opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2713 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-05
Subject: Prior Permission for Foreign Tour
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2713**

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2015)

**PRIOR PERMISSION FOR FOREIGN TOUR**

**2713. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:**

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

(a) 	whether it is mandatory for the Government employees to seek prior permission for performing a foreign tour and disclose sources of their expenditure likely to be incurred on the said tour; and

(b) 	if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

**ANSWER**

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) and (b):  Yes, Madam. Instructions have been issued by this Department vide O.M. dated 18.5.1994, 7.11.2000, 5.10.2004, 15.12.2004, 1.9.2008 and 27.7.2015 regarding requirement of taking prior permission by Government servants for leaving station/ headquarters, especially for private visits abroad. A proforma requiring details of the period, name of foreign country to be visited, purpose, estimated expenditure, source of funds, etc. has also been provided alongwith instructions dated 27.7.2015.  While granting such permission factors such as national security, individuals facing investigation/inquiry on serious charges who may try to evade apprehension by police authorities, or facing the inquiry etc. are kept in view.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2712 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-05
Subject: Mobile with Fake EMEI Number
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT, OM BIRLA

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY**

**DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2712**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 05** **TH** **AUGUST, 2015**

**Mobile with Fake EMEI Number**

**†2712. SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT:**

**SHRI OM BIRLA:**

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

(a) 	whether phones with fake EMEI numbers are being used in the country and the mobile operators are unable to detect such phones;

(b)	 if so, the details thereof;

(c) 	the guidelines issued to mobile operators by the Government in this regard; and

(d) 	the latest technologies proposed to be adopted by the Government to prevent use of such phones which are posing a serious threat to the national security?

ANSWER

**THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY**

**(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)**

1. & (b)	 Madam, the incidents of use of phones with fake International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) have come to the notice of the Government.

(c) & (d)	 The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued a notification No. 107/(RE-2013)/2009-2014 dated 16 th January, 2015 that

(i)	Import of ‘GSM mobile handsets’ (Classified under IT (HS) code ‘8517’) without International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) Number with all zeroes, duplicate IMEI or fake IMEI is ‘Prohibited’.

(ii)	Import of ‘CDMA mobile handsets’ (classified under ITC (HS) code ‘8517’) without Electronic Serial Number (ESN)/ Mobile Equipment Identity (MEID), with all Zeroes as ESN/ MEID, duplicate ESN/MEID or fake ESN/MEID is ‘Prohibited’.

Further, GSM mobile handsets with duplicate IMEI or fake IMEI & CDMA mobile handsets with duplicate ESN/ MEID or fake ESN/ MEID are added to the list of ‘Prohibited’ items for import. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for implementation of Notification No. 107 (RE-2013)/2009-2014 dated 16 th January, 2015, has been circulated by the Department of Telecommunications to all the implementing agencies for compliance.

Instructions have also been issued by DoT vide letter dated 27.11.2009 directing all the telecom service providers that calls from mobile handsets with any IMEI number which is not available in the latest updated IMEI database of GSMA or without IMEI or all ‘Zero’ as IMEI should not be processed and must be rejected with effect from 30.11.2009.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2707 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-05
Subject: Shortage of Skill in Vocational Studies
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: P. C. MOHAN

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2707**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2015**

**Shortage of Skill in Vocational Studies**

| 2707.  SHRI P.C. MOHAN:                                                           |                                                                                                                         |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:**          |                                                                                                                         |
| (a)                                                                               | whether the Government is aware of the huge shortage of skills in vocational studies;                                   |
| (b)                                                                               | if so, whether the Government has proposed National Vocation Qualification Framework (NVQF) on international lines; and |
| (c)                                                                               | if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?                                        |
| ### ANSWER  MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT  **(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)** |                                                                                                                         |

1. :	Yes, Madam.

(b) & (c):	A notification of National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF) was issued on 03 rd September, 2012 for vocationalisation of higher education system and integration with the national skill development, this was superceded by the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF), since 27 th December, 2013. Steps taken for operationaling these are: Apprenticeship Training Programme, Employability Enhancement Training Programme (EETP), National Employability Enhancement Mission (NEEM), Career Oriented Courses (COC), Community Development through Polytechnics (CDTP), Community College Scheme and Bachelor of Vocations (B.Voc). The MHRD has also launched Credit Framework for Skill and Education under NSQF on 11 th November, 2015, which aimed to promote lateral and vertical mobility.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2706 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-05
Subject: Setting up of National Universities
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

Approved by JS

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2706**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2015**

**Setting up of National Universities**

2706. SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

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

(a) whether the Government has any proposal for setting up of national universities in the country during the current year;

(b) if so, whether the Government has initiated action for placing adequate faculties in the existing national universities; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and the total number of national universities proposed by the Government during the current year, State and location-wise?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)**

(a) to (c):  No, Madam. There is no proposal for setting up of Central Universities in the country during the current year. During 12 th Plan (2012-17), as approved by National Development Council, the thrust is on consolidation of the higher education system. Expansion would be mainly done by scaling up capacity of the existing institutions in place of setting up new institutions. In the 12 th Plan, the Central Government has launched Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) on cost sharing basis (90:10 in special category States and 65:35 in other States) to assist States to open new institutions, consolidate old ones and take appropriate steps to ensure quality in higher education. However, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014 provides the establishment of one Central University in the successor State of Andhra Pradesh and one Tribal University each in the State of Andhra Pradesh and in the State of Telangana.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2701 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-05
Subject: Denying Visa to Diplomats
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR, SUDHEER GUPTA, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2701

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2015

DENYING VISA TO DIPLOMATS

2701.		ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  	whether Pakistan Government is denying visas to Indian diplomats;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) 	whether the Indian Government has taken up the matter with the Pakistani Government in this regard; and

(d) 	if so, the details thereof including the reaction of Pakistan on this issue and the steps taken/being taken by the Government to resolve the visa row at the earliest?

#### ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

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

(a) to (d)	As per the Visa Agreement between India and Pakistan signed on 8 September 2012 and operationalised on 14 December 2012 a Diplomatic Visa is ordinarily issued within a period not exceeding 30 days of application and a Non-Diplomatic Visa for non-diplomatic members is ordinarily issued within a period not exceeding 45 days of application. However, recently there has been delay in issuance of Diplomatic and Non-Diplomatic Visa.

Government has continuously underlined the need for Pakistan to expedite issue of Diplomatic/Non-Diplomatic Visa in accordance with the Visa Agreement 2012.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2700 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-05
Subject: High Speed Data Communication Network
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: LAKHAN LAL SAHU, OM BIRLA, GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2700

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2015

**High Speed Data Communication Network**

†2700.   SHRI LAKHAN LAL SAHU:

SHRI OM BIRLA:

SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT:

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

1. whether the Government proposes to inter-link all institutions of higher learning in the country with a high speed data communication network and if so, the details thereof;

(b) 	whether the Government also proposes to provide round the clock lighting 	and Wi-Fi  facility in secondary schools and universities to improve education level of students and if so, the details thereof;

(c)	the manner in which this will prove beneficial for the country;

(d)  whether any 	proposals have been received from any secondary schools, universities and States in this regard and if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and

(e) 	the steps taken by the Government thereon along with the funds allocated for the same?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)**

1. Yes, Madam; the Government has provided internet to the institutions of higher learning in the country with high speed data communication network.

1. The Government further proposes to provide Wi-Fi facility in universities through a programme viz. Campus Connect. As regards schools, there is a component of under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) scheme for providing financial assistance to the States/ UTs for internet connectivity to Government aided Secondary & Higher Secondary Schools among other ICT related interventions.

1. The Wi-Fi facility would help the students to have access to educational content available on web and download the same for learning and enhancing their knowledge base.

1. & (e) UGC has been sanctioned Rs. 6.18 Crores for providing Wi-Fi facility in universities. So far, 85,335 Government and Government aided, Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools have been approved for coverage under ICT in schools component of converged RMSA Scheme.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2698 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-05
Subject: Strategic Uranium Reserve
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: R. GOPALAKRISHNAN, VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2698**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2015

**STRATEGIC URANIUM RESERVE**

2698. 	SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Government is working on creating a "strategic Uranium Reserve" so 	that atomic power reactors do not face shortage of the nuclear fuel, and if so, the 	details thereof and the extent to which it would help in reducing uranium import;

(b)	whether a proposal for stocking 5000 mt. of uranium has been approved, and if so, 	the details thereof; and

(c)	whether the Government is planning to set up new nuclear fuel complex in the 	country, and if so, the details thereof?

**ANSWER**

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR.JITENDRA SINGH):

(a) & (b)	Yes, Sir.  Government is creating a "Uranium Reserve" by importing uranium to ensure our atomic power reactors under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards do not face shortage of the nuclear fuel.

Twenty one (21) nuclear power reactors are under operation in the country with an installed generating capacity of 5780 MWe.   Thirteen (13) reactors with a total installed capacity of 3380 MW  are under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and are eligible for imported fuel.    To meet requirement of fuel for reactors under IAEA safeguards, agreements for import of uranium have been signed with M/s Navoi Mining & Metallurgical Combinat State Company (NMMC), Uzbekistan; M/s JSC TVEL Corporation, Russia; M/s CAMECO, Canada and M/s NAC Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan.

**The latest agreement for import of Uranium from M/s Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan covers an import of 5000 MT of Uranium Ore Concentrate over a period of 5 years.  Eight (8) reactors with a total installed capacity of 2400 MW are fuelled by indigenous fuel.  The Government have made efforts to augment indigenous uranium supply by opening of new mines and processing facilities thus narrowing down the demand-supply gap for reactors using indigenous fuel.  As a result, there has been a progressive improvement in capacity utilisation of nuclear power plants.**

3. Yes, Sir.  The Hyderabad-based Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) is setting up a facility at Kota, Rajasthan to manufacture fuel assemblies required for four numbers of 700 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), two each at Kakrapar (Gujarat) and Kota (Rajasthan), being constructed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)

.*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2697 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-05
Subject: Denial of Information
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA, PARASURAMAN K., SANTOSH AHLAWAT, SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI, A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2697**

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2015)

**DENIAL OF INFORMATION**

**2697. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:**

**SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:**

**SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:**

**SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI:**

**SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:**

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

(a) 	whether information sought under the Right to Information Act, 2005 has been denied in a large number of cases and if so, the details thereof for the last three years and the current year;

(b) 	whether complaints have been received by the Government regarding rejection of application under the RTI Act and if so, the details thereof during the above period along with the action taken in this regard; and

(c) 	whether the Government has proposed to increase RTI application fee and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

**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):   There are a number of cases where an applicant has filed first appeal with the First Appellate Authority in the concerned Public Authority and second appeal/complaint with the Central Information Commission/State Information Commission, as the case may be, inter-alia, due to the following reasons:

1. Non-receipt of information within prescribed time;
2. Denial of request for information;
3. If he/she believes that incomplete/ misleading or false information under this Act has been given by the Public Information Officer.

The number of second appeals/complaints registered by the Central Information Commission during the last three years and current year is as under:

|   **2012-13** |   **2013-14** |   **2014-15** |   **2015-16 (upto 30.06.15)** |
|---------------|---------------|---------------|-------------------------------|
|         28801 |         20438 |         35380 |                          8644 |

(c):    At present, no such proposal is under consideration of the Government.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2696 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-05
Subject: Performance Audit of MDMS
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI, PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL, VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI, SANTOSH AHLAWAT, ASADUDDIN OWAISI, CH. MALLA REDDY, P.R. SUNDARAM

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2696**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2015**

**Performance Audit of MDMS**

**2696. 	SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI:**

**DR. P. VENUGOPAL:**

**SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:**

**SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:**

**SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:**

**SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY:**

**SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:**

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

(a) 	whether in its performance audit of the Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) for the period 2009-10 to 2013-14, the Comptroller and Auditor General has raised questions about the coverage of children under the programme, its impact and also pointed out diversion of funds meant for the scheme;

(b)	 if so, the details thereof;

(c) 	whether it is a fact that EdCIL, a PSU under the Ministry of Human Resource Development was chosen to handle MDMS related work without inviting any tender or competitive bidding; and

(d) 	if so, the reasons therefor?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)**

(a)&(b): 	The Comptroller and Auditor General of India carried out performance audit of the Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) for the period 2009-10 to 2013-14 in the States /UTs. The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General has not been received.

(c)&(d): 	The Educational Consultants India Limited (Ed.CIL) is a Government of India undertaking under the Ministry of Human Resource Development. It has established credentials in Education Sector for providing quality services. It is categorised as a 'Mini Ratna Organisation' by the Government of India.

The Technical Support Group (TSG) of Ed.CIL for Mid Day Meal Scheme consists of Consultants (subject experts) and support staff and also provides support services to the Ministry towards implementation of the Scheme. For this purpose, Ed.CIL is reimbursed on cost plus basis salaries of the consultants & staff engaged for the TSG, administrative & procurement expenses, rent for space and maintenance charges. The activities were entrusted to Ed.CIL on nomination basis which is the only Government of India undertaking under MHRD.  EdCIL as Public Sector Enterprise of the Govt. of India is duty bound to follow the Government guidelines in respect of financial norms.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2695 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-05
Subject: Transportation of Nuclear Fuel
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: YERRAM VENKATA SUBBAREDDY, HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2695**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2015

**TRANSPORTATION OF NUCLEAR FUEL**

2695. 	SHRI Y.V. SUBBA REDDY:

SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) 	the estimated expenditure likely to be incurred on purchase of nuclear fuel 	from Kazakhstan every year;

(b) 	whether the Government is facing difficulties in transporting nuclear fuel from

Kazakhstan to India as the former is a landlocked country and if so, the details

thereof; and

(c)	the effective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

**ANSWER**

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR.JITENDRA SINGH):

(a) 	In accordance with the Contract recently entered into between the Joint Stock Company “NAC Kazatomprom”, Kazakhstan and the Directorate of Purchase & Stores (DPS), DAE, around 750–1000 MT of Uranium is to be imported every year.  The estimated expenditure is Rs.650 crore towards import of 1000 MT every year.

(b)	M/s   Kazatomprom,  Kazakhstan is delivering the material at JNPT, Mumbai, hence  Government  of  India is  not  facing  any  problem for transporting the   nuclear fuel from  Kazakhstan.

(c)	Does not arise in the context of reply to question (b) above.

*****