opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1446 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Upgradation of Rajdhani Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1446 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## UPGRADATION OF RAJDHANI EXPRESS

1446.  ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government is contemplating to upgrade existing Rajdhani Express between Delhi and Mumbai which will take lesser time;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether trial run conducted by the Railways has been found to be safe and successful; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  the  upgraded  Rajdhani trains are likely to be run on the Delhi-Mumbai route?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): At present, there is no proposal of revising the timings of existing 2 pairs  of  Rajdhani  Express  trains  running  between  Delhi  and  Mumbai  viz. 12951/12952 Mumbai Central-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (daily) and 12953/12954  Mumbai  Central-Hazrat  Nizamuddin  August  Kranti  Rajdhani Express (daily). However, a special Rajdhani Express train viz. 09003/09004 Bandra(T)-Hazrat Nizamuddin Special Rajdhani (tri-weekly) with running time of 13 hours 55 minutes in both directions has been  started on an experimental basis for a period of three months.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1445 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Rescue of Merchant Vessel
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1445

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## RESCUE  OF  MERCHANT  VESSEL

## 1445.  SHRI  RAM  CHARITRA NISHAD:

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

- (a) whether warships from India, China and Pakistan operated jointly in the Gulf  of Aden to rescue a merchant vessel attacked by Somali pirates recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  number  of  Indian  warships  put  into  operations  along  with  the  Chinese  and Pakistani naval ships?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) to (c): On  08.04.2017  about  220nm  South  West  of  Salalah,  Indian warships  and  Chinese warships  thwarted a piracy attempt onboard a  merchant  vessel MV OS 35 in the  West  Arabian Sea.  Two  Indian  Navy ships Mumbai and Trishul were deployed for the operations.  The operation was undertaken simultaneously but not jointly.  The Pakistan Navy warship Tippu Sultan, was operating in vicinity of the incident, as part of Anti-piracy mission, but was not involved in the above operation.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1443 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Net Neutrality
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1443 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH      DECEMBER, 2017

## NET NEUTRALITY

1443. SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note on net neutrality and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government plans to take any steps to ensure net neutrality in the country, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to maintain the core principles of net neutrality?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Government  is  committed  to  the  fundamental  principles  and  concept  of  net neutrality  and  strives  for  non-discriminatory  access  to  internet  for  all  citizens  of  the country.
- (b) & (c) In  order  to  have  proper  policy  response  with  respect  to  various  issues involved in Net Neutrality, Government had constituted a committee to examine various aspects of Net Neutrality in January, 2015. The committee has recommended various measures including adherence to core principles of Net Neutrality in its report submitted on  28.05.2015.  Telecom  Regulatory  Authority  of  India  (TRAI)  has  also  released  its regulation 'Prohibition of discriminatory tariffs for data services, Regulations, 2016' on 8th Feb, 2016, which, inter alia, prohibits any service provider from offering or charging discriminatory tariff for data services on the basis of content.

TRAI  has  submitted  its  recommendations  on  Net  Neutrality  to  Department  of Telecommunications  (DoT)  on  28 th   November  2017  after  following  a  long  process  of consultations  on  the  issue.  TRAI  has  inter-alia,  recommended  that  Internet  access services should be governed by a principle that restricts any form of discrimination or interference  in  the  treatment  of  content,  including  practices  like  blocking,  degrading, slowing down or granting preferential speeds or treatment to any content. TRAI has also recommended  an  amendment  to  the  license  agreements  to  clarify  the  principle  of unrestricted access given under the appropriate license agreements. The recommendations of TRAI are being examined by the Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1442 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Implementation of Minority Scheme
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI, J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1442 ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## IMPLEMENTATION OF MINORITY SCHEME

## 1442.  SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA: SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY:

- Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government  of Andhra Pradesh has requested the Union Government  to  implement  the  schemes  like  skill  development,  nai  manzil,  nai roshni to increase the employment opportunities among the Muslim youth; (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon; and
- (c) whether the State also requested to set up career guidance centres where the minorities are more, if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b): The scheme of skill development, Nai Manzil and Nai Roshni are meant to  be  implemented  across  the  country  and,  as  envisaged  in  the  schemes, advertisement inviting applications from NGOs/PIAs are issued by the Ministry and implemented through selected organizations having experience in implementation of such schemes for a given period of time. The skill development scheme is also implemented in Andhra Pradesh and the number of beneficiaries are 2800 for the 2016-17. In respect of Nai Manzil and Nai Roshni no NGOs/PIAs have been selected for implementation of these schemes. (c):

The Ministry has no specific scheme for setting up career guidelines centre and as per the records available with the Ministry no such specific requests have been received from the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1441 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Performance of Vehicle Factory
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: RAKESH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1441

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## PERFORMANCE  OF  VEHICLE  FACTORY

## 1441.  SHRI  RAKESH  SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the  vehicle factory,  Jabalpur  has  shown dismal performance during  the last three years and the current year;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  various works  assigned  to the  factory  including production  of M.P. vehicles  and  gear  boxes  of  T-20  tanks  are  neither  satisfactory  nor  completed  on time;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the action taken in this regard?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

- (a) No, Madam.  Performance of  Vehicle  Factory  Jabalpur  (VFJ)  during the  last  three  years  and the current  year is commensurate  with  available orders from Army.
- (b) No, Madam.  VFJ has supplied 791 Mine Protected Vehicles (MPVs) since 2008-09 with last order for 300 MPVs received in December, 2010 and delivery  completed.    In  March,  2016,  an  order  for  244  MPVs  has  been received  which  is  being  progressed  with  due  involvement  of  User.    T-20 Gear Boxes are not manufactured at VFJ.

## (c) & (d): Do not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1440 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Setting up of New Rail Division
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHAILESH (BULO MANDAL) KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1440 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## SETTING UP OF NEW RAIL DIVISION

†1440. SHRI SHAILESH KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  Government  has  received    any  requests    from  public representatives regarding setting up new rail divisions;
- (b)   if so, the details of the railway zones under which the requests for setting  up  new  rail  divisions  are  being  considered  along  with  the progress made in this regard; and
- (c) the reasons for delay in taking decision on the said requests/proposals?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  &  (b):  Receipt  of  proposals  from  various  State  Governments, Members of Parliament,  other  elected  representatives  for  creation  of new  divisional  offices,  is  a  continuous  process.  These  proposals  are examined from the standpoint of administrative and operational requirement. At present, no proposal for creation of new rail division is being considered in the Ministry of Railways, except other than those already announced.

(c): Does not arise.

* * * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 1439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Transponders of Satellites
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1439

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

## TRANSPONDERS OF SATELLITES

1439.   SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of transponders available with Indian Satellites as on date;
- (b) whether there is a requirement for more transponders and if so, the details thereof;
- the  number  and  details  of  Communication  Satellites  reaching the  end  of  their  service  life  and  the  action  taken  to  provide them  with  sufficient  number  of  transponders  to  extend  their
- (c) life;
- (d) whether sufficient slots are available in the space for positioning Indian Satellites; and
- (e)
- 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) On indigenous commercial communication INSAT/GSAT satellites, there are about 289 transponders, in various

frequency  bands  like  C,  extended-C,  Ku,  S  etc.;  and  about  4 Gbps HTS capacity.

- (b) As on date, all confirmed demands up to December, 2018 are being fulfilled, except for DTH requirements and three transponders  in  C  and  extended-C  bands.  Requirements  for C and extended-C bands are being addressed. DTH requirements are expected to be addressed through upcoming planned satellites over a period of next 2-3 years.
- (c) Two satellites are likely to reach end of life in about next 24 months. The replacement satellites are planned to be available in time as replace capacity.
- (d) & (e)

In  addition  to  7  orbital  slots  that  are  currently  in  use,  to operate  15  satellites,  actions  are  initiated  with  International Telecommunication  Union  (ITU)  to  acquire  additional  orbital slots to address future requirements.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1437 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Failure in Launch of Satellite
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Adhikari Dibyendu

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1437

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

## FAILURE IN LAUNCH OF SATELLITE

1437.   SHRI DIBYENDU ADHIKARI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- whether recently India's mission to launch satellite has failed;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  therefor  along  with the technical participation with financial involvement therein;
- (c) whether failure of this mission is a huge loss of technological support to the country; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reaction  of  ISRO  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- Yes,  Madam.  The  forty  first  flight  of  India's  Polar  Satellite Launch  Vehicle  (PSLV-C39/IRNSS-1H  Mission),  launched  on
- (a) August 31, 2017 was unsuccessful.
- (b) The  cause  of  the  failure  was  understood  after  analysing  the various flight  and  ground  test  data  in  more  detail.  The  cause for  the  malfunctioning  was  the  non-initiation  of  detonation  in the vertical jettisoning system.

Towards enhancing the robustness of the jettisoning  system, changes  have  been  incorporated  in  the  vertical  jettisoning system of the Payload Fairing, and has been validated through extensive  simulations  including  the  full  scale  Payload  Fairing separation test.

## (c) & (d)

No,  Madam.  The  failure  of  PSLV  to  launch  the  IRNSS-1H navigation  satellite  has  not  resulted  in  loss  of  technological support  to  the  country.  The  next  launch  of  PSLV  (PSLV-C40) carrying 3 national and 28 customers' satellites is scheduled in January 2018.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1436 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Fishermen Arrested by Sri Lankan Navy
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1436 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## FISHERMEN ARRESTED BY SRI LANKAN NAVY

1436. SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Sri Lankan Navy has arrested seven
- fishermen   from   Mandapam   and   confiscated   their   two   trawlers   on charges of engaging in bottom trawling;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that the Government of Tamil Nadu has urged the Union Government to get 60 fishermen of Tamil Nadu and 146
- fishing boats released immediately; and
- (d) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) & (b) According   to   available   reports,   Sri   Lankan   Navy   arrested   8 fishermen from Mandapam along with their two boats on the intervening night of 18-19 November 2017 for fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
- (c) & (d) Government of Tamil Nadu has requested the Government of India to secure the release of apprehended fishermen and their fishing boats in Sri Lankan custody. The fishermen issues have been raised at the highest level,   including   by   the   Prime   Minister  with  the   Sri   Lankan  Prime   Minister during the latter's visit to India in November 2017. External Affairs Minister (EAM) had also raised the matter with the Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister during her visit to Colombo earlier this year. This also figured in EAM's discussion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka during the latter's visit to New Delhi in September 2017.

Following the 2+2 initiative in November 2016 when the Foreign and Fisheries Ministers of the two countries met in New Delhi, a bilateral Joint Working   Group   (JWG)   mechanism   was   institutionalized   to   address   the fishermen issues. It was also agreed that Ministers for Fisheries of the two countries meet every six months to review the progress. So far three rounds of the JWG meeting have been held. The 3 rd  meeting of the JWG and the 2 nd Ministerial meeting held on 13 October and 14 October 2017 respectively in New Delhi took stock of the measures taken by both sides to address the fishermen issues pending a permanent solution. As a result of sustained diplomatic   efforts,   Government   has   so   far   secured   the   release   of   351 fishermen from Sri Lankan custody in 2017.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1434 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Pravasi Suraksha Programme
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: FAIZAL P.P. MOHAMMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESION NO.1434 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## PRAVASI SURAKSHA PROGRAMME

## 1434. MOHAMMED FAIZAL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   has   any   plan   to   discontinue Pravasi Suraksha Programme; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof ?

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

- (a) & (b) The erstwhile Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs had launched   two   insurance   schemes   namely,   Mahatma   Gandhi Pravasi  Suraksha  Yojana   (MGPSY)  and   Pravasi   Bharatiya   Bima Yojana (PBBY).

While MGPSY, a voluntary scheme launched in May 2012, suffered   from   very   low   subscription;   the   PBBY   launched   in November 2003, a mandatory scheme faced certain implementation related issues.

After a comprehensive review, it was found that MGPSY, being a non attractive scheme, was not taking off. There were only   1071   registered   subscribers   out   of   which   only   443 subscribers were active at the time of closure of the scheme. Therefore, a decision was taken to close this scheme w.e.f 1st April 2017 with the approval of the Union Cabinet.

On the other hand, the mandatory insurance scheme, PBBY

for ECR category workers that  provides an insurance cover of 10 lakhs in case of accidental death or permanent disability and some other benefits at a nominal insurance premium of Rs. 275/ Rs. 375 for a period of two/three years also faced certain issues in   implementation   viz   scope   of   coverage,   no   information   to nominees   ,     no   facility   for   on-line   renewal   and   difficulty   in certification of   accidental death/permanent disability while in employment aboard.

After a comprehensive review, all these issues have been addressed in consultation with all stake holders. The revised scheme has become operational w.e.f. 1st August, 2017.   Now this scheme provides for global coverage irrespective of employer and location, has facility for online renewal and simplifies the

process for certification of accidental death/permanent disability. The   revised   scheme   is   simpler   and   more   beneficial   for emigrant   workers   and   is   aimed   at   ensuring   an   expeditious settlement of claims.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1432 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Launch of IRNSS-1H
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1432

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

## LAUNCH OF IRNSS-1H

1432.   ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the launch of ISRO's eight navigation satellite IRNSS-1H on board of PSLV-C39 recently was unsuccessful;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  ISRO  has  been  facing  numerous  such  failures  in recent years; and0
- (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) Yes,  Madam. The launch of the IRNSS-1H navigation satellite by  the  Polar  Satellite  Launch  Vehicle  on  August  31,  2017 (PSLV-C39/IRNSS-1H Mission) was unsuccessful.
- (b) The  cause  of  the  failure  was  understood  after  analysing  the various flight  and  ground  test  data  in  more  detail.  The  cause for  the  malfunctioning  was  the  non-initiation  of  detonation  in the vertical jettisoning system.

Towards enhancing the robustness of the jettisoning  system, changes  have  been  incorporated  in  the  vertical  jettisoning system of the Payload Fairing, and has been validated through extensive  simulations  including  the  full  scale  Payload  Fairing separation test.

## (c) & (d)

No, Madam. In the last seven years there were 29 successful launches. The previous launch failure was in December 2010, when the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F06) failed  to  place  the  GSAT-5P  communication  satellite  in  orbit. Since January 2011, 23 PSLV, 4 GSLV and 2 GSLV Mk-III has been launched successfully.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1431 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Rafale Deal
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: INNOCENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1431

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## RAFALE  DEAL

## 1431.  SHRI  INNOCENT:

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

- (a) whether Rafale  deal negotiated by  the Government  resulted in  a  substantial 350 million reduction for 36 aircraft in flyaway condition as compared with terms that were being considered previously; and
- (b) 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) & (b): Negotiations in the 36 Rafale procurement case  have resulted in substantial savings and better terms.

******