opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 346 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Ban Students Forum
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KURUPPASSERY VARKEY THOMAS

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 346**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015**

**Ban Students' Forum**

346. 	PROF. K.V. THOMAS:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras has banned a students' forum on certain allegations;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof; and

(c) 	the steps taken to revive the same?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)**

(a) to (c) : Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC), one of the many student organizations in IIT Madras, is an independent student body. These independent student bodies are required to be registered with the Office of the Dean of Students and follow the guidelines prescribed by the Board of Students, comprising elected student representatives. The APSC too is registered with the Dean of Students and is also required to follow the prescribed guidelines. However, while conducting a meeting in the Institute, the APSC issued pamphlets and put up posters publicly, using name of IIT Madras, without prior approval of the competent authority, which was in violation of the prescribed guidelines.  The registration granted to APSC was withheld temporarily and the APSC was directed to present its position. Pursuant to a meeting held between IIT Madras authorities and the APSC representatives, the recognition of APSC as an independent student body has been restored.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 344 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Launch of SAARC Satellite
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI, OM PRAKASH YADAV, PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU, INNOCENT, ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 344

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

## LAUNCH OF SAARC SATELLITE

344. SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI:

SHRI OM PRAKASH YADAV:

SHRI P.K. BIJU:

SHRI INNOCENT:

SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- a) whether  Government  is  generating  any  income  through various satellites launch missions conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and through the launching  of  satellites  of  foreign  countries  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- b) the future course of action plan in this regard;
- c) whether the Government is contemplating to launch satellite  project  of  South  Asian  Association  for  Regional Cooperation countries;
- d) if so, the details and objectives thereof; and
5. e)
6. the cost sharing model for launching of the satellites?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

## (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) Government,  through  Antrix  Corporation  Limited  (Antrix), the commercial arm of Department of Space, is generating income through launching of satellites of foreign countries on-board ISRO's launch vehicle.  Till date, 45 satellites from 19 countries have been successfully launched using ISRO's Polar  Satellite  Launch  Vehicle  (PSLV),  under  commercial arrangement. The total income earned through launching of these satellites of foreign countries amounts to approximately  17  Million  USD  and  78.5  Million  Euros.  The launch  missions  conducted  by  ISRO  for  launching  Indian satellites are intended for National development.
- (b) Antrix has signed agreements for launching 28 more foreign satellites  from  6  countries  viz.,  Algeria  (3),  Canada  (4), Germany (4), Indonesia (2), Singapore (6) and USA (9).  The launches  of  these  foreign  satellites  are  envisaged  during 2015-2017  time  period.    Further,  discussions  with  foreign agencies/companies are ongoing for providing launch services  to  their  satellites  on-board  ISRO's  Polar  Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
- (c) Yes Madam.

- (d) Government is planning to provide space based systems for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries. The  objective  of  this  satellite  project  is  to  develop  a satellite  for  SAARC  region  that  enables  a  full  range  of applications and services to all our neighbours in the areas of  telecommunication  and  broadcasting  applications  viz. Television, Direct-to-Home (DTH), Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs), Tele-education, Telemedicine and Disaster Management.
- (e) While the cost towards building and launching the satellite will  be  met  by  Government  of  India,  cost  towards  ground systems  are  expected  to  be  sourced  by  the  respective SAARC countries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Performance related Incentive Schemes
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT, SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 343**

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015)

**PERFORMANCE RELATED INCENTIVE SCHEMES**

**343. 	SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:**

**SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI:**

Will the **PRIME MINISTER** be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Government has implemented Performance Related Incentive Scheme 	(PRIS) for civil servants as recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof and the salient features of the scheme;

(c) 	whether the Government has sought suggestions from various quarters including 	employees unions in this regard;

(d) 	if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) 	the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to address the anxiety of employees 	on implementation of the scheme?

**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) and (b): Government of India has accepted in principle the recommendation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission for introduction of a Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) in the form of pecuniary benefit over and above the regular salary, based on the targeted performance and performance parameters, out of the Non-Plan budgetary savings, for the Central Government employees.

(c) and (d): Before accepting the recommendations of the 6 th CPC by the Cabinet and resolved vide Notification No.304 dated August, 29, 2008, all stakeholders, including employees’ unions, were consulted by the Government.

(e): 	Does not arise as Government has not implemented the scheme.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 342 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Vacation of Spectrum
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, KAMAL NATH, K. MARAGATHAM

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY**

**DEPARTMENT OFTELECOMMUNICATIONS**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.342**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 22** **ND** **JULY, 2015**

**VACATION OF SPECTRUM**

**342. 	SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:**

**SHRI KAMAL NATH:**

**SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:**

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether nearly 450 MHz of spectrum in various bands are lying with many Government agencies;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof and the losses suffered by the exchequer as a result of unused spectrum;

(c) 	whether the Cellular Operators Association of India has requested to the Government to vacate the unused spectrum lying with these Government agencies; and

(d)	 if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to vacate the spectrum and reallocate the same?

ANSWER

**THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY**

**(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)**

(a) & (b)	 The Frequency spectrum bands harmonised for telecom services were historically used by  various Government agencies. The vacation of spectrum, being used by Government agencies, is a continuous process and has time and attendant implications.

(c) & (d)	 Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has requested the Government in November, 2014 for requirement of adequate spectrum for fair auction.  In its letter COAI has mentioned, among other, that availability of spectrum has to be ensured in globally harmonised bands 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz.   Available access spectrum for telecom services in different frequency bands is being put for auction from time to time. Auction of spectrum in 2100, MHz, 1800 MHz, 900 MHz and 800 MHz bands was conducted during March, 2015. The total quantum of 470.75 MHz spectrum in these bands was put for auction in March, 2015. Out of 470.75 MHz spectrum put for auction, 418.05 MHz was sold.
Lok Sabha Question No. 335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Recruitment of Subject Specific Experts
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ANANDRAO  ADSUL, KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA, ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER, G. HARI, Shrirang Appa Barne, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, BHAGWANTH KHUBA, CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI, ASADUDDIN OWAISI, DHARMENDRA YADAV, GEETHA KOTHAPALLI, P.P. CHAUDHARY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.335

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015

RECRUITMENT OF SUBJECT SPECIFIC EXPERTS

335.		SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRIMATI KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA:

SHRI ELUMALAI V.:

SHRI G. HARI:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA:

SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

1. whether her Ministry is going to recruit people from private sector and academia to man various offices of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA);
2. if so, the details thereof including the criteria, tenure, financial implication fixed for the purpose;
3. whether MEA is facing shortage of officers to man its missions and offices;
4. if so, the details thereof and the idea behind recruiting persons from private sector and academia; and
5. the extent to which this step of the Government is likely to help its offices and missions abroad professionally?

#### ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

1. The Ministry of External Affairs has initiated selection of Consultants from the private sector and academia to work as International Relations Experts in the Policy Planning and Research Division.

1. Applications have been invited from individuals through an open advertisement. The tenure of such engagement would normally be three years and the remuneration will be in accordance with the General Financial Rules 2005 of the Government of India.

(c) & (d) 	The proposal to engage Consultants from the private sector and academia is with the objective of bringing in identified expertise relevant to the mandate of Policy Planning and Research Division of the Ministry.

(e)   This step is expected to bring in additional expertise to the Ministry and strengthen the policy planning and research related work of the Ministry.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 334 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: IGNOU Degree Holders
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: HARI MANJHI, MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. †334

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 nd JULY, 2015

**IGNOU Degree**

†334.   SHRI HARI MANJHI:

SHRIMATI MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether the degrees in various subjects such as MBA, BCA, MCA etc. obtained through distance education in Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) are valid for securing jobs in various Ministries of the Union Government; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

**(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)**

(a) & (b):  Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) vide its Notification No. 44 dated 1 st March, 1995 has already clarified that the qualifications awarded through distance education by the Universities established by an Act of Parliament or State legislature, Institutions Deemed to be Universities under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956 and Institutions of National Importance declared under an Act of Parliament stand automatically recognized for the purpose of employment to posts and services under the Central Government provided it has been approved by Distance Education Council (DEC-erstwhile) and wherever necessary by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Further, upon the dissolution of erstwhile DEC w.e.f. 1 st May, 2013, the regulatory powers have been entrusted to UGC for Open & Distance education in higher education system in the country. The Notification No. 44 has accordingly been modified stating that the qualifications awarded through distance education by the above mentioned Universities/Institutions stand automatically recognized for the purpose of employment to posts and services under the Central Government provided they have been approved by the UGC.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 333 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Teaching of Foreign Languages in Schools
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: VINCENT H PALA

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 333**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015**

**TEACHING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES IN SCHOOLS**

**333. 	SHRI VINCENT H. PALA :**

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Government has made teaching any foreign language compulsory in 	schools;

(b)	if so, the details thereof;

(c)	whether there were protests from the teaching and student community against compulsory teaching of German in schools; and

(d)	if so, the details of such protests and the way the same were dealt with ?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)	No, Madam.

(b) 	Does not arise.

(c)	No Madam.

(d) 	Does not arise.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Scholarship at Secondary Level
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: VIRENDRA  KUMAR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

**LOK SABHA**

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 332

TO BE ANSWERED ON  22-07-2015

**Scholarship at Secondary Level**

†332. DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the rates of scholarships at the  secondary level are very low;

(b)  if so,  whether  the Government  proposes to increase the same;

(c)  if so, the details thereof; and

(d)  the action taken by the Government in this regard?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF  HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**( SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI )**

(a) to ( d) The Ministry of Human Resource Development  has launched a centrally sponsored  National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme in  2008-09 for providing scholarships          @  ` 6000 per year to 1 lakh new students from class IX onwards which is continued upto class XII  subject to fulfillment of certain conditions.  As per the scheme those  students studying as regular students in class VIII in Government, local body and Government-aided schools and whose parental income from all sources is upto  ` 1.5 lakh per annum are entitled to appear in the selection test under the scheme.  The amount of scholarship is deposited directly into the accounts of selected students on quarterly basis by the State Bank of India.   There is no proposal  at present to increase the scholarship amount.

……
Lok Sabha Question No. 331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Seats in NITs
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.331**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015**

**Seats in NITs**

**331. SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY:**

Will the Minister of **HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT** be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Government has increased seats in National Institutes of Technology (NITs) all over the country; and

(b) 	if so, the details and the present status thereof along with the actual demand of each State?

**A N S W E R**

**MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)**

(a) to (b) :	The National Institutes of Technology (NITs) are autonomous Institutions of national importance governed by the provisions of the National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (NITSER) Act, 2007 and the First Statutes framed under the Act. The seats in NITs have marginally increased due to starting of new programmes at both under graduate and post graduate levels.

As per provisions contained under the NITSER Act, 2007 and the First Statutes, the Senate of the respective Institution has the control and general regulations over the academic affairs of the Institute. The Senate in each of the Institute is to periodically review the activities of the Departments or Centres and to make suitable recommendations to the Board of Governors of the Institute with regard to creation or restructuring of its Departments or Programmes or Centres and the abolition of existing Departments or Centres thereof.

*-*-*-*-*
Lok Sabha Question No. 329 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Indians held Hostage in Iraq
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SANTOKH SINGH CHAUDHARY, T.G. VENKATESH BABU

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.329

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015

INDIANS HELD HOSTAGE IN IRAQ

329.		SHRI SANTOKH SINGH CHAUDHARY:

SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

1. whether the Union Government has sought any status report about the Indians including persons from Punjab held hostage by the ISIS in Iraq;
2. if so, the details in this regard; and
3. the steps being taken to secure their release?
#### 

#### ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) to (c)	The safety and security of Indian nationals held captive by the ISIS in Mosul, Iraq, remain a matter of foremost concern and preoccupation for the Government of India. The Government of India is in close and regular contact with relevant Iraqi Government authorities to obtain information on their whereabouts and safety. As per latest information from multiple third party sources, they are all safe. The Government is making all efforts and taking all steps to secure their release.

Among the steps taken to secure their release, External Affairs Minister has personally spoken to her counterpart Foreign Ministers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as well as other friendly countries in the region to assist in locating Indian nationals held captive in Iraq.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 326 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Skill India Programme
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: MANOJ RAJORIA

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 326**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015**

**SKILL INDIA PROGRAMME**

**QUESTION**

**326. 	DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:**

Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

1. the broad features of the plan for making skillful India;
2. the details of fund/corpus required/outlayed for this programme;
3. the number of skilled workers likely to be produced in next five years;
4. whether the job oriented skills are likely to be taught; and
5. if so, the details thereof along with the role of private sector for Skill India Programme?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP**

**(SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)**

(a) to (e)	As an effort to align the skill development initiatives with the incremental human resource requirement, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) has been launched by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The scheme has an outlay of Rs. 1,500 crore, with a target to cover 24 lakh persons within next one year, under skill training (including 10 lakh under Recognition of Prior Learning).

To promote private training providers across the Country, Government has set up National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) as a Public Private Partnership entity. As on 31 st March, 2015, the 209 NSDC approved partners, have 3611 operational training centres, including 843 mobile centres with coverage across 28 states and 5 UTs in 497 districts across India. The NSDC has approved 37 industry led bodies called Sector Skill Councils (SSCs)to promote industry/employer participation. Various kinds of training is imparted by NSDC training providers based on the 1319 Qualification Packs (QPs) and 6625 National Occupation Standards (NOSs) developed by the respective Sector Skill Councils. The trainings under PMKVY is also based on their NOSs/QPs developed by SSCs, which as mentioned above are industry led bodies.

Further, the industry including in private sector is being increasingly involved in running of Government ITIs through Institute Management Committees (IMCs), which are chaired by Industry partners.

*****