opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 350 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: e-PPO
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Nayab Singh, (Dr.) Ram Shankar Katheria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS' WELFARE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 350

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021)

## e-PPO

## †350. SHRI NAYAB SINGH: DR. RAM SHANKAR KATHERIA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding electronic Pension Payment Order (e-PPO);
- (b) the details of ease of living likely to be brought about by the said e-PPO in the lives of senior citizens; and
- (c) the extent to which the said e-PPO is likely to be convenient for the old pensioners?

## 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):  e-PPO  is  Pension  Payment  Order  in  digital  form.  e-PPO  has  been  made  possible  due  to digitization of Pension processing system (Bhavishya online system) and online transmission of data of retiree to all stakeholders involved in Pension processing such as Head of Office, Pay and Accounts  office,  Central  Pension  Accounting  Office.   This  avoids  manual  intervention  and speeds up the process of pension sanction. The e-PPO will be generated by the Pay and Accounts office  (PAOs)  and  transmission  in  electronic  form  to  banks  will  be  done  by  Central  Pension Accounting Office (CPAO).

The basic features of e-PPO are as under:

-  Makes  the  process  paperless  by  transferring  and  accepting  encrypted  data  from  one authority to another in electronic mode with e-signature/digital signature;
-  SMS/E-mail alerts at every stage of Pension processing to the retiree.
-  Issue of e-PPO authenticated by PAO through digital signature.
-  Retiree/pensioner  can  obtain  his  e-PPO  by  downloading  through  'Bhavishya'  portal  or alternately can get the same in his/her Digi Locker

(b)  &  (c):  In  order  to  enhance  Ease  of  Living  of  Central  Government  Civil  Pensioners,  the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) has integrated the electronic Pension Payment Order (e-PPO) with Digi  Locker. This system will enable any Pensioner to obtain a copy/print-out  of  his/her  PPO  from  his/her  Digi  Locker  account.  This  initiative  will  create  a permanent record of his PPO in his/her Digi  Locker and at the same time eliminate delays in reaching the PPO to new pensioners, as well as the necessity of handing over a physical copy. Thus, the pensioners will not have to face hardship in their old age in case their Pension Payment Order (PPO) is misplaced over a period of time.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 349 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Indians Stuck on Cargo Ships
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Asaduddin Owaisi, Sangamlal Kadedin Gupta, Ajay (Teni) Misra, Imtiaz Jaleel Syed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.349 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## INDIANS STUCK ON CARGO SHIPS

## 349.  SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI: SHRI SANGAM LAL GUPTA: SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISRA TENI: SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether 39 Indian crew members are stuck on cargo ships near Chinese ports for months together;
- (b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether   the   Indian   Government   has   taken   up   the   matter   with Chinese Government in this regard;
- (d) if so, the response of the Chinese Government thereon; and
- (e) the present position of these Indian crew members and the steps taken to bring them back home safely?

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

(a) to (e) 23 Indian crew members were on board an Indian ship MV Jag Anand, owned by The Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd., Mumbai. The ship was anchored near Jingtang port, People's Republic of China since 13 th  June, 2020. In addition, 16 Indian crew members are on board another ship MV Anastasia, operated by M/s MSC Crewing Services Private Ltd., Mumbai.   The   ship   is   on   anchorage   near   Caofeidian   port   in   People's Republic of China since 20 th   September, 2020.  The two ships could not offload their cargo and carry out crew rotation due to the strict regulations introduced   by   People's   Republic   of   China   in   view   of   the   COVID-19 pandemic.

The issue of early crew change has been taken up with the Chinese authorities both at the provincial level and with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our Ambassador in Beijing has also personally taken up this matter with the Vice Foreign Minister of People's Republic of China.

The Chinese side has conveyed that the shipping company/agent can apply for crew rotation from a different port and that the local authorities would examine the feasibility of such request. The owners of MV Jag Anand decided to undertake crew change in Chiba, Japan. The ship carried out crew change in Chiba, Japan on 18 January, 2021. All the 23 crew members who were on board MV Jag Anand have since arrived in India.

As regards MV Anastasia, our Embassy continues to be in touch with the Chinese authorities as well as the shipping company to work out the modalities of crew change at port at the earliest.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 348 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: SAFTA Licence
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: Gaurav Gogoi

## Government of India Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA Unstarred Question No. 348

To be Answered on

Wednesday, February 3, 2021/ Magha 14, 1942 (Saka)

## QUESTION SAFTA Licence

348.  SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:
2. Will the Minister of DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any plans to open a regional office to aid traders in procuring a SAFTA license in the north-eastern states; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  time-line  for  the  same  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and whether  the  Government has  taken  any  steps  to  simplify  or  create  awareness
3. (d) about the procedure of procuring a SAFTA licence and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr. Jitendra Singh]

- (a)  to (c) No, Sir.   Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issues licences for import/export of restricted items from all countries including SAFTA.  An application is required to be made online at http://dgftcom.nic.in/eComapplications.html. Furthermore, exports under  SAFTA  require  certification of country of origin by authorized agencies via DGFT's common digital platform for issuance of Certificates of Origin.

(d)  DGFT is implementing the Niryat Bandhu Scheme for mentoring new and potential outreach

- exporter on the intricacies of foreign trade counseling, training and programmes in the country, including North East.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Station Redevelopment Programme
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Rajeshbhai Naranbhai Chudasama

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 347 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## STATION REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

347. SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has issued revised strategy for its 'Station  Redevelopment  Programme'  after  interacting  with developers, investors and other stakeholders;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (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.347 BY SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA TO BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  03.02.2021  REGARDING  STATION REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (a) to (c): Yes, Sir. During various interactions with developers, investors and other stakeholders, various issues including longer lease period  for  commercially  developed  assets,  multiple  sub  leasing  and simplified bid procedures were raised. In response to the suggestions received from the developers, investors and other stakeholders, revised scheme for redevelopment of stations has been formulated.  Ministry of Railways,  through  various  agencies,  is  undertaking  techno-economic feasibility studies of Railway stations.  Based on the outcome of these feasibility  studies,  stations  are  being  taken  up  for  redevelopment  in phases,  especially  the  stations  located  in  major  cities,  pilgrimage centres and important tourist destinations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 345 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: FDI
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Ajay (Teni) Misra

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 345. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 3RD FEBRUARY, 2021.

FDI

## 345. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISRA TENI:

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

- (a)       whether the Government is taking concrete steps/ contemplating to increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country;
- (b)        if so, the State-wise details thereof;
- (c)        whether there is a need to further liberalise the existing FDI policy to increase the potential of FDI in the country; and
- (d)        if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् यवव द्योग म त्रालयमेंराज् यम त्रर(श्रर सोमप्रकाश) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a) & (b): To  promote  Foreign  Direct  Investment  (FDI),  the  Government  has put in place an investor-friendly and enabling policy, wherein many sectors are open for 100% FDI under the Automatic route. The intent is to make the FDI climate more investor friendly and remove the policy bottlenecks that have  been  hindering  investment  inflows  into  the  country.  FDI  policy reforms carried out by Government have resulted in increased FDI inflows. The  country  registered  its  highest  ever  FDI  Inflow  of  US  $74.39  billion (provisional figure) during the last financial year 2019-20
- (c) & (d): The  policy  on  FDI is reviewed on an ongoing basis, to ensure that India remains an attractive and investor friendly destination. Changes are made in  the  policy  after  rounds  of  intensive  consultations  with  all  stakeholders including apex industry chambers, associations, representatives of industries/groups  and  other  organizations  and  taking  into  consideration their views/comments and suggestions.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 344 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Competition in Telecom Markets
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Dulal Chandra Goswami, Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas, Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 344 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2021

## COMPETITION IN TELECOM MARKETS

†344.  SHRI DULAL CHAND GOSWAMI: SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS: SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  public  sector  telecom  companies  are  facing  intense  competition  from  private sector telecom companies in Indian telecom market and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  challenges  faced  by  the  telecom  companies  in  the  current  market  scenario  in  the country; and
- (c) the details of the schemes formulated by the Government to deal with the said challenges?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a)&(b) Yes Sir. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), the two public sector companies are facing intense competition in the mobile segment.  The competition in the Telecom sector has led to reduction in tariffs. However, BSNL and MTNL continue to have dominant position in the wireline segment.

In the current data based Indian telecom market where the private sector telecom companies are providing  4G  services,  BSNL  and  MTNL  are  providing  2G  and  3G  services  except  at  few locations where BSNL is providing 4G services on limited scale using its existing spectrum for 3G services.

- (c) The Government approved a revival plan for BSNL/MTNL on 23.10.2019.  The revival plan,  inter-alia  includes  reduction  in  employee  cost  through  a  Voluntary  Retirement  Scheme (VRS) for the employees of age 50 years and above, administrative allotment of spectrum for 4G services  with  funding  through  budgetary  allocation,  debt  restructuring  by  raising  of  sovereign guarantee  bonds,  monetisation  of  assets  to  generate  resources  to  retire  debt,  meet  CAPEX  and other  requirements  and  in-principle  approval  for  merger  of  BSNL  and  MTNL.    With  the implementation  of  these  revival  measures,  it  is  expected  that  BSNL  and  MTNL  will  become competitive, improve their customer base and enhance its market share.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Indigenously Developed Machine Pistol
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Lallu Singh, Pratima Bhoumik, Sunil Kumar Singh, Sudhakar Tukaram Shrangre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.343

TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd  February, 2021

## INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED MACHINE PISTOL

## 343. SHRI LALLU SINGH:

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

- (a)  whether  DRDO  and  the  Indian  Army  have  recently  developed  their  first  indigenous  9mm Machine pistol;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, and the time by which it is likely to be made available to the Indian Army; and
- (c) the extent to which this pistol is effective in comparison to foreign made pistol?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a) Yes, Sir.  First prototype 9mm carbine is developed by DRDO and Indian Army.
- (b)  Few prototypes will be available for evaluation by mid 2021.
- (c)  Then the evaluation and effectiveness trials and comparison will be conducted.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 342 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Misuse of Social Media
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: M. Selvaraj, S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 342

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 03-02-2021

## MISUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

## 342.   SHRI M. SELVARAJ:

Will the Minister of Electronics & Information Technology be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the senior officials of the Ministry have held any meeting with legal experts and  privacy  advocates  during  the  last  two  years  to  discuss  various  issues  related  to making social media safer and to govern social media platforms in the country;
- (b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has since taken any concrete and effective steps to check the misuse of social media by criminals and anti-national elements; and
- (d) if so, the details in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d):   Yes, Sir. The social media platforms are intermediaries under the Information Technology  (IT)  Act,  2000.  Ministry  of  Electronics  &  Information  Technology  (MeitY) had  proposed  to  amend  the  Information  Technology  (Intermediaries  Guidelines)  Rules, 2011 notified under section 79 of the IT Act, 2000. The proposed amendments to the said Rules  were  published  on  MeitY  website  on  24.12.2018  inviting  public  comments.  The proposed amendments were intensely debated in the electronic and print media.  In order to convey the perspectives of proposed amendments, a meeting was held with legal experts and  the  privacy  advocates  on  29.12.2018.    Based  on  this  discussions,  and  comments received through public consultation, the Rules are being finalised.

Further.  section  69A  of  the  IT  Act  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.

Government regularly interacts with social media platforms regarding the steps to be taken to make social media safer.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 341 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Online Dispute Resolution
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Prathap Simha, L.S. Tejasvi Surya

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 341 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 03 rd  FEBRUARY, 2021

## ONLINE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

## 341. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA: SHRI L. S. TEJASVI SURYA:

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

- (a)  whether the Government is intending to enact new legislation governing Online Dispute Resolution in India and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the existing legislation governing online dispute resolution as well as regular dispute resolution; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  taking  steps  to  spread  awareness  regarding Online Dispute Resolution and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (c): Currently, Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) is not governed by any legislation.  As  far  as  alternate  dispute  resolution  mechanism  is  concerned,  at present arbitration and conciliation is governed by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. As far as mediation is concerned, there is no stand-alone law on mediation. However, the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 provides for PreInstitution  Mediation  and  Settlement  Mechanism  (PIMS)  in  all  commercial cases wherein no urgent relief is contemplated.

In order to create an effective implementation framework for ODR in India, NITI Aayog in June 2020, had set up a Committee under the Chairmanship of

Justice A.K.Sikri, Retired Judge, Supreme Court of India to develop an action plan  that  can  aid  in  mainstreaming  ODR  and  thus  promote  access  to  justice through ODR. The  Committee  has  placed    the  first  draft  of  the  report  in public domain in November 2020, which also contain steps to spread awareness like running a comprehensive campaign utilising multimedia platforms to guide the public on the ways to use ODR processes, leverage social media presence to highlight ODR success stories to encourage people to adopt ODR etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 340 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Allocation of Funds under Startups India Seed Fund
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: John Barla, (Dr.) Ram Shankar Katheria, Nayab Singh

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 340. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 3RD FEBRUARY, 2021.

## ALLOCATION OF FUNDS UNDER STARTUPS INDIA SEED FUND

340.   SHRI JOHN BARLA: SHRI NAYAB SINGH: DR. RAM SHANKAR KATHERIA:

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

- (a)       the  funds  allocated  by  the  Government  to  promote  startups  under  startups India  Seed Fund;
- (b)       the details of the upcoming programmes under the startup India Seed Fund;
- (c)      whether the Government has plans to make startups more convenient to rural people;     and
- (d)      if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् यवव द्योग म त्रालयमेंराज् यम त्रर(श्रर सोमप्रकाश) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a)&(b) : Sir,  the  scheme  has  been  approved  for  the  period  of  next  4  years starting from 2021-22 with total budgetary provision of Rs. 945 Crore. It will be implemented with effect from 1 st April 2021.
- (c)&(d) : All initiatives under the Startup India are inclusive and are implemented across States, cities, towns and rural areas. The result is that now 30 States and Union Territories have specific policies to support startups. All  States  and  UTs  in  India  have  at  least  one  startup.  The  latest addition  to  this  list  is  Lakshadweep  where  the  first  startup  was recognized  in  February,  2020.   More  than  42,000  startups  are  now recognized from more than 590 districts across the country. About 55% of  startups  are  from  Tier-1  cities  and  45%  are  from  other  cities  and towns.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 338 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Anti-Access Area Denial Capabilities
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.338

TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd  February, 2021

## ANTI-ACCESS AREA DENIAL CAPABILITIES

## 338. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to develop Anti-Access Area Denial capabilities to prevent any future build-up of Chinese forces in Tibet and neutralize any threat from Pakistan;
- (b) if so, the steps taken/to be taken by the Government in this direction;
- (c) whether the Government has any plans to explore the option of converting the QUAD or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue from a mere security dialogue to a security alliance followed by QUAD; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a)  &  (b):    Indian  Army  is  conscious  of  the  threats  manifesting  along  our  borders  and  all measures as deemed necessary are being taken to mitigate the same.
- (c) & (d):  Under QUAD framework, India has undertaken consultations with Australia, Japan and the United States of America on regional and global issues of common interest.  The QUAD partners share a commitment towards a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region based on shared values and principles and respect for international law.

QUAD  framework  have  provided  a  platform  for  exchange  of  views  on  regional  and global  issues  of  common  interest.    There  is  focus  on  practical  cooperation  in  the  areas  of connectivity  and  infrastructure  development,  and  counter-terrorism,  cyber  security,  maritime security,  humanitarian    and  disaster  relief,  with  the  objective  of  promoting  peace,  security, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected Indo-Pacific region.

*****