opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4420 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Contractual Employees AIR/DD
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: KAMLA DEVI PATLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4420

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017)

## CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES AIR/DD

## 4420. SHRIMATI KAMLA DEVI PAATLE:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a large number of employees are working on contract basis for a long time in Akashwani and Doordarshan;
- (b) if so, the category-wise details thereof including the announcers;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to regularise the services of such employees; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Prasar Bharati has informed that the number of contractuals engaged in Prasar Bharati, All India Radio and Doordarshan is as below:

Prasar Bharati - 38;

All India Radio - 196; and

Doordarshan - 749.

These contractuals are engaged for various categories of work viz. news dissemination, programme generation, legal assistance, marketing, computers/ IT consultancy etc., both for AIR and DD, as per requirement.

The number of casual announcers and casual comperes in various stations of All India Radio  is  9722  and  4108,  respectively.  The  casual  announcers  and  comperes  are engaged by the stations on assignment basis for a maximum of 6 bookings in a month/ 72 days in a year, solely to meet the requirement of adding variety and interest to the programmes for which engagement on regular basis is not justified/ needed.

So far as Doordarshan is concerned, no casual announcers and comperes are booked. However,  anchors  are  booked  as  per  specific  requirement  of  the  Programme  and expertise of the anchor.

- (c) & (d): There is no such proposal at present.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4419 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Allocation of Sufficient Funds
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4419 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## ALLOCATION OF SUFFICIENT FUNDS

## 4419.     SHRI PRABHAKAR  REDDY KOTHA :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  received  any  representation  from  the Government  of  Telangana  regarding  allocation  of  sufficient  funds  in the  present  budget  for  completion  of  Armur-Adilabad via  Nirmal Railway line and Badrachalam-Kovvur-Manuguru-Ramagundam railway line and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  funds  allocated/proposed to be allocated in the present budget; and
- (c) the steps being taken for early execution of the work?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) and (b): Yes, Madam. New line work of Armoor-Adilabad via Nirmal (136 km) has been included in Capital Investment Programme 2017-18 with  an  anticipated  cost  of ` 2720  crore.    For  the  works  included  in Capital  Investment  Programme,  Joint  Venture  Company  with  State Government will be suggested to take up these projects through State

Joint Venture.  Joint Venture Agreement has already been signed with Government of Telangana for formation of the Joint Venture Company. Bhadrachallam  -  Kovvur(151  km)  new  line  was  included  in  Budget 2012-13.  The alignment approval is awaited from State Government. Funds of ` 5.75 crore have been allotted during 2016-17.  An allocation of ` 7.0 crore has been proposed in 2017-18. Manuguru-Ramagundam (199.63  km)  new  line  work  was  proposed  in Budget 2013-14 subject to requisite approvals.  Railways is unable to take  up  this  project  at  present,  due  to  its  un-remunerative  nature, heavy throwforward of ongoing projects and constraint of resources. State  Government  of  Telangana  has  been  requested  for  sharing  at least  50%  of  cost  of  new  line  besides  providing  land  free  of  cost. Reply of Telangana State Government is awaited. (c):  To  expedite  completion  of  above  mentioned  projects,  regular coordination  meetings  with  the  State  Government  are  being  held  for formation  of  Joint  Venture  Company  and  to  resolve  the  alignment issue.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4418 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Hydraulic Rescue Devices
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4418 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## HYDRAULIC RESCUE DEVICES

4418.    SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Railways had summoned  Hydraulic Rescue Devices (HRDs) procured  from  Germany  and  other  foreign  manufacturers  for  rescue operations and to evacuate entrapped passengers in the railway boggies involved in railway accidents and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)        whether  these  HRDs  had  succeeded  in  completing  their  assigned  job (rescue  operation)  within  the  'Golden  Hour'  concept  and  if  not,  the reasons therefor ;
- (c)     the total time taken by these HRDs in completing the rescue exercise;
- (d)        whether  the  Railways  has  assessed  the  competency/viability  of  these HRDs during the rescue operations; and
- (e)      if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  4418  BY  SHRI  SANJAY  DHOTRE  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK SABHA ON 29.03.2017 REGARDING HYDRAULIC RESCUE DEVICES

(a):  Yes,  Madam.   Zonal  Railways  have  been  using  Hydraulic  Rescue Devices (HRDs), procured from foreign countries including Germany, at accident sites as a part of rescue efforts whenever needed.   Available details of usage for the last 3 years are as below:

|   1. | Central       | 04.05.2014   |
|------|---------------|--------------|
|    2 | North Eastern | 30.09.2014   |
|    3 | Northern      | 20.03.2015   |
|    4 | South Central | 24.08.2015   |
|    5 | North Central | 20.11.2016   |
|    6 | East Coast    | 22.01. 2017  |

(b) & (c): The first hour from the time of accident is referred to as the 'Golden Hour'.  Rescue of passengers from the accident involved coaches within the Golden Hour depends on many factors, mainly reaching of HRD equipment to the accident site. After reaching the accident spot, Hydraulic Rescue Devices have been successful when used for rescue operation. The total time taken for such rescue operation by Hydraulic Rescue Devices has been varying depending upon the type of accident and site conditions.

(d)  &  (e):  Yes,  Madam.    The  competency/viability  of  these  HRDs  has  been assessed during the past rescue operations. HRDs have performed successfully during rescue operations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4417 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Deen Dayalu Coach Scheme
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RATTAN LAL KATARIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4417 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## DEEN DAYALU COACH SCHEME

†4417. SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether 'Deen Dayalu' coaches are likely to be attached in long distance trains for the passengers travelling in unreserved class under Deen Dayalu Coach Scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether thirteen facilities ranging from drinking water to cushioned luggage racks are likely to be added under the said scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of new coaches to be built under this scheme;
- (d) whether these new coaches will give a better travel experience to the poor people; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4417 BY SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA TO BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  29.03.2017  REGARDING  DEEN DAYALU COACH SCHEME

(a) Yes, Madam. During the period from April 2016  to February 2017, about 141 Deen Dayalu un-reserved coaches have been inducted in 23 pairs  of  Mail/Express  trains.  Further,  induction  of  more  Deen  Dayalu coaches is an on-going process and is being done in a phased manner.

- (b)  Instructions  have  been  issued  for  the  provision  of  the  following additional  facilities  in  the  Deen  Dayalu  coaches  manufactured  at Production Units of Indian Railways:
-  Provision of cushioned luggage rakes.
-  Provision of additional hand hold in doorway area.
-  Provision of J hooks near longitudinal luggage racks.
-  Toilets with polymerized floor coating.
-  Provision of bio-toilets.
-  Water level indicator.
-  Toilet occupation indication display board.
-  Enhanced mobile charging facility.
-  Fire extinguishers with anti-theft arrangement.
-  Pleasing  interior  and  exterior  colour  scheme  with  anti  graffiti measures.
-  Potable Water similar to Aquaguard type water filtration system.
- (c)  The  approved  production  programme  for  Deen  Dayalu  coaches  is given below:-
- (d)  &  (e)  Yes,  Madam.    These  coaches  will  provide  a  better  travel experience to unreserved passengers.

| Year    |   Deen Dayalu Coaches |
|---------|-----------------------|
| 2016-17 |                   577 |
| 2017-18 |                   385 |
| 2018-19 |                   384 |
| 2019-20 |                   392 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4416 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Harassment of Employees
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI

## 4416. श्री  म ोज ततवारी:

क् या रेल मंत्री  यब ाता े कक क ा पा करगे े कक:

- (क) क् या  उत् तर  रेलवे  मगे  िवेेककर  लन    मंलल  मगे  वरर् म ली पी    ् तर  क े   अिककाररयों द्वारा कममचाररयों क े  मा ससक उत् पी ड़  कक सेकायतों मगे दि  प्रततदि  वािह बो रबी बै;
- (न) यदि बां, तो रायारेली मगे अरना रेलवे ् ेेे  पर बो रबे अय  याय क े  संांक मगे तत् संांकी
- ब् यखरा क् या बै;
- ( ) ेारीररक  रूप  से  अक्षम  कममचारी  को  उिचत  तै ाती   प्रिा    बीं  कर े  और  58  वकीय कममचारी का िो वकम से भी  अिकक समय तक वेत  भु ता  रोक े क े  क् या कारह ब ;
- और
- (घ) इस संांक मगे  उत् पी डि़ त लत कममचारी को राबत प्रिा  कर े क े  सलउ उमाउ  उ किमों का ब् यखरा क् या बै और उत् पी ड़  कर े वाले संांिकत अिककारी क े  िवरूह क् या कारमवाक कक  क बै?

## उत्  तर

## रेल मंत्रालय मगे राज्य मंत्री  (श्री  राजे   ोबांक)

- (घ) से (क): उत् तर रेलवे से प्राप् त सचच ा क े  अ ुसार अनाम रेलवे ् ेेे  क े  ् ेेे  प्रांकक को
- , 72 . 10 . 7107 से िचककत् सी -य रूप से िवकोदेक ा त कर दिया  या िा  मेडि़लकल क ै ेे री ाी 0 मगे किे

## भारत सरकार रेल मंत्रालय

## लोक सभा अतारांककत प्रश्    सं. 4416

## 29.03.2017 को दिया जा े वाला उत्  तर

## कममचाररयों का उत् पी ड़

घोिकत बो े क े  कारह , उय  बगे वेत  सुरक्षा िेते ब ु उ दि ांक 01 . 11 . 7102 के  आिेे के  तबत अनाम ्  ेेे  पर कायामलय अकी क्षक क े  रूप मगे वैकपिकपक त युपिक्त कक पेेके कक  क िी   ाबरबाल , उय  बों े अा् यावेि  दिया कक उय बगे  लन   मगे मंलल रेल प्रांकक कायामलय मगे तै ात ककया जाउ उ क े  अा् यावेि  पर िवचार ककया  या और उ कक तै ाती  मगे पररवतम  कर ा य यवबाररक  बीं पाया   या  पिजस  पर  प्रेासत क  आवश् यकता को ्  या   मगे  रनते  ब ु उ  त हमय  सलया   या  िा उय  बों े  पि  हण बह   बीं  ककया  और  वे  आज  कक  ततिि  तक  अप्रािकक ा त  रूप  से  अ ुपपि्ित  ब , पिजसक े  सलउ अ ुेास  उवं अपी ल त यमों क े  अंत मत ाड़ी  कारमवाक ेुरू कक  क बै

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4414 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: MoU on Telecom and IT Solutions
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4414 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH   MARCH, 2017

## MoU ON TELECOM AND IT SOLUTIONS

## 4414. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the BSNL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft India to offer telecom and IT solutions for big businesses;
- (b) if so, the details and the salient features thereof;
- (c) the benefits that are likely to be accrued from the said MoU; and
- (d) the time by which the said MoU is likely to be operational?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with M/s Microsoft India to offer telecom and IT solutions.
- (b) BSNL has an open ended policy to have Strategic Business Alliance with the world renowned  Original  Equipment  Manufacturer  (OEM)  Companies  who  are  interested  to  get associated with BSNL so as to offer a composite solution to the end enterprise customers. MoU is for a period of two years.
- (c) To  provide  to  the  enterprise  customers  of  BSNL  a  turnkey  solutions  by  pooling services of BSNL and M/s Microsoft India.
- (d) The MoU is already in operation since 18 th August, 2016.

**************************
Lok Sabha Question No. 4413 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Digital India Concept
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4413 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## DIGITAL INDIA CONCEPT

4413. SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH :

Will  the  Minister  of  RAILWAYS be pleased to state that  the action taken by the Railways for confirmation of rail tickets on the request of MPs/Ex-MPs sent through their official e-mail id?

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

At  present,  there  is  no  system  and  no  proposal  under consideration to accept emergency quota requests from Members of  Parliament/former  Members  of  Parliament  through  their  official email IDs.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4412 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Launch of 104 Satellites
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4412

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017

## LAUNCH OF 104 SATELLITES

4412.   SHRI  D.K. SURESH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  with  the  launch  of  104  satellites,    Indian    Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is competing with other international players for a greater share of launch market and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the    Government    has  studied  the  likely  benefit  for ISRO  in  competing  with  other  international  players  in  launch market; and
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No Madam. While ISRO is not competing with other international players for a greater share of launch market, it is making use of the spare capacity available onboard PSLV, after meeting  the  national  requirements,  for  commercial  launch services through Antrix. With the launch of 104 satellites in a

single mission, PSLV has once again demonstrated its reliability and versatility in launching multi-satellite/ multi-orbit missions.  While  PSLV  has  already  established  itself  as  a preferred  launch  vehicle,  in  its  class,  in  the  global  satellite market,  this  mission  is  expected  to  further  strengthen  the commercial footprint of PSLV in the global market for launch services, especially for smaller satellites.

## (b) & (c)

Making available the spare capacity onboard PSLV for commercial launch services, helps in fully utilizing the capacity of  the  launch vehicle as well as earning of foreign exchange. The  commercial  launch  opportunities  and  prospects  in  the launch market increases with every successful launch.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4411 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Launch Vehicle System
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: R. VANAROJA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4411

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017

## LAUNCH VEHICLE SYSTEM

4411.   SHRIMATI  VANAROJA R.:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- whether  India  will  have  to  re-engineer  its  Launch  Vehicle System  to  remain  cost  effective  in  the  face  of  emerging competition from space agencies in other countries and if so,
- (a) the details thereof;
- (b) whether ISRO is already working on driving down the cost of satellite launches and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  aerospace  mechanisms  could  play  a  key  role  in India's manned space flight programme and other interplanetary missions; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

(a)

- & (b)

The emphasis of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is towards building indigenous capability in launch vehicle system to meet the national requirements of launching satellites for earth observation, communication and navigation. While ISRO is not competing with other space agencies, it is making use of the spare capacity available onboard PSLV, after meeting  the  national  requirements,  for  commercial  launch services through Antrix.

## (c) & (d)

In interplanetary missions, aerospace mechanisms could play a vital role in spacecraft, robotics & rover mechanisms, tribology, parachute and stabilization mechanisms.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4409 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Look East Policy and NER
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL

## Government of India Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA Unstarred Question No. 4409

To be answered on Wednesday, March 29, 2017/Chaitra 8, 1939 (Saka)

## Question

## Look East Policy and NER

4409. SHRI SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL:

Will  the  Minister  of  DEVELOPMENT  OF  NORTH  EASTERN  REGION  be pleased to state: (a)             the  present  status  of  the  Look  East  Policy/Agenda  for  the  North  Eastern Region; (b)             the  details  of  funds  allocated  and  the  number  of  projects  under  the  said policy till date; and

- (c) the target set for future in this regard?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr. Jitendra Singh]

(a) Act  East  Policy  focuses  on  strengthening  the  country's  relations  with  the extended neighbourhood in the Asia - Pacific region.  As per information received from the Ministry of External Affairs, the ASEAN-India Plan of Action for the period 2016-20 has been adopted in August, 2015, which identifies concrete initiatives and areas of cooperation along the three pillars of political-security, economic and sociocultural.    Bilateral  trade  with  ASEAN  countries  is  US  $  64  billion  in  2015-16  and India's trade with ASEAN countries is almost 10% of India's total trade.

(b) and (c)   No  specific funds have been allocated  to the Ministry of External Affairs under the Act East Policy. However, the Ministry is implementing projects aimed at promoting connectivity with Myanmar and beyond to other ASEAN countries such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport project.

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4407 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: New Earthquake Warning System
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: P. KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4407 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017) NEW EARTHQUAKE WARNING SYSTEM

## 4407.   SHRI P. KUMAR:

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

- (a) whether the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed a new earthquake warning system that successfully alerted the Delhi Metro about the recent earthquake in real time and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the system can also be used at nuclear reactor sites where work can be stopped in case of an earthquake and if so, the details thereof?

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

## (SHRI Y.S. CHOWDARY)

- (a) Yes, Madam. An Earthquake Warning System (EqWS) developed by CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIR-CSIO), Chandigarh consisting of five seismic sensing nodes at different Metro system    locations  at  Mundka,  Botanical  Garden,  Huda  City  Centre, Metro Bhawan and Faridabad has been commissioned since October 2015. It has been functional and alerted recent substantial earthquakes via triggering of the majority of nodes on April 10, 2016, September 9, 2016 and February 6, 2017.
- (b) Yes, Madam.  The system developed can be adopted for the safeguard of  Nuclear  reactor  sites  during  earthquake  by  appropriate  setting  of some parameters which are site-specific and suitable configuration of the decision support system.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4406 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: SAARC Agreement
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4406 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## SAARC AGREEMENT

## 4406. SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether disallowing the motor vehicles agreement of SAARC by Bhutan was a set back for India;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  India  hopes  that  the  Government  of  Bhutan  will  be able to complete necessary internal procedures for operationalisation of the agreement at an early date; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) The SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) is pending finalization  as  Pakistan's  response  on  the  same  is  still  awaited. Bhutan has not raised any objections to signing of the SAARC MVA.

The BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement was signed by representatives of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal on 15 June 2015  in  Thimphu,  Bhutan.  Subsequently,  it  has  been  ratified  by Bangladesh, India and Nepal. The National Assembly (Lower House) of Bhutan had endorsed the BBIN MVA in May 2016, and forwarded it to the National Council (Upper House) of Bhutan for consideration. It is  our  hope  that  the  Royal  Government  of  Bhutan  will  be  able  to complete  necessary  internal  procedures  for  operationalization  of the Agreement at an early date.

*****