opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 559 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: e-Commerce Retail Companies
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 559. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 16 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020.

## E-COMMERCE RETAIL COMPANIES

## 559.   SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

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

- (a) whether it is  a  fact  that  e-commerce  Retail  Companies  are  providing  online services to the customers by violating Indian Laws;
- (b) if  so,  the  number  of  such  Retail  Companies  against  which  complaints  have been received by the Ministry of Commerce and Competition Commission of India; and
- (c) whether the Government has instructed e-commerce Foreign Companies to operate as per the Indian Laws and if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) & (b): Representations  alleging  violations  of  extant  laws  by  e-commerce companies, have been received. In this regard, representations received are being examined by Department for Promotion of Industry and  Internal  Trade  (DPIIT)  and  certain  alleged  contraventions  under the FDI Policy, are also being investigated against certain e-commerce retail  companies  under  provisions  of  Foreign  Exchange  Management Act, 1999 by the Directorate of Enforcement. Further, several complaints against e-commerce entities, including related associate/holding companies etc, which are operating as marketplace platforms,  online  sellers/service  providers,  search  engines  service providers operating in different verticals etc, regarding anti-competitive behavior, are being looked into by Competition Commission of India.
- (c): In  order  to  provide  clarity  to  the  extant  FDI  Policy  on  e-commerce, DPIIT, had issued Press Note 2 of 2018 on 26.12.2018. However, no specific instructions have been provided by DPIIT to any e-commerce foreign companies having FDI, operating in Retail Sector. Department of  Consumer  Affairs,  has  released  the  Consumer  Protection  (ecommerce)  Rules,  2020  on  23.07.2020,  to  clarify liability on ecommerce entities for goods/services provided. Mandatory declarations specifying  country  of  origin,  have  also  been  imposed  as  requirement for e-commerce entities under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 as per O.M. WM-7(7)/2020 dated 03.07.2020 by Department of Consumer Affairs.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 558 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Aadhaar Rules
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 558

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## AADHAAR RULES

## 558. SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has notified the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  aforementioned  rules  will  allow  the  usage  of  digital  platforms  to  ensure  good governance and prevention of leakage of social welfare benefits; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) and (b): Yes, Sir. The Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020 has been published in Gazette of India (Extraordinary) on 05.08.2020. The details are available on the link: https://uidai.gov.in/images/Aadhaar\_Authentication\_for\_Good\_Governance\_Rules\_2020.pdf

(c) and (d): Yes, Sir. Rule 3(1) of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation,  Knowledge)  Rules,  2020  provides  that  the  Central  Government  may  allow  Aadhaar authentication by requesting entities in the interest of good governance, preventing leakage of public funds, promoting ease of living of residents and enabling better access to services for them, for the following purposes, namely:-

- (a) usage of digital platforms to ensure good governance;
- (b) prevention of dissipation of social welfare benefits; and
- (c) enablement of innovation and the spread of knowledge.
- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 556 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: ACP to CSBOs
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Kapil Moreshwar Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.556

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 th  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## ACP TO CSBOs

## 556. SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Civil  Switch  Board  Operators  (CSBOs)  in  Army  Headquarters and  Signals Regiment  have  been  allowed  by  the  Supreme  Court  of  India  to  avail  of  Assured  Career Promotion  (ACP)  after  completion  of  10,  20  and  30  years  of  service  in  the  grade  pay  of Rs. 4200, Rs. 4600 and Rs. 4800 respectively;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the apex court order has been implemented;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the time by which the CSBOs would be given ACP as per the direction of the Hon'ble Supreme Court to the Government?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) to (e): The information is being collected from the concerned Department and will be laid on the Table of the House.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 554 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Establishment of New Railway Zone
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi

- (a)
- :  Yes, Sir.
- (b) & (c):  The decision for formation of a new Railway Zone viz. South Coast Railway (SCoR) with headquarters at Visakhapatnam and a new division  with  headquarters  at  Rayagada,  in  lieu  of  existing  Waltair division  by  reorganizing  the  existing  South  Central  Railway  and  East Coast  Railway,  has  been  taken  after  due  consideration  taking  all relevant factors into account including administrative and operational
- requirements.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 554 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW RAILWAY ZONE

## 554. DR. BEESETTI VENKATA SATYAVATHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  announced  for  establishment  of  new railway zone called South Coast Railway (SCoR) with headquarters at Visakhapatnam;
- (b)  whether  the  Railways  has  reconsidered  their  decision  to  retain Waltair division with the proposed South Coast Railway in view of the administrative and technical reasons; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## ANSWER (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

[

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 552 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Development of Indigenous Apps
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 552

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 16.09.2020

## DEVELOPMENT  OF INDIGENOUS APPs

## 552.    SHRI T.R.  BAALU:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  develop  indigenous  apps  and  reduce  dependence  on foreign apps;
- (b) the reasons for recent banning 224 Chinese apps;
- (c) the opportunities provided by the Government to Indian start ups and bright young minds to leverage their intellectual capability and innovative thinking to come up with good indigenous apps?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

- (a):   Government of India recently launched the Atmanirbhar Bharat Innovation App Challenge with a vision to promote indigenous Apps towards strengthening India's endeavour for a selfreliant nation. It aims to give a push to Indian App ecosystem through shortlisting of the top Indian Apps that have the potential to become global competitors in their respective categories.
- (b):  The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has blocked 224 mobile apps under the provisions of section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India and security of State.
- (c):   'MeitY Start-up Hub' (MSH) has been setup under the aegis of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for promoting technology innovation and start-ups. The vision of MSH is to build a conducive innovation ecosystem by bringing together various technology innovation stakeholders. Through MSH portal, more than 2000 tech startups, 350 incubators, 285 mentors, 22 domain specific Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and 25 industry partners have been connected for facilitating criss-crossing of technology resources, sharing best practices and ideas across the entire innovation and startup ecosystem.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 549 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Development of Kollam Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 549 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## DEVELOPMENT OF KOLLAM RAILWAY STATION

## 549. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  regarding  the  developmental  activities  in  Kollam Railway station;
- (b) whether the Government has initiated action for the development of Kollam Railway Station into international standard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the  Government proposes to conduct any study regarding the development of Kollam Railway station for providing infrastructure  facility  for  termination  and  starting  of  more  trains from that Station;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)  the  details  regarding  the  stage  of  developmental  activities  in Kollam  Railway  Station  along  with  the  present  stage  of  Kollam PunalrSengottai electrification?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)  Improvements  to  goods  release area and  provision of minimum  Terminal  facilities,  additional  platform  shelters  in Platform no. 2 & 3, improvements to waiting halls and

circulating area, station building, development of second entry at NH 208 side, booking office, drainage arrangements, developments  of  new  circulating  area  in  second  entry  area, improvements  to  passenger  amenities  like  more  facilities  in booking  office,  passenger  reservation  system  (PRS)  etc.  have been  completed  recently  at  Kollam  Railway  station.  Works  for provision of Foot Over Bridge and Escalators are in progress. (b)  to  (e)  Kollam  Railway  station  has  been  entrusted  to  Rail Land  Development  Authority  (RLDA)  for  redevelopment.  RLDA has  initiated  process  for  techno-economic  feasibility  studies. Redevelopment of station is taken up based on the outcome of the study. (f) Electrification of KollamPunalur section is already sanctioned and planned for commissioning during 2021-22. At present, gauge conversion of Punalur- Sengottai section has been completed without electrification and proposal for electrification of the sections is under process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 545 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Dedicated Freight Corridors
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: C.N. Annadurai, Dhanush M Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.545 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDORS

## 545.  SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI:

SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status and the time by which the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors are likely to be completed;
- (b) whether the Government  plans to lay three new dedicated freight corridors for faster movement of raw materials  and industrial produce across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the   Government is  planning  to  involve  private  sector  in the  construction  of  these  corridors  and  if  so,  whether  the  Government has evolved any mechanism in this regard;
- (d) whether DFCCIL has invited bids for survey of these three corridors and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)    the time by which the work on  these three corridors will start and be completed and the financial allocation for these three projects?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Ministry of Railways is implementing two Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs)  viz.  Eastern  DFC  (Ludhiana-Sonnagar,  1318  kms.)  and  Western DFC  (Dadri  to  Jawaharlal  Port  Terminal,  1504  Kms.).  In  Eastern  DFC, overall  physical  progress  is  67.41%  and  financial  progress  is  64.41%. Sonnagar-Dankuni section of Eastern DFC (538 kms.) is being undertaken through  Public  Private  Partnership  (PPP)  mode  and  documents  for invitation  of  bid  are  under  approval.  In  Western  DFC,  overall  physical progress  is  68%  and  financial  progress  is  64%.  Both  the  corridors  are targeted to be commissioned in phases by June 2022.

- (b): The Ministry of Railways is preparing Detailed Project Report (DPR) of following three Dedicated Freight Corridors to assess their viability:-
- (i) East Coast Corridor - Kharagpur - Vijaywada- Length 1115 Kms.
- (ii) East-West sub Corridor
- (a)   Bhusawal-Wardha-Nagpur-Rajkharswan-Kharagpur-UluberiaDankuni - Length-1673 Kms.
- (b)    Rajkharswan-Kalipahari-Andal- 195 Kms.
- (iii) North South Sub Corridor - Vijaywada-Nagpur-Itarsi - Length - 975 Kms.
- (c): The framework of execution of projects on Public Private Partnership (PPP)  mode  is  already  in  place.  However,  the  implementation  of  these projects depends on the outcome of DPR including technical & financial viability.
- (d):  The  Request  for  Proposal  (RFPs)  through  E-Tendering  notices  for Consultancy Services for the preparation of the DPRs have been issued.
- (e): These projects are at the stage of DPR preparation. Sanction of work of  a  particular  corridor  depends  on  the  outcome  of  DPR  including technical & financial viability and availability of funds.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 544 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Sand and Stowing Work
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Mahesh Sahoo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 544 ANSWERED ON - 16.09.2020

## Sand and Stowing Work

## 544.  Shri Mahesh Sahoo:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:-

- (a)          whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  delay  in  sand  stowing  work  in  the closed  underground  Mahanadi  Coal  Limited  mines  in  Handidhua  and  Deulbera  in Talcher, Odisha and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)          whether  the  Government  has  set  a  deadline  to  complete  the  work  of  sand stowing  of  the  mines  which  poses  huge  threat  to  life  and  property  in  the  heavily populated town of Talcher as there has been several cases of earth caving in the past and if so, the details
- (c)        planning whether the Government has set a time frame for filling up of opencast mining pits after coal extraction is completed as these too poses danger to lives and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)    Yes. Government is aware of the delay in sand stowing work and accordingly MCL Management has been asked for stabilization of the identified underground Workings of Deulbera & Handidhua Collieries, Talcher, Odisha. The pace of work is lagging behind schedule due to hindrances, opposition and non-cooperation from the local tenants/villagers and not having surface rights and access over such identified areas. The said areas are not accessible from underground also as the voids have already been filled with water.
- (b)     As per the proposed action program, the sand stowing will be completed by Dec2022  subject  to  clearance  of  hindrances  and  availability  of  land  from  individual  land owners for the sand stowing job and co-operation of state and local authorities.
- (c)     Yes. All open cast mines are planned and operated as per the approved mining plan including mine closure plan, wherein time frame for filling pits of open cast mines are specified and  usually such  operation starts within about 5 years of  mine commissioning and continue throughout the life of the mine.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 542 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Infrastructure Projects in Karnataka
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shobha Karandlaje

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 542 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN KARNATAKA

542. KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  allocation  of  funds  for  infrastructure  projects  and safety  works,  falling  fully/partly  in  the  State  of  Karnataka  in 2020-21;
- (b) the details of new  lines, gauge  conversion and doubling projects,  falling  fully/partly  in  the  State  of  Karnataka  during 2014-19; and
- (c) the details of on-going  projects  under  different  stages  of planning/approval/execution  in  the  State  of  Karnataka  as  on July 31, 2020?

## 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. 542 BY KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  16.09.2020 REGARDING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN KARNATAKA

(a):  Total Budget Estimate (BE) outlay for infrastructure and safety works, falling, fully/partly in the State of Karnataka, for the Financial Year 2020-21 is ` 4,220 crore.

- (b)  and  (c):    As  on  01.04.2020,  total  36  ongoing  projects  of  total length  4,529  Km,  costing ` 49,536  crore,  falling  fully/partly  in  the State of Karnataka are in different stages of planning/sanctioning/execution, out of which commissioning of 935 Km length has been achieved and an expenditure of ` 13,618 crore has been incurred upto March, 2020. These include:-
-  21  new  line  projects  of  total  length  2,583  Km,  costing ` 32,599  crore,  out  of  which  commissioning  of  245  Km length  has  been  achieved  and  an  expenditure  of ` 4,608 crore has been incurred upto March, 2020.
-  15  doubling  projects  of  total  length  1,946  Km,  costing ` 16,937  crore,  out  of  which  commissioning  of  690  Km length  has  been  achieved  and  an  expenditure  of ` 9,010 crore has been incurred upto March, 2020.

The details of all ongoing projects including cost, expenditure and outlay  are  made  available  in  public  domain  on  Indian  Railways website i.e. www.indianrailways.gov.in >Ministry of Railways >Railway Board >About Indian Railways >Railway Board Directorates >Finance (Budget)> Rail Budget/Pink Book (year)>Railway-wise Works Machinery & Rolling Stock Programme.

During  2009-14,  565  Km  length  (206  Km  New  line,  185  Km Gauge  Conversion  and  174  Km  Doubling)  falling  fully/partly  in Karnataka have been commissioned at an average rate of 113 Km per year.

During 2014-20, 907 Km length (253 Km of New line and 654 Km  of Doubling) falling fully/partly in Karnataka have been commissioned at an average rate of 151 Km per year, which is 34% more than those commissioned during 2009-14.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 541 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Unauthenticated News on Social Media
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Anil Firojiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 541

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## UNAUTHENTICATED  NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

## 541.   SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA :

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Government has taken any step to ensure a sense of responsibility among electronic and social media companies to prevent broadcasting of several unauthenticated news in the country which may spread panic;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor??

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATES FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) to (c): Cyber space is a complex environment of people, software, hardware and services on  the  Internet.  With  a  borderless  cyberspace  coupled  with  the  possibility  of  instant communication  and  anonymity,  the  potential  for  misuse  of  cyberspace  and  social  media platforms for criminal activities is a global issue. There are media reports about social media platforms being misused to spread several unauthenticated news in the country which may spread panic on social media sites.

The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 has provisions for removal of objectionable online content. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011 require that the intermediaries, which also includes social media platforms, shall observe due diligence while discharging their duties and shall inform the users of computer resources not to host, display, upload, modify,  publish, transmit, update  or share any  information  that is harmful, objectionable,  and  unlawful  in  any  way.  Also,  section  79  of  the  Act  provides  that intermediaries are required  to  disable/remove  unlawful  content  on  being  notified  by appropriate government or its agency.

Further,  under  the  provisions  of  section  69A  of  the  IT  Act,  2000  Government  blocks  any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above.

********