, 2022 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the target for rooftop plants appears unattainable due to the imposing of safeguard duty of 70 per cent by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on imported panels and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether this move would cripple the entire solar industry especially the rooftop segment; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  corrective  steps  being  taken    to  incentivize  the  production  of  solar  power  and achieve the target set by the Government?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (I/C) (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) The Government has set a target of reaching 100 GW of solar power capacity in the country by 2022 of which 40 GW is targeted from rooftop solar.
- (b) to (d) At present there is no safeguards duty imposed on imported solar panels.

*****