opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1693 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: UN Security Council
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: P. Velusamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1693

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## UN SECURITY COUNCIL

## 1693. SHRI VELUSAMY P.:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of steps taken by the Ministry to demand reforms of UN Security Council (UNSC) when four of the five UNSC permanent members - UK, USA, Russia and France openly supported India's bid to enter the elite club;
- (b) whether Beijing did not have a policy to oppose India's candidature for a permanent seat in the UNSC and if so, the details thereof and whether the Government is seeking the support of China to secure the coveted UNSC permanent post for India;
- (c) whether India has approached friendly countries or floated a group to seek changes in the constitution of UNSC which will pave the way for India's entry into UNSC; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) to (d) Four out of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council   have   bilaterally   expressed   official   affirmations   of   support   for India's   candidature   to   a   permanent   seat   in   an   expanded   UN   Security Council.

In the Joint Statement issued on the occasion of the visit of the Indian   Prime   Minister   to   China   in   May   2015   it   is   stated   that   "China attaches great importance to India's status in international affairs as a large developing country, and understands and supports India's aspiration to play a greater role in the United Nations including in the Security Council.'

The process of UNSC Reforms is being presently discussed under the Intergovernmental   Negotiation   (IGN)   framework   of   the   UN   General Assembly, where India along with like-minded countries has been pushing for text-based negotiations to commence on an urgent basis.  India is also working alongside other reform-oriented countries through its membership in G-4 (India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) and the L.69 Group (a cross regional group of countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America)

for building support among the UN Member States for expansion in both permanent and non permanent categories.

Government of India has accorded the highest priority to getting permanent membership for India in an expanded United Nations Security Council. T owards this end, GOI has undertaken various initiatives aimed at building international support for India. The matter is consistently taken up during bilateral and multilateral meetings, and in discussions with other countries at all levels, including at the highest levels.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1692 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Mobile and Data Connectivity in Odisha
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1692 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## MOBILE AND DATA CONNECTIVITY IN ODISHA

## 1692.   SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there are specific plans for States like Odisha which is having low Tele-density to improve connectivity in the State and if so, details thereof;
- (b) the  number  of  Gram  Panchayats in  undivided Koraput  District of  Odisha  where  there  is  no  mobile connectivity;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to provide mobile connectivity in this regard;
- (d) whether the Government is having any plan to improve quality of data connectivity in rural areas and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the plan proposed by the Government to increase data connectivity in Left-Wing Extremism affected areas?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

- (a) Yes Sir. Details are given below:
- (b) In 202 Gram Panchayats of Undivided Koraput District, there is no mobile connectivity.
- (c) Steps as taken are given in column (5) of the table provided in part (a) above.
- (d) Yes,  Sir.  4G  technology  for  mobile  coverage  by  Telecom  Service  Providers  and  broadband connectivity  in  Gram  Panchayats  through  BharatNet  project  are  providing  improved  quality  of  data connectivity in rural areas.
- (e) USOF scheme 'Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Phase-II' is approved to increase data connectivity in left wing extremism affected areas.

|   Sl. No. (1) | USOF scheme (2)                    |   No. of Districts in Odisha under the scheme (3) |   No. of Towers in Odisha under the scheme (4) |   No. of Towers in Koraput District under the scheme (5) |
|---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
|             1 | Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Phase-I  |                                                21 |                                            256 |                                                       27 |
|             2 | Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Phase-II |                                                 5 |                                            158 |                                                       60 |
|             3 | Aspirational District scheme       |                                                10 |                                           3933 |                                                      520 |

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1690 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Revision of Tariff Structure
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy, Gitaben Vajesingbhai Rathva

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1690 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## REVISION OF TARIFF STRUCTURE

## 1690.   SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY: SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to revise tariff structure for sustainable growth of telecom sector  to  mitigate  the  effects  of  the  Adjusted  Gross  Revenue  issue  that  has  impacted  telecom operators and also slowed the 5G implementation process; and

- (b) if so, the details and the present status thereof, company-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) & (b) As  per  the  extant  regulatory  framework  for  tariff,  tariffs  for  telecommunication services  are  forborne  except  for:  (i)  rural  fixed  line  services;  (ii)  national  roaming  services;  (iii) international private leased circuits and domestic leased circuits; and (iv) mobile number portability charges. Thus, the telecom service providers have complete flexibility to decide various components of  tariff  including  the  validity  and  other  terms  and  conditions  of  services  as  per  their  commercial requirements subject to adherence to broad regulatory principles of transparency, non-discrimination and non-predation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1688 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Drone Based Surveillance System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi, Adala Prabhakara Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1688 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## DRONE BASED SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

1688. DR. BEESETTI VENKATA SATYAVATHI : SHRI ADALA PRABHAKARA REDDY :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  procured  drones  and  Ninja  Unmanned Aerial  Vehicles  (UAVs)  for  establishing  a  drone-based  surveillance system for the Indian Railways;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any pilot project has been initiated in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details of the Railway divisions that are being allotted these drones and UAVs?

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

(a) to (d):    Yes, Sir. Nine drones have been procured by Railway Protection Force  so  far  at  a  cost  of ₹ 31.87  lakhs  at  South  Eastern  Railway,  Central Railway,  Modern  Coaching  Factory,  Raebareilli  and  South  Western  Railway which are being used for surveillance of railway premises.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1686 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Single Window Clearance System
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Y. S. Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1686.

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 21 ST   SEPTEMBER, 2020.

## SINGLE WINDOW CLEARANCE SYSTEM

## 1686.  SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  the  Government  has  taken  a  decision  to  give  all approvals  and  clearances  to  the  industries  at  one  go  by  introducing  single window approval system; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b): The  Central  Government  is  working  on  setting  up  a  Single  Window System for clearances and approvals of industry in the country. Despite the  presence of several IT platforms for investing in India such as in departments  of  the  Government  of  India  and  State  Single  Window Clearances, investors need  to visit multiple platforms to gather information  and  obtain  clearances  from  different  stakeholders.  To address  this,  the creation  of  a  centralized  Investment  Clearance Cell which would provide end-to-end facilitation support, including preinvestment advisory, information related to land banks; and facilitating clearances at Central and State level was proposed and the same is also  a Budget Announcement 2020-21.

The cell is being planned as a One-stop digital platform to obtain all requisite central and  state clearances/approvals  required  to  start business operations in India. The Investment Clearance Cell will be a National  portal  that  integrates  the  existing  clearance  systems  of  the various Ministries/ Departments of Govt. of India and of State Governments without disruption to the existing IT portals of Ministries and will have a single, unified application form. This will eliminate the need  for  investors  to  visit  multiple  platforms/  offices to  gather information  and  obtain  clearances  from  different  stakeholders  and provide time-bound approvals and real time status update to investors.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1685 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Recommendations by Bibek Debroy Committee
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1685 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## RECOMMENDATIONS BY BIBEK DEBROY COMMITTEE

1685.   DR. SHASHI THAROOR :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry has seen the recommendations of the railway restructuring  committee  led  by  Shri  Bibek  Debroy  which  focus  on developing only railway stations that serve more than 25,000 passengers daily;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  recommendations  will  lead  to  the  stalling  of  the development  of  several  very  small  but  crucial  stations  in  Kerala, including Kannur, Palakkad, and others;
- (d)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  is  going  to  consider  not  to implement these reforms and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (e): Yes, Sir. Ministry has seen the recommendations of Railway Restructuring Committee led by Shri Bibek Debroy submitted in June 2015. There were general recommendations  on  development of stations  and  it  would  not  lead  to  stalling  of  development  of  any station.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1684 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Mining in Backward and Tribal Areas
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 1684 ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## MINING IN BACKWARD AND TRIBAL AREAS

## †1684. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has given permission of mining to private companies in the country particularly in the backward and tribal dominated areas during the last three years;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  for  setting  up  industries  in  tribal  dominated areas by the  private companies involved in mining work in the said areas; and (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):  As  per  the  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957 and the Rules framed there under, the powers have been devolved upon the State Government to grant  mineral  concessions  for  the  minerals  located  within  their  respective  jurisdiction,  in accordance with law.

The State Governments are committed to safeguard the tribal rights in the mining areas. Grant of mineral concessions in Scheduled areas are guided by the provisions contained in article 244  read  with  Fifth  and  Sixth  Schedules  of  the  Constitution  relating  to  administration  of  the Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas. Further, all statutory provisions applicable to Scheduled and Tribal areas are to be complied before starting the mining operations.

As per Provisions of Section 4 (k) & (l) of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 the recommendations of the Gram Sabha or the Panchayats at the appropriate level  is  mandatory prior to grant of prospecting licence or mining lease for minor minerals or auction of minor minerals.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1681 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Privatisation of Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Manoj Kumar Tiwari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1681 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## PRIVATISATION OF RAILWAY STATIONS

1681.  SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to privatize railway stations;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, station-wise; and
- (c) the details of revenue likely to be accrued to the Government with this initiative and the future plans alongwith time line in this regard, station/firm-wise?

## 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.1681  BY  SHRI  MANOJ  TIWARI  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 21.09.2020 REGARDING PRIVATISATION OF RAILWAY STATIONS (a)  &  (b):  No,  Sir.  There  is  no  proposal  for  privatization  of  railway stations,  only  the  lease  rights  for  use  of  land/air  space  shall  be transferred to private parties for specified  periods  under  station redevelopment  programme.    The  ownership  of  the  railway  land/air space shall remain with Railways. The assets created on Railway land shall  revert  back  to  Railways  after  completion  of  the  specified  lease period. (c): Redevelopment of stations is planned through leveraging commercial development of sparable land and air space in and around railway stations, i.e. station redevelopment projects shall generally be cost neutral to Railways. Station redevelopment program, at this scale, is first of its kind and complex in nature and requires detailed techno-financial feasibility studies and various statutory clearances from local bodies etc. Therefore, no time-frame can be indicated at this stage. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1680 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Bharat Net Project in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja

## 1680. SHRI A. RAJA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has put on hold the BharatNet tender project under phase II in Tamil Nadu;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefore;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  complaints  on  irregularity  in  implementation  of BharatNet project in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the disciplinary action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

- (a) No, Sir
- (b) In view of (a) above, it is not applicable.

(c) & (d) Some complaints about restrictive and discriminatory clauses in the tender floated by TANFINET, the State Implementing Agency for the implementation of BharatNet project in Tamil Nadu,  were  received.    It  was  considered  after  deliberations  in  the  Department  for  Promotion  of Industry  and  Internal  Trade,  Ministry  of  Commerce  and  Industry  that  the  bidding  conditions, incorporated by TANFINET in the bidding documents, were restrictive and discriminatory in nature. Accordingly,  Tamil  Nadu  Government  was  asked  to re-invite the bids with non-restrictive qualification criteria.

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1680 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## BHARATNET PROJECT IN TAMIL NADU
Lok Sabha Question No. 1679 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Introduction of Private Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1679 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## INTRODUCTION OF PRIVATE TRAINS

1679. SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of private trains Government is planning to introduce in the next five years;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  also  planning  to  reduce  the  number  of Government employees in the Railways on account of privatisation; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  mechanism  proposed  for employment of government employees in these privately operated trains?

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

(a)  Ministry of Railways (MoR) has invited applications for investment and induction  of  modern  rakes  over  select  routes  through  Public  Private Partnership (PPP) to provide world class services to the passengers. As part of this initiative, MOR has issued 12 Requests for Qualification (RFQs) on 1 st July, 2020 for operation of passenger trains over approximately 109 origindestination  pairs  (divided  into  12  clusters)  through  PPP  on  Design,  Build, Finance  and  Operate  ('DBFO')  basis.  The  routes  are  spread  across  the entire Indian Railway network and the list is available in the public domain namely,  http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/IndicativeRoutesfor12clusters.pdf. The  responsibility  of  train  operations  and  safety  certification  rests  with

Indian Railways.

(b)  and  (c)  No,  Sir.  The  existing  passenger  train  services  shall  not  be affected  by  the  operation  of  passenger  train  services  through  PPP  mode. These services to be operated through PPP mode shall be additional trains and aimed at increasing the availability of train services to the public. As such, the interest of employees working for the operation of existing train services over Indian Railways is not likely to be affected. Further, in order to protect the interest of the employees, it has been decided that the Crew (Drivers and Guards) required for operation of trains through PPP mode shall be provided by Indian Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1677 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Bankruptcy and Payment of AGR Dues
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: K. Subbarayan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1677 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## BANKRUPTCY AND PAYMENT OF AGR DUES

## 1677.   SHRI SUBBARAYAN K.:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Reliance Communications Limited has filed for bankruptcy under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues owed by the said company at the time of declaring bankruptcy;

(d) whether  Jio  Infocomm  Limited  was  already  using  the  aforesaid  company's  spectrum  since 2016 and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether  the  Jio  Infocomm  Limited  will  be  held  liable  to  pay  spectrum  dues  of  Reliance Communication Limited; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to recover the AGR dues from Jio Infocomm Limited?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) & (b) Reliance  Communications  Limited  (RCL)  is  currently  undergoing  Corporate  Insolvency Resolution  Process  (CIRP)  under  the  Insolvency  &  Bankruptcy  Code  (IBC),  2016,  under  Company Petition (C.P) no. 1386/1387 of 2017 in National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai Bench. The Hon'ble NCLT, Mumbai had issued order of moratorium under IBC, 2016.

(c) In  M.A.  (D)  No.  9887  of  2020  in  Civil  Appeal  Nos  6328-6399  of  2015  and  others,  Hon'ble Supreme Court in its judgement dated 1.9.2020 has determined  the AGR dues owed by M/s Reliance Communications Limited and M/s Reliance Telecom Limited (RCL/RTL) as Rs. 25199.27 crores.

- (d) Spectrum sharing in 800 MHz band between M/s Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL) and M/s RCL/RTL was taken on record in 2016 in 21 Licence Service Areas (LSAs) pursuant to the Department of Telecom's (DoT) Spectrum Sharing Guidelines.
- (e) & (f) In M.A. (D) No. 9887 of 2020 in Civil Appeal Nos 6328-6399 of 2015 and others, Hon'ble Supreme Court in its judgement dated 1.9.2020, has held that in the present case, only part of the spectrum of the licensee has been shared with the case of some of TSPs, which has been approved by the DoT under the  Sharing  Guidelines,  2015,  and  there  is  no  provision  for  the  liability  of  the  past  dues  on  the  shared operator. Even otherwise, the past dues of sharing operator/licensee covers AGR for the spectrum used by holder  of  licence.  Certain  TSPs  such  as  Reliance  came  into  existence  later  on,  and  as  observed  herein above, the liability of such operator of the AGR, would only be to the extent it has used the said spectrum. Shared operator TSPs cannot be saddled with the liability to pay the past dues of AGR of licensee, that have shared the spectrum with the original licensees.

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