opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 272 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Sharing of Technology/Training Expertise
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY

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

- (a) whether the Government is willing to share technology, training expertise and knowhow  with  other  nations  that  face  challenges  in  software  services,  laying  down  digital infrastructure and its design capabilities; and

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the names of countries which have approached for such technology transfers/assistance?

(a) and  (b):   A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFER IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA  STARTED QUESTION  *272 FOR 14.03.2018 REGARDING SHARING OF  TECHNOLOGY / TRAINING EXPERTISE'

………

(a)  and (b): Yes, Sir.  The Government has been providing technology and training expertise to a number of developing and the least developed countries under bilateral and multilateral capacity building programmes. In the last three years, Government has established Centres for Excellence for software training showcasing India's prowess in IT-ITeS in Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica. Telemedicine Networks in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Digital Library Infrastructure in  Bhutan, e-office suite for Sri  Lanka  and  CARICOM  Secretariat,  Guyana  have  been  deployed.  Government  has  also provided High Performance Computing facilities to a number of countries for education and training.  IT  professionals  from  161  countries  have  also  been  trained  in  advanced  ICT technologies under  the programme of (i) Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation  and (ii) India Africa Forum Summit.

Sri  Lanka,  Bangladesh,  Morocco,  Mauritius  and  Bangladesh  have  approached  India  for sharing  of  knowledge  and  knowhow  of  the  digital  infrastructures  like  digital  identity  and Digital Locker system.

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 269 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: VVPAT
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *269

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 14 TH  MARCH, 2018

## VVPAT

*269. SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:

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

- (a) the total number of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has in its stock at present;
- (b) whether more VVPAT machines are required by the Election Commission to hold hundred per cent paper trail-based assembly polls in the country; and
- (c) if so, the time by which the required number of VVPAT machines will be supplied to ECI from  the  suppliers,  Bharat  Electronics  Limited  (BEL)  and  Electronics  Corporation  of  India Limited (ECIL) along with the total cost likely to be incurred on the same?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

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

*******

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *269 DATED 14 TH  MARCH, 2018

(a): The Election Commission has stated that 1.79 lakh VVPATs are available in their stock at present.

(b) and (c): The Commission has further stated that enough VVPAT units are available to hold hundred  percent  paper  trail  based  assembly  polls  in  the  country.  Further,  for  conduct  of  Lok Sabha elections due in 2019, order for purchase of 16,15,000 VVPAT units was placed on M/s Bharat Electronics Limited and M/s Electronics Corporation of India Limited in April, 2017at a total  cost  of  Rs.  2616.30  crore  (excluding  taxes  and  transportation).  The  Commission  has confirmed that the entire quantity will be made available by the manufacturers by September, 2018.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 268 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Cyber Attacks on Defence Establishments
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.268

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2018

## CYBER ATTACKS ON DEFENCE ESTABLISHMENTS

## *268.  SHRI  RAHUL KASWAN:

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

- (a) whether cyber crime has become one of the major threats for our national security;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the number  of  incidents  of  cyber  attacks on defence establishments reported during the last three years and the current year;
- (c) whether sufficient steps have been taken by the Government and the armed forces to  check  cyber  crime  and  ensure  the  safety  of  our  classified  information  related  to defence sector from cyber attacks; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jherh  fueZyk lhrkje.k )

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

******

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 268 FOR ANSWER ON 14.3.2018

(a) to (d): Yes  Madam,  the  overall  threat  to  Cyber  space  has  increased though no cyber attacks on defence establishments has been reported in the  last  three  years  and  in  the  current  year.    There  have  been  reports of individual  /  home  PCs  being  targeted  by  malware  /  malicious  software. Further, the classified information of the tri services are well guarded. To mitigate  cyber threats all the three Services have  established  their respective Cyber Emergency Response Teams (CERT).  Further, adequate safeguards  have  been  instituted  in  the  form  of  Cyber  Audits,  Physical Checks and Policy Guidelines to ensure a robust cyber posture of armed forces.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 264 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Vacant Posts in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE, BANSHILAL MAHTO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 264 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## VACANT POSTS IN RAILWAYS

† *264. SHRI CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE: DR. BANSHILAL MAHATO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether a large number of posts are lying vacant in the Railways at present;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof, unit/cadre-wise;
- (c)  whether the recruitment process has recently been started by the Railways for filling up of 90,000 posts;
- (d)   if so, the details thereof, and
- (e)  the other necessary steps being taken by the Government to meet the shortage of manpower and to improve the security system in the Railways as well as to make its human resource practical in its approach?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 264 BY SHRI CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE AND DR.  BANSHILAL  MAHATO  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 14.03.2018 REGARDING VACANT POSTS IN RAILWAYS

(a) & (b) As on 01.11.2017, over Zonal Railways, total vacancies of non-gazetted staff (Provisional) is given below. This include 1,41,565 vacancies  in safety  and  98,968  vacancies  in other than safety categories.

| Zonal Railways     |   Vacancy |
|--------------------|-----------|
| Central            |     22164 |
| East Coast         |      9215 |
| East Central       |     17308 |
| Eastern            |     19534 |
| Metro              |       892 |
| North Central      |     16096 |
| North Eastern      |     12046 |
| Northeast Frontier |     14341 |
| Northern           |     28897 |
| North Western      |     14249 |
| South Central      |     15693 |
| South East Central |      7214 |
| South Eastern      |     13780 |
| Southern           |     14175 |
| South Western      |      5808 |
| West Central       |     11021 |
| Western            |     18100 |
| Total              |    240533 |

(c) & (d) Two employment notifications have been issued in February,  2018  to  fill  up  89,409  vacancies.  These  include  26,502 vacancies    of    Assistant  Loco  Pilots  &  Technicians  and  62,907 vacancies of various Level-1 posts, mainly in safety categories.

- (e) Manpower  planning  requires  continuous  review  of  sanctioned strength and filling up of vacancies on a continuous basis.

Sanctioned posts in all categories are more than the actual operational  requirement  because  they  include  an  element  of  Leave Reserve  and  Rest  Givers.  This  Leave  Reserve  varies  from  12.5%  to 30%.

In  order  to  improve  the  competence  of  Railway  employees regular training is imparted both at the time of recruitment as well as during  service.    In  addition  to  this  'Project  Saksham'  has  been launched to further hone the skills.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 261 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Report on Floods
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: TARIQ ANWAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *261 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## REPORT ON FLOODS

## *261. SHRI TARIQ ANWAR:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  NITI  Aayog  has  prepared  any  report  or  made  any  assessment  on  the devastating floods that occurred in the country during the last three years; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR  THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) No Madam
- (b) Question does not arise

----
Lok Sabha Question No. 3220 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Clean Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, Shrirang Appa Barne, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3220 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018 Clean Coal

## 3220. SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

Will the MINISTER OF COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether coal is going to become an important part of economy for decades;
- (b) if so, whether coal will be a main source of electricity in the country for decades due to its abundance and cost advantage;
- (c) if so, whether India needs to do more to attract foreign investment in technologies that can cut emissions from burning coal;
- (d) if so, whether India has already sought foreign funds to move towards clean coal which can cut greenhouse gases emitted from burning coal by up to 30 per cent;
- (e) whether Coal India plans to increase its production to about one billion tonnes by 2022; and
- (f) if  so,  whether  it  has  fallen  short  of  its  annual  targets  leading  to  higher  imports  by  the country and if so, the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL ( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)&(b): Coal  is  the  prime  source  of  energy  in  India  and  is  likely  to  continue  in  the  years  to come. This is primarily due to abundance of coal in India and that too at a cheaper rate. So, coal will continue to be the prime source of energy in India in near future. As per draft 'New Energy Policy' prepared in NITI Aayog, coal will remain as an import source of energy and electricity, even in near future due to its abundance.
- (c)&(d): Information is being collected from concerned ministries.
- (e): The coal production target for Coal India Limited for FY 2018-19 is 650 Mt. based on the projections  of  power  demand  as  envisaged  by  the  Ministry  of  Power.  Coal  production target for Coal India Limited by 2022 has not been firmed up as demand forecast is awaited from various consuming sectors.
- (f): Production target and achievement for the last three years and import of coal for the same period are as follows:

(Figs. in Mt.)

| Head                  |   2014-15 |   2015-16 | 2016-17        |
|-----------------------|-----------|-----------|----------------|
| Production Target(BE) |   507     |   550     | 598.61         |
| Production Actual     |   494.23  |   538.75  | 554.13         |
| Achievement(%)        |    97.48  |    97.95  | 92.56          |
| Import*               |   217.783 |   203.949 | 190.953(Prov.) |

The import of coal in India has come down  from 217.783 Mt in 2014-15 to 190.953 Mt. in 2016-17.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3218 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Fly Ash
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, P.R. SUNDARAM, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3218 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

Fly Ash

3218.   SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether about 176 million tonnes of fly ash is generated every year and only 63 per cent of it is utilised;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the Government has come up with a  plan to better manage fly  ash waste from thermal power plants across the country; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL AND RAILWAYS ( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )

- (a)  to  (b): As  informed  by  Central  Electricity  Authority  (CEA)  fly  ash  generation  and  its utilization by 155 thermal power plants for  which  data  has  been collected for the year 2016-17 is as below:

| Description                                                   | Year 2016-17   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|
|  Nos. of Thermal Power Stations from which data was received | 155            |
|  Installed capacity (MW)                                     | 1,57,377.00    |
|  Coal consumed (Million tons)                                | 509.46         |
|  Fly Ash Generation (Million tons)                           | 169.25         |
|  Fly Ash Utilization (Million tons)                          | 107.10         |
|  Percentage of fly ash Utilization                           | 63.28          |

(c) to (d): For the better management of  fly ash waste from thermal power plants across country, Government has reduced the GST rates on fly ash and its products to 5%. Further, to facilitate

100% ash utilization by all coal based thermal power plants, a web portal for monitoring of fly ash generation and utilization data of Thermal Power Plants and a mobile based application titled ' ASHTRACK ' has been launched that will help to establish a link between fly ash users and power plants executives for obtaining fly ash for its use in various areas.

To enhance fly ash utilization from Pithead power plants, trial for bulk transportation of fly ash  to consumption centre was carried out successfully by NTPC Ltd. with the help of Indian Railway  from  Shaktinagar  Railway  Station  (NTPC  Rihand)  to  M/s  Prism  Cement,  Satna  on 19/20 April 2017.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3214 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Pilgrim Corridor
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gurjeet Singh,Aujla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3214 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## PILGRIM CORRIDOR

3214.   SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state

- (a) whether the State Government of Punjab has requested to the Central Government for   constructing   a   Pilgrim   Corridor   upto   the   Gurudwara   Sri   Kartarpur   Sahib   in Pakistan;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether   the   Government   has   taken   up   this   matter   with   the   Pakistan's Government; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be constructed?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Government from time to time has received representations and requests including from the State Government of Punjab for creation of a Pilgrim Corridor upto Gurudwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan.

Government's view is that a faster and more efficient manner to ensure easy access to the sacred Shrine of Kartarpur Sahib for all Indian pilgrims is by seeking inclusion of Kartarpur Sahib Shrine and also further liberalization in the '1974 Protocol on visits to Religious Shrines'. Government has raised the matter of expanding the list of shrines included in the 1974 Protocol on visits to Religious Shrines. There has been no response from Pakistan so far.

Government continues to take up the issue of facilitation of visits of pilgrims from India to shrines in Pakistan, including the inclusion of Kartarpur Sahib in an expanded list of shrines under the bilateral '1974 Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines'.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3213 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Laying Kasti-Kedgaon Chord Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DILIP KUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3213 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## LAYING KASTI-KEDGAON CHORD RAIL LINE

†3213. SHRI DILIPKUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  probable  date  of  starting  work  for  laying  Kasti-Kedgaon chord line (link line) for connecting Ahmednagar to Pune directly by rail;
- (b)  the  reasons  for  inordinate  delay  in  the  implementation  of  the said project; and
- (c) the details of the funds sanctioned by the railways for this chord line?

## 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 DILIPKUMAR MANSUKHLAL  GANDHI  TO  BE    ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3213 BY SHRI 14.03.2018 REGARDING LAYING KASTI-KEDGAON CHORD RAIL LINE

(a) and (b)  The work  of Kasti-Kedgaon  chord  line for  connecting Ahmednagar  to  Pune  with  RE  at  Daund  has  been  sanctioned  in 2016-17. The preliminary work started by way of award of tenders and  advance  payment  of ` 12.87 crore for 2.53 hectare land acquisition on 23.06.2017. However, work on ground can be started after  land  is  handed  over  to  Railways.  Officers  of  Railways  are coordinating with State Government  to settle the issue of compensation  to  be  paid  to  land  owners  including  rate  ,  stalls  at platform  and  demand  of  jobs.  It  will  take  six  working  months  to complete the work after encumbrance free land is handed over to Railways.

- (c) The anticipated cost is ` 24.10 crore. The year wise allotment of fund is as under:

2017-18 ` 14.50 crore

2018-19 ` 5.00 crore

2019-20 ` 4.60 crore

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3212 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Rehabilitation of Families Residing along Railway Lines
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SANJAY JAISWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3212 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## REHABILITATION OF FAMILIES RESIDING ALONG RAILWAY LINES

3212.

DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  families  residing  in  unsafe  areas  along  the Railway lines, through which coal is transported from each of the subsidiaries of Coal India Limited;
- (b) whether the Railways has conducted any survey to understand the impact of the unsafe conditions on the health of these families and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the number of families rehabilitated and the amount of funds spent on the rehabilitation during the last three years?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The coal is transported from subsidiaries of Coal India Limited  on  all  Indian  Railway  through  open  wagons.  There  are about  142557  numbers  of  families  who  are  encroachers  living near  railway  tracks  which  is  unsafe  for  the  train  operation  as well as for the dwellers. Railway has not conducted any study to understand impact of unsafe conditions on their health.

Housing is a State Subject. Therefore, the State Government or  the  Urban  Local  Body  has  to  provide  alternative  sites  for rehabilitation  /  resettlement.  Entire  cost  of  such  rehabilitation may also be borne by State Government or Urban Local Body.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3211 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Jan Aushadhi Stores at Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

(a): No, Madam.

- (b)  &  (c):  A  new  Multipurpose  Stall  Policy  was  issued  on  05/09/2017 wherein all miscellaneous/curio stalls, bookstalls, chemist stalls/corners have been brought under Multi Purpose Stalls (MPS). The main  objective  is  to  facilitate  the  passenger  to  buy  items  required during   the   travel   under   one   roof   and   simultaneously   ensuring …. 2/-

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3211 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## JAN AUSHADHI STORES AT RAILWAY STATIONS

3211. SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways is considering to set up Jan Aushadhi stores at stations across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the railway stations will also have multipurpose stalls and quick service restaurants that will offer high end services to passengers; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with its aims and objectives?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

decongestion  of  platforms  by  optimum  utilization  of  the  available space on stations and platforms.

There is no concept of setting-up of Quick Service Restaurants in  Catering  Policy  2017.  However,  to  provide  hygienic,  good  quality multi-cuisine food items to the traveling public at market driven rates Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has already  set  up  high  end  premium  outlets  like  Food  Plaza,  Fast  Food Unit,  Food  Court  etc.  At  present,  IRCTC  is  managing  239  Food Plazas/Fast Food Units/Food Court over Indian Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3209 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: ‘Give it up’ Campaign
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3209 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## 'GIVE IT UP' CAMPAIGN

3209. SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  salient  features  of  the  voluntary  surrender  of  subsidy  by  the senior citizens on railway tickets under the 'give it up' scheme;
- (b) the details of total number of senior citizens who surrendered their subsidies, year-wise since the implementation of the scheme;
- (c)  whether the savings accrued by such schemes are diverted to the development of railway stations; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a):  Option  for  give  up  of  concession  in  the  passenger  fare  for  senior citizens to the element of 100% was already available. However w.e.f. 22.07.2017  option  has  also  been  given  to  give  up  50%  of  concession value for senior citizens.

(b):  No.  of  senior  citizens  who  gave  up  concession  for  the  period 22.07.2017 to 28.02.2018 are as under:-

- (i) 100% of concession value: 9.08 lakh senior citizens.
- (ii) 50% of concession value: 8.55 lakh senior citizens.
- (c) & (d): The 'give up' concession scheme has the effect of increasing the  earnings  of  the  Railways  which  is  pooled  together  to  meet  the revenue  expenditure  of  the  Railways  including  the  development  of Railway stations.

******