opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 552 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: New and Emerging Strategic Technologies Division
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: DNV Senthilkumar. S., Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.552 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2020

## NEW AND EMERGING STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGIES DIVISION

552. DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.: DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE: SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

Will the Minister of EXTERAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   has   set   up   a   new   division   called   New   and Emerging Strategic Technologies (NEST) recently and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of salient features and objectives behind setting up the said division;
- (c) whether NEST will help in confronting emerging challenges and scenarios in new technologies;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the manner in which the new division will function and the benefits likely to be derived in future; and
- (f) the other steps by the Government to spread emerging technologies among the States?

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

(a) to (f) Yes,   the   Ministry   has   set   up   New   and   Emerging   Strategic Technologies (NEST) Division to engage in technology diplomacy and deal with   the   foreign policy   and   international   legal   aspects   of   new   and emerging technologies. The Division will function under the supervision of a Head of Division.   It will enable more active participation of India in global forums in the area of technology governance and promoting our national interests in that context.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 551 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Fast Track Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Giridhari Yadav, Rama Devi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

******

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. +551

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 5 th  FEBRUARY, 2020

## Fast Track Courts

## +551. SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV:

## SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state?

- (a) whether fast track courts have been set up in Bihar;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether funds required for proper functioning of fast track courts are not being released;
- (d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (e) the amount of funds released for Bihar to carry out the said work during the last three years including the amount of funds utilised out of the funds released for the purpose?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a)  to  (e):  Setting  up  of  subordinate  courts  including  Fast  Track  Courts (FTCs)  and  its functioning comes  within  the  domain  of the State Governments in consultation with the respective High Courts.  Considering the  need  for  setting  up  of  FTCs  for  specific  nature  of  cases  pending  in Courts  viz.  cases  of  heinous  nature,  civil  cases  involving  senior  citizen women and children and other marginalized section of society and civil

disputes involving land acquisition etc. pending for more than five years, the Union of India proposed setting up of 1800 FTCs at a total cost of Rs. 4144 Cr. during the period of 2015-2020, in its memorandum to the 14 th Finance Commission, including 147 no. of FTCs and an amount of Rs.338.43 cr to the  State  of  Bihar.  The  Commission  endorsed  the  proposal  and  urged  the State  Governments  to  use  the  enhanced  fiscal  space  provided  by  the Commission in the tax devolution (32% to 42%) to meet the requirements.

As per information obtained from the Patna High Court, out of 147 FTCs recommended  under  the  auspices  of  the  14 th Finance  Commission,  at present, 57 FTCs are functional in the State of Bihar. The details of funds released and utilized for FTCs for the last three years is as under:

(Rs. in Crore)

| Financial Year   |   Funds allocated | Funds released   |   Funds utilized |
|------------------|-------------------|------------------|------------------|
| 2017-18          |            67.04  | 17.66            |             8.52 |
| 2018-19          |            67.686 | 18.574           |             8.33 |
| 2019-20          |            40     | 10.43*           |             6.01 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 550 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: GSAT-30
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Shankar Lalwani, Queen Oja, Bharatiben Dhirubhai Shyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 550

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2020 GSAT-30

- 550 SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI: SHRIMATI QUEEN OJA: DR. BHARATIBEN DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
- (a)
- whether preparations to launch GSAT-30 satellite are going on;
- (b)
- if so, the likely benefits of the satellite; and
- (c) the time by which the services of the said satellite is likely to be received along with the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) GSAT-30  satellite, with a lift-off mass  of 3357 kg,  was successfully  launched  from  French  Guiana  onboard  Ariane-5 launch vehicle on January 17, 2020.
- (b) GSAT-30 satellite is meant to provide continuity of services at 83°E location to 28 different users from both Government and non-Government category utilizing the capacity for DTH, TV Uplinking / Teleport, DSNG and VSAT applications.
- (c) It is planned to start operational services on GSAT-30 satellite from  the  first  week  of  February,  2020  after  completion  of  Inorbit Tests of communication payload.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 548 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Stoppage at Bagdogra
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Raju Bista

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.548 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2020

## STOPPAGE AT BAGDOGRA

548. SHRI RAJU BISTA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  new  steps  are  being  taken  to  create  train  stoppages  at Bagdogra, Naxalbari, Phansidewa, Chopra and Thakurganj.
- (b) if  so, whether the Ministry is aware that this route caters to the most important Agricultural, Horticultural and Animal Husbandry belt in Darjeeling Terai Region; and
- (c) if so, the potential steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Ministry to address the transportation of Agricultural and Dairy products from this belt to the rest of the nation?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)  Provision  of  stoppages  of  trains  on  Indian  Railways,  is  an  on-going process, subject to operational feasibility, traffic justification, etc. Accordingly,  stoppage  of  15721/15722  Digha-  New  Jalpaiguri  Paharia Express  has  been  provided  at  Thakurganj  station w.e.f. 10.03.2019. Further,  both  Bagdogra  &  Naksalbari  are  well  served  by  03  pairs  of Mail/Express trains. However, no stations  named  'Phansidewa'  and 'Chopra'  are  located  on  Kishanganj-Thakurganj-Siliguri  sector  of  the Northeast Frontier Railway.
- (b)  and  (c)  There  is  a  potential  for  parcel  traffic  including  agricultural products through Brake Van of train no. 15464/15720/15722. However, at present no demand has been received from any 'Stakeholder/Party.'

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 547 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Implementation of Agri Export Policy
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Sahu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 547 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 th FEBRUARY, 2020

## IMPLEMENTATION OF AGRI EXPORT POLICY

## 547. SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU:

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

- (a) whether there is any proposal to adopt a focused approach for ensuring greater involvement of the State Governments for effective implementation of Agri Export Policy (AEP);
- (b) if so, the details in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has requested the States to finalize action plan for AEP with the aim to double such exports;
- (d) if so, the response of States thereto along with the current status of the action plan in other States; and
- (e) the corrective steps so far taken to expedite the formulation and implementation of AEP?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y ) THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a& b) : The Government has introduced a comprehensive Agriculture Export Policy (AEP), which inter-alia aims at greater involvement of the State Governments in promoting agricultural exports. Involvement of the States has been envisaged in the following:

- i. Inclusion of Agri Export Policy in the State Export Policy.
- ii. Identification of State Nodal Agency for promotion of agri exports.
- iii. To set up institutional  mechanism at State and Cluster level by forming Committees to support exports
- iv. Infrastructure and logistics to facilitate agricultural exports

(c& d): Yes, Sir. Department of Commerce has requested all the State Governments and UTs to finalize their action plan for AEP with aim to double agriculture exports. Eight States have finalised the  State  specific  Action  Plans.  25  States  and  2 UTs  have  designated  nodal  agencies  to  promote agricultural exports. 16 States have constituted State Level Monitoring Committees.

(e): To monitor the implementation of the AEP, an Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) has  been formed. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has held  a  series  of  meetings  with  states  and  stakeholders,  convened  national  workshops,  made  field visits,  identified  existing  infrastructure  gaps  in  the  clusters/states,  organised  buyer-seller  meets, launched farmer connect portal on its website, opened market intelligence cell etc., for expediting the implementation of AEP.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 546 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Utilization of Social and Infrastructure Development Fund
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: Vincent H Pala

## Government of India

## Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA

## Unstarred Question No.546

To be answered on

Wednesday, February 5, 2020/Magha 16, 1941 (Saka)

Question

## Utilization of Social and Infrastructure Development Fund

## 546.       SHRI VINCENT H. PALA:

Will  the  Minister  of  DEVELOPMENT  OF  NORTH  EASTERN  REGION  be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  expenditure  made  so  far  from  the  Social  and  Infrastructure Development Fund, State-wise;
- (b)  whether the funds have been  under utilized; and
- (c)  the manner  in which Government  intends to invest this fund for the development of the North Eastern Region?

## ANSWER The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr. Jitendra Singh]

(a) to (c)  Against a total package amount of Rs.586.20 crore under Social and Infrastructure Development Fund (SIDF), projects worth of Rs.587.17 crore has been  sanctioned  by  Ministry  of  Development  of  North  Eastern  Region.  Out  of this,  an  amount  of  Rs.504.10  crore  has  already  been  released  and  balance amount  will  be  released  on  receipt  of  physical  &  financial  reports  from  the concerned State Governments. The State wise details of these projects are as under: -

(Rs. in crore)

| Name of State     |   No. of Project |   Approved Cost |   Funds released |
|-------------------|------------------|-----------------|------------------|
| Arunachal Pradesh |               11 |          187.53 |           115.75 |
| Assam             |                8 |          103.51 |            96.67 |
| Manipur           |                6 |          124.92 |           123.87 |
| Meghalaya         |                2 |           18.84 |            18.19 |
| Mizoram           |                1 |            1.99 |             1    |
| Nagaland          |                4 |           68.09 |            66.96 |
| Sikkim            |                4 |           44.2  |            43.58 |
| Tripura           |                1 |           38.08 |            38.08 |
| TOTAL             |               37 |          587.17 |           504.1  |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 545 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Track Electrification
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Vijay Kumar Dubey, Manoj Kumar Tiwari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 545 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2020

## TRACK ELECTRIFICATION

## 545.   SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY: SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether  the  Government  has  achieved  its  target  of  track electrification in the entire country;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reason therefor; and
- (d) the  details  of  timeline  for  the  completion  of  any  such proposal in the near future?

## 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. 545 BY SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY AND SHRI MANOJ TIWARI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 05.02.2020 REGARDING TRACK ELECTRIFICATION

(a) & (c) No, Sir. However, Ministry of Railways has planned to electrify balance Broad Gauge (BG) routes of Indian Railways (IR) by December, 2023.

(b) Does not arise.

## (d) The time line for completion of Electrification of entire BG routes of IR is as under:

| Year                  | Target (Route Kilometre)                      |
|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| 2019-20               | 6,000 2454 route kms achieved upto 01.01.2020 |
| 2020-21               | 6,000                                         |
| 2021-22               | 6,000                                         |
| 2022-23               | 6,500                                         |
| 2023-24 (upto Dec-23) | 4,310                                         |
| Total                 | 28,810                                        |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 544 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Performance of Planning Commission
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Prathap Simha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 544

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05/02/2020

## PERFORMANCE OF PLANNING COMMISSION

## 544. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has reviewed the success achieved by the Planning Commission in its objective of raising the living standard of the people;
- (b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to constitute an expert group to evaluate the performance of the Planning Commission and redefine its role and objectives so as to relate the planning process to the life of the common man; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor and the steps taken to revamp and reform the planning process in the country?

## ANSWER

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

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) & (b): No such review was carried out. Sir.
- (c) & (d): In order to evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies  with  the  active  involvement  of  States  in  the  light  of  national  objectives,  the Government of India has replaced Planning Commission with NITI Aayog with effect from January  1,  2015.  NITI  Aayog  has  been  providing  directional  and  policy  inputs  to  Central Ministries/Departments and  States Governments  across  the  range  of  sectors such as agriculture,  science  &  technology,  education,  healthcare,  water  resources,  urbanization, energy, transport,  and so on.  In performance of its integrated role in the development of a shared vision of national priorities and strategies, NITI Aayog actively engages with States, civil society and other think tanks. NITI Aayog has come out with i) a three-year Action Plan for 2017-18 to 2019-20 based on the predictability of resources during the currency of 14 th Finance Commission Award period, ii) Strategy for New India @ 75 document with policy recommendations  in  41  key  areas  with  drivers  of  growth,  infrastructure,  inclusion  and governance  and  iii)  15  years  Vision  Document  which  is  currently  under  preparation  in consultation with concerned stakeholders.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 543 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Field Firing Range
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.543

TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 th  February, 2020

## FIELD FIRING RANGE

## 543. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

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

- (a) number of field firing ranges in the country at present;
- (b) the criteria prescribed by the Government for setting up of new field firing ranges;
- (c) whether there is need for setting up more firing ranges;
- (d) if so, the details thereof, location-wise;
- (e) whether the Government has received proposals for setting up of more field firing ranges by the Army in any district of Rajasthan; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

- (a)  There are 52 Field Firing Ranges (FFRs) with the Army.
- (b)  Criteria for setting up of new firing range are as under:-
- (i)  Training and operational requirements of the Field Formations.
- (ii)  Dependency of troops on the Field Firing Range.
- (iii)  Availability  of  land  to  satisfy  the  danger  area  template  for  the  weapon system(s) envisaged to be fired.

- (iv)  Availability of good road and rail communication network.
- (v) Economically viable justification of acquiring a Field Range in the vicinity of the cantonments.

(c) & (d): The requirement of setting up firing ranges is to cater for induction of new equipment as  and  when  inducted  into  Service.    The  same  is  worked  out  as  per  the capability development plan.

(e) No, Sir.

(f)  Not applicable.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 541 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Extension of Lokmanya Tilak Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 541 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2020

## EXTENSION OF LOKMANYA TILAK EXPRESS

## 541. SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Railways is considering the request to extend Lokmanya Tilak Express - 18519/18520(Mumbai - Vishakhapatnam) to Rayagada, which is commercially viable without additional expenses apart from serving the needs of tribal dominated undivided Koraput District;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the timeline by when this would be extended; and
- (c)  if  not,  the  reasons  therefor  and  the  alternate  arrangement  to address the demands of people?

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

- (a) to (c) No, Sir. Extension  of  18519/18520  VisakhapatnamLokmanya  Tilak  (T)  Express  upto  Rayagada  is  not  feasible,  at present, due to operational and resource constraints including nonavailability of maintenance facilities at Rayagada. However, passengers of Rayagada/Koraput may avail change-over at Vizianagaram/Visakhapatnam.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 537 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Setting Up of Redgram Board
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Gaddam Ranjith Reddy

## MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 537

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 th FEBRUARY, 2020

## SETTING UP OF REDGRAM BOARD

## 537. DR. G. RANJITH REDDY

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

- (a) whether there have been demands from various sections, including Redgram farmers, for setting up Redgram Board in Tandur in Ranga Reddy district of Telangana;
- (b) if so, the details of the efforts being made by the Government to set up Redgram Board in Tandur;
- (c) whether any consultations in this regard have been held; and
- (d) if so, the outcome of the same?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y ) THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a): No  Sir.    No  demand  from  any  section,  including  Redgram  farmers,  has  been received in the  Department  of  Commerce,  for  setting  up  Redgram  Board  in  Tandur in Ranga Reddy district of Telengana.
- (b) to (d):  Does not arise.

.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 536 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Foreign Investment in West Bengal
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Subhas Sarkar

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 536. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020.

## FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN WEST BENGAL

## 536. DR. SUBHAS SARKAR:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री be pleased  to  state  the  total  number  and  list  of  foreign  companies,  along  with  the amount of respective investments, that have invested in West Bengal from Financial year 2011-12 to till date?

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

The  State-wise  classification  of  foreign  investment  in  India  is  available  only  for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). FDI Equity inflow in Bengal is provided in the table below.  The  State-wise  classification  of  Foreign  Portfolio  Investments  (FPI)  is  not centrally maintained.

|   S. No. | Financial Year               | FDI Inflow (Amount in Rs Crore)   |
|----------|------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|        1 | 2011-12                      | 1,828.58                          |
|        2 | 2012-13                      | 2,319.59                          |
|        3 | 2013-14                      | 2,620.91                          |
|        4 | 2014-15                      | 2,139.08                          |
|        5 | 2015-16                      | 2,396.78                          |
|        6 | 2016-17                      | 301.13                            |
|        7 | 2017-18                      | 1,219.74                          |
|        8 | 2018-19                      | 6,788.62                          |
|        9 | 2019-20 ( up to Sept., 2019) | 2,652.80                          |

Source: Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai.

********