opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 515 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Dredging Work of Rivers
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES,

River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 515**

ANSWERED ON 23.07.2015

**Dredging Work of Rivers**

515. SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has started dredging work of various rivers in the country including Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh; and

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the funds spent for this purpose, State/UT-wise and          river-wise during 11th & 12 th Plan period?

## ANSWER

The MinistER of STATE FOR Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation

(PROF.SANWAR LAL JAT)

(a)&(b)	The aspects of siltation in rivers have been studied in the past by a Committee headed by Dr. B.K. Mittal, ex-Chairman, CWC. This Committee had not recommended dredging in large rivers in general as a solution for improvement of channel capacity due to problems associated with repeated high cost of maintenance and disposal of excavated earth. However, dredging has been recommended in specific reaches of rivers or at their mouths for removal of drainage congestion, if found techno-economically viable on the basis of required model studies. Recently, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has formulated plans for dredging in river Krishna between Wazirabad and Vijayawada for navigational purpose on National Waterway No 4, which is at survey and investigation stage. During XI and XII Plans, no expenditure has been incurred on dredging of rivers for the purpose of flood management.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 513 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Underground Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: RITI PATHAK

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINiSTRY OF COAL

## 1 LOK  SABHA

**unSTARRED QUESTION NO.513**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.7.2015**

**Underground Mines**

513. 	SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state :

(a) 	the number of underground mines are running under the Northern Coalfields Ltd. (NCL) in the country;

(b) 	whether the number of these mines is decreasing and if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor;

(c) 	whether there is any proposal to run only open cast projects in NCL; and

(d)	if so, the details thereof?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE (IC) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER   AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY**

**(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)**

**(a) to (d) :** At present extraction of coal in Northern Coalfields Ltd.(NCL) is taking place in 10 opencast mines and there is no underground mine there in operation at present. Decision to take up open cast mining or underground mining is based on the exploration results and evaluation of nature of coal deposits.  At present, exploration in the main basin has been taken up but has not been completed.

* * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 512 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Auctioned Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: R. VANAROJA

**Government of India**

**Ministry of Coal**

**Lok Sabha**

**Unstarred Question No. 512**

**To be answered on 23.07.2015**

**Auctioned Mines**

**512. SHRIMATI VANAROJA R.**

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

1. whether many of the auctioned mines were operational and could start mining operations, but the new allottees were facing problems over getting the statutory clearances such as forest and environmental clearances;

1. if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

1. whether most of these were in the realm of the State Governments and were being pursued by the Union Government as the output of these mines were critical to the Government's plan to produce 1.5 billion tonnes of coal by 2020; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government in                        this regard?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR COAL, POWER, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY**

**(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)**

(a) & (b):	Coal mines included in Schedule-II of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 were operational. Ministry of Coal has taken proactive measures to ensure that statutory clearances including Environment and Forest Clearances by the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change are transferred to the successful bidders and allottees expeditiously.

So far, out of a total of 67 coal mines successfully auctioned and allotted, Vesting / Allotment Orders have been issued in respect of 45 coal mines. Out of these 45 coal mines, Environment Clearances has been transferred in favor of successful bidder/allottee for 37 coal mines. As regards Forest Clearance, the same has been transferred in favor of successful bidder/allottee of 25 coal mines. In respect of 7 coal mines, no forest clearance is involved and in respect of 5 coal mines, transfer of forest clearance is not required as the Prior Allottees are the Successful Bidders / Allottees.

……2/-

-2-

(c)& (d):	The Central Government has taken up the matter of expediting various clearances with the concerned coal bearing State Governments and has been regularly pursing with the authorities concerned with the objective of brining the successfully auctioned / allotted coal mines into production as soon as possible.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 511 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Profit and Functioning of CIL
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINiSTRY OF COAL

## 1 LOK  SABHA

**unSTARRED QUESTION NO.511**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.7.2015**

**Profit and Functioning of CIL**

511. 	SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state :

(a) 	whether the profit and functioning of the Coal India Limited (CIL) has been improved and jumped from eighth to sixth place among the 40 largest mining companies in the world;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof; and

(c) 	the profit to CIL reported for the year 2014-15 and estimated for the year 2015-16?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE (IC) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER   AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY**

**(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)**

**(a) to (b):** Coal India Limited has informed that the profit before tax (PBT) earned by CIL and corresponding level of coal production 	during the last five years are as follows:

| **Year**    | **PBT  (Rs. Crore)**   | **Coal Production (MT)**   |
|-------------|------------------------|----------------------------|
| **2014-15** | **21,583.92**          | **494.24**                 |
| **2013-14** | **22,879.54**          | **462.42**                 |
| **2012-13** | **24,979.04**          | **452.21**                 |
| **2011-12** | **21,272.66**          | **435.84**                 |
| **2010-11** | **16,463.24**          | **431.32**                 |

However, the data regarding world rankings is not maintained.

**(c)** The profit (PBT) of Coal India Limited (CIL) reported for the year 2014-15 and 				estimation based on MOU signed with MoC for the year 2015-16 at “Very Good” 			scenario are given below:

**Year					PBT (Rs. Crore)**

**2014-15 (Reported)			21,583.92**

**2015-16 (As per MOU)			14,766.46**

****

* * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 510 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Irrigation Facilities for Desert Areas
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION 510 FOR ANSWER ON 23-7-2013 REGARDING “ IRRIGATION FACILITIES FOR DESERT AREAS”.

ANNEXURE-A

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ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION 510 FOR ANSWER ON 23-7-2013 REGARDING “ IRRIGATION FACILITIES FOR DESERT AREAS”.

ANNEXURE-A (CONTD.)

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ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION 510 FOR ANSWER ON 23-7-2013 REGARDING “ IRRIGATION FACILITIES FOR DESERT AREAS”.

ANNEXURE-A (CONTD.)

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ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION 510 FOR ANSWER ON 23-7-2013 REGARDING “ IRRIGATION FACILITIES FOR DESERT AREAS”.

ANNEXURE-A (CONTD.)

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ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION 510 FOR ANSWER ON 23-7-2013 REGARDING “ IRRIGATION FACILITIES FOR DESERT AREAS”.

ANNEXURE-A (CONTD.)

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ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN PART (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION 510 FOR ANSWER ON 23-7-2013 REGARDING “ IRRIGATION FACILITIES FOR DESERT AREAS”.

ANNEXURE-B

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ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN PART (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION 510 FOR ANSWER ON 23-7-2013 REGARDING “ IRRIGATION FACILITIES FOR DESERT AREAS”.

ANNEXURE-B (Contd.)

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Annexure B (Contd.)

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ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN PART (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION 510 FOR ANSWER ON 23-7-2013 REGARDING “ IRRIGATION FACILITIES FOR DESERT AREAS”.

ANNEXURE-C

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Lok Sabha Question No. 509 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Modernisation/Expansion of DGMS
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: ABHISHEK SINGH

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF COAL**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 509**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON  23.07.2015**

**Modernisation /Expansion of DGMS**

**509.  SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:**

Will the **MINISTER OF COAL** be pleased to state :

1. whether the Government is contemplating to amend security provisions contained in Mines Act, 1952;
2. whether the Government proposes to modernize and expand Directorate General of Mines Safety DGMS;

(c)	if so, the details thereof;

(d)	whether the Government if contemplating to increase the number of Regional Headquarters of DGMS in view of the increasing number of coal mines; and

(e)	if so, the States wherein such regional headquarters are likely to be set up?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER AND NEW AND RENEWABLEE ENERGY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)**

(a): The Mines Act, 1952 contains provisions of occupational health, safety and welfare of the mine workers in India. As of now, the government has not yet finalized the proposal to amend Mines Act, 1952.

(b)&(c): Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) is developing stand-alone software modules in association with National Informatic Centre (NIC) in the areas of approval system, permission, exemptions and relaxation systems; budget; administration; national safety awards etc. to modernize the activities of DGMS. Also an unified web portal for on-line system of registration of all establishments (mines) for Labour Identification Number (LIN), reporting of inspections, submission of annual returns and redressal of grievances have been developed by NIC in consultation with DGMS to enhance transparency, reliability and timeliness in all activities of the Directorate.

(d)&(e):    No such requirement has been assessed by the Directorate.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 505 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Denationalisation of CIL
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINiSTRY OF COAL

## 1 LOK  SABHA

**unSTARRED QUESTION NO.505**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.7.2015**

**Denationalisation of CIL**

505. 	SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state :

(a) 	whether the Government is considering to denationalize the Maharatna Public Sector Coal India Limited (CIL);

(b) 	if so whether the Government has received any proposal in this regard;

(c) 	if so the details thereof;

(d)	whether the employees have warned the Government about any move towards the denationalisation of CIL; and

(e)	if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE (IC) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER   AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY**

**(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)**

**(a) to (e)** :	There is no proposal under consideration with the Government to denationalise CIL. However, the Government has disinvested 10% paid up equity capital in CIL out of Government of India’s Shareholding of 89.65% through offer for sale (OFS) method on 30.01.2015 to comply with SEBI guidelines of minimum public shareholding of 25% for listed companies. At present the Government of India’s Shareholding in CIL is 79.65%.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 503 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Funds under TUFS
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: G. HARI

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.503

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2015

**FUNDS UNDER TUFS**

503. 	SHRI G. HARI:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the 15 per cent growth envisaged this year can be achieved with timely support from the Government;

(b) 	if so, whether the Government proposes to extend cotton textiles under three per cent interest subvention scheme and to achieve the above target;

(c) 	if so, the details thereof;

(d) 	whether there is an urgent need to release funds for the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme and recalibrate the product under the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme; and

(e) 	if so, the details thereof?

उत्तर

ANSWER

वस्त्र राज्‍य मंत्री (स्वतंत्र प्रभार) (श्री संतोष कुमार गंगवार)

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES

(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

**(a):** The export target for the current year has been fixed at USD 47.5 billion from actual exports of USD 41.6 billion in 2014-15 targeting a growth of 14%. Government is encouraging exports through Merchandise Exports from India Scheme(MEIS), which has recently been modified to include the markets of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

**(b) & (c):** The issue is under consideration of the Government.

**(d) & (e):** There is a budget provision of Rs. 1520.79 crore under Technology Up-gradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) for 2015-16, out of which Rs. 437.58 crore have been released till date.  Request has been made for increasing the outlay.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Accident Relief Service Scheme
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

**LOK  SABHA**

**UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 502**

ANSWERED  ON 23 RD JULY, 2015

**ACCIDENT RELIEF SERVICE SCHEME**

502.  SHRIMATI VASANTHI M.:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन और राजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a)  whether it has been reported that National Highway Accident Relief Service Scheme (NHARSS) has not been able to quickly attend the accident site due to lack of modernised equipments and trained

technicians; and

(b)  if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon including the fund allocated therefor?

**ANSWER**

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE

MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) No, Madam.

(b) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Functioning of Panchayats
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

## †497.  SHRI KIRTI AZAD:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of major schemes aimed to improve the functioning of Panchayats;
- (b) the  mechanism  evolved  to  ensure  the  benefits  of  programmes  being  run  under  his Ministry along with the funds available for the Panchayats situated in remote areas, hilly areas and desert regions etc. in the country;
- (c) whether any review has been conducted to ascertain the utility of various schemes and programmes of the Government; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the measures adopted or likely to be adopted to ensure the maximum benefits for Panchayats?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

(SHRI NIHAL CHAND)

- (a) to  (d):    Ministry  of  Panchayati  Raj  (MoPR)  was  implementing  two  major  schemes namely Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA) and Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) for strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Under RGPSA, funds were provided  to  States  for  administrative  and  technical  support  and  for  physical  infrastructure facilities to Gram Panchayats, besides capacity building and training of Elected Representatives and  functionaries  of  PRIs.    Under  BRGF,  untied  funds  were  provided  to  the  States  to  bridge critical  gaps in local infrastructure and other developmental requirements in the identified 272 backward districts. The schemes were reviewed periodically through meetings, field visits and studies.

BRGF and the State component of RGPSA have been transferred to the States from 2015-16.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 497

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2015

## FUNCTIONING OF PANCHAYATS
Lok Sabha Question No. 495 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Protection of Environment and Workers Safety
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: P. KARUNAKARAN

**Government of India**

**Ministry of Coal**

**Lok Sabha**

**Unstarred Question No. 495**

**To be answered on 23.07.2015**

**Protection of Environment and Workers Safety**

**495. SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN:**

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

1. whether there is any specific provision in the Coal Mines Development and Production Agreement (CMDPA) to ensure protection of environment and workers' safety in and around mining areas;

1. if so, the details thereof; and

(c) 	if not, the reasons therefor?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR COAL, POWER, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY**

**(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)**

(a) & (b) As per the Coal Mine Development and Production Agreement (CMDPA), the successful bidder is  required to comply with all applicable laws including laws for protection of environment and worker’s safety. CMDPA specifically provides that the successful bidder shall observe good industry practice for the protection of the general health, safety, welfare, social security and minimum wages of employees engaged at the coal mine, including employees of any contractor or sub-contractor and of all persons having legal access to the area covered by this Agreement.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 494 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Proposals Pending under Rural Schemes
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 494 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2015

## PROPOSALS PENDING UNDER RURAL SCHEMES

## 494. SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY:

- Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
- the number of proposals for rural development from Jharkhand lying pending as on date;
- the  date on which the   said  proposals were   received by the Government and the proposal-wise reasons for their pendency and
- the details of action taken by the Government to approve these proposals?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

- (a) to (c):The Ministry of Rural Development, inter alia, is implementing Mahatma Gandhi National  Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA); National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM); Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) andIndira Awaas Yojana (IAY) in rural areas of the country including Jharkhand; through State Governments and UT Administrations. The objective of   these programmes is to about overall improvement in the quality of life in rural areas through employment generation, development of rural infrastructure and provision of other basic amenities. The details 0f proposals received from Jharkhand and actions taken thereon are &8 under: bring
- Under MGNREGA, a proposal for release of funds for second quarter of FY 2015-16 was received from Jharkhand on 1.7.2015. The   proposal has been examined for release of fund.
- (ii) Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) a proposal for construction/upgradation of 181 road works was received on 13.02.2014. The Empowered   Committee Meeting held on  24th February, 2015 considered the clearance of above proposal (with 181 roads works). The issues  raised in the meeting have been sent to the executing agency  for compliance.
- (iii)Under IAY, the  proposals  for release of Znd installment  (Normal and Special Project) are pending due to unavailability of funds during 2014-15.
- (iv) Two   proposals were   received under Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran   Pariyojana 2014-15. The proposals are for building partnership between Self Help Groups and Gram Panchayats to leverage MGNREGA fund for natural resource development and for Empowerment of women farmers through promotion f seed villages and organic agriculture. The field appraisal of both the proposals have been conducted as per procedure: during
Lok Sabha Question No. 493 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Lifespan of Roads
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: KRISHN PRATAP SINGH

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 493**

ANSWERED ON 23 RD JULY, 2015

**LIFESPAN OF ROADS**

493.	 DR. KRISHAN PRATAP:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन एवं राजमार्ग मंत्रालय

be pleased to state:

(a)	whether the Government has taken initiative to increase the lifespan of the roads and make them weather friendly;

(b)	 if so, the details thereof;

(c)	whether the Government has signed any Memorandum of Understanding with any country in order to improve the technology used in the construction of roads;

(d)	if so, the details thereof; and

(e)	the total funds allocated by the Government for this purpose during the current financial year?

**ANSWER**

#### 1 THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE

MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) &(b) This Ministry is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways in the country through various executing agencies, including National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). National Highway projects are planned and designed as all weather roads, for specific designed life, in accordance with approved Standards, Specifications, Codes and Guidelines. These Standards, Specifications, Codes and Guidelines are reviewed and updated from time to time, for incorporating latest developments including introduction of new materials and techniques such as modified bitumen, stone matrix asphalt, recycling of pavements, ground improvement techniques etc. for increasing the life span of roads.

(c)&(d) Yes, Madam. Government of India has signed Memorandum of Understanding/ Framework of Cooperation with Finland, Malaysia, Canada, Spain, China, Japan and Korea for cooperation in the Road transport and Highways sector. These Agreements inter-alia cover cooperation in road and bridge technology, maintenance etc.

(e)	No separate fund has been allocated for this purpose.

****