opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2977 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Deserted Women Abroad
Ministry: OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## Government of India Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2977

To be answered on 16th December, 2015

## Deserted Women Abroad

## 2977 . DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of beneficiaries who have received legallfinancial assistance under the Ministry's scheme to assist Indian women deserted by their overseas Indian spouses;
- (b) whether the details of the scheme has been uploaded on the Ministry's website;
- (c) if s0, whether the Government is contemplating to upload the details of the habitual offenders , who enter into multiple marriages, on the website of the Ministry; and
- (d) the cases wherein stringent action has been taken along with the reasons for pendency of the rest of the cases?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS SMT.SUSHMA SWARAJ

- The Ministry's scheme for legallfinancial assistance to Indian women deserted by their overseas Indian spouses is provided through Indian Missions in 13 countries namely USA, UK, Canada; Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia; Kuwait; Bahrain; Iraq; Oman; Qatar; Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates:

As per information made available by 15 December, 2015 by Indian Missions of these 13 countries, the total number of beneficiaries who have received legallfinancial assistance under this scheme during 2012 to 2015 (so far) is 75.

- (b): Yes, Madam. The details of the scheme are available on the

(c): The Ministry or Indian Missions in countries where the scheme is operational have not received information about habitual overseas Indian offenders who enter into multiple marriages with Indian women.

(d): Under the Ministry's scheme, Indian women deserted by their overseas Indian spouses receive through Indian Missions, assistance upto USS 3000 per case for developed countries and USS2O00 per case for developing countries. This assistance is provided by Missions through their empanelled legal counsell Women's organizationsINGOs or Indian Community Associations:

Since overseas Indians who desert their spouses, are living outside India, aggrieved Indian women are seeking redressal under the Indian legal system as well as from the judiciary in the foreign country where the overseas Indian is residing:

Missions have informed that through assistance provided under this scheme, judicial proceedings have been initiated in some cases vis-avis the overseas Indian spouse in the concerned   foreign country: Missions have also informed that they do not have information about cases where the overseas Indian spouse was arrested or punished:

Assistance provided through the scheme enabled the Indian women, in some cases, to meet legal costs such as documentation and preparatory work for filing a case against the overseas Indian spouse and other assistance with regard to judicial proceedings; counselling and, in some other cases, assistance was for financial support for sustenance,

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2976 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Height of Platforms
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2976 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015 HEIGHT OF PLATFORMS

## 2976. DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways is aware that due to low height of platforms the  passengers  in  Mumbai  sub-urban  railway  stations  meet  with accidents frequently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  work  of  raising  platform  height  of  nine  stations  of Mumbai  sub-urban railways has been started and is being monitored regularly;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the time by when the work would be completed?

## 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.  2976  BY  DR.  KIRIT  SOMAIYA  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  16.12.2015  REGARDING  HEIGHT  OF PLATFORMS

(a)  and (b):          The  low  height of  platforms as compared to height of coach  floor  causes  inconvenience  in  boarding  sub-urban  trains  and accidents may occur if commuters try to entrain or detrain from moving trains. So far, 21, 19 and 34 persons have died due to such reasons in Mumbai sub-urban railways in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively.

(c) to (e): 83  platforms  on  Central  Railway  and  145  platforms  on Western Railway in Mumbai suburban  section have been identified for raising of platform height from existing 760-840 mm to 840-920 mm. The work has been taken up and is being monitored by concerned railway authorities  at  appropriate  level.  So  far,  height  of  43  platforms  on Central Railway and 51 platforms on Western Railway have been raised. Balance work has been planned for completion during 2016-17 & 201718, subject to availability of funds.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2975 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Missing Links
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RITA TARAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2975 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## MISSING LINKS

2975. SHRIMATI RITA TARAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Railways is considering to sanction three missing links  from  Rupsa-Burhamara  to  Chakulia,  Banspani-Barbil  and Barasuan-Banspani/Nayagada; and
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b): Buramara-Chakulia  (50  Kms)  new  line  has  already been sanctioned and the work has been taken up by Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd.

Surveys for Banspani-Barbil(18 Km) and Barsuan-Banspani (52  Km)  new  lines  have  been  completed  and  the  costs  of  the projects  have  been  assessed  as ` 175  crore  and ` 786  crore, respectively.    However,  due  to  huge  throwforward  of  ongoing projects,  limited  availability  of  funds  for  the  new  lines  and competing priorities, the projects could not be taken forward.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2973 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Rent related Litigation
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

No. 2973

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2973

TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 16, 2015

## RENT RELATED LITIGATION

SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

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

- (a) whether thousands of rent related litigations are pending in courts;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  an independent authority for registration of tenancy agreement;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to bring a legislation to this effect; and
- (e) if  so,  the  time  by  which  a  final  decision  is  likely  to  be taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) :   'Land' and 'Colonisation' being state subjects, Ministry of Housing  and  Urban  Poverty  Alleviation  does  not  have data with respect to rent related litigations   pending    in

various courts all over the country.

In view of the above, it is upto State Governments to set up  an  appropriate  authority  for  registration  of  tenancy agreements. In order to facilitate the State Governments,  the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation has prepared a draft Model Tenancy Act and has shared the same with the States.   The draft Model Tenancy Act proposes that the landlord and tenant shall jointly  inform  the  Rent  Authority  of  the  written  tenancy agreement  entered  into  between  them.    The  Model Tenancy Act is not a Central Bill or a Central Act and only a Model Act.  It is upto State Governments to adopt the Model Act with changes that are locally suitable.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2972 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: New Express Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA, SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2972 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## NEW EXPRESS TRAINS

2972.  SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA: KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether it is a fact that there has been a demand to introduce a new  express  train  between  Mysore  and  Belgaum,  Belgaum  and Bangalore and Mysore to Mangalore via Hassan;
- (b) whether it is also a fact that there has been a demand for running an  additional  passenger  train  between  Bangalore  and  Mangalore  via Hassan; and
- (c) if so, the steps taken by the railways on the above said demands?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) A large number of representations are received at various levels of railway administrations which, inter  alia, include Railway Stations, Division,  Zonal  Headquarters  and  at  Railway  Board  level.  However, Indian Railways do not maintain compendiums of such representations.
- (b)  &  (c)  Train  No.  16575/16576  Bengaluru-Mangalore  Express  (daily) via Hassan, announced  in the  Railway  Budget  2014-15 will be introduced  as  and  when  prevalent  constraints  on  the  enroute  Ghat section are overcome.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2969 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Development of Slums
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 2969

TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 16, 2015

## DEVELOPMENT OF SLUMS

No.  2969.  SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY

ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to implement a system of cutoff dates wherein only those residing in a slum before a certain date will be eligible for free or concessional housing and if so, the details
- thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  received  objections  from  any quarters about this policy; and
- (c) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

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

****

(a): In pursuance of the Government's vision of facilitating housing to all by 2022, the Government has launched 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)-Housing for All (HFA) (Urban)' Mission on 25.6.2015. The Mission aims to provide assistance to States/UTs in addressing the  housing  requirement  of  the  slum  dwellers  and  urban  poor through following four verticals:

- (i)   'In situ' Slum Redevelopment through private participation using land as resource;
- (ii) Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS);
- (iii)    Affordable Housing in Partnership; and
- (iv)   Subsidy for beneficiary-led individual house construction
- or enhancement.

Contd…

Under  the  1 st component  of  the  Mission,  the  Guidelines  stipulates that  eligibility  of  the  slum  dwellers  like  cut  off  date  etc.  will  be decided by States/UTs preferably through legislation.

(b) & (c): No, Madam.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2967 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Agricultural Labourers under PMKVY
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2967 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS UNDER PMKVY

## QUESTION

## †2967. SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  started  any  training  programme  for  agricultural labourers under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the skill development centres in this regard and funds allocated for training of agricultural labourers across the country, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Government has launched Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)  in  March,  2015  which  is  a  reward  based,  demand  driven  scheme.  The scheme aims to enable and mobilise  a  large  number of  Indian  youth  to  take  up  skill training, become employable and earn their livelihood. It has been targeted to benefit 24 lakh persons with training of 14 lakh fresh entrants and certification of 10 lakh persons under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The total outlay of PMKVY is Rs.1500 crore. National  Skill  Development  Corporation  (NSDC)  is  the  implementing  agency  for PMKVY.  As on 30 th November, 2015, 5.32 lakh candidates have been enrolled under the scheme for 328 job roles developed by 28 Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) across the Country.

Agriculture  Sector  Skill  Council  (ASSC)  has  been  set  up  to  promote  capacity building in agriculture industry and bridge the gap between laboratories and farms. The ASSC has been mandated for skill development, upgradation of cultivators, agricultural labourers  in  organized  and  unorganized  agricultural  industry.  As  on  30 th November, 2015, under PMKVY, 33,943 people have been enrolled for  training through 559 skill training centres across the Country under 34 job rolls developed by ASSC.

- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2966 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Rail Link from NE to Bangladesh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ARPITA GHOSH, PREM DAS RAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2966 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## RAIL LINK FROM NE TO BANGLADESH

2966.   SHRIMATI ARPITA GHOSH: SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the Government plans to link Agartala to Akhauah (Bangladesh) and other places in Tripura to Bangladesh via rail lines;
- (b) whether these rail lines will cater to passenger trains or goods trains only and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  distance  between Chittagong Port and Tripura via rail after the projects are completed;
- (d) the  distance  between  Kolkata  and  Agartala  via  rail  after  the project is complete and the current distance via rail between the two stations; and
- (e) the details of the current status of the project and the progress made thereon?

## 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. 2966 BY SHRIMATI ARPITA GHOSH AND SHRI PREM DAS RAI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 16.12.2015 REGARDING RAIL LINK FROM NE TO BANGLADESH

(a) & (b):  Agartala to Akhaura (15 Km) project was sanctioned & included in Railway  Budget  2012-13  with  funding  of  Indian  portion  of  project  (5  Km)  by DoNER and of the Bangladesh portion (10 Km) by Ministry of External Affairs. As  per  the  MoU  signed  between  Government  of  India  and  Government  of Bangladesh, Indian Railways is responsible for the construction of the Indian portion  and  Bangladesh  Railway  is  responsible  for  the  construction  of  the Bangladesh portion of the project.  Execution of Indian portion of the project has  been  entrusted  to  IRCON.      The  present  cost  of  this  project  is ` 967.85 crores with cost of Bangladesh portion as ` 387.85 crores and Indian portion as ` 580.00 crores.  This line will cater to passengers as well as goods traffic.

(c):    After  completion  of  this  project,  distance  via  rail  between  Agartala  and Chittagong will be about 200 Km.

(d):  The distance between Kolkata and Agartala will also get reduced to about 460  Km  (via  Dhaka)  from  the  present  distance  of  1581  Km  (via  Guwahati, Lumding).

(e):    Final  Location  Survey  for  Indian  portion  has  been  completed.  However, project  is  at  standstill  as  DoNER  has  expressed  inability  to  fund  the  Indian portion of the project and due to huge throwforward of ongoing projects and limited availability of funds for new line, Ministry of Railways is unable to take up this project through the GBS.

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2964 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Awareness about Schemes of Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: E. AHAMED, MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2964 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## Awareness about Schemes of Minorities

## 2964.   SHRI E. AHAMED: SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Minorities are not aware of availability of most of the Government schemes meant for their welfare and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the steps taken by the Government in this regard have proved to be insufficient; and
- (c)  if  so,  the  steps  Government  proposes  to  take  to  make  the  Minorities  aware  of  the availability of various schemes of the Government for them?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a) to (c)   No,  Madam.  In  order  to  create  awareness  about  the  schemes  of  the  Ministry,  the schemes  and  programmes  are  advertised  through  audio  and  video  spots  on  Doordarshan Network,  private  television  channels,  All  India  Radio  Network  and  FM  channels.  The advertisements  are  also  displayed  through  digital  cinema  in  theatres.  Schemes  are  also uploaded on the website of the Ministry.  The brochures containing details of scheme are distributed in the States by the Ministry during visits of Ministers/officers. Outdoor publicity is also done during exhibitions and fairs like Surajkund Mela, Trade Fair and Regional Fairs. In  addition,  publicity  of  the  schemes  /programmes  are  done  through  display  Boards  at prominent places like metro stations, railway stations, bus terminals etc. Video spots are also run through LCD/LED  screens at prime locations. Therefore, sufficient awareness generation  for  the  schemes/  programmes  for  the  welfare  of  minorities  have  already  been undertaken.  The  schemes  of  the  Ministry  for  individual  beneficiaries  such  as  Scholarship schemes, Skill Development schemes, Nai Roshni, Free Coaching have been implemented successfully and targets under these schemes have been achieved.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2961 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Railway Land under Afforestation
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2961

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## RAILWAY LAND UNDER AFFORESTATION

2961.   DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total hectare of railway land under afforestation during the last three years;
- (b) the number of saplings planted on railway land under the afforestation during the above period;
- (c) the target fixed by the railways for sapling plantation during this year;
- (d) whether the Government has planned track side boundary plantation in the entire railway network and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the other steps taken by the railways for clean India and green India mission?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a): Area of Railway land under afforestation during the last three years viz., 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 is 43431 hectares, 40613 hectares and 39646 hectares respectively.
- (b): The number of saplings planted on Railway land during the last three years  viz.,  2012-13,  2013-14  and  2014-15  are  68.25  lakh,  69.10  lakh  and 60.80 lakh respectively.

(c): A  target  of  75  lakh  saplings  plantation  has  been  fixed  for  the  year 2015-16. ( d):    Due  to  safety  consideration  of  running  trains,  track  side  boundary plantation on Railway network is generally not preferred. (e):  Under clean India Mission, regular events on cleanliness are planned and  organised  to  improve  and  maintain  cleanliness  at  Railway  premises including  Railway  stations  and  tracks.    Enforcement  of  Indian  Railways (Penalties  for  activities  affecting  cleanliness  at  railway  premises)  Rules, 2012 has also been intensified.  Under Green India Mission, efforts are to plant  more  and  more  trees  to  take  care  of  the  loss  of  trees  due  to infrastructural projects, so target for 75 lakh sapling plantation has been fixed  for  the  year  2015-16.    Special  emphasis  is  being  laid  to  minimise damage  to  the  ecology  of  the  area  while  planning  the  infrastructural projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2960 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Climate Change
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: T. RADHAKRISHNAN, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) Towards  this,  India  had  signed  an  agreement  in  June  2015  with  Bangladesh  for collaboration in the field of Blue Economy and Maritime Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.  The benefits of this programme are (a) sharing of knowledge and expertise on marine aquaculture, Tsunami warning, marine pollution and deep sea fishing and safeguarding economic interests including fishing feeds in the  areas  beyond  national  jurisdiction;  (b)  green  tourism,  supporting  exchange programmes for human resource and skill development in the field of green tourism and hospitality sectors, including capacity building and (c) including climate change and variability in the Bay of Bengal in the context of huge quantities of fresh water and suspended sediment brought to the shelf, which greatly regulates the monsoon dynamics and also impacting the primary production and fish in the Bay of Bengal.
- (c) Yes, Madam.
- (d) As  a  part  of  this  endeavour,  a  multi-disciplinary  oceanography  cruise  is  being planned to be conducted for a period of 45 days in the Bay of Bengal region with the participation of scientists from Bangladesh in the first quarter of 2016-17, subject to requisite of clearances from the Government of Bangladesh.
- (e) India has been actively collaborating with SAARC countries at regional level under the  South  Asian Regional Cooperation on Environment Programme (SACEP).  This Programme is being coordinated  by  SACEP,  a  United  Nations  body  located  in  Sri Lanka  to  promote  and  support  protection,  management  and  enhancement  of  the environment in the region.

*****

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2960 CLIMATE CHANGE

## 2960  SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India and Bangladesh proposes to collaborate research on ocean science to understand important aspect including climate change;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the benefits that are likely to be accrued to the country as a result thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to use Sindhu Sadhna vessel for the purpose and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the time by which the research work is likely to be commissioned and completed; and
- (e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to have similar collaboration with other SAARC countries?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## (SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY)