opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 33 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Regulatory Control on Conducting Festivals
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 33 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2018

## REGULATORY CONTROL ON CONDUCTING FESTIVALS

- *33.  SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  any  regulatory  control  on  conducting  festivals and celebrations adjacent to railway track;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, whether the Government  will think of having such regulatory measures in light of the recent Amritsar issue; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION  NO.  33  BY  SHRI  SHRI  E.T.  MOHAMMED  BASHEER  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 12.12.2018 REGARDING REGULATORY

CONTROL ON CONDUCTING FESTIVALS

(a) &  (b): The  Railway  area  adjacent  to  railway  track  is  duly demarcated and no gathering of people is allowed within this area near the railway track for conducting festivals and celebrations. Trespassing  by  any  person  into  any  part  of  a  railway  without  lawful authority,  or  having  lawfully  entered  upon  or  into  such  part  misuses such property is a punishable offence under section 147 of the Railways Act,  1989.    However,  there  is  no  regulatory  control  of  Railways  on conducting  festivals and celebrations in the areas which are adjacent to railway track but are outside the railway limit. Local administration, which is in charge of law & order and crowd control in areas outside Railway  jurisdiction,  is  responsible  for  taking  adequate  precautionary measures in these areas.

(c) & (d): Areas outside the Railway limit come under the jurisdiction of State Government.  The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS)/Northern Circle in his Preliminary Enquiry Report on the incident of Amritsar train run-over  has  given  some  recommendations  to  prevent  such  type  of incidents  in  future.  Action  on  most  of  these  recommendations  is required to be taken by the State Governments. The recommendations of  the  CRS  preliminary  enquiry  report  will  be  circulated  to  all  States Government for taking necessary action.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 32 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Illegally Occupied Areas
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.32

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2018

## ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED AREAS

- *32. DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   has   asked   Pakistan   at   diplomatic level to vacate all illegally occupied areas of Kashmir;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the   details   of   the   areas   in   Kashmir   under   illegal   occupation   of Pakistan till date;

(d) whether Pakistan has reverted and taken initiative to vacate the illegally occupied areas of Kashmir; and

- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## PRIORITY - XII

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA   STARRED   QUESTION   NO.   32   REGARDING   'ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED AREAS' FOR ANSWER ON 12.12.2018 (a) to (e) India's consistent and principled position, as also enunciated in the 1994 Parliament Resolution adopted unanimously, is that the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is, and shall be an integral part of India. Pakistan has been in illegal occupation of approximately 78,000 sq.kms of Indian territory in the State of Jammu & Kashmir. Under the so-called 'Boundary Agreement' signed between China and Pakistan on 2 March 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq.kms of Indian territory in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to China. We have repeatedly and consistently called upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation, most recently on 30 November 2018. Pakistan continues to be in illegal and forcible occupation of a part of the

Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 30 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Women Employees in Central Government
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: NEELAM SONKER

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 30

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2018)

## WOMEN EMPLOYEES IN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

## †*30. SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of women officers and employees working in the Central Government Offices;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  recruited  the  women  in  all  its  offices  as  per  33  per  cent reservation;
- (c) if so, the details in this regard;
- (d) the names of the Departments of the Union Government which have not recruited women as per 33 per cent reservation till date; and
- (e) the reasons therefor?

## 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) to (e):    A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*********

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  30  BY SHRIMATI  NEELAM  SONKER  FOR  REPLY  ON  12.12.18  REGARDING  WOMEN EMPLOYEES IN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

- (a) Centralized data relating to number of women officers and employees working in the Central Government  offices  is  not  maintained.  However,  as  per  the  Census  of  Central  Government employees brought out by Directorate General of Employment & Training, Ministry of Labour and  Employment,  total  number  of  employees  in  various  Central  Ministries/  Departments  was 30,87,278 out of which 3,37,439 employees were women as on March, 2011. The publication of the  report  on  the  Census  of  Central  Government  employees  has  since  been  discontinued  from 2011.
- (b) No, Madam, there is no such policy.
- (c) to (e) Does not arise in view of (b).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 26 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Foreign Investment
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 26 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2018

## FOREIGN INVESTMENT

- *26.  SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways are planning to seek foreign investment in areas such as technological upgradation and modernisation;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Railways are also considering to privatise some of the areas of their operation; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL (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 STARRED QUESTION NO. 26 BY SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 12.12.2018 REGARDING FOREIGN INVESTMENT

- (a) & (b):  Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is permitted in following activities/areas of Railway Infrastructure on automatic route under extant FDI Policy of Government :-
- (i)     Suburban corridors projects through PPP;
- (ii)    High Speed Train Projects;
- (iii)   Dedicated Freight Lines;
- (iv)   Rolling Stock including train sets and locomotives/ coaches manufacturing  and maintenance facilities;
- (v)     Railway Electrification;
- (vi)    Signaling systems;
- (vii)   Freight terminals;
- (viii)  Passenger terminals;
- (ix)   Infrastructure  in  industrial  park  pertaining  to  railway line/sidings including electrified railway lines and connectivities to main railway line;  and
- (x)    Mass Rapid Transport Systems.

(c) & (d): There is no proposal to privatise any area of operation of railways. However, Public Private Partnerships and Outsourcing of certain facilities  like  cleaning,  pay and use  toilets,  retiring  rooms, parking etc. is done on need based manner to improve efficiency.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 25 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Uncontested Seats in Panchayat Polls
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *25

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 12 th DECEMBER, 2018

## UNCONTESTED SEATS IN PANCHAYAT POLLS

## *25. SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Supreme  Court  had  expressed  its  shock  over  the  fact that 34 per cent of the seats at the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Panchayat level went uncontested in West Bengal and if so, the details in this regard;
- (b)  Whether  the  Election  Commission  has  received  any  complaints about candidates being prevented from filing nomination in such elections and if so, the facts in this regard; and
- (c) the course of action the Government proposes to take to ensure that such undemocratic practices are not repeated in future and the elections at panchayat levels are conducted in a free and fair manner?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN RESPECT OF PART (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *25 DATED 12 TH DECEMBER, 2018

(a) to (c): As per article 243K of the Constitution, the superintendence, direction  and  control  of  the  preparation  of  electoral  rolls  for,  and  the conduct  of,  all  elections  to  the  panchayats  shall  be  vested  in  a  State Election  Commission  consisting  of  State  Election  Commissioner  to  be appointed by the Governor. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, the Legislature of a State may, by law, make provisions with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with elections to the Panchayats/Municipalities. The Election Commission of India has informed that the matter does not pertain to it.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 22 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Angamali Erumeli Sabari Rail Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 22 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2018

## ANGAMALI  ERUMELI  SABARI  RAIL PROJECT

- *22.  ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of the Angamali Erumeli Sabari Rail Project;
- (b) whether the Government has received any proposal with revised estimate of  the current allocation;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  approve  the  revised estimate; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a)  to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  22 BY ADV. JOICE GEORGE  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  12.12.2018  REGARDING  ANGAMALI ERUMELI SABARI RAIL PROJECT

(a) to (e): Angamali-Sabarimala new rail line (116 Km) was sanctioned in 1997-98 at a cost of ` 550 crore. The 5 km section of this project was passing through Periyar Tiger Reserve Forest.   On the request of State  Government,  the  project  was  terminated  at  Erumeli  due  to reserve forest area.

Alignment  of  the  project  passes  through  three  Districts  i.e. Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam districts. Final location  survey(FLS) for Angamali-Kaladi-Ramapuram section (70 Km) has been completed in  2002 and further survey in the Kottyayam district was stopped by local people in 2007 due to objections on alignment.

To  resolve  the  issue,  State  Government  proposed  a  revised alignment from Ramapuram to Erumeli (41 km).  Revised alignment has been approved.

Even  though  Government  of  Kerala  has  approved  alignment  in 2013, local people are not permitting survey work in Kottayam District. FLS  for  Ramapuram-Erumeli  (41  Km)  has  been  taken  up  with  police protection.

Further,  land  acquisition  document  for  253.77  hectare  for  New Line between Angamali-Kaladi-Ramapuram (70 km.) was submitted to State  Government  and  only  24.4  hectare  land  has  been  acquired. Work has been taken up between Angamali-Kaladi-Perumbavoor (16 km) in the available land.

For this project, Government of Kerala had consented for sharing 50%  of  above  project  cost  in  November,  2015.    However,  the  State Government requested in November, 2016 to execute this project with Railway funds.

Due to alignment issues and abnormal increase in land cost, the project cost has increased from ` 550 crore to ` 2815 crore. Land Cost has been increased from ` 22.82 crore (in original estimate) to ` 965 crore. Due to increase in project cost on account of alignment issues and  abnormal  increase  in  land  cost,  State  Government  has  been requested to continue to share 50% cost of the project.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 460 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Cyclone Forecasting and Management System
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Tejpratap Singh,Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 460 To BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12, 2018

Cyclone Forecasting and Management System

## 460: SHRI TEJ PRATAP SINGH YADAV

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether cyclone Titli and Gaja have wrecked havoc across variouis states resulting in loss of lives and properties;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any new initiatives to bring in technological advancement in cyclone forecasting system;
- (d) if the details thereof including international cooperationl agreement signed in this regard; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to develop cyclone forecasting and management system in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (Dr: HARSH VARDHAN)

- a-b): Yes Madam. Detailed loss assessment on agriculture, houses and livelihoods are compiled by Government of India and the state governments of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu for seeking Central assistance.
- c-e): IMD has one of the best systems monitoring and forecasting the tropical cyclones using a suite of quality observations from Satellites and Radars and high resolution advanced weather prediction models: IMD has a very effective Decision Support System for forecasting and early warning of tropical cyclones: IMD has defined Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for monitoring & forecasting the cyclones and issue of warning services- IMD has one of the best forecasting capabilities in forecasting tropical cyclones: for

Ministry of Earth Science (MoES) has a strong international collaboration with National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); USA and UK Met Office for developing weather prediction models:

MoES currently uses the Global Forecasting System (GFS) with a horizontal resolution resolution of 12 km. In addition, a Global Ensemble Forecast  System (GEFS) for short and medium range prediction at 12 km using 21 members of the model has been developed and is operational since 01 June 2018. The resolution (12 km) of the GEFS is the highest among all the operational global operational weather forecast centres in the world. The Ensemble forecasts enhance the weather information being provided by the current models by quantifying the uncertainties in the weather forecasts and generate probabilistic forecasts. The ensemble forecast also provides the probabilistic guidance for track and intensity of cyclones and depressions: Regional models like Hurricane Weather Research Forecast (HWRF) have also been implemented to generate forecasts at very high resolution of Zkm:

IMD has always used contemporary technology and continuously expands its infrastructure for meteorological observations, data exchange; monitoring & analysis, state of art forecasting and early warning services:
Lok Sabha Question No. 459 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Passport Offices in Kerala
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.459

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2018

## PASSPORT OFFICES IN KERALA

459.     DR. P .K. BIJU:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   would   set   up   passport   offices   in   all divisional   headquarters   of   Kerala   especially   in   Thrissur   and Palakkadu; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) & (b) There are 17 Passport Kendras functioning in Kerala as on 6 th December, 2018. These are at Alapuzha, Chengannur, Cochin, Ernakulam (Rural),   Idukki   (Kattappana),   Kannur, Kasargod,   Kollam,     Kottayam, Kozhikode,   Malappuram,   Pathanamthitta,   Payyanur   (Kannur),   Vadakara (Kozhikode), Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram (Rural) and Thrissur.

The Ministry has decided to open two more Passport Kendras in Kerala   at   Attingal   and   Palakkad,   taking   the   total   number   of   Passport Kendras to 19.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 457 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Regional Cooperation
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVNTHI)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 457

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2018

## REGIONAL COOPERATION

457. SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI):

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India's efforts to promote regional cooperation will continue to focus on the Bay of Bengal and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether initiatives were taken for Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in the recently concluded summit in Kathmandu and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to increase community and revive Bay of Bengal in India?

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

(a) & (b)  Yes. BIMSTEC is being given due attention in furtherance of our priorities of 'Neighbourhood first' and 'Act East'.

Prime Minister led the Indian delegation for the 4th BIMSTEC Summit held in Kathmandu  on   30   -   31   August   2018.   This   gave   a   significant   push   to   regional cooperation. The Kathmandu Declaration adopted at the 4th Summit seeks to intensify regional   cooperation   in   various   sectors   including   connectivity   and   trade,   energy, security and counter terrorism, environment and disaster management, agriculture, ICT   and   people-to-people   contacts,   among   others.   T o   strengthen   institutional mechanism of BIMSTEC, at the Summit it was decided to initiate the drafting of the BIMSTEC Charter, and to strengthen the BIMSTEC Secretariat. An MoU on BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection was also signed at the Summit.

- (c) During the 4th BIMSTEC Summit, Prime Minister announced a number of initiatives to be undertaken by India to advance BIMSTEC cooperation and capacity in diverse areas such as security, disaster management, economy and trade, agriculture, health and digital connectivity as well as activities to promote cultural and youth linkages. Steps are being taken to implement these in consultation with other BIMSTEC Member States.
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Lok Sabha Question No. 456 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Foreign Aid to Kerala
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: C. N. JAYADEVAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.456

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2018

## FOREIGN AID TO KERALA

456. SHRI C.N. JAYADEVAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has refused to accept the help from various countries and organizations for revival of devastated Kerala State by the torrential rain and flood in the month of August 2018; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the countries and organizations offered financial as well as technological help for reconstruction of Kerala and reasons for not accepting such help from friendly countries?

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

(a) & (b) In   the   wake   of   the   tragic   Kerala   floods,   several   countries expressed their sympathies and their willingness to assist in the relief and rehabilitation   efforts.   In   response,   Government   expressed   deep appreciation for such offers and conveyed that, in line with existing policy, it   is   committed   to   meeting   requirements   for   relief   and   rehabilitation through domestic efforts.   It was further conveyed that contributions to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund from NRIs, PIOs and international entities such as Foundations would, however, be welcome.

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