opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3958 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: National Broadband Missionin Tamil Nadu
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: S. Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3958 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  MARCH, 2020

## NATIONAL BROADBAND MISSION IN TAMIL NADU

## 3958. SHRI S. VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  amount to be allocated by the Government to the State of Tamil Nadu under the National Broadband Mission;
- (b) the number of districts in Tamil Nadu likely to be included under this mission;
- (c) whether  Government  has  considered  fast  track  telecom  connectivity  in  the  villages  under  the mission and if so, the details thereof, including Madurai district of Tamil Nadu; and
- (d) the details of the target set under this mission?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) The likely investment under the National Broadband Mission is around Rs 7 Lakh crore which is to be catalysed largely by the industry out of which contribution by the Government through Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) is envisaged to be around 10%, that is, approximately Rs. 70,000 crore which will cover all the States in the country including all the districts of the State of Tamil Nadu.
- (c) The  National  Broadband  Mission  (NBM)  envisages  the  vision  to  enable  fast  track  growth  of digital  communications infrastructure, bridge the digital divide for digital empowerment and inclusion, and provide affordable and universal access of broadband for all which will cover all the villages in the country including Madurai district of Tamil Nadu.
- (d) Under  the  National  Broadband  Mission,  following  deliverables  are  to  be  achieved  during  the Mission period:-
-  Broadband connectivity to all villages.
-  Availability of high broadband speeds.
-  Acceleration of fiberization.
-  Increasing tower density and fiberization of telecom towers.
-  Mapping of fibre.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3955 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Mobile Service in Backwardand Tribal Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3955 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  MARCH, 2020

## MOBILE SERVICE IN BACKWARD AND TRIBAL AREAS

## †3955. SHRI SANJAY JADHAV:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to take any steps to ensure mobile telecommunication service in backward and tribal areas of the country especially in Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which these services are likely to be provided in each village of backward and tribal areas in the country especially in the said State?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): Yes, to ensure mobile telecommunication service in backward and tribal areas of the country including  Maharashtra,  the  following  projects  are  approved/implemented  by  the Government:

- (i) Under Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas Phase-I project, 2,343 towers in the country including 65 towers in Maharashtra have been installed;
- (ii) Under LWE Phase-II project, Government has approved installation of 2,217 mobile towers for providing mobile connectivity in the country including 125 mobile towers in Maharashtra;
- (iii) To provide mobile connectivity in 354 villages of uncovered border areas, Ladakh and Kargil Region and other priority areas;
- (iv) A Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for mobile connectivity in the North Eastern  Region  to  provide  mobile  coverage  in  uncovered  villages  and  alongwith National Highways and to augment transmission network;
- (v) A scheme for provisioning of 4G based Mobile service in 502 uncovered villages in Aspirational districts of four states Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan has been approved.
- (vi) Under BharatNet project, broadband connectivity in all the Gram Panchayats (approx. 2.5 lakh) in the country;

- (vii) Laying of submarine optical fibre  cable  between  Chennai  and  Andaman  &  Nicobar Islands for providing connectivity to Andaman & Nicobar Islands;
- (viii) Mobile  connectivity  to  cover  uncovered  villages  and  along  National  Highway  (NH 223) in Andaman & Nicobar Islands;
- (ix) Satellite bandwidth augmentation upto 4 Gbps and 1.71 Gbps for Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands respectively.

(c) Connectivity to the uncovered inhabited villages is being provided by the  Government and the Telecom Service Providers in a phased manner.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3953 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Singareni Coal Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy, Gaddam Ranjith Reddy, Geetha Viswanath Vanga

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3953

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## Singareni Coal Mines

## 3953. SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY:

DR. G. RANJITH REDDY:

SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH:

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

- (a)  whether  Ministry  is  aware  that  Singareni  Collieries  estimated  that  it requires 10 crore tonnes of coal by 2025;
- (b) if so, whether Singareni Collieries has been requesting for allocating its coal mines in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand;
- (c) if so, the time when such request has been received in the Ministry and the action taken in this regard;
- (d) the steps being taken to expand/give blocks for Singareni Coal Mines to improve the production of coal in future;
- (e) whether the State Government has requested the Union Government in this regard;
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken in this regard in last five years and the current year as on date; and
- (g) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL, MINES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a)  to  (g): Singareni  Collieries  Company  Limited  (SCCL)  coal  production projection for the year 2024-25 is 85 Million Tonne (MT) with the existing reserves  in  Telangana  States  and  the  new  coal  blocks  which  have  been allocated  to  SCCL.  Requests  have  been  received  from  time  to  time  from Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) for allocation of coal mines. The following mines have been allotted to SCCL  under the provisions of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015:

|   S.No. | State     | Name of Coal Block   | End use/purpose   |
|---------|-----------|----------------------|-------------------|
|       1 | Odisha    | Naini                | Power             |
|       2 | Odisha    | New Patrapara        | Sale of Coal      |
|       3 | Telangana | Penagaddppa          | Sale of Coal      |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3952 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Mafia/Corruption in Coal Sector
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Geeta Kora

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3952 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## Mafia/Corruption in Coal Sector

## 3952.   SHRIMATI GEETA KORA:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

- a. Whether coal sector is in the grip of mafia and corruption;
- b. if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government Sector to free coal sector from them;
- c. whether 80 per cent of coal production in the State of Jharkhand is still in the grip of mafia; and
- d. if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): No such case has been reported at CIL  & its Subsidiary Companies.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3951 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Medical Supply to China
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: S. Ramalingam, T. R. Paarivendhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3951 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## MEDICAL SUPPLY TO CHINA

## 3951. SHRI RAMALINGAM S.: Dr. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has assured the Chinese Government to supply medicines and other medical equipments to tackle the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak which claimed more than 2500 lives in China;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the value of medical consignment sent to China;
- (d) whether   the   Chinese   Government   has   agreed   and   accepted   the consignment sent from India; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (e) Prime Minister had written to Chinese President Xi Jinping on 8 February 2020, in  view of the coronavirus outbreak in China,  conveying the solidarity of the people and Government of India with the people of China and the readiness of Government of India to provide assistance.

The   Government   of   India   provided   15   tonnes   of   medical   assistance comprising masks, gloves and other emergency medical equipment to China on 26 February 2020. These supplies were delivered by an Indian Air Force C-17 special   flight   which   landed   in   Wuhan,   China.   The   details   of   the   medical assistance provided are as under:

| Medical Supplies Sent To China   | Medical Supplies Sent To China   | Medical Supplies Sent To China   |
|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| S.No.                            | Description of Commodity         | Quantity                         |
| 1.                               | Surgical Masks                   | 1 Lakh pieces                    |
| 2.                               | Surgical Gloves                  | 5 Lakh pairs                     |
| 3.                               | Infusion Pumps                   | 75 pieces                        |
| 4.                               | Enteral Feeding Pumps            | 30 pieces                        |
| 5.                               | Defibrillator                    | 21 pieces                        |
| 6.                               | N-95 Mask                        | 4000 pieces                      |

These medical supplies costed approximately Rs. 2.11 crores. They were handed over to the Hubei Charity Federation in Wuhan, China.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3950 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Labourers Employed in Coal Mining Sector
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Rajeshbhai Naranbhai Chudasama

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRYOF COAL LOK  SABHA UNSTARRD QUESTION NO. 3950 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## Labourers Employed in Coal Mining Sector

## 3950.SHRI RAJESHBHAICHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  has undertaken any comprehensive study regarding health issues of labourers employed in coal mining sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government, while undertaking such study, adopted/ followed the international practices;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES

## (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) :  While  no  comprehensive  study  has  been  undertaken  regarding  health  issues  of  labourers employed  in  coal  sector,  studies  have  been  conducted  regarding  health  facilities  in  coal  mining sector. All  India  Institute  of  Medical  Sciences  (AIIMS)  was  entrusted  with  a  study  to  suggest actions  to  be  taken  to  improve  medical  facilities  by  Coal  India  Limited  (CIL)  and  its  subsidiary companies. AIIMS has since given its recommendations on the matter.

Further, CIL conducts initial medical examinations in respect of newly joined employees and periodical medical examinations for existing employees at prescribed regular intervals. Moreover, coal mine workers have to undergo Medical Checkup every five years as per the provisions of the Mines Rules, 1955.  Those who are more than 45 years old have to undergo medical checkup after every three years as per recommendation of 10 th Conference on Safety in Mines.

- (b) to (e) : Does not arise in view of reply to part (a) above.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3948 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Joint Air Excercise with Myanmar
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Gautham Sigamani Pon, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Dhanush M Kumar, Ganesan Selvam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3948

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 th  March, 2020

## JOINT AIR EXERCISE WITH MYANMAR

3948. DR. HEENA GAVIT:

SHRI GAUTHAM SIGAMANI PON:

SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR:

SHRI SELVAM G.:

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

- (a)  whether  India  and  Myanmar  has  conducted  a  Joint  Air  Exercise  in  Prayagraj recently and if so, the details and the objectives thereof;
- (b) the name of the Indian battalion and the number of soldiers who participated in the exercise;
- (c) the details of the expenditure incurred thereon along with the benefit that is likely to accrue to India out of this exercise;
- (d)  the  details  of  the  joint  military  training  exercise  conducted  with  other  countries during the last three years and the current year; and
- (e)  whether  India  and  Myanmar  has  signed  any  Memorandum  of  Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation and 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) A Table Top Exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Myanmar Air Force (MAF) was conducted at Prayagraj on the theme of HADR.  The objectives of the  exercise  include  planning  of  HADR  operation  in  a  given  scenario,  learn  best practices, executing mission during HADR disasters, understand Search and Rescue Mission procedures etc.

(b)    The  exercise  was  conducted  under  the  aegis  of  Headquarters  Central  Air Command, IAF.  20 member team of IAF participated in the exercise.

(c)  The  expenditure  incurred  on  the  exercise  was  met  almost  entirely  from  the operational  budget  of  the  Services.    The  Air  Forces  of  both  countries  were  able  to achieve the objectives of the laid down procedure.

(d)  The countries with which IAF have conducted exercises during the last three years and  the  current  year  include  Singapore,  USA,  UAE,  Thailand,  Bangladesh,  Oman, Israel, Russia, Sri Lanka, Australia, Malaysia, France, UK and Myanmar.

(e)    India  and  Myanmar  have  signed  a  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)    on defence  cooperation  on  29 th July,  2019  in  New  Delhi  for  furtherance  of  IndiaMyanmar cooperation in the field of Defence.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3947 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Holidays in Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Jyotirmay Singh Mahato

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3947

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 18 TH  MARCH, 2020

## Holidays in Courts

## †3947. SHRI JYOTIRMAY SINGH MAHATO:

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

- (a) whether the number of holidays in the Judiciary is maximum in comparison to other Government offices and establishments in the country at present and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether by reducing the number of holidays, filling all the vacant posts of judges  and  limiting  the  number  of  hearings  is  likely  to  help  in  speedy disposal of all the pending cases and if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS

## ANSWER & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a)and  (b):    As  Judiciary  is  an  independent  organ  of  the  State  under  the Constitution of India, working days/hours and duration of vacations in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts are regulated by Rules framed by the  respective  Court.    The  working  days  as  well  as  working  hours  of  the District/Subordinate Courts are regulated by the respective High Court.

Disposal of cases pending in courts is within the domain of judiciary. The Government has adopted a co-ordinated approach to assist judiciary for phased liquidation of arrears and pendency in judicial systems, which, inter-alia, includes better infrastructure for courts including computerization, increase in strength of judicial officers/judges, policy and  legislative measures  in  the  areas  prone  to  excessive  litigation  and  emphasis  on human  resource  development.  Central  Government  has  no  role  in  the appointment  of  Subordinate  Judiciary  as  filling  up  of  vacancies  in  the District and Subordinate Courts falls within the domain of the High Courts and the State Governments concerned.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3945 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Captive Coal Mining
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru, Y. S. Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 3945

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## CAPTIVE COAL MINING

## 3945.   SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHANA RAJU: SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken a decision to end the Captive Coal Mining regime in the country with a view to attract private participation in the coal production;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  the  manner  in  which  this  relaxation  will  boost  the  coal  production  in  the  country  to achieve self sufficiency?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Under Section 5 (1) of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 [CMSP Act], a Schedule I coal mine can be allotted to a Government Company for own consumption, sale or  for  any  other  purpose. Till  now,  a  Schedule  I  coal  mine, other  than  Schedule  II  and Schedule  III  coal  mines,  could  be  auctioned  for  own  consumption,  sale  or  for  any  other purpose  under  Section  4(2)  of  the  CMSP  Act.  The Mines  &  Mineral  (Development  and Regulation) Act 1957 [MMDR Act] and the CMSP Act have been amended by the Mineral Laws (Amendment) Act, 2020. Prior to this amendment, the mines in Schedule II and III of CMSP Act could only be auctioned to companies that are engaged in specified end use. Now, the  omission  of  sub-section  (3)  of  Section  4  of  CMSP  Act  has  provided  flexibility  to  the Central  Govt.  in  deciding  the purpose  for  auction of  Schedule  II  and  III  coal  mines.  This would allow wider participation in auction of Schedule II and III coal mines, for a variety of purposes such as for sale of coal, own consumption or any other purpose.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3944 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Cultural Corridors in Nepal
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Rebati Tripura

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3944 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## CULTURAL CORRIDORS IN NEPAL

3944.   SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: SHRI REBATI TRIPURA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to build cultural corridors with Nepal in the near future;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the details of implementation procedure for any such proposal in the near future?

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

(a) to (d) India and Nepal enjoy unique, centuries-old civilizational ties based on shared history, culture, and deep-rooted people-to-people contacts. The two countries   have   a   large   canvass   of   bilateral   cooperation   in   diverse   sectors including strengthening of cultural linkages.

With a view to promoting cultural exchanges, the two sides entered into agreements for the establishment of twining city relationship between three pairs of cities   in   India   and   Nepal,   namely:   Varanasi-Kathmandu,   Bodh   GayaLumbini,   and   Ayodhya-Janakpurdham.   The   bilateral   Joint   Working   Group   for cooperation   in   the   tourism   sector   has   agreed   inter   alia   for   promoting   the development of joint Buddhist and Ramayana circuits in the two countries. In May 2018, the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal launched the India-Nepal Ramayana Circuit, for which, the Indian side offered a grant of INR 100 crore for the development of Janakpur and its environs, and the two Prime Ministers flagged off the inaugural direct bus service between Janakpur and Ayodhya.

In addition, the Government has provided assistance for the construction and restoration of several religious and cultural heritage monuments/sites in Nepal such as the Nepal-Bharat Maitri Pashupati Dharamshala in Kathmandu and the Lumbini Museum.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3943 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: WTO Ruling against India
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Imtiaz Jaleel Syed, Asaduddin Owaisi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3943

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 th MARCH, 2020 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18

## WTO RULING AGAINST INDIA

3943. SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

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

- (a) whether on an appeal by the United States of America (USA) the World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has ruled against India's Export Promotion Schemes;
- (b) if so, whether the WTO has given any time frame to withdraw the concessions under the Merchandise Export India Scheme (MEIS), Special Economic Zone (SEZ), etc.;
- (c) if so, whether as per the US Convention, India gives nearly $ 7 billion subsidies to Indian exporters; and
- (d) if so, the details of India's stand on the WTO ruling and the steps taken by the Government to save the exporters who are already reeling under recession?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): A Dispute Settlement Panel of WTO in its report issued to members on 31 October 2019 has ruled  India's  export  promotion  schemes  (e.g.  Merchandise  Exports  from  India  Scheme,  Export Oriented Units Scheme, Special Economic Zone Scheme, Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme and Duty Free Imports for Exporters Scheme etc) to be export  contingent and in the nature of prohibited  subsidies  under  the  Agreement  on  Subsidies  and  Countervailing  Measures  and  thus inconsistent with WTO norms. The Panel has given time-fram of 90-180 days for withdrawal of these schemes. However, India has appealed the Panel Report on 19 November,2019 and due to non functioning of Appellate Body, the appeal has been kept in  suspension. Till the appeal is disposed off, India is under no obligation to implement the recommendations of Panel.

(c)& (d): Though US has claimed that India is providing subsidies on above mentioned schemes, India has taken the stand in dispute that the subsidies are not export contingent and thus consistent wi th WTO  norms. India has filed  appeal against the Panel ruling.

*****