opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 114 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Modification of various laws
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 114 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016

## Modification of various Laws

## 114. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

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

- (a) whether  the  law  commission  have  made  any  effort  to  modify  various  laws  to meet  the  requirement  of  International  obligations  agreed  upon  by  our  country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  and  (b)  :  Yes,  Madam.  The  Law  Commission of India had submitted its Reports Nos. 151, 155, 218 and 263 in this regard.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 113 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Indus Water Treaty
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: FAIZAL P.P. MOHAMMED, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.113 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016

## INDUS WATER TREATY

113.  SHRI MOHMMED FAIZAL: SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether  the  Government  is  considering  the  possibility  of revisiting the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan in the wake of the attack and the detail thereof;
- (b)     whether  the  Government  is  also  looking  at  option  to  claim Indus resources without breaking the word of the treaty and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)     whether  the  Government  has  initiated  any  dialogue  in  this regard with Pakistan Government; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of Pakistan Government thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Under the terms of the Indus Water Treaty, 1960 India has been permitted to construct storage of water on Western Rivers upto 3.6 MAF (million acre feet) for various purposes. No storage has been  developed  so  far.  Government  is  exploring  ways  to  fully develop the rights allocated to India under the Treaty.

India  and  Pakistan  have  each  created  a  permanent  post  of Commissioner  for Indus Waters. They  together constitute the Permanent  Indus  Commission  (PIC),  which  is  entrusted  with  the implementation of the Treaty. The PIC is required to hold meetings and  tours  and  submit  report  on  its  work  to  the  two  Governments every year.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 112 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Free Wi-Fi at Metro Stations
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: JANAK RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 112

TO BE ANSWERED ON NOVEMBER 16, 2016

## FREE WI-FI AT METRO STATIONS

No.112 SHRI JANAK RAM:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has provided free wi-fi facilities at some at the metro rail stations in Delhi;
- (b) if so, the names of such metro stations and the time period for providing wi-fi facilities;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to provide the facility at all the  metro  station  and  also  increase  the  time  period  of  this facility; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT ( RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a)&(b): Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (DMRC) has informed that they have provided wi-fi facilities at the following metro stations:

Cont…

- (i) Kashmere Gate
- (ii) Rajiv Chowk
- (iii) Central Secretariat
- (iv) Hauz Khas
- (v) New Delhi (Airport Express Line)
- (vi) Shivaji Stadium
- (vii) Dhaula Kuan
- (viii) Delhi Aerocity
- (ix) Airport
- (x) Dwarka Sector 21

At the above first four metro stations, wi-fi facility is free for the first half an hour and thereafter it is chargeable at Rs. 25/- and Rs. 30/- for half an hour and for one-hour period respectively.   At the remaining six metro stations of Airport Express Line, passengers can use free wi-fi facility  during  revenue  services  of  Delhi  Metro.  The  time  period  is configurable, which at present is kept as unlimited.

(c)&(d): DMRC has informed that they have planned to provide wi-fi facility progressively at all currently operational metro stations of Delhi Metro network.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 111 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Website crashed
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: LALLU SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.111 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016

## WEBSITE  CRASH

†111.   SHRI LALLU SINGH :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that a few days before Diwali, the railways website crashed between 10 and 11 o'clock, the time for booking  of  Tatkal  tickets,  and  the  Tatkal  tickets  for  all  the  major trains were booked during this period;
- (b)  if so the details thereof and reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is investigating/proposes to investigate the  reasons  of  website  crash  at  the  time  allotted  for  booking  of Tatkal tickets to know how all the Tatkal tickets got booked during the said period; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government against the officials found responsible for the same?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) :  Yes, Madam.  No such incident occurred.

(b) to (d) : Do not arise.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 110 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: New Railway Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SAKUNTALA LAGURI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 110 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016

## NEW RAILWAY TRACKS

†110. SHRIMATI SAKUNTALA LAGURI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  lay  new  railway  tracks  to strengthen its network;
- (b)  if  so,  the  total  number  of  such  sections  the  tracks  of  which  are  being changed across the country;
- (c)  whether  the  tracks  of  such  sections  have  become  dilapidated  and  old and if so, the details thereof:
- (d) whether the targeted expenditure on laying of tracks has been fixed and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  time  by  which  the  work  of  new  railway  tracks  is  likely  to  be completed?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

***

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 110 BY SHRIMATI SAKUNTALA LAGURI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 16.11.2016 REGARDING NEW RAILWAY TRACKS

(a)  to  (e)  :  Track  renewal  is  a  continuous  activity.  Replacement  of Railway tracks is sanctioned annually as and when a stretch of track becomes due for track renewal on age-cum-condition basis i.e. on the basis of traffic carried over the track and physical condition of track. As  on  01.04.2016,  5900  km  of  track  renewal  is  sanctioned,  out  of which  2668  km  has  been  targeted  for  completion  in  2016-17.  The details  of    track  renewal  target  and  achievement,  amount  allocated and expenditure incurred for the current year are as under:

| Year    | Target (in km)    | Achieve- ment (Upto Sept. 2016) (in km)   | Amount Allocated ( ì in Cr.)   | Expenditure Incurred ( ì in Cr.)   |
|---------|-------------------|-------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| 2016-17 | 1500              | 1109                                      | 4000                           | 2339.11                            |
|         | Enhanced to: 2668 |                                           | Enhanced to: 7500              |                                    |

As per norms, track renewals works are to be completed within two to three years of sanction, depending on availablity of resources.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 109 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Bimstec convention
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.109 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016

## BIMSTEC CONVENTION

109. SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the member countries have decided to expedite the signing  of  the  BIMSTEC  Convention  on  Mutual  Assistance  in Criminal  Matter  and  for  early  ratification  of  the  BIMSTEC Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism,  Transnational  Organised  Crime  and  Illicit  Drug Trafficking; and
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWER [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) Yes.
- (b) The  Indian  Cabinet  has  approved  signing  and  ratification  of the  BIMSTEC  Convention  on  Mutual  Legal  Assistance  in  Criminal Matters  on  10th   March  2016.  The  Leaders  of  BIMSTEC  countries during  the  Goa  Summit  held  on  16 th   October  2016,  committed  to expedite the signing of this Convention.

In  the  context  of  BIMSTEC  Convention  on  Cooperation  in Combating  International  Terrorism,  Transnational  Organised  Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking, all Member Countries of BIMSTEC except Nepal  and  Bhutan  have  ratified  the  Convention.  India  ratified  the Convention on 1st December,  2010.  The  Leaders  of  BIMSTEC countries during the Goa  Summit  held  on  16th  October  2016 committed to early ratification of this Convention.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 106 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Quality Council of India
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: JOSE K. MANI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND PUBLIC GRIEVANCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 106

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016)

## QUALITY COUNCIL OF INDIA

## 106. SHRI JOSE K. MANI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  asked  Quality  Council  of  India  to  suggest  structural changes in top 20 grievance-prone ministries to address the root cause of grievances received from the public and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Quality Council has observed that the Railways, Telecom, Department of Financial Services  and CBDT remain the  most complaint-prone departments of the Central Government; and
- (c) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism in these departments?

## 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):    Yes, Madam. Government has entrusted Quality Council of India (QCI) to conduct an analysis of the grievances received in Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) relating to 20 Ministries/Departments/Organizations. Key issues have been identified department-wise for initiating systemic reforms.
- (b):        The  QCI  Study  for  the  period  1 st January,  2012 to  19 th August,  2015  has  identified Railways,  Telecom,  Department  of  Financial  Services  and  CBDT  as  among  the  top  few Departments receiving large number of grievances.
- (c):        The  Grievance  Analysis  Reports  have  been  duly  circulated  to  the  concerned Ministries/Departments/Organizations  including  Railways,  CBDT,  Telecom  and  Financial Services and grievance disposal is being regularly monitored. Respective Departments have taken  up  reforms  like  automatic  refund  on  cancellation  of  tickets,  single  window  pension through disbursing banks, intensive mechanized cleaning of coaches, e-verification of income tax returns, expeditious income tax refunds up to 50,000/- among other reforms.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 104 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Howrah&Jamalpur Shatabi Train
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JAY PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 104 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016

## HOWRAH-JAMALPUR SHATABDI TRAIN

†104.  SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  a  decision  to  introduce Howrah-Jamalpur Shatabdi  Train  between  Silk  City  Bhagalpur  and Rail City Jamalpur in Bihar for the convenience of passengers;
- (b)  if  so,  the  time  by  which  the  said  train  is  likely  to  be  made operational; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  At  present,  there  is  no  proposal  to  introduce  a  Shatabdi Express  between  Howrah  and  Jamalpur  due  to  operational  and resource constraints. However, introduction of new trains including Shatabdi Express trains is an ongoing process over Indian Railways subject  to  operational  feasibility,  commercial  viability,  availability of resources etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 102 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Baswan Panel Report
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 102

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016)

## BASWAN PANEL REPORT

## 102. SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  Baswan  Panel  Report  on  civil  services examinations;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the action taken by the Government so far on the recommendations and the outcome thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  committee  has  recommended  for  lowering  of  upper  age  limit  for  civil services exam and if so, the details thereof?

## 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)  to  (c):    The  Baswan  Committee  has  submitted  its  report  to  the  Union  Public  Service Commission (UPSC) on 9 th August,  2016.  The  recommendations  made  by  the  Committee including on age limit are presently under consideration of the UPSC. The recommendations of the UPSC on Baswan Committee report is yet to be received.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 101 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Akashwani Kendra in Madhubani
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: BIRENDRA KUMAR CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 101

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016)

## AKASHWANI KENDRA IN MADHUBANI

## 101. SHRI BIRENDRA KUMAR CHOUDHARY:

## Will the MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the foundation stone for setting up an Akashwani Kendra in Ranti village of district Madhubani, Bihar, has been laid;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which the Kendra will become operational ?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

{COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

(a) to (c)   Prasar Bharati has informed that the foundation stone for proposed station at Ranti Mouza, Madhubani was laid by the then Hon'ble Minister of Information  &  Broadcasting  (I&B)  on  19.01.2004.  The  proposed  site  was  a private land and demand note for purchasing the site was not received from the State Government during the 10 th  Plan period. Hence, the station could not come into existence during 10 th  Plan period. The same could not be included in 11 th  Plan period due to shortage of resources.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 99 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Maintenance of AC in AC Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MEENAKASHI LEKHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 99 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016

## MAINTENANCE OF AC IN AC TRAINS

99. SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of time the maintenance of air conditioners in the AC coaches of trains is generally taken up;
- (b) whether  the  air  conditioning  systems  are  periodically  changed; and
- (c) if so, the maximum time period fixed for the purpose?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) Maintenance of air conditioners in the AC coaches is being done as  per  schedules  i.e.  Trip  schedule,  Monthly,  Three  monthly, Intermediate Overhauling (IOH) and Periodic Overhauling (POH).
- (b)  & (c) Yes, Madam. Air conditioning systems are replaced on codal life (10 years) cum condition basis.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 98 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Identification of Nculear Sites
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 98

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016

## IDENTIFICATION OF NUCLEAR SITES

98. SHRI   M. CHANDRAKASI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  long  term  policy  and  the  criteria  for  identifying  and  finalizing  sites  for setting up of installations for atomic research, nuclear power production, etc. in the country;
- (b) whether cluster-approach would be given priority over sporadic distribution of nuclear  installations  so  as  to  bring  down  the  risk  factors  due  to  radiation security, etc. and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  shifting  of  those  nuclear  facilities  situated  at  comparatively  closer distance of less than 1000 kms, would be considered in the long term; 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) Sites  offered  by  the  State  Governments  for  setting  up  of  nuclear  power plants  are  evaluated  by  the  Standing  Site  Selection  Committee  (SSSC), Government of India in accordance with the criteria laid down in the Atomic Energy  Regulatory  Board  (AERB)  code  on  Site  Evaluation  of  Nuclear Facilities. The sites meeting the criteria are recommended by SSSC for 'inprinciple' approval of the government.
- (b) No, Sir. The nuclear power is safe and has an impeccable safety record of about  450  reactor  years  of  operation  in  the  country.  Multiple  units  are proposed  to  be  setup  at  some  of  the  sites  as  they  have  an  inherent advantage  of  optimization  of  land  requirement,  infrastructure,  resources and utilization of the full site potential.
- (c) &( d)  Do not arise in view of (b) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 97 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Exchange of land with Bangladesh
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.97 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016

## EXCHANGE OF LAND WITH BANGLADESH

- † 97.  SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has started exchanging small parts of    the  land  near  the  India  Bangladesh  border  and  whether there is any such proposal for future; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and total land proposed to be handed over to Bangladesh?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) The  Agreement  between  the  Government  of  India  and the  Government of Bangladesh concerning the Demarcation of the land  border  between  India  and  Bangladesh  and  Related  Matters, 1974  and  its  Protocol,  2011  provides  for  exchange  of  enclaves, demarcation of undemarcated areas on the international border and regularization of the status quo on adversely held territories by both sides.  These  provisions  were  made  effective  after  the  passage  of the  100th  Constitutional  Amendment  Bill,  2015  by  both  Houses  of Parliament in May 2015 that enabled ratification of the Agreement and  its  Protocol.    Thereafter,  the  exchange  of  territories  between India and Bangladesh was carried out on July 31, 2015 whereby 111 erstwhile Indian enclaves with a total area of 17,160.63 acres were transferred  to  Bangladesh  and  51  erstwhile  Bangladeshi  enclaves with an area of 7,110.02 acres were transferred to India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 96 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Niti Aayog
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 96 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016

## NITI Aayog

## 96. SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

(a) whether the NITI Aayog is re-examining its proposal for the centre to  strategically divest its stake in the CONCOR after the Finance Ministry returned the plan on the ground that the  move  could  potentially  lead  to  a  public  sector  monoploy  becoming  a  private  sector monopoly  and if so, the details thereof; and

- (b) the views of Railways Ministry in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) and (b):   Yes sir.   The Ministry of Railways will be consulted.
- ----------
Lok Sabha Question No. 95 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Releasing Italian Marines
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.95 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016

## RELEASING ITALIAN MARINES

95. SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has set conditions to free the Italian marines as per United National arbitration court rules;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  India has lost the case in the United Nations arbitration court because  of many  lapses  auged  by  the Government; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI M. J. AKBAR)

(a) & (b) The  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  of  India  has  permitted  the two Marines to return to Italy, subject to certain conditions. The two Marines continue to be under the authority of the Hon'ble Supreme Court.

- (c) & (d) No. The case rests before the Arbitral Tribunal constituted under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- *****