opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2989 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Urban Poverty
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI, C. MAHENDRAN, ASHWINI KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION LOK SABHA

## UNSTRARRED QUESTION NO. 2989 TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 03, 2016 URBAN POVERTY

NO. 2989 SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:

SHRI C.MAHENDRAN:

SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:

WILL the MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether  the  headcount  ratio  of  urban  poverty  has  declined
- steadily over the decades and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the rate of decline is lower than that of rural poverty
- and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any data about the urban poverty
- gap and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the list of States worst affected by urban poverty; and
- (e) whether the Government has any scheme/programme  to improve  the  per  capita  income  of  urban  poverty  affected people and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION [RAO INDERJIT SINGH]

- (a)  to  (c)  As  per  Poverty  Estimates  for  2011-12    released  by erstwhile  Planning  Commission  the  percentage  of  persons below poverty line in 2011-12 has been estimated as 13.7% in urban areas, 25.7% in rural areas and 21.9% for the country as

a  whole.  The  corresponding  estimate  in  2004-05  was  25.7%, 41.8%  and  37.2%  respectively  and  in  1993-94,  it  was  31.8%, 50.1%  and  45.3%  respectively.  No  data  about  urban  poverty gap, however, is available in this Ministry.

- (d) The number and percentage of population below poverty line by States 2011-12 is at Annexure.
- (e) This  Ministry  is  implementing  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme 'Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission  (DAY-NULM)'  to  reduce  poverty  and  vulnerability  of urban  poor  households  by  providing  them  opportunities  for earning  their  livelihoods  on  a  sustainable  basis.  DAY-NULM comprises  seven  components  viz;  Social  Mobilization  and Institution Development (SM&ID), Capacity Building and Training  (CB&T),  Employment  through  Skills  Training  and Placement (EST&P), Self-Employment Programme (SEP), Shelters  for  Urban  Homeless  (SUH),  Support  to  Urban  Street Vendors (SUSV), and Innovative and Special Projects (I&SP)

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2988 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Rail Neer at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL, RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2988 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2016

## RAIL NEER AT STATIONS

2988.   SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  a  network  of  corruption  in  `Rail  Neer'  has  been  busted  by  CBI recently;
- (b) if so, the details of the case and the action taken against the guilty officers and the contractors;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  illegal  money  recovered  by  the  investigating  agency  from them;
- (d)  whether  the  Railways  has  taken/proposes  to  take  action  to  prevent  such corruptions in the future;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (f) whether only one litre bottles of `Rail Neer' are being sold and not 500 ml as other brands do and thus leaving no choice with the passenger but to go in for 1 litre bottle and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

( SHRI  RAJEN GOHAIN )

- (a) to (c): Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against two  Railway  officials  and  eight  private  caterers  under  the      Prevention      of Corruption    Act,  1988    regarding  the  supply    of  packaged  drinking  water  other than the prescribed `Rail Neer' in Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains in Northern Railway. Two railway  officials  were  placed  under  suspension  from  16.10.15  to  11.04.16. The recommendation of the investigating agency i.e CBI and the advice of Central Vigilance Commission pertaining to the Railway officers have been received.
- (d)  &  (e):  Guidelines  for  100%  supply  of  Rail  Neer  in  Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto Trains  have  been  issued  on  27.01.2016  for  implementation  w.e.f  01.02.2016. Similarly  notification  of  other  identified  mail/express  trains  and  stations,  where 100%  supply  of  Rail  Neer  is  mandatory,  have  been  issued  on  12.02.2016  for implementation w.e.f. 01.03.2016.
- (f) : No, Madam.  Both one litre and 500 ml bottles of Rail Neer as well as other approved brands of packaged drinking water have been allowed for sale.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2987 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Water Vending Machines
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHER SINGH GHUBAYA, RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY, BHARATI DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2987 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2016

## WATER VENDING MACHINES

†2987. SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA:

DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

DR. BHARATIBEN D. SHYAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to install water vending machines at each railway station in the country for the convenience of passengers; and
- (b) if so, the time by which the said facility is likely to be started particularly in Jharkhand and Punjab along with the names of the stations proposed to be selected for installing of water vending machines in these two States in the first phase?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) and  (b):    To  provide  purified,  chilled  &  clean  drinking  water  to  railway passengers  at  affordable  price,  the  task  for  installation  and  operation  of Water  Vending  Machines(WVMs)  has  been    entrusted  to  Indian  Railway Catering  and  Tourism  Corporation  (IRCTC).    IRCTC  has  already  awarded licenses  for  installation  of  2000  WVMs  over  Indian  Railways  including Jharkhand and Punjab with a target of installing 60% of the machines in the current financial year.  Names of the major stations identified in  Jharkhand State for installation of WVMs are Ranchi, Hatiya, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Gomoh Jn., Daltonganj, Parashnath, Barkakana, Garwa Road Jn., Chandra Pura Jn., Koderma,  Sahibganj,  Barharwa  &  Bokaro  Steel  City.    Names  of  the  major stations  identified  in  Punjab  State  for  installation  of  WVMs  are  Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jallandhar City, Beas, Firozpur Cantt., Jallandhar Cantt., Phagwara, Pathankot, Phillaur & Faridkot.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2986 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: New Rates of Land
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO, SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2986

## TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 03, 2016

## NEW RATES OF LAND

No. 2986

SHRI KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO:

SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the existing rules for allotment of land by the Government and the Delhi
- Development Authority (DDA);
- (b) whether the Government has recently approved new rates for allotment of land to institutions by the DDA;
- (c) if so, whether the DDA has fixed separate rates for allotment of land to hospitals, educational institutions and others; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) : Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Land and Development Office (L&DO)  are  two  land  owning  agencies  under  the  Ministry.  L&DO  has informed that it allots land under its jurisdiction in Delhi as per 'Guidelines for  Screening  of  application  for  allotment  of  land'  and  the  Cabinet Secretariat's instructions in this regard.  DDA has informed that it disposes land  in  accordance  with  DDA  (Disposal  of  Developed  Nazul  Land)  Rules, 1981, as amended from time to time.
- (b) to (d): Yes, Madam. The details of the approved rates of premium for institutional  land  in  DDA  areas  for  the  years  2014-15  and  2015-16  are available on the website of DDA at http://dda.org.in/tendernotices\_docs/july16/RATES%20OF%20PREMIUM%20 FOR%20INSTITUTIONAL%20LAND%20IN%20DDA%20AREAS.pdf.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2978 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Improvement in Connectivity and Infrastructure with Bangladesh
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR, SUSHMITA DEV, BHOLA SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2978 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2016

## IMPROVEMENT IN CONNECTIVITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE WITH BANGLADESH

2978. SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR: KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV: SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve  rail,  road  and waterways connectivity and trade with Bangladesh;
- (b) whether there are many unresolved issues between the two nations;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of measures taken to resolve these issues?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) We have taken various steps to enhance connectivity between India and Bangladesh especially in road, rail and waterways  links. Agreement on Coastal Shipping between India and Bangladesh was signed in  June  2015  under  which  direct  sea  trade  between  the  two  countries  is facilitated.  Services  linking  Indian  and  Bangladeshi  ports  have  since commenced. In June 2015, the India Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit  and  Trade  (PIWTT)  and  Bilateral  Trade  Agreement  were  renewed with automatic extension for five years to facilitate trade further. There are three operational rail links between India and Bangladesh namely Petrapole-Benapole, Gede-Darsana and Singhabad-Rohanpur rail links. Regular direct bus services linking Dhaka, Agartala and Kolkata are running regularly while a new Guwahati-Shillong-Dhaka bus service has also been launched.  A  new  Integrated  Check  Post  has  been  operationalized  at  the India Bangladesh land border at Petrapole. These connections are extremely useful in further enhancing trade and connectivity with Bangladesh.

Day to day issues such as trade facilitation as well as other issues involving  connectivity  and  trade  are  addressed  within  existing  bilateral forums  such  as  Joint  Consultative  Commission,  Joint  Group  of  Customs, Joint  Working  Group  on  Trade,  Standing  Committee  on  the  Protocol  on

Inland Water Transit and Trade, Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2975 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Semi-High Speed Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI, NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI, GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.2975 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2016

## SEMI - HIGH SPEED TRAINS

2975.

SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  any  agreement  has  been  entered  into  with  European Country (ies) by the Government for running of semi- high speed trains in the near future;
- (b) if so, the details in this regard;
- (c) the modalities/action plan worked out in the matter; and
- (d) the estimated cost and time required for its coming into operation?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (d):  Among  European  countries,  Ministry  of  Railways  have  signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with SNCF(French Railway) and Czech  Railway  in  February,  2013  and  August,  2014  respectively.  Speed raising on existing tracks is one of the areas cooperation therein.

An  execution  study for speed raising on existing tracks on DelhiChandigarh section to 200 kmph has been undertaken in cooperation with SNCF  (French  Railway)  on  cost  sharing  basis.  The  estimated  cost  and timeframe  for  execution  of  semi  high  speed  trains  project  has  not  been finalized.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2972 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Malware in Computers
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: CHINTAMAN NAVSHA WANAGA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2972

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 03.08.2016

## MALWARE  IN COMPUTER

## 2972 ADV.  CHINTAMAN  NAVASHA  WANAGA:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether four out of ten computers in Asia pacific countries are infected or prone to be infected with malware;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  protect  the  malware  attack  on  Indian  cyber space;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  received  report  of  Microsoft,  Malware  protection  centre about Microsoft Security Software licence; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) and (b):  Reports have been published in media quoting Microsoft Asia Report wherein it was mentioned that four out of ten computers in Asia pacific countries are infected or prone to be infected with malware. The report is based on findings of Microsoft products. The details of the research data is not shared by Microsoft and hence can not be verified.

- (c):    Government  has  taken  following  steps  for  protecting  Indian  cyber  space  from  malware attacks:
- i. Alerts  and  advisories  about  the  malware  threats  are  being  issued  regularly  by  the  Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In). Measures to be taken to detect infected systems, tools to dis-infect the same and prevent further propagation are also being advised regularly to organisations and published on website 'www.cert-in.org.in' for all users.
- ii. Security tips have been published to enable users to secure their Desktops and mobile/smart phones.
- iii. Efforts towards establishing the 'Botnet cleaning and Malware Analysis centre' with active participation of Service Providers and Industry to detect and clean infected systems in the country.
- iv. Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) regularly conducts programs to generate  information  security  awareness.  Specific  book,  videos  and  online  materials  are developed  for  children,  parents  and  general  users  about  information  security  which  are

disseminated through Portals like 'http://infosecawareness.in/' and'http://secureelectronics.in/'.

- (a) and (e):     Reports published by Microsoft Malware Protection Center (MMPC) and other cyber  security  companies  regarding  malware  and  cyber  threats  are  regularly  analysed  by Government and necessary advisories are issued for organisations and users.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2970 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Vacant Posts of GMs and Others
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HARISH CHANDRA MEENA, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, SUSHMITA DEV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2970 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2016

## VACANT POSTS OF GMs AND OTHERS

2970.   SHRI HARISH MEENA: SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA: KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

- (a) whether  several  posts  of  General  Managers  (GMs),  Divisional Railway  Managers  and  Departmental  Heads  of  various  railway zones  are lying vacant;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, zone-wise and reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Railways is struggling to meet the budgetary goals due to these vacancies and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the time by which these vacancies are likely to be filled up?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) & (b) : One post of General Manager of East Coast Railway, is at present vacant.

The post of Divisional Railway Manager/Ranchi is vacant.

Temporary vacancies of Departmental Heads of Zonal Railways that arise due to transfer/ promotion/superannuation of incumbents are regularly filled up. (c) No, Madam. (d) Appointment against the vacant post of General Manager, East Coast  Railway  will  be  made  after  approval  of  the  Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.  No time frame for this can be indicated.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2967 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Indo-US Energy Generating System
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2967 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03/08/2016

## INDO-US ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM

2967.  DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India and United States are working jointly on a project to build a first of its kind energy generating system which is expected to be far safer than the nuclear reactors;
- (b) if so, the details and the salient features thereof;
- (c) the manner in which it is likely to be useful to fulfil the energy needs of the country;
- (d) whether any target has been fixed to complete the project; and
- (e) if so, the details and the present status thereof along with the time by which the aforesaid project is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI Y.S. CHOWDARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó (gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

(a) to (e): No, Madam. However, Solar Energy Research Institute for India and United States,  a  Virtual  Centre  under  Partnership  for  Advanced  Clean  Energy  -  Research (PACE-R) have set up India's first test bed for next generation efficient, compact, water less super critical carbon di-oxide Brayton cycle test loop for power generation, which as per the available information, is the first test loop coupled with solar heat source.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2966 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Swachh Survey
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ANANDRAO  ADSUL, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, Shrirang Appa Barne, NAGARAJAN P., DHARMENDRA YADAV, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2966

TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 3, 2016

## SWACHH SURVEY

No. 2966

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to extend the Swachh Survey to 500  cities  having  population  of  over  one  lakh  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is taking additional policy and institutional measures to strengthen the Swachh Bharat Mission and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether his ministry proposes to approach the Ministry of Human Resources Development to introduce a new subject on 'Our Contribution in Swachh Bharat' in the school syllabus; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the final decision is likely to be taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a):  Yes,  Madam.  The  Swachh  Survekshan  2017  will  be  conducted  in January 2017 and this will rank 500 cities/towns with a population of 1

lakh  and  above  on  6  parameters  for  determining  the  rankings  of  the cities. These parameters are (i) Strategy for Open Defecation Free town (ODF)  &  Integrated  Solid  Waste  Management  (SWM)  (ii)  Information, Education & Behaviour Change Communication (IEBC) activity (iii) Door to door Collection, Sweeping, Collection & Transportation (iv) Processing  &  Disposal  of  Solid  Waste  (v)  Public  &  Community  Toilet Provision and (vi) Individual Toilet.

(b): After the launch of 'Swachh Bharat Mission', the Union Government has  taken  following  policy  decision  to  strengthen  the  Swachh  Bharat Mission:-

- (i) Provision  of  Market  Development  assistance  of  Rs.  1,500  per tonne on sale of city compost.
- (ii) Mandatory procurement of 100% power produced from Waste-toEnergy plants by State Electricity DISCOMs at rates decided by State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
- (iii) Notifications  of  BIS  Standards  for  promoting  reuses/  recycle  of construction & demolition waste (C&D waste).
- (iv) For  setting  up  of  Waste  Processing  Plants,  Central  Government provides  incentive  in  the  form  of  a  maximum  of  35%  VGF (Viability Gap Funding)/Grant for each project.
- (c) & (d): No, Madam.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2961 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Evacuation of Indians Stranded in South Sudan
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, ARJUNLAL MEENA, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, SUNIL KUMAR SINGH, S. RAJENDRAN, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, T.G. VENKATESH BABU, RAKESH SINGH, RANGASWAMY DHRUVANARAYANA, BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2961 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2016

## EVACUATION OF INDIANS STRANDED IN SOUTH SUDAN

2961.       SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYKUMAR:

SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

SHRI S. RAJENDRAN:

SMT. SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA:

SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA:

## Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)
- the number of Indian Nationals stuck in war-torn South Sudan;
- (b) whether  any  case  of  casualty  of  Indians  or  their  loss  to property  has  been  reported  from  South  Sudan  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (c) whether Operation Sankat Mochan has been launched by the Government  to  evacuate  Indian  National  stuck  in  war-torn South Sudan and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the number of Indian Nationals who are still to be evacuated; and

(e) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  for  safe evacuation of Indian Nationals from war-torn South Sudan?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI M. J. AKBAR)

(a) No Indian National is stuck in South Sudan. There are around 700 Indians. Their number keeps on fluctuating depending on their service conditions.

(b) Our Embassy in Juba has not received any report of casualty of any Indian national or loss to their property.

(c) to (e) The  Government  of  India,  in  order  to  alleviate  the difficulties faced by our nationals in South Sudan, launched Operation Sankat Mochan on 14th-15th July under which 153 Indians and 2 citizens of Nepal were evacuated. No other Indian national is desirous  of  being  evacuated  from  South  Sudan.  Normalcy  has returned to Juba, with operations of regular commercial flights.

*****