opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3998 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Pre-schooling of Muslim Children
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: JAYADEV GALLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3998 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016

## PRE-SCHOOLING OF MUSLIM CHILDREN

## 3998.  SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the UNICEF in its globally released report has stressed that 34% of Muslim children do not attend pre-schooling;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor and the reaction of the Government thereon;
- (c) whether  the  Ministry  is  contemplating  to  reverse  the  trend  not  only  in Muslims  but  also  in  Christians  where  26%  children  do  not  attend  preschool; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a) & (b): Rapid Survey on Children (RSOC), conducted by UNICEF in 29 states during 2013-14, indicates that 34% and 25.6% of Muslim and Christian children respectively  (below  the  age  group  6  years)  do  not  attend  any  pre-school education.

(c)  &  (d):  Early  Childhood  Care  &  Education  (ECCE) is one of  the six  free services  provided  through  the  Anganwadi  Centres  (AWC)  located  across  the country under the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) Scheme being implemented  by  the  Ministry  of  Women  &  Child  Development  as  a  Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The ICDS is a universal self-selecting Scheme available to all the beneficiaries who enrol at the AWCs irrespective of caste or religion. The ICDS Scheme aims at holistic development of children of target age group of 6 months to 6 years and the ECCE component seeks to lay  the foundation for proper  psychological,  physical  and  social  development  of  the  child  while preparing for proper formal education.

The  Government  of  India  has  reaffirmed  its  commitment  to  promote  'Early Childhood Care and Education' by formulating and notifying the 'National Early Childhood Care and Education policy'. The vision of National ECCE policy is to achieve holistic development and active learning capacity of all children below 6 years  of  age  by  promoting  free,  universal,  inclusive,  equitable,  joyful  and contextualised opportunities for laying foundation and attaining full potential. It envisages improving pathways for a successful and smooth transition from care and  education  provided  at  home  to  centre  based  ECCE  and  thereafter  to school-age provision by facilitating an enabling environment through appropriate systems,  processes  and  provisions  across  the  country.  It  recognizes  the synergistic and  interdependent relationship between  the  health, nutrition, psycho-social and emotional needs of the child.

ICDS Scheme has been universalized to cover 14 lakh habitations and  about 3.50  crore  children  (3-6years)  are  attending  Pre-School  Education  (PSE)  at 13.50 lakh Anganwadi Centers as per information received from the States/UTs under ICDS Scheme as on 31.03.2016.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3996 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Vendors in Indian Mission Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MEENAKASHI LEKHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3996 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016

## VENDORS IN INDIAN MISSION ABROAD

3996. SHRIMATI MEENAKSHI LEKHI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  of  our  missions  abroad  has  hired  vendors  from hostile countries like Pakistan; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) & (b) No Indian Mission abroad, except for High Commission of  India  in  Islamabad,  has  hired  vendors  from  Pakistan.  These vendors are engaged in providing various non-sensitive maintenance facility/services in the Mission.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3995 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Closure of Railway School
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNPURIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  3995 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016

## CLOSURE OF RAILWAY SCHOOL

† 3995.   SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has issued orders to close the school of railway in  Gangapur city functioning since the year 1921;

- (b)    if so, the details thereof, and the reasons therefor;

- (c) whether  the  Railways  has  apprised  the  guardians  of  374  children studying  in  the  said  school  about  transferring  them  to  any  other school and if so, the details thereof;

- (d)    whether  any  timelimit  has  been  fixed  in  this  regard  and  if  so,  the details thereof;

- (e)    whether  the  Railways  is  considering  to    take  any    necessary corrective  action in view  of the future of these children; and

- (f)    if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN )

( a)  &  (b):    It  had  been  proposed  to  close  Railway  Senior  Secondary School, Gangapur city from the academic session 2017-18. However, the proposal has been withdrawn.

(c) to (f): Do not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3994 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Oil for Drugs Deal
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3994 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016

## OIL FOR DRUGS DEAL

3994.   SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether  India  has  proposed  an  oil-for-drugs  barter  plan  with cash strapped Venezuela so as to recoup millions of dollars in payment owed to Indian pharmaceutical companies; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI M. J. AKBAR)

- (a) The Government of India has put-forth 'Oil for Export Mechanism' between Government of Venezuela and Government of India to settle pending payments of Pharmaceutical companies.
- (b) The  proposal  seeks  to  work  out  a  mechanism  to  offset payments  which  are  to  be  made  to  oil  companies  of  Venezuela against due payments of India entities. There has been no response from the Venezuelan side.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3993 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Illegal Migrants in India
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3993 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016

## ILLEGAL MIGRANTS IN INDIA

## † 3993. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Central  Government  has  raised  the  issues  of  illegal migrants  to  India  with  the  foreign  Governments  during  the  last three years;
- (b)
- (c)
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof;
- the details of the response given by such countries; and
- the reaction of the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Illegal immigrants fall into two categories -(i) Foreign nationals who have entered into India on valid travel documents and found to  be  overstaying  and  (ii)  Foreign  nationals  who  have  entered  into  the country without any valid travel document. As and when a foreign national is detected to be overstaying in India, violating the visa rules or found to be  staying  without  any  valid  travel  document,  necessary  action  is  taken under  the  relevant  provisions  of  the  Foreigners  Act,  1946  including deportation  of  such  foreign  nationals.  Detection  and  deportation  of  such illegal immigrants is a continuous process.

The  issue  of  illegal  immigrants  from  various  countries  is  regularly taken up with the Governments concerned at various fora and steps have been  taken  for  coordinated  patrolling,  identification  of  vulnerable  gaps, strengthening  of  riverine  patrolling  etc.  We  have  been  working  with  the concerned foreign Governments to improve border management and check illegal  movement,  especially  through  vulnerable  and  riverine  areas.  We also  work  with  other  Governments  concerned  to  confirm  nationality  of illegal  migrants  in  Indian  jails/  correctional  homes  so  that  such  persons can be repatriated to their countries. These discussions are continuous in nature and the decisions are regularly followed up.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3990 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Skill Development as a Fundamental Right
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: KRISHN PRATAP SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3990 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016

## SKILL DEVELOPMENT AS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT QUESTION

## †3990. DR. KRISHAN PRATAP:

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

- (a) whether  skill  development  has  been  treated  as  a  right  in  some  States  in  the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  make  skill  development  as  a fundamental  right  guaranteed  in  the  Constitution  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the objective behind this step;
- (c) whether the proposed  right is likely to assign the responsibility on State Governments to provide vocational training special universities;
- (d) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  any  regulatory  body  for monitoring of universities, colleges and institutes and to make them integrated and result oriented; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and other steps taken/being taken by the Government to give impetus to skill development in the country?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

- (a) The Government of Chhattisgarh State has treated skill development as right by passing  'Chhattisgarh  Right  of  Youth  to  Skill  Development  Act,  2013'.  This  Act  is available at URL: http://cssda.cg.nic.in/ACTGuideLines/ACT\_Full\_new.pdf.

This  Act  came  into  force  on  17.09.2013.  As  per  Section  3  of  this  Act,  no  youth shall be denied opportunity to get skilled in a vocation of choice from amongst the skills as notified by the State Authority subject to possessing such eligibility as mentioned in the notification.  The  Chhattisgarh State government  has  constituted District Skill Development  Authority  for  each  district  of  Chhattisgarh  under  the  Chairmanship  of District  Collector  with  representatives  from  different  segments  of  the  Society  viz., Industry, trade, commerce,  educational  institutes, women,  persons  with  disability, Scheduled  Castes,  Scheduled  Tribes,  Backward  Classes,  Panchayati  Raj  Institutes District Lead Bank Manager etc as members to implement the provisions of this Act.

- (b) No, Madam.
- (c) to (e) Do not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3989 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: IAS Officers in Karnataka
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3989

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016)

## IAS OFFICERS IN KARNATAKA

## 3989. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  sanctioned  strength  and  persons  in  position  of  the  Indian  Administrative Services (IAS) Officers in Karnataka;
- (b) the total number of IAS officers currently on deputation outside the State cadre; and
- (c) whether  the  existing  strength  of  IAS  officers  in  Karnataka  is  adequate  to  meet  the requirements of the State and if so, the details thereof and if not, the steps 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):   The Total Authorized Strength of IAS cadre of Karnataka is 314.  The in-position as on 01.01.2016 of IAS officers against the Total Authorized Strength is 227.
- (b):    The total number of IAS officers of Karnataka on central deputation is 18.
- (c):  The Central Government shall ordinarily at the interval of every five years, re-examines the strength and composition of each such cadre in consultation with the State Government or the State Governments concerned and makes such alterations therein as it deems fit. In this regard,  the  Cadre  strength  of  IAS  cadre  of  Karnataka  was  notified  on  22.01.2014  by increasing the Senior Duty Posts from 163 to 171 and Total Authorized Strength from 299 to 314, in consultation with the State Government of Karnataka.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3988 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: IT Infrastructure in Smart Cities
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: RAMESH BIDHURI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3988

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 10.08.2016

## IT  INFRASTRUCTURE  IN  SMART  CITIES

## 3988 SHRI   RAMESH  BIDHURI:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has made some roadmap for building secure IT infrastructure in Smart Cities Mission;
- (b) if so, the details of the roadmap thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has made convergence with other departments working for Smart City Mission; and
- (d)     if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

(a)  and  (b):      No,  Sir.      However,  Ministry  of  Urban  Development  has  advised  that  while preparing the Detailed Project Reports (DPR)/ Request for Proposals (RFPs) for Smart Cities, the Cyber  Security  Model  Framework  available  on  Mission's  website  (www.smartcities.gov.in) needs  to be incorporated  at the  time  of  inviting  proposals/  offers  from  the  companies implementing Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) and applications.

(c) and (d):  Yes,  Sir.  All the approved Smart Cities have made convergence in their Smart City Proposals  (SCPs)  with  the  Schemes  of  various  Ministries/  Departments  such  as  Ministry  of Tourism, Ministry of Power, Ministry of New  &  Renewal  Energy,  Ministry of Skill Development  and  Entrepreneurship,  Ministry of Petroleum  &  Natural  Gas, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, etc. and  with  other  Schemes  such  as  Atal  Mission  for  Rejuvenation  and  Urban  Transformation (AMRUT),  Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) Scheme of Ministry of Urban Development.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3987 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Shifting of Rail Godown
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3987 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016

## SHIFTING OF RAIL GODOWN

†3987. SHRI LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Railways  is  contemplating  to  shift  the  rail  godown  of disrict Sagar out of the city;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (c) Yes, Madam. A railway goodshed at Lidhora Khurd station to replace Sagar Goodshed has been planned as a part of construction of New Katni junction - Bina third line project sanctioned in 2015-16.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3986 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Seekho aur Kamao
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.3986

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016

## Seekho aur Kamao

## 3986.  SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government is directly implementing 'Seekho aur Kamao (Learn and Earn)' scheme;
- b) if  so,  the details thereof along with the number of persons benefited under the scheme during the last three years and the current year; and
- c) the percentage of trainees who get employment after getting training under the scheme?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to  (c)  Yes,  Madam.  Ministry  of  Minority  Affairs  implements  'Seekho  aur Kamao (Learn and Earn)', a placement linked skill development scheme for minority  communities,  directly  by  the  Ministry  through  selected  Project Implementing  Agencies  (PIAs).  The  scheme  aims  to  upgrade  the  skills  of minority  youth  in  various  modern/traditional  skills  depending  upon  their qualification, present economic trends and market potential, which can earn them  suitable  employment  or  make  them  suitably  skilled  to  go  for  selfemployment. The scheme ensures placements of minimum 75% trainees, out of which at least 50% placement is in wage employment in organized sector.  Post  placement  tracking  of  trainees  is  mandatory  for  PIAs  for  one year. The training of minority youths sanctioned under the scheme during last three years and current year are as follows:

| Financial Year   | Number of Minority youths sanctioned   |
|------------------|----------------------------------------|
| 2013-14          | 20,164                                 |
| 2014-15          | 20,720                                 |
| 2015-16          | 1,23,330                               |
| 2016-17          | -                                      |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3985 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Training/Research in S&T
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: George Baker

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3985 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10/08/2016

## TRAINING/RESEARCH IN S&T

## 3985.  SHRI GEORGE BAKER:

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

- (a) the status of the centres proposed to be set up for training and research in frontier areas of Science and Technology in the country, State/UT-wise;

(b) the details of the funds earmarked, allocated and utilised for these centres during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(c) the details of the target fixed/ achieved and any achievement made during the said period under these centres; and

- (d) the number of students trained so far under these centres during the above period?

## 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) to (d):    The Information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3984 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Visa to PIOs
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3984 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016

## VISA TO PIOs

## 3984. SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  extend  lifelong visas to the People of Indian Origin (PIOs) to visit their homeland;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  number  of  PIOs  likely  to  be benefited under the scheme;
- (c) the time by which the above proposal is likely to be implemented;
- (d) the estimated number of PIOs and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards issued so far;
- (e) whether the Government has any proposal to merge both PIO and OCI cards; and
- (f) if so, the details along with the features of the new scheme and the time by which  the above proposal is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) A person fulfilling the eligibility conditions as prescribed in Section  7A  of  the  Citizenship  Act,  1955  can  apply  for  registration  as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder. OCI card is a multiple entry lifelong visa for visiting India for any purpose (except for research work for which they would require special permission). An OCI cardholder is exempted  from  registration  with  FRRO/FRO  for  any  length  of  stay  in India, and is entitled to parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of all  facilities  available  to  them  in  economic,  financial  and  educational fields  except  in  matters  relating  to  the  acquisition  of  agricultural  or plantation properties and the right to vote or take up constitutional or public posts.
- (d) to (f) Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card schemes have been merged with effect from January 09, 2015. As per information available, 22,50,550 OCI cards have been issued as on August 04, 2016. Further, 1,73,200 OCI cards have been issued in lieu of PIO cards as on August 04, 2016.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3983 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: National Marine Research Institute
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3983

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016)

## NATIONAL MARINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

## 3983.  SHRI SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL:

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

- (a) whether the National Marine Research Institute under the control of Scientific and Industrial Research has found an ancient city, under the sea in Mamallapuram/Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the Government proposes to conduct further research in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI Y.S. CHOWDARY)

- (a)&(b) There is no institute named 'National Marine Research Institute' under the control of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). The constituent laboratory of CSIR- namely National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO), Goa has  conducted  underwater  archaeological  explorations  in  Mamallapuram/ Mahabalipuram  during  March  2016.  During  the  underwater  archaeological explorations at 2-3 places well-dressed stone structures were found at water depths  of  6-8  meters.    All  the  structural  remains  were  covered  with  thick marine growth.  Survey using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) was also carried out on the beach   on the southern side of the shore temple of Mamallapuram/ Mahabalipuram.  This  preliminary  survey  indicated  the  presence  of  ancient structures buried in sand. Collective results indicate the possibility of numerous ancient structures in the vicinity of shore temple buried in sand and sea.
- (c)&(d) Yes, Madam. CSIR-NIO will be conducting further underwater investigations at Mamallapuram/Mahabalipuram.

******