opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 154 (STARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Replacing Passenger Trains with MEMU
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.154 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## REPLACING PASSENGER TRAINS WITH MEMU

* 154.  SHRIMATI VASANTHI M.:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways is planning to replace its passenger trains with MEMU;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the move is expected to reduce journey time and decongest high traffic routes; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COAL, FINANCE AND CORPORATE AFFIARS

ANSWER (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (d):     A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  154  BY  SHRIMATI  VASANTHI  M.  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  13.02.2019  REGARDING  REPLACING PASSENGER TRAINS WITH MEMU

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam.  The  replacement of conventional loco hauled passenger  trains    by  Main  Line  Multiple  units  (  MEMU  )  and  Diesel Electric Multiple  Unit (DEMU) trains is an ongoing process on Indian Railways  with  the  priority    of  trains  running  on  the  routes  having frequent reversals of the trains, capacity constraint specially on High Density Network  subject to availability of  MEMU/DEMU coaches.  86 pairs of passenger trains have been converted to MEMU/DEMU trains during  last 3 years i.e. 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. MEMU/ DEMU trains have higher acceleration/deceleration capacity compared to conventional passenger trains. Besides shunting and power reversals at terminating/originating  stations  are  not  required  in  such  trains.  As such, these trains help in reducing journey time and decongestion of high traffic routes by enhancing throughput.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 152 (STARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Digital Hubs
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.152 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## DIGITAL HUBS

- *152.  ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether it is a fact that the RailTel is turning railway stations into digital hubs;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also a fact the RailTel is considering to provide free Wi-Fi at many more stations across the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COAL, FINANCE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. *****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  152  BY  ADV.  M.  UDHAYAKUMAR  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  13.02.2019  REGARDING  DIGITAL HUBS (a)  & (b): RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RCIL), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under Ministry of Railways, is providing free Wi-Fi services  at  Railways  Stations.  Wi-Fi  Services  have  been  provided  at 755 stations as on 31 st  January 2019 as indicated in the Appendix. An average of about 2.9 Crores users are using this free Wi-Fi services during a month and the total aggregate data consumed per month has been more than 10,000 Terabytes (TB). (c)  &  (d):  RCIL  is  in  the  process  of  providing  free  Wi-Fi  services  at additional 796 Railway stations across the country. *****

APPENDIX  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  AND  (b)  OF STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  152  BY  ADV.  M.  UDHAYAKUMAR  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  13.02.2019  REGARDING  DIGITAL HUBS

(a)  &  (b):  RailTel  has  commissioned  Wi-Fi  services  at  following categories of stations:

| Category of Station   |   Wi-Fi Commissioned |
|-----------------------|----------------------|
| A1                    |                   75 |
| A                     |                  323 |
| B                     |                   35 |
| C                     |                   19 |
| D                     |                  101 |
| E                     |                  191 |
| F                     |                   11 |
| Total                 |                  755 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 151 (STARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Death of Soldiers during Terrorist Attacks
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.151

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## DEATH OF SOLDIERS DURING TERRORIST ATTACKS

## *151.  SHRI  K.N. RAMACHANDRAN:

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

- (a) the  details  of  Indian  soldiers  killed  on  the  India-Pakistan  border  in  frequent terrorist attacks during the last two years;
- (b) the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) the time by which the terrorists would be flushed out?

## 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) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*******

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)    OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 151 FOR ANSWER ON 13.2.2019

- (a) The  details  of  Indian  Army  soldiers  killed  on  the  India-Pakistan border (LOC) due to terrorist attacks during last two years are as under:-
- (b) & (c): All the forward posts are adequately strengthened to withstand terrorist  attacks.    Continuous  improvements,  including  the  usage  of modern technology, in the defences are made to make them more robust and resilient.   The  Army  also  carries  out  indepth analysis of  the  terrorist incidents and security breaches that are identified with various incidents.

|   Year |   Fatal Casualties suffered by Army during tactical actions |
|--------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
|   2017 |                                                          13 |
|   2018 |                                                          12 |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 150 (STARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Use of Air Force Helicopters
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: C. N. JAYADEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.150

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## USE OF AIR FORCE HELICOPTERS

- *150.  SHRI  C.N. JAYADEVAN:

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

- (a) whether the State Government of Kerala has been asked to pay about Rs.34 crore for  using  the  services  of  small  planes  and  helicopters  of  the  Air  Force  in  the  rescue operations during the recent floods in the State;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the State Governments are obliged to pay for the services rendered by the Defence Ministry for relief actions in such natural calamities; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*******

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)    OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 150 FOR ANSWER ON 13.2.2019

(a) to (d): Assistance by Armed Forces to Civil administration is governed by  'Instructions  on  aid  to  Civil  Authority  by  the  Armed  Forces-1970', wherein recovery of expenditure incurred by Armed Forces in aid of civil administration is specified. As per norms of assistance from SDRF / NDRF circulated by Ministry of  Home Affairs (MHA), Air bills of the Ministry of Defence for the search and  rescue  operations  are  reimbursed  from  the  National  Disaster  Relief Fund  (NDRF)  on  actual  basis,  based  on  assessment  of  need  by  State Executive Committee (SEC) and recommendation of Central Team in case of NDRF. As the fund from the NDRF can be released only to the account of the State, the air bill is required to be raised by the Ministry of Defence to the State Government, which has utilized the services.  The State Government provides the  verified  copy  of  the  air  bill  to  the  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs. Then, the Ministry of Home Affairs recommends the release of fund to the Department of Expenditure, which in turn releases the amount from NDRF to the concerned State Government with clear direction that the amount is for payment to the Ministry of Defence. During Kerala Floods, Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out 517 sorties of Fixed Wing aircraft, airlifting 3787 persons and 1350 Ton of load and 634 sorties of Helicopters, winching 584 persons and airlifting 247 Ton of load. Bills  of  approximately  Rs.103.71  crores  have  been  forwarded  to

Kerala  Government  for  use  of  IAF  aircraft  /  helicopters  for  Kerala  flood relief.  The recoveries for providing services of IAF aircraft / helicopters are effected  from  all  State  Government  and  the  Administration  of  Union Territories.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 147 (STARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Help offered by Countries/ Organisations
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.147

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## HELP OFFERED BY COUNTRIES / ORGANISATIONS

- *147. DR. P.K. BIJU:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government has refused to accept the help from various countries and organizations for the revival of Kerala which was devastated by the torrential rain and flood in the month of August, 2018; and
- (b) if so, the names of the countries and organizations which offered financial as well as technological help for reconstruction of the State and the reasons for not accepting such help from friendly countries?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

- (a) & (b) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) AND (B) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 147 REGARDING HELP   OFFERED   BY   COUNTRIES/   ORGANISATIONS   FOR ANSWER ON 13.02.2019

(a) In the wake of the tragic Kerala floods, several countries expressed their sympathies and their willingness to assist in the relief and rehabilitation efforts. In   response,   Government   expressed   deep   appreciation   for   such   offers   and conveyed that, in line with the existing policy, it is committed to meeting requirements for relief   and   rehabilitation   through   domestic   efforts.     It   was further conveyed that contributions to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund from NRIs, PIOs and international entities such as foundations would, however, be welcome.

(b) In line with Government's policy, some countries have collaborated with international entities for relief and rehabilitation efforts in Kerala.

- (i) Post-Disaster   Needs   Assessment   (PDNA)   team   comprising     experts representing UN agencies, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and European Union had carried out survey of flood affected areas in Kerala [28 Sept-15 Oct 2018].
- (ii) The European Union has made financial contributions to the Indian Red Cross Society for the Kerala flood relief operations.
- (iii) Some countries that have expressed desire or offered assistance for relief and rehabilitation efforts included Qatar, Kuwait, The Netherlands and Israel.
- *****

2
Lok Sabha Question No. 146 (STARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Coal Allocation through e-Auction Process
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: DEVAJIBHAI GOVINDBHAI FATEPARA, RITI PATHAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*146

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## Coal Allocation through e-Auction Process

## *146. SHRI DEVAJIBHAI G.FATEPARA: SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether  the  Government  has  discontinued  the  e-Auction  Process through   which coal is allocated to D.D. holder;
- (b)  if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether the Government is aware of the revenue loss being suffered by the Government  and  the  employment  opportunities  being  dried  up  as  a result thereof;
- (d) if so, whether the Government proposes to take any steps in this regard so as to   make up for the revenue loss as well as to increase employment opportunities; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COAL, FINANCE AND CORPORATE AFAIRS (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (e ): a statement is laid on the table of the House.

Statement  referred  to  parts  (a)  to  (e)  of  LoK  Sabha  Starred Question NO.*146 for answer on 13.02.2019  asked  by  SHRI  DEVAJIBHAI G.FATEPARA: SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK: (a) and (b): As per the e-auction scheme of Coal India Limited, there is no such term as DD holder. In order to meet the demand of the power sector and  to  build  up  coal  stock  at  power  houses,  offer  through  e-auction  was regulated in the months of October-November, 2018. As the stock position at power houses improved thus reducing the level of criticality by December, 2018, offer through e-auction was gradually restored. (c) to (e): In 2018-19 (up to 31.01.2019), the total e-auction booking value has increased from the booking value in the corresponding period of the last year. Against the e-auction booking value of about Rs. 16,764 crore in 201718 (up to 31.01.2018), the booking value in 2018-19 (up to 31.01.2019) has been about Rs.16,948 crore.

- ***
Lok Sabha Question No. 142 (STARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Misuse of Social Media
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: GAURAV GOGOI, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *142

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 13.02.2019

## MISUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

## *142. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI: SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:

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

- (a) whether the senior official of his Ministry had a meeting with legal experts and privacy advocates to discuss various issues relating to making social media safer and to govern social media platforms in the country;
- (b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has since taken any concrete and effective steps to check the misuse of social media by criminals and anti-national elements; and
- (d) if so, the details in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *142 FOR 13-02-2019 REGARDING MISUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

- ……..

(a) to  (d):  Yes,  Sir.  The  social  media  platforms  are  intermediaries  under  the  Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) had proposed  to  amend  the  Information  Technology  (Intermediaries  Guidelines)  Rules,  2011 notified under section 79 of the IT Act, 2000. The proposed amendments to the said Rules were published  on  MeitY  website  on  24.12.2018  inviting  public  comments  by  15.01.2019.  The proposed amendments were intensely debated in the electronic and print media.  In order to convey the perspectives of proposed amendments, a meeting was held with legal experts and the privacy advocates on 29 th December 2018.  Based on the discussions, MeitY extended the deadline  for  submission  of  comments  to  31.01.2019.    The  comments  so  received  have  also been published on MeitY's website on 06.02.2019 inviting further comments  by 14.02.2019.

Government  regularly  interacts  with  social  media  representatives  regarding  the  steps  to  be taken to make social media safer.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1840 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Initiatives to Tackle Oil Import Issue
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1840

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## INITIATIVES TO TACKLE OIL IMPORT ISSUE

†1840. SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has made any strategic efforts and taken any initiative to tackle the pressure being created on India and other countries by America and its administration for not importing oil from oil producing countries such as Iran and Iraq; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof ?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) The   U.S.   announced   its   intent   to   withdraw   from   the   Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on 08 May 2018. It subsequently reimposed all its sanctions on Iran that had been lifted or waived in connection with the JCPOA in August and November 2018. The U.S. sanctions on petroleumrelated transactions, including the purchase of petroleum, petroleum products, or petrochemical products from Iran came into effect on 05 November 2018. In a media interaction on the same day, the U.S. Secretary of State, Michael R. Pompeo said, 'We have decided to issue temporary allotments to a handful of countries responsible to specific circumstances and to ensure a well-supplied oil market. The U.S. will be granting these exemptions to China, India, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, T aiwan, and Turkey.'

India has engaged with the U.S. to deal with the impact of these sanctions on India's energy security, with a view to protecting our vital national interests. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1839 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Upgradation of Forecasting Technology
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: SAVITRI THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.  1839

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

## UPGRADATION OF FORECASTING TECHNOLOGY

## 1839. SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  proposal  for  upgradation  of  weather  forecasting technology/equipment to more accurate prediction is under consideration;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it will have the facility of providing the timely information of likely damage due to weather to farmers; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a)
- Yes Madam.
- (b) It  is  being  planned  to  further  enhance  the  accuracy  of  weather forecasts and their effective & timely dissemination in the ensuing years.  For  this  purpose,  under  the  Umbrella  Scheme  entitled 'Atmosphere& Climate Research - Modeling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS)', a sub-scheme has been planned viz., 'Upgradation of Forecast System'. The various components of this sub-scheme include
- (i) Development of an advanced operational forecast system.
- (ii) Upgradation  and  sustenance  of  communication  systems  for weather services
- (iii) Capacity building & outreach etc.

As  a  part  of  the  first  component,  it  is  being  planned  to  have  a Decision Support System to enable the weather forecasters to view and analyze huge volume of data and products efficiently within the given time frame, and decide the forecast and warning. A forecast &  warning  dissemination  tool  which  will  enable  the  inclusion  of user friendly textual & graphical products as well as videos is also envisaged under this programme.

This along with further improvements in the observational network and  numerical  modeling  capability  as  planned  under  ACROSS  are also expected to increase the accuracy of weather forecasts. The scheme is meant for the enhancement of existing facilities of user

(c) & (d) early warning system including timely dissemination of friendly impact based information to all users including farmers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1837 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Agitation against Change in UPSC Exam
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Kunhalikutty, P.K.

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1837

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019)

## AGITATION AGAINST CHANGE IN UPSC EXAM

## 1837. SHRI P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether some students have been agitating against some changes effected by the UPSC;
- (b) if so, the details in this regard; and
- (c) the action being taken in the matter?

## 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  (c)  :  Several  representations  have  been  received  from  the  Civil  Services  aspirants demanding additional attempts in Civil Services Examination (CSE) due to change in the pattern from CSE-2011.

The Government has already acted upon this matter by taking a policy decision for providing an additional attempt in CSE 2015 to those candidates who appeared in CSE 2011. Also, General Studies (Paper-II) of Preliminary Examination was made qualifying with effect from CSE-2015. Further the Government has already decided to allow two additional attempts to all category of candidates with effect from CSE 2014, with consequential relaxation of maximum age.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1836 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Accidental Insurance
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1836 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## ACCIDENTAL INSURANCE

## 1836.  SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has taken a decision to discontinue compulsory collection of one rupee towards accidental insurance from passengers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that Ministry has roped in private players to collect this accidental insurance charges instead of collecting it by Railways; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN )

(a)  and  (b):  No,  Madam.  An  Optional  Travel  Insurance  Scheme  was launched by the Railways from 01.09.2016 at a premium of ` 0.92 per passenger  per  trip  to  all  the  Confirmed/RAC  Railway  passengers buying online e-ticket from IRCTC website, wherein the premium was paid  by  the  passengers.  Subsequently,  to  promote  digital/cashless transaction on the direction of Ministry of Finance, the insurance was

Contd..2/-

provided  free  of  cost  from  10.12.2016  to  31.08.2018  wherein  the premium was paid by IRCTC themselves. Thereafter,  on  the  direction  of  Ministry  of  Finance,  the  free  of cost insurance was discontinued beyond 31.08.2018 and the Original Optional Travel Insurance was extended on pilot basis for one more year  i.e.  from  01.09.2018  to  31.08.2019  on  the  condition  that  the insurance premium will be paid by the passengers buying Confirmed/RAC online e-tickets. From 01.10.2018, the premium for the insurance scheme is ` 0.49/- (inclusive of all taxes) per passenger per trip.

(c)  and (d): Selling insurance policies to general public is not one of Railways'  core  activities.  The  insurance  product  development  and marketing is a specialized job which can be handled appropriately by insurance companies. Hence, the facility of insuring rail passengers is being provided by three insurance companies who were selected by IRCTC on the basis of a tender. The companies providing insurance presently are: (i) M/s Bharti Axa General Insurance Co. Ltd., (ii) Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Ltd., & (iii) Shriram General Insurance Co. Ltd..

****