opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1926 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Prime Minister’s Visit to Neighbouring Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Khagen Murmu, Asaduddin Owaisi, Imtiaz Jaleel Syed, Sukanta Majumdar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1926 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES

1926.  SHRI KHAGEN MURMU: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI: SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL: DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Prime Minister has recently visited neighboring countries including Sri Lanka and Maldives;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the details of agreements signed and proposals made for new projects with each country;
- (c) whether the Prime Minister held discussions with Sri Lanka on issues related with Bay of Bengal initiative for Multi-Sectoral T echnical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the present status of India's relations with Maldives and Sri Lanka in the wake of increasing influence of China in neighboring countries;
- (e) the new services likely to be started with Sri Lanka and Maldives by India in the near future;
- (f) whether the Prime Minister has also invited President/Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka and Maldives to India and if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) the other steps taken by the Government to improve relations with other neighboring countries?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Yes.   Prime   Minister   visited   Maldives   on   8-9   June   2019.   Six Agreements in the areas of White Shipping, Hydrography, Health Cooperation, Ferry and Cargo Services and Cooperation in Capacity Building in Customs and Civil Services were signed with Maldives. Prime Minister also visited Sri Lanka on 9 June 2019. The main purpose of the visit was to convey our solidarity with Sri Lanka in the aftermath of terror attacks.

(c) The visit to Sri Lanka was of bilateral nature and discussions were held to further strengthen our relationship.

- (d) India's relations with Sri Lanka and Maldives stand on their own footing and are independent of the relations of these countries with any third country.
- (e) India and Maldives have agreed to start a ferry service between Kochi in India and Kulhudhuffushi and Male in Maldives.   This was announced during Prime Minister's recent visit to Maldives.
- (f) High   level   exchanges   between   India   and   Sri   Lanka   and   India   and Maldives are a regular phenomenon because of the importance GOI attaches to these countries.
- (g) Under its 'Neighborhood First' policy, Government of India is committed to developing friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all its neighbors. India is an active economic partner of its neighbours and is involved in various development projects in neighbouring countries.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1924 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Aadhaar Cards for Disabled Persons
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1924

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## AADHAAR CARDS FOR DISABLED PERSONS

## 1924.   SHRI SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL:

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

- (a)  whether disabled persons are being forced to move to High Court to get their Aadhaar cards issued; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the steps taken/ being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): No, Sir.  Every resident, including persons with disability /missing biometrics, is eligible for Aadhaar.

Aadhaar (Enrolment & Update) Regulations, 2016 inter-alia contains detailed guidelines for Aadhaar enrolment of all categories of residents including those with disabilities.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1923 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Additional Nuclear Reactors at Kudankulam
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1923

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## ADDITIONAL NUCLEAR REACTORS AT KUDANKULAM

1923.  SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a pact for the two additional nuclear reactors at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu has been signed between India and Russia; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Sir.
- (b) A General Framework Agreement (GFA) for setting up two additional units of 1000 MW each at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu (Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, KKNPP-5&6 - 2X1000 MW) was signed by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) with Atomstroyexport (ASE) of Russian Federation in June 2017.

Following the signing of the GFA, excavation for main plant buildings and offshore  structures  is  in  progress.  The  work  on  the  contracts  for  first  priority design  works,  first  priority  equipment,  long  manufacturing  cycle  equipment, working documentation etc. is in progress.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1922 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: CCTV Cameras
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Saikia Dilip, Ramesh Chander Kaushik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1922 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## CCTV CAMERAS

†1922. SHRI DILIP SAIKIA: SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has started installing/proposes to install cameras in the railway passenger coaches to solve the problems of the passengers and mismanagement during the railway journey and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether the cameras will be installed in all types of trains and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has fixed any time limit in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a):  Yes,  Sir.  Ministry  of  Railways  have  taken  steps  to  install  CCTV cameras  in  all  coaches  of  Premium,  Mail/Express,  Suburban  trains. CCTV cameras have been fitted in 1300 coaches of Mainline passenger trains  for  safety  and  security  for  the  passengers  during  the  railway journey.

(b)  &  (c):  Yes,  Sir.  CCTV  cameras  in  another  7020  coaches  of  such trains have been planned during Phase-I, targetted for completion by March 2021. Provision  of  CCTV  cameras  in  remaining  coaches  will  be  taken  up thereafter.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1917 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Sand Mining
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Vijay Kumar Dubey, Rebati Tripura

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1917

ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## SAND MINING

1917. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:

SHRI REBATI TRIPURA:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  mechanism  to  check  and  monitor  the  sand mining activities in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof especially in Uttar Pradesh and North East;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d)  the  details  of  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  control  illegal  sand  mining activities?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): The State Governments are custodians of the minerals located within their respective boundaries. The  States grant the mineral concessions  under the provisions  of  the  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  and  Regulation)  (MMDR)  Act, 1957. For minor minerals, all policy and legislation for grant of mineral concessions, regulation and administration is covered in the jurisdiction of the State Governments under the MMDR Act and the Rules framed thereunder. As sand is a minor mineral under  Section  3(e)  of  the  MMDR  Act,  the  information  with  regard  to  sand  mining activities in the country is not centrally maintained.

(d): Section 23C of the MMDR Act, 1957 empowers the State Governments to make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and for the purposes connected therewith.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1914 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Delay of Works under MPLAD
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1914

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## DELAY OF WORKS UNDER MPLAD

## 1914.  SHRI  N. K. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will  the  Minister  of  STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION  be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether   the  Government  proposes   to  initiate  the  completion  of programme and project in a time-bound manner and if so, the details of the action taken thereon;
- (b)  whether  it  has  come  to  the  notice  of  the  Government  that  the guidelines  issued  for  timely  completion  of  MPLAD  works  is  not followed by the implementing authorities;
- (c) if so, the action taken by the Government for timely completion and strict compliance of the guidelines in this regard;
- (d) whether the Government initiated action against the implementing authority for the delay in completion of MPLAD works;
- (e) if so, the details of the action taken by the Government against the implementing authorities who delayed the implementation as per the guidelines issued, State-wise;
- (f) whether the Government has received complaints against the delay in implementation of MPLAD works during the last five years; and
- (g) if so, the details of the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a)      MPLADS guidelines provide for completion of programme and projects
- in a time bound manner.

(b) to (g) The implementation of the MPLADS in the field is undertaken by the District  Authorities  in  accordance  with  the  State  Government's  technical, administrative and financial rules. Sanction, rejection and completion of the work are done by the District Authorities as per the time line stipulated in MPLADS guidelines. Ministry  of  Statistics  &  Programme  Implementation  holds  annual  review meeting  in  addition  to   regular  correspondence  with  State  Government  to emphasize  timely  completion  of  works  and  utilization  of  funds.  Wherever delay, violation of Guidelines etc. in implementation of works is noticed,  the State Government / District Authority are advised to take appropriate action.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1913 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Construction of Dams by China
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Ramapati Ram Tripathi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1913 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS BY CHINA

## † 1913. DR. RAMAPATI RAM TRIPATHI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether China has allegedly started construction of dams on all rivers including Brahmaputra river which flow from China to India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether India has raised this matter with China;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of China thereto; and
- (e) the   steps   taken/proposed   to   be   taken   by   the   Government   to safeguard the interests of the country in the said matter?

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

(a) to (e) The 'Outline of the 12th Five Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China' endorsed in March 2011 indicated that three hydropower projects on the main stream of  Brahmaputra River in Tibet Autonomous Region were approved for implementation by the Chinese authorities.   A hydropower project at Zangmu was declared fully operational by Chinese authorities in October 2015.

Government   carefully monitors all   developments   on   the Brahmaputra   River.   As   a   lower   riparian   State   with   considerable established   user   rights   to   the   waters   of   the   trans-border   rivers, Government has consistently conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities and has urged them to ensure that the interests of downstream States are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas.

The Chinese side has conveyed to us on several occasions that they are only undertaking run-of-the-river hydropower projects which do not involve diversion of the waters of the Brahmaputra.

Various  issues   relating   to   trans-border   rivers   are   discussed   with China under the ambit of an institutionalized Expert Level Mechanism which was established in 2006, as well as through diplomatic channels. We intend to remain engaged with China on the issue of trans-border rivers to safeguard our interests.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1912 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Atrocities against Minorities in Pakistan
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Subhash Chandra Baheria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1912 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## ATROCITIES AGAINST MINORITIES IN PAKISTAN

## † 1912. SHRI SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps against the apathetic attitude of the Government of Pakistan towards the recent increase in the incidents of atrocities against minorities in Pakistan;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has presented the issue of violation of human rights in Pakistan before the International Human Rights Commission; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) The Government, from time to time, has come across reports of problems faced by members of the minority communities in Pakistan, including those of intimidation, abduction, persecution, forced conversions and   forced   marriages.   It   is   the   responsibility   of   the   Government   of Pakistan to discharge its constitutional obligations towards its citizens, including   those   from   the   minority   communities. Based   on   reports   of atrocities on minorities in Pakistan, the Government has, from time to time, taken up the matter with the Government of Pakistan and asked it to take steps to protect and to promote the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities.

(c) & (d) India has on several occasions highlighted the human rights violations   in   Pakistan,   including   at   the   UN   Human   Rights   Council   in Geneva.   It   has   recommended   to   Pakistan, inter   alia ,   to   end   forced conversions   and   marriages   of   minorities,   including   Hindu,   Sikh   and Christian   women,   and   prosecute   all   cases;   to   stop   targeting   political dissidents   and   legitimate   criticism   in   Sindh,   Balochistan   and   Khyber Pakhtunkhwa;   to   stop   torture,   enforced   disappearances   and   unlawful killings,   including   those   of   journalists   and   activists,   by   its   security agencies and prosecute perpetrators; to review the education curriculum, including   in   Madrassahs,   to   remove   extreme   prejudices,   religious intolerance and historical distortions; to stop sectarian violence, systemic persecution and attacks on Muslim minorities, such as Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailias and Hazaras.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1910 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Complaints of Exporters
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Pinaki Misra

- a) No.
- b) Exim Bank: The Government has  approved the recapitalization of the Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank). The GOI will issue Recapitalization Bonds to the tune of Rs. 6,000 crore for capital infusion in the Bank. The GOI also approved an increase in the authorized capital of the Bank from Rs. 10,000 crore to Rs. 20,000 crore.

ECGC Ltd: The Government has  approved a capital infusion of Rs. 2,000 crore to ECGC over a period of three years from FY 2017-18 to FY 2019-20 to support more exports to emerging and challenging markets like Africa, CIS, Latin America and Asian countries and to bring down the leverage ratio to 20 times.

- c) Exim Bank: Government has already made a provision of Rs. 4,500 crore in its revised budget estimate for 2018-19, for capital infusion in Exim Bank through recapitalization bonds. This is in addition to the capital infusion of Rs. 500 crore in the Bank during 2018-19. The interim budget has further made a provision of Rs. 1,500 crore towards capital infusion in the Bank during 2019-20, of which Rs. 550 crore is proposed through recapitalization bonds and the remaining by way of subscription of share capital of the Bank.

ECGC Ltd: So far Rs. 50 crore, Rs. 500 crore and Rs. 389.17 crore have been invested in the FY 201718, FY 2018-19 and FY 2019-20 respectively. The balance amount of Rs. 1,060.83 crore is proposed to be sanctioned during FY 2019-20 subject to availability of budget provisions.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1910 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd JULY, 2019

## COMPLAINTS OF EXPORTERS

## 1910.  SHRI PINAKI MISHRA:

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

- (a) whether the Indian exporters have complained about the lack of adequate funding at reasonable costs and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is proposing to provide an equity of Rs. 1,000/- crore through budgetary allocation to the Exim bank and strengthen the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) to provide fund to the exporters at a low cost; and
- (c) if so, the time by which the Government proposes to implement such measures for the benefits of the exporters?

## ANSWER

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

## THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
Lok Sabha Question No. 1909 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Menace of Terrorism in Various Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Rampreet Mandal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1909 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## MENACE OF TERRORISM IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

## † 1909. SHRI RAMPRIT MANDAL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether various countries have become victims of terrorism like India;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto along with the names of such countries;
- (c) whether representatives   of   India   have   visited   all   these   countries   and discussed with their concerned departments about the menace of world wide terrorism and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to sign a bilateral treaty with these countries and has formulated any action plan in this regard; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof, along with the present status of implementation of these action plans, country-wise?

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

(a) & (b) Yes. In the recent past terrorist incidents have taken place in several parts of the world including in Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Nigeria, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Syria. The Government condemns in the strongest possible terms all terrorist attacks taking place anywhere in the world. India believes terrorism is a crime against humanity.

(c) to (e) The Government engages with other countries, on an ongoing basis, on the issue of terrorism during various high level and other official visits. The Government has also set up Joint Working Groups (JWGs) on Counter Terrorism with 23 countries and 3 groupings i.e. BIMSTEC, BRICS and EU. Meetings of JWGs are held on a regular basis, which have been found useful for exchange of  views on threat perceptions, sharing of experiences and best practices as well as capacity building. The Government, based on evolving situations, will continue to engage  with   other   countries   on   counter   terrorism,   as   necessary.  India   has proposed a Comprehensive Convention of International Terrorism (CCIT) in the year 1996 and has been continuously pressing for its early finalisation and adoption by the United Nations General Assembly.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1907 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Sorbhog Airport in Barpeta
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Abdul Khaleque

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1907

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 rd JULY, 2019

## SORBHOG AIRPORT IN BARPETA

1907. SHRI ABDUL KHALEQUE:

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

- (a)  whether  there  was  an  Airport  at  Sorbhog  in  the  district  of  Barpeta  during  the Second World War;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and the present condition of the said airport;
- (c)  whether Government proposes to reconstruct the airport or build a war memorial at the site; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

- (a) & (b) :  Yes Sir. The airport covers 383.71 acres of land out of which, 249.32 acres has been eroded by river Beki.  The balance is under old encroachments.
- (c) & (d):  There is no such proposal under consideration in this Ministry.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1905 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Revenue from Charging Full Fare for Children
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1905 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## REVENUE FROM CHARGING FULL FARE FOR CHILDREN

†1905. SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government has got any data relating to increase in revenue from charging full adult fare for children entitled to get half fare ticket if berth reservation is sought for them; and

(b) if so, the State-wise details in this regard?

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

(a) & (b): The additional revenue earned by the Railways by charging full adult fare for children of the age of 5 years and above and below 12 years if berth is sought at the time of booking from December, 2015 to May, 2019 is approximately ` 1569 Crore. State-wise such data is not maintained.

*****