opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3481 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Interview at Lower Level Jobs
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Gopal Chinayya Shetty

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3481

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021)

## INTERVIEW AT LOWER LEVEL JOBS

## †3481. SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken decision to discontinue interview at lower level jobs in Government and proposed to make recruitment on the basis of eligibility examination;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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 Government of India has decided to dispense with interview for recruitment to all Group 'C', Group 'D' (which are now reclassified as Group 'C'), Group 'B' (non-gazetted) and all equivalent posts w.e.f. 1 st January, 2016 in its Ministries/ Departments/ Attached offices/ Subordinate  Offices/  Autonomous  Bodies/  Public  Sector  Undertakings.  All  the  vacancies notified  on  or  after  01.01.2016  are  to  be  filled  up  without  holding  interview  as  a  part  of recruitment process for such posts.

As the Skill Test or Physical Test is different from interview, it has been continued. However, these tests are only qualifying in nature.

In  case  of  specific  posts  for  which  any  particular  Ministry/  Department  considers interview  absolutely  essential,  clearance  of  Department  of  Personnel  &  Training  (DoPT)  is necessary.

State Governments and Union Territories have also come forward and initiated steps for  discontinuation  of  interviews  in  junior  level  posts.  So  far,  24  States  and  all  the  Union Territories have adopted the policy of discontinuation of interview in lower level posts.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3477 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Niti Aayog Council
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Geetha Viswanath Vanga, Manne Srinivas Reddy, Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy, Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy, Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3477 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## NITI AAYOG COUNCIL

3477. SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH: SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY: SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY: SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Governing Council Meeting of Niti Aayog was held recently in New Delhi and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  number  of  Chief  Ministers  of  States  or  their  representatives  who  attended  the meeting and the number of Chief Ministers who skip the meeting and reasons therefor;
- (c) whether a number of Chief Ministers did not attend the meeting and if so, the details and the reasons therefor?
- (d) the details of issues discussed, consensus arrived at and future plan chalked out in the meeting; and
- (e) whether it was emphasised in the meeting that Centre and States including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh should work towards reducing compliance burden for citizen to ensure ease of living and to promote ease of doing business, stressing the importance of  better  coordination  between  the  Centre  and  the  States  for  the  development  of  the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) The Sixth Meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog was held on February 20, 2021 under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister via video conferencing.
- (b) & (c) The meeting was attended by 26 Chief Ministers, 3 Lieutenant Governors and 2 Administrators of States/ Union Territories (UTs). The Chief Minister for the States of Gujarat, Punjab, Telangana and West Bengal did not participate in the meeting. The reasons for non-participation in the meeting include ill health, other engagement/ prior commitments, etc.
- (d) The detailed discussions took place in the meeting on the following agenda items:
- i. Making India a Global Manufacturing Hub,
- ii. Reimagining Agriculture,
- iii. Improving Physical Infrastructure,
- iv. Accelerating Human Resources Development,
- v. Improving Service Delivery at Grassroots Level, and
- vi. Health and Nutrition.

The deliberations included the achievements highlighted by the respective State/UTs along with the specific suggestions on these Agenda items.

- (e) The  meeting  emphasized  on  Centre  and  States  taking  measures  towards  reducing compliance burden in order to improve ease of doing business and empowerment of people by improving ease of living of citizens and leveraging technology. The meeting also highlighted the importance of policy frameworks and better coordination between the Centre and States to achieve the national development agenda.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Space Facilities
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: V. Kalanidhi

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3476 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021 SPACE FACILITIES

## 3476.  DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has opened up its Space facilities for the Private Sector within the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that this will reduce the role of ISRO within the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- Yes, Sir.
- (b) In  order  to  encourage  and  promote  private  space  activities, access to ISRO technology, expertise and facilities which are capital intensive and otherwise not available elsewhere in the

country will be given at free of cost wherever feasible or at reasonable cost to private entities. (c) Space sector reforms will not reduce the role of ISRO within the country. (d) With the expansion of space sector, ISRO's major focus will be on innovation, development and qualification of cutting edge space technologies for reliable operation of space systems and also on space science and planetary exploration. Apart from this  ISRO will nurture Indian space industries by sharing its experiences on quality and reliability protocols, documentation and testing procedures. ISRO will also identify areas  to  offer  challenges  to  industries  in  new  domains  of technology and Announcement of Opportunity will be made for selected science and exploration missions to private industries.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3474 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Passport Renewal
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jasbir Singh Gill

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3474

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## PASSPORT RENEWAL

3474. SHRI JASBIR SINGH GILL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Indian  citizens   whose   passports   are   to   be   renewed   by Indian Missions abroad face lots of problems and delays when they apply for renewal in India when they are back in the country;
- (b) if   so,   whether   the   respective   Regional   Passport   offices   seek comments of Indian Missions where these passports have been renewed earlier and these Missions take years to respond;
- (c) if so, the facts in this regard;
- (d) whether the MEA is likely to fix any timeline for Indian Missions to respond so that people do not face problems/harassment and they get their passports in time; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) No. Passport issuance process is uniform and completely digitized. Passport can be applied from anywhere in the country.
- (b) to (e) References to the Indian Missions are generally not made. However, in certain complex cases inputs from Missions/Posts are sought through online system. No inordinate delays have been reported.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3473 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Indigenous Aircraft and Submarines
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Ravindra Kushawaha, Subrata Pathak, Ravi Kishan Shukla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3473

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  March, 2021

## INDIGENOUS AIRCRAFT AND SUBMARINES

3473. SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA:

SHRI SUBRAT PATHAK:

SHRI RAVI KISHAN:

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

- (a) whether certain naval projects such as manufacturing of indigenous aircraft and submarines relating to the security of the country are lagging behind the scheduled time;
- (b) if so, the number of such projects along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) the time by which the said projects are likely to be completed; and
- (d) the reasons for shortage of submarine fleet of navy along with the time by which the said shortage is likely to be met?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a) Indian Navy has placed orders for following indigenous aircraft and submarines: -
- (1) Aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)
- (i) 12 Dorniers
- (ii) 16 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH MK III)
- (iii) 8 Chetak helicopters

(2) Submarines . 6 Scorpene  class submarines  are being built  by  Mazagon  Dock  and Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) under Project-75.

Yes, Sir. There are some delays in the projects mentioned at Ser (1) & (2) above.

(b)  Details of projects are given  in reply to part (a) of the question.

Reasons for delays are as follows: -

(i) Aircraft .   The deliveries have been delayed due to the supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

(ii) Submarines .   The delays have been caused due to the various defects observed during the trials of the submarines, requirement of certain modifications and delays in the supply of items required for construction by the collaborator / ToT provider -  Naval Group, France.

The outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic has further impacted the delivery schedule of the submarines.

(c)  &  (d):    In  the  interest  of  national  security,  the  details  cannot  be  divulged.    However,  the existing submarine  fleet is being maintained combat  worthy through life extension  & modernization/upgradation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3472 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Guidelines for BPOs and ITeS
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  3472

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 17.03.2021

## GUIDELINES FOR BPOs AND ITES

## 3472. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  eased  the  guidelines  for  Business  Process  Outsourcing  and  IT Enabled Service players in the country;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  likely  benefits  to  be  rendered  to  the  BPO  Sector  and working professionals by the simplification of these guidelines;
- (c)  whether the Government has devised suitable safeguards to ensure that relaxations given to the BPOs is exercised in a responsible manner by the industry;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefore?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY   DHOTRE)

(a) and (b):   Yes, Sir. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications has issued new guidelines on 5 th November, 2020 to reduce the compliance burden for both BPO and other IT enabled  service providers. These  guidelines have  done  away  with  the  registration requirement for Other Service Providers (OSPs). It has further limited the scope to cover only entities that  are  providing  voice  based  BPO  services.  Pure  data  /  internet  (non-voice)  based  IT  companies have now been kept outside the scope of the new regime, leading to significant reduction in cost of doing business for such service providers. Further, the guidelines have also removed several onerous provisions  related  to  furnishing  Bank  Guarantees  by  the  OSPs  towards  enabling  work  from  home, providing relief to the entities providing voice-based services. Additionally, the guidelines have also enabled  companies  to  adopt  hybrid  working  models  by  enabling  'Work  from  Anywhere'  in  the country.

(c) to (e):     The industry is required to comply with the new guidelines for OSPs, which is based on self regulation by the OSPs. However, OPSs are required to maintain a copy of  Call Detail Records (CDRs), Usage Detail Records (UDR), system logs etc. to be furnished and provided to DoT/Security Agencies, as and when required. In case of violations, appropriate action under the provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act and/or other applicable laws will be pursued.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3471 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Chinnasalem to Kallakurichi Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gautham Sigamani Pon

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3471 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## CHINNASALEM TO KALLAKURICHI RAILWAY LINE

3471.  SHRI GAUTHAM SIGAMANI PON:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of Chinnasalem to Kallakurichi railway line project;
- (b) the total cost and length of the railway line project along with the amount sanctioned and utilized till date;
- (c) whether the project has been delayed due to land acquisition issues;
- (d) if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  taken  up  the  matter  with  State Government of Tamil Nadu to make available land for this railway project and if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  response  of  the  State  Government thereto; and
- (e) the time by which the work on Chinnasalem to Kallakurichi is likely to be started and completed?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (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. 3471 BY SHRI GAUTHAM SIGAMANI PON TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK  SABHA  ON  17.03.2021  REGARDING    CHINNASALEM  TO  KALLAKURICHI RAILWAY LINE (a)  and  (b):  Chinnasalem  -  Kallakurichi  (16.20  Km)  new  line  project  has  been taken up as Material Modification to Cuddalore-Salem via Vriddhachalam (191 Km) Gauge conversion project. Sanctioned cost of Chinnasalem - Kallakurichi new line is ` 116.61 crore. An expenditure of ` 15.70 crore has been incurred upto till  date  and  an  outlay  of ` 15 crore has been proposed for this project for the Financial Year 2021-22. Project  involves  acquisition  of  68.07  hectare  land.  Land  acquisition  has been taken up. Earth work, bridge works etc. have been taken up where land is available. (c)  and  (d):  Project  involves  acquisition  of  68.07  hectre  land.  Land  acquisition proposals for entire 68.07 hectare land have been submitted to State Government on March, 2010. Land acquisition is in various stages. Railway is regularly following up with State Government, for expeditious land acquisition. (e):  Execution of earthwork and bridges have been taken up in available land. The  completion  of  any  Railway  project  depends  on  various  factors  like  quick land acquisition by State Government, forestry clearance by officials of forest department  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, priority of projects, etc. and all these factors affect the completion of the project. Hence, confirm time frame for completion of  Chinnasalem - Kallakurichi cannot be given at this stage.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3470 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Supercritical Projects in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Margani Bharat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3470 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## SUPERCRITICAL PROJECTS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 3470.  SHRI MARGANI BHARAT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    the  details  of  assets,  broadly,  that  the  Ministry  is  planning  to monetize for investing in newer railway projects;
- (b)    the  details  of  assets that Railways have in the State of Andhra Pradesh; and
- (c) the details of supercritical projects that are going to be completed by March, 2022 and the projects in  Andhra Pradesh that are included in the above category?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a):  Ministry  of  Railways  has  planned  to  monetize  assets  including Dedicated  Freight  Corridors  after  commissioning,  passenger  train operations taken up through Public Private Partnership (PPP), station redevelopment through PPP, hill Railways, stadiums and Railway land parcels.
- (b): The details of Railway assets are maintained Zonal Railway wise and  not  State-wise  as  the  Indian  Railways'  network  spans  across various State boundaries.

(c): There are 58 Super critical Projects of a total length of 3750 kms costing ₹ 39,663  Crore,  out  of  which  commissioning  of  2279  kms length has been achieved and, an expenditure of ₹ 28,891 Crore has been incurred upto March, 2020.

Two Doubling projects,  falling  in  Andhra  Pradesh,  are  part  of    Super Critical project category, namely:-

- (i) Kaluru - Guntakal of a total length of 43 kms costing ₹ 385 Crore  has  already  been  commissioned  in  Financial  Year 2019-2020.
- (ii) Vijaywada - Gudivada - Bhimavaram - Narsapur, Gudivada Machlipatnam & Bhimavaram - Nidadavolu of a total length of 221 kms costing ₹ 3377 crore, out of which commissioning of 126 kms length has been achieved and an expenditure of ₹ 2679 Crore  has been incurred.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3467 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: National Cadet Corps
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Devusinh Jesingbhai Chauhan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3467

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  March, 2021

## NATIONAL CADET CORPS

3467. SHRI DEVUSINH JESINGHBHAI CHAUHAN:

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

- (a) the present number of units of National Cadet Corps (NCC) in the country;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to increase the number of NCC units in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to expand the Corps' presence in naxal affected areas as well as coastal and border areas and simultaneously encourage youth of such areas to join the mainstream as NCC cadets?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a)  to (c):  Presently, there are 825 NCC Units functional in the country out of which, 09 units are in Left Wing Extremists/Naxal affected areas.  Further, in July, 2020, the Government has sanctioned the scheme of expansion of NCC to Coastal/Border talukas with the strength of one lakh  cadets.    The  scheme  is  to  expand  the  NCC  Cadet  base  in  172  border  taluks,  92  coastal talukas and 43 major Air Force Stations.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3466 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Negative List Under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy, Geetha Viswanath Vanga, Dayakar Pasunoori, Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3466

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  March, 2021

## NEGATIVE LIST UNDER THE AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT

3466. SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY: SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH: SHRI PASUNOORI DAYAKAR: SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government's  announcement  of  embargoed  defence  items  'negative  list'  was infact a 'positive list' under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Programme to increase our manufacturing capacities, generate new employments, reduce dependence on imports and manufacture products to be consumed in India;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  opportunities  the  Government  has  created  for  the  private  sector  by bifurcating  the  capital  procurement  budget  into  separate  domestic  and  foreign  procurement routes; and
- (c) if so, the deails thereof along with the present status?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) Yes, Sir.

The promulgation of 'Positive Indigenisation List' recognises the potential of the local defence industry to meet Defence needs of the Indian Armed Forces.

The List earnestly supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and will invigorate impetus to  domestic  Research  &  Development  by  attracting  fresh  investment  into  technology  and manufacturing capabilities.

This would also provide a long-term direction to defence procurement plans, and Industry can now plan its Capability Building, Capital Expenditure & Production Capability.

(b)  &  (c):    In  line  with  Government  of  India's  Aatmanirbhar  Bharat  Abhiyan,  the  funds  for Capital  Procurement  have been  earmarked  between  Domestic  and  Foreign  procurement  in  the Capital Acquisition Budget for the year 2021-22.  The funds have been earmarked for all three Services  in  the  ratio  of  64:36  between  Domestic  and  Foreign  procurement  in  the  Capital Acquisition Budget for the year 2021-22.

It  has  also  been  decided  that  Services  will  further  earmark  a  total  of  Rs.  1000  Crore towards  Innovations  for  Defence  Excellence  (iDEX)  initiative  during  Financial  Year  2021-22 from within their allocation for Domestic Procurements.

*****