opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3764 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Indicator System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3764 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019

## INDICATOR SYSTEM

## †3764. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  with  a  view  to  facilitate  the  passengers  the  work  of installation and operation of new indicator at Thane Station in the Central Railway has been contracted out to a private company by the Railway administration;
- (b) if so, the number of years for which this contract has been awarded;
- (c)  whether  any  survey  has  been  conducted  by  the  Central  Railway administration regarding the extent to which passengers are being benefited since the work of operating the indicator system has been assigned to the private company; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)  &  (b):  The  operation  of  Indicator  Boards at Thane Railway Station has been contracted out to a private company for a period of two years.
- (c): No, Sir.
- (d): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3761 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Programmes under ‘Make’ Category
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3761

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  December, 2019

## PROGRAMMES UNDER 'MAKE' CATEGORY

3761. COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE:

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

- (a) the Status of the first three programme under 'Make' Category of Acquisition as per  Defence  Procurement  Procedure,  namely,  Battlefield  Management  Systems, Tactical  Communication Systems and Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle;
- (b) the number of years elapsed since issue of Expression of Interest by the Ministry of Defence and the reasons for the delay, if any;
- (c) the amount of inflow of investment by private and public defence industry since issue  of  Expression  of  Interest  till  now  for  development  of  technology  for  timely delivery of programmes;
- (d)  the  process  followed  by  the  Ministry  of  Defence  for  reimbursing  private  and public defence  industry for  investment made  if delay/closure  due  to  changed requirements of user; and
- (e) the effect of delay/closure of the 'Make' programmme on the capability gap of the Services, and the steps being taken to mitigate the same?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

(a) to (e):  The status of the 'Make' programmes taken up by Ministry of Defence for Battlefield  Management  Systems  (BMS),  Tactical  Communication  Systems  (TCS), Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) is as under:

: 2 :

- (i) Battlefield Management Systems (BMS). The project has been foreclosed in November, 2018.
- (ii) Tactical Communication Systems (TCS).  Two Development Agencies (DAs) have been shortlisted for prototype development.
- (iii) Futuristic Infantry Combat  Vehicle (FICV). DAs  could not be shortlisted  as  the  financial  and  technical  criteria  were  found  to  be subjective in selection process.
2. Since  no  'Make'  project  has  been  sanctioned,  the  question  of  investment  by private and public defence industry for development of technology for timely delivery of the above projects does not arise.
3. Defence procurements for the Indian Defence Forces is based on the operational needs and stated requirements to keep the Indian Defence Forces in a state of readiness to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3758 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Women’s Reservation Bill
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3758

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 11 TH   DECEMBER 2019

## WOMEN's RESERVATION BILL

## 3758. SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to hold consultations with major political parties and other stakeholders on Women's Reservation Bill to build consensus and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government has taken any other steps to bring this bill in parliament, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a) to (b) : Gender justice is an important commitment of the Government. The issue involved needs careful consideration on the basis  of  the  consensus  among  all  political  parties  before  a  Bill  for amendment in the Constitution is brought before Parliament.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3756 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Setting Up Industrial Parks
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Venkatesh Netha Borlakunta, Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3756.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2019.

## SETTING UP INDUSTRIAL PARKS

## 3756.  SHRI VENKATESH NETHA BORLAKUNTA: SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

वाणिज्य

## एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the Government has signed any MoU to set up more industrial parks in the country including backward/ scheduled areas;
- (b) if so, the State-wise details thereof with each of the countries during each of the  last  five  years  along  with  the  State/UTwise  total  number  of  people  who have been employed while setting up industrial parks till date; and
- (c) the  details  of  security  measures  taken  while  signing  such  MoUs  with  each country?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज ् य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ( श्री पीयूष गोयल ) THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a): Industrial  Park  Scheme-2002,  applicable  for  any  undertaking  which develops,  develops  and  operates,  or,  maintains  and  operates,  an Industrial Park for the period beginning 1 st day of April, 1997 and ending 31 st day of March, 2006, was notified on 1 st April, 2002. The objective of the Industrial Park Scheme was as under:

Any  project,  being  an  industrial  park,  shall  aim  at  setting  up of-(a) an Industrial Model Town for development of industrial infrastructure for carrying out integrated manufacturing activities, including  research  and  development,  by  providing  plots  or  sheds  and common  facilities within its precints; or (b) an  industrial park  for development  of  infrastructural  facilities  or  built-up  space  with  common facilities in any area allotted or earmarked for the purposes of specified industrial use; or (c) a Growth Centre under the Growth Centre Scheme of the Government  of India; subject to the scheme implemented by an undertaking and the Growth Centre is distinctly developed as a separate profit  centre.  Thereafter,  the  Central  Board  of  Direct  Taxes  (CBDT), Department  of  Revenue,  Ministry  of  Finance  notified    Industrial  Park Scheme, 2008  on 8 th January, 2008 in respect of the industrial parks set

- up  on  or  after  1 st April,  2006  but  not  later  than  31 st March,  2009  with subsequent  extensions  thereafter.  Approvals  under  the  scheme  are

considered by CBDT, Department of Revenue.

- (b) & (c): The State-wise details of MoUs signed to set up Industrial Park with each of  the  country  during  last  five  year  along  with  the  State/UT-wise  total number of people who have been employed while setting up industrial parks is not centrally maintained.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3754 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Strike on Launch Pads in POK
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar, Chandra Sekhar Bellana, Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3754

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  December, 2019

## STRIKE ON LAUNCH PADS IN POK

3754. SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI: SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR BELLANA: SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that Indian army has recently carried out fire assault on POK launch pads in Neelum valley and other three places in Pakistan;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of terrorists eliminated in this strike; and
- (d) the number of such launch pads that exist across the LoC?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

<!-- image -->

- (a)  to  (d):  Based  on  threat  assessment,  intelligence  inputs,  ground  situation  and operational  circumstances,  the  Indian  Army  takes  appropriate  proactive/retaliatory action as required from time to time.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3748 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Postal Life Insurance
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Ajay (Teni) Misra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3748 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH   DECEMBER, 2019

## POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE

## †3748. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISRA TENI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any plan to make Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) more attractive and lucrative for people by enhancing the benefits given under these schemes;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) offer life insurance policies with low premium and high bonus. Besides government employees, the benefits of PLI have also  been  extended  recently  to  professionals  and  employees  of  listed  companies  of  NSE  (National Stock  Exchange)  and  BSE  (Bombay  Stock  Exchange).  Core  Insurance  Solution  (CIS)  has  been implemented in all Post Offices, thus enabling servicing of PLI and RPLI policies anywhere in the country.  To  further  build  on  its  life  insurance  offerings,  a  proposal  for  setting  up  of  a  Postal  Life Insurance (PLI) Strategic Business Unit (SBU) is under consideration.

- (c) Does not arise in view of (a) and (b) above.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3747 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Delay in Recruitment Process
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Kirron  Kher

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3747

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019)

## DELAY IN RECRUITMENT PROCESS

## 3747. SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  has  been  a  delay  in  conducting  the  recruitment  process  for  various Ministries/Departments in Grades B and C;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the reasons for the said delay; and
- (c) the other steps taken by the Government to accelerate the recruitment process for various Ministries/ Departments?

## 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):      Pursuant  to  allegations  of  cheating  and  leakage  of  question  papers  of Combined  Graduate  Level  (Tier-II)  Examination  2017  conducted  by  the  Staff  Selection Commission (SSC) from 17 th to 22 nd February, 2018 and Hon'ble Supreme Court in WP(C) No. 234/2019 - Shantanu Kumar and others Vs. Union of India and others, vide judgement dated 31.08.2018,  putting  an  injunction  restraining  the  SSC  from  declaring  the  result  of  (i) Combined  Graduate  Level  Examination,  2017  and  (ii)  Combined  Higher  Secondary  Level Examination,  2017,  no  computer  based  online  examinations  could  be  conducted  by  the  SSC during  March,  2018  till  December,  2018.  The  said  injunction  was  vacated  vide  order  dated 09.05.2019.  The  Computer  based  online  examinations  of  the  Commission  are  now  being conducted regularly since January, 2019.

(c):    Based on the vacancies reported by the user Departments, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC)  has  started  recruitment  process  to  fill  up  1,05,338  posts  during  the  year  2019  and 2020. During 2017-18, Centralized Employment  Notifications (CENs)  for 1,27,573 combined vacancies of various Group 'C' and Level-1 posts were notified by the Ministry of Railways - for new and future vacancies to arise in two years time. Another five CENs covering 1,56,138 vacancies of various Group 'C' and Level-1 posts were issued in 201819.  The  Department  of  Posts  have  also  conducted  examination/notified  to  fill  up  19,522 vacancies, other than those to be filled up through SSC, in various grades. Thus, recruitment process to fill up 4,08,591 vacancies by just three agencies i.e. SSC, Ministry of Railways and Department  of Posts, is in progress.

Besides,  the  Department  of  Personnel  &  Training  (DoPT)  has  issued  instructions  vide Office  Memorandum  (OM)  Number  39020/18/2016-Estt(B)  dated  19.12.2016  for  timely  and advance action in filling up of the Direct Recruitment vacancies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3744 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Non-Functional Upgradation for Group A Officers
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Nishikant  Dubey

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3744

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019)

## NON-FUNCTIONAL UPGRADATION FOR GROUP A OFFICERS

## 3744. DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Grade-I has been enlisted in the Schedule of CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965 as Central Civil Services Group-A;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Non-Functional  Upgradation  (NFU)  applicable  to  Group  'A'  Officers  in terms of DoPT OM dated 24 April, 2009 has been extended to CSS Group 'A' Officers;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether any proposal for grant of NFU to CSS Group 'A' Officers is under consideration of DoPT; and
- (f) if so, the time frame by which the NFU will be granted to all the eligible CSS Officers?

## 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):  Yes, for the grade of Under Secretary & above.
- (c) to (f):  No Sir.  The grant of NFU is governed by DoPT OM No. AB. 14017/64/2008-Estt. (RR) dated 24 th April 2009. Further, in terms of the Resolution No. 1-2/2016-IC dated 25 th July 2016 of the Department of Expenditure, status quo is to be maintained regarding NFU until a final decision is taken on all administrative issues concerning the same.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3742 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Youth Parliament Competition
Ministry: PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu

- (a) Yes, Sir.
- (b) The Ministry of Parliamentary  Affairs  organizes  following  Youth  Parliament Competitions in schools across the country :-
- (i) Youth  Parliament  Competitions  for  Schools  under  the  Directorate  of Education, Govt. of NCT of Delhi and New Delhi Municipal Council.
- (ii) National Youth Parliament Competition for KendriyaVidyalayas.
- (iii) National Youth Parliament Competition for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3742

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 DECEMBER 2019

## YOUTH PARLIAMENT COMPETITION

## 3742.  SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU

Will the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government organizes regular Youth Parliament Competitions in schools across the country;
- (b) If so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to mentor school children in this regard ?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS  AND  THE  MINISTRY  OF  HEAVY  INDUSTRIES  AND  PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

## (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- (c) Before  the  start  of  the  Competitions,  the  Ministry  organizes  Orientation Courses  to  acquaint  the  teachers-in-charge  of  the  participating  schools  about the modalities and parameters of the scheme. Thereafter the teachers-in-charge of the participating schools mentor and prepare the students for the competitions. The Ministry awards prizes and certificates to the best performing students of the competitions.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3741 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Environmental Impact Assessment
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Jyotirmay Singh Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3741

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019

## Environmental Impact Assessment

## 3741. SHRI JYOTIRMAY SINGH MAHATO:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) the  present  status  of  the  mines  of  Coal  India  Ltd.  (CIL)  in  terms  of  compliance  with  the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification; and
- (b) the  various  measures  taken  by  the  mines  of  CIL  in  compliance  with  the  EIA  notification during the last three years and the current year?

## ANSWER

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

(a): All  the  mines  of  Coal  India  Limited  (CIL)  are  operated  as  per  Environment  Impact Assessment (EIA) notification 2006.

- (b): The various measures taken by the mines of CIL in compliance with the EIA notification during the last three years and the current year are:
1. Implementation  of  Environment  Management  Plans,  duly  approved  by  the  Ministry  of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC), in all mines/ projects effectively done to  mitigate  pollution,  conservation  of  natural  resources  and  restoration  of  ecology  & biodiversity.
2. Compliance of all applicable Environmental Clearance & Forestry Clearance conditions and other statutory conditions issued by regulatory agencies are done.
3. The compliance report against EC for each mine is submitted on six monthly basis i.e. as on 30 th September & 31 st March to MoEFCC (both at New Delhi & at Regional Office).
4. Submission  of  Environmental  Monitoring  Report:  Environmental  Monitoring  for  all  the working projects is carried out as per the Environment (Protection) Amendment Rules, 2000 (Extraordinary Notification in the Gazette of India on 25 th September, 2000 - Standard for Coal Mines) through MoEFCC approved agency CMPDIL on quarterly basis.
5. Submission of Environmental Statement: Environmental statement for all working mines is submitted to the State Pollution Control Boards  within the stipulated time i.e. before 30th September on yearly basis.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3740 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Slow Execution of MPLAD Works
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Girish Bhalchandra Bapat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3740

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019

## SLOW EXECUTION OF MPLAD WORKS

3740.  SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT :

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  there  is  very  slow progress  in  sanctioning  and  execution  of  MPLAD  works  in  certain States;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether several district authorities are not submitting monthly progress  reports  (MPRs)  and  Utilization  Certificate  to  Government regularly  due  to  which  there  is  delay  in  releasing  of  MPLADS instalments?

## 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) and (b) The Ministry releases funds to State Governments under the  MPLAD  Scheme  for  execution  of  works  recommended  by  the Hon'ble MPs and implemented by the respective authorities as per State  Government  administrative,  technical  and  financial  rules. During the Financial year 2017-18 works of Rs. 4057.65 Crores were sanctioned while in 2018-19 this figure was at Rs. 4965.73 Crores.

Several measures are taken by the Ministry from time to time to expedite use of MPLAD funds, some of which are as follows:-

(i)    Regularly  follow  up  with  the  District  Authorities  to  submit  the fund related documents online for timely release of fund. Training to the District Officials is also being imparted. (ii)   Officers are deputed to visit various States/ Districts to review the implementation of the Scheme. (iii) Annual Review Meeting are held with the Nodal Departments of all the State / UT Governments to discuss the implementation of the scheme.    Ministry  also  impresses  upon  the  Nodal  Departments  of the  State  /  UT  Governments  to  convene  Meetings  under  the Chairmanship  of  Chief  Secretary  with  the  District  Authorities  and Members of Parliament at least once in a year.  In addition Quarterly review  meetings  are  held  by  the  District  Authorities  with  the implementing  agencies  at  district  level  to  review  the  progress  of implementation of MPLAD Scheme. (c) Non-submission of Monthly Progress Reports (MPRs) and Utilization Certificate (UC) in time is one of the primary reason for delay in releasing of MPLADS installments.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3739 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-11
Subject: Bhutanese Foreign Minister’s Visit
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sukanta Majumdar, Bhola Singh, Raja Amareshwara Naik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3739 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2019

## BHUTANESE FOREIGN MINISTER'S VISIT

3739.  DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR: SHRI BHOLA SINGH: SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   a   bilateral   meeting   of   Minister   of   External   Affairs   was recently   concluded   with   Bhutanese   Foreign   Minister   regarding various issues;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there was discussion to find out the ways to strengthen ties in   trade,   investment,   defence   and   security   between   India   and Bhutan;
- (d) if so, the outcome of the above said discussion; and
- (e) the key agreements signed during the visit of Bhutanese Foreign Minister?

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

- (a) Yes.

(b) to (d) External   Affairs   Minister   met   Foreign   Minister   of   Bhutan Lyonpo (Dr.) Tandi Dorji during latter's recent visit to India from 17-23 November 2019.   The two leaders held discussions on the entire gamut of India-Bhutan bilateral relations including development partnership, hydropower,   trade   and   economic   cooperation,   security,   and   enhancing connectivity   between   the   two   countries.     Both   sides   agreed   to   work together to further strengthen and deepen our special and multifaceted bilateral ties.

- (e) No agreements / MoUs were signed during the visit.

***