opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2593 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: PSU Status of BEML
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: S. Muniswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2593

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  December, 2019

## PSU STATUS OF BEML

2593. SHRI S. MUNISWAMY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to change the status of Bharat Earth Movers Limited's from Defence PSU;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  representation/request  regarding  the maintaining of BEML's PSU status and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the reaction of the Government thereto?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

(a) to (d): Yes, Sir.  The Government had given 'in-principle' approval for strategic disinvestment of BEML Ltd. to the extent of 26% out of the Government shareholding of  54.03%  with  transfer  of  management  control  to  strategic  buyer.    Thereafter, Transaction  Advisor,  Legal  Advisor  and  Asset  Valuer  were appointed  by  the Government as per the procedure and  mechanism laid down for this purpose.  The Expression of Interest & Preliminary Information Memorandum document have been prepared by the appointed Advisors and submitted to the Government.

Some  organisations  have  made  certain  representations  against  the  aforesaid disinvestment proposal of BEML Ltd. However, disinvestments through strategic sale are considered based on recommendations of NITI Aayog after taking into consideration, all aspects of the matter.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2592 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: BharatNet Project in Odisha
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Nitesh Ganga Deb

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2592 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH   DECEMBER, 2019

## BHARATNET PROJECT IN ODISHA

## 2592. SHRI NITESH GANGA DEB:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether all Gram Panchayats in the State of Odisha were connected with broadband services under the BharatNet project by the end of August, 2019 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) if not, the target fixed by the Government for providing broadband services to the remaining Gram Panchayats in the State?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner  to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (approx. 2,50,000) in the country, including Odisha. Odisha has  a  total  of  6775  (approx.)  Gram  Panchayats  (GPs).  As  of  August,  2019,  by  laying  12,375  km Optical Fibre Cable (OFC), a total of 3977 GPs have been connected and of them, 3656 have been made Service Ready. In addition, 15 GPs have been made Service Ready over satellite media.
- (b) In  Odisha,  the  remaining  Gram  Panchayats  under  BharatNet  project  are  targeted  to  be provided with broadband connectivity by March 2020.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2588 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: All India Judicial Services
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Arvind Kumar Sharma, Raj Hans Hans

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2588

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 04 th  DECEMBER, 2019

## All India Judicial Services

## †2588. SHRI ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA: SHRI HANS RAJ HANS:

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

- (a)  whether the Government has made progress in consultative process among States and Chief Justice of High Courts on constitution of All India Judicial Service ( AIJS) so far to make recruitment process through efficient, uniform and regular and also to address shortage of Judges in lower Judiciary;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and the progress made on the subject; and
- (c)  the steps taken/being taken by the Government to expedite creation of AIJS?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (c): The matter regarding creation of a Judicial Service Commission to help the recruitment  to  the  post  of  district  judges  and  review  of  selection  process  of  judges  / judicial  officers  at  all  levels  was  included  in  the  agenda  for  the  Chief  Justices Conference, which was held on 3rd and 4th April, 2015. It was resolved to leave it open to the respective High Courts to evolve appropriate methods within the existing system to fill up the vacancies for appointment of District judges expeditiously.

Further,  views  of  States  and  High  Courts  were  sought  on  a  comprehensive proposal  formulated  for  constitution  of  All  India  Judicial  Service  (AIJS)  which  was approved by the Committee of Secretaries. While two High Courts have concurred with the proposal approved by Committee of Secretaries for formation of AIJS, twelve High Courts  have  not  favoured  the  proposal  of  formation  of  AIJS.  Six  High  Courts  have suggested  changes  in  age  at  induction  level,  qualifications,  training  and  quota  of vacancies to be filled through AIJS. Most High Courts want administrative control over Subordinate Judiciary to remain with the respective High Courts.

While  two  State  Governments  have  supported  creation  of  AIJS,  seven  State Governments have not favoured the formation of AIJS. Five State Governments have requested for some changes in the proposal. The  comprehensive  proposal  formulated  for  constitution  of  AIJS  which  was approved by the Committee of Secretaries along with views received from High Courts and States was included in the agenda for the Joint Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts held on 5th April, 2015. Keeping in view the divergence of opinion among the States and High Courts on constitution of AIJS, the Government has undertaken further consultation to arrive at a common ground.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2586 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Loading/Unloading Facility for Containers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2586 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## LOADING/UNLOADING FACILITY FOR CONTAINERS

## 2586.  SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJI KUNDARIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  has  received any representation for providing  loading  and  unloading  facility  for  containers  between lines 2 and 3 at Vavaniya and Lavanpur railway stations in Gujarat;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the Government proposes to accord it priority considering the loading and unloading facility for containers at the stations; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof and the time frame fixed for it to be made operational?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)  &  (b)  Yes,  Sir.  Letters  have  been  received  requesting  for  providing loading  and  unloading  facility  for  containers  between  line  2  and  3  at Vavaniya and Lavanpur railway stations in Gujarat.
- (c)  Yes, Sir.
- (d) Vavaniya and Lavanpur railway stations have already been notified as CRT (Container Rail Terminal) with effect from 07.10.2019 on round-theclock working basis for lift on-lift off operations and chassis stuffing and de-stuffing operations for a period of one year.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2584 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Ban on Sand Mining
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Rebati Tripura

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2584

ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## BAN ON SAND MINING

## 2584. SHRI REBATI TRIPURA:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has any proposal to regularize ban sand mining activities in near future;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof specially in Tripura;
- (c)  if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d)  the  details  of  plan  outlay  and  implementation  procedure  for  any  such  proposal  in near future?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) : Sir, Sand is a minor mineral under Section 3(e) of the  Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957. Section 15 of the MMDR Act, 1957, empowers the  State  Governments  to  make  rules  for  regulating  the  grant  of  minor  mineral concessions.  Moreover,  Section  23C  of  the  MMDR  Act,  also  empowers  the  State Governments to make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and for the purposes connected therewith. Thus, minor minerals are regulated at  the  level  of  State  Government.  Ministry  of  Mines  has  prepared  a  'Sand  Mining Framework'  in  consultation  with  Mining  Departments  of  the  States  incorporating  best practices  amongst  States  and  suggestions  based  on  the  objectives  of  sustainability, availability, affordability and transparency in sand mining. The 'Sand Mining Framework' was circulated to all the States for necessary action.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2581 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Transfer of MES Employee
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Reddeppa Nallakonda Gari, Dayakar Pasunoori

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2581

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  December, 2019

## TRANSFER OF MES EMPLOYEE

2581. SHRI N. REDDEPPA: SHRI PASUNOORI DAYAKAR:

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

- (a) the guidelines and rules with policy decisions under which civilian employees of Military  Engineering  Service  (MES)  whose  spouses  are  in  civilian  jobs  are  being governed;
- (b) the number of employees transferred to other stations whose spouse is in Government job during the last three years, rank-wise;
- (c) the number of employees who approached CAT in connection with their posting to the same place where his or her spouse is working; and
- (d) whether despite CAT orders, some employees are not being transferred and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with corrective steps being taken in this regard to follow the existing guidelines?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

<!-- image -->

- (a)  Civilian employees of Military Engineering Services (MES) whose spouses are in Civilian  jobs  are  governed  by  the  guidelines  and  rules  as  are  applicable  to  the Government employees under the extant guidelines and rules of Government of India.
- (b)  to  (d):    Information  is  being  collected  and  will  be  placed  on  the  Table  of  the House.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2579 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: High Fare in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: (Dr.) Ram Shankar Katheria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2579 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## HIGH FARE IN RAILWAYS

†2579. DR. RAM SHANKAR KATHERIA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has received any complaints/information wherein railway fare is higher than that of airfare;

(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to allow railway officials to travel by air instead of trains;

(c) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(d)  whether  Railways  has  suffered  losses  in  revenue  as  passengers are preferring air services than paying the higher fare of Railways?

## 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. 2579 BY DR. RAM SHANKAR KATHERIA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.12.2019 REGARDING HIGH FARE IN RAILWAYS

(a):  Yes,  Sir.  Certain  representations  comparing  airfare  with  railway fare have been received. It is informed that Railways and Airlines are different modes of transport, which are not comparable in the terms of volume,  connectivity  as  well  as  convenience.  There  is  no  fixed maximum  limit  of  fare  in  Airlines  whereas  Railways  have  fixed maximum  fare  throughout  the  year.  Airline  fare  varies  significantly depending  on  time  of  operation,  stoppages,  travel  duration,  Origin  Destination pair, carrier etc. Railways' fare may or may not be higher than the air fare depending upon the class of travel as well as factors like peak/lean periods.

(b)  & (c): In accordance with the Ministry of Finance' instructions on Travelling  Allowance/Daily  Allowance,  as  adopted  by  the  Ministry  of Railways, Railway officers of the pay level 14 and above in the 7 th  CPC Pay  Matrix  are  already  entitled  to  travel  by  Air  on  duty.  Railway Officers below pay level 14 are also allowed to travel by air on duty, in certain  exigencies  and  with  prior  finance  concurrence.  Further,  in terms  of  instructions  issued  post  7 th   CPC  based  on  acceptance  of recommendations  of  the  7 th   CPC  by  the  Government  and  as  per entitlement  to  Air  Travel  laid  down  by  the  Ministry  of  Railways, Railway Officers of pay level 9 and above have also been allowed to travel  by  air  while  availing  LTC  once  in  a  block  of  04  years  on surrender of all Privilege Passes for that year.

## (d):  The  revenue  from  Passenger  Services  during  the  last  three financial years is as under:

(

₹ in Crore)

| Year              |   2016-17 |   2017-18 |   2018-19 |
|-------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Passenger service |   46280.5 |   48643.1 |   51066.7 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2577 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Land Utilization of SEZ
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2577 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 th DECEMBER, 2019 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04

## LAND UTILIZATION OF SEZ

2577(H). SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI):

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken any step to acquire back the land that had been allotted as special economic zones (SEZ) but is not being utilized for the said purpose;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to curb the misuse of the land allotted as special economic zones?

## 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 (c): As per Entry No. 18 of the State list in the 7 th Schedule to the Constitution of India, 'land' is a State subject. The Board of Approval (BoA) approves a proposal for establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) subject to the terms and conditions prescribed in the SEZ Act, 2005 and Rules, 2006 as amended from time to time. The approval is granted only after the concerned State Government recommends the setting up of the SEZ.  After the approval, the implementation of SEZ projects by developers is monitored by the Development Commissioners as per SEZ Act and Rules on a regular basis.  Based on such monitoring, in case of violation of SEZ Act/Rules, action is initiated against the Developers to recover any fiscal benefit availed by them as well as to penalise them for the violations. De-notification is done based on recommendation of concerned Development Commissioner and after obtaining the No-objection from the State Government concerned as well as Department of Revenue. Further, in terms of Rule 11(9) of the SEZ Rules, 2006, sale of land in an SEZ is not allowed.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2576 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Extent of WhatsApp Privacy Breach
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dayanidhi Maran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2576

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 04.12.2019

## EXTENT OF WHATSAPP PRIVACY BREACH

## 2576.    SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state?

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  extent  of  privacy  breaches  in  the  recent WhatsApp  snooping  using  the  Israel-based  NSO  Group's  Pegasus  spyware  and  if  so,  the details thereof;

(b)  whether the spyware was used for surveillance purposes and/or theft of private data and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(c) the current regulations and measures put in place by the Ministry to protect financial data of users?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) and  (b):  On  May  20,  2019  WhatsApp  reported  an  incident  to  the  Indian  Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) wherein it mentioned that WhatsApp identified and promptly fixed a vulnerability  that  could  enable  an  attacker  to  insert  and  execute  code  on mobile devices and that the vulnerability can no longer be exploited to carry out attack.

On  September  5,  2019  WhatsApp  wrote  to  CERT-In  mentioning  update  to  the  security incident reported in May 2019, that while the full extent of this attack may never be known, WhatsApp continues to review the available information. It also mentioned that WhatsApp believes  it  is  likely  that  personal  data  within  the  WhatsApp  app  of  approximately  twenty users  may  have  been  accessed  out  of  approximately  one  hundred  and  twenty  one  users  in India whose devices the attacker attempted to reach.

The  Government  is  committed  to  protect  the  fundamental  rights  of  citizens,  including  the right  to  privacy.  The  Government  operates  strictly  as  per  provisions  of  law  and  laid  down protocols. There are adequate safeguards to ensure that no innocent citizen is harassed or his privacy breached.

(c): Section 43A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 establishes a legal framework for data protection in India. The section provides for compensation to be paid to the victim in case  of  unauthorized  access  of  information  and  leakage  of  sensitive  personal  information respectively. The Information Technology (Reasonable security practices and procedures and sensitive  personal  data  or  information)  rules,  2011  notified  under  section  43A  explicitly define 'sensitive personal information' which includes 'financial information such as Bank account or credit card or debit card or other payment instrument details of the users'

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2574 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: New Trains between Delhi-Asansol
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Pashupati Nath Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2574 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

NEW TRAINS BETWEEN DELHI-ASANSOL †2574.  SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to start train service between Delhi to Asansol via Dhanbad and Gaya;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)  to  (c)  Owing  to  operational  and  resource  constraints,  at  present, there  is  no  proposal  to  start  a  new  train  service  between  Delhi  and Asansol via Dhanbad and Gaya. However, the Delhi-Asansol sector, via Dhanbad-Gaya, is presently well served by 08 pairs of trains including 02 pairs of Rajdhani Express services.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2573 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Pod Hotels on Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ramcharan Bohra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2573 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## POD HOTELS ON RAILWAY STATIONS

##  2573. SHRI RAMCHARAN BOHRA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has plans to prepare Pod Hotel or Capsule Hotel  for  providing stay  facility  for  passengers  on  Railway stations;
- (b)
- (c)
- if so, the State and station -wise details thereof;
- whether Jaipur Junction is also included in this scheme;
- (d) if so, the time by which this facility is likely to be made available; and
- (e) if not, the time by which the Government proposes to provide this facility at  Jaipur Junction?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Sir.  An  initiative  has  been  taken  up  by  Indian Railway Catering  &  Tourism  Corporation  Ltd.  (IRCTC)  to  start  a  project  of setting  up  of  Pod/Capsule  Concept  Retiring  Room  at  Mumbai  Central Railway Station on Public Private Partnership Model. Initially, only one station has been selected for this project.
- (c)  to  (e):  No,  Sir.  Currently  this  facility  is  not  available  in  Jaipur Junction. However, the facilities in the currently run retiring rooms at Jaipur Junction has been upgraded under the scheme of upgradation and renovation of retiring rooms w.e.f 22.03.2019.

*****