opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4116 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Achievements of Indian Missions Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Ramesh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4116 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## ACHIEVEMENTS OF INDIAN MISSIONS ABROAD

4116. SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

## Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the precise role and achievements of the Indian Missions abroad in projecting the country's image;
- (b) whether any short-coming have been noticed in achieving the objectives; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (c) The projection of India's image is one of the fundamental objectives of Indian Missions abroad. In the pursuit to this objective, Indian Missions carry out   necessary   engagement,   partnership   and   dialogue   with   the   relevant stakeholders to project our achievements in the political, economic, cultural domains as well as make all efforts to present developments within the country in   the   correct   perspective.   Some   other   facets   of   this   engagement   include projection of India's growing international standing, our rich and ancient cultural heritage as well as outreach to seek investment inflows, technology transfer, energy security, etc. to support our steady ascendance as an economic power. The Indian Missions, as part of their cultural outreach have, in recent times, involved the global community in celebration of the International Day of Yoga, held events and activities to mark the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as well as organized seminars, conference and other events to promote our cultural heritage. There is a regular assessment of the efforts of Indian Missions in pursuit of activities for projection of our image abroad which is carried out in a structured manner. An Annual Action Plan is prepared by each Mission listing proposed activities/events and a Publicity Budget is allocated by the Ministry accordingly to   organize   planned   activities/events.   As   part   of   this   annual   exercise,   an evaluation is also carried out from time to time to assess the effectiveness of our publicity efforts and to make necessary course corrections as required.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Stoppage at Viluppuram
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4115

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## STOPPAGE AT VILUPPURAM

## 4115. SHRI RAVIKUMAR D.:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Ministry has taken any steps to fulfil the demand of the  people  of  Viluppuram  for  the  stoppage  of  TEJAS  train  at  this junction;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Ministry  has  any plans to introduce new super fast trains in Chennai-Madurai route; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)  No,  Sir.  Tejas  Express  is  premium  service  train,  with  limited stoppages  enroute.  Therefore,  stoppage  at  Villupuram    is  not  under consideration.
- (b) and (c) No, Sir. Villupuram is presently well connected to Chennai area  and  Madurai  by  41  pairs  of  train  services  and  22  pairs  of  train services respectively, which inter-alia includes superfast services.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4114 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Linking of Aadhaar with Voter List
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Dulal Chandra Goswami

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4114

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 18 th  MARCH, 2020

## LINKING OF AADHAAR WITH VOTER LIST

†4114. SHRI DULAL CHAND GOSWAMI:

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

- (a) whether the Government is considering any proposal to link Aadhaar with voter list  besides launching the registration of new voters to more than  once  in  a  year  and  to  make  service  voters  gender  neutral  as  a
- measure of electoral reforms;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether section 20 of the Representation of the People Act provides that wife of service voter can cast the vote in place of her husband but husband of female service voter cannot cast the vote in place of his wife;
- (d) if so, whether the Government is considering to amend it; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b) : In order to ensure preparation of error free electoral roll and to prevent  duplication  of  entries,  a  proposal  to  amend  Representation  of the  People  Act,  1951  to  enable  deduplication    of  electoral  data  using Aadhar system has been received from the Election Commission. The matter is under examination.

(c)  to  (e)  :  Section  20  of  the  Representation  of  the  People  Act,  1950 defines the meaning of the expression 'ordinarily resident.' It also lays down the specific place which is deemed to be the ordinary residence of the  persons  specified  therein.  However,  with  a  view  to  making  the existing  provisions  gender  neutral,  a  proposal  to  substitute  the  word 'wife' with the word 'spouse' appearing in sub-section (6) of the section 20 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 as well as sub-clause (ii)  of  clause (b) of section 60 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 is under consideration of the Government.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4113 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Status of Lokpal
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: M. K. Raghavan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4113

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020)

## STATUS OF LOKPAL

## 4113. SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  status  of  the  institution  of  Lokpal  and  its  operationalisation,  after  the  President  of India gave his consent 6 years ago;
- (b) whether  rules  have  not  been  framed  for  filing  complaints  even  after  ten  months  of  its constitution and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the required independent Director of Prosecution or the Inquiry has not been set up and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the reasons for delay in formulating rules for asset disclosure, in detail?

## 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):  The institution of Lokpal is functional. The President, on the recommendation of the duly constituted Selection Committee, appointed the Chairperson and eight Members of the Lokpal who assumed charge of their offices on 23 rd and 27 th March, 2019 respectively.
- (b):   In exercise of the powers conferred by section 59 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the Lokpal (Complaint) Rules, 2020 have been notified in Gazette of India on 02.03.2020. The said  rules  are  already  in  the  public  domain,  having  been  placed  on  the  websites  of  the Department of Personnel & Training and the Lokpal.
- (c):  The  Lokpal  is  an  independent  statutory  body.  Sections  11  and  12  of  the  Lokpal  and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 empower the Lokpal to constitute the Inquiry and the Prosecution Wings respectively.
- (d):  The Committee on Subordinate Legislation has allowed time till 15.06.2020 for framing of Rules under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, including the Asset Rules.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4111 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Winding Up of Wallmart
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Dinesh Chandra Yadav

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4111.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE  18 TH   MARCH, 2020.

## WINDING UP OF WALLMART

## 4111.  SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether Wallmart is winding up its business in the country;
- (b) if so, the details of the possible effect on employees working with them;
- (c) whether revenue and foreign exchange will decrease in view of winding up of business by Wallmart; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) & (b): As per the information available in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal, there  are  no  companies  with  the  name  of  Wallmart.    Further,  no  such information regarding Walmart is available.
- (c) & (d): Do not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4110 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Indian Ambassadors Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Harish Dwivedi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4110

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## INDIAN AMBASSADORS ABROAD

- † 4110.  SHRI HARISH DWIVEDI:

Will the Minister of EXTERAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the   country-wise   number   of   Indian   Ambassadors   posted   in   foreign countries as on date;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to recruit ambassadors from education and   private   sectors   to   work   in   Indian   Embassies   situated   in   foreign countries;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether any guidelines have been framed for such recruitments;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the time by which the said recruitment process is likely to be initiated?

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

- (a) As on date, 117 Ambassadors are posted in foreign countries. 40 Head of Missions are concurrently accredited to 61 countries.
- (b) No.
- (c) to (f) does not arise.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4109 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Special Recruitment Drive
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4109

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020)

## SPECIAL RECRUITMENT DRIVE

## 4109. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Central Government in consultation with State Governments is going to launch a special recruitment programme  for  handicapped  and  blind  persons (divyaang) in Government, Semi-Government, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and PSU Banks as a large number of such posts are lying vacant for a long time;
- (b) the  posts  that  are  lying  vacant  as  on  date  and  the  action  that  has  been  taken  by Government to fill up the vacant posts, State-wise; and
- (c) the time likely to be taken to complete such recruitment?

## 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) to (c): By virtue of Entry 9 and 41 of State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, the respective States are required to implement the provisions relating to reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in their establishments. As such, there is no proposal to launch a  Special  Recruitment  Drive  for  filling  up  the  vacancies  for  PwDs  in  consultation  with  State Governments.

As per data obtained  from various Central Government Ministries/ Departments which also include vacancies in Central Public Sector Undertakings, Nationalised Banks and Financial Institutions, etc, of the 15000 vacancies for PwD identified in 2015, a total of 14263 have since been  filled  up.  These  vacancies, inter  alia ,  included  backlog  vacancies  carried  forward  from earlier  years.  State-wise  data  for  filling  up  of  vacancies  for  PwDs  is  not  maintained  by Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). However, DoPT regularly reviews the positions with  the  Departments/  Ministries  of  Government  of  India  for  expeditious  action  to  fill  up  the vacancies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4108 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: BSNL Network in Gujarat and Haryana
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Arvind Kumar Sharma, Bharatiben Dhirubhai Shyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4108 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  MARCH, 2020

## BSNL NETWORK IN GUJARAT AND HARYANA

## †4108. SHRI ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA: DR. BHARATIBEN DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of villages in Haryana and Bhavnagar and Botad districts of Gujarat where Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) network is still not available;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme to bring network coverage to the said areas; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Number  of  villages  uncovered  by  mobile  network  of  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam Limited (BSNL) in Haryana and Bhavnagar and Botad districts of Gujarat is as under:

|   S.No. | State/District              |   Number of uncovered villages |
|---------|-----------------------------|--------------------------------|
|       1 | Haryana State               |                           2370 |
|       2 | Bhavnagar District, Gujarat |                             19 |
|       3 | Botad District, Gujarat     |                              4 |

However,  as  per  the  data  collected  from  the  Telecom  Service  Providers  (TSPs)  and Department of Telecommunications (DoT) field units in 2019, only one (1) village in the State of Haryana and 13 villages in the Bhavnagar District, Gujarat are uncovered by mobile network. All villages in Botad District, Gujarat are covered by mobile network.

Mobile  coverage  in  the  uncovered  villages  in  the  country  is  being  provided  by  the Government  and  the  TSPs  in  a  phased  manner.  70  uncovered  villages  in  Gujarat  State  are targeted to be covered with mobile network under 354 uncovered villages scheme funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund ( USOF).

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4105 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: New Space Objects
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Hemant Tukaram Godse

- (a)
- (b)
- (c)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4105

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

## NEW SPACE OBJECTS

4105.  SHRI HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  made  any  proposal  regarding search for life on new space objects and other planets;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  scheme  to  promote  new research works in space science;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of the funds spent on space sector along with the new  techniques  patented  during  the  last  three  years  and  the current year?

## ANSWER

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

- No Sir.
- Does not arise.
- Yes Sir.
- (d) ISRO  encourages  new  research  using  data  from  ISRO's  space science missions. Announcement of Opportunities are published on  ISRO  webpage  soliciting  proposals  for  funds  for  research from Indian  scientific  community.
- (e) The details of funds spent on Space sector during the last three years and the current year (RE figure) are provided in the table below:

|   Sl. No | Budget Year   | Actual Expenditure ( ` in Crores)   |
|----------|---------------|-------------------------------------|
|        1 | 2016-17       | 8,040.00                            |
|        2 | 2017-18       | 9,130.57                            |
|        2 | 2018-19       | 11,192.66                           |
|        4 | 2019-20       | 13,139.26*                          |

*RE 2019-20 figure

Details of the patents granted in the last three years and current year:

| Year    | No. of Patents   |
|---------|------------------|
| 2016-17 | 15 Nos.          |
| 2017-18 | 08 Nos.          |
| 2018-19 | 17 Nos.          |
| 2019-20 | 19 Nos.          |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4104 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Shortage of BSNL Towers in Remote Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4104 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  MARCH, 2020

## SHORTAGE OF BSNL TOWERS IN REMOTE AREAS

## †4104. SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  shortage  of  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited (BSNL) towers and network related issues in remote areas of the country including Gujarat and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether the Government has formulated any action plan to improve the communication services provided by BSNL; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has informed that as on 31.12.2019, out of total 6,41,525 villages in the country, 4,52,804 villages are covered with its mobile network. In  the  Gujarat  State,  13,297  villages  out  of  total  18,309  villages  are  covered  with  mobile coverage of BSNL.

It  is  further  informed  by  BSNL  that  on  the  basis  of  techno-commercial  viability,  it  is progressively adding more number of Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) in rural as well as urban areas under various network expansion phases to provide coverage to uncovered villages in all of its Licensed Service Areas (LSAs) including Gujarat State.

The Government has approved the revival plan for BSNL and MTNL on 23.10.2019. The revival plan inter-alia, includes administrative allotment of spectrum to BSNL for providing 4G services.  With  the  implementation  of  the  revival  plan,  BSNL  will  offer  improved  and competitive services to their subscribers.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4103 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Reservation for Divyaangs
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sanjay Jaiswal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4103 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## RESERVATION FOR DIVYAANGS

4103.   DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  there  has  been  discrepancy  in  the reservation for 'Divyaangs' in the Group D centralised recruitment by RRBs;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the reasons for recent protests by Divyaangs in Delhi against RRB; and
- (d) the steps that have been taken to assuage their concerns?

## ANSWER

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

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  4103  BY  DR.  SANJAY  JAISWAL  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 18.03.2020 REGARDING RESERVATION FOR DIVYAANGS (a)   No, Sir. (b)   Does not arise. (c)  The  reasons  behind  protests  were  mainly  issues  specific  to Centralized Employment Notice (CEN) No. 02/2018 recruitment exercise conducted by the Ministry of Railways. Protestors' demands were regarding computation of Disabled Category vacancies, alleged irregularities/discrimination  against  some  specific  candidates,  policy of Disabled category reservation as it presently exists. Protestors also raised  the  issue  that  many  Orthopedically  handicapped  candidates having Multiple Disability did not apply as a Multiple Disability candidate,  and  therefore  demanded  that  such  candidates  should  be given an opportunity to be adjusted against Multiple Disability vacancies. (d)    Point-wise  discussion  took  place  and  appropriate  clarifications were  given  to  the  protestors.  It  was  clarified  to  the  protestors  that vacancy computation has been done as per Hon'ble High Court, Delhi orders in WP NO. 1855/2018. This computation of vacancies has again been  challenged  by  an  organization  called  National  Platform  for  the Rights of Disabled (NPRD) before Hon'ble High Court Delhi in WP NO. 5208/2019.  Matter  is  subjudice.  List  of  184  candidates  submitted  by protestors contending that these candidates had been left out despite qualifying  written  examination,  was  examined  and  it  was  found  that none  had  qualified.  A  reply  to  protestors  was  given  accordingly.  A special dispensation has also been provided to those eligible candidates  who  despite  having  Multiple  Disability  had  inadvertently applied as a candidate under single Disability category. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4101 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Shortage of Staff in C.P.O.
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Achyutananda Samanta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4101 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## SHORTAGE OF STAFF IN C.P.O.

## 4101.   SHRI ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA :

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is facing a continued shortage of staff at various levels in the Central Passport Organisation (CPO) and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government is taking steps to fill up these vacancies, 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) As  on 01.03.2020, against the sanctioned strength of 2697 of Central Passport Organization and 21 posts sanctioned by the Union Cabinet for the Project   Management   Unit   (PMU)   of   the   Passport   Seva   Project,   there   are   37 vacancies at Group 'A' level, 303 at  Group 'B' Gazetted level and 589 at Group 'B' non-Gazetted and Group 'C' level.
- (b)   The Government has taken following steps to fill up the existing vacancies at the Passport Offices:
- (i) The regular placement of indent for recruitment of Office Assistant, Junior Passport   Assistant,   Assistant   Superintendent,   Junior   T ranslators   and Stenographers   with   Staff   Selection   Commission   (SSC).     325   posts   at various levels have been indented to SSC. Out of which, 87 dossiers have been received from SSC and offer of appointment letters have been issued to the candidates recently.
- (ii) The Ministry has also hired 361 Data Entry Operators and 60 Multi Tasking Staff   from   an   Outsourced   Agency   as   an   interim   measure   against   the vacant non-Gazetted posts for smooth functioning of the Passport Offices.
- (iii) To fill up the existing vacancies at the Passport Offices, regular meetings of the Department Promotion Committee (DPC) have been held for the promotion of eligible officials to the next grade.
- (iv) Appointing the officers on deputation basis as per Recruitment Rules of Deputy Passport Officer and Passport Officer.

***