opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3045 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Permission to Contest Election
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: KAUSHAL KISHORE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3045

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016)

## PERMISSION TO CONTEST ELECTION

## †3045. SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  staff/  officers  are  allowed  to  contest  election  of  Lok Sabha/Vidhan Sabha or Municipalities by giving undertaking;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether these  staff/officers  could  be  taken  back  in  service  in  case  they  do  not  win election; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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) & (b):   No, Madam. Rule 5(1) of CCS(Conduct) Rules, 1964 provides that no Government servant  shall  be  a  member  of,  or  be  otherwise  associated  with,  any  political  party  or  any organisation which takes part in politics nor shall he take part in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or activity.

Rule  5(4)  of  CCS  (Conduct)  Rules,  1964  provides  that  no  Government  servant  shall canvass  or  otherwise  interfere  with,  or  use  his  influence  in  connection  with  or  take  part  in  an election to any legislature or local authority.

(c) & (d):  Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3041 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Stalls at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SAKSHI SWAMI MAHARAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3041 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## STALLS AT STATIONS

†3041. DR. SWAMI SAKSHIJI MAHARAJ:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of suggestions received by the traffic/commercial branch of  the  Railways  regarding  shops,  stalls,  PCO/STD  booths,  etc.  from Members of Parliament;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  final  decision  taken  on  each  suggestion  and  the number of pending suggestions, if any;
- (c)  the  details  of  assurances  given  on  this  issue  in  Parliament  and fulfilment of these assurances during the said period; and
- (d) the details of assurances pending till date on each of such issues?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) &  (b):  Improvement  in  Catering  Services  is  an  ongoing  process. Hon'ble Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assemblies and other dignitaries give suggestions regularly to this Ministry regarding the problems  faced  by  the  rail  users  and  upgradation  of  services.  These correspondences are given utmost priority and are replied promptly by the highest level by taking corrective action, if any, in accordance with the extant policies to improve the services over Indian Railways. (c) & (d): No assurance has been given in Parliament on the suggestions received  during  the  last  one  year  and  there  is  no  assurance  pending  in
- this regard.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3040 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Hindi in Missions Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: CHANDU LAL SAHU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3040 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## HINDI IN MISSIONS ABROAD

3040. SHRI CHANDU LAL SAHU:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of persons taught Hindi by the Indian Missions abroad during each of the last three years, year-wise;
- (b) the country-wise details of regional Hindi conferences held abroad and the amount spent for the same during the last three years, year-wise; and
- (c) the amount spent on publication of books, CDs, etc. for promotion of Hindi abroad during  the  last  three  years,  year-wise  along  with  the  success  achieved  in  this regard?

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

- (a) the number of persons taught Hindi by the Indian Missions abroad during the last three years are as under:
- (b) the  country  wise  details  of  the  Regional  Hindi  Conferences  held  abroad  and  the amount spent for the same during the last three years are as under:
- (c) the amounts spent on the publication of the books, CDs etc. for promotion of Hindi abroad during the last three years are as under:

| Year    |   No. of Persons |
|---------|------------------|
| 2012-13 |             2623 |
| 2013-14 |             3025 |
| 2014-15 |             3289 |

| Year    | Country                  | Amount (in Rs.)   |
|---------|--------------------------|-------------------|
| 2012-13 | NIL                      | NIL               |
| 2013-14 | South Korea              | 22,00,000/-       |
|         | Thailand                 | 13,50,000/-       |
| 2014-15 | United States of America | 24,02,834/-       |
|         | Russia                   | 16,25,951/-       |
|         | Mauritius                | 17,26,982/-       |

| Year    | Amount (in Rs.)   |
|---------|-------------------|
| 2012-13 | 68,69,389/-       |
| 2013-14 | 84,49,753/-       |
| 2014-15 | 53,74,121/-       |

Publication and  distribution of these books/CDs  has  helped  in popularizing, propagating  and  promoting  Hindi  abroad  and  has  created  greater  interest  amongst  the foreigners in learning Hindi.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3039 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Reservation for Dalit Christians
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Pratyusha Rajeshwari Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3039

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016)

## RESERVATION FOR DALIT CHRISTIANS

## 3039. SHRIMATI PRATYUSHA RAJESHWARI SINGH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  make  provision  for  reservation  in  service  for Dalit Christians and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any final view has been taken in this regard and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the special measures taken to extend requisite benefits to the Dalit Christians?

## 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) to (c):    An individual belonging to Scheduled Tribes may profess any religion and the Castes/ Tribes included in the list of Scheduled Tribes under Article 342 of the Constitution, are entitled for getting the benefits of reservation in services of the Central Government.

The Scheduled  Castes  converted  to  Christianity  are  included  in  the  Central  List  of Other  Backward  Classes  of  some  of  the  States  and  are  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  the reservation  in  services  of  the  Central  Government.    However,  the  issue  of  extension  of Scheduled Caste status to Scheduled Caste converts to Christianity is presently sub-judice in the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3037 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Illegal Occupation of Indian Territory
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: KAMLA DEVI PATLE

† 3037.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3037 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF INDIAN TERRITORY

SHRIMATI KAMLA DEVI PAATLE:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the names of neighbouring countries which have illegally occupied  the  Indian territory along with the date of  such occupation;
- (b) whether  Pakistan  has  illegally  occupied  Indian  territory  and allegedly handed over certain parts of the same to China;
- (c) if so, the facts and details thereof;
- (d) the area of land freed from occupation of neighbouring countries; and
- (e) whether attention of  international  organization  has  been  drawn towards the said matter and if so, the response thereto?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) Pakistan  has  been  in  illegal  occupation  of  approximately 78,000  sq.  kms.  of  Indian  territory  in  Jammu  and  Kashmir.  China continues to be in illegal occupation of approximately 38,000 sq. kms. in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir. In addition, under the socalled China Pakistan 'Boundary Agreement' signed between China and Pakistan on 2 March 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. kms. of Indian territory in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China.

The fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part  of  India  has  been  clearly  conveyed  to  Pakistani  and  Chinese authorities several times and also reiterated to international community on various occasions, including at the highest levels.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3036 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Pit Lines at Coaching Depot
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RITA TARAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3036 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## PIT LINES AT COACHING DEPOT

## 3036.    SHRIMATI RITA TARAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has any plan to make pit lines at coaching depot of Puri to accommodate 24/26 coach length trains;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Railways  proposes  to  extend  the  length  of  the existing platform line by shifting the old dilapidated station building by 100/150 meters and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Railways also proposes to convert the Puri railway station into a modern station with world class passenger amenities by constructing the station building and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): No,  Madam.  Presently  Railways  have  no  plan  to  create additional pit line at Puri coaching depot. 3 pit lines of 26 coach length and  1  pit  line  of  24  coach  length  are  already  available  at  coaching depot of Puri.

- (c): No, Madam. Presently, there is no such proposal.

(d): It has been planned to offer 'A-1' and 'A' category stations (about 400 stations) for redevelopment on 'as is where is' basis, by inviting open bids from interested parties with their design and business ideas duly providing for amenities and other requirements of the Railways. The entire  cost  of  station  redevelopment  is  to  be  met  by  leveraging commercial  development  of  land  and  air  space  in  and  around  the stations. Guidelines in this regard have been issued to Zonal Railways. Puri railway station, being an 'A-1' category station, is also in the list offered for redevelopment once the modalities in this regard are put in place.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3035 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Corruption in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3035 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## CORRUPTION IN RAILWAYS

†3035. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

Will  the  Minister  of  RAILWAYS  be  pleased  to  state  the mechanism in place to eradicate corruption allegedly prevailing in the Railways?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

Railways  have  a  well  established  vigilance  organization  at  the  apex level in the Ministry and at the level of Zonal Railways and Production Units.  Preventive checks and decoy/surprise checks are carried out regularly by the Vigilance Department and punitive disciplinary action is  initiated  against  officials  found  responsible  for  irregularities.  The Vigilance and Executive Departments also propose system improvements as and where required. Some steps taken to increase transparency  and  minimise  scope  of  corruption  include  finalizing tenders and auctions through on-line web portal, putting information of public interest on the Indian Railways' website and increasing use of technology in our working systems.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3033 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Kannur—Kannur International Airport Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER

(a): Yes, Madam.

(b):  Survey  for    Kannur-Mattannur  new  line  (23  Km)  has  been completed in January, 2013. Cost of this line has been assessed 237 crore with a rate of return of (-) 4%.  The proposed new line could not be sanctioned due to unremunerative nature of the as ` line and large shelf of ongoing new line projects.

An  updating  survey  for  this  new  line  has  been  included  in the  Budget  2015-16  to  explore  traffic  potential  of  the  line  and reassess its viability.

However,  Kannur-Mattannur  (Kannur  International  Airport) 400 crore has been included in Capital State Government coming forward to take up this project through Joint new line (23 Km) costing ` Investment Programme  of  2016-17 in anticipation of Venture.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3033 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## KANNUR-KANNUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RAILWAY LINE

## 3033. SHRIMATI P.K. SREEMATHI TEACHER:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to update the survey for construction of Kannur-Kannur  International airport railway line; and
- (b) if so, the present status of the survey?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
Lok Sabha Question No. 3032 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Data Sharing Policy
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: M. B. RAJESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3032 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 16 TH  MARCH, 2016

## DATA SHARING POLICY

## 3032.      SHRI M.B. RAJESH:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  constituted  any  committee  to review the current policy of data sharing ;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  committee  has recommended changes in the policy of data sharing;
- (c) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  pursue  an  open policy on data sharing doing away with existing fees; and
- (d) if  so,  the details thereof including the mode of dissemination of data?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  MINISTRY  OF STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION  AND  MINISTER  OF STATE  FOR  MINISTRY  OF  EXTERNAL  AFFAIRS  [GENERAL  (Dr.)  V.  K. SINGH (Retd.)]

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

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3031 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Railway Projects
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ABHIJIT MUKHERJEE, KHAN SAUMITRA

## 1GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3031 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## RAILWAY PROJECTS

3031. SHRI  ABHIJIT  MUKHERJEE: SHRI  SAUMITRA  KHAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)    the  present  status  of  construction  of  Bishnupur-Arambagh  and Sonamukhi-Bardhaman railway line under eastern railway in West Bengal; (b)    whether  Sonamukhi-Bardhaman  line  will  reduce  distance  between Howrah and Bankura and if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether the work has been delayed/slowdown and if so, the reasons therefor  along  with  the  other  railway  lines  running  behind  schedule  in West Bengal; and (d)  the  time  by  which  construction  work  of  these  two  lines  will  be completed and the same will be operational?

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

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3031 BY SHRI ABHIJIT MUKHERJEE AND SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 16.03.2016 REGARDING RAILWAY PROJECTS. (a):      Bishnupur-Arambagh  new  line  section  is  a  part  of  TarakeshwarBishnupur (82 km) new line project. Work has been taken up from both ends.  So  far  Bishnupur  to  Mayonapur  (22  km)  and  Tarakeshwar  to Arambagh  (25  km)  sections  have  been  completed  and  commissioned. Further, 9 km  track linking  from  Arambagh  to  Goghat  has  been completed  and  bridge-work  and  earthwork  have  been  taken  up  in Goghat-Kamarpukur  (6  km)  section.  In  remaining  section  execution  of work has not been taken up due to non acquisition of requisite land by the State Government. There  is  no  sanctioned  project  named  Sonamukhi-Bardhaman  railway line. However, Sonamukhi-Rainagar railway line has been completed and commissioned. As Rainagar-Bardhaman railway line already exists, this line has reduced distance from Howrah by around 40 km. (b): Does not arise. (c):  Completion  of  Railway  projects  is  dependent  upon  various  factors like  forestry  clearances,  complete  handing  over  of  encumbrance  free land by the State Govt., shifting of utilities, local demand for additional accommodation works like Road Over Bridges/Road Under Bridges, etc. apart from availability of adequate funds.  As many of these factors are beyond the control of the Ministry of Railways, it is not feasible to fix time lines for all the railway projects including those falling fully/partly in West Bengal. In absence of such timelines, it is not possible to ascertain delay in completion of ongoing railway projects. (d): The target of completion of Tarakeshwar-Bishnupur new line project has not been fixed.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3029 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Basic Facilities
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: P.R. SUNDARAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3029 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## BASIC FACILITIES

## 3029.   SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  as  per  the  Indian  Railways  Works  Manual,  certain basic facilities have been categorised as essential and the Indian Railways is bound to provide them; and
- (b) if  so,  the details of facilities which have been mentioned in the Indian Railways Works Manual?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. As per Indian Railways Works Manual (IRWM)2000, certain passenger amenities have been mentioned as Minimum  Essential  Amenities,  which  has  been  last  updated  vide Railway Board's guideline dated 11.09.2012. These include booking

facility,  drinking  water,  waiting  hall,  seating  arrangement,  urinals, latrines,  platform  shelter/shady  trees,  Foot  Over  bridge,  level  of platforms, time table display, clock, fans and lighting. The scale of amenities to be provided at station depends upon the category of station and number of passengers dealt at the station.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3028 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Internet Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: VIKRAM USENDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3028

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH   MARCH, 2016 INTERNET SERVICES

†3028. SHRI VIKRAM USENDI:

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

- (a) whether any time limit has been prescribed to provide broadband services in the cities/areas  not  covered  by  broadband  services  of  other  telecom  companies  except BSNL;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the action taken in this regard so far?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (c) No  Madam,  no  such  time  limit  has  been  prescribed  by  Government  to provide  broadband services in  the  cities/areas  not  covered  by  broadband  services  of other telecom companies except BSNL.

- **************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3026 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Height of Mohiuddin Nagar Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NITYANAND RAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3026 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## HEIGHT OF MOHIUDDIN NAGAR STATION

†3026. SHRI NITYANAND RAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the height of Mohiuddin Nagar Station under Sonpur zone of East Central Railway is very less due to which the passengers face a lot of  problems  in  boarding  and  deboarding  the  trains,  if  so,  the  details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b)  whether the Railways is likely to increase the height of platform of the said station;
- (c) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done;
- (d)  whether  the  passengers  have  been  demanding  for  a  long  time  to provide the halt of the Poorabiya Express (train no. 15280) at Mohiuddin Nagar Station; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the decision taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (c):  Mohiuddin Nagar is a 'D' category  Railway station.  One high level  platform  viz  platform  No.1  &  one  Rail  level  platform  viz  platform No.2 are available at the station. Raising of platform No.2 to high level is a part of doubling of the  Hajipur-Bachhwara  section,  which  is a sanctioned project, and targeted for completion during 2019-20.
- (d)  & (e): Yes, Madam. Stoppage of 15279/15280 Saharsa-Adarsh Nagar Delhi Poorabiya Express at Mohiuddin Nagar is not justified, at present.

*****