opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 518 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Withdrawal of Concessions
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 518

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## WITHDRAWAL OF CONCESSIONS

## 518. SHRI A. RAJA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the reasons for withdrawal of train travel concessions to various categories during the lockdown period;
- (b) whether demands have been raised for restoration of concessions to various categories including students;
- (c) if so, the response of the Government thereto; and
- (d) whether the Government would restore travel concessions which were  given  over  a  period  out  of  social  necessity  and  obligation even  when  less  than  12%  of  reserved  passengers  along  avail concessions and if so, the timeline by when it would be done?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d):  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 of  passengers  (except  4  categories  of  Divyangjan,  11 categories  of  Patients  and  Students)  have  been  withdrawn  from 20.03.2020  till  further  advice.  Representation/Request/Suggestions from  different  quarters  have  been  received  for  restoration  of  all concessions.  The matter has been examined but not found feasible.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 516 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Internet Service in Bihar
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Dulal Chandra Goswami

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 516 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 ST  DECEMBER, 2021

## INTERNET SERVICE IN BIHAR

516. SHRI DULAL CHAND GOSWAMI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is framing any concrete plan to enhance internet facility in rural areas of the country including Bihar;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to provide better internet facility in rural areas in the State of Bihar including Katihar district; and
- (d) the number of villages connected with internet in Katihar district till date?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Internet  facility  is  provided  in  rural  areas  by  the  Government  and  the  Telecom Service  Providers  (TSPs)  through  wireless  mobile  and  fixed  wireline  connections  in  phased manner. As per data provided by Telecom Service Providers and field units of Department of Telecommunications, it is estimated that out of 5,97,618 inhabited villages (as per Census 2011) in the country, mobile wireless coverage has been provided in 5,72,551 villages. In Bihar 38,828 inhabited villages have mobile internet coverage including 1306 in Katihar district.

In addition to this, in its endeavour to provide high speed internet/broadband connectivity, BharatNet project is envisaged in all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages of the country including Bihar. In Katihar district, out of 235 GPs, a total of 233 GPs have been made service ready.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 515 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: e-Commerce Sales
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 515. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 1 ST  DECEMBER, 2021.

## e-COMMERCE SALES

## 515. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य  एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the Government is aware that India's e-commerce sector has recorded its highest sales ever in the recent months and if so, the details and present status of e-commerce sector in India;
- (b) whether the  Government  has  assessed  the  total  estimated  revenue  earned through the e-commerce sector;
- (c) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and
- (d) the estimated number of jobs created in the e-commerce sector in the country, State/UT-wise?

## 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): As  per National  Association  of  Software  &  Services  Companies (NASSCOM), India's e-Commerce market has grown at Year on Year rate of 5 percent with estimated revenue of USD 56.6 billion in FY 2021.
- (b) to (d): No data regarding total estimated revenue through e-Commerce sector or number of jobs created in the e-Commerce sector is maintained.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 513 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Kisan Rails
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Jayadev Galla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 513 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## KISAN RAILS

513.   SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    the  classification  of  the  number  of  Kisan  Rails  Operational  in India, State-wise;
- (b)  whether the number of Kisan Rails is to be increased in the next financial year and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)    the  quantum  of  goods  transported  in  Kisan  Rails  categorised based on type of food produce, State-wise;
- (d)    the  details  of  food  produce  that  can  be  transported  via  Kisan Rails;
- (e)  whether there is a plan to diversify the list of items and if so, the details thereof;
- (f)   whether there were difficulties faced during the transportation of goods in Kisan Rails, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (g)  the measures taken to make the Kisan Rails more user friendly?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (g):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. ********

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (g)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 513 BY  SHRI JAYADEV GALLA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 01.12.2021 REGARDING KISAN RAILS (a) to (e): In compliance to the announcement made in Union Budget 2020-21, Kisan Rail trains have been introduced by Indian Railways to enable speedy movement of perishables including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fishery and dairy products from production or surplus regions to consumption or deficient regions.   Kisan Rail services are time tabled as well as demand based. Since  the  launch  of  first  Kisan  Rail  service  on  7 th   August  2020  and upto 19 th   November 2021, Indian Railway have operated 1,586 Kisan Rail services, transporting approximately 5.2 lakh tonnes of perishables  including  onion,  banana,  potato,  garlic,  pomegranate, oranges, capsicum, cabbage, cauliflower, and other fruits and vegetables.  These services have operated from the states of Andhra Pradesh,  Assam,  Gujarat,  Karnataka,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Potential circuits for movement of Kisan Rail services are identified in consultation  with  Ministry  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  and Agriculture/Animal Husbandry/Fisheries Departments of State Governments as well as local bodies and agencies,  Mandis etc., and based on demand, rakes are provided on priority for running of Kisan Rail services. (f) and  (g): So  far, no  difficulties  have  been  faced  during  the transportation of goods through Kisan rail services.  Halts, number of trips and composition of time-tabled Kisan Rail services and introduction of new services are finalized in consultation with farmers and consignors.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 512 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Ration Card for Free Grains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Karti P. Chidambaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## utNtsTRy OF CONSUTER AFFA|RS, FOOD &  puBl.tc  DtsTRtBUTtON DEPARTTENT  OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO.5I2 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 13I DECEilIBER, 202{

## RATION CARD FOR FREE GRAINS

## 5I2. SHRI XARTI P, CHIDAMBARAM:

will  the inister  of  coNsuMER  AFFATRS, FooD aND  puBl.rc DrarilBUTroN  5.Itffir arri, urc-rr Eitr grffir fud{ur  d.* be pleased  to state:

- (a) the reasons for the need of a ration card for obtaantng  the extra free 5 kg gralns  allocated by the Gentral Government  to the pooq
- (b)
- the rcasons for provrding free food greans  onry for a perrod  of two months; and
- (c) the reasons for non-extonslon  of the scheme  to the poor who did not havo ratlon cards?

## ANSUYER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINTSTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPTENT  AND GONSUTER AFFAIRS,  FOOD A PUBLIG I'ISTRIBUTTON (SADHVI  NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) (b) & (c): tn the wake of GOVlD.lg crisis in the country, the  pH\_cKAy scheme was started in Aprit 2o2o ro provide additionat fiee foodgrarns  to art  go Grore National  Food securlgr Act (NFSA)  beneficiaries ln the country anitially  for a perlod  of 3 months  from Apri! to June 2o2o. Later the schome was extended  for further period  of 5 months from Jury to November  2020. Further,  in 2021, the  piltGXAY scheme was resumed for a period  of another  7 months from lay to November 2o2l and further extonded upto l[arch 2022. Thus, under p -GKAY free foodgrains have been proyaded  to the beneficiaries  for a totar pedod  of {9 months (E  months in 2O2O and ll  months an 2O2l-221.

Further, as part of a separate  rellef measure under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme (4NBs)  the Department  had provided foodgrains  to alt states/UTs  for free of cost dastrabutaon  to migrants/stranded  migrants and alt those not havlng  NFSA or any state PDs ration cards, for a pedod of 2 months of May and June 2020. Thls was done as the lockdown was In operation  in the enttre country  at that tlme.

The need for the ration card for obtaining  th,e extra free 5 kg foodgrains allocated by the centrat Govemment to the poor is to ensuro rrghtfur targeting of the food security during the pandemic,  to about Eo Grore NFsa beneticraries  who have been adentified  as per noirns. The responsibiritxr  of idcntffication of erigibre beneflclaries and Issue of rafion cards under NFSA rests wlth the state/ur Govemments.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 511 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Kisan Rail
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dileshwar Kamait, Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 511 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## KISAN RAIL

†511. SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT: SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether trains that started to transport agro products such as fruits and  vegetables  from  one  place  to  another  as  announced  in  Budget
- speech are functioning satisfactorily in achieving the targets;
- (b)  if so, the status along with the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  any  such  trains  are  being  operated  in  Maharashtra  and Bihar; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (b):  Yes, Sir.  Since the launch of first Kisan Rail service on 7 th August  2020  and  upto  19 th   November  2021,  Indian  Railway  have operated 1,586 Kisan Rail services, transporting approximately 5.2 lakh tonnes of perishables including fruits and vegetables.
- (c)  to  (d):    Yes,  Sir.    In  Maharashtra,  Kisan  Rail  services  have  been operating  from  Devlali,  Sangola,  Aurangabad,  Kherwadi,  Lasalgaon, Niphad,  Nagarsol  and  Yeola  stations.    In  Bihar,  Danapur,  Muzaffarpur, Naughachhia, Chhapra, Fatuha, Jalalgarh, Motihari and Purnea stations have  been  the  destination/unloading  stations  for  Kisan  Rail  services originating from other parts of the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 510 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Railway Land on Lease
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sunita Duggal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 510 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## RAILWAY LAND ON LEASE

510.    SHRIMATI SUNITA DUGGAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details and duration of Railway land given to other agencies on lease for various use in Haryana, district-wise, zone-wise; (b) whether any demand has been received by Ministry of Railways to set-up any railway related projects on the land where lease term has  been  over  or  about  to  be  over  or  lease  contract  has  been terminated; (c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon; and (d) if not, the reason therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(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. 510 BY SHRIMATI SUNITA DUGGAL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 01.12.2021 REGARDING RAILWAY LAND ON LEASE (a) to (d):  Railway  provides  its  land  on  lease/license  basis  for execution of various infrastructural projects and Railways operations requiring development of ancillary logistic support/infrastructure such as bulk oil installations & oil depots, steel  yards,  concrete  sleeper  plants,  coal  dumps,  connectivities to private sidings/ ports and other logistic stacking plots, vending stalls  etc.  for  various  periods.  Also,  Railway  land  is  leased  to Government  Departments  for  public  utility  works  viz.  providing roads and widening of road alignment, construction of ROB/RUB, Metro  Railways  etc.  Such  lease/license  are  generally  renewable provided land is not required for Railways' own purpose. Lease/license  period  is  decided  based  on  the  requirement  of railway & lessee. Further, railway vacant land which is not required by Railways for its immediate operational needs is also leased for commercial/property development  in interim period  wherever feasible through Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 506 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Auction of 4G & 5G Spectrum
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: D. M. Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 506 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 ST  DECEMBER, 2021

## AUCTION OF 4G & 5G SPECTRUM

## 506. SHRI D.M. KATHIR ANAND:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  auctioned  the  4G  and  5G  spectrum  rights  for  telecom players  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  income  generated  through  4G  and  5G  spectrum auctions;
- (b) the  effective  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  for  sustainable  and judicious use of spectrum for effective communication and progress of the country;
- (c) whether  the  illegal  interception  and  misuse  of  Spectrum  has  affected  the  Government Communications, internet in the country; and
- (d) if so, the effective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Government has conducted auction of spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands in March, 2021.  In the auction,  bids  for 855.60 MHz spectrum with a total valuation of Rs. 77,820.82 were received. Spectrum acquired through auctions can be used by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) for deployment of any International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) technology, including 4G and 5G, as per their network/business plans.
- (b) Access spectrum to the Telecom Service Providers is provided through auction. Spectrum Sharing, Spectrum Trading and Liberalization have also been allowed by the Government to the Telecom Service Providers.
- (c) No case of illegal interception has come to notice. Any misuse of spectrum is taken care through regular spectrum monitoring and remedial action as necessary.
- (d) Not applicable in view of (c) above.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 505 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Food Wastage Index
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Asaduddin Owaisi

## Government of India Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 505

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## FOOD WASTAGE INDEX

## 505. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD  AND  PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  United  Nations  Environment  Programme  (UNEP)  has  recently  released  food  wastage Index Report 2021;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the percentage of food wastage globally and in India in particular;
- (d) whether it is a fact that 56 kgs of food is wasted per person per year in Indian homes as compared to 19% in 2019; and
- (e) if so, the steps taken or being taken by the Government to restrict food wastage in the country?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री अश्विनी क ु मार चौबे)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) & (b) : Yes Sir, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a Report titled 'Food Wastage Index Report 2021' in the month of March, 2021.

(c) to (e) : As per this report, household food waste estimate in India is 50 Kg/ capita/year   which is less than compared to many developed countries.

Government has carried out publicity campaigns through print and electronic media from time to time  to  sensitize  people  against  Food  Wastage.  In  addition,  States/UTs  were  advised  by  Central Government to include a chapter on prevention of food wastage in the school syllabi in order to inculcate awareness among young students and sensitize them on the subject.

Further, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has launched a social initiative known as 'Save Food Share Food' to help promote donation of surplus food and reduce food waste by integrating various  food  distribution  agencies  and  other  stakeholders.   FSSAI  has  also  notified  Food  Safety  and Standards (Recovery and Distribution of Surplus Food) Regulations, 2019 which specify the responsibilities  of  food  donors  and  surplus  food  distribution  organizations  so  that  the  donated  food remains safe for human consumption.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Restarting of BGML
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: S. Muniswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 502

ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## RESTARTING OF BGML

502.     SHRI S. MUNISWAMY:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  has  been  a  long-pending  demand  to  re-start  the  public  sector enterprise Bharat Gold Mines Limited in Kolar Karnataka and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has also conducted a feasiblility study for the same and yet to take a call on the matter and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  made  efforts  to  convince  the  court  and  re-start BGML at the earliest in the larger interest of the nation and the distressed employees of BGML and other facts and the possible rehabilitation of over one lakh families through direct or indirect employment once it re-starts; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and present status of the matter?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  Bharat Gold Mines limited (BGML) is a Public Sector Undertaking' incorporated in April  1972  under  the  administrative  control  of  Department  of  Mines  with  its  office  at Kolar  Gold  Fields  (KGF),  Karnataka.  Its  operation  were  closed  with  effect  from 01.03.2001 under Section 25(O) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 in terms of Ministry of Labour's order dated 29.01.2001. The order was challenged in Karnataka High Court. The  Division  Bench  of  Karnataka  High  Court  on  26.09.2003  upheld  the  closure  of BGML.  Ministry  keeps  receiving the  representations  of  ex-employees  of  BGML and  BGML ex-employees  associations some of which contains requests for its  revival too.
- (b):       Yes, Sir. A meeting was held to discuss the future course of action w.r.t. BGML wherein it was decided to explore options for BGML. This was needed to be preceded by  exploration  of  dumps  and  mining  area  to  assess  the  resources  and  Techno Economic Feasibility Study of the same. Accordingly, Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited ( MECL ) was assigned for exploration of dumps & two unmined blocks in KGF, MECL submitted its  report  in  2018.  MECL  has  also  done  exploration  in  Betraswamy block  of  BGML  and  submitted  its  report  in  March,  2021.  Further,  Non-Ferrous Technology  Development  Center  (NFTDC),  Hyderabad  was  assigned  for  Techno Economic  Feasibility  Study  (TEFS)  for  technology  for  extraction  of  gold  from  tailing dumps  of  BGML.  The  TEFS  report  of  NFTDC  has  been  received  in  January, 2021  Based on these reports Management Consultant has suggested that BGML does not look for operationalization on its own.
- (c):   No, Sir. In view of the reply given to (b) above.
- (d):   Does not arise in view of the reply given to (b) and (c) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 500 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Reduction of Posts
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 500 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## REDUCTION OF POSTS

## 500.  ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has reduced the posts for Recruitment to the Indian Railways during the last two years;
- (b) if so, the zone-wise details thereof;
- (c) whether the Railways is planning to close down any Railway Recruitment Board in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a): No, Sir.
- (b): Does not arise.
- (c) & (d): At  present,  there  is  no  proposal  to  close  down  any Railway Recruitment Board in the country.

*****