opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3474 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Rail Link between Kashmir with Rest of India
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Farooq Abdullah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3474 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019

## RAIL LINK BETWEEN KASHMIR WITH REST OF INDIA

3474.    DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that rail link between Valley of Kashmir with the rest of India is yet a distant dream despite of work started on the specified project a long before and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the present status of the project and the time by which this project is likely to be completed;
- (c) whether the Government has any proposal or has made a survey of Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch railway line in Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley areas of Jammu & Kashmir; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b)  With a view to provide an alternative and  a reliable transportation system to Jammu & Kashmir, Govt. of India planned a 326 Km long Railway line joining the Kashmir Valley with the Indian railways network.   Out of 326 Km, Baramulla to Banihal (136 km) and from Jammu to Katra (79 Km) have been completed and commissioned.  Katra-Banihal (111 km) work has been taken up.

- (c)  and  (d)  Survey  for  Jammu  to  Poonch  (223  km)  was  completed  in September,  2017.    As  per  survey  report,  cost  of  the  project  is 22771.55 crore with ROR (-) 4.54%.  The survey report examination has been  taken up.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3471 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Consulates in Kerala
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MNISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3471

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019

## CONSULATES IN KERALA

3471. SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   has   received   any   proposal   from   Kerala   for establishing the consulates of the United States and Saudi Arabia in the State and if so, the details thereof.
- (b) whether the Government has considered the same; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the present status of the proposal?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

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

(a) to (c)  No. This Ministry is not in receipt of any proposal for the establishment of Consulate of United States of America and Saudi Arabia in Kerala. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3470 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Opening of Base Kitchen
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ANIL SHIROLE, George Baker

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3470 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019

## OPENING OF BASE KITCHEN

3470. SHRI ANIL SHIROLE: SHRI GEORGE BAKER:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  number  of  base  kitchens  opened  across  the country, State/ UT-wise including Maharashtra and West Bengal along with their results;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  open  some  more  base kitchens across the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and the reasons therefor along with the budget likely to be sanctioned for this;
- (d) whether the Government has received any proposal from some of the States in this regard; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

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

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3470  BY  SHRI  ANIL  SHIROLE  AND  SHRI GEORGE  BAKER  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  02.01.2019 REGARDING OPENING OF BASE KITCHEN

(a):  Indian  Railway  Catering  and  Tourism  Corporation  (IRCTC)  has opened 08 Base kitchens. The details are as under:

|   SN | Name of Station/Location     | State/UT      |
|------|------------------------------|---------------|
|    1 | Ahmedabad                    | Gujarat       |
|    2 | Balasore                     | Odisha        |
|    3 | Kharagpur                    | West Bengal   |
|    4 | Sealdah                      | West Bengal   |
|    5 | NOIDA                        | Uttar Pradesh |
|    6 | New Delhi (under renovation) | Delhi         |
|    7 | Howrah                       | West Bengal   |
|    8 | Rajendera Nagar -Patna       | Bihar         |

In  addition  to  above,  IRCTC  has  upgraded 13  Kitchen  Units  in  2017-18 from where meals are supplied on trains also.

(b)  & (c): IRCTC is planning to set up Green Field Base Kitchens at the following  locations.  A  budget  target  of  capital  expenditure  ₹ 15  crores has  been  set  by  IRCTC  for  2018-19,  for  setting  up  new/renovation  of existing kitchen/production unit.

|   SN | Base kitchen Location   | States         |
|------|-------------------------|----------------|
|    1 | Kanpur                  | Uttar Pradesh  |
|    2 | Hazrat Nizzamudin       | Delhi          |
|    3 | Howrah                  | West Bengal    |
|    4 | Rajendra Nagar Patna    | Bihar          |
|    5 | Secunderabad            | Telangana      |
|    6 | Vijayawada              | Andhra Pradesh |
|    7 | Chennai Egmore          | Tamil Nadu     |
|    8 | Ahmadabad               | Gujarat        |
|    9 | Ratnagiri               | Maharashtra    |

(d):  No Madam.

(e):  Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3469 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Theft of AK 47 Rifle
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: RAKESH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3469

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  JANUARY, 2019

## THEFT OF AK 47 RIFLE

3469.  SHRI  RAKESH  SINGH:

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

- (a) whether incident of theft of AK 47 rifle has been reported from 'COD' of army depot, Jabalpur and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the action taken against the guilty persons involved therein;
- (c) whether any security lapses have been found in this sensitive army depot; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to avoid the recurrence of such accidents?

## 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) An incident of 'alleged' theft  of parts  of  unserviceable  AK-47 rifles from COD Jabalpur came to light after certain apprehensions in Munger by Bihar Police.
- (b) An  investigation  is  being  carried  out  by  Madhya  Pradesh  Police  in this case and two persons have been arrested so far.
- (c) & (d): Necessary  checks  and  balances  as  per  the  'Regulations  of Army Ordnance Services (RAOS) and the existing Standard Operating Procedures / guidelines are being followed.  However, an  internal  Audit  to  review  and  strengthen  existing  systems  has  been undertaken.  The depot has taken various steps including; Security Audit, Special stock checking of arms and sensitive components, installation of CCTV  cameras  covering  all  sheds  and  depot  workshops,  100  percent frisking of all Combatants, Non-Industrial Personnel / Industrial Personnel and checking of all  vehicles  at Main  Gate, to  prevent recurrence of  such incident in future.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3465 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: FDI in Telecom Sector
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3465 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  JANUARY, 2019

## FDI IN TELECOM SECTOR

3465. SHRI V. ELUMALAI: DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  Foreign  Direct  Investment  in  telecom  sector  during  each  of  the  last  three years and the current year;
- (b) whether  the  new  telecom  policy  envisages  the  FDI  in  telecom  sector  to  reach USD hundred billion by 2022 and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) whether massive investment is needed in developing newer technologies which are accessible to the people at affordable rates and 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) The Foreign Direct Investment in Telecom Sector during each of the last three years and the current year is tabulated below:

## Statement on Financial Year Wise FDI Equity Inflows from April 2015 to June 2018 of Telecommunications Sector

| Sr. No.   | Year              | FDI in US $ million   |
|-----------|-------------------|-----------------------|
| 1.        | 2015-16 (Apr-Mar) | 1,324.40              |
| 2.        | 2016-17 (Apr-Mar) | 5,563.69              |
| 3.        | 2017-18(Apr-Mar)  | 6,211.84              |
| 4.        | 2018-19 (Apr-Jun) | 1,593.29              |
|           | Grand Total       | 14,693.22             |

- (b) & (c) The  recently  notified  National  Digital  Communications  Policy  (NDCP), 2018 inter-alia aims to attract investments of USD  100  billion in the digital communications  sector.    However,  there  is  no  specific  target  of  attracting  FDI  in  this Policy.  The  policy  also  aims  to  enable  Next  Generation  Technologies  and  services through investments, innovation, indigenous manufacturing and IPR generation.

*************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3463 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Paperless Services in BSNL and MTNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: SHER SINGH GHUBAYA, RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3463 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  JANUARY, 2019

## PAPERLESS SERVICES IN BSNL AND MTNL

†3463. SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA: DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  operation  of  issuing  mobile  connections  in  BSNL  and  MTNL  is paperless in nature and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (b) the steps taken/being taken by these Public Sector Telecom companies to make their services simple, easy and paperless?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  has  adopted  paperless  e-KYC (know your client) process for issue of mobile connections which is very simple, easy and paperless.

After discontinuation of Aadhaar based e-KYC services, paperless operation of issuing  mobile  connection  by  Mahanagar  Telephone  Nigam  Limited  (MTNL)  will  be started by the end of January,2019.

*************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3462 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3462

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  JANUARY, 2019

## MAZAGAON DOCK SHIPBUILDERS

3462.  SHRI  ARVIND  SAWANT:

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

- (a) the vacancies in Mazagaon Dock for the posts in different categories shipbuilders;
- (b) whether some skilled workers are working as utility hands in Mazagaon Dock  for last 10 years and whether there are skilled workers having ability to fulfil the vacancies in Mazagaon Dock;
- (c) whether  Mazagaon  Dock  has  issued  advertisement  for  a  contractor  to  provide utility hands for these cadres and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the issue regarding absorption of the present skilled workers against the vacancies that arose was brought to the notice of the Minister of Heavy Industries; and
- (e) the details thereof and the action taken by the Government to absorb the present skilled workers in the vacant position in the Dock?
- (a) Vacancy position of permanent posts in Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) is as follows:-
- (i) Executive posts-173
- (ii) Non-Executive posts- NIL
- (b) Yes,  Madam.    There  are  some  skilled  workers  working  in  Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) for last 10 years. However, there are no permanent vacancies to be filled up as indicated at (a) above.

| A N S W E                                    | R                    |
|----------------------------------------------|----------------------|
| MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE | (DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE) |
| र ा रा य मं ी                                | (डा. सुभाष भामरे)    |

:  2  :

(c) Yes, Madam.  Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) had floated an open tender on 03.01.2018 for engaging an agency to supply hands on outsourced  basis.  After  following  due  commercial  procedure,  order  was placed on the agency on 04.09.2018. In addition, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has also advertised for recruiting 798 persons on fixed term contract basis. No,  Madam.    Does  not  arise  as  there  are  no  permanent

(d) & (e): vacancies to be filled up as stated at (b) above.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3460 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Rake Points
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RITA TARAI

- (a)  No, madam.
- (b)  Does not arise.
- (c)  Neither  the  name  of  the  State  nor  the  proposed  places  are mentioned. However, modernisation of existing rake points, notification of new rake points and provision of two point rakes is a need  based  ongoing  process  subject  to  commercial  justification, operational requirement, technical feasibility and resource availability.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3460 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019 RAKE POINTS

## 3460. SHRIMATI RITA TARAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  due  to  non-availability  of  required  infrastructure  in  the existing  rake  point,  provision  of  new  rake  points  and  the  two  points rakes,  supply  and  allocation  of  chemicals,  fertilizers  and  foodgrains are adversely affected;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken  on  the  States'  long  standing  demand  for modernisation of existing rake points, notification of new rake points and provision of two point rakes at proposed places?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
Lok Sabha Question No. 3459 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Stamps issued by UNPA
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3459

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019

## STAMPS ISSUED BY UNPA

3459. SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   United   Nations   Postal   Administration   (UNPA)   has   issued special stamps with Diyas/lamps (special event sheet) to commemorate festival of Diwali recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the UNPA has issued such stamps earlier also and if so, the details thereof and the benefit of such stamps; and
- (d) whether the Government has more proposals for inclusion under UNPA and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

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

- (a) & (b) Yes. In October 2018, the UN Postal Administration (UNPA) issued stamps to commemorate Diwali.   The commemorative stamp sheet comprised
- (c) & (d) UNPA brings out stamps highlighting select themes of international relevance, including those at the UN, every year. For instance, in 2017, UNPA brought out a special stamp sheet to commemorate the International Day of Yoga.   In October 2018, the UNPA brought out stamps to commemorate the International Day of Non-violence. Release of such stamps helps to highlight the importance of these occasions. Currently, there are no proposals from India for

ten stamps on each sheet showcasing diyas/lamps. inclusion under UNPA.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3458 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY, MANSHANKAR NINAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3458 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019

## MUMBAI-AHMEDABAD BULLET TRAIN

3458.  SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

SHRI MANSHANKAR NINAMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  funding  Mumbai-Ahmedabad  Bullet Train project and if so, the details thereof including the total cost of the project and the financial assistance from the partnering country;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  the  widespread agitations  that  are  taking  place  against  the  land  acquisition  for  this project  and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  noticed  the  allegations  that  the Government has diluted land acquisition and compensation policy for Japan Internal Cooperation Agency;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has any plan to reconsider the compensation policy and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a): Yes, Madam. The total estimated cost of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High  Speed  Rail  (MAHSR)  Project  is  approximately ₹ 1,08,000  crore. The Japanese Government has agreed to extend financial assistance approximately to the tune of 81% of the project cost at 0.1% interest per annum re-payable in 50 years with a grace period 15 years.

(b): There have been a few agitations limited to some localized areas. All  efforts  have  been  made  to  clarify  the  doubts  regarding  the compensation  and  other  entitlements  so  that  the  project  affected persons are persuaded to give their consent for land acquisition. (c)  to  (e):  Land  acquisition  has  been  taken  up  on  a  consent-based approach by offering additional monetary benefit over and above the land compensation prescribed as per Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency  in  Land  Acquisition,  Rehabilitation  and  Resettlement Act,  2013.  There  has  been  no  dilution  of  Land  Acquisition  and

Rehabilitation and Resettlement extant Policy.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3457 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Amendment of Muslim Marriages Act
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## L O K     S A B H A

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3457

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 2 ND  JANUARY, 2019.

## Amendment of Muslim Marriages Act

## 3457.  SHRI A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  intends  to  amend  Dissolution  of  Muslim  Marriages  Act, 1939, so as to hold child marriages void instead of requiring either of two contracting parties to opt for annulment; and
- (b) whether  the  Government  intends  to  amend  the  muslim  personal  law  which  allows minor girls who have attained puberty to get married and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS

(SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

- (a)   and (b) :   No, Madam.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3456 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: G-20 Summit
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

- (a) Yes.

(b) The Summit was held under the overarching theme of 'Building consensus for fair and sustainable development'. The Focus of Argentina's G-20 Presidency was on Future of Work; Infrastructure for development; A sustainable food future; and Gender mainstreaming strategy across G-20 agenda.

The discussions during the Summit and the  G-20 Leaders' declaration adopted on conclusion of Summit, focused on issues of importance to developing countries including India. These included employment, skills development, food security, infrastructure & its financing, portability of social protection systems, education   -   especially   of   girls,   digital   divide,   trade   issues,   health,   SDGs, measures to boost MSMEs, etc.

G-20 Leaders' declaration includes commitment to use all policy tools to achieve strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth and use of Monetary policy   to   ensure   price   stability .   Leaders   recognised   importance   of   disaster resilient infrastructure, agreed to  promote energy security,  and to improve a rules-based international   order.   There   was   call   for   portable   social   protection systems. The Declaration also stresses on skills development, quality education especially of girls, and bridging the digital divide.

The declaration calls for Food Security, and sustainable agriculture. The need for stronger Health Systems, ending HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and use of traditional medicines has been stressed.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3456

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019

## G-20 SUMMIT

## 3456.   SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India has participated in the G-20 Summit recently held in Buenos Aires, Argentina;
- (b) if so, the details of discussions held and resolutions passed in the Summit and the extent to which the deliberations are likely to be fruitful to the developing countries such as India;
- (c) whether India has proposed to hold G-20 Summit in 2022; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

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

The declaration calls for increased cooperation in tackling economic crime and return of offenders and asset recovery. The Leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called   for   full   implementation   of   The   Hamburg   G-20   Leaders   Statement   on Countering Terrorism. The declaration calls for reform of the WTO to improve its functioning. (c) & (d)    Yes. India proposed hosting G-20 Summit in 2022 in India. This was

welcomed by other G-20 countries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3453 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: BSNL Mobile Network in Shimoga Constituency
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: B.Y.Raghavendra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3453 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  JANUARY, 2019

## BSNL MOBILE NETWORK IN SHIMOGA CONSTITUENCY

3453. SHRI B.Y. RAGHAVENDRA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry is aware of the improper coverage of BSNL Mobile network across all the villages in Shimoga Parliamentary Constituency;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the BSNL has received representations from the public representatives for construction of new mobile towers in the said constituency; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Out  of  1530  villages  in  Shimoga  Parliamentary  Constituency,  1020 villages are covered by mobile network of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

BSNL  installs  the  mobile  towers  on  the  basis  of  technical  feasibility  and commercial viability.

- (c) & (d) Karnataka  Circle  of  BSNL  has  received  representations  from  public representatives for installation of 18 towers in Shimoga Constituency.  None of the said locations is presently found to be technically feasible and commercially viable by  BSNL. However, these  can  be considered by BSNL in its future expansion projects based on the technical feasibility and commercial viability.

*************