opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1732 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Indian Science Congress
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1732 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/2/2019

## INDIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS

## 1732.  SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the widespread criticism from the scientific community and students against the outlandish claims at the Indian Science Congress 2019 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has noted that the repeated misuse of Indian Science Congress has made it a mockery of science and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government asked any explanation from the organizers;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the Government will take necessary action for not repeating such incidents in an event like Science Congress which gets global attention and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ, {Éßl´ÉÉÒ ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ +ÉÉè® {ÉªÉÉÇ´É®hÉ, ´ÉxÉ A´ÉÆ VÉãÉ´ÉÉªÉÖ {ÉÉÊ®´ÉiÉÇxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ

(bÉ. c­ÉÇ ´ÉvÉÇxÉ)

- (a)  &  (b):  Yes  Madam.  The  government  has  taken  note  of  media  reports  and  criticism  from  the scientific  community  regarding  some  statements  made  by  the  participants  during  the  Science Congress 2019. Science Congress  over the years  has transformed into a single largest grassroots scientific  event in  the country which is attended by scientists, teachers and students from a wide variety  of  institutions.  The  level  of  scientific  discussions  also  range  from  lectures  by  the  Nobel Laureates to popular science lectures. This is also a fact that a  lot of  good things happen during the Science Congress but some astray incidents are blown out of proportions by the media. Being a mammoth  scientific  event,  widely  different  scientific  ideas  are  expressed  freely  during  the Congress. In spite of some criticism in the media, the fact remains that Science Congress serves a unique  and  valuable  purpose  by  providing  a  common  platform  to    thousands  of  scientists, researchers and students to interact and exchange ideas on a variety of science subjects.
- (c)  to  (e):  The  issue  has  already  been  deliberated  in  the  Executive  Committee  meeting  of  Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) on 7 th January 2019 and it has been decided that from now onwards, for sessions like meeting with Scientists at Children Science Congress session during the Indian Science Congress, it  will be mandatory for the Scientists to submit a summary of their talk and Scientists from ISCA will monitor their talk in such sessions.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1731 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: High Speed Rail Corridor
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: R.P. MARUTHARAJAA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1731 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## HIGH SPEED RAIL CORRIDOR

## 1731.     SHRI R.P. MARUTHARAJAA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government is going to start a high speed rail corridor from  Chennai to Coimbatore;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c)   whether the said corridor is planned to pass through Salam also;
- (d)   if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)   the  amount  of  expenditure  likely  to  be  incurred  on  this  corridor and the time by which it is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to  (e):  No,  Madam.  There  is  no  plan  to  start  a  High  Speed  Rail Corridor  for  Chennai  to  Coimbatore  at  present.  Mumbai-Ahmedabad High  Speed  Rail  Project  (MAHSR)  is  the  only  High  Speed  Corridor sanctioned on date in the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1730 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Mobile Connections to RailTel
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1730 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## MOBILE CONNECTIONS TO RAILTEL

## 1730.  SHRI J. J. T. NATTERJEE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  some  telecom  operators  have  been successfully providing mobile phone connections to RailTel through Closed User Group (CUG) across the country for the last six years and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  it  is  also  a  fact  that  RailTel,  on  the  instructions  of  the Railway Board have decided to discontinue the services of CUG and award the same to some new telecom operators;
- (c)  if  so,  the  complete  details  and  the  reasons  thereof  for  showing favours to new incumbent with the names of new telecom operators; and
- (d)  the details of the procedure adopted by RailTel for switching to new telephone provider with the names of the telecom service providers which participated in the tender process?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Yes, Madam. Mobile phone services for Indian Railways subscribers through Closed User Group (CUG) were being provided by the Telecom

Service Provider Airtel.

(b):  Yes,  Madam.  RailTel  Corporation  of  India  Limited  (RCIL)  a  Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under Ministry of Railways have selected new Telecom Service Provider for mobile CUG services on expiry of previous contract with Airtel on 31 st  December, 2018.

(c) & (d): A new Telecom Service Provider by has now been awarded the CUG contract by Indian Railways.

Total  04  nos.  Telecom  service  providers  had  participated  in  the  open tender invited by  RailTel.  Name  of  participants  firms  in  the  tender  are given below:-

1. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.
2. Bharti Airtel Limited.
3. Vodafone Idea Limited.
4. Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited.

M/s. Reliance Jio has been selected through this open tendering process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1728 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Increase in MPLAD Funds
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL, RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1728

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 13 th   FEBRUARY, 2019

## INCREASE IN MPLAD FUNDS

1728.    SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL: PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD:

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

- (a)  whether  the Government proposes to  increase the allocation of funds for MPLAD scheme and make the expenditure related
- guidelines more flexible in this regard;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof, and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  allow  Members  of Parliament to use 'MPLAD' fund in their States and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  STATISTICS  AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

- (a)
- & (b)  No, Madam.
- (c)       The  Members  of  Parliament  can  utilise  the  funds  available under the MPLAD scheme in accordance with the scheme Guidelines.  There  is  no  proposal  to  allow  Members  of  Parliament (MP) to use MPLAD funds anywhere in their state. However, as per the existing provisions for implementing MPLAD scheme,  an MP can recommend works up to a maximum of Rs.1 crore for the affected district in the event of 'Calamity of severe nature' in any part of the country. Furthermore, the MP can recommend eligible works under these Guidelines up to a maximum of Rs. 25 lakh in a financial year to a place outside that State/UT, or outside the constituency within the State, or both,  if  he finds the need to contribute MPLADS funds, provided  that  the  contribution  outside  the  constituency/State  will not be allowed for Trusts/Societies and Cooperative Societies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1727 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Rotational Transfer Policy
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: GANESH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1727

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019)

## ROTATIONAL TRANSFER POLICY

## 1727. SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has issued instructions for effective and rotational transfer of officials and staff posted in sensitive positions in the year of 1999, 2001, 2008 and 2012 respectively and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether CVC has asked the Government to identify the sensitive posts and staff working in these posts and also to ensure that they are strictly rotated after every two/three years to avoid developing vested interests;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with rotational transfer's details since last three years;
- (d) whether DoPT has identified the sensitive posts and have/had been effecting rotational transfers in the Ministry; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof, post-wise since last three years and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a)  to  (c):    The  Central  Vigilance  Commission  (CVC)  has  issued  instructions  vide  letter  No. 98/VGL/60 dated 15.04.1999 and 02.11.2001, and circular No. 004/VGL/90 dated 01.05.2008 and  04.01.2012  for  effecting  rotational  transfers  of  officials  and  staff  posted  in  sensitive positions in each organization.

As  per  the  above  instructions,  all  Ministries/  Departments/Organizations  and  Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) are to identify sensitive posts and staff working in these posts; and also to ensure that such staff/officials are rotated after every two/three years to avoid developing vested interests.

The  CVC  has  informed  that  identification  of  sensitive  posts  and  effecting  rotational transfers is a continuous process and the CVOs of the organizations are required to ensure strict implementation of the instructions.

(d)  &  (e):    In  Department  of  Personnel  and  Training  (DoPT),  19  Sections/seats  have  been identified for the purpose of rotation of staff/officials working in sensitive posts in compliance of instructions from CVC. The transfers of staff/officials posted in such Sections/seats are done as per above-mentioned instructions.

A  total  of  37  staff/officials  have  been  transferred  in  compliance  with  the  abovementioned  Rotational Transfer guidelines of CVC during the last three years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1726 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Linking Aadhaar with Ticket
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BHOLA SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1726

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## LINKING AADHAAR WITH TICKET

†1726. SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether linking Aadhaar with IRCTC has been made compulsory for the passengers for reservation in trains and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether passengers are facing problems in online reservation due to mismatch of information given in Aadhaar card and ID of IRCTC;
- (c) if so, the details of the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  made  any  efforts  to  deal  with  this problem; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a): No, Madam. Linking Aadhaar Number with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) User ID (Identity) is optional and not mandatory  for  individual users booking  Railway  tickets  through IRCTC. However, if they want to book more than 6 tickets a month, then linking their respective Aadhaar number with the IRCTC User ID and ensuring that at least one of the passengers in the passenger list is verifiable through Aadhaar is necessary.

- (b) to (e): Initially, some complaints were reported from users about the  inconvenience  faced  while  linking  their  Aadhaar  Number  with IRCTC  User  ID  on  account  of  mismatch  in  names  in  the  Unique Identification  Authority  of  India  (UIDAI)  database  and  the  IRCTC database.  This  issue  has  since  been  resolved  and  there  are  no complaints on this account now.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1720 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Procurement of Assault Rifles and  LMGs
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: DHARMENDRA YADAV, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, Shrirang Appa Barne, ANANDRAO  ADSUL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1720

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## PROCUREMENT OF ASSAULT RIFLES AND LMGs

1720.  SHRI  DHARMENDRA YADAV: DR. PRITAM  GOPINATH  MUNDE: SHRI  SHRIRANG APPA  BARNE: SHRI  ANANDRAO  ADSUL:

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

- (a) whether there is an urgent operational requirement of new generation assault rifles and Light Machine Guns (LMGs) for troops deployed on the borders with Pakistan and China;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Armed  Forces  has  asked  to  replace  old  and  obsolete  5.56mm INSAS rifles, 9mm sub-machine carbines, assault rifles and light machine guns;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (d) whether  Defence  Acquisitions  Council  (DAC)  has  accorded  Acceptance  of Necessity (AoN) to the proposals and if so, the facts thereof;
- (e) whether  there  is  a  proposal  to  procure  new  generation  assault  rifles  and  light machine guns under 'Make in India' policy and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the  action  so  far  taken  by  the  Government  for procurement of assault rifles  and light  machine  guns  and  the  time  by  which  the  procurement  process  is  likely  to  be completed?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) to (f): The weapons in category of Assault Rifle, Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbine  and  Light  Machine  Gun (LMG) are the basic weapons of

……2/-

:  2  :

a soldier.    Over a period of time owing to the dynamic nature of  warfare, enhanced  transparency  in  battlefield,  latest  technological  advancement and  capabilities  of  adversaries,  operational  requirements  for  these  Small Arms have undergone a change. During  2018,  Acceptance  of  Necessity  (AoN)  for  procurement  of Assault  Rifles,  LMGs  and  CQB  carbines  through  Fast  Track  Procedure (FTP) under 'Buy-Global' category as well as AoNs for procurement of LMG and CQB carbine under 'Buy & Make (Indian)' category have been accorded by  Defence  Acquisition  Council (DAC).    AoN  has  also  been  accorded  for Inter Government Agreement (IGA) with Government of Russia for production of Assault Rifles in India through a joint venture. The cases are at various stages of procurement. *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1718 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Seats under Tatkal Scheme
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNPURIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1718 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## SEATS UNDER TATKAL SCHEME

†1718.  SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase/decrease  the number of seats in all trains under Tatkal scheme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is working on any plan in which people can travel without ticket being confirmed under Tatkal quota so that they attend their important work or reach their home on time; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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. 1718 BY SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  13.02.2019 REGARDING SEATS UNDER TATKAL QUOTA (a) & (b): No,  Madam.    Zonal  Railways  are  already  delegated  with powers to earmark Tatkal Quota in different classes keeping in view the utilization pattern in that class during the previous financial year. The quota so earmarked is reviewed on periodical basis. At present, Tatkal quota has been fixed as 5 to 30% of the capacity of the coach, to be rounded off to next higher number. (c) & (d): No,  Madam.    There  is  currently  no  such  plan  wherein people can travel without ticket being confirmed under Tatkal quota. However, with a view to meet the additional demand of passengers (including  Tatkal  ticket  holders),  Railways  take  various  measures from time to time some of which are listed below:-

- i. Waiting list position of trains is monitored on regular basis and wherever  feasible  as  well  as  required,  load  of  the  trains  is augmented,  special  trains  are  run,  new  trains  are  introduced subject to operational feasibility, commercial justification, etc.
- ii. Further,  with  a  view  to  provide  confirmed  accommodation  to waiting  list  passengers  and  to  ensure  optimal  utilisation  of available  accommodation,  a  scheme  known  as  Alternate  Train Accommodation (ATAS) known as 'VIKALP' has been introduced. For this facility, waiting list passenger has to give an option at the  time  of  booking  of  ticket  &  passengers  with  waiting  list status at the time of preparation of first reservation charts are shifted to other trains, subject to availability of vacant accommodation.

Taking such measures to facilitate passengers in getting confirmed reserved accommodation is a continuous and ongoing measure.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1716 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Setting Up of New Divisions
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BALABHADRA MAJHI

- (a):  No, Madam.
- (b):  Does not arise.
- (c): Divisions on Indian Railways are set up keeping in view factors like size,  workload,  traffic  pattern  and  other  administrative  /  operational requirements,  consistent  with  the  needs  of  economy  and  efficiency, without  any  regional  considerations.  The  proposal  for  creation  of  new Divisions with headquarters at Jajpur-Keonjhar Road, Rourkela and Rayagada when examined from these aspects, has not been found feasible.

* * * * *

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1716 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## SETTING UP OF NEW DIVISIONS

## 1716. SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  Railways  is  considering  extension  of  the  jurisdiction  of East Coast Railway to include Banspani- Padapahar, Rupsa-Bangriposi and Bhadrak-Laxmannath Road, Bondamunda-Barbil-Barsuan, BondamundaRourkela-Jharsuguda-Himgiri sections of SER and SECR and to set up New Railway  Divisions  with  headquarters  at  Jajpur-Keonjhar  Road,  Rourkela and Rayagada;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
Lok Sabha Question No. 1714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Demands of Lingayat Samaj People
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA SHETTI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1714 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13-02-2019

## Demands of Lingayat Samaj People

## 1714 . SHRI RAJU SHETTY:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the demands of the Lingayat Samaj people for recognition as religion;
- (b) if so, the progress  made for solving their issue; and
- (c) the  reasons  for  not  solving  the  said    issue/meeting  the  demands  of  the  said community so far?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a)to(c)     A request from Government of Karnataka regarding  recognition of Lingayats and  Veerashavias who follow Basavanna's philosophy  and  teaching, as  a religious minority was received in this Ministry.   The same was examined in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Commission for Minorities  (NCM).    Based  on  the  views  received  from  Ministry  of  Home Affairs & NCM, the request of Government of Karnataka was not acceded to and decision has been communicated to the Government of Karnataka.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1713 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Kartarpur Corridor Access
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gurjeet Singh,Aujla

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1713

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## KARTARPUR CORRIDOR ACCESS

1713. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any action on passport free access to cross the Kartarpur corridor for devotees;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The Union Cabinet, on 22 November 2018, passed a Resolution to celebrate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Devji in 2019 and inter alia approved building and development of Kartarpur Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur District to the International Boundary on the Indian side to facilitate pilgrims from India to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. On the same day, the Government of India informed the Government of Pakistan of its   decision   to   build   Kartarpur   Corridor   from   Dera   Baba   Nanak   in   Gurdaspur District of India to the International Boundary and urged Pakistan to recognise the sentiments of the Sikh community and to develop a corridor with suitable facilities   in   their   territory   from   the   International   Boundary   to   Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib. The Government of Pakistan in response has agreed to build a corridor   in   its   territory   from   Gurudwara   Kartarpur   Sahib   to   the   International Boundary.

Hon'ble   Vice   President   of   India   laid   the   foundation   stone   for   the construction of the corridor on the Indian side on 26 November 2018. Union Minister of Food Processing Industries and Minister of State (IC) for Housing and Urban   Affairs   attended   the   ground   breaking   ceremony   for   development   of Kartarpur Corridor on the Pakistan side on 28 November 2018 as representatives of the Government of India.

On 22 January 2019 the Government shared the coordinates of the Zero Point   (crossing   point)   of   the   corridor   along   the   International   Boundary   with Pakistan and also invited a delegation from Pakistan, proposing two set of dates, in February and March 2019, to discuss and finalise the modalities so that Indian pilgrims can visit the holy Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the corridor at the earliest. Pakistan has accepted the invitation and agreed to send a delegation to India on 13 March 2019 to discuss and finalise the modalities. For expeditious realisation of the Kartarpur Corridor, India has also proposed technical level discussions between engineers on both sides without waiting for discussion on the modalities.

*****