opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 563 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Independent Nuclear Safety Authority
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 563

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2016

## INDEPENDENT NUCLEAR SAFETY AUTHORITY

## 563. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the country has no independent regulatory authority to enforce safety standards and regulate the function of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concluded that the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) lacks the necessary autonomy to enforce and review practices as it functions as a subordinate body of the Central Government;
- (c) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  consider  urgent  measures  to  either restructure the AERB to make it autonomous or constitute an independent nuclear safety authority to implement strict safety protocols throughout the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  Government  of  India  has  established  the  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board (AERB) as a regulatory body empowered to enforce safety standards and regulate the functioning of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs). AERB is functionally independent from the Government and the facilities it regulates and has adequate powers with respect to its mandate of enforcing Safety regulation of nuclear and radiation facilities in the country.
- (b) No  Sir.  The  Integrated  Regulatory  Review  Service  (IRRS)  mission  conducted  by International  Atomic  Energy  Agency  (IAEA)  in  March  2015  has  acknowledged  that AERB has functional independence as the regulator.
- (c) &(d) In  order  to  give  statutory  strength  to  our  national  nuclear  regulator  -  Atomic  Energy Regulatory  Board  (AERB)  and  to  convert  its  functional  independence  into  de  jure independence, the proposal for setting up a Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority has been under consideration. Accordingly, Government had introduced the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill, 2011 (NSRA) in the Lok Sabha in September 2011. The Bill could not be taken up for consideration before the dissolution of 15th Lok Sabha and expired. A fresh Bill is under examination and processing.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 562 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Encroachment on Railway Land
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMCHARAN BOHARA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 562 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2016

## ENCROACHMENT ON RAILWAY LAND

† 562.    SHRI RAM CHARAN BOHRA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  people  who  have  encroached  railway  land  in  the country and the present status of their rehabilitation and resettlement;
- (b) the details of location identified for the purpose and the details of expenditure incurred/likely to be incurred thereon;
- (c) whether railway have assessed the number of such persons to be rehabilitated;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the time schedule fixed in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- ( a)  As  on  31.03.2016,  number  of  encroachments  on  Railway  land  is about  145562  on  an  area  measuring  approximately  879.51  hectares. Housing being a State subject, resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) of  the  persons  living  on  Railway  land  is  the  responsibility  of  State Government. As such, Railways do not have any policy for resettlement and rehabilitation of these persons.

- (b) to (e):  Do not arise.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 561 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Clone Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI, M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 561 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2016

## CLONE TRAINS

561.  SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR: SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the recently announced clone-train-service for the waitlisted train-ticket holders has been introduced;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  details  of  trains  and  routes where clone train service has been introduced; and
- (c) the details of feedback on such services covering the aspects of economic viability, operational difficulties and further improvement in the scheme in the interest of passengers and public?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) Clone-train-service for the wait-listed train-ticket holders has not been introduced yet.
- (b) and (c) Do not arise.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 559 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Drop in Salary of Indian Workers
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: VEENA DEVI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.559 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2016

## DROP IN SALARY OF INDIAN WORKERS

- † 559. SHRIMATI VEENA DEVI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there has been a drop in the salary of Indians working in Britain due to exit of Britain from European Union; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

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

(a) & (b) The United Kingdom  has  not yet exited from the European  Union.  For  the  United  Kingdom  to  leave  the  European Union, it has to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. It is up to the Government  of  United  Kingdom  to  decide  when  to  invoke  this Article. Such an invocation will then set in motion, the process for the  United  Kingdom  to  withdraw  from  the  European  Union.  Given that the nature of relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union is yet to evolve, it is hard to assess the impact of the  exit  of  the  United  Kingdom  from  the  European  Union  on  the salary of Indians working in Britain.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 558 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Spectrum Usage Charge
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK, VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.558 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH  JULY, 2016

## SPECTRUM USAGE CHARGE

558.   SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK: SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  adopted  a  new  formula  to  calculate  spectrum usage charge from telecom companies;
- (b) if so, the salient features of new formulas/rules;
- (c) whether the Government has also approved a lower spectrum usage charge at 3 percent for the forthcoming spectrum auction and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  there  is  a  difference  between  the  charges  applicable  on  normal operators  and  ISPs  and  the  Government  proposes  to  harmonise  the  difference between  such  operators  and  charge  a  uniform  fee  for  spectrum  from  telecom companies; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) A formula to calculate Spectrum Usage Charge (SUC) from telecom companies is under consideration.
- (b) & (c) Do not arise in view of (a) above.
- (d) & (e) SUC is  being  charged  in  respect  of  Internet  Service  Providers  (ISPs) based on a formula in case of spectrum other than 2300 MHz/2500 MHz bands. In case  of  2300  MHz/2500  MHz  bands,  SUC  is  charged  at  1%  of  Adjusted  Gross Revenue  (AGR)  from  ISPs.  The  SUC  from  Access  Service  Providers  is  charged based on a percentage of AGR excluding revenue from wireline services. At present, there is no proposal under consideration to harmonise the difference between such operators and charge a uniform fee for spectrum from telecom companies.

***************
Lok Sabha Question No. 556 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Diversion of Grants
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, DHARMENDRA YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 556

## TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 20, 2016

## DIVERSION OF GRANTS

No. 556 SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL: SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether    some    of    the    States    are  diverting/misusing 14th Finance Commission grants meant for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)  for  improving  the  delivery  of  basic  urban  services  like sanitation,  water  supply,  solid  and  liquid  waste  management, storm  water  drains,  maintenance  of community  assets,  roads and    footpaths,  street    lighting    and    burial    and    cremation grounds;
- (b) if so,  the  reaction  of  the  Union Government  thereto;
- (c) whether the Government has sought utilisation reports for 2015-16  in  order  to  monitor  the  funds  disbursed  to  States  and Union  Territories  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  reports  have  been  submitted  by  the    State Governments /UT administrations and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  guidelines    issued    by    the  Government    to    State
- Governments  for utilisation of grants for public amenities?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN

## THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a)& (b): No  matter  relating  to  diversion  /  misuse  of    14th Finance  Commission  grants  has  come  to  the  notice  of  the Ministry  of  Urban  Development.  The  State  Governments  are against  Urban  Local Bodies (ULB) if any irregularity in the utilisation of these funds are  noticed  or  pointed  out.  Further,  14th  Finance  Commission grants  are  also  subject  to  audit  by  the  Comptroller  &  Auditor competent  to  take  appropriate action General of India.

(c)&(d): 14th  Finance  Commission  grants  are  released  to States by the Ministry of Finance upon fulfillment of conditions associated  with  each  component  of  the  grant  which  includes submission of utilization certificate to the effect that the grants have been transferred to urban local bodies concerned. Accordingly,  second  instalment  of  14th  Finance  Commission grants  for  ULBs  for  the  year  2015-16  has  been  released  to eligible State Governments by the Ministry of Finance.

(e): Guidelines  for  release  and  utilisation  of  14th  Finance Commission  grants  for  local  bodies  have  been  issued  by  the Ministry  of  Finance.  The  Ministry  of  Urban  Development  has issued  advisory  to  all  States  regarding  proper  monitoring  and utilisation  of  14th  Finance  Commission  grants.    These  are available on the Ministry's website at http://moud.gov.in.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 555 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Racist Attack on Indians in Britain
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.555 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2016

## RACIST ATTACK ON INDIANS IN BRITAIN

555. SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Britain  has  witnessed  a  spate  of  racist  incidents  in the  aftermath  of  vote  for  the  country  to  withdraw  from  the European Union and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether in such racist incidents, Indians living in Britain were being targeted and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  any  steps  to protect the lives and properties of Indians living in Britain; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) According  to  media  reports,  there  was  a  rise  in  the number of racist incidents and hate crimes in the week following the referendum in the United Kingdom on 23 June 2016. The then Prime Minister  of  the  United  Kingdom  David  Cameron  condemned  these incidents  in  the  British  Parliament  on  27  June  2016.  As  per  the information available with the High Commission of India in London, there  has  been  no  recorded  incident  of  racist  attack  targeting Indians  living  in  the  United  Kingdom.  High  Commission  of  India, London is in regular touch with the Indian community in the United Kingdom and should such an incident come to its notice, necessary steps  will  be  taken  to  ensure  the  well-being  and  safety  of  Indian nationals in the United Kingdom.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 554 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Rail/Road Connectivity with Nepal
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.554 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2016

## RAIL/ROAD CONNECTIVITY WITH NEPAL

- † 554. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched any projects to extend rail/road connectivity with Nepal;
- (b) if so, the broad details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which these projects are likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, projects to extend rail/road connectivity with Nepal are being implemented with Government of India (GoI) assistance.
- (b) Two Cross Border Rail Links namely, 18.6 kms long line from Jogbani (India) to Biratnagar (Nepal) and 68.72 kms long line from Jayanagar (India) to Bardibas (Nepal) are currently under execution. The GoI is also undertaking construction of roads in the Terai region of Nepal. Construction of two roads under Phase-1 with total length of  71.20  kms  has  been  completed  in  November  2015.  In  February 2016, it was agreed to undertake construction of remaining seventeen  roads  of  total  length  of  515  kms  (approx.)  under  GoIfunded-GoN-implemented modality.
- (c) As the Government of Nepal (GoN) has been handing over land in  phases,  the  construction  of  Rail  links  is  progressing  on  the available stretches of land and can be completed in two years from the  date  of  handing  over  of  all  the  stretches  by  GoN,  subject  to necessary  local  permits  and  conducive  environment  in  Nepal. Construction of the remaining 17 roads under Terai Roads Phase-1 will commence after award of tender.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 552 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Bogibeel Bridge on Brahmaputra River
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMESWAR TELI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 552 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2016

## BOGIBEEL BRIDGE ON BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER

## 552.  SHRI  RAMESWAR TELI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the construction of Bogibeel bridge over the river Brahmaputra is getting delayed resulting in huge cost escalation;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  reasons  for  the  inordinate  delay  in completing the project;
- (c) the details of funds spent so far on the aforesaid project; and
- (d) the measures taken by the Railways to expedite the execution of the project?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a)  to  (d):    Construction  of  Rail-cum-Road  bridge  over  Brahmaputra  at Bogibeel  with  linking  lines  (73  km)  has  been  taken  up  at  an  anticipated cost of ` 4996 crore.  An expenditure of ` 4129 crore has been incurred upto March, 2016 and an outlay of ` 598 crore has been provided in 2016-17.

The project has mainly suffered in the past on account of inadequate availability  of  funds,  apart  from  delays  in  land  acquisition  and  forestry clearances.

To  expedite  the  completion  of  work,  the  annual  outlays  have  been enhanced,  and  against  an  allotment  of ` 340  crore  in  the  year  2013-14, budget allotments of ` 600 crore and ` 701 crore have been made in the year 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively.

The  bridge  is  to  have  39  spans  of  125  meter  each  and  2  spans  of 32.75 meter each. Work on superstructure has been completed. First time in Indian Railway, completely welded girders have been adopted and so far 21 spans have been launched.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 551 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Indians Injured in Istanbul Attack
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MD. BADARIDDOZA KHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.551 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2016

INDIANS INJURED IN ISTANBUL ATTACK

551. SHRI MD. BADARUDDOZA KHAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the  details  of  Indians  killed  and  injured  in  Istanbul  Airport terrorist attack recently;

(b) whether  all  the  injured  were  given  medical  treatment  and safely shifted to India; and

(c) if so the details thereof?

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

(a) No  Indian  died  or  suffered  injuries  in  the  recent  terrorist attack at Istanbul airport.

(b) & (c) Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 549 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Revision of Civil Services Recruitment System
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: AJAY NISHAD

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 549

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2016)

## REVISION OF CIVIL SERVICES RECRUITMENT SYSTEM

## †549. SHRI AJAY NISHAD:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to review the recruitment system for the civil services examination;
- (b) if so, the details of the proposed review and the time-frame fixed in this regard;
- (c) whether the new system is likely to take care of the changing role of civil servants in the post liberalization era and market oriented economy;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the post selection training imparted to the successful candidates is also being reviewed; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## 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) to (d):    An Expert Committee has been constituted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) under the chairmanship of Shri B.S.Baswan to comprehensively examine the various issues, raised from time to time regarding the Civil Service Examination, with respect to the eligibility,  syllabus,  scheme  and  pattern  of  the  Examination  vide  notice  dated  12.08.2015. The Committee has been given extension of time till August 2016 to submit its report.

- (e) to (f):    Imparting training to the officers is a continuous process. The course content of the training is modified regularly as per the requirement.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 548 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Third Party Survey of Passenger Amenities
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, Shrirang Appa Barne, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, DHARMENDRA YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.548 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2016

## THIRD PARTY SURVEY OF PASSENGER AMENITIES

†548.  SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  as  per a recently published Government  report,  his Ministry has paid the least attention to passenger amenities and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  get  a  third  party  survey conducted in this regard;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  improvements  proposed  to  be  effected  by  the Government in its present system of functioning to ensure consumer satisfaction?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a):  Ministry of Railways is not aware of any such report.

(b) & (c) : At present, there is no proposal to conduct any survey through a third party. However, inspections are conducted by Service Improvement  Group  (SIG),  Passenger  Amenity  Committee  (PAC)  &

Passenger Services Committee (PSC) to improve and maintain stations and remedial measures are taken as and when deficiencies are noted. (d): Government has set up different channels for registering passenger complaints/grievances namely, Complaint Books at the Stations and in trains, May I help you booths and Counters at Stations, all India Help line no.-138, CPGRAMS, COMS, Social Media etc. Large numbers of complaints  are  received  through  these  channels  which  are  sent  to concerned  authorities  for  prompt  and  satisfactory  redressal.  Zonal Railways have been advised to develop Customer Commitment check as guidelines for railwaymen to strive for Customer Satisfaction.

- ***