opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2446 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: Study on Functioning of FTC’s
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2446 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 26 th  DECEMBER, 2018

## Study on Functioning of FTCs

## 2446.   SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any study to check the proper functioning of Fast Track Courts (FTCs), the disposal rate in the fast track courts and the number of pending cases since 2016; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER Minister of State for  Law & Justice and Corporate Affairs

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a)  &  (b):      Setting  up  of  Fast  Track  Courts  and  their  functioning  comes within the domain of the State and Union Territory Governments, who set up such courts as per their need and resources, in consultation with the concerned High Courts.

However,  the  Union  Government  has  sanctioned  a  proposal  titled 'Evaluation  of  functioning  of  Fast  Track  Courts  in  India  -  An  Empirical Study'  under  the  Scheme  of  'Action  Research  and  Studies  on  Judicial Reforms'  to  be  undertaken  by  the  National  Law  University,  Delhi.    The proposal has been approved by the Project Sanctioning Committee in its 9 th meeting held on the 30 th July, 2018.

…
Lok Sabha Question No. 2445 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: ROB at Sitapur in UP
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAJESH VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2445 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.12.2018

## ROB AT SITAPUR IN UP

## †2445. SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is likely to construct an overbridge over the Mahmoodabad-Kursi-Lucknow route and Biswan-Sidhauli route in view of the traffic jams on road caused due to heavy rail traffic in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh; and
- (b) if so, the time by which work of construction of overbridge is likely to be started on both of the said routes along with the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):  Level  Crossings  (LCs)  nos.  32  at  km  37/0-1  between  Tehsil Fatehpur  and  Mahmoodabad  stations  of  Burhwal-Sitapur  section  on Mahmoodabad-Kursi-Lucknow  Road  route    and  56  at  km  62/5-6 between  Biswan  and  Persendi  station  of  Burhwal-Sitapur  section  on Biswan-Sindhauli Road route are the only two LCs. These LCs do not qualify  for  their  replacement  by  Road  Over  Bridges  (ROBs)  on  Costsharing basis as the traffic density of these LCs is less than one lakh Train  Vehicle  Unit  (TVU).  However,  ROB  at  these  locations  can  be constructed on deposit terms, if the State Government is ready to bear the complete  cost of construction and maintenance  subject to feasibility.  No  proposal  in  this  regard  has  been  received  from  State Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2444 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: Gareeb Rath Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMDAS CHANDRABHANJI TADAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2444 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.12.2018

## GAREEB RATH EXPRESS

† 2444.  SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  a  proposal  for  giving  a  halt  to  12113/12114  Nagpur-Pune Gareeb  Rath  express  at  Amravati  district  has  been  submitted  to  the Government by Members of Parliament; and
- (b)  if  so,  the  time  by  which  the  said  proposal  is  likely  to  be  given consideration?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)    &  (b)  Yes,  Madam.    Representations  including  from  the  Hon'ble Member of Parliament have been received for provision of stoppage of 12113/12114  Nagpur-Pune  Garib  Rath  at  Dhamangaon  and  Pulgaon Railway  stations  located  in  Amravati  District.    The  same  have  been examined but not found feasible for implementation, at present.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2443 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: Cost Overrun of Projects
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DHARMENDRA YADAV, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, Shrirang Appa Barne, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2443 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.12.2018

## COST OVERRUN OF PROJECTS

## †2443.  SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether more than 216 rail projects are facing cost overruns as per the flash report presented by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in July, 2018;
- (b) if so, the facts in this regard and the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  original  cost  of  the  said  rail  projects  along  with  the extent  of  rise  in  cost  thereof  and  the  period  of  delay  in completion of the said projects;
- (d) whether  the  Union  Government  has  constituted  a  special task  force  for  expediting  the  construction  of  the  said  rail projects;
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the suggestions given by the said task force; and
- (f) the  measures  undertaken  by  the  Union  Government  for speedy completion of the said projects?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (f):  At  present,  503  Railway  projects  including  183  New

- Lines,  57  Gauge  Conversion  and  263  Doubling  Projects  are  in

different  stages  of  planning/  sanction/  approval  execution.  The completion  of  Railway  projects  requires  clearances  from  various departments  of  State  Government  and  Central  Ministries  like acquisition  of  land,  statutory  clearances  etc.    leading  to  time overrun  and  cost  overrun.      However,  Railway  is  holding  regular meetings with stake holders on various issues for timely completion of the projects.

For  important  projects,  capacity  enhancement  projects,  last mile  connectivity  etc,    institutional  financing  has  been  done  by arranging loan from M/s Life Insurance Corporation of India Limited for ` 1.5  lakh  crore,  which  has  increased  Railways'  capacity  for committed fund provision for essential projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2442 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: Railway Projects in Kerala
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Richard Hay

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2442 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.12.2018

## RAILWAY PROJECTS IN KERALA

## 2442.  PROF. RICHARD HAY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  number  of  ongoing/pending  railway  projects  in  Kerala and  the  amount  sanctioned  and  incurred  for  implementation  of these projects during the last two years and the current year;
- (b) whether the Government has any proposal for speedy implementation  of  new  railway  projects  in  Kerala,  especially related to improvements at the Ernakulam Junction, Trivandrum junction and Thalasserry and Kozhikode stations;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reason therefor;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  pursuing  the  Thalasserry-Mysuru Railway projects; 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)

- (a)  to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  2442  BY  PROF.  RICHARD  HAY  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK SABHA ON 26.12.2018  REGARDING  RAILWAY PROJECTS IN KERALA (a):  02 New Line and 08 Doubling projects falling fully/partly in the State of Kerala are in various stages of planning/sanction/execution. An  expenditure  of ` 996  crore  has  been  incurred  on  New  Line,  Gauge Conversion  and  Doubling  projects  falling  fully/partly  in  the  State  of  Kerala during the last two years ( 2016-17 and 2017-18) and an outlay of ` 527.42 crore  has  been  provided  for  New  Line,  Gauge  Conversion  and  Doubling projects  falling  fully/partly  in  the  State  of  Kerala  during  the  current  year ( 2018-19). (b)  and  (c):  Shoranur-Mangalore  3 rd   line  project  costing  ₹  1518  crore  for 107  Km  length  has  been  included  in  Budget  2018-19  subject  to  requisite clearances. Union Cabinet has approved Railways' proposal for redevelopment of Railway stations by Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC) as Nodal Agency, thorough simplified procedures and for longer lease tenure. Accordingly, necessary  action has been  initiated for redevelopment  of important  Railway  stations  all  over  India  in  a  phased  manner,  including stations in the State of Kerala like Ernakulam Junction, Trivandrum Junction, Thalasserry and Kozhikode stations. Bids are under evaluation in respect of Kozhikode station. Concept plan has been prepared for Ernakulam station. (d) and (e):  Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd.(KRDCL), a Joint Venture company of Ministry of Railways and Government of Kerala has taken up the preparation of Detailed Project Report of Thalassery-Mysuru new line project

(240 Km).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: G-20 Conference
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAM KUMAR SHARMA KUSHWAHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2439

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.12.2018

## G-20 CONFERENCE

## †2439. SHRI RAM KUMAR SHARMA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether G-20 Conference had recently been held in Argentina;
- (b) if   so,   the   details   of   the   delegates   who   attended   the   conference   as representatives of India;
- (c) whether   Indian   delegation   also   presented   their   view   point   in   the conference; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of other countries thereto?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) The   13th   G-20   Summit   was   held   in   Buenos   Aires,   Argentina   on   30 November - 01 December, 2018.
- (b) Prime   Minister   Shri   Narendra   Modi   led   the   Indian   delegation   at   the Summit.   The   delegation   included   senior   officials   from   Government   of   India including PMO, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Finance.

(c) & (d) The Summit was held under the overarching theme of 'Building consensus for fair and sustainable development'. The Focus of Argentina's G-20 Presidency was on Future of Work; Infrastructure for development; A sustainable food future; and Gender mainstreaming strategy across G-20 agenda. Indian delegation   participated   actively   at   the   Summit.   Prime   Minister   made interventions in all three Sessions of the Summit and also at the G-20 Leaders' Retreat.

G-20 Leaders' declaration, issued at the Summit, includes commitment to use all policy tools to achieve strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth and   use   of   Monetary   policy   to   ensure   price   stability .   Leaders   recognised importance of disaster resilient infrastructure.

The  Leaders   committed   to   improve   a   rules-based   international   order. There was call for portable social protection systems. The Declaration stresses on skills development, quality education especially of girls, and bridging the digital divide.

The declaration calls for Food Security, and sustainable agriculture. The need for stronger Health Systems, ending HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and use of traditional medicines has been stressed.

The declaration calls for reform of the WTO to improve its functioning. It calls   for   increased   cooperation   in   tackling   economic   crime   and   return   of offenders and asset recovery. The Leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called   for   full   implementation   of   The   Hamburg   G-20   Leaders   Statement   on Countering Terrorism. PM at the G-20 Summit proposed hosting G-20 Summit in 2022 in India.

This was welcomed by other G-20 Leaders.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2437 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: Gross Domestic Product
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: KURUPPASSERY VARKEY THOMAS

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2437 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 26 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

2437.  PROF. K. V. THOMAS:

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

(a) the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India during the last five years; and

(b) the method by which the GDP rate is determined?

## ANSWER

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

(a): GDP estimates at Constant (2011-12) prices in last five years are as under:

| Year    | GDP (in Rs. crores)   |
|---------|-----------------------|
| 2013-14 | 98,01,370             |
| 2014-15 | 1,05,27,674           |
| 2015-16 | 1,13,86,145           |
| 2016-17 | 1,21,96,006           |
| 2017-18 | 1,30,10,843           |

(b): GDP growth rate is calculated as percentage change in the GDP of that year over the GDP of the previous year.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2436 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: Data Privacy
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2436

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 26.12.2018

## DATA PRIVACY

## 2436.       SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

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

- (a) whether the data privacy is facing serious security challenges in the digital era;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken / being taken by the Government wish to take to address;

## ANSWER

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

(a) (b) and  (c):  Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), on 31st July 2017, vide OM No.3(6)/2017-CLES, constituted a Committee of Experts under the Chairmanship of Justice B N Srikrishna, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India. A White Paper outlining key data protection issues and international best practices was released by the  said  committee  to  solicit  public  comments.  Inputs  were  received.  The  committee deliberated on various inputs & has submitted its report along with draft Bill to MeitY.

The  Draft  Personal  Data  Protection  Bill-2018  was  published  on  MeitY  website  and comments were solicited from General Public, Central Ministries, State governments and UTs.  Responses  have  been  received  from  a  wide  spectrum  of  stakeholders,  which  are presently  under  analysis  and  consideration.  After  appropriate  modifications,  said  PDP Bill-2018 is intended to be laid in the parliament.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2435 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: World Class Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NIHAL CHAND CHAUHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2435 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.12.2018

## WORLD CLASS RAILWAY STATIONS

†2435.  SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  major  steps  taken  to  improve  the  standard  of  the railway stations in metropolitan cities of the country to make them world class railway stations;
- (b) the State/Union territory-wise details of the railway stations selected for developing as smart railway stations; and
- (c) the details of the budget expenditure incurred/allocated for the said purpose?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  2435  BY  SHRI  NIHAL  CHAND  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 26.12.2018 REGARDING WORLD CLASS RAILWAY STATIONS

(a) and (b): Government has recently approved Railways' proposal for redevelopment of railway stations by Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation  Limited  (IRSDC)  as  Nodal  Agency,  through simplified  procedures  and  for  longer  lease  tenure.      Accordingly,  all the stations on Indian Railways, located in various States and Union Territories of the country, have been entrusted to IRSDC for undertaking  the  techno-economic  feasibility  studies.    Based  on  the outcome  of  the  feasibility  studies,  the  stations  are  planned  to  be taken up for redevelopment in phases. Presently, work of redevelopment is in progress at Gandhinagar and Habibganj stations. Contracts have been awarded for Gomtinagar and Charbagh (Lucknow) stations. (c) The cost of station project is to be met by leveraging commercial development  of  land  and  air  space  in  and  around  the  stations. Therefore, no funds are earmarked for this purpose.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2434 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: Renovation of ROB at Darbhanga
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2434 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.12.2018

## RENOVATION OF ROB AT DARBHANGA

†2434. SHRI KIRTI AZAD:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  expenditure  incurred  on  the  road  under  the  purview  of Railways for construction/repair situated on both sides of railway crossing in Darbhanga district since 2001 to till date;
- (b) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  complaints  have  been  received  by railway officers about the irregularities committed in construction/repair of roads; and
- (c) if so, the details of action taken on the complaints?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a):  Approximately ` 35.60  lakhs  has  been  expenditure  incurred  for repair of Level Crossing (LC) road in Darbhanga district since 2001 to till date.

(b): No, Madam.

(c): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2433 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: Asteroid Mining
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2433

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2018

## ASTEROID MINING

2433.   SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  undertook  a  comprehensive assessment of asteroid mining in outer space;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the research and development  undertaken  as  well  as  legal  challenges  arising out of the same; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  identified  and  listed  near  earth asteroids of various sizes and if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) & (b)

ISRO has not made a comprehensive assessment on asteroid mining.

- (c)
- Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2431 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: Coal to Power Sector
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: G. HARI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2431 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.12.2018

## Coal to Power Sector

## 2431. SHRI G. HARI:

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

- (a)  whether  Coal  India  has  despatched  84%  coal  to  power  sector  in  October, 2018;

(b)  whether it is also true that CIL is despatching 1.34 million tonnes of coal per day to power plants in October, 2018; and

(c) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL ( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)  to  (c)  : Yes,  Madam.   In  the  month  of  October  2018,  the  average  daily dispatch by Coal India Limited to Power sector was 1.357 Million Tonnes (MT). The quantity of coal dispatched to Power sector from CIL during October, 2018 was 42.07 MT which was 84.2% of total dispatch of 50.00 MT from CIL. Coal dispatch to power sector in October, 2018 has grown by 6% over the dispatch of October, 2017 (39.7 MT).

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2429 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: Indian Investment in Projects Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: HARI NARAYAN RAJBHAR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2429

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.12.2018

## INDIAN INVESTMENT IN PROJECTS ABROAD

†2429. SHRI HARINARAYAN RAJBHAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of countries where India is providing assistance and investing in projects at present;
- (b) the number of projects along with the details of the amount likely to be invested in these projects during the next five years and the names of countries where these projects are ongoing; and
- (c) whether China is ahead of India in providing assistance and if so, the details of the countries where China has provided assistance?

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

(a) & (b) Development partnership is a key instrument in India's foreign policy. The scope and reach of India's development assistance has seen considerable expansion in the past few years. The development projects being undertaken cover a wide range of sectors. The focus of development assistance has been the countries in India's neighbourhood and in Africa, though India is also expanding its development assistance reach to South East Asia, East and Central Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Pacific Island Countries, etc. Grant   assistance   projects   are   concentrated   primarily   in   India's   neighbourhood   in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar and Sri Lanka and in   some   African   countries.   Many   of   these   are   on-going. Lines   of   Credit   (LOCs)   on concessional terms and form an important component of India's development cooperation policy in Africa, Asia and Latin America.The engagement with African countries through various development partnership initiatives has witnessed a marked increase in the last decade, especially after India-Africa Forum Summit III in 2015. Consequently, apart from various types of assistance, the projects are also of varying duration   with   fund   requirements   being   assessed   before   each   financial   year   based   on progress in execution aligned with individual project implementation cycles. (c) Government is aware that China is providing assistance and undertaking projects for development of infrastructure facilities in various countries, including under its 'Belt and Road Initiative'. However, India's relations with other countries stand on their own footing and are independent of the relations of those countries with third countries, including China.

- *****