opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4293 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Unused Land
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MEKAPATI RAJAMOHAN REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4293 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## UNUSED LAND

4293.       SHRI M. RAJA MOHAN REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) The  vacant  railway  land  lying  unused  in  the  State  of  Andhra Pradesh as on date;

- (b) the location and size of the vacant-land;
- (c) the time from which the said land is lying vacant; and

(d) the proposals prepared/proposed to be prepared for the utilisation of the vacant land?

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

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4293 BY SHRI M. RAJA MOHAN REDDY TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  21.03.2018  REGARDING UNUSED LAND.

(a)  to  (d):    Railways  maintain  only  Zonal  Railways-wise  details  of vacant railway land.    State of Andhra Pradesh falls in East Coast Railway, Southern Railway, South Central Railway and South Western  Railway  of  Indian  Railways.  Presently  11580  hectares  of land (approximately) is vacant in these Zonal Railways.

The  vacant land, mostly in the form of narrow strips along the tracks, is used for servicing and maintenance of track, bridges and other railway infrastructure. The vacant land is also utilized for execution  of  various  infrastructural  projects  for  meeting  future growth needs of Railways which include projects like doubling/tripling and traffic facilities works, etc. Railway`s operations also necessarily require development of ancillary logistic support/infrastructure  such  as  bulk  oil  installations  &  oil  depots, steel  yards,  concrete  sleeper  plants,  coal  dumps,  connectivity  to private sidings, connectivity  to ports and  other  infrastructure, commercial plots, vending stalls, etc. for which land is leased/licensed. The vacant land, which is not required by Railways for its immediate operational needs, is utilized in the interim period for commercial development through Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), wherever feasible, in order to mobilize additional financial  resources.    At  present,  54  land  parcels  measuring  189 hectare  (approximately)  where  commercial  development  seems feasible have been entrusted to RLDA which includes 0.83 hectares of  land  in  Andhra  Pradesh.    The  land  is  lying  vacant  since  the inception of Railway lines in these four Zonal Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4292 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Mandate of UIDAI
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVNTHI)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4292

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21-03-2018

## MANDATE OF UIDAI

## 4292.   SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI):

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

- (a)  whether  Unique  Identification  Authority  of  India  (UIDAI)  has  a  mandate  to issue a Unique Identification Number (UID) to all residents of India;
- (b) if so, whether this project is being implemented by the Union Government in coordination with the State Governments; and
- (c) if so, the details in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR   ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI K. J. ALPHONS)

- (a): As per Section 11 of Aadhaar Act, 2016, Unique Identification Authority of India  (UIDAI)  is  responsible  for  the  processes  of  enrolment  and  authentication and performs such other functions assigned to it under the Act.
- (b) and (c): As per sub section 3 of Section 23 of Aadhaar Act, 2016 UIDAI has inter-alia appointed State Governments as Registrar for providing enrolment and update facilities to residents.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4291 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: UID Details Going Public
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: KURUPPASSERY VARKEY THOMAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4291

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21-03-2018

## UID DETAILS GOING PUBLIC

## 4291.   PROF. K.V. THOMAS:

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

- (a) whether the Unique Identification Number (UID) details are going public;
- (b) if so, whether this will affect the privacy of the individuals;
- (c)  if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  protect  the  privacy  of  the individuals;
- (d) whether biometric will be used for Aadhaar recognition; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR   ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI K. J. ALPHONS)

- (a):  No,  Sir.  No  Aadhaar  details  have  been  made  public  from  Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)  or  its Central Identity Data Repository (CIDR). UIDAI has been mandated to function in accordance with the  provisions  of  the  Aadhaar  Act,  2016  and  subsequent  regulations  framed thereunder.

Section 6 of Aadhaar (Sharing of Information) Regulations, 2016 categorically states  that  the  Aadhaar  number  of  an  individual  shall  not  be  published, displayed or posted publicly by any person or entity or agency.

Further,  it  is  also  mentioned  any  individual,  entity  or  agency,  which  is  in possession  of  Aadhaar  number(s)  of  Aadhaar  number  holders,  shall  ensure security  and  confidentiality  of  the  Aadhaar  numbers  and  of  any  record  or database containing the Aadhaar numbers.

- (b) and (c):   Do not arise in view of (a) above.

(d):    Biometrics  along  with  Aadhaar  number  of  an  individual  is  used  for authentication purpose. (e): Biometrics based authentication comprises of fingerprints or iris or both, as per the requirement.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4290 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Cases Handed Over to CBI
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: N.K. PREMACHANDRAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4290

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018)

## CASES HANDED OVER TO CBI

## 4290. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of number of cases handed over to CBI from each State;
- (b) the  total  number  of  cases  pending  with  CBI  for  investigation,  State-wise  including Kerala;
- (c) the criteria fixed by CBI for taking over a case from the State Police;
- (d) whether the Central Government/ CBI has received request from the State of Kerala to take over certain cases and if so, the total number of requests received in this regard and the details of the steps taken thereon; and
- (e) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that the authorities are reluctant to take over certain cases for investigation even after the request from the State Police and State Government and if so, the details of such cases during the last three years?

## 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) & (b):   CBI has registered a total of 121 cases on the references received from State Govt. during the last 3 years i.e. 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 (upto 28.2.2018).

Out of 121 cases 85 cases are pending under investigation.

- (c):          CBI  examines  the  feasibility  of  taking  over  investigation  keeping  in  view  various aspects  of  the  case  including  sensitivity  ,  inter-state  or  trans-national  ramifications  etc  and recommends the Government accordingly and subsequent to Notification issued by Central Government under section 5 of the DSPE Act, 1946.
- (d) & (e):    CBI received a total of 10 requests from the State Govt. of Kerala during the last 3  years  i.e.  2015,  2016,  2017  and  2018  (upto  28.2.2018).  Out  of  these,  6  cases  have  been taken-up by CBI for investigation and decision has not been taken in one case.

3 requests of State Govt. of Kerala were not taken-up for investigation as these were of  ordinary  in  nature  and  have  no  inter-state/international  ramifications.  Moreover,  CBI  is already overburdened with large number of cases referred by Constitutional Courts.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4288 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Crispy Fruit Technology Invented by CSIR
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: PANKAJ CHOWDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4288

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018)

## CRISPY FRUIT TECHNOLOGY INVENTED BY CSIR

## 4288.   SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether  CSIR  has  invented  crispy  fruit  technology  to  make  fruits  and vegetables crispy which can also be preserved for 3 to 4 months;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  quantity  of  fruits  and  vegetables  which  perish  every  year  on  an average; and
- (d) whether the Government is likely to promote this technology to save the fruits and vegetables from being perished and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) Yes,  Madam.  CSIR  has  developed  the  technology  to  make  fruits  and vegetables  crispy.  The  technology  is  based  on  either  Freeze  drying  or vacuum frying. The Freeze drying technology has been  optimized for a variety  of  fruits  viz;  apple,  banana,  mango,  orange,  pineapple  and sapota   and vegetables like beetroot, beans, corn, carrot, ginger and pumpkin.    The  vacuum  frying  technology  is  optimized  for  banana, bread  fruit,  jack  fruit,  potato,  okra,  beetroot,  plantain,  brinjal,  bitter gourd, etc.
- (b)    The unique features of the technology are:
-  Prolonged shelf-life (3-4 months);
- 
- Retains near to original colour, texture, aroma, nutritional values;
- 
- Technology does not involve addition of any chemical/ preservatives;
-  Ease of transportation due to reduction in 70-80 percent    of original weight of fresh fruits.
- (c) The estimated losses are about 15 - 25% of overall production.
- (d) Yes,  Madam. The technology has potential to reduce the  wastage and enhancing  the  overall  utilization  as  value  added  products.  CSIR  is promoting  these  technologies  and  has  signed  separate  MoUs  with Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology (UCOST), Dehradun, and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) to deploy the technology in their respective areas.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Agreement with Seychelles
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: BHOLA SINGH, PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4287

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## AGREEMENT WITH SEYCHELLES

4287. SHRI BHOLA SINGH: PROF. PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has drawn up a cooperation agenda with Seychelles that covers joint efforts in anti piracy and enhanced Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance and monitoring to check economic offences in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the benefits therefrom;
- (c) whether   the   said   agreement,   first   signed   in   2015,   has   been   renegotiated recently; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the major changes made therein along with reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) India   and   Seychelles   have   signed   an   agreement   on   development, management,   operation   and   maintenance   of   facilities   on   Assomption   Island   in Seychelles. It is a joint project that India will be executing at the specific request of the Government of Seychelles. The objective is to assist Seychelles secure its vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) including near the Mozambique Channel, located over a thousand kilometres from the main island of Mahé.

The   agreement   covers   within   its   purview   our   shared   efforts   in   anti-piracy operations, and enhanced EEZ surveillance to prevent intrusions by potential economic offenders   including   those   indulging   in   illegal   fishing,   poaching,   drug   and   human trafficking. Assomption Island is also located along the main shipping route through which bulk of our cargo passes.

- (c) & (d) The original agreement that was signed in March 2015 was renegotiated at the   request   of   Government   of   Seychelles   as   their   internal   procedure   including   the ratification of the agreement by their National Assembly could not be completed. The revised agreement was signed on 27 January 2018. As per the terms of the agreement, the facilities on Assomption Island will be funded by India, owned by Seychelles and jointly managed by both sides.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4286 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Gondia-Jabalpur and Katangi-Tirodi Broad Gauge Lines
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BODH SINGH BHAGAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4286 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## GONDIA-JABALPUR AND KATANGI-TIRODI BROAD GAUGE LINES

†4286. SHRI BODHSINGH BHAGAT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of construction of Gondia-Jabalpur and KatangiTirodi broad gauge lines along with the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  contractors  concerned  have  suspended  construction due to GST and the construction work is getting obstructed as the case is under appeal in court;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  construction  work  of  the  said  broad  gauge  lines  are likely to be completed on schedule : and
- (e) if so, the time by which it is likely to be completed and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) The present status of construction of Gondia-Jabalpur gauge conversion and Katangi-Tirodi new line is as under:-

## Gondia-Jabalpur gauge conversion:-

Gondia-Balaghat section (42 Km), Balaghat-Katangi section (47 Km) and  Nainpur-Jabalpur  section  (113  Km)  have  been  completed  and commissioned.  Gauge  conversion  between  Balaghat  to  Samnapur (17 Km) has been completed in January 2018 and Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has issued authorization for running of trains. In  remaining  section  Samnapur-Nainpur  (60  Km),  work  has  been taken up.

## Katangi-Tirodi new broad gauge line-

Katangi-Tirode  (15.36  Km)  was  sanctioned  as  MM  to  GondiaJabalpur GC project in 2011. The work for construction of KatangiTirodi new broad gauge line has been taken up.

- (b) &  (c)  GST  related  problem  has  been  resolved.    However,  in  this particular  project,  agency  has  approached  Hon'ble  High  Court, Nagpur, and the matter is subjudice.
- (d)  &  (e)  Every  Railway  project  requires  a  number  of  clearances  from various  Ministries  and  Departments  of  State/Central  Governments. These,  inter-alia,  include  clearances  inherent  to  land  acquisition, forestry  clearance  and  permission  for  crossings,  Court  case  etc. the prevailing  system,  funds  are  allocated  on  yearly  basis,  based  on progress of the project, land acquisition etc.  Hence, no time-frame
- which  are  part of project execution. In addition, as per has been fixed for completion of this project.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4283 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Regulation of Web Media/News Portals
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: NINONG ERING

## GOVERNMENTOF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4283

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## REGULATION OF WEB MEDIA/NEWS PORTALS

## 4283     SHRI NINONG ERING

Will the Minister of Electronics and information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government is  working to  introduce  legislation  to  codify  web  media  and news portals;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reason therefor;
- (c) whether the government is going to introduce legislation for mandatory registration of web news portals and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the stand of the Government regarding regulation of the web news portals?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI K. J. ALPHONS)

(a) to (d): No, Sir, There is no proposal in the Government to introduce legislation to codify web media  and  news  portals  or  to  introduce  legislation  for  mandatory  registration  of  web news portals.

There are existing legal provisions to curb misuse of web media:

- (i) The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 already provides for punishment for publishing or transmitting objectionable contents through following provisions:
-  Section 66E:  Punishment for violation of privacy
-  Section  67:  Punishment  for  publishing  or  transmitting  obscene  material  in electronic form.
-  Section 67A: Punishment for publishing or transmitting of material containing sexually explicit act, etc., in electronic form
-  Section  67B:  Punishment for publishing or transmitting of material depicting children in sexually explicit act, etc. in electronic form.
- (ii) Government  also  takes  action  under  section  69A  of  IT  Act  for  blocking  of websites/webpages  with  objectionable  contents,  whenever  requests  are  received from designated nodal officers or upon Court orders. Section 69A of the IT Act empowers Government to block any information generated, transmitted, received, stored  or  hosted  in  any  computer  resource  in  the  interest  of  1)  sovereignty  and integrity of India, 2) defence of India, 3) security of the State, 4) friendly relations with  foreign  States 5) public  order  or 6)  for  preventing  incitement  to  the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above.
- (iii) Further,  the  Information  Technology    (Intermediary  Guidelines)  Rules  2011 notified  under  section  79  of  the  IT  Act  requires  that  the  Intermediaries  shall observe due diligence while discharging their duties and shall inform the users of computer resources not to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, update
- or share any information that is harmful, objectionable, affect minors and unlawful in any way.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4282 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Subsidy to Pilgrims
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: NEELAM SONKER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4282

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## SUBSIDY TO PILGRIMS

- † 4282. SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any policy to provide subsidy to Hindu community for Amarnath and Kailash Parvat Yatra on the lines of Haj subsidy;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The   Government   of   India   does   not   extend   any   direct monetary subsidy to individual pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra and the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. However, Ministry of External Affairs provides assistance, on self-financing basis, to the Yatris undertaking the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra by providing facilities like transportation, accommodation, food, medical tests, guides, etc. The Ministry of External Affairs also coordinates with the Government of Peoples' Republic of China as well as various Indian agencies for the smooth conduct of this Yatra.

As   per   the   Supreme   Court   judgment   dated   08.05.2012   and recommendations   of   Haj   Policy   Review   committee   constituted   by   the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the Haj subsidy has been gradually reduced since the year 2013 and it has been decided to discontinue it from Haj 2018.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4281 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Lokpal and Lokayukta
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4281

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018)

## LOKPAL AND LOKAYUKTA

## †4281. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has implemented Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, Statewise including Rajasthan and the details of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas appointed till date;
- (c) if not, the reasons for delay in appointing the Lokpal and Lokayuktas;
- (d) whether hundreds of appeals under the Right to Information Act are lying pending in Rajasthan; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  any scheme to dispose of the appeals and if so, the details thereof?

## 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)  :        The  Lokpal  and  Lokayuktas  Act,  2013  came  into  force  w.e.f.  16.01.2014.  In terms of the provisions of section 63 of the said Act establishment of Lokayuktas in the States is  in  the  domain  of  respective  State  Governments.    No  data  in  this  respect  is  centrally maintained by the Government.

A  meeting  of  the  Selection  Committee  under  section  4(1)  of  the  Lokpal  and Lokayuktas  Act,  2013  was  held  on  1 st March,  2018.  The  matter  is  presently  sub-judice  in Contempt Petition (Civil) No. 714/2018 filed by Common Cause a Registered Society in the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.

- (d)  &  (e):        In  terms  of  section  15  of  the  Right  to  Information  Act,  2005  the    powers  to perform the functions assigned  under the Act are vested in the respective State Information Commissions    and  accordingly  no  information  is  centrally  maintained  relating  to  State Governments in this regard.

*******