opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3945 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: Deep-Sea Port
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sisir Kumar Adhikari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3945

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2019

## DEEP-SEA PORT

## 3945. SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)    Whether the Government has signed agreement with any foreign   country   for   establishing   deep-Sea   port   in   Bay   of Bengal and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)    Whether Bangladesh has given consent to India for research and usage of offshore gas reservoirs; and
- (c)     if so, the details of the agreement?

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

- (a) Government of India has not signed any agreement/MoU in establishing deep-Sea port in Bay of Bengal.
- (b)   &   (c)   No   such   agreement   or   consent   is   there   between Government   of   India   and   the   Government   of   Bangladesh. However,     ONGC   Videsh   Limited(OVL)   has   been   awarded   two offshore oil and gas exploratory blocks in Bangladesh. Both the blocks are located in the offshore Bengal Basin. Apart from OVL, other   partners   are   Oil   India   Limited   (OIL)   and   Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX).

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3943 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: Special Medical Team at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S.R. Parthiban

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3943 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2019

## SPECIAL MEDICAL TEAM AT STATIONS

## 3943. SHRI PARTHIBAN S.R.:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  railways  proposes  to  constitute  a  special  team  at major  railway  stations  to  attend  to  railway  accident  victims  and provide them with emergency medical assistance and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c)  the  concrete  steps  taken  by  the  railways  to  set  up  special dedicated  medical  team  at  major  railway  stations  instead  of  the station master?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  In  compliance  of  orders  of  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  and  as recommended  by  Committee  of  experts  constituted  at  All  India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), instructions have been issued to provide  a  Medical  Box  containing  life  saving  medicines,  equipments, oxygen  cylinder  etc.  at  all  Railway  stations  and  passenger  carrying trains. Front line staff i.e. Train Ticket Examiner, Train Superintendents, Assistant Station Master etc. are trained in rendering First Aid. Regular refresher courses are conducted for such staff. List of near-by hospitals and doctors  along  with their  contact  numbers is

available  at  all  Railway  Stations.  Ambulance  services  of  Railways, State Government/Private Hospitals and ambulance service providers are utilized to transport the injured sick passengers to the hospitals/doctor's clinics.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3942 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: Indians in Pakistani Jails
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gopal Chinayya Shetty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3942 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2019

## INDIANS IN PAKISTANI JAILS

## †3942. SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the estimated number of Indian fishermen and other citizens imprisoned in the jails of Pakistan as on date;
- (b) the number of Indian fishermen and other citizens released by Pakistan during the last three years till date;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to get released Indian fishermen and other citizens imprisoned in the jails of Pakistan; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) As per available information, there are 64 Indian and believed-to-be Indian civilian   prisoners   and   209   Indian   and   believed-to-be   Indian   fishermen   in Pakistan's custody. Pakistan has, on 1 July 2019, acknowledged the custody of 52 civilian prisoners and 209 fishermen.

(b) Year-wise   details   regarding   release   and   repatriation   of   Indian   civilian prisoners and fishermen during the last three years are as follows:

| Year                               |   2016 |   2017 |   2018 |   2019 (till 11 July) |
|------------------------------------|--------|--------|--------|-----------------------|
| Indian Fishermen released          |    410 |    508 |    174 |                   355 |
| Indian Civilian Prisoners released |     02 |     07 |     05 |                    07 |

(c) & (d) The Government attaches high importance to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals abroad and consistently takes up with the Government of Pakistan the matter of early release and repatriation of all Indian civilian   prisoners   and   fishermen,   along   with   boats.   As   a   result   of   persistent efforts,   the   Government   has   been   successful   in   securing   the   release   and repatriation   of   2110   Indian   prisoners,   including   fishermen,   from   Pakistan's custody   since   2014.   This   includes   release   and   repatriation   of   362   Indian prisoners, including fishermen, this year, so far.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: New Railway Line from Gunupur-Therubali
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3940 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2019

## NEW RAILWAY LINE FROM GUNUPUR-THERUBALI

## 3940. SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  any  provision  has  been  made  in  the  budget  and survey conducted to construct New Railway line from Therubali to Gunupur via Bissam Cuttack in Odisha;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the same is likely to be disbursed;
- (c)  whether  the  Railways  have  any  proposal  to  introduce  new intercity train from Koraput district to Bhubaneswar and Koraput to Rakpur Junction; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) & (b): Extension of Naupada-Gunupur Broad Gauge line upto Theruvali (79.15 Km) was included in the Budget 2017-18 subject to clearance from the Government (viz. NITI Aayog and Cabinet Committee  on  Economic  Affairs).    The  Detailed  Project  Report (DPR) of the project has been prepared.  As per DPR  the cost of the  project  is  approx. ` 1273.74  crore  with  Rate  of  Return

(-)3.19%.  Project being financially unviable, State Government of Odisha  has  been  requested  to  provide  land  free  of  cost  and share  50%  cost  of  the  project.    Response  of  State  Govt.  of Odisha is awaited.

(c)  &  (d):      Presently,  Koraput  is  connected  to  Raipur  and Bhubaneswar  by  1  pair  of  trains  service  each.    There  is  no proposal to introduce new train services between these sectors, at present due to operational and resource constraints.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3939 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: Use of Surplus Land
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S. Gnanathiraviam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3939 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2019

## USE OF SURPLUS LAND

3939.    SHRI GNANATHIRAVIAM S.: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
2. (a) whether the Railways is in the process of preparing a master plan for the commercial use  of the surplus land at its disposal all over the country;
3. (b) if  so,  the  details  of  surplus  land  with  the  Railways  and  its  value thereof;
4. (c) the process by which the surplus land would be disposed of; and
5. (d) the likely amount to be generated as a result thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d):      A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3939 BY SHRI GNANATHIRAVIAM S. TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 17.07.2019 REGARDING USE OF SURPLUS LAND.

(a) and (d): Indian Railways has about 0.51 lakh hectares of vacant land (not surplus) out of total land of 4.73 lakh hectares.  The details of vacant railway land zone-wise are given below:

## (Figures in hectares)

| Zonal Railway      |   Vacant Land |
|--------------------|---------------|
| Central            |       2022.03 |
| Eastern            |       2110.49 |
| East Central       |       4094.75 |
| East Coast         |       3011.28 |
| Northern           |      11438.7  |
| North Central      |        735.11 |
| North Eastern      |       5564.67 |
| Northeast Frontier |       1410.45 |
| North Western      |       1277.35 |
| Southern           |       2741.44 |
| South Central      |       1276.58 |
| South Eastern      |        464.76 |
| South East Central |       3142.72 |
| South Western      |       4662.15 |
| Western            |       6258.54 |
| West Central       |        617.45 |
| Total              |      50828.5  |

The vacant land is mostly in the form of narrow strips along tracks and  is  utilized  for  servicing  and  maintenance  of  track,  bridges,  other infrastructure and execution of various infrastructural projects for meeting future growth needs of Railways. The vacant land is also utilized for  ancillary  logistic  support/infrastructure  such  as  bulk  oil  installations and  oil  depots,  steel  yards,  concrete  sleeper  plants,  connectivity  to private sidings, connectivity to ports, etc., for which land is leased/licensed.  Vacant  Railway  land  not  required  by  Railways  for  its immediate future operational needs is also leased through open, transparent and competitive bidding for commercial/property development  in  interim  period  wherever  feasible  through  Rail  Land Development  Authority  (RLDA),  in  order  to  mobilize  additional  financial resources.  As  on  date,  63  sites  measuring  224  Hectare  (approximately) have  been  entrusted  to  RLDA  with  a  likely  revenue  potential  of  about ` 10,000 Crores.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3938 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: Pay-and-Use Toilets at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kirron  Kher

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3938 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2019

## PAY-AND-USE TOILETS AT STATIONS

## 3938.     SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether pay-and-use toilets and X-ray scanners have been established at all the railway stations in the country, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether facilities for differently abled passengers have been adequately  provided  at  all  the  stations  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Railway Board regularly monitors stations for cleanliness and if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): Construction of any amenities including toilets (Pay & Use / non Pay & Use)  at  stations  is  a  continuous  process  and  is  undertaken  depending upon category of  stations subject to inter-se priority and availability of funds.  Zonal  Railways  either  award  contracts  for  maintaining  toilets through 'Pay & Use' or maintain them in-house by deploying railway staff as  per  the  situation  (or)  site  conditions.  At  present,  more  than  950 stations  have  'Pay  &  Use'  (normal/deluxe  or  both)  toilets  over  Indian Railways.

Security has been identified as one of the priority areas by the Railways for strengthening and upgradation.  Measures initiated for strengthening of  security  over  Railways  in  recent  past  include  provision  of  CCTV cameras at important railway stations, operationalisation and upgradation  of  security  helpline  182,  installation  of  security  equipment like  baggage  scanners  etc.  132  baggage  scanners  have  been  provided under Integrated Security System.

(b): The initiatives taken towards improvement of facilities for differently abled  passengers  (Divyangjans)  include  provision  of  wheelchairs  at maximum stations and provision of other facilities like Battery Operated Vehicles (BOVs), escalators, lifts, ramps, drinking water taps, Braille sign indicators, etc at major railway stations.  Besides, disability inspectors are  being  appointed/nominated  for  providing  assistance  to  Divyangjan. However, improvement of facilities to rail users, including Divyangjans, is a continuous process.

(c):  Regular  inspections  are  conducted  at  railway  stations  by  various officials  to  monitor  cleanliness  in  order  to  identify  weak  areas  and  take remedial  measures.    Besides,  CCTVs  are  being  used  for  monitoring  of cleanliness  activities  at  major  railway  stations.  Enforcement  of  penalty provisions for  activities  affecting  the  cleanliness  at  the  railway  premises have been intensified.  Besides Third party audit and ranking of stations on cleanliness  is  also  carried  out  annually  in  order  to  give  status  check feedback and healthy competition over Zonal Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3937 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: Indian Ranking of Ease in Doing Business
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Vishnu Dutt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3937

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 17 th  JULY, 2019.

## INDIAN RANKING OF EASE IN DOING BUSINESS

## 3937. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether India has improved in the ranking of Ease of Doing Business according to the World Bank Report and if so, whether India would be  extolled to some benefits as a result thereof;
- (b) whether  Government  plans  to  propose  district  level  ease  of  doing  business ranking in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  extent  of  assistance  proposed  to  be  provided  by  the  Government  to  the States, particularly to Madhya Pradesh?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् यएवंउद्योग मंत्रालयमेंराज् यमंत्री( श्रीसोम प्रकाश) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a): Yes, Sir. In the latest Doing Business Report, 2019 released by the World Bank on  31 st October,  2018,  India  stands  at  77 th position  out  of  190  countries, registering  a  jump  of  23  places  from  its  last  year's  rank.  Though  no  direct relationship  can  be  established,  improved  business  environment  leads  to greater  investment  in  the  country  and  improved  efficiency  of  the  existing investment.
- (b): With an intent to take the agenda of business reforms to the grass root level, a District Level Business Reform Action Plan has been prepared by Department for  Promotion  of  Industry  and  Internal  Trade  (DPIIT)  and  shared  with  all  the States  and  Union Territories.  The  District  Reform  Plan  requires  States/UTs  to create web portals, online systems, mandate timelines for service delivery and eliminate touch points between the applicant and the Department/Agency. The Districts  are  required  to  use online  systems and follow timelines mandated by the State. A suggested questionnaire has also been prepared and forwarded to the States for the purpose of getting feedback for ranking of the districts in the State.
- (c): DPIIT  handholds  all  the  States  and  UTs,  including  Madhya  Pradesh,  in implementation of business reforms through continuous engagement at various levels. Several  Video  Conferences  and  Regional  Workshops  have  been organized with the States/UTs to discuss the action plan and to resolve specific queries of States/UTs. Western & Central Regional Workshop was organized on 8 th January, 2019 in Mumbai, Maharashtra wherein the States of Goa, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra had participated.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3933 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: New Public Sector Unit
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3933 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2019

## NEW PUBLIC SECTOR UNIT

3933.SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJI KUNDARIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Railways is all set to bundle its manufacturing units and workshops into a new public sector unit;

- (b) if so, the details thereof and the objective behind the move;
- (c) whether the Government has consulted all the stakeholders before setting up of a new public sector unit, if so, the details and outcome thereof; and
- (d) the  time  by  which  the  new  public  sector  unit  is  likely  to  start functioning?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS   (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3933  BY  SHRI  MOHANBHAI  KALYANJI KUNDARIYA  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  17.07.2019 REGARDING NEW PUBLIC SECTOR UNIT. (a)  &  (b)  Railways  are  considering  creation  of  a  Government-owned Company  nomenclature  'Indian  Railways Rolling  Stock  Company (IRRSC)'. Existing Production Units are expected to become a part of this Umbrella Company in a phased manner. This step will make India an  international  hub  for  railway  rolling  stock  manufacturing  provide better benefits to employees, improve efficiency, create employment, enable access to latest technology and attract investments. (c)  The  process  of  consultations  with  stakeholders  has  commenced and will continue as part of this initiative. (d)  Necessary steps are being taken to create the new entity following the due process.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3932 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: Tea Garden Workers
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Pallab Lochan Das

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3932 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th JULY, 2019

## TEA GARDEN WORKERS

## 3932.  SHRI PALLAB LOCHAN DAS:

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

- (a) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to improve the working conditions of tea garden workers in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is planning to fix any Minimum Wage Support Act for the labourers working in tea gardens and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  implemented  any  scheme  to  pay  sufficient  compensation  to dependents of labourers working in the tea gardens in the country;
- (d) if  so, the details thereof and other  measures  including policy adopted, if any,  for social and economic security of tea garden workers in the country; and
- (e) the total amount disbursed for such purposes by the Government during the last four years and the current year?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh gjnhi flag iqjh ½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a) to (e): The  working  conditions  of  tea  garden  workers  in  the  country are  governed  by  the Plantation Labour Act (PLA), 1951, administered by the Ministry of Labour & Employment and enforced by the concerned state governments, which, inter alia, provide for basic welfare services and amenities namely housing, medical and primary education, water supply and sanitation.

The Tea Board also extends certain welfare measures for  the tea workers and their wards/dependants, which are supplemental in nature. The labour welfare measures are undertaken within  the ambit of the  Human  Resource  Development  (HRD)  component  under  the  Tea  Development  &  Promotion Scheme.  The Tea Board has disbursed a sum of Rs.17.76 Crores in the last 4 years (2015-16 to 201819) and the current year (upto 30.06.2019-provisional) under the HRD component for the benefit of workers and their wards/dependents.

The workers of the tea industry are  also covered by various industrial and social security legislations like the Employees' Compensation Act, 1923,  the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, the Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, (Assam Tea Plantation Provident Fund, the Pension Fund and

Deposit Link Insurance Fund Scheme Act 1955 - only for Assam), the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 and the Industrial Employment (Standing Order) Act, 1946.

The fixation of minimum wages for tea garden workers falls under the purview of State Governments as per the provision under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.  The wages of tea garden workers are fixed as per the agreement reached between producer associations and workers unions.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3930 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: Representations for Extension of EMUs
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3930 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2019

## REPRESENTATIONS FOR EXTENSION OF EMUS

3930. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether representations have been received by the Railways for extending EMUs from Arakkonam to Katpadi junction and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether in view of large scale demand by commuting people to Vellore,  the  Railways  has  any  proposal  to  suitably  extend  EMUs from Arakkonam to Katpadi, with a 15 minutes frequency;
- (c) if so, the details in this regard; and
- (d)  if  not,  the  details  of  alternative  EMUs  that  are  available  for commuters from Chennai to Katpadi?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)  Representations,  inter-alia,  for  extension  of  train  services including EMUs  are  received  at various levels of Railways administration viz. Station, Division level, Zonal level and Railway Board's level, a compendium of which is not maintained.

However,  these  demands  are  examined  and  action  as  found feasible & justified, is taken, subject to traffic demand, operational feasibility and availability of resources. (b)  to  (d)    Presently,  one  pair  of  MEMU  trains  is  being  operated between Chennai Beach and Vellore Cantt. In addition, 42 pairs of Mail/Express trains are also available for passengers of ChennaiKatpadi  sector.  However,  extension  of  EMU  services  presently running  between  MGR  Chennai  Central  and  Arakkonam  upto Katpadi is not feasible due to operational &  infrastructural constraints.

*****