opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 670 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Pending cases in Bombay High Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Balubhau (Alias Suresh Narayan) Dhanorkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 670

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 05 th  FEBRUARY, 2020.

## Pending cases in Bombay  High Courts

## 670. SHRI BALUBHAU ALIAS SURESH NARAYAN DHANORKAR:

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

- (a) the number of pending cases at present in the Bombay High Court along with the number of those cases which are  pending for the last ten years;
- (b)  the  number  of  cases  related  to  coal  miners  in  the  Bombay  High  Court  at present along with the number of those cases which have been pending  for more than ten years; and
- (c) the reaction of the Government thereto ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) & (b):   As per information available on the web-portal of National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) as on 29.01.2020, 2.67 lakh cases are pending in Bombay High Court. 79,749 cases are pending in Bombay High Court for more than ten years. The data regarding cases related to coal miners is not available on the web-portal of National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG).

- (c) : Disposal of cases in courts is within the domain of the judiciary.  The time taken for disposal of a case depends on several factors such as category of the case (civil  or  criminal), complexity of the facts involved, nature of evidence, co-operation of stake-holders viz. bar,  investigation  agencies,  witnesses  and  litigants  besides  the

availability  of  physical  infrastructure,  supporting  court  staff  and  applicable  rules  of procedure.

Government  has  no  role  in  disposal  of  cases  in  courts.    However,  the  Union Government is committed to speedy disposal of  cases  and  reduction  in  pendency  of cases to improve access to justice. The National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms, established by the Union Government, has adopted many strategic initiatives, including improving infrastructure [court halls and residential units] for Judicial Officers of District and Subordinate Courts, leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for better justice delivery, filling up of vacant positions of Judges in High Courts and Supreme Court, reduction in pendency through follow up by Arrears Committees  at  District,  High  Court  and  Supreme  Court  level,  emphasis  on  Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and initiatives to fast track special type of cases.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 668 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Corruption in Recruitment Process
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Anumula Revanth Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.668

TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 th  February, 2020

## CORRUPTION IN RECRUITMENT PROCESS

## 668. SHRI ANUMULA REVANTH REDDY:

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

- (a)  whether  some  cases  of  corruption  have  been  reported  in  recruitment  process  of jawans in the Army;
- (b) if so, the details thereof during the last five years; and
- (c)  the  details  of  steps  taken  to  prevent  irregularities  and  corruption  in  recruitment process in the Army?

## 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)  A  total  number  of  9  cases  of  corruption  have  been  reported  during  the  last  05 years. 03 cases in the year 2015, 02 cases in 2017, 02 cases in 2018 and 02 cases in 2019. No case of corruption has been reported in the year 2016.
- (c)  Recruitment  process  in  Army  is  being  continuously  strengthened  to  ensure complete elimination of any kind of corruption. To achieve this, following measures have been taken:-

- (i) Personnel  being  posted  to  recruiting  establishment  are  subjected  to  detailed integrity  check  based  on  their  annual  confidential  reports  and  past  service record.
- (ii) Tenure of persons once in the organisation is fixed and no one is given a second tenure for this work.
- (iii) Complete  recruitment  process  has  been  automated  ensuring  minimum  human intervention.
- (iv) Adequate checks and balances have been incorporated in the recruiting process for  timely  detection  of  anomalies.  Regular  inspection  are  carried  out  for ensuring no deviation of rules and malpractice.
- (v) Prior  to  each  rally,  all  candidates  are  warned  against  falling  prey  to  touting activities.
- (vi) There is absolute Zero tolerance for any form of corruption. Speedy investigation and strict disciplinary action is taken against defaulters.
- (vii) The candidature of candidates is cancelled, if found to have used unfair means for his selection.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 667 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Telecom Connectivity in Tripura
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Rebati Tripura

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 667 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020

## TELECOM CONNECTIVITY IN TRIPURA

## 667. SHRI REBATI TRIPURA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS  be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of telecom connectivity in the State of Tripura;
- (b) whether the Government has extended 4G services in each district of Tripura;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the time by which 4G services will be provided in each district of Tripura;
- (d) the  role  of  Universal  Service  Obligation  Fund  (USOF)  in  this  regard  and  the  details  of  the  funds utilized therefrom during each of the last three years for the aforesaid purpose; and
- (e) the details of fund utilization by BSNL in connection with this matter?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) to (c) As  per  the  data  collected  from  the  Telecom  Service  Providers(TSPs)  and  Department  of Telecommunications (DoT) field units in 2019, it is estimated that there are 8 inhabited villages (as per census 2011 data) in Tripura, which are not covered by mobile services. Government and TSPs have extended 4G services in each district of Tripura. District-wise 4G coverage is as below.

| District      |   Total Number of Villages |   Number of Villages with 4G coverage |
|---------------|----------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Dhalai        |                        148 |                                    97 |
| North Tripura |                        166 |                                   144 |
| South Tripura |                        268 |                                   242 |
| West Tripura  |                        281 |                                   274 |
| Grand Total   |                        863 |                                   757 |

(d) to (e) Mobile Services in 2 uncovered villages and 7 sites along National Highway in Tripura are being  provided  with  USOF  funding  through  M/s  Bharti  Hexacom  Limited  as  per  the  agreement  signed  on 08.12.2017 for providing 2G services. As on 27.01.2020, a total of 3 towers have been installed and providing services.

In  Tripura,  no  scheme  for  provisioning  of  mobile  services  is  being  implemented  through  BSNL  and therefore, no funds have been disbursed to BSNL for providing mobile services.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 666 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Legal Assistance
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

******

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 666

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 5 th FEBRUARY, 2020 Legal Assistance

†666. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

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

- (a) the  procedure  for  appointing  government  counsel  by  the  government  to provide legal assistance to the people;
- (b) the number of government counsels in the country at present;
- (c) whether  the  posts  of  government  counsels  are  vacant  or  more  government counsels are required and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  establish  free  legal  advice  centres  at every district or Tehsil to provide justice to everybody; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a) The  National  Legal  Services  Authority  (Free  and  Competent  Legal  Services) Regulations,  2010  provides  for  criteria  and  procedure  for  empanelment  of panel  lawyers  for  providing  legal  assistance  to  the  eligible  sections  of  the population. The selection of panel lawyers is made by the Executive Chairman or Chairman of the Legal Services Institution in consultation with the Attorney General  [for  the  Supreme  Court],  Advocate  General  [for  the  High  Court], District Attorney or Government Pleader [for District and Taluka level] and the Monitoring and Mentoring Committee of the Institution.
- (b) A  total  number  of  61,295  lawyers  have  been  empaneled  in  legal  services institutions  at  state  &  district  level  across  the  country  for  providing  legal assistance to the people who are eligible to receive such assistance. (c)The panel lawyers are empanelled by the Legal Services Institutions as per the work load. As of now, the required number of panel lawyers are available with the Legal Services Institutions. (d)&(e)Legal  Services  Institutions  have  been  set  up  under  the  Legal  Services Authorities  Act,  1987    at  all  levels  from  Taluk  Courts  to  Supreme  Court  for providing  free  legal  services  to  the  persons  eligible  under  Section  12  of  the Legal  Services  Authorities  Act,  1987.The  Legal  Services  Institutions  include National Legal Services Authority, Supreme Court Legal Services Committee in Supreme  Court,    36  State  Legal  Services  Authorities,  36  High  Court  Legal Services Committees in all High Courts, 664 District Legal Services Authorities
- and 2254 Taluk Legal Services Committees.

The  Legal  Services  Institutions  have  set  up  Front  Offices  to  provide  legal advice to the visitors. More than 23,000 Legal Services Clinics have also been set  up  in  Jails,  courts,  Juvenile  Justice  Boards  (JJBs),  community  centres, villages/rural areas and law colleges/universities.  In these centres, free legal services are provided.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 665 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Indians in Pakistan Jails
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Mahabali Singh, Gurjeet Singh Aujla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.665 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2020

## INDIANS IN PAKISTAN JAILS

## †665.  SHRI MAHABALI SINGH:

SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government of India has the details and number of persons languishing in Pakistan jails;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that many Indians are in Pakistan jails even after their prison term is over; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to bring them back to India?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) As per available information, 275 Indians, including fishermen are presently believed to be in Pakistan's custody. However, as per the lists shared on 1 January 2020, Pakistan has acknowledged the custody of 262 of them. In addition, there is the issue of 83 missing Indian defence personnel, including Prisoners of war, whose custody has not been acknowledged by Pakistan, so far. The   Government,   upon   receipt   of   reports   of   apprehension   of   Indian prisoners and fishermen, immediately takes up the matter with Pakistan through diplomatic  channels   and   seeks   consular   access   and   their   early   release   and repatriation. Government's persistent efforts have succeeded in securing release and repatriation of 2133 Indian prisoners, including fishermen from Pakistan's custody since 2014. This includes release and repatriation of 20 Indian fishermen on 6 January 2020. (c) & (d) The Government has asked Pakistan to provide consular access as also   release   and   repatriate   remaining   Indian   prisoners   and   fishermen   in Pakistan's custody. This includes 110 Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen whose nationality has been confirmed and have completed their sentences. Pakistan has also been requested to facilitate the visit of a team of Indian medical experts to meet prisoners of unsound mind, who are believed-to-be Indian   nationals,   with   a   view   to   facilitate   their   nationality   verification   and subsequent repatriation. Pakistan has not responded so far.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 664 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Rail Bridge on Kosi River
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gopal Jee Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 664 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2020

## RAIL BRIDGE ON KOSI RIVER

†664.  SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government had taken a decision to construct a large bridge across Kosi to connect entire Mithila region of Bihar which was divided into two parts due to earthquake in 1934 and if so, the details and the current status thereof;

(b) whether the Government is likely to dedicate the rail bridge built on Kosi river to the people of Mithila region in the near future and if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Ministry  proposes  to  name  this  bridge  after  former Prime  Minister  late  Shri  Atal  Bihari  Bajpayee  when  it  is  open  to  the public; and

(d) if so, the time by which the announcement is likely to be made by the Ministry in this regard along with the details thereof?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(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. 664 BY SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 05.02.2020 REGARDING RAIL BRIDGE ON KOSI RIVER (a) and (b): Yes, Sir.  The Kosi Bridge New Line project falling in Mithila region of Bihar is a sanctioned project. Latest anticipated cost of the project is ₹ 516 Cr., out of which an expenditure of ₹ 382 Cr. has been incurred  upto  March  2019.    This  Bridge  will  connect  Sarayagarh  on east  side  and  Nirmali  on  west  side.  Main  Bridge  has  already  been constructed.  Track linking has been taken up. Completion  of  any  Railway  project  depends  on  various  factors  like shifting of infringing utilities  (both  underground  &  over  ground), statutory clearances from various authorities, geological & topographical conditions of area, law & order situation in the area of project site, number of working months in a year for particular project site due to climatic considerations, encountering unforeseen conditions like earthquake, flooding, excessive rains, strikes of labour, orders of Hon'ble Courts, situation and conditions of working agencies/contractors etc. and all these factors affects the completion time  and  cost  of  the  project,  which  is  finally  worked  out  at  the completion stage. Therefore, no confirmed time frame can be fixed for completion of this project at this stage.

(c) and (d): Naming of a railway project/bridge is done on recommendation of the State Govt concerned. At present, no proposal with regard to naming of Kosi Bridge has been received from the State Govt of Bihar.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 662 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Auction of Scrap Materials
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Darshana Vikram Jardosh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 662 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2020

## AUCTION OF SCRAP MATERIALS

## † 662.  SHRIMATI  DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

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

- (a) whether there is a plan to make a solid policy to promote timely and transparent auction of various scrap materials manufactured in the Railways;
- (b) if so, the solid plan adopted for the re-use of various scrap materials manufactured in the Railways; and
- (c) whether there are complaints of irregularities in the sale of various scrap materials manufactured in the Railways during the last three years and if so, the time by which the investigations will be done?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There  already  exists  a  well  established  system  for  timely  and transparent  auction  of  various  scrap  materials  generated  in  the Railways. Scrap  is  sold  in  transparent  manner  through  e-Auction.

Entire  process  of  scrap  sale  is  online  through  Indian  Railways Electronic Procurement System (IREPS). (b) The various scrap materials generated in the Railways are re-used, to the extent possible, as raw materials for manufacturing wheels at Rail  Wheel  Factory/Bangalore  and  Rail  Wheel  Plant/Bela;  and  Scrap Rails by Railways, Public Sector Units  and  other  Government Departments. (c) No, Sir.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 661 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Technology for Prevention of Drone Attack
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Midhun Reddy, Kotagiri Sridhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.661

TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 th  February, 2020

## TECHNOLOGY FOR PREVENTION OF DRONE ATTACK

661. SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

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

- (a)  whether  the  DRDO  has  partnered  with  any  Indian  or  Foreign  companies  to develop technology to prevent drone attacks;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether DRDO has undertaken any anti-drone combat measures in vital defence security establishments; and
- (d) 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 )

<!-- image -->

(a) to (d):  The desired information is strategic in nature and its disclosure is not in the interest of National Security.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 660 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Construction of Anandnagar-Ghughli Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Pankaj Chowdhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 660 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2020

## CONSTRUCTION OF ANANDNAGAR-GHUGHLI RAILWAY LINE

†660.      SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)        whether  any proposal for the construction of new railway line from  Anandnagar  to  Ghughli  under  Eastern  Railways  is  lying pending with the Government;
- (b)      if so, the details thereof;
- (c)      whether  the  Government  proposes  to  sanction/approval  for construction of the said new railway line;
- (d)      if so, the time by which it is likely to be completed; and
- (e)      if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a)  to  (e):    The  work  of  new  Broad  Gauge  line  Anandnagar-Ghughuli via  Maharajganj  was  included  in  the  Budget  2013-14  subject  to  the condition  that  the  work  would  be  taken  up  once  the  Government clearances  are  obtained.  Government  clearances  have  not  been given,  since  project  was  found  financially  unviable  and  therefore, could not be taken forward.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 657 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Judicial Vacancies
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 657

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 05.02.2020

## Judicial Vacancies

## 657. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN

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

- a)  the total number of posts of the judges of High Courts that remain unfilled in India;
- b)  the total number of collegium proposals pending for the approval by the Government; and
- c)   whether  the  Government  has  set  any  time  frame  for  filling  the judicial vacancies in High Courts and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (c):   There are 395 number of posts of the judges  vacant in various High Courts.

The proposals recommended by various High Courts Collegiums for appointment of High Court Judges are under various stages of processing with the Government and Supreme Court Collegium as per the procedure prescribed in Memorandum of Procedure (MoP). Filling  up  of  vacancies  in  the  High  Courts  is  a  collaborative  and integrated  process,  between  the  Executive  and  the  Judiciary.  It  requires consultation  and  approval  from  various  Constitutional  Authorities  both  at the Centre and State. Hence total time taken in the process of appointment cannot be indicated.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 656 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Tariff Imposition by the US
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Chandan Singh, Kaushalendra Kumar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 656

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 th FEBRUARY, 2020

## TARIFF IMPOSITION BY THE US

656. SHRI CHANDAN SINGH: SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

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

- (a) whether Indian exporters are facing problems due to tariffs imposed by the US on exports of products like steel and aluminium and IT services;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has taken up this matter with the US authorities to lift such tariffs; and
- (c) if so, the details and outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): The U.S., in March 2018, has imposed additional tariff of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminium imports from various countries, including India. The impact of the increase in these tariffs has been limited. In 2017-18, the share of US in India's steel exports was 3.3% which came down to 2.5% in 2018-19 the year the tariffs were imposed. The U.S. has not imposed any tariffs recently on IT services from India.

After the U.S has imposed additional tariffs on aluminium and steel imports in March 2018, India challenged the US measure by taking it to the Disputes Settlement Mechanism under WTO.

****