opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2782 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: New Train between Latur and Pune
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2782 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## NEW TRAIN BETWEEN LATUR AND PUNE

†2782.  PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways proposes to run a new train between Latur and Pune ;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of new railway lines proposed to be constructed and the number  of  new  trains  proposed  to  be  introduced  to  provide  railway connectivity through Maharashtra;
- (d)  whether the Railways also proposes to set up Marathwada Railway zone in Maharashtra; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b) No, Madam.  At present, there is no proposal to run a new train between Latur and Pune due to operational and resource constraints.
- (c)  35  major  railway  projects  consisting  of  10  new  lines,  4  gauge conversions and 21 doubling projects falling partly or fully in the State of Maharashtra having aggregate length of 5671 km at a cost of 52614 crore  have  been  taken  up.    An  expenditure  of 4774  crore  has  been incurred on these projects upto March, 2016.  An outlay of 4097 crore has been provided in 2016-17.

Further,  4  new  lines  i.e.  Jeur-Aashti,  Latur-Nanded  via  Loha, Ahmednagar, Gadchindur-Adilabad and Jalna-Khamgaon projects falling partly  or  fully  in  the  State  of  Maharashtra  having  aggregate  length  of 458 km have been included in Capital Investment Programme of 2016-17 9160  crore  in  anticipation  of  State  Governments at  a  total  cost  of coming forward to take up the project through Joint Venture.

Furthermore,  introduction  of  new  train  service  is  an  ongoing process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  operational  feasibility,  traffic justification, availability of resources etc.

(e) Does not arise.

(d) No, Madam.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2781 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Losses on Post Card and Inland Letter
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2781 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  MAY, 2016

## LOSSES ON POST CARD AND INLAND LETTER

## 2781. SHRI KIRTI AZAD:

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

- (a) whether massive losses are being incurred by Department of Posts in carrying out  mandatory  services/products  such  as  Inland  Letter  Cards  and  Post  Cards,  the tariffs of which are highly subsidised ;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Post  Cards  are  being  grossly  misused  for  commercial  and  fun activities;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government plans to discontinue subsidy on delivering newspapers/posts @ Rs. 1/- when their own charges have increased manifold and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) The year wise details of losses incurred on Post Cards and Inland Letter Cards for the last three years i.e. 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 are as under:

## (Rs. in Crore)

| Year    | Items     | Items         |
|---------|-----------|---------------|
|         | Post Card | Inland Letter |
| 2012-13 | 90.47     | 95.42         |
| 2013-14 | 100.68    | 112.20        |
| 2014-15 | 66.56     | 85.33         |

- (c) No, Madam; no such complaint is received.
- (d) Does not arise in view of (c) above.
- (e) No, Madam.

******************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2778 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Renaming of Metro Station
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2778

TO BE ANSWERED ON MAY 11, 2016

RENAMING OF METRO STATION

NO. 2778                 SHRI PRATHAP SIHMA:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be please to state :

(a) Whether the Government has received request/representation from public representatives to rename Vidhana Soudha Metro station in Bangalore as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Metro Station; and (b) If  so,  the  details thereof and the action taken/being taken by

- the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) & (b): Bangalore Metro has informed that State Government of Karnataka had received request from public representatives to rename Vidhana Soudha Metro Station as Dr.  B.R.  Ambedkar Metro Station. With the approval of State Government of Karnataka, Vidhana Soudha Metro Station has now  been  renamed  as  Dr.  B.R.  Ambedkar  Metro  Station, Vidhana Soudha.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Stoppage of Lokmanya Tilak Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Y. S. AVINASH REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2777 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## STOPPAGE OF LOKMANYA TILAK EXPRESS

2777.  SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Railways has received any representation regarding stoppage of  Madhurai  -  Lokmanya  Tilak  Express  at  Yerraguntla  Railway  Station  in Kadapa District of Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the action taken by the Railways thereon?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (c)    A large number of representations are received at various levels of Railway  administration  which  inter-alia  include  Railway  stations,  Divisions, Zonal  headquarters  and  at  Railway  Board's  level  for  stoppage  of  trains. However, Indian Railways do not maintain compendium of such representations.    Further, stoppage of train No.11044 Madurai  - Lokmanya Tilak  Express  at  Yerraguntla  station  is  not  feasible  at  present,  due  to operational and resource constraints.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2775 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Embezzlement of Funds
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2775 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  MAY, 2016

## EMBEZZLEMENT OF FUNDS

## 2775. SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

- Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) whether cases of embezzlement of funds in many post offices have come to the light; (b) if so, the details along with names of the post offices and the quantum of funds embezzled therein during the last three years and the current year; (c) whether  any  action  has  been  taken  against  the  officials/officers  involved  in embezzlement and if so, the details thereof; and by what time the amount embezzled by the officials/officers of post offices will
- (d) be returned to the investors?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Madam, some cases of embezzlement of funds in post offices have come to light.
- (b) & (c) The information is being collected /compiled. The same will be laid on the table of the House later.
- (d) Justified claims are settled, as and when received.

*****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2774 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Additional Coach to Howrah Danapur
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2774 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## ADDITIONAL COACH TO HOWRAH DANAPUR

†2774. SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  any  representation  has  been  submitted  by  the  commuters  and their  elected  representatives  to  the  Government  to  attach  an  additional coach to the Howrah-Danapur Express from Giridih to Howrah; and
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) &  (b)  Yes,  Madam.  Representations  including  from  Hon'ble  Member  of Parliament inter-alia for attachment of slip coaches are received at various levels of Railway administration viz. Stations, Divisions,  Zonal Headquarters and Railway Board level. However, Indian Railway do not maintain compendium of such representations.

Presently, 12351/12352 Howrah-Rajendra Nagar (T) Express is running with maximum permissible load of 24 coaches. As such, attachment of slip coaches in 12351/12352 Howrah-Rajendra Nagar (T) Express is operationally not feasible, at present.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2773 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Promoting Indian Culture
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2773 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## PROMOTING INDIAN CULTURE

2773. SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Ministry  utilises  documentary,  bollywood  movies  and related  medium  to  promote  India's  image  and  culture  in  different foreign countries and if so, the details thereof including the budget allocated for the same; and
- (b) whether the Ministry plans to increase the budget for the same and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons behind the same?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes,  the  Ministry  uses  various  mediums  to  promote  India's  image and culture in different countries abroad.

The Ministry commissions documentary films on various topics that will positively project India's soft power and culture to foreign countries. These documentary films are disseminated through Indian Missions abroad who distribute and screen them at various forums. In addition the Ministry has  acquired  non-commercial  screening  rights  of  some  Bollywood  and regional  movies  which  are  also  sent  to  the  Indian  Missions  abroad  for screening at film festivals, cultural events, educational institutions, Indian associations etc. The Ministry also sends DVDs of Indian movies and CDs of Indian music to our Missions for presentation purposes.

A  budget  of  Rs.  20.29  crore  was  allocated  in  FY  2015-16  for  all activities  related  to  public  diplomacy  which  included  other  areas  of activities besides  those  listed above.  In FY  2015-16  a  total of  31 documentaries  were  commissioned  and  non-commercial  rights  of  13 Bollywood movies were purchased.

- (b) The existing budget has been found to be adequate in meeting our objectives.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2771 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Global Advisory Council
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: YERRAM VENKATA SUBBAREDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2771 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## GLOBAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

2771. SHRI Y. V. SUBBA REDDY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of implementation of PM Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians (GACOI);
- (b) whether PMGACOI has been disbanded; and
- (C)     if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

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

- (a)     The Prime Minister's Global Advisory Council (PMGAC) was set up  as  a  high  level  platform,  to  draw  upon  the  experience  and knowledge of eminent people of Indian origin in diverse fields from across the world in January, 2009. So far five meetings have taken place.
- (b)       No.
- (c)       Not Applicable.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2768 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Monsoon Prediction
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: JAYADEV GALLA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2768 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, May 11, 2016

## Monsoon Prediction

## 2768. SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is possibility of La Nina developing in the second half of this year;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  manner  in  which  La  Nina  is  helpful  in  getting  more  rains  in  the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

(SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY)

- (a-b)   The latest model forecasts from Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)'s coupled  ocean-atmospheric  model  and  other  international models indicate that the probability of development of La Nina condition increases towards the latter half of the year. Nearly all models predict weakening of El Niño, with a transition to El Niño-neutral conditions to develop likely during later half of the summer monsoon season (AugustSeptember) of 2016. Subsequently, the chance of La Niña development increases during the last quarter of 2016.
- (c) The occurrence of La-Nina (anomalous cooling of Sea Surface Temperature  of  Equatorial  Pacific  ocean  waters)  has  high  positive correlation with Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR). La-Nina events are generally associated with normal to above normal monsoons.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2767 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Guidelines of NGT
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2767

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MAY 11, 2016

## GUIDELINES OF NGT

No. 2767 SHRI BHARATHI MOHAN R. K. :

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  many  of  the builders are violating the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  modify  the
- guidelines as per the needs of the day; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof; State/UT-wise and action taken
- by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) to (c):   'Land' and 'Colonisation' are State subjects, it is therefore the responsibility of authorities under States/Union  Territories  (UTs)  to  ensure  compliance  of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Guidelines by builders. However,  the  Principal  Bench,  New  Delhi  and  other

Zonal  Benches  of  National  Green  Tribunal  have  passed orders  from  time  to  time,  with  stipulations  on  ground water withdrawal, rainwater harvesting, disposal of construction waste, dust control, violation of Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 etc.

The  orders  of  the  Tribunals  are  to  be  compiled  with  by the  project  proponents,  and  enforced  by  the  regulatory agencies as per the Statutory provisions, wherever required.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2765 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Consumer Price Index
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2765

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 11 th  MAY, 2016

## CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

2765.  ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has prepared any Consumer Price Index (CPI) recently;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the CPI in the country is better than other countries and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the farmers are in a better position as per the CPI now; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  MINISTRY  OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE  FOR  MINISTRY  OF  EXTERNAL  AFFAIRS  [GENERAL  (Dr.)  V.K. SINGH (Retd.)]

- (a)
- :  Yes, Madam.

(b) :  Central  Statistics  Office,  Ministry  of  Statistics  &  Programme Implementation compiles monthly Consumer Price Index (Rural, Urban, Combined) based on the prices collected from 1181 villages covering all  districts  of  the  country  and  1114  markets  distributed  over  310 towns. The Base Year of the current series is 2012. In addition, Labour Bureau,  Ministry  of  Labour  and  Employment  also  compiles  monthly Consumer  Price  Index  for  Industrial  Workers  (Base  Year:  2001), Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (Base Year: 1986-87) and  Consumer  Price  Index  for  Rural  Labourers  (Base  Year:  1986-87) catering to the specific segments of population. Year on Year all India

Inflation rates based on these indices for different months of 2016 are given below: All India Year on Year Inflation Rates (%) based on different CPIs

| Month   | CPI(R)   | CPI(U)   | CPI(C)   |   CPI(AL) |   CPI(RL) |   CPI(IW) |
|---------|----------|----------|----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Jan-16  | 6.48     | 4.81     | 5.69     |      5.6  |      5.69 |      5.91 |
| Feb-16  | 6.05     | 4.30     | 5.26     |      4.98 |      5.33 |      5.53 |
| Mar-16  | 5.70*    | 3.95*    | 4.83*    |      4.98 |      5.08 |      5.51 |

Note: R - Rural, U - Urban, C - Combined, AL - Agricultural Labourers RL - Rural Labourers, IW - Industrial Workers. * : Provisional. (c) :  The  Central  Statistics  Office,  has  revised  the  Base  Year  of  the Consumer Price Index from the Base Year 2010 to 2012. In this revised series,  many  methodological  changes  have  been  incorporated,  in consonance  with  the  international  practices  to  make  the  indices technically better. (d) :  None  of  the  Consumer  Price  Indices  are  exclusively  meant  for farmers in  the  country.  Therefore,  assessment  of  the  position  of  the farmers  based  on  any  of  these  Consumer  Price  Indices  may  not  be appropriate. (e) :  The question does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2764 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Meeting of Municipal Heads
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2764 TO BE ANSWERED ON MAY 11, 2016

## MEETING OF MUNICIPAL HEADS

No. 2764                   SHRI VENKATESH BABU T. G.:

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

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  has  recently  convened  a meeting  of  municipal  heads    and    commissioners    from    all States and UTs; and
- (b) if so, the details of issues discussed in the meeting?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a)& (b): On 25 th  of June,2015, Mayors, Municipal Chairpersons, Commissioners and officials  from  all  States/UTs  and  500  cities and  towns  selected  under  Atal  Mission  for  Rejuvenation  and Urban  Transformation  (AMRUT)  were  invited  for  a  conference during the launch of  Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT and Housing for  All  (Urban)  in  New  Delhi.  Various  implementation  issues relating  to  the  three  missions  and  Swachh  Bharat  Mission

(Urban) were discussed during the conference.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2762 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Additional Terminal Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT RAGHUNATH PATIL, JASVANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2762 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016

## ADDITIONAL TERMINAL STATION

2762.   SHRI C.R. PATIL: SHRI JASVANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  proposes  to  develop  Sabarmati  Railway station as an additional terminal station of Ahmedabad;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  if  not,  the  plan  of  the  Railways  to  off  load  and  decongest  the Ahmedabad Railway station in Kalupur area; and
- (d) the efforts being made by the Railways to develop integrated railway network and linked infrastructure in Ahmedabad as proposed by the Railway for the metro cities?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  to  (c):  The  construction  of  2 nd   coaching  terminal  at  Sabarmati station has been sanctioned in the Budget 2013-14. The terminal work includes construction of one broad gauge island platform and two full length pit lines. The work is in advance stage of completion.
- (d): Development of integrated railway network and linked infrastructure in Ahmedabad is an ongoing exercise and works in this regard are taken up as per technical and financial feasibility from time to time.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2761 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: National Marine Research Institute
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: S.SELVAKUMARA CHINNAYAN

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2761 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.05.2016)

## NATIONAL MARINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

## 2761.  SHRI S. SELVAKUMARACHINNAYAN :

## 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 if not, the reasons thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR 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.

******