opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1404 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-24
Subject: Coal Mining Activities in Foreign Countries
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1404 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.11.2016

## Coal Mining Activities in Foreign Countries

## 1404.  SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  coal  mining  activities  undertaken  by  Coal  India  Limited  (CIL)  in foreign countries and their financial performances;
- (b) whether the CIL has decided to call-off their coal mining activities in some of the African countries, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  amount of expenditure and loss incurred in such failed ventures during the last three years and the current year?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Coal  India  Limited  (CIL)  was  allocated  two  prospecting  licenses  for  coal  by Government  of  Mozambique  for  undertaking  exploration  activities.  At  present  no  mining activity has been undertaken by CIL in any foreign countries.
- (b): CIL  through  its  wholly  owned  subsidiary  Coal  India  Africana  Limitada  (CIAL) registered  in  Mozambique,  undertook  exploration  activities  in  the  leasehold  areas  falling under the two prospecting licenses located in Moatize district, Tete province, Mozambique.

Based  on  the  outcome  of  the  exploration  activities,  feasibility  study  was  carried  out wherein it was found that commercial mining may not be viable in the aforesaid prospecting license areas in the current scenario. Accordingly, CIAL surrendered both the licenses to the Government of Mozambique.

- (c): Total amount of expenditure by CIAL on account of exploration and related activities during the last three financial years is Rs. 32.9 Cr in 2013-14, Rs. 11.08 Cr in 2014-15 and Rs.  2.16  Cr  in  2015-16  and  Rs.0.42  Cr  in  the  current  year  (from  1st  April  2016  to  30th September 2016).
Lok Sabha Question No. 1403 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-24
Subject: Modification of TUFS
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

## MODIFICATION OF TUFS

## 1403.   SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी

be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Union Government is considering to undertake a study of hank yarn requirement in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether Union Government is considering to modify the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether Government proposes to focus on technical textiles, promoting research and development,  obtaining  patent  for  products  developed  by  the  Centres  of  Excellence  and  putting  a monitoring mechanism in place; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## ( )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (b): A study on 'Trends in Production, Distribution and Demand for Hank Yarn and issues related thereof" was done through M/s Technopack Advisors Pvt. Ltd in 2014. The final report, submitted by the agency, was accepted by Ministry of Textiles on 11.06.2015.

- (c): No, Madam.

(d) & (e): Government  has  taken  several  measures  to  promote  research  and  development  in  the technical textiles sector in the country.  The Technology Mission on Technical Textiles (TMTT) is being implemented on pan India basis and the Scheme for Promoting Usage of Agrotextiles in North-Eastern Region  and  the  Scheme  for  Promoting  Usage  of  Geotechnical  Textiles  in  North-Eastern  Region  are implemented  for  all  North  Eastern  States.  The  other  steps  being  taken  by  the  Ministry  of  Textiles  to promote Technical Textile sector in the country are as under:-

- (i) Under the 'Amended  Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (A-TUFS)', 15%  capital investment subsidy is provided on eligible machines under Technical Textiles.
- (ii) In the Budget 2016-17, custom duties on select speciality fibres have been reduced.
- (iii) Standards of different segments of Technical Textiles are notified from time to time.
- (iv) An annual premier event is organized on technical textiles TECHNOTEX with the objective of promotion and building business linkages between the Indian Technical Textile Industry and the International Technical textile fraternity.
- (v) Focus Incubation Centers (FICs) have been sanctioned at six Centers of Excellence. An amount of Rs. 17.45 Crores has been released for the FICs.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1402 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-24
Subject: Defecation in Open Areas
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA, RANJANBEN BHATT

## Government of India

## Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1402 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24-11-2016

## Defecation in Open Areas

†1402. SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI: SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

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

- (a) the number of villages situated alongthe Ganga identified for making them Open Defecation Free (ODF), State-wise;
- (b) the details of villages of UttarPradesh situated along the Ganga which have been made ODF so far; and
- (c) the target date fixed for making the rest of the villages ODF?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION (SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

- (a)  State-wise,  the  number  of  villages  situated  along  River  Ganga  identified  for  making  them OpenDefecation Free (ODF) is as under :-
- (b) Out of 1357 Villages situated along River Ganga, in Uttar Pradesh, 258 villages have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 21.11.2016.
- (c)  The  target  date  for  making  all  villages  of  UttarPradesh  situated  along  River  Ganga,  open defecation free is 31.3.2017.

| S.N.     | State         |   No. of Villages along River Ganga identified for making ODF |
|----------|---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1        | Bihar         |                                                           473 |
| 2        | Jharkhand     |                                                            71 |
| 3        | Uttar Pradesh |                                                          1357 |
| 4        | Uttarakhand   |                                                           223 |
| 5        | West Bengal   |                                                          2158 |
| Total :- |               |                                                          4282 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 1400 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-24
Subject: Flights between India and UAE
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

(To be answered on the

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1400 November 2016) 24th

## FLIGHTS BETWEEN INDIA AND UAE

## 1400. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

to state:be pleased

- pumber Of flights operating between India and Dubai by different (a) the airlines at present; .
- UAE airlines are utilising its full capacity while Indian airlines are
- (c) if s0, the reasons therefor;
- details thereof and present position %f the talks between theboy6 (e) if so, the countries and the time by the countries in this regard?
- recently held talks with UAE for more slots to Indain (d) whether India has airlines to use their full capacity; and

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

- the airlines of India and UAE(Dubai) are operating 559 flights (a) At present, per week on India-Dubai Route.
- However, the bilateral talks between the two countries (d) & (e) No madam: and when both parties agree to discuss are held from time to time, as
- & No madam: The airlines of India and UAE(Dubai) are utilizing their (b) (c) full capacity on India-Dubai Route
Lok Sabha Question No. 1399 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-24
Subject: Power Tariff
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1399

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.11.2016

## POWER TARIFF

1399.  ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  initiated  any  enquiry  on  artificial  inflation  of Power Tariff by over invoicing coal imported from Indonesia;
- (b) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  prevent  this  illegal  practice  of  over invoicing that are continuing un-awaited;
- (c) whether  a  study  by  an  independent  consultant  has  found  serious  fraud  by some major companies;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  serious  consequences  of  this  over invoicing  as  the  artificial  increase  in  Power  Tariff  is  Passed  on  to  the  consumers; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Union Government in this regard?

## A N S W E R

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

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

- (a) & (b) : As per the provisions given in Sections 61 to 64 Electricity Act, 2003, the  Electricity  Regulatory  Commissions  have  been  entrusted  with  the  functions  of determination  of  Tariff  for  generation,  transmission  and  distribution.  The  tariff  of generation  and  transmission  companies  owned  by  the  Central  Government  is regulated  by  the  Central  Electricity  Regulatory  Commission,  whereas  the  tariff  for generation,  transmission  and  distribution  within  the  states  are  determined  by  the State Electricity  Regulatory Commissions.  Under  Section  62  of  the  Act, the Appropriate  Commission  determines  the  tariff  if  it  is  supplied  from  a  generating company  to  a  distribution  licensee, while  under  section 63  of the Act, the Appropriate Commission  adopts the tariff if such tariff has been determined through transparent  process  of  bidding  in  accordance  with  the  guidelines  issued  by  the Central  Government.  The  relationship  between  the  generating  company  and  the distribution  companies  is  governed  by  the  provisions  of  the  Power  Purchase Agreements. Therefore, the Central Government has no role in this regard.
- (c) to (e) : As per information made available by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence  (DRI),    instances  of  over-invoicing  in  respect  of  coal  imported  from Indonesia  have  been  noticed  by  them  and  field  formations  have  been  suitably altered.  Imports made in the past are under investigation.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1397 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-24
Subject: NH through Telangana
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: NANDI YELLAIAH

## GOVERNMNET OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1397

ANSWERED ON 24 TH  NOVEMBER, 2016

## NH THROUGH TELANGANA

## 1397.  SHRI NANDI YELLAIAH:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सडक़ परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of ongoing and approved National Highway Authority of India ( NHAI) projects in Telangana; and
- (b) the expected timeline for the completion of the ongoing projects?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISNAN)

- (a) & (b) Four laning of Yadgiri-Warangal section of NH-163 is the ongoing project of NHAI in Telangana, which is scheduled to be completed by Nov, 2018.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1395 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-24
Subject: Open Defecation
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

## Government of India

## Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1395 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24-11-2016

## Open Defecation

## 1395. SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE:

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

- (a) whether 60% of the worldpopulation which is defecating in the openlive in India ;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether South Asia has the highestpopulation defecating in open and if so,the details thereof;
- (d) whether poverty and lack ofinfrastructure are the major reasons behindpoor sanitation condition in the countryand if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps being taken by the UnionGovernment in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION (SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

- (a) and (b)  As per Joint Monitoring Programme Report published in 2015, 59.43% of the world population  which  is  defecating  in  the  open  live  in  India.  However  as  per  Online  Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, 42.85% rural population defecates in open as on 21.11.2016 .
- (c) As per Joint Monitoring Programme Report-2015, 34% population of South Asia defecate in open, which is highest in any region of the world.
- (d)  Poverty  and  lack  ofinfrastructure  are  some  of  the  major  reasons  behindpoor  sanitation. However,  Sanitation  is  primarily  a  behavioral  issue.  It  involves  change  of  mindset  amongst people to stop open defecation and to adopt safe sanitation practices.
- (e) The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) has been launched on 2nd October, 2014, which aims at  attaining  Swachh  Bharat  by  2 nd October  2019.The  incentive  to  eligible  beneficiaries  for construction of toilet has increased from Rs. 10000 to Rs. 12000 with effect from 2 nd October, 2014. The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) is also laying more focus on behaviour change and usage  of  toilets.  The  focus  on  capacity  building  has  been  increased.  State  level  workshops involving  all  the  key  stakeholders  such  as  Collectors,  CEO,  Zilla  Panchayats,  Chairmen  Zilla Panchayats etc. have been held in different States. The Government of India has also undertaken direct training of Collectors. The Centre-State coordination has been increased through increased visits to States, coordination meetings, and reviews. There is also a renewed focus on behavior change communication.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1394 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-24
Subject: Airport Charges
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: R. PARTHIPAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. ; 1394 (To be answered on the November 2016) 24tn

## AIRPORT CHARGES

## 1394. SHRI R PARTHIPAN

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the airport charges are very high in the country;
- whether the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is among the world's most expensive airports;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) if s0, the details thereof;
- (f) if s0, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Goverrment in this regard?
- (e) whether the Government has any plan to reduce the airport charges; and

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) (b): Airport charges are allowed to airports operators &s means t0 Since huge investments are made by the developers during construction %f the airport; the charges are comparatively higher during the initial period 0f the airport commencement: However, the charges are substantially reduced once the investment for the development is recovered.

- (c) & (d): The information is collected. being
- (e) & (f: Government of India has established Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) in 2009 under an Act 0f Parliament viz. AERA Act;,2008 to determine the tariffs in respect of aeronautical services provided at major airports in the country AERA determines the aeronautical tariff in respect of major airports based on stakeholder consultation. The tariffs are reviewed and revised AERA every five years considering the investment and expenditure incurred by the airport operator, improving efficiency and viability of the airport with 4 view to rationalize the charges. by
Lok Sabha Question No. 1388 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-24
Subject: Viability Gap Funding Corpus
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 8 1388 (To be answered on the November 2016) 24th

## VIABILITY GAP FUNDING CORPUS

## 1388. SHRI BAIJAYANT JAY PANDA

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

.

be pleased to state:-

- Rs:.8000 per flight to build Viability "Funding (VGF) (b) if the details thereof: corpus; Gap SO,
- consumers as an additional cost;
- {endhether the Government has any strategy in place for utilisation of this fund; and
- routes
- this additional cost, if $0, the details any to nullify the effect of thereof; steps
- (f) if the details thereof and if not; the reasons therefor? SO,

## ANSWER

Minister %f State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

in the following manner:

i Rs: 8,000 with stage length more than [,000 km to 1,500 km and ii) Rs. 8,500 with stage length above 1,500 km:

Guidelines issued under Rule 134 (A): Dispersal

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

Jevy:

- iii) Flights operated with aircraft maximum certified take off exceeding 40,000 kg. mass not having
- (c) to (f): Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) -UDAN on 21-10-2016, payment of Viability launched (VGF) will be made to the Gap Funding

`

:

Selected Airline Operator from the RCF and the State Governments will be asked to reimburse the applicabie share (20% for states other than for NorthEastern States and Union Territories of India; where the ratio will be 10%) towards VGF for respective RCS Routes For balanced regional growth, the allocations under the scheme would be equitably spread across the five geographical regions of the country viz North; West; South, East and Northeast.

UDAN has a unique market-based model to develop regional connectivity: Interested airline and helicopter operators can start operations on hitherto un-connected routes by submitting proposals to the Implementing Agency: The operators can seek Viability Funding (VGF) apart from getting various concessions from Centre; State and Airport Operators:   Such support would be withdrawn after a three year period, as by that time; the route is expected to become self-sustainable: UDAN is likely t0 a give a major to tourism and employment generation in the hinterland: Gap fillip

.

'

.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1387 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-24
Subject: Audit under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: DHARAMBIR BHALERAM

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO .1387

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.11.2016

## AUDIT UNDER MGNREGS

## 1387. SHRI DHARAMBIR :

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government have  audited  the  accounts  of  MGNREGS in  various States;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and irregularities or fraudulent activities, if any, found thereon State/UT - wise; and
- (c) if not, the steps pro posed to be taken by the Union Government to audit the account to ensure that the benefits are reaching the targeted population and to find out the misuse of funds?

## ANSWER

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

(a )& (b): The  Comptroller  and  Auditor  General  of  India  (CAG)  has  conducted performance audit of the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employmen Scheme. The last performance audit was conducted from February to September, 2012. important fi ndings of performance audit are as under:

- (i) Information, Education and Communication (IEC) plans were not formulated in 12 States and two UTs. Shortfalls utilisation of IEC funds were also noticed.
- (ii) FourStates had not appointed dedicated Gram Rozgar Sahayaks.
- (iii) Job cards were not issued to 12,455 households States.

in si

- (iv)In 12 States and one UT, cases of the material cost exceeding the pres ratio were noticed.
- (v) Non - payment/ under payment of wages in 14 States.
- (vi)Works  were  incomplete  despite  passage  of  significant  time,  rendering expenditure unfruitful.
- (vii) In  10  states  and  4  UTs,  the  State  Governments  had  not  constituted  So Audit Units.
- (viii) Deficiencies, relating to both non- maintenance and incorrect maintenance of prescribed basic records were noticed.
- (ix)  Substantial  differences  between  the  data  uploaded  in  the  MIS  and information available with Directorate/ DPC.
- (c): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1386 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-24
Subject: Highways Damaged due to Overloaded Trucks
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: KINJARAPU RAM MOHAN NAIDU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1386

ANSWERED ON 24 TH  NOVEMBER, 2016

## HIGHWAYS DAMAGED DUE TO OVERLOADED TRUCKS

## 1386.  SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has identified overloading of trucks and other transport carrying vehicles as a major issue on national highways, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  this  overloading  has  known  to  cause  damage  to  the  highways  in  the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of highways in kilometers damaged during the last three years due to overloading;
- (d) the funds spent to repair the highways, damaged by overloading; and
- (e) the steps being taken to penalize and discourage over loaders on highways?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a)  to  (e)  Yes,  Madam.  The overloading  of  trucks  and  other  heavy  transport  carrying vehicles is one of the major issues on National Highways (NHs). The damaging effect of overloading is governed by the 4 th power law. If the axle load is two times the specified limit, the damage caused is sixteen times. Highways are damaged due to various reasons including overloading.  Funds are allocated for overall maintenance of Highways.  All the implementing agencies  of  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways  have  been  asked  to install  weigh-in-motion  or  static  weight  bridges  on  NHs  and  take  appropriate  punitive action to curb overloading.

*****