opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3528 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: ITIR in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3528

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## ITIR IN MAHARASHTRA  AND ANDHRA PRADESH

## 3528.   SHRI  VINAYAK  RAUT: SHRI KANUMURU  RAGHU  RAMA  KRISHNA  RAJU:

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

- (a) the present status and the progress made in the  Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) i Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra;
- (b) whether    the  Government  has  received  any  fresh  representation  from  the  State  Government    o Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra for the release  of necessary funds  to the aforesaid ITIRs and if so the details  thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and
- (c)        the steps taken/being taken by the Government to expedite the completion of the project?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  Consequent  upon  the  decision  for  discontinuation  of  the  Information  Technology  Investment  Regio (ITIR)  Policy,  2008;  the  proposal  related  to  establishment  of  Information  Technology  Investment  Regio (ITIR)  at  Vishakhapatnam  in  Andhra  Pradesh  has  been  returned  to  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  o 16.02.2018. Further, this Ministry had not received any proposal for establishment of ITIR in Maharashtra.

(b)  and  (c):  This  Ministry  has  not  received  any  fresh  representation  w.r.t.  aforesaid  ITIRs  from  Stat Government of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. While evaluating the ITIR Policy Resolution 2008, it wa opined that Government has already introduced various schemes/ programmes for infrastructure developmen and to create sustainable ecosystem for the industry through schemes like Industrial Corridor Developmen (Department  of  Industrial  Policy  and  Promotion,  now  DPIIT),  Smart  City  Mission  (Ministry  of  Urba Development,  now  MHUA),  Electronics  Manufacturing  Clusters  (EMC)  scheme  (MeitY)  etc.  wherei considerable financial support has been made available, the objectives of ITIR are being achieved throug promotion  of  such  industrial  units  in  industrial  clusters  in  townships  and  clusters  that  are  taking  shap through DMIC,  Smart  Cities and other schemes. Considering the other policies /schemes  unde implementation, ITIR Policy Resolution, 2008 has been discontinued.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3526 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Development of Infrastructural Facilities
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Mahabali Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. †3526

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 17 TH  MARCH, 2021

## Development of Infrastructural Facilities

## †3526.   SHRI  MAHABALI  SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government has implemented the centrally sponsored scheme for the development of infrastructural facilities for the judiciary in Bihar;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the total fund allocated/released to Bihar by the Government under the development of infrastructural facilities for the judiciary during the last three years; and
- (d)  the extent to which judiciary infrastructure has been improved so far in Jharkhand along with the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

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

(a)  &  (b):  The  Union  Government  has  been  implementing  a  Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary by  providing  financial  assistance  to  State  Governments  /  UTs  in  the prescribed fund sharing pattern between Centre and States. The Scheme is being  implemented  since  1993-94.  It  covers  the  construction  of  court buildings  and  residential  accommodations  for  Judicial  Officers  of  District and Subordinate Judiciary. Till date, Rs. 397.97 crore has been sanctioned to the State Government of Bihar.

(c):       The  status  of  funds  released by  the Central  Government under the Scheme  during  the  last  three  years  and  the  current  financial  year  is  as follows:

(In Rs. crore)

|       | Funds released during   | Funds released during   | Funds released during   | Funds released during     |
|-------|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|---------------------------|
| State | 2017-18                 | 2018-19                 | 2019-20                 | 2020-21 (as on 10.3.2021) |
| Bihar | 42.90                   | 62.04                   | 87.62                   | 50.72                     |

(d):      The primary responsibility of development of Infrastructure facilities for judiciary rests with the State Government to augment the resources of the State Governments. The funds are released under the Scheme for construction of court buildings  and  residential  accommodations  for  Judicial  Officers  of  District  and Subordinate Judiciary. As per information available, the number of court halls in Jharkhand is 637 as on 28.02.2021 and the number of residential units is 569 as on 28.02.2021. In addition, presently 26 court halls and 66 residential units are under construction in the State of Jharkhand.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3525 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: New Bench of Bombay High Court
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3525

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 17.03.2021

## New Bench of Bombay High Court

## 3525. SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL:

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

- a) whether there is any proposal to establish any new bench of Bombay High  Court  apart  from  the  existing  ones  at  Mumbai,  Nagpur  and Aurangabad  in  Maharashtra  to  enable  common  people  to  save  their travelling and staying costs during litigation; and
- b) if so, the locations for which such proposals have been received and the details of the status of these proposals?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND

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

(a)  to  (b):  No,  sir.  In  accordance  with  the  recommendations  made  by  the Jaswant Singh Commission and judgment pronounced by the Apex Court in W.P. (C) No. 379 of 2000, Bench(es) of the High Court are established after due  consideration  of  a  complete  proposal  from  the  State  Government incorporating readiness to provide infrastructure and meet the expenditure, along with the consent of the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court who is authorized to look after day to day administration of the High Court and its Bench. The proposal should also have the consent of the Governor of the concerned State.

At present, there is no complete proposal which has been received from  the  State  Government  of  Maharashtra  to  establish  new  Bench  of Bombay High Court.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3523 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Import of Gunny Bags
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: K. Shanmuga Sundaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3523 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th MARCH, 2021

## IMPORT OF GUNNY BAGS

## 3523.  SHRI SHANMUGA SUNDARAM K.:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the import of gunny bags from Bangladesh and Nepal whereas the Indian jute industry is facing problem in getting orders, if so, the facts thereof;
- (b) whether the  Ministry  is  having  any  report  from  the  Jute  Commissioner  that  the statutory packing order has been violated;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government for the revival of the jute industry and to prevent import of jute bags from other countries?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh gjnhi flag iqjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a): Yes, Sir. As per Government orders, 100% of food grains and 20% of sugar has to be compulsorily packed in jute bags for supply to Public Distribution System (PDS). Since the demand from the Government agencies outstrips the supply available in the domestic market, it is fulfilled through imports.

(b)& (c): No such report has been received from  the Jute Commissioner.

(d): As under Jute Packaging Material (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987, every year, government specifies the commodities and the extent to which they are mandatorily required to be packed in  jute  packaging  materials. This  has  given  tremendous  support to  the  jute  industry  over  the  last  three decades. The level of reservations recommended by the Government in the last three years is furnished below:-

| Order date   | Year    | Sugar   | Food grains   |
|--------------|---------|---------|---------------|
| 09.03.2018   | 2017-18 | 20%     | 90%           |
| 30.11.2018   | 2018-19 | 20%     | 100%          |
| 20.12.2019   | 2019-20 | 20%     | 100%          |
| 26-11-2020   | 2020-21 | 20%     | 100%          |

In  order  to  address  injury  caused  by  dumping of certain jute products, Ministry of Finance has imposed anti-dumping duty under Notification dated 5 th January, 2017, on their imports from Nepal and Bangladesh.

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3520 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Data Retention by Intermediaries
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Gaurav Gogoi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3520

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 17.03.2021

## DATA RETENTION BY INTERMEDIARIES

## 3520.   SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

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

(a)    whether    the    Information    Technology(Intermediary  Guidelines  and  Digital  Media  Ethics Code)Rules,  2021  provide  for  mandatory  data  retention  by intermediaries for 180 days, even if an account has been deleted  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and the  reasons therefor;

(b)  whether  the  Government  acknowledges  that  said  provision  poses  a  serious  threat  in  the absence of data  protection  laws  in  India  and  if  so,  the  details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto and the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and

(c) whether the Government plans to provide any safeguards for protection of such data and if so, details thereof and if not, reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a): In order  to  provide  enhanced  user  safety  as also accountability of intermediaries, Government  has  released  the  Information  Technology  (Intermediary  Guidelines  and  Digital Media  Ethics Code)  Rules, 2021  notified under the Act. These  Rules  require that the intermediaries  follow  certain  due  diligence  as  prescribed.  As  per  these  Rules,  where  an intermediary collects information from a user for registration on the computer resource, it shall retain  his  information  for  a  period  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  days  after  any  cancellation  or withdrawal of his registration.

(a) and  (c): The  Information  Technology  (Reasonable  security  practices  and  procedures  and sensitive personal data or information) Rules, 2011 notified under Section 43A of the Information Technology  Act,  2000  defines  sensitive  personal  information  and  also  mandate  that  body corporate must provide policy for privacy and disclosure of information, so that user is well aware of the type of personal data collected, purpose of collection and usage of such information. The rules  also  specify  mode  of  collection  of  information,  disclosure  of  information,  transfer  of information, etc.

Also, section 72A of the IT Act provides for punishment for disclosure of information in breach of the lawful contract.

MeitY  has  introduced  the  Personal  Data  protection  Bill,  2019  in  parliament  during  the  winter session of 2019. The Bill has been referred to a joint committee of the parliament.

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3518 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Regulation of Digital Platforms of Social Media Companies
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: P.P. Chaudhary, Arjunlal Meena, Kaushal Kishore, Aparajita Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3518

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 17.03.2021

## REGULATION OF DIGITAL PLATFORMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES

## 3518.   SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY: SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA: SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE: SHRIMATI APARAJITA SARANGI:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  regulate  digital  platforms  of  tech  giants  such  as Facebook, Twitter etc. and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the unrelenting debate on the relationship between these  tech  platforms  and  news  publishers  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reaction  of  the Government thereto;
- (c)  whether the Government proposes to lay down any policy with regard to these digital platforms in view of the aforesaid debates and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether any talk was held between the Indian Prime Minister and the Australian Prime Minister with regard  to  regulation  of  these  digital  platforms  in  the  backdrop  of  the  Australian  law  on  regulating relations between news media and digital platform and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether Indian copyright Act has provisions governing the freshly evolving relationship between tech platforms  and  news  publishers  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  steps  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c)  : Digital platforms for user generated content are intermediaries as defined in the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. However, off late some of the digital media platforms like Google, Facebook etc.  have  also  started  news  services/channels.  In  order  to  provide  accountability  of  such  platforms, Government has released the new Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and  Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 notified under the Act. These Rules require that such entities, which primarily enable  the  transmission  of  news  and  current  affairs  content,  shall  follow  certain  due  diligence  and  the Code of Ethics as prescribed.

The IT Act also places various obligations to body corporate including social media platforms as per the provisions of section 43A, 72A and 69A.

(d)  :  Australian  Prime  Minister  spoke  to  the  Prime  Minister  over  phone  on  18  February  2021.  Among other topics, PM Morrison also shared Australia's experience with legislating 'News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code' during the call.

(e):    Section  65A(1)  and  65B  of  Indian  Copyright  Act,  have  specific  provisions  of  protection  of technological measures and protection of rights management information.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3517 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Wi-Fi by Railtel
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dhanush M Kumar, Rebati Tripura, Vijay Kumar Dubey, Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar, C.N. Annadurai, Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3517 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## WI-FI BY RAILTEL

## 3517. SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR:

SHRI REBATI TRIPURA:

SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI:

SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the RailTel Corporation of India Ltd saw an uptrend in user interest for Wi-Fi services at railway stations,
- (b) if so the details thereof;
- (c) the details of number of stations which are likely to get public Wi-Fi
- and network infrastructure installed;
- (d) whether the RailTel is exploring the option of charging passengers for  using  public  Wi-Fi  services  at  railway  stations,  if  so  the  details
- thereof;
- (e)  the  amount  of  revenue  generated  by  RailTel  during  the  last  three years including the current year; and
- (f)  the  other  facilities  proposed  by  the  RailTel  to  the  passengers  to improve  overall passenger  experience  and  increase  the  non-fare revenue through multiple monetization models?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)  Yes,  Sir.  User  interest  for  Wi-Fi  service  at  Railway  Stations  is improving after Covid Pandemic.
- (b) Total user count in last three successive months was:-

Nov'2020 = 28,91,008 Nos.

Dec'2020 = 34,23,103 Nos. and

Jan'2021 = 33,92,955 Nos.

- (c) Currently Wi-Fi Facility has been provided at 5961 railway stations in the country.  Wi-Fi Facility at all balance feasible stations is likely to be provided in the country by 2021.
- (d)  Yes,  Sir.  RailTel  is  providing  free  Wi-Fi  to  passengers  at  Railway Stations for initial 30 minutes and after that on chargeable basis.
- (e) The revenue generated is as under:

2017-2018 -₹ 4.98 crore

2018-2019 -₹ 4.98 crore

2019-2020 -₹ 7.21 crore

2020-2021 -₹ 0.31 crore till date.

- (f) To improve overall passengers experience and increase the non-fare revenue through multiple monetization, RailTel is in process of providing  content  on  Demand  (CoD)  in  Trains  and  is  in  process  of floating tender for Railway Display Network (RDN) for Railway Stations to  provide  contextually  rich  and  relevant  information  to  Rail  users along with public awareness messages.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3512 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Impact of coronavirus on Supply Chain
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Hemant Tukaram Godse

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3512 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th MARCH, 2021 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17

## IMPACT OF CORONAVIRU S ON SUPPLY CHAIN

## 3512. SHRI HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE:

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

- (a) whether  there  is  disruption  in  the  supply  of  raw  materials  from  China  due  to corona virus and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  deal  with  its  impact  on  several  Indian industries, especially in Pharma Sector, wherein imbalance in demand and supply has resulted in price rise of items across the industries; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  precautionary  measures  taken  by  the Government to bridge the demand and supply gap and contain the rise in prices of items across the country?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh gjnhi flag iqjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a) to (c): The Corona Virus outbreak in China initially impacted the supply chains of Indian industries  which are  dependent on  China  for  import of  components,  intermediaries  and  raw materials. Thereafter, the Chinese production resumed during the year. However due to the global  supply  chain  shocks on account of  the  pandemic,   countries  are  seeking  to build resilience in their supply chains to reduce over-concentration of  import sources.

The Government  engaged  with  the  Export  Promotion  Councils  and  Trade  Bodies  to address  potential  disruptions  in  their  supply  chains,  secure  and  transport  inventories available  with  various suppliers,  and  accordingly  put them  in  touch  with  our  Missions abroad. The Missions facilitated several Business-to-Business virtual meetings to broaden the supply base of the domestic industry.

The Government has also launched schemes such as Production Linked Incentive Schemes (PLIs) to promote domestic manufacturing capacities in critical sectors such as Key Starting Materials/Drug  Intermediates,  Active  Pharmaceutical  Ingredients  apart  from  electronic components & mobiles etc. These would broaden the base of the supply chains and make products available at competitive prices.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3505 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Trains to Tourist Places
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shiromani Ram



## 3505.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3505 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## TRAINS TO TOURIST PLACES

SHRI RAMSHIROMANI VERMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  any  scheme  to  connect  all  the  major  historical cities/tourist places of the country with the Railways;
- (b) if  so,  whether there is any scheme to directly connect Shrawasti Parliamentary Constituency which is a famous Buddhist site with the major cities of the country; and
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) Indian  Railways,  through  Indian  Railway  Catering  &  Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), is operating various tourist trains such as Bharat Darshan/ Aastha Circuit Tourist, Pilgrim Tourist  Trains, State Special Tourist Trains, Deluxe Tourist Trains,  Buddhist Circuit Train and Luxury Tourist Trains  which are connecting major historical cities/tourist places of the country viz. Ayodhya, Varanasi, Ujjain, Agra, Prayagraj, Baidyanath, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Nagpur, Indore, Aurangabad, Chitrakoot,  Mathura,  Vrindavan,  Puri,  Gangasagar,  Tirupati, Madurai,  Rameshwaram,  Srirangapatnam,  Mysore,  Dwarka, Ankaleshwar, Nasik, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Khajuraho, Orchha, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Sravasti,  Fatehpur  Sikri,  Nathdwara,  Nandigram,  Sitamadhi, Hampi, Mumbai, Gokarana, Belur, Jabalpur, Coorg, Thanjavur.
- (b)  and  (c):Yes,  Sir.    New  Rail  line  project  Bahraich-Khalilabad (240 km) via Shrawasti has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.4940 crore.

*****