opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3205 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Bullet Train Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3205 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## BULLET TRAIN PROJECT

3205.   ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  stakeholders  in  the  company  proposed  to  be formed for implementation of the bullet train project;
- (b) the financial allocation made to the company; and
- (c) the details of the role, the proposed company is expected to play, in the implementation of the bullet train project?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a):  Ministry  of  Railways  and  State  Governments  of  Maharashtra  and Gujarat are the stakeholders in the National High Speed Rail Corporation  Limited  (NHSRC)  formed  in  February,  2016  to  implement Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor Project.

(b): No funds have been transferred to the company at this stage. The approved paid up capital is ₹ 500 crore.

(c): NHSRC is entrusted with planning, construction and maintenance of project and also with operation of trains on the system.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3204 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Shortage of Staff in PSKs
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD

3204.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3204 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## SHORTAGE OF STAFF IN PSKS

SHRI D.S. RATHOD:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  a  huge  shortage  of  staff  in  various  Regional  Passport Offices (RPOs)/Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) in the country;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to fill the vacant posts at the earliest?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) As  on  date,  against  the  sanctioned  strength  of  2697  of  Central Passport  Organization  and  21  posts  sanctioned  by  the  Union  Cabinet  for  the Project  Management  Unit  (PMU)  of  the  Passport  Seva  Project,  there  are  38 vacancies at Group 'A' level, 56 at  Group 'B' Gazetted level and 346 at Group 'B' non-Gazetted and Group 'C' level.
- (c) The Government has taken following steps to fill up the existing vacancies at the Passport Offices:
- (i) The regular placement of indent for recruitment of Lower Division Clerks, Assistants,  Hindi  Translators  and  Stenographers  with  Staff  Selection Commission (SSC).  The Staff Selection Commission has completed the recruitment process and has already sent dossiers for 630 Assistants/Lower  Division  Clerks  for  appointment  in  Passport  Offices. 391 Lower Division Clerks and 56 Assistants have recently joined through Staff  Selection  Commission.    The  Ministry  has  also  deployed  450  Data Entry Operators as an interim measure against the vacant non-Gazetted posts for smooth functioning of the Passport Offices.
- (ii) To  fill  up  the  existing  vacancies  at  the  Passport  Offices    through  fast track  promotion,  wherever  necessary  with  the  relaxation  of  eligibility norms in consultation and  with the approval of Department of Personnel & Training and Union Public Service Commission.  From September 2008 to June 2015, 3260 officials have been promoted in various grades.
- (iii)      Appointing the officers on deputation basis as per Recruitment Rules of Assistant Passport Officer, Deputy Passport Officer and Passport Officer.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3203 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Kashmir Issue
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

† 3203.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3203 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## KASHMIR ISSUE

SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of times Pakistan raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir  at  international  fora  during  the  last  three  years  till date  along  with  the  platforms  wherein  the  issue  has  been raised;
- (b) whether third party intervention has been sought by India to resolve this issue; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  and  response  of  various  countries  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) Pakistan  has  been  attempting  to  raise  the  issue  of Jammu and  Kashmir  at  international  fora,  including  at  the  United Nations,  UN  Human  Rights  Council  and  Organization  of  Islamic Countries.

The entire State of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the Indian Union. A part of the territory of the State is under illegal occupation  of Pakistan.  Vide  the  Simla  Agreement,  India  and Pakistan committed to address all outstanding issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, peacefully through bilateral dialogue. There is no role whatsoever for a third party in this regard.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3202 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Legislation for Data Protection
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3202

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 16.03.2016

## LEGISLATION FOR DATA PROTECTION

## 3202.     SHRI  PRALHAD  JOSHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government is planning to introduce a new legislation for data protection in India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a),  (b) and (c):  Section 43, Section 43A and Section 72A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 provides comprehensive legal framework for privacy and Security of data in digital form. Section  43A  mandates  that  body  corporate,  who  collect  personal  data  or  information  must provide  privacy  policy  for  handling  of  or  dealing  in  personal  information  including  sensitive personal  data  or  information  on  their  websites.    Sections  43  and  43A  of  the  Act  provides  for compensation to be paid to the victim in case of unauthorized access of information and leakage of  sensitive  personal  information  respectively.    Section  72A  provides  for  punishment  for disclosure of information in breach of the lawful contract.

Further,  the  bill  namely  'The  Aadhaar  (Targeted  Delivery  Of  Financial  And  Other  Subsidies, Benefits And Services) Bill, 2016' passed  in Lok Sabha on 11 th March 2016 contains a chapter relating to protection of information collected and stored by Unique Identification Authority of India  (UIDAI)  and  correspondingly  a  separate  chapter  on  offences  and  penalties  thereto. Provisions of data protection also exists in the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the rules therein. There is no such proposal with the Government at present to introduce a new legislation for data protection in India

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3200 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Tackling Urbanization via Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3200 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## TACKLING URBANIZATION VIA RAILWAYS

## 3200. SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  recognises  that  development  of  Railways  can mitigate problems of unchecked urbanisation;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  taking  steps  to  provide  railway  services  to remote  parts  to  control  migration  to  towns  and  cities  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) whether a detailed study has been conducted to assess the situation in this regard; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) to (c) :  Development  of  transport  linkages  including  Railways  helps  in dispersion  of  development  away  from  existing  cities/towns.  Railway  services are  planned  on  railway  routes  leading  to  cities  as  per  requirement  and capacity.  Capacity augmentation works are also taken up accordingly.
- (d)  &  (e)  :  Such  studies are carried out in the specific context of cities from time to time.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3198 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Automatic Door in Local Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3198 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## AUTOMATIC DOOR IN LOCAL TRAINS

†3198.    SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to make sitting arrangement and install automatic doors in local trains running in Maharashtra  on  the  lines  of  metro  to  ensure  safe  travel  of passengers; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b):  Suburban  trains,  including  those  running  in  Maharashtra, are  already  provided  with  sitting  arrangement.  One  air-conditioned EMU  (Electric  Multiple  Unit)  rake with  Automatic  doors,  similar  to metro coaches, for Mumbai, Western Railway has been manufactured at Integral Coach Factory, Chennai.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3195 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Widening of Railway Bridge
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNPURIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3195

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## WIDENING OF RAILWAY BRIDGE

†3195. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Hammir bridge in Sawai Madhopur district is proposed to be repaired and widened; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons  therefor  along with the extent to which it is to be widened?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  &  (b):  Railway  portion  of  Hammir  Road  Over  Bridge  (ROB),  in Sawai Madhopur Yard, is in sound condition. Hence no repair/rehabilitation is required.

Due  to  increase  in  volume  of  road  traffic,  State  Government  has approached  Railways  for  widening  of  this  ROB.    Widening  of  this ROB  can  be  done  on  deposit  term  provided  State  Government agrees  to  bear  the  entire  cost  of  construction  and  maintenance. No  proposal  in  this  regard  has  been  received  from  the  State Government.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3194 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Metro Smart Cards
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3194 TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 16, 2016 METRO SMART CARDS

No.3194   SHRI KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has noticed the drop in the sale of Delhi Metro Smart Cards;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a): No, Madam.

(b)&(c): Do not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3190 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Earthquake Resistant Building
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA SHETTI

- (a) Yes, Madam:

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3190 (To BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016)

## EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT BUILDING

3190. SHRI RAJU SHETTY:

## Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any research work has been started by various research laboratoriesl
- institutions for development of earthquake resistant buildings;
- (b) if So, the details of the institutions involved in the said work; and
- to research workslscientific studies for
- (c) the steps being taken popularise the construction of earthquake resistant buildings?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI Y.S: CHOWDARY)

- (b) Three CSIR laboratories namely CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CSIRCBRI), Roorkee; CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIRNEIST), Jorhat and CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC); Chennai are pursuing research related to earthquake resistant buildings:
- (c) CSIR labs have taken for of the developed
- following  steps popularization technologies:
- of awareness, and programmes on 'Earthquake Resistant Design, Construction, Retrofitting for
- development of documentary movies highlighting construction features, problems and their solutions in Indian context: The movies have been circulated to various stakeholders and uploaded on websites in public domain;
- organisation Training Demonstration masons, practicing engineers and architects;
- contribution in development of Indian standardslguidelines, design procedures based on experimental evidences of Indian masonry and architecture for mass application;
- electronic media; and
- publication of research findings in International National journals, participation in conferences, publication of brochures (in Hindi and English for general awareness) and dissemination of information through print and
- Presentation through pictoriai charts focusing earthquake resistant design features in Exhibitions, Training Programmes etc:

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Types of Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3187 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## TYPES OF TRAINS

3187. DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  names  and  number  of  different  types  of  passenger  trains  being operated in the country;
- (b) the  criteria  for  fixing  of  different  type  of  trains,  category-wise  and train-wise;
- (c) the  number  of  times  fare  has  been  increased  during  the  last  three years;
- (d) whether the fare of Suvidha rail are different from other trains; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a):  At  present,  Mail/Express  trains  which  include  Superfast  Express, Shatabdi  Express,  Duronto  Express,  Rajdhani  Express,  AC  superfast Express, Intercity express, Sampark Kranti Express etc. and local trains which include Passenger/Fast Passenger trains, MEMU, DEMU, EMU etc. are running over Indian Railways. As per Year Book 2014-15, 13098 trains (including  EMU/Mail/Express/Ordinary  Passenger  and  Mixed  Trains)  are being run daily over Indian Railways.

(b): Presently, the prevalent criterion for classifying trains is on the basis of average speed. The trains are classified into 'Superfast Express' and 'Non-Superfast/Mail/Express'  trains.  Superfast  Express  trains  are  those passenger carrying trains with an average speed of 55 KMPH or more on Broad Gauge and 45 KMPH or more on the Metre Gauge on end to end basis.

(c): During 2013-14 there was no increase in either Second Class Ordinary (Suburban) or Second Class MST fares. However, from 07.10.2013 fares for Second Class Ordinary (Non-Suburban) were increased by a maximum of ₹ 5/-  in  select distance slabs, while in the other distance slabs there was no increase in existing fares.    In  all  other  classes,  the  fares  were increased by 2% on account of Fuel Adjustment Component (FAC).

In 2014-15, Passenger fares for all classes were increased from 25.06.2014  by  14.2%  inclusive  of  4.2%  on  account  of  Fuel  Adjustment Component  (FAC).    However,  there  was  no  increase  in  Second  Class (Ordinary) Suburban fares upto a distance of 80 kilometers.

During  2015-16  Passenger  fares  have  not  been  increased,  however,  the minimum  chargeable  passenger  fare  for  Second  Class  Non-suburban services has been increased from ₹ 5 to ₹ 10 to bring it at par with the rate of Platform tickets from 22.11.2015.

(d)  &  (e):  Yes,  Madam.  The  Minimum  fare  of  Suvidha  trains  is  equal  to Tatkal fare applicable for the class of accommodation for initial 20% of the berths and thereafter the fare increases for subsequent slabs of 20% of  seats/berths  booked  subject  to  maximum  three  times  of  the  Tatkal fare.  Other  charges  like  reservation  charge,  catering  charge,  Superfast surcharges, Service Tax etc. are chargeable in full wherever applicable.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3186 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: New Rail Lines
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JAY PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3186 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## NEW RAIL LINES

†3186. SHRI  JAI  PRAKASH  NARAYAN  YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the process of laying new rail line from Sultanganj to Banka and  Sultanganj  to  Deoghar  via  Asarganj,  Tarapur,  Sangrampur  Belhar and  Katoria  under  Jamalpur-Bhagalpur  rail  section  of  the  Eastern Railway has been completed; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the time by which construction work is likely to be completed along with the amount of funds likely to be spent on construction of both the rail lines?

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

(a) & (b): Sultanganj to Banka (61 km) new line work, part of DeogharSultanganj (116 km) new line project, has not been taken forward on account of unremunerative nature of the project and limited availability of funds for new line projects. Sultanganj-Katoria via Asarganj, Tarapur, Sangrampur,  Belhar  new  line  project  was  sanctioned  in  2007-08  at  a cost of ` 289 crore. Staking of alignment on ground has been completed. However, further execution of this project could not be taken up due to non-acquisition  of  requisite  land  and  limited  availability  of  funds.  An outlay of ` 2 crore has been provided in Railway Budget 2016-17. Target date for completion has not been fixed.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3185 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Assistance for Land
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 3185

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 16, 2016 ASSISTANCE FOR LAND

No.  3185      SHRI B.V. NAIK:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to give financial assistance for land required for housing projects for urban poor in the country and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  revise  unit  cost  of housing  projects  in  view  of  the  price  escalation  of  construction material and labour costs; and
- (c) if so, whether the Government plans to give additional assistance for the projects having cost over-run and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN

POVERTY ALLEVIATION (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a): No,  Madam.    The  Guidelines  on  'Pradhan  Mantri  Awas  Yojana (PMAY)-Housing for All (HFA) (Urban)' Mission launched by Government  on  25.6.2015,  with  the  aim  to  provide  assistance  to States/UTs in addressing the housing requirement of the slum dwellers and urban poor, do not envisage financing of land cost for the projects taken  up  under  the  Mission.  State  Government/Urban  Local  Bodies (ULBs)  may,  however,  monetize  the  land  required  for  the  projects  in lieu of their share.

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

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3183 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Prevention of Corruption Bill
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH, B.N. CHANDRAPPA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3183

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016)

## PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION BILL

3183. SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: SHRI D.K. SURESH: SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  recommendations  of  the  Parliamentary  Standing  Committee  on  the Prevention  of  Corruption  (Amendment)  Bill,  2013  have  been  considered  by  the Government;
- (b) if so, whether the Government proposes to bring the law into effect at the earliest in view of the Committee's recommendations; and
- (c) if so, the details 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)  to  (c):      The  Official  Amendments  to  the  Prevention  of  Corruption  (Amendment)  Bill, 2013  have  been  moved,  after  considering  the  69 th Report  of  the  Standing  Committee  and recommendations made therein on the said Bill and after taking into account the 254 th Report of  the  Law  Commission  of  India  and  recommendations  made  therein.  Notices  for  further consideration  and  passing  of  the  said  Bill  were  given  during  the  Budget,  Monsoon  and Winter Sessions of 2015 of the Parliament. The Amendment Bill with official amendments was  taken  up  for  consideration  and  passing  in  the  Rajya  Sabha  on  03 rd December,  2015 during the Winter Session, 2015. After initial discussions, it was decided by consensus that the  said  Amendment Bill  with Official  Amendments thereto may  be referred to the Select Committee  of  the  Rajya  Sabha.  The  said  Bill,  as  of  now,  stands  referred  to  the  Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3182 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Visa Denial by Pakistan
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3182 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## VISA DENIAL BY PAKISTAN

3182. SHRI PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the recent incident involving  denial  of  visa  by  Pakistan  to  noted  actor  Anupam Kher to attend the Karachi Literary Fest;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government has been issuing visas to Pakistani performers/artists  to  perform/attend  various  activities  in  the country;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  issue  has  been  taken  up  with  the  Pakistani authorities and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the response of Pakistan Government thereto?

## ANSWER

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

- (a), (b), (e) & (f) Government has come across media reports regarding denial of visa by Pakistan to Shri  Anupam Kher. Government  has  not  been  approached  either  by  the  actor  or  by anyone else in this regard.
- (c) & (d) It  is  Government's  policy  to  facilitate  people-to-people interaction,  which helps  develop  better  mutual  understanding.  The High  Commission  of  India  in  Islamabad  issues  necessary  visas  to Pakistani  artistes  to  visit  India  from  time  to  time  for  promoting cultural interaction.

*****