opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3891 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Deep Ocean Mission
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY, POONAM  MAHAJAN

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3891 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2017

## DEEP OCEAN MISSION

## 3891. SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY:

SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to launch a Deep Ocean Mission and if so, the objectives of the mission, costs incurred and the technology developed for the said mission;
- (b) whether  the  technology  is  being  either  developed  in  various  research institutes of the India or being imported and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  a  study  on  the  impact  on  ocean biodiversity that could be caused by deep-sea metal extraction through the Deep Ocean Mission, and if so, the details of findings thereof; and
- (d) the details of funds allocated/utilized and progress achieved under national programe on polymetallic nodules during each of the last three years and the current year so far?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes,  Madam,  Government  proposes  to  launch  the  Deep  Ocean  Mission. Development of technologies for exploration and harnessing of living and nonliving resources, survey and exploration of deep sea and Marine biodiversity and bio-technology are the broad objectives of this mission. The total cost of the mission would be more than 5000 crores for 5 years.
- (b) National  Institute  of  Ocean  Technology,  an  autonomous  institute  under Ministry of Earth Sciences has developed some of the technologies for Deep Ocean. They would be further developing the technology.
- (c) An artificial benthic disturbance was created to simulate impact of deep sea mining  in  1997  in  Central  Indian  Ocean  Basin  and  to  study  the  effect  of sediment re-suspension and resettlement.   Results of periodic monitoring up to  2005-06  indicated  that  the  benthic  conditions  steadily  moved  towards restoration and recolonization, and effect of disturbance was waning off.
- (d) A vibration sinkage system was developed in 2014-15 to measure sinkage in seabed. Configuration and handling studies of flexible riser system was carried out in 2015-16.  A dedicated seabed minerals laboratory was set up in 2016-17 at Institute of Minerals and Materials Technologies, Bhubaneshwar. Expenditure of Rs.24.60 crore, Rs.38.00 crore and Rs.9.95 Crore were incurred for Polymetallic Nodules programme (PMN) during 2014-15, 2015-16 and 201617 respectively.  No funds have been released so far during the current year for Polymetallic Nodules Programme.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3890 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Under Grounding of Distribution Network
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: PARESH RAWAL, DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD, KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3890

TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 09, 2017

## UNDER GROUNDING OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

No. 3890.    SHRI PARESH RAVAL: SHRI D.S. RATHOD: DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  of  India  has  received  proposals from  any  State  for  under  grounding  Distribution  Network  in
- Municipal Corporation and Nagarpalikas; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken/being taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)&(b)  Development  of  urban  infrastructure  including  Sewerage systems in urban areas is a State subject. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA)  assists  the  States  in  their  efforts  to  improve this infrastructure through its Programmes/Schemes. The Atal Mission  for  Rejuvenation  and  Urban  Transformation(AMRUT) focuses on development of basic urban infrastructure including

water  supply  and  sewerage  and  septage  management  in  500

mission  cities.  An  objective  of  the  Mission  is  to  ensure  that every  household  in  the  Mission  city  has  a  tap  with  assured water supply and a sewerage connection. Under  the  Mission,  the  MoHUA  approves  the  State  Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) submitted by the States/ Union Territories(UTs). The State Government's concerned have been empowered  to  select  individual  projects  to  be  taken  up, prepare, appraise and approve the Detailed Project Reports(DPRs) and implement the projects. The MoHUA has approved SAAPs of States and UTs costing Rs 66,005 crores. Of this Rs 36,920 crore have been earmarked by the  States  and  UTs  for  water  supply  and  Rs  27,942  crore  for sewerage and septage management. ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3889 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Funds for Skill Development
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3889 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## FUNDS FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT

## † 3889. SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state whether it is a fact that the Government proposes to increase the expenditure of Skill Development Schemes and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY)  2016-20,  launched  on  2 nd October, 2016 has been approved by the Union Cabinet with an outlay of Rs.12000 crore to impart skilling to one crore people over four years (2016-2020).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3887 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: World Bank Funding
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI, SUDHEER GUPTA, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.3887 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## WORLD BANK FUNDING

3887.

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  Government  has  drawn  up  an  ambitious  plan to transform Railways in the next four years;
- (b) if so, the details of the plan along with the total investment required for this purpose;
- (c) whether the Government has approached multilateral lending agencies including World Bank for funding the said plan;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  response  of  the  lending  agencies thereto; and
- (e) the  time  by  which  the  required  amount  is  likely  to  be  available  to start the work?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b):   Yes, Madam. A five -year Investment Plan of ` 8.56 lakh crore was  announced  in  the  Railway  Minister's  Budget  Speech  2015-16.  The Investment Plan is funded through a mix of sources viz. budgetary support, internal generation and extra budgetary resource like borrowing through Indian  Railway  Finance  Corporation  (IRFC),  Institutional  Financing  (IF), Public Private Partnership(PPP) etc. The main components of the Plan  are

network  decongestion/  expansion,  construction  of  national  projects, safety,  Dedicated  Freight  Corridors,  information  technology,  research, rolling  stock,  passenger  amenities,  high  speed  rail,  elevated  corridors, station redevelopment and logistic parks, etc.

(c) to (e) :  Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor Project is funded by a World Bank  loan of USD 2.36 billion. Loan agreements for this Project have been signed.

Ministry of Railways has also approached World Bank for funding of Phase-III of the MUTP (Mumbai Urban Transport Project) for a loan of USD

1 billion.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3885 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Overcharging from Foreign Tourist
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: CHINTAMAN NAVSHA WANAGA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3885 TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 09, 2017

## OVERCHARGING FROM FOREIGN TOURIST

## No. 3885 ADV. CHINTAMAN NAVASHA WANAGA:

Will  the  MINISTER  OF  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  a  student  of  Patiala,  Punjab  has  written  a  letter  to
- Prime Minister office regarding Rajghat, Delhi, where workers are  charging  Rs.  100  instead  of  one  rupee  from  foreign tourists;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of workers suspended or removed from the work
- place; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to confer any award to the said student and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE

## IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam,  such a complaint has been received alleging  overcharging  to  the  extent  of  Rs.  50/-  to  Rs.  100/-  at  the shoe counter at Rajghat, Delhi whereas the approved rate is Re. 1/-. A  report  has  been  obtained  from  the  Secretary,  Rajghat  Samadhi Committee  (RSC),  who  has  stated  that  this  alleged  incident  was never  brought  to  the  notice  of  RSC.  He  has  further  informed  that adequate arrangements are in place in the Samadhi complex to

Cont…

prevent  such  incidents  like  deployment  of  honest  and  dedicated workers  at  shoe  rack  counters,  deployment  of  Central  Industrial Security Force and installation of CCTV cameras at various places within the premises.

(c): RSC has informed that no worker of RSC has been suspended or removed as the charge remained unverified after investigation.

(d): No such proposal is under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3884 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Transmission Level of Mobile Towers
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: K. KAMARAAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3884 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH   AUGUST, 2017

## TRANSMISSION LEVEL OF MOBILE TOWERS

3884. DR. K. KAMARAJ:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any international data is available on the transmission levels of mobile towers;
- (b) if so, the details of such datas which are maintained by International Telecom Industry, country-wise;
- (c) whether  telecom  companies  in  India  are  maintaining  such  datas  in  mobile communication system;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) The  transmission  levels  of  mobile  towers  is  defined  in  the  relevant standards such as for 3G and 4G (also called International Mobile Telecommunications  [IMT]  and  IMT-  Advanced,  respectively)  services,  standards defined by the Radiocommunications sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) apply.

(c) & (d) The  telecom  companies  in  India  also  are  following  the  international standard  in  respect  of  transmission  level.  Further,  Electro  Magnetic  Field  (EMF) emission levels of Base Transreceiver Stations (BTSs) of any technology (2G, 3G and 4G)  located  at  over  4.5  lakhs  mobile  tower  across  India  is  maintained  in  'Tarang Sanchar' web portal of Department of Telecom (DoT). Apart from this, the information is  continuously  updated  based  on  audits  performed  by  Telecom  Enforcement, Resource  and  Monitoring  (TERM)  cells  of  Department  of  Telecom  and  certificates submitted by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).

- (e) Does not arise in view of (c) and (d) above.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3881 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Legal Consultants
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: SADHVI SAVITRI BAI PHOOLE

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

## LOKSABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. +3881

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 09 th August, 2017

## Legal Consultants

- +3881.          SADHVI SAVITRI BAI PHULE: Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:
- (a) whether the service rules pertaining to the legal consultants working in Hindi or regional languages in the legislative department of the Ministry of Law & Justice are different based on languages;
- (b) if so, whether such discrimination on the basis of languages is a violation of the Article 14 of the Constitution;
- (c) if so, whether the concerned departmentally related Parliamentary Committee in  their  report  in  the  year  2000  recommended  to  cover  the  officials  working  in Hindi or regional languages in the Indian legal services on the lines of the officials working in English language;
- (d) if so, the details of action taken by the department after a lapse of 16 years; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINSTER OF STATE FOR LAW & JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) :          Yes, Madam. The rules pertaining to the Legislative Counsels working in Hindi and regional languages in Legislative Department of Ministry of Law and Justice are different as per their work profile which is based on expertise in regional language.
- (b):                No,  Madam.  The  appointment  of  Legislative  Counsels in  the  Department requires knowledge of their respective regional language as per recruitment rules and job profile.
- (c):          Yes, Madam.
- (d)&(e): The recommendation made by the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee, as contained in its 61 st Report was examined by the Government and Action Taken Report was submitted by the Government wherein  the  Government  concluded  that  'duties  and  responsibilities  of officers of the Indian Legal Service are far more onerous and there is hardly any comparison with officers doing work in Hindi and other languages. In view of the aforesaid, it is considered not desirable to include the Officers of the Hindi and the regional languages side of the Official Languages Wing in  the  Indian  Legal  Service.  Further  the  recruitment  rules  framed  for  the Officers  of  the  Official  Languages  Wing  are  in  consonance  with  the guidelines of the Government.' Based on the comments of the Government,  the  Parliamentary  Standing  Committee  made  the  following observation in para 11.2 of its 69 th Report which was laid on the Table of Parliament (Lok Sabha) on 17.04.2001:

'The Committee notes the explanation offered by Government'
Lok Sabha Question No. 3879 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Linkage of Aadhaar with Voter ID Cards
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3879

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 09.08.2017

## LINKAGE OF AADHAAR WITH VOTER ID CARDS

## 3879.    DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plans to link voter ID cards and Aadhaar;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a), (b) and (c): Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), under the Ministry, only issues Aadhaar numbers to the residents of the country, and provides authentication services. It is up to the Departments/Ministries/ Agencies concerned to decide on the use of Aadhaar for providing services/ benefits to the people as per the provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.

The  Election  Commission  launched  National  Electoral  Roll  Purification&  Authentication Programme (NERPAP), 2015 on 3rd March 2015 in all States/Union Territories with major objective  of  linking  of  Aadhaar  with  Electoral  Roll  database.  In  August,2015  when collection,  feeding  and  seeding  of  Aadhaar  number  were  in  full  swing,  Hon'ble  Supreme Court, while considering WP(C) No 494 of 2012  titled  Justice Shri K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) & Another V/s Union of India & Others), inter alia passed the following interim order on 11th August, 2015:-

'--------------- 3. The Unique Identification Number or the Aadhaar card will not be used by the respondents for any purpose other than the PDS Scheme and in particular for the purpose of distribution of foodgrains, etc. and cooking fuel, such as kerosene. The Aadhaar card may also be used for the purpose of the LPG Distribution Scheme.  ------------------ '.

As the Election Commission was one of the respondents in the matter, it had to suspend all activities relating to collection/ feeding/ seeding of Aadhaar number, being undertaken under NERPAP.

The Election Commission has filed Application for Implement (I.A.No. 51252 of 2017) and Application for Directions (I.A No. 51253 of 2017)   in the matter on 4th July 2017, before Hon'ble Supreme Court praying to permit the Election Commission to obtain Aadhaar details from the voters who are willing to submit or have submitted it voluntarily in order to link the same with the Voter Electoral Database.

The matter is presently sub-judice. As the matter is still pending before the Hon'ble Supreme Court, the Election Commission has not reviewed its instructions mentioned above. Based on the  outcome  of  the  case,  the  Election  Commission  will  consider  the  proposal  of  linking Aadhar number for various electoral services, at appropriate time.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3877 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Vacant Posts in Reserved Category
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: BHAVANA GAWALI (PATIL), REKHA ARUN VERMA

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3877

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017)

## VACANT POSTS IN RESERVED CATEGORY

## †3877. SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI PATIL: SHRIMATI REKHA VERMA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  many  posts,  reserved  for  scheduled  castes/scheduled  tribes  in  different categories under various Departments and PSUs, are lying vacant;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, as on date;
- (c) the  year-wise  and  category-wise details  of  appointments  made  during  the  last  three years and the current year;
- (d) whether  rules  prescribed  for  appointment  and  promotion  of  persons  belonging  to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes have been adhered to; and
- (e) if not, the remedial measures taken in this regard?

## 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 (e): Information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3875 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: New Rail Lines from Anupgarh to Bikaner
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NIHAL CHAND CHAUHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3875 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## NEW RAIL LINES FROM ANUPGARH TO BIKANER

†3875.  SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  survey  for  laying new  railway  line  from  Anupgarh  (Sriganganagar)  to  Bikaner  of Rajasthan;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to start work on this route in near future;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a)  to  (e)  Yes,  Madam. As per survey report, the cost of project of 154.437 km new line was ` 972.92 crore with negative rate of return of  6.42%.  The  project  could  not  be  taken  forward  as  it  was financially not viable,  poor  traffic  potential  and  Railways  has already got a large shelf on ongoing projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3873 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Voting Rights to NRIs
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: N.K. PREMACHANDRAN, NAGARAJAN P., ANWHAR RAAJHAA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3873

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 09 th AUGUST, 2017

## VOTING RIGHTS TO NRIs

## 3873. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

SHRI A. ANWHAR RAAJHAA:

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

- (a) whether the Supreme Court of India has directed the Government to legislate to ensure voting rights to NRIs;
- (b) if so, the details of the action taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) the details of the proposed form of voting suggested by the Government for NRIs;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to amend the Representation of Peoples Act for ensuring the voting right of NRIs; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e):  Provisions  already  exist  under  section  20A  of  the  Representation  of  the  People  Act, 1950 and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which enable overseas electors to cast their vote in person in the constituency where their names are registered.

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