opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3326 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Decongestion of Trunk Routes
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3326 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## DECONGESTION OF TRUNK ROUTES

## 3326. SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

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

- (a)
- the details about the trunk/busy rail routes across the country;
- (b)     whether  the  Railways  have  any  proposal  to  decongest  the existing trunk/busy routes across the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof including heavy traffic of steel, coal and cement; and
- (d)
- the time by which it is likely to be decongested?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a):  There are 7 identified trunk routes across the country, which are also termed as High Density Network routes viz., (1) Delhi - Howrah, (2) Howrah - Mumbai, (3) Mumbai - Delhi, (4) Delhi - Guwahati, (5) Delhi -
- Chennai, (6) Chennai - Howrah and (7) Chennai - Mumbai.
- (b) to (d): Railways have a large number of sanctioned projects under the Plan Heads of Doubling, New Line, Gauge Conversion and Traffic facility  works  to  decongest  routes.  These  include  155  New  Line works,  42  Gauge  Conversion  works,  235  Double  Line  works,  554 Traffic Facility works and 60 Electrification works.

Capacity  augmentation  and  bottleneck  removal  are  a  continuous effort keeping in view the traffic growth.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3325 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Railway Catering Contractors
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BHAVANA GAWALI (PATIL)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3325 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## RAILWAY CATERING CONTRACTORS

†3325. SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  work  related  to  catering  and  cleanliness  etc.  has  been entrusted to the contractors by the Railways and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether the Railways are aware of the fact that the contractors are not paying minimum wages to their employees;
- (c) if so, whether the Railways propose some measures to ensure to give minimum wages to such employees and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a):      In  terms  of  Catering  Policy  2010,  the  catering  services  on  Indian Railways  are  managed  by  the  Zonal  Railways  either  departmentally  or through  private  licensees  (contractors).    Outsourcing  of  work  has  been done  for  mechanized  coach  cleaning  at  depots,  cleaning  on  run  under Onboard Housekeeping Services Scheme as well as en-route cleanliness at select stations under Clean Train Stations Scheme.
- (b) to  (d):  Tender  documents  for  catering  contracts  envisage  strict adherence to (i) Payment of Wages Act, (ii) Workmen's Compensation Act, (iii) Shops & Establishment Act, (iv) PF & ESI Acts,(v)Prevention of Child Labour  Act  etc.    Further,  the  terms  and  conditions  stipulated  in  the cleaning  contracts  incorporate  relevant  legal  provisions  in  regard  to payment of minimum wages to contracted staff.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3322 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Assistance to Stone Handicraft Artisans
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: C.R. CHAUDHARY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL  MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3322**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

ASSISTANCE TO STONE HANDICRAFT ARTISANS

3322. 		SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL  MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Government has taken any step to promote entrepreneurs of micro industries engaged in stone handicrafts and other handicrafts in Rajasthan;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof;

(c) 	the details of the business turnover of such micro industries in tourist centric States including Rajasthan during the current year, State-wise; and

(d)	the financial incentives and other facilities that have been extended to help and promote such local crafts in the country including Rajasthan?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF MICRO, SMALL  MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

(SHRI KALRAJ MISHRA)

(a):   	   Government in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is not providing direct assistance to stone handicrafts artisans.  Ministry does not have any scheme specifically for stone handicraft.

(b)to(d):    Does not arise.

* * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 3321 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Public Procurement Policy
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: KIRRON KHER, PREM DAS RAI, UDIT RAJ, A.T. (NANA) PATIL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.   3321**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## PUBLIC PROCUREMENT POLICY

3321.  		SHRIMATI  KIRRON  KHER:

SHRI  PREM DAS  RAI:

DR.  UDIT  RAJ:

SHRI  A.T.  NANA  PATIL:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

1. whether  the Government  has a Public Procurement Policy for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under which a minimum share of  20 per cent of the total purchases made by Central Ministries/Departments/PSUs has been reserved for MSMEs;

1. if so, the details thereof including the percentage of total procurements made from the MSMEs and SC/ST/OBC owned MSMEs during the current year;

1. whether the same policy is applicable to the companies having foreign direct investment in retail sector and  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

1. the steps taken by the Government to enforce proper implementation of the said policy in the country?

## 

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF MICRO, SMALL  MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

(SHRI KALRAJ MISHRA)

(a): 	Yes, Madam.

(b):	The procurement details for the current financial year i.e. 2015-16 is not available.

(c):	The Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) Order 2012, as implemented by the Ministry of MSME  is  applicable to all Central Ministries/ Departments/CPSUs and they are mandated to procure the requirements as per the norms laid down in the Policy from registered MSEs.

(d):	The steps taken by the Government to enforce proper implementation of Policy include:-

i.    Organizing Vendor Development Programmes (VDP).

ii.  Grievance Cell and created web enable platform for redressal of grievances.

iii. Penalty Provision for CPSUs for non compliance of Public Procurement Policy.

iv. One to one meetings with different CPSUs/Railway Board etc.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3320 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Rail Services
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KAMLA DEVI PATLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3320 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## RAIL SERVICES

## † 3320.   SHRIMATI KAMLA DEVI PAATLE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the rail services being operated in partnership with the private sector along with the other services under consideration for partnership with the private sector, zone-wise;
- the  amount  of  income  likely  to  be  earned  by  the  Railways  as  a
- (b) result thereof, zone-wise;
- (c)  whether    there  is  any  likelihood  of  such  partnership  in  larger savings  and  a  curtailment  in  the  number  of  employees  in  the Railways; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b): On the Zonal Railways, no passenger/freight train services are  currently  operated  by  the  private  sector.  However,  Container services offered by licensed private players are operated by Indian Railways.  Such  services  are  operated  on  Pan-Indian  Railway  basis instead  of  Zonal  Railway  basis.  The  income  earned  from  such operation in 2014-15 was ₹ 4868.92 crore (Provisional).

Policy  instructions  exist  for  operation  and  maintenance  of  retiring rooms  at  stations  through  private  licensees  on  payment  of  annual licence  fees.  Public  toilets  at  more  than  850  railway  stations  have been brought under the 'Pay & Use' scheme with the participation of private sector. Instructions have  been  issued for operation of passenger  ticketing  terminals  through  authorised  agents  on  fixed licences  and  commission  sharing  basis,  under  the  Yatri  Ticket Suvidha  Kendra  (YTSK)  scheme.  The  likely  revenue  from  recently introduced  Yatri  Ticket  Suvidha  Kendra  (YTSK)  scheme  cannot  be assessed as it is dependent on demand.

(c)  &  (d):  Such  partnerships  encourage  investments  and  result  in better  services  to  users  and  have  no  direct  impact  on  number  of employees.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3319 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Existence of Yatri Suvidha Samiti
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3319 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## EXISTENCE OF YATRI SUVIDHA SAMITI

##  3319.  SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether 'Shri Chalvadi Narayanaswami Yatri Suvidha Samiti' is still in existence and is functioning;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  said  Samiti/Committee  has  submitted  its  report  to the Ministry;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the total amount spent on the functioning of the aforesaid Samiti/ Committee?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): The Passenger Amenities Committee which was constituted under the Chairmanship of Shri Chalavadi Narayanaswamy by Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) vide their Resolution dated 25.7.2013, is not in existence.  It was dissolved vide Ministry of Railways (Railway Board)'s Resolution dated 25.6.2014.
- (c)  &  (d):  Yes,  Madam.  The  Committee  submitted  its  report  to  the Railway Board on 20.1.2014.
- (e): ` 16,03,507/-.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3317 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Expenditure incurred by IRCON
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KESHAV PRASAD MAURYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3317 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY IRCON

- † 3317. SHRI KESHAV PRASAD MAURYA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Railways  propose  to  conduct  an  inquiry  into  the incident  of  incurring  maximum  expenditure  by  IRCON  in  the  Rai Bareli and into serious complaints of corruption in the expenditure;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  keep  the  present  Chairman and Managing Director and concerned officers under suspension till the completion of inquiry to prevent any obstruction in the inquiry;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the time by which the said inquiry is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  No,  Madam.  Ministry  of  Railways  has  not  received  any  specific complaint of corruption in the expenditure by IRCON in Rai Bareli.
- (b) to (e): Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3316 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Land of Mumbai Khadi Gram Udyog
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: NANABHAU FALGUNRAO PATOLE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL  MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3316**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

LAND OF MUMBAI KHADI GRAM UDYOG

3316. 		SHRI NANA PATOLE:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL  MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

(a)	whether the Government has received any representation from the public representatives about the taking back the Government land of Mumbai Khadi Gram Udyog from those who have illegally taken land in their possession and have made constructions there and also to take action against therein;

(b)	if so, action taken till now by the Government in this regard; and

(c)	the present status thereof?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF MICRO, SMALL  MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

(SHRI KALRAJ MISHRA)

(a):	No Madam.  No representations from public representatives have been received in this regard.

(b)&(c):	Does not arise.

* * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 3315 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Vacant Railway Land
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3315 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## VACANT RAILWAY LAND

## 3315.     SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of railway land lying vacant or under unauthorised occupation on Panipat-Karnal railway zone;
- (b)  whether  the  Railways  propose  to  utilize  this  unused  and vacant  land  under  unauthorised  occupation  for  commercial purpose; and
- (c)  if  so,  the  details  thereof    and  the  steps  taken  by  the Railways in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a):    About  22  hectare  Railway  land  is  lying  vacant  and  1.2 hectare  is  under  unauthorised  occupation  on  Panipat-Karnal section of Northern Railway.

(b)&(c): The vacant land and land under unauthorised occupation is meant for servicing/maintenance of track/bridges/other Railway infrastructure and for use of Railway's  future  operational  requirement  and  development  of ancillary logistic support/ infrastructure facilities.  Railway has already taken action for eviction of encroachers from Railway land  under  unauthorised  occupation  under  Public  Premises (Eviction  of  Unauthorised  Occupants)  Act,  1971  (PPE  Act, 1971).

- ***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3312 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Funds for Railway Projects
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMA DEVI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3312 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## FUNDS FOR RAILWAY PROJECTS

†3312.   SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  total  amount  of  funds  required  for  strengthening  the  rail development projects and the safety mechanism;
- (b)  whether the Railways propose to mobilize the said funds from its own resources;
- (c)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the steps taken by the Railways in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The total throw forward of funds at the end of the fiscal required 4.99  lakh
- for  Rail  development  projects  is  approximately ` crores.
- (b) No, Madam.
- (c) Does not arise.
- (d)  In  addition  to  funds  received  through  Budget,  Railways  have taken  up  mobilization  of  funds  from  alternate  sources  like  Market Borrowings,  Public  Private  Partnership  and  Institutional  Financing

by  tapping  low-cost  long-term  funds  from  insurance  and  pension funds,  multi-lateral  and  bilateral  agencies  which  can  be  serviced through incremental revenues.

Details of Plan financing for 2015-16 is as under:

-  Gross Budgetary Support -` 41646 crores
-  Internal Resources -` 17793 crores
-  Extra Budgetary Resources -` 40572 crores, comprising of

Market Borrowings -`

Institutional Financing -`

- 17655 crores 17136 crores

Public Private Partnership -` 5781 crores

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3310 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: On-Board House-Keeping in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RITI PATHAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3310 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## ON-BOARD HOUSE-KEEPING IN TRAINS

## †3310.    SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the On-Board House-Keeping services (OBHS) in trains provided by the Railways on its own or it has been outsourced and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether  the  Railways  regularly  monitor  and  ensure  that  the trains are serviced properly and timely to avoid inconvenience to the travelling passengers and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) On  Board  Housekeeping  Services  (OBHS)  scheme  provided  by Indian  Railways  on  identified  trains  is  mainly  outsourced.  However, on  a  few  trains,  the  same  is  also  being  done  through  departmental staff. Out of 540 trains covered under OBHS scheme, 531 are through outsourcing whereas 9 trains are through departmental staff.

(b) Yes, Madam. All  the  train  coaches  are  being  maintained  as per  prescribed  schedule  in  maintenance  depots/terminals  and  in stipulated time period before the same is put into passenger service so that no inconvenience is caused to travelling passengers. This is being monitored regularly at various levels. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3308 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Construction of Launch Stations at Nagarjunasagar Dam
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3308

ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

CONSTRUCTION OF LAUNCH STATIONS AT NAGARJUNASAGAR DAM

3308. SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Government has any proposal to construct launch stations for motor boats at Nagarjunasagar Dam instead of such stations in Nalgonda after the bifurcation of the State of Andhra Pradesh; and

(b) 	if so, the details along with the present status thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a):  No, Madam.

(b):  The State Government of Telangana has reportedly decided to set up launch unit from Pushkar Ghat (Left Bank) in Nagarjunasagar, Nalgonda District. The State Government of Andhra Pradesh reportedly already has launch station at Nagarjunasagar Dam in Guntur District.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3307 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Railway Institute
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3307 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## RAILWAY INSTITUTE

3307. SHRIMATI P. K. SREEMATHI TEACHER :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways have received any proposal for reconstruction of Railway Institute at Kannur;
- (b) if so, the present status of the proposal; and
- (c) the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) & (c):  Do not arise.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3306 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Pallavam Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PR. SENTHILNATHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3306 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## PALLAVAM EXPRESS

3306. SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  have  any  proposal  to  extend  the  Train No. 22603, Pallavam Express (Chennai-Karaikudi) upto Manamadurai;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  to  (c)  No,  Madam.  At  present,  there  is  no  proposal  to  extend 12605/12606 Chennai Egmore-Karaikudi Pallavan Express upto Manamadurai, due to inadequate lie-over time available at Karaikudi.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3302 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Financial Assistance to NGOs
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: JASVANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3302

ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO NGOS

3302. SHRI JASVANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether any financial assistance provided to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) for schemes sponsored by the Ministry in Dahod district of Gujarat;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof for the last three years;

(c) 	the names of the NGOs which have been provided the said financial assistance along with the details of work done by them;

(d) 	whether the Government has conducted any review of the said work; and

(e) 	if so, the outcome thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (e):	The development and promotion of  various tourism destinations and products and implementation of tourism projects is primarily the responsibility of the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration.  The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has been providing Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to various State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for tourism projects prioritized in consultation with them for each financial year, subject to receipt of Detailed Project Report (DPR) liquidation of Utilization Certificates, availability of funds, inter-se-priority and adherence to scheme guidelines of Product Infrastructure Development of Destinations and Circuits (PIDDC).

The MoT has no scheme for provision of Central Financial Assistance to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for such work.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3301 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: e-Ticketing
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: OM PRAKASH YADAV

- (a)  Yes, Madam.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.3301 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

## E-TICKETING

3301. SHRI OM PRAKASH YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Railways are aware that many a times e-ticket are not booked on the IRCTC website but amount is deducted from the users account;
- (b)  if so, the number of e-tickets not booked and amount deducted during June, 2015;
- (c)  the  time  frame  fixed  for  refund  of  deducted  amount  into  users account;
- (d)    the  details  of  account  in  which  the  interest  accrued  on  the amount so deducted is to be deposited; and
- (e)    whether  the  Railways  are  contemplating  any  steps  to  ensure same  day  refund  of  the  amount  into  users  account  and  if  so,  the details of steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (b)   In June 2015, there were a total of 7,19,638 cases of tickets not booked and an amount totalling ₹ 1,37,38,26,300 was deducted from users' account.
- (c) Usually  it  takes  2-3  working  days  to  transfer  the  deducted amount  to  the  concerned  banks  for  further  transfer  to  concerned customers account.
- (d) It is a current account of IRCTC on which no interest accrues.
- (e) Same day refund into users' account is not considered feasible at  present  because  the  associated  reconciliation  and  settlement processes  encompass  multiple  agencies  like  Railways'  Passenger Reservation System, banks, payment gateways, etc.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3300 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Coaches to International Standards
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3300

TO BE ANSWERED ON  10.08.2015

## COACHES TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

3300.   SHRI B.V. NAIK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the sleeper coaches being manufactured do not conform to the international safety standards;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Railways in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ( SHRI MANOJ SINHA )

(a)& (b) No, Madam. The sleeper coaches being manufactured by   Indian Railways    conform  to    international    safety    standards,    such  as International Union of Railways (UIC) for coach body structural strength, fire safety standards etc.

- (c) Does not arise.

***