opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3002 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Decline in Production of Mining Sector
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3002 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 TH  AUGUST, 2016

## DECLINE IN PRODUCTION OF MINING SECTOR

## 3002. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  mining  sector  has  started  experiencing  a  decline  in  production  thereby affecting the manufacturing sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken/to be taken to improve the situation?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  POWER,  COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a):  No,  Madam.  The  index  of  MCDR  minerals  (coming  under  the  purview  of  the  Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988) has shown growth of 12.6% in 2015-16 comparison to that of the  previous year. The average index of MCDR minerals for the period of April to May 2016-17 has increased by 17.8% as compared to the same period of the previous year. The Index of MCDR mineral production is given below:

(Base Year: 2004-05=100)

| Mineral Group   | Full Year   | Full Year   | Percentage of increase   | Average Index     | Average Index     | Percentage   |
|-----------------|-------------|-------------|--------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|--------------|
|                 | 2014-15(R)  | 2015-16(P)  | Percentage of increase   | April-May 2015-16 | April-May 2016-17 | of increase  |
| MCDR            | 109.5       | 123.2       | 12.6                     | 117.3             | 138.2             | 17.8         |

(R): Revised;                                            (P): Provisional;                           Source: Indian Bureau of Mines

(b) and (c): Does not arise in view of the reply given to (a) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3001 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Review of Guidelines for Safety/ Welfare of Coal Mine Workers
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3001 TO BE ANSWERED ON  04.08.2016

## Review of Guidelines for Safety/ Welfare of Coal Mine Workers

## 3001.  DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the guidelines for safety, welfare and health of coal mine workers have not been reviewed for the last many years in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps proposed to be taken thereon;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to review the provisions of the Mines Act, 1952 and regulations framed for coal mines; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b):The Directorate-General of Mines Safety (DGMS) under the Union Ministry of Labour& Employment (MoLE) administers the  implementation of provisions of mine safety regulation and issues guidelines to industries for safety / welfare of coal mines workers on a regular basis in the form of technical circulars as well safety alerts and the same are complied with by theindustry. The number of technical circulars issued by DGMS during last three years and current year are furnished in the table below:

| Number of technical circulars issued by DGMS during 2013-2016*   |   Number of technical circulars issued by DGMS during 2013-2016* |   Number of technical circulars issued by DGMS during 2013-2016* |   Number of technical circulars issued by DGMS during 2013-2016* | Number of technical circulars issued by DGMS during 2013-2016*   |
|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Year                                                             |                                                             2013 |                                                             2014 |                                                             2015 | 2016*                                                            |
| Number of technical circulars issued                             |                                                               08 |                                                               06 |                                                               09 | 11                                                               |

(c)&(d): A comprehensive proposal for amendment to the Coal Mines Regulations, 1957 is under consideration of the Government.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3000 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Handloom Industries
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3000 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2016

## HANDLOOM INDUSTRIES

## 3000. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has prepared any action plan to promote  handloom industries in Jammu & Kashmir;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has provided any funds to the State Government for this purpose; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र      मंरी (श्री MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES

## (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

- (a) & (b) : For development of handlooms and welfare  of handloom weavers, the Government  of India through the office of Development Commissioner for Handlooms,  Ministry  of  Textiles  is  implementing  the  following  schemes  in  the country, including Jammu & Kashmir:-
1. National Handloom Development Programme
2. Handloom Weavers' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme
3. Yarn Supply Scheme
- (c)  &  (d) :  Funds  of  Rs.69.10  Lakh  has  been  released    in  favour  of  Director  of Handloom  Jammu  &  Kashmir  during  2014-15  and  Rs.  129.4755  lakh  has  been released  in  favour  of  concerned  Implementing  Agencies  during  2015-16      under National Handloom Development Programme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2998 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Selection of Air-Routes
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

2998.

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIA TION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIQN NO. 8 2998 (To be answered on the August 2016) 4th

## SELECTION OF AIR-ROUTES

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government proposes to sell some selected international air routes through tender process; if SO, the details thereof;
- (b) the reasons and advantages of such model of flight-services;
- (c) whether such model is functional in any country in the world; and
- (d) if so, the detaiis thereof ?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

- (a) & (b): No Madam. However, National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 provides that the modalities for the allotment of additional capacity entitlements to foreign carriers would be formalised by a Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary where the Indian carriers have not utilised 80 per cent of their capacity entitlements and countries falls within 5000 km radius   and have utilised bilateral rights and pressing for increase in capacity entitlements . foreign
- (c) & (d): No such official information is available.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2997 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: CAPART
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO .2997

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.0 8.201 6

## CAPART

## 2997. SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of functioning of CAPART;
- (b) whether the Government has any monitoring system of Self Help Groups (SHGs) all over the country because now a days there are lot of SHG people who are u themselves from BPL to APL and still running SHGs; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT ( SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV )

- (a): CAPART is still functioning but funding to NGOs has been kept in abeyance si 2010.
- (b) & (c): The  Government  is  implementing  Deendayal  Antyodaya  Yojana -Natio nal Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY -NRLM) across the country with the objective to organize rural poor households and nurture and support them till they come out of abject pov programme aims to ensure that at least one woman member from each rural poor household is brought under the Self Help Group (SHG) by 2024 - 2025  in  a  phased  manner. All rural households with at least one deprivation as per the Socio Economic and Caste Census data  and  all  rural  poor  households  identified  through  the  mechani sm  of  Participatory Identification  of  Poor  (P.I.P.)  duly  vetted  by  the  Gram  Sabha  and  approved  by  th Panchayat form the target group for DAY - NRLM. The beneficiary selection is, therefore, no longer linked exclusively to the BPL list.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2996 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Conversion of Barren Land into Fertile Land
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE, PASHUPATI NATH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF LAND RESOURCES

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2996 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2016

## Conversion of Barren Land into Fertile Land

2996.   SHRI RAOSAHEB DANVE PATIL: SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the measures taken by the Government to turn barren land into fertile land and the extent to  which  the  Government  has  achieved  success  in  this  regard,  State-wise  including Gujarat;
- (b) the extent to which the set targets have been achieved regarding conversion of barren land into arable land in the 11th Five Year Plan;
- (c)  whether the said targets have not been achieved, and if so, the reasons therefore; and
- (d) the strategy prepared and the action plan formulated by the Government on the basis of those  reasons  to  convert  barren  land  into  arable  land  during  the  12th  Five  Year  Plan period?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI  RAM  KRIPAL YADAV)

(a) to (d):  With no specific programme implemented to turn barren land into fertile land, the Department does not maintain any centralized database or information with regard to such conversion. However, the Department had been implementing an area development programme i.e. Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) w.e.f. 26.02.2009 for development  of  rainfed  /  degraded  areas  in  all  the  States  of  the  country  (except  Goa) including  Gujarat.  The  objectives  of  the  IMWP  programme  are  conservation  of  water, improving  agriculture  productivity  and  livelihood  creation.  The  major  activities  taken  up under the programme inter alia includes ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, soil and moisture  conservation,  rain  water  harvesting,  nursery  raising,  afforestation,  horticulture, pasture  development,  livelihoods  for  assetless  persons.  From  the  year  2015-16,  the  IWMP programme  has  been  amalgamated  as  the  Watershed  Development  Component  of  the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (WDC-PMKSY). As on 30.06.2016, a total of 8214 projects  have  been  sanctioned  in  the  country,  covering  an  area  of  39.07  million  ha  and  an amount of Rs. 12821.66 Cr. has been released as central assistance to various states including Gujarat. As per the Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects-2008 (Revised Edition-2011), the period of completing WDC-PMKSY projects is between 4-7 years. These projects are in different stages of implementation.

According  to  the  information  received  from  the  Government  of  Gujarat,  35203.12 hectares of barren land have been cultivated into arable land during the 12 th Five Year Plan.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2995 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: International Crafts Mela
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: VIRENDER KASHYAP

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2995 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2016

## INTERNATIONAL CRAFTS MELA

## 2995.    SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government is planning to Organise International Crafts Mela like Surajkund in various parts of the country including tourists places at  Shimla  &  Kullu  in  Himachal  Pradesh  to  encourage  tourism  and  the confluence of crafts, cultures and cuisines;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र      मंरी (श्री

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

- (a) & (b): No,  Madam.    However,  in  tourist  places  of  India  including Shimla & Kullu, various domestic marketing events viz Gandhi Shilp Bazar &  Exhibition  for  handicrafts  are  organized  to  encourage  tourism  and  the confluence of crafts, cultures and cuisines.

- (c): Not applicable.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2994 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Air Pollution by Thermal Power Plants
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: RAVNEET SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2994

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2016

## AIR POLLUTION BY THERMAL POWER PLANTS

2994.  SHRI RAVNEET SINGH:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the Coal-based thermal power plants are major source of air pollution, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  measures  to  convert  the  coal-based thermal power plants in Punjab into LNG (Gas) based power project; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

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

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) : As per data compiled by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the total CO2    emissions  from  all  grid  connected  coal  based  Power  Stations  during  last three years is as under :-

| Year    |   Total CO 2 Emission (in Million Tonnes) |   Specific CO 2 emission of Coal based Plants (in Kg/kWh) |
|---------|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
| 2012-13 |                                     696.3 |                                                      1.04 |
| 2013-14 |                                     727.4 |                                                      1.03 |
| 2014-15 |                                     805.4 |                                                      1.01 |

The  specific  CO 2 emissions  from  these  plants  have  reduced  from 1.04 kg/kWh to 1.01 kg/kWh during last three years.

(b) & (c) : M/s Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), has intimated that presently, there is no proposal to convert coal based thermal power plants into LNG (Gas)  based power project in the State of Punjab due to the high cost of LNG.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2992 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Development of Sericulture
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: RANGASWAMY DHRUVANARAYANA

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2992 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF SERICULTURE

## 2992.   SHRI  R. DHRUVA NARAYANA:

Will the Minister of Textiles वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state;

- (a) whether the Government proposes to release the budgetary allocation made for sericulture development in Karnataka for the year 2016-17;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to implement more schemes for the development of sericulture in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र      मंरी (श्री         )

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

- (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. An amount of Rs.9.00 crore has been allocated for release during 2016-17 to Karnataka State under Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry.
- (c) & (d): The above Central Sector Scheme shall continue during 201617.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 253 (STARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Crossover Points on Railway Lines
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY

(a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 253 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2016

## CROSSOVER POINTS ON RAILWAY LINES

*253.    SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

(a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  inadequate  number  of crossover points on railway lines for movement of regular road traffic and if so, the details thereof;

- (b) whether safety hazard of public using railway bridges over dry water beds  as  passage  has  been  reported  and  if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the Government to create awareness among public in this regard;

(c) the steps taken by the Railways to regulate road traffic movement at crossover points;

(d) whether the Government plans to increase the number of crossover points in arid and semi-arid areas with railway bridges; and

(e) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION  NO.  253  BY  SHRI  KONDA  VISHWESHWAR  REDDY  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  03.08.2016  REGARDING  CROSSOVER POINTS ON RAILWAY LINES

(a): As on 01.04.2016, there are 28,607 level crossings on Indian Railways, out of which 19,267 are manned level crossings and 9,340 are unmanned level crossings. There  are  few  locations  in  Indian  Railway,  where  road  exists  on  both sides of track but there is no level crossing or grade separator at these locations. (b): There have been a few cases of dry water beds under railway bridges being used by public.  However, railway does not promote crossing of road traffic  over  dry  water  beds  of  the  railway  bridges,  which  are  meant  for passage  of  water  from  one  side  of  track  to  the  other  side.    This  may endanger the safety of rail users as well as road users. (c):  Railway  has  provided  lifting  barriers  or  gate  leaves  at  manned  level crossings to regulate road traffic for safely crossing the railway tracks as per  extant  rules.    Besides  above,  road  traffic  is  also  being  diverted  to adjoining level crossing, wherever feasible Road Over Bridge (ROB)/Road Under Bridge (RUB) are provided to eliminate the level crossings. (d)  &  (e):  As  per  extant  policy,  no  new  level  crossing  is  provided  on existing  line  due  to  safety  considerations.    However,  at  the  request  of State Govt. /Local Authorities, Railway sanctions the work of construction of  Road  Over  Bridge  (ROB)/Road  Under  Bridge  (RUB),  where  no  level crossing  exist,  on  deposit  terms  provided  technically  feasible  and  State Government  agrees  to  bear  the  complete  cost  of  construction  and  its maintenance.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 252 (STARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.252

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 03, 2016

## SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR SATELLITE

- *252.    SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
- (a) whether NASA and ISRO are working together to develop a synthetic aperture radar satellite  to  observe  and measure  ecosystem  disturbances,  icesheet  collapses and natural hazards; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) & (b) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO STARRED QUESTION NO.252 REGARDING 'SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR SATELLITE' ASKED BY SHRI B VINOD KUMAR FOR ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 03, 2016.

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) ISRO  and  Jet  Propulsion  Laboratory  (JPL)/  NASA  are jointly working on the development of Dual Frequency (L &  S  band)  Synthetic  Aperture  Radar  Imaging  Satellite named as NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR). The L-band SAR is being developed by JPL/ NASA, while ISRO is developing S-band SAR. The L & S band microwave data obtained from this satellite will be useful for variety of application, which include natural resources mapping  &  monitoring;  estimating  agricultural  biomass over full duration of crop cycle; assessing soil moisture; monitoring  of floods and  oil slicks; coastal erosion, coastline changes & variation of winds in coastal waters; assessment  of  mangroves;  surface  deformation  studies, ice  sheet  collapses  &  dynamics  etc.  The  joint  science observation plan has been documented with the participation of Indian and American scientists. The core science  teams  of  both  sides  meet  every  six  months  to discuss observation requirements for various applications.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2990 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Acquisition of Farmer's Land in Chhattisgarh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VIKRAM USENDI

†2990.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2990 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2016

## ACQUISITION OF FARMER'S LAND IN CHHATTISGARH

SHRI VIKRAM USENDI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  farmers  whose  land  have  been  acquired  by  the Railways for Dalli Rajhara to Raoghat rail line in Chhattisgarh State;
- (b) whether the farmers had been promised to be provided compensation and employment to one family member in railway for the said acquisition of their land;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  number  of  farmer  families  provided  employment  so  far  in Railways?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a): 840.

(b):  Yes,  Madam. However, the appointment in Railways is subject to satisfying the requirements as per extant rules.

(c): Applications from 806 out of 840, have been received.

(d):  Out  of  806  applications  received,  232  applicants  have  been found  eligible  and  227  applicants  have  been  provided  jobs  by  the Railway.

*****