opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2645 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Overhauling of Railway Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN, PR. SENTHILNATHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2645 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## OVERHAULING OF RAILWAY COACHES

2645. SHRI BHARATHI MOHAN R.K.: SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  during  recent  safety  audits,  it  has  been found  that  many  hundreds  of  railway  coaches  have  not  been overhauled or serviced periodically;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has allocated any funds for the periodic overhauling/servicing  of  railway  coaches  and  if  so,  the  details thereof and the action taken / being taken in this regard;
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  replace  the  old,  damaged and outdated rail coaches with new ones; and
- (e) the details of the coaches replaced in the last three years, zonewise?

## ANSWER

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

& (b): No, Madam, All the coaches running on Indian Railways are maintenance

(a) periodically overhauled as prescribed in manuals/instructions.

(c):  The  Government  has  allocated 8560  crore  for  the  periodic overhauling/servicing of railway coaches in Budget Estimates 2017-18. (d) & (e):   Acquisition  of  new  coaches  for  replacement  of  over-aged stock  is  a  continuous  process  on  Indian  Railways.  Coaches  are replaced  after  attaining  their  prescribed  codal  life  or  prematurely  in case  of  heavy  damage  to  structural  members.    The  details  of  the coaches replaced in the last three years, zone-wise are as under:-

| Zonal Railway              |   2014-15 |   2015-16 |   2016-17 |
|----------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Central Railway            |       128 |        78 |       147 |
| Eastern Railway            |       135 |        92 |       124 |
| Northern Railway           |       148 |       219 |       229 |
| North Eastern Railway      |        38 |       132 |        29 |
| Northeast Frontier Railway |        61 |        53 |        59 |
| Southern Railway           |       217 |       112 |       270 |
| South Central Railway      |        83 |       127 |       150 |
| South Eastern Railway      |        56 |        93 |        84 |
| Western Railway            |        90 |       150 |       157 |
| East Central Railway       |        26 |        37 |        28 |
| East Coast Railway         |        36 |        38 |        65 |
| North Central Railway      |        18 |        22 |        33 |
| North Western Railway      |        49 |        36 |        51 |
| South East Central Railway |        24 |        17 |        29 |
| South Western Railway      |        64 |        67 |       103 |
| West Central Railway       |        83 |        12 |        26 |
| TOTAL                      |      1256 |      1285 |      1584 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2644 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: New Rail Line between Kandla and Barmer
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2644 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## NEW RAIL LINE BETWEEN KANDLA AND BARMER

## †2644. SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  prepared  a  new  roadmap  for  the development  of  railway  infrastructure  with  the  help  of  States  in order  to  expand  passenger  facilities  at  distant  places  in  the country including Rajasthan;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  lay  a  new  railway  line between  Kandla  and  Barmer  via  Sanchore  to  ensure  railway connectivity  in  border  area  of  Jalore  district  under  the  said project; and
- (d) if so, the ratio of participation between the State Government and the Railways?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  State  Governments,  through  incorporation  of State  Joint  Venture  (JV)  Companies  have  been  empowered  to  plan Railway Infrastructure in their State to serve their core sector industries,  ports,  mines  and  industrial  corridors  etc.  which  cannot  be taken  up  by  Ministry  of  Railways  at  present  at  desired  pace.  JV agreements/Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  have  been  signed with  the  States  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  Chhattisgarh,  Gujarat,  Haryana, Jharkhand,  Kerala,  Karnataka,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Maharashtra,  Odisha and Telangana. However, Government of Rajasthan is yet to agree to sign JV agreement with Ministry of Railways.

(c): There is already an existing Broad Gauge line between Bhabhar and Kandla.  Further,  Jaisalmer-Barmer-Bhabhar  new  line  project  has  been sanctioned in 'Capital Investment Programme  2016-17' proposed through Joint Venture/Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)/Partnership with State Government and Stakeholders. 'In Principle' approval for carrying out  the  feasibility  study  for  this  new  line  project  by  the  Ministry  of Shipping has been accorded. Ministry of Shipping has been requested to submit Terms of References (ToR) to General Manager, North Western Railway, Jaipur (Rajasthan) for their approval before feasibility study/survey is carried out.

(d):  Ratio  of  participation  between  the  State  Government  and  the Railways is finalized at the time of signing of MoU.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2643 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Defence Cyberspace
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2643

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  JANUARY, 2018

## DEFENCE  CYBERSPACE

2643.  SHRI  A.P. JITHENDER  REDDY:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to establish a national level organisation in the military assigning it the task of defence in cyberspace;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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) to (c): Government is aware of threats to national defence in the cyber domain  and  is  committed  to  take  all  necessary  measures  to  protect national security.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2640 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Nuclear Installations
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2640

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS

## 2640. SHRI J. J. T. NATTERJEE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the country ranks third in terms of nuclear power installations in the world;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether a financial crisis has been affecting nuclear industry of the country in recent years;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (e) whether the number of nuclear reactor units under construction is declining globally and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a)&(b) As per International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), India presently ranks third in number of reactors under construction after China and Russian Federation (based on the placement of first pour of concrete) and seventh in number of reactors in operation.
- (c)&(d) Some of the suppliers / contractors of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) had reported financial difficulties, as a result of which there was a delay in supplies of equipment and execution of Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP) 3&4 (2X700 MW) and Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) 7&8 (2X700 MW) projects. The issue of financial difficulty of vendors / contractors was appropriately addressed by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
- (e) There  are  presently  59  reactors  under  construction  in  17  countries  with  an aggregate capacity of 60,366 MW in the world as reported by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The decisions on addition of nuclear power capacity are country  specific  and  depend  on  factors  like  the  country's  nuclear  and  energy policies,  requirements,  availability  of  various  energy  options,  market  conditions etc.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2639 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Pollution due to Transportation of Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2639 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## Pollution due to Transportation of Coal

## 2639. ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Government is aware of growing environmental Pollution caused due to transportation of coal from Goa and if so, the details thereof; and

(b)  whether  Government  is  considering  any  changes  in  the  transportation  of  coal  from  Goa which will take adequate care of this serious problem and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): The information is being collected and shall be laid on the table of the House

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2638 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Empty Seats in Mumbai-AhmedabadMumbai Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2638 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## EMPTY SEATS IN MUMBAI-AHMEDABAD-MUMBAI TRAINS

## 2638.   DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether nearly 40 percent of seats in trains of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Mumbai route go empty;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the percentage of seats in trains on this route which have gone empty since January, 2017;
- (c) whether a study was undertaken about the economic feasibility in having a bullet train on this route;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and whether the study indicated that such a project would be profitable;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons for adopting this route for the proposed operation of a bullet train?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  &  (b):  The  demand  pattern  on  Indian  Railways  is  not  uniform throughout  the  year  and  it  varies  during  the  peak  and  lean  seasons. The demand for travel  surges  especially  during  the  peak  season  like during  summer  holidays,  festivals,  etc.  The  average  occupancy  of reserved trains on Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Mumbai  sector  during  the Financial Year 2017-18 (upto November, 2017) was more than 100%.

(c) to (f):  Yes, Madam.  A joint feasibility study of Mumbai-Ahmedabad was  conducted  with  Japan  International  Cooperation  Agency  (JICA), Japan.  The joint feasibility study had projected positive economic rate of return for the project.  Some of the economic benefits of the project include:

- (i)  economic  development  of  the  entire  cluster  along  the corridor;
- (ii) Savings in travel time;
- (iii) Reduction in pollution;
- (iv) Job creation;
- (v) Reduction in accident; and
- (vi) Saving in Green House Gas emissions.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2637 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Nashik-Vapi Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2637 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## NASHIK-VAPI RAIL LINE

†2637. SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the survey for proposed Nashik-Vapi railway line has not been conducted so far;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the efforts being made to expedite the survey work of said railway line?

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

(a)  to  (c):    No  survey  for  new  railway  line  between  Nashik-Vapi  is sanctioned.  However,  a  survey  for  new  railway  line  between  NashikDahanu Road (168 km) has been taken up.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2636 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Bifurcation of Trivandrum Division
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2636 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## BIFURCATION OF TRIVANDRUM DIVISION

2636. SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  proposed  bifurcation  of  Trivandrum Railway division;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c)   whether the Government has taken final decision on this; and
- (d)   if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): No, Madam.
- (b) to (d): Do not arise.

* * * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 2635 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Coal Blocks
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE

## Government of India Ministry of Coal Lok Sabha

## Unstarred Question No. 2635 To be answered on 03.01.2018

## Coal Blocks

## 2635. SHRI CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Government is considering capping the amount of coal blocks that a company can hold and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether Government may also specify the maximum number of coal blocks or amount of coal reserves or both that may be allocated to a company or corporation or its subsidiary or associate companies and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) & (b): Under the provisions of Coal Blocks Allocation Rules, 2017 made under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, the Central  Government  may  specify  the  maximum  number  of  coal  blocks  or amount  of  coal  reserves  or  both  that  may  be  allocated  to  a  company  or corporation or its subsidiary or parent company or associate companies or group  companies  or  its  affiliate  in  the  case  of  auction  and  the  Central Government  may  also  specify  the  maximum  number  of  coal  blocks  or amount  of  coal  reserves  or  both  that  may  be  allocated  to  a  company  or corporation or its subsidiary or associate companies in the case of allotment of  coal  blocks.    Similarly,  under  the  provisions  of  the  Coal  Mines  (Special Provisions) Rules, 2014, the Nominated Authority may specify the maximum number  of  mines  or  coal  reserves  or  both  that  may  be  allocated  to  a company  or  its  subsidiary  or  associate  companies  based  on  the  criteria specified by the Central Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Minority Youths in Armed Forces
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2634

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  JANUARY, 2018

## MINORITY  YOUTHS  IN  ARMED  FORCES

2634.  SHRI  SIRAJUDDIN  AJMAL:

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

- (a) the details of special drives conducted to encourage eligible youths from Minority communities to join Armed Forces in the country;
- (b) whether there has been a decline in the number of Minority youths aspiring to join army as officer vis-a-vis other services over the years;
- (c) if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year; and
- (d) the  action  taken  by  the  Government  to  attract  more  applications  to  join  Armed Forces?

<!-- formula-not-decoded -->

(a) to (c): Recruitment in the Armed Forces is based on merit and is open to  all  citizens  irrespective  of  class,  caste,  community,  region  or  religion. As such the record of data of recruitment in the Armed Forces on the basis of caste, community, region or religion is not maintained.

- (d) Various actions are taken to attract more applicants to join the Armed Forces.  These include sustained image projection, participation in career fairs  and  exhibitions  and  publicity  campaign  to  create  awareness  among the  youth  on  the  advantages  of  taking  up  a  challenging  and  satisfying career.    Further,  Government  has  taken  various  steps  to  make  Armed Forces'  jobs  attractive  including  improvement  in  promotion  prospects  in the Armed Forces.

Further,  to  compensate  for  the  unique  aspects  of  defence  service including the extreme conditions in which defence personnel are required to operate, Military Service Pay (MSP) has been provided for upto the level of Brigadier and  equivalent. Consequently, while the pay  on initial induction  of  a  civilian  employee  at  the  lowest  pay  level  (in  Level-1)  is Rs.18,000/-, the pay on initial induction of a defence force personnel, who gets inducted at their lowest pay level which is Level-3, inclusive of MSP will be Rs.26,900/-.  Similarly, while the pay for a civilian Officer inducted in Level-10  would  be  Rs.56,100/-,  the  pay  for  a  defence  service  officer inducted in level-10, inclusive of MSP will be Rs.71,600/-. Compensation by way of allowances is also paid for the unique Risk and Hardship borne by defence personnel.  Further, benefits in cash and kind  are  also  admissible  to  Defence  Service  Personnel  including  (i)  Free rations or Ration Money  Allowance  in lieu of free rations (ii) tax concessions available in Canteen Stores Depot (iii) Concession vouchers for travel in Railway and by Air.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2632 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: New Rail Projects in Rajasthan
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SONA RAM CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2632 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## NEW RAIL PROJECTS IN RAJASTHAN

## †2632. COL. SONARAM CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the norms and procedure adopted for operation of new rail projects in the country;
- (b) the  present  status  of  Jaisalmer-Barmer-Bhanbhar  rail  projects  in Marwar and Ahmedabad-Dungarpur-Sagwada-BanswaraRatlam in Bangad area of Rajasthan;
- (c) whether the Government intends to expedite the above projects; and
- (d) if so, the  time by which these projects are likely to be completed and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a):      Based  on  demands  raised  by  State  Governments,  Central  Ministries, Members  of  Parliament,  other  public  representatives  and  Railway's  own requirement, new rail projects are taken up on the basis of remunerativeness, last mile connectivity, missing links and alternate routes, augmentation  of  congested/saturated  lines,  socio-economic  considerations etc. depending upon throwforward of ongoing projects, overall availability of funds and competing demands.

(b):  Survey of Jaisalmer-Barmer new line was completed in 2012-13.  The cost  of  this  145  Km  long  line  was  assessed  as ` 518  Cr.  with  a  Rate  of Return of            (-)7.74%. Ministry of Defence was requested to share the cost and their response is awaited.

Survey of Barmer-Bhabhar new line project was completed in 2012-13. Cost of this 194 Km long line has been assessed as ` 786 Cr. with a Rate of Return  of  (-)7.38%.  This  project  could  not  be  taken  forward  due  to  its unremunerative nature, huge throwforward of railway projects and limited availability of funds for new lines with Ministry of Railways.

Ahmedabad-Dungarpur is already connected. Dungarpur-SagwadaBanswara-  Ratlam  new  line  project  was  sanctioned  in  Budget  2010-11. State Government of Rajasthan denied cost sharing and put land acquisition on hold. Therefore, it has been decided to freeze the project.

(c):    Further  action  can  be  taken  after  receiving  consent  of  Ministry  of Defence for Jaisalmer-Barmer new line project and Government of Rajasthan for Ratlam-Banswara-Dungarpur new line project.

(d):  The projects mentioned in Para (b) above are not sanctioned.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2630 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: LIDAR Technology
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2630 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## LIDAR TECHNOLOGY

2630.  SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Railways proposes to use LIDAR technology for high speed train corridor;
- (b) if so, the details thereof ;
- (c)  whether the Government has also decided to use LIDAR technology on the other railway routes; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) &  (b)  :    Light  Detection  and  Ranging  (LIDAR),  an  aerial  survey technique  to  acquire  land  details,  has  been  used  for  topographic survey of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project.
- (c) :   No, Madam.
- (d) :   Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2629 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Compact Launchers for Small Satellites
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2629

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

## COMPACT LAUNCHERS FOR SMALL SATELLITES

2629.   SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  ISRO  is  developing  a  compact  launcher  for  small satellites; and
- (b) 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) & (b)

ISRO  is  working  on  the  design  of  a  Small  Satellite  Launch Vehicle (SSLV), that is a compact launcher for small satellites.

*****