opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3792 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: International Solar Alliance
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: RATTAN LAL KATARIA, ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 3792

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE

## 3792.  SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

(a) the names of the countries that have joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) so far and those which are likely to join in near future;

(b) whether ISA will help the group to address energy needs and will be able to access to low cost finance and technology to boost the production of solar energy, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether  this  Alliance  provides  a  platform  for  121  prospective  member  countries  to collaborate and address the identified gaps through a common agreed approach, if so, the details in this regard; and

(d) whether ISA will prove to be a major international body with its headquarter in India like UN office in New York and WHO office in Geneva, if so, the details in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL, NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY & MINES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): The  Framework Agreement of the  International  Solar  Alliance  (ISA)    was  opened  for signature on 15 November 2016 in Marrakech, Morocco on the side-lines of 22nd meeting of the Conference  of  Parties  (COP-22)  to  the  United  Nations  Framework  Convention  on  Climate Change  (UNFCC).    So  far,  24  countries  have  signed  the  Agreement.  These  are  Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Republic of Guinea, Guinea Bissau, India, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Nauru, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Sudan, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Tonga.  The Framework Agreement of the ISA is open for signature for the remaining 97 prospective member countries of the ISA.

(b) & (c): The  ISA,    as  an  alliance  of  121  solar  resource  rich  countries,  lying  fully  or partially  between  the  Tropic  of  Cancer  and  the  Tropic  of  Capricorn,    provides  a  common platform for increasing utilization of solar energy in meeting energy needs of the ISA member countries through coordinated action for lowering the cost of finance; achieving speed, scale, and skill for deploying available technologies; facilitating strategic and collaborative solar research and development; and capacity building.

(d): With ratification, acceptance or approval of the Framework Agreement of the ISA by 15 countries, theISA will be a major international body with its Headquarters in India.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3791 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Condition of Jute Manufacturers
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3791 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## CONDITION OF JUTE MANUFACTURERS

3791. SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken for improving the condition of jute manufacturers in Maharashtra during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) the  initiative  taken  by  the  Union  Government  to  provide  easy  loans to jute manufacturers; and
- (c) the  total  number  of  farmers/jute  manufacturers  in  the  State  availing benefits under the said measures?

## ANSWER

## ( )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES

(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c): In the State of Maharashtra, only one micro unit produces diversified  jute  products  in  a  very  small  scale. National  Jute  Board  (NJB)  has supported the unit to operate a retail sales outlet under its Retail Outlet Scheme. In  order  to  support  Jute  sector  in  the  country  including  Maharashtra,  the Government  has  been  implementing  various  policy  initiatives  and  schemes through  National  Jute  Board  (NJB),  a  Statutory  Body  under  the  Ministry  of Textiles.  These  policy  initiatives  and  schemes  include  Incentive  Scheme  for Acquisition  of  Select  Machinery,  Jute  ICARE  project  to  support  jute  farmers, Export  Market  Development  Assistance  Scheme,  Jute  Raw  Material  Bank (JRMB) scheme, Jute Integrated Development Scheme (JIDS),  Retail Outlet of Jute Diversified Products and Bulk Supply Scheme, Skill Development Program, etc.  In  addition,  Jute  Corporation  of  India  provides  support  to  jute  farmers through Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations whenever the raw jute price falls below the MSP. These interventions are benefitting directly about 3.70 lakh jute workers and 40 lakhs farm families across the country.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3790 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Legal Title and Ownership of Farmers Land
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BHOLA SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF LAND RESOURCES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3790 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## Legal Title and Ownership of Farmers Land

## 3790. SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) The extent to which the Land Identification Number (LIN) is likely  to solve the problem of legal title and ownership of farmers; and
- (b) the extent to which LIN (Jan-Dhan Bank account, Aadhar Unique Identification and Mobile Number) confluence will be beneficial to farmers?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

- (a) &  (b):    Under  the  Digital  India  Land  Records  Modernization  Programme (DILRMP) computerization of record of rights and digitization of cadastral maps; integration  of  textual  data  (record  of  rights)  with  spatial  data  (cadastral  maps); computerization of registration; etc. are inter alia being undertaken. Each plot of land is being assigned a unique plot number that is state, district, tehsil, village and plot-specific.

Such computerization /  digitization  along  with  unique  numbers  for  all  plots  of land will improve the land information system, with multifarious benefits.

Additional features on the land information system (linked with the unique plot numbers) will have corresponding added benefits.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3787 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Hydel Projects in SAARC Countries
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: BHARAT SINGH, MANSHANKAR NINAMA, RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3787 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## HYDEL PROJECTS IN SAARC COUNTRIES

†3787. SHRI BHARAT SINGH: SHRI MANSHANKAR NINAMA: DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL "NISHANK":

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  hydel  power  projects  being  executed  by  India  in  SAARC countries;
- (b) the percentage of electricity out of the total production that is likely to be made available to our country from the said projects;
- (c) the details of Indian companies which are partners in the said projects; and
- (d) the total cost and installed capacity of each of the said projects and the time  by  which  the  said  projects  are  likely  to  start  power  generation,  countrywise?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) to (d) : Three  Hydro  Electric  Projects  (HEPs)  namely,  Punatsangchhu-I, Punatsangchhu-II  and  Mangdechhu,  are  under  construction  with  Government  of India  (GoI)-assistance  in  Bhutan.  As  per  the  bilateral  Agreements,  the  Royal Government  of  Bhutan  agrees  that  surplus  power  from  these  projects  shall  be sold to India.

These  HEPs  are  being  implemented  by  their  respective  Project Authorities,  set  up  in  pursuance  to  Inter-Government  Agreement  between  the Govt. of India and the Royal Govt. of Bhutan. The installed capacity, total cost and the time by which the said  projects are likely to start  power generation  are  as under:

|   Sl. No. | Name of Project        |   Installed Capacity (MW) | Total cost (in crores)   | Agreed date of completion   |
|-----------|------------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------|-----------------------------|
|         1 | Punatsangchhu Stage-I  |                      1200 | 9375.60 (Dec 2013 PL)    | 2019-20                     |
|         2 | Punatsangchhu Stage-II |                      1020 | 7290.62 (Dec 2015 PL)    | 2018-19                     |
|         3 | Mangdechhu             |                       720 | 4020.63 (Mar 2014 PL)    | 2018-19                     |

*************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3786 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Infrastructure Bonds by NHAI
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3786

ANSWERED ON 08 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## INFRASTRUCTURE BONDS BY NHAI

## 3786.  SHRI RANJAN VICHARE:

Will the Miister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

- (a) whether  the  Ministry  has  approached  the  Employees'  Provident  Fund  Organisation (EPFO) to lend its  financial  support  in  an  upcoming  issue  of  infrastructure  bonds  by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  EPFO has  sought  a  Government  guarantee  before  committing  any  funds  for investment;
- (c) whether in view of cumbersome procedure involved in approvals and land acquisition, no fresh financing is expected from Banks also; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) Yes,  Madam.    The  Employees'  Provident  Fund  Organization  (EPFO)  has  been approached to support NHAI's infrastructure programme.  NHAI has already raised Rs.5000 crore  each  in  August,  2016  and  September,  2016  at  Coupon  Rate  of  8.03%  and  7.68%  P.A. respectively.
- (b) EPFO  has  not  sought  any  Government  guarantee  before  committing  any  funds  for investment.

(c) &(d)  No Madam.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3784 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Fastags on National Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: UDIT RAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3784

ANSWERED ON 8 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## FASTAGS ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

3784. DR. UDIT RAJ:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS lM+d ifjogu vkSj jktekxZ ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Fastags that have been issued to vehicle holders till date for toll booths on National Highways (NHs); and
- (b) the total toll paid till date through Fastags as a percentage of total and in amount?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) & (b) 1.08 lakh tags have been issued till November, 2016. Till September, 2016, 0.29% of total fee i.e. Rs 27.22 crores have been paid through FASTag.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3782 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Encroachments on Government Land
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3782 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8.12.2016

Encroachments on Government Land

3782.   SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government is aware about the encroachments on Government land of  Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) and Central Coalfields Limited(CCL)with connivance of coal management and local authorities;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  number  of  such  cases  reported  to  the Government and CIL during the last three years and the current year, companywise; and
- (c) the  action  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  against  the  guilty persons in this regard?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER, MINES AND NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to  (c) : Coal India Limited has informed that there is no case of  encroachment on    Government  land  of  Bharat  Coking  Coal  Limited(BCCL)  and  Central  Coalfields Limited(CCL)  in  connivance  with  management  of  these  Coal  Companies  and  local authorities.
- ------
Lok Sabha Question No. 3781 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Development of Renewable Energy Transmission Mechanism
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: SANKAR PRASAD DATTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 3781

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSMISSION MECHANISM

## 3781.  SHRI SANKAR PRASAD DATTA

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether  any  scheme  is  being  implemented  by  the  Union  Government  for  providing assistance to Tripura to develop renewable energy transmission mechanism; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL, NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY & MINES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) & (b): The  Cabinet  Committee  of  Economic  Affairs  (CCEA)  approved  creation  of  an intra-state transmission system (Green Energy Corridor) in eight renewable energy rich states, at an  estimated  cost  of  Rs  8548.68  Cr,  with  the  Government  of  India's  contribution  from  the National  Clean  Energy  fund  (NCEF)  for  Rs  3419.47  crore.  These  eight  states  are  Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The inter-state component of Green Energy Corridor is implemented by PGCIL.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3779 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Labour Ratio under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO .3779 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.1 2.2016

## LABOUR RATIO UNDER MGNREGS

## 3779. SHRI KUNDARIYA MOHAN BHAI KALYANJI BHAI:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  change  the  labour  ratio  under  Mahatma  Ga National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) so that it can be more productive and useful for infrastructure building along with pr oviding jobs; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and response of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT ( SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV )

- (a): No, Madam.
- (b): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3778 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Mismanagement of Ambulance Network
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO. 3778

ANSWERED ON 8 TH   DECEMBER, 2016

## MISMANAGEMENT OF  AMBULANCE  NETWORK

3778.   SHRI   DUSHYANT  CHAUTALA:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that about  40-50 per cent of the patients and road victims die on their way to the hospitals  due to mismanagement of ambulance  network in India;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has  launched a notification for the National  Ambulance Code which is applicable for  all the ambulances across the country;
- (c ) if so, the details thereof and whether  this move would provide immediate medical aid to the road victims during the  golden hours; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI MANSUKH  L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) No    Madam.  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways  does  not  have  information about such a finding or study.
- (b)      Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways  has  laid  down  the  specifications  for  road ambulances  vide  G.S.R.  868(E)  dated  8 th September  2016  to  ensure  the  quality of ambulances.
- (c) & (d)  Road ambulances of categories L and M manufactured on  or after. 1 st April, 2018, shall be in accordance with AIS : (125)  (Part 1)-2014,  as amended from time to time. This will  ensure  better  treatment  to  road  accident  victims  but  may  not  on  its  even  ensure immediate  medical aid to the victims.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Bureau of Energy Efficiency
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: BHAGWANTH KHUBA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3777 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

BUREAU OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY

3777. SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether Bureau of Energy Efficiency has issued any guidelines for testing efficiency of domestically manufactured electrical products; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) & (b) : No  guidelines  have  been  issued  by  the  Bureau  of  Energy Efficiency  (BEE)  for  testing  efficiency  of  domestically  manufactured electrical  products.  However,  the  products  covered  under  the  BEE's Standards & Labelling (S&L) programme use relevant testing standards of electrical  products  for  energy  efficiency  testing,  defined  by  Bureau  of Indian Standards (BIS)/International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electro technical Commission (IEC). In order to authenticate the testing procedure, all manufacturers registered under the S&L programme are asked to submit all relevant tests reports carried out in the laboratories accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL) or International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) or Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC).

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3776 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Works undertaken in Jharkhand under SBM—G
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY

## Government of India

## Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3776 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8-12-2016

## Works undertaken in Jharkhandunder SBM-G

†3776. SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION be pleased to state :

- (a) the items of work undertaken inJharkhand under Swachh Bharat MissionGramin, (SBMG);
- (b) the number of people who have beenbenefited under SBM-G in the State; and
- (c) the items of works which have notbeen undertaken under SBM-G till nowand the time by which these items of worksare likely to be completed in the State?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## (SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

- (a)  Under  Swachh  Bharat  Mission  (Gramin)  (SBM(G)),  7,21,036  Individual  household latrines (IHHLs) have been constructed in Jharkhand from 2.10.2014 to 5.12.2016 as per the information uploaded by the State on the online Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of SBM(G). In addition, 43 community toilets have been constructed in this period. Many villages have also taken up works pertaining to solid and liquid waste management. 1456 villages have declared themselves as free from open defecation.
- (b)  As  mentioned above, 7,21,036 households have gained access to toilet under SBM(G). All the members of these households have thus benefited.
- (c)  As  on  5.12.2016,  28,42,667 households are still without toilets in Jharkhand as per the IMIS of SBM(G). The likely date for completion for this work is 2.10.2019.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3775 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Stipend to Highway Construction Workers
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: K. GOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3775

ANSWERED ON  08 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## STIPEND TO HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

## 3775.  DR. K. GOPAL:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मं त्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  there  is  any  provision  to  pay  stipend  to  highway  construction  workers  during  the training  period  to  compensate  loss  of  minimum  wages  by  the  Government,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) the details of the workers who will be trained in the first phase;
- (c)  whether  the  payment  would  be  made  directly  to  the  Aadhaar  linked  bank  account  of  the trainee, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the details of the mode of making such payment to the workers?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) Yes,  Madam,  there  is  provision  to  pay  stipend  to  the  trainees  to  compensate  loss  of minimum  wages  (subject  to  maximum  limit  of  Rs.  15000/-  per  person)  during  the  training period. Ministry has issued guidelines on 18.10.2016 for implementation of Skill Development/Upgradation of Workmen in the Highway Construction Sector. The training will be  conducted  by  Directorate  General  of  Training  (DGT),  Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and Entrepreneurship.
- (b) Necessary  steps  are  being  taken  up  by  DGT  to  start  the  first  phase  training.  List  of workers to be trained in first phase is yet to be finalized.
- (c) &   (d)  The payment of stipend will be made directly to the trainee by the Ministry. The detailed payment procedure is yet to be finalized.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3774 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: US Cooperation to Modernize Infrastructure in India
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3774 ANSWERED ON 8 th  DECEMBER, 2016

## US COOPERATION TO MODERNIZE INFRASTRUCTURE IN INDIA

## 3774.   DR. P. VENUGOPAL :

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India has sought US cooperation to modernize infrastructure in India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof ;
- (c) whether any discussion has been held with the US authorities in this regard ; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) & (b) : A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for a India US Transportation Partnership was  signed  between  India  and  USA  during  the  visit  of  Mr.  Anthony  R.  Foxx,  Secretary  of Transportation, USA to India in April, 2015. The MoC was signed on behalf of the Ministries of Railways, Road Transport and Highways and Shipping from the Indian side and the Department of Transportation from the US side. The scope of the MoC includes cooperative work on key issues of mutual interest for all modes of transportation, along with coordinating public and private sector resources and expertise to advance safe, secure, efficient and integrated transportation systems.
- (c) & (d) : After  the  signing  of  the  Memorandum  of  Cooperation  (MoC),  a  Joint  Working Group (JWG) has been constituted for taking forward cooperation initiatives with the US. Apart from  official  level  discussions  between  the  two  sides,  a  5-member  delegation  led  by  Minister (Road Transport & Highways and Shipping) also visited USA between 10-18 July, 2016 and met US  Secretary  of  Transportation  to  lay  down  the  roadmap  for  initiatives  under  the  India-US Transportation Partnership.

*****