opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4648 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-15
Subject: NH-766 from Quilon to Punalur
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4648

ANSWERED ON 15 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## NH -766 FROM QUILON TO PUNALUR

## 4648.   SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has approved works of NH -766 from Quilon to Punalur;
- (b) if so, the details thereof,  if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has decided to develop the works in Kundara, Kottarakkara, Changamandu, Kunnicodu, Elampal and Punalur town; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a)  to  (d)      Quilon  (Kollam)  to  Punulur  via  Kundara,  Kottarakkara,  Changamandu, Kunnicodu, Elampal is NH 744 (Old NH 208).  Development of this reach to 2-lane with paved shoulder standard is included in the Annual Plan 2016-17 of the state of Kerala.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4647 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-15
Subject: Road Construction under Bharat Nirman Yojana
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE, PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO JADHAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO .4647

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.1 2.2016

## ROAD CONSTRUCTION UNDER BHARAT NIRMAN YOJANA

## 4647. SHRI CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE: SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number and length of all weather roads constructed under Bharat N Yojana so far in Maharashtra;
- (b) the total  funds  allocated  and  utilized  for  the  said  purpose  under  the  said during the period; and
- (c) the progress made thereon?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT ( SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV )

(a)to(c) : Under  Rural  Road  component  of  erstwhile  'Bharat  Nirman',  habitations  of over 1000 population (above 500 in hilly and tribal areas) were provided all - weather road connectivity. Under Bharat Nirman, 1,830 km of road length has been constructed New  Con nectivity,    covering  290  habitations  and  19,726  km  of  road  length  has upgraded (upto 2015 - 16). Funds under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are released to the State by taking State as a Unit. No separate earmarked funds were r the S tates under Bharat Nirman component. Since, inception of PMGSY Rs.6,257 crore ha been released by the Ministry to the State of Maharashtra for implementation of P The State of Maharashtra has reported an expenditure of Rs 6,825 crore (upto October 2016). The expenditure reported by the State, also includes the interest accrued on the fun by the Ministry.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4646 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-15
Subject: Automatic Water Quality Monitoring Project
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: KIRRON KHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES,

## RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4646

ANSWERED ON 15.12.2016

## AUTOMATIC WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROJECT

## 4646.        SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of Automatic Water Quality Monitoring project under the National Ganga River Basin Authority; and
- (b) the quantum of the funds allocated and utilised for the project so far?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (IC)  FOR  YOUTH  AFFAIRS  &  SPORTS  AND  MINISTER  OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

(SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

- (a) & (b) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is the Executing Agency for the project 'Real Time Water Quality Monitoring System' (RTWQMS) for River Ganga. Under the project, a total of 113 Real  Time  Water  Quality  Monitoring  stations  will  be  set  up.  I of  36 RTWQMS stations have been taken up. CPCB has engaged the Service Provider for Supply of Real Time Water Quality Monitoring System (RTWQMS) data from 36 locations in the first phase.

The details of the RTWQMS locations are as under:

| State         | Station Type   | Station Type   | Station Type   | Total   | Site finalized   | Work awarded for installation of RTWQMstation   |
|---------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|---------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
|               | Class I        | Class II       | Class III      | Total   | Site finalized   | Work awarded for installation of RTWQMstation   |
| Uttarakhand   | 3              | 4              | 1              | 8       | 8                | 1                                               |
| Uttar Pradesh | 21             | 17             | 19             | 57      | 34               | 21                                              |
| Bihar         | 4              | 1              | 8              | 13      | 10               | 4                                               |
| West Bengal   | 12             | 14             | 9              | 35      | 34               | 1                                               |
| Total         | 40             | 36             | 37             | 113     | 86               | 36                                              |

The total estimated project cost is Rs.94.45 crore, of which Rs. 3.82 crore has been utilized (as on 31 st October 2016).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4643 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-15
Subject: New Flight Duty Norms
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4643

(To be answered on the isth December 2016)

## NEW FLIGHT DUTY NORMS

## 4643\_ SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has proposed new flight duty norms recently;
- whether various unions including pilot union have opposed this move; and
- (6) if s0, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (d) if s0, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to accommodate the views/suggestions of these unions in this regard?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(2) to (d) Flight and Duty Time Limitation of Cabin Crew has been revised vide Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 7, Series J, Part I on 24.02.2016 effective 01.09.2016 after obtaining comment from public and consultation with the stakeholders: Aviation Safety & Health (Member %f Cabin Crew fraternity) has filed a case against the norms specified in Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 7, Series -J, Part I in Delhi High Court.

**+**
Lok Sabha Question No. 4640 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-15
Subject: e-Puraskar
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4640 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2016

## e-Puraskar

## 4640. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a). whether the Government is conferring any award called e-Puraskars;
- (b). if so, the details thereof and the objectives and the salient features of the Award;
- (c). whether the Government have given e-Puraskar awards to the best performing States/UTs so far; and
- (d). if so, the details thereof, year-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a),  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  To  incentivize  the  implementation  of  e-Panchayat  initiatives,  the  best performing States are conferred with the annual e-Puraskars. The States/UTs are evaluated on the basis of performance assessment parameters formulated by the Ministry which include adoption and  usage  of  various  software  Applications  developed  for  making  the  Panchayat  processes transparent and efficient and use of various other information and communication technological tools.

(c), (d): Based on the performance of the States/UTs  on the performance assessment parameters, the  awards  are    conferred  to  the  best  performing  States/UTs  on  the  occasion  of  National Panchayati Raj Day, celebrated on April 24. The details of winners of e-Puraskars till date are given at Annexe.

## Year-wise list of winners of e-Puraskars

- 1) Winners of e- Puraskars 2012 (for performance year 2010-11)
- 2) Winners of e Puraskar 2013 (for performance year 2011-12)
- 3) In 2014 (for performance year 2012-13), the e-Puraskars 2014 were not announced.
- 4) Winners of e- Puraskar 2015 (for performance year 2013-14)

| State       | Prize   |
|-------------|---------|
| Odisha      | 1 st    |
| Maharashtra | 2 nd    |
| Tripura     | 2 nd    |
| Punjab      | 3 rd    |
| Assam       | 3 rd    |

| State          | Prize   |
|----------------|---------|
| Maharashtra    | 1 st    |
| Tripura        | 1 st    |
| Chhattisgarh   | 2 nd    |
| Uttar Pradesh  | 3 rd    |
| Andhra Pradesh | 3 rd    |

## <Under Category 1 States/UTs>    <Under Category 2 States/UTs>

| State        | Prize   | State   | Prize   |
|--------------|---------|---------|---------|
| Maharashtra  | 1 st    | Assam   | 1 st    |
| West Bengal  | 2 nd    |         |         |
| Chhattisgarh | 2 nd    |         |         |
| Bihar        | 3 rd    |         |         |
| Tamil Nadu   | 3 rd    |         |         |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4636 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-15
Subject: Performance Review of Private Power Distribution Companies
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4636 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2016

## PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF PRIVATE POWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES

4636. SHRI SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  a  performance  review  of the private power distribution companies;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government to protect the consumers from harassment by these companies?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) to (c) : Electricity is a concurrent subject and the supply and distribution  of  electricity  falls  under  the  purview  of  respective  State Government/State Power Utility. Government of India acts as a facilitator in supplementing the efforts of States to provide power to consumers in an improved manner.

Appropriate  Electricity  Regulatory  Commissions  have  been entrusted  with  the  responsibility  of  overseeing  the  performance  of  the distribution licensees. Under Section 86(1)(i) of the Electricity Act, 2003, the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs), are empowered to Specify  or  enforce  standards  with  respect  to  quality,  continuity  and reliability of service by licensees.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-15
Subject: Alternative use of Abandoned Mines
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4634 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## ALTERNATIVE USE OF ABANDONED MINES

## †4634. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any provision  has  been  made  for  the  alternative  use  of  the  mines  abandoned after exploration, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (b) whether the Government has prepared any action plan for levelling of such mines, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  POWER,  COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) and (b):  Under the provisions of the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and the rules made thereunder, State Governments grant mineral concessions based on the evidence of mineralisation after exploration.

There are provisions for Progressive and Final  Mine  Closure Plans in the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988 for reclamation and rehabilitation of the mining lease  area,  inter-alia  to  provide  for  decommissioning,  phased  restoration,  reclamation  and rehabilitation in the mine thereof after cessation of mining operations.

The mine owner has the responsibility to ensure that the protective measures contained in the mine  closure  plan  including  reclamation  and  rehabilitation  works  have  been  carried  out  in accordance with the approved mine closure plan so that the land is restored, to the, extent possible, to the condition in which it was before commencement of the mining operations.

After mine closure, owner of the surficial right over the land can utilize it for alternate usage.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4632 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-15
Subject: Increase in Electricity Tariff
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: C.S. PUTTARAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4632 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2016

## INCREASE IN ELECTRICITY TARIFF

## 4632.  SHRI C.S. PUTTA RAJU:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  is  contemplating  to  increase  electricity tariffs  of  the  Central  generating  stations  after  having  consultations  with  the States, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Union  Government  has  laid  down  a  new  policy  to  gradually increase electricity tariffs and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the likely impact of increase in electricity tariffs on common men has been looked into in this regard, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether Government is considering to provide financial help to the States to bail out the State Electricity Boards, if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) to (c) : As  per  the  provisions  given  in  sections  61  to  64  of  the  Electricity Act,  2003,    Electricity  Regulatory  Commissions  have  been  entrusted  with  the function  of  determination  of  tariff  for  generation,  transmission  and  distribution. The tariff of generation companies owned by the Central Government is regulated by  the  Central  Electricity  Regulatory  Commission  (CERC).    One  of  the  guiding principles  for  tariff  determination,  as  stipulated  in  section  61  of  the  Act,  is safeguarding of consumers' interest and at the same time, recovery of the cost of electricity  in  a  reasonable  manner.    Section  62  of  the  Act  further  provides  for periodic tariff  adjustment  to  take  care  of  the  variation  in  fuel  price,  as  may  be specified. Therefore, the Appropriate Commission specifies an appropriate price adjustment formula for recovery of the costs, arising on account of the variation in the price of fuel, power purchase etc. on monthly/quarterly basis for recovery of all  prudent  costs  of  the  generating  company  and  the  licensee.  The  Central Government has no role in the determination of tariff.

- (d) : The Central Government is not providing any financial help to States under UDAY scheme to bail out the State Electricity Boards. The outstanding debt of  DISCOMs  is  the  contingent  liability  of  the  States.    UDAY  envisages  States taking over 75% of the debt of DISCOMs as existing on 30.09.2015 in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4631 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-15
Subject: Chartered Flights
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: K. C. VENUGOPAL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 8 December 2016) 15th

(To be answered 0n the

## CHARTERED FLIGHTS

## 4631. SHRI KC. VENUGOPAL

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the number of chartered flights approved for flying during the last three years by the Government;
- (b) whether the Government has made any regulations on the approval of the chartered flights; and
- (c) if s0, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

- (a) : The number of chartered flights operated under Inclusive Tour Package tourist charter guidelines in the last three years is given below:
- (b) & (c) : The guidelines for operation of inclusive tour package (ITP) Charter flights to and from India are contained in the Aeronautical Information Circular No. 05/2015

2013-14:

1083

2014-15:

844

2015-16:

714
Lok Sabha Question No. 4630 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-15
Subject: Development of Jute Industries
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

## DEVELOPMENT OF JUTE INDUSTRIES

## 4630.   SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) the quantum of jute production in the country including State of Assam State-wise;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to increase Jute production in the country and development of Jute industries during the last three years;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  set  up  Jute  industries  in  the  country  especially  in Assam;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र मंरी ( )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a): The Jute Advisory Board has estimated production of raw jute during 2016-17 as 90 lakh bales. The state-wise estimated production is as under:-

## In lakh bales (180 kg. each)

| West Bengal    |    73 |
|----------------|-------|
| Bihar          | 11    |
| Assam          |  5    |
| Orissa         |  0.6  |
| Andhra Pradesh |  0.4  |
| Tripura        |  0.03 |

- (b): In  order  to  increase  Jute  production  in  country  and  for  the  development  of  jute  industry,  the Government has been implementing various policy initiatives and schemes through National Jute Board (NJB),  a  Statutory  Body  under  the  Ministry  of  Textiles  during  the  last  three  years.  These  policy initiatives  and  schemes  include  Incentive  Scheme  for  Acquisition  of  Plant  and  Machinery  (ISAPM), Jute I-CARE Project to support jute farmers, Export Market Development Assistance Scheme, Jute Raw Material  Bank  (JRMB)  Scheme,  Jute  Integrated  Development  Scheme  (JIDS),  Retail  Outlet  of  Jute Diversified  Products  and  Bulk  Supply  Scheme,  Skill  Development  Program  etc.  In  addition,  Jute Corporation of India provides support to jute farmers through Minimum Support Price (MSP) operation whenever the raw jute price falls below the MSP. Most importantly Government provides support to the sector by notifying norms for mandatory packaging of food grains and sugar in jute bags under the Jute Materials Packaging Act, 1987. These interventions are benefitting directly about 3.70 lakh jute workers and 40 lakh farm families across the country.
- (c) to (e): The Government has no plan to set up jute industries, at present. However, Government provides an enabling environment to private entrepreneurs through its various jute sector schemes for setting up jute production units.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4628 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-15
Subject: Aviation Ties with Pakistan
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: : 4628

(To be answered on the December 2016)

## AVIATION TIES WITH PAKISTAN

## 4628. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government proposes to snap all aviation ties with Pakistan in the light of recent terrorist attacks surfaced in Uri region of Kashmir to mount pressure on Pakistan not to incite terrorism;
- (b) if the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

- (a) : No Madam:

- (b) & (c): Does not arise.

(Shri Jayant Sinha)
Lok Sabha Question No. 4626 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-15
Subject: National Rural Drinking Water Programme
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4626 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2016

## National Rural Drinking Water Programme

## 4626. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  54 th round of survey has been conductedby National  Sample SurveyOrganisation(NSSO) in Kerala on drinking waterand sanitation;
- (b) if so, the percentage of population with Piped Water supply(PWS) facilities and the percentage of population dependent on traditional open wells in the State;
- (c) whether the Union Government is aware that a Report on Status of Drinking Water Schemes in Kerala by the Directorate of Economicsand Statistics had found that in 2015 there were 32, 568 drinking water projects of which 57% were not efficiently functioning due to lack of proper maintenance; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  measures  taken  by  the  Union Government to address this issue?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION (SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

- (a) Yes Madam.

(b) Based on the results of the related survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) on Drinking water, sanitation and hygiene during 54 th round  (January  1998  -  June  1998),estimated  percentage  of  households  with  Tap and Well as principal source of drinking water in Kerala are given below:

|   S. No. | Source of Drinking Water   |   Rural (in %) |   Urban (in %) |
|----------|----------------------------|----------------|----------------|
|        1 | Tap                        |           10.6 |           40.2 |
|        2 | Well                       |           85.1 |           55.4 |

(Source: NSS Report No. 449:  Drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in India, NSS 54 th round  (January 1998 - June 1998))

(c) and (d) Yes Madam. As per the report on status of Drinking Water Schemes in Kerala of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (Survey Design Division) in December-2015 (as found from their website),  there  were  32568 Drinking  Water Schemes in Kerala in 2015. Out of this, 9002 schemes were non-functioning. 5128 out  of  9002  schemes  are  non-functioning  for  the  reasons  ' Maintenance  Needed' which is 56.96%.

Water is a  State  subject  and  this  Ministry  provides  technical  and  financial assistance  to  States  toimprove  the  coverage  of  safe  drinking  water  in  rural  areas through  centrally  sponsored  scheme,  National  Rural  Drinking  Water  Programme (NRDWP), 15% of which is permissible forOperation and Maintenance.