opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 156 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: World Press Freedom Index
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *156 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2018

## WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX

* 156. SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  cognizant  of  the  world  press  freedom  index report  by  'Reporters Without Borders'  which ranks India at 138 and if so; the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Press Council of India (PCI) has conducted any study to find out  the  reasons  for  the  deteriorating  press  freedom  index  and  if  so,  the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the  number  of  journalists,  who  have  been  attacked  and  murdered  during the period of 2014-18?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING [COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.156 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20/12/2018 ON WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX

(a)  &  (b):  The  Government  has  come  across  media  reports  carrying  the  results  of survey 'World Press Freedom Index 2018' by 'Reporters Without Borders' (RWB). Press  Council  of  India  (PCI)  has  raised  its  concern  about  the  authenticity and credibility of the reports and the basis on which the ranking is done and also the methodology used to rank the nations. PCI in this regard has been communicating with  the  South  Asian  Office  of  the  organization  several  times  to  learn  about  their methodology to arrive at the ranking and had expressed its willingness to share how Press Council of India is working to preserve the freedom of press. No response was received from 'Reporters Without Borders'.  However,  PCI  has  at  UNESCO conference in Jakarta Indonesia in May, 2017 stated that the RWB report does not present  all  sides  of  the  matter  and  most  importantly  when  India  does  have  an autonomous body for the protection and preservation of freedom of press, then at least Reporters Without Borders should have consulted such an organization as part of  good  research.  The  PCI  has  prepared  a  report  on  'Safety  of  Journalists'  and 'Report to examine the killing of Shahjahapur based journalist Shri Jagendra Singh'.

(c) National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has not published data on attacks in  respect  of  separate  categories  of  professionals,  including  journalists.  However, information is being compiled.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 153 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: National Film Heritage Mission
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: K. GOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*153 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2018

## NATIONAL FILM HERITAGE MISSION

## *153.   DR. K. GOPAL:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the National Film Heritage Mission has taken a decision to revive the Rs.590 crore film preservation project and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the project was put on freeze after poor archival conditions at the National Film Archive of India came to the fore in September last year and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  hiring  professional  service  providers  for  proper  maintenance  of  celluloid vaults was high on agenda; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING  [COL  RAJYAVARDHAN  RATHORE (Retd.)]:

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

## STATEMENT AS REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*153 FOR REPLY ON 20.12.2018

(a) & (b): Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has launched Central Sector Scheme namely 'National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM)' in the year 2014, to restore, digitize and archive films and filmic material through National Film Archive of India (NFAI), with a total approved outlay of Rs.597.41 crore.

The scheme is continuing since its launch in November, 2014. However, there were reports in  the  media  in  September,  2017  regarding  decaying  of  film  reels  in  the  NFAI,  Pune. Following  the  reports,  it  was  decided  not  to  process  any  further  RFPs  until  the  activities under the NFHM are reviewed and a way forward is finalized. In this regard, a Committee of Technical Experts consisting of eminent film personalities namely Shri Shaji N Karun, Shri Ponnaya, Shri Piyush Shah, Shri K S Sasidharan and Shri Ketan Mehta, was constituted on 26.04.2018 to look into the condition of the films and related material at NFAI and to suggest ways  and  means  of  restoring  them.  The  committee  submitted  its  detailed  report  on preservation practices of NFHM/NFAI and suggested measures to be taken on technical and general aspects of film preservation.

(c) & (d): At  present,  the  maintenance  of  celluloid  vaults  is  being  done  through  Civil Construction Wing (CCW) of All India Radio.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 147 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: Drinking Water Schemes
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO.147 (7 th  Position) TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2018

## Drinking Water Schemes

## †*147. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of drinking water schemes operational in the State of Jammu and
- Kashmir;
- (b) whether there is any scheme of the Government to ensure provision of safe drinking water and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is preparing any scheme to supply water to Jammu
- city from Chenab river to address the problem of water scarcity in the city;
- (d) if so, the funds allocated for the said purpose; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER FOR DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION (SUSHREE UMA BHARATI)

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

## Statement referred to in the reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 147 (7 th Position) due for 20.12.2018

(a) As reported by State Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, 5297 Nos. of water supply schemes are operational in the State.

(b)  As  reported  by  State  Govt.  of  Jammu  &  Kashmir,  various  centrally sponsored schemes like National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), Atal  Mission  for  Rejuvenation  and  Urban  Transformation  (AMRUT),  Border Areas Development Programme (BADP) and State Sponsored programmes with funding from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD),  Life  Insurance  Corporation(LIC)  and  Capex  Budget  are  being implemented  in  the  State  to  provide  safe  drinking  water.  Besides,  the  State Government, in a major initiative,  has  approved  594  unfinished  water  supply projects with a balance cost of Rs. 1056.54 crore. The projects are targeted to be completed within 18 months.

(c)  to  (e)  As  reported  by  State  Govt.  of  Jammu  &  Kashmir,  J&K  Economic Reconstruction Agency  (J&K  ERA)  in consultation with Public Health Engineering  Department  has  proposed  a  drinking  water  supply  scheme  for Jammu  City  namely  'Augmentation  of  water  supply  to  Jammu  City  from surface water source River Chenab(bulk water supply project)' for an amount of Rs. 624.52 crores. The scheme isproposed to be taken up under funding by Japan International Co-operation Agency(JICA). The proposal has been included in the rolling plan of JICA.
Lok Sabha Question No. 146 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: NH Construction Target
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 146 ANSWERED ON 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## NH CONSTRUCTION TARGET

## *146.   SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सडक परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  had  fixed  a  target  of  construction  of  15,000  KM  of National Highway (NH) whereas only 60 per cent of the work could be done and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the reasons for  this shortfall  is  lack  of  coordination  among  the  Central Ministries and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the steps the Government has initiated to achieve this target?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 146 FOR ANSWER ON 20.12.2018 ASKED BY  SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV REGARDING NH CONSTRUCTION TARGET.

(a) to (c): The  Ministry  has  set  a  target  of  construction  of  10,000  km  of  National Highways  (NHs)  in  the  country  during  current  financial  year  2018-19.  As  against  this target for the full year, the Ministry has achieved construction of National Highways of 5759  km  i.e.  57.59%  as  on  30.11.2018.  The  achievement  so  far  is  by  and  large  in consonance with the annual target keeping in view that the period of 3 months from July to September is the rainy season, when the pace of construction considerably slows down. The Ministry is hopeful of exceeding the annual target during the FY 2018-19.

There  is  no  lack  of  coordination  among  the  Central  Ministries.  However, challenges  are  encountered  in  timely  acquisition  of  land, shifting  of  utilities  (like electrical lines, Water supply lines etc.) coming in the Right of Way of the Highway, time taken  in  obtaining  statutory  clearances  (such  as  forest,  tree-felling,  wildlife  clearances etc.) problems encountered in availability of soil/ aggregate etc. Most of these challenges relate to the states, which are sorted out through regular monitoring and reviews with the state authorities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 144 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: Compliance of Procedures by Airline Operators
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTIQN NO. 144

(To be answered on the 20th December 2018)

## COMPLIANCE OF PROCEDURES BY AIRLINE OPERATORS

*144.

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has directed all airline operators to ensure that their staff strictly follow the procedures approved by it;
- whether it is also true that the directive comes in the wake of findings on an incident involving a private airline in flight engine failure in February, 2017 where the staff followed an airbus certified method of calculating flight duration; and

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

*****

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

Statement referred in reply to Part (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Ques. No. 144 regarding "Compliance of Procedures by Airline Operators to be answered on 20.12.2018

- (a) & (b) Based on the investigation carried out by DGCA on the incident to Mls Go Air A320 aircraft VT-WGB on 08.02.2017 safety recommendation was made as:

In compliance to the recommendation, DGCA has issued instructions to all its regional/sub-regional offices to ensure that all operators certifying staff strictly follow DGCA approved documents during certification work: (c) & (d) In the instant case, the AME while evaluating the flight hours considered only the time period from take off to touch down instead of the overall time as per the approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL): The misinterpretation of the MEL by the operator regarding flight hours for the release of aircraft has been considered as one of the contributory factors to the incident:

- "DGCA may direct all operators to ensure tkat their certifying staff needs to follow DGCA approved documents/requirements strictly during certification work"\_
Lok Sabha Question No. 143 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: Ultra Mega Power Project
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: RITA TARAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.143 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2018

ULTRA MEGA POWER PROJECT

*143.  SHRIMATI RITA TARAI:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether his Ministry is aware that till date about Rs. 350 crore has been contributed by the State of Odisha for the Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP)  at  Bedabahal  and  the  State  Government  has  submitted  its views/feedback on the Standard Bidding Document (SBD), if so, the details thereof and the progress made therein;

(b) the  time  by  which  his  Ministry  will  finalize  the  bidding  documents and  initiate  the  bidding  process  of  the  said  project  without  any  further delay; and

(c) whether the delay in this regard would create difficulties in taking over physical possession of the land and if so, the details thereof and the action proposed to be taken thereon?

A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  R.K. SINGH )

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

*******

STATEMENT

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.143 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 20.12.2018 REGARDING ULTRA MEGA POWER PROJECT.

*********

(a) : As  on  date,  Government  of  Odisha  has  contributed  about Rs.351 Crore towards the Commitment Advance, Cost of land, Charges for keeping  safe  custody  of  land  and  Miscellaneous  expenses.  Further, Government  of  Odisha  had  submitted  its  views/feedback  on  Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs).

(b) : Ministry  of  Power  had  constituted  an  Expert  Committee  for revising  the  Guidelines  and  SBDs  for  UMPPs.  The  views  /  feedback  on SBDs by Orissa Govt as considered appropriate were incorporated in the draft SBDs prepared by the Expert Committee.  The combined guidelines for  UMPPs  based  on  Domestic  coal,  Imported  coal  and  Linkage  coal  is under finalization. The bidding process for Odisha UMPP will be initiated after finalization of Guidelines and SBDs.

(c) : The land for the project is being acquired by Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) on behalf of Orissa Integrated  Power  Limited,  the  Special  Purpose  Vehicle  (SPV)  for  this project.  IDCO  will  provide  encumbrance  free  possession  of  land  at  the time of signing of lease.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1840 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: Release of Funds under SBM-G
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: SONA RAM CHOUDHARY

## Government of India Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1840 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20-12-2018

## Release of Funds under SBM-G

## 1840. COL. SONARAM CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government has not released first instalment under Swachh Bharat MissionGrameen  (SBM-G)  for  the  financial  year  2018-19  to  certain  States  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b)  whether  required Provisional  Utilisation  Certificates  for  the  financial  year  2017-18  and 2018-19  have  been  forwarded  to  the  Government  by  Rajasthan  but  first  instalment  of  Rs. 1283 crore out of approved Annual Work Plan of Centre share to the said State under this Mission for the financial year 2018-19 has not released so far;
- (c) if so, the facts thereof; and

(d) the time by which funds are likely to be released by the Government?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION (SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

- (a) The first instalment of funds under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)[(SBM-G)] for the financial  year 2018-19 have not so far been released to the States of Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh,  Meghalaya,  Nagaland,  Punjab  and  Uttarakhand  due  to  high  unspent  balance available with these States.
- (b) to (d) During 2018-19, an amount of Rs.865.88 crore has been tentatively allocated to Rajasthan under SBM(G).  On receipt of Provisional Utilisation Certificate for 2017-18 and  2018-19,  out  of  total  amount  of  1 st instalment  of  Rs.432.94  crore,  an  amount  of Rs.373.50  crore  has  been  released  to  the  State  as  part  of  1 st instalment  as  per  SBM(G) guidelines.  Balance funds will be released to the State on fulfilment of conditions for further release.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1839 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: FM Service
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB

## FM SERVICE

## 1839    SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE:

SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE:

SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether there are a number of villages which are yet to be covered under FM Service across the country and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (b)  the norms/criteria laid down by the Government for setting up of Radio Stations in the country;
- (c)  whether the cases of violation of said norms/criteria have come to the notice of the Government since approval of 'policy guidelines on expansion of FM radio broadcasting services through private agencies (Phase-III)' in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the number of complaints received by the Government for irregularities/ corruption in e-auction of FM channels of Phase-III along with action taken/being taken thereon; and
- (e)  the other steps taken by the Government to cover each and every village of the country by FM Service along with the achievements thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION  & BROADCASTING {COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

- (a), (b) & (e) Prasar Bharati has informed that AIR does not establish FM radio stations village-wise. At present, AIR FM Service covers 52% of the total population of the country.

AIR  implements  the  approved  scheme  for  installation  of  FM  transmitter  to  provide  coverage  in uncovered, border and remote areas.

The  Policy  on  expansion  of  FM  Radio  Broadcasting  services  through  private  agencies  (Phase-III) approved  by  Union  Cabinet  on  07.07.2011  seeks  to  extend  FM  radio  services  to  227  new  and uncovered cities. The private FM radio Phase-III Policy is city centric and mandates to cover all cities having population above one lakh as per census 2001 with private FM radio channels. Further, 11 towns  in  Jammu &  Kashmir,  North  East  &  Island  Territories  having  population  less  than  one  lakh have also been approved for setting up FM radio stations.

- (c) No such cases of violation of said norms/criteria have come to the notice of the Government.
- (d)    No complaints have been received.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1839 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2018

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1838 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: Widening of NHs
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  width  of  National  Highways  (NHs) and improve the road design to accommodate more vehicles;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  any  action  to  demolish  the  illegal  civil structures that have come up along the National Highways; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1838

ANSWERED ON 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## WIDENING OF NHS

## 1838.  SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (d) The National Highways are widened and improved depending upon the  traffic volume,  availability of fund and inter-se priority. Encroachments/Squatters  on  National Highways are removed as per the provisions of the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1837 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: Public Transport System
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY, SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to revamp public transport system as there is a shortfall of  27  lakh  passenger  bus  transport  services  against  the  demand  of  30  lakh  buses  in  the country;
- (b) whether rural transport system has been on the decline since 2014 in the country and that there are only 4 buses per 10,000 passengers;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to encourage rural passenger transportation and plans to support State Governments to meet the demand of road transport therein; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  plan  details  and  budget  provision  thereof  and  whether  Government has given any direction or financial assistance to the States?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a)  State Governments provides public road transport services through State Road Transport Undertakings (SRTUs) and other entities in respective State/UT and interstate. Ministry of Road  Transport  and  Highways  is  also  implementing  a  scheme  namely,  'Strengthening  of Public  Transport  System'.  The  scheme  provides  for  financial  assistance  to  States  for introduction of information technology solutions in public transport system.
- (b)  No, Madam. As per the data available in centralized Vahan 4 database maintained by National Informatics Centre (NIC) on behalf of Ministry and compiled data from non Vahan states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala, total no of buses in the country is 19.30 lakhs.
- (c) Ministry of Rural Development is implementing Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojna(AGEY),  the sub-scheme under Deendayal Antyodaya YojnaNational Rural Livelihood Mission(DAY-NRLM) to facilitate transport facilities in rural areas.
- (d)  As per information received from Ministry of Rural Development, there is no separate budgetary  allocation  under  AEGY.  The  vehicles  are  funded  through  the  Community Investment  Fund  (CIF)  provide  by  DAY-NRLM  to  the  Community  Based  Organization (CBOs) of the  Self  Help  Group  (SHG)  network.  250  blocks  have  been  identified  in  pilot phase for implementation with each block being provided a maximum of six vehicles.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1837

ANSWERED ON 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM

## 1837. SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री