opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1507 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Coal Imports
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: K. GOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1507 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2018

## Coal Imports

1507.  DR. K.GOPAL:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India's coal imports rose by 7.9% to 134.46 million tones in the first seven months of the current fiscal and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether India's thermal coal demand remained high due to the coal shortage in the power sector and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) whether there was a 6.8 per cent drop in coal and coke imports in October compared  to  19.77  million  tonnes  imports  during  the  same  month  last financial year and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL AND RAILWAYS (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)&(c): As  per  provisional  data  released  by  Directorate  General  of  Commercial Intelligence  and  Statistics  (DGCI&S),  during  April-October,  2018  (during  first seven month of current fiscal) the import of coal was136.58 MT with a growth rate of 14.91%.

During  October,  2018  the  coal  and  coke  import  was  22.17MT  as  compared  to 18.72  MT  during  October,  2017  with  a  growth  rate  of  18.42%.This  increase  is largely  due  to  growth  of  coking  coal  imports  in  which  India  is  deficient  &  also imports by certain thermal power plants which were designed to run on imported coal.The  imported  quantity  of  2017-18  at  208.27  MT  is  less  than  the  imported quantity  of  2014-15  which  stood  at  217.79  MT  even  as  power  generation  and industrial activity grew substantially after 2014-15.

(b): There is no shortage of coal for the power plants of the Country. As per Central Electricity  authority  (CEA)  report  during  the  period  April-Nov  2018,  total  coal based generation has been 99.16% of the programme generation with a growth of 5.50% over the corresponding period of last year. This has been possible due to increased supply of coal to the power sector.

During  April-Nov  2018,  Coal  India  Ltd.(CIL)  has  supplied  315.94  MT  of  coal  to power sector at a growth of more than 8% compared to the supply of 291.78 MT in the corresponding period of last year.

As per CEA report coal stock at Power House end as on 16.12.2018 is 15.52 MT as against  the  stock of  12.20  MT  on  16.12.2017  thereby  registering  an  increase of 27.20%.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1505 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Blacklisted Companies in Supply of Defence Equipments
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1505

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## BLACKLISTED COMPANIES IN SUPPLY OF DEFENCE EQUIPMENTS

1505.  SHRI GODSE HEMANT TUKARAM:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  a  decision  to  do  away  with  the  decision  of blacklisting  the  companies  engaged  in  supply  of  defence  equipments  and  materials on petty issues;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the total number of companies blacklisted for indulging in irregularities in supply of  defence materials and equipments in the country during the last three  years and the current  year  along  with  the  names  and  details  of  the  companies  removed  from  the blacklist during the said period;
- (d) whether  the  Government proposes  to  review  the performance of  the  blacklisted companies on the basis of their merits and demerits; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) & (b):

No, Madam.

(c) to (e): No firm / entity has been blacklisted for misconduct / wrongdoing in defence deals during the last three years.

During  the  current  year,  business  dealings  with  M/s  Offset  India Solutions (P) Ltd.  (OIS)  &  its  Group  companies / functionaries  have  been suspended w.e.f. 05.01.2018.

:  2  :

Ministry of  Defence  has issued guidelines for penalties in business dealings with entities, which have come into effect from 21.11.2016.  It has also  been  decided  to review  existing  cases  of  suspension  /  ban  / blacklisting  etc.  against  vendors  in  light  of  these guidelines.  Accordingly orders have been issued after reviews as below:-

- (i) Restrictions  in  dealings  with  M/s.  IAI  &  M/s  Rafael  have  been removed w.e.f. 04.04.2018;
- (ii) Restrictions  on  business  dealings  with  M/s  Denel,  South  Africa have been removed with effect from 05.09.2018.
- (iii) Suspension  of  business  dealings  with  Leonardo  S.p.A  (erstwhile Finmeccanica  Group  of  Companies)  has  been  extended  w.e.f. 01.05.2017.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1504 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Aircraft Crash
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1504

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## AIRCRAFT CRASH

## 1504.  SHRIMATI  K. MARAGATHAM:

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

- (a) whether  an  Indian  Air  Force  trainer  Aircraft  crashed  near  Yadagirigutta  on  the outskirts of Hyderabad recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is true that this was the third IAF trainer aircraft crash in Hyderabad in the past one year and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the  steps  taken  as  per  the  report  of  Court  of  Inquiry  conducted  in  each  aircraft crash?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

## (a) & (b): Yes, Madam.  One Indian Air Force trainer aircraft has crashed on 28.11.2018.

- (c) No, Madam.
- (d) A Court of Inquiry has been ordered.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Inconvenience caused by Change of Platform
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KAUSHAL KISHORE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1502 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2018

## INCONVENIENCE CAUSED BY CHANGE OF PLATFORM

† 1502.  SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the inconvenience being caused to the passengers due to change of platform for Train No.12224 Lucknow Mail from Number 1 to NER at Charbag station;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for change of platform;
- (c) the details of instructions given to maintain status quo in this regard on the requests of MPs; and
- (d) the time by which it is likely to be maintained?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) &  (b) With a view  to decongesting  Lucknow  station  (under  the jurisdiction  of  Northern  Railway)  the  originating/terminating  station  of 12229/12230 Lucknow Mail has been shifted to Lucknow Junction (under the  jurisdiction  of    North  Eastern  Railway),  located  in  the  same  station complex and interconnected to each other.
- (c) & (d) At present, there is no proposal to revert to the originating/terminating station of 12229/12230 Lucknow Mail.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1500 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Blue Collar Workers
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1500

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2018

## BLUE COLLAR WORKERS

1500. DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN: SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken a decision to impart training to Blue collar workers of India to work in various countries and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has also decided no emigration without taking orientation programme on those looking for job abroad;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the purpose and usefulness of taking orientation programme by job seekers in abroad?

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

(a) As part of the Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY), a partnership between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the   Government   has   commenced   one   day   Pre-Departure   Orientation   Training   (PDOT) programme for blue collar workers going to the Gulf region and Malaysia, that are home to a vast majority of our migrant workers.

- (b) No such decision has been taken.

(c) Not applicable.

(d) PDOT is aimed at enhancing soft skills of our migrant workers in terms of culture, language, tradition and local rules and regulations of the destination country, to sensitize migrant workers about pathways to safe and legal migration and various government programmes for their welfare and protection. This assists the workers in the countries where they emigrate for work. Over 30,000 migrant workers have been imparted PDOT so far. The recruiting agents have also been asked to run similar training programmes so that all workers are trained prior to their departure.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1499 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Acquisition of Sharang Cannon
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: BHARAT SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1499

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## ACQUISITION OF SHARANG CANNON

1499.  SHRI BHARAT SINGH:

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

- (a) whether  any  contract  has  been  signed  for  the  acquisition  of  Sharang  Cannon indigenously manufactured in the Ordnance factory in Kanpur; and
- (b) if so, the extent to which the ordnance factory is likely to benefit from this contract and  the  extent  to  which  the  Army's  strength  is  likely  to  enhanced  after  its  induction?

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

(a) & (b): Yes,  Madam.    A  contract  has  been  signed  with  Ordnance Factory  Board  (OFB)  for  upgunning  of  130mm  (M-46)  to  155mm /  45  Cal. Gun System (Sharang).  The upgunning will provide capability to fire more lethal and long range ammunition and effectively increase the firepower of Indian Army.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1498 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Bio-Technology Parks
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1498 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2018

## BIO-TECHNOLOGY PARKS

## 1498. DR. PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to State:

- (a) the details of present bio-technology parks/science and technology parks operating in the country, State/UT-wise;
- (b) the achievements of such parks after its commencement;
- (c) whether Odisha Government has sent any proposal to establish such parks in Bargarh district of Odisha.
- (d) If so, details thereof; and
- (e) the other steps taken by the Government to establish such parks in near future?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY & EARTH SCIENCES

(Dr. Harsh Vardhan)

- a) Yes, Madam the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has established Biotechnology parks/incubators across the country in association with Science & Technology Department of respective State Governments. The Department so far, supported 9 biotechnology parks at various States as follows:
2. (i) Biotech Park, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
3. (ii) Biotechnology Incubation Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana,
4. (iii) Tidco Centre for Life Sciences (TICEL) Biotech Park, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
5. (iv) The Golden Jubilee Biotech Park for Women, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
6. (v) Biotech Park Technology Incubation Centre, Guwahati, Assam
7. (vi) Biotechnology Incubation Centre, Cochin, Kerala
8. (vii) Biotechnology Park, Bangalore, Karnataka
9. (viii) Industrial Biotechnology Parks (IBTPs), Jammu & Kashmir
10. (ix) Chhattisgarh Biotech Park
11. (b) These  Biotechnology  Parks  offer  facilities  to  Scientists,  and  Small  and  Medium sized  Enterprises  (SMEs)  for  technology  incubation,  technology  demonstration  and  pilot plant studies for accelerated commercial development of Biotechnology and helps to translate

research into products and services by providing necessary infrastructure support. The major achievements of each of the parks are listed on the web-link http://www.dbtindia.nic.in/schemes-2/biotechnology-parksincubators-in-india/

- (c) & (d) No Madam.
- (e) The  DBT  has  announced  'National  Biotechnology  Parks  Scheme',to  support  Biotech Parks in collaboration with the State Government and industry.This is to encourage State Government to come forward to scale up activities related to biotechnology sector which in long run will contribute in improving the socio-economic development of the region. The guidelines on 'National Biotechnology Park Scheme' is available on the web-link www.dbtindia.nic.in/wp-content/uploads/guidelines\_biotech\_Park.pdf.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Passport Seva Kendras
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1497

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2018

## PASSPORT SEVA KENDRAS

1497. SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government aims at establishing Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the time frame in which PSKs will be established throughout the country;
- (d) whether the existing PSKs are facing staff crunch; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (c) The Ministry in association with the Department of Posts has announced the opening of 407 Passport Kendras at the Head Post Offices (HPO)/ Post Offices (PO) in the country   called   'Post   Office   Passport   Seva   Kendra'   (POPSK).   Out   of   the   407   POPSK announced, 249 POSPK are functional as on 13 December, 2018. The Ministry intends to complete the requisite formalities for the operationalization of the remaining 158 POPSK at the earliest.

(d) & (e) The  sanctioned   strength   of   Central   Passport   Organization   (CPO)   as   on   01 December, 2018 is 2741.  It includes recently created 32 posts of Junior Hindi Translators, 9 posts of Senior Hindi Translators and 3 posts of Assistant Director (Official Language). The working strength is 1969. In addition, 15 T echnical and 6 supporting staff man the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Passport Seva Project.  As an interim measure, 361 Data Entry Operators and 60 Office Assistants (MTS) have been deployed against the vacant non-Gazetted posts for smooth functioning of the Passport Offices and the PSK, through an outsourced agency, to bridge the gap between the sanctioned strength and the working strength of the non-Gazetted posts.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1496 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Bullet Proof Jackets
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: MANOJ RAJORIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1496

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## BULLET PROOF JACKETS

1496.  DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

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

- (a) the  status of bullet proof  jackets available to soldiers in  the  front  line  in Jammu and Kashmir;
- (b) whether high quality bullet proof / life saving jackets are made available to them and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether these jackets are manufactured indigenously or imported;
- (d) whether casualties of soldiers are reported due to lack of bullet proof jackets; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government to provide quality bullet proof jackets to soldiers?

## 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 (c): Bullet Proof Jackets (BPJs) are provided to soldiers, including those deployed in the front line in Jammu and Kashmir, as per laid down specifications and authorisation and have been manufactured indigenously.

(d) & (e): No casualties have been reported due to lack of BPJs.  The upgradation  and  provisioning  of  improved  version  of  BPJs  is  a  continuous process for which necessary steps are taken regularly.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1494 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Upgradation of Grade Pay
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1494 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2018

## UPGRADATION OF GRADE PAY

## 1494.  SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to upgrade the Grade Pay of the Chemical and Metallurgical Superintendents (CMS) in the Railways from Rs. 4600/- to Rs. 4800/- as per the recommendation of the Seventh Central Pay Commission;
- (b)
- If so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to financially upgrade the present working CMAs and promoted CMSs in the Railways when CMSs  are  directly  recruited,  since  both  previously  joined  CMA and  new  recruited  CMS  having  same  qualification  but  there  is difference in the basic pay; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) & (b): The inter-ministerial Committee consisting of representatives  of  Ministry  of  Finance,  Department  of  Personnel  & Training and Ministry of Railways to examine the recommendations of

7 th   Central  Pay  Commission  (CPC)  to  upgrade  the  pay  scales  of Chemical  and  Metallurgical  Assistants  (CMAs)  and  Chemical  and Metallurgical  Superintendents  (CMSs)  after  detailed  consideration has  decided  not  to  accept  the  recommendations  of  7 th   CPC  in  the above  matter.    The  recommendations  of  the  Committee  have  been accepted by the Ministry of Railways.

(c): No, Madam.

(d): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1493 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Representation of Muslims in National Commission for Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kunhalikutty, P.K.

- (a)            Yes, Madam.

(b)to(d)      As per provisions of  Section 3 (2)  of National Commission for Minorities (NCM)  Act, 1992,   'The Commission shall consist of a Chairperson, [a Vice Chairperson and five] Members to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity;  provided that five Members  including  the  Chairperson  shall  be  from  amongst  the  Minority communities''    All the six communities notified as minorities under Section 2(c) of National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act, 1992  viz. Muslims, Christians,  Sikhs,  Buddhist,  Zoroastrians  (Parsis)  and  Jains    have  been given  representation in NCM.

.

***********

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1493 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19-12-2018

## Representation of Muslims in National Commission for Minorities

1493.       SHRI P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Muslims constitute around 73% of all the minorities in the country;
- (b) whether Muslims have not been given adequate proportionate representation in National Commission for Minorities (NCM);
- (c) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to provide full representation to Muslims in NCM?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)
Lok Sabha Question No. 1492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: RTI Applications
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: LAKHAN LAL SAHU

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1492

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2018)

## RTI APPLICATIONS

## †1492. SHRI LAKHAN LAL SAHU:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether thousands of applications under the Right to Information (RTI) Act are pending in the country and if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Chhattisgarh;
- (b) whether the Government has made assessment of the reasons for inordinate delay in the disposal of RTI applications;
- (c) if so, the outcome thereof and the remedial measures taken/being taken in this regard;
- (d) whether one can apply online under the RTI Act; and
- (e) if so, the details of the procedure to be followed and the assistance provided to the States for the purpose?

## 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):    Central Information Commission (CIC) data shows that 26,504 appeals/complaints cases were pending with CIC, as on 17.12.2018. However, no such State-wise data on applications under the RTI Act  is maintained centrally.

- (b) & (c):     Does not arise.
- (d) & (e):    Subject to the provisions of the Act, Indian citizen can file online application under the  Right  to  Information  Act,  2005.  Currently,  systems  of  2199  Public  Authorities  have  been aligned to receive, process and reply to Online RTIs from the applicants.

Any applicant can visit the portal www.rtionline.gov.in and select the desired Ministry or Department  under  Central  Government  and  file  an  Online  RTI  Application.  A  detailed  user manual and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are available on the website to help in filing the application. Applicant can pay the requisite fee through Online Payment in this portal and submit the RTI application.

All the States have been requested vide this Department's letter dated 3rd December, 2013 to  explore  the  feasibility  of  implementing  online  RTI  in  their  respective  States.  National Informatics  Centre  (NIC)  has  been  requested to  provide  technical  support,  such  as  software, and source code to the State Governments which desire to replicate the web portal for online filing of RTI applications at state level.

******