opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1638 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Deaths in Shramik Special Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mala Roy, Kumbakudi Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1638

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## DEATHS IN SHRAMIK SPECIAL TRAINS

1638.  SHRIMATI MALA ROY: SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of deaths that took place aboard the Shramik Special Trains that were deployed to ferry stranded workers;
- (b) whether the causes of these deaths were  investigated and ascertained;
- (c) if  so,    the  details  thereof,  including  the  number  of  deaths  as  per causes ascertained;
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the details of compensation paid to the relatives of the dead?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.1638  BY  SHRIMATI  MALA  ROY  AND  SHRI  KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 21.09.2020 REGARDING DEATHS IN  SHRAMIK SPECIAL TRAINS (a)  to  (d):  Policing  on  Railways  being  a  State  subject,  prevention  of  crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law & order in Railway premises as well as on running trains are the statutory responsibility of the State Governments, which they discharge through Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts  of  GRP/District  Police  to  provide  better  protection  and  security  of passenger  area  &  passengers  and  for  related  matters.    Based  on  the  data provided by State Police, 97 persons have been reported dead till 11.09.2020 while  travelling  on  board  Shramik  Special  Trains  during  current  Covid-19 situation/crisis. The State Police registers case under Section 174 of Cr. PC in cases of unnatural deaths and follows further legal process. Out  of  these  97  cases  of  death,  State  Police  sent  dead  bodies  for  post mortem  in  87  cases.  51  Post  Mortem  reports  have  been  obtained  from respective  State  Police  so  far,  in  which  the  reasons  for  deaths  have  been shown as cardiac arrest/heart disease/brain hemorrhage/pre-existing chronic disease/chronic lung disease/chronic liver disease etc. (e):      Railway's  liability  for  compensation  for  death  or  injury  of  railway passengers in train accidents and untoward incidents is laid down in Section 124 and 124A read with Section 123 of Railways Act, 1989. Compensation  is  paid  by  the  Railways  after  decision  of  a  Railway  Claims Tribunal (RCT) on the compensation claims application filed by the victims or their dependents in a RCT bench. Presently maximum amount of compensation is ₹ 8 lakhs in case of death and ₹ 64,000/- to ₹ 8 lakhs in case of injury, depending on the nature and type of injuries sustained. No  claim  for  compensation  have  been  filed  in  any  RCT  and,  as  such,  no compensation has been paid.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1635 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: e-Market
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Ajay (Teni) Misra

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1635.

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 21 ST   SEPTEMBER, 2020.

## e-MARKET

## 1635.  SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISRA TENI:

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

- (a) whether major companies are directly benefited from expansion of e-market while  the  traders/businessmen  and  their  trade/business  at  local  level  are affected;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  business/trade  trends  have  changed  during  the  lockdown imposed  to  prevent  spread  of  COVID  and  local  businessmen  have  also started a new trend of home delivery on order;
- (c) if  so,  whether the Government is likely to formulate any scheme to give this third wave amidst e-commerce and direct purchase from shops, an institutionalized and legal framework; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## ANSWER वाणिज्य  एवं उद्योग मंत्री (श्री पीयूष गोयल) (SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) &  (b): Since  e-commerce  and  e-market  opens  up  opportunities  for  firms, including major companies, traders & local businessmen, to reach newer markets and expand their area of operation, it is expected that it is going to  benefit  them  significantly.  Though,  no  data  is  collected  by  the Government,  on  sales/profits  made  by  various  companies,  exclusively due  to  expansion  of  e-markets.  Representations  have  been  received, wherein traders associations have informed that their business has been impacted by activities of large e-commerce companies.

During the lockdown, home delivery of goods was encouraged, in order to  minimize  the  movement  of  individuals  outside  their  homes,  as  per consolidated guidelines issued by Ministry of Home Affairs on March 28, 2020 and businesses have started home delivery of goods during this period.

- (c) & (d): The  draft  National  e-commerce  policy,  which  was  placed  in  public domain on February 23, 2019, seeks to create a  facilitative  regulatory environment  for  growth  of  e-commerce  sector.  It  has  been  formulated with a vision to provide a level-playing field to all stakeholders, including the  individual  consumers,  MSMEs  and  start-ups  and  promote  exports, which will help small manufacturers.

More recently, the Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, 2020 have been notified as on July 23, 2020, which provides a legal framework for all goods and services bought or sold over digital or electronic network, with  a  clear  structure  of  liability  borne  by  e-commerce  entities  and sellers.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Investment by Bordering Countries
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Parvatagouda Chandanagouda Gaddigoudar

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1634.

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 21 ST   SEPTEMBER, 2020.

## INVESTMENT BY BORDERING COUNTRIES

## 1634.  SHRI P.C. GADDIGOUDAR:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  decision  as  not  to  allow  entities bordering the country to invest in Indian firms without its prior approval;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the extent to which it is likely to protect the interests of domestic manufacturers in the country;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  further  relax  norms  to  boost  the production by the manufacturers of domestic industries in the country?

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

- (a) & (b): In  order  to  protect  domestic  industries  and  to  curb  opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies due to the ongoing COVID19  pandemic,  Government  of  India  made  certain  amendments  under the  FDI  Policy  which  were  notified  vide Press  Note  3(2020)  dated 17.04.2020.  As  per  the  Press  Note  3(2020)  an  entity  of  a  country, which shares land border with India or where the beneficial owner of an investment into India is situated in or is a citizen of any such country, can invest  only  under  the  Government  route. Further,  in  the  event  of the  transfer  of  ownership  of  any  existing  or  future  FDI  in  an  entity  in India, directly or indirectly, resulting in the beneficial ownership falling within  the  restriction/purview  of  the  said  policy  amendment,  such subsequent change in beneficial ownership will also require Government approval.
- (c) & (d) : Press Note 3(2020) is intended to prevent opportunistic foreign investors  from  making  monetary  gains  by  indulging  in  speculative

takeover/acquisition of Indian companies including domestic manufacturers.

- (e): In order to give further boost to the manufacturing  sector, the Government  has  permitted 100%  FDI  in manufacturing wherein manufacturer  can  sell  its  product  through  wholesale  and  /or  retail, including  through  e-commerce  under  automatic  route.  Further  to provide  clarity  on  contract  manufacturing,  Government  through  Press Note  4(2019)  has  permitted  100%  FDI  under  automatic  route  in contract manufacturing in India as well.  Manufacturing activities may be conducted either by the investee entity or through contract manufacturing  in  India  under  a  legally  tenable  contract,  whether  on Principal to Principal or Principal to Agent basis.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1633 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Availability of Tungsten Mineral
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1633

## ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## AVAILABILITY OF TUNGSTEN MINERAL

## †1633. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL :

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

(a) the status of the availability of tungsten mineral in India;

(b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  revive  the  closed  tungsten  mines  in  view  of  the availability of tungsten in the Rewat hills of Degana region of Nagaur district of Rajasthan;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether any survey or review has been conducted during the last three years to resume the mining work in the aforesaid Rewat hills; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) As per information available with Indian Bureau of Mines (sub ordinate office of Ministry of  Mines),  deposits  of  tungsten  have  been  reported  in  the  States  of  Andhra  Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. As per  National  Mineral  Inventory,  the  total  resources  of  tungsten  ore  in  the  country  are estimated to be 87.39 million tonnes containing 1,42,094 tonnes of WO3.

(b)  As  per  the  information  received  from  Government  of  Rajasthan,  presently  there  is  no tungsten  mine  existing  in  Rajasthan.  Therefore,  there  is  no  question  of  reviving  its  lease. However, Indian Bureau of Mines has informed that tungsten deposit were reported at Rewat hills of Degana region of Nagaur district of Rajasthan which was earlier worked by state PSU namely, Rajasthan Mineral Development Corporation Ltd., during the years 1985-86.

(c) Does not arise in the view of (b) above.

(d) As per information received from State of Rajasthan, they have not carried out any survey in the area in last three years. However, survey is being carried out by Geological Survey of India (GSI) in the area.

(e) GSI is in the process of Geological mapping of the area to re-access potential of tungsten and lithium mineralisation in and around Rewat Hills of  Degana region of Nagaur district of Rajasthan.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1631 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Optical Fibre and Mobile Connectivity
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Sudhakar Tukaram Shrangre, Pratima Bhoumik, Sumedhanand Saraswati

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1631 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## OPTICAL FIBRE AND MOBILE CONNECTIVITY

## 1631.   SHRI SUDHAKAR TUKARAM SHRANGARE:

MS. PRATIMA BHOUMIK:

SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has undertaken to connect all the villages of the country with optical fibre in the coming 1000 days;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  quantum  of  funds  going  to  be  spend  on  it,  State/UT-wise including Maharashtra;
- (c) whether the Government has stopped using Chinese 4G equipment and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  going  to  provide  mobile  connectivity  in  villages  which  are  located  in strategic and border areas; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the timeline by which the said connectivity is likely to be provided in the aforesaid areas?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) It is planned to cover nearly six lakh villages in the country in 1000 days from 15.08.2020.
- (b) Details in this regard are being worked out.
- (c) Telecom  Service  Providers  (TSPs),  licensed  by  the  Department  of  Telecommunications  (DoT), provide 4G services subject to license conditions related to security being fulfilled. For public procurement including 4G equipment, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has inserted Rule 144 (xi) in the General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017 as per OM No. 6/18/2019-PPD dated 23.07.2020.
- (d) &  (e)  The  uncovered  villages  are  being  provided  mobile  services  in  a  phased  manner  by  the Government and Telecom Services Provider (TSPs) in the villages, including those located in strategic and border areas. The following schemes have been taken up with USOF funding:
- (i) 354 Uncovered Villages Scheme : Under this scheme border villages of Jammu & Kashmir and  Ladakh,  Himachal  Pradesh,  Uttar  Pradesh,  Bihar,  Rajasthan,  Gujarat, Uttarakhand  and other priority areas are to be covered.
- (ii) Comprehensive  Telecom  Development  Plan  (CTDP)  for  mobile  connectivity  in  the  North Eastern Region.
- (iii) Schemes for  providing  mobile  services  in  Left  Wing  Extremism  (LWE)  affected  areas  and Aspirational Districts.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1628 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: New Trains in Chhattisgarh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Santosh Pandey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1628

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## NEW TRAINS IN CHHATTISGARH

†1628. SHRI SANTOSH PANDEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the trains introduced in Chhattisgarh during the last three years alongwith the new  trains proposed to be introduced by the Government in the State;
- (b) the number of people likely to be benefitted from the same; and
- (c) the details of the progress made in respect of new railway line from Dongargarh to Katghora in Chhattisgarh?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) Indian Railways does not run trains on State-wise basis as the Railway  network  straddles  across  the  various  State  boundaries. However,  06  pairs  of Mail/Express  train  services  have  been introduced  during  2017-18,  2018-19  &  2019-20,  serving  various stations  located  in  the  State  of  Chhattisgarh  on  originating  and terminating  basis.  Besides,  introduction  of  trains  is  an  ongoing process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  operational  feasibility, traffic demand, availability of resources, etc.

(b) State-wise statistics of number of passengers is not maintained. However, the year-wise details of number of passengers booked on South East Central Railway which primarily serves the State of Chhattisgarh is as under:

| Financial Year   |   Number of passengers booked (in millions) |
|------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| 2018-19          |                                      122.34 |
| 2019-20          |                                      115.03 |

(c)  Chhattisgarh  Railway  Corporation  Limited  (CRCL)  a  Joint Venture Company of Government of Chhattisgarh and Ministry of Railways has taken up the work of Dongargarh to Katghora (295 km) for execution. This project was sanctioned at a cost of ₹ 5950 Crore by CCEA in September 2018 and land acquisition work was started  in  4  of  the  5  Districts.  All  objections,  claims  etc.  were settled  and  the  stage  of  declaration  of  awards  was  reached  in November 2018. Since then, the work is at standstill as no award has been declared and the proceedings have lapsed. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1626 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Common Voter List
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1626

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 21 st SEPTEMBER, 2020

## COMMON VOTER LIST

1626. SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  amend  election  rules andprepare one common voter list of all the citizens;
- (b) if so, whether it would not curtail the rights of the States, who have their own rules for nagarpalika and panchayat election, and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  also  discussed  the  matter  with  all theStates Governments and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to (c):  No, Sir. Presently there is no such proposal. In a meeting taken by the Cabinet Secretary on the issue recently, the representative of the Election Commission of India (ECI) informed that a few State Election Commissions are already using the Electoral Roll prepared  by  the  ECI  for  their  Local  Body  elections.  A  decision  was taken  to  persuade  the  remaining  States  to  co-opt  the  Electoral  Roll prepared by the ECI for their Local Body elections on the grounds of national  interest  in  saving  time,  effort  and  expenditure,  reducing duplication of work and confusion amongst voters.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1622 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Bringing Back Indians Stuck in Bhutan
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Nisith Pramanik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1622

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## BRINGING BACK INDIANS STUCK IN BHUTAN

## 1622.  SHRI NISITH PRAMANIK:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

the details of steps taken for bringing back Indian nationals stuck in Bhutan,   specially   a   large   number   of   people   of   Coochbehar   who   are residents of West Bengal?

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

Government have been taking proactive measures to facilitate the return of Indian nationals stranded in Bhutan due to COVID-19 related restrictions. Special efforts were made to identify and register Indians in Bhutan who wished to return to India, including through online registration and   holding   special   registration   camps.   In   addition,   24X7   helpline telephone numbers were set up. Special transport arrangements, both by land   and   air,   were   made   to   repatriate   registered   Indians   to   their respective   States,   in   close   coordination   with   the   concerned   State Governments. A total of 5199 Indians have been repatriated from Bhutan as on 16 September 2020. These include 2034 Indians who are residents of Cooch Behar in West Bengal.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1621 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Establishing IIPMs
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1621 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st   SEPTEMBER, 2020

## ESTABLISHING IIPMs

## 1621.  SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  of  establishing  more  Indian  Institutes  of  Plantation Management(IIPMs) in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  State  Government  of  Uttar  Pradesh  has  made  any  representations  for  the establishment of an IIPM in the state and if so, the present status of the said request?

## 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): There is no plan for establishment of more Indian Institutes of Plantation Management in the country, as on date.
- (c):      No representation has been received from the State Government of Uttar Pradesh in this regard.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1619 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Import of Chinese Goods
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Krishna Pal Singh Yadav

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1619 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st   SEPTEMBER, 2020

## IMPORT OF CHINESE GOODS

## 1619(H). DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV:

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

- (a) whether import of Chinese goods/raw materials have been declining in Indian markets due to the effect of coronavirus;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is identifying some other options for raw materials being imported from China; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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): India's imports from China have declined by 27.63% during April-August, 2020-21 over the  corresponding  period  of  the  previous  year.  The  month-wise  details  of  imports  along  with  the percentage change are given below:

| Period            | Value of Import from China (in US million)   |   %Change over the corresponding period of previous year |
|-------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| Apr-20            | 3,031.83                                     |                                                   -42.98 |
| May-20            | 4,662.36                                     |                                                   -22.8  |
| Jun-20            | 3,323.59                                     |                                                   -43.75 |
| Jul-20            | 5,583.00                                     |                                                    -9.77 |
| Aug-20            | 4,984.94                                     |                                                   -21.78 |
| 2020-21 (Apr-Aug) | 21,585.72                                    |                                                   -27.63 |

Source: DGCIS, Kolkata (Data is provisional)

(c) & (d): The government is undertaking steps for creating/enhancement of domestic capacity, incentivizing domestic manufacturing through Production Linked Incentive Schemes, Phased Manufacturing Plans, purchase preference., timely use of trade remedy options, adoption of mandatory Technical  Standards,  enforcement  of  FTA  Rules  of  Origin  (RoO) and  development  of  import monitoring system.

*****