opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2084 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: NH in Chhattisgarh
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: LAKHAN LAL SAHU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2084

ANSWERED ON 10 TH   MARCH, 2016

## NH IN CHHATTISGARH

## 2084. SHRI LAKHAN LAL SAHU:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of national highways in Chhattisgarh State sanctioned between the year 2010 to 2015;

(b)  the  budgetary  allocation  approved  and  the  funds  spent  in  regard  to  the  said  national highways, during the year 2011-2015; and

(c) the time by which the construction work approved is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a) Eight numbers of new National Highways as NH-343, NH-163A,  NH-149B,   NH130A, NH-130B, NH-130C, NH-130D &  NH-930 covering a total length of 843.20 km have been declared between the year 2010 to 2015.
- (b)& (c)    Budgetary  allocation  are  made  to  the  concerned  State  for  all  National  Highways works instead of individual National Highway.  Keeping in view the condition of roads, seven works at the cost of Rs.59.53 Crores have been sanctioned on NH-343, NH-130A, NH-130C & NH-930 during the year 2011-2015. All works have been awarded. No expenditure have been  incurred  on  these  works  upto  31.03.2015.  However,  an  expenditure  amounting  to Rs.21.67 Crores have been incurred during 2015-16 (so far).  These works are scheduled to be completed by May, 2016.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2079 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Clean Coal Technology
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: G. HARI, ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2079 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2016

## CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY

2079.  SHRI G. HARI: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India and Australia have agreed on enhancing cooperation in clean coal technology  in a bid to  meet  the  burgeoning demand  for  cheaper  and environment  friendly  energy  in  one  of  the  fastest  growing  economies,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) if  so, whether India has highlighted the role of High Efficiency Low Emission technology (HELE); and
- (c) if so, the extent to which India's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) and HELE has got support from climate finance and development banks?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) & (b) : In the context of the India-Australia Energy Security Dialogue, business to  business  roundtables  took  place  in  Australia  from  7 th   to  11 th   February,  2016, wherein  discussions  were  held,  inter-alia,  on  Efficient  Coal  Mining,  Clean  Coal Technologies, Coal Gasification (including underground), etc.

(c) : India's Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) pertains to the period 2021-2030.  No support has been received from the Green Climate Finance and other Development banks, as of now, for the INDCs.

*************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2078 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Labelling Regulation for Textiles
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2078 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2016

## LABELLING REGULATION FOR TEXTILES

## 2078.  SHRI BAIJAYANT JAY PANDA:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is fact that there exists no labelling regulation for textiles in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to make labelling of textiles mandatory in order to protect the interests of the consumers; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंरी (स्त्वतंर प्रभार) (श्री संतोष क ु मार गंगवार)

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) & (b): The  Textiles  (Consumer  Protection)  Regulation,  1988  was  issued  under clause-9 of the Textiles (Development & Regulation) Order, 1993 with a view to mark the textile products listed under section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. However, all the  textile  products  were  removed  from  the  Essential  Commodity  Act  through  revised notification  on  12/02/2007 except  cotton  hank  yarn .  Besides  this,  the  Handloom  Mark was launched in the year 2006 to serve as a guarantee to the buyer that handloom product being purchased is a genuine hand woven product.
- (c): There  is  no  proposal  in  the  Ministry  of  Textiles  to  make  labeling  of  textiles mandatory.
- (d): Not applicable in view of (c) above.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2077 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Fuel Jettisoning in Air Space
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIQN NO. 8 2077 (To be answered on the 10th March 2016)

## FUEL JETTISONING IN AIR SPACE

2077 .

SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION ' `

## ANSWER

Minister 0f State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased t0 state:-

- (e)tivhether the Government has taken note of commercial aircraft engaging in fuel jettisoning in the air space of the country, if the details thereof; SO,
- (bitisbether the Government is aware %f the adverse environmental impacts of fuel jettisoning in the air space, if $O, the details thereof;
- jettisoning procedures of commercial aircraft in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

- aircraft operator in an emergency situation when aircraft is required to land at it below allowable landing weight. It is usually done as per manufacturer procedure o aircraft operating on range flights where there is a considerable difference between the take-Off weight and maximum landing weight bring long
- (b: The Fuel Jettison is done to avoid structural damage to aircraft landing on euchr emergency condition and is not a routine affairs which may adverse impact on environment: during
- (c) & (d): Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued Civil Aviation Requirements(CAR) Section 2, Series H; Part 2 dated 29th September 2015 for is done as per the procedure given by the manufacturer:

' . .
Lok Sabha Question No. 2076 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Election Management
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K., V. SATHYABAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2076

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THURSDAY, 10 th MARCH, 2016

## Election Management

## 2076.  SHRI K. PARASURAMAN: SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Election Commission gives away various awards to States in the field of election management; (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  name  of  States  which  were  given  these awards during the last three years and the current year; (c)  whether  the  Election  Commission  has  introduced  any  facility  of  providing  various information regarding elections to the voters on their registered mobile numbers; and

(d) if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise including Tamil Nadu?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

(a) to (d):- The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2075 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Transportation of Goods by Ships
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: MANOJ RAJORIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2075 TO BE ANSWERED ON  10 th MARCH, 2016

## TRANSPORTATION OF GOODS BY SHIPS

## 2075.      SHRI MANOJ RAJORIA:

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased to state:

## पोत प�रवहन मंत्

- (a) whether  after  development  of  Varanasi-Haldia  Waterway,  transportation  of  goods  and passengers by ship from Varanasi is also likely  to be started this  year, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the amount of funds likely to be spent on the said project along with its likely benefits;
- (c) whether shipping is also likely to be operational on  the remaining rivers in the country, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether water level in the rivers is an hindrance to the said project and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI  PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a) In    2016,  vessels  of  1000  DWT  capacity  are  expected  to  navigate  on  the  Varanasi-Haldia stretch of National Waterway-1 enabling transportation of goods and passengers.
- (b)The estimated cost of the Jal Marg Vikas Project to be implemented over a period of six years is Rs. 4200 crore.  The objective of the project is to provide an environment friendly, fuel efficient and cost-effective alternative mode of transportation, especially for bulk, hazardous goods and over dimensional cargo.  The project is expected to boost economic development of the region and  generate  substantial  employment for the people, through increased  movement of  cargo and  passengers  and  their  egress  and  ingress  through  the  multimodal  terminals  being constructed at strategic locations along National Waterway-1.
- (c)&(d):The 'National Waterways Bill, 2015' has already been passed by the LokSabha during Winter Session, 2015 for declaration of 106 additional inland waterways as National Waterways. The Bill  is  expected  to  be  taken  up  for  consideration  by  the  RajyaSabha  during  the  Budget Session,  2016.    The  process  for  preparation  of  Techno-  Economic  Feasibility  Studies  / Detailed  Project  Reports  for  identified  new  waterways  has  also  been  initiated.    Details  of water availability and feasibility of navigation thereon will be clear after the outcome of these studies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2074 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Agreement for Power Distribution
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2074 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2016

## AGREEMENT FOR POWER DISTRIBUTION

†2074. SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether  any  agreement  was  signed  with  regard  to  distribution  of  power generated  through  Anandpur  Sahib  Hydel  Project,  Mukarian  Hydel  Project,  (Ranjit Sagar) Project, UBDS second phase and Shahpur Kandi Hydel Project; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof along with latest status in this regard?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) & (b) : An agreement was reached between the States of Punjab, Haryana & Rajasthan and the Government of India on 10.05.1984 wherein it was agreed that in view of the claims raised by Haryana and Rajasthan for sharing of power in Anandpur Sahib  Hydel  project,  Mukerian  Hydel  Project,  Thein  Dam  Project,  Upper  Bari  Doab Canal (UBDC) Stage-II and Shahpur Kandi Hydel Scheme, the Government of India shall refer the matter to the Hon'ble Supreme Court for its opinion. The opinion of the Hon'ble  Supreme Court was to be sought  on  whether the States of Rajasthan  and Haryana are entitled to a share in the power generated from these Hydel schemes and in case they are, what would be the share of each State.

However,  subsequently  in  the  discussion  held  between  the  Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan on 29-30 July, 1992 and 6 th  August, 1992, a consensus was reached not to refer the matter to the Hon'ble Supreme Court. It was also decided that these States would come to a reasonable agreement through mutual  consultations.  In  order  to  resolve  the  issue  amicably,  a  number  of  formal discussions  have  taken  place.  However,  no  consensus  has  emerged  so  far  on  the divergent views of the stakeholder States.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2072 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Development of Facilities at Vadinar Port
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2072 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th   MARCH, 2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITIES AT VADINAR PORT

## 2072.   DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI:

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased to state:

## पोत प�रवहन मंत्

- (a) whether Kandla Port Trust (KPT) has published an advertisement for Global invitation expression of interest for development of port facilities at Vadinar port area of Jamnagar district, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is contradictory to the understanding arrived at between the Union Government and the Government of Gujarat to develop Vadinar port in Joint venture pattern, if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Union Government has also received any request from the State Government in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details and the present status of the proposal and action taken by the Government thereon so far?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a)&(b):Yes, Madam. Kandla Port Trust has published an advertisement for Global invitation of 'Expression of Interest'(EOI) to be extended by a Joint Venture Company between Kandla Port and Gujarat Maritime Board for development of Port facility at Vadinar for multipurpose use. However, EOI invited on 23.09.2008 could not materialize.
- (c)&(d):Yes,  Madam.  With  the  passage  of  time,  however,  a  number  of  Minor  Ports  have emerged  in  the  vicinity  of  Kandla  Port  and  they  have  adequate  capacity  for  Port operations. Further, Kandla Port is both financially and technically capable of taking up  any  kind  of  development  including  the  development  of  additional  Single  Point Moorings of product jetties fully on its own. Therefore, there is now no need for this Port to form any kind of joint venture with the Gujarat Maritime Development Board for development of Vadinar.

*****

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 178 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Rail Services to District Headquarters
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HARIOM SINGH RATHORE, PANKAJ CHOWDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 178 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## RAIL SERVICES TO DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS

†*178. SHRI HARIOM SINGH RATHORE: SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  district  headquarters  in  various  States  and Union Territories (UTs) deprived of train services;
- (b) the number of such district headquarters in various States and UTs where broad gauge rail service has not been started so far;
- (c) whether the Railways has any plan to provide train services to such district headquarters;
- (d) if  so,  the  time  by  which  the  train  service  is  likely  to  be provided and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  plan  of  the  Railways  to  link  all  district headquarters of Uttar Pradesh and Rajsamand District of Rajasthan by rail network?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

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

****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  178  BY  SHRI  HARIOM  SINGH  RATHORE AND SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.03.2016 REGARDING RAIL SERVICES TO DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS

(a) to  (d):  Indian  Railways  do  not  run  new  train  services  on  Statewise/District-wise/Union-Territory basis as railway network and train operations  between  originating  &  terminating  stations  lying  on various Zonal Railways cut across State/District boundaries. This is an ongoing process subject to traffic demand,  availability of necessary infrastructure, resources etc.

(e): Railway Network straddles across Districts/Regions in different States  and  it  is  not  feasible  to  plan  District-wise  connectivity. However,  it  is  Railways'  endeavour  to  provide  connectivity  to various parts of the country, including backward and remote areas.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 171 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Social Security Agreements
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.171 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENTS

- *171. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  countries  with  whom  India  has  signed  Social Security Agreements (SSAs);
- (b) the benefits derived by Indians abroad under these agreements signed with different countries;
- (c) whether some countries have proposed to sign such agreements  with  India  on  reciprocal  basis  to  help  Indian workers in these countries; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  number  of  such proposals in the pipeline?

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.  171  REGARDING  'SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENTS' FOR ANSWER ON 09.03.2016

(a) As  on  date,  India  has  signed  Social  Security  Agreements  (SSAs)  with  18 countries. They are Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Luxembourg, France, South  Korea,  Netherlands,  Hungary,  Finland,  Sweden,  Czech  Republic,  Norway, Canada, Japan, Austria, Portugal and Australia.

(b) Bilateral social security agreements protect the interests of Indian professionals, skilled workers working abroad by providing the following benefits:

-  Avoiding making double social security contributions: Once an SSA is signed between India and a foreign country, it exempts the Indian worker ( working on short term contracts abroad ) from making a social security contribution in that foreign country. This exemption is provided only if the Indian worker is covered under  the social security system  of India and  continues to pay  his/her contribution during the period of overseas contract.
-  Easy  remittance  of  benefits  (Exportability):  An  SSA  between  India  and  a foreign country enables the Indian worker/professional to remit his/her accumulated social security contribution made in a foreign country, in case of relocation to India/third country.
-  Aggregating  the  contribution  periods  (in  two  countries)  to  prevent  loss  of benefits (Totalization): An SSA allows aggregating residency periods of social security contribution made by the Indian worker / professional in India and the foreign country to qualify for retirement benefits.

(c) & (d) Yes, Madam.  All the SSAs are on reciprocal basis.  Six proposals are in the pipeline i.e. with Spain, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Russia, Cyprus and USA.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 168 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Polymetallic Nodules
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *168

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 09, 2016

## POLYMETALLIC NODULES

- *168.        SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  salient  features  of  polymetallic  nodules  and  the  strategic benefits accrued to the country from commercial exploitation of these nodules;
- (b) whether  necessary  technology  has  been  developed  by  the Government to process polymetallic  nodules  at  the  seabed  of the Central Indian Ocean Basin;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government plans to undertake commercial exploitation of polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (Dr. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (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.  *168  REGARDING  POLYMETALLIC NODULES FOR ANSWER ON 9th MARCH, 2016.

- (a) Polymetallic  nodules  are  deep  sea  rock  concretions  with  sizes between 2 to 6 cm lying on the deep seabed. They primarily contain manganese,  iron,  copper,  nickel,  cobalt  etc.  Polymetallic  nodules are not commercially exploited yet. International Seabed Authority (ISA)  had  allotted  Government  of  India  an  Area  in  Central  Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) outside the national jurisdiction in international waters for exploration of Polymetallic Nodules. India's Polymetallic Nodules programme is at a stage of developing relevant technologies for harvesting polymetallic nodules lying at 4000m to 5000m water depth. Initial estimated potential resource of polymetallic nodules in the site retained by India having an area of 75,000  sq  km  in  Central  Indian  Ocean  Basin  is  about  380  Million Metric  Tonne  (MMT)  with  0.55  MMT  of  Cobalt,  4.7  MMT  of  Nickel, 4.29 MMT of Copper and 92.59 MMT of Manganese.
- (b) Yes,  Madam.  We  have  developed  the  technology  for  extraction  of metals from the nodules.
- (c) A  demonstration  pilot  plant  with  a  capacity  to  process  500  kg nodules per day was set up at Hindustan Zinc Limited, Udiapur and various  campaigns  were  carried  out  to  test  metallurgical  process routes  to  extract  metals  such  as  copper,  nickel  and  cobalt  from polymetallic nodules.
- (d) No, Madam.  At  present,  India has  the contract with ISA for exploration only. ISA is in the process of preparing the guidelines for the  exploitation  of  polymetallic  nodules.  At  this  stage,  our  efforts are  focused  on  developing  technologies  for  harvesting  the  seabed nodules  towards  extraction  of  metals  and  environmental  impact assessment of mining from such water depth.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2067 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA, CHARANJEET SINGH RORI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2067 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## MAHATMA GANDHI PRAVASI SURAKSHA YOJANA

2067. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

SHRI CHANRANJEET SINGH RORI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Mahatma  Gandhi  Pravasi  Suraksha  Yojana  (MGPSY) has  not  been  implemented  successfully  and  the  number  of beneficiaries in gulf countries is very less;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  and  reasons  therefor  and  whether  the Government  is  contemplating  to  revamp  the  MGPSY  with additional fund allocation;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  additional  measures  adopted/likely  to  be  taken  by  the Government for the benefit of Indian workers abroad, particularly in Middle East under this scheme?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) Being  a  voluntary  scheme,  the  subscription  under  the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY) scheme is very low.  The  scheme  has  not  picked  up  for  a  variety  of  reasons.  The Government is in the process of revamping the scheme in consultation  with  the  stakeholders,  in  order  to  explore  different possibilities  to  make  the  scheme  suitable  and  attractive  to  the overseas  Indian  workers.  We  are  obtaining  inputs  of  the  Indian Missions in Gulf Countries on how the scheme can be revamped.

*****