opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3591 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Water Management in NER
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: BALKA SUMAN

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

## LOK SABHA

Unstarred Question No. 3591

To be answered on

Wednesday, August 8, 2018/Shravana 17, 1940(Saka)

## Question

## Water Management in NER

## 3591.  SHRI SUMAN BALKA:

Will  the  Minister  of  DEVELOPMENT  OF  NORTH  EASTERN  REGION  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  constituted  a  high-level  committee  for  proper management of the water resources in the North Eastern Region (NER) to facilitate optimising  benefits  of  appropriate  water  management  in  the  form  of  hydro-electric power, agriculture, bio-diversity, conservation, reduced flood damage erosion, inland water transport, forestry, fishery and eco-tourism;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the outcome and the action taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Yes, Madam.  A High Level Committee for Proper Management of Water Resources  in  the  North  Eastern  Region  has  been  constituted  with  the  following Terms of Reference:-

- i) Appraisal  of  existing  mechanism/institutional  arrangements  for  management of water resources of the North Eastern Region.
2. ii) Identification of gaps in the existing mechanism/institutional arrangements for optimum management of water resources of the North Eastern Region.
3. iii) Suggest  policy  interventions  required  for  optimally  harnessing  the  water resources for accelerating development in the   North Eastern Region.
4. iv) Spelling out of actionable measures required for optimizing the management of water resources in the North East.
- v) Chalking  out  a  Plan  of  Action  for  dovetailing  of  schemes/programmes  of concerned  Union  Ministries,  their  attached  offices  &  autonomous  bodies  as well as the schemes of the respective North Eastern State Governments.

The High Level Committee has finalised the draft report on the basis of inputs of specifically constituted Expert Committee and extensive deliberations among the members on all issues pertaining to water resources in the North Eastern Region.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3590 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: MPLAD Fund for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: NEELAM SONKER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3590

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 8 TH   AUGUST, 2018

## MPLAD FUND FOR SWACHH BHARAT ABHIYAN

3590.    SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER :

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  percentage  of  total  sanctioned  fund  proposed  to  be spent from MPLAD fund for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan of the
- Government;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  purchase  trolleys equipped with pumps for cleaning of septic tanks of the toilets constructed by the Government in urban unauthorised  colonies  and  rural  areas  under  Swachh Bharat Abhiyan from MPLAD funds;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  provisions  in  this regard in MPLAD guidelines along with the amount of the funds proposed to be spent in this regard;
- (d) whether there is any proposal by the Government to make amendment  in  the  rules  of  MPLAD  to  purchase  garbage vehicles  for  collecting  garbage  under  Swachh  Bharat Abhiyan; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  STATISTICS  AND PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION  AND  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

- (a) :  Guidelines  on  Members  of  Parliament  Local  Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) provide for convergence of MPLADS with Central Government Schemes including Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.  As per Guidelines, honourable MPs can  recommend  augmentation  of  funds  for  works  under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan out of his MPLADS funds indicating the geographical area and the amount recommended.

(b) to  (e):  The  Guidelines  permit  purchase  of    Garbage collection  and  night  soil  disposal  Systems,  earth  movers including  vehicles  for  local  bodies.  However,  execution  of works in unauthorized colonies are prohibited under MPLADS.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3587 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Alternative Arrangement in Place of Employees on Child Care Leave
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3587

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018)

## ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENT IN PLACE OF EMPLOYEES ON CHILD CARE LEAVE

## 3587. SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that the office work is being totally disrupted  due  to  absence  of  women  employees  on  account  of  the  long  paid  maternity leave and child care leave;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has calculated days and assessed working during maternity/child  care  leave  for  making  provisions  of  staff  to  overcome  the  shortage  or cope up with the work in the absence of women employees who are on maternity and child care leave;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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 (e) :  Disruption in the office work due to absence of women employees on account of the long paid Maternity Leave and Child Care Leave has not come to the notice of the Government. Ministries/Departments are authorized to make suitable leave arrangements to cope up the loss of work hours when an  employee proceeds  on  any  kind  of  leave  including  Maternity  and  Child Care  Leave.  There  is  also  provision  for  creation  of  leave  reserve  posts  to  cover  the  leave vacancies.  No centralized data is maintained in this regard.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3585 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Gambling and Betting in Sports
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

*****

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3585 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## Gambling and Betting in Sports

## 3585. SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR :

Will the Minister LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Law  Commission  has  recommended  that  gambling  and betting  in  sports,  including  cricket,  be  allowed  as  regulated  activities taxable under the direct and indirect tax regimes and used as a source for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government plans to enact a model law under Article 249 or 252 of the Constitution for regulating gambling that may be adopted by the States and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Commission  has  also  recommended  linking  Aadhaar  or PAN card of an individual indulging in betting and gambling and making the transaction cashless to regulate illegal activities such as money laundering; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW & JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d) :  The  Law  Commission of India(L.C.I)  submitted its  276 th report titled 'Legal Framework: Gambling and Sports Betting including in Cricket in India' to Government on 05.07.2018, wherein it has recommended that legalizing  betting  and  gambling  in  India  in  the  present  scenario  is  not desirable, and that a complete ban on unlawful betting and gambling must be ensured .

However,  the  Commission  has  said  that  a  complete  ban  may  not  be possible.  In that case it should be regulated by inter-alia linking all betting and gambling transactions to the Aadhar Card/PAN card of the operator as well  as  participant/player  and  also  all  transactions  should  be  made cashless.

The report is available on the website of the L.C.I (lawcommission of india.nic.in).  The L.C.I has also issued a Press Note clarifying the matter. A copy of this Press Note is also available on the website of the L.C.I.

The aforesaid Report is under consideration of the Government.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3584 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Effect of GDP on Economy
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: TARIQ ANWAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3584 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 8 th  AUGUST, 2018

## EFFECT OF GDP ON ECONOMY

3584. SHRI TARIQ ANWAR:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  constituted  any  committee  to  check  the GDP of the country from getting adversely affected during the last four years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether adverse impact on GDP is affecting foodgrain production along with severely denting the economy of the country;
- (d)  whether the Government has issued any guidelines to the Ministries to stop such adverse effect of GDP on economy; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION  AND  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

(a): No, Madam.

- (b): Does not arise in view of (a) above.

(c): No, Madam.

(d): No, Madam.

- (e): Does not arise in view of (d) above

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3583 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Reservation for Sportspersons
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3583

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018)

## RESERVATION FOR SPORTSPERSONS

## †3583. DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a provision of reservation for sportspersons/athletes in different jobs in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to provide 25% reservation to sportspersons/athletes in armed forces; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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):      As  per  extant  instructions  on  recruitment  and  promotion  of  sportspersons contained  in Department of Personnel & Training Office Memorandum No. 14034/1/2013-Estt.(D) dated 3.10.2013, Ministries and Departments can recruit meritorious sportspersons to Group 'C' posts under the Government of India up to 5% of the vacancies in any year subject to the condition that these  including  all  other  reservations  do  not  exceed  50%  of  the  total  number  of  vacancies proposed to be filled up by direct recruitment.  These instructions are applicable to all Central Government  Civilian  Employees  and  posts  except  Railways  Services  and  services  under  the control  of  the  Department  of  Atomic  Energy,  the  erstwhile  Department  of  Electronics,  the Department of Space and the Scientific and Technical Services under the Department of Defence Research and Development.
- (b) & (c):  At present no such proposal is under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3582 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Women Reservation Bill
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: THOKCHOM MEINYA, SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3582

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 08 th  AUGUST, 2018

## WOMEN RESERVATION BILL

3582. DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA:

SHRI SADASHIV LOKHANDE:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  seriously  planning  to  pass  the  Women's Reservation Bill before the next Lok Sabha elections, 2019;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  started  interacting  with  other  political parties for finding a consensus on this bill which has already been passed by the upper house;
- (d) whether serious social and economic imbalance has been created due to lack of empowerment to the women; and
- (e) the status of the legal efforts being made by the Government to provide financial  assistance  for  the  upgradation  of  social,  economic  and  political status of women in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI P.P.CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  to  (d):  It  has  been  endeavor  of  the  Government  to  provide  for reservation of one-third seats for women in the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies. The  issue involved needs  careful

consideration  on  the  basis  of  the  consensus  among  all  political  parties before a Bill for amendment  in  the Constitution is brought before Parliament. (e): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3581 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Depression among Farmers
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Jakhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3581 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## DEPRESSION AMONG FARMERS

3581: SHRI SUNIL JAKHAR:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the NITI Aayog has issued a consultation paper which says that more than 70% farmers are living in depression and more than 12% farmers are in severe cases of depression which often lead to suicides; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the corrective action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No consultation paper on depression among farmers has been issued by NITI Aayog.
- (b) Question does not arise.

----
Lok Sabha Question No. 3580 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Vigyan Jyoti Project
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: KURUPPASSERY VARKEY THOMAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3580 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8/8/2018

## VIGYAN JYOTI PROJECT

3580. PROF. K.V. THOMAS:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ

- be pleased to state: (a) whether  the  Government  is  bringing  out  the  Vigyan  Jyoti  Project  to  enhance  the  scientific attitude of the students; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the manner in which it will be helpful to the students? ANSWER MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN) ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ, {Éßl´ÉÉÒ ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ +ÉÉè® {ÉªÉÉÇ´É®hÉ, ´ÉxÉ A´ÉÆ VÉãÉ´ÉÉªÉÖ {ÉÉÊ®´ÉiÉÇxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ (bÉ. c­ÉÇ ´ÉvÉÇxÉ) (a) Yes, Madam. (b) Vigyan  Jyoti  Scheme  has  been  launched  in  pilot  mode  during  the  year  2017-18  to  enhance participation  of  girls  in  higher  education  and  careers  in  Science  &  Engineering.  Twelve  premier academic institutions from different parts of the country are participating in the pilot project. Under this  pilot  project,  residential  programme  of  3  weeks  was  conducted  for  meritorious girls  studying  in Class XI. The students participated in various activities including hands on experiments and mentored to  pursue  higher  studies  and  careers  in  Science  &  Engineering.  In  order  to  inculcate  scientific temperament at early stage, one pilot project was also conducted for students of Class VI to VIII. (c) Vigyan Jyoti aims to facilitate conducive and Science &  Technology (S&T) enabling environment to meritorious girls from Class VI onwards to career level. Easy and affordable access to information, best practices, meeting with role models, career counseling, parents' counseling, knowledge sharing, etc. are part & parcel of Vigyan Jyoti along with handholding of beneficiary girls through scholarship/fellowship.
- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3579 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Prediction of Rainfall
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: DUSHYANT SINGH

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3579 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 08, 2018

## PREDICTION OF RAINFALL

## 3579. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- the details of the current mechanism being followed to predict the rainfall;
- (b) whether  his  Ministry  is  considering  to  take  any  steps  to  devise  an intelligent  prediction/expectation  system  with  modern  analytic  tools  by using local weather information for prediction of rainfall; and
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (Dr. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) India  Meteorological  Department  (IMD)  issues  three  types  of  forecasts during the monsoon season i.e., seasonal forecast (for the whole season), extended range forecast (10- 30 days), short-medium range forecast (0-10 days).  Under the National Monsoon Mission, MoES has implemented two state-of-the-art dynamical prediction systems for short range to medium, extended range and seasonal forecasts. All these initiatives have helped to improve the skill of monsoon forecasts over the country.  For the first time, India Meteorological Department used the Monsoon Mission dynamical  model to prepare operational seasonal forecast of  2017 monsoon rainfall over India.
- (b)-(c) An  improved  suite  of  prediction  models  has  already  been  implemented operationally at India Meteorological Department (IMD) for enhanced short range weather forecasting through assimilation of all available Indian and global satellite data in real time.

Since December 2016 India Meteorological Department is using the Global Forecast  System  (GFS)  operationally  every  day  to  generate  deterministic forecasts at 12 km horizontal resolution in the short to medium range (Up to 10 days). The GFS assimilates global conventional atmospheric data as well data from the data from satellites and weather radars.

In  addition,  a  high  resolution  (12  km  grid  scale)  state  of  the  art  Global Ensemble Prediction System (EPS) was commissioned on 01 June 2018 for generating operational probabilistic weather forecasts for 10 days. The EPS will enhance the weather information being provided by the current models by  quantifying  the  uncertainties  in  the  weather  forecasts.  The  above mentioned forecast systems will be improved further for better accuracy.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3574 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Issue of Receipts to Clients
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: ANUPAM HAZRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

*****

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3574 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## Issue of Receipts to Clients

## 3574.  DR. ANUPAM HAZRA

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

- (a) whether the Government is contemplating to formulate any Law/ Rules compelling  issuance  of  receipts  to  the  clients  by  the  legal  and  medical practitioners in the interest of transparency; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) & (b) The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3573 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Improvement in Current Infrastructure for the Minority Communities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.3573 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## Improvement in Current Infrastructure for the Minority Communities

## 3573. DR. P.K. BIJU:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government of Kerala has sent any proposals/suggestions for the improvement in current infrastructure for the minority communities to the Union Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of Union Government thereto;
- (c) whether  the  Government  of  Kerala  has  requested  for  substantial  funds  for  physical  and social infrastructure development for minority communities in the State; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  and  the  steps  taken  by  Union  Government  for  the  fulfillment  of  Kerala Government's request so far during the last two years?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to(d):   During the last two years, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has approved project proposals  having  central  share  of  Rs.10.93  crores  received  from  the  State  Government  of Kerala for construction of infrastructure in identified Minority Concentration Areas(MCAs)under  the  erstwhile  Multi-sectoral  Development  Programme  (MsDP)  now renamed as Pradhan Mantri Jan VikasKarayakram (PMJVK).  Funds to the tune of Rs.5.46 crores have been released to the State Government for implementation of projects for creation of  school  infrastructure.    The  number  of  identified  Minority  Concentration  Areas(MCAs) under MsDP in the State of Kerala  were 05 falling in 02 districts which has been increased to 73 MCAs falling in 13districts in the restructured programme called the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram enabling the State Government to widen the coverage.

The State Government of Kerala has  recently  submitted a proposal to this  Ministry for sanctioning of two hostels at Aligarh Muslim University Centre at Malappuram.  The proposal was examined in the Ministry based on the guidelines of PMJVK.  Since there were certain deficiencies in the proposal the same has been returned to the State Govt. with the request to resubmit after addressing the deficiencies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3571 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Linking of Villages with OFC
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3571 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH   AUGUST, 2018

## LINKING OF VILLAGES WITH OFC

## 3571. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to link all the villages of the country with Optical Fiber Communication (OFC) network in near future;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) BharatNet  project  is  being  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  for  providing broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats  in the country. Phase-I to connect 1 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) through Optical Fibre was completed in December 2017. As on 30.07.2018, the number of Service Ready GPs is 1,13,549. The implementation of Phase II is being done through States, Private Sector and CPSUs by using an optimal mix of media (OFC, Radio and satellite) for providing connectivity to remaining GPs.

Last  mile  connectivity  under  BharatNet  is  being  implemented  through  Wi-Fi networks and utilisation of BharatNet by Service Providers.

*****************