opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1657 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Elimination of Stoppages
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1657

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## ELIMINATION OF STOPPAGES

† 1657. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of railway stations/halts/trains that are proposed to be discontinued in the country, State-wise especially in Bihar along with the reasons in this regard;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  worked  out  any  alternative  plan  for  providing services to the people who were benefitting from the railway stations and trains proposed to be shut down; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Rationalisation of time table is an ongoing process on Indian Railways (IR) and to this end, IR has embarked upon the zero based time tabling initiative, which,  inter-alia,  includes  scheduling  of  trains  based  on  scientific  principles, ensuring  adequate  corridor  blocks  for  maintenance,  increasing  throughput  by providing freight corridors, improving punctuality, improving utilization of Rolling Stock  and  providing  convenient  and  efficient  services  to  the  passengers.  The initiative,  inter-alia,  includes  rationalization  of  stoppages  and  trains  taking  into account  the  demand,  utility  for  the  passengers  and  commercial  viability.  To contain the spread of COVID-19 Pandemic, Indian Railways have discontinued all regular time tabled passenger carrying trains w.e.f. 23 rd  March, 2020.   At present, only  special  trains,  with  limited  stoppages,  are  being  operated  by  Indian Railways, keeping in view the concerns and suggestions of the State Governments.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1656 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Defence Agreements and Defence Corridors
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Prataprao Govindrao  Patil Chikhalikar, Pushpendra Singh Chandel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1656

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## DEFENCE AGREEMENTS AND DEFENCE CORRIDORS

1656. SHRIMATI MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH: SHRI PRATAPRAO PATIL CHIKHLIKAR: SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has signed defence agreements with various countries including France to ensure security of border of the country during the last three years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  defence  products  made  by  the  Government  under  'Make  in  India' programme;
- (d) whether the Government has any proposal to set up defence corridor in Uttrakahand also;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the present status of the defence corridors being set up in the country; and
- (f) the scheme formulated to set up more defence corridors in future?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a)  &  (b):  The  Government  has  not  signed  any  Defence  Agreement  with  France  and other countries to ensure security at the border of India in the last three years.
- (c) Many significant projects including 155mm Artillery Gun, Light Combat Aircraft 'Tejas', 'Akash' Surface to Air Missile System, Submarines etc, have been produced in India as part of defence production in the country.
- (d)  No, Sir.
- (e) & (f):  In pursuance to the budget announcement (2018-19), it has been decided to set up two Defence Industrial Corridors in the country, one in Uttar Pradesh and another in Tamil Nadu.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1654 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Premature Retirement
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Abdul Majeed Ariff, Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan, P.P. Chaudhary, Kaushal Kishore

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1654

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020)

## PREMATURE RETIREMENT

1654. ADV. A.M. ARIFF:

SHRI V.K.SREEKANDAN:

SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY:

SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to implement any scheme to terminate the services of the Central Government employees before the date of superannuation, for those who have completed thirty years of service or are above 50 years of age, or on any other grounds;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has discussed the issue of termination of employees with the employee organizations and solicited their views and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) if not, whether the Government will consider the same and re-think the proposal; and
- (e) whether the Government also proposes to amend the service rules to bring efficiency in administration in the wake of the recession in the economy and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) to (d):  Instructions have been in existence for review of Government employees under the Fundamental  Rules  (FR)  56(j),  the  Rule  48  of  Central  Civil  Services  (CCS)  (Pension)  Rules, 1972 and the Rule 16(3) (Amended) of All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) [AIS (DCRB)] Rules, 1958 and to pre-maturely retire a Government employee.

The  objective  of  the  review  process  is  to  bring  about  efficiency  and  to  strengthen  the administrative machinery.

- (e):   It is endeavour of the Government to review the service conditions of Central Government employees from time to time so as to respond to the challenges of improving performance, and for bringing efficiency and transparency in administration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1653 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Welfare of Civilians in Cantonment
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Rajendra Agrawal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1653

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## WELFARE OF CIVILIANS IN CANTONMENT

1653. SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to provide financial assistance for the welfare of civilians residing in cantonment area and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to set up a high level committee to take note and solve the problems of the civic population residing in these areas and if so, the details thereof; and (c) the steps taken by the Government or envisaged to be taken in this regard?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a) The Central Government provides financial assistance in the form of ordinary Grant-inAid  to  deficit  Cantonment  Boards.    During  2019-20,  56  Cantonment  Boards  out  of  62 received such Grant-in-Aid amounting to Rs.361.60 crores.  In addition to the above, grants for  creation  of  capital  assets  to  the  tune  of  Rs.  10  crores  have  been  given  to  Cantonment Boards for undertaking various infrastructural projects.
- (b) & (c):  To address the issues of residents of Cantonments, Ministry of Defence constituted an Expert Committee on 31.08.2018 on Working of Cantonment Boards.  Based on Expert Committees'  report,  the  Ministry  of  Defence  has  taken  decisions  on  a  number  of  issues relating  to  defining  repairs  of  houses  in  Cantonment  areas,  allowing  construction  of individual  w.c/toilets  in  authorized  houses  for  the  benefit  of  residents  and  constitution  of specific  three  Committees  of  Cantonment  Boards  namely  Finance  Committee,  Education Committee  and  Health  &  Environment  Committee  for  greater  democratization  in  the Cantonment.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1651 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Construction of ROBs in Jharkhand
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Chandra Prakash Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1651 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## CONSTRUCTION OF ROBs IN JHARKHAND

## 1651. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  suggestions/proposals  received  for  construction  of Railway  Over  Bridges  (ROBs)  in  Jharkhand  especially  in  Dhanbad, Bokaro and Giridih districts during the last three years;
- (b) the number of railway crossings where sanction has been granted for the construction of the said ROBs;and
- (c)  the  present  status  of  each  sanctioned  ROBs  and  proposed  ROBs  in Jharkhand during the last three years?

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## ANSWER (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)  &  (b):  Total  13  proposals  have  been  received  for  construction  of Road  Over  Bridges  (ROBs)  in  lieu  of  level  crossings  in  the  State  of Jharkhand, including Dhanbad, Bokaro and Giridih districts during the last  three  years.    Out  of  these,  6  ROBs  have  been  sanctioned  and  7 proposals are under process of sanction during 2020-21. (c): As on 01.04.2020, total 40 ROB works are appearing in Pink Book falling in the State of Jharkhand. Present status of these ROBs is as under- 3 ROBs: fully completed.  5 ROBs: Railway portion completed  11 ROBs: Works are in progress.  16 ROBs: Alignment plan is under finalisation.  5 ROBs: Consent of State Govt for cost sharing is awaited. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1650 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: RDP India Mobile App
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Anil Firojiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1650

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## RDP INDIA MOBILE APP

1650. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Ministry  of  Defence  has  launched  a  mobile  App  'RDP  India  2019'  in compliance of 'Digital India' campaign;
- (b) if so, the objective thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has introduced any award scheme for coast guards;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the criteria set for granting the award?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

- (a) to (e):  A statement is attached.

*****

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  1650  FOR  ANSWER  ON  21.09.2020  REGARDING 'RDP INDIA MOBILE APP'.

(a) and (b): The RDP India Mobile App was deployed during Republic Day Parade-2019, to disseminate information about the composition of Republic Day Parade, details of marching contingent, tableaux, Fly Past, seating enclosures, cultural pageant and other highlights of the Parade to not only those who witness the Republic Day Parade but also to reach out to people all over the country and outside.

- (c )Yes, Sir.

(d) and (e):  The PTM(President's Tatrakshak Medal) and TM(Tatrakshak Medal) medals are awarded every year to the Coast Guard personnel for distinguished, gallantry and meritorious service on the occasion of Republic Day and Independence Day. The eligibility criteria is as follows:-

- President's Tatrakshak Medal(PTM)
- (i) Individual  Acts  of  exceptional  courage  performed  within  or  outside  the  territory  of India which has special significance to the Coast Guard.
- (ii) Success in the conduct of Indian Coast Guard operations under difficult conditions such as weather or limitations of ships/boats or equipments.
- (iii) Special  service  as  prevention  or  checking  of  smuggling  or  safeguarding  of  national interest in the Maritime Zones of India.
- (iv) Prolonged service but only when distinguished by very exceptional ability and merit.
- Tatrakshak Medal(TM)
- (i) For conspicuous acts of gallantry.
- (ii) For  valuable  service  characterized  by  resourcefulness  and  devotion  to  duty  including prolonged service of ability and merit.
- The medal may also be awarded to Air Crew who have completed within a single tenure of 2 years or less the following minimum flying hours:

Medium range surveillance aircraft -

800 hrs

Light surveillance aircraft -

800 hrs

Helicopters

-

500 hrs

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1649 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Concession in Internet Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Pushpendra Singh Chandel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1649 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## CONCESSION IN INTERNET SERVICES

- †1649. SHRIMATI MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH: SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  initiative  to  provide  special  concession  in  internet services in view of online education being imparted by the schools during the pandemic period;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to provide cheap mobile sets to the students belonging to economically weaker section; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (b) No such initiatives has been taken by the Government.
- (c ) to (d) There  is  no  such  proposal  of  the  Government  to  provide  cheap  mobile  sets  to  the students belonging to economically weaker section.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1648 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Reserves of Gold and Diamonds
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Gaddam Ranjith Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1648 ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## RESERVES OF GOLD AND DIAMONDS

1648. DR. G. RANJITH REDDY:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  it  is  true  that  Mehaboobnagar,  Palamuru,  Wanaparthy,  Nagarkurnool,  Gadwal, Nalgonda  and  Suryapet  districts  in  Telangana  have  reserves  of  gold,  diamonds  and  other precious metals as per Mines Department of Government of Telangana;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  it  is  also  true  that  this  task  has  been  handed  over  to  National  Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether any consultations have been held with Geological Survey of India (GSI) in this regard; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b):   Geological  Survey  of  India  (GSI),  an  attached  Department  under  Ministry  of Mines has carried  out  reconnaissance  surveys  (G4  stage  exploration  as  per  United  Nations Framework Classification) for gold in parts of Mehabubnagar, Jogulamba Gadwal, Wanaparthy  and  Nalgonda  Districts  of  Telangana.  However  no  gold  resource  has  been estimated.  As  regards  diamond,  GSI  carried  out  G4  stage  exploration  to  search  for  source rock for diamond, i.e., kimberlite and lamproite rocks in parts of Mehabubnagar, Vikarabad, Jogulamba  Gadwal,  Wanaparthy  and  Nagarkurnool  Districts  of  Telangana.  However,  no indicator  minerals  for  identification  of  source  rock  of  diamond  have  been  found  in  these surveys.

Further,  the  Ministry  of  Mines  has  not  received  any  Inputs  from  the  Mines Department of Government of Telangana in this matter.

(c) to (e): No, Sir. National Mineral Development Corporation [NMDC], has not been tasked with  any  gold  or  diamond  exploration  by  the  State  Government  of  Telangana.  Further,  no consultation have been held with GSI in this regard.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1643 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Appointment on Compassionate Ground
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Vijay Kumar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1643

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020)

## APPOINTMENT ON COMPASSIONATE GROUND

## †1643. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether several  cases  of  giving  appointments  on  compassionate  grounds  to  the  family members  of  the  employees  deceased  during  service  period  are  pending  in  various Ministries and Departments;
- (b) if so, the Ministry-wise and Department-wise details of such pending cases since 2015 till date; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## 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):    The  Department  of  Personnel  and  Training  (DOPT)  has  laid  down  the  policy  of compassionate appointment which is to be implemented by the Ministries/Departments in terms of instructions issued vide Office Memorandum No. 14014/6/94- Estt.(D) dated 09.10.1998 as amended from time to time. These instructions have been consolidated vide Office Memorandum No. 14014/02/2012-Estt.(D) dated 16.01.2013. As per these instructions,  up to a maximum of 5%  of  direct  recruitment  vacancies  arising  in  a  year  in  Group  'C'  posts  can  be  filled  up  by compassionate  appointment.  Therefore,  compassionate  appointments  can  be  made  by  the Ministries/Departments only to the extent of available vacancies, indicated above. Ministry-wise/ Department-wise details of cases pending are not maintained centrally.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1642 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Karaikal-Peralam Rail Link
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Vaithilingam Ve.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1642 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## KARAIKAL-PERALAM RAIL LINK

1642. SHRI VE. VAITHILINGAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  present  status  of  the  rail  link  from  Karaikal  to  Peralam  linking Southern part of the state;
- (b)  whether  the  work  is  expected  to  be  completed  before  the  famous 'Sani Peyarchi' festival in Karaikal to be celebrated during December 2020; and
- (c) if so, the details in this regard?

## 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. 1642 BY SHRI  VE.  VAITHILINGAM  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  21.09.2020  REGARDING  KARAIKALPERALAM RAIL LINK

(a): Karaikal is already connected with Railway network including with Peralam via Thiruvarur. To provide additional direct connectivity between Karaikal to Peralam, 23 Km long new line work was sanctioned as material modification to Tiurchchirapalli  -  Thanjavur  -  Nagore  -  Karaikal  Gauge  Conversion project  at  a  cost  of ` 177.69  crore  in  January,  2019.  Land  acquisition documents  have  been  submitted  to  State  Government  in  September, 2019.  Execution of work would be taken up after getting 100% land. (b)  and  (c):  The  completion  of  any Railway project depends on various factors  like  quick  land  acquisition  by  State  Government,  shifting  of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and topographical Conditions of area, law and order situation in  the  area  of  project  site,  number  of  working  months  in  a  year  for particular project site due to climatic conditions, etc.  All these factors affect the completion time of the project.  As such, confirm completion time of the project can not be ascertained at this stage.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1640 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Internet Facility for Farmers
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shardaben Anilbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1640 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## INTERNET FACILITY FOR FARMERS

## †1640. SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has provided internet and Wi-Fi facilities in all the villages of the country for the benefit of farmers with a view to enhance their knowledge in agro-sector and to keep them apprised of latest development in this sector; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps/action being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) BharatNet  project  under  Universal  Service  Obligation  Fund  (USOF),  envisages provision of broadband/ internet connectivity to the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country.  A total of 1,44,218 GPs have been made Service Ready as on 11.09.2020 .As part of this project, so far Wi-Fi hotspots  have  been  installed  at  72,655  GPs.  Internet  is  also  provided  by  various  Service  Providers which at present cover more than 95% of population of the country.

Further,  Government  has  created  mKisan  Portal  to  provide  free  advisory  services  to  the farmers and all others associated with the farming and allied activities. More than 5 crore farmers are registered  on  the  portal  and  getting  benefitted  from  this  service.  Scientists  of  Indian  Council  of Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  institutes  and  experts  from  Krishi  Vigyan  Kendras  extend  free advisory services to the farming community through the portal as well as through WhatsApp groups and other digital means. Further, Department of Agricultural Research and Education /Indian Council of Agricultural Research has developed over 170 mobile applications on various technologies which are hosted on the ICAR website to provide free information.

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