opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3257 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Science Centre and Zonal Systems
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: INNOCENT

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

LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3257 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22/3/2017

## SCIENCE CENTRE AND ZONAL SYSTEMS

## 3257.  SHRI INNOCENT:

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

- (a) whether the  Government is  considering  to  set  up  science  centres  and  zonal  systems  to support research in all States and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has received requests from many State Governments to promote research and development works in their States; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

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

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

- (a) No, Madam. Department of Science and Technology does not deal with Science Cities and Science Centres. However, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, does administer a 'Science Cities Scheme' which envisages setting up of Science Centres/ Science Cities with the objective of portraying the growth of science and technology and their application in industry, with a view to develop  scientific  attitude  and  temper  and  to  create,  inculcate  and  sustain  general  awareness amongst the people. These science Centres/Cities also organize various training programmes for science  teachers/students/young  entrepreneurs  on  specific  subjects  of  science,  technology  and industry. However, the Science Cities Scheme does not include setting up of Science Centres and Regional Centres for promoting any kind of research across the country.
- (b) No, Madam
- (c) Not applicable.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: e-Ticket Facility
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VIKRAM USENDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3255 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017

## E-TICKET FACILITY

†3255.  SHRI VIKRAM USENDI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether e-tickets in the waiting list get automatically cancelled during  preparation  of  chart  while  the  tickets  in  the  waiting  list purchased from railway counters do not get automatically cancelled;
- (b) if so, whether the Government proposes to make any alternative arrangement so as to provide the e-ticket facility to all passengers; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c):  In case of fully waitlisted e-tickets i.e. tickets on which all the passengers are on waiting list at the time of preparation of first reservation chart, names of all such waitlisted passengers are dropped  from  the  reservation  chart  and  the  refund  is  directly credited to the source of payment as e-ticket is not a money value document. This facilitates automatic refund to such e-ticket holders without  the  need  to  approach  the  Railway's  booking  counter  for obtaining refund. For  passengers  booking  the  tickets  through internet,  the  option  of  buying  i-tickets  including  waitlist  i-tickets, which  are  physical  tickets  at  par  with  tickets  issued  through

Computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter, is also available. Since the physical ticket booked through PRS counter is a money value document, it has to be deposited for obtaining refund against the ticket as per extant refund rules. However, the facility of  cancellation  through  139  and  through  Indian  Railway  Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website has also been introduced for the physical tickets.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3253 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Pucca Platform for Wagons at Puri
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Pratyusha Rajeshwari Singh

- (a) & (b) No, Madam.
- (c)  There  is  no  goods  shed  at  Puri.  Pucca  platform  without  cover  is available at Khurda and the number of rakes handled in a month is less than stipulated traffic as per policy guidelines. For provision of cover at  Nayagarh,  pucca  platform  is  available  and  cover  has  not  been provided as loose commodity (mainly iron ore) is handled.

***

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3253 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017

## PUCCA PLATFORM FOR WAGONS AT PURI

## 3253. SHRIMATI PRATYUSHA RAJESHWARI SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a separate pucca platform and cover are being provided for the wagons commuting at Puri/Khurda and Nayagarh;
- (b) if so, the detail thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reason therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
Lok Sabha Question No. 3252 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Central Board of Film Certification
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: MURALI MOHAN MAGANTI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORNIATION  & BROADCASTING

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO. 3252 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 22.03.2017

## CENTRAL BOARD OF FILM CERTIFICATION

## 3252: SHRI M. MURALI MOHAN:

WiII the Minister of INFORMATION  AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to set up separate  regional office of Central Board of Film Certification  (CBFC) in various  States  including Amaravathi/Vijayawada./Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh; and
- (b) if so, the time by which  it is likely  to be established?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b): There is no proposal under consideration  of the Govemment for setting  up a new resional office of Central Board of Film Certification'
Lok Sabha Question No. 3251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Collaboration under Digital India
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3251

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 22.03.2017

## COLLABORATION UNDER DIGITAL INDIA

## 3251.    SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

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

- (a) whether Government is planning to collaborate with Microsoft to explore opportunities in the areas such as rural health and employment under rural Digital India Programme; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  There is no such proposal as of now.
- (b):  Does not arise.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3248 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Allowances to Government Employees
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3248

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017)

## ALLOWANCES TO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

## 3248. SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Unions of Government Employees have demanded for an early decision on pending issue of allowances recommended by the 7th Pay Commission;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  set  up  a  committee  which held talks with the representatives of unions;
- (d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
- (e) the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken in this matter?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) & (b):  Several representations have been received from various employees' associations on allowances by the Committee on Allowances.  Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) has also requested to resolve the pending issues including allowances as soon as possible.

- (c)  to  (e):    To  examine  the  recommendations  of  the  7 th Central  Pay  Commission  on Allowances  (other  than  Dearness  Allowance),  a  Committee  of  Secretaries  under  the Chairmanship  of  Finance  Secretary  and  Secretary,  Expenditure  has  been  set  up  by  the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure on 22.07.2016.

In the 13 meetings held so far, the Committee has interacted with National Council (Staff  Side),    Joint  Consultative  Machinery  (JCM)  and  the  representatives  of  All  India Railwaymen  Federation  (AIRF),  National  Federation  of  Indian  Railwaymen  (NFIR),  All India Train Controllers Association (AITCA), All India Guards Council (AIGC), Federation of National Postal Organization, National Federation of Postal Employees, Bhartiya Postal Employees  Federation,  Bhartiya  Postal  Employees  Association  (Group-C),  Joint  Action Council  of  Service  Doctors  Organization  (JACSDO),  All  India  GDMO  Association (AIGDMOA),  Delhi  Administration  Doctors  Welfare  Association  (DADWA),  Faculty Association  (Maulana  Azad  Medical  College  and  associated  hospitals),  Faculty  Welfare Association  (Lady  Hardinge  Medical  College),  Safdarjung  Hospital  Medical  Officers Association, All India Government Nurses Federation (AIGNF), Railway Nurses of India, All  India  ESIC  Nurses  Federation,  PGI  Nurses  Welfare  Association,  Trained  Nurses Association of India (TNAI), National Federation of Atomic Energy (NFAEE).

The  Committee  has  not  yet  submitted  its  report  to  the  Government.  Decisions  on implementing the Report will be taken after the Report is submitted by the Committee.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Resources for New Rail Lines
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 3247 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017

## RESOURCES FOR NEW RAIL LINES

3247. SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  resources  for  laying  new  railway  lines  during  the  12th  Plan period were very inadequate;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the  details  of  remedial  measures  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  for improving fiscal condition of Railways for better allocation/implementation of projects?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  There  are  166  ongoing  new  line  projects  with  a throwforward of ` 1,94,282 crore as on 01.04.2016. Against this, the total outlay  in  the  12th  Plan  for  New  Lines  is ` 35000  crore as  funds  are  also required for other important works such as doubling, electrification etc.
- (c):   Railway Plan funding is planned through Gross Budgetary Support(GBS), Internal Generation and Extra Budgetary Resources.  In the first three years of the 12th Plan, the Annual Plan size of Railways has been ` 50,383  crore  (2012-2013), ` 53989  crore  (2013-2014)  and ` 58719  crore (2014-2015). However, in 2015-16 and 2016-17 the Annual Plan size has been substantially increased to ` 93,519 crore and ` 1,21,000 crore respectively by    mobilizing  the  additional  resources  from  Extra  Budgetary  Resources, Institutional Financing and Public Private Partnership besides higher allocations through GBS.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3246 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Renaming of High Court
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD

(a) : Yes, Madam.

(b) &(c) : The High Courts (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016 enabling the changing the names of the High Courts of Bombay, Calcutta and Madras into the High Courts of Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, respectively has been introduced in the Lok Sabha on 19.07.2016. However, the State Government of Tamil Nadu has requested to change the name of the High Court of Madras as the High  Court  of  Tamil  Nadu.  The  High  Court  of  Calcutta  has  also  not  agreed  for  revised nomenclature. The Central Government has again sought views from concerned State Governments and respective High Courts for finalising fresh Bill. No time frame can be fixed for approval of the Bill.

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3246 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 22.03.2017

## Renaming of  High Court

## † 3246.PROF: RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD

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

- (a) whether the Government has received proposal from the Government of Maharashtra about renaming the Bombay High Court to Mumbai High Court;
- (b) if so, the time by which the said proposal is likely to be approved; and
- (c) the reasons for delaying the proposal?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)
Lok Sabha Question No. 3243 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Trains to Capital Cities
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BANSHILAL MAHTO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3243 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017

## TRAINS TO CAPITAL CITIES

† 3243.  DR. BANSHILAL MAHATO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Rajdhani or Shatabdi Express trains are being run from New Delhi railway station to Capitals of all States everyday;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of capitals of States where there is no arrangement for such trains along with the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  the  Government proposes to run 12442 Rajdhani Express daily which is being run twice a week at present; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  to  (c):  No,  Madam.    At  present,  21  States  out  of  the  29  States  are connected to Delhi by Rajdhani/Shatabdi Express.  Out of these 21 States, 12 States  are  connected  by  daily  Rajdhani  Express  trains  and  6  States  are connected by daily Shatabdi Express trains. The remaining 7 States are not connected to Delhi by either Rajdhani Express or Shatabdi Express owing to operational and resource constraints.
- (d)  &  (e):  Presently,  there  is  no  proposal  to  increase  the  frequency  the 12441/12442  New  Delhi-Bilaspur  Rajdhani  Express  due  to  operational  and resource constraints.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3242 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Online Readership
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3242

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017)

## ONLINE READERSHIP FOR PUBLICATIONS DIVISION

3242

Dr. SHASHI THAROOR

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

- (a) Whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  implement  the  New Business Policy for Publications Division, which will promote online readership by selling digital versions of the publication at 75 per cent the price of printed version, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) Whether the Government has formulated a framework to select and appoint e-commerce platforms to sell e-books of the Publications Division, if so, the details thereof;
- (C) Whether  the  Government  proposes  to  adopt  a  competitive  bidding process to select the e-commerce platforms under the new policy to ensure efficient delivery of services; and
- (d) If so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes,  Ministry  of  Information  &  Broadcasting  has  approved  a  new business policy (Costing and Other financial issues) for Publication Division with effect from 31-12-2015, which inter-alia includes sale of digital version (e-book)  of  its  various  publications  at  75%  the  price  of  P-book.  The  New Business Policy may be seen at the website of DPD under the Ministry.

(b) The new policy provides for the utilization of the e-commerce platform for  sale  of  its  e-books  with  a  revenue  sharing  in  the  ratio  of  70:30 (DPD:Platform) on the price of e-book.

(c) & (d) Since the norms for sale of books on e-commerce platform have already  been  defined  in  the  policy  approved  on  31-12-2015,  adopting  the competitive bidding process to select the e-commerce platform is not required. Besides this being a first time initiative of Publications Division, it has been taken up on pilot basis.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3240 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Community Radio
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3240

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017)

## COMMUNITY RADIO

## 3240.SHRI B.V.NAIK:

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

- (a) whether Government has mandated the Community Radio Stations for daily submission of programmes to be broadcast;
- (b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor ;
- (c) whether certain stakeholders have opposed to the move of the Government and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the corrective steps taken by Government in this regard ?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) The clause 8.1(a) of the Grant of Permission Agreement, signed between Ministry  of  Information  and  Broadcasting  and  Permission  holder,  prescribes  that 'the Permission holder at its own cost shall, preserve the recordings of broadcast material for a period of three months from the date of broadcast and produce the same to the Grantor or its authorized representative, as and when required'.

It was decided that for review on a regular basis, Community Radio Stations may send their recordings of broadcast through email in June 2015. However, as most stations  did  not  find  it  convenient  due  to  various  reasons,  the  decision  was  not enforced.  The  Community  Radio  Stations,  however,  continue  to  preserve  the recordings  of  broadcast  material  for  a  period  of  three  months  from  date  of broadcast.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3239 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Theft of Foodgrains from Goods Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMCHARAN BOHARA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3239 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017

## THEFT OF FOODGRAINS FROM GOODS TRAINS

†3239. SHRI RAM CHARAN BOHRA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  incidents  of  theft  of  foodgrains  from  the  goods  trains stationed at railway yards being reported have increased during the last three years;
- (b) if so, the zone-wise details of the thefts reported during the said period;
- (c) whether the Government has taken effective measures to check such incidents; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

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

***

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3239 BY SHRI RAM CHARAN BOHRA TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  22.03.2017  REGARDING  THEFT  OF FOODGRAINS FROM GOODS TRAINS

(a)  &  (b):  No,  Madam.  The  number  of  incidents  of  theft  of  foodgrains from the goods trains stationed at railway yards has remained more or less static during the last three years.

(c)  &  (d):  Yes,  Madam.  The  following  steps  are  taken  to  prevent incidents of theft/pilferage of food grains from trains stabled in yards:-

1. Railway Protection Force personnel are deployed round the clock to prevent  theft  of  goods  and  railway  property  at  vulnerable  railway yards.
2. Constant surveillance is kept in the railway yards and adjacent local areas on the movement of anti social elements.
3. Based on crime intelligence, raids are conducted on the receivers of stolen  railway  property  in  co-ordination  with  local  police  and  the criminals/receivers arrested are prosecuted under the provisions of the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1966.
4. Close coordination is being maintained  with Local Police  and Government  Railway  Police  to  prevent  /detect  the  cases  of  theft/ pilferage of railway property including food grains from goods trains.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3238 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Digital Locker
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (MeitY)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3238

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 22.03.2017

## DIGITAL LOCKER

## 3238.     ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR

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

- (a) whether the Government is considering to appoint an authority to manage its digital locker initiative and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the digital locker is one of the key projects under Digital India Programme; and
- (c) if  so,  the  salient  features  thereof  along  with  the  role  of  private  players,  if  any,  under  the same?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):    Yes, Sir. Digital Locker Authority has been constituted through on office order, dated 4 th October  2016,  exercising  the  powers  conferred  by  sub-rule  (1)  of  rule  3  of  the  Information Technology  (Preservation  and  Retention  of  Information  by  Intermediaries  Providing  Digital Locker Facilities) Rules, 2016.
- (b):    Yes, Sir.
- (c):    The  Digital  Locker  authority  has  been  constituted  to  establish,  administer,  and  manage Digital Locker system to preserve and retain information for efficient delivery of services to the users through Digital Locker system. The private players, called Digital Locker Service Providers, are intermediaries, to provide  Digital Locker,  Access  Gateways,  or,  Repository  facilities electronically, in accordance with the Digital Locker rules.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3237 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Shortage of Manpower in Indian Missions
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ANIRUDHAN SAMPATH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3237 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2017

## SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER IN INDIAN MISSIONS

## 3237. DR. A. SAMPATH:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  severe  shortage  of  manpower  in  Indian Missions abroad;
- (b) if  so,  the  number  of  staff  in  High  Commissions  presently posted in all the countries; and
- (c) the  action  taken  to  fill  up  the  shortage  of  staff  in  Indian Missions?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) to (c) At present there are 2154 posts of India-based and 2708 posts of local staff of the Ministry in Missions and Posts abroad. The Government continuously reviews the requirement of manpower at various levels in Missions and Posts abroad. Remedial relocation of manpower is undertaken wherever required. The Ministry is optimizing utilization of human resources through increasing recruitment  in  Indian  Foreign  Service,  taking  officers  from  other Ministries  and  Departments  on  deputation  and  engaging  locally recruited staff.

*****