opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2209 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-04
Subject: Funds for Maintenance of Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Nihal Chand Chauhan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2209 ANSWERED ON 4 TH  JULY, 2019

## FUNDS FOR MAINTENANCE OF HIGHWAYS

## 2209.  SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Union  Government is  providing adequate funds for maintenance, repairing and upkeep of highways including the role of State Governments in this regard;

(b) the amount of funds allocated for the purpose during the last three years;

(c) whether the said funds have been increased vis-a-vis the last several years; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) to (d) This  Ministry  is  primarily  responsible  for  development  and  maintenance  of National Highways (NHs). The works on NHs are accordingly taken up from time to time as per traffic density, inter-se priority and availability of funds to keep the NHs in traffic worthy conditions.

The development and maintenance of NHs are carried out through various Executing Agencies, such as State Governments/ Union Territories (UTs), National Highways Authority of  India  (NHAI),  National  Highways  and  Infrastructure  Development  Corporation  Limited (NHIDCL), and Border Roads Organisation (BRO), etc.

Various  types  of  Maintenance  and  Repair  (M&R)  works  taken  up  on  NHs  include Ordinary Repairs (OR), Periodical Renewals (PR), Special Repairs (SR) and Flood Damage Repairs (FDR).

The M&R of stretches of NHs, where either Development works have commenced or Operation,  Maintenance  and  Transfer  (OMT)  Concessions/  Operation  and  Maintenance

(O&M) Contracts have been awarded, are the responsibility of the concerned Concessioners/ Contractors till the Defect Liability Period (DLP)/ the Concession Period.

M&R of balance stretches of NHs are carried out annually as per available budgetary outlay, inter-se priority and traffic density to keep such NHs in traffic worthy conditions.

The year-wise details of funds allocated for M&R of NHs during last three years are as follows:-

| Year    | Allocation of Funds for M&Rof NHs (Rs. in crores)   |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------|
| 2016-17 | 2,846.53                                            |
| 2017-18 | 2,966.75                                            |
| 2018-19 | 2,531.18                                            |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2207 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-04
Subject: Accountability of Sports Federations
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Mondal

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2207 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.07.2019

Accountability of Sports Federations

2207. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has taken steps to improve and ensure the accountability  of  various  sports  federation  in  the  country  for  better  and effective utilisation of resources;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (c) Sir, this ministry has notified the National Sports Development Code of India (NSDCI) 2011, effective from 31.01.2011, to ensure transparency  and  accountability  in  the  functioning  of  National  Sports Federations (NSFs) for healthy development of sports. As per the NSDCI, NSFs are required to follow democratic and healthy management practices which require them to ensure greater accountability and transparency at all levels; adopt impartial and transparent selection procedures; adhere to age and  tenure  restrictions  of  office  bearers;  adopt  and  follow  the  basic universal principles of good governance in sports; adopt proper accounting procedures at all levels and produce annual financial statements; prevent age fraud & sexual harassment of women; comply with the provisions of Right to Information Act; and hold elections as per model election guidelines issued by the Government.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2201 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-04
Subject: Loss due to Floods
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI, DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2201

ANSWERED ON 04 .0 7.2019

## LOSS DUE TO FLOODS

## †2201. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  heavy  damage  caused  to  the  farmers  of  Mishrik, Balamau regions and Lakhimpur, Bahraich and Lucknow districts due to flood in Gomti river c releas e of water from border areas of Nepal;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any steps have been taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to construct a place stated above for saving these areas from flood;

- (d) if so, the details th ereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA )

(a ) to ( e)Flood  Management  being  within  the  purview  of  State  Governments,  the  schemes  for control are formulated and implemented by concerned States as per their priority. The Union supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical advice and promotional financial assistance for management of floods in critical areas. The Department of Irrigation & Water Resources, of Uttar Pradesh has informed that no water releases from border areas of Nepal flows into and asfar a s river Gomti is concerned, currently, there is no problem reported related to river. Hence, at present, no flood management scheme is contemplated on River Gomti.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2199 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-04
Subject: Slow Progress in National Highway Projects
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Sisir Kumar Adhikari

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether work of widening of 4/6 lane of National Highway projects are in a very slow progress in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether almost in all States a number of National Highways are lying half done/stopped at number of places which are causing untold sufferings to the public and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the reason for not following the timeframe of work and specifications by the awardees for completion of such projects; and
- (d) the steps taken to complete the said projects within specified time period?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a)  to  (d)  Sir,  there  are  117  nos.  of  NH  projects  having  total  length  of  9113  Km  (completed length  6498  Km),  which  are  delayed  due  to  multiple  reasons,  such  as  poor  performance  of contractor,  utility  shifting,  delay  in  environment/forest  clearance,  land  acquisition,  cash  flow problem of the concessionaire/contractor and law & order problems etc.

The following steps have been taken by NHAI/Government to expedite the process:

- Streamlining of land acquisition
- Disputes Resolution mechanism revamped
- Award of projects after adequate preparation in terms of land acquisition, clearances etc.  Process of obtaining clearances from different Ministries/Departments commence as soon as the alignment is finalized and final feasibility report is submitted.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2199

ANSWERED ON 4 TH  JULY, 2019

## SLOW PROGRESS IN NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS

## 2199.   SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI :

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

· Correctly  worked  out  utility  estimates  is  to  be  obtained  at  the  earliest  after  the alignment finalization and shall form part of appraisal proposal.

· The process of project appraisal should commence at the earliest on receipt of the Final Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Technical schedules.

· ROBs  :  The  procedure  for  GAD  approved  by  Railways  for  ROBs  simplified  and made online.  Maintenance charges which were hampering the progress of many projects stand waived by railways.  Standard design put on website.

- Close coordination with other Ministries and State Governments
- One time fund infusion
- Completion of major portion of land acquisition prior to initiation of bid.
- Regular review at various levels.
- Proposed exit for Equity Investors
- Securitization of road sector loans
- Rationalize compensation for delays attributed to authority

· Notification  of  Guiding  Principles  for  Resolution  of  Stuck  Projects  aiming  at foreclosure  of  projects  which  are  stuck  on  account  of  the  concessionaire/contractor  in NCLT or mutual default of both Authority and Contractor/Concessionaire.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2197 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-04
Subject: Condition of Ancient Rivers
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI, DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2197

ANSWERED ON 04 .0 7.2019

## CONDITION OF ANCIENT RIVERS

## †2197. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the existence of ancient rivers in the country is in jeopardy;

(b) if so, whether the Government has any action plan and policy to rejuvenate the aforesai the details there of; and

(c) the number of rivers in the country whose rejuvenation can mitigate the shortage of wat States, if so, the State - wise details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA )

(a)to  (c) The  Government  of  India  has  taken  a  number  of  initiatives  for  river  developm rejuvenation. R ejuvenation of river Ganga and its tributaries is undertaken by Ministry of Jal National  Mission  for  Clean  Ganga. Un der  the  Namami  Gange  Programme,  launched  in  May,  2015 diverse set of coordinated activities meant for cleaning of river Ganga and its tributaries up. These include treatment of municipal sewage, treatment of industrial effluents, drain bi - remediation, river  surface  cleaning,  rural  sanitation,  river  front  development,  ghats  and  crematoria afforestation & biodiversity conservation, public outreach programme etc. So far, under Nam Programme, a total of 298 projects have b een sanctioned at an estimated cost of  Rs.28,451.29 crore of the 298 projects, 150 projects have been sanction ed at an estimated cost of  Rs. 23,130 95 crore towards sewerage treatment infrastructure projects for cleaning of river Ganga and its tribut aries.

Under  Namami  Gange  programme,  cleaning  of  tributaries  is  also  being  considere accordingly projects are being taken up on subsidiary tributaries of Ganga, wherever require sewerage  treatment  infrastructure  projects  have  been  take n  up  in  27  towns  located  along  tributari namely  Yamuna,  Kali,  Ramganga,  Saryu,  Gomti,  Damodar,  Banka,  Rispana,  Kharkai,  Kosi  and  B Gandak.

Various  pollution  abatement  works  have  also  been  undertaken  on  the  identified stretches of rivers (ex cluding Ganga and its tributaries) under  the Centrally sponsored Scheme of River Conservation Plan (NRCP) on cost sharing basis between the Central Government and re State Governments.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2196 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-04
Subject: Illegal Groundwater Extraction in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: S. Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI, DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2196

ANSWERED ON 04 .0 7.2019

## ILLEGAL GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION IN TAMIL NADU

## 2196. SHRI S. VENKATESAN

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  illegal  groundwater  extraction  leads  to  further  dip  in  the  water  table  of including Tamil Nadu; and

- (b) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to prevent illegal gro undwater extraction?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA )

(a)  &  (b) Ground  water  levels  in  various  parts  of  the  Country  are  declining  because  of  c withdrawal due to reasons such as increased demand of fresh water for various uses, vagaries of increased population, industrialization & urbanization etc. Extraction of ground water from the aquifer exceeding its annual replenishment is one of the reasons for decline in gro und water levels.

Water being a State subject, efforts to conserve and manage ground water is primarily States' responsibility.

Central  Ground  Water  Authority  (CGWA)  has  been  constituted  under  Section  3(3)  o 'Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986'  f or  the  purpose  of  regulation  and  control  of  ground  w development and management in the Country. CGWA grants No Objection Certificates for ground abstraction through guidelines which are modified from time to time.

As  per  information  received  fro m  the  State  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu, to  prevent  illegal extraction of Groundwater in the State, the State Government hasform d a committee vide Government order No. 276, Public Works (R2) Department, dated 17.10.2018. Further, CGWA has also appointed the District  Magistrate  /  District  Collector  of  each  Revenue  District  and  Regional  Directors Authorized Officers, who have been given the power to enforce compliance of NOC conditions .

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2193 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-04
Subject: Employment in MSME Sector
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Ravi Kishan Shukla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2193 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.07.2019

## EMPLOYMENT IN MSME SECTOR

†2193.       SHRI RAVI KISHAN:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of persons for whom target has been set by the Government for providing employment in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); and
- (b) the time likely to be taken to achieve these targets and the extent to which MSMEs are likely to be affected as a result thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI NITIN GADKARI)

(a)&(b): Ministry  of  MSME  implements  Prime  Minister's  Employment  Generation Programme (PMEGP), which is a credit linked subsidy programme, aimed at generating selfemployment opportunities through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by helping traditional artisans and unemployed youth. Under this programme, subsidy of 25% to 35% of the project cost upto Rs. 25.00 lakh is provided as Margin Money Subsidy. Targets and achievements under the Scheme for the financial years 2017-18 and 2018-19 are given below.

| Financial Year   |   Margin money subsidy annual targets (RE) (Rs. in lakh) |   Margin money subsidy utilized# (Rs. in lakh) |   Number of projects assisted |   Estimated Employment generated (No. of persons) |
|------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| 2017-18          |                                                   117000 |                                         131240 |                         48398 |                                            387184 |
| 2018-19          |                                                   196880 |                                         207001 |                         73427 |                                            587416 |

# including un-utilized balance funds of previous year.

Under  the  Scheme,  a  tentative  target  of  assisting  73241  projects  with  an  estimated employment generation to 585927 persons, has been fixed for the financial year 2019-20.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2192 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-04
Subject: Execution of Housing Projects
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2192

TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 04, 2019

## EXECUTION OF HOUSING PROJECTS

No. 2192 DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  there  has  been  a delay in execution of housing project construction activities in  the  real  estate  sector  across  the  country  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has undertaken a review in relation to the delay in execution of these housing projects;
- (c)
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a) to (d): 'Land' and 'Colonisation' are State subjects.

Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban  Affairs  does  not  maintain data of housing projects.

However,  this  Ministry  has  enacted  the  Real  Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) to protect the interest of homebuyers. As per Section 20 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA),  the  'Appropriate  Government'  i.e.  States/Union Territories (UTs) are required to establish the Real Estate Regulatory  Authority  to  regulate  and  develop  the  real estate sector in the concerned State/UT.

The  Real  Estate  Regulatory  Authority  of  the  concerned State/UT is required to register and regulate real estate projects  and  real  estate  agents  registered  under  RERA. The Authority is also required to publish and maintain a web portal, containing relevant details of all real estate projects for which registration has been given, for public viewing.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2191 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-04
Subject: Stressed Power Plants
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2191 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.07.2019

STRESSED POWER PLANTS

2191. SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHANA RAJU:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  protect  and  rescue  the stressed power plants in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has issued any instructions to regulators asking  them to abstain from lowering tariffs of stressed plants; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, NEW & RENEWABLE  ENERGY  AND THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

( SHRI  R.K. SINGH)

(a) : The  steps  taken  by  Government  for  resolution  of  stressed assets in power sector are listed in the Annexure.

(b) : No, Sir.

(c) : Question does not arise.

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

## ANNEXURE

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2191 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 04.07.2019. ***************

Government  of  India  constituted  a  High  Level  Empowered Committee  (HLEC)  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Cabinet  Secretary  to address the issues of stressed thermal power projects. The report of the HLEC was submitted on 12.11.18 and was also placed in the public domain on the website of Ministry of Power.

The  Government  thereafter  constituted  a  Group  of  Ministers (GoM)  to  examine  the  specific  recommendations  of  HLEC.  The  Group  of Ministers  (GoM)  had  made  recommendations  regarding  stressed  power projects.  The  major  recommendations  of  the  GoM  as  approved  by  the Government are:

- I. Grant of linkage coal for short-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
- II. Allowed existing coal linkage to be used in case of termination of PPAs due to payment default by DISCOMs.
- III. Procurement  of  bulk  power  by  a  nodal  agency  against  pre-declared linkages.
- IV. Central/State Gencos may act as an aggregator of power.
- V. Increase  in  quantity  of  coal  for  special  forward  e-auction  for  power sector.
- VI. Coal linkage auctions to be held at regular intervals.
- VII. Non-lapsing of short supplies of coal.
- VIII. Annual Contracted Quantity (ACQ) to be determined based on efficiency.
- IX. Payment of Late Payment Surcharge (LPS) has been made mandatory.
- X. Non-cancellation of Power  Purchase  Agreement  (PPA)/Fuel Supply Agreement  (FSA)/  Long  Term  Open  Access  (LTOA)  post National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) scenario.
- XI. Non-cancellation  of  PPA  for  non-compliance  of  Commercial  Operation Date (COD).
12. ****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2190 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-04
Subject: Problems of Indian Airlines
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Nalin Kumar Kateel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2190 (To be answered on the July 2019) 4th

## PROBLEMS OF INDIAN AIRLINES

2190\_ SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Indian Airlines is a problem of old and ageing fleet and various other difficulties and if $0, the details thereof; facing
- (b) whether the Government proposes to make Indian Airlines attractive airline with state-of-art facilities;
- (c) if s0, the response of the Government in this regard; and
- (d) Whether the Government proposes to plan for renewal of their fleet that would further enhance the profile of Indian Airlines in terms f the service offer and if sO, the details thereof? they

## ANSWER

Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)

(a) Sir: The average age of the aircraft operated by Air India Group is 7.0 years which is aS per industry standards. No,

(i) Improvement in cabin ambience

(b) & (c) The state-of-art facilities initiated by Air India to make it attractive airline include:-

(ii) Change in cutlery, menu and cabin crew uniform

(iv) Induction of brand new aircraft on several domestic & international routes to increase passenger appeal

(iii) Launch of Maharaja Direct Inflight Product upgrade to enhance the passenger satisfaction in premium Class on Haul flights. Long

(d) No further induction of new planes is envisaged as of now.