opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Forecasting of Natural Disasters
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

- (a)
- Yes Madam.
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is carrying out the  following  pilot  projects  in  the  Himalayan  region  on experimental  basis  to  develop  methodology  for  enabling
- (b) forewarning of natural disasters.
- i.
- Heavy  Rainfall/  cloud  burst  alerts  for  western  Himalaya: Space Applications Centre (SAC) of ISRO has developed a model, for heavy rainfall / cloud burst alerts, which is being experimentally  carried  out  for  Uttarakhand  and  Himachal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3165

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

## FORECASTING OF NATURAL DISASTERS

3165. SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
2. (a) whether  any  pilot  project  is  running  or  is  proposed  in  the country  especially  in  the  Himalayan  regions  to  develop technology for forecasting natural disasters by Indian Space Research Organisation; and
3. (b)
4. if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

Pradesh  regions.  The  information  is  made  available  on ISRO's MOSDAC (Meteorological & Oceanographic Satellite Data Archival Centre) website.

- ii. Rainfall triggered landslide alerts for the Uttarakhand Region:  An  experimental  early  warning  system  for  rainfall triggered landslides is developed for use along the pilgrimage  route  corridors  leading  to  Gangotri,  Badrinath and Kedarnath as well as along the Pithoragarh-Malpa route in Uttarakhand. The forewarning is generated based on the statistical relation between the terrain (geological, morphological)  and  temporal  (primarily  long  term  rainfall events) factors.
- iii. Flood  Early  Warning  System  for  Assam  State:  The  North Eastern  Space  Applications  Centre  (NESAC)  of  ISRO  has developed  the  Flood  Early  Warning  System  (FLEWS)  as  a Research & Development (R&D) project in Assam State in association with Assam State Disaster Management Authority  (ASDMA).  FLEWS,  is  a  terrain-specific  model, which employs satellite based inputs, in-situ data on rainfall and  river  discharge  data  at  critical  locations  to  provide advance information on flood events as an input to disaster preparedness.  The  FLEWS  model  is  being  used  in  all  25 flood prone districts of Assam.
- iv. Snow-melt  run-off:    ISRO  has  developed  snow  melt  runoff models for Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Yamuna, Sutlej, Beas and Chenab basins to provide information on short-term (16 day) snow melt runoff during summer months i.e. April to June.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Launch of New Railway Projects
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ARJUN RAM  MEGHWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3164 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## LAUNCH OF NEW RAILWAY PROJECTS

## +3164. SHRI ARJUN MEGHWAL :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  launch  any  new  railway project to cater to the increasing passenger footfall;
- (b) if so, the details of the said railway projects;
- (c) whether the Government is taking any steps for expansion of railway amenities and operation of new trains; and
- (d) if  so,  the  names  of  the  States  in  which  the  Government  proposes  to introduce new trains?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) to (d): Augmentation of capacity is an ongoing continuous process in the form  of  construction  of  Double  Line,  New  Line,  Gauge  Conversion,  Traffic Facility  works  like  new  terminal,  augmentation  of  existing  terminals  etc. Similarly, introduction of new trains, augmentation of trains as per demand and operational feasibility is also an ongoing activity. Indian Railways do not run  new  trains  services  on  State-wise  basis  as  railway  network  and  train operations  between  originating  and  terminating  stations  on  various  Zonal Railways cut across State boundaries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Science Festival
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3163 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16/03/2016

## SCIENCE FESTIVAL

3163. SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

(a) whether a five  day science festival was held at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi and over 240 projects were showcased therein; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response received and the steps being taken to organise such expos in some other cities also?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY) òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó (gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

( a) Yes, Madam. The India International Science Festival (IISF-2015) was organized at the Indian  Institute  of  Technology  (IIT),  Delhi  during  December  04-08,  2015.  Various  events organized during the IISF 2015 were:

- (i) Young Scientists' Conference (ii) Industry Academia Conclave (iii) National  Level  Exhibition  and  Project  Competition  (NLEPC)  under  'INSPIRE' Programme of DST (iv) Science Film Festival (v) Largest Practical Science Laboratory Demonstration
- (vi) Techno-Industry Expo
- (b) The 5th NLEPC under the INSPIRE Award Scheme was organized by the Department of Science & Technology at IIT-Delhi during December 6-7, 2015 along with India International Science Festival.  699 selected INSPIRE awardees from all over the country participated and showcased their projects / models during the event. These INSPIRE awardees were from amongst the 15000 awardees who had participated in the State-Level Competitions organized by various States/UTs  after  the  District-Level  Competitions  in  which  about  2  lakh  awardees  had participated. The 699 projects were evaluated by a high-level jury and the best 60 projects were chosen.  The  top  3  projects  were  given  National  Awards  and  the  remaining  57  were  given Appreciation Awards.

The overall response to IISF-2015 was positive and encouraging.

The Techno-Industry Expo was organized in self-financing mode by Vijnana Bharati, a non-governmental body engaged in science outreach activities. This was a concept thought of by them. No decision has been taken to organize such expos in other cities.

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Scientific Institutions
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: VISHNU DAYAL RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3162 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16/03/2016

## SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS

## †3162. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of scientific institutions operational in the country at present, State/ UT-wise;

- (b) whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  increase  the  number  of  said institutions;

- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  State  and  city-wise  along  with  the  details  of  funds allocated for the purpose;

- (d) whether any proposal of interconnecting these institutions to collect their data and information at one place is lying pending with the Ministry; and

- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó (gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

- (a) The number of scientific institutions which are operational in the country at present, State/UT-wise is given at Annex.

- (b) No, Madam.

- (c) Does not arise.

- (d) No, Madam.

- (e) Does not arise.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Freight Corridor
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 3161 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## FREIGHT CORRIDOR

Ϯ 3161. SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  review  of  freight corridor projects recently; and
- (b) if so, the outcomes of the review?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  &  (b):  Progress  of  the  Dedicated  Freight  Corridor  (DFC)  Project  is regularly reviewed. As a result of the reviews, critical issues affecting work  such  as  land  acquisition,  forestry  clearance  and  contract  award etc. are identified and taken up.

The project is on course for phased commissioning by 2019.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Footover Bridge at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3160 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## FOOTOVER BRIDGE AT STATIONS

†3160. SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  there  is  no  railway  footover  bridge  at  Rai/Khelari Railway station of Ranchi thereby the passengers  meet  with accidents  while  crossing  the  railway  lines  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (c)  the  steps  taken  to  construct  a  foot  over  bridge  at  the  said railway station?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  to  (c):  There  is  no  station  having  name  as  Rai.  However,  there exists  a  station  having  name  as  Ray  in  Ranchi  District.  One  Foot Over Bridge (FOB) is already available at Ray & Khelari stations for inter platform transfer of passengers.

The  provision  of  FOB  across  the  track  can  be  considered  on deposit  term  subject  to  State  Government  agreeing  to  bear  the entire cost of construction and maintenance.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Encroachment of Parking Sites
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3159

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## ENCROACHMENT OF PARKING SITES

3159. DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  received  any  complaints  regarding construction of illegal godowns over the land notified as parking lots for the passengers at railway stations across the country;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Railways  has  conducted  an  inquiry  into  the  matter and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof; and
- (d)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Railways  to  check  such encroachments  at  the  parking  sites  provided  at  railway  stations  for the passengers?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ( SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- ( a)  to  (d):  Complaints  related  to  encroachments  are  received  by Railways  at  various  levels  i.e.  Railway  Board,  Zonal  Railways  and Divisional  Headquarters,  etc.  As  receipt  of  such  complaints  is  a continuous  process, centralized data of such  complaints  is not maintained. However, as per record available in Ministry of Railways, no such complaints have been received in recent past.

To check encroachments, Railways carry out regular surveys of encroachment and take action for their removal.  If the encroachments

Are of temporary nature (soft encroachment) in the  shape  of jhuggies, jhopries and squatters, the same are got removed in consultation and with  the  assistance  of  Railway  Protection  Force  and  local  civil authorities.    For  old  encroachments, where party is  not amenable to persuasion, action is taken under Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971 (PPE Act, 1971) as amended from time to time. Actual eviction of unauthorized occupants is carried out with the assistance of State Government and Police.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3155 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Budget Share of Karnataka
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3155 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## BUDGET SHARE OF KARNATAKA

## 3155. KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Karnataka  has got the  minimum  share  in Railway Budget 2016-17 in comparison to the last three years; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b): Funds to the construction projects are not allotted State-wise. Allocation of funds to a particular project depends on stage of the project, overall availability of funds & competing priorities. Accordingly, funds allotted for the projects  falling  fully/partly  in  the  State  of  Karnataka  during 2016-17  are  more  than  previous  three  years  and  considered sufficient to progress the works planned during the year.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Skilled Workforce
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: C.S. PUTTARAJU, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3154

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016 SKILLED WORKFORCE

## 3154. SHRI C.S. PUTTA RAJU: SHRI S. P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

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

- (a) whether the  Government has  conducted any  study  of  the  best  international practices followed for skill development globally and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  signed  any  Memorandum  of  Understanding (MoU) for skill development with any other country; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the salient features of the MoU?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

(a) to (c) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has not conducted study as such. However, Ministry has been in engagement globally with Germany, UK, China etc. to understand international best practices followed for skill development and mutual collaboration in the sphere of skill development. Ministry of Skill  Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has signed MoUs with Germany, UK, and China, to scale up apprenticeships support, training of trainees, curriculum development, ensure benchmarking of standards and create Centres of Excellence for  skill training across the country. In addition, a Letter of Intent has been signed with the National Qualifications Authority, United Arab Emirates (UAE), focused on mutual  recognition  of  qualifications,  to  provide  Indians  opportunities  for  overseas employment.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3153 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Rail Hostesses on Semi-High Speed Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3153 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## RAIL HOSTESSES ON SEMI-HIGH SPEED TRAINS

3153. SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Railways has any proposal to employ Rail Hostesses on Semi-High Speed Trains such as Gatimaan Express plying between New Delhi and Agra;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether  the  Railways  has  any proposal  to  introduce  such  Semi-High Speed  Trains  on  any  other  routes  particularly  between  New  Delhi  and Chennai and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b): Railways have decided to provide upgraded services to the new series of semi-high speed trains including Gatimaan Express, which has been proposed to ply between New Delhi and Agra. As announced during Rail Budget, 2016, these new trains will have upgraded on-board services like entertainment, local cuisine, Wi-Fi etc. through one service provider for ensuring accountability and improved customer satisfaction.

(c):  At present, there is no proposal to introduce such Semi-High Speed trains on any other route including New Delhi and Chennai route.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Hospitals/Dispensaries by Railway
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: TAMRADHWAJ SAHU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3152 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## HOSPITALS/DISPENSARIES BY RAILWAY

†3152. SHRI TAMRADHWAJ SAHU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of hospitals and dispensaries set up by the Railways in the country including Chhattisgarh during the last three years and the current year, zone-wise;

(b) whether the Railways proposes to set up more dispensaries in the country especially in Chhattisgarh;

(c) if so, the details and the present status thereof;

(d) whether any Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by the Railways with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for setting up health care facilities on vacant railway land; and

(e)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  present  status  of  the proposal and the time-frame fixed for operationalisation of health care facilities for the benefit of railway employees?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) : A Health Unit at Chandigarh over Northern Railway has been set up during this period.

(b) & (c): Approval of competent authority has been communicated for setting up of a Health Unit at Katra over Northern Railway.

(d)  &  (e):  A  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MOU)  for  setting  up  of health care facilities on Railway land not in use near Railway stations and  terminals,  was  signed  between  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family Welfare  (MOH&FW)  and  Ministry  of  Railway  on  05.02.2010  in  which MOH&FW was to develop health care infrastructure for general public. However, MOH&FW has now advised that since the health is a State subject, establishment of health care facilities even on Railway land would need the State Government participation, hence they have not agreed to carry out the same. Railway is already providing health care facilities to their employees both serving and retired and their eligible dependants through its own set up and there is no need for Railways to set up any more new health care infrastructure. In the light of the above  a  proposal  for  dropping  the  proposal  for  setting  up  of  health care  facilities  on  Railway  land  not  in  use  near  Railway  stations  and terminals  to  be  developed  by  MOH&FW,  has  been  submitted  to  the competent authority for decision.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3147 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Vacant Houses
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: ARKA KESHARI DEO, KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL, BHARAT SINGH, PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL, GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3147 TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 16, 2016

## VACANT HOUSES

No. 3147

SHRI ARKA KESHARI DEO:

SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

SHRI BHARAT SINGH:

SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL:

SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether several housing units that came up in the country between 2010 and 2015 are lying vacant;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to address the issue?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

## (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a): Out  of  13,92,589  houses  approved  under  Basic  Services  to  Urban  Poor (BSUP)  and  Integrated  Housing  for  Slum  Development  Programme  (IHSDP) components of Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and Rajiv Awas  Yojana  (RAY),  construction  of  10,02,382  houses  was  completed  till 31.12.2015.   Out of this, construction of 7,32,734 houses was completed during 2010-15. Of the 10,02,382 completed houses, 7,87,300 houses were occupied by beneficiaries uptil 31 st December 2015.

Contd…/2

-2-

(b)  &  (c):      Allotment  of  houses  constructed  under  these  schemes  is  the responsibility  of  the  State/UT  Governments  concerned.  Some  of  the  houses built under these schemes are lying vacant due to reluctance of slum dwellers to shift, lack of/incomplete basic infrastructure and livelihood sources etc.

The Ministry reviews status of ongoing projects under these schemes through Quarterly and Monthly Progress Reports, in the meetings of Central Sanctioning and  Monitoring  Committee  (CSMC)  and  review  meetings  at  the  level  of Secretary  (HUPA).  Through  these  reviews,  State/UT  governments  have  been advised  to  complete  the  ongoing  projects  as  early  as  possible  within  the extended  period  of  JNNURM  i.e.  by  31.03.2017,  submit  plan  of  action  for completion  of  ongoing  projects,  plan  for  100%  occupancy  and  submit  the project completion certificates.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3144 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Poor Quality of Laundry Service
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3144 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016 POOR QUALITY OF LAUNDRY SERVICE

## 3144.    SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the bed sheets, blankets and pillows supplied to passengers of AC III tier coaches stink and most of the time are not completely dried and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  outsource  the  laundry service in order  to  provide  clean  and  hygienic  bed  sheets, blankets and pillow to passengers;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the mechanism  available with the Railways to ensure that hygienic bed rolls are provided to passengers in all trains?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a): No, Madam. Bedrolls items, being provided in Air Conditioned (AC) coaches including III tier AC coaches, are washed and dried properly prior  to  provision  to  the  passengers.  References  regarding  quality  of bedrolls  provided,  however,  are  received  from  time  to  time  from passengers and these are acted upon appropriately.

(b) & (c): Laundry service, earlier completely outsourced, was regular source  of  complaints  for  poor  washing  quality.  Accordingly,  Railways decided  to  set  up  mechanized  laundries  on  Railway  land  under  its control. In this regard, 41 mechanized laundries have already been set up.  Significant  improvement  has  been  reported  in  washing  quality  of linen cleaned in these laundries. (d): Regular  inspections/checks  are  carried  out  at  various  levels  to monitor the quality  of  linen  provided  to  the  passengers.  Feedback  on quality  of  bedrolls  is  also  obtained  by  making  calls  to  passengers through Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS). *****