opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2611 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Whistleblowers Protection Act
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Pratima Mondal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2611

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019)

## WHISTLEBLOWERS PROTECTION ACT

## 2611. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA: SHRIMATI PRATIMA MONDAL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2014 has not been implemented so far;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  of  India  is  planning  to  re-introduce  the  Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2014;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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 (e):    The Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014 (No. 17 of 2014) has been notified on 12 th May, 2014.  In  terms of provision of sub-section (3) of section 1 of the  Act, the provisions of the Act shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,  appoint.  No such notification has been made by the Government for the reason that the Act requires amendments aimed at safeguarding against disclosures affecting sovereignty and integrity of India, Security of the State, etc., before it is brought into force. To make these amendments to the Act, the Government introduced the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill,  2015  in  the  Lok  Sabha  on  11 th May,  2015  which  was  passed  by  the  Lok Sabha on 13 th May, 2015 and transmitted to the Rajya Sabha. The Bill has since lapsed upon the dissolution of the Sixteenth Lok Sabha.

The Whistle Blowers Protection(Amendment) Bill is not part of the approved Government legislative business of the current session of the Parliament.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2609 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Maintenance of Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Thomas Chazhikadan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2609 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## MAINTENANCE OF TRACKS

## 2609.  SHRI THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  across  zones,  large  portion  of  railway  lines  are  running  at 100% or above capacity on high density railway network routes;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether over-utilization is leaving little time for field safety inspections and essential maintenance of tracks which has led to numerous incidents of train derailments;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the efforts made by the Governments towards reducing the congestion and augment the capacity of tracks?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Out of 273 sections on High Density Network routes, 183 sections are saturated as per latest line capacity statement (2017-18).
- (c) & (d) Though the over utilization is impacting the availability of time for maintenance, it is not affecting inspections of tracks. If due to any reason, the condition of tracks does not permit safe train operation at maximum permissible speed, speed restrictions are imposed. The non-availability of blocks have not been found to be primary cause of train derailments.

(e) In the past, to reduce congestion and augment the capacity of tracks, 189 new lines, 247 doubling, 55 gauge conversion, 62 electrification works and  522  traffic  facility  works  have  been  included  in  Railway  budgets.  In addition to this, there are two ongoing dedicated freight corridors of total 3360 Km length under various stages of execution.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2607 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Supply of Defence Equipments
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Khagen Murmu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2607

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  December, 2019

## SUPPLY OF DEFENCE EQUIPMENTS

## 2607. SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

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

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any special scheme to ensure supply of defence equipments in view of the country's defence requirements;
- (b) if so, the extent to which the country's defence requirements are likely to be met after the implementation of this scheme; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

- (a)  to  (c):    There  is  no  notified  special  scheme  to  ensure  supply  of  defence equipments.    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.    Defence  Capital Acquisitions  are  undertaken  as  per  the  Defence  Procurement  Procedure  (DPP)  and Defence  Revenue  Procurements  are  undertaken  as  per  the  Defence  Procurement Manual (DPM).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2606 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Leasing of Unused Land
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Malook Nagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2606 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## LEASING OF UNUSED LAND

†2606.  SHRI MALOOK NAGAR :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any plan to provide unused land of Railways on lease  and  to  sell  it  for  enhancing  facilities  in  Railways  and expansion of new railway lines;
- (b) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether  it  is  not  in  the  interest  of  Railways  as  well  as  in  the citizens  of  the  country  to  consider  the  aforesaid  plan  prior  to privatising the railways ?

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

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  2606  BY  SHRI  MALOOK  NAGAR  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.12.2019 REGARDING LEASING OF UNUSED LAND. (a) to (c):  As on 31.03.2019, the total  land available with the Indian Railways    is  4.78  lakh  hectares  out  of  which  0.51  lakh  hectare (approximately)  land is vacant.  This vacant land is mostly in the form of narrow strips along tracks and utilized for servicing and maintenance  of  track,  bridges  and  other  infrastructure.  The  vacant land is also utilized for execution of various infrastructural projects for meeting future growth needs of Railways which include projects like expansion of new railway lines, doubling/tripling and traffic facilities works, etc. Railways' operations also necessarily require development of ancillary logistic support/infrastructure such as bulk oil installations and  oil  depots,  steel  yards,  concrete  sleeper  plants,  coal  dumps, connectivity to private sidings, connectivity to ports and  other infrastructure, commercial plots, vending stalls, etc. for which land is only leased/licensed. Further,  vacant  land  which  is  not  required  by  Railways  for  its immediate operational use is also utilized to generate revenue through commercial  development  on  long  term  lease  basis  by  Rail  Land Development Authority  (RLDA),  wherever  feasible.  Redevelopment  of stations is also planned through leveraging commercial development of vacant land and air space in and around railway stations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2605 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Illegal Mining
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Ranjeeta Koli

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2605

ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## ILLEGAL MINING

## †2605. SHRIMATI RANJEETA KOLI

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  illegal  mining  and  digging  in  mountains  is  taking  place  in  Bharatpur district of Rajasthan;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any action has not been taken regarding these illegal activities during the last three years; and
- (d) if so, the reasons therefor and reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): As per information made available by Indian Bureau of Mines (a subordinate office  of  Ministry  of  Mines),  there  is  no  mining  lease  for  major  mineral  in  Bharatpur District, Rajasthan. Further, under Section 23C of the Mines and Minerals (Development  and  Regulation)  Act  1957,  the  State  Governments  are  empowered  to frame rules to prevent illegal mining. The State Government may, by notification in the Official  Gazette,  frame  such  rules  for  preventing  illegal  mining,  transportation  and storage  of  minerals  and  for  the  purposes  connected  therewith  in  the  state.  The information  on  illegal  mining  in  Bharatpur  District  for  minor  minerals  during  the  last three  year,  received  on  quarterly  basis  from  Directorate  of  Mining  and  Geology, Rajasthan is given below:

|                             |              | Seizure                | Seizure              |                |                       |                     |
|-----------------------------|--------------|------------------------|----------------------|----------------|-----------------------|---------------------|
| Year                        | No. of cases | Transport vehicles No. | Mining Machinery No. | FIR Lodged Nos | Court Cases Filed Nos | Fine Realised (Rs.) |
| 2017-18                     | 16           | 0                      | 14                   | 3              | 1                     | 2536378             |
| 2018-19                     | 22           | 2                      | 6                    | 4              | 0                     | 6878515             |
| 2019-20 (upto 1 st quarter) | 10           | 0                      | 5                    | 3              | 0                     | 2255100             |

Source: State Government

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2604 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: FDI in Coal Mining
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Nusrat Jahan Ruhi

## Government of India Ministry of Coal Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2604 To be answered on 04.12.2019 FDI in Coal Mining

## 2604. SHRIMATI NUSRAT JAHAN RUHI:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  Government  has  allowed  100  per  cent  FDI  in  coal  mining  for  all commercial  purposes  along  with  100  per  cent  FDI  in  contract  manufacturing  all through automatic route;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether Government has received any memorandum against this decision from various Coal Unions in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether this move will be a severe blow to the Coal India Limited the national coal mines and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d): Government has reviewed the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy in the coal mining on 18.09.2019 allowing 100% FDI under automatic route for sale of coal, coal mining activities including associated processing infrastructure subject to the  provisions  of  Coal  Mines  (Special  Provisions)  Act,  2015  and  the  Mines  and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 as amended from time to time and other  relevant  Acts  on  the  subject.  Associated  Processing  Infrastructure  includes coal washery, coal handling and separation (magnetic and non-magnetic). For sale of coal, allowing 100% FDI for coal mining activities including associated processing infrastructure  is  expected  to  attract  international  players  and  create  efficient  and competitive coal market.

Various Central Trade Unions (CTUs) had given strike notice to stop work in all subsidiaries of Coal India Limited (CIL) opposing the decision of the Government to allow 100% FDI in coal mining and associated processes via automatic route, for sale of coal.

FDI in Indian coal market is to complement the efforts of CIL in meeting the energy  needs  of  the  nation.  The  nation  will  be  enriched  with  the  infusion  of  new technology  and  global  best  practices,  which  is also  be  beneficial  for  CIL.  The experience and core competence of CIL will keep CIL ahead of the competition with greater cost control and operational efficiency.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2603 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Visit by German Chancellor
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Abdul Majeed Ariff

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2603 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## VISIT BY GERMAN CHANCELLOR

## 2603.      ADV. A.M. ARIFF:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :

- (a)  whether the German Chancellor has visited India recently and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether both the countries have reviewed their bilateral relations and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (c) whether the German Chancellor has shown concern about Kashmir; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

( a) & (b) Dr.   Angela   Merkel,   German   Chancellor   visited   India   for   the  5 th Inter Governmental Consultations (IGC) on 1 st   November 2019 at New Delhi. She was accompanied by a high level delegation consisting of Ministers and Secretaries as well as a Business Delegation. The IGC provided an opportunity not only to take stock of the growing ties between the two countries, but also to discuss further deepening of cooperation in traditional sectors such as Development Cooperation, Transport, Skill Development, and Energy, and to explore possibilities for cooperation in newer areas like Green Urban Mobility, Artificial Intelligence and Clean Environment Projects. During this visit, 22 bilateral MoUs/Agreements were signed in the fields of Artificial   Intelligence,   Railways,   Space,   Smart   Cities,   Green   Urban   Mobility,   Skill Development, Higher Education, Agriculture, Marine Litter, Civil Aviation, etc. (c)   &   (d) All   issues   of   bilateral,   regional   and   international   importance,   were discussed during the meeting. Government of India's position was clearly conveyed on recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2601 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Rules for Government Employees to Contest Elections
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Kaushal Kishore

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2601

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019)

## RULES FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES TO CONTEST ELECTIONS

## †2601. SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  amend  the  rules  and  regulations  for  Central Government Employees to contest elections for Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabhas, Sabhasads and  Nigam  Parshad  like  teaching  profession  so  that  they  could  return  back  in  their services;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the  steps  being  taken/propose  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  overcome  this discrimination between teachers and the Central Government Employees?

## 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 (d):   No, Sir. The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, which are applicable to the Central Government civilian employees, prohibit the employees from contesting elections to any Legislative or Local Authority.

The conduct of employees of autonomous bodies, statutory organizations, public sector enterprises, trusts, banks etc. is governed by the respective set of rules/ regulations applicable to them.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2599 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Welfare of Civilians in Cantonment Areas
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2599

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  December, 2019

## WELFARE OF CIVILIANS IN CANTONMENT AREAS

2599. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

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

- (a) whether people in the cantonment areas are facing many problems;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has any proposal to provide financial assistance for the welfare of civilians residing in cantonment areas and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether the Government proposes to set up a high level committee to take note and solve the problems of the civic population residing in these areas; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

- (a), (b),(d) & (e):  To resolve problems in Cantonment areas, an Expert Committee on 'Working  of  Cantonment  Boards'  has  been  constituted  and  the  Committee  has submitted its report which is under examination in the Ministry.
- (c)  The Central Government provides financial assistance to Cantonment Boards in the form of ordinary Grant-in-Aid to deficit Boards.  During 2018-19, ` 289.99 crores was given as Grant-in-Aid.  Further, grants for creation of capital assets to the tune of
- ` 31.88 crores were given to Cantonment Boards for undertaking various infrastructural projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2598 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Assistance to Grape Farmers
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Bharti Pravin Pawar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2598 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 th DECEMBER, 2019 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04

## ASSISTANCE TO GRAPE FARMERS

2598(H). DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government is contemplating to provide any assistance to grape farmers in the country, particularly in the Nashik district, in order to export their products to other countries directly;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

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

(a  &  b)  Promotion  of  exports  of  agricultural  products  like  grapes  is  a  continuous  process.  The Agricultural  &  Processed  Food  Products Export Development Authority  (APEDA),  an  autonomous organisation under the administrative control of Department of Commerce, has been mandated with the export promotion of grapes. APEDA has implemented GrapeNet, which is a web-based service offered to the stakeholders for facilitating testing and certification of Grapes for export from India in compliance with the standards identified by NRC Pune, on the basis of consultation with the exporters. GrapeNet collects, stores and reports - forward and backward traces and quality assurance data entered by the stakeholders  within  the  Grapes  supply  chain  in  India.  Moreover, APEDA  has  also  been  providing assistance to the Grape exporters under various components of its export promotion scheme. Under the Agriculture Export Policy, Pune, Nasik and Sangli districts of Maharashtra have been identified as a cluster for export-oriented production of grapes. The farmers, looking to directly export their grapes, can avail of all forms of assistance available to the exporters.

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

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2596 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Railway Schools
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Vijay Baghel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2596 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## RAILWAY SCHOOLS

## †2596.  SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Railway schools located in the country including Chhattisgarh at present;
- (b) whether the said schools have acute shortage of teachers;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the time by which these vacant posts are likely to be filled up; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Railways to improve quality of education in these schools?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):        Indian  Railways  is  running  100  Railway  schools  in  the  country including 6 schools in Chhattisgarh.
- (b)  to  (d):  Certain  vacancies  of  teachers  exist  in  Railway  schools. However,  occurrence  of  vacancies  and  recruitment  is  a  continuous process for which indents are placed on Railway Recruitment Boards by the concerned Zonal Railways.

Contd…2/-: 2 :-

(e): To improve the quality of education in Railway schools, trainings are organized for Railway school teachers from time to time.  Also, emphasis is  laid  on  improving  the  infrastructure  in  Railway  schools.    Besides, engagement of contract teachers is allowed pending regular filling up of vacancies.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2594 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Decline in Gold Demand
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Mimi Chakraborty

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2594 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 th DECEMBER, 2019 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04

## DECLINE IN GOLD DEMAND

## 2594.  MS. MIMI CHAKRABORTY:

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

- (a) whether gold demand in the second half of 2019-20 Financial Year (FY) has crashed over 38 percent in the country;
- (b) whether economic slowdown is the main reason behind the sales drop of over 35 percent over  the second half of FY 2018-19; and
- (c) if so, the details of the steps taken/ to be taken by the Government to revive the gold demand and sales?

## ANSWER

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

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

- (a) to  (c)  There is no mechanism to measure the demand and sale of gold in domestic market.

****