opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1435 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-29
Subject: Assistance to Municipalities
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: JAYSHREEBEN  PATEL

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1435**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2015**

**ASSISTANCE TO MUNICIPALITIES**

**No.1435  	SHRIMATI JAYSHREEBEN PATEL:**

**Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state :**

1. **Whether the Government proposes to give financial assistance to municipalities to complete water sully and underground drainage works to overcome cost overrun due to escalation of prices ; and**
2. **If so, the details thereof?**

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT**

**(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)**

1. **:  Water Supply and Underground Drainage projects were eligible for sanctioning under JnNURM. The scheme has ended on 31.03.2014. As per the scheme provisions and guidelines, no escalation or cost overrun was to be supported as financial assistance by the Government of India (GoI). The Ministry has recently launched the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) where the guidelines do not provide for financial assistance to overcome cost overruns due to escalation of prices.**

1. **: The guidelines of AMRUT are available on the website** [**www.amrut.gov.in**](http://www.amrut.gov.in/)

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1434 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-29
Subject: Concession to Senior Citizen
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY**

**DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1434**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 29** **TH** **JULY, 2015**

**Concession to Senior Citizen**

**†1434. SHRI ALOK SANJAR:**

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

(a) 	the details of various concessions being provided to the senior citizens by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) including in rentals and bills of landline telephone connections;

(b) 	whether certain concessions being provided to the senior citizens by the MTNL are not being provided in the service areas under BSNL;

(c) 	if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor behind such discrimination despite both the telecom companies being Public Sector Undertakings; and

(d) 	the action taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER

**THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY**

**(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)**

1. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has reported that senior citizens of the age of 65 years and above are exempted from payment of registration charges of Rs.500/- of registration of landline telephone connection.

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) has reported that concession of 25% in installation charges and monthly fixed charges for landline connections is given to senior citizens under Plan-250.

(b)to(d) 	BSNL and MTNL are different Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) having different managements and Board of Directors. Both PSUs have their autonomy in taking commercial decisions. While Government would prefer the PSUs to provide greater concessions to senior citizens, it respects the autonomy of the PSUs in taking commercial decisions.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1432 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-29
Subject: OBC in the Ministry
Ministry: PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
Asked by: RODMAL NAGAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

**MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1432**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2015**

**OBC IN THE MINISTRY**

**1432.** SHRI NAGAR RODMAL

Will the Minister of PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

1. the category-wise details of total sanctioned strength of employees in the Ministry;
2. the details of total posts earmarked for other Backward Classes out of the total strength as per the reservation policy of the Government; and
3. the reasons, if any, for the number of recruitments conducted not in accordance with the reservation policy of the Government?

**ANSWER**

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

1. The category-wise details of total sanctioned strength of employees in the Ministry are as under:-
| S. No.   | Category                  |   Sanctioned Strength |
|----------|---------------------------|-----------------------|
| 1.       | A                         |                    18 |
| 2.       | B                         |                    60 |
| 3.       | C                         |                    51 |
|          | Total Sanctioned Strength |                   129 |

1. As per Government of India Policy, reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) is applicable only in direct recruitment posts and 27% of such civil posts are reserved for them.  Out of the total sanctioned strength of 129, total direct recruitment posts are 57.  Reservation for OBCs is applicable to 15 posts (27% of 57 posts) against which 20 posts are presently occupied by them.

1. Does not arise in view of (b) above.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1431 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-29
Subject: Nuclear Power
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: P. KARUNAKARAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1431

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2015

## NUCLEAR POWER

## 1431.   SHRI P.KARUNAKARAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Nuclear Power Plants have the potential to resolve India's energy shortage;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the manner by which the Government deals with the outdated technology and the fuel supply issues?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)&(b)  Yes,  Sir.  The  sequential  three-stage  nuclear  power  programme,  aimed  at optimum  utilisation  of  India's  nuclear  resources  of  modest  uranium  and abundant thorium  has  potential  to  ensure  long  term  energy  security  of  the country in a sustainable manner.
- (c) The technology of Indian nuclear power plants is at par with the state-of-theart technologies of the world. In respect of earlier generation reactors, safety aspects are continuously reviewed and necessary upgrades are incorporated to ensure that they keep pace with the latest global standards. In respect of fuel supply, domestic fuel has been augmented by opening of new mines and processing facilities. Contracts have also been signed with several countries for  import  of  fuel  for  reactors  under  International  Atomic  Energy  Agency (IAEA) Safeguards.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1429 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-29
Subject: Wages of Housemaid
Ministry: OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

Government of India

Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1429**

To be answered on 29 th July, 2015

**Wages of Housemaid**

**1429. SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:**

Will the Minister of OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

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(a) whether the Government has any proposal to regulate wages for Indian housemaids getting employment in gulf countries especially those who get employment through private agencies;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the monitoring mechanism constituted by the Government to ensure proper wages along with working environment in those countries to the migrated Indian housemaids especially in gulf countries; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS**

**SMT. SUSHMA SWARAJ**

1. Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has stipulated Minimum Referral Wages for different categories of workers, including
housemaids, based on the inputs received from Indian Missions. For grant of emigration clearance to workers going abroad for employment, contracts between foreign employers and Indian workers have to specify wages equal to or above the Minimum Referral Wages.

1. & (c) All contracts for housemaids have to be attested by the Indian Mission and a security deposit of US$ 2500 or equivalent has to be deposited by the foreign employer with Indian Mission before grant of emigration clearance is considered. In case of default of contract, the deposit can be used for payment of arrears in wages and meeting cost of repatriation of the workers.

The Government has signed MoUs on labour with major labour receiving countries, namely Jordan, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Malaysia. An agreement on labour cooperation for Domestic Sector Workers (DSWs) was also signed with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2014. Under these MOU’s/Agreement, Joint Working Groups are constituted to find solutions to bilateral labour problems.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1428 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-29
Subject: Diversion of Funds
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1428**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 29** **th** **JULY, 2015**

**Diversion of Funds**

**1428.	SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:**

**Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:**

(a)	 whether the funds released under the Rajiv Gandhi Vidya Mission and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) are being diverted for other purposes;

(b)	 if so, the details thereof; and

(c)	 the measures being taken by the Government to stop such diversions and irregularities?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)**

(a) & (b):	No such information on diversion of funds under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has been reported by the State of Andhra Pradesh  or Rajiv Vidya Mission, the State Project Office for implementation of SSA.

(c)	:	The SSA Manual on Financial Management and Procurement (FMP), available on the website [www.ssa.nic.in](http://www.ssa.nic.in/) ,  contains detailed procedures on fund flow arrangements, accounting, financial reporting, internal control and audit, external audit, procurement procedures, etc. SSA has a rigorous monitoring system, which includes, *inter-alia,* annual audit by Chartered-Accountants empanelled with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, concurrent financial review by the Institute of Public Auditors of India (IPAI) as well as a system of internal audit.  In addition, SSA conducts Quarterly Review Meetings with Finance Controllers of all States/UTs for monitoring the optimum utilization of funds, conducts periodic review meetings with States, monitors field level interventions through reputed institutes of social science and university departments of education, and undertakes independent review missions on programme progress.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1427 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-29
Subject: Discrimination in MDMS
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1427**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2015**

**Discrimination in MDMS**

**1427. SHRI B.V. NAIK:**

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Government is aware of the media report regarding prevalence of untouchability in Mid Day Meal Scheme in schools in various parts of the country;

(b)	 if so, the details of such cases reported during the last three years and the current year, State-wise; and

(c) 	the remedial measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)**

(a) to (c):	During the last 3 years and current year, 5 cases have been reported; 2 in Madhya Pradesh and 1 each in Gujarat, Karnataka and Odisha relating to discrimination in Mid Day Meal Scheme in schools. Out of these, 4 were found to be baseless. In one case of Amthapada Prakalpa Upper Primary School (PUPS) of Boudh block of Boudh District in Odisha, the State Government of Odisha was advised to take appropriate action against the erring officials. The State Government informed on 13 th August, 2012 that headmaster of the school was placed under suspension and disciplinary action was initiated against the Sub-Inspector of the schools of that area.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1425 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-29
Subject: Expulsion of IIT Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1425**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2015**

**Expulsion of IIT Students**

1425. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee has expelled 73 students whose performance was not up to the mark after their first year of B. Tech. programme;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof;

(c) 	whether the students body representatives have said that the institute had acted in haste and should reconsider the decision; and

(d) 	if so, the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)**

(a) & (b) : Yes Madam.  Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee struck off the names of 73 students whose performance was not upto the mark after their examination of first year of B.Tech. programme.  However, in partial modification to this list, the name of one of such student, who otherwise subsequently was found to have fulfilled the minimum CGPA and credit requirement, was restored on July 15, 2015 on the rolls of IIT-Roorkee.

(c) : Decision was taken as per the Ordinances & Regulations of the IIT-Roorkee’s Senate.  The student body namely ‘Students Affairs Council’ had raised this issue.  However, the student body was told by IIT-Roorkee that the decision was in conformity with Institute’s academic rules and regulations.

(d)	The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are statutory autonomous institutions governed by the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961.  As per provisions of the Act, the Senate of each Institute is responsible for maintenance of standards of instruction, education and examination in the Institute and exercises such other powers and performs such other duties as may be conferred or imposed upon it by the Statutes of IIT-Roorkee, which is independent of the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1424 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-29
Subject: Appointment of Retired Officers
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: VIRENDER KASHYAP

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1424**

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2015)

**APPOINTMENT OF RETIRED OFFICERS**

**†1424. SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP:**

Will the **PRIME MINISTER** be pleased to state:

(a) 	the number of retired officers of Union Government appointed as Consultants in different Ministries, Ministry/Department-wise along with the time since when they are working as consultants;

(b) 	the monthly emolument being paid to each consultant/person;

(c) 	whether any maximum age limit of such retired officers has been fixed; and

(d) 	if so, the details thereof?

**ANSWER**

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) to (d): The General Financial Rules, 2005, contain fundamental principles applicable to all Ministries/Departments of Government of India regarding engagement of external professionals, consultancy firms or consultants for specific job which is well defined in terms of content and time frame for its completion or outsourcing certain services. Provisions in this regard are contained in Rules 163 to 185 of the General Financial Rules, 2005. Rule 164 prescribes that detailed instructions to this effect may be issued by the Ministries/Departments concerned and ensure that they do not contravene the basic rules. As per Rule 21 of the Delegation of Financial Power Rules Ministries/ Departments have full powers to sanction expenditure in this regard.   Comprehensive central data regarding engagement of consultants by different Ministries/Departments is not being maintained.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1423 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-29
Subject: NSG Membership
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1423 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2015

## NSG MEMBERSHIP

## 1423. SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be please to state:

- (a) whether  India's  quest  for  membership  of  Nuclear  Suppliers Group (NSG) is in trouble and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the indication surfaced at the last plenary in Seattle, U.S. confirms the above facts; and
- (c) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a) to (c) No,  India  is  engaged  with  the  Nuclear  Suppliers  Group (NSG)  and  with  individual  members  thereof  with  a  view  to  our membership.  India's membership  of  the NSG  is subject to a consensus  decision  by  the  NSG  members.  Government  remains  in active contact with NSG members on this issue. India will formally apply for membership  once  the ground has been adequately prepared for its membership. The last NSG Plenary took place in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1422 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-29
Subject: Complication in RTI Act
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: V. SATHYABAMA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1422**

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2015)

**COMPLICATION IN RTI ACT**

**1422. 	SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:**

Will the **PRIME MINISTER** be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether his Ministry is aware of the news item "One RTI Act but 188 Complications";

(b) 	if so, the details thereof; and

(c) 	the efforts taken by the Government to see that information seeking is not a complex process under RTI Act?

**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) & (b):  A news item titled “One RTI Act, but 118 complications” reported that India has one Right to Information (RTI) Act but 118 separate sets of rules formulated independently by States, Courts, Information Commissioners, Parliament and State Assemblies. It has been further reported that these rules dictate varied fee, application format, number of words, type of identity proof required and mode of payment making the process of seeking information a complex one.

(c): 	Under Sections 27 and 28 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, the appropriate Governments and competent authorities respectively are empowered to make rules to carry out the provisions of the Act.

The Central Government, however, in April 2011 requested all appropriate Governments and competent authorities to review their fee rules and to prescribe fee in consonance with the fee prescribed by the Government of India.  The Central Government on 10 th July, 2015 again requested all appropriate Governments and competent authorities to review their Right to Information (Fee & Costs Rules) and Appeal Procedure Rules and to notify, if need be, fresh Rules in consonance with the RTI Rules, 2012 notified by the Government of India.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1421 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-29
Subject: Vacant Posts in CVC and CIC
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1421**

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2015)

**VACANT POSTS IN CVC AND CIC**

**1421. 	SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:**

Will the **PRIME MINISTER** be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether crucial posts in the institutions like Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Central Information Commission (CIC) are lying vacant;

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

(c) 	whether the Government has made any efforts to fill up the vacant posts in the said institutions; and

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

**ANSWER**

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a)to(d): As per section 3(2) of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, the Central Vigilance Commission shall consist of a Central Vigilance Commissioner as Chairperson and not more than two Vigilance Commissioners as Members. After getting approval of the President of India, Shri K. V. Chowdary has assumed the charge of post of Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and Shri T.M. Bhasin as Vigilance Commissioner (VC) on 10.06.2015 and 11.06.2015 respectively. One Vigilance Commissioner, Shri Rajiv has already been continuing since 27.2.2014. At present, all the three crucial posts in Central Vigilance Commission - one of CVC and two of VC are occupied.

As per section 12(2) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, the Central Information Commission (CIC) shall consist of the Chief Information Commissioner and such number of Central Information Commissioners, not exceeding ten, as may be deemed necessary. After getting approval of the President of India, Shri Vijay Sharma has assumed the charge of post of Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and Shri Sudhir Bhargava as Central Information Commissioner on 10.06.2015 and 11.06.2015 respectively. At present, there are seven Central Information Commissioners apart from one Chief Information Commissioner. The Central Information Commissioners in CIC are appointed as per provisions of the Act from time to time.

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