opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1690 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: National Knowledge Network
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1690

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 26.07.2017

## NATIONAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK

## 1690       SHRI SIRAJUDDIN  AJMAL:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of the National Knowledge Network (NKN) to interconnect all knowledge institutions through high speed data communication network in the country,
- (b)      whether the Government has made any implementation strategy and targets for the said programme; and
- (c)      if so, the details thereof and the other steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (c):      As  on  30th  June  2017  a  total  of  1635  links  of  National  Knowledge  Network (NKN)  to  institutions have  been  commissioned  and  made  operational.  This  includes  386 links to institutions under National Mission for Electronics & Information and Communication  Technology (NMEICT),  which  have been  migrated  to  NKN.  NKN connectivity has also been extended to 496 NIC district centers.

In March 2010 Government of India approved the establishment of the National Knowledge Network (NKN) at an outlay of Rs.5990 Crores, to be implemented by NIC over a period of 10  years.  A  High  Level  Committee  (HLC)  was  set  up  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Dr.  R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of India, to coordinate and monitor the establishment of the NKN.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1689 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Disable Friendly Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1689 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## DISABLE FRIENDLY RAILWAY STATIONS

1689.  SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to develop railway stations across  the  country  with  passenger  amenities  and  conveniences including disabled friendly;

- (b)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the time by which it is likely to be done?

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

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1689 BY SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI TO BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  26.07.2017  REGARDING DISABLE FRIENDLY RAILWAY STATIONS

(a) & (b): Indian Railways has advertised its plan to redevelop 'A1' and 'A' category stations on 'as is where is' basis, by inviting proposals from developers with their designs and business ideas. The facilities proposed in a redeveloped station include congestion free non-conflicting entry/exit to the station premises, segregation of arrival/departure of passengers, adequate  concourse  without  overcrowding,  integration  of  both sides of the city wherever feasible, integration with other modes of transport systems e.g. Bus, Metro, etc., user friendly integration signage, well illuminated circulating area and sufficient provision for drop off, pick up and parking etc. Station redevelopment projects will include the needs of the disabled/physically  challenged  persons.  It  will  provide  facilities for the divyang.

Based on detailed discussions held with the Zonal Railways, feedback from various stakeholders and field visit  to certain identified stations, first phase of station redevelopment program by Zonal Railways was launched on 08.02.2017. Bids for redevelopment of the 23 Railway Stations have been invited in the first phase. Bids for Jammu Tawi station have been opened on 12.07.2017.

……2/-

Further, a dedicated organization viz. Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC) has been set up  to  undertake  redevelopment  of  stations  to  international standards. 12 stations viz. Amritsar, Anand Vihar (Delhi), Bijwasan (Delhi), Baiyappanahalli (Bengaluru), Chandigarh, Gandhinagar (Gujarat), Gandhinagar (Jaipur), Gwalior, Habibganj, Nagpur,  Surat  and  Shivajinagar  (Pune)  have  been  entrusted  to IRSDC for redevelopment.

(c):  As these projects are complex in nature and require detailed techno-economic  feasibility  studies,  no  time  frame  has  been presently set for completion of these projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1687 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Vacancy in Department of Telecommunications
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1687 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH  JULY, 2017

## VACANCY IN DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

1687. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Department  of  Telecommunications  is  functioning  without  key officials  at  a  time  when  the  telecom  sector  is  facing  a  bitter  industry  infighting  and passing through one of its most critical junctures;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether many of the top positions in the department have been lying vacant for months;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the action 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 (c) The posts of Chairperson Telecom Commission and Member(Finance) are held by regular appointees and the posts of Member (Technology) and Member (Services) have been entrusted with additional charge arrangement.  The post of Member (Technology) and Member (Services) fell vacant on 16.04.2016 and 01.09.2016 respectively.

- (d) & (e) While going through the recruitment process for the post of Member (Services), the need for amendment in Recruitment Rules for the post of Member (Services) and Member (Technology) was felt.  Accordingly, amendment in the Recruitment Rules for the above posts is under  process.  The  posts  of  Member  (Services)  and  Member  (Technology)  will  be  advertised after finalization of the Recruitment Rules for these posts.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1684 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Development of Rail Infrastructure in Kerala
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1684

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## DEVELOPMENT OF RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE IN KERALA

1684.  SHRI  ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)       whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposal  from  the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd.(KRDCL) regarding the development of railway infrastructure in the State of Kerala; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  response  of  the  Government thereto?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  & (b): No Madam. However, the following projects were identified by Board of Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) for
- preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) in phases. First Phase
1. Rapid Rail Transit System(Suburban Rail Project) (RRTS)
2. Thalassery Mysore New Broad Gauge (BG) Line.
3. Line to Cochin International Airport Limited
4. Ernakulam Old Railway Station.

## Second Phase

5.   New BG Line between Erumeli-Punalur via Pathanamthitta.
6.    New  BG  Line  between  Ettumanoor-Pala  Linking  Sabari   Line with Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam line-15 kms.
7. New BG line between Nilambur and Nanjangud via Sultan Bathery.
8.  Rail Connectivity to Vizhinjam Seaport.

`

Once  DPRs  of  these  proposals  are  ready  and  financing  is  tied  up, KRDCL  will  submit  formal  proposals  to  both  the  Governments  for sanction of individual Project(s).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1681 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Encroachment of Railway Land
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NANABHAU FALGUNRAO PATOLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1681

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## ENCROACHMENT OF RAILWAY LAND

† 1681.    SHRI NANA PATOLE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the illegal occupation of vacant  railway  land  causing  loss  of  property  by  land  mafia  in connivance  with  the  corrupt  officers  in  various  parts  of  the country including that of Vidarbha in Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  action  against  the encroachers  and  the  corrupt  officers  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has taken steps to ensure investigation on urgent basis under competent officers and take legal action to protect the national property and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): As on 31.03.2017, approximately 861.70 hectare (0.18% of total land) land of Railways is under encroachment which also includes Vidarbha in Maharashtra.

As and when any complaint against any Railway official is received, the matter is got investigated. If any involvement of the official is found, appropriate action is taken by following prescribed  procedure.  The  Railway  takes  action  against  the illegal occupants under Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971 (PPE Act, 1971).

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1680 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Separate High Court for Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Y. S. AVINASH REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE

## DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1680 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 26.07.2017

## Separate High Court for Andhra Pradesh

## 1680. SHRI : Y.S. AVINASH REDDY

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

(a) whether the Government is committed to establishment of a separate High Court in Andhra Pradesh; and

(b) if so, the details of steps taken in this regard so far and its current status?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State for  Law and Justice and Electronics and Information Technology.

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (b): The Andhra Pradesh Reorgansiation Act, 2014, provides for setting up of a separate High Court for the State of Andhra Pradesh. The Act also provides that once separate High Court for the State of Andhra Pradesh is established, the existing High Court will go to the State of Telangana. Till such time the existing High Court i.e. the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad will serve as common High Court for the States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

To  enable  the  creation  of  separate  High  Court  for  the  State  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  all necessary infrastructures such as Court buildings, quarters for the Judges and officials/staff of the Court  has  to  be  created  by  the  State  Government  in  consultation  with  the  High  Court  of Judicature at Hyderabad. The Central Government had requested the Chief Justice of the High Court  and  the  Chief  Minister  of  Andhra  Pradesh  to  take  all  the  necessary  steps  towards  the creation  of  separate  High  Court  for  the  State  of  Andhra  Pradesh. Presently,  the  matter  is  subjudice at High Court of judicature at Hyderabad for the States of Telengana and Andhra Pradesh.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1679 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: National Centre for Molecular Materials Research
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1679

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26/07/2017

## NATIONAL CENTRE FOR MOLECULAR MATERIALS RESEARCH

## 1679.  DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó  Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  proposed  to  set  up  a  National  Centre  for  Molecular Materials Research (NCMMR) in Thiruvananthapuram;
- (b) if so, whether the project has been implemented in a time bound manner;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; † Original notice of the question received in Hindi.
- (d) if  not,  the  reasons  therefor;  and  (e)  the  details  of  the  budget  allocated  for  the implementation of the project?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY  AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI Y.S. CHOWDHARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó

(gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) to (d): National Centre for Molecular Materials Research (NCMMR) has been envisaged as a centre of excellence in design and development of novel functional molecular materials and their  subsequent  integration  into  devices.  Several  initial  steps  were  taken,  for  example registration of NCMMR as a Society and start of the process of selection of the first Director. In  the  meantime,  however,  Research  and  Development  (R&D)  activities  in  Molecular Materials  have  also  considerably  grown  in  a  number  of  Central  Government  institutions  the  Indian  Institute  of  Science,  Jawaharlal  Nehru  Centre  for  Advanced  Scientific  Research and the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences in Bengaluru, the Indian Association of the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, National Institute for Interdisciplinary  Science  and  Technology,  Trivandrum  and  many  Indian  Institutes  of Technology, just to name a few. Review of all autonomous institutions under administrative control of the Central Government is underway with a view to consolidate their Research and Development (R&D) activities. Starting of a new institution in the area of molecular materials in the current scenario is dependent on the outcome of the review.
- (e) The approved budget was Rs. 76.70 crores for the initial five years.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1678 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: CHINTAMAN NAVSHA WANAGA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1678

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 26 TH  JULY, 2017

## Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner

## 1678. ADV. CHINTAMAN NAVASHA WANAGA:

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

- (a)      whether  Supreme  Court  intends  to  frame  rules  and  regulations  for  appointment  of Chief Election Commissioner of India and other Commissioners;
- (b)    if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c)      whether  the  Government  plans  to  reframe  rules  and  regulations  for  appointment  of Chief Election Commissioner of India and if so, the steps taken so far in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINSTER OF STATE FOR LAW & JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) :     No such directions have been received from Supreme Court of India.
- (b) :     Question does not arise.
- (c)  :    There  is  no  proposal  under  consideration  to  reframe  rules  and  regulations  for appointment of Chief Election Commissioner of India.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1677 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Passenger Safety
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1677 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## PASSENGER SAFETY

## 1677. SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that an ambitious technology upgradation plan of the Railways aimed at providing enhanced passenger safety is threatening  to  go  off  track  on  account  of  continuing  upheaval  in the Indian Railway Project Management Unit (IRPMU);
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that the IRPMU was renamed and work on Train  Protection Warning Systems  (TPWS) execution was passed on to zonal general managers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether there has been allegation that it has been done to keep wrong doings at the organisation under wraps and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)&(b) : The technology upgradation plan of the Railways aimed at providing enhanced passenger safety is on track.

(c)&(d) : Indian Railway Project Management Unit was executing Kfw funding project in Ghaziabad-Kanpur Section.  This funding has since ceased  and  accordingly  the  balance  works  have  been  allotted to

Zonal Railway i.e. North Central Railway. Hence  the Indian Railway Project  Management  Unit  has  been  merged  with  Chief  Signal  & Telecommunication Engineer, Project unit of North Central Railway, Allahabad and brought under technical and administrative control of Chief Signal & Telecom Engineer, North Central Railway and General Manager, North Central Railway.

The Train Protection Warning System works has been transferred to Zonal Railways in view of full powers delegated to Zonal Railways in respect of tenders for works and stores. The existing Indian Railway Project  Management  Unit  under  control  of  General  Manager,  North Central Railway is executing Train Protection Warning System works within the jurisdiction of North Central Railway.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1674 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Southern Freight Corridor
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MEENAKASHI LEKHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.1674 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## SOUTHERN FREIGHT CORRIDOR

1674. SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Railways  is  in  the  process  of  developing  a  Southern Freight  Corridor  (SFC)  which  would  be  connected  to  one  of  the  three dedicated freight corridors; and
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) :   No,  Madam.  Presently,  only  two  Freight  Corridors,  namely,  Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor have been  sanctioned.  Feasibility  studies  have  been  carried  out  for  three Freight  Corridors,  namely,  (i)  East-West    Corridor  (Kolkata-Mumbai);    (ii) North-South  Corridor  (Delhi-Chennai);    and  (iii) East  Coast  Corridor ( Kharagpur -Vijayawada).
- (b): Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1673 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Cleanliness at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1673 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## CLEANLINESS AT STATIONS

1673.  SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a survey of 407 railway stations was got carried out by a third party audit by the Quality Council of India on feedback from passengers about cleanliness;
- (b) if  so,  whether  among  top  10  stations,  Telangana  and  Andhra Pradesh  have  most  stations  in  the  list  and  if  so,  the  reasons therefor;
- (c) whether most of the railway stations in Delhi have ranked very low except Anand Vihar railway station and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the total amount spent by Railways on cleanliness of stations in Delhi during the last three years; and
- (e) the steps taken or being taken by the Government to improve cleanliness at railway stations in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) Yes, Madam. Indian Railways has got a survey conducted by Quality Council of India on assessment of cleanliness standards of

major  railway  stations  (A1  and  A  category)  based  on  Process Evaluation, Direct Observations and Citizen Feedback. (b) Yes, Madam. 06 stations out of the top 20 (10 of A1 category and 10 of A category) are from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The results  are  based  on  the  audit  of  processes,  infrastructure  and passenger feedback. (c) No, Madam. (d) Approximately, ` 60.14  Crore  had  been  spent  during  the  last three years i.e. 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. (e) Regular events on cleanliness are planned and organised at all Railway  Stations.  Weekly  Special  Intensive  Cleaning  Drives  at Railway  Stations  are  also  regularly  undertaken.  Enforcement  of Indian  Railways  (Penalties  for  activities  affecting  cleanliness  at railway  premises)  Rules,  2012  has  also  been  intensified.    Use  of CCTVs  are  also  being  made  to  monitor  cleanliness.  Intensive cleaning of railway stations is also planned during the 'Swachchta Pakhwada'  from  16 th   to  31 st   August  2017.  Mechanised  cleaning contracts with improved processes, machinery and updated management systems have also been introduced.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1672 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Haj Pilgrimage
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1672 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## Haj Pilgrimage

## 1672.  SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- a)  Whether the Union Government has requested the Ministry of Shipping to restart  sea  route    and  to  provide  Akbar  and  Noorjahan  ships  to  ferry  Haj Pilgrimage;
- b)  If so, the details thereof; and
- c)  The response received from the Shipping Ministry in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a) to (c) Ministry of Minority Affairs is only exploring an idea on  the possibilities for the revival of Haj Pilgrimage through ships as an additional option for the Indian  Haj  Pilgrims,  with  the  Ministry  of  Shipping.  Ministry  of  Shipping  has informed that the ticketing charges will be less than airline charges if vessels with passenger capacity of 1100 are used. Further, other logistic arrangements including assembling of pilgrims and travelling time would also need to be considered.  As advised by the M/o Shipping, the M/o External Affairs have been consulted . It is still on exploratory stage and nothing has been fixed up.
- *****