opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3269 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Identification of Tourist Places in Himachal Pradesh
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: RAM SWAROOP SHARMA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†3269

ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

IDENTIFICATION OF TOURIST PLACES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

†3269. SHRI RAM SWAROOP SHARMA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Government has identified such a place of tourist interest across the country particularly Himachal Pradesh which is suitable to be declared as international tourist place;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof;

(c) 	if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) 	whether the Government is considering to get the selected places of tourist interest in the country registered in the list of international places of tourist interest; and

(e) 	if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (e):	The development,  promotion and identification of tourist places is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations including the State of Himachal Pradesh for various tourism projects subject to availability of funds, inter-se priority, liquidation of pending utilization certificates against the funds released earlier and adherence to the relevant scheme guidelines.

The Ministry of Tourism has launched following two new plan schemes pursuant to the Budget 2014-15 announcements:

1)	Swadesh Darshan for Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits around Specific Themes.

Twelve theme based circuits i.e. North East Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit and Ramayana Circuit have been identified for development under “Swadesh Darshan”.

2)	National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) to beautify and improve the amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage centres of all faiths.

Under PRASAD, initially twelve cities have been identified namely Ajmer, Amritsar, Amravati, Dwarka, Gaya, Kedarnath, Kamakhaya, Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi and Velankanni.

Both the schemes aim at enhancement of tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner by developing world class infrastructure in the identified circuit/destination.

Ministry of Tourism, however, does not have a policy for declaring any destination as an international tourist place. The Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination in the domestic and international markets.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3267 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Silambu Train Service
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: T. RADHAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3267 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## SILAMBU TRAIN SERVICE

3267.  SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  have  stopped    the  running  of  Silambu  train service between Chennai and Sengottal through  Aruppukota;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the stopping of said Express Service has adversely affected the people living in Aruppukotal area and also caused loss of revenue to Government exchequer;
- (d)  if  so,  whether  the  Railways  are  considering  to  restart  Silambu Express; and
- (e) if so, the time by which the service of the said train is likely to start operating?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) to (c): In the Railway Budget 2013-14, 16181/16182 Chennai EgmoreKaraikudi  Express  (weekly)  has  been  announced  and  the  same  has been made to run as Silambu  Express since 07.05.2013. Subsequently, the  train  has  been  extended  upto  Manamadurai  with  increase  in frequency from weekly to bi-weekly. However, a special train 06193/06194 Manamadurai - Sengottai via  Aruppukottai, which was run by utilising the rake of Silambu Express, has been discontinued due to poor patronization.
- (d)  &  (e):    At  present,  there  is  no  proposal  to  restart  the  above discontinued special train.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3266 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Use of Fuel in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: B.N. CHANDRAPPA

## GOVERMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION N0. 3266 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

USE OF FUEL IN RAILWAYS

3266.  SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Railways have taken note that an incident of use of adulterated fuel was reported in the recent past;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether  the  Railways  have  suffered  any  losses  due  to the use of adulterated fuel and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Railways have conducted investigation and taken any action against the persons found guilty;

(e) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) No,  Madam.  No  such  incident  has  been  reported  in  the recent past.

(b) to (e) Do not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3265 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Operation of Flights
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3265

(To be answered on the 10 th  August 2015)

## OPERATION OF FLIGHTS

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

3265.

SHRI ELUMALAI V.

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the names of the airlines operating flights on category-I routes under the Route Dispersal Guidelines and the number of their aircraft currently in operation on these routes;
- (b) whether there is any proposal pending with the Government to specifically mention the routes falling under category-III; and (c) if so, the details and the present status thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a): As per the approved Summer 2015 Schedule, Air Asia, Air India, Jet Airways, Jet Lite, Go Air, Indigo,  Spice  Jet  &  Vistara   are operating on Category -I  route. The number  of aircrafts  operated by these airlines are as follows:

| Name of operators Air Asia Air India Ltd. Jet Airways Jet Lite Go Air Indigo Spice Jet Vistara Total   | No of aircrafts 05 104 108 08 19 97 35 06 382   |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|

(b): No, Madam.

(c):- Does not arise.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3264 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Level Crossings in Thiruchi Railway Division
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3264 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## LEVEL CROSSINGS IN THIRUCHI RAILWAY DIVISION

3264.    SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

(a) whether the Railways propose to convert unmanned level crossings across  the  Thiruchi  Railway  division  into  limited  use  subways  and manned level crossings during the current financial year; and

(b) if so, the details of the unmanned crossings going to be eliminated between  Thiruchi  and  Vilupuram  via  Thanjavur,  Kumbakonam  and Mayvaram?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a): There are 298 unmanned level crossings (LCs) in Thiruchi Railway Division  as  on  01.04.2015.    Out  of  298  unmanned  level  crossings, Railway has planned for elimination of 37 unmanned level crossings (25 by  manning,  9  by  provision  of  subways  and  3  by  merger)  during  the current financial year i.e. 2015-16.

(b):  12  unmanned  level  crossings  (11  by  manning  and  1  by  merger) have  been  planned  for  elimination  between  Thiruchi  and  Vilupuram via Thanjavur,  Kumbakonam  and  Mayvaram  during  the  current financial year.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3263 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Construction of Tourism Resorts
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: ABHISHEK BANERJEE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3263

ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

CONSTRUCTION OF TOURISM RESORTS

3263. SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) 	the total number of tourism resorts operating by the Government in the country;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof, State-wise including West Bengal;

(c) 	the total amount of funds allocated/utilized for construction of such resorts, State/UT-wise; and

(d) 	the number of tourist resorts sanctioned/constructed during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) & (b):	Construction and operation of hotels is primarily a private sector activity. However, India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) a Public Sector Undertaking under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tourism operates a tourism resort, Hotel Pondicherry Ashok, Puducherry, a Joint Venture between ITDC and Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development Investment Corporation Ltd.

(c):	At present there is no scheme in the Ministry of Tourism for construction of resorts.

(d): 	Does not arise.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3262 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Freight Corridor Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: A.T. (NANA) PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.3262 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## FREIGHT CORRIDOR PROJECT

Ϯ 3262.  SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  construction  of  the  freight  corridor  proposed  by  the Railways is being delayed;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Railways has acquired the land required for construction of the said freight corridor;
- (d) if so, the details of the land acquired; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Railways to mobilize funds in view of heavy cost likely to be incurred on the proposed freight corridor project?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  &  (b):  The  Dedicated  Freight  Corridors  (Eastern  and  Western)  are targeted for completion in phases from 2017 to 2019. In the initial period, the project took time to take off due to change in alignment, problem of land acquisition and sanction of loans by multilateral lending agencies.
- (c) & (d): Award of 20 F (Compensation Award) under Railway Amendment Act  2008,  for  85%  of  land  for  Eastern  and  Western  Dedicated  Freight Corridors has been completed.

Contd..2..

(e):  The Project is funded by a mix of loan from World Bank to the tune of US  $  2.725  billion  (for  the  Eastern  DFC  -Ludhiana-Mughalsarai  Section  1192 km) and Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA) to the tune of ` 38,722 crore ( for the Western DFC -Jawaharlal Nehru Port - Dadri, 1520 km) and Budgetary resources.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3260 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Rewa Rajkot Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: GANESH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3260 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## REWA RAJKOT EXPRESS

†3260. SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status regarding regularising Rewa Rajkot Express train  in  Satna,  introducing  a  new  train  from  Satna  to  Mumbai, providing  commercial  stoppage  at  Satna  Railway  Station  and  to extend the Rewa-Anand Vihar train up to New Delhi;
- (b)  whether  any  steps  have  been  taken  by  the  Railways  to complete the said work; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a)  to  (c)  22937/22938  Rewa-Rajkot  Express  (weekly)  has  been introduced w.e.f. 04.01.2015 as a regular service with stoppage at Satna.  Since 27 pairs of Mail/Express train services are already providing connection between Satna and Mumbai, there is presently no proposal to introduce any new train service between them.    It  has,  however,  been  decided  to  provide  commercial stoppage  of  12293/12294  Allahabad-Lokmanya  Tilak  (T)  Duronto Express at Satna. Restoration of operation of 12727/12728 RewaAnand Vihar Express from New Delhi is considered operationally infeasible.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3258 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Shortage of Cabin Crew
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: ANIRUDHAN SAMPATH, ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3258

(To be answered on the 10 th  August 2015)

## SHORTAGE OF CABIN CREW

3258. DR. A. SAMPATH SHRI ELUMALAI V.

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether there is a shortage of cabin crew in Air India due to which flight schedules are getting affected;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to meet the shortage of cabin crew in Air India?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

- (a)  : Despite the shortage of cabin crew, the flights have been dispatched on time most of the times. At times the flights have been rescheduled till crews are made available with advance information to passengers so that they are not inconvenienced.
- (b) & (c) : Air India has initiated process for filling up of 800 posts of Cabin Crew.  Two exercises have been undertaken and a total of 534 candidates have been selected for appointment as Cabin Crew.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3256 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Joint Ventures in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3256 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## JOINT VENTURES IN RAILWAYS

†3256. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways proposes to set up joint ventures in cooperation with the State Government for implementation of railway projects;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has taken any steps in this regard so far;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether such joint  venture  is  proposed  to  be  setup  in  the  State  of Gujarat; and
- (e) if so, the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

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

******

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3256 BY SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015 REGARDING JOINT VENTURES IN RAILWAYS

(a)  to  (e):    Yes,  Madam.   To expedite completion of projects, Ministry of Railways has approached all State Governments to form Special Purpose Vehicles  (SPV)  jointly  with  Ministry  of  Railways  to  undertake  mutually identified  rail  infrastructure  projects  for  project  development,  resources mobilization  and  monitoring.  17  State  Governments  have  consented  to form the SPVs including the State Government of Gujarat.  Possibility of participation  of  industry  in  project  specific  SPVs  can  also  be  considered depending  on  their  willingness.    A  draft  Cabinet  Note  in  this  regard  has been  prepared  and  circulated  to  the  concerned  Ministries  of  Central Government.  Joint Ventures with State Governments can be implemented after the requisite approval of the Cabinet.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Lime Stone Mining
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF MINES**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3254**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

**LIME STONE MINING**

**3254. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:**

Will the Minister of **MINES** be pleased to state:

(a) the number of applications filed for obtaining lease licences for mining of lime stone and sand stone in the country particularly in Rajasthan during each of the last three years and the current year;

(b) whether the Government proposes to adopt the 'First Come, First Serve' policy in issuing mineral licence to the applicants who had applied for the said mining licences before the year 2014; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF MINES AND STEEL (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)**

(a)   Applications for obtaining mining leases as per the provisions of Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR) and the rules framed thereunder are submitted to the respective State Governments.  The data in respect of applications filed is not centrally maintained.

(b)&(c)   After the commencement of MMDR Amendment Act 2015 w.e.f. 12.1.2015 Limestone has been classified as Schedule IV mineral and concessions under this category of minerals can be granted through auction only.  The sand stone is a minor mineral. Being a minor mineral, cases related to sand stone are to be dealt by the State Government as per the rules framed by them under Section 15(1) of the MMDR Act, 1957.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3252 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: E-Ticketing in Hindi/Regional Language
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3252 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## E-TICKETING IN HINDI / REGIONAL LANGUAGE

## 3252. SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  IRCTC  proposed  to  announce  transactions  of  eticketing  through  their  portal  in  Hindi  version  also  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether  IRCTC  propose  to  develop  to  widen  e-ticketing services  for  India's  prominent  regional  languages  for  those  who are  facing  problems  because  of  English/Hindi  versions  and  to introduce transparency and ensure glitch-free availability of tickets on website to move a step further towards Digital India and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether CRIS has developed a paperless un-reserved ticketing features in mobile applications; and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)   Yes, Madam. E-ticketing website www.irctc.co.in is available in Hindi with effect from 08.07.2015.

(b)  To ensure  glitch-free  availability of e-ticketing services, upgraded e-ticketing system has been launched with capacity to book 7200 tickets per minute as against 2000 tickets per minute earlier  and  it  has  been  decided  to  develop  multi-lingual  eticketing website.

(c)  Yes,  Madam.    Mobile  application  for  paperless  unreserved ticketing  has  been  launched  at  Chennai  on  22.04.2015  and  on Churchgate-Dahanu Road suburban section of Western Railway in Mumbai with effect from 08.07.2015.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3250 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: PCO at Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY

## †3250.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3250 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## PCO AT RAILWAY STATIONS

## SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the PCO facility at railway stations has been discontinued across  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  most  of  these  booths  were  being  run  by  the  differentlyabled persons and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Railways  propose  to  initiate  any  scheme  for  selling mobile recharge vouchers in place of these PCO booths; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  criteria  laid  down  for  the purpose particularly with regard to differently-abled persons?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a): No, Madam.

(b): In terms of extant policy guidelines for operation of STD/PCO booths physically

at stations, 25% of the booths are reserved for the handicapped persons.

- (c)  &  (d):  Existing  instructions  include  provision  of  Local/STD/ISD  call facility,  FAX  facility  and  Internet  facility  in  STD/PCO  Booths.  Besides, existing  PCO  booth  holders  are  permitted  to  sell  mobile  recharge coupons,  SIM  Cards  (new  connection),  mobile  phones  and  related accessories  at  railway  stations  on  payment  of  prescribed  license  fee additionally.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3249 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Commissioning of Rail Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3249 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## COMMISSIONING OF RAIL PROJECT

3249. DR. PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways have any proposal to commission BargarhNuapada via Padmapur to Raipur Rail Project;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which it would be commissioned?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b):  Bargarh-Nuapada via Padmapur to Raipur Rail Project is not a  sanctioned  project.    However,  a  Survey  for  a  new  line  between Bargarh  &  Nuapada  via  Padmapur  has  been  sanctioned  in  the  Rail Budget  2015-16  and  the  preliminary  works  has  been  taken  up. Further rail connectivity from Nuapada to Raipur already exists.
- (c):    Survey  requires  interaction  with  various  departments  of  State Government,  District  Administration,  trade  &  industries,  etc.  for assessment of traffic projection.  It also involves preparation of plan, drawing,  calculation  of  cost,  rate  of  return,  etc.      Since  this  is  an extensive exercise, no time frame has been fixed for completion of
- this survey.

*****