opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1736 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: E-Passports
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Locket Chatterjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1736 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## E-PASSPORTS

## 1736. MS. LOCKET CHATTERJEE:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   any   deadline   has   been   set   for   issuing   chip   based   EPassports;
- (b) if so, the details of thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware of rampant bribing during Police verification of passports; and
- (d) if so, the details of steps taken to solve this problem?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b) India   Security   Press,   Nashik   has   awarded   the   contract   for procurement of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)-compliant electronic contactless inlays along with its operating system necessary for manufacture of chip-enabled e-passports. Manufacture of e-passport will commence on the successful completion of the procurement process by ISP, Nashik.

(c)&(d) Attention of the Ministry has been drawn at times that the people have found it difficult to get police verification for obtaining a passport, including on account of resource and manpower constraints in the Police Department.

The Ministry has taken various steps to streamline the process of Police Verification (PV) to get a passport in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs and State Governments.   The Ministry has successfully connected   787   District   Police   Headquarters   (DPHQ)   digitally   into   the Passport Seva System. In addition, the Ministry has launched mPassport Police Application for speedy submission of Police Verification Report. The application has the capability to capture passport applicant's personal particulars   and   photograph   and   transmit   the   same   electronically   to concerned stakeholders. The Passport Offices remain in touch with the district police authorities to expedite police verification and also take up the   issue   of   delays   in   the   PV   process   with   the   concerned   State Governments requesting them to accord high priority for the submission of PV Reports.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1734 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Coal Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Balubhau (Alias Suresh Narayan) Dhanorkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1734 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## Coal Mines

## 1734. SHRI BALUBHAU ALIAS SURESH NARAYAN DHANORKAR:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) the total numbers of coal mines in Maharashtra especially in Chanadrapur district;
- (b) the  number  of  coal  mines  which  were  closed  due  to  COVID-19  in Chandrapur district; and
- (c) the measures taken by the Government to restart these coal mines?

## Answer

## MINISTER OF  PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a): There are 44 working coal mines in Maharashtra. Out of these 20 are located in Chandrapur district.

(b): No coal mine in Chandrapur district has been closed due to covid-19.

(c): Question does not arise in view of answer to part (b) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1731 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Projects in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S. Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1731 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## PROJECTS IN TAMIL NADU

1731. SHRI S. VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the expenditure directorate of Railway Board has directed  all  railways  to  keep  in  abeyance  new  works/umbrella works  in  pink  book  2020-21,  to  freeze  works  which  have  made insignificant  progress  approved  till  2019-20  and  to  suspend umbrella works of 2018-19 and 2019-20; and
- (b) if  so,  the  projects  in  Tamil  Nadu  that  are  likely  to  be  kept  in abeyance, frozen and suspended?

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

- (a) Yes, Sir. The new works have been kept in abeyance till the end of current financial year. However, for the present, works related to safety and other urgent works have not been pended.
- (b) No new line/Gauge Conversion/Doubling work falling fully/partly in the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu  has  been  kept  in  abeyance,  frozen  or suspended .
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1729 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Airlifting Indian Students from Wuhan
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Faizal P.P. Mohammed, Bheemrao Baswanthrao Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1729 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## AIRLIFTING INDIAN STUDENTS FROM WUHAN

## 1729. SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.: SHRI B.B. PATIL:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be please to state:

- (a) whether   Indian   students   and   other   citizens   trapped   in   Wuhan provinces and other province of China were recently airlifted to India as this Chinese province is worst affected by the deadly coronavirus;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the action taken by the Government to ensure that the airlifted Indians do not spread the deadly coronavirus in the country; and
- (d) whether the Government has also rescued people of other countries and if so, the details thereof, country/number of people-wise and the consideration for opting certain nations?

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

(a) to (d) As on 16 September 2020, three evacuation flights and five repatriation flights under Vande Bharat Mission have been operated from China for bringing back stranded Indians, including students. Through these flights, a total of 820 students and 658 other Indians were brought back to India. In addition, 47 foreigners were also rescued at the request of their respective countries. All the arriving passengers from China were required to undergo thermal scanning and quarantine in India.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1728 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Financial Crisis in Industries
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Malook Nagar

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1728. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 21 ST   SEPTEMBER, 2020.

## FINANCIAL CRISIS IN INDUSTRIES

## 1728.  SHRI MALOOK NAGAR:

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

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  policy  to  tackle  the  financial crisis being faced by the industries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any survey in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER वाणिज्य  एवं उद्योग मंत्री (श्री पीयूष गोयल) THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (d): The Government is regularly monitoring the problems being faced by industry due to the unprecedented Corona pandemic and is in constant touch with the different stakeholders.

Atmanirbhar  Package  for  Rs.  20.97  lakh  crore  was  announced  by government to address the problems being faced by industry with bold reforms in a number of sectors. The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), having provision of Rs 3 lakh crores, is 100% credit guarantee and Collateral Free Automatic Loans for MSMEs. Financial support  has  been  given  to  the  stressed  MSMEs  with  infusion  of Rs.20,000    crore  equity  support  through  Subordinate  Debt.  Fund  of Funds has been created to infuse equity worth Rs.50,000 crore in the MSME Sector by setting up Rs.10,000 crore Corpus Fund. Government  is  also  ensuring  timely  payment  to  the  MSMEs  by instructing all Government of India and CPSEs to clear all receivables of  MSMEs within  45  days.  Procurement  from  domestic  companies  is being encouraged by disallowing global tender in government procurement tenders upto Rs 200 crores.

By providing moratorium on repayment of EMI  on term loans, significant relief are also being accorded to industry. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also allowed a one-time restructuring of loans without classifying them as NPAs to address the financial stress caused by the Covid 19 pandemic.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1724 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Induction of Women in Combat
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Amar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1724

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## INDUCTION OF WOMEN IN COMBAT

1724. DR. AMAR SINGH: Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the Army has resisted the induction of women into combat arms on several grounds; (b) if so, the details thereof; and

- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to induct women in combat?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a)  to  (c):    Women  officers  are  commissioned    in  all  Arms  and  Services  except  Infantry, Armoured Corps, Mechanized  Infantry,  and  Regiment  of  Artillery.    The  Hon'ble  Supreme Court has also upheld the policy of the Government for not opening areas of operation for women officers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1723 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: DMF in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Balashowry Vallabbhaneni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 1723

ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## DMF IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 1723. SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

(a) the time when the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) was constituted in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh;

(b) whether it is true that more than Rs. 70 crores have been collected under DMF in Krishna district so far;

(c)  if  so,  the  reasons  that  in  spite  of  taking  so  many  projects,  only  Rs.  2  crores  have  been spent; and

(d)  the  efforts  being  made  by  the  Government  to  spend  maximum  amount  for  identified purposes in Krishna district under DMF ?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) District Mineral Foundation (DMF) was constituted in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh on 31st March 2016.

(b) & (c) Till August 2020, Rs.116.57 crore has been collected in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh. Total 860 projects worth of Rs 79.13 crore in various sectors has been sanctioned out of which Rs 31.49 cr. has been spent so far.

(d)  Section  9B  introduced  through  the  MMDR  Amendment  Act,  2015,  prescribes  that  the State Government shall, by notification, establish a trust, as a non-profit body, to be called the  District  Mineral  Foundation  in  any  district  affected  by  mining  related  operations.  The composition  and  functions  of  the  District  Mineral  Foundation  shall  be  such  as  may  be prescribed  by  the  State  Government.  Ministry  of  Mines  circulated  guidelines  for  Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalya Yojna (PMKKKY) on 16.09.2015 to be implemented by the District Mineral Foundations (DMF) in order to implement various development and welfare projects/programs in mining affected areas, and to ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for  the  affected  people  in  mining  areas.  Moreover,  Ministry  vide  letter  dated  25.10.2018 issued  the  direction  to  all  the  State  and  UTs  to  include  the  MPs  and  MLAs/  MLCs appropriately in the Governing Council of respective DMFs for effective utilization of DMF fund in the larger public interest.

Ministry of Mines vide communication dated 28.03.2020 and subsequent amendments  dated  11.6.2020  as  part  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Garib  Kalyan  Yojna  (PMGKY) issued one time relaxation to State Govt. for using 30% of District Mineral Foundation funds available in districts for implementation of the projects under Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan  Yojna  (PMKKKY)  for  medical  interventions  required  for  testing  and  treating  the patients affected by COVID-19 pandemic.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1722 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Stopping of Concession in Fare
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Pankaj Chowdhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1722 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## STOPPING OF CONCESSION IN FARE

(a) whether the concessions that were given earlier to old age people, physically  challenged  persons  and  others  in  special  trains  has  been stopped;

(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to provide concessions in passenger fare in the special trains running at present on the lines of the past system;

†1722. SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (c) if so, the details thereof; and (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (d): In view of Health Advisory issued due to Covid-19 pandemic, with effect from 20.03.2020, concessions on passenger fare have been withdrawn for all categories of passengers except for the 4 categories of  Divyangjan,  11  categories  of  Patients  and  Students  till  further advice.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1719 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Misuse of Social Media by Political Groups
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Su Thirunavukkarasar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1719

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## MISUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA BY POLITICAL GROUPS

## 1719.   DR. T. SUMATHY (a) THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN: SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to curb the alleged dominance and supremacy by a political group on social media networks particularly on Facebook and Twitter to tarnish the image of those who indulge in constructive criticism of policies;
- (b)   if so the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor,
- (c)  whether the Government has held talks with the Indian and Global heads of Facebook, Twitter  and  other  social  media  networking  sites  to  remove  any  unwanted  intrusive behaviour and posts by such political groups; and
- (d)   if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): There were media reports that Facebook's hate-speech Rules collide with Indian politics, thereby  trying  to  tarnish  the  image  of  those  who  indulge  in  constructive  criticism  of  policies. Minister for Electronics & Information Technology has written to CEO, Facebook about alleged bias of the platform and to ensure integrity and neutrality of Facebook and the people working for Facebook. Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology has already taken up the matter with Facebook.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1718 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Import of Methylene Chloride
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1718 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st   SEPTEMBER, 2020

## IMPORT OF METHYLENE CHLORIDE

## 1718.  SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािण�य एवं उ�ोग मं�ी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  the  fact  that  excessive  dumping  of  methylene chloride into the country by China is damaging the Indian Methylene Chloride Industry;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any representation has been received from the Indian Methylene Producers to stop the dumping and impose the anti-dumping duty on its imports;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps being taken by the Government to protect the domestic methylene industry?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y )

## THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (e): Anti-dumping duty in the range of 122.14 USD/MT to 279.78 USD/MT is already in force on  'Methylene  Chloride'  originating  in  or  exported  from  China    and  Russia  w.e.f. 08.12.2015 and is valid upto 07.12.2020.

An application was received from M/s Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd., TGV SRAAC Ltd (formerly known as Sree Rayalseema Alkalies and Allied Chemicals Ltd) and M/s Chemplast Sanmar Ltd for  extension  of  anti-dumping  duty  on  imports  of  'Methylene  Chloride'  originating  in  or exported from China .

On the basis of the duly substantiated application, a Sunset Review investigation has been initiated by the Designated Authority (Directorate General of Trade Remedies) on 31.08.2020 to review the need for continued imposition of the duties in force in respect of 'Methyl ene Chloride', originating in or exported from China  and to examine whether the expiry of existing anti-dumping duties are likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury to the domestic industry. The case is under investigation for ext ension of anti-dumping duty.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1715 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Prakash Portal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1715 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## Prakash Portal

## 1715. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

## Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  all  the  Coal  Mines  and  Blocks  are  being  monitored  under  the Power  Rail  Koyla  Availability  through  Supply  Harmony  (PRAKASH)  portal and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the challenges regarding tracking the coal stock faced by portal;
- (c) whether the  complaints  and  supply  issues regarding the coal stock has been resolved by the PRAKASH portal and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether there  is  any  scope  of  improving  the current portal to reduce the inter-ministerial disputes and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether there  is  any  mechanism  to  place  the demand of coal by the power plants on the PRAKASH portal and if so, the details thereof and if not, the plan devised to include the same on the portal?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES

## (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a): The  PRAKASH  Portal  has  been  developed  by  NTPC,  a  Central  Public Sector Undertaking of Ministry of Power (MoP),  for mapping and monitoring entire  coal  supply  chain  for  power  plants.  The  portal  sources  data  from different stakeholders such as Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Centre for Railway  Information  System  (CRIS)  and  coal  companies.  Coal  companies provide daily inputs on the portal related to coal company wise, siding wise transportation and opening stock at the siding and mode wise dispatch for power Sector.
- (b): Coal  India  Limited(CIL)/Singareni  Collieries  Company  Limited  (SCCL) has informed that no challenges  are being faced by them.
- (c): Reports regarding coal stock at power plants, coal in transit, and stock at CIL, sidings/Mines, coal materialization etc. are being generated/available in PRAKASH portal which can be used by stakeholders for decision-making.

(d): A  team  of  Interdepartmental stakeholders works towards continuously improving working of the Portal.

(e): There  is  a  dedicated  mechanism  i.e.  on  the  portal  (Freight  Operations Information  System-FOIS)  developed  by  CRIS  under  Railways  for  placing rake  demand  by  powerhouses  which  is  endorsed  by  Coal  companies subsequently sanctioned by Railways. However, Reports regarding Stock at power plants, coal in transit, stock at coal company  sidings, Coal materialization etc. are being generated/ available in PRAKASH Portal which may be used for placing demand in the FOIS portal.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Summit Diplomacy
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1714

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## SUMMIT DIPLOMACY

- 1714.SHRI T. R. BAALU:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the reference given recently by the Government to Summit Diplomacy over traditional foreign policy making, has proved to be a severe handicap, while keeping in view that Summit Diplomacy cannot be a substitute for carefully structured foreign office policy making;
- (b) if so, the details thereon with special reference to Asian Continent;
- (c) whether India's Summit Diplomacy has tended to marginalise the External Affairs Ministry thus placing the country at a disadvantage; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (d) The Government takes a holistic and multi-faceted approach towards   diplomacy   that   advances   our   national   interests   using   all instruments   and   mechanisms   at   its   command.   Leadership-level interactions   have   a   prominent   place   in   these   endeavours,   as   do   the regular engagements of our diplomats. They reinforce each other and should not be considered as exclusive choices.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1713 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: High Speed Train from Udaipur
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1713 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## HIGH SPEED TRAIN FROM UDAIPUR

†1713.   SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposal  to  run  a  high speed train like Rajadhani, Shatabdi express from Udaipur and Jaipur to Delhi;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  any  decision  has  been  taken/is  likely  to  be  taken  on  the aforesaid proposal; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) At present, all regular passenger train services are cancelled in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and only Special trains are being run. As such,  there  is  no  immediate  proposal  for  introduction  of  trains  from Udaipur and Jaipur to Delhi.

However,  for  the  Udaipur-Jaipur-Delhi  sector,  Udaipur-Delhi  Sarai Rohilla Humsafar Express (22985/22986) was introduced w.e.f 24.02.2018.

*****