opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1590 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Broadband Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: HARINDER SINGH KHALSA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1590 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH      DECEMBER, 2017

## BROADBAND SERVICES

1590. SHRI HARINDER SINGH KHALSA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  present  status  of  the  reach  of  Optical  Fibre  Network  to  provide  broadband connections to the urban and rural areas of the country;
- (b) the current level of connections/ connectivity to the urban households of the country;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to make the internet services more affordable to all the people of India and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  taking  any  steps  towards  prescribing  higher  threshold  of providing minimum broadband speed to the users and if so, whether they are planning to take penal steps to ensure its compliance and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Government provides an enabling framework for the expansion of the telecom services  in  the  country.  It  relies  on  the  market  for  provision  of  services  in  the  urban  areas. However, specific  projects  are  taken  up  with  funding  from  Universal  Service  Obligation  Fund (USOF) to provide telecom services in commercially unviable areas.

As on 30 th  September 2017, the total number of internet subscribers are 429.33 million, which  comprises  of  129.41  million  rural  subscribers  and  299.82  million  urban  subscribers. Government does not maintain any data on household connectivity.

- (c) National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), now renamed  as BharatNet, is being implemented to provide broadband services in all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country in phases through optical fibre, radio and satellite media. Last mile connectivity, through Wi-Fi or any  other  suitable  broadband  technology,  is  to  be  provided  in  all  the  GPs  (approximately 2,50,000)  in  the  country  by  providing  Access  Points(hotspots)  in  each  GP  by  leveraging  the BharatNet infrastructure targeted to be completed by 31.03.2019. As on 17.12.2017, connectivity has been provided to 1,06,585 GPs by laying 2,50,197 km Optical Fibre Cable and 87,836 GPs have been made service ready under the BharatNet project.
- (d) Broadband  is  a  data  connection  that  is  able  to  support  interactive  services  including internet  access  and  has  the  capability  of  the  minimum  download  speed  of  512  kbps  to  an individual  subscriber  from  the  Point  of  Presence  (PoP)  of  the  service  provider  intending  to provide broadband service. No decision has been taken to revise the definition of broadband as yet.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1589 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Mining of Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: JANARDAN MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1589 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## Mining of Coal

1589. SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  mining  of  coal  is  still  unavoidable  for  development  despite adverse environmental effects and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the contribution of coal in the supply of energy at present;
- (c) the sectors other than energy where coal is being utilised; and
- (d) the efforts being made by the Government to replace coal?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL AND RAILWAYS ( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a): Coal is the prime source of energy in India and is likely to continue in the years  to  come.  This  is  primarily  due  to  abundance  of  occurrence  of  coal  in India and that too at a cheaper rate. Hence, coal will continue to be the prime source of energy in India in near future. Like any other development activity, coal  mining  also  has  some  adverse  environmental  effects if  they  are  not suitably addressed. All the coal mining operations are being carried out after obtaining statutory environmental clearance and suitable mitigation measures are  taken  to  keep  the  environmental  attributes  within  prescribed  limits  and regular environmental monitoring carried out to ascertain the level of efficacy of pollution  control  measures.  All  the  pollutants  are  kept  within  the  prescribed limit  and  the  report  is  submitted  to  regulatory  agencies  on a  regular  basis. Thus, sustainable mining operations are being carried out.

- (b): As informed by Ministry of Power, total coal based generation during 201718  (Apr-Nov)  was  623.4  BU  which  is  about  77%  of  total  generation  in  the country.
- (c)  :  Apart  from  energy  sector,  coal  is being  used  for  other  sectors  like  Steel, Cement, Sponge Iron, fertilizer etc.

(d)  :  As  per  India's   Intended  Nationally  Determined  Contribution  (INDC) submitted  to  United  Nations  Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change (UNFCCC),  India  is  to  achieve  about  40  percent  cumulative  electric  power installed  capacity  from  non-fossil  fuel  based  energy  resources  by  2030.  This will to some extent replace coal. This will be achieved by tapping non-fossil fuel sources mainly solar, wind, nuclear and hydro.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1588 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Financial Assistance in Emergency Conditions
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1588 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN EMERGENCY CONDITIONS

## † 1588. SHRI GOPAL SHETTY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Indian   citizens   going   abroad   for   earning livelihood have to face difficulties due to shortage of money in emergency situations;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any step to provide financial   assistance   to   Indian   citizens   living   abroad   in emergency conditions and to set up any fund in this regard; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (d) Indian nationals going abroad for overseas employment are at times caught in emergency situations ranging from   countries   getting   affected   by   internal   conflicts,   natural disasters, other challenging circumstances like employers getting insolvent or facing financial difficulties leading to delayed/nonpayment of salaries, difficulties in provisioning of food and shelter etc.,   exigencies   related   to   emergency   medical   assistance   and legal help.

Cognizant of these difficulties, the Government has set up the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) since 2009 with the overarching objective of assisting Overseas Indian nationals in times of distress and emergency in the 'most deserving cases' on a 'means tested basis'. Initially the Fund was set up in select 18 countries that are home to a vast majority of Indian emigrant workers.   In   view   of   its   immense   utility,   ICWF   has   been subsequently extended to all Indian Missions and Posts abroad.

The ICWF guidelines have been further revised this year with the approval of Cabinet with a view to make them more broad-based and expand the scope of welfare measures that can be extended through the Fund.  The revised ICWF guidelines have become operational w.e.f. September 1 st , 2017. They are expected to provide Indian Missions and Posts abroad greater flexibility in

swiftly addressing to requests for assistance by Overseas Indian nationals. There are around 110,000 beneficiaries of the Fund. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1587 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Hi-tech Protection Device
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1587

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## Hi-TECH  PROTECTION DEVICE

1587.  SHRI  SUNIL  KUMAR  MONDAL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  Hi-tech  protection  device  to  the soldiers of the Army;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) to (c): Government  constantly  reviews  the  security  scenario  and, accordingly, decides to induct appropriate defence equipment / technology to  keep  the  armed  forces  and  our  soldiers  in  a  state  of  readiness  and remaining  equipped  with  modern  weapon  /  protection  systems.    In  this direction, recently Government has signed a  contract for procurement of 1,58,279  Ballistic  Helmets  and  has  also  procured  50,000  Bullet  Proof Jackets (BPJs). Trials have also been successfully completed  for procurement  of  1,86,138  Light-Weight  Modular  BPJs.    In  addition,  the procurement of Avalanche Air Bags for protection against avalanches is at contractual stage.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1585 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Naval War Exercise
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1585

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## NAVAL  WAR  EXERCISE

1585.  SHRI  HARISH  CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH  DWIVEDI:

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

- (a) whether India, America and Japan did naval war exercise in July 2017;
- (b) if  so,  the  possibility  of  strengthening  the  military  alliance  among  these  three countries by this military exercise; and
- (c) the number of planes and ships of India, America and Japan included in this naval military exercise, separately?

## 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) to (c): The Navies of India, USA and Japan conducted 21 st edition of Naval  Exercise  MALABAR  2017  from  09-17  July  2017  at  Chennai.    The MALABAR exercise aims to improve interoperability between participating Navies.  A total of 16 Ships, 02 Submarines and 95 aircrafts of three Navies participated in the exercise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1583 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Apps Providing Legal Service
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1583 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## Apps Providing Legal Service

## 1583. SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  large  number  of  apps providing legal services on the internet and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that these apps also host advocate profiles  and  include  social  media  ad-campaigns  on  behalf  of  legal  service providers;
- (c) if so, whether the Government is aware that this is in contravention to the provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961 which bars lawyers from soliciting business;
- (d) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to ensure the regulation of such apps;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW & JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) & (b): Yes Madam.
- (c): The Bar Council of India informed that Rule-36 of Section-IV-Duty to Colleagues, Chapter-II, Part-VI of the Rules of the Bar Council of India provides that an advocate  shall  not  solicit  work  or  advertise,  either  directly  or  indirectly, whether by circulars, advertisements, touts, personal communications, interviews not warranted by personal relations, furnishing or inspiring newspaper  comments  or  producing  his  photographs  to  be  published  in connection  with  cases  in  which  he   has  been  engaged  or  concerned.  His sign-board or name-plate should be of a reasonable size. The sign-board or name-plate or stationery should not indicate that he is or has been President or  Member  of  a  Bar  Council  or  of  any  Association  or  that  he  has  been associated  with  any  person  or  organization  or  with  any  particular  cause  or matter or that he specializes in any particular type of work or that he has been a Judge or an Advocate General.
- (d) & (e): However the Rule 36 also provides that this Rule will not stand in the way of advocates furnishing information on website as prescribed in the Schedule under intimation to and as approved by the Bar Council of India.

(f): Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1582 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Construction of Road
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: THUPSTAN CHHEWANG

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1582

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## CONSTRUCTION  OF  ROAD

1582.  SHRI  THUPSTAN  CHHEWANG:

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

- (a) the status of the implementation  of the Nyemo-Padum-Darcha Road to provide all weather connectivity to Ladakh region of  J&K State;
- (b) the details of funds allotted and utilized on the project so far;
- (c) whether the  Government has  received  any  proposal to  constitute  a  special  cell  / team of officials to supervise and monitor the implementation of the project;
- (d) if so, the action taken in this regard; and
- (e) if not, whether the Government proposes to constitute such a specialized team of BRO to ensure speedy completion of the scheme?
- (a) The  road  Nimmu-Padam-Darcha  of  length  298.53  Km,  is  presently under construction to double lane specification.  Out of which, 30.90 Km to double lane specification, 101.52 Km to single lane specification has been completed and connectivity has been achieved in 212 km.
- (b) Against  the  total  allotment  of  Rs.344.22  Crores,  an  expenditure  of Rs.325.88 Crores has been incurred upto November 2017.
- (c) No, Madam.
- (d) Does not arise.
- (e) No, Madam.

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1581 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Solar Powered Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1581 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## SOLAR POWERED TRAINS

## †1581.    SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce trains equipped with solar energy;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether such trains are likely to be introduced on the  routes  which  are  yet  to  be  electrified  and diesel trains are still running there;
- (d) if so, whether Railways has introduced cook pilot project in this regard; and
- (e) if so, the outcome of the experiments done by the Railways so far?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b)  No,  Madam.  Railways  have  not  planned  to introduce trains equipped with solar energy for running solar panels on rooftop of coaches for train lighting system in 19 narrow gauge coaches and 4 Broad gauge non air of trains. However, Railways have provided conditioned coaches on trial basis.

(c)  to  (e)  No,  Madam. There is no such plan as power generated  by  solar  panels  on  rooftop  of  coaches  is inadequate to haul a passenger train.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1578 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Ratification of treaty
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: C. MAHENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1578

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## RATIFICATION OF TREATY

1578. SHRI C. MAHENDRAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   has   signed   any   Treaty-based International Inter-Governmental Organization to be based in India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of countries who have signed and ratified the
- said treaty;
- (d) whether this is the brainchild of India; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) Yes.
- (b) & (c) The name of the Inter-Governmental Organization is the International Solar Alliance (ISA). It was established, with its seat in India, as a treaty based Inter-Governmental Organization. The Framework   Agreement   of   ISA   was   opened   for   signature   in Marrakech, Morocco in November, 2016. As of date, 48 countries have signed the Framework Agreement, out of which, 21 countries have ratified it. The Framework Agreement has entered into force on 6 December, 2017.
- (d) & (e) At the initiative of Government of India and the French Government,   the   ISA   was   launched   in   November,   2015.   It   is conceived as a coalition of solar resource rich countries which will provide a platform to address the issues relating to special energy needs through a common and mutually agreed approach.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1576 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Rank Parity
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SANTOKH SINGH CHAUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1576

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## RANK  PARITY

1576.  SHRI  SANTOKH  SINGH  CHAUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of discontentment among the Armed Forces on the issue of rank parity vis-a-vis civilian employees in the AFHQ and the curtailment of facilities like ration etc;
- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to address these issues; and
- (c) the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken on these issues?

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(a) & (b): The Government is fully sensitive to the concerns expressed by the  Armed  Forces  from  time  to  time,  including  those  relating  to  rank equation, allowances and benefits.  The Government has already clarified that there has been no downgradation or change in the existing equivalence of the service ranks vis-à-vis their civilian counterparts.

In recognition of the unique aspects of Defence Service, a number of facilities and benefits in cash and kind are admissible to Defence Service personnel,  including  tax  concessions  available  in  Canteen  Stores  Depot, concession  vouchers  for  travel  in  Railways  and  by  Air, apart  from

compensation granted by way of various allowances for unique risks and hardships borne by the Defence personnel.  A list of 28 risk and hardship related allowances and 31 other allowances and concessions available to the  Armed Forces personnel and the revised rates at which the same are payable following the decision taken by the Government on the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission has been uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Defence and can be found at mod.gov.in/def/sites/default/files/Revisedrates.pdf .

As  regards ration,  the  Seventh  Pay Commission had recommended that the provision of free rations and the grant of Ration Money Allowance to officers of Defence Forces posted in peace areas should be withdrawn. The  Government  vide  its  resolution  No.11-1/2016-IC  dated  06  July  2017, decided that Ration Money Allowance will continue to be paid to them by direct credit to their bank accounts.

- (c) Does not arise in view of (a) and (b) above.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1574 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Reservation Quota for Patients
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SATYA PAL SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1574 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## RESERVATION QUOTA FOR PATIENTS

†1574.  SHRI SATYAPAL SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether there is a provision of berth reservation quota in trains for patients  suffering  from  arthritis  as  they  find  it  more  troublesome  to travel  standing or sitting  as compared to senior citizens and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any concession in fare is also provided to such patients; and
- (c)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) No, Madam. At present no reservation quota has been earmarked for patients suffering from arthritis.

However, all categories of passengers including arthritis patients can book berth of choice (lower berth in this case) on first come first serve basis subject to availability.

- (b)  and (c): As per extant rules, there is no provision for concession in passenger fare for patients suffering from arthritis.  Railways are losing substantial revenue on account of concessions granted to more than 50 categories of passengers.  Keeping in view the financial constraints on Railways, the scope of concession is not being enlarged.

*****