opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1226 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Safe Return of Indians
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PASHUPATI NATH SINGH, RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1226 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018

## SAFE RETURN OF INDIANS

†1226. SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH: DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure safe return of Indian   citizens   of   Jharkhand   State   stuck   in   other   countries   like Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia; and
- (b) the   number   of   such   labourers/employees   from   Jharkhand, kidnapped or became victim of exploitation in foreign countries during the last two years along with the details thereof?

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

- (a) & (b) The  Government   of   India   accords   the   highest   priority   to ensure   the   safety   and   well-being   of   Indian   nationals   abroad. The Government has facilitated return of Indian nationals stuck due to distress situations in countries like Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, which includes people from the State of Jharkhand.

As   per   information   available   with   the   Ministry,   125   Indian labourers/employees from Jharkhand [4 in Afghanistan, 1 in Ethiopia, 1 in Iraq,   86   in   Malaysia,   31   in   Saudi   Arabia   and   2   from   Malawi]   were repatriated from 2016 to 2018 (till 20.07.2018).  The Indian Mission/Posts provided all required consular assistance to the persons and facilitated their return to India.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1225 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Season Ticket Holders
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) In  some  Zonal  Railways,  First  Class  ticket/season  ticket holders are being provided first class accommodation in EMUs & MEMUs.  To  give  a  comfortable  journey  to  First  Class  Monthly Season Ticket (MST) Holders, good conditioned GS Coaches with marking of Zebra stripes and marked with caption 'Vice WGFCZ' outside the coaches are attached over Western Railway.
- (c) Due to discontinuation of production of First Class coaches, it is not feasible to attach any First Class coach in

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1225 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018

## SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

## †1225. SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the first class coaches from almost all the trains have been removed by the Railways;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  have  made  any  alternative arrangements  for  the  first  class  season  ticket  holders  and  first class ticket holders; and
- (c) if so, the time by which the first class coaches are likely to be attached with trains having numbers (12929-30, 22953-54, 1901516,22959-60,19033-34, 22929-30) along with the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

12929/12930 Valsad-Dahod Exrpess , 22953/22954 Mumbai CentralAhmedabad Exrpess, 19015/19016 Mumbai Central-Porbandar Exrpess, 22959/22960 Surat-Jamnagar Exrpess, 19033/19034 Valsad-  Ahmedabad  Exrpess,  and  22929/22930  Bhilad-Vadodara Express.  However,  General  Class  coaches  (distinctly  marked  as zebra  stripes)  have  been  earmarked  for  such  class  of  ticket holders in these trains.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1223 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Advocates Act
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

*****

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1223 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018

## Advocates Act

## 1223. SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  notified  section  30  of  the  Advocates Act,1961 recently, enabling the lawyers to practice in courts across the country  irrespective  of  their  enrolment  in  any  bar  council  without  the need to transfer their licence to the desired States;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the date from which this section will come into force?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c) Yes  Madam.  The  Government  had  issued  a  notification  number 8(5)/88-IC dated 9 th June, 2011, appointing the 15 th day of June, 2011 as the date on  which  Section  30  of  the  Advocates  Act,  1961  shall  come  into  force.    This notification was published as S.O. No. 1349(E) in Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii) of the Gazette of India.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1219 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Fixing of Coal Prices
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1219 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018

## Fixing of Coal Prices

## 1219. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government has adopted a new mechanism/formula for fixing coal prices in the country;
- (b) if so, the salient features of the new and old mechanism/formula and the reasons for adopting the new mechanism;
- (c) the likely rise in the price of coal as a result thereof and the extent to which power, steel and cement industries would be affected by the coal price hike;
- (d) whether  various  coal  consumers  such  as  power,  steel  and  cement  industries  have opposed the new mechanism; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government to address the apprehension expressed by these industries?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COAL, FINANCE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): After  complete  decontrol  of  coal  prices pursuant  to  Colliery  Control  Order,  2000 dated 01.01.2000, prices of coal produced by CIL are notified by CIL and its subsidiaries.  As such fixing the price of coal is not in the domain of the Government. Pricing is an operational decision  of  Coal  India  Limited  (CIL)  and  Government  does  not  play  any  role  in  it.  As informed by CIL, as on date no change in mechanism for fixing coal prices has been adopted by CIL.

(b) to (e): Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1218 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Doubling/Electrification of Machilipatnam-Vijayawada Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1218 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018

## DOUBLING/ELECTRIFICATION OF MACHILIPATNAM-VIJAYAWADA RAIL LINE

## 1218. SHRI KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO:

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

- (a) the present status of long pending work of doubling and electrification  of  Machilipatnam-Vijayawada  railway  line  and  the reasons for delay, if any;
- (b) whether any funds are being allocated to this project and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which this line would be completed?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) Machilipatnam-Vijayawada (79.43 km) is part of Vijaywada-GudivadaBhimavaram-Narasapur,  Gudivada-Machlipatnam  and  BhimavaramNidadavolu (221 km) Doubling with electrification project which was sanctioned  at  total  cost  of  ₹  1503.71  crore  on  50%  cost  sharing basis with Government of Andhra Pradesh. The various works such as earth works, construction of minor & major bridges, ballast supply etc. have been taken up.

- (b) The funds to the project are allocated yearly on the basis of progress of  works.    Railways  have  allocated  requisite  funds  for  this  project. The total expenditure on this project up to June 2018 is ₹ 543 crore.
- (c) The Machilipatnam-Vijayawada section is planned to be completed by March 2021 subject to allocation of 50% funds by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1216 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Chaos in Judiciary
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY, C. MAHENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1216

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 25.07.2018

## Chaos in Judiciary

1216. SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY: SHRI C. MAHENDRAN:

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

- a) whether  there  has  been  chaos/crisis  in  judiciary  recently  if  so,  the
2. details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- b) the steps being taken to address the issues raised by the Supreme Court judges and to solve their grievances;
- c)  whether  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  has  assured  the aggrieved  judges  of  a  smooth  functioning  of  the  Supreme  Court  in
5. near future; and
- d) if so, the details of steps taken by the Government to make sure such an outburst does not happen again?

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

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (d):  The  Government  has  not  received  any  information  from  the Judiciary in this regard. However, issues relating to the Judiciary have been highlighted in the media with some related representations. Judiciary being an independent organ under the Indian Constitution is capable of handling its internal matters. The Government is committed to the independence of Judiciary and does not and should not intervene in its functioning.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1215 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Expert Committee
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: B.N. CHANDRAPPA, DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH, NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

(a): No, Madam.

(b) to (e): Do not arise.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1215 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018

## EXPERT COMMITTEE

1215. SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA:

SHRI D.K. SURESH:

SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has  set up any Expert Committee to seek suggestions for the reorganization of the Railways and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the said Expert Committee has submitted any recommendations  in  this regard;
- (c)   if so, the details  of the recommendations made by the Committee;
- (d)  whether the Government has accepted the recommendations made by the Expert Committee to revive the organization/Railways; and
- (e)   if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

* * * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 1214 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Guidelines for Dealing with Firms having Direct Official Dealing
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: ANUPAM HAZRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1214

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018)

## GUIDELINES FOR DEALING WITH FIRMS HAVING DIRECT OFFICIAL DEALING

## 1214. DR. ANUPAM HAZRA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  are  clear  cut  guidelines  for  taking  favour  or  accepting  any  kind  of hospitality by any Government employees/CBI enquiry officer from any institution with whom the officer has direct dealing in official capacity;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  any  violation  of  such  guidelines  have  been  reported  particularly  by  the employees of CBI; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?

## 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) & (b):  Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 provides that no Government servant shall  accept  or  permit  any  member  of  his  family  or  any  other  person  acting  on  his  behalf  to accept any gift. The said rules further provide that 'gift' shall include free transport, boarding, lodging or other service or any other pecuniary advantage provided by any person other than a near relative or personal friend having no official dealings with the Government servant. Further, it  has  been  indicated  in  these  rules  that  a  Government  servant  shall  avoid  accepting  lavish hospitality or frequent hospitality from any individual, industrial or commercial  firms, organisations, etc., having official dealings with him. Similar provisions are in existence in All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 in respect of Members of All India Services.

However,  with  reference  to  any  Public  institution,  Government  of  India  vide  O.M.  No. 371/13/87-AVD-III dated 19.9.1988 issued Single Directive regarding cooperation and facilities to be extended by the administrative authorities to CBI during the course of investigation. CBI has  further  issued  internal  guidelines/  circulars  on  requisition  of  facilities  from  Government Department  and  Central  Public  Sector  Undertakings  but  Conduct  Rules  do  not  allow  CBI enquiry officer to take or accept any kind of hospitality from any Private Institution with whom the officer has direct dealing in official capacity.

(c) & (d):   Such data is not centrally maintained. Whenever, any violation of the rule is reported, the concerned employee is liable to be proceeded as per the provisions of relevant Disciplinary & Appeal Rules.

However,  during  the  last  three  years  i.e.  01.01.2015  to  30.06.2018,  action  against  one  CBI employee was taken for violation of these rules/ guidelines.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1209 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Doubling of Jhansi-Manikpur Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1209 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018

## DOUBLING OF JHANSI-MANIKPUR  RAIL LINE

†1209.  SHRI  BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether financial sanction for the doubling of railway line in JhansiManikpur    and  Khairad-Bhimsen  section  which  passes  through  my constituency Banda has been accorded;
- (b) if so, the time by which the construction work for the same is likely to be started along with the time frame for its completion; and
- (c) the amount of funds released for the same along with  the total cost of the project ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) Yes,  Madam.      Doubling  of  Jhansi-Manikpur  and  Khairar-Bhimsen (Kanpur) 411 km & Chord line at Mahoba and Khairar (14 km) has been sanctioned in March, 2018.
- (b) Planning of tenders of the project has been done.   The project is likely to be completed by the year 2022-23.
- (c) The cost of the project is 4329 crore 53 lakh and an outlay of 100 crore has been provided for the year 2018-19.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1206 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Paid Water ATMs
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1206 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018

## PAID WATER ATMs

†1206.  SHRI ARJUN  LAL  MEENA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to increase paid water ATMs for the convenience of passengers at Udaipur railway station;
- (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)

(a) to (c): Yes, Madam.  Presently 03 Water Vending Machines (WVM) are operational at Udaipur City Railway Station and it is proposed to install 02 more Water Vending Machines by Indian Railway Catering Corporation  (IRCTC)  i.e.  01  at  Udaipur  City  Railway  Station  and  01  at Ranapratap Nagar Railway Station ,  which is very near to Udaipur City Railway station.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1204 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Free Antivirus
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD, MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1204

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 25.07.2018

## FREE ANTIVIRUS

## 1204.   SHRI D.S. RATHOD: SHRI KUNDARIYA MOHAN BHAI KALYANJI BHAI:

Will  the  Minister  of  ELECTRONICS  AND  INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to provide powerful antivirus to the public free of cost to strengthen cyber security in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the modalities finalised therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to involve the private sector in this project; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR   ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

(a) to (d): Government  has  established  the  Cyber  Swachhta  Kendra  (Botnet  Cleaning and  Malware  Analysis  Centre)  for  detection  of  systems  infected  by  malware/botnet  in  the country and to notify, enable cleaning and securing systems of end users to prevent further malware  infections.  The  Centre  is  working  in  close  coordination  and  collaboration  with Internet  Service  Providers  and  Industry.  The  centre  is  providing  detection  of  malicious programs and free tools to remove the same for citizens.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1202 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Import of Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1202 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018

## Import of Coal

## 1202. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE :

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether coal is imported at a large scale due to poor heat value of the coal found in India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  quantum of  the  coal  in  metric  tonne  imported  during  each  of  the  last three years;
- (d) the total funds being spent on the import of coal; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to end the import duty levied on coal so that domestic steel, electricity and cement companies desire proper benefits therefrom?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COAL, FINANCE & CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) & (b): Indian Coal, due to its drift origin, contains higher percentage of ash as  compared  to  imported  coal,  resulting  in  lower  heat  value  per  tonne  of  coal. However,  it  does  not  effect  Power  Generation  as  most  of  the  Power  Plants  are designed  based  on  the  quality  of  coal  available  in  the  country.  Thus,  large  scale import of coal in the country does not take place due to poor heat value of Indian coal.  In fact, coal import by power plants has reduced from 80.58 MT in 2015-16 to 56.41  MT  in  2017-18.    However,  there  is  a  gap  between  demand  and  domestic supply of coal which cannot be bridged completely as there is insufficient domestic availability of coking coal and power plants designed on imported coal will continue to import coal for their production.

(c) & (d): The quantity and value of import of coal during the last three years is given below:-

| (Qty in Million Tonnes & Value in Million Rs.)   | (Qty in Million Tonnes & Value in Million Rs.)   | (Qty in Million Tonnes & Value in Million Rs.)   |
|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| Years                                            | Quantity                                         | Value                                            |
| 2015-16                                          | 203.95                                           | 860338                                           |
| 2016-17                                          | 190.95                                           | 1002314                                          |
| 2017-18(P)                                       | 208.27                                           | 1384770                                          |
| P = Provisional                                  | P = Provisional                                  | P = Provisional                                  |

(e): At present, import of coal attract 2.5% Basic Custom Duty (BCD) and there is no proposal to remove the import duty levied on coal.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1200 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Killing of Animals/Elephants
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1200 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018

## KILLING OF ANIMALS/ELEPHANTS

## 1200.    SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is any  provision  in  rules  to punish  errant drivers who refuse or neglect to slow down while passing through national parks causing intentional death of elephants and other animals using the track; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) &(b) Yes, Madam.   Speed restriction is imposed to the extent feasible on trains passing through the wildlife protected areas wherever advised by  wildlife  authorities  and  compliance  of  speed  restrictions  as  imposed from time to time is mandatory for drivers to observe as per General and Subsidiary Rules (G&SR).  If the Loco Pilots fail  to adhere to the speed restrictions  imposed  in  such  sections/crossings,  they  are  liable  to  be taken up for the act of overspeeding under the provisions of Disciplinary and Appeal Rules (DAR).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1196 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-25
Subject: Bus to Nepal
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1196

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018

## BUS TO NEPAL

1196. SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   has   recently   launched   a   new   bus   route between India and Nepal called 'Ram-Janaki Marg';
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether   it   is   proposed   to   operate   more   such   buses   between   our neighbouring countries;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) & (b) During the State visit of Prime Minister of India to Nepal, the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal flagged off the inaugural direct bus service between Janakpur (in Nepal) and Ayodhya (in India) on 11 May 2018, from Janakpur. The frequency and other associated matters for the operation of the Janakpur-Ayodhya bus service are being worked out bilaterally by the two Governments.

(c) to (e) Passenger bus services on international routes are operated as per   specific   agreements   signed   with   neighbouring   countries.   T o   further strengthen connectivity and facilitate people to people linkages, India and Nepal signed a bilateral agreement for the regulation of passenger traffic between the two countries on 25 November 2014. A bilateral Joint Working Group on cross-border transport facilitation has been constituted to facilitate effective implementation of the Agreement. Within the enabling framework of bilateral   Agreement   with   Nepal,   the   operation   of   direct   passenger   bus services is considered through consultations between the two Governments.

*****