opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1337 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Suicides at Metro
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: JANAK RAM

No. 1337

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1337

TO BE ANSWERED ON NOVEMBER 23, 2016

## SUICIDE AT METRO

SHRI JANAK RAM:

Will  the  MINISTER  OF  URBAN  DEVELOPMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) the number of people who have committed suicides on metro
- tracks during the last two years and the current year so far; and
- (b) the  measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for checking suicides on metro tracks;

## ANSWER

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

(a):  The  cases  of  persons  found  fallen  on  the  metro  track  have  been reported  only  in  Delhi  Metro  Rail  Network.  Delhi  Metro  Rail  Corporation Limited (DMRC) has informed that they have found 46, 51 and 39 cases of persons falling  on  the  metro  track  during  the  year  2014-15,  2015-16  and

2016-17 (as on 14.11.2016) respectively.

(b):  The  steps  taken  by  Metro  organizations  to  prevent  suicide  attempts over Metro Rail Network are as below:

- I. Train  operators  have  been  asked  to  be  extra  vigilant  while approaching platform and apply emergency brakes to stop the train whenever suicide attempt is noticed.
- II. The  Security  Controller/CISF  and  Station  Controllers  have been asked to keep extra vigil on CCTV to identify restless or gloomy persons who may commit suicide.
- III. Queue managers have been placed to segregate unused area of platform.
- IV. Passengers  are  advised  to  keep  away  from  yellow  line  on platform through regular announcements and random checks by staff.
- V. Signages  have  been  placed  at  the  metro  station  advising  the passengers to keep off the track intimating them that the event may cause life changing injury.
- VI. Large numbers of CCTV cameras have been installed;
- VII. Emergency  Stop  Plunger  is  provided  on  each  platform  to  stop  the
8. approaching train in case of emergency;

VIII. Hot  Line  Communication  between  passengers  on  platform  with Station Control Room is made available at each platform; and IX. Track access gates in locked condition are provided at each end of the platform, to restrict entrance of any passenger from platform to track.

……..
Lok Sabha Question No. 1336 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Height of Platforms
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMDAS CHANDRABHANJI TADAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1336 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## HEIGHT OF PLATFORMS

1336.   SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  platforms  under  Nagpur-Wardha-Badnera-Akola-Bhusaval section are very low in height which were meant for the old metre gauge lines;
- (b)  if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Railways to raise the height of these platforms;
- (c)  whether the stations on these sections particularly Chandur and Sindhi are lacking basic amenities viz. drinking water, etc.;
- (d)  if so, the steps taken/being taken to address this problem; and
- (e) whether the Central Railways also have any plans to raise the height of platforms at Pulgaon, Dhamangaon and Chandur and if so, when the work of increasing height of platforms is supposed to be started and completed?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  &  (b):  All  platforms  in  Nagpur-Wardha-Badnera-Akola-Bhusawal  section have  adequate  height  as  per  norms  for  Broad  Gauge  commensurate  with the  category  of  the  stations  except  in  a  small  length  of  one  platform  at Shegaon for which a work of raising of platform has been taken up.
- (c) & (d): Essential passenger amenities including drinking water arrangements have been provided as per norms at all the stations including Chandur  and  Sindhi  stations  on  these  sections,  except  for  a  shortfall  in platform shelter on Platform No.2 at Chandur station. In order to make good the  shortfall  in  platform  shelter  at  Chandur  railway  station,  a  work  has already been sanctioned.
- (e): High level platforms are already available at Pulgaon, Dhamangaon and Chandur railway stations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1333 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Complaint against Cable Operator
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: SANTOKH SINGH CHAUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1333 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016)

## COMPLAINT AGAINST CABLE OPERATOR

## 1333. SHRI SANTOKH SINGH CHAUDHARY

## WILL THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING  BE PLEASED TO STATE:

- (a) The total number of complaints received against Multisystem Operator (MSO) Local Cable Operator (LCO) of the country during the last three years, yearwise,
- (b) The time by which set top boxes are likely to be installed throughout in the country;
- (c) Whether  the  Government  has  taken  action  against  local  cable  operator  for overcharging the customers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) The number of licenses of cable operators cancelled by the Government during the said period State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION  AND BROADCASTING  {( COL. RAJAYAVARDHAN RATHORE ( RETD.) }

- (a) The total numbers of complaints received during last three year by TRAI are as under:-
- (b) As per Cable TV Rule, the cut of date for complete digitization is 31 st  December, 2016 as such all cable subscribers in the country should take STBs before this date to continue to avail cable TV services. However, due to pending Court cases, the implementation may be delayed,
- (c) As intimated by TRAI any violation is to be dealt in accordance with provisions of the TRAI Act.

| S. No.                       | Year(s)   | Year(s)   | Year(s)   |
|------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
|                              | 2012-13   | 2013-14   | 2014-15   |
| DTH & DAS related complaints | 231       | 436       | 476       |

In  respect  of  analogue  cable  TV  services  being  provided  in  non  DAS areas, the charges to be paid by a subscriber to a local cable operator   is governed by the tariff order notified by the Authority  from time to time.  The service provider shall charge the subscription fee for cable TV services within the ceiling specified by the Authority.

In respect of Cable TV Services provided through DAS, the retail tariff is under forbearance and therefore the charges to be levied by a service provider is  decided  by  the  service  provider  itself.  However,  to  protect  the  interest  of subscribers  in  DAS  notified  areas,  the  Authority  has  prescribed  that  every service provider shall offer a basic service tier of 100 Free to Air (FTA) channels at a maximum price of Rs. 100/- plus applicable taxes.

- (d) Ministry has cancelled 18 MSO registrations till date out of which 9 registrations were  cancelled  due  to  denial  of  security  clearance  by  MHA  and  another  9 registrations were cancelled due to either non-operationalization or surrender of registrations by MSOs.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Paid News
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL

## PAID NEWS

## 1332. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1332 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that a system of news circulation of economical and political nature is in operation for quite sometime with electronic and print media actively  involving in  circulation of paid news on monitory consideration and if so, the details thereof; paid
- (b) whether the Election Commission and the Press Council of India are in the process of conducting an independent and detached study on the issue;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether any report on the findings of the study has been submitted to the Government and if so, the details and outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): has been an item of  discussion in Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology and also in Press Council of India. Press Council of India is a statutory body which deals with instances of paid news reported to it. The Election Commission of India examines all the suspected cases of Paid News in connection with elections through its Media Certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMC) constituted at district level and state level throughout the country.
- (b) No such independent and detached study on the issue is being conducted either by Press Council of India or Election Commission of India on the issue.
- (c) & (d) In view of (b) above, does not arise.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Real Estate Regulation Act
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: ARKA KESHARI DEO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1331

## TO BE ANSWERED ON NOVEMBER 23, 2016

## REAL ESTATE REGULATION ACT

No. 1331 SHRI ARKA KESHARI DEO :

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  keen  to  roll  out  the  Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act in the country which  makes  it  mandatory  for  builders  to  pay  12% interest  to  home  buyers  for  delay  in  handing  over  the flats; and
- (b) if so, the details and the current status thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) & (b):    The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 piloted by the Ministry  of  Housing  &  Urban  Poverty Alleviation was passed by the Parliament and its specific Sections were notified with effect from 01 st May, 2016.

Further,  as  per  section  84  of  the  Real  Estate  Act,  2016, 'Rules'  were  required  to  be  notified  by  the  'appropriate Government'  by  31 st October,  2016.  Ministry  of  Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (Mo/HUPA) being the 'appropriate Government' for Union Territories (UTs) without  legislature,  notified  the  Real  Estate  (Regulation and  Development)  (General)  Rules,  2016  and  the  Real Estate (Regulation and Development) (Agreement for Sale) Rules, 2016 on 31.10.2016.

All the State Governments are similarly required to frame Rules  under  this  Act  and  also  establish  the  Real  Estate Regulatory  Authority  and  Appellate  Tribunal,  to  regulate and  develop  the  real  estate  sector,  for  their  respective States.  Government  of  Uttar  Pradesh  and  Government  of Gujarat  have  notified  the  sub-ordinate  Rules  under  the Real Estate (Regulation and Development)  Act,  2016 within  the  prescribed  time  limit.  UT  of  Chandigarh  has informed  that  they  are  in  the  process  of  establishing  an interim regulator.

As  per  the  Section  18(1)  of  the  Real  Estate  (Regulation and  Development)  Act,  2016,  an  allottee  who  does  not intend to withdraw from a delayed project, shall be paid, by the promoter, interest for every month of delay, till the handing  over  of  the  possession,  at  such  rate  as  may  be prescribed.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1329 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Urban Poor
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: RAVNEET SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1329

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## URBAN POOR

No. 1329 SHRI RAVNEET SINGH:

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

- a) whether  the  Socio-Economic  and  Caste  census  in  urban areas  to  identify  the  people  below  poverty  line  have  been concluded and if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Punjab;
- b) if  not,  the  reasons therefor and the time by which the said census would be completed;
- c) the time by which the Government of India plans to release
4. the data pertaining to urban poverty to the public; and
- d) the current criteria being used to identify urban poor?

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

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) & (b):  Yes,  Madam.  Socio  Economic  Caste  Census  (SECC)  in urban areas conducted by respective State Government/UT Administration along with caste enumeration and rural survey has been completed. In the survey, information regarding various individual particulars and household characteristics, viz., main source  of  income/earnings;  housing/dwelling;  amenities; assets etc., has been collected as per `respondent based' questionnaire method, with Statutory Towns being considered    urban  and  Census  Towns  being  considered
- rural. Accordingly, in urban areas, data has been returned in  respect  of  299.99  million  population  (65.13  million household),  of  which  Punjab  accounts  for  8.39  million population  (1.76  million  household).  Relevant  SECC  data corresponding  to  the  questionnaire  canvassed  in  urban areas is in public domain at http://secc.gov.in .
- (c) & (d):  Official  estimates  of  poverty  in  terms  of  number  and proportion  of  urban  poor  (2011-12)  were  released  by erstwhile  Planning  Commission,  which  has  since  been restructured as NITI Aayog. SECC data would be utilized to target beneficiaries for various welfare programmes by different departments, which may have their own respective targeting criteria.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1328 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Post Study Stay
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE, M. B. RAJESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1328 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## POST STUDY STAY

1328.

ADV. JOICE GEORGE: SHRI M.B. RAJESH:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  tightening  of  rules  on  post-study  stay  in  the  UK  is causing difficulties for Indian students and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether this has resulted in a steep decline in the number of Indian students enrolled in British universities and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken up the matter with the Government of UK; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  assurances  given  by  the  UK Government?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) The number of Indian students enrolled in the UK universities was 18,320 in 2014-15 as compared to 29,900 in 2011-12 according to the data published by the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency. One of the reasons for this decline is curtailment of the period of post-study stay in the  UK.  Post-study  work  visa  introduced  in  2008  allowed  students  to remain in the UK for two years after completion of their studies. This visa category was terminated in April 2012. As per the revised rules, post-study stay  in  the  UK  for  students  depends  on  the  duration  of  their  academic courses. For courses longer than a year, post-study stay up to 4 months is available while for courses less than a year, post-study stay allowed is 2 months. These rules are not specific to Indian  nationals but apply to all non-EEA  (European  Economic  Area)  students.  Government  of  UK  has recently introduced a pilot scheme that allows post-study stay up to six months  for students applying for a Masters  course  in UK's  top 4 universities.
- (c) & (d) This issue has been raised consistently by India in the bilateral discussions held with the UK. The UK side has stated that they welcome Indian students to the UK and that there is no cap on the number of Indian students coming to study in the UK.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1327 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Passenger Facilities
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1327 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## PASSENGER FACILITIES

† 1327.   SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  facilities  announced  for  passengers  in  the Railway budget presented in the current financial year along with  the  details  of  facilities  announced  in  the  last  year  rail budget; and
- (b) the schedule of the proposed action plan to introduce each of the said facilities?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1326 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Contract Workers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VIRENDRA  KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1326 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## CONTRACT WORKERS

†1326. DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether a large number of workers including the contract workers are working in the railways;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  these  workers  are  provided  facilities  and  wages  as  per prescribed rules:

(d) if so, the details in this regard and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e)  the  mechanism introduced by the railways to ensure the provision of prescribed facilities and wages to the said workers?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI  RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  &  (b):  Railways  resort  to  contract  labour  only  in  respect  of  non-core activities  in  different  departments.    The  number  of  contract  workers engaged for any activity is decided by the contractor.

(c)  to  (e):  Railways  as  Principal  Employer  ensures  that  the  contract workers are provided facilities by the contractor as per the provisions of Labour  Laws  including  Contract  Labour  (R&A)  Act,  1970  and  minimum wages  as  notified  by  the  Central/State  Governments  under  the  Minimum Wages  Act,  1948.  Suitable  instructions  have  been  issued  to  the  Zonal Railways that the cases of violation of the above laws, if any, should be dealt with in accordance with the extant provisions.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1325 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Roadmap for Elimination of Poverty
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: GAURAV GOGOI, YOGI ADITYANATH, POONAM  MAHAJAN, ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1325 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## ROADMAP FOR ELIMINATION OF POVERTY

## 1325. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

SHRI YOGI ADITYA NATH:

SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a task force to prepare a roadmap for elimination of poverty has recently submitted its report to the Prime Minister's Office;
- (b) if so, the details of recommendations made by the said task force;
- (c) whether the Union Government now proposes to set up a committee to identify people below the poverty line across the country;
- (d) if so, the details in this regard and the role of the State Governments fixed in defining the BPL population; and
- (e) the time by which a final report on elimination of poverty is likely to be presented and implemented?

## 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) Pursuant to the decision taken in the first meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog held under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble Prime Minister on 8th February, 2015, a Task Force on Elimination of Poverty in India was constituted by NITI Aayog on 16th March, 2015 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog. The report of the Task Force was submitted to Prime Minister's Office on 11 th July, 2016.
- (b) The report of the Task Force primarily focusses on issues of measurement of poverty and strategies to combat poverty. Regarding estimation of poverty, the report of the Task Force states that 'a consensus in favour of either the Tendulkar or a higher poverty line did not emerge. Therefore, the Task Force has concluded that the matter be considered in greater depth by the country's top experts on poverty before a final decision is made. Accordingly, it is recommended that an expert committee be set up to arrive at an informed decision on the level at which the poverty line should be set.' With respect to strategies to combat  poverty,  the  Task  Force  has  made  recommendations  on  faster  poverty  reduction  through employment intensive sustained rapid growth and effective implementation of anti-poverty programs.
- (c) & (d) The Government of India has conducted the Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) across the country through the State Governments/UT Administrations to collect information on socio  and  economic  status  of  households  to  determine  eligibility  and  entitlements  for  its  Schemes. SECC-2011 allows ranking of households based on their socio economic status using three-step processautomatic exclusion, automatic inclusion and deprivation indicators.
- (e)  The Government is examining the report of Task Force on Elimination of Poverty in India.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1324 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-23
Subject: Diesel Loco Modernization
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BHOLA SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1324 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.11.2016

## DIESEL LOCO MODERNIZATION

## 1324.  DR. BHOLA SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

- (a) whether there is a proposal to make the Diesel Loco Modernization  Works  (DMW)  in  Punjab,  a  manufacturing  hub  for manufacturing  of  diesel  and  electric  engines  for  the  Railways under "Make in India"; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN )

- (a) & (b) Indian Railways already have manufacturing hubs for diesel engines  (locomotives)  and  electric engines  (locomotives)  at Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), Chittaranjan, West Bengal. Diesel Loco Modernization Works  (DMW),  Patiala in Punjab rebuilds  diesel  locomotives  and  also  manufactures  new  diesel engines (locomotives) as per the requirement of Indian Railways.

****