opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2950 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: State of Railway Stations and Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2950 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## STATE OF RAILWAY STATIONS AND TRACKS

2950. SHRI B. V. NAIK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  National  Green  Tribunal  has  taken  notice  of  the poor state of affairs of the railways stations and tracks and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  contractors  engaged  for  cleaning  stations  and trains are discharging their duty satisfactorily;
- (c) if  not,  the  steps  taken  or  will  be  taken  by  the  Government  to ensure that such duties are discharged properly; and
- (d) whether  such  waste  is  segregated  into  biodegradable  and non-biodegradable waste and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  National  Green  Tribunal  (NGT),  Principal  Bench,  New Delhi in their order against OA No. 141 of 2014 has made certain observations which are as under :
- i. Municipal  Solid  Waste  (MSW)  accumulated  already  in  the encroached Railway land in Delhi area should be cleared and disposed  off  appropriately  by  Railways  as  a  one  time  effort after  which  action  should  be  taken  to  maintain  these  areas
- clean by growing of trees and levying monetary compensation of ` 5000/- on  polluters under 'Polluters Pay Principle'. ii. Appropriate  sized  dustbins  must  be  put  up  at  convenient locations  in  all  such  encroachment  areas  and  arrangements made by the local government for disposal of MSW collected in such dustbins, as per the extant rules. iii. Suitable mobile toilets/eco friendly toilets have to be provided for  the  use  of  encroachers  in  the  Railway  land  by  the  local government on the Railway track and nearby areas. Similar instructions should be issued to other Zonal Railways
- iv. also.

(b) & (c) Performance of contractors engaged for cleaning stations and trains are monitored and evaluated on the basis of laid down criteria. In case of any deficiency, necessary corrective steps are taken including penal action against contractors, which are also part of the provisions of contract. (d) Instructions  for  segregation  of  waste  into  biodegradable  and non-biodegradable  have  been  issued  with  regard  to  the  catering waste for both mobile and static units. The same  is implemented progressively.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2947 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Space Research Centres
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: MANOJ RAJORIA

## 2947.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2947

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2016

## SPACE RESEARCH CENTRES

- DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  space  research  centres  in  the  country, location-wise;
- (b) the details of amount spent for space research during the last three years, yearwise;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  grants for space research centres in the next Budget and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  open  new  space research centres and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) The Space Research Centres/ Units in India, location-wise, are given below:
- (b)&(c)  The details of amount spent on space research for the last three years, year-wise are given below:
- (d) Yes,  Madam.  The  Government  proposes  to  increase  the budget for Space research to ` 7509.14 crore during 2016-17. This  amount  is  about  8%  increase  compared  to  the  RE allocations made during 2015-16.
- (e) No,  Madam.  At  present  there  are  no  plans  to  set  up  new space research centres in the country.

|   SN | Location           |   Number of Space Research Centres |
|------|--------------------|------------------------------------|
|    1 | Ahmedabad          |                                  3 |
|    2 | Bangalore          |                                  5 |
|    3 | Bhopal             |                                  1 |
|    4 | Chandigarh         |                                  1 |
|    5 | Dehra Dun          |                                  1 |
|    6 | Gadanki            |                                  1 |
|    7 | Hassan             |                                  1 |
|    8 | Hyderabad          |                                  1 |
|    9 | Jodhpur            |                                  1 |
|   10 | Kolkata            |                                  1 |
|   11 | Mahendragiri       |                                  1 |
|   12 | Nagpur             |                                  1 |
|   13 | Shillong           |                                  1 |
|   14 | Shriharikota       |                                  1 |
|   15 | Thiruvananthapuram |                                  4 |

| Financial Year   |   Amount Spent [ ` in crore] |
|------------------|------------------------------|
| 2013-14          |                      5168.95 |
| 2014-15          |                      5823.45 |
| 2015-16          |                      6919.87 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2946 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Private Players to Train Urban Poor
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2946

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MAY 11, 2016

## PRIVATE PLAYERS TO TRAIN URBAN POOR

NO. 2946  SHRI K PARASURAMAN:

## WILL the MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has started skill development programme for training the urban poor to increase their employment opportunities;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  included  private  players  in  this
- scheme for provision of vocational training to urban poor;  and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

[SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO]

- (a)&  (b:)  This  Ministry  is  implementing  'Deendayal  Antyodaya  YojanaNational Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)' to reduce poverty  and  vulnerability  of  urban  poor  households  by  enabling them to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities for improvement in their livelihoods on a sustainable basis.  The Employment   through   Skills Training &

Contd.-pg/2

Placement  (EST&P)  component  of  DAY-NULM  is  designed  to provide  skills  to  the  unskilled  urban  poor  as  well  as  to  upgrade their existing skills.

- (c) & (d): DAY-NULM is being implemented through State/UT Governments.  The State  Urban  Livelihoods  Mission  (SULM)  may empanel private Skill Training Partners (STPs) through a Selection process.    The  selection  criteria  should  be  a  combination  of technical  qualification,  experience  of  the  Organisation,  cost  of training and any other variables that the state may identify.  SULM can  also directly engage  Training  Partners  of  National Skill Development  Corporation  (NSDC)  and  training  providers  engaged by any other Government agency for skill training.  However, the SULM  will  have  to  ensure  that  the  engaged  Training  Providers adhere to the processes, deliverables and cost norms as mentioned in DAY-NULM guidelines.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2945 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Check on Prices of Meals in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S.SELVAKUMARA CHINNAYAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2945 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## CHECK ON PRICES OF MEALS IN TRAINS

## 2945. SHRI S. SELVAKUMARA CHINNAYAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the committee, headed by R.D. Sharma, has suggested that the Railways take a slew of steps to check exorbitant pricing of meals served in trains and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the committee has also suggested that meals may be priced in the multiples of Rs. 10 where vegetarian standard meal can be priced at Rs. 50 and non-vegetarian meal at Rs.70;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the decision taken by the Railways on these suggestions?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to  (d):  A  Committee,  headed  by  Chief  Commercial  Manager/Central Railway, Shri R.D. Sharma, was set up to consider the recommendations of  Dr.  Sreedharan  Committee's  Report  to  handover  catering  to  Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and to examine the entire gamut of issues related to Catering services. The steps recommended  by  the  Committee  to  check  overcharging  inter-alia include  (i)  Sale  of  a-la-carte  items  on  trains  shall  be  done  through

e-catering  only  to  mitigate  the  passenger  complaints  on  overcharging and  ensure  availability  of  standard  meals  during  travel.  (ii)  Zonal Railways and IRCTC should promote sale of Ready to Eat (RTE) items on Maximum  Retail  Price  to  provide  choice  to  passengers.    (iii)  The standard meals  shall be priced in multiples of ₹ 10/to  check overcharging.  Zonal Railway shall be empowered to include variety of items including  regional  cuisine  in  the  standard  meals,  within  the  set price limit.  (iv) Proliferation of e-catering where passengers get a wider choice  at  pre-fixed  competitive  prices.  (v)  Rationalizing  the  prices  of catering items to prevent overcharging and revision of catering rates in line  with  inflation  (vi)  Adequate  supervision  powers  to  Zonal Railways over IRCTC.

Improvement in catering services as suggested by the Committee is an ongoing process. However, recommendation relating to proliferation of e-catering services has been announced in Rail Budget 2016-17 and phased introduction of station based e-catering at all A1 and A category stations has been started for widening the range of food options available to passengers.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2944 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Online Booking of Tickets
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2944 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## ONLINE BOOKING OF TICKETS

## 2944. SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR :

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation  has  taken  a  slew  of  measures,  including  a  35 second  compulsory  wait  to  book  tickets  online  through  its website  to  facilitate  hassle  free  booking  by  genuine  ticket seekers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b)  the  details  of security measures taken by the Railways to prevent manipulation of tickets site?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  Yes,  Madam.  In  order  to  facilitate  hassle  free  booking  by genuine ticket seekers, time check has been implemented for filling of CAPTCHA,  Passengers  details and carrying out payment.    These  checks  negate  the  benefit  of  automated software for form filling.

(b)  In  order  to  ensure  security  of  the  e-ticketing  website www.irctc.co.in, audit of the e-ticketing system is got conducted by Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate, which is an attached office of the Department  of  Information  Technology  (DIT),  Government  of India.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2943 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Schemes for Poor
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: C.S. PUTTARAJU

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

## (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2943

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016)

## SCHEMES FOR POOR

## 2943. SHRI C.S. PUTTA RAJU:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the role of civil servants in the implementation of various Government schemes/programmes meant for the poor and weaker sections of the society;
- (b) whether any accountability has been fixed to ensure proper and timely implementation of schemes/programmes; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, 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):      Civil  servants  play  a  major  role  in  implementing  Government  schemes/  programmes meant for the poor and weaker sections of the society through the concerned sectoral ministry and the line departments both at the Central and State level.
- (b) & (c):   Services rules regulating conduct of civil servants clearly mandate that they shall be accountable for ensuring proper and timely execution of work assigned to them including implementation of Government schemes/programmes. The performance, character, conduct and  qualities  of  civil  servants  are  also  assessed  every  year  by  way  Annual  Performance Report.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2942 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Increase in the Number of Passengers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAKESH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2942 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS

## †2942.  SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the number of passengers increases in trains during the summer  vacations  and  the  passengers  are  unable  to  get  timely reservations and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  in  view  of  the  current  situation,  the  Government  has made arrangements for additional trains and coaches;
- (c) if so, the details of the additional facilities and  services introduced in the west central railway-zone, Jabalpur; and
- (d) whether  in view of the large number  of passengers, the Government is likely to introduce additional trains and coaches and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a): On Indian Railways, the demand pattern is not uniform throughout the year and it varies during the peak and lean seasons. The demand for travel surges especially during the peak season like during summer holidays, festivals etc. The overall occupancy of reserved trains during the month of May, 2015 and June, 2015 was more than 100%.

- (b) & (c): Yes, Madam. Six pairs of Summer special trains comprising 494  trips  have  been  notified  so  far  by  West  Central  Railway  (WCR) during the summer season to clear extra rush. Also, 18 pairs of trains have  been  augmented  by  releasing  35  coaches  by  WCR  till  now  to clear rush of Simhastha Kumbh Mela and summer season.

(d): Running of special trains and attachment of additional coaches for clearance of extra passenger traffic during peak seasons like summer/ winter  seasons,  festivals,  special  events  is  an  ongoing  process  over Indian  Railways,  keeping  in  view  the  pattern  of  traffic,  commercial justification, operational feasibility and availability of resources. Besides,  details  of  Summer  special  trains  are  published  in  Summer Time-Table every year.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2941 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Setting up of Memorials
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2941 TO BE ANSWERED ON MAY 11, 2016 SETTING UP OF MEMORIALS

No. 2941   SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

Will the MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any proposal from State Governments/Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for setting up of memorials of Rani Laxmibai and hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand in Bundelkhand particularly in Jhansi; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SH. BABUL SUPRIYO)

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

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Investigation of Corruption Cases in GAIL Ltd.
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: RAVINDRA BABU  PANDULA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2940

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016)

## INVESTIGATION OF CORRUPTION CASES IN GAIL LTD.

## 2940. DR. RAVINDRA BABU:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is investigating corruption cases against the Chairman and Managing Director of GAIL Ltd. and other PSUs;
- (b) if so, the details of such cases, casewise and complaint-wise; and
- (c) whether the CVC has given clearance to the CMD, GAIL at the time of extension when complaints of serious nature of corruption were being examined, and if so, the reasons thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b):    As informed by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), there is no corruption case  against  Chairman  and  Managing  Director (CMD)  of  Gas  Authority  of  India  Limited (GAIL), under investigation, in the Commission. However, a report of intensive examination of award of a certain contract by GAIL is under examination.

In  so  far  as  corruption  cases  against  incumbent  Chairman  and  Managing  Directors (CMDs) of other Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are concerned, there  is  no such case under consideration of the Commission.

- (c):      Vigilance  clearance  in  respect  of  Sh.  B.C.  Tripathi,  for  the  purpose  of  extension  of tenure  as  CMD,  GAIL  for  a  period  of  five  years  beyond  31.07.2014  was  sought  by  M/o Petroleum  &  Natural  Gas  vide  their  letter  dated  06.09.2013.  The  Commission  on  a consideration of relevant material conveyed on 09.10.2013 to M/o Petroleum & Natural Gas, that there is nothing adverse on the records of the Commission.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2939 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Fire Extinguishers in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2939 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IN TRAINS

## 2939.    DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  according  to  a  report,  most  of  the  audited  coaches had fire extinguishers, several of these coaches did not have the required numbers and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  extinguishers  were  not  placed  in  accessible locations and the same did not have instructions for use;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  to  refill  the extinguishers; and
- (d) whether several trains had pantries that still  had  open  flame gas burners and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a):  Yes,  Madam.  A  recent  CAG  (Comptroller  and  Auditor  General)

Report on 'Fire Accidents in Passenger Coaches in Indian Railways'

has  reported  that  on  certain  zonal  railways  audited,  some  of  the coaches  did  not  have  fire  extinguishers  in  prescribed  quantity. Replacement  of  missing/stolen  fire  extinguishers  in  coaches  is regularly done in maintenance depots.

(b) & (c): Fire extinguishers are placed in accessible locations and instructions for their use are generally provided on the body of the fire  extinguisher  itself.  Notwithstanding  above,  corrective  action on the deficiencies noted in this regard is taken promptly.

Refilling  of  fire  extinguishers  is  done  as  per  prescribed frequency.

(d):  Yes,  Madam.  Pantry  Cars  are  being  provided  with  open  flame gas  burners  in  ICF  (Integral  Coach  Factory)  design  conventional coaches. Open flame gas burners are required for cooking of food being supplied from Pantry Cars to onboard passengers. Requisite safety  checks/certifications  of  these  Pantry  Cars  have  also  been prescribed.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2937 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Training of Rural Youth
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2937

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## TRAINING OF RURAL YOUTH QUESTION

## 2937. SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to train rural youths in various trades;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  establish  training  centres  in  each  MP constituency and if so, the details and the number of MP constituencies covered till date; and
- (d) the further steps taken by the Government to train rural youths in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Government is implementing a placement linked skill development program through Ministry of Rural Development for rural poor youth under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen  Kaushalya  Yojana  (DDU-GKY)  under  its  National  Rural  Livelihoods  Mission. DDU-GKY  is undertaken  in  a  Public  Private  Partnership  (PPP)  mode  with  Project Implementing Agency (PIA) registered with Ministry of Rural Development. The scheme has  the  coverage  of  rural  areas  in  all  States/Union  Territories  with  the  target  to  run market-led,  placement-linked  training  programme  for  rural  youth.  The  scheme  has  the provision for mandatory assured placement to 70% of the trained candidates.

Besides,  Government  has  launched  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana (PMKVY), on 15 th July, 2015 under which skill training is imparted across the country for various  traditional  jobs  like  Carpenter,  Mason,  tailor,  Black-smith,  etc.  In  addition, vocational training is imparted through 13,105 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) (Government - 2,293 and Private - 10,812) in 126 trades including carpenter, electrician, plumber,  etc.  across  the  Country.  Skill  training  for  the  job  roles  for  rural  youth  is  also being imparted through over 40 skill development programmes/schemes being run by 18 Central Ministries/Departments.

Further, Government has set up National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) as a PPP entity to promote private training provider to set up Skill Development Centers across the Country. NSDC has been mandated to set up Model Training Centers in each district of States/Union Territories to run demand driven courses of high quality with focus on  employability  all  across  the  Country  to  enable  coverage  in  each  Parliamentary Constituency.

*************