opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1815 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Baseline Report 2018
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Ritesh Pandey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1815 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## BASELINE REPORT 2018

## 1815. SHRI RITESH PANDEY:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) the  reasons  for  which  States  and  UTs  were  not  assessed  on  their  progress  towards achieving  'Goal  12:  Sustainable  Consumption  and  Production',  'Goal  13:  Climate Action',  and  'Goal  17:  Partnership  for  the  Goals'  in  the  SDG  India  Index  -  Baseline Report 2018;
- (b) whether Goals 12, 13 and 17 will be assessed in the next Baseline Report;
- (c) if so, the matrics used to assess the performance of States and UTs on Goal 12 and 13; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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) SDG  India  Index  2018  could  not  cover  'Goal  12:  Sustainable  Consumption  and Production' and 'Goal 13: Climate Action' largely on account of unavailability of comparable official  data  across  States  and  UTs.  The  'SDG  17:  Partnership  for  the  Goals'  could  not  be included because  indicators for the Goal  were  not  identified in the National Indicator Framework. These reasons were also explained in the SDG India Index Baseline Report 2018.
- (b) & (c) Goals 12, 13 and 17 will not be assessed in the next Baseline Report.
- (c) On account of the same reasons as given under the point (a) above, Goals 12, 13 and 17 will not be assessed in the next Baseline Report.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1814 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Chief Ministers Conference
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1814 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## CHIEF MINISTERS CONFERENCE

## 1814      SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHANA RAJU:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether NITI Aayog has organized the Chief Ministers' Conference at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the matters that came up for discussion and the views exchanged by the State Governments for the development of agriculture and its allied sectors, control of terrorism in the country, etc.?

## 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): No Sir. NITI Aayog has not organized any such meeting in Vigyan Bhavan. However, the 5 th Meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog was organized on 15 th June 2019 in Rashtrapati Bhavan, which was attended by several Chief Ministers.

- (b) and (c) : During the Governing Council Meeting the members discussed on issues pertaining to agenda items;
- i. Action Taken Report of last Governing Council Meeting.
- ii. Rain-Water Harvesting.
- iii. Drought Situation and Relief Measures.
- iv. Aspirational Districts Programme - Achievements and Challenges.
- v. Transforming Agriculture: Need For Structural Reforms with Special Emphasis On:
- (a) Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act; and
- (b) Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
- vi. Security Related Issues with Specific Focus on LWE Districts.

-----
Lok Sabha Question No. 1813 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: New Trains for Gujarat
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Rajeshbhai Naranbhai Chudasama, Darshana Vikram Jardosh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1813 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## NEW TRAINS FOR GUJARAT

1813. SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA: SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of new trains announced and started originating from the State of Gujarat during the last five years along with the details thereof;

(b) the  number  of  new  railway  tracks  laid  or  the  work  pertaining  to them started in Gujarat during the said period along with the details of their progress; and

(c) the  average  of  budget  expenditure  on  various  railway  projects undertaken in Gujarat during the last five years?

## 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.  1813  BY  SHRI  RAJESHBHAI  CHUDASAMA  AND    SHRIMATI DARSHANA  VIKRAM  JARDOSH  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 03.07.2019 REGARDING NEW TRAINS FOR GUJARAT.

- (a) Indian Railways do not operate trains on State-wise basis as Railway network cuts across State boundaries. However, between 1 st  April, 2014 and 31 st   March,  2019,  32  pairs  of  trains  have  been  introduced  serving  the stations located in the State of Gujarat
- (b) In Gujarat State, a total of 40 projects (new line, gauge conversion & doubling  works)  of  3600  Km  length  costing ` 24785  crore  are  in  different stages  of  planning/execution/approval.  Out  of  these  projects,  751.37  km length has been commissioned along with an expenditure of ` 7384 crores upto March 2019.

However, as far as new line works are concerned, 4 works of 474.45 Km length costing ` 5260 crores are in different stages of planning/execution/approval, out of which 69 Km length has been commissioned and expenditure of ` 1280 crore has been done up to March, 2019.

During the last 5 years i.e. from April, 2014 to March, 2019, 02 new line projects  covering  a  length  of  117  Kms  falling  fully/partly  in  the  State  of Gujarat at a cost of ` 2273.61crores have been included and are in different stages  of  Planning/approval/execution.  The  details  of  these  projects  are available in the works, machinery & rolling stock programmes(pink book) of respective years which are available on the website of Indian Railways.

- (c) On  Indian  Railways,  budgetary  allocations  are  made  Zone-wise  and State-wise share is not maintained.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1812 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Defence Deal with US
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Khagen Murmu, Sukanta Majumdar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1812

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 rd JULY, 2019

## DEFENCE DEAL WITH US

1812. SHRI KHAGEN MURMU: DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

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

- (a)  whether the United States (US) has approved the sale of armed drones to India and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether the US also offered integrated air and missile defence systems to India and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)    whether  a  deal  for  the  National  Advanced  Surface  to  Air  Missile  System (NASAMS-II) with US is also underway and if so, the progress made in this regard ; and
- (d)  the other steps taken by the Government for strengthening the Defence System?

## 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) :  Based on threat assessment and security imperatives, Government constantly reviews  the  national  security  scenario  and  takes  steps  to  induct  appropriate  defence equipment  to  meet  the  security  challenges  and  operational  requirements.    This  is  a continuous process undertaken through procurement from various indigenous as well as foreign sources.  Highest priority is accorded to optimally equip the Armed Forces and keep them in a state of readiness.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1811 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Losses incurred by MTNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sudheer Gupta, Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1811 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  JULY, 2019

## LOSSES INCURRED BY MTNL

## 1811.   SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether MTNL's net worth has declined substantially and the current liabilities  of  the company  has  exceeded  its  total  current  assets  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons therefor; and
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  invest  money  to  bail  out  MTNL  and  if  so,  the details thereof along with the other steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Details of networth, current assets and current liabilities of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) for last five years are as under:

(Rs. in crore)

| Particulars        | 2014-15   | 2015-16   | 2016-17    | 2017-18    | 2018-19*   |
|--------------------|-----------|-----------|------------|------------|------------|
| Current Assets     | 2,108.11  | 2,119.49  | 4,949.25   | 5,024.49   | 5,742.07   |
| Current Liabilites | 3,452.40  | 3,888.11  | 10,580.75  | 9,055.39   | 11,558.60  |
| Networth           | 2,067.42  | 12.60     | (3,366.70) | (6,337.35) | (9,734.94) |

Low tariffs due to fierce competition in the telecom sector, high staff cost, debt burden and absence of 4G services in the data centric telecom market are the main reasons for losses of MTNL.

- (b) A consultant was engaged to facilitate the preparation of the revival/ restructuring plan of MTNL. Pursuant to the recommendations from the consultant and approval by MTNL Board, a comprehensive revival plan for MTNL is under preparation.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1810 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Space Tourism
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Shivkumar Chanabasappa Udasi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1810

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 03, 2019

## SPACE TOURISM

1810.   SHRI SHIVAKUMAR C. UDASI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether at present there are no laws governing space tourism in India and the Government is considering to make a law on space tourism and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government in collaboration with other countries has evolved a strategic plan to explore possibilities in space tourism and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning for development of technology regarding space tourism; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the benefits likely to accrue as a result thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes Sir.  There are no laws governing space tourism in India. Government is not considering  to  make  a  law  specifically  on space tourism.
- (b)
- (c)
- (d)
- No Sir.
- No Sir.
- Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1808 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Setting up of SEZ in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: T. R. Paarivendhar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1808 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd JULY, 2019

## SETTING UP OF SEZ IN TAMIL NADU

## 1808.  DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वा�ण�य एवं उ�योग मं�ी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which this SEZ will be set up and made functional;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the total number of SEZs set up by the Government during the last three years in the country, State-wise?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y )

## THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (d): No Sir, there  is no proposal to set up  a Special  Economic  Zone (SEZ)  in the Perambalur District of Tamil Nadu.  Setting up of SEZs is primarily private investment driven.  Central Government has not set up any SEZs during the last three years in the Country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1807 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Plantation Workers
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Dean Kuriakose

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1807 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd JULY, 2019

## PLANTATION WORKERS

## 1807. ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वा�ण�य एवं उ�योग मं�ी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any data regarding the plantation workers in the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UTwise?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y )

## THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)  & (b): Estimated number of workers engaged in plantation sector covering tea, coffee, rubber and cardamom are as under:

| Tea   | Assam    | West Bengal   | Tamil Nadu   | Kerala   | Tripura   | Karnataka   | Other States   | Total     |
|-------|----------|---------------|--------------|----------|-----------|-------------|----------------|-----------|
|       | 6,84,654 | 3,37,316      | 49,410       | 40,773   | 13,257    | 3,059       | 3,473          | 11,31,942 |

Source: Tea Board.

| Coffee   | Karnataka   | Kerala   | Tamil Nadu   | Non Traditional Area (Odisha &Andhra Pradesh)   | Total    |
|----------|-------------|----------|--------------|-------------------------------------------------|----------|
|          | 5,14,695    | 44,194   | 31,274       | 69,703                                          | 6,59,866 |

Source:

Coffee Board.

| Rubber   | Kerala   | Tamil Nadu   | Karnataka   | Tripura   | Assam   | Other States   | Total    |
|----------|----------|--------------|-------------|-----------|---------|----------------|----------|
|          | 3,04,000 | 13,300       | 29,500      | 45,600    | 29,800  | 28,800         | 4,51,000 |

Source: Rubber Board.

|                  | Kerala   | Karnataka   | Tamil Nadu   | Total   |
|------------------|----------|-------------|--------------|---------|
| Cardamom (small) | 29,150   | 18,850      | 3,800        | 51,800  |

Source: Spices Board.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1806 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Compulsorily Retirement
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Sisir Kumar Adhikari, Kalyan Banerjee

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1806

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019)

## COMPULSORILY RETIREMENT

## 1806. SHRI SISIR KUMARADHIKARI: SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER pleased to state:

- (a) whether Government proposes 'compulsorily retirement' to Government employees who are inactive or have charges of corruption;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that such retirements are also going to rule for the persons who are above 50 years of age; and
- (d) the details of benefits and other allowances to be given to such persons thereof?

## 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) & (b):  The provisions under Fundamental Rules (FR) 56(j), Rule 48 of Central Civil Services (CCS)  (Pension)  Rules,  1972  and  Rule  16(3)  (Amended)  of  All  India  Services  (Death-cumRetirement Benefits) [AIS (DCRB)] Rules, 1958, have laid down the policy of periodic review and premature retirement of Government servants, which is a continuous process.
- (c):   Yes, Sir.
- (d):   The same retirement benefits are admissible to these persons as are applicable to officers upon retirement on normal age of superannuation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1803 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: IPPB
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: H. Vasanthakumar, Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1803 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  JULY, 2019

## IPPB

## 1803.   SHRI H. VASANTHAKUMAR: SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry has appointed any committee for setting up of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government on the basis of committee's recommendations;
- (b) the fund allocations made by the Government in this regard during the last three years, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  established  a  recruitment  policy  for  IPPB  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (d) the number of persons proposed to be recruited and recruited so far in IPPB under the new recruitment policy; and
- (e) the details of the training provided to these newly recruited staff for effective working of the IPPB which are placed at grass root levels?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No Sir, Ministry has not currently appointed any committee for Setting up of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) as IPPB has already been launched across the country on 1 st September, 2018.
- (b) The details of funds allocated to the IPPB in the last three years are as under:

|   Sl.No. | Financial Year   |   Fund allocated (Rs in crores) |
|----------|------------------|---------------------------------|
|        1 | 2016-17          |                             300 |
|        2 | 2017-18          |                             500 |
|        3 | 2018-19          |                             300 |

Funds are allocated to IPPB and not State/UT wise as they are in the form of approved grants-in-aid and equity.

(c) The  Government  has  established  that  India  Post  Payments  Bank  can  frame  its  own recruitment rules to recruit personnel with requisite banking and payments  technology competencies  from  the  market.  Accordingly,  IPPB  has  framed  a  recruitment  policy  and established  a  Recruitment  Advisory  Committee  to  decide  recruitment  to  be  carried  out  every year.

(d) The sanctioned manpower of India Post Payments Bank is 3458 employees. As per May 2019 payroll, 2210 employees have been recruited against the sanctioned strength.

(e) As IPPB recruits mainly experienced staff, the new recruits of IPPB are trained at Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) Gurgaon, Manesar. In addition any staff recruited at grass root level is trained on use of technology so as to enable digital banking operations.

**************
Lok Sabha Question No. 156 (STARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Reservation for Differently Abled Persons
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Feroze Varun Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWRERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILTIES (DIVYANGJAN)

## MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT

## LOK SABHA

- (a)

STARRED QUESTION NO. 156 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.07.2019

Reservation for Differently Abled Persons

## 156. SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) Fhether as per the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) (Equal Opportunities. Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act: 1995. the Government is mandated to reserve 3 per cent vacancies in
- public employment for people with disabilities:
- (b) if so. the details thereof with the State-wise distribution in this regard during the last four along
- for the recently announced Olympic Stadium and Composite Regional Centre

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI THAAWAR CHAND GEHLOT)

- to (c) A statement is laid on the table of the House
- years; and
- among other for People with Disabilities in Meghalaya? things

Statement referred to in reply to part (a) to (€) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 156 raised by Shri Feroze Varun Gandhi, regarding "Reservation for   Differently Abled Persons for answer on 02.07.2019

- (a) & (b) As per Section 33 of the erstwhile Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (the PwD Act, 1995), every appropriate Government was required to earmark not less than 3% of the vacancies for persons with disabilities in Government establishments. The PwD Act, 1995 has since been repealed and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act, 2016) has come into force from 19.04.2017. As per Section 34(1) of the RPwD Act, 2016, every appropriate Government is required to earmark not less than 4% of the total number of vacancies in the cadre strength in each group of posts meant to be filled with persons with benchmark disabilities in Government establishments.

So far as Central Government establishment is concerned. in terms of the provisions of the RPwD Act 2016. Department of Personnel and Training has issued a circular on  15.01.2018 specifying 4% reservation in vacancies for persons with benchmark disabilities: State Governments are the appropriate Government with respect t0 their establishments in the States. State-wise data regarding employment of persons with disabilities by the States is therefore not compiled in the Ministry.

- The  Expenditure   Finance Committee has;   in-principle. recommended the   proposal for establishment of" Centre for   Disability  Sports at The Government of Meghalaya has allotted 50 acres 0[ land free of cost for the purpose.

Government of Meghalaya has also agreed to provide interim accommodation for setting up of Composite Regional Centre in the State.

*****