opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 150 (STARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: Indo-Israel Relations
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.150 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.05.2016

## INDO-ISRAEL RELATIONS

- *150. SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  strengthening  the  relations  with Israel on various counts and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether co-operation is being sought in the field of information  technology,  biotechnology,  energy,  defence  and agriculture  and  if  so,  the  details  of  agreements  entered  into these areas;
- (c) the details of people to people interaction through educational exchanges  and  tourism  materialized  or  proposed  in  near future; and
- (d) the future plan of action to broaden and deepen the relationship?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 150 REGARDING 'INDO-ISRAEL

The Gulf and West Asia & North Africa (WANA) region forms part of India's extended  neighbourhood  and  is  important  for  security  and  strategic  reasons.  The Government of India is committed to strengthen relations with all the countries of this region including Israel.

Israel is a functional democracy and its economy is forward looking, modern in  orientation  and  gels  well  with  our  own  flagship  programmes  announced  in  the recent past including that of Make in India, Digital India, Start up India, Clean Ganga, and Smart City  as  well  as  the  most  recently  launched  National  Agriculture  Market

There are considerable synergies between the two countries to realize existing potential.  The  Israeli  leadership  have  expressed  their  willingness  to  partner  in  our flagship  initiatives  and  many  Israeli  companies  have  come  forward  to  explore prospects of collaboration with their Indian counterparts.

The presence of 80,000 People of Indian Origin/diaspora is a significant aspect in our bilateral engagement with Israel. Israel has  many contemporary and internationally recognised universities and many Indian institutions/universities have entered into cooperation arrangements with them. There is a robust students exchange

RELATIONS' FOR ANSWER ON 04.05.2016 initiative. between the two countries.

Next  year  we  mark  the  25th  anniversary  of  establishment  of  diplomatic relations with Israel. As is customary, these events are to be celebrated by reaffirming desire to broaden relations with Israel including exchange of high level visits.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 149 (STARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: Investment in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, DHARMENDRA YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 149 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.05.2016

## INVESTMENT IN RAILWAYS

- *149.    SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Institute of Cost Accountants of India in their study have revealed that the public  transporter  suffered  under  investment  between  19512014;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) the  corrective  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  provide sufficient investment in the Railways; and
- (d) the extent to which the present investment trend is likely to help in expanding and improving rail network in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 149 BY SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO AND SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.05.2016 REGARDING INVESTMENT IN RAILWAYS

(a): Yes, Madam.

(b)  to  (d):  The  need  for  more  investment  to  create  adequate transport capacity has been recognised by the Railways. Accordingly,  a  five  year  investment  plan  of  ₹  8.56  lakh  crore, beginning  2015-16,  has  been  prepared  which  is  significantly  higher than the investment in previous periods.  A quantum jump has been made  in  the  plan  outlays  in  2015-16  and  2016-17.    In  the  current financial year i.e. 2016-17, the plan outlay is ₹ 1.21 lakh crore.  The focus of increased capital investment is towards capacity enhancement by way of commissioning of New Line/Gauge Conversion/Doubling and electrification works as also safety, rolling stock and other important areas of modernisation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 148 (STARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: National Urban Livelihood Mission
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: BALABHADRA MAJHI, JAYADEV GALLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 148*

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MAY 04, 2016

## NATIONAL URBAN LIVELIHOOD MISSION

No. 148* SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:

SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

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

- a) the  number  of  urban  homeless  who  have  been  provided shelters under the National Urban Livelihood Mission
2. (NULM) in various cities;
- b) whether all the districts and the towns with the population of one lakh and more have been covered under the Shelter for Urban Houseless (SUH);
- c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  expected  time  by
5. which  all  such  uncovered  districts/cities  are  likely  to  be brought under SUH;
- d) the criteria laid down for determining the location of such
7. shelters; and
- e) whether these locations are selected taking into consideration the availability of ample employment opportunities  in  the  nearby  areas  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION [SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU]

****

(a) to (e):  A statement is laid on the table of the House.

*******

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION  No.    148*  FOR  ANSWER  ON  04.05.2016  REGARDING NATIONAL URBAN LIVELIHOOD MISSION (a) It  is  the  primary  responsibility  of  the  State  Governments  to provide  shelter  for  the  Urban  Homeless  people.    In  order  to complement and supplement the efforts of the State/ UT Governments, the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation is  implementing  a  scheme  namely  'Shelter  for  Urban  Homeless (SUH)' as a component of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban  Livelihoods  Mission  for  providing  permanent  shelters  with basic  facilities  to  urban  homeless.    The  scheme  is  implemented through respective States/UTs.    As per the information received from the States/UTs, a total of 770 shelters have been sanctioned by States/UTs with a capacity of about 38770 inmates. Out of this, 270  shelters  with  a  total  capacity  of  about  11900  inmates  are operational. (b)  &  (c):  The  Government  has  now  enhanced  the  scope  of Deendayal  Antyodaya  Yojana  National  Urban  Livelihoods  Mission (DAY-NULM) by allowing all the States/Union Territories to implement  all  or  any  of  the  components  of  the  Mission  including SUH  in  all  statutory  Towns  based  on  their  local  capacity  and requirement. (d) & (e): The  States/UTs  are  authorized  to  sanction  projects under  the  scheme  on  the  basis  of  operational  guidelines  of  SUH issued by the Ministry.   As per the operational guidelines of SUH, location of the shelters should be close to homeless concentration and work sites as far as practicable.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 147 (STARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: Go-India Smart Card
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 147 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.05.2016

## GO-INDIA SMART CARD

- †*147.  SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  outcome  of  pilot  projects  launched  on  'Go-India Smart Card';
- (b)  whether  the  Government  now  proposes  to  introduce  'Go-India Smart  Card'  for  the  rail  passengers  to  buy  tickets  from  booking counters;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the names of the routes on which the said facility is likely to be made available; and
- (d) the time by which the said scheme  is proposed to be implemented across the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 147 BY SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  04.05.2016  REGARDING  GO-INDIA SMART CARD.

(a)  to  (c):    Go-India  Smart  Card  Scheme has been introduced  as a multi-purpose  card  for  the  passengers  to  pay  for  tickets.    The Scheme is intended to reduce the transaction time at the booking counters  as  it  facilitates  cashless  transaction.    The  Scheme  has been  launched  on  pilot  basis  on  two  sectors,  viz.,  New  DelhiMumbai and

New  Delhi-Howrah.    At  present,  the  Go-India  Smart  Card  enables passengers to pay for reserved and unreserved tickets.  The Card can be used at nominated Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS)/Passenger  Reservations  System  (PRS)  counters  and  in  the existing Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) (for unreserved  tickets)  for issuing tickets  on  these  two  sectors. Salient features of the Scheme are as under:

- i. In  case  of  UTS  tickets  booked using  Go-India  Smart  Card, the cardholders get the UTS-ATVM ticket at 5% less than its original  value.    However,  no  bonus  is  permitted  in  case  of PRS/reserved tickets booked using Go-India Smart Card.
- ii. Concessional bookings are allowed through Go-India Smart Card except military warrants/vouchers and passes. However, in such cases, the cardholder shall not get the 5% discount on purchase of the UTS-ATVM tickets.
- iii. Tatkal and opening day Advance Reservation Period (ARP) booking are allowed against the Go-India  Smart  Card subject to limitation of one transaction per day.

1051 Go-India Smart Cards have been issued and 7999 tickets (83  reserved  and  7916  unreserved  tickets)  have  been  booked against these cards up to 23.04.2016.

(d):  Introduction of new schemes and their extension based on the feedback is a continuous and ongoing process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 143 (STARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: Reforms in UNSC
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: VEENA DEVI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.143 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.05.2016

## REFORMS IN UNSC

- † *143. SHRIMATI VEENA DEVI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether India has called for reforms in the election to the UN Security Council (UNSC) and if so, the details thereof and the response of member countries thereto;

- (b) whether  India  has  a  representative  in  the  UNSC's  1267  Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee and if so, the details thereof and if not, whether India has urged for such an appointment; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  status  of  the  said request?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

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

*****

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF  THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 143 REGARDING 'REFORMS IN UNSC' FOR ANSWER ON 04.05.2016

(a) Government is  of  the  view  that  early  reforms  of  the  Security  Council  is  an essential element in the overall effort to reform the United Nations-in order to make it more broadly representative, efficient and transparent and thus to further enhance its effectiveness and the legitimacy and implementation of its decisions. The expansion in  both  the  permanent  and  non-permanent  category  of  its  memberships  will  be  an essential element of the reforms of the UNSC.

A series of initiatives involving bilateral and multilateral platforms continue to be  taken  in  pursuance  of  permanent  membership  in  an  expanded  Security  Council. India  is  also  actively  engaged  in  the  ongoing  Intergovernmental  Negotiations  on UNSC reform at the UN and is  working alongside  other  reform  oriented  countries through  the  G-4(India,  Japan,  Brazil  and  Germany)  and  the  L.69  (a  cross  regional grouping of developing countries) groupings.

A large number of countries have supported India's initiatives for reform of the Security Council, as well as endorsed India's candidature for  permanent membership. This has been expressed in various forms and fora including in bilateral discussions with the Government of India.

(b) & (c) The  fifteen  members  of  the  UN  Security  Council  constitute  the membership of the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee.  India  is  presently  not  a  member  of  the  UNSC,  and  thereby,  is  not  a member of the Committee.

A 10 member 'Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team' (Monitoring Team) comprising of independent experts, assists the Sanction Committee. Depending on the vacancies available, India and all other member states may  forward  nominations  of  their  nationals  to  serve  on  the  Monitoring  Team  for which selections are made by the UN Secretariat.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1839 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: Denial of Visa to U.S. Delegation
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1839 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.05.2016

## DENIAL OF VISA TO U.S. DELEGATION

1839. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has not issued visa to a delegation of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom that was planning to travel to India; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has expressed desire to send a delegation to India.

India is a vibrant pluralistic society founded on strong democratic principles. The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all its citizens including the right to freedom of  religion.  Government  does  not  see the  locus  standi  of  a  foreign entity  like  USCIRF  to  pronounce  on  the  state  of  Indian  citizens' constitutionally protected rights.

The Government looks forward to continuing working with the United  States  Government  for  sharing  of  experience  and  best practice  on  all  issues  of  mutual  interest  under  the  established bilateral  mechanisms  like  the  India-United  States  Global  Issues Forum.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1838 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: Online Examinations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1838 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.05.2016

## ONLINE EXAMINATIONS

## 1838. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether the Railways has decided to conduct online examinations;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Railways has asked its zones to take action in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) to  (d):  Yes,  Madam.  Railways  have  introduced  the  system  of 'Online  Examination'  in  recruitment  for  Group  'C'  posts  by Railway  Recruitment  Boards  (RRBs)  through  pilot  projects. Under  this  system,  examination  for  54  categories  of  Senior Section Engineers (SSEs) and Junior Engineers (JEs) has been conducted  successfully  in  August-September  2015.  Based  on the success of Computer Based (Online) Test for SSEs and JEs, On-line  examinations  have  been  conducted/being  conducted  in two more subsequent examinations for  Non-Technical Popular Categories  (NTPC) Under-Graduate Level (a special recruitment drive for the Persons with Disabilities) and NTPC Graduate Level posts respectively on pilot basis.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1836 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: Closing of Darjeeling Siliguri Toy Train
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1836 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.05.2016

## CLOSING OF DARJEELING SILIGURI TOY TRAIN

- +1836. SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Toy train from Siliguri to Darjeeling, the centre of attraction  for  tourists,  has  been  under  suspension  for  a  long time;
- (b) if so, the reasons  therefor; and
- (c) the time by which the train service is likely to be resumed?

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

(a):    Darjeeling  Himalayan Railway (DHR) trains have been running regularly between Siliguri and Darjeeling since 2.12.2015. (b)&(c):  Do not arise.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1835 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: Crime in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NATUBHAI GOMANBHAI PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1835 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.05.2016

## CRIME IN TRAINS

†1835.   SHRI NATUBHAI GOMANBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways is planning to formulate any policy which can help identify and arrest culprits immediately after the crime;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken so far in this regard; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  funds  earmarked/sanctioned  exclusively  for  the same?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a)& (b): No, Madam.  Since prevention of crime, registration of cases, their  investigation  and  maintenance  of  law  and  order  over  Railways are  the  statutory  responsibility  of  the  States  which  is  discharged  by them through the Government Railway Police (GRP), formulation of any policy for identification and arrest of culprits falls within the domain of concerned  States.  Railways,  through  the  Railway  Protection  Force (RPF),  are  supplementing  efforts  of  States  to  ensure  security  of trains, providing access control, mounting surveillance through close circuit rendering assistance  through  Security  Helpline  182,  prosecuting    offenders passengers  and  passenger  area  by way  of escorting of television camera (CCTV) over about 311 stations, under relevant provisions of the Railways Act, etc. (c): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1834 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: Wi-Fi Enabled Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: C.R. CHAUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1834 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.05.2016

## WI-FI ENABLED STATIONS

†1834. SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  in  the  Budget  had  announced  to  make  100 railway stations Wi-Fi enabled and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the basis on which the said stations are likely to be selected;
- (c)  whether  the  Nagaur  railway  station  in  Rajasthan  is  also  likely  to  be selected for the said exercise; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  In  the  Railway  Budget  2015-16  it  was  announced that  Wi-Fi  Internet  facilities  shall  be  provided  at  all  'A'  &  'A1'  category stations over Indian Railways. Further, in Railway Budget 2016-17, it was inter-alia announced that provision of Wi-Fi facility at Railway Stations has begun  and  it  is  expected  that  Wi-Fi  services  at  100  category  A1  &  A stations shall be commissioned this year in phase-I.

their  commercial categorization.  All  A1,  A  &  B  category  stations  are  currently  planned  for

Railway Stations have been  selected based  on provision of Wi-Fi facility.

- (c) & (d): Yes, Madam. Nagaur, a Category 'A' station in Rajasthan state is already selected for provision of Wi-Fi services in phase-II and this phase will be taken up after completion of 100 stations in phase-I.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1833 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: Sanitation Tribunal
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

O.I.H.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1833

TO BE ANSWERED ON MAY 04, 2016

## SANITATION TRIBUNAL

No. 1833 SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government proposes to constitute a sanitation tribunal; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI M.VENKAIAH NAIDU)

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1831 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: Visa Free Travel to India
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: R. VANAROJA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1831 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.05.2016

## VISA FREE TRAVEL TO INDIA

1831.      SHRIMATI VANAROJA R.:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be please to state:

- (a) whether the Indian diaspora will no longer have to get a visa affixed on their passports every time they travel to India; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) As  per  the  current  regulations,  people  of  the  Indian Diaspora holding a valid OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card do not require to get a visa affixed on their passport every time they travel to India. An OCI card entails a lifelong visa for its holder. However, a person of Indian Diaspora not holding a valid OCI card will continue to  require  a  visa  on  his/her  passport  for  entering  into  India.  These categories are however different from Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), who are Indian passport holders, and do not require a visa to enter India.

- *****