opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5088 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Replacement of Vessels
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5088

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 5, 2017

## REPLACEMENT OF VESSELS

## 5088.     SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government    proposes  to  replace  two  existing coastal research vessels by the names of Sagar Purvi and Sagar Paschimi to further support oceanic survey and research;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  including  the  total  funds  required  for acquisition and time frame by which the acquisition of vessels is expected to be completed; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  facing  shortage  of  funds  to  acquire coastal  research  vessels  and  if  so,  the  action  taken  by  the Government to complete the acquisition of the said vessels?

## ANSWER

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

- Yes, Madam.
- (b) National  Institute  of  Ocean  Technology  (NIOT),  an  autonomous institute under Ministry of Earth Sciences has placed the order for 'Design,  Construction  and  Delivery  of  two  Coastal  Research Vessels'  for  a  total  contract  value  of  Rs.99.729  Crores  on  M/s Titagarh  Wagons  Limited,  Kolkata  through  a  National  open  etender. The contract was signed between NIOT, Chennai and M/s Titagarh  Wagons  Limited,  Kolkata  on  17 th   February,  2017.  The total  fund  sanctioned  for  acquisition  of  two  Coastal  Research Vessels  is  Rs.  132.955  Crores.  As  per  Contract,  the  project completion period is 30 months for the first vessel and 36 months for the second vessel from the date of signing of contract.
- (c) No, Madam. The total contract value for 'Design, Construction and Delivery of two Coastal Research Vessels' is within the sanctioned budget.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5087 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Direct Recruitment in MTNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: RAMA DEVI, PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO JADHAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5087 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH   APRIL, 2017

## DIRECT RECRUITMENT IN MTNL

†5087. SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI: SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  several direct recruitments  have  allegedly  been  made  in  Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) under the pressure of higher officials of telecommunication department resulting in unnecessary burden on the MTNL and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) 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) to (e) No fresh recruitment has been made by MTNL under pressure of higher official of  Telecom  Department.    However,  due  to aging  staff  MTNL  Board  had  approved  in  year 2012 the recruitment of 100 Executives in E-2 grade.  Against this approval, in November 2016  direct  recruitment  in  first  phase  for  executive  category  i.e.  57  Assistant  Manager (Technical)  post  was  done  on  the  basis  of  Graduate  Aptitude  Test  for  Engineers  (GATE) score.  Out of them only 22 executives have joined MTNL.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5085 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: 5G Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: CHINTAMANI MALVIYA, RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY, SHER SINGH GHUBAYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5085 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH   APRIL, 2017

## 5G SERVICES

†5085. PROF. CHINTAMANI MALVIYA: DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY: SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited proposes to introduce 5G services across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government so far in this regard; and
- (c) the  time  by  which  the  said  services  are  likely  to  be  launched  across  the  country, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU)  with  M/s  Nokia  Solutions  and  Network  India  Private  Limited  on 28.02.2017.    The  objectives  of  the  agreement  include  discussions  and  conducting  of workshops on the network evolution to 5G and internet of things (IOT).

At present, the 5G (Fifth Generation) technology also known as International Mobile Telecommunication-2020 (IMT-2020) is still in the development stage and only limited trials have been conducted across the world and therefore no timeframe has been prescribed for introduction of 5G technology in the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5084 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Avenues for Skilled Indian Workers
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK

5084.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5084 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2017

## AVENUES FOR SKILLED INDIAN WORKERS

DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK':

Will  the  Minister  of  EXTERNAL  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to  state the  efforts  being  made  to  provide  maximum  possible  avenues  of employment to skilled Indian workers in foreign countries including the USA and the European countries?

## ANSWER

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

The  Government  is  proactively  working  towards  enhancing employment  opportunities  for  skilled  Indian  workers  in  foreign countries.

Issues relating to movement of Indian skilled workers to the US are discussed in various bilateral dialogue mechanisms. Government of India has been engaging at senior levels with the US Administration and the US Congress on these issues. Government of India has emphasized that Indian skilled workers have contributed to the growth and development of the US economy and have helped the US retain its competitive edge and innovation advantage. They are  a  big  stakeholder  in  India-US  relations  and  their  backward linkages to India have helped US businesses.

A  Joint  Declaration  on  a  Common  Agenda  on  Migration  and Mobility (CAMM) was signed between India and European Union on 30 March 2016 in Brussels on the sidelines of 13th India-EU Summit. The  CAMM  is  aimed  at  maximising  the  benefits  of  migration  and mobility  through  a  flexible  framework  for  cooperation  based  on voluntary  participation  of  interested  EU  Member  States  and  full reciprocity.

In addition, Mobility Partnership, Labour and Manpower Cooperation MoUs/Agreements and Mutual Recognition Arrangements are also in place with select countries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5082 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Use of Wooden Material for Packing
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE

- (a)
- Yes, Madam.
- (b) Railways  have  tried  to  procure  synthetic  packing  from  various sources  based  on  the  specification  developed  to  suit  Railway purpose.    Till  date  no  suitable  product  could  be  found.    Synthetic packing is found to be unsafe as they tend to slip over one another.
- (c)
- (d)
- No, Madam.
- Does not arise.
- (e) Approximately ₹ 59,26,458/-  has  been  incurred  by  the  Railways  on procurement  of  wooden  material  during  the  last  three  financial years.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5082 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2017

## USE OF WOODEN MATERIAL FOR PACKING

## 5082.    SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- whether  the  Indian  Railways  are  using  natural  wooden  material for  packing  in  Hydraulic  cranes,  ART,  ARME,  140T,  Wedges  for Loco  and  Wagon,  etc.  instead  of  synthetic  material  keeping  in view that use of wooden material has been banned by the Hon'ble
- (a) Supreme Court;
- (b)
- if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Railways has constituted a High Level Committee in this regard in light of the Hon'ble Supreme Court directives;
- (d) if so, the details of the recommendations made by the High Level Committee for use of synthetic material for the said purpose; and
- (e) the  funds  incurred  by  the  Railways  on  procurement  of  natural wooden material during the last three financial years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
Lok Sabha Question No. 5081 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Indo Pak Talks
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: P. KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5081 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2017

## INDO PAK TALKS

## 5081.   SHRI P. KUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to start fresh negotiations with Pakistan and separatist leaders over Kashmir issue; and
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) & (b) During  the  visit of the External  Affairs  Minister to Pakistan  in  December  2015  to  participate  in  the  fifth  Ministerial Conference  of  the  Istanbul  Process  Heart  of  Asia,  it  was  decided that  Comprehensive  Bilateral  Dialogue  on  all  outstanding  issues would be launched. However, the terrorist attack on Pathankot Air Base  on  January  2,  2016  and  subsequent  intensification  of  cross border terrorism has prevented the initiation of such a dialogue. The Government  has  clearly  stated  that  the  onus  is  on  Pakistan  to create  a  conducive  environment  free  of  violence,  terrorism  and hostility  for  addressing  all  outstanding  issues  through  a  bilateral dialogue.
- So far as the separatist leaders are concerned, the Government remains open to dialogue with those who eschew the path of violence and are willing to work within the framework of the Constitution of India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5080 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Financial Assistance to Sri Lanka
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5080 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2017

## FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SRI LANKA

5080.

SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  monetary  assistance  provided  by  India  to  Sri Lanka including loans extended and financial grants provided during the last three years;
- (b) the  amount  of  financial  assistance  provided  by  India  to  Sri Lanka  for  the  rehabilitation  of  war-affected  people  in  the country during the last five years;
- (c) the present condition of war affected displaced Tamil people in Sri Lanka and whether all the displaced and affected people have been resettled and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the further steps being taken by the Government to rehabilitate and resettle the war affected Tamil people of Sri Lanka?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Government, in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka,  has  been undertaking  a  large  number  of  development projects  in  Sri  Lanka,  with  a  particular  focus  on  assisting  the rehabilitation and resettlement of the conflict affected and internally  displaced  people  in  the  Northern  and  Eastern  Provinces. Indian  assisted  projects  include  both  grant  projects  as  well  as concessionally  financed  ones.  India's  total  development  portfolio now exceeds US$ 2.6 billion, of which the grant component is more than US$ 436 million.

The  flagship  grant  project  is  the  US$  270  million  Indian Housing Project for constructing 46,000 houses in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka, which are nearly complete, and 4000 houses  in  the  Central  and  Uva  Provinces.  Other  grant  projects include  upgrading  of  educational  institutions,  reconstruction  of schools, supply of medical equipment and construction of hospitals, reviving local economies, livelihood creation, improving transportation, power and water supply, improving sports infrastructure, supporting trilingual initiatives, and creation of social infrastructure, among others. India has also committed concessional loans amounting to more than US$ 2 billion, the most important of which has been in the railways sector for reconnecting northern  Sri  Lanka  with  the  rest  of  the  country,  and  for  acquiring rolling stock.

During the last 3 years, India has committed more than US$ 700 million as grants and concessional finance. India will continue to undertake development projects in Sri Lanka as required, and in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka. As per the figures released by the Government of Sri Lanka, more than 880,000 Internally Displaced People have been resettled in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, as of end-August 2016, with around 43,600 people left to be resettled. India  will  continue  to  be  supportive  of  the  resettlement process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5079 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Sustainable Development Goals
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY, SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5079 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2017

## SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

## 5079.   SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has prepared a White Paper  to be submitted to the UN on Sustainable Development Goals of which India is a signatory;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  Millennium Development  Goals  (MDGs)  since  certain  reports  point  out  that  majority  of  them  have  not  been achieved by India;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government has sought a new time frame from the UN for implementation of the MDGs with a renewed global partnership for it and if so, the details thereof?

## 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) No white paper has been prepared to be submitted to the UN on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a part of the UN-led process, Government of India has committed to present to UN High Level Political Forum its Voluntary National Review of implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in July, 2017.
- (b) &  (c)  The  Ministry  of  Statistics  and  Programme  Implementation  was  entrusted  with  the statistical  tracking  of  the  Millennium  Development  Goals  (MDGs)  and  for  bringing  out  Country Monitoring reports.  The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation brought out monitoring reports from 2005 which were also uploaded on the website (www.mospi.gov.in) of the Ministry. The last monitoring report of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was brought out in 2015, which was also placed on the website of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
- (d) The MDGs expired at the end of 2015, and have been succeeded by the SDGs, which were adopted by 193 countries including India in September, 2015 as an integral part of the Post 2015 development agenda. The SDGs are more comprehensive than the MDGs and seek to address in a balanced  way  all  the  three  dimensions  of  sustainable  development,  i.e.  social,  economic  and environmental and their interlinkages. The SDGs have a timeframe of 15 years from 2016 to 2030 and call for a stronger global partnership.
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Lok Sabha Question No. 5078 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: English Proficiency Test
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: M. B. RAJESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5078 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2017

## ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST

## 5078. SHRI M.B. RAJESH:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a large number of Indians in the UK are facing serious trouble  due  to  recently  introduced  english  proficiency  test norms there and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has got complaints that the Indians are facing discrimination due to denial of right of appeal in the UK on this issue and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken up/proposes to take up the issue of denial of right of appeal in the UK for Indians; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (d) It  is  understood  that  several  Indian  students  were affected due to the suspension by the UK Home Office of the English language tests conducted by a private company  'Educational Testing  Services'  in  2014.  High  Commission  of  India,  London  has received  representations  from  5  Indian  students  affected  by  the above issue through the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK. Government of India has taken up the issue with the UK side.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5075 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Regular Employees in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5075 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2017

## REGULAR EMPLOYEES IN RAILWAYS

5075. KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  number  of  regular  employees  in  all  Groups  in  the Railways as on 30th April, 2016, zone-wise;
- (b) the  total  expenditure  incurred  on  salaries  and  allowances  for these employees during 2016-17;
- (c) the total expenditure incurred on pension of the retired employees during the year 2015-16; and
- (d) the  funds  left  for  development  of  Railways  after  incurring  all above expenditure?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5075 BY KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  05.04.2017 REGARDING REGULAR EMPLOYEES IN RAILWAYS

- (a) The total number of regular employees in all Groups on Zonal Railways as on 31/03/2016 is as under:
- (b)  The expenditure incurred on salaries and allowances during the year 2016-17 is not yet available. However, ₹ 76,458 crore has been provided on salaries and allowances in Revised Estimates 2016-17.

| Zonal Railway      |   On Roll Strength |
|--------------------|--------------------|
| Central            |             109075 |
| East Coast         |              47822 |
| East Central       |              82993 |
| Eastern            |             116101 |
| Metro              |               4207 |
| North Central      |              69792 |
| North Eastern      |              55264 |
| Northeast Frontier |              66891 |
| Northern           |             150300 |
| North Western      |              52626 |
| South Central      |              89333 |
| South East Central |              47636 |
| South Eastern      |              83968 |
| Southern           |              94085 |
| South Western      |              38277 |
| West Central       |              55900 |
| Western            |             104468 |
| Total              |            1268738 |

(c)  The total expenditure incurred on pension of the retired employees during the year 2015-16 is ₹ 30700.66 crore.

(d)  After  incurring  the  Revenue  Expenditure  comprising  mainly  of Ordinary Working Expenses, Miscellaneous Expenditure, Appropriation  to  Pension  Fund  and  dividend  payment  to  General Revenues,  Railways  had  generated  Rs.16,106  crore  of  internal resources  in  2015-16  for  Capital  expenditure  on  development  of Railways.  In  Revised  Estimates  2016-17,  the  internal  resources generation target is ₹ 12,895 crore.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5073 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Development Projects in Bhutan and Bangladesh
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5073 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2017

## DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN BHUTAN AND BANGLADESH

5073. SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India is funding/supporting any infrastructure development projects in Bhutan and Bangladesh;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Indian  strategic  investments  in  the  region  are comparable to the investments made by China and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the steps being taken/planned by the Government  to  sustain  and  enhance  bilateral  infrastructure development co-operation with the above mentioned countries?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)
- Yes.
- (b) GOI has committed assistance of Rs. 4500 crores for the 11th Five Year Plan of Bhutan (2013-18). Out of this, Rs. 2800 crores is earmarked  for  Project  Tied  Assistance  for  funding  infrastructure development  projects  such  as  development  of  roads  &  bridges, construction  of  regional  hospitals,  schools,  and  covering  sectors like energy, industries, agriculture, e-governance. GOI is also assisting in hydro power development in Bhutan with four ongoing projects-  1200  MW  Punatsangchhu-I,  1020  MW  Punatsangchhu-II, 720  MW  Mangdechhu  and  600  MW  Kholongchhu  Hydroelectric Projects.

In  2011,  India  extended  first  Line  of  Credit  (LoC)  of  US$  1 billion  to  Bangladesh,  which  was  used  for  projects  mainly  in infrastructure developments projects in field of railways and public transport.  The  second  LoC  of  US  $  2  billion  to  Bangladesh,  was announced  in  June  2015  during  PM's  visit  to  Bangladesh.  This  is being used for infrastructure developments projects mainly in field of  Power,  Railways,  Road  Transport,  ICT,  Shipping,  Health  and Technical Education. (c) & (d) India's investments and development projects are based on the priorities of India & country concerned and these stand firmly on their own, and cannot be compared to investments of any other country,  including  China,  in  these  countries.  India  will  continue  to undertake infrastructure development projects in consultations with countries concerned and deepen our partnership further for mutual benefit.

*****