opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Export of Leather Garments/Items
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Prathap Simha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 497 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 th SEPTEMBER, 2020

## EXPORT OF LEATHER GARMENTS/ITEMS

## 497. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

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

- (a) the details and the total figure of export of leather garments/items from India during the last three years; and
- (b) the details and the number of persons employed in this industry/trade in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)   The value of exports of leather, leather products and footwear (including leather garments) from India, during the  last three years is as under:

(In US$ Million)

| Category                                                            |   2017-18 |   2018-19 |   2019-20 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Leather, leather products and footwear (including leather garments) |   5740.97 |   5691.09 |   5070.55 |

[Source: Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS)]

- (b)   As  per  the  information  received  from  the  Council  for  Leather  Exports  (which  is  the Council  set up under the aegis of Department of Commerce for promotion of exports in the leather sector), it is estimated  that over 4 Million people  are employed in the leather, leather products and footwear (including leather garments) industry in the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 496 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Introduction of 5G Technology
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 496 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## INTRODUCTION OF 5G TECHNOLOGY

## 496. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Technology  is  absolutely  crucial  for  accelerating  and  deepening  the  Digital  India Campaign in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which a decision is likely to be taken by the Government to introduce 5G technology in the country;
- (c) whether the United States has warned the Government to address the concerns over data theft and national security implications while deciding Vendors for the introduction of the said technology;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to factor in integrity of data of Indian citizens and  national  security  along  with  cost  consideration  in  implementation  of  5G  technology  in  the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b) 5G technology facilitates features like Enhanced Mobile Broad Band (eMBB), Ultra Reliable and Low Latency Communications (uRLLC) and Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC).The  introduction  of  5G  services  depends  on  5G  equipment  and  device  ecosystem,  and economic considerations by the telecom service providers.

- (c) to (e) United  States  has  intimated  about  the  use  of  5G  clean  path  to  protect  the  data  and networks of US diplomatic facilities. The 5G clean path is an end to end communication path that does not use any equipment from untrusted vendor.

To address security concerns of telecom network, security conditions are incorporated in the license  conditions  of  telecom  service  providers.  National  Centre  for  Communication  Security (NCCS), Bengaluru has also been established and has been entrusted with the task of preparation of Indian telecom security assurance requirements.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 495 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: User Fee
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Behanan Benny

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.495 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## USER FEE

## 495. SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  plans  to  charge  a  user  fee  from  its passengers;
- (b)  if  so,  the  rationale  for  the  same  as  unlike  airports,  most railway stations have been built during British Raj; and
- (c)  the  plans  of  Railways  to  utilize  its  large  land  bank  for commercial purposes instead of adding more burden on passengers like user fee, etc?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## ANSWER (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)  to  (c):  A  Group  of  Secretaries  (GoS)  was  constituted  for redevelopment and modernisation of railway stations to provide better safety, passenger amenities and services.  The GoS interalia suggested the levy of a nominal user fee for redevelopment of stations, which is presently under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Hate Messages on Facebook
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: K. Subbarayan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 492

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## HATE MESSAGES ON FACEBOOK

## 492.   SHRI SUBBARAYAN K.

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether  Government  has  taken  note  of  the  recent  controversy  over  the  alleged  hateful messaging in Facebook and the chilling investigative report published in the Wall Street Journal in this regard;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATES FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) to (c) :  Government has taken note of media report published in Wall Street Journal entitled 'Facebook's  hate-speech  Rules  collide  with  Indian  politics,  thereby  trying  to  bias  the democratic system of the country'. Minister for Electronics & Information Technology has written  to  CEO,  Facebook  about  alleged  bias  of  the  platform  and  to  ensure  integrity  and neutrality of the Facebook and the people working for Facebook. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology has already taken up the matter with Facebook.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 491 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Anti Dumping Duty on Indian Export
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 491 th UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 491 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 th SEPTEMBER, 2020

## ANTI DUMPING DUTY ON INDIAN EXPORT

## 491. SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJI KUNDARIYA:

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

- (a) whether  Indonesia  and  Gulf  Cooperation  Council  (GCC)  countries  have  imposed  anti dumping duty on Indian Export including ceramic tiles into Indonesia and GCC countries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the response of India to the Indonesian and GCC countries' imposition of anti dumping duty on ceramic tiles;
- (d) the  impact of Indonesian and GCC countries' imposition of anti dumping duty on India's trade and economy along with the response of India thereto; and
- (e) whether such imposition of anti dumping duty violates WTO and other agreements; and
- (f) if so, the details 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) & (b): Yes Sir. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has imposed Anti -dumping duty on import of ceramic tiles from India with effect from 06.06.2020.

Indonesia  has  imposed Anti-dumping  duty  on  import  of  following  commodities  from  India:  Polyesters staple fibre with effect from 23.11.2010 (extended on 19.08.2019), Biaxially oriented polyethylene  terephthalate  with  effect  from  17.12.2015  and  Hot  rolled  coil  with  effect  from 02.03.2008 (extended on 02.04.2019).

(c)  to (f):  The issue of the imposition of anti-dumping duty by GCC on Indian ceramic tiles has been continuously raised with the governments of member countries of GCC at various levels, including at the Ministerial level. The Government, through the Indian Mission in Riyadh, has also extended its support to the Indian ceramic tiles industry in filing the administrative review with the

Ministerial  Committee  of  GCC  in  May  2020  and  appeal  before  the  Judicial  Commission  in September 2020.

It is difficult to assess the exact impact of anti-dumping duty on our exports of ceramic tiles to GCC countries due to COVID-19 pandemic which has created supply chain disruption and fall in global demand across all sectors. As per information received from the Indian ceramic industry, out of six GCC countries, three countries namely Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman have not yet started collecting anti-dumping duty.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 490 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Routes for Privatization of Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Deepak Baij

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 490 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## ROUTES FOR PRIVATIZATION OF TRAINS

†490. SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  routes  on  which  the  Ministry  is  planning  to  operate  private trains;
- (b) the reasons to operate the running of private trains;
- (c) the names of the trains and the routes on which trains are being operated by private sector till now; and
- (d) the  profits  earned  by  the  private  sector  by  running  private  trains and the profits/losses  incurred  to  Railways  on  the  said  routes  during the last three years?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b)  It  is  estimated  that  Indian  Railways  would  need  Capital investment of around ₹ 50 lakh crore upto 2030 for network expansion and capacity augmentation, rolling stock induction and other modernization works to enable better delivery of passenger and freight services and to improve its modal share in transport. To bridge the gap in  capital  funding  and  to  induct  modern  technologies  and  improve efficiencies, it is being planned to use Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for few initiatives. One of the PPP initiatives is to invite private players to invest and induct modern rakes over select routes to provide world  class  services  to  the  passengers.  As  part  of  this  initiative, Ministry of Railways have issued 12 Requests for Qualification (RFQs)

on 1 st   July, 2020 for operation of passenger trains over approximately 109 origin-destination pairs (divided into 12 clusters) through PPP on Design,  Build,  Finance  and  Operate  ('DBFO')  basis.    The  routes  are spread  across  the  entire  Indian  Railway  network  and  the  list  is available in the public domain namely, http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/IndicativeRoutesfor12clusters.pdf. However, the responsibility of train operations and safety certification rests with Indian Railways in all such cases. (c)   As of now, no regular passenger train service, running over Indian Railways, is being operated by Private Operator(s). (d)  Does not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 489 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: MPLAD Scheme
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Talari Rangaiah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 489 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## MPLAD SCHEME

## 489. SHRI TALARI RANGAIAH:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposals  to  permanently
- abolish MPLADS and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  fact  that  the suspension  of  MPLADS  continuously  for  two  years  is  likely  to  affect the major developmental projects in the parliamentary constituencies; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  any  alternate  solution  has  been  received  from  the Government to resolve the issues related to resumption of  developmental activities in the  parliamentary constituencies; and (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION  AND  MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a)  No Sir. The Government decided not to operate the Members of Parliament  Local  Area  Development  Scheme  (MPLADS)  for  two years,  that  is  during  FY  2020-21  and  FY  2021-22  and  placed  the funds allocated for the FY2020-21 at the disposal of the Ministry of Finance for strengthening its efforts in managing the challenges of

COVID-19  which  has  been  declared  as  a  global  pandemic  and  a notified disaster in the country.

(b)  and  (c)  Government  has  received  references  from  Hon'ble Members of Parliament requesting for release of pending installments  due  to  them  as  on  31.03.2020  to  resume  the  ongoing works and clear the committed liabilities under MPLADS.

(d)  and (e) The Ministry has issued detailed circular on 08.04.2020 containing  instructions  wherein  inter  alia  Hon'ble  Members  have been requested to re-prioritize their recommendations in consultation with District Authorities, wherever feasible, and District Authorities have also been advised to ensure that works are completed from among the available funds as no more funds would be released during FY 2020-21 and 2021-22.

The Ministry has issued another set of instructions dated 14.05.2020 to  the  Nodal  district  authorities  for  settlement  and  closure  of savings  bank  accounts  of  former  MPs  of  Lok  Sabha  and  former Members  of  Rajya  Sabha,  which  are  not  yet  closed  even  after completion of  21 months from the date of demitting office  so that unspent  balance  in  their  account  can  be  used  by  the  respective constituencies/  states  where  funds  are  required  as  per  MPLADS guidelines.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Penetration of High Speed Internet
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 488 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## PENETRATION OF HIGH SPEED INTERNET

## 488. SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any measure to speed up the penetration of high speed internet  connectivity  in  villages  across  the  country  to  ensure  good  internet  connectivity  to  rural students  attending  online  classes  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  to  upgrade  the quality of internet connectivity in the villages;
- (b) the number of villages in Satara district in the State of Maharashtra which have already been provided  broadband  internet  connectivity  and  the  number  of  villages  in  the  district  in  which  high speed internet connectivity are yet to be provided; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  high  speed  internet  services  to  students  at concessional/ subsidized rates and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Sir. High speed internet connectivity is provided by various Telecom Service Providers and  Internet  Service  Providers.  Further,  BharatNet  project  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  using Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) provides broadband/high speed internet connectivity to the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country.
- (b)  In  Satara  district  in  the  state  of  Maharashtra,  out  of  1745  Villages,  High  speed  internet connectivity has been provided to 1423 Villages.
- (c) Various Service Providers are free to come up with various tariff plans from time to time.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 487 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Regular Train Services
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 487 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## REGULAR TRAIN SERVICES

487. SHRI MANOJ KOTAK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government has offered its unhindered services to meet the needs of the citizens of the nation in various ways;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of  the Shramik Special Trains and Special Trains that ran from April 2020 to 30th September 2020; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  planning  of  Railways  to  run  the  regular  trains post COVID-19 in near the future?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c)  Yes, Sir. To prevent the spread COVID-19 pandemic, Ministry of  Railways  discontinued  all  passenger  services  immediately  after introduction of the national lockdown. Thereafter, keeping in view the requirement of movement of stranded persons Shramik specials were organized in a mission mode.  These Shramik specials were operated as 'trains on demand' as and when State Governments requisitioned these trains in accordance with the protocol and guidelines issued by the  Government.    Starting  from  01.05.2020  upto  31st  August  2020, 4621 Shramik Specials have been operated as per demands of State Government. Trains were sanitized, accompanied by Railway Protection Force (RPF), food and water were provided during journey. Indian  Railways  also  ran  parcel  train  services  to  deliver  agricultural produce,  medicine  and  other  essential  items  during  the  lockdown period. Railways also ensured adequate supplies of essential commodities such as coal for power sector, food grains, fertilizer etc., throughout  the  lock  down  to  meet  the  needs  of  citizens  in  various ways.

(d)  In  its  efforts  to  gradually  resume  its  passengers  services,  Indian Railways resumed passenger trains operation by operating 15 pairs of Special  trains  w.e.f.  12.05.2020  and  by  operating  100  pairs  of  trains w.e.f. 01.06.2020.  An additional 43 pairs of Special trains have been introduced  w.e.f.  12.09.2020.    At  present,  only  Special  trains  with limited stoppages are being operated, keeping in view the concerns of the  State  Governments  in  order  to  facilitate  the  management  of  the COVID-19 pandemic.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 485 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Model Stations in Rajasthan
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 485 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## MODEL STATIONS IN RAJASTHAN

†485. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government proposes to grant budget for development of Nagaur Midata Road, Kutchaman, Deedwana, etc. stations as model stations in Rajasthan; and

(b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a) and (b) 'Model' station scheme was in vogue from 1999 to 2008. Initially  one  station  per  Division  of  Indian  Railways  was  selected under  the  scheme.    In  the  year  2006,  the  criteria  were  revised  to include all 'A'  and 'B'  category  stations  on  the  basis  of  the  annual passenger  earnings  under  the  scheme.    Under  this  scheme  594 stations  were  selected  for  upgradation  on  Indian  Railways.  Out  of these,  27  stations  including  Nagaur  Station  were  identified  for upgradation  as  model  station  in  the  state  of  Rajasthan  and  have been developed under the said scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 482 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Ban on Chinnese Products
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sougata Ray, Gopal Chinayya Shetty

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 482 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 th SEPTEMBER, 2020

## BAN ON CHINESE PRODUCTS

482. PROF. SAUGATA RAY:

SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY

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

- (a) whether Union Government has achieved success in banning the import of Chinese products on the basis of rules;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Industrial Sector of the country has been benefitted with this decision; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether banning the import of China products helps Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and if so, the details 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 (e):  The Government regularly reviews the country's import policy, based  on emerging trade and economic factors. Decisions to regulate imports are taken based on the assessment in  national  and  public  interest.  At  present,  approximately  550  tariff  lines  are  under  the 'Restricted' / 'Prohibited' category  for imports under the Foreign Trade Policy, imports of which are restricted from all countries including China.

To support and expand domestic capacities, Government has also implemented policies to promote the domestic manufacturing through ease of doing business and production linked incentives (PLSs), including  in the field of mobile phones and electronics components and bulk drugs and medical devices, in line with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The full impact of the promotional measures on the industry will be discernible as the global economy recovers.

****