opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2027 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Collaboration for Mars Exploration
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: M. I. SHANAVAS, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2027

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2016

## COLLABORATION FOR MARS EXPLORATION

2027. SHRI M.I. SHANAVAS:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  India and the United States have agreed to cooperate on future exploration of the Red Planet;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  any  charter  has  been  signed  between  NASA  and ISRO on Mars Working Group for cooperation between the two countries in this regard;
- (d)
- if so, the details and the salient features thereof; and
- (e) the time by which the work on the joint project is likely to start?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a)&(b)  ISRO-NASA Mars Working Group (INMWG) has been formed, under the US-India Civil Space Joint Working Group.  Under INMWG,  ISRO  and  NASA  are  having  discussions  on  the possibility of co-operations in Mars Science and exploration.
- (c) Yes Madam.
- (d) The  Charter  for  the  ISRO-NASA  Mars  Working  Group  was signed  during  September  2014.  This  group  will  seek  to identify, define and implement those scientific, programmatic, and technological goals that ISRO and NASA have in common in regard to the exploration of Mars. This working group will explore possibilities for enhanced cooperation between the two countries in the exploration of Mars.
- (e) No action plan is yet in place.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2026 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Dedicated Freight Corridors
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, RAMCHARAN BOHARA, RAJENDRA AGRAWAL, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2026 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDORS

ϯ 2026. DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI RAM CHARAN BOHRA:

SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL:

SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the    Railways  proposes  to  set  up  more  Dedicated  Freight Corridors in the country;
- if  so,  the  details  thereof,  corridor-wise  and  the  salient  features  of
- (b) the said corridors;
- (c) whether any assessment  has been conducted to find out the extent to  which  freight  movement  of  Railways  will  be  increased  after  the completion of such corridors and if so, the outcome thereof;
- (d) the details of expenditure likely to be incurred on setting up of such corridors;
- (e) the  details  of  funds  so  far  allocated,  released  and  expenditure incurred on such corridors; and
- (f)
- the time by which these corridors are likely to be operational?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a)  &  (b):    Apart  from  Eastern(Ludhiana  to  Dankuni)    and  Western (Jawaharlal  Nehru  Port  to  Dadri)  Dedicated  Freight  Corridors  (DFCs) currently under implementation, in Budget  Speech  2016-2017,  it is proposed to take up the following freight corridors:-(i) East-West Corridor (2328 kms)  (Kolkata-Mumbai);  (ii)  North-South Corridor(2343 km)

(Delhi-Chennai);    and  (iii)    East  Coast  Corridor  (1114  km)    (  KharagpurVijaywada).    The  Preliminary  Engineering  Cum  Traffic  Survey  (PETS) Reports of these Corridors have been completed.  As per the PETS reports, salient features of the Corridors are: (1) parallel to the existing alignment, (2)  designed  for  25  tonne  axle  load  standards  (upgradable  to  32.5  tonne axle load) with maximum speed of  100 km/h, and (3) design for no surface crossings and rail flyovers at Junction Stations. (c) & (d):  The freight traffic projections in the three new corridors as per PETS  reports  indicate  a  level  of  approximately  1300  million  tonnes  by 2026-27.  Estimated  completion  Costs  are  :-  (i)  East-West  Corridor  -` 1,10,529 crore; (ii) North-South Corridor -` 1,04,471 crore; and (iii) East Coast Corridor -` 56,749 crore. (e):  No expenditure has been allocated as the new freight corridors have yet not been sanctioned. (f): Does not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2018 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Proposals for GFEMC
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Pratyusha Rajeshwari Singh, RITA TARAI, BALABHADRA MAJHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2018

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 09.03.2016

## PROPOSALS FOR GFEMC

2018

SHRIMATI   PRATYUSHA  RAJESHWARI  SINGH: SHRIMATI  RITA  TARAI: SHRI  BALABHADRA  MAJHI:

Will the Minister of Communications & Information Technology be pleased to state: -

- (a) whether  the  Greenfield  Electronic  Manufacturing  Cluster  (GFEMC)  proposal  from  State Government of Odisha is pending for approval;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefore; and
- (c) the time by which the project is likely to be approved?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (c):  Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), Government of India had accorded In-principle approval on  14 th July, 2014 to M/s. Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development  Corporation  Ltd.  (IDCO)  for  setting  up  of  Greenfield  Electronics  Manufacturing Cluster at Bhubaneswar Industrial Area, Khurda District, Odisha. The final application along with the project report was received in the department on 24 th February, 2015. During the appraisal of the final application, the details related to financial capability of the proposed units as envisaged therein and Consent to establish (CTE) from the concerned State Government authorities have not been provided by the applicant.

M/s. Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (IDCO) has been informed vide this department letter no. 36(8)/2015-IPHW dated 6th May, 2015 & 30th June, 2015 and subsequent e-mails dated 10 th September, 2015, 15 th September, 2015, 21 st September, 2015, 4 th October, 2015, 23 rd October, 2015, 8 th December, 2015, 13 th January, 2016, 3 rd February, 2016, 16 th February, 2016 for  providing  the  requisite  information/  documents.  However,  the  details  are  still  awaited.  The application  will  be  put  up  for  the  consideration  of  Steering  Committee  for  Cluster  (SCC)  once  the information /details are furnished.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2015 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Cost of Nuclear Energy
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA, B.V. NAYAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2015 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## COST OF NUCLEAR ENERGY

2015.  SHRI  S. P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA: SHRI  B.V. NAIK:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether cost of nuclear energy per unit is much higher than coal based power unit and other sources of energy, while calculating huge investments therein and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  amount of nuclear energy produced in the country during the last three years and its average cost per unit; and
- (c) the amount of nuclear energy proposed to be produced for the next five years and the estimated cost per unit in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No,  Sir.    The  tariffs  of  nuclear  power  are  comparable  to  those  of  the contemporary conventional base load power generating units (like coal based thermal power) located in the area/region.  The tariff of electricity comprises two  components  viz.  capacity  charge  and  energy  (fuel)  charge.    In  case  of nuclear power tariff, the capacity charge component is relatively higher but the energy  charge  component  is  much  lower  when  compared  to  that  of  coal thermal power.
- (b) The details of electricity generated from nuclear power during the last three years and the average tariff are as follows:

| Year                         |   2012-13 | 2013-14   | 2014-15   |
|------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Generation (Million Units)   |  32863    | 35333*    | 37835*    |
| Average Tariff ( ` per Unit) |      2.69 | 2.71      | 2.78      |

- (c) The targets for generation of nuclear power are set on annual basis.  NPCIL target for the next year 2016-17 is set at 41500 Million Units (tentative, subject to  confirmation  by  Department  of  Public  Enterprises  (DPE)  during  MoU meeting).  The generation targets beyond 2016-17 will be set as part of MoU for  the  respective  years  before  the  start  of  the  year.    The  tariffs  of  nuclear power in future are expected to be comparable to those of other sources of electricity generation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2014 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Safety and Security of Children
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MIDHUN REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2014 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## SAFETY AND SECURITY OF CHILDREN

2014. SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that thousands of children are lost at the Railway stations every year;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/to be taken for the safety and security of children at stations;
- (c) whether  it  is  true  that  the  Railways  is  considering  to  create  a website  for  children  rescued  at  stations  and  trains  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (d) whether  it  is  also  true  that  about  200  childcare  kiosks  are  also planned  across  major  railway  stations  in  the  country  that  will  be nodal centres to help rescued children; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

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

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

******

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.2014  BY  SHRI  P.V.  MIDHUN  REDDY  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  09.03.2016  REGARDING  SAFETY  AND SECURITY OF CHILDREN

(a) &  (b): Ministry of  Women  and  Child  Development  (MoWCD)  in coordination with Ministry of Railways, have set up Child Help Desks/Kiosks  at  20  nominated  Railway  Stations  which  are  manned  by representatives of the organization nominated by MoWCD. The runaway/missing/abandoned  children  are  rescued  from  stations  by  Child Help Group comprising of Station Superintendent/Station master, Station House Officer (SHO)/ Government Railway Police (GRP), Inspector/Railway Protection  Force  (RPF),  Sr.  Section  Engineer  (Works),  and  in  trains  by GRP, RPF, Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) & Ticket Collector (TC). The children so rescued are handed over to these Child Help Desks/kiosks and in turn to Child Welfare Committee in coordination with GRP. In addition, RPF supplements the efforts of GRP of the State concerned in rescuing the children from trafficking and to ensure safety & security of children at stations. During the year 2015, 7575 children including trafficked children were  rescued  at  Railway  Stations  and  on  trains.  In  addition,  Security Helpline No.182 is also operational over Indian Railways for the security related assistance to the passengers in distress.

(c): At present, there is no proposal for creation of separate website for children rescued at railway stations and trains.

(d)  &  (e):  The  Ministry  of  Railways,  in  coordination  with  the  Ministry  of Women  and  Child  Development,  has  decided  that  stations  may  be identified  for  setting  up  the  kiosks/Child  Help  Desks  where  children  are reported  missing/abandoned/trafficked.  Accordingly,  Child  Help  Desks/ kiosks have been set up at 20 identified railway stations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2013 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Lack of Toilet Facilities
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2013 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## LACK OF TOILET FACILITIES

†2013. SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there are a large number  of stations lacking community  and  separate  toilets  for  men  and  women  under  the North Central railway zone;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  build  toilets  at these stations under the PPP model; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b):  As per norms of Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA), stations  falling  'A1',  'A',  'B'  'C'  &  'D'  category,  which  cater  to major segment of passenger traffic, qualify for more than one toilet  at  stations,  and  therefore  separate  toilet  facilities  for women and men are feasible at such stations.  As per norms of MEA, 'E' category stations qualify for only one toilet.  Further, 'F' category(Halt) stations are not provided toilet facility as per norms  as  halt  stations  are  not  continuously  manned  and generally have  watering  facility in form of  hand  pumps. Accordingly, separate toilet for men and women are available as per norms at all 'A1', 'A', 'B' & 'D' category stations on North Central  Railway.  There  is  no  'C'  category  station  on  North Central Railway. (c)  & (d): Operation of public toilets, both deluxe and normal, with  ladies  and  gents  units,  is  also  planned  through  Public Private  -  Partnership  (PPP)  model  by  the  interested  firms  on 'Pay & Use' basis. Zonal Railways are awarding contract(s) for operation & maintenance, including cleanliness of such toilets at various stations including those of North Central Railway. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2011 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Special Train for Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2016
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: CHINTAMANI MALVIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2011 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## SPECIAL TRAIN FOR SIMHASTHA KUMBH MELA 2016

†2011. PROF. CHINTAMANI MALVIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is contemplating to operate any special train for Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2016 being held in Ujjain to enable more  and  more  devotees  to  avail  themselves  of  benefits  of  the same;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether any schedule has been fixed for the same and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (c) Yes, Madam.   To cater to the expected influx of pilgrims during  Simhastha  Kumbh  Mela  at  Ujjain,  Indian  Railways  has planned to run special trains including DEMU/MEMU,  augmentation of load of existing trains and, also, providing of temporary stoppage on Mail/Express trains to the extent justified and feasible. Running of special trains on various sectors is a continuous process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2010 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: International Convention for Supplementary Compensation
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: G. HARI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2010 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR SUPPLEMENTARY COMPENSATION

2010. SHRI G. HARI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  India  is  ready  to  ratify  the  International  Convention for Supplementary Compensation;
- (b) if so, the details in this regard;
- (c) whether Indian Nuclear insurance pool with a capacity of Rs. 1,500 crore was launched earlier to provide insurance to cover liability; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) India  submitted  its  Instrument  of  Ratification  for  the Convention  on  Supplementary  Compensation  for  Nuclear  Damage (CSC), 1997, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on February 4, 2016. The Convention will come into force for India with effect from May 4, 2016.
- (c) & (d) The India Nuclear Insurance Pool (INIP) was launched in June  2015.  The  INIP  is  a  risk  management  mechanism  formed  by GIC Re and other Indian Public Sector Undertakings/private insurance companies with a total corpus of Rs 1,500 crore. The pool provides coverage for operator's liability under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLND). It also provides for a Supplier's Special  Contingency  to  Nuclear  Operators  (Buy-Back)  Policy  for Suppliers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2007 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Ranking in Skill Competition
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: P.P. CHAUDHARY, CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI, NARANBHAI KACHHADIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2007 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## RANKING IN SKILL COMPETITION

†

2007.SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY:

SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

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

- (a) whether India's ranking has fallen from 11th place to 89th place in the World skills international competition;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  conduct any study to ascertain the reasons behind it;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to take any effective steps to check brain drain so that India may get higher rank in skill competition; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the strategy being prepared in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under Ministry of Skill Development  and  Entrepreneurship  (MSDE)  has  been  leading  the  country  in participation  at  World  Skills  International  Competitions  since  2011.The  43 rd World Skills Competition was held in August, 2015 at Sao Paulo, Brazil.In 2015 event, India participated  in  27  skills  and  won  8  medallions  of  excellence  awards  too.  The  total number of points scored by India in 2015 was 13192 and was ranked at 18th place. The  position  secured  by  India  was  better  than  previous  year  participation  in  the World Skills Competitions.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2005 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Territorial Claims
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SRINIVAS KESINENI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2005 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## TERRITORIAL CLAIMS

## 2005. SHRI KESINENI NANI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :

- (a) the  details  of  India's  current  stand  on  the  territorial  claims  of various countries on the polar regions of the Earth;
- (b) whether India has made any claim over any territory in the Arctic and Antarctic;
- (c) if so, the details in this regard;
- (d) whether any deliberations have been held among various countries in this regard; and
- (e) if so, the details and outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) India is a party to the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 and abides by the provisions of the Treaty, under which all territorial claims stand frozen. India  enjoys  an  Observer  status  in  the  Arctic  Council,  which  was formally  established  by  the  Ottawa  Declaration  of  1996.    The  Arctic Ocean  does  not  belong  to  any  country  and  is  governed  by  the  1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which India is a party.
- (b) No.  India has not made any claim over any territory in the Arctic or the Antarctic.
- (c) Not applicable.
- (d) India has not held any deliberations with any country with regard to any territorial claims on the polar regions.
- (e) Not applicable.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2003 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Discontinuance of Stoppage
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAJ KUMAR SAINI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2003

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## DISCONTINUANCE OF STOPPAGE

†2003. SHRI RAJKUMAR SAINI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether according to railway time table, there was a stoppage of train no. 14731-32 Fazilka Express on Shahbad railway station of Kurukshetra district of Haryana and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  reasons  for  discontinuance  of  the  stoppage  on  the  said station;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to extend train no. 64465 to Ambala which runs between Delhi and  Kurukshetra  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  start  the  train  with immediate effect; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b)    Stoppage  of  14731/14732  Delhi-Fazilka  express  was provided at Shahbad  Markanda  w.e.f. 01.06.2004 and it  was withdrawn w.e.f. 01.11.2005 due to poor patronization.
- (c)  to  (e)  No,  Madam.    Extension  of  64465  New  Delhi-Kurukshetra MEMU from Kurukshetra to Ambala is not feasible, at present, due to  operational  and  resource  constraints  including  inadequate  lieover at Kurukshetra.

*****