opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2814 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Auction of Coal Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2814

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## Auction of Coal Mines

## 2814. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has initiated the process for auction of coal mines for sale of coal under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  open  up  the  coal  sector  of  the  country  for commercial coal mining;
- (d) if so, whether any specific time-frame has been fixed for this process; and
- (e)  the  details  of  the  stakeholders  with  whom  meetings  are  being  held  and  who  are  being consulted in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a)  to  (e): The  methodology  for  auction  of  coal  mines/blocks  for  sale  of  coal  under  the provisions of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 [CM (SP) Act, 2015] and the Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  and  Regulation)  Act,  1957  [MM(DR)  Act,  1957]  was issued on 27.02.2018. No coal mine has so far been auctioned for sale of coal. However, coal mines have been allotted to Central and State Public Sector Undertakings for sale of coal.

A Discussion Paper on auction of coal mines for sale of coal containing key terms & conditions was published in public domain on 14.01.2020. Stakeholders consultations were held  in  Delhi,  Kolkata,  Mumbai  and  Ranchi  on  23.01.2020,  28.01.2020,  29.01.2020  and 25.02.2020 respectively with coal  consumer industries -Steel, Power, Cement  etc. Stakeholders consultation with representatives of State Governments of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Maharashtra was held on 05.02.2020 at New Delhi.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2813 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: SEZ in Telangana
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Manne Srinivas Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2813 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th MARCH, 2020

## SEZ IN TELANGANA

## 2813.   SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािण�य एवं उ�ोग मं�ी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has explored the possibility of setting up of such zones/Industrial Corridors in the State of Telangana that is having National Highways (NH) viz.  NH-44  (Nagpur  - HyderabadBangalore), NH-167 (Hagari  - Raichur -Mahbubnagar  Jadacherla Road - Miryalaguda - Kodad ) and others like NH-765, NH-565, NH-365, NH161, NH-163, NH-30, NH-61, etc.;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  committed  to  transform  India  into  a  manufacturing  and exporting hub and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government of India has appointed any panel / agency for the purpose of setting up Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the State of Telangana;
- (d) whether other steps are being taken or proposed to be taken to set up a new SE Z in the State of Telangana; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  details  of  funds  allocated/sanctioned  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y ) THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a): Sir, there is no proposal for setting up Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Telangana by the Central Government.  However, SEZs being setup under the SEZ Act, 2005 and SEZ Rules, 2006 are  primarily  private  investment  driven  initiatives  which  may  be  established either  jointly  or severally by the Central Government, State Governments or any person. Government of Telangana had submitted a proposal regarding establishment of Hyderabad-Nagpur and Hyderabad-Warangal Industrial  Corridor  which  was  considered  by  National  Industrial  Corridor  Development  and

Implementation Trust (NICDIT) in its meeting held on 23rd August, 2017. It was further decided that Government of Telangana may carry out the feasibility study for the project and the matter may again be placed for consideration after the completion of the feasibility study and identifying available land parcels in the region for the project. The proposal when received from Government of Telangana will be considered by Government of India/NICDIT.

(b): Government of India  is  developing  various  Industrial  Corridor  Projects  as  part  of  the National  Industrial  Corridor  Programme  to  provide  complete  plug  and  play  infrastructure  to industries  at  the  plot  level  to  promote  manufacturing.  This  is  one  of  the  programmes  of Government of India with an objective to transform India into a manufacturing and exporting hub.

(c) to (e): SEZs  are primarily private investment driven initiatives.  No funds are sanctioned by the Central Government for setting up the SEZ. However, investors  meeting are held at regular interval at Zonal offices to attract investors to set up SEZs.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2811 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Increasing the number ofReserved Seats
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor, Pradeep Kumar Singh, Shantanu Thakur, Gitaben Vajesingbhai Rathva

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2811

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## INCREASING THE NUMBER OF RESERVED SEATS

†2811.  SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

SHRI JASWANT SINGH BHABHOR:

SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH:

SHRI SHANTANU THAKUR:

SHRIMATI RATHVA GITABEN VAJESINGBHAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether in order to fulfil the increasing need of the rail passengers, the Railways has increased the number of reserved  seats  in  trains  having  destination  to  Gujarat,  Bihar and West Bengal;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)  to  (d):  State-wise  details  of  reserved  accommodation  are  not maintained.  However,  during  financial  year  2018-19,  total  end  to end reserved accommodation defined in the computerised Passenger  Reservation  System  (PRS)  of  Indian  Railways  for  all trains including those serving the states of Gujarat, Bihar and West Bengal was approximately 48.87 crore. This is 1.45 crore more than the  accommodation  in  2017-18  which  was  approximately  47.42 crore. Providing additional reserved accommodation to cater to the requirement of increasing passenger traffic on Indian Railways is a continuous and ongoing process based on demand pattern, technical feasibility  and availability of resources.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2809 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: New Train from Falnato Palanpur
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Devji Mansingram Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2809 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## NEW TRAIN FROM FALNA TO PALANPUR

†2809.  SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  start  a  new  D.M.U.  (daily) train from Falna to Palanpur; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) & (b) No, Sir.  Owing to operational constraints including terminal constraints  at  Falna,  introduction  of  DMU  train  between  Falna  and Palanpur is not feasible, at present. However, Falna and Palanpur are presently very well connected to each other by 39 pairs of Mail/Express and 02 pairs of Passenger trains.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2808 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Unspent MPLAD Fund
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Subhas Sarkar, Shyam Yadav Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2808

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## UNSPENT MPLAD  FUND

2808.  DR. SUBHAS SARKAR: SHRI SHYAM SINGH YADAV:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  quantum  of  fund  that  remained  unspent  under  Members  of Parliament  Local  Area  Development  Scheme  (MPLADS)  in  the country including West Bengal during the last five years, MP/yearwise;
- (b)  whether a sum of Rs. 12,000 crore of the MPLAD funds remain unspent in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
- (d) whether the Government asks district administration to provide regular information on work-wise, MP-wise and year-wise details on progress of projects and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY

OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION OF PLANNING (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) to (c) The cumulative figures of funds that remained unspent under  Members  of  Parliament  Local  Area  Development  Scheme (MPLADS)  during  the  last  five,  (including  West  Bengal)  are  as follows:

| Position as on   |   Funds Released (in Rs. crore) |   Expenditure (in Rs. crore) |   Unspent fund (in Rs. crore) |
|------------------|---------------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| 31.03.2015       |                         36007.2 |                      32373.1 |                       4857.51 |
| 31.03.2016       |                         39509.2 |                      35997.9 |                       4950.34 |
| 31.03.2017       |                         43008.8 |                      39904.3 |                       5029.31 |
| 31.03.2018       |                         46512.8 |                      43980.6 |                       4877.71 |
| 31.03.2019       |                         50462.2 |                      48997.1 |                       4103.97 |
| 04.03.2020       |                         53704.8 |                      51267.8 |                       5275.24 |

Given  the  nature  and  dynamics  of  the  scheme,  unspent balances are bound to exist at any given point of time, as the funds released under the scheme are non- lapsable and the funds received by a district in a particular year can be utilized in the subsequent financial  year(s) also. Moreover, unspent balance is not an unused fund  but  also  includes  the  funds  in  pipeline  for  implementation  of ongoing works. (d)  Yes Sir, provisions exist on the MPLADS portal  for the district authorities to provide work-wise, MP-wise and year-wise details on progress of projects regularly.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2806 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Funds to Aspirational Districts
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Pashupati Nath Singh, Annpurna Devi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2806 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## FUNDS TO ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICTS

## †2806. SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH: SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) the names of the districts provided funds through aspirational district scheme for the development of backward regions of Jharkhand during the last three years, district and year-wise;
- (b) the funds used thereunder during the said years; and
- (c) the development work carried out in the aspirational districts through the said funds?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a)  The  Aspirational  Districts  Programme  launched  on  5 th January  2018  aims  to  bring transformative  changes  in  the  most  under-developed  districts  of  India  called  Aspirational Districts.  As  the  main  strategy  of  the  Programme  is  based  on  convergence  of  existing schemes which have their own funding arrangement, large infusion of additional fund is not envisaged. However, in order to foster competitive spirit and for addressing the critical gaps, additional  allocation  on  challenge  route  is  also  envisaged.  Under  this  arrangement  Purbi Singhbhum has been sanctioned Rs.2.99 crores in the month of January 2020; Khunti Rs. 3 crore in the month of December 2019 and Pakur Rs.4.92 crore in January 2020.
- (b) As these funds have been sanctioned recently, the projects are under implementation.
- (c) For Purbi Singhbhum the funds have been released for projects proposed by the District in Health  &  Nutrition  Sector;  for  Khunti  in  Education  Sector  and  for  Pakur  in  Health  & Nutrition and Education Sectors. As stated above, since the projects of the districts have been sanctioned recently, currently, they are in the initial stage of implementation.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2804 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Honey-Trap in Armed Forces
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Ramya  Haridas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2804

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  March, 2020

## HONEY-TRAP IN ARMED FORCES

2804. MS. RAMYA HARIDAS:

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

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  some  incidents  of  Honeytrap  for  spying  purpose  have come to the notice in the armed forces;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  Government  has  taken  or  is  considering  to  take  any  preventive measures in this regard; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

- (a)  Yes, Sir.
- (b) & (c):  Service personnel in Indian Armed Forces are regularly being educated on the modus-operandi of Foreign Intelligence Operatives. Reported cases are investigated and dealt with in accordance with existing instructions/policy.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2803 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Grant of Mining Lease
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shardaben Anilbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2803 ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## GRANT OF MINING LEASE

†2803. SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  role  of  Union  Government  in  the  development  of  minerals  in  the  country especially with respect to according approval for granting mining lease/ to provide mineral concession to State Governments; and,
- (b) whether the Indian Bureau of Mines plays the role of regulatory body with respect to the conservation and development of mines under Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a): As per the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957 and  the  Rules  framed  there  under,  the  Powers  have  been  devolved  upon  the  State their

- Government  to  grant mineral concessions  for the minerals located within respective jurisdiction, in accordance with law.
- (b):  The  primary  mission  of  Indian  Bureau  of  Mines  is  to  promote  systematic  and scientific development of mineral resources of the country (both onshore and offshore), through regulatory inspections of the mines, approval of mining plans and environment management  plans as per the statute to ensure minimal adverse impact on environment.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2798 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Vande Bharat Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Parvatagouda Chandanagouda Gaddigoudar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2798 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS

2798. SHRI P.C. GADDIGOUDAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  names  of  cities  which  were  connected  with  Vande  Bharat  Express Trains;
- (b) whether the Railways has been set to roll out a number of 'Make in India' Vande Bharat Express Trains;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the sectors which are identified for the same particularly originating/ terminating from the State of Karnataka; and (d) the time by which the said trains are likely to be put into operation?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) At present, two pairs of Vande  Bharat Express services namely, 22435/22436 Vande Bharat Express and 22439/22440 Vande Bharat Express are operating on Indian Railways.
- (b) to (d) Introduction of trains, including Vande Bharat Express services is an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, traffic justification, availability of resources, etc. At present, there is no proposal to run Vande Bharat trains originating from/terminating at the stations located in the State of Karnataka.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2797 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: AP Reorganisation Act, 2014
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2797 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

AP REORGANISATION ACT, 2014

2797. SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  Para  11  of  13th  Schedule  to  AP  Reorganisation  Act,  2014, mandates the Railways to establish rail connectivity from the new capital of Andhra Pradesh to Hyderabad and other important cities of Telangana;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and steps taken by the Ministry has done so far to implement this provision;
- (c)  whether  the   Committee   of    Senior   Administrative     Grade   officers appointed for this purpose has submitted its report;
- (d) if  so, the recommendations made by the Committee and the action taken on each of the recommendations; and
- (e) the status of the Detailed Project Report (DPR)?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.2797  BY  SHRI  LAVU  SRI  KRISHNA  DEVARAYALU  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 11.03.2020 REGARDING AP REORGANISATION

ACT, 2014 (a): Para 11 of Schedule 13 (Infrastructure) of Andhra Pradesh Re-organization Act, 2014 is as under: 'The Central Government shall take measures to establish rapid rail and road connectivity from the new capital of the successor State of Andhra Pradesh to Hyderabad and other important cities of Telangana.' (b)  to  (e):  To  inter-alia  examine  the  issues  against  Para  11  of  Schedule  13 (Infrastructure) of Andhra Pradesh Re-organization Act, 2014, a Committee of senior Railway officers was constituted. The Committee after deliberation has submitted its report to Competent Authority. The Committee has made following recommendation with regard to Para 11: 'The new capital of Andhra Pradesh, which is  likely to be in the Vijaywada division, is very well connected with Secunderabad/Hyderabad via Guntur, via Vijaywada-Kazipet-Bibinagar and via Guntur - Dhone-Falaknuma. Many works are sanctioned in the territory of state of Telangana and Seemandhra which will  further  strengthen  the  connectivity.    Works  are  progressing  as  per  the availability of funds.' The above recommendation has been accepted by the Competent Authority. In addition to the above, the project for construction of new Broad Gauge (BG) line  between  Vijayawada-Guntur-Amravati  was  included  in  Budget  2017-18 subject  to  requisite  approvals.  Further,  total  allocation  of  the  Budget  for infrastructure  projects  and  safety  works,  falling  full/partly  in  the  State  of Andhra Pradesh in 2019-20 is ` 3,885 crore which is 338% more than average annual budget outlay of 2009-14.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2796 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Harassment of Soldiers
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Faizal P.P. Mohammed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2796

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  March, 2020

## HARASSMENT OF SOLDIERS

2796. SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  reports  of  soldiers  being  subjected  to harassment and menial jobs by senior officers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the cases of the deaths of such soldiers brought to the notice of the Government;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  ordered  an  inquiry  into  the  cases  reported  by  the relatives of the victims alleging harassment as the prime cause of the soldiers' suicide;
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  grant compassionate employment to the spouse or the next of kin on merit; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

| A N S W   | (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)   |
|-----------|-----------------------|

(a)    Yes,  Sir.    A  few  allegations  of  harassment  have  been  received  by  the  Indian Army.  These allegations predominantly  were anonymous or third  party complaints and generic in nature.  However, no such case has been reported in the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.

(b)  to  (e):    Details  of  alleged  cases  of  harassment  in  the  last  three  years  in  Indian Army are as under:

|   Year |   No. of cases received |
|--------|-------------------------|
|   2017 |                     113 |
|   2018 |                     154 |
|   2019 |                     115 |

All  such  complaints  were  investigated  and  found  to  be  unsubstantiated.    No cases of death due to the alleged harassment have been reported in the last three years by the Indian Army.

*****