opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: PRIS in DRDO
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3497

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  JANUARY, 2019

## PRIS  IN  DRDO

3497 DR. P.K. BIJU:

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

- (a) whether Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) Group, PRIS (organizational) is not  implemented  in  DRDO  as  have  already  been  implemented  in  Department  of  Space  and Atomic Energy;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the incentive schemes proposed by the Government to further motivate DRDO Scientists and  boost  the  morale  of  Defence  scientific  community  in  their  efforts  to  realize  indigenous Defence Technologies?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jherh  fueZyk lhrkje.k )

- (a) & (b): Yes, Madam.  Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS), has not been  recommended  in  7 th Central  Pay  Commission  for  Defence  Research  and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- (c) Government has always incentivized DRDO scientists to motivate them and boost  their  morale.    The  present  incentive  scheme  for  DRDO  scientists  are  as follows:

## 1. Financial Incentives:

Up to maximum of six increments are granted to deserving Scientists at the time of promotion under Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS) depending upon merit.  Recently, the value of this variable increments has been revised, applying the fitment factor, as suggested by 7 th Central Pay Commission for Basic Pay.

## 2. Growth related Incentives:

To give better growth and promotional avenues to the Scientists in DRDO, Merit based FCS is in place, where promotions are based on assessment and not on available vacancies.

Further, incentivizing is a regular phenomenon on need basis.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3495 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Maglev Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3495 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019

## MAGLEV TRAINS

## 3495. SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY:

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

- (a) whether six firms including BHEL, Switzerland-based Swissrapide  AG  and  an  American  rail  firm,  have  shown  interest  in developing India's proposed Maglev trains that would operate on the principle of magnetic levitation and can run at a top speed of 500 km an hour, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government along with the developers will involve and undertake design, test, build, run trials and operate the levitationbased system between two key cities separated by a distance of 200500 km, if so, the details thereof and the present status thereof;  and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  also  unveiled  a  scheme  under which IIT courses will be taught to students in village using CSCs and these  centres  had  also  tied  up  with  TCS  and  Siemens  for  skill development courses, if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) Yes, Madam. Indian Railways had floated an Expression of Interest (EoI)  for  designing,  building,  commissioning,  operation,  running  and maintenance  of  levitation based  train system  on  public  private partnership basis on 06.09.2016. 06 firms participated in the EoI.  The same remained inconclusive.
- (b) Nothing contemplated at the moment.
- (c) There is no scheme of the Railways in which IIT courses are taught to the students in villages.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3494 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Social Sector Subsidies
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA, B.V. NAYAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3494 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019

## SOCIAL SECTOR SUBSIDIES

3494.   SHRI S. P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA: SHRI B. V. NAIK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Railways  are  looking  for  ways  to  do  away  with  the social sector subsidies;
- (b) if so, the details of the recommendations received by the Railways on  segregation  of  the  Railways'  social  responsibility  from  its operational finances;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  approved  Railways  proposal  for  a sector regulator, namely Rail Development Authority;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the time by which this Authority is likely to be set up?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (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. 3494 BY SHRI S. P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA AND SHRI B. V. NAIK TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 02.01.2019 REGARDING SOCIAL SECTOR SUBSIDIES

(a) & (b) Indian Railways carries out certain transport activities which are uneconomic  in  nature  in  the  larger  interest  of  the  country.  The  tariff policy  on  Indian  Railways  has  traditionally  been  one  of  restraint  with regard to increase in passenger fare. Indian Railways continues to incur losses every year by performing a variety of un-remunerative service such as (i) low ordinary second class fare, (ii) low Suburban and non-suburban season ticket,  (iii)  essential  commodities  carried  below  cost,  and  (iv)  a variety of concessions granted on passenger ticket, working of uneconomic branch lines etc. Indian  Railways  had  engaged  National  Institute  of  Public  Finance  and Policy  (NIPFP)  for  study  of  'Developing  a  mechanism  for  computing  the value of Social Service Obligation (SSO) being borne by Indian Railways'. NIPFP  had  submitted  recommendations  that,  the  losses  on  account  of concession in passenger fare, uneconomic branch lines, strategic lines, EMU suburban services, may be considered as social services obligations.

(c) to (e) Yes, Madam. Government has approved the constitution of the Rail Development Authority (RDA) and constituted a search-cum selection committee, under the chairman ship of Cabinet Secretary to select three Members of the Rail Development Authority (RDA).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Defence Production Policy
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3492

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  JANUARY, 2019

## DEFENCE PRODUCTION POLICY

3492.  SHRI  MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to bring in the new Defence Production Policy and if so, the salient features of the proposed new policy and whether it mandates transfer of technology to all foreign players who are awarded supply contracts; and
- (b) the effect of the new policy on Indian Ordnance factories and the extent to which the role of private players in arms production would be encouraged under the said policy?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) & (b): Yes,  Madam.    The  Government  proposes  to  bring  in  a  new Defence  Production  Policy,  in  order  to  create  a  dynamic,  robust  and competitive  defence  and  aerospace  industry  as  an  important  part  of  the 'Make in India' initiative.  The new Policy is yet to be finalized.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3491 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Amendment in LTC Scheme
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3491

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019)

## AMENDMENT IN LTC SCHEME

## 3491. SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has any proposal to amend/revise the existing rules and regulations  to  visit  tourist  destinations  under  LTC  scheme  for  the  Central  Government employees;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Union Government has also any proposal to grant at least 15% of the total LTC  fare  amount  to  partly  defray  the  expenses  spent  for  accommodation  and  local transport arrangements while availing 'All India Tour' to the eligible Central Government employees;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a):      No Madam.
- (b):      Not applicable in view of (a) above.
- (c) to (e):      No Madam. There is no such proposal at present.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3490 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Doppler Radar
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3490

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 02, 2019

## DOPPLER RADAR

3490.   DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Doppler Radar stationed at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram was switched on and  made operational for every day between 15th Novermber, 2017 and 15th December, 2017;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the specific time period during which the Doppler Radar was switched off and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) Yes Madam. The Doppler Radar at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram  was  operational  for  every  day  between 15 th  November 2017 and 15 th  December 2017.
- (b) On 15 th November  2017,  the  Radar  was  operated  in  daytime  i.e., 0900 hrs to 2100 hrs IST. From 16 th November 2017 (0900 hrs IST) to 15 th Dec 2017, the Radar was operated round the clock.
- (c) The Radar was switched off from 29 th  Nov 2017, 00:28 hrs IST to 29 th  November 2017, 10:08 hrs IST for maintenance .

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Transport Aircraft
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3488

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  JANUARY, 2019

## TRANSPORT  AIRCRAFT

3488.  SHRI  JANARDAN  SINGH  SIGRIWAL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  decided  to  promote  private  sector  entry  into  the domestic aerospace arena through a project to supply transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether some Government agencies have raised their objections to this move;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  sort  out  this issue; and
- (e) the other steps taken by the Government to replace the ageing fleet of transport aircraft of IAF?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

- (a) & (b): To replace the ageing Avro aircraft and to promote participation of Private  Sector  in  Defence  manufacturing,  Defence  Acquisition  Council  (DAC) accorded approval for Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) of transport aircraft under 'Buy and Make' category in July, 2012.  The proposal envisages OEM to supply 16 aircraft  in  flyaway  condition  and  the  balance  40  aircraft  to  be  manufactured  in India by the OEM selected Indian Production Agency (IPA).
- (c) & (d): There were several representations for and against the RFP dated 8 th May  2013.    The  Ministry  of  Law  opined  that  the  RFP  does  not  suffer  from  any illegality.
- (e) The  government  has  procured  C-130  Aircraft  for  special  operations  and C-17 Heavy lift aircraft.  The deliveries of Dornier Aircraft from HAL are underway.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3487 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Missile Defence System
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SRINIVAS KESINENI, RANGASWAMY DHRUVANARAYANA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3487

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  JANUARY, 2019

## MISSILE DEFENCE SYSTEM

3487.  SHRI  KESINENI  NANI:

SHRI  R. DHRUVA  NARAYANA:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to purchase S-400 missile defence system from Russia and if so, the details thereof including the cost of air defence system and the time by which these air defence systems from Russia will be received;
- (b) the  manner  in  which  this  defence  system  is  likely  to  upgrade  India's  defence preparedness; and
- (c) the  impact  of  US  Law  CAATSA  on  the  deal  and  reaction  of  the  Government thereto?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

- (a) A contract has been signed on 05 October 2018 for delivery of S-400 system from Russia. The deliveries will commence from October 2020 and will be completed by April 2023.
- (b) The  system  will  provide  a  very  capable  air  defence  coverage  to Vulnerable Areas/ Vulnerable Points (VAs/VPs).
- (c) Government is aware of all developments that may impact procurement of defence equipment and it takes sovereign decision based on  threat  perception,  operational  and  technological  aspects  to  keep  the Armed  Forces  in  a  state  of  readiness  to  meet  the  entire  spectrum  of security challenges.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3486 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Pending Science Projects
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3486 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2/1/2019

## PENDING SCIENCE PROJECTS

## 3486.  SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of science and technology projects pending completion in the last four years;
- (b) the amount allocated, disbursed and utilized for these projects, projectwise; and
- (c) the total amount left unutilized in the last three years and the amount returned unspent?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN) ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ, {Éßl´ÉÉÒ ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ +ÉÉè® {ÉªÉÉÇ´É®hÉ, ´ÉxÉ A´ÉÆ VÉãÉ´ÉÉªÉÖ {ÉÉÊ®´ÉiÉÇxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ

(bÉ. c­ÉÇ ´ÉvÉÇxÉ)

(a)  &  (b):  The  Ministry  of  Science  and  Technology  awards  a  large  number  of  science  and technology projects to academic institutions, national laboratories and other institutions through its constituent  departments  across  a  large  number  of  programmes  and  schemes  instituted  for  the purpose of promotion of scientific research and development in the country. All these projects are regularly  monitored  and  brought  to  technical  and  administrative  closure  after  their  completion. There  could  be  a  miniscule  percentage  of  projects  which  were  not  completed  on  time  due  to procedural  delays  and  also  due  to  geographical  locations  of  the  implementing  institutions  / universities.  In  technology  demonstration  projects  especially  for  agro  based  projects,  seasonal requirements need to be met for validating and testing the technologies. (c) A  total  of  Rs.  614.94  crore  out  of  RE  allocation  of  Rs.  31,626.33  crore  had  been  left unutilized and returned to Consolidated Fund of India by the Ministry in the last three years (201518).

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3484 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Guidelines for Government Websites
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: M. B. RAJESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND  INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3484

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019

## GUIDELINES FOR GOVERNMENT WEBSITES

## 3484     SHRI M.B.  RAJESH:

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

- (a) whether  the Government has specified guidelines for Government websites;
- (b) if  so,  whether    these  guidelines  are  in  consonance  with  ISO  and  W3C  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (c) the websites of Ministries  which are complying  with these guidelines?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR   ELECTRONICS AND   INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI S. S. AHLUWALIA)

(a):  Yes, Sir.  National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology  (MeitY)  has  formulated  the  Guidelines  for  Indian  Government  Websites (GIGW), (http://guidelines.gov.in) which have been adopted by Department of Administrative  Reforms  &  Public  Grievances  (DARPG)  and  made  a  part    of  Central Secretariat  Manual  of  Office  Procedure.    The  Guidelines  deal  with  entire  life  cycle    of  a Government website and also guide on the types of web information  which  a Government website should provide.

(b):   Guidelines are compliant  to W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0).

(c):   Does not arise.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3483 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Defence Cooperation with Japan
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: T. RADHAKRISHNAN, SUDHEER GUPTA, S. RAJENDRAN, HARIBHAI PARTHIBHAI CHAUDHARY, VIJAY KUMAR S.R.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3483

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  JANUARY, 2019

## DEFENCE COOPERATION WITH JAPAN

3483.  SHRI  T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI  SUDHEER  GUPTA:

SHRI  S. RAJENDRAN:

KUNWAR  HARIBANSH  SINGH:

SHRI  S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE

j{kk ea=h

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Air  Chief  Marshal  visited  Japan  to  strengthen  the  existing  defence cooperation recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the issues discussed during the visit;
- (c) the  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  signed  along  with  the  terms  and conditions thereto; and
- (d) the  steps  taken  / being taken by  the  Government to expand defence cooperation with different countries of the world?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

- (a) & (b): Air Chief Marshal visited Japan from 10 to 13 December, 2018. Divulging  details  on  the  issues  discussed  during  the  visit  is  not  in  the national interest.
- (c) No  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  was  signed  during  the visit.
- (d) Defence cooperation  with different  countries  is progressed through Joint  Military  Exercises,  training  courses,  Subject-Matter  Exchanges  on specialised issues, high level visits, defence industry ventures, exchanges on  defence  technology and  Research  & Development, as  well  as  Service level Staff Talks.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3480 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Running Staff Status
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3480 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019

## RUNNING STAFF STATUS

3480. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  representation/request from the ticket checking staff for change of status from ticket checking staff to running staff;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the decision taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) During  the  National  Ticket  Checking  Meet  organized  by  IRTCSO (Indian Railway Ticket Checking Staff Organization) held on 05/09/2018 at Talkatora Stadium, the demand for considering Ticket Checking Staff as  Running  Staff  was  raised.  This  demand  has  also  been  raised  by  a large number of Hon'ble Members of Parliament.
- (c) A  committee  to  examine  the  demand  for  consideration  of  Ticket Checking Staff as Running Staff has been constituted.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3478 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Non-Implementation of Projects
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: SUSHMITA DEV

Government of India

Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA

Unstarred Question No.3478

To be answered on

Wednesday, January 2, 2019/Pausha 12, 1940 (Saka)

## QUESTION

## Non-Implementation of Projects

3478.  KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV:

Will the Minister of DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry of Development of North Eastern (NE) Region has directed the North Eastern Council to put on hold projects which were sanctioned for implementation in the NE States;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  mechanism  to  take  back  funds  from  the  States  already  released  by  the Council; and
- (d) whether  the  decision  is  likely  to  impact  infrastructure  development  of  the  NE States and if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr. Jitendra Singh]

(a) and (b) The projects sanctioned by North Eastern Council (NEC) in FY 2017-18 were put on hold to undertake a review of these projects, necessitated by the need to liquidate the outstanding committed liabilities within the overall allocation to NEC.

(c) and (d) In the 67 th NEC Plenary held in July, 2018 at Shillong, it was decided that a review of the projects kept in abeyance would be undertaken by the Project Identification

Committee  (PIC)  consisting  of  Secretary,  DoNER;  Chief  Secretary  of  the  concerned States and Secretary, NEC. The review would be held on the following lines:

- i. The projects in sectors not covered in the new schemes of the NEC, but which are essential and where substantial work has already been done may be allowed to continue  as  a  one-time  exception,  with  the  condition  that  the  DPRs  would  be vetted by the concerned line Ministries;
- ii. Total  financial  size  of  the  projects-ongoing  and  new  may  be  restricted  to  the envelope of Rs.4500 crore. In case savings are anticipated under NERSDS, some amount from NERSDS may be re-appropriated to schemes of the NEC;
- iii. Projects  where  Rs.10  lakh  was  released  as  part  of  first  instalment  and  where tenders have not been floated even after the stipulated time may be withdrawn; and
- iv. States may be urged to foreclose ongoing projects which are not feasible so that savings from these liabilities can be utilized for other projects.

Accordingly,  the  PIC  has  completed  the  review  of  projects  sanctioned  by  NEC during 2017-18. Individual cases of fund release to States are dealt with as per the extant Financial Rules.

*****