opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2839 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: Recruitment Process
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Bhola Singh, Sakshi Ji Swami Maharaj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2839

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th JULY, 2019

## RECRUITMENT PROCESS

2839. SHRI BHOLA SINGH: DR. SWAMI SAKSHIJI MAHARAJ:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Indian  Army  proposes  to  bring  about  major  changes  in  recruitment process and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  also  considering  to  launch  a  special  campaign  for recruitment of women;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  set  up  free  army  camps  for  training youth for recruitment, as an experiment; and
- (e)  if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

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- (a)  to  (c):    No,  Sir.    The  Indian  Army  has  a  well  established  recruitment  process  for which no change is envisaged.  The induction of women is based on the organisational requirement and functional needs of the Army.  Women are inducted as Officers in the Indian  Army  through  Short  Service  Commission  on  all  India  merit  basis.    Recently, Government has decided to enroll women Soldiers General Duty (below Officers rank) in Corps of Military Police (CMP) in a phased manner.
- (d)  No, Sir.
- (e)  Does not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2837 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: Radhopur-Forbisganj Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dileshwar Kamait

- (a) Yes, Sir.
- (b) & (c) Traffic was restored after completing works on 20.09.2009 and continued till December, 2011 when traffic was stopped again for gauge conversion works in January, 2012. Progress of gauge conversion works dampened due to floods in river basin which caused breaches/washouts at number of locations.

Target has been fixed as under:

- (i) Raghopur-Chhatapur Road - March 2020.
- (ii) Chhatapur Road-Forbisganj - March 2021.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2837 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.07.2019

## RADHOPUR-FORBISGANJ RAILWAY LINE

†2837. SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Radhopur-Forbisganj (Bihar) railway line was damaged in the 2008 due to catastrophic destruction brought by Kosi tragedy and as a result the traffic has been completely stopped on this line;
- (b) if so, whether the Government proposes to restart the railway line to develop the basic traffic infrastructure in this important region; and
- (c) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2833 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: Ban on Photography in Military Stations
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: L.S. Tejasvi Surya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2833

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th JULY, 2019

## BAN ON PHOTOGRAPHY IN MILITARY STATIONS

2833. SHRI L.S. TEJASVI SURYA:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  banned  taking  pictures  of  the  top-secret  military stations and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is likely to consider and issue guidelines prohibiting the use of mobile devices inside military installations as the latest mobile technology has capabilities to collect and transmit sensitive data;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## 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 (d):  As per policy on use of mobile phones in Indian Army, carriage/usage of smart phones  including  mobile  phones  having  camera/internet  facility  in  office  premises  is strictly prohibited.  Compliance to policy/directives are reiterated at regular intervals for strict  adherence, apart from surprise checks and initiation of disciplinary action against any violations.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2831 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: T-18 Train
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Uday Pratap Singh, Chirag Paswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2831 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.07.2019

## T-18 TRAIN

†2831.SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH: SHRI CHIRAG PASWAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government has formulated/proposes any scheme to export the modern and high speed train 18 to foreign countries and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  decided  to  export  train  18  to  other countries after meeting the domestic requirement, if so, the  present status of the manufacturing schedule of train 18;
- (c) whether the Government also has any proposal to replace all the Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains by T-18 type modern trains in the near future especially in Bihar region, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the details of the time-frame for the completion of the project?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## ( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )

- (a) & (b) At present, there are no enquiries from foreign countries for buying  Train-18  train-sets.  Two  train-sets  comprising  of  total  32 coaches have already been manufactured and turned out. It is planned to  manufacture  total  640  train-set  coaches  in  the  three  years  viz. 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22.
- (c) No, Sir. New train-set services will be introduced within operational constraints, as and when new train-sets become available.
- (d) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2830 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: Road Connectivity in Ladakh Region
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2830

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th JULY, 2019

## ROAD CONNECTIVITY IN LADAKH REGION

2830. SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL:

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

- (a)  the  present  status  of  the  Nimmu-Padam-Darcha  Road  project  along  with  its estimated costs, actual starting year and actual completion target;
- (b) whether the project is likely to be completed in 2019 as scheduled;
- (c) if so, the details thereof including its funding and strategy and the reasons, if any, for delay and cost overrun;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  handover  the  said  road  project  to  the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for declaring it as National Highway; and
- (e) if so, the present status thereof and 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 )

<!-- image -->

- (a)  to  (e):    Out  of  the  total  length  of  297  Km,  connectivity  has  been  achieved  in 256.72  Km  in  various  portions.    The  present  status  of  Nimmu-Padam-Darcha  road  is given below:
- (i) Connected Portions
- (a)  Km 0 to Km 47.00
- (b)  Km 77.78 to Km 79.50
- (c)  Km 89.00 to Km 297.00
- (ii) Unconnected Portions
- (a)  Km 47.00 to Km 77.78
- (b)  Km 79.50 to Km 89.00

The estimated cost is Rs. 2276.13 crores.  The work on this road commenced in 2002 and is likely to be completed by 2025.

The  project  is  funded  by  Ministry  of  Defence  (Capital  outlay  on  Defence Services).  The reasons for delay in completion are given below:

- (i) Hard rock stretches.
- (ii) Limited working season.
- (iii) Limited availability of  labour.
- (iv) Limited access to Padam.

Due to the strategic requirement the road is entrusted to BRO for construction.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2829 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: Frequency of Trains in Kashmir
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Farooq Abdullah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2829 ANSWERED ON 10.07.2019

TO BE

## FREQUENCY OF TRAINS IN KASHMIR

2829. DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH:

Will the Minister of Railways be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is true that Indian Railways has made a huge difference in making distances irrelevant mainly in Kashmir valley and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether it is also true that lack of bogies create a lot of chaos to commuters who travel from South Kashmir to Central Kashmir on way to North Kashmir; and (c) if so, whether the Government would increase the frequency of trains, increase the number of bogies and also spread the train stations in other areas of the valley and if so, the details of steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)  to  (c)    To  cater  to  the  needs  of  passengers,  Indian  Railways  is operating  15 pairs of DEMU train services on the Banihal-AnantnagBadgam-Baramula section, which are being operated with 8 coaches composition.  Augmentation & increase in frequency of these trains is operationally not feasible, at present. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2828 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: H1-B Visa
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: T.N. Prathapan, Geetha Viswanath Vanga

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2828 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.07.2019

## H1-B VISA

## 2828. SHRI T.N. PRATHAPAN: SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH:

will the minister of external affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any official communication from US regarding the cap on H1-B work visa to Indian citizens;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of actions taken by the Government to safeguard the interests of Indian Citizens working in US; and
- (d) the number of people who are likely to be affected by this move?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) No.

(c) & (d) Government of India has closely consulted all stakeholders and engaged with the U.S. Administration and Congress on issues related to the movement of Indian professionals, including those pertaining to the H-1B programme. In our engagements, we have emphasized that this has been a mutually-beneficial partnership which should be nurtured. Indian skilled professionals have contributed to the growth and development of the U.S. economy and have helped the U.S. retain its competitive edge and   innovation   advantage.   They   are   a   big   stakeholder   in   India-U.S. relations   and   their   backward   linkages   to   India   have   helped   U.S. businesses. Most recently, issues of H-1B visa were raised during the visit of the U.S. Secretary of State, Michael R. Pompeo, to India on 26 June 2019.  We have conveyed our expectation to the U.S. Administration for a non-discriminatory and predictable H-1B visa regime.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2827 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: Talks at SCO
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2827 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.07.2019

## TALKS AT SCO

## 2827. PROF. SAUGATA RAY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be please to state:

- (a) whether the Prime Minister had talks with Russian and Chinese President during Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) high level meeting;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the discussions reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations to further strengthen the strategic relations with these countries;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether America expressed any concerns on our relations with neighboring countries; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government in this regard?

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

(a) to (d) On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, Prime Minister held meetings with President Xi Jinping of China and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. During these meetings there were in-depth exchange of views with the leaders of these countries on bilateral relations, international and regional issues of mutual interest.

During   his   meeting   with   President   Xi   Jinping,   the   two   leaders reviewed the progress made in India-China bilateral relations since the Wuhan Informal Summit of April, 2018.  The two leaders noted that next year is an important year in the bilateral relationship as it marks the 70 th anniversary   of   establishment   of   diplomatic   relations,   and   agreed   to commemorate this important event in a befitting manner.

During his meeting with President Putin, both leaders recognized the special significance of the India-Russia partnership and agreed to further strengthen this relationship. President Putin reiterated his invitation to the Prime Minister to participate as the Chief Guest in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, this year.

(e) United States of America is not a member of SCO and hence not connected with any deliberations at SCO forum.

(f) Not applicable. ***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2824 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: Violation of FDI Norms
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab, Rahul Ramesh Shewale

[

- (a) & (b): No, Sir. As seen from the table below, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows have been going up each year, as against any of the previous years:
- (c) & (d): Enforcement  Directorate  is  conducting  investigation  in  581  cases  under  Foreign Exchange  Management  Act,  1999  (FEMA)  for  alleged  violation  of  FDI  norms. Disclosure of other details of these cases may not be in large public interest as the same may adversely impact the ongoing investigations.
- (e): It  has  been  the  endeavour  of  the  Government  to  put  in  place  an  enabling  and investor  friendly  FDI  policy.  The  intent  is  to  make  the  FDI  policy  more  investor friendly  and  remove  the  policy  bottlenecks  that  have  been  hindering  investment inflows  into  the  country.  The  onus  of  compliance  with  the  FDI  norms  lies  on  the entity that is the recipient of FDI.

|   S. No. | Financial Year              |   Total FDI Inflows (in US$ billion) |
|----------|-----------------------------|--------------------------------------|
|        1 | 2016-17                     |                                60.22 |
|        2 | 2017-18                     |                                60.97 |
|        3 | 2018-19                     |                                64.38 |
|        4 | 2019-20 (up to April, 2019) |                                 6.95 |

NOTE: Figures are provisional subject to reconciliation with RBI.

********

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2824. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 10 TH  JULY, 2019.

## VIOLATION  OF FDI NORMS

## 2824. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether  the  India's  Foreign  Direct  Investment  (FDI)  inflows  has  considerably declined during each of the last three years and the current year;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the impact of such decline on the country's balance of payments and value of rupee;
- (c) whether  the  cases  of  violating  FDI  norms  by  many  companies  have  been reported and forwarded to the Directorate of Enforcement (DoE) for investigation during the said period;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the action  taken/being  taken by  the  DoE  in such cases, company-wise; and
- (e) the other corrective steps taken/ being taken by the Government to keep a check on decline of FDI inflows and violation of FDI norms by the companies?

## ANSWER वाणिज् य एवं उद्योग मंत्री (श्री पीयूष गोयल) THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2821 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: Elevated Railway Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Nayab Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2821 TO BE ANSWERED ON  10.07.2019

## ELEVATED RAILWAY TRACKS

## † 2821.    SHRI NAYAB SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  build  an  elevated  railway track  in  the  Thanesar  city  of  Kurukshetra  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is also considering any scheme to lay a new  rail  track  from  Kurukshetra  to  Pehowa,  Pehowa  to  Guhala Cheeka,  Guhala  Cheeka  to  Patiala  (Punjab)  with  a  view  to promoting tourism and trade;
- (c)     if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)     if not, the reasons therefor ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)   A Road Over Bridge (ROB) at level crossing No. 65 Kurukshetra on Narwana Kurukshetra Section was sanctioned in the year 2016-17 but the  same  was  put  on  hold  by  the  Government  of  Haryana  as  the proposal for Elevated Railway Track in lieu of ROB  is under consideration  by  the  State  Government.  The  feasibility  of  Elevated Railway Track on Kurukshetra -Narwana section is being examined by Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC).

(b)  &  (c)  The  survey  for  new  line  from  Yamuna  Nagar  to  Patiala  via Kurukshetra (141.8 km) was conducted in the year 2012-13 with rate of return (-) 9.83%, at cost of 1176 crore.  Therefore it was not found feasible to take this forward.

- (d)  Does not arise

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2819 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: Chief Minister’s Meeting on Water Conservation
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Vaithilingam Ve.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2819 TO BE ANSWRED ON 10.07.2019

## CHIEF MINISTER'S MEETING ON WATER CONSERVATION

## 2819. SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM;

## Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state :

- a. whether  in  a  recently  called  meeting  of  the  Chief  Ministers  of  various  states  by  NITI Aayog, water conservation was one of the top agenda;
- b. if so, the details thereof; and
- c. whether  any  decision  has  been  taken  in  the  meeting  to  financially  support  the  state Governments for water conservation and if so, details thereof ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) & (b) The 5 th meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog was held on 15 th June 2019 in which one of the agenda item was 'Rain Water Harvesting'.
- (c) No Sir.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2818 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: Mobile Network in Naxal affected Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Ramesh Chandra Majhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2818 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH   JULY, 2019

## MOBILE NETWORK IN NAXAL AFFECTED AREAS

## †2818. SHRI. RAMESH CHANDRA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  naxal-affected  areas  in  Nawarangpur,  Malkangiri,  Koraput  districts  of  Odisha  where expansion of mobile network has taken place; and
- (b) the new efforts being made by the Ministry for expansion of mobile network in naxal-affected areas in the aforementioned districts?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Mobile connectivity at 2355 tower locations identified by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) across 10 States in the Left Wing Extremism affected areas (LWE) has been installed under LWE Phase-I Project. In districts of Nawarangpur, Malkangiri and Koraput 14, 28 and 27 mobile towers are radiating respectively.
- (b) Under LWE Phase-II project, Government has approved installation of 35, 76 and 94 mobile towers  in  the  locations  identified  by  MHA  in  districts  of  Nabarangpur,  Malkangiri  and  Koraput respectively.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2816 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: OROP Benefits
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Anto  Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2816

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th JULY, 2019

## OROP BENEFITS

## 2816. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  noticed  that  there  are  lot  of  complaints  regarding implementation of one rank one pension scheme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof  and the response of the Government in this regard;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  several  beneficiaries  of  one  rank  one pension are yet to receive their dues;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

<!-- image -->

- (a) & (b):  The Government had issued orders on 07.11.2015 for implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) with effect from 01.07.2014.  Around 3200 representations were received regarding implementation of OROP scheme from individuals/Associations which were examined and issues referred to the Judicial Committee appointed on OROP.
- (c)  to  (e):    Approximately  20,60,220  Defence  Pensioners/Family  Pensioners  who  are covered  under  MoD  order  No.12(1)/2014/D(Pen/Pol)-Part-II  dated  07.11.2015  [OROP letter] have been granted the benefits of OROP.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2815 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: LTC to Foreign Countries
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Upendra Singh Rawat, Kaushal Kishore

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2815

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.07.2019)

## LTC TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES

## 2815. SHRI UPENDRA SINGH RAWAT: SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  any  scheme  for  Central  Government servants  to  avail  Leave  Travel  Concession  (LTC)  to  foreign  countries,  especially  the SAARC countries keeping in view the drop in air fares to these destinations which would be a great boost to the tourism of the country besides attracting reciprocal tourists from these countries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) 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):    No, Sir.
- (b):    Does not arise.
- (c):   As per CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988, Government servants are allowed LTC travel to any place in India only.

*****