opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 662 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Satellite Navigation System
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: V. SATHYABAMA, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 662

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2015

## SATELLITE NAVIGATION SYSTEM

662.  SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA: SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:
2. Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
3. (a)   whether Indian Space  Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled plans to gradually make its regional satellite navigation system global and if so, the details thereof;
4. (b) whether four of the seven Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System  (IRNSS)  satellites  are  in  orbit  and  the  last  three spacecraft would be added in orbit by March, 2016 and if so, the details thereof;
5. (c) whether it is true that the IRNSS would provide self reliance in the 207 strategically important area of position related information and if so, the details thereof; and
6. (d) whether the ISRO is now focusing on completing the regional constellation  and  extending  it  to  SAARC  countries  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):

- No Madam.
- (b) Yes Madam. Four of the seven satellites in IRNSS constellation (IRNSS-1A,  1B,  1C,  and  1D)  are  in  orbit.  Remaining  three
- satellites (IRNSS-1E, 1F and 1G) are targeted for launch during January 2016 to March 2016. (c) Yes Madam. Self reliance in the strategically important area of position  related  information  will  be  achieved  with  the  use  of indigenously built constellation of seven IRNSS satellites and a network of required ground segment. (d)  The IRNSS constellation is planned to be completed by March 31,  2016.  By  design,  the  service  area  of  IRNSS  constellation encompasses  the  SAARC  countries.  Like  GPS,  the  Standard Positioning  Services  of  IRNSS  is  made  available  to  all  the users. The SAARC member countries, therefore, can adopt the
- IRNSS system for the navigational services.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 661 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: National Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.661

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02/12/2015

## National Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme

## 661 SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA :

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the present status of implementation of National Merit-cumMeans Scholarship Scheme by several States was far from satisfactory;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has reviewed the progress of implementation of the said programme recently;
- (d) if so, the details and outcome thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for speedy implementation of the Scheme?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)               : No Madam.

- (b)               : Does not arise.

- (c) & (d)      :  The  progress  of  the  programme  is  reviewed  regularly  by  the Ministry with the States through Regional Meetings as well as video conferencing.  Last regional meeting held at Srinagar on 12/10/2015  and  video  conferencing  with  States  were  held  on 12/08/2015, 28/09/2015, 01/10/2015 and 06/10/2015.

- (e)               : Merit-cum  Means  based  Scholarship  Scheme  is    on  National Scholarship Portal (NSP) which was launched by the Government in July, 2015.  Now the process of submission of applications, screening of applications, release of scholarship in the bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode is completely online.  National Scholarship Portal on one hand ensures speedy implementation and on the other transparency and accountability.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 660 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Special Camps for Skill Development
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 660 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015 SPECIAL CAMPS FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT

## QUESTION

## †660.  SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  organise  any  special  camps  to  receive applications for training under skill development scheme at district level;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which it is likely to be organised?

## 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 aiming to enable and mobilise a large number of Indian youth to take up skill training, become employable and earn their  livelihood.  The  scheme  targets  to  benefit  24  lakh  persons with  training  of  14  lakh  fresh  entrants  and  certification  of  10  lakh  persons  under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). PMKVY has a feature of Kaushal Vikas Sivir which is organised by respective PMKVY affiliated training partners across the Country. Upto 31 st October, 2015, 308 Kaushal Melas have been organised across the Country and 5.17 lakh candidates have been enrolled under the scheme for 328 job roles developed by 28 Sector Skill Councils (SSCs).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 651 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: FDI in Rail Engine Factories
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, SUDHEER GUPTA, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, NARANBHAI KACHHADIA

- (a)  Yes, Madam.
- (b)  Projects to be set up through Foreign Direct Investment are:

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.651 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## FDI IN RAIL ENGINE FACTORIES

651.   DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH: SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to start a project by investing hugely through Foreign Direct Investment in rail engine factories across the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  Government  has  chosen sites for the purpose;
- (c) if  so, the details thereof and whether any international/foreign company has been invited for the purpose;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  share/stake  of  foreign  company and Government in the project; and
- (e) the further steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (i) Diesel Locomotive Manufacturing Factory at Marhoura; and (ii) Electric Locomotive Manufacturing Factory at Madhepura. (c)          M/s  GE  Global  Sourcing  India  Pvt.  Ltd.  has  been  selected  as  Joint Venture  Partner  for  manufacture  of  Diesel  Locomotives  at  Marhoura  and M/s  Alston  Manufacturing  India  Ltd.  has  been  selected  as  Joint  Venture Partner for manufacture of Electric Locomotives at Madhepura. (d) The share of Ministry of Railways in the equity of each of the project will be 26 % subject to a maximum of ` 100 cr. for each of the projects. (e) Contracts have been signed with the respective Joint Venture Partners (JV)

and further action would be taken in terms of the contract agreements.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 648 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Disinvestment of Telecom PSU
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: BHARATENDRA SINGH, P. C. MOHAN, C.S. PUTTARAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 648 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd  DECEMBER, 2015

## DISINVESTMENT OF TELECOM PSU

## 648.   KUNWAR BHARATENDRA:

SHRI P.C. MOHAN: SHRI C.S. PUTTA RAJU:

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

- (a) whether  Mahanagar  Telephone  Nigam  Limited  (MTNL)  and  Bharat  Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) have been named as sick PSUs and likely to be closed down;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if  not,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  merge  both the Telecom PSUs or proposes to disinvest them as part of revival plan;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the study reports prepared therefor; and
- (e) whether these companies have surrendered their CDMA spectrum and the amount refunded to them and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a) &(b) No.
- (c) &(d) Every  attempt  with  effective  monitoring  is  being  undertaken  to  revive Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  and  Mahanagar  Telephone  Nigam  Limited (MTNL) to make them competitive.  The results are positive.  There is no proposal to disinvest them as part of revival plan.
- (e) Government has provided financial support of Rs. 169.16 crore to BSNL and Rs. 458.04 crores to MTNL for surrender of spectrum in 800 MHz (one carrier of 1.25 MHz each in 4 Licensed Service Areas (LSAs viz. Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Kolkata and Punjab in respect of BSNL and two carriers of 1.25 MHz each in Delhi and Mumbai in respect MTNL).

****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 647 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Appeal under RTI Act
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR, C. MAHENDRAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 647

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015)

## APPEAL UNDER RTI ACT

647. ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR: SHRI C. MAHENDRAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Central Information Commission (CIC) has turned away one in every three appeals received by the Panel under the RTI Act;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the total number of appeals turned away by the CIC during the last one year and the current year?

## 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) to (c):    The  RTI Rules, 2012 as provides that if an appeal  is  not accompanied by the documents  as  specified  in  for  removing  deficiencies  and  filling  the  appeal  complete  in  all respects may be returned to the appellant. As per record maintained by Central Information Commission since January, 2015, 11328 number of appeals have been turned away.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 642 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Scam in Supply of Packaged Drinking Water
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: GAURAV GOGOI, P.R. SUNDARAM, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, DALPAT SINGH PARASTE, SULTAN  AHMED, BHARAT SINGH, RANGASWAMY DHRUVANARAYANA, VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.642

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## SCAM IN SUPPLY OF PACKAGED DRINKING WATER

642.  SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

SHRI DALPAT SINGH PARASTE:

SHRI SULTAN AHMED:

SHRI BHARAT SINGH:

SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA:

SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK:

Will  the  Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has busted a scam on Rail Neer worth crores of rupees and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  number  of  firms  booked  and  officials  of  Railways  identified  for involvement in the scam;
- (c) the action taken or being taken against those firms and officials;
- (d)whether Railways is considering to review all its outsourced services/catering contracts in view of rampant corruption therein; and
- (e)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  or  being  taken  by Railways to arrest such scams in future?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

( SHRI  MANOJ SINHA )

(a) to (e):  Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against  two  railway  officials and  eight   private   caterers    under    the

Prevention  of  Corruption  Act,  1988  regarding  the  supply  of  packaged drinking water other than the prescribed 'Rail Neer' in Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains in Northern Railway.  The identified officers have been placed under suspension.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 637 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Acknowledgement of Letters of MPs
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA, SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE, HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE

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

## (DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND PUBLIC GRIEVANCES)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 637

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015)

## ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LETTERS OF MPs

†637. SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA: SHRI SADASHIV LOKHANDE: SHRI GODSE HEMANT TUKARAM:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any norms have been fixed to send the acknowledgement and final reply of the letters of Hon'ble Members of Parliament;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether a lot of time is taken by the Ministries/Departments/Public Sector Undertakings to reply to the said letters of VVIPs;
- (d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure timely reply to the letters of VVIPs and Hon'ble Members of Parliament?

## 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) to (e):    The paragraph No.37 (vi) of the 14 th Edition of Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure (CSMOP) which was brought out in May, 2015 states as under:-

'Each communication received from a Member of Parliament/VIP, shall be acknowledged within 15 days, followed by a reply within the next 15 days of acknowledgement sent.'

The  paragraph  No.  37  (vii)  of  CSMOP  also  provides  for  maintaining  appropriate record and regular monitoring of communications received from Members of Parliament. The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) from time to time have reiterated the instructions contained in the CSMOP relating to references received from Members of Parliament to all Ministries/Departments and  have requested that the officials may  be  sensitized  on  the  issue  and  a  system  be  put  in  place  wherein  references  from Members of Parliament  are  acknowledged  and  monitored  by  a  senior  officer  on  a  regular basis.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 635 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Promotion of BPOs
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: T. RADHAKRISHNAN, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, PREM DAS RAI, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  635

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 02.12.2015

## PROMOTION OF BPOs

## 635. SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI MOHITE PATILVIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

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

- (a)      whether  the  Government  has  launched  India  Business  Process  Outsourcing  (BPO)  Promotion Scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)      whether the Government plans to expand the BPO industry to non-metro and rural areas, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)     whether BPO industry has expressed their apprehension in expanding to non-metro and rural areas;
- (d)        if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e)        the steps taken/proposed to be taken to address the issue?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b):      The  Government has  approved  India BPO Promotion  Scheme (IBPS) for promotion of BPO/ITES operations across the country including small towns and rural areas, with an outlay of about Rs.493  crores  during  the  remaining  period  of  12 th Five  Year  Plan  i.e.,  upto  31.03.2017,  for  balanced growth of Information Technology & Information Technology Enabled Services (IT/ITES) sector in each State. About 48300 seats have been planned with distribution across State(s)/UT(s) based on population percentage  as  per  Census  2011,  excluding  metro  cities  viz.  Bangalore,  Chennai,  Hyderabad,  Kolkata, Mumbai, NCR (Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad), and Pune and States of North East Region (NER). A separate scheme namely North East BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) is already launched for the States of NER. The IBPS involves 2 stage approach: 1. Expression of Interest 2. Open bidding through Request for Proposal (RFP). The first stage, the Expression of Interest (EOI) was completed on 31 st August 2015 which has received encouraging response.

The RFP for IBPS would inter-alia, lay down the appropriate guidelines in regard to eligibility, nature of support to the Industry and other related aspects. This Scheme would be operationalized, after obtaining necessary approvals of the Competent Authority.

(c) to (e):   In the EOI stage, 78 companies have shown interest to setup BPO/ITES operations at 190 locations across the country for about 1,25,000 seats against the projected 48,300 seats.   Thus, prima facie, there is no apprehension evinced by the BPO industry for expansion in non-metro and rural areas.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Indian Railway Catering Service
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, B. SREERAMULU, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH

(a): No, Madam.

(b): Does not arise.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 634

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING SERVICE

## 634.  SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

SHRI B. SRIRAMULU:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether it is  a  fact  that  60  per  cent  of  the  catering  business  in  the Indian  Railways  has  been  monopolized  by  one  firm  resulting  in  poor service to train passengers and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the action taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government is now planning to assign the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation with catering responsibility again and if so, the details thereof and the reasons for the move;
- (d)  the  quantum  of  annual  loss  that  the  railway  may  suffer  due  to  this move; and
- (e)  the  number  of  complaints  received  regarding  the  catering  services during each of the last three years and the steps taken/ being taken to improve the quality of catering services in the trains?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(c) & (d): A Committee has been set up to examine the entire gamut of issues in this regard.

(e): During the years 2012, 2013 and 2014, a total of 3667, 5851 and 6307 complaints,  respectively,  were  received  regarding  catering  services  on Railways.    Some of the steps that have been taken /are being taken to ensure that good quality and hygienic food is served to the passengers include:  (i)  Imposition  of  penalties  in  case  of  deficiencies  detected  in services.    (ii)  Introduction  of  station  based  E-Catering  for  widening  the range of options available to passengers for ordering food of their choice. (iii) Introduction of precooked food ('ready to eat' meals) in the range of options  available  to  passengers.  (iv)  Operation  of    centralized  Catering Service  Monitoring  Cell  (CSMC)  (toll  free  number  1800-111-321)  for prompt  redressal  of passenger  grievances  relating  to the catering activities and real time assistance to travelling public. (v) Operation of all India  Helpline  (No.138)  for  rail-users  to  lodge  complaints/suggestions regarding food and catering services.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 633 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Launch of Astrosat
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 633

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2015

## LAUNCH OF ASTROSAT

633.  SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Indian  Space  Research  Organisation  (ISRO)  has launched Astrosat as its first astronomical mission;
- (b) if so, the details and the objectives including the cost incurred thereon;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  received  requests  from  other countries for launch of such satellites; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  being  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- a) Yes  Madam.    Astrosat  is  the  first  dedicated  Indian  astronomy mission launched by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- b) Astrosat was  launched  successfully  onboard  Polar  Satellite Launch  Vehicle,  PSLV-C30  on  28 th   September  2015  from  Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.  The objectives of the mission

are to study the stars and galaxies in Ultraviolet, optical and Xray  wavelength  bands  to  enhance  our  understanding  of  the universe.  The sanctioned cost of Astrosat is ` 177.85 crores and the  cost  incurred  upto  end  March  2015  is ` 172.68  crores (provisional).

c) No Madam. The Government has not received any requests from other countries for the launch of such Astrosat type of satellites.

- d) Does not arise.

****