opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3194 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Motor Vehicle Agreement
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: GAURAV GOGOI, V. SATHYABAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3194

ANSWERED ON 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## MOTOR VEHICLE AGREEMENT

3194.   SHRI GAURAV GOGOI: SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any transport agreement has been signed with SAARC nations;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  transport  agreement  with  Thailand  and  Myanmar  to  start  transport  to Thailand and Myanmar via the North-East has been also signed; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. To reduce cost and time consuming process and make cross border trade and transport more efficient and to help transform transport corridors linking the four countries  into  economic  corridors  and  enhance  people  to  people  contact,  a  Motor  Vehicle Agreement among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) for the regulation of Regular Passenger,  Non-regular  Passenger  and  Cargo  vehicles,  as  a  sub-regional  arrangement,  has been signed by the Transport Ministers of these countries in Thimphu, Bhutan in June 2015. Draft Protocols for movement of passenger and cargo vehicles to implement this agreement are under negotiations.

- (c): No.
- (d): Not applicable.

* * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 3191 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Levy on Pollution Tax on Commercial Vehicles
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: K. GOPAL, PR. SENTHILNATHAN

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any proposal to levy any charge on vehicles entering Delhi;
- (b) if so, the details and status thereof including reasons therefor;
- (c) whether there is also a proposal to levy such taxes in other cities undergoing pollution problem; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a)& (b)  Supreme Court of India in the matter of WP(C)13029 of 1985, MC Mehta Vs UOI & Ors. vide its order dated 09.10.2015 had directed the Toll Operators to collect Environment Compensation Charge (ECC)  at  all  the  entry  points  to  Delhi,  on  all  light  and  heavy  duty  Commercial  Vehicles  except Passenger vehicles  &  Ambulances and on vehicles carrying essential  commodities that is  food stuffs (raw vegetables, fruits, milk & grains) and vehicles carrying Petroleum Products on the following rates:-

- (i) Light duty vehicles etc. and 2 axle trucks =  Rs. 700/-
- (ii) 3 axle trucks and 4 axle trucks and above = Rs. 1300/-

Hon'ble Supreme Court has passed the interim order on 16.12.2015 doubling the above rates.

(c)&(d)  There is no proposal presently under consideration with the Ministry to levy such taxes in other cities undergoing pollution problem.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3191

ANSWERED ON 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## LEVY ON POLLUTION TAX ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

## 3191.   DR. K. GOPAL:

SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## lM+d ifjogu vkSj jktekxZ ea=h
Lok Sabha Question No. 3187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Merger of Various Tribunals
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY, VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI, SANTOSH AHLAWAT, OM PRAKASH YADAV, SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI, K. MARAGATHAM, K. MARAGATHAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3187

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THURSDAY, THE 17 TH  DECEMBER 2015

## Merger of Various Tribunals

## 3187. SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY:

SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

SHRI OM PRAKASH YADAV:

SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI:

SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

## Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  present  status  of  progress  made  with  regard  to  the  merger  of various tribunals in the country;
- (b) whether  these  tribunals  have  been  successful  in  achieving  their objectives and if not, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to review/improve their functioning;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to introduce any rules/ guidelines  enabling  a  sitting  high  court  judge  to  be  appointed  as Chairperson of these tribunals and if so, the details and the present status thereof;
- (d) the total number of cases pending in various tribunals as on date, tribunal-wise;
- (e) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve  the efficiency of these tribunals so as to ensure expeditious disposal of pending cases; and
- (f) whether any proposal is under consideration of the Government for increasing the retirement age and  emoluments  of  Judges  of

Supreme  Court  and  High  Courts  and  if  so,  the  details  and  the present status thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI D. V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

- (a) A preliminary study on merger of various tribunals in the country has been done, but the final decision has not been taken.
- (b) Being  specialized  bodies,  the  disposal  of  cases  by  Tribunals  is faster than that of the courts;
- (c) No, Madam;
- (d) No centralized data is maintained regarding the cases pending in various tribunals;
- (e) Being statutory creation, discharging quasi-judicial functions Government does not interfere in the functioning of tribunals;
- (f) No, Madam. However, the Constitution (One Hundred and Fourteenth Amendment) Bill, 2010 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 25 August 2010 with the objective of bringing the retirement age of High Court Judges at par with that of the Supreme Court Judges by increasing the retirement age of Judges of High Courts from 62 to  65  years.    The  Bill  was  referred  to  the  Parliamentary  Standing Committee  for  examination  and  report,  which  recommended  that the  proposed  Bill  in  its  present  form  should  be  passed  without delay.  The Bill could not be taken up for consideration and passing in the Parliament.  On completion of term of the 15 th Lok Sabha in February  2014,  the  Bill  stands  lapsed  and  so  it  is  not  under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3184 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Posts Reserved for STs
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: LAXMAN GILUWA, SAKUNTALA LAGURI

.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3184 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2015

## Posts Reserved for STs

## 3184.     SHRI LAXMAN GILUWA: SHRIMATI SAKUNTALA LAGURI:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government has launched any drive to fill the posts reserved for Scheduled Tribes in the corporations under the Ministry;
- b) if so, the details thereof for each of the last three years; and
- c) the number of reserved posts filled in various drives, category-wise?

## A N S W E R

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

- (a) to  (c): Yes,  Sir.      Coal  India  Limited  (CIL),  its  subsidiaries  and  Neyveli  Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC) had launched Special Recruitment Drive to fill up the posts reserved for Schedule Tribes.  Year-wise details are given below:

| Year   | No. of posts filled( Special Recruitment Drive)   | No. of posts filled( Special Recruitment Drive)   |
|--------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| Year   | CIL and its subsidiaries                          | NLC                                               |
| 2012   | -                                                 | 128*                                              |
| 2013   | 5                                                 | -                                                 |
| 2014   | 103                                               | -                                                 |

In CIL and its subsidiaries, the distribution of 108 posts filled up is as follows:-

| Group   |   No. of posts filled |
|---------|-----------------------|
| Group-B |                    04 |
| Group-C |                    10 |
| Group-D |                    94 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 3183 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Disposal of Commercial Disputes
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH, GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS ****

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3183 TO BE ANSWERED ON THURSDAY THE 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2015.

## Disposal of Commercial Disputes

3183. SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

SHRI D.K. SURESH: SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any decision on the recommendations made by the Law Commission of  India  in  its  246 th Report  regarding  amendments  to  the  Arbitration  and  Conciliation  Act,  1996  and 253 rd Report  titled  'Commercial  Division  and  Commercial  Appellate  Division  of  High  Courts  and Commercial Courts Bill, 2015';
- (b) if so, the details and the present status thereof;
- (c) the time by which the said recommendations are likely to be implemented; and
- (d) the  steps  taken/being  taken  to  ensure  expeditious  disposal  of  commercial  disputes  for  creating conducive business environment in the country?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

****

(a), (b), (c) & (d): Taking into consideration the recommendations made by the Law Commission of India in  its  246 th Report  and  suggestions  received  from  stake  holders,  the  Arbitration  and  Conciliation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015 was promulgated on 23 rd October, 2015. Thereafter, the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2015, to replace the Ordinance has been introduced in the Lok Sabha on 3 rd December, 2015.

Taking into consideration of the recommendations made by the Law Commission of India in its 253 rd Report and suggestions received from stake holders, the Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill, 2015 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 29 th April,  2015,  which  was  referred  to  the  Department-related  Parliamentary  Standing  Committee  on Personnel,  Public  Grievances,  Law  and  Justice,  on  1 st May,  2015,  for  examination  and  report.  The Standing  Committee  has  presented  its  Report  to  the  Rajya  Sabha  and  Lok  Sabha  on  10 th December, 2015. In the meantime, the Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Ordinance, 2015 was promulgated on 23 rd October, 2015.  The Commercial Courts and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill, 2015, to replace the Ordinance has been introduced in the Lok Sabha on 7 th December, 2015 and the Bill which was earlier introduced in the Rajya Sabha has been withdrawn from the Rajya Sabha  on 11 th December, 2015.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3179 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Complaints against Air India Services
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, T. RADHAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3179 (To be answered on the 17 th  December 2015)

## COMPLAINTS AGAINST AIR INDIA SERVICES

## 3179. SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the number and details of complaints received against Air India about the quality of services to customers on board as well as ground services during the last three years and the current year, year-wise and the action taken by Air India on each such complaint;
- (b)  whether Air India proposes to put in place a speedy grievance redressal mechanism including immediate response to any adverse
- feedback about the quality of its both on board and on ground services;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the time by which this redressal mechanism is likely to be made operational;and
- (e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

- (a) : The total number of passenger complaints received by Air India

during the last three years and the current year are as follows:

Period                                    No. of Complaints

Jan - Dec 2012                                     3440 Jan - Dec 2013                                     3396 Jan - Dec 2014                                     5234 Jan - Nov 2015                                     6988

The Complaints are broadly categorized under the following heads/areas:

- i)               Airport Handling
2. ii)              Delay/cancellation/rescheduling/disruption
3. iii)             Reservations/refunds
4. iv)             In flight Services/Catering
- v)              Baggage
6. vi)             Staff Behaviour
7. vii)            Miscellaneous

(b) to (e) : Air India has a well defined complaint Handling procedure. On receipt of a complaint,the same is acknowledged within three working days. Endeavour is made to give a final reply within 21 days based on the investigation report. Besides the above, passengers can also log on Air I n d i a   website  i.e.  www.airindia.in  and  forward  their f e e d b a c k / s u g g e s t i o n s / o b s e r v a t i o n s   online.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3176 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Old Vehicles
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY, GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ, PR. SENTHILNATHAN, GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU, A.T. (NANA) PATIL, SUNIL KUMAR SINGH

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the aged and old vehicles are proposed to be scrapped to reduce the pollution level and congestion on roads;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  criteria  laid  down  for  diesel  and  petrol variant vehicles by National Green Tribunal (NGT);
- (c) whether there is any proposal to give incentive to the owner of such vehicles; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which such provision is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a)  to  (d)  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and  Highways  held  a  meeting  on  08.12.2015 with concerned stakeholders to discuss the policy on incentive and loyalty bonus for scrapping of old vehicles. The proposal interalia includes monetary incentive and also incentive in the form of in the reduction of excise duty on the purchase of new vehicle which has to be decided by the Ministry of Finance.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3176

ANSWERED ON 17 TH   DECEMBER, 2015

## OLD VEHICLES

3176.  SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA  REDDY:

DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN : SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN: DR. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU: SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL: SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## lM+d ifjogu vkSj jktekxZ ea=h
Lok Sabha Question No. 3174 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Domestic Electricity Saving Programme
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: HARI MANJHI, RAKESH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3174 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2015

## DOMESTIC ELECTRICITY SAVING PROGRAMME

†3174. SHRI HARI MANJHI: SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether domestic electricity saving programme to conserve energy is being implemented in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the targets set under the said programme have been achieved so far, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether LED bulbs are being given free of cost or at subsidised rates to the people under this programme, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and

(d) whether the Government is providing subsidy on LED bulbs, if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) : Energy  Efficiency  Services  Limited  (EESL),  a  joint  venture  company under  Ministry  of  Power,  has  initiated  a  Domestic  Efficient  Lighting  Programme (DELP) where energy efficient LED bulbs are being  provided by EESL to  domestic consumers  at  an  initial  payment  of    Rs.10  each.    The  balance  amount  which  is between Rs.83 to Rs.95 is recovered over 8-10 months period from the electricity bill of the consumers.  The consumers also have the choice of taking the bulbs at one time upfront payment.

(b) : The Programme is targeted to distribute 77 crore LED bulbs (Approx.) in the country by 2019. As of now, around 3.7 crore LED bulbs have been distributed.

(c) : LED bulbs are not being given free of cost or at subsidized rates to the people  under  this  programme.    However,  through  transparent  e-reverse  bidding mechanism, prices have come down by 77% from January, 2014 to June, 2015 (from Rs.310 to Rs.73 excluding VAT & Taxes).

(d) :      Government is not providing subsidy on LED bulbs under the programme.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3173 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Family Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: C.S. PUTTARAJU, GANESH SINGH, KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3137

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THURSDAY, THE 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## Judicial Reforms

†3137. SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken / being taken by the Government to carry out judicial reforms in the country;
- (b) the budgetary allocation made for the purpose in the current financial year;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to introduce any technical and refresher training programmes for the judges and public prosecutors in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI D. V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

(a) to (d): National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms was set up with the twin objectives of increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system and enhancing accountability through structural  changes  and  by  setting  performance  standards  and capacities.  The Mission has been pursuing a co-ordinated approach for phased liquidation of arrears and pendency in judicial administration which, inter-alia , involves better infrastructure for courts including computerization, increase in manpower strength of judiciary, suggesting policy and legislative measures in the areas prone to excessive litigation, recommending reengineering of court procedure for quick disposal of cases and emphasis on human resource development.    On  account  of  concerted  efforts  made  by  the  stakeholders,  the  increasing trend of pendency of cases in the Supreme Court, High Courts and District & Subordinate Courts has been checked.

The  Budget  Estimates  for  various  Plan  Schemes  of  Department  of  Justice viz . Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary, eCourts Mission Mode Project, Strengthening of Access to Justice etc . for the current financial year (2015-16) are Rs. 806.65 crore.

The  National  Judicial  Academy  (NJA)  has  made  changes  in  delivery  of  training programmes  in  the  Academic  Year  2015-16  to  inculcate  better  use  of  technology  among Judges in a stress free environment.  A session on library reading and computer skills has been  introduced  for  one  hour  each  every  day  after  technical  sessions  are  over.    Further, management and psychology disciplines to resolve disputes, conflicts, differences with peers and other stakeholders in the justice system have been introduced.

*****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 3172 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Building of Footpath along Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: MEENAKASHI LEKHI, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT

be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  problems  of  pedestrians  across  the  country  have  been  taken  note  of  by  the Government and if so, the steps taken in this regard;
- (b)  whether the State Governments have been advised to construct footpaths along the highways in cities/towns;
- (c)  if so, the details thereof and the timeframe laid down for completion of the footpath on highways in cities/towns;
- (d)  whether the attention of the State Governments have also been drawn to rampant encroachment of footpaths; and
- (e)    if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  the  footpaths  are  likely  to  be  cleared  of encroachment?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a) to (e).   Generally  National  Highways  are  bypassed  for  the  cities/towns  falling  on  the  route. However, Ministry has issued circulars directing the implementing agencies for providing adequate  pedestrian  facilities  like  appropriately  designed  footpaths  with  robust  railing, crossover  facilities  like  underpass  or  foot  over  bridge  (FOB)  etc..  Development  and improvement  of  National  Highways  including  encroachment  removal  is  a  continuous process depending upon availability of funds, inter se  priority, site requirement etc.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3172 ANSWERED ON 17 th  DECEMBER, 2015

## BUILDING OF FOOTPATH ALONG HIGHWAYS

3172.  SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI: SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री