opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 677 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Scholarship Programme for Wards of Indians Living Abroad
Ministry: OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

## Government of India Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 677

To be answered on December; 2015 2nd

## Scholarship Programme for Wards of Indians Living Abroad

Will the Minister of OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to increase the number of graduate level scholarship to be given to the wards of Indians living abroad;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of applications received from different countries in this regard; and
- (d) the action taken by the Government thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS GENERAL V.K. SINGH (RETD:)

- (a) & (b): This Ministry had launched a Scheme called #Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children" (SPDC) in the academic year 2006-07 for the wards of Persons of Indian Origin   (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to assist them in pursuing Under Graduate courses in Professional Non-Professional Indian Universitiesl Institutes: Scholarship is and provided to 100 students per [NRIs & PIOs] in the form of financial guidelines of the Scheme. At present there is no assistance as per to increase the number of scholarships to be under the proposal scheme. year given

(c) & (d): It was decided that the SPDC Scheme would be revamped and accordingly no applications were invited for 2015-16. 770 students have availed of scholarships under the Scheme since beginning in 2006-07 to 2014-15.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 676 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Housing Requirement
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 676

TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 02, 2015

## HOUSING REQUIREMENT

No. 676

SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  build  two  crore houses in urban areas by 2022 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the main hurdles in fulfilling the housing requirements;
- (c)   whether around 140 lending agencies have signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Governments nodal agencies for extending financial support to housing projects under Urban Housing Mission; and
- (d)    if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

*****

(a):  In pursuance of Government's vision of facilitating housing to all by 2022, the Government of India has launched the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) - Housing for All (Urban) Mission on 25.6.2015. Housing shortage is estimated at about 20 million by 2022 in urban area.

The mission aims to assist the States / UTs for providing housing for all  eligible  families  /  beneficiaries  among  the  urban  poor  and comprises four components viz in-situ slum redevelopment; affordable housing through credit-linked subsidy; affordable housing in  partnership;  and  subsidy  for  beneficiary-led  individual  house construction.

(b) : The main hurdles in meeting the large housing requirements are in terms of constraints relating to land availability, resource mobilisation, supporting infrastructure and stringent land use regulations.

(c) to (d): Under the Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) component  of  the  PMAY-HFA  (Urban)  Mission,  154  Memoranda  of Understanding  (MoUs)  have  been  signed  between  the  Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs) and Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) viz. National Housing Bank (NHB) and Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO) for extending financial support to housing projects.  154  PLIs  which  have  signed  MoU  comprise  69  Housing Finance Companies (HFCs), 26 Public Sector Banks, 11 Private Sector Banks, 28 Regional Rural Banks and 20 Co-operative Banks.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Monitoring of Railway Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: P.P. CHAUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 675 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## MONITORING OF RAILWAY TRACKS

675. SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry is undertaking real time monitoring of railway tracks across the railway network;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  technology used to do so, zonewise
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the details of train accidents and derailments due to faults in track alignments  and  gaps  in  tracks  during  the  last  three  years  and  the current year?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

***

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  675  BY  SHRI  P.P.  CHAUDHARY  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 02.12.2015 REGARDING MONITORING OF RAILWAY TRACKS

(a)  to  (c)  Railway is undertaking monitoring of Railway tracks as per laid  down  systems  which,  inter  alia,  includes  daily  monitoring  by Keyman, monitoring at predefined interval by various level of inspecting  officials  and  monitoring  of  track  parameters  by  Track Recording Cars (TRCs) and Oscillation Monitoring Systems (OMS).  The system of  monitoring  of  Railway  Tracks  by  TRCs  and  OMS  is  in  line with global practices.  The monitoring of Railway tracks is being done on all Zonal Railways.

(d) The details of train accidents and derailments due to faults in track alignments and gaps in tracks during the last three years and current year are as under:

| Year                                                                   |   2012-13 |   2013-14 |   2014-15 |   2015-16 (upto 31.10.15) |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|---------------------------|
| No. of derailments due to faults in track alignments and gaps in track |         8 |         9 |         9 |                         9 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 672 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Circular Train
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.672

## TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 2 , 2015

## CIRCULAR TRAIN

No.672. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL:

Will  the  Minister  of  URBAN  DEVELOPMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) the details of proposals to run circular train in various cities including in Kolkata;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which the work is likely to be commenced in this regard?

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

(a) :   Ministry of Urban Development has not received any proposal from the State Government(s) to run circular train in various cities including Kolkata.

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

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 671 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: GAGAN
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

- 671.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 671

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2015 GAGAN

- ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to extend GPS  Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) coverage to the SAARC countries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)
- the expected financial accruals from this venture?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) &(b)  The  signals  beamed  by  GAGAN  cover  all  the  SAARC countries and  can  be  utilized  by  any  of  the  member countries. SAARC member countries can use  GAGAN system for en-route navigation and safety-of-life application over  their  region  by  obtaining  certification  from  country level  civil  aviation  authorities  and  establishing  necessary ground infrastructure.
- (c) Does not arise.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 670 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Collaboration in Urban Development
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.670

TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 02, 2015

COLLABORATION IN URBAN DEVELOPMENT

No.670 SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE :

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  certain  Dutch  companies  have  agreed  to  collaborate  with Indian  Government  in  the  areas  of  water,  waste,  energy  efficiency, mobility management and urban planning; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  No, Madam.
- (b):  Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 669 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Infrastructure projects of Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PR. SENTHILNATHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 669 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS OF RAILWAYS

669. SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Railways has decided to envisage renewal of tracks, construction of more railway bridges, better signalling and rolling out of accident-proof coaches and engines;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the budget earmarked for these projects; and
- (d)  the  time  taken  by  which  the  desired  goals  are  likely  to  be achieved?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

***

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 669 BY SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 02.12.2015 REGARDING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS OF RAILWAYS

(a) to (d) Track Renewal, Repair/ rebuilding/ rehabilitation/ strengthening of bridges is a continuous process.  Track Renewals are undertaken on basis of age cum condition and Repair/rebuilding/rehabilitation/strengthening of bridges is undertaken on  the  basis  of  physical  condition  subject  to  availability  of  funds. Better signalling is being provided progressively depending upon codal life of system and availability of resources.

For  the  year  2015-16,  a  target  of  2500  km  of  Track  Renewal  and Repair/rebuilding/rehabilitation/strengthening of 750 bridges has been fixed.    Better  signalling  by  Electrical/Electronic  Interlocking  with centralized  operations  of  points  and  signals,  multiple  aspect  colour light signaling with Light Emitting Diode (LED) signals, complete track circuiting of the station and digital axle counters are being inducted. For  2015-16,    target  of  Panel  Interlocking,  Electronic  Interlocking  & Route  Relay  Interlocking  (PI/EI/RRI)  of  220  stations  has  been  fixed. Existing  Diesel  and  Electrical  locomotives  are  designed  duly  taking into consideration all safety requirements and further regular maintenance attention is given so that they work safely.  Incremental improvement to improve safety performance of locomotives is constantly being made.  Though it is not technically feasible to design

accident proof coach, however, crashworthy design coaches are being manufactured.

The details of budget earmarked for Track Renewal works, Repair/strengthening/rehabilitation/rebuilding  of  railway  bridges  and Signaling projects are hereunder:

| Railway projects                  |   Budget earmarked for the year 2015-16 (in ` Cr) |
|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| Track Renewal works               |                                            6035   |
| Repair/Rebuilding/Rehabilitation/ |                                             559.9 |
| Signaling projects                |                                            1115   |

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 667 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Allotment of Stalls
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 667 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## ALLOTMENT OF STALLS

## †667. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a number of applications are under consideration as on date to allot stalls and telephone booths at the stations in Maharashtra and other States;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, especially backward and tribal regions;
- (c) the latest situation of the said applications; and
- (d) the time by which the said applications are likely to be cleared?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to  (d):    About  3120  applications  for  allotment  of  stalls  at  the  stations have  been  received  by  the  Zonal  Railways.  However,  as  per  provision  of Catering Policy 2010,  whenever  there  is  a  requirement  of  additional catering/vending  facilities at any Railway station, Zonal Railways award the same  (depending  upon  the  category  of  stations  and  nature  of  units),  by calling  application/inviting  tender  through  press  notification,  based  on  the eligibility criteria and merits of the applicants.  In the new Catering Policy, 2010  in  continuation  of  previous  Catering  Policies,  the  provision  of  25% reservation  in  allotment  of  minor  static  unit  at  A,  B  &  C  categories  and 49.5% reservation in allotment of minor static unit at D, E, & F categories of stations  has  been  made  with  a  view  to  protect  the  interest  of socially Contd..2/-

backward  and  economically  weaker  sections  of  the  society.  Allotment  of the stalls is an ongoing process.  Regarding allotment of Telephone Booths, no application is under consideration of the Zonal Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 666 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Stoppage of Train at Hazaribagh Road
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 666 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## STOPPAGE OF TRAIN AT HAZARIBAGH ROAD

†666. DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  stoppage  at Hazaribagh  road  to  train  No.  12365/66  Janshatabdi  in  view  of  the public convenience; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  No, Madam.
- (b) At present, Hazaribagh Road is well connected to Ranchi by 4 pairs of trains and Patna by 3 pairs of trains. These include the services of 18625/18626  Patna-Hatia  Express  and  18623/18624  Rajendranagar (T)- Hatia Express, connecting the station to both Ranchi and Patna. Provision  of  stoppage    of  12365/12366  Patna-Ranchi  Janshatabdi Express  at Hazaribagh Road station is not desirable as proliferation of  stoppages enroute would decelerate the train and thereby cause inconvenience to through passengers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 665 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Scope of Prevention of Corruption Act
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 665

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015)

## SCOPE OF PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT

## 665. SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether semi/autonomous bodies like Indian Farmers Fertilizers Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) and Krishak Bharti Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO) etc. are not covered under the ambit of Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA); and
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor and the steps being taken to include such organisations in PCA?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a)  &  (b):    In  the  matter  related  to  the  Multi  State  Cooperative  Societies  like  National Agricultural  Cooperative  Marketing  Fedration  of  India  Limited  (NAFED),  Krishak  Bharti Cooperative  Limited  (KRIBHCO),  based  on  legal  examination,  an  Office  Memorandum dated 01.02.2013 was circulated to all Ministries/Departments by Department of Personnel and  Training  that  the  Members,  office-bearers  and  employees  of  Multi-State  Cooperative Societies would fall within the purview of Section 2(c) (iii) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Central Vigilance Commission is duly empowered to exercise jurisdiction over NAFED and KRIBHCO and similar societies under Section 8(1) of the CVC Act, 2003.

Based on DOP&T's Office Memorandum (O.M.) dated 01.02.2013, the Department of Fertilizers (DOF) issued an O.M. dated 1.3.2013 stating that the activities of Indian Farmers Fertilizers Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) and Krishak Bharti Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO) stand covered under the administrative jurisdiction of Department of Fertilizers. Thereupon, IFFCO and KRIBHCO have filed case on this issue in the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi. The Hon'ble Court has stayed the operation of the said O.M.  and the  matter is subjudice, which is being handled by Department of Fertilizers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 664 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Tritium Leakage
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: SANGANNA AMARAPPA KARADI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.664 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2015

## TRITIUM LEAKAGE

664.   SHRI SANGANNA AMARAPPA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any report regarding Tritium leakage from nuclear establishments during the last two years and the current year;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  permissible  limit  in  percentage  of  radiation  leakage  and  the  measures taken to control the leakage;
- (d) the number of labourers/workers affected by radiation leakage in all nuclear power plants;
- (e) whether the nuclear plants in India are taking steps to prevent tritium leakage; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH) :

- (a)      No Sir.
- (b)      Does not arise.
- (c) The annual limit of radiation dose as prescribed by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board(AERB) to the public around the Indian Nuclear Power Plant due to its operation is 1000 micro Sievert. As against this, the radiation dose around the Indian Nuclear Power Plants during the last two years has been significantly low in the range of 0.44 - 41 micro Sievert (0.04-4.1% of the stipulated dose limit).

Indian  Nuclear  Power  Plants  employ  multiple  physical  barriers  to  prevent release of radioactivity to the environment. Features like double containment, welded joints, detection and correction at the incipient stage, use of leak tight fittings, vapour recovery systems, etc are also employed to prevent escape of radioactivity. Regular surveillance of all the systems and equipment is carried out.  Further  to  this,  the  operation  of  the  reactors  is  carried  out  as  per  the Technical Specifications, approved and proven procedures.

- (d) There are no cases of contract workers/labourers receiving radiation exposure beyond stipulated limits of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) during the last two years and the current year.
- (e)&(f)  Yes,  Sir.  Several  provisions  are  in  place  to  effectively  address  the  in-plant leakages  viz.  redundant  and  diversified  leak  detection  mechanisms,  multilayered  containment,  control  of  leak  at  source,  liquid  &  vapor  recovery systems,  etc.  Further,  early  detection  of  tritium  leakages  and  heavy  water (D2O) vapour recovery systems are provided to prevent tritium releases to the environment. Low level liquid waste generated from nuclear power plants are discharged  to  the  environment  after  suitable  treatment  comprising  chemical treatment, evaporation, ion exchange and filtration, ensuring compliance with the regulatory limits.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 663 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: BSNL Network in NER
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 663 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd  DECEMBER, 2015

## BSNL NETWORK IN NER

## 663. SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS:

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

- (a) whether Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Mobile Network connectivity is poor in the rural and hilly areas of North Eastern Region including Assam as compared to other private mobile companies;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the remedial measures taken by the Government to improve the telecom facility and network coverage of BSNL in the region, State-wise including Assam?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) &(b) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has been monitoring quality of  service  provided  by  Cellular  Mobile  Services  against  the  notified  quality  of  service standards,  through  Performance  Monitoring  Reports  (PMRs)  submitted  by  service providers for the Licenced Service Area as a whole.  TRAI has reported that as per the performance  monitoring  report  for  the  quarter  ending  September  2015,  for  cellular mobile  telephone  services  2G  &  3G  Services,  the  services  of  BSNL  are  poor  in comparison to other private service providers, except M/s Aircel Cellular Ltd., in North East Service Area.  However, BSNL is meeting all the benchmarks in Assam Service Area.

BSNL  has  reported  that  there  is  coverage  and  congestion problem  in  some areas due to topographical conditions in Hilly States and North-East including Assam. BSNL has strengthened the monitoring of network to ensure performance as per the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters prescribed by TRAI.

- (c) In order to improve the telecom services, BSNL has planned to add a total of 377681 GSM lines in North Eastern region during the year 2015-16 under Phase VII project.  BSNL is also optimizing its network continuously for better performance.

*************