opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2066 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Soft Loans to Partner Training Institutes
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: OM BIRLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2066 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## SOFT LOANS TO PARTNER TRAINING INSTITUTES

## 2066. SHRI OM BIRLA:

## Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  NSDC  has  used  funds  for  providing  soft  loans  to  the  partner training institutes; and
- (b) if so, the details of soft loans provided to partner training institutes and other institutions during the last three years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

- (a) National  Skill  Development  Corporation  (NSDC)  under  Ministry  of  Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) provides financial assistance to Training Partners. Loan is one of the mode of such assistance.
- (b) NSDC has disbursed soft loan to 157 training partners during last three years as under:-

| Number Training Partners   | Purpose    |   2013-14 (Rs. in crore) |   2014-15 (Rs. in crore) |   2015-16 (Rs. in crore) |
|----------------------------|------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
| 148                        | Training   |                   232.83 |                   125.38 |                   118.86 |
| 9                          | Innovation |                     3.93 |                    10.4  |                     3.71 |
| Total                      |            |                   236.76 |                   135.78 |                   122.57 |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2065 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Shifting of DRM Office
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2065 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## SHIFTING OF DRM OFFICE

2065.  DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  issued  any  order  for  shifting  of  DRM office from Kalupur to Sabarmati railway station area;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  budgetary  support  has  been  granted  for  construction  of office building at Sabarmati;
- (d) if so, the details of funds earmarked for the purpose; and
- (e) the time by which the new building is likely to be constructed?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

- (a): No, Madam.
- (b) to (e): Do not arise.

## ANSWER (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2062 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Railway Crossings at National Highways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: LAXMAN GILUWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2062 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## RAILWAY CROSSINGS AT NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

† 2062.    SHRI LAXMAN GILUWA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

- (a) the number of railway crossings located on national highways in Jharkhand district-wise and the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has prepared any proposal for construction of overbridges and underbridges at these railway crossings;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the number of surveys conducted in this regard during the last three years, year-wise;
- (e) the outcome of the said surveys; and
- (f) the details of sanctioned projects?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a): There are 14 level crossings on National Highways in the State of Jharkhand as on 01.04.2015.

- (b)  to  (f):  As  per  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  signed between  Ministry  of  Railways  and  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and Highways (MORTH) on 10.11.2014, MORTH/National Highway Authority  of  India  (NHAI)  will  replace  all  level  crossings  on  NH Corridors by Road Over Bridges (ROBs)/Road Under Bridges (RUBs) in next five years subject to availability of funds.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2059 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Introduction of New Local Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2059 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## INTRODUCTION OF NEW LOCAL TRAINS

2059.    KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Railways  has  received  any  proposal  from  the  State Government of Karnataka, MPs and MLAs for formation of Bangalore Suburban Rail services for commencing local/suburban trains from Bangalore to Mandya, Tumkur, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, Bangarpet and Doddaballapur; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government on the proposal?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  Government  of  Karnataka  has  submitted  a Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  to  Ministry  of  Railways  (MoR)  for introduction  of  suburban  trains  from  Bangalore  to  nearby  towns. South Western Railway has conveyed its observations on the DPR to the Government of Karnataka with a request to submit a comprehensive report duly addressing the constraints and requirements highlighted by South Western Railway.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2058 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Tree Plantation at Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2058 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## TREE PLANTATION AT RAILWAY STATIONS

†2058. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any provision to develop gardens at the railway stations declared by the Railways as model stations;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  particularly  in  Bikaner  division  under North Western railway; and
- (c)  the  number  of  trees  planted  till  date  at  each  model  station  in Bikaner division under North Western railway along with the number of plants out of them that are still alive?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2058 BY SHRI RAHUL KASWAN TO BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  09.03.2016  REGARDING TREE PLANTATION AT RAILWAY STATIONS

(a): Various passenger  amenities are provided at stations identified  under  'Model'  Station  Scheme.  However,  developing gardens  is  not  an  identified  amenity  to  be  provided  at  'Model' stations.

(b): Does not arise.

(c): The number of trees planted till date as well as plants alive at each Model station in Bikaner division are as under:-

|   S.No. | Name of Station   |   No. of trees planted |   No. of trees alive |
|---------|-------------------|------------------------|----------------------|
|       1 | Bikaner           |                    105 |                  105 |
|       2 | Suratgarh         |                    200 |                  180 |
|       3 | Sriganganagar     |                     97 |                   94 |
|       4 | Hissar            |                     40 |                   28 |
|       5 | Bhiwani           |                     80 |                   80 |
|       6 | Sirsa             |                     60 |                   42 |
|       7 | Lalgarh           |                     70 |                   70 |
|       8 | Hanumangarh       |                    228 |                  197 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2057 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Change in Online Ticket Booking Rules
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2057 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## CHANGE IN ONLINE TICKET BOOKING RULES

†2057.  SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the number of tickets that can be booked online in a month from one User ID through the IRCTC website;
- (b)  whether  the  current  system  of  online  booking  has  led  to cornering of train tickets by touts affecting genuine passengers and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  evolved  any  mechanism  to stop the menace of touting and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the time within which the new mechanism will be implemented; and
- (e)  whether  IRCTC  is  also  considering  to  provide  passengers with facility to change boarding station on its website and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Six tickets can be booked through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) website in a month from one user I.D.

(b) to (d): The online booking has allowed a passenger to book ticket  as  per  his  convenience  without  having  to  go  to  the computerised  Passenger  Reservation  System  (PRS)  counter. However,  with  a  view  to  check  the  possible  misuse  of  online various booking system by unscrupulous elements/touts, significant measures have been taken as follows:-

- i. CAPTCHA has been put in place to check booking in batch  mode  and  through  Scripting  related  tools  on the  IRCTC  e-ticketing  website.  This  is  intended  to benefit  the  genuine  passenger  as  it  seeks  to  deny undue advantage of time to unscrupulous  elements by use of scripting software to corner the tickets.
- ii. Agents are debarred from booking tickets during first thirty minutes of opening of booking i.e. from 0800 to 0830 hours for general booking, 1000 to 1030 hours and  1100  to  1130  hours  for  Tatkal  booking  on  AC class and Non-AC class respectively.
- iii. Only  one  booking  in  one  user  login  session  except for  return/onward  journey  between  0800  and  1200 hours.

(e): The facility of changing boarding point online through IRCTC can change their boarding point once by login through their user ID

website has been implemented  and  now  passengers at least 24 hours before the schedule departure of the train.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2055 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Nuclear Safety
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2055

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## NUCLEAR SAFETY

## 2055.  SHRI  GODSE HEMANT TUKARAM:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the apprehensions about nuclear safety in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  experts  are  of  the  opinion  that  India  is  having  untested  reactor designs,  used  in  atomic  power  plants  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  in  this  regard  and  to  have  tested equipments in each of the plants?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Sir. There are apprehensions in some sections of the public about safety of  the  nuclear  power  plants  and  loss  of  traditional  means  of  livelihood  like fishing and agriculture. These are addressed through ongoing public outreach programmes  by  the  Department  of  Atomic  Energy  (DAE)  and  the  Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
- (b) No, Sir. However, such opinions have been expressed in the press by some individuals, without any scientific basis.
- (c) Safety is accorded utmost attention in all phases of nuclear power plants from siting,  design,  construction,  commissioning  and  operation.  The  reactors  are provided with multi-layer safety provisions and series of physical barriers to prevent  the  release  of  radioactivity  beyond  acceptable  limits  and  thereby protect  the  personnel,  public,  and  environment.  The  safety  of  the  nuclear power reactors to be set up in the country is extensively reviewed at every stage by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), and the reactors are set up and operated strictly in accordance with its stage-wise clearances. The safety standards set by AERB are in line with international standards.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2054 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Subsidization of Passenger Services
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2054 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## SUBSIDIZATION OF PASSENGER SERVICES

2054.  DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is true that keeping fares within affordable limits has  led  to  cross  subsidization  of  passenger  services  leading  to erosion of railways market share in freight; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. The tariff policy on Indian Railways has been to keep passenger fares low especially in the lower classes so that even the poorest segment of the people can travel by rail while the freight rates  have  been  increased  periodically.  As  per  the  Report  of  the National  Transport  Development  Policy  Committee  2014,  Railway's share in freight segment has come down from 89% in 1950-51 to 36% in 2010. The Railways market share in freight is subject to a number of and factors including impact of hike in freight rates, growth competition from alternative modes of transportation.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2052 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Auto-mechanic Training
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2052 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09/03/2016

## AUTO-MECHANIC TRAINING

## † 2052:    SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

## Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  auto-mechanic  training  to criminals arrested in petty crimes under Skill India;

(b) if  so,  the  details thereof and whether the Government has taken any steps in this direction;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

(a) to (d) No,  there  is  no  proposal  to  provide  auto-mechanic  training  to criminals arrested in petty crimes under Skill India.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2051 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: National Policy of Skill Development
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2051 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## NATIONAL POLICY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT

## 2051. SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

## Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the National Policy of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship seek to connect entrepreneurs to establish industrial leaders for guidance and mentorship and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the policy seeks to provide few or partial financial help for start-ups and entrepreneurs and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

- (a) The  National  Policy  for  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship,  2015 envisages  supporting  young  entrepreneurs  through  a  web  and  mobile  based platform  connecting  the  entire  entrepreneurial  ecosystem  where  students,  young entrepreneurs,  mentors,  incubators,  funding  agencies  and  basic  service  providers would have access and also connect to each other in their respective industries and location.
- (b) The  National  Policy  for  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship,  2015 emphasises  upon  improving  access  to  finance  for  deserving  entrepreneurs.  The interventions suggested in the Policy include:-
- i. Encouraging National and State bodies to provide credit to micro enterprise startups launched by their target population.
- ii. Exploring  the  possibility  of  setting  up  a  national  fund  for  the  unorganised sector.
- iii. Encourage and support financial institutions to develop innovative micro level financial tools to enhance investibility in micro ventures.
- iv. Increase  lending  in  rural  areas  through  self-help  groups  and  innovative microfinancing.
- v. Strengthening  venture  capital  companies  in  quasi-public  sector  by  fusing capital through equity participation.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2050 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Land to Hotel
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAJESH PANDEY

O.I.H.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2050

TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 9   , 2016

## LAND TO HOTEL

## NO. 2050    SHRI RAJESH PANDEY:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government  has  allotted  land  on  lease  to  Asian International Hotel in New Delhi;
- (b) if so, the period of lease; and
- (c) the details of  lease and rent of the said land, the dates on which those  were  renewed  and  the  total  amount  received  to  the Government as lease rent so far?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE  IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) to (c):  The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2049 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Skill Centres in Minority Localities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL, ARJUN RAM  MEGHWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2049 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

Skill Centres in Minority Localities

## 2049.   SHRI SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL: SHRI ARJUN MEGHWAL:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state :

- a) whether  there  is  huge  demand  for  setting  up  of  skill  development  and  entrepreneurship centres in minority localities;
- b) if so, the details thereof and the efforts being made by the Government to meet this demand;
- c) whether sufficient number of skill development and entrepreneurship centres are not being opened  in  minority  localities  due  to  unavailability  of  adequate  land  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a) to (b): The Government is implementing Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) in 710 Minority Concentration Blocks (MCBs), 66 Minority Concentration Towns (MCTs) and 13 Minority Concentration clusters of contiguous villages. The aim of the programme is to fill the  gaps  in  the  existing  schemes  of  the  Government  of  India  by  providing  additional resources.  The  projects  taken  up  under  MsDP  are  related  to  the  provision  of  better infrastructure for education, health, skill development, sanitation etc. The projects approved under  MsDP  are  demand  based.  The  projects  for  creation  of  infrastructure  for  skill development approved under MsDP so far include 166 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and  47  Polytechnic  institutions.  It  is  done  on  the  proposals  submitted  by  the  State Governments based on the local need and criteria of MsDP. There is no provision of setting up of skill development and entrepreneurship centres under MsDP.
- (c) &  (d)  The  land  for  creation  of  infrastructure  for  all  assets  is  provided  by  the  State Government including  the  projects  for  construction  of  infrastructure  for  skill  development like ITIs and Polytechnics. The projects are considered only on the declaration of the State Government that the land for construction is available as per the guidelines of programme. All the projects approved under the MsDP are located in identified Minority Concentration Areas.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2047 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Vacant Posts of Diplomats
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: CHANDU LAL SAHU, AJAY NISHAD, UDIT RAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2047 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## VACANT POSTS OF DIPLOMATS

2047. SHRI CHANDU LAL SAHU: SHRI AJAY NISHAD: DR. UDIT RAJ:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be please to state:

- (a) the category-wise and country-wise number of Indian Ambassadors/High Commissioners functioning in foreign countries;
- (b) the  country-wise  number  of  vacant  posts  of  the  Ambassadors/High  Commissioners along with the time by which these posts are likely to be filled up including the dates since when these posts have been lying vacant;
- (c) the  number  of  Ambassadors/High Commissioners belonging to  Indian  Foreign Service and Indian Administrative Service separately;
- (d) the number of Ambassadors/High Commissioners currently posted abroad who are from private sectors and not from any specific category of the Government Service;
- (e) whether the Ministry is recruiting experts from related fields of International Relations as consultants on contract basis to reduce work pressure on IFS officers; and
- (f) if so, the details in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) As on date, 87 Ambassadors, 27 High Commissioners and 5 Permanent Representatives in the rank of Ambassador are posted in 114 countries abroad.

- (b) Eight posts of Ambassadors are vacant in the following countries:

| i.    | Ethiopia    | -   | vacant since January 2016   |
|-------|-------------|-----|-----------------------------|
| ii.   | Fiji        | -   | vacant since December 2015  |
| iii.  | Ivory Coast | -   | vacant since February 2016  |
| iv.   | Mozambique  | -   | vacant since February 2016  |
| v.    | Nigeria     | -   | vacant since January 2016   |
| vi.   | Romania     | -   | vacant since February 2016  |
| vii.  | Tajikistan  | -   | vacant since February 2016  |
| viii. | Zimbabwe    | -   | vacant since March 2016     |

The process of appointment of Ambassadors is currently underway. These vacancies are expected to be filled shortly.

- (c) Currently there are 112 Ambassadors from the Indian Foreign Service and 1(one) from the Indian Administrative Service.
- (d) At present, there are no Ambassadors/High Commissioners from private sectors. One retired officer  each  from  Indian  Air  Force  and  Indian  Police  Service are serving as Ambassadors in Norway and Saudi Arabia respectively.
- (e) & (f) With the expansion of India's global engagement  and role, Ministry of External Affairs  considers  optimization  of  human  resources on priority basis. Consultants have been engaged in the Ministry with the objective of bringing in identified expertise in relevant fields to fulfill the mandate of the Ministry.

*****