opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1662 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Hindus in Muslim Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1662

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## HINDUS IN MUSLIM COUNTRIES

†1662.       SHRI GOPAL SHETTY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Hindus residing in certain Muslim countries are not allowed to perform their religious ceremonies such as funeral rites, puja, etc.;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the names of such countries;
- (c) whether the Government has raised the said issue with these countries; and
- (d) if so, the outcome thereof?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) to (d) Performance   of   religious   rites   is   governed   by   local   laws   and regulations of the country concerned.   As per information available with the Ministry, Hindus residing in most countries, including in Muslim countries, are allowed to perform their religious ceremonies such as funeral rites, puja, etc. However, in some countries, pujas, prayers, etc. is not allowed in public but can be performed within private premises, in compliance with local laws.   Some Islamic countries do not have facilities for cremation, while some like Egypt, Jordan and Turkey do not allow local cremations.

In Saudi Arabia, funeral ceremony in respect of Hindus, including nonMuslims, residing there is not permissible.  However, disposal of mortal remains of non-Muslims is permitted only by burial at some designated places in Saudi Arabia.

Whenever the Government learns about the problems being faced by the minority communities, including Hindus, the matter is raised with the concerned authorities in foreign countries urging action to protect rights of the minorities.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1660 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Internet Shutdowns
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1660 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## INTERNET SHUTDOWNS

1660. SHRI A.P. JITHENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the year-wise details of cases of Internet shutdowns in the past five years where the duration was more than seven days;
- (b) the  alternative  steps  that  were  taken  to  provide  connectivity  to  students  applying  for  or appearing in exams; and
- (c) whether the number of shutdowns for longer duration are increasing and if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (c) Central  Government  has  not  issued  any  order  of  internet  shutdown  under  the provisions  of  Temporary  Suspension  of  Telecom  Services  (Public  Emergency  or  Public  Safety) Rules, 2017.

Police and public order are State subjects as per the Constitution and States are responsible for  prevention,  detection  and  investigation  of  crimes  through  their  law  enforcement  machinery. Concerned State Governments are empowered to issue orders for temporary suspension of internet services to maintain law and order in the State or part thereof under the provisions contained in the Temporary  Suspension  of  Telecom  Services  (Public  Emergency  or  Public  Safety)  Rules,  2017. Records  related  to  internet  shutdowns  ordered  by  State  Governments  are  not  maintained  by  the Department of Telecommunications.

DoT had received a joint representation dated 08.08.2018 from telecom service providers, wherein it was intimated that frequent suspension of internet services were being ordered by State Governments. Accordingly, on 28.09.2018, all State Governments have been advised to sensitize the concerned officials/agencies against precipitate actions leading to shut down of Internet services, and  to  ensure  that  the  provisions  of    'Temporary  Suspension  of  Telecom  Services  (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017' are adhered to.

In  temporary  shutdown  of  internet  services  in  a  region,  only  internet/data  services  are suspended  temporarily,  and  other  communication  means/services  like  voice  calling  and  Short Message Service (SMS) remain available during the suspension period of internet services, through which people in the region can communicate.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1658 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Transparency in Administration
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS & PUBLIC GRIEVANCES)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1658

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019)

## TRANSPARENCY IN ADMINISTRATION

## 1658. SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: SHRI D.K. SURESH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken various measures to utilise technological intervention to bring transparency in the day-to-day administration;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the said measures are yielding the desired results in bringing transparency in the system of administration and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has made any assessment of the benefits to people and savings to exchequer by implementing the said measures to bring transparency; and
- (e) if so, the details 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) to (e):     The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1657 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: AWSs in Kerala
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.  1657 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

## AWSs IN KERALA

## 1657. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  salient  features  of  the  Automated  Weather  Stations  (AWSs)  being installed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in the country;
- (b) the details of functional AWSs in the State of Kerala, location-wise;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the Government has recently received proposal from the State Government of Kerala seeking the installation of AWSs to predict weather conditions in the State; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) The  salient  features  of  Automatic  Weather  Stations  (AWS)  are  given below:
- (i) The AWS system can be programmed to deliver data at user defined temporal and spatial resolution depending on the need and application.
- (ii) The  AWS  can  be  deployed  at  remote  and  inhospitable  locations  to obtain meteorological observations.
- (iii) Satellite telemetry based AWS are able to provide data even during severe weather conditions when all other communication links may fail.
- (iv) Of late mobile telemetry based AWS are being deployed at field sites owing to better  network  coverage across the country.  These systems can be configured remotely for user defined measurement schedule.

(b) The  details  of  functional  AWSs  in  the  State  of  Kerala  are  given  in  the table below;

|   S.N. | DISTRICT           | STATION          |
|--------|--------------------|------------------|
|      1 | ALAPPUZHA          | KAYAMKULAM       |
|      2 | IDUKKI             | MUNNAR           |
|      3 | IDUKKI             | VAZATHOPE        |
|      4 | KASARGOD           | KUDULLUR_AGRO    |
|      5 | KOTTAYAM           | KUMARAKOM_AGRO   |
|      6 | PALAKKAD           | PALAKKAD         |
|      7 | THIRUVANANTHAPURAM | VELLAYANI        |
|      8 | THRISSUR           | VELLANIKKARA     |
|      9 | WAYANAD            | AMBALAVAYAL_AGRO |

(c) Yes, a proposal for installation of 100 AWS has been received from the State Government of Kerala.

(d) India  Meteorological  Department  has  recently  taken  up  a  project  for procurement and installation of 100 AWSs for installation in the state of Kerala.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1654 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Stealth Frigates for Navy
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1654

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## STEALTH  FRIGATES  FOR  NAVY

1654.  DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI  R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI  DHARMENDRA  YADAV:

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

- (a) whether the Government has approved the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in collaboration with  Russia's  United  Ship  Building  to  build  two  guided-missile stealth  frigates  for  the  Indian Navy and if so, the details and the present status thereof and the construction time fixed therefor;
- (b) whether  India  and  Russia  have  earlier  signed  a  contract  for  the  construction  of  four projects 11356 frigates, two of them being planned to be built at the Yantar Shipyard in Russia's Kaliningrad while the other two will be constructed at India's Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether some of the Indian companies have shown their displeasure for this collaboration and if so, the reasons therefor and the steps taken by the Union Government to involve the Indian Companies;
- (d) whether the cost and other details had been discussed with the Russian authorities in this regard and if so, the details thereof and the preset status of the project; and
- (e) the extent to which this will boost the defence preparedness of the country?

A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a), (b) & (d):      Yes,  Madam.    The  contract  for  acquisition  of  two  P1135.6  ships from Russia was signed on 23 rd October 2018.  Further two more ships would be constructed at Goa Shipyard Limited with transfer of technology from Russia for which contract was signed on 25 th January 2019.  The delivery of these two ships is scheduled in 2026.

- (c) No, Madam.
- (e) The  induction  of  the  ship  with  a  large  indigenized  component  and advanced stealth features will significantly enhance the blue water capability of Indian Navy.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1653 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: BSNL Landline Telephones in Rajasthan
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1653 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## BSNL LANDLINE TELEPHONES IN RAJASTHAN

- †1653. SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to disconnect landline telephone connections of BSNL in rural areas of Rajasthan;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  make  alternate  arrangements  for  these disconnected landline telephones; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (d) Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  has  reported  that  it  has  a  policy  to close telephone exchanges having less than 20 telephone connections.  As per policy, if the revenue earned from a particular exchange is less than the operational expenditure of the telephone  exchange  having  no  mobile  tower  or  Universal  Service  Obligation  (USO) subsidised  DSLAM  (Digital  Subscriber  Line  Access  Multiplexer),  the  telephone  exchange may be closed down.

In  such  cases  BSNL proposes to make alternate arrangements by migrating these connections to mobile connections.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1652 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Frequency of Trains from Jodhpur to Palanpur
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1652 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## FREQUENCY OF TRAINS FROM JODHPUR TO PALANPUR

†1652. SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  a  large  number  of  citizens  including  farmers, labourers,  students  and  traders  travel  between  Jodhpur  and Palanpur and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  due  to  less  number  of  trains  on  this  route  the people have to opt road route under compulsion and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  thousands  of  people  of  Jodhpur,  Jalor,  Raniwara, Bhinmal  and  Sanchore  go  to  Palanpur  every  day  for  their treatment through private vehicles which results in wastage of lot of time;
- (d) if so, whether the Government is considering to increase the frequency of 74841/74842 Jodhpur Bhildi Passenger train; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): The number of passengers booked between Jodhpur and  Palanpur  by  trains  during  the  financial  year  2017-18  and 2018-19  (upto  December,  2018)  were  7,  23,930  and  5,  92,527

respectively. To cater to the existing level of traffic, 3 pairs of services including 74837/74838 Jodhpur-Palanpur Diesel Electrical  Multiple  Units  (DEMU)  (daily)  are  available  on  this sector.

(c): No such information is available with the Railways.

(d) and (e): 74841/74842 Jodhpur-Bhildi Diesel Electrical Multiple Units (DEMU) is already running as a daily service.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1651 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Defence Deals with Foreign Countries
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SRIRAM MALYADRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1651

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## DEFENCE DEALS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES

1651.  SHRI  MALYADRI  SRIRAM:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  decided  to  enter  into  a  defence  deal  with  foreign countries;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  alongwith  the  names  of  countries  and  total quantum  of money involved in the deals;
- (c) whether any Indian company is involved in the deals;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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) to (e): The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) contains provisions for procurement of equipment of proven technology and capabilities from friendly foreign countries, which may be necessitated due to geo-strategic advantages that are likely to accrue to our country.  Such procurements are based on Inter Government Agreements  (IGA) after clearance from Competent Financial Authority.

Since 2015, IGAs have been signed with Russia, USA and France for specific defence equipments.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1650 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Cantonment on Bank of Ganga
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: MUKESH RAJPUT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1650

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## CANTONMENT ON BANK OF GANGA

1650.  SHRI  MUKESH  RAJPUT:

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

- (a) the steps taken to safeguard the cantonments located on the banks of river Ganga;
- (b) whether there is any scheme for beautification of the cantonments on the banks of river Ganga and its ghats; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## 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) to (c): Out  of  62  Cantonments,  only  four  Cantonments  i.e.  Allahabad, Barrackpore,  Fatehgarh  and  Kanpur  are  located  on  the  banks  of  river  Ganga. Steps taken in Cantonment that are on the banks of Ganga include:

- (i) With  regard  to  Allahabad  Cantonment,  permission  was  given  to  the State  Government  this  year  for  various  arrangements  such  as  street lighting,  temporary  ghats,  roads  etc  in  respect  of  Kumbh  Mela-2019. Permission has also been issued to use of defence land for Riverfront development  work  under  Namami  Gange  Programme  on  Yamuna Ghats of Allahabad  which is in Sangam area.
- (ii) With regard to Barrackpore Cantonment, all ghats have been beautified and bounded with brickwork.  Also the edge of land along river Ganga bounded with brick pitching to guard land erosion.
- (iii) With regard to Fatehgarh Cantonment, embankment already exists on river bank.  Further, mining of sand is strictly prohibited.
- (iv) With regard to Kanpur Cantonment, embankments exist on river banks.

While  doing  so,  security  concerns  of  Cantonment  have  been  taken  due care of.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1648 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Contractual Engagement of Retired Staff
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1648 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## CONTRACTUAL ENGAGEMENT OF RETIRED STAFF

1648. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  opened  the  doors  for  contractual engagement in certain  categories  against  existing  vacancies  to  tide over shortage of staff in some key areas;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it has also decided to engage retired staff for preserving and reviving  railway  heritage  properties  such  as  steam  locomotives, vintage coaches and signals among others; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof ?

## ASNWER

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

- (a) & (b): Railways engage Contract Labourers/personnel directly only in a few categories such as Para-medical staff, School Teachers, Data Entry  Operators  etc.  However,  mostly  contracting  agencies  engage their  own  contract  labourers  depending  upon  nature and  quantum of outsourced work (either works contract or service contract). Moreover, following categories were recently (Nov. 2018) allowed for contractual engagement:-

- (i)  Zonal  Railways  are  permitted  to  engage  technical  manpower  in construction  activities  (Open  line  &  Construction  organization)  in Engineering,  Electrical  and  S&T  Departments  by  re-engagement  of retired personnel, as the first preference.
- (ii) Furthermore, Zonal Railways are also permitted to engage technical manpower in construction activities (Open line & Construction  organization)  on  contract  basis,  on  vacant  Level-6  and Level-7 posts, against non-promotional quota, only if retired employees are  not  available,  in  Engineering,  Electrical  and  S&T  department  of Zonal  Railways  except  SSE/JE  (Signal),  on  stipulated  terms  and conditions.
- (c) & (d): Yes, Madam. For meaningful preservation and revival/restoration  of  Railway  heritage  items  like  steam  locomotives, vintage coaches, steam  cranes, signals etc., Principal Head  of Departments  (PHODs)  of  Zonal  Railways  have  been  empowered  to engage  retired  railway  employees  having  adequate  skills  keeping  in view his/her good health and level of his/her relevant skills/knowledge.

The  contract  engagement  is  purely  on  contractual  short  term  basis with  a  maximum  tenure  of  six  months  at  a  time  and  not  against vacancies  for  doing  regular  work.  A  maximum  of  10  retired  railway staff  can  be  engaged  at  any  point  of  time.  The  upper  age  limit  for engagement of retired railway staff should not be more than 65 years.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1645 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: FDI in Space Sector
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1645

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019 FDI IN SPACE SECTOR

## 1645.   SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government  has  issued  any  policy  guidelines  as specified by the Department of Space with respect to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in commercial launch vehicle development in the space sector particularly with the objective of promoting launch of small satellites in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  its  entry  route  and  the percentage of equity or FDI cap pertaining to the same;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  frame  FDI  policy guidelines relating to commercial launch vehicle development in the space sector and if so, the details thereof including the timeframe to implement such guidelines; and
- (e) whether the Government has received any proposals to formulate FDI policy in commercial launch vehicle operations sector and if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) No Madam.
- (b) Does not arise.
- (c) Launch vehicle technologies are dual-use in nature and hence, they are highly restricted internationally. ISRO has developed these  technologies  and  related  facilities  indigenously  and  all space launch activities are hitherto performed by Department of Space/ISRO only. However, in order to enable private sector industry in space activities, the Department is in the process of enacting  a  legislation  for  Space  Activities  in  India,  which  is under consultation process.
- (d) Department  would  consider  FDI  guidelines in  commercial launch vehicle sector, as necessary and at appropriate time, in consultation with Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), MoC&I.
- (e) Yes Madam, the Department has received a copy of a proposal sent by a private company which is addressed to Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion.

*****