opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Chabahar Port
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Deepak Baij

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1675 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## CHABAHAR PORT

## † 1675.  SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government had signed an MoU with the Government of Iran for the construction of Chabahar Port;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether   the   Government   remained   inactive   with   regard   to   this project as a result of which Iran is completing the same on its own and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether such  an attitude is continuously proving detrimental to the relationship being shared by India with its friendly countries; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) & (b) During the visit of the Prime Minister to Iran in May 2016, a Trilateral Agreement to establish the International Transport and Transit Corridor was signed by India, Iran and Afghanistan. India is participating in the development of the first phase of the Shahid Behesti Port in Chabahar in cooperation with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. (c) to (e) The Indian company, India Ports Global Limited, has taken over port operations in December 2018 and has since handled 12 lakhs tons of bulk cargo and about 8200 containers.  In the recent past, there has been a rise in transit cargo for Afghanistan through Chabahar. India's assistance   of   75,000   tons   of   wheat   to   Afghanistan,   of   which   eight consignments have already been shipped, is being supplied via Chabahar. The   port   has   handled   over   53,000   tons   of   India's   wheat   bound   for Afghanistan since the beginning of the current fiscal year. Afghan exports to India are also routed via Chabahar Port.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1674 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Single Voter List
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Imtiaz Jaleel Syed, Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1674

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 21 st SEPTEMBER, 2020

## SINGLE VOTER LIST

1674. SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

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

- (a)  whether the Government is going to amend the Representation  of  People's  Act  to  pave  the  way  for  single voter list for whole country and simultaneous polls of all the elected bodies in the country and if so, the
- details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Cabinet  Secretary  had  a  meeting  with  all  the ChiefSecretaries of States and UTs in this regard;
- (c) if so, the outcome of the meeting;
- (d) whether any consensus has been arrived at in the meeting of Representatives of different political parties in this regard and
- if so,the details thereof; and
- (e) the main idea behind these proposals and present position in thematter?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a)  to (e):No, Sir. Presently there is no such proposal. In a meeting taken  by  the  Cabinet  Secretary  on  the  issue  recently,  the representative of the Election Commission  of  India  (ECI) informed  that  a  few  State  Election  Commissions  are  already using  the  Electoral  Roll  prepared  by  the  ECI  for  their  Local Body elections. A decision was taken to persuade the remaining  States  to  co-opt  the  Electoral  Roll  prepared  by  the ECI for  their  Local  Body  elections  on  the  grounds  of  national interest in saving time, effort and expenditure, reducing duplication of work and confusion amongst voters.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1670 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Concerns of Employees of ITI Limited
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1670 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## CONCERNS OF EMPLOYEES OF ITI LIMITED

## 1670. SHRI V.K.SREEKANDAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether employees of ITI Limited at Palakkad were not getting salary on time;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has received any representation in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Salary payment to ITI units including Palakkad Unit is done every month with an average delay of 3 weeks approximately.
- (b) The delay is due to stress on cash flows.
- (c) & (d) A VIP reference  dated  08.08.2020  from  Shri  V.K.  Sreekandan,  Hon'ble  M.P.  (Lok Sabha) was received in Department of Telecommunications (DoT HQ), which inter alia referred  to non-payment of salary for the month of June & July, 2020 to employees of ITI Palakkad Unit. This was taken up with ITI Ltd., who informed that  the salary of June, 2020 & July, 2020  was delayed due to Covid-19 Lockdown and it was paid on 05.08.2020 and 21.08.2020 respectively.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1669 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Stoppage of Trains Under Bhusawal Division
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Prataprao  Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1669 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## STOPPAGE OF TRAINS UNDER BHUSAWAL DIVISION †1669.  SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take any step for providing  stoppage/halt  to  Amravati-Pune  train,  Puri-Shirdi  Express, Hatia  Lokmanya  Tilak  Express,  Puri-Ahmedabad  Express,  Puri-Ajmer Express, Nagpur-Pune Garib Rath Express, Ahmedabad-Nagpur Prerna Express, Huzoor Saheb Nanded-Bikaner Express in view of the religious and  tourism  importance  of  the  Shegaon  railway  station  under  the Bhusawal division of Central Railways;
- (b) if so, the details thereof
- (c)whether  the  Government  has  received  requests  from  the  public representatives for approval of stoppage/ halt of major express trains at the Shegaon railway station;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  action  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

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

(a) to (e) Yes, Sir.  Representations, including from the Hon'ble Member of  Parliament  for  provision  of  stoppage  of  Puri-Ahmedabad  Express (12843/12844) and certain other trains at Shegaon have been received. The  same  have  been  examined  and  in  reference  to  the  request, stoppage of Nagpur-Pune Garib Rath Express (12113/12114), Ahmedabad-  Nagpur  Prerna  Express  (22137/22138),  Jodhpur-  Chennai Egmore  Express  (22663/22664)  and  Hazoor  Sahib  Nanded-Bikaner Express (17623/17624) have been provided at Shegaon on an experimental basis w.e.f. 24.02.2019, 03.02.2019, 03.02.2019 and 15.09.2019  respectively.  However,  stoppage  of  additional  trains  at Shegaon has not been found feasible, at present.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1668 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: 5G Network
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sudheer Gupta, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1668 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## 5G NETWORK

1668.   SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the department of telecom has initiated the trial process of rolling out 5G network in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  discussed  the  road  map  for  trials  with  all  major  telecom operators and equipment vendors;
- (c) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has taken note of the security concerns including surveillance over 5G technology trials and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the time by which the 5G network service is likely to be started in the country; and
- (f) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  prevent  the  participation  of  Chinese Companies in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The Department of Telecommunications has not initiated the process of rolling out 5G network as yet.  However, steps have been initiated for trials of India specific 5G applications and use cases.  5G  technology  trials  are  envisaged  to  demonstrate  India  specific  Use  cases  in  limited geographical area, for a limited period, in an isolated network environment and for non-commercial purposes.

- (d) to (f) To address security concerns including surveillance the department has comprehensive security  conditions  as  part  of  Licence  agreement.  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.  Introduction  of  5G  network  services  depends  on development of 5G  equipment and device ecosystem and also economic  and commercial considerations of the telecom service providers.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1667 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Review of Intermediary Guidelines of Information Technology
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Feroze Varun Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1667

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## REVIEW OF INTERMEDIARY GUIDELINES OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## 1667.   SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government is planning to review the intermediary guidelines of Information Technology (IT) to align with judicial precedents and global practices and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether intermediaries are shielded from the liability for third party content uploaded on their platform and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is planning to address issues related to safe harbor protection to intermediaries and right to free speech of users and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is in the process of amending the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011 to make the intermediaries more responsive and accountable. The rules are presently being finalized.
- (b): Section 79(1) of the  Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 grants intermediaries a conditional immunity with regard to any third party content uploaded on their platforms. This immunity is subject to provisions of section 79(2) and 79(3) of the Act.
- (c): Section 79 of the IT Act already provides safe harbor protection to intermediaries subject to  their  following  due  diligence  as  prescribed  in  Information    Technology  (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011 notified under this section. Government respects right of freedom of speech  and  expression  as  enshrined  in  the  constitution  of  India.    The  intermediaries  are expected to disable any unlawful content relatable to Article 19(2) of the Constitution of India as and when brought to their knowledge either through a court order or through a notice by appropriate government or its agency.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1666 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: New Trains in Bihar
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Alok Kumar Suman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1666 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## NEW TRAINS IN BIHAR

1666. DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the new trains proposed to be introduced/have been introduced by the Government in the state of Bihar during the last two years; and

(b) the details of the number of persons benefited therefrom?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  Indian Railways (IR) does not operate train services on State-wise basis  as  its  network  straddles  across  various  State  boundaries.    At present, all regular passenger train services are cancelled in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Based on status of COVID-19 in various parts of  the  country,  some  special  trains  have  been  introduced.    IR  is continuously coordinating with the State Governments and monitoring status  of  COVID-19  in  various  parts  of  the  country  and  additional special  trains  will  be  introduced  based  on  request.  However,  during the  last  two  years  (2018-19  &  2019-20),  21  pairs  of  train  services serving the stations located in the State of Bihar on originating/terminating basis have been introduced. Besides, introduction  of  trains  is  an  on-going  process  on  Indian  Railways subject to operational feasibility, traffic demand, availability of resources, etc. (b)    State-wise statistics of number of passengers is not maintained. However,  the  year-wise  details  of  number  of  passengers  booked  on East Central Railway which primarily serves the  State of Bihar is as under:-

Financial Year

2018-19

2019-20

Number  of passengers booked (in millions)

249.53

238.80

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1664 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Corporatisation of Production Units
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kunhalikutty P.K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1664 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## CORPORATISATION OF PRODUCTION UNITS

1664. SHRI P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has announced privatisation of train services across the rail networks in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether  all  the  Production  Units  under  the  Ministry  of  Railways  are  being corporatised or formed into a single entity; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) and (b)  Ministry of Railways (MoR) has invited applications for investment and induction  of  modern  rakes  over  select  routes  through  Public  Private  Partnership (PPP) to provide world class services to the passengers. As part of this initiative, MOR has 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. The responsibility of train operations and safety certification rests with Indian Railways.

(c)  and  (d)    Proposal  for  capitalization  of  Production  Units  of  Indian  Railways  is under consideration of Government. Final decision on this issue is yet to be taken.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1663 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: GeM Portal
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Pratima Bhoumik

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1663 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st   SEPTEMBER, 2020

## GeM PORTAL

## 1663.  MS. PRATIMA BHOUMIK:

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

- (a) the details of the business done through GeM portal during the last two years, year-wise;
- (b) whether the Government is going to make it mandatory for all the State Governments and central Ministries to procure only through GeM; and
- (c) 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): The details of the business done through GeM is as under:-

| Financial Year   | Value (In Rs. Crore)   |
|------------------|------------------------|
| FY 18-19         | 17,462                 |
| FY 19-20         | 22,897                 |

(b) & (c) : Rule 149 of the General Financial Rules (GFR) issued by Ministry of Finance, Government of India provides, inter alia, that 'the Procurement of Goods and Services by Ministries or Departments will be mandatory for Goods or Services available on GeM'.  As regards procurement by State Governments is concerned, 25 States and 8 Union Territories (UTs) have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GeM for procurement of Goods and Services through GeM Portal.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1662 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Regulation of Social Media Platforms
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: D.K. Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1662

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## REGULATION OF SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

## 1662.   SHRI D.K.SURESH:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to regulate social media platforms, i.e., facebook and whatsApp to protect the interest of their users and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the restrictions imposed by the Government on these platforms in the last one year;
- (c) whether the Government or any of its agencies have access to the data and voice messages circulated through whatsApp; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):    The  social  media  platforms,  for  the  user  generated  content  made  available  on  their platforms, are intermediaries as defined in the Information Technology Act, 2000. Section 79  of  the  Act  provides  exemption  from  liability  to  intermediaries,  provided  they  follow certain due diligence. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules, 2011 notified under this section specifies the due diligence to be followed by these intermediaries.
- (b):  No restriction has been imposed on Facebook and WhatsApp.

- (c) and (d): No, Sir.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1661 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1661

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## MUMBAI-AHMEDABAD HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT

## 1661.SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Mumbai-Ahmedabad  High Speed Rail Project is expected to be commissioned by the year 2022;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  project  implementation  mechanism  along with the estimated time to complete each phase, phase-wise;
- (c) the  details  of  tenders  of  the  project  along  with  the  names  of Japanese and Indian companies that have been involved in this project;
- (d) the amount of land required for the project along with the details of land that has been acquired;
- (e) the  details  of  methodology  in  which  companies  supplying  the rolling stock for the project will be chosen along with estimated prices for the same;
- (f) whether Japanese companies are going to be involved in developing the 21-km underground stretch of the project; and
- (g) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  details  of  the  Indian Companies participating in building the underground stretch?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The joint feasibility report had envisaged the completion of MumbaiAhmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project by 2023.

- (b)  &  (c):  The  MAHSR  Project  is  being  implemented  through  a  Special Purpose  Vehicle  (SPV)  namely  National  High  Speed  Rail  Corporation Limited  (NHSRCL).  The  project  is  planned  to  be  implemented  in  single phase and Japan International Consultants Consortium (JICC) has been involved as General Consultant for the project.

(d):  The  total  land  requirement  for  the  MAHSR  Project  is  approx.  1396 hectare (ha). As of now, approx. 891.9 ha of land has been acquired. The details of the acquired land is as under:-

- (a) 643.3 ha of private land out of 1021 ha;
- (b) 118.9 ha of government land out of 149 ha;
- (c) 127.5 Ha of railway land out of 127.5 ha;
- (d) 2.8 ha of forest land out of 98.7 ha.
- (e):  Twenty-four  Trainsets  have  been  planned  for  procurement  from Japanese Companies through tendering process. As per the Memorandum of Understanding signed between NHSRCL and Japanese side, in order to promote 'Make in India', 06 out of above 24 Trainsets are presently planned for assembling in India.
- (f) & (g): Participation in the contract package for underground stretch of MAHSR Project is open for both Indian and Japanese Companies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1660 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Import of Maize
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1660 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st   SEPTEMBER, 2020

## IMPORT OF MAIZE

## 1660.  SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY:

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

- (a) whether the maize import policy has permitted the import of higher quantities of maize corn at lower  prices  and  reduced  the  prices  of  native  variety  of  maize  in  the  market,  especially  in Telangana;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there have been lapses in enforcing the user condition that imported maize must be utilised for self-use and manufacturing purposes alone; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y )

## THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (d): Import policy of Maize (corn) except seed is 'Free'. However, in compliance of Orders of the Hon'ble High Court, at present, import of maize (corn) is allowed through licence for actual users only and on payment of prevailing customs duty without any concessional duty.

For compliance of Actual User condition, prior inspection of applicant firms and verification of documents submitted by them is done before issuance of licences.

*****