opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3639 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: H-1B Visa
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Mimi Chakraborty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.3639 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## H-1B VISA

## 3639. MS. MIMI CHAKRABORTY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the suspension of H-1B visas   for   Indians   by   an   executive   order   passed   by   USA effective from June 24, 2020;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of applications submitted by Indians to obtain H1B visa and granted since 2017 therefor;
- (d) whether the Government has devised any counter-measures and strategies to persuade the US Administration to reconsider this measure therein; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) & (b)   The U.S. Presidential Proclamation of 22 June 2020, suspended the entry of certain categories of non-immigrant visa holders and their families till 31 December 2020 (extended to 31 March 2021). This Proclamation is not specific to India or any one country.

(c) Data   regarding   H-1B   visas   issued   to   Indian   nationals, including the share in total number of H-1B visas issued by the Government of U.S.A in 2017, 2018 and 2019 is given below:

| H-1B Visas                                  | FY 2017   | FY 2018   | FY 2019   |
|---------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Issued to Indian nationals                  | 129,097   | 125,528   | 131,549   |
| Total H-1B visas issued                     | 179,049   | 179,660   | 188,123   |
| % share of visas issued to Indian nationals | 72.1%     | 69.9%     | 69.9%     |

Source: U.S. Department of State

According to the U.S. Department of State, Indian nationals have received between 69.9 to 72.1% of the total H-1B visas issued by the Government of U.S.A between the fiscal years 2017 to 2019.

(d) & (e) Government   is   closely   engaged   with   the   U.S. Administration and other relevant stakeholders on issues related to   the   movement   of   Indian   professionals,   highlighting   the importance of people-to-people linkages and the contribution of Indian skilled professionals to the growth and development of the US economy, especially in the technology and innovation sector. These issues were also raised during the India-U.S. Foreign Office Consultations   held   on   7   July   2020   and   the   2+2   India-U.S. Ministerial Dialogue held in New Delhi on 27 October 2020.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3638 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Amending Contempt of Courts Act
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3638

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 17 th  MARCH, 2021

## Amending Contempt of Courts Act

3638. Shri RAVIKUMAR D. :

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to amend Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 to curtail the contempt power of the judiciary and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of contempt of court cases pending for the last five  years, State-wise; and
- (c) the  details  of  contempt  of  court  cases  punished  in  Supreme  Court during the last five years?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): There is no proposal under consideration of the Government to amend Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.  The Government does not maintain state-wise details of contempt of court cases.

- (c): As  per  information  received  from  the  Supreme  Court  of  India,  details regarding  punishment  for  contempt  of  Court  is  not  maintained  by  them. However, the number of contempt of Court Cases instituted and disposed of in the last five years is as under:

| Year                   |   No. of Contempt Cases instituted |   No. of Contempt Cases disposed |
|------------------------|------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| 2016                   |                                342 |                              353 |
| 2017                   |                                375 |                              301 |
| 2018                   |                                363 |                              397 |
| 2019                   |                                421 |                              424 |
| 2020                   |                                204 |                              203 |
| 2021 (upto 11.03.2021) |                                 51 |                               55 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 3636 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Mobile Towers of BSNL in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Keshari Devi Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3636 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2021

## MOBILE TOWERS OF BSNL IN UTTAR PRADESH

## †3636. SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has installed/proposes to install mobile towers in rural areas of Uttar Pradesh in order to improve communication service and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken to strengthen the mobile network of BSNL in Uttar Pradesh; and
- (c) the number of mobile towers of BSNL in Prayagraj district at present; and
- (d) whether there is any plan to increase the number of towers and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) As per data collected from the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) in 2020, it is estimated that out of 97,813 inhabited villages (as per Census 2011) in Uttar Pradesh, 97,486 villages have mobile coverage. Mobile coverage in the uncovered inhabited villages is being provided in a phased manner both by TSPs and the Government. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has informed that it has installed 5,591 towers for mobile services in Uttar Pradesh.
- (b) BSNL is progressively adding mobile Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) in rural as well as urban  areas  under  its  various  network  expansion  phases  based  on  techno-commercial  viability  and thereby increasing the mobile coverage.
- (c) BSNL has installed 344 towers for mobile services in Prayagraj district.
- (d) For expansion of 4G services, BSNL has invited EOI (Expression of Interest) for PoC (Proof of Concept) on 01.01.2021.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Action Against WhatsApp
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3634

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 17.03.2021

## ACTION AGAINST WHATSAPP

## 3634.   SHRI MANOJ KOTAK:

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

- (a) whether some social media companies are taking advantage in view of lack of legislation in the country dealing with data protection and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any action against whatsApp for compelling their users in India to accept their updated policy on sharing of data and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): 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. Social media companies are body corporate.

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

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology 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.

- (b): Ministry  of  Electronics  &  Information  Technology  (MeitY)  took  cognizance  of  the WhatsApp announcement of its new Privacy Policy stated to be applicable to Indian users. To safeguard  the  interest  of  Indian  users,  Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology (MeitY) has asked WhatsApp to review the proposed privacy policy changes and also to explain the rationale of the same.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3632 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Blockade of Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gurjeet Singh Aujla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3632 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## BLOCKADE OF TRAINS

## 3632. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the reasons behind blockade of trains carrying essential supplies to Punjab since October, 2020; and
- (b) the  plans  to  compensate  for  blockade  of  essential  supplies  to Punjab that caused hindrance to everyday life of common people?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Running of freight trains to and through Punjab was severely affected from  1 st   October,  2020  to  22 nd   November,  2020  due  to  the  'Rail  Roko' agitation in Punjab.
- (b) Railways continued to run trains to the freight terminals of neighbouring states from where part of the essential supplies for Punjab could  be  transported  through  road.    Railways  have  fully  geared  up  to completely  meet  the  freight  demand  for/from  the  terminals  of  Punjab after commencement of services on 23 rd  November, 2020.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3629 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Paperless Passport Service
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Feroze Varun Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3629 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## PAPERLESS PASSPORT SERVICE

## 3629. SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI :

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched Passport Seva Programme V2.0 to ensure paperless passport service;
- (b) if so, the aims and objectives of the said programme;
- (c) the details of benefits of advance technologies to be introduced to enhance passport services in the country;
- (d) whether the Government will also provide e-Passport services to PIO card holders and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of targets achieved under Passport Seva Programme 1.0 since its inception in 2014?

## ANSWER

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

## [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

## (a) T he Government has not launched Passport Seva Programme (PSP) V2.0, yet.

- (b) & (c)   Does not arise.

(d) e-passport services will be provided to Citizens of India. OCI card holders (erstwhile PIO card holders) are persons of Indian origin who hold foreign citizenship.

(e) The Passport Seva Project, launched in May 2010, is one of the Mission-Mode   projects   under   Digital   India,   a   flagship   programme   of Government of India. It has brought benefits of huge digital transformation in delivery of passport services to citizens of India, including through our Missions abroad, in an efficient, citizen-friendly and transparent mode in a paperless environment. The entire police verification process, end-to-end, has   also   been   made   paperless   under   the   programme.   The   major achievements/deliverables   under   PSP   V1.0   include:   establishment   of Passport Facilitation   Centre   (PFC)   now   known   as   Passport   Seva   Kedra (PSK),   Post   Office   Passport   Seva   Kendra   (POPSK),   Data   Centre   (DC),

Disaster Recovery Centre (DRC), Central Passport Printing Facility (CPPF), Centralised   Indian   Passport   Printing   System   (CIPPS);   Upgradation   of Passport Back Offices. The digital transformation of passport services has been duly recognized and conferred with triple ISO Certification (9001, 27001 and 20000); recently PSP platform has been integrated successfully with   DigiLocker   for   direct   validation   of   document   at   source,   further advancing a paperless environment.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3623 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Regulation of Non Personal Data
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3623

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 17-03-2021

## REGULATION OF NON PERSONAL DATA

## 3623. SHRI  S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN

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

- (a) whether a separate regulator is required to specifically regulate non-personal data and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (b)  the  efforts  made  by  the  Government  to  institute  safeguard  with  clear  accountability  and  redressal mechanisms in the regulatory framework of non-personal data; and
- (c) whether the Committee of Experts on Non-Personal Data Governance Framework has addressed the areas of overlap with other regulatory frameworks and clarified the ambit of the proposed non-personal data framework and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a), (b) and (c): The Committee of Experts to deliberate on Data Governance Framework having Terms of Reference regarding Non-Personal Data has not submitted its report to the Government yet.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3622 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Vacancies in CIC
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3622

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021)

## VACANCIES IN CIC

## 3622. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a large number of vacancies are remaining unfilled in CIC;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps proposed by the Government to fill the vacancies?

## 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):  As  per  the  provisions  of  the  Section  12(2)  of  the  RTI  act,  2005,  the  Central information Commission shall consist of:-

- a) The Chief Information Commissioner and
- b) Such number of Central Information Commissioners not exceeding ten as may be deemed necessary.

The process of appointment of Information Commissioners in Central Information Commission involves following steps:-

- (i)     Inviting applications through open advertisement.
- (ii)   Particulars of applicants are tabulated and sent to the Search Committee (constituted by Hon'ble PM) chaired by Cabinet Secretary for shortlisting.
- (iii)   Shortlisted names by the Search Committee alongwith particulars of all the applicants are  sent  to  the  Committee  constituted  under  Section  12(3)  headed  by  the  Hon'ble Prime Minister.
- (iv)    Persons  recommended  by  the  Committee  under  Section  12(3)  are  appointed  by  the Hon'ble President.

Following  the  above  process,  the  Chief  Information  Commissioner  and  03  Information Commissioners  were  appointed  by  the  Government  on  07.11.2020.  Presently,  the  Chief Information Commissioner and seven Information Commissioners are in position in the Central Information Commission.

The number of sanctioned posts in the Secretariat of Central Information Commission is 160.

The number of vacant posts in the Secretariat of Central Information Commission is 07.

The filling up of posts is a continuous process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3621 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Compassionate Appointments in BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Satyadev Pachauri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3621 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2021

## COMPASSIONATE APPOINTMENTS IN BSNL

## †3621. SHRI SATYADEV PACHAURI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  has  imposed  a  ban  on  compassionate appointments for three years and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  in  view  of  the  ban  imposed  on  compassionate  appointments  in  BSNL  the Government is  exploring  other  options  to  support  the  family  soon  after  the  death  of  an  employee while in service;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Yes  Sir.  Compassionate  Ground  Appointments  (CGA)  in  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited (BSNL) have been banned for three years w.e.f. 01.04.2019 to 31.03.2022 due to its stressed financial conditions.

(b) to (d) BSNL absorbed employees are already covered under CCS (Pension) Rules and their family is provided enhanced rate of family pension for initial 7 years and thereafter, normal family pension  under  this  Rule.  BSNL  recruited  employees  are  covered  under  Superannuation  Pension Scheme as per BSNL Employees Superannuation Pension Trust Rules. Further deceased employees' family is also paid the Gratuity and Leave Encashment as per extant Rules.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3619 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: IT Parks in Rural Areas
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Pintu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3619

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 17.03.2021

## IT PARKS IN RURAL AREAS

## 3619.   SHRI SUNIL KUMAR PINTU:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set-up IT parks to promote information technology in rural areas of the country especially in those of Sitamarhi, Shivhar and Mujaffarpur districts in Bihar;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c):  Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), an autonomous society under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has established 60 STPI Centres across the country, of which 52 Centres are in Tier-II/ III cities including one STPI Centre in Patna (Bihar). Further, 23 new  STPI  Centres  have  been  approved  by  the  Government  of  India  in  Tier  II/  III  locations including two new STPI Centres in Bihar at Darbhanga and Bhagalpur. These STPI Centres are providing  various  services  for  promotion  of  IT/  ITeS  industry  in  the  region  viz.,  Statutory, world-class  High-Speed  Data  Communication  (HSDC),  State-of-the-art  Incubation,  Project Management & Consultancy and IT Managed services.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3618 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Vacant Posts in BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Sangeeta Azad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3618 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2021

## VACANT POSTS IN BSNL

## †3618. SHRIMATI SANGEETA AZAD:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of vacant posts in various categories in BSNL as on date, category-wise;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to fill these vacant posts;
- (c) the status regarding filling up of these vacant posts and the number of posts filled till now as a result of steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (d) the stipulated time by which the remaining vacant posts are likely to be filled?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d)  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  has  informed  that  as  on  31.01.2021,  there  are 64,946 employees (Executives: 30260 and Non-Executives: 34686) working in BSNL.

The  Government  approved  the  revival  plan  for  BSNL  on  23.10.2019.  As  part  of  the  revival  plan approved by the Government, 78,569 employees of BSNL of age 50 years and above opted for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) with effect from 31.01.2020. Due to convergence of services and evolution of equipment/operation at a fast pace in telecom, the current strength of employees is sufficient in BSNL.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3616 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Trade Policy
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Balashowry Vallabbhaneni

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3616 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th MARCH, 2021

## TRADE POLICY

## 3616.  SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI

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

- (a) whether the current trade policy is going to expire in March, 2021;
- (b) if  so,  whether the Ministry  has  formulated a new Trade Policy and if so, the present status of the same;
- (c) the details of consultations that have been held with various stakeholders and details of suggestions given and accepted by the Ministry?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) :   The current Foreign Trade Policy (2015-2020) which was announced for a period for five years was extended by a year due to COVID-19 till 31 st March, 2021.  In order to prepare Foreign Trade Policy (2021-2026), Trade Notice No. 34 dated 12.11.2020 was issued  inviting suggestions from Individuals, Export Promotion Councils, Industry Associations and other stake holders based on which a number of inputs/suggestions have been received.  A Board of Trade meeting was held on 02.12.2020 with various stakeholders including State Governments. Meeting with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and Industry associations were held on 4.12.2020 and 7.12.2020  respectively.    Another  meeting  with  EPCs  and  Industry  associations  was  held  on

11.2.2021.  As part of consultation, a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry was held on the 'New Foreign Trade Policy' on 12th January, 2021.  The work of preparation of new Foreign Trade Policy (2021-2026) is ongoing.

****