opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1829 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Commission Vendors
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Bhavana Gawali (Patil), Lallu Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1829 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## COMMISSION VENDORS

†1829. SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI: SHRI LALLU SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  any  step  is  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve  the condition of the commission vendors;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  demand  letter/ suggestion from Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and the Railway Commission Vendors Association;
- (c)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  action  taken  thereon  by  the Government;
- (d)  the  facilities  provided  by  the  railway  administration  to  the  licensee vendors providing catering services at railway stations during COVID;
- (e) whether any demand letter has been received by the Government from All India Railway Catering Licensees Welfare Association;
- (f)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  demands  made  therein  and  the  action  taken thereon by the Government; and
- (g) the concrete steps taken by the Government to improve the condition of the licensee vendors?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a): Yes, Sir. The Ministry of Railways have issued instructions to absorb the  erstwhile  commission  vendors  meeting  the  eligibility  conditions in the regular service of Railways.

.......2/-

- (b)  and  (c):  A  representation  from  Chhattisgarh  Commission  Vendors Association was received in the Ministry. However, the demands in the representation  were related  to licensee  vendors  and  not  commission vendors.
- (d) For licensee vendors, the following Covid related relief measures have been implemented by Railway Administration:
- (i) The non-operational period of all catering and vending contracts to be treated as 'dies non' under Force Majeure clause and contract period to be extended accordingly.
- (ii)  Review  of  license  fee  of  all  catering  and  vending  stalls  taking  into consideration the resumption of volume of passenger traffic in respect of individual stations/ platforms has been considered.
- (iii)  Reduction in the Performance Security from the existing 10% to 3% for all catering /vending contracts.
- (e)  and  (f):  The  demands  /suggestions  have  been  received  from  Akhil Bhartiya Railway Khanpan Licensees Welfare Association which include relief to deal with Covid related hardship, permission for sale of packed items on Fruit/ Juice stalls, platform vending permission, use of cooking gas  on  platforms  and  supply  of  electricity  on  subsidized  rates.  The suggestions have been examined on merits and action taken accordingly.
- (g) In addition to the COVID related reliefs as mentioned at (d) above, the other steps taken by the Railways include   permission for sale of packed items on Fruit/ Juice stalls and grant of  platform vending permission to the static units at stations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1827 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Pending Cases at UPSC Level
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1827 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021)

## PENDING CASES AT UPSC LEVEL

## 1827. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that several number of cases are pending for clearance at the UPSC level even after completion of selection process and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  studied  the  reason  thereof  and  the  appropriate  steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## 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)  &  (b):  No,  Sir.  The  Union  Public  Service  Commission  (UPSC)  conducts  examinations /recruitment  tests  for  selection  of  candidates  to  various  Group  'A'  and  Group  'B'  services /posts against the vacancies reported on the basis of the Rules of Examination /Recruitment Rules. The details / dossiers of the recommended candidates, selected through examinations / recruitment  tests  are  immediately  forwarded  by  UPSC  to  the  concerned  Nodal  Ministry /Department  /Union  Territory  /Statutory  Body  for  issue  of  offer  of  appointment  etc.  The recommendations  of  the Departmental Promotion  Committees  / Selection  Committee Meetings for appointment by promotion /deputation are approved by Chairman, UPSC on the same /next day and are sent immediately to the Ministry concerned.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1825 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Subsidy to Sugar
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Thirumaa Valavan Thol

i

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.{ 825 TO BE ANSWERED  ON Sm DECEMBER,2O2{

## SUBSIDY TO SUGAR

## {825. SHRI THIRIUMAAVALAVAN  THOL:

Will the Minister of GONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIoN sqcrtral err&, qr eil-t grffi+ Fff{ur d*  be pleased  to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has any plans to withdraw subsidy given to the sugar exportets; and
- (b) if so, the details and the reasons  thereofil'

## ANSWER MTNISTER  OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND coNsuMER AFFAIRS,  FOOD & PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION

(SADHVI  NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) & (b): Due to favourable price of sugar in the internataonal market and manageable stocks mainly attributed to diversion of sugar to ethanol and export of around 70 LMT of sugar during the previous sugar season 2O2O-21 (October- September), no subsidy on export of sugar is being presenfly extended by Government of lndia for current sugar season 2021-22.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1824 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: GI Tag
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sanjay Jaiswal

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1824. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 8 TH  DECEMBER, 2021.

## GI TAG

## 1824.  DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

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

## वाणिज्य  एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the criteria to be fulfilled for earning a  Geographical Indicator (GI) Tag;
- (b) whether the Ministry has received any proposal from the State Government requesting GI Tag for Tilkut from Gaya;
- (c) if so, whether the Ministry is considering on such proposal; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the likely time by when an outcome is expected?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a): Registration  of  a  product  as geographical  indication (GI)  is  done  upon receipt  of  an  application  as  per  the  provisions  of  the  Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 and relevant Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Rules, 2002.

As  per  Section  11  of  GI  (Registration  and  Protection)  Act,  1999,  an application can be filed only by 'any association of persons or producers or any organization or authority established by or under any law representing the interest of the producers of the concerned goods in a prescribed Form'.

Said application is then processed as per the prescribed guidelines under the Act and relevant Rules to evaluate and ascertain the correctness of the particulars furnished in the application and its supporting documents.

Upon acceptance of the application, it is published in the official journal for the consideration of the public. If no opposition is filed within the statutory time  period,  the  application  is  registered  from  the  date  of  making  the application and a certificate of Registration is issued. If any opposition is filed, it is disposed of after providing opportunity of being heard to both the applicant and the opposing party following the principle of natural justice. The registration of a GI is done for ten years and can be renewed from time to time.

- (b): No application for requesting GI tag for Tilkut from Gaya is received by GI registry.
- (c) & (d): No such proposal is under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1822 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Establishment of Rail Factory
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mahabali Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1822 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## ESTABLISHMENT OF RAIL FACTORY

## †1822.  SHRI MAHABALI SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  Government  proposes  to  establish  rail  factory  on  the land of closed factory of Dehri-Dalmianagar;
- (b)    if so, the details thereof and the current status thereof; and
- (c)    the  reasons  for  delay  in  the  commencement  of  work  despite fulfilling all formalities for setting up of above-mentioned factory and the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) Indian Railways  had planned to set up a Wagon  Periodical Overhauling (POH) Workshop at Dalmia Nagar.
- (b) and  (c): The  work  for  setting  up  of  the  Wagon  Periodical Overhauling (POH) Workshop was entrusted to RITES for execution.

The  work  has  not  commenced  since  the  connectivity  of  the  project site  with  IR  track  is  not  feasible  as  DFCCIL  track  is  passing  in between  the  two  and  connectivity  with  DFCCIL  track  has  not  been found viable.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1820 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Subsidy for Senior Citizens
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Nusrat Jahan Ruhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1820 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## SUBSIDY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

1820. SHRIMATI NUSRAT JAHAN RUHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government is going to re-start giving the subsidy in railway tickets for senior citizens;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;  and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c):    In  view  of  Pandemic  &  Covid  protocol,  concession  to  all categories  of  passengers  (except  4  categories  of  Divyangjan,  11 categories  of  Patients  and  Students)  have  been  withdrawn  from 20.03.2020.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1818 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Diversion of Food Grains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Anubhav Mohanty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MtNlsTRy  oF coNsuMER AFFA|RS,  FOOD &  puBl-rc  DtsTRtBUTlON DEPABTMENT OF FOOD AND  pUBLtC  DTSTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARREI'  QUESTION NO.{ 8{ 8 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 8TH DECEIUBER,2O2l

## DIVERSIOI{  OF FOOD GRAINS

## I8{8. SHRI ANUBHAV MOHANTY:

Uuill the  Minister of  CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD AND  pUBLtC DlsrRlBUTtON sqrtrftT errd, vrqr  gt{  Trffitr trilur diff be pleased to state:

- (a)
- whether the Govemment is aware that the reakage and the divenion of food grains during transportation  is a regutar feature;
- (b) if sor the steps taken by the Govemment to ensure that such reakages and
- diversions are minimized to the posslble  extent;
- (c) whether end to end computerazation  of  pubtic  Distribufion  system operations will further cut down on any kind of pilferage during  transportation of food grains; and
- (d) if so, the extent to which the  pDs  operations  been computerized  and if not, the time by when the Govemment proposes to computerize the entire system of PDS?

## AN SWE R

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR IIIIINISTRY  OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND coNsuMER AFFAIRS,  FOOD &  puBLtc  DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI  NIRANJAN JYOTD

- (a): No complaint regarding  the reakage and the diversion  of food grarns  in transportation by FCI has been received during the last three years.
- (b): Does not arise.
- (c) and (d): The Department of Food &  pubtic  Distribution has impremented a scheme on  rEnd-to-end  computerizafion of rargeted  public  Distribution system (TPDS) operationst to improve transparency in distribution of foodgrains  and to avoid leakage and diversion of foodgrains,  elimination  of fake and bogus ration cards, etc.

under this scheme,  ration cards database has been completery  dagrtized in all states and urs. Further, online a[ocation of foodgrains has been amplemented in all states/ UTs (except UTs of chandigarh  and  puducherry  which have adopted Direct Benefit rransfer scheme) and suppry chaln has been computerized  in 3{ states/ urs. Besides, automation of Fair  price  shops (Fp$) has also been done In all States/ urs by installing  4.93 lakh electronic  point  of sale (ePos) devices at the FPSs for dlstdbution of foodgrains in a transparent manner,

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1816 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: IN-SPACe
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Rita Bahuguna Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1816

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2021

## IN-SPACe

## 1816.  SHRIMATI RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken decision to create an independent body named 'Indian National Space Promotion  and  Authorization  Centre  (IN-SPACe)  to  give various  permissions/approvals  to  the  private  players  and startups in the country to take participation in the Space activities;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  fixed  some  timeline  to complete the creation of IN-SPACe;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  details  of  requests  received  from  various  private players in the current financial year to take participation in the Space activities?

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

- (a)
- Yes.
- (b) Government of India constituted Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) as  an  autonomous  agency  in  Department  of  Space (DOS) for enabling space activities as well as usage of DOS owned facilities by private entities.
- (c)

and the establishment of various directorates support the activities of IN-SPACe is under process.

- & (d) Constitution  of  IN-SPACe  Board  has  been  approved to
- (e) 24  companies  requested  for  support  from  IN-SPACe for their space activities in the current financial year.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1815 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: High Speed Internet in Rural Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Bhagwant Mann

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1815 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH  DECEMBER, 2021

## HIGH SPEED INTERNET IN RURAL AREAS

## 1815.   SHRI BHAGWANT MANN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the  Government  is  considering  to  provide  high  speed  internet  in  rural  areas  and  if  so,  the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has set any goal under the said policy and if so, the details thereof of Punjab including Sangrur and Barnala districts?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) & (b) BharatNet project is envisaged in all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages of the country  including  Punjab  to  provide  high  speed  internet/broadband  by  August,  2023.  As  on 01.11.2021, a total of 1,66,088 Gram Panchayats have been made service ready in the country with broadband infrastructure under BharatNet. In Punjab, out of 13,337 GPs, a total of 12,668 GPs have been made service ready including 577 in Sangrur and 152 in Barnala district.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1812 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Doubling of Rail Line in Bundelkhand
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: R.K. Singh Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1812 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## DOUBLING OF RAIL LINE IN BUNDELKHAND

†1812. SHRI R. K. SINGH PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the doubling of rail line is being undertaken from Jhasi division  and  Kanpur  division  to  Manikpur  junction  railway  station (North Central railways) in Bundelkhand;
- (b) if so, the time line fixed for this purpose; and
- (c) the complete details in this regard?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## ANSWER (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  1812  BY  SHRI  R.K  SINGH  PATEL  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  08.12.2021  REGARDING  DOUBLING  OF RAIL LINE IN BUNDELKHAND. (a) to (c) Railway Infrastructure projects are sanctioned Zonal Railwaywise and not Region-wise.  However, Railway has taken up doubling of Bhimsen-Jhansi (206 km) and  Doubling of Jhansi-Khairar-Manikpur and Khairar-Bhimsen (425 Km) in the area. Details of these projects are as below: Doubling of Jhansi-Khairar-Manikpur and Khairar-Bhimsen (425 Km) was sanctioned in Budget 2016-17.  Sanctioned cost of Project is ` 4330 Cr. Works  on  the  project  have  been  taken  up.    So  far  an  expenditure  of ` 60.61  Cr.  has  been  incurred  on  the  project  .  An  outlay  of ` 250  Cr. (Original Budget outlay ` 50 Cr and additional outlay of ` 200 Cr) has been provided for the project for financial year 2021-22. Doubling  of  Bhimsen  -  Jhansi  (206  Km)  was  sanctioned  in  2012-13. Sanctioned cost of project is ` 2204 crore.  So far an expenditure of ` 1711 Cr.  has  been  incurred  on  the  project.  An  outlay  of ` 457.94 Cr. (Original Budget  outlay ` 300  Cr  and  additional  outlay  of ` 157.94  Cr)  has  been provided  for  the  project  for  financial  year  2021-22.  105  Km  length  of Project  has  been  commissioned  upto  March  2021  and  Chaurah-Malasa (19.14  Km)  commissioned  in  September  2021.    Works  in  remaining section of the project have been taken up Completion  of  any  Railway  project/s  depends  on  various  factors  like quick  land  acquisition  by  State  Government,  forestry  clearance  by officials  of  forest  department,  shifting  of  infringing  utilities,  statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and topographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area of project/s site, number  of  working  months  in  a  year  for  particular  project  site  due  to climatic  conditions,  etc.    All  these  factors  vary  from  project  to  project and affect the completion time of the project/s. Nevertheless, Railways are making all efforts to complete these projects at the earliest.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1810 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Waterlogging in RUBs
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Rameshbhai Lavjibhai Dhaduk

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1810 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## WATERLOGGING IN RUBS

## †1810. SHRI RAMESHBHAI LAVJIBHAI DHADUK:

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

- (a) whether all  the  underpasses  at  all  the  railway  crossings  of  my Constituency  are  waterlogged  till  date  and  the  situation  is  same though there has been no rain for the past ten days and if so, the facts thereof;
- (b) whether  certain  obstacles  always  come  in  the  way  of  the drainage  work  by  the  Railways  causing  heavy  traffic  jam  in  the underpass  resulting  in  difficulties  to  the  commuters  and  if  so,  the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  designing  method  used  for  constructing  the  said underpass has been quite unsuccessful and the officials approving the said design do not seem to have proper knowledge of water drainage system  and  all  the  underpasses  have  been  constructed  without conducting proper testing and soil investigation by the railway officials; and
- (d) if so, the corrective steps proposed to be taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) & (b): In Porbander constituency of Hon'ble Member of Parliament, some of the Road Under Bridges (RUBs) are having problem of water logging where, suitable avenues for disposal of water is not available.

Hence,      the  problem  is  being  tackled  by  provision  of  pumping arrangement during the rainy season. (c) & (d):  Initially subways were constructed only at locations where high embankment  permitted  natural drainage. With experience subways were adopted as a techno-economic solutions for elimination of  Level  Crossings  (LCs)  (Primarily  UMLC)  which  provided  safe  and uninterrupted passage to road users.  Prior to 2018, the responsibility of    providing,  drainage  was  with  state  agencies.    However,  due  to complaints, Railways took over this responsibility afterwards. Railways  have  taken  several  remedial  measures  to  minimise  the problem  of  water  logging.  Adequate  drainage  arrangement  has  been made integral part of planning of new Road Under Bridge (RUB)/Subways. In existing RUB/subways feasible remedial measures like  water  flow  diversion  to  nearest  bridge  &  nallahs,  provision  of covered shed on approach roads, provision of hump at entry to Road under  Bridge  (RUB),  provision  of  cross  drains,  sealing  of  joints  etc. have been made as per site suitability. In addition, pumping arrangement has also been made in identified RUBs, to drain out water expeditiously in case of emergency.

*****