opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1750 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Ramping up Job Creation
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1750 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## RAMPING UP JOB CREATION

## 1750. SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MADAM

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government's Economic Advisory Council has recently spelt out a clear roadmap to ramp up job creation and infrastructure financing avenues;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  sectors  in  which  job  creation  and  infrastructure financing avenues have been identified; and
- (c) the time-line for implementation of roadmap and the expected job creation in the next five years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILISERS (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a)  to  (c)    Government  has  set  up  Economic  Advisory  Council  to  the  Prime  Minister  vide Notification  dated  September  26,  2017  under  the  chairmanship  of  Dr.  Bibek  Debroy, Member, NITI Aayog.  The Council has from time to time deliberated on wide ranging issues such  as  review  of  macro-economy,  agriculture  and  rural  development,  skill  upgradation, enhancing investments in health, logistics development, beekeeping development, etc.  Based on deliberations, the Council has been providing advisory inputs to the Government from time to time.  However, there is no specific policy paper submitted by the Council on the roadmap for job creation and infrastructure financing avenues.

---
Lok Sabha Question No. 1748 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Modernisation of Armed Forces
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1748

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## MODERNISATION OF ARMED FORCES

1748.  SHRI  KAPIL  MORESHWAR  PATIL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  drawn  a  roadmap  to  modernise  and  upgrade  the capabilities of armed forces keeping in view the developments in the neighbourhood;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the budgetary allocations made for the purpose;
- (c) whether the Government has commissioned any independent study in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

<!-- formula-not-decoded -->

(a) to (d): Modernisation  of  the  Armed  Forces  is  a  continuous  process based  on  threat  perception,  operational  challenges  and  technological changes  to  keep  the  Armed  Forces  in  a  state  of  readiness  to  meet  the entire spectrum of security challenges.  Government attaches the highest priority to ensure that the Armed Forces are sufficiently equipped to meet any  operational  requirement.    This  is  achieved  through  induction  of  new equipment and technological  upgradation of capabilities.  The equipment requirements  of  the  Armed  Forces  are  planned  and  progressed  through a  detailed  process  which  includes  15  Year  Long  Term  Integrated

……2/-

:  2  :

Perspective  Plan  (LTIPP),  a  five  year  Service-wise  Capability  Acquisition Plan, a two year roll-on Annual Acquisition Plan and deliberations by the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by the Raksha Mantri.

During  the  last  three  years  and  in  the  current  year  (upto  October, 2018), 188 contracts have been signed for capital procurement of defence equipment  for  Armed  Forces  such  as  Radars,  Aircraft,  Rockets,  Artillery Guns, Helicopters, Missiles, Ballistic Helmets, Bullet Proof Jackets, Weapons, Simulators, Electronic Fuzes and Ammunition.

Budget  Allocation  and  Expenditure  under  Capital  Budget  Head  are given below:-

(Rs. in crore)

| Year                          |   Budget Estimates |   Expenditure |
|-------------------------------|--------------------|---------------|
| 2016-17                       |            78586.7 |       78735.5 |
| 2017-18                       |            86488   |       90438.4 |
| 2018-19 (upto November, 2018) |            93982.1 |       66415.5 |

Allocated budget is optimally utilized to avoid gap between the need and the availability of funds.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1747 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Employment in Defence Corridor Project
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: BHARAT SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1747

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## EMPLOYMENT IN DEFENCE CORRIDOR PROJECT

1747.  SHRI  BHARAT SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to develop defence industrial corridors in the country especially in Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  and  the  benefits  likely  to  accrue  to  Defence  Sector  as  a  result thereof;
- (c) whether setting up of such corridors is likely to generate employment opportunities; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  employment  opportunities  expected  to  be generated due to these corridors?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) to (d): The  Government  has  decided  to  develop  defence  industrial corridor in the state of Uttar Pradesh.  It has earmarked six nodal points for setting  up  of  Defence  industrial  corridor  in  Uttar  Pradesh.    These  are Kanpur, Lucknow, Aligarh, Agra, Jhansi and Chitrakoot.  Five stakeholders meetings were also organized.  Setting up of this corridor would catalyse indigenous  production  of  defence  and  aerospace  related  items,  thereby reducing our reliance on imports and promotion of export of these items to other countries.  This will lead to generation of employment opportunities and growth of private domestic manufacturers, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1745 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Increase in Number of Passenger
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMA DEVI, RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1745 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## INCREASE IN NUMBER OF PASSENGER

† 1745. SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI: SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the number of trains has not been increased due to which the waiting list in trains, going to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar/Jharkhand from Delhi, reaches  more  than  five  hundred  and  the  situation  of  non-availability  of tickets is created;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government to the said failure and the details of the measures taken in this regard; and
- (c)  the  extent  to  which  the  Government  has  achieved  success  regarding meeting the needs of the rail services in the said railway division and the reaction of the Government to the said success?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (c)    Indian  Railways  do  not  operate  train  on  State-wise  basis  as Railways  cut  across  State  boundaries.  However,  to  cater  to  the  growing needs of  passengers,  Indian  Railways,  during  the  period  2014-15  to  20182019 (till 31st January, 2019), have introduced 16 pairs of regular services bound for various destinations located in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. These are in addition to the special trains which have also been  operated  to  clear the extra rush of passengers  during  festive seasons/holidays/vacation etc, to meet the travelling requirement of passengers bound for eastern part of the country.

Moreover,  subject  to  operational  feasibility,  availability  of  resources  etc. introduction of new train services is an on-going process on Indian Railways and to this end, it has been decided to introduce the new technology 'Train Set'  type  Vande  Bharat  Express  between  New  Delhi  and  Varanasi  and  a weekly  Humsafar  Express  between  Anand  Vihar  (T)  and  Madhupur,  for passengers bound for eastern part of the country

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1744 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Repair of Old Bridges
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1744 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## REPAIR OF OLD BRIDGES

1744. SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of railway bridges that collapsed in last ten years till date;
- (b)  the  number  of  persons  killed  and  injured  separately  as  a  result  of bridge collapses;
- (c)  whether  there  has  been  a  delay  in  sanctioning  and  completion  of sanctioned  bridge  works  resulting  in  risk  of  bridge  collapse,  if  so,  the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government has ordered a review of old bridges in need of repair,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  timeline  fixed  by  Railways  to repair all the old railway bridges across the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  &  (b):  During  the  last  ten  years,  12  Railway  Bridges  have  been damaged due to heavy rains/floods etc. However, no person was killed / injured as a result of damage to these bridges.
- (c) & (d): As on 01.04.2018, there are 1, 47, 523 Railway Bridges of varying ages on Indian Railways' network. However, the age of the bridge does not  have  any  direct  relevance  on  the  physical  condition  of  the  bridge. There  is  a  well  established  system  of  inspection  of  bridges  on  Indian Railways.

All the bridges are inspected twice a year, one before the onset of monsoon and one detailed inspection after the monsoon. In addition, certain bridges are also inspected more frequently depending upon their condition. Repair / strengthening / rehabilitation / rebuilding of  railway bridges is a continuous process and is  undertaken whenever  so  warranted by their physical condition  as  ascertained  during  these  inspections  and  not  on  the  basis  of age.    If  the  corrective  /  remedial  measures  are  expected  to  take  a  long duration  due  to  the  complexity  of  the  site  situation,  etc.,  suitable  safety measures  like  imposing  speed  restrictions  and  keeping  such  bridge  under close watch are taken till the bridge is repaired / strengthened / rehabilitated /  rebuilt.  All  bridges  are  safe  for  train  movement  at  permitted  /  restricted speed.

Highest priority is accorded to the works having bearing on safety of train operations  and  accordingly,  the  works  are  sanctioned  and  executed. During last five years (2014-15 to 2018-19 upto January 2019), a total of 3753 bridges have been repaired / strengthened / rehabilitated / rebuilt on Indian  Railways.  As  on  01.04.2018,  a  total  of  4027  Railway  Bridges  have been sanctioned for repairing / strengthening / rehabilitation / rebuilding.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1742 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Transportation of Dead Bodies
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: KURUPPASSERY VARKEY THOMAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1742

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## TRANSPORTATION OF DEAD BODIES

1742. PROF. K.V. THOMAS:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a request that the dead bodies of NRIs would be sent to India free of cost; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) There   have   been   some   representations   regarding   the   cost   of transportation of dead bodies of Indians from Gulf countries to India.

The matter was taken up with Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India and based on the discussions, Air India has implemented a flat rate for transfer of mortal remains of Indian nationals from Gulf countries to various destinations in India. The flat rate implemented by Air India amounts to average reduction of fares of up to 30-35% to some of the major destinations in India from Gulf countries.

In addition, our Missions and Posts abroad continue to provide assistance for free of cost transfer of mortal remains to India under this Ministry's Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) in deserving cases on a means-tested basis.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1739 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Flexi Fare System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI, POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1739 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## FLEXI FARE SYSTEM

## 1739. DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU: SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  dynamic  pricing/flexi  fare  system introduced  in  142  premium  trains  by  the  Government  has resulted in lower footfall for the trains;
- (b)    if  so,  the  details  of  total  footfalls  during  peak  and  lean season on a year-on-year basis;
- (c)  whether the Government intends to introduce the dynamic pricing  mechanism for  all  mail  and  express  trains  only  during the peak season and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)    the  details  of  change  in  revenue  generated  on  a  year-onyear  basis  by  the  142  trains  in  which  dynamic  pricing  was introduced, in the last 2 years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) & (b): The concept of flexi fare was introduced with effect from 09.09.2016 in all Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto  Express Trains which were 148 in number at that time. An analysis of number of passenger booked in Rajdhani, Duronto & Shatabdi Express trains (having flexi fare) during the period from September  2016  to August 2018 (Flexi Fare period) has

revealed  that  there  has  been  an  increase  of  0.95%  in  the number of passengers booked in these trains as compared to corresponding period of previous years (non Flexi Fare period).

(c):  At  present,  there  is  no  proposal  to  introduce  flexi  fare scheme similar to Rajdhani, Duronto & Shatabdi trains in other Mail/Exp. trains.

(d): During the period from September 2016 to November 2018, Railways  has  been  benefited  by  an  additional  earnings  of approximately ₹ 1836 crore due to flexi fare.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1737 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Under-Construction ArariaSeemanchal Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sarfaraz Alam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1737 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## UNDER-CONSTRUCTION ARARIA SEEMANCHAL RAILWAY LINE

†1737. SHRI SARFARAZ ALAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the time by which  the  doubling  and  electrification of  under construction Araria-Seemanchal railway line and Katihar to Jogbani single line connecting Bihar and Nepal Border is likely to be done;
- (b) whether these works are being performed as per scheduled timelimit;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor, project-wise;
- (d) whether the  Seemanchal express is likely  to  be  substituted  by  a new  train  and  plied  from  either  New  Delhi  or  Old  Delhi  Railway Station in place of Anand Vihar Station; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the same is likely to get started?

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

(a):   No doubling work of Araria-Seemanchal is sanctioned. However, new Broad Gauge single line from Araria to Galgalia (110.15 km) has been taken up. Revised Estimate of ` 2132.03 crore has been sanctioned on 30.05.2018 for this project. Land acquisition has been taken up.

Contd……2

Further,  Gauge  Conversion  of  Katihar-Jogbani  (109  km)  single  line has  been  completed  and  commissioned.    No  doubling  of  this  section  is sanctioned.

Electrification of Katihar-Purnea-Araria Court-Jogbani (109 route kilometers)  rail  line  has  been  sanctioned  at  a  cost  of ` 109.91  crore  in September,  2018.  This  section  is  planned  for  commissioning  on  electric traction during 2020-21.

(b) & (c):   Completion of project depends upon many factors such as land acquisition, statutory clearances, shifting of utilities etc. As such no time frame for completion of the project can be given.

(d) & (e):   Presently, 12487 / 12488 Seemanchal Express operates between Anand Vihar (T) and Jogbani / Radhikapur. Owing to operational constraints,  at  present,  there  is  no  proposal  to  operate  this  service  from New Delhi or Delhi Railway Station.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1734 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Development of Railway Land
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MANSHANKAR NINAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1734 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## DEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAY LAND

## †1734. SHRI MANSHANKAR NINAMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the railways has not achieved its various targets fixed regarding  development  of  railway  land  and  modernisation  of facilities during the last three years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  various  reasons  behind  slow  pace  in  achieving  the  targets fixed  for  doubling  and  electrification  of  railway  lines  in  the country; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  steps  taken/to  be  taken  by  the  railways  for bringing rapid reforms in the railway infrastructure?

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

(a) to (d): Modernisation of facilities, inter-alia, involving development of Railway land, is an on-going, continuous process on Indian Railways.  In the last three years, about ` 3.03  lakh  Cr.  has been  spent  for  modernization,  inter-alia,  about  7500  hectares  of Railway land got developed for laying tracks of New Lines, Doubling

/Tripling,  Gauge  Conversion  &  other  infrastructural  facilities  and achieved  most  of  the  set  targets  which  also  include  Railway electrification. For bringing rapid reforms in the Railways' infrastructure,  Ministry of Railways has taken many steps e.g.

- (1) Ministry of Railways has approached State Governments to form Joint  Venture  Companies  (JVCs)  with  Ministry  of  Railways  to undertake mutually identified rail infrastructure projects for project development, resources mobilization and monitoring.
- (2)  Indian  Railways  has  adopted  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR) approach for new works which has resulted into saving of time in starting the work.  Earlier, it used to take 2 to 3 years for starting a work which has now been brought down to less than a year.
- (3) For capacity enchancement projects, institutional financing has been done by arranging loan from M/s Life Insurance Corporation of India  Limited  for ` 1.5  lakh  crore,  which  has  increased  Railways' capacity for committed fund provision for essential projects.
- (4)  The  Zonal  Railways  have  been  delegated  full  powers  with respect to acceptance of works contracts and to sanction estimates.  This has resulted in cutting down time for sanctions of estimate and award of contract for execution of works.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1733 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Coal Imports
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1733 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## Coal Imports

1733.  SHRI E.T.MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  coal  import  is  increasing  considerably  in  spite  of  the Government's announcement that the coal import will be brought down to zero level and take our country on the path of self sufficiency; and
- (b) if  so,  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  the issue?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COAL, FINANCE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): Coal imports have fallen from 217.78 MT in 2014-15 to 203.95 MT in 201516 and further to 190.95 MT in 2016-17. During 2017-18, the coal import was 208.27 MT which was less than coal import for the year 2014-15.

(b): As per the current import policy, coal is kept under Open General License (OGL) and consumers are free to import coal from the source of their choice as per their contractual prices on payment of applicable duty. There has been a consistent effort to increase domestic coal production  so as to reduce dependence on coal imports. The all India raw coal production has increased from 565.77 MT in 2013-14 to 676.48 MT in 2017-18. Absolute increase in all India coal production from 2013-14 to 2017-18 (four years) is 110.71 MT as compared to increase of coal production of 33.73 MT from 2009-10 to 2013-14 (four years).

Coal India Limited (CIL) has also increased its production from 462.41 MT in 2013-14 to 567.36 MT in 2017-18 (four years), an absolute increase of 105 MT as compared to increase of coal production of 31.15 MT between 2009-10 and 2013-14 (four years).

Further,  in  the  current  year  during  April-January,  2019,  all  India  coal production was 568.40 MT with a growth rate of 7.9% and coal production of CIL was 469.65 MT with a growth rate of 6.6% over the corresponding period of previous year.

However, coking coal will continue to be imported as there is limited availability of coking coal in the country. Further, power plants designed on imported coal will also continue to import coal.