opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: New Launch Orders
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.159

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

## NEW LAUNCH ORDERS

159. SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether ISRO has bagged two more US launch orders;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- whether the Antrix Corporation, ISRO's marketing arm, has signed a deal with commercial weather satellite operators
- (c) abroad; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

(a)to(d)  During  October  2015,  Antrix  Corporation  Limited  (Antrix), the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO),  has  signed  Launch  Services  Agreement  with  M/s. PlanetIQ, an American Company, for launching two of their satellites  on-board  ISRO's  Polar  Satellite  Launch  Vehicle (PSLV).  These  satellites  are  meant  for  studying  certain weather parameters.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Free National Roaming
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR, MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.157 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 th  FEBRUARY, 2016

## FREE NATIONAL ROAMING

- †157.  SHRI ALOK SANJAR: SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to make national roaming free for subscribers of all mobile operators in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the reaction of different telecom companies thereto?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) Not applicable in view of the above.

(c) The tariffs are normally fixed on work done principle and in roaming work is done to take call from home network to roaming network for incoming call and subscriber has to be authenticated for his outgoing call. This  amounts to work done. In the simplest case,  the  removal  of  charges  for  incoming  calls  while  roaming  could  result  in  nonrecovery  of  charges  for  the  work  done  by  the  TSPs  in  carrying  the  call  from  home service area to the visited service area.

(d) TRAI  has  issued  60 th Amendment  to  Telecom  Tariff  Order  (TTO),  1999  (3  of 2015) which is effective from 1 st May, 2015.  This amendment has mandated 'Special Roaming Tariff Plan' or SRTP, which means a tariff plan in which on payment of fixed charge, if any, the incoming voice call while on national roaming is free.

Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  has  launched  free  incoming  voice  call facility  while  in  National  Roaming  under  all  post-paid  and  prepaid  GSM  mobile  plans offered to subscribers initially for a period of One year w.e.f. 15.06.2015.

All  the  wireless access service providers including BSNL and MTNL have tariff plans in which the incoming calls while roaming are free.

***************
Lok Sabha Question No. 156 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: New Policy on Skill Development
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 156 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016

## New Policy on Skill Development.

## 156. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  introduced  a  new  National  Policy  on  Skill Development;

- (b) if so, the details thereof and the salient features of the above policy;
- (c) whether there is a shortage of skilled labour in the country; and

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

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) The Government has notified the National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015 on 15th July, 2015.  The vision of the policy is to create an ecosystem of empowerment by skilling on a large scale at speed with high standards and to promote a culture of innovation-based entrepreneurship which can generate wealth  and  employment  so  as  to  ensure  sustainable  livelihoods  for  all  citizens. Equity is also a focus of the Policy, which targets skilling opportunities for socially/ geographically marginalised and disadvantaged groups. The policy seeks to bridge existing skill gaps,  promoting  industry engagement,  operationalising  a  quality assurance framework, leverage technology and promoting greater opportunities for apprenticeship training.

(c)  &  (d)  The  National  Policy  for  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship,  2015 projects  Recognition  of  Prior  Learning  (RPL),  reskilling  and  upskilling  of  298.25 million existing workforce and skilling of 104.62 million new entrants over 2015-2022.

Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship  has  launched  Pradhan Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY)  in  2015-16  which  targets  to  train  14  lakh persons and certificate 10 lakh persons under Recognition of Prior Learning.  Under PMKVY, funds are not released to State Governments rather a monetary reward is directly  credited  to  bank  account  of  trainees  on  their  successful  assessment  and certification.    As  on  17/02/2016,  11.55  lakh  persons  have  been  enrolled  and  8.02 lakh persons have successfully completed training under PMKVY throughout India.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Housing Projects for Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: JAYADEV GALLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 154

TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 24, 2016

## HOUSING PROJECTS FOR ANDHRA PRADESH

No. 154

SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

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

- (a)  whether  under  the  BSUP,  IHSDP and RAY, 22 projects have been approved for Andhra Pradesh:
- (b)  whether  as  of  December,  2015  out  of  51,000  dwelling  units  only 29,600  have  been  occupied  and  the  remaining  are  either  yet  to  be constructed or have not been fully completed for occupation;
- (c) if so, the reasons for the delay in implementing the project; and
- (d) by when the remaining dwelling units are to be completed and given to the beneficiaries?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) & (b): This Ministry has approved 69 projects under Basic Services to  Urban  Poor  (BSUP)  and  Integrated  Housing  for  Slum  Development Programme (IHSDP) components of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal  Mission  (JNNURM)  and  Rajiv  Awas  Yojana  (RAY)  including Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) for constructing 80,999 houses in Andhra Pradesh.

Out  of  80,999  houses  approved,  construction  of  64,942  houses  have been completed of which 40,331 houses have been occupied by the beneficiaries as on 31.12.2015.

Contd…./2

(c) & (d): Allotment of houses constructed under these schemes is the responsibility of the State Government. The Ministry, however, reviews of  the  status  of  ongoing  projects  under  these  schemes  through Quarterly  and  Monthly  Progress  Reports,  in  the  meetings  of  Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) and review meetings at the  level  of  Secretary  (HUPA).  Through  these  reviews,  State/UT governments have been advised to complete the ongoing projects as early  as  possible  within  the  extended  period  of  JNNURM  i.e.  by 31.03.2017, submit plan of action for completion of ongoing projects, plan for 100% occupancy and submit the project completion certificates.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 153 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Overloading in Goods Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAJESH VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.153 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016

## OVERLOADING IN GOODS TRAINS

†153. SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the railway contractors load more goods than the freight carrying capacity of goods trains with the  assistance  of  railway  personnel  at  Old  Delhi  railway  station, New Delhi, Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar railway stations;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  inquiry  in  this regard at all these stations;
- (c) if so, the action taken by the Government against those contractors and their associate railway personnels; and
- (d) whether the Railways have taken or propose to take any steps to prevent such cases of overloading and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (d): No goods are loaded  at Delhi, New Delhi, Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar railway stations. These stations are meant for parcel loading/unloading only. Loading/unloading of parcel  is  done by

contractors/lease holders as per Comprehensive Parcel Leasing Policy 2014. Though Railways do not supervise the loading/unloading activity, yet  regular/surprise  checks  are  done  to  check  overloading.  Further,  if any irregularity is noticed, action is taken against the contractor/railway personnel as per extant rules.

During the financial years 2014-15 and 2015-16(upto December, 2015), 23  cases  of  overloading  were  detected  wherein  punitive  charges  of Rs.31.54 lacs have been recovered from the defaulters. In addition, 7 contracts of parcel leasing were terminated.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Manufacturing of Set Top Boxes
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH, NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, B.N. CHANDRAPPA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 152

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 24.02.2016

## MANUFACTURING  OF SET TOP BOXES

## 152

SHRI D.K. SURESH:

SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA:

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

- (a) whether since the digitization of broadcasting sector the demand for indigenous set top boxes are on the rise;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to promote indigenous manufacture of set top box for cable/DTH TVs; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard so far?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and  (b):  Since  the  digitization  of  broadcasting  sector,  the  demand  for  indigenous  set  top  boxes  has increased  substantially.  As  per  the  Consumer  Electronics  and  Appliances  Manufacturers  Association (CEAMA), the indigenous production of Set Top Boxes (STBs) during 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16 (estimate) is as under:

| Year                |   Indigenous Production (in million nos.) |
|---------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| 2013-14             |                                       4.5 |
| 2014-15             |                                       5.5 |
| 2015-16 (estimated) |                                       9   |

- (c) and (d): Government is promoting indigenous manufacturing of STBs for cable/DTH TVs. Following major steps have been taken for promotion of indigenous manufacturing of STBs:
1. Tariff structure has been rationalized for indigenous manufacturers as under:
- (i) Basic  Customs  Duty  (BCD)  has  been  increased  to  10%  on  imported  set  top  boxes  to  provide protection to indigenous manufacturers.
- (ii) Major parts required for the manufacturing of STBs are permitted at zero BCD.
- (iii) The  issue  of  Central  Sales  Tax  being  charged  at  VAT  rate  (12.5%)  for  indigenous  STB manufacturers has been resolved by enabling the Multi System Operators (MSOs) to issue 'C' Form to indigenous manufacturers.
2. Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) provides subsidy for investments in capital expenditure  -  20%  for  investments  in  Special  Economic  Zones  (SEZs)  and  25%  in  non-SEZs  to  the indigenous manufactures of STBs.
3. Under  a  project  funded  by  the  DeitY,  an  Indian  Conditional  Access  System  (iCAS TM) )  has  been developed successfully. The iCAS TM is available to indigenous STB manufacturers at a price of USD 0.5 per license for a period of three years, as against market price of USD 4-5 per license for other competing products.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 149 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Detection of Bomb at Farrukhabad Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 149 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016

## DETECTION OF BOMB AT FARRUKHABAD RAILWAY STATION

149.  DR. P. VENUGOPAL:
2. Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether it is true that the timely detection of a bomb by an alert patrol party minutes before departure of a passenger train averted a major tragedy in Farrukhabad railway station; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether it is also true that the Railways is  receiving hoax calls regarding bomb on board of many trains in the recent past; and (d) if so, the details thereof?

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.  149  BY  DR.  P.  VENUGOPAL  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 24.02.2016 REGARDING DETECTION OF BOMB AT FARRUKHABAD RAILWAY STATION.

(a)  and (b):   Yes,  Madam. On 03.10.2015 at 06.10 hrs, one Improvised Explosive Device was found near parcel office of Farrukhabad Railway Station. The bomb was defused by the Police Bomb Disposal squad at 13.10 hrs.  No loss of property or life was reported due to the incident. In this connection, Government Railway Police/Farrukhabad registered a case vide Cr. No. 36/15 u/s 03/04 of Explosive Substance Act, 1908 on 03.10.2015.

(c)  and  (d):  Yes,  Madam.  The  details  of  hoax  calls  regarding  bomb  on board  trains  received  during  the  years  2013,  2014  and  2015  are  as under:-

|   Year |   Number of hoax calls received regarding bomb on board trains |
|--------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
|   2013 |                                                             21 |
|   2014 |                                                             34 |
|   2015 |                                                            103 |

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 148 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Facility for Higher Education
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.148 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24/02/2016

## FACILITY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

148. SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

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

(a) whether the Government has taken any adequate steps to create more institutions and strengthen facilities for higher education and research in the country so that higher global positioning in science and technology can be achieved by India; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 146 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Bio-Pharmaceuticals Sector
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: NEELAM SONKER

## GOVERNEMT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.146 TTO BE ANSWERED ON 24/02/2016

BIO-PHARMACEUTICALS SECTOR

## 146. SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased tostate:

- whether the bio-pharmaceuticals drugs can make healthcare more affordable;
- (6) the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of efforts made by the Government t0 develop and promote the said sector?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (YS: CHOWDARY)

- (a) to (b) Biopharmaceutical drugs are important therapeutic options as provide an alternative to small molecule drugs for novel treatments of previously untreatable diseases  These drugs provide affordable options for addressing the healthcare needs of humankind. they
- (C The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is supporting cutting research for development of new Biopharmaceutical drugs in different universities. research institutes and laboratories across the country: Through Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) a Public Sector of DBT, industry innovation research is also supported. A number of Start-upS; SMEs and Biotech companies are developing new drugs. A facility for manufacture of monoclonal antibodies has also been supported. edge being
Lok Sabha Question No. 145 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Seize of Train due to Non-payment of Compensation to Land Owners
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 145 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016

## SEIZE OF TRAIN DUE TO NON-PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION TO LAND OWNERS

145.  SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that a passenger train (No. 56520) was seized  by  authorities  for  non-payment  of  compensation  to land-owners and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  reasons  for  non-payment  of  compensation  in  time  and details of such type of pending cases in Tamil Nadu; and
- (c) the  details  of  follow-up  action  taken  in  the  matter  by  the Railways?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 145 BY SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 24.02.2016 REGARDING SEIZE OF TRAIN DUE TO NON-PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION TO LAND OWNERS. (a): Yes, Madam. Attachment Warrants were issued by the Hon'ble Civil  Court  at  Chitradurga  and  subsequent    seizure  of  train  has been got re-called on the same day. (b) and (c): The case pertained to land acquired for ChitradurgaRayadurga  new  broad  gauge  line  project  during  1985-1991.  As land acquisition was done by State Government, Land Acquisition Officer of Government of Karnataka had disbursed compensation. However,  land  losers  had  filed  cases  during  2002  before  the Hon'ble  Civil  Court  at  Chitradurga  for  enhanced  compensation. Since Railway was not made a party in these cases, Railway was not aware of these cases till issue of Execution Petition. Railway has taken action for arranging payment of enhanced compensation  within  the  time  frame  stipulated  by  the  Hon'ble Court. As  land  compensation  is  disbursed  by  State  Governments, no  action  is  required  by  Railways  including  for  cases  in  Tamil Nadu.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 144 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Labour Bureau Survey
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: YERRAM VENKATA SUBBAREDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 144 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 th  FEBRUARY, 2016

## LABOUR BUREAU SURVEY

## 144. SHRI Y.V. SUBBA REDDY :

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

- (a) whether as per the Labour Bureau Survey in 2014, there were 14.5% unemployed inspite of taking skill training programme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  manner  in  which  the  Ministry  is  planning  to  proceed  further  in  increasing employment opportunities in the country?

## THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

- (a) & (b) Yes  Madam.  As  per  Labour  Bureau  Survey  2014,  only  14.5%  persons  are unemployed who are formally trained. These may be engaged in self-employment.
- (c) Directorate General of Training, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship  has  taken  various  initiatives  to  enhance  skill  training  for  better employment opportunities in terms of :
-  Quality -   Making Qualification Packs in  syllabi  as per demand of Industry & syllabi compliant to National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) etc. and
-  Quantity - Enhancing numbers of new Industrial Training institutes (ITIs) across country for which online portal is currently open for the session 2016-17.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 143 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Commissioning of Unit-2 of KNPP
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU, RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY, KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 143

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016

## COMMISSIONING OF UNIT-2 OF KNPP

143. SHRI P.K. BIJU: SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN: SHRI K.N.RAMACHANDRAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  present  status  of  the  commissioning  of  Unit-2  of  Kudankulam  Nuclear Power Plant;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  noted  concerns  expressed  by  experts  to  the safety of nuclear reactor at Kudankulam;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  measures  taken  for  ensuring  safety  of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to expedite operationalizing this Unit?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  Unit-2  of  Kudankulam  Nuclear  Power  Plant  is  under  commissioning. Various systems and equipment are being commissioned as per commissioning plan.
- (b)&(c)  The  safety  of  Kudankulam  reactors  has  been  reviewed  in  detail  by  the Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board  and  all  activities  have  been  carried  out strictly  in  accordance  with  their  clearances.    While  no  experts  have  noted any safety concerns, some individuals and groups have raised apprehensions  about  safety  of  the  plant.    These  are  being  addressed through a public outreach programme adopting a multipronged approach.
- (d) The balance activities are being expedited to ensure early operationalisation of the unit.

*****