opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 950 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Freight Classification
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.950

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## FREIGHT CLASSIFICATION

†950. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  norms  laid  down  for  freight  classification  under  the  goods transport system;
- (b)  whether  the  Railways  have  further  changed  the  classification  of various goods recently for determining the prevailing rates;
- (c) if so, the details in this regard; and
- (d) the manner in which transparency is ensured by the Railways in the decision making process in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  The  norms  laid  down  for  fixing  tariff  for  transportation  of  goods  by Rail  includes cost of the service, value of the service, what the traffic can bear, competition from other modes of transportation, elasticity of demand, socio-economic conditions of the country etc.
- (b)  &  (c)  Recently,  classification  of  Coal  &  Coke  has  been  rationalized from Class-145 to Class-145A along with rationalisation of distance slabs from  24.08.2016.  The  classification  of  Red  Mud  and  Ochre  also  been revised  from  Class-150  to  Class-120.  Oliflux  and  Monazite  have  been included in the classification of Goods under the main commodity headMinerals and Ores other than Iron Ore.
- (d) All policy instructions are uploaded on the website of Indian Railways on real time basis.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 949 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Development Areas
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: UDIT RAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 949

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 8, 2017

## DEVELOPMENT AREAS

No. 949     DR. UDIT RAJ:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a):  whether  the  Government  proposed  to  declare  development  areas under section 12 of the Delhi Development Act, 1957;
- (b):  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  it  is  likely  to  be
- declared;
- (c): whether the Government proposes to declare 89 villages in the NCT of Delhi as Urban villages under section 507 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957; and

(d): if so, the details thereof and the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken in this regard?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) to (d): Declaration of the villages, falling in land pooling area, as (i)

development area under Section 12 of Delhi Development Act, 1957 by the Lieutenant Governor, Delhi after seeking the views of Municipal Corporations  of  Delhi  (MCDs),  and  (ii)  urban  areas  under  Section  507  of Delhi  Municipal  Corporation  Act,  1957  by  the  concerned  MCDs  after  the approval  of  Government  of  National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi,  is  a statutory requirement for implementation of the policy. Delhi Development Authority has taken up the matter with the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and the same has been reviewed in the Ministry.

………….
Lok Sabha Question No. 947 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: ISRO Rover on Lunar Surface
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: K. GOPAL

## 947.

- (a)
- (b)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.947

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2017

## ISRO ROVER ON LUNAR SURFACE

- DR. K. GOPAL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- whether ISRO is going to deploy rover on lunar surface;
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the wheeled rover would  be  useful  in  suing  multiple applications  by  collecting  soil  and  rock  sediments  and  if  so, the details thereof; and
- whether ISRO has not yet finalized the timing of its launch and
- (d) 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) Yes  Madam.  Indian Space  Research  Organisation (ISRO) is planning to deploy a rover on the lunar surface in the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
- (b) The  Chandrayaan-2,  India's  second  mission  to  the  Moon,  is  a totally  indigenous  mission  comprising  of  an  Orbiter,  Lander  and

Rover. After reaching the 100 km lunar orbit, the Lander housing the  Rover  will  separate  from  the  Orbiter.  After  a  controlled descent,  the  Lander  will  soft  land  on  the  lunar  surface  at  a specified site and deploy a Rover. (c) The six-wheeled Rover will move around the landing site in semiautonomous  mode  as  decided  by  the  ground  commands.  The instruments on the rover will observe the lunar surface and send back  data,  which  will  be  useful  for  analysis  of  the  lunar  soil. Collection  of  soil  and  rock  sediments  is  not  planned  in  this mission. ISRO is working towards the launch of Chandrayaan-2 during the

*****

(d) first quarter of 2018.
Lok Sabha Question No. 946 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Conversion of Old Coaches into Theme Based Restaurants
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.946 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## CONVERSION OF OLD COACHES INTO THEME BASED RESTAURANTS

946. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the Railways has decided to convert old coaches of the Palace on Wheels into theme based restaurants;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether these restaurants will be placed strategically at railway properties of historic significance; 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. 944 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Aadhaar Card to Differently Abled
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: GANESH SINGH, KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 944

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08.02.2017

## AADHAAR CARD TO DIFFERENTLY ABLED

## 944. SHRI GANESH SINGH:

## SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

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

- (a)   whether the differently abled people and mentally retarded (divyang) children are facing difficulties in reaching to the Aadhaar cards kendras for issuing of their Aadhaar cards;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof;
- (c)   whether the Government proposes to prepare the Aadhaar cards of such people at their doorstep;
- (d)     if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)    if not, the measures taken by the Government to alleviate the difficulties faced by them for enrolment in Aadhaar?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e):  Aadhaar is issued to the residents of India, including differently abled people and mentally  retarded    children.  For  those  who  cannot  reach  enrolment  centre  due  to  some reasons, special arrangements such as mobile vans, special enrolment camps etc. are made for enrolling such residents.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 942 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Assistance to Underprivileged
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: BODH SINGH BHAGAT, JANARDAN MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 942

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 8 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## ASSISTANCE TO UNDERPRIVILEGED

942.   SHRI BODHSINGH BHAGAT: SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to make provisions for voluntary funds for quick assistance to the underprivileged  people  by  the  Members  of  Parliament during their visit to the constituencies;
- (b) if  not,  the  provision  which  the  Government  proposes  to make as an alternative; and
- (c) if so, the time by which the said provisions are likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION [SHRI  D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA]

- (a):
- (b):
- No, Madam.
- No such proposal is under consideration.
- (c): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 941 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Passenger Amenities
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NEELAM SONKER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.941 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## PASSENGER AMENITIES

## †941.  SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  passenger  amenities  committee  constituted  with regard  to  providing  amenities  to  passengers  has  submitted  its report;
- (b)     if so, the salient features of the said report;
- (c) whether any shortcomings with regard to enquiry through telephone  number  139  and  other  passenger  amenities  have  been pointed out in the said report;
- (d)     if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  corrective  steps  in  this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a):  The  present  passenger  Amenities  Committee  (PAC)  has  been constituted  w.e.f.  03.03.2016.  They  have  submitted  their  first  report  in November, 2016.

- (b) to (d):  As per the report,  Passenger Amenities Committee (PAC) has inspected  136  stations  along  with  trains  in  26  inspections  during  the period  from    March,  2016  to  November,  2016.  The  committee  has  also conducted meetings with field officers to discuss the areas of concern

with respect to passenger amenities and have given valuable suggestions  like  need  to  increase  number  of  water  taps  at  stations, improvement  in  level  of  cleanliness,  more  mobile  charging  points  in coaches,  need  to  remove  encroachments,  need  to  improve  number  of general  coaches  in  trains,  improvement  of  parking  areas  etc.  for  the convenience  of  the  passengers.  These  inspections  are  very  useful  in improving the scale and quality of amenities at stations and inside the trains. No  specific suggestion has been  given by the  committee regarding enquiry through telephone number 139.

(e): The suggestions are referred to concerned Zonal Railways for taking corrective  action  on  urgent  basis.    The  works  on  recommendations  of Passenger Amenities Committee (PAC) are undertaken depending upon feasibility, need and inter-se priority subject to availability of funds.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Improper Use of Radioactive Materials
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 940

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## IMPROPER USE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

940. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether incidents of illegal or improper use of radioactive materials have come to the notice of the Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, including the action taken against them;
- (c) whether the Government is considering to introduce a bill to give more powers to the nuclear regulatory authority to deal with such incidents; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No, Sir.
- (b) Not applicable.
- (c)&(d)  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board  (AERB)  have  adequate  powers  to  carry  out  its regulatory and safety functions envisaged under sections 16, 17 and 23 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the following rules framed there under:-
- Atomic  Energy  (Working  of  the Mines, Minerals and  Handling of Prescribed Substance) Rules, 1984.
- Atomic Energy (Safe Disposal of Radioactive Wastes) Rules, 1987
- Atomic Energy (Factories) Rules, 1996
- Atomic Energy (Control of Food Irradiation) Rules, 1996
- Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004

Besides, AERB is also empowered to perform the functions under section 10(1) (powers of entry) and 11(1) (powers to take samples) of Environmental Protection Act, 1986 and Rule 12 (agency to which information on excess discharge of pollutants to be given) of the  Environmental  Protection  (Amendment)  Rules,  1987  with  respect  to  radioactive substances.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 939 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Free Internet Data
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT, RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.939 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## FREE INTERNET DATA

- †939.  SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT: SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India needs over 80 lakhs wifi hotspots against 31000 presently available for Digital India;
- (b) if  so,  the  steps  Government  is  planning  in  this  regard  for  Digital  Technology  to  be accessible to every citizen of the country;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to provide 100 MB free data to rural subscribers in order to facilitate cashless transaction; and
- (d) if so, the number of villages proposed to be equipped with the said facility, State-wise and the time by which the same is likely to be done and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b)  TheTelecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has floated on 13.07.2016 a Consultation  Paper  on  'Proliferation  of  Broadband  through  Public  Wi-Fi  Networks' wherein the number of Wi-Fi hotspot in India (in 2016) has been given as 31,518.It has been further  mentioned  in  the  Consultation  Paper  that  India  requires  8  lakh  additional hotspots.BharatNet Project (Phase-II) plans to provide one Wi-Fi hotspot in each Gram Panchayat.
- (c) & (d)  No such proposal is under consideration.

**************************
Lok Sabha Question No. 938 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Special Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE)

## L O K    S A B H A UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 938

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 8 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## Special Courts

## 938.    SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

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

- (a) the number of special courts created by various Statutes during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) the number of cases pending in the above said special courts;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted a research to see if these special courts have been able to dispose of the cases faster; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard?

## A N S W E R

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

(a) to (d): The  creation  of  special  courts,  their  functioning  and  any  research  on disposal rate of  cases by Special Courts   fall under   domain of the State Governments which in consultation with the High Courts set up such Courts as per their requirement from their own resources. The number of special courts created by various States during the last three years including the current year and the number of cases pending in these courts are not maintained centrally.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 937 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Plantation on Railway Land
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.937

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## PLANTATION ON RAILWAY LAND

## 937.      DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  signed  any  agreement  with  forest departments of all States for plantation on Railway lands and if so, the details of the agreement;
- (b) whether  Railways  will  bear  the  cost  of  plantation  including  its maintenance and protection and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  Railways  has  identified  the  lands  where  the  plantation will be  done;
- (d)   if so, the details thereof including the Railway lands in Maharashtra where plantation will be done;
- (e)    whether  the  ownership  of  the  lands  will  be  transferred  to  State forest departments and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)   whether plantation work on Railway lands has been started and if so, details thereof?

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

(a)  to  (f):    Ministry  of  Railways  finalised  a  model  agreement  in consultation with Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to be entered between Zonal Railways and respective State Forest  Department  in January 2016  which includes Maharashtra also

for  plantation  of  trees  on  Railway  land  along  the  railway  track  and station yards without transferring the ownership of the land in favour of  State  Forest  Department.  As  per  the  provisions  of  the  model Agreement, cost of the plantation including its protection and maintenance  can  be  borne  by  State  Forest  Department  or  Railway Administration  or  can  be  shared  by  both.    The  plantation  work  on Railway land along the railway track has already been started under this  agreement in the States of Punjab (approx. 91000 saplings) and Haryana  (approx.  15000  saplings)  in  the  jurisdiction  of  Northern Railway in the last monsoon season.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 936 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Visa Free Entry in Hong Kong
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.936 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## VISA FREE ENTRY IN HONG KONG

936. DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether Indian travellers will not be eligible for visa-free entry to Hong  Kong  from  January,  2017  onwards  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b)     whether  the  pre-arrival  registration  for  Indian  Nationals  has commenced and Indian nationals must furnish an 'approval slip' before  boarding  a  plane  or  ship  to  Hong  Kong  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (c)     the  reaction  of  the  Government  to  the  new  rules  introduced  for the Indian tourists?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) As per immigration regulation of Hong  Kong  Special Administrative  Region  (HKSAR),  Indian  nationals  who  are  desirous  of staying in Hong Kong for a period exceeding 14 days are required to obtain visa. Indian passport holders who visit Hong Kong for less than 14 days for tourism and such purposes can enter without first obtaining visa. Since 23 January 2017 Hong Kong authorities have introduced an additional layer of scrutiny for such Indian nationals who wish to avail the visa free entry for less than 14 days' stay. This additional layer of scrutiny is mandatory pre-arrival registration. Only those Indian nationals  who  successfully  complete  on-line  pre-arrival  registration could enter Hong Kong and obtain visa on arrival. For others they are required to obtain prior visa before arriving in Hong Kong.

Government of India has conveyed to HKSAR authorities that in view of expanding people-to-people and business ties, it is important that visa and immigration system help such exchanges and not create additional  hurdles.  They  have  also  been  reminded  of  Government  of India's  liberalization  of  visa  system  for  HKSAR  passport  holders through on-line visa facility.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Beneficiaries of Housing Scheme
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: RODMAL NAGAR

No. 934

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

## LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 934

TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 08, 2017

## BENEFICIARIES OF HOUSING SCHEME

SHRI NAGAR RODMAL:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  provisions  made in  the  housing  scheme  by  the  Government for those eligible beneficiaries who have not been included in the list of 2011;
- (b) the State-wise number of such beneficiaries;
- (c) if  not,  the  steps  likely  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme for this purpose and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) to (d) :  'Land'  and  'Colonization'  are  State  subjects  and  it  is  the responsibility  of  the  State  /  UT  Governments  to  frame  policies  and provide housing to all its citizens. Government of India, however,  has launched 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)' Mission on 25.6.2015 to provide central assistance to States/UTs for facilitating housing to all  eligible  urban  poor.  Under  the  PMAY(U)  scheme  guidelines,  all statutory towns as per Census 2011 and towns notified subsequently would be eligible for coverage under the mission. States/UTs will have

flexibility to include in the Mission, the Planning area as notified with respect  to  the  Statutory  Town  and  which  surrounds  the  concerned municipal area. Under PMAY(U) Mission, States/UTs have been delegated the power to appraise and approve project proposals based on demand assessed . States / UTs have to approach the Ministry only for release of Central assistance for projects approved at the State level. The projects under the  PMAY(U)  mission  are  implemented  by  State  /  UT  Governments  /

Urban Local Bodies.

*****