opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 563 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Modern Technology under SBM
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

O.I.H.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 563

TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 02, 2015

## MODERN TECHNOLOGY UNDER SBM

No. 563 SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will  the  Minister  of  URBAN  DEVELOPMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the Government is emphasising on the use of modern technique  for  waste  management  under  Swachh  Bharat  Mission (SBM);
- (b) if so, the efforts made by the Government for the rehabilitation of scavangers;
- (c) whether the Government is also emphasising on waste management skill development for the said groups; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes , Madam. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), the best available  and  sustainable  technologies  are  considered,  including personal protection equipment and use of mechanical equipment for waste cleaning and handling purposes.

(b):  The  Self  Employment Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers  (SRMS)  has  been  revised  in  synchronization  with  the provisions of the 'Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and  their  Rehabilitation  Act,  2003'  (MS  Act,  2013)  to  provide  the following benefits to the identified Manual Scavengers.

- (i) Onetime  cash  assistance  of  Rs.  40,000/to identified manual scavengers.
- (ii)   Loans for project cost upto Rs. 15.00 lacs on concessional rates of interest.
- (iii)  Credit linked back end capital subsidy upto Rs. 3,25,000/-
- (iv)  Skill  Development  Training  with  stipend  of  Rs.  3,000/-  per month.

Further the scheme of 'Pre-matric scholarship for the children of  those  engaged  in  occupation  involving  cleaning  and  prone  to health hazards' is also available for the children of  manual scavengers.

A provision has also been made under 'Indira Awas Yojana' of the Ministry of Rural Development for special coverage of identified manual  scavengers  for  providing  them  housing  facilities  in  rural areas.

(c) & (d): Yes Madam. The SBM component of capacity building aims at best practice recognition study and research in methods, training and capacity building for the targeted groups of personnel involved in waste management.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 562 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Financial Crisis in Municipalities
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD, KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPOMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 562

## TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 02, 2015

## FINANCIAL CRISIS IN MUNICIPALITIES

No. 562 PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD: SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether several Municipal Corporation and Municipal Councils in various States are facing financial crunch and if so,
- the details thereof, city and State-wise;
- (b) whether various urban development works including
- construction of drains etc. are not being carried out as a result thereof; and
- (c) the  number  of  such  cases  due  to  which  urban  areas  are bereft of development during the last three years and the current year,  State  and  city-wise  and  the  action  contemplated  by  the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) :  Yes,  Madam.  It  is  observed  that  Urban  Local  Bodies (ULB) in the country are financially constrained. Details of their financial position and related construction & development works rest with the respective State Governments.

Urban Development is a State subject and Government of India  only  facilitates  the  State  Governments  and  ULBs  through various programmes, schemes and guidelines.  In order to help improve the financial condition and governance of the ULBs, the Government  of India has approved for financial assistance under its  reformed  oriented  programmes  of  Smart  Cities  Mission  and the  Atal  Mission  for  Rejuvenation  and  Urban  Transformation  of 500 cities (AMRUT) with outlays of Rs.48,000 crore and Rs.50,000 crores respectively over the next five years. Further, the Government has also accepted the 14th Finance Commission's recommendations for providing Rs. 87,143.8 crores to ULBs for the period 2015-2020.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 561 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Rail Link to Shravasti
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DADDAN MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 561 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## RAIL LINK TO SHRAVASTI

† 561.    SHRI DADDAN MISHRA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  so  far  to  link  Shravasti  of Uttar Pradesh with the railways; and
- (b)  the  time  by  which  Shravasti  is  likely  to  be  connected  with  the railways ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  &  (b):  A  survey  for  new  line  from  Bahraich  to  Tulsipur  via Shravasti (82 km) has already been taken up.

As this is not a sanctioned project, no time lines can be given for its completion.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 559 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Full Time Researchers
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN, SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.559

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02/12/2015

## FULL TIME RESEARCHERS

## 559. SHRI K.N. RAMACHANDRAN:

## DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE:

Will the Minister of SCIENC E AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that India has the least number of full time researchers in t
- (b) if so, the details thereof, compared to other developed nations;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  have  partnership  with  industry  for  t research activities;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

(SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó

(gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

- (a)  &  (b):  No  Madam.  As  per  UNESCO  S cience  Report  2015,  India  has  1,92,819  full  ti researchers and stands among the top 10    leading countries in the world.
- (c)  to  (e):    Ministry  of  Science  and  Technology  is  partnering  with  industries  throug initiatives in terms of research, te chnology development, commercialisation, product development providing soft loans and human resources including policy and reform processes.    These formulation of new Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2013, Building Indu R&D  Pr omotion  Programme  (BIRD),  Patent  Acquisition  and  Collaborative  Research  & Technology  Development  (PACE),  Promoting  Innovation  in  Individuals  Stat - ups  and  SMEs (PRISM),  New  Millennium  Indian  Technology  Leadership  Initiative(NIMTLI),  Biotechnology Industry  P artnership  Programme  (BIPP),  Drugs  and  Pharmaceuticals  Research  Programme (DRPP),  Instruments  Development  Programme  (IDP),  Technology  Development  Board  (TDB), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), National Mission on Nano Scie and Nano Technology, Water Technology Initiative and Solar Energy Research Initiative, P Minister's  Doctoral  Fellowship  Scheme  in  collaboration  with  private  sector  etc,  apart  from recognition of R&D Units and national awards for outstanding R&D for industr ies.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 558 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: One Belt One Road Project with China
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, Shrirang Appa Barne, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, DHARMENDRA YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.558 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## ONE BELT ONE ROAD PROJECT WITH CHINA

558.

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL: SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether China is pushing hard for the One Belt One Road (OBOR) project and the maritime silk route that require multi-country co-operation;

- (b) if so, the response of the Indian Government thereto;

- (c) whether  the  said  move  by  China  without  building  consensus  is  likely  to invite new problems;

- (d) if so, the details thereof and response thereto;

- (e) whether the Union Government has requested the international community to  adopt  a  road  map  for  greater  and  genuine  consensus  building  on  the matter; and

- (f) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of these countries thereto?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) The Government of India is aware of the Chinese initiatives of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. This initiative has earlier  been  called  'One  Road  One  Belt'.  Government  has  seen  recent  reports where the initiative has been renamed as 'Belt and Road Initiative'. There have been  reports  that  China  has  established  a  US$  40  billion  Silk  Road  Fund  to finance  projects  under  this  initiative.  China  has  entered  into  MoUs  with  some countries  to  obtain  their  endorsement  for  this  initiative.  It  has  also  sought support from various countries for this initiative during the visits of its leadership.

- (e) No. This is a Chinese initiative.

- (f) Does not arise

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 557 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Sub-letting of Government Accommodation
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SATISH KUMAR GAUTAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUES.NO.557

## TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 02, 2015 SUB-LETTING OF GOVERNMENT ACCOMMODATION

No.557

SHRI SATISH KUMAR GAUTAM:

Will the Minister of Urban Development be pleased to state :

- (a) Whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  sub-letting  of Government accommodation/ quarters by the allottees in various  colonies  including  in  Sarojini  Nagar  and  R.K.Puram, New Delhi;
- (b) If so, the details thereof; and
- (c) The action taken/being taken by the Government against such
- allottees ?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) &  (b) : Instances  of  subletting  of  Government accommodation/quarter in   various  colonies  including  Sarojini Nagar and R.K.Puram have come to notice from time to time. During the year 2015, 114 officials were issued 'show cause notices' in Sarojini Nagar and R.K.Puram area. After detailed

enquiry on the proven charges of subletting. Allotment of 63 officials were cancelled. A total of 80 officials inclusive of the 63 were debarred from future allotment of government accommodation.

(c) :       Action against allottees found subletting government accommodation is  as  per SR 317B-20 & 21. Penalty on such officials includes initiation of disciplinary proceedings, debarment from future allotment of government allotment and imposition of damage rates.
Lok Sabha Question No. 554 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Allocation of Spectrum
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO JADHAV, RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.554 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  DECEMBER, 2015

## ALLOCATION OF SPECTRUM

## †554.  SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV: SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY:

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

- (a) the  details  of  recommendations  of  the  Telecom  Regulatory  Authority  of  India (TRAI) regarding allocation and pricing of spectrum;
- (b) whether the Government has accepted  all  the  major  recommendations  on the issue; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  details  of  such  recommendations  and reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to(c) The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has made recommendations from time to time, based on the reference made by the Government, regarding applicable reserve price and associated terms and conditions for auction of right  to  use  the  spectrum  in  various  bands.  These  TRAI  recommendations  were examined in detail. The Government took decisions on reserve price and associated terms  and  conditions  based  on  recommendations  of  Telecom  Commission  after considering the TRAI recommendations.

***************
Lok Sabha Question No. 553 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: India Japan Co-operation in S&amp;T
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: ARJUN RAM  MEGHWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.553 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02/12/2015

## INDIA JAPAN CO -OPERATION IN S&T

## †553. SHRI ARJUN MEGHWAL:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOL OGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India and Japan have prepared any blue print jointly in order to finalise age co- operation in the field of science and technology;
- (b if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the se ctors in which revolutionary changes are likely to be made as a result thereof;
- (d) whether the said areas are also concerned with public security; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AN D MINISTER OF

## STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

(SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó

(gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

- (a)  &  (b): Yes,   Madam. Following  blue  p rint  is  proposed  for  future  Science  &  Technology  (S&T) cooperation with Japan in S&T.
- Setting -up threeIndia - Japan Joint Laboratories in partnership in frontier areas covering 'Internet of  Things',  'Artificial  Intelligence'  and  'Big  Data  Analytics'.  Besid es undertaking front ranking research, these laboratories will provide innovative solutions for identified challenges nations.
- Initiating a reciprocal Fellowship programme for young researchers for undertaking R&D work in laboratories and academ ic  institutions in each other's country. The fellowship program is aimed towards human resource development in frontier areas of science & technology and to promote networks between the next generation of scientific leadership in India and Japan.
- The Phase II of the exclusive Indian Beamline  at the KEK Photon factory at Tsukuba has been agreed. This will provide facilities for Indian scientists toundertake front ranking research on new and emerging materials at nano scale level with focus on energy. Th e Indian Beamline will be also open for usage by international scientific community.
- (c) The blue print is expected to create new knowledge through scientific and technological re areas covering Information and Communication Technology; Material s Sciences; Life Sciences & Human Biology.
- (d) No Madam.
- (e) Does not arise .

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 552 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Diamond Quadrilateral
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH, B.N. CHANDRAPPA, NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 552

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## DIAMOND QUADRILATERAL

552.   SHRI D.K. SURESH:

SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA:

SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the Government has proposed to introduce 'Diamond Quadrilateral' scheme in the Indian Railways;
- (b) if so, the details of the objectives of the said scheme; and
- (c)
- the time by which the said scheme is likely to be introduced?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (c): There is no such scheme. However, the following corridors have been identified for feasibility studies for high speed rail connectivity  to  the  four  major  metros  and  growth  centers  of  the country:  (i)  Delhi-Mumbai,  (ii)  Mumbai-Chennai,  (iii)  Chennai-Kolkata, (iv)  Kolkata-Delhi  and  both  diagonals  i.e.  (v)  Delhi-Chennai  and  (vi) Mumbai-Kolkata routes.

No time frame has been fixed for the studies on high speed trains.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 550 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Improving Railway Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RANGASWAMY DHRUVANARAYANA, RODMAL NAGAR, DALPAT SINGH PARASTE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  550

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## IMPROVING RAILWAY TRACKS

† 550. SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA: SHRI NAGAR RODMAL: SHRI DALPAT SINGH PARASTE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  route  on  which  worst  train  accident  took  place  in  the country during the current year;
- (b) whether the Union Government has conducted survey of all those rail routes which are extremely accident prone and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  railway  tracks on such  routes were  found  in dilapidated state;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the total kilometres of railway tracks which are in dilapidated state; and
- (e) whether  the  work  to  improve  such  railway  tracks  is  being carried  out  and  if  so,  the  time  by  which  the  said  work  is likely to 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. 550 BY  SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA, SHRI NAGAR RODMAL AND SHRI DALPAT SINGH PARASTE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 02.12.2015 REGARDING IMPROVING RAILWAY TRACKS

- (a) : On 04.08.2015, 29 lives were lost, one passenger was grievously  injured  and  44  passengers  suffered  simple  injuries when eleven coaches of train no. 11071 Kamayani Express and seven coaches of train no. 13201 Rajendranagar - Lokmanyatilak Express derailed while both trains were on run between Khirkiya and  Bhiringi  stations  of  Itarsi  -  Khandwa  section  of  Bhopal Division of West Central Railway.
- (b) :  Asset  monitoring  for  safety  is  a  continuous  activity  and  is undertaken on a regular basis as per laid down criteria.
- (c) to    (e)  :    Do  not  arise.  Track  renewal  is  a  continuous  activity, which  is  to  be  undertaken  as  and  when  a  stretch  of  track becomes due for  renewal  on  the  basis  of  criteria  laid  down  in Indian Railway Permanent Way Manual which are as under:
- (i) Incidence of rail fractures/failures.
- (ii) Wear on rail.
- (iii) Maintainability of track to prescribed standards.
- (iv) Expected  Service  Life  in  terms  of  Gross  Million  Tonnes Carried.
- (v)
- Plan based renewals.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 549 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Increase in Railway Services
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.549

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## INCREASE IN RAILWAY SERVICES

†549. SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR  PANDEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS   be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  increased  rail  services  in  view  of increasing number of passengers on the occasion of important festivals on each railway route particularly of Jharkhand and Bihar;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to stick to time-table of trains and passenger  amenities  so  that  it  may  increase  railway  revenue  and passenger amenities; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b):  Yes, Madam. With a view to clear the rush of passengers on different railway routes and during important festivals like Chhath, Holi, Diwali etc. Railways  run special trains and also augment capacity on the  existing  scheduled  services  subject  to  operational  feasibility  and resource  availability.  However,  a    compendium  of  special  trains  on State-wise basis is not maintained.

(c)  &  (d):  Railways  continuously  monitor  the  punctuality  of  passenger trains  at  the  Divisional,  Zonal  and  Board  levels.    Some  of  the  factors that  impact  punctual  running  of  trains  are  capacity  constraints  on saturated  routes,  asset  failures,  alarm  chain  pulling,  agitations,  cattle run over, bad weather and other unforeseen circumstances.  Based on assessments  of  factors  impeding  punctual  running  of  trains,  remedial measures, both short term and long term, are initiated.  High priority is being accorded to making resources available for speedy execution of critical capacity augmentation as these on completion would facilitate, inter alia, improved efficiency and reliability in train operations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 547 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Indian Soldiers in Pakistan Jails
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: YOGI ADITYANATH, SAUGATA ROY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.547

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## INDIAN SOLDIERS IN PAKISTAN JAILS

- † 547. SHRI YOGI ADITYA NATH: PROF. SAUGATA ROY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether several Indian soldiers including prisoners of war are languishing in Pakistan jails;
- (b)      if so, the details thereof;
- (c)     whether several Indian soldiers were also allegedly tortured to death in Pakistan during the Kargil war;
- (d)     if so, whether the Government is contemplating to take up these matters in the International Court of Justice; and
- (e)     the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  for  the  release  of  these soldiers from Pakistan jails?

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

(a), (b) & (e) According  to  available  information,  74  missing  defence personnel are believed to be in Pakistan's custody, including 54 since 1971. Government  has  repeatedly  taken  up  the  matter  with  the  Government  of Pakistan through diplomatic channels and during high-level contacts, for their release. However, Pakistan does not acknowledge the presence of any Indian missing defence personnel in its custody.

- (c)      Yes.
- (d)    Government of India has conventionally held the position that India and Pakistan cannot invoke the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in relation to disputes concerning armed conflicts, hostilities etc. as both are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. However, this position has been reviewed. Subject to Supreme Court's pronouncement in an ongoing matter in the Court, Government would be open to invoking the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.

*****