opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2935 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Undesirable Contact Men
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2935

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015)

## UNDESIRABLE CONTACT MEN

## 2935. SHRI KIRTI AZAD:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the influence of Undesirable Contact Men, from amongst  Chartered  Accountants,  Advocates  and  Tax  specialists,  consultants  and professional brokers who get posting, appointments, transfers, deals etc. fixed;
- (b) if so, whether the CBI has mentioned several such name on its website;
- (c) if so, whether the Government proposes to update such a list to discourage common people from having liaison with such people and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the action taken by the Government against such middlemen along with the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?

## 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):  Information sought for being 'Top Secret' in nature, cannot be disclosed in public interest.
- (d):  The Central Government is fully committed to implement its policy of 'Zero Tolerance against  Corruption'.  Action  against  persons  involved  in  corrupt  practices  is  taken in accordance with law. Further, in order to promote greater transparency and ready access to information  held  with  them,  the  Government  Organizations  are suo  motu  disclosing information  relating  to  their  important  documents/policies/decisions  etc  and  uploading  the same on their websites as per Acts/Rules.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: E-Commerce Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: CHIRAG PASWAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2934 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 th  DECEMBER, 2015

## E-COMMERCE SERVICES

## †2934. SHRI CHIRAG PASWAN:

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

- (a) whether  network  of  post  offices  is  used  for  promoting  e-commerce  in  the country;
- (b) if so, the details of contracts signed with various e-commerce companies during the last three years and the current year;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  taking  any  steps  to  ensure  proper  utilization  of  a large network of post offices; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. The Department of Posts through its network of post offices offers  its  existing  services  and  products  like  Speed  Post,  Parcels  etc.  to  all  the customers including eCommerce companies for booking and delivery solutions of their articles. More than 400 eCommerce companies across the country including Amazon, Flipkart,  Myntra,  Snapdeal,  Yepme,  Naaptol  etc.  are  availing  the  services  of  the Department  under  standard  Agreements  like  BNPL  (Book  Now  Pay  Later)  Scheme which are common to all bulk customers.

Additionally,  Agreement  for  sale  and  promotion  of  philatelic  items  and  their delivery through Speed Post have been signed with M/s Snapdeal and M/s Shopclues on 04.08.2014 and 07.10.2015 respectively.

- (c) & (d) Department of Posts reviews its services and products from time to time keeping in view the changing market scenario, customer needs, industry benchmarks etc and takes steps to modify service features accordingly to ensure proper utilization of the large network of post offices and boost revenue growth. Some of the steps taken to ensure  optimum  utilization  of  the  network  of  post  offices  include  sale  of  third  party products,  rationalization  of  the  parcel  services,  augmenting  and  establishing  parcel processing  centres,  introduction  of  Cash  on  Delivery  (CoD)  for  remittance  of  amount towards cost of delivered goods in Speed Post and Parcels.

As on 30.11.2015 an amount of Rs. 970 Crores has been collected and remitted to different eCommerce companies under Cash on Delivery (CoD).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2933 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Three Stage Nuclear Power Programme
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: PREM DAS RAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2933 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## THREE STAGE NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAMME

## 2933.  SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  three-stage  nuclear  power  programme  and  the  status  of  its implementation;
- (b) whether  there  is  a  delay  in  the  commissioning  of  the  Prototype  Fast  Breeder Reactor and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the time by which the above reactor is proposed to be mode operational?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) With  a  view  to  optimally  utilise  limited  uranium  reserves  and  large  thorium reserves in the country, the Department of Atomic Energy has adopted a three stage  nuclear  power  programme,  based  on  a  closed  nuclear  fuel  cycle,  for generation  of  nuclear  power  and  for  achieving  long  term  energy  security.   The three stage nuclear power programme, which is to be implemented sequentially, aims  to  multiply  the  domestically  available  fissile  resources  through  the  use  of natural Uranium in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (first stage), followed by use  of  Plutonium  obtained  from  the  spent  fuel  of  Pressurised  Heavy  Water Reactors  in  Fast  Breeder  Reactors,  in  the  second  stage.  Large  scale  use  of Thorium will subsequently follow making use of Uranium-233 that will be bred in Fast Breeder Reactors, when adequate nuclear installed capacity in the country has been built. Accordingly, the utilisation of Thorium as a practically inexhaustible energy source has been contemplated during the third stage of the Indian nuclear programme, which can be reached after a few decades.  The first stage of nuclear power programme comprising of indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water  Reactors  (PHWRs)  is  in  industrial  domain.    A  Prototype  Fast  Breeder Reactor  (PFBR)  under  the  second  stage  is  being  constructed  by  Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu and the same is at an advanced stage of commissioning.
- (b) Yes sir.  Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is first of its kind in the country, conceived with the main objective of techno-economic demonstration of large fast reactors  to  be  built  in  series  in  the  country  for  the  commercial  exploitation. Accordingly, several unique features have been incorporated in the design and development stages. Manufacturing of these equipments by Indian manufacturers took considerable time.  In view of first of its kind nature, several stage-  wise  review  processes  called  for  by  the  internal  and  external  experts mainly formed by regulators are very thorough and quite long elaborate exercise.
- (c) PFBR will be operational by September-2016.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2932 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Time Taken in CBI Investigation
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: BAHADUR SINGH KOLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOKSABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:2932

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## NUCLEAR FUSION RESEARCH

2932.  SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that mega International Nuclear Fusion Research and Engineering project (ITER) is rescheduled and is missing the deadline of completion;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) the total expenditure incurred by the Government by participating in the said project;
- (d) the number of Indian Scientists working in the ITER project;
- (e) whether the Government considers to develop own fusion technology for meeting the future demand; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)&(b)  Yes, Sir. The ITER Council which is the governing body of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), France with equal participation  from  India,  in  its  meeting  held  in  Cadarache  (France)  in November,  2015  acknowledged  the  delays  in  achieving  the  first  plasma beyond what is included in the baseline adopted in 2010 and decided to set up  a  panel  of  independent  experts  to  review  the  updated  schedule  and required resources. The Government is awaiting the report of the panel of independent  experts  and  its  endorsement  by  the  ITER  Council.  As  far  as India's in-kind contribution is concerned, it is working to maintain the

manufacturing and delivery dates as per the 2010 approved base line, for those items which are not dependent on other members contribution.

- (c) The total expenditure incurred by India (as on 30.11.2015) on ITER project is ` 2298.98 crore.
- (d) As  on  30.11.2015,  22  Indian  Nationals  are  working  in  the  ITER  project  in France.
- (e)&(f)   Fusion is a potential source of energy as it is virtually inexhaustible and India is actively developing its own Fusion Research program.

The Institute for Plasma Research, an Aided Institution under the Department  of  Atomic  Energy  (DAE)  in  Gandhinagar  is  operating  two smaller Tokamak devices (ADITYA and SST-1, which brought India in 2013 to the league of 6 Nations having Superconducting Steadystate Tokamak in the world) to gain expertise in relevant technologies in the area and conduct experiments  on  various  aspects  of  Fusion  relevant  Plasma.  Preliminary design studies are underway on a demonstration fusion reactor capable of generating power. India's participation in the ITER project is in consonance with  this  goal  which  will  allow  Indian  Fusion  Research  the  necessary leapfrogging advantage.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2931 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Bed Roll Facility
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMDAS CHANDRABHANJI TADAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2931 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## BED ROLL FACILITY

†2931. SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the passengers of Garib Rath Train have to pay to coach attendant for bed roll;
- (b) if  so,  whether  this  facility  is  not  available  to  each  and  every passenger and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  charge  for  the  bed roll facility with the ticket charges like other trains;
- (d) if so, the time by which it is likely to be implemented; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and  (b):  A  provision  has  been  made  in  the  computerized Passenger  Reservation  System  (PRS)  for  allowing  passengers  to give  an  option  for  the  bedroll  while  booking  tickets  by  Garib  Rath express trains and to pay requisite charges at the time of booking of ticket itself. In addition, the passengers can also take bedroll in the train  on  payment  of  requisite  charges  to  the  coach  attendant subject to availability of bedrolls.

(c)  to  (e):  Proposal  for  inclusion  of  bed  roll  charges  in  the  fare structure of Garib Rath trains is under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2930 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Exchange of Programmes
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: MEENAKASHI LEKHI, PREM DAS RAI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2930

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015)

## EXCHANGE OF PROGRAMMES

## 2930. SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI: SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  given  any  serious  thought  on  compulsory  exchange between the academicians serving in the universities and scientific/technical institutions and the professionals working  at various levels in the respective Government,  Semi-Government,  Non-  Government  and  private  sector  to  derive benefits of academics into the profession and vice-versa and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has constituted a high-level Expert Group to delve upon this serious issue; 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) to (c):    The Task Force constituted for Restructuring of NITI Aayog Secretariat with the terms  of  reference  inter-alia  including  suggesting  the  process  and  procedure  for  creating partnership with universities, institutions and think tanks etc., and for procurement of services from  individuals/institutions  has  inter-alia  recommended  that  NITI  Aayog  may  develop partnership network with think tanks, universities and policy research institutions.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2929 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Train Set Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BHEEMRAO BASWANTHRAO PATIL

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) Against  a  global  Request  for  Qualification  (RFQ),  five  Applicants have been shortlisted. The Request for  Proposal (RFP) has been issued for inviting financial bid from the shortlisted applicants.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2929 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## TRAIN SET PROJECT

## 2929.  SHRI BHEEMRAO B. PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways train set project, under the 'Make in India' programme has evinced interest from global firms; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the present status of the project;

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2928 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Railway Reservation Counter at Hazaribagh Road
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) No, Madam.
- (c) Does not arise.
- (d)  At  present,  on  an  average  approximately  128  number  of reservation related transactions are being dealt with at Hazaribagh Road station, which is lower than the prescribed norm of 180 for opening of additional reservation counters. As such,  the  existing  arrangement  is  considered  adequate  for catering to the present level of traffic.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2928 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## RAILWAY RESERVATION COUNTER AT HAZARIBAGH ROAD

†2928. DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  there  is  only  one  railway  reservation  counter  at Hazaribagh Road (Dhanbad Zone), which remains open for half day;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the number of reservation counters and to keep them open for full day;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2927 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Commercial Development of Land
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2927 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF LAND

## 2927.   SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether commercial development of railway land in Mumbai, specifically  in  the  four  railway  plots  at  Thane,  Bandra,  Mulund  and Bhandup has been stalled due to failed tenders which has caused the Government a huge loss of revenue;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) the details of the budget allocated and utilised for these projects in the last two years;
- (d) whether the Government is aware that the railway land earmarked for commercial development have been encroached by shanty units; and
- (e) if so, the details of the steps taken by the Government to remove such encroachment of railway land and effectively use them for commercial development of the railway land?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- and (b):    As  Commercial  development of Railway land in Mumbai area viz.,  Thane,  Mulund  and  Bhandup  was  not  found  feasible/commercially viable,  no  tender  had  been  invited  for  these  sites.    For  Bandra  site, tenders were invited in the past which did not materialise.  However,
- (a) there was no revenue loss due to this.

(c):  Projects  related  to  commercial  development  of  Railway  land  are revenue generating projects and Railway does not incur any expenditure in execution of such projects.  As such, no budget had been allotted for these projects during the last two years. (d):  Land  in  Mumbai  area  earmarked  for  commercial  development  is  free from encroachments. (e):  Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2925 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Tonk and Banswara Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MANSHANKAR NINAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2925 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## TONK AND BANSWARA RAIL LINE

†2925.  SHRI MANSHANKAR NINAMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether no rail line has been laid in Tonk and Banswara till date;

(b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  any  master  plan  is  being formulated by the Government in this regard and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Rajasthan is among backward States of the country in respect of rail transport/tracks and electrification; and

- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2925 BY SHRI MANSHANKAR NINAMA TO BE  ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 16.12.2015 REGARDING TONK AND BANSWARA RAIL LINE

(a)  &(b):  Ajmer  (Nasirabad)-Sawai  Madhopur  (Chauth  Ka  Barwara)  via Tonk (165 kms) and Ratlam-Dungarpur via Banswara (176 kms) new line projects  have  been  taken  up  to  connect  Tonk  and  Banswara  to  the Railway network.

(c)&(d):  Rajasthan has a Railway network density of 12.40  track  kms (including double/multiple lines,yards, etc.) per  lakh population against national  average  of  9.76  .  In  terms  of  area,  Rajasthan    has  network density  of  2.48    track  kms  per  hundred  square  kms  against  national average of 3.59.

However,  keeping  aspirations  of  public  in  view,    8  new  line,  7 gauge conversion and 11 doubling projects falling fully/partly in Rajasthan having a total length of 4011   kms  have been taken up for further expansion of railway network there. In addition,Western Dedicated Freight Corridor passing through the State of Rajasthan has also been taken up.

As on 01.04.2015, 795 route kilometres out of total 5898 kms are electrified in the state of Rajasthan which is about  13.5%. There are two ongoing  Railway  Electrification  projects  in  the  state  of  Rajasthan.  4 Railway Electrification projects falling partly/fully in the state  have been included in Rail Budget 2015-16 subject to obtaining requisite statutory approvals.

Presently,adequate number of train services are available for the State of Rajasthan. However,Indian Railways do not run trains on Statewise  basis  as  rail  network  and  train  operations  cut  across  state boundaries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2924 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Season Ticket Facility
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: N.K. PREMACHANDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2924 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## SEASON TICKET FACILITY

## 2924.  SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to stop the facility given to short  distance  travellers  and  season  ticket  holders  and  if  so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  railway  proposes  to  introduce  more  reserved compartments and general compartments for the short distance  travellers  and  season  ticket  holders  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (c)  the  action  taken  by  the  railway's  to  accommodate  in  long distance trains;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  AC  season tickets for short distance travellers as an alternate arrangement  for  withdrawal  of  first  class  season  ticket  in trains; and
- (e)   if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

( SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a):  No,  Madam.  At  present,  there  is  no  such  proposal  to  stop  the facility of Season Ticket.

- (b) & (c): During the year 2015-16, upto 30 November 2015, total 691 coaches including 459 reserved and 232 unreserved coaches have

been  utilized  for  permanent  augmentation  of  existing  trains  to accommodate  the  passengers  for  short  and  long  distance  trains. Further, attachment  of coach  is on-going process subject to operational  feasibility,  commercial  justification  and  availability  of resources.

(d):  At present, there is no such proposal.

(e):  Does not arise.

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