opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3608 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Reconstitution of Railway Zones and Divisions
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMDAS CHANDRABHANJI TADAS, CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI, NARANBHAI KACHHADIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3608 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## RECONSTITUTION OF RAILWAY ZONES AND DIVISIONS

†3608. SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS: SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI: SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether the need for reconstitution of railway divisions and zones has been felt in the recent past;
- (b)  if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c)    whether  any  demands  for    new  railway  divisions  and  zones  have been made in the last three years; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  State-wise  and  the  action  taken  by  the Government on the same so far?

## ANSWER

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

(a): No, Madam.

(b): Does not arise.

(c): Yes, Madam.

(d):  Demands  for  creation    of    new  zones  and  divisions  from  various State Governments, elected representatives etc. is a continuous process. After considering the demands received so far, there is no plan for creation of new zones and divisions on Indian Railways at present. However,  the  feasibility  of  establishing  a  new  zone  in  the  State  of Andhra Pradesh is being examined in the Ministry of Railways, in terms of Item No.8 of Schedule 13 (Infrastructure) of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

* * * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 3607 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Regional Trade Pact
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVNTHI)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA USTARRED QUESTION NO.3607

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## REGIONAL TRADE PACT

3607. SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI):

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Foreign Minister of Singapore prodded India to speedily conclude a regional trade pact with South East Asian countries and its partners in East Asia including China against backdrop of a push back against free flowing trade by some countries;

- (b) if   so,   the   details   thereof   and   the   reaction   of   the   Government thereto; and
- (c) the time by which the regional trade pact with these countries would be signed keeping in view India's trade interest?

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

(a) & (b) Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between sixteen countries namely the 10 countries of ASEAN (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) and their 6 FTA partners   (also   known   as   AFP's   or   ASEAN   FTA   Partners)   namely   India, Australia, China, Japan, Korea and New Zealand. All member countries are working towards early conclusion of RCEP. India looks forward to conclude a balanced agreement which would enable gains for all  participating countries   and   help   synergize   complementarities   across   the   region   for greater economic growth, development and prosperity for our people. India   has   been   striving   to   strike   a   balance   across   key   pillars   of   the negotiations namely goods, services and investments.

(c) The trade pact would be concluded once an agreement is reached among all member countries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3605 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Motihari-Sitamarhi Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAJESH RANJAN  (PAPPU  YADAV), RAMA DEVI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3605

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

MOTIHARI-SITAMARHI RAIL LINE

†3605.  SHRI RAJESH RANJAN: SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  Motihari-Sitamarhi  railway  line    via  Sheohar  which  is approximately 68 km  long stretch was sanctioned in the year 2007 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether ever after spending approximately 100 crore, Railways have cancelled the project;
- (c)  if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  not  aware  that  Sheohar  is  a  very backward region adjacent to border of Nepal and it is still deprived of railway facility since the  independence; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e): The Motihari-Sitamarhi (78 km) new line project was included in  supplementary  Budget  2006-07  at  an  estimated  cost  of ₹ 211  crore. An  expenditure  of ₹ 24  crore  has  been  incurred  on  this  project  upto 31.03.2018.

The Motihari-Sitamarhi (78 km) new line project was put on hold in view of  available  railway  routes  in  the  adjoining  area  and  negative  rate  of return of the project.  Now a proposal for part execution of the project from Sitamarhi to Shivhar (28 Km) is under examination.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3604 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Corps of Military Police
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3604

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH  AUGUST, 2018

## CORPS OF MILITARY POLICE

3604.  SHRI  ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the objectives and salient features of the Corps of Military Police (CMP);
- (b) whether women are not permitted to join the CMP;
- (c) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to induct women into the CMP and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has received any proposal regarding the recruitment of women into the CMP and if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

- (a) The role of the Corps of Military Police (CMP) is to assist the Army in maintenance  of  good  order,  discipline  and  prevent  breaches  of  rules  & orders by military personnel.

(b) & (c): Women Officers are already serving in CMP.

- (d) & (e): Indian Army has a plan for phased induction of women in below Officer Rank in the CMP.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3603 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Bird Menace
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: P. C. MOHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3603

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH  AUGUST, 2018

## BIRD MENACE

3603.  SHRI  P.C. MOHAN:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether birds are posing a threat to flights including military aircraft and VVIP jets  operating  from  the  Hindustan  Aeronautics  Limited  (HAL)  airport  due  to  clogged drain and garbage adjacent to the airport;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Ministry has taken up the matter with the Karnataka Government to lean the area to facilitate safe operation of flights;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether HAL is having any other option or alternate schemes to prevent the bird menace?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

<!-- image -->

- (a) & (b): No, Madam.  There is no accumulation of garbage adjacent to airport  and  clogging  in  the  adjacent  storm  water  drain  is  periodically cleaned.
- (c) & (d): HAL has taken up the matter with Civic Authorities i.e., Bruhath Bengaluru  Mahanagar  Palike  (BBMP),  Bengaluru  Development  Authority (BDA)  of  State  Government  of  Karnataka  through  Airport  Environment Management Committee (AEMC).

Regular Joint Inspection including Aerial Survey by the  Subcommittee of HAL, BBMP & AEMC is conducted to ensure cleaning of area in  and  around  HAL  airport,  which  has  led  to  reduction  in  bird  activities. Further, BBMP has issued notice to Karnataka Golf Association, which is outside the boundary of HAL on the Western Side to keep the water bodies clean and streamline the functioning of Sewage Treatment Plant inside Golf ground. Several preventive measures including deployment of a Bird Hazard Control Team (BHCT) which also reports exact bird position to Air Traffic Tower Control have also been taken. (e) In order to prevent the Bird  menace  within airport,  HAL  has undertaken the following measures:(i) Periodical  Grass  cutting,  covering  of  drains  inside  the  airfield with mesh and cleaning of drains to the Airport on need basis. (ii) Deployment  of  Bird  Chasers  /  Zon  Guns  /  Vehicles  with  Radio

- Telephone / Bird Hazard Control Team (BHCT) along the runway.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3602 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Screening of Whatsapp Messages
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: KALYAN BANERJEE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3602

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08.08.2018

## SCREENING OF WHATSAPP MESSAGES

## 3602.    SHRI  KALYAN BANERJEE:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  Government  plans  to  tap  citizen's  whatsapp messages;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether tapping of personal and private data is allowed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948); and
- (d) if so, the details of the plan of the Government in this regard and if not, the basis of such surveillance, if undertaken?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR   ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

- (a) and (b):   No, Sir.
- (c):    Article 29(2) of United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 states that 'In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements  of  morality,  public  order  and  the  general  welfare  in  a  democratic society.'.
- (d): Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 empowers Government to issue  direction  for  interception  or  monitoring  or  decryption    of  information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource in the interest of : (i) sovereignty and integrity of India, (ii) defence of India, (iii) security of the State, (iv) friendly relations with foreign States, or (v) public order, or (vi) for preventing  incitement  to  the  commission  of  any  cognizable  offence  relating  to above, or (vii) for investigation of any offence.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3601 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Backlog Vacancies
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: CHINTAMANI MALVIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3601 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## BACKLOG VACANCIES

3601.   PROF. CHINTAMANI MALVIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  more  than  one  lakh  job  vacancies presently and if so, the details thereof, zone-wise;
- (b)    whether this huge vacancy backlog has had severe impact on rail safety issues and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the steps taken to prevent rail accidents and take care of rail safety issues with such a serious manpower shortage?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3601 BY PROF. CHINTAMANI MALVIYA TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  08.08.2018  REGARDING BACKLOG VACANCIES.

(a): The vacancies of non gazetted staff against sanctioned strength on  Zonal  Railways  as  on  01.04.2018  were  2,50,410,  the  details  of which are as under:-

| Zonal Railways     |   Number of Vacancies |
|--------------------|-----------------------|
| Central            |                 21359 |
| East Coast         |                  8731 |
| East Central       |                 18465 |
| Eastern            |                 19558 |
| Metro              |                   798 |
| North Central      |                 16840 |
| North Eastern      |                 13003 |
| Northeast Frontier |                 16278 |
| Northern           |                 31222 |
| North Western      |                 14402 |
| South Central      |                 16218 |
| South East Central |                  7477 |
| South Eastern      |                 14279 |
| Southern           |                 15700 |
| South Western      |                  5923 |
| West Central       |                 11105 |
| Western            |                 19052 |
| Total              |                250410 |

(b)  &  (c):  No,  Madam.  Sanctioned posts in all categories are more than  the  actual  operational  requirement  as  they  also  include  an element of Leave Reserve and Rest Giver which varies from 12.5% to 30% in safety categories.

Arising  and  filling  up  of  vacancies  is  a  continuous  process  in  the Railways. The policy of the Government is to fill up the vacancies as per operational requirement.

Further, two employment notifications have recently been issued to fill up 89,409 vacancies. These include 26,502 vacancies of Assistant  Loco  Pilots  &  Technicians  and  62,907  vacancies  of various Level-1 posts, mainly in safety categories.

All  possible  steps  like  timely  replacement  of  over-aged  assets, adoption of suitable technologies, safety drives, training of officials, safety inspection at regular interval etc., are undertaken on continual basis to prevent accidents and to enhance rail safety.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3600 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Illegal Migration
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3600 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## ILLEGAL MIGRATION

†3600.  SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be please to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that a number of Indians who are migrating to other countries illegally/living in other countries illegally are facing the repatriation process;
- (b) if so, the country-wise and state-wise details thereof;
- (c) the   procedure   being   followed   to   repatriate   the   illegal   Indian migrants;
- (d) whether any financial assistance is being given to the people being repatriated; and
- (e) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard?

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

- (a) to (c) Many foreign countries do not provide information on illegal stay or work of Indian nationals in their countries readily, except when they are under orders of deportation. As such, our Missions and Posts do not have any reliable data on the number of Indians staying or working illegally in foreign countries.

When a particular country approaches or informs the concerned Indian   Missions   abroad   about   need   to   deport   Indian   nationals,   the concerned Indian Mission, as per laid down procedures of the Government of India, first verifies the Nationalities of the persons to be deported. After that, if any document is required to facilitate repatriation, such as, issue of Emergency Certificate, if the person/persons do not have Indian passports, the same is issued, so that he/they can be repatriated.

(d) & (e) The Government enables legal travel and stay of Indian nationals abroad. Whenever any detention of an Indian national for violation of immigration and other laws is brought to our notice, our Missions/Posts abroad seek consular access and visit detention centres where Indian nationals are detained. The Mission/Post officials abroad also attend to labour/general   court   hearings   against   Indian   nationals   for   violation   of immigration laws from time to time. Some of our Missions/Posts also issue advisories to Indian nationals counselling them to regularize their visas and residency documents in the country of their stay.

Financial   assistance   is   provided   to   the   people   being   repatriated whenever a deserving case is brought to the attention of the concerned Indian Mission. This includes, if necessary, bearing legal fees, payment of fine, air fare for return to India. Financial assistance is provided through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3599 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Toll Free Number Facility
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: SANJAY(KAKA) RAMCHANDRA PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3599 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH   AUGUST, 2018

## TOLL FREE NUMBER FACILITY

†3599. SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  registration  charges  and  monthly  fee  is  paid  to  BSNL  and  other Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) for toll free number facility provided by them and to continue this facility and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  documents  required  by  BSNL  and  other  TSPs  for  providing  the  toll  free number facility to any Government and Private company;
- (c) whether any fee is charged by BSNL and other TSPs to provide toll free number facility to Government Service like police (100), fire (101) and Ambulance (102) and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether any kind of instructions have been given to TRAI in this regard; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No Madam, there is no registration and monthly fee being charged by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) (including BSNL) for Toll Free Number facility. Department of Telecommunications (DoT) allots toll free numbers to Government agencies. Emergency services (100,101,102,108) are allocated by DoT as non-metered (i.e. toll-free for subscribers to dial these short  codes).    However,  Government  agencies  (Police/Fire/Ambulance)  have  to  procure  a landline/mobile telephone connection from any TSP in order to receive the short code calls and to make calls to the subscribers, for which charges are applied by the TSPs as per the applicable tariff  plan  (that  include  monthly  rental  &  usage  charges,  deposits  and  processing/installation charges).
- (b) Toll free numbers are only provided to Government agencies for emergency & public utility services. No documents are required by TSPs for providing Toll free services on the orders issued by DoT.
- (c) Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) do not charge any fee for providing toll free number facility for Government services like Police 100, Fire 101 and Ambulance 102.
- (d) & (e) No instructions have been given to TRAI by DoT in this regard.

*****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3594 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Land Acquisition for Construction
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JAY PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3594 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## LAND ACQUISITION FOR CONSTRUCTION

†3594.  SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has completed the works of land acquisition for construction of railway line from Basiyarpur to Mananpur via Haweli, Khadagpur, Laxmipur Barhat and from Sultanganj to Banka via Tarapur, Belhar of Jamalpur-Bhagalpur rail section under Eastern Railway which is approved for ten years; and
- (b)  if so, the funds released for construction of both the said rail sections and the timeline fixed for completion of the projects?

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

- (a)  &  (b):  Details  of  two  Railway  projects  in  the  Bhagalpur-Jamalpur section are as under:-
- (i)  The  Bariarpur-Mananpur  via  Kharagpur,  Lachimpur-Barahat  (69  km) new line project was sanctioned in 2007-08. Latest cost of the project is ` 250.55  crore.    An  expenditure  of ` 19.23  crore  has  been  incurred  upto March, 2018 and an outlay of ` 0.10 crore made for the year 2018-19. Land acquisition process has not been completed for this project.

There is no such project of Basiyarpur-Mananpur new line.

- (ii)  The  Sultanganj-Katuria via Asarganj, Tarapur & Belhar (76.5 Km) new line  project  was  sanctioned  in  2007-08.  Latest  cost  of  the  project  is ` 1261.34  crore.    An  expenditure  of ` 9.31  crore  has  been  incurred  upto March, 2018 and an outlay of ` 0.1 crore made for the year 2018-19. Land acquisition  process  has  not  been  completed  for  this  project.  Katuria  is already connected with Banka.

Completion  of  projects  depends  upon  several  factors  like  complete handing over of encumbrance-free land by the State Government, forestry clearances,  shifting  of  utilities,  clearance  for  Road  over/under  bridges, canal & electrical crossings, etc. Hence, no time-frame has been fixed for completion of these projects.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3592 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Plantation of Trees
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: REKHA ARUN VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3592 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## PLANTATION OF TREES

## †3592.       SHRIMATI REKHA VERMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the extant status of plantation of trees along the railway tracks;
- (b) the  number  of  railway  tracks  along  which  trees  have  been planted so far; and
- (c) the manner  in which these trees are being watered and fertilised?

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

(a) to (c):   Indian Railways has about 2.97 lakh hectare of land under Railway track, yard and about 45651 hectare of land under afforestation/plantation. Most of the plantation is in the vacant land along the Railway track. The plantation of trees is carried out through State  Forest  Department,  Contractors  and  deploying  departmental resources.  The  responsibility  to  water  and  fertilise  the  plants  for  a specific period is of State Forest Department/Contractors. However, in case of departmental plantation, such activities are carried out by Railway staff.

*****