opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2981 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Police Verification for Passports
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Devusinh Jesingbhai Chauhan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2981

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## POLICE VERIFICATION FOR PASSPORTS

## 2981 . SHRI DEVUSINH JESINGHBHAI CHAUHAN :

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received complaints regarding police verification for making passports;
- (b) if   so,   the   details   thereof   and   the   steps taken by the Government for their redressal; and
- (c) whether the Government is going to take any steps for making the process of police verification simple and smooth and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) & (b)     Attention of the Ministry has been drawn at times that the people have found it difficult to get police verification for obtaining a passport. These difficulties have arisen because of non-production of documents by the applicants at the time of police verification; and applicant being not present at the residence when the police visits for the purpose of verification.

- (c) The Ministry has taken various steps to streamline the process of getting a passport. Ministry has successfully connected significant number of District Police Headquarters (DPHQ) digitally into the Passport Seva Project. As on date, 741 Police Districts have been connected with Passport Seva Project digitally. The Passport Seva Project is capable of delivering the request for police verification directly to the Police Stations concerned wherever the infrastructure is available.  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. In order to further ease and expedite the PV process, the number of questions asked in the questionnaire has also been reduced.

Passport Officers remain in touch with the district police authorities to expedite police verification and also take up the issue of delayed police verifications with the concerned   State   Governments   requesting   them   to   accord   high   priority   to   the submission of police verification reports.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2980 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: MDG Goals
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shivkumar Chanabasappa Udasi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2980 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## MDG GOALS

## 2980. SHRI SHIVAKUMAR C. UDASI:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government has reviewed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) since certain reports point out that majority of these have not been achieved by India and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) if so, whether the Government has sought a new time-frame from the UN for implementation of the MDGs with a renewed global partnership for it?

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

- (a) & (b) At the  UN Summit on Sustainable Development held on 25 September   2015   in   New   York,   the   2030   Agenda   for   Sustainable Development 'Transforming the World' was adopted. The 2030 Agenda has   17   Sustainable   Development   Goals   (SDGs)   and   169   targets   with poverty eradication as its overarching focus.  The 17 SDGs replaced the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and are applicable till 2030.

The 2030 Agenda and its actionable core of 17 SDGs resemble

India's own vision of development.  Government of India's initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Swachh Bharat, Jan Dhan Yojana, Digital India, Skill India etc., closely relate to several targets under the SDGs .

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2979 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Passport of Infants
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Rajeshbhai Naranbhai Chudasama

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2979

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## PASSPORT OF INFANTS

## 2979 . SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA :

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to bring about a change in passport laws to exempt infants to be physically present for biometric finger prints;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has received any representations in this regard;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the time by which a final decision in this regard is likely to be taken?

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

(a)  ( b) & (e) With   effect   from   28th   September   2017,   the   Ministry   has exempted infants/minor children upto the age of 5 years from giving biometrics (10   fingerprints)   to   the   Passport   Issuing   Authority   for   processing   their applications related to passport services. The infant/minor children upto the age of 5 years are, however, required to be physically present at the Passport Seva Kendra for capturing their photograph to be printed on the passport.

(c) & (d) Yes.   The   Ministry   of   External   Affairs   received   a   representation requesting for reconsidering the policy that requires the physical presence of newborns at the Passport Seva Kendra for biometric finger print for issue of passports.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2978 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Trade Deal between the US and India
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Manish Tewari

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2978 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th MARCH, 2020

## TRADE DEAL BETWEEN THE US AND INDIA

## 2978. SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

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

- (a) whether a trade deal is in the offing between India and the United States of America (USA) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the trade deal is disadvantageous to the farm and manufacturing  sectors and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the benefits, if any, that the trade deal will accrue to India; and
- (d) whether the trade deal will increase exports to the USA, a country with whom India already has a trade surplus?

## 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 (d): Trade related issues are a part of any ongoing economic relationship, and will continue to be discussed and addressed as a part of the regular bilateral trade engagement between India and the US.

India has an open mind in dealing with any trade related matter while keeping its domestic and trade interests in mind. Decisions are taken in the larger public interest after having consultation with all stakeholders.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2977 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Resolution on PoK in Parliament
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Mala Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2977 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## RESOLUTION ON POK IN PARLIAMENT

2977.   SHRIMATI MALA ROY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government is aware of a Parliament resolution on PoK;
- (b) if   so,   the   details   thereof   and   the   steps   being   taken   to   realise   the resolution; and
- (c) the details of steps taken till date on PoK?

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

(a) to (c) Government's consistent and principled position, as also enunciated in   the   Parliament   resolution   adopted   unanimously   by   both   Houses   on   22 February 1994, is that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are and shall be an integral part of India.

Government monitors all developments taking place in the territories of India including in territories that are under illegal and forcible occupation of Pakistan. We have consistently called upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal and forcible occupation, and to put an end to the human rights violations and desist from continued attempts to bring material change in these territories.

- ***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2975 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Various Investments in India
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2975.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE  11 TH   MARCH, 2020.

## VARIOUS INVESTMENTS IN INDIA

## 2975.  SHRI MANOJ KOTAK:

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

वाणिज्य

## एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the Government is planning to attract more domestic investments in India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is also encouraging small businessmen for domestic investment;
- (d) if so, details of the facilities  the  Government  is  offering  to  start  new businesses in India; and
- (e) the  details  of  new  businesses  started  during  each  of  the  last  five  years  in India?

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

- (a) & (b): Under the scheme of Investment Promotion, Department for Promotion of  Industry  and  Internal  Trade  supports  Sectoral  Ministries  and  State Governments for  organizing    investment  events,  summits,  road-shows and  other promotional activities. Continuous  efforts  are  made  by Ministries  and  States  for  Facilitating  investments  besides  handholding services  to  such  investors.  Recently  Government  has  taken  various steps in addition to ongoing schemes to boost domestic investments in India.  These  include  the  National  Infrastructure  Pipeline,  Reduction  in Corporate  Tax,  easing  liquidity  problems  of  NBFCs  and  Banks,  trade policy measures to boost domestic manufacturing, and so on.
- (c) to (e): In order to protect, support and promote small enterprises as also to help them  become  self-supporting,  a  number  of  protective  and  promotional

measures have been undertaken by the Government. The various types of help extended by different support agencies of the Government are (i) Credit Support, (ii) Marketing Support, (iii) Entrepreneurship Development, (iv) Technology Upgradation, (v) Industrial Infrastructure, (vi) Technical  Training, (vii) Institutional Structure, (viii)  Assistance Programmes,  (ix)  special  incentives  for  setting  up  of  Enterprises  in backward areas etc.

While  most  of  the  institutional  support  services  and  incentives  are provided  by  the  Central  Government,  others  are  offered  by  the  State Governments  in  varying  degrees  to  attract  investments  and  promote small  industries  with  a  view  to  enhance  industrial-production  and  to generate employment in  their respective States.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2971 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Jalalgarh-Bihariganj New Railway Line Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Santosh Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2971 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## JALALGARH-BIHARIGANJ NEW RAILWAY LINE PROJECT

†2971. SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  new  railway  line  project  of  Jalalgarh-ThakurganjBihariganj was inaugurated ten years ago;
- (b) the year-wise fund sanctioned for the said project so far;
- (c) the time limit fixed for the completion of the said project;
- (d) the reasons for not completing the said project so far; and
- (e) the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a): There  is  no  such  sanctioned  project  with  name  as  JalalgarhThakurganj-Bihariganj new railway line.
- (b) to (e):     Do not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2970 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Speedy Justice
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Annpurna Devi

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

******

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2970

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 11 th  MARCH, 2020

## Speedy Justice

†2925. SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has not been successful in providing speedy justice as written in Article 39A of the constitution ;
- (b) the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) the reasons for the Government not being successful in achieving the objective of Article 39A of the Constitution; and
- (d) the efforts made to remove the said problem?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Article 39-A of the Constitution provides that the State shall secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunity, and shall in particular, provide free legal aid, by suitable legislation or schemes or in any other  way,  to  ensure  that  opportunities  for  securing  justice  are  not  denied  to  any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.

The Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987  provides  free  and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society including beneficiaries  covered  under  Section  12  of  the  Act  to  ensure  that  opportunities  for securing  justice  are  not  denied  to  any  citizen  by  reason  of  economic  or  other disabilities,  and  to  organize  Lok  Adalats  to  secure  that  the  operation  of  the  legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunities. For this purpose, the legal services institutions have been setup from the Taluk  Court  level  to  the  Supreme  Court.  During  the  period  from  April,  2019  to December, 2019, 8.96 lakhs persons have been provided with free legal services and 56.19 lakhs cases (pending in courts and disputes at pre-litigation stage) have been settled through Lok Adalats. In  addition,  the  Government  has  launched  Nyaya  Bandhu  (Pro-bono) programme to link the persons eligible to avail free legal aid under Section 12 of LSA Act,  1987  with  the  pro-bono  lawyers.  Tele-Law  programme  has been  launched to provide  legal  advice  to  public  including  persons  entitled  for  free  legal  aid  under Section 12 of LSA Act, 1987, at pre-litigation stage by the Panel lawyers through the Common Service Centre (CSC) at the villages.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2969 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Google Maps
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Kanakmal Katara, Keshari Devi Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2969

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 11.03.2020

## GOOGLE MAPS

## 2969.  SHRI KANAKMAL KATARA SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL:

Will the Minister of Electronics & Information Technology

- (a) whether  Google  Maps  presents  different  images  of  Maps  of  India  (including  the country's borders) in foreign countries while changing it according to the place from where the same is being searched and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) the details of action taken by the Government so far in this regard;
- (c) whether while searching from Pakistan, the map of Jammu and Kashmir is shown as disputed  whereas  while  searching  from  India,  the  same  is  shown  as  a  part  of  Indian territory and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (d) whether Google Maps changes the Kashmir Border on the basis of the country from where the same is being searched and if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard;
- (e) whether mobile application of Google Maps owns eighty per cent of the market share and it has more than One billion users, which influence the beliefs of people across the world and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (f) the steps taken by the Government to check the same??

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Google  Maps  provides  online  maps  images  based  on  techno-  commercial considerations and the services are provided based on term and conditions agreed by its users. As per Google policy, in countries where Google has local versions of Google Map (such as India), it complies with local law when displaying names and borders. Any misrepresentation or infringement of any law of the country can be dealt by the law enforcement agencies.

Further,  section  69A  of  the  Information  Technology  Act,  2000  empowers  Government  to block  any  information  generated,  transmitted,  received,  stored  or  hosted  in  any  computer resource in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above.

(e)  and  (f)  :  The  figures  of  market  share  and  users  of  Google  Maps  are  not  maintained  by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2968 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: ECHS Facilities
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Rita Bahuguna Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2968

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  March, 2020

## ECHS FACILITIES

2968. SHRIMATI RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI:

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

- (a) the time since when the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) is operative;
- (b) the number of Ex-Servicemen who have availed facility of the same;
- (c) the response and feedback of the operation of the Scheme from Ex-Servicemen; and
- (d)  whether  any  grievances  from  Ex-Servicemen  have  come  to  the  notice  of  the Government and if so, the remedies that have been undertaken to overcome the same?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

<!-- image -->

- (a)  Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) was launched on 1 st April, 2003.
- (b) More than 52 Lakh persons are availing  benefit under ECHS.
- (c)  &  (d):    The  satisfaction  level  of  ECHS  beneficiaries  is  high.    However,  some grievances are received which relate to shortage of medicines in Polyclinics, lack of empanelled hospitals/polyclinics in certain areas, deficiency in services at empanelled/service  hospitals  and  delay  in  payment  of  medical  reimbursement  bills, etc.  The following remedial measures have been taken:-

(i)  Non-availability of certain medicines in stock has been addressed through the following measures:-

- (a) The  CGHS  system  of  Authorized  Local  Chemists  (ALCs)  has  been approved for ECHS on 22 nd August, 2017.
- (b) The  CGHS  norms  for  empanelment  of  Local  Chemists  have  been relaxed on 25 th June, 2018 to enable Polyclinics located in rural, semiurban, remote areas to empanel ALCs.
- (c) Under ALC system, Polyclinics have been allowed to obtain medicines that  are  not  available  in  stock  from  authorized  local  chemists  and provide the same to the beneficiaries.
- (d) Further,  on  30 th January,  2019  the  ECHS  beneficiaries  have  been allowed to purchase not-available medicines for a maximum period of 15 days at a time subject to certain financial limits and conditions and seek reimbursement thereof.

(ii)    Whenever  complaints  of  deficiency  in  services  against  empanelled hospitals are received, the matter is enquired into.  If found true, suitable action is taken against them in accordance with rules.

(iii)  A detailed procedure for taking action against hospitals empanelled with ECHS has been laid down vide MoD, DoESW Letter No.25(02)/2018/WE/D(Res) dated 10.10.2019.

(iv)    To  overcome  the  shortage  of  Medical  officers  in  Polyclinics  in  certain areas due to non-availability of full time doctors, rules have been amended to recruit doctors on part time basis vide MoD, DoESW Letter No.22D(14)/2018/WE/D(Res-I), dated 05.02.2020.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2965 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Railway Projects/Schemes in North Eastern Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shyam Yadav Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2965 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## RAILWAY PROJECTS/SCHEMES IN NORTH EASTERN RAILWAYS

2965.     SHRI  SHYAM SINGH YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  Railway  projects/schemes  sanctioned  during  the last three years for North Eastern  Railway  zone,  Varanasi division; and
- (b) the details of the current status of such projects/schemes?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) and (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  AND  (b)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2965 BY SHRI SHYAM SINGH YADAV TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 11.03.2020 REGARDING RAILWAY PROJECTS/SCHEMES IN NORTH EASTERN RAILWAYS

(a) & (b): Railway projects are not sanctioned State-wise/Division-wise, but  Zone-wise,  as  Indian  Railway  network  straddles  across  various State/Division  boundaries.  4  new  line,  4  gauge  conversion  and  7 doubling projects under North-Eastern Railway Zone were sanctioned during last three years and current year (2016-17 to 2018-19 and 201920).  Out  of  these,  following  7  projects  i.e.  1  new  line,  1  gauge conversion  and  5  doubling  projects  covering  a  length  of  533.77  km falls fully/partly in Varanasi Division:

-  Padrauna-Kushingar via Gorakhpur (64.47 km) new line.
-  Indara-Dohrighat (34.37 km) gauge conversion
-  Phephna-Indara, Mau-Shahganj excluding Indara-Mau (150.28 km) doubling
-  Bhatni-Aunrihar excluding Indara-Mau (116.95 km) with electrification (117 km) doubling
-  Aunrihar-Jaunpur (59.55 km) doubling
-  Domingarh-Gorakhpur-Gorakhpur Cantt.-Kushmi 3 rd  line (21.15 km)
-  Gorakhpur-Balmikinagar (87 km) doubling- Proposed in the Budget 2020-21.

The  project-wise  detail  including  cost,  expenditure  and  outlay are available in public domain  on  Indian  Railways'  website  i.e. www.indianrailways.gov.in>Ministry of Railways>Railway Board> About Indian Railways>Railway Board Directorates>Finance (Budget)> Railway-wise  Works  Machinery  &  Rolling  Stock  Programme>Regular Budget (year).

*****