opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1779 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Toll Collection Booths
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: VINOD CHAVDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1779

ANSWERED ON 28 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## TOLL COLLECTION BOOTHS

1779.  SHRI VINOD LAKHAMASHI CHAVDA:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to close the toll collection booths on the National Highways in the country; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the  total  number  of  toll  booths  closed across the country?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) No, Madam.

- (b) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1778 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Facilities at Visakhapatnam Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVNTHI)

1778.

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

8 1778 (To be answered on the 28th December 2017)

Facilities at Visakhapatnam Airport

## SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO(AVANTHD)

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

- (b) if the details thereof; and

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether due to lack of public transport at the Visakhapatnam airport; the people are forced to walk with their luggage from the airport to National Highway to get a cab or taxi; along
- (c) the steps Government is taking to provide   public transport at the various destinations from the airport?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

- (a) to (c): Madam  Prepaid taxi; cabs and Andhra Pradesh State Road Airpoport Corporation (APSRTC) buses are available at Visakhapatnan requested the APSRTC for increasing the frequency of buses to and from the and nearby places. No, city

*#***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Deaths due to Water Pollution and Unsafe Sanitation
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: SANJAY JAISWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1777 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2017

## Deaths due to Water Pollution and Unsafe Sanitation

## 1777. DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

- Will the Minister of DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION be pleased to state: (a) whether water pollution and unsafe sanitation are responsible for a large number of deaths in the country and it is also affecting the average lifespan of the citizens; (b)  if  so,  the  number  of  people  died  in  the  country  due  to  water  pollution  and  unsafe
- sanitation during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise; and
- (c) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF DRINKING   WATER AND SANITATION (SHRI S.S.AHLUWALIA)

(a)  &  (b):  Water pollution  and unsafe  sanitation are  globally  regarded  among  reasons  for deaths and for affectingthe average lifespan of people. Different estimates have suggested different figures for deaths potentially due to water pollution and unsafe sanitation, as it is not possible to attribute these deaths to water pollution and unsafe sanitation alone. Hence no  such  data  is  maintained  with  the  Ministry  of  Drinking  Water  and  Sanitation.  Rural drinking  water  and  sanitation  are  state  subjects.  The  Ministry  of  Drinking  Water  and Sanitation provides technical and financial assistance to the States.

(c):  For  improving  the  coverage  of  safe  drinking  water  to  rural  population,  this  Ministry supplements  the  efforts  of  the  states  by  providing  them  with  technical  and  financial assistance  through  the  centrally  sponsored  National  Rural  Drinking  Water  Programme (NRDWP). The State Governments plan, design, approve, execute and operate & maintain the schemes for providing safe drinking water to rural population.

Further,  the  Ministry  of  Drinking  Water  and  Sanitation  had  launched  the  National Water Quality Sub-Mission on 22 nd March  2017 under NRDWP to provide safe drinking water to about 28,000 arsenic / fluoride affected habitations over a span of 4 years, subject to availability of funds.

The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) (SBM(G)) has been launched on 2nd October, 2014, which aims at attaining Swachh Bharat by 2 nd October 2019. The focus of the scheme is on behavior change and usage of toilets. Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), there is a provision of an incentive of Rs. 12,000 for the construction of Individual household latrine (IHHL) to all Below Poverty Line (BPL) households and to identified Above Poverty Line (APL)  households  (all  SCs  /STs,  small  and  marginal  farmers,  landless  labourers  with homestead, physically handicapped and women-headed households). Since the launch of the Mission, the national sanitation coverage in rural India has gone up from 39% to 75%.

***************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1773 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Expansion/Upgradation of Jaipur Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNPURIA

1773.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA (To be answered on the December 2017) 28th

## EXPANSIONMUPGRADATION OF JAIPUR AIRPORT

`

SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state: -

- (a) whether the Government has fixed any criterion for the expansion and upgradation of international airports in the country, if S0, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to expand and upgrade the Jaipur airport;
- (c) if the details thereof and the expenditure likely to be incurred in this regard; SO,
- (d) the time limit fixed for the said project;
- (e) whether any proposals have been received by the Government for the expansion of 'Jaipur airport during the last five years and current year; and
- (f) if $0, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

- (a): Expansion and up-gradation of international airports is a continuous process and is undertaken by Airports Authority 0f India (AAI) and concerned airport operator from time to time depending upon commercial viability; traffic demand; availability of land etc
- (b) to, (d): Yes, Madam: AAI has already taken action for construction of new Terminal Building at Jaipur Airport at an estimated cost of Rs. 1441 Crores. However, timeline for this project depends on various factors like grant of mandatory clearances, financial approvals, award of contracts; successful bidding process, etc.
- (e) & (f: Regular discussions are held with the State Government regarding development of airports in Rajasthan based on which AAI has taken action for construction of new Terminal Building at Jaipur airport with a peak hour passenger capacity of 5000 and 8.75 million passengers per annum.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1772 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Increase in Frequency of Advertisements
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1772 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2017

## INCREASE IN FREQUENCY OF ADVERTISEMENTS

## 1772. SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

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

(a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  increase  the  frequency  of advertisements during movies to promote public interest initiatives  and messages; and

(b)      if so, the details thereof including the quantum of proposed increase in the frequency?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and (b): No, Sir. Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity being a nodal advertising agency of the Government of India caters to the requirement of the Ministries  /  Departments  through  various  media  vehicles  and  as  per  their directions frequency/number of insertions are decided accordingly. As Cinemas is  a  state  subject,  Ministry  of  Information  &  Broadcasting  has  advised  State Governments to ensure mandatory screening of Public Service Awareness (PSA) films  during  the  screening  of  commercial  cinema  in  theatres  as  per  the provisions of Cinematograph Act, 1952. The Digital Service Providers have also been requested accordingly as they are also covered under the said Act.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1770 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Census of BPL Persons
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: JANAK RAM

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1770

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2017

## CENSUS OF BPL PERSONS

## 1770.   SHRI JANAK RAM:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the year in which the last Census for persons living Below Poverty Line (BPL) was conducted at National and State level with special reference to Bihar;
- (b) the outcome of the said Census at National and State level;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  conduct  Census  of  such  persons  again and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the time by which such Census is likely to be conducted?

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

(a) &(b): The Ministry of Rural Development provides financial and technical support to the States/UTs for conducting the BPL Census to identify the families living below poverty line in the rural areas of the country, including the state of Bihar, who could be targeted under its  various programmes. The last such census was conducted as Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) which uses three sets of indicators related to automatic exclusion, automatic  inclusion  and  seven  deprivation  indicators  for  ranking  of  households  in  the country.  The  Ministry  released    the  findings  of  the  Socio  Economic  and  Caste  Census 2011(SECC  2011)  for  rural  India  on  3 rd July, 2015  which  is  available  on  website www.secc.gov.in.  As per the findings of the SECC (Rural) out of 24.49 Crore households in the country, 17.97 Crore households are rural households.  Out of the total rural households, 7.07  Crore  rural  households  (39.34%)  have  reported  on  criteria  that  automatically  exclude them as not poor.  0.16 crore (0.89%) households have reported on criteria that list poorest of the  poor  for  automatic  inclusion.  8.70  Crore  (48.41%)  rural  households  have  reported  on incidence of one or other deprivation criteria enumerated in the rural SECC 2011.

- (c): There is no such proposal under consideration.
- (d): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1766 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Operation of Flights
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: R.P. MARUTHARAJAA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1766 (To be answered on the 28tH December 2017)

Operation of Flights

1766. SHRI RP. MARUTHARAJAA

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

- (b) if s0, the details thereof;

be pleased to state:-

- Rewbether the Government has any proposal to start new New Delhi to Coimbatore; flight services from
- (c) whether private airline has expressed service to Tamil Nadu State including willingness to start new flight (d) if s0, the details thereof? Coimbatore; and any

## ANSWER

Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

## Minister of State in the

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

- (oto (): As per Winter Schedule 2017, MIs flights/week on Delhi-Coimbatore-Delhi Indigo is operating 14 direct Corporation Act in March, 1994, the route With repeal of Air deregulated: Airlines free to induct Indian domestic aviation was select whatever markets and capacity with any aircraft type, free to wish to service and operate. In this Places depending upon the traffic demand to provide air services to specific the airlines are free to operate and commercial issued by Government they
Lok Sabha Question No. 1764 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Buckingham Canal
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: SRIRAM MALYADRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY  OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1764 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28th DECEMBER,2O17

## BUCKINGHAM  CANAL

1764. SHRI MALYADRI SRIRAM:

<!-- image -->

Will the Minister of SHIPPINS  be pleased  to state:

- (a) the total canal network of the erstwhile Buckingham canal in operation in Andhra Pradesh;

## qtdck{f{d*

- (b) the quantum of cargo being carried  through the said canals  annually;
- (d) whether any foreign international institutions have offered  funding for this purpose, and

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a) National  Waterway  (NW)4  covers a distance of 2890 km including the Buckingham Canal, Kakinada Puducherry Canal and stretches of Godavari & Krishna  rivers.
- (b) The development works on NW4 have just  commenced.  Hence, no cargo movement is taking place  on NW-4 at present.
- (c) The development  of NW-4 is to be undertaken in Phases. Under Phase-|, work at a cost of Rs. 96 crore has commenced between Muktyala  to Vijaywada on Krishna  river covering a distance of 82 km. The work for the next Phase is not yet sanctioned.
- (d)&(e):No international institutions have offered funding for development of NW4.

* * *,*,i

- (c) the details of expansion  plans,  the targets and the funds earmarked for lhis purpose  for the next three fiscal years;
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

<!-- image -->
Lok Sabha Question No. 1760 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Works Awarded by Air India
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## LOK SABHA

(To be answered on the December 2017) 28th

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1760

Works Awarded by Air India

## 1760. SHRI GODSE HEMANT TUKARAM

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state: -

- (a) the number of works awarded to outsourcing agencies and contractors and funds spent on them in the last three years by Air India, year/work-wise;
- (b) the number of contracts awarded during the last three years by Air India and its subsidiary companies and funds spent on them, yearlwork-wise; and
- (c) the number of civil, mechanical, manpower, stores, transport, IT, commercial contracts awarded during the last three years and funds spent on them?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

- (a) to (c): Such information has not been compiled by Air India Limited and compilation.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1759 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Release of Film Promos
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1759 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28.12.2017

## RELEASE OF FILM PROMOS

## 1759: SHRI PINAKI MISRA

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any rule has been amended in the recent past to prohibit the use of television and social media by the film producers for releasing their film's promos, teasers, songs and trailers in order to propagate their forthcoming films and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  there  is  any  restriction  on  online  promotion  of  films  by  its  producers  for attracting and enhancing their viewership; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for prohibition of such online promotion by the Central Film Certification Board under the pretext of seeking an affidavit for not using the social media or otherwise, before the certification is awarded?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION  AND BROADCASTING [COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]:

*****

(a) to (c):  No, Madam. As per the Programme Code prescribed under Sub-rule (1) (n) & (o) of Rule 6 of the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, ' no programme should be carried in the cable service which: -

- (n) Contravenes the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
- (o) is not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition.

Provided that no film or film song or film promo or film trailer or music video or music albums or their promos, whether produced in India or abroad, shall be carried through cable  service unless  it  has  been  certified  by the  Central  Board  of Film  Certification (CBFC) as suitable for unrestricted public exhibition in India.'

All film's promos, teasers, songs, trailers, etc. meant for public exhibition, irrespective of their length and media type (Celluloid, video, CD or DVD) are subjected to certification by  the CBFC in accordance with the Cinematograph Act, 1952 read along with the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 and the Central Government guidelines of 1991.

However, CBFC does not have any control over any content which is available on the internet.

When celluloid films were put up for certification, the reels containing excised portion were surrendered to CBFC so that no content of those reels can be made public. Similarly, in case of digital films the same is sought to be enforced. However, as copies can easily be made in case of digital media, an affidavit is taken to ensure that the excised content is not made public thereby defeating the whole purpose of the exercise.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1758 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Audit of DISCOM
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1758 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2017

## AUDIT OF DISCOM

†1758.  SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  audits  accounts  of  power  distribution  companies after every six months, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has any proposal to conduct such audits after every six months in future and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether any effective scheme has been proposed to prevent power companies from issuing incorrect bill to consumers, if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

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

( SHRI  R. K. SINGH )

(a) & (b) : No,  Madam.  Since  the  distribution  of  electricity  at  retail  level  falls within the domain of the State Governments, the Central Government does not carry out  any  audit  of  DISCOMs. However, since distribution companies come under the Companies  Act,  1956,  they  have  to  get  their  accounts  audited  through  Statutory Auditors.  The  Electricity  Act,  2003  also  has  enabling  provisions  to  specify  any general or specific conditions while granting license to a DISCOM. Further, as per Section  86  of  the  Electricity  Act,  the  State  Commission,  while  discharging  its function  of  determination  of  tariffs  shall  be  guided  by  the  Tarff  Policy  published under section 3. The provisions of sub-para (2) of para 8.2.1 of the Tariff Policy, state that the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) shall institute a system of independent  scrutiny  of  financial  &  technical  data  submitted  by  the  licensee. Besides,  SERCs    have  the  overarching  power    under  section  181  to  make  any Regulations for discharge of their functions given under the Act.

All these provisions give adequate powers to SERCs to get independent audit done, if considered necessary. Apart from this, the State Government, under Section 108 of Electricity Act, 2003, have the powers to give directions to the SERCs in matter of policy involving public interest. In addition, the public sector DISCOMs are subject to C&AG audit.

- (c) : Government  of  India  (GoI)  launched  Integrated  Power  Development Scheme (IPDS), National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM) and Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana  (UDAY)  which  emphasizes  on  installation  of  Smart  Meters.  Smart  Meters remove  the  human  intervention  from  billing  process  and  hence  improve  billing accuracy.

*****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1757 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Agreement with Israel for Water Management
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 1757

ANSWERED ON 28 .12.2017

## AGREEMENT WITH ISRAE L FOR WATER MANAGEME NT

## 1757. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has entered into an agreement with Israel to share knowledge and in water management and its recycling and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has further engaged in cooperation with other nations in this re the details thereof; and

(c) the progress made by the Government in adoption of new technologies for efficient water t and recycling?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES, RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## ( SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHW AL )

(a) & (b) Yes ,Madam. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU ) has been signed with Israel by Ministr Water  Resources,  River  Development  and  Ganga  Rejuvenation  (MoWR, RD & GR)  on  11.11.2016for water resources management and development cooperation, with an objective to enhance coopera regional, nati onal and international levels in the field of water resources development and ma collaborating and sharing of experience, expertise and techniques in the efficient use of recycling/ reuse of waste water, desalination, aquifer re charge and in - situ water conservation techniques, a water resource management. Besides, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has signed an with Israel on 24.12.1993 for cooperation in the field of agriculture in which 'Water and Soil Man agement 'was included as one of the area of activity. A Work Plan for the period 2018 - 2020 has also signed which includes  'Water  Management  Technologies  for  Agriculture,  including  Water  Re -use'  as area  of  activity, among others. Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has also signed a MoU with Israel on 'National campaign for water conservation in India' in July 2017.

The  MoWR, RD & GR  has  signed Memorandum  of  Understanding  with  14  countries  (includi Israel) so far in the field of water resources management with the primary objective to enhance cooperat and sharing knowledge and technologies in the water sector.

(c) MoWR, RD & GR has set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) to implement and monitor the act envisaged in the MoU. It has sent 20 officers to Israel for one week exposure training in the fiel management. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare has taken up for setting up a Center o for treatment of brackish water at Bathinda, Punjab under the agreement. The MoU signed by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation with Israel is only for knowledge sharing on water conservat and not for adoption of new technology.