opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2872 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Suvidha/Premium Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: LALLU SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2872 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## SUVIDHA/PREMIUM TRAINS

†2872.  SHRI LALLU SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the number of Suvidha/Premium trains being run by the Railways at present;
- (b) the extent of extra fare charged in those trains as compared to the fares of the Common Mail/Express Train;
- (c) whether majority of Suvidha/ premium trains do not reach destination stations on time and the services rendered such as catering are of substandard quality due to which the passengers have to face difficulties in the  name  of  facilities  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the very purpose of running Suvidha/premium trains to earn more revenues is thus being defeated; and
- (e) if so, the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a):  Suvidha/Premium  Express  trains  based  on  the  dynamic  pricing mechanism are run on seasonal and occasion-specific instances when the demand for travel by certain trains goes up and the level of demand satisfaction becomes low. As such, specific number of Suvidha/Premium Express running at present cannot be ascertained as its figures keep on

changing on daily basis depending on operational feasibility and commercial viability.

(b): Minimum fare of Suvidha trains is equal to Tatkal fare applicable for the class of accommodation for initial 20% of the berths and thereafter the fare increases for subsequent slabs of 20% of seats/berths booked subject to maximum three times of the Tatkal fare. Other supplementary charges are levied in full.

Now,  Suvidha  trains  are  running  in  place  of  Premium  trains  with rationalized fare structure.

(c): No, Madam. The average punctuality, (right time arrival at destination) of the Suvidha/Premium Express trains during the last three months (February, 2016 to April, 2016) is 80%.  However, some of the Suvidha/Premium  Express  trains,  like  other  Mail/Express  trains,  lose punctuality due to various reasons like asset failures, adverse weather conditions, line capacity constraints on account of increasing passenger and freight traffic, public agitation, law and order problems etc.

Catering  arrangements  are  provided  in  Suvidha  trains  at  short  notice. Concerted efforts have been made to provide quality catering services through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

(d): No, Madam. Suvidha train services are provided as facilities to those passengers, who plan their journey at short notice.

(e): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2871 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Night Shelters
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: JITENDRA CHAUDHURY, JAYSHREEBEN  PATEL

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2871

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MAY 11, 2016

## NIGHT SHELTERS

No. 2871.  SHRI JITENDRA CHAUDHURY: SHRIMATI JAYSHREEBEN PATEL:

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

- a) the number of homeless people who have died on streets/
2. in open during the last three years;
- b) the number of night shelters all over the country;
- c) whether the Government has not enough night shelters for
5. homeless people and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- d) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

****

(a): The data on the number of homeless people who have died on streets/  in  open  is  not  maintained  in  the  Ministry  of  Housing  & Urban Poverty Alleviation.

Contd/-

(b) to (d): 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  (DAY-NULM)  for  providing  permanent shelters  with  basic  facilities  to  urban  homeless.  The  scheme  is implemented  through  respective  States/UTs.  As  per  information received  from  the  States/UTs,  a  total  of  770  shelters  have  been sanctioned by States/UTs. The Ministry is constantly pursuing with the  States/UTs  for  effective  implementation  of  the  scheme  and timely completion of the projects.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2870 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Mono Rail Projects
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: HARI MANJHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2870

TO BE ANSWERED ON MAY 11, 2016

MONO RAIL PROJECTS

NO. 2870                     SHRI HARI MANJHI:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be please to state:

(a) Whether the Government has received proposal for Mono rail projects from various States;

(b) If so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) Whether all the  said proposals have been approved;

(d)

If so, the details and the present status of these projects; and

(e) If not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) to  (e)  :Government  of  India  has  received  a  proposal  from Government of Tamil Nadu for 'in-principle' approval for implementing  a  Monorail  Project  (Phase-I)  from  Poonamallee  to Kathipara with a link from Porur to Vadaplani of about 20.68 kms at an estimated cost of Rs.3267 crores under Design, Build, Finance, Operation  &  Transfer  (DBFOT)  model.  Government  of  India,  vide letter dated 11.11.2014 has accorded 'In principle' approval without any financial liability to the project. Government of Tamil Nadu has informed  that  the  opening  of  bid  for  award  of  the  concession  is scheduled on 31.05.2016.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2869 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Decline in Corruption Complaints
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2869

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016)

## DECLINE IN CORRUPTION COMPLAINTS

## 2869. SHRIMATI KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there has been a decline in the complaints related to corruption during the last two years; 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) & (b): As  informed  by the Central  Vigilance Commission (CVC), the Commission had received 37039 and 31432 complaints during the years 2012 & 2013 respectively. During the year 2014, it received 62362 complaints and in the year 2015 the complaints has dropped to 29838.

The  reason  for  the  decline  in  the  complaints  received  in  2015  as  compared  to  the previous  year  is  that  in  the  year  2014,  there  were  multiple  complaints  received  in  the Commission sent by some of the complainants containing the same allegations / issues.

Further, the Central Government is fully alive and committed to implement its policy of 'Zero Tolerance against Corruption' and has taken several measures to combat corruption and improve the functioning of the Government and make it more effective and corruptionfree.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2867 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Implementation of Skill Development Programmes
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: BHARAT SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2867 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## IMPLEMENTATION OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

†2867. SHRI BHARAT SINGH: SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK:

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

- (a) whether quality of training is the biggest challenge for skill development;
- (b) if so, the steps being taken by the Government  for the continuous improvement in imparting quality training and the manner in which the Government proposes to involve private sector in this regard; and
- (c) the  position  of  India  in  skill  development  training  as  compared  to  other countries?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) There  are  skill  gaps  qualitatively  and  quantitatively.  National  Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has set up 40 SSCs led by industry to address skill related issues in their sectors. SSCs assess skill needs of various job roles in their sector in consultation with the industry and develop job specific standards called Qualification Packs -National Occupational Standards (QP-NOS). Till now, SSCs  have developed 1661 Qualification Packs - National Occupational Standards (QP-NOS). These  QP-NOS  are  compliant  to  National  Skill  Qualification  Framework  and  are aligned to standards set by the industry to make the training relevant to the industry needs.
- (c) As  per  National  Policy  for  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship  2015, 4.69% of the total workforce in India has undergone formal skill training as compared to  68%  in  UK,  75%  in  Germany,  52%  in  USA,  80%  in  Japan  and  96%  in  South Korea.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2866 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Ultra Modern Signalling System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2866 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## ULTRA MODERN SIGNALLING SYSTEM

2866.   SHRI RAYAPATI  SAMBASIVA RAO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has installed its first ultra modern computer based signalling system and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the stations where this state of the art system has been commissioned;
- (c) the  advantage  of  installing  this  system  along  with  the  cost  incurred thereon; and
- (d) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government for developing an ultra  modern  centralised  traffic  system  for  increasing  traffic  handling capacity?

## 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. 2866 BY SHRI RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO TO BE ANSWERED IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  11.05.2016  REGARDING  ULTRA  MODERN  SIGNALLING SYSTEM

(a)&(b) Microprocessor based Signalling Systems called Electronic Interlocking (EI) Systems have been provided at 1005 stations on IR as on 31.3.2016. Number of stations provided on each zonal railway is as under:

| S.N.   | Railway            |   No. of Stations. |
|--------|--------------------|--------------------|
| 1      | Central            |                 27 |
| 2      | Eastern            |                 59 |
| 3      | Northern           |                 50 |
| 4      | North Eastern      |                  0 |
| 5      | Northeast Frontier |                 99 |
| 6      | Southern           |                102 |
| 7      | South Central      |                 66 |
| 8      | South Eastern      |                 78 |
| 9      | Western            |                 64 |
| 10     | East Central       |                 14 |
| 11     | East Coast         |                101 |
| 12     | North Central      |                126 |
| 13     | North Western      |                 90 |
| 14     | South East Central |                 52 |
| 15     | South Western      |                 43 |
| 16     | West Central       |                 34 |
|        | Indian Railway     |               1005 |

(c) Electronic Interlocking Systems comply to the latest International Safety Standards.  Also,  these  systems  provide  higher  reliability  due  to  in-built redundancy  and  are  tamper-proof.  Additionally,  EI  systems  are  modular  in nature & thus they are easier to install/modify. Cost of the EI system at the station varies with complexity of the yard and operational requirements.

(d) EI systems have inherent capability of remote operation. This feature is being used  for providing Centralised Traffic  Control  (CTC)  System  on Ghaziabad-Kanpur section of North Central Railway.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2865 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Floating Nuclear Power Plants
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2865

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## FLOATING NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

2865.  SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any proposal to allow construction and operation of floating nuclear  power  plants  in  India  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether any study has been conducted for evaluating the same; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) (b) & (c) No, Sir.  There is no proposal to construct and operate floating power plants in India.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2863 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Complaints against Builders
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN, RAJ KUMAR SINGH, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2863

TO BE ANSWERED ON MAY 11, 2016

COMPLAINTS AGAINST BUILDERS

No. 2863

SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE :

SHRI NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN :

SHRI R. K. SINGH :

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE :

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether most of builders in NCR have not given possession  of  flats  to  buyers  on  time  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b)
- whether  the  Union  Government  has  taken  suo  moto cognizance of the matter and the problems of the buyers; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the corrective action taken against the builders in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) to (c):  'Land' and 'Colonisation' are State subjects, it is therefore the  responsibility  of  States/Union  Territories  (UTs)  to ensure timely possession of flats/buyers in time and take corrective action against the builders.

However, in order to establish the Real Estate Regulatory Authority for regulation and promotion of the real estate sector in an efficient and transparent manner; to protect the interest of consumers; and to establish an adjudicating  mechanism  for  speedy  dispute  redressal, Ministry  of  Housing  &  Urban  Poverty  Alleviation  piloted the  Real  Estate  (Regulation  and  Development)  Bill.  This Bill has been passed by Rajya Sabha on 10 th  March, 2016 and by Lok Sabha on 15 th  March, 2016. The Bill as passed by  the  Parliament  has  been  assented  to  by  Hon'ble President on 25 th  March, 2016 which was published in the official Gazette on 26 th March, 2016 for public information. Specific Sections of this Act have come into effect  from  01 st May,  2016  through  Gazette  Notification published  on  27.4.2016.  Appropriate  Governments  are now  required  to  notify  Rules  under  this  Act  and  to establish the Regulatory Authority and Appellate Tribunal.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2862 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Sub-Passport Centre
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: VINOD CHAVDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2862 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## SUB-PASSPORT CENTRE

## 2862. SHRI VINOD LAKHAMASHI CHAVDA:

## Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government plans to introduce new sub-passport centre in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat; 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) Under the Passport Seva Project (PSP), 5 (five) Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) have been set up in the State of Gujarat - two in Ahmedabad and one each in Rajkot, Vadodara and Surat. They are functioning as extended arms of Passport Offices in Ahmedabad and Surat.  The Government has no plans at the moment to set up a PSK in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2861 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Only Rail Neer at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUSHAWAHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2861

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## ONLY RAIL NEER AT STATIONS

†2861. SHRI RAVINDER KUSHAWAHA: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether any decision has been taken to supply only rail neer at all major stations of the Northern Railways;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the supply of rail neer is likely to be made mandatory and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  arrangement  for  supply  of  bottled  water  of  other  brands complying with the set criteria is likely to be made to meet the demand of pure drinking water with the Railways and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  steps  taken  to  ensure  that  safe  drinking  water  or  rail  neer  is made available at all the railway stations?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to  (e):  Yes,  Madam.  Detailed  guidelines  have  been  issued  wherein 200  Railway  stations  including  15  major  stations  of  Northern  Railway have  been  notified  as  mandatory  units  for  100%  supply  of  Rail  Neer w.e.f.  01.03.2016.   In  emergent  situations  arising out of Force Majeure

Contd..2/-

circumstances where  Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)  is unable to meet 100% demand of Rail Neer, licensees will be permitted to sell other brands of Packaged Drinking Water conforming to BIS (Bureau  of Indian Standard)  specifications, shortlisted by the concerned zonal railway to meet the demand of packaged drinking water on stations. Zonal railway would however continue to follow the extant procedure for shortlisting  packaged  drinking  water  of  other    brands  in accordance  with  the  extant  guidelines    and  ensure  availability  of adequate supply of approved packaged drinking water on all stations/catering units other than the above 200 stations on which 100% supply of Rail Neer has been made mandatory.  In addition, IRCTC has been mandated to install Water Vending Machines at Railway Stations, in a phased manner, in order to provide safe drinking water, conforming to BIS specifications, to passengers at affordable rates.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2860 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Compensation to Rail Accident Victims
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2860 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## COMPENSATION TO RAIL ACCIDENT VICTIMS

2860.    DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  has  been  a  disparity  in  compensation  paid  to the kin of rail accident victims by Railway Claims Tribunal all these years;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  regarding  quantum  of  compensation given to a accident victim currently;
- (c) whether is the amount of compensation was fixed more than 15 years ago and had not been revised since then and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  Government  is  aware  about  the  recent  direction  of High Court of Delhi to revise the compensation paid to the kin of rail accident victims;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the  action  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  revise  the compensation as per Court's direction?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) No, Madam. The amount of compensation being paid to the kin of a rail accident victim by the Railway Claims Tribunal has already

been  fixed  by  the  Central  Government  vide  Gazette  notification G.S.R. 620(E) dated 25.10.1997 effective from 01.11.1997.

(b)    Does not arise.

(c)    Yes, Madam.

(d) to (f)   Yes, Madam. Hon'ble High Court of Delhi in its judgment dated 19.11.2015 in the matter of Setu Niket vs Union of India has directed  to consider  the  issue  of updating  the  upper  limit  of compensation. In such cases, legal recourse as warranted, is taken.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2858 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: International Space Station
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA

## 2858.

- (a)
- (b)
- (c)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2858

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2016

## INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

- SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Indian  Space  Research  Organisation  (ISRO)  has been formally invited to become a member of the International  Space  Station  (ISS)  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether ISRO has accepted the same and is taking part in the ISS development;
- if  so,  the  budgetary  allocations  made  thereof  and  the
- (c) technical work required therefor;
- (d) if  not,  whether ISRO desires to be a part of the ISS in the near future;
- (e)
- (f)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- No Madam.
- Does not arise.
- Does not arise.
- (d)to(f)  The studies on the possibilities of conducting Earth Observation experiments, utilising International Space Station (ISS)  as  platform,  for  Earth's  environment  and climate are underway.

*****