opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 595 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: Cross Subsidy
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.595 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.04.2016

## CROSS SUBSIDY

595. SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the current level of cross subsidy which persists in the  Railways  due  to  compensation  for  passenger  fares  by  higher freight tariffs;
- (b) the details of the impact of this cross subsidy on the competitiveness  of  railway  freight  services  as  compared  to  road freight transport services;
- (c) whether the Government  is considering the creation of an independent  railway  tariff  authority  for  setting  of  passenger  and freight fares and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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.595 BY SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE TO BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  27.04.2016  REGARDING  CROSS SUBSIDY.

- (a) Traditionally, the losses on the Passenger side have been compensated by Freight rates. During the year 2014-15, the overall losses in Passenger and other coaching services was ₹ 33490.95 crore.
- (b) 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.  On  the  other  hand  the freight  rates  have  been  increased periodically. Increase in freight rate on regular basis, compromised the competitiveness of Railways  with  the  other  modes  of  transport  particularly  road sector. Though the tariff structures in respect of freight transportation  by  road  vis-à-vis  rail  are  not  comparable,  various steps have been taken to progressively upgrade Railway's competitive  edge  over  other  modes  of  transport  which  include inter-alia the implementation of differential tariff regime for specifically  addressing  situations  arising  out  of  skewed  demand during  different  periods  of  the  year  as  well  as  across  different regions of the country.
- (c) & (d) At present, no time frame has been fixed for setting up the Authority.  In  the  Rail  Budget  2015-16,  setting  up  of  a  mechanism for making regulations, setting performance standards, determining tariffs  and  dispute  resolution  was  announced.  In  December  2015, Ministry of Railways brought out for public consultation a concept paper on regulatory framework and setting up of Rail Development Authority  of  India.  The  concept  paper  envisages  an  Authority  to undertake functions of tariff determination, ensuring fair play and level  playing  field  for  private  investments,  setting  efficiency  and performance standards and dissemination of information.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 594 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: Fast Breeder Reactors
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

594. SHRI KIRTI AZAD:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to construct six more Fast Breeder Reactors to meet India's energy needs and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the cost likely to be incurred in construction of the said Fast Breeder Reactors;
- (c) whether the first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam is ready to go critical;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  per  unit  cost  of electricity  produced  from  such  reactors  will  be comparable  to  other  conventional  energy  sources  like  thermal  and  hydro-electric power; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), a Public Sector Undertaking of  this  Department  is  presently  constructing  a  500  MW  capacity  Prototype  Fast Breeder  Reactor  (PFBR)  at  Kalpakkam,  Tamil  Nadu  which  is  at  an  advanced stage of commissioning.  In addition, it is proposed to add two more Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR) 1&2 (2x600 MW) at Kalpakkam Site.
- (b) PFBR is being constructed with an approved cost of ` 5677 Crore.  Cost for Fast Breeder Reactors 1&2 is yet to be finalised .
- (c) & (d)   PFBR at Kalpakkam is expected to go critical by end 2016.
- (e)  &  (f)  The  tariff  of  electricity  produced  from  PFBR  is  comparable  with  that  of  other contemporary base-load electricity generating technologies like coal  based thermal power stations in the region.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 594

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.04.2016

## FAST BREEDER REACTORS
Lok Sabha Question No. 593 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: Transfer of Money from Pakistan
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PANKAJ CHOWDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.593 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.04.2016

## TRANSFER OF MONEY FROM PAKISTAN

## † 593. SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to State:

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the report of World Bank's migration and remittance fact book 2016 regarding  the  transfer  of  billions  of  rupees  to  India  from Pakistan;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction thereto; and
- (c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  enquire  about  such huge transfers despite the ban on exchange  of foreign currency between the countries?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The Government was not consulted regarding the information  contained  in  the  Migration  and  Remittance  Factbook 2016.   The Factbook, which is a product of a trust established by the World Bank carries a disclaimer that the views expressed in the book do not represent the views of the World Bank or the sponsoring organizations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 592 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: Indo-US Joint Task Force
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.592

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.04.2016

## INDO-US JOINT TASK FORCE

## † 592. SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  India  and  America  after  the  second  meeting  of  joint  task  force have  agreed  to  take  various  measures  and  enhance  co-operation  in combating international terrorism based on extremism and drugs trafficking;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  measures  agreed to and the steps taken so far in this regard;
- (c) whether  both  the  countries  differ  in  their  opinions  on  the  definition  of terrorism; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps proposed to be taken to arrive at a mutual consensus on the said definition?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) The  second  India-US  Anti-Money  laundering/combating  finance  of Terrorism (AML/CFT) bilateral dialogue was held in New Delhi on April 05, 2016.

The  two  sides  discussed  issues  of  mutual  interest  including  the  steps required to be taken to speed up response to Mutual Legal Assistance requests relating  to  money  laundering  cases;  US  regulation  on  pre-paid  cards;  digital identification  and  financial  inclusion  efforts  being  undertaken  by  India;  and  the need for Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to focus on effective implementation of its recommendations globally in the areas of combating financing of terrorism. The talks also focused on the need to effectively freeze assets of UN designated individuals and entities, across countries.

- (c) & (d) India  and  the  US  have  committed  at  the  highest  level  to  undertake efforts to make the India-US partnership a defining counterterrorism relationship for  the  21 st   Century  by  deepening  collaboration  to  combat  the  full  spectrum  of terrorist  threats  and  keep  their  respective  homelands  and  citizens  safe  from attacks. They have also reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with 'zero tolerance'.

India and the US have also reaffirmed their support for a UN Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism (CCIT) that advances and strengthens the framework for global cooperation and reinforces that no cause or grievance justifies terrorism.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 591 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: Merger of Konkan Railway
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SAUGATA ROY

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) On the recommendations of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) and Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE),  Government  carried  out  the  financial  restructuring  of KRCL in the year 2008 and decided that KRCL will continue as a Central PSU even after discharge of its liabilities.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 591 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.04.2016

## MERGER OF KONKAN RAILWAY

591. PROF. SAUGATA ROY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to Konkan Railway merge with any Railway Zone; 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)
Lok Sabha Question No. 589 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: Vacant Canopy at India Gate
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 589

## TO BE ANSWERED ON APRIL 27, 2016 VACANT CANOPY AT INDIA GATE

## No. 589 SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:

Will the MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether a canopy at India Gate meant for installing the statue of a national leader is still lying vacant; and
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU)

- (a): Yes, Madam.
- (b): No such proposal is under consideration of the Ministry.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 588 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: Sharing Competitive Exam Scores with Private Sector
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 588

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.04.2016)

## SHARING COMPETITIVE EXAM SCORES WITH PRIVATE SECTOR

## 588. SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT: SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  decided  to  share  the  scores  obtained  in  recruitment examination  conducted  by  the  Government  and  PSUs  with  the  private  sector companies to help them hire matching talent as reported in the media;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reason behind this decision; and
- (c) the time by which the final decision is likely to be taken in this regard?

## 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  (c):    The  Government  has  approved  the  policy  for  public  disclosure  of  scores  and ranking  of  the  candidates  who  appear  for  recruitment  examinations  conducted  by  various public  recruitment  agencies  for  the  benefit  of  employers  in  the  public  and  private  sector seeking qualified candidates through a portal.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has given some observations in this regard that have been communicated to the concerned authorities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 587 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: Usage of Fly Ash
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 587 TO BE ANSWERED ON APRIL 27, 2016 USAGE OF FLY ASH

No. 587 SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

Will the MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether any research has been conducted on the use of fly ash in construction work;
- (b) if so, the details and the present status thereof; and
- (c) the success achieved in this regard and the steps taken/being taken to promote the use of fly ash in construction work?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU

- (a) : No, Madam.  No research has been conducted by this Ministry Environment, Forest & Climate Change vide
- regarding the use of fly ash in construction work.  However, CPWD has been following the guidelines issued by Ministry of Gazette Notification No. S.O. 763 (E) dated 14.9.1999 as amended time to time with regard to use of flyash
- (b) : Does not arise.
- (c)
- :Fly ash is being used as:
- i. Filling material,
- ii. Manufacture  of  Portland  Pozzolana  Cement  (PPC)  and concrete,
- iii. Manufacture of building products such as fly ash
- lime/cement bricks/blocks, tiles, clay-ash bricks etc.,
- iv. Construction of road embankment,
- v. Development of low lying areas.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 586 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: Renewal of Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 586 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.04.2016

## RENEWAL OF TRACKS

586. SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is correct that there is a staggering backlog of almost 5300 km of track renewal works;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  track-wise  reasons  for  the  backlog  of  renewal projects;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  amount  allocated  and  expenditure  incurred  on  track renewals  during  the  last  three  years  with  the  amount  allocated  for  the financial year 2016-17;
- (d)  the  details  of  steps  taken  by  the  Railways  to  expedite  the  process  of track renewals in the country; and
- (e) the details of the completed track renewal projects and pending projects with the duration for which these projects have been pending?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

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

***

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 586 BY SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.04.2016 REGARDING RENEWAL OF TRACKS

(a) & (b) Track renewal is a continuous activity, which is to be undertaken as and when a stretch of track becomes due for renewal on age-cum-condition basis. Track renewals are planned in advance every year and their execution is prioritized according to condition of track and overall availability of funds ensuring all the time that the track is in a sound condition for safe running of trains.  The  sanctioned  Track  renewals  yet  to  be  completed  have  reduced from 7258 km for the year 2008-09 to 5300 km for the year 2014-15.

## (c)  The  details  of  the  amount  allocated  and  expenditure  incurred  on  track renewals  during  the  last  three  years  with  the  amount  allocated  for  the financial year 2016-17 are as under:

| Year    | Amount Allocated ( ` in Cr.)   | Expenditure incurred ( ` in Cr.)   |
|---------|--------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| 2013-14 | 4658                           | 4985                               |
| 2014-15 | 5046                           | 5371                               |
| 2015-16 | 5426                           | 5538 (approximately)               |
| 2016-17 | 4000 (Budget Estimates)        | -                                  |

(d) & (e) Track renewal works are prioritized according to overall availability of funds ensuring all the time that track is in sound condition for safe running of  trains.  Total  2794  km  track  renewal  was  completed  in  2015-16.  As  on 31.03.2016,  track  renewal  and  related  works  covering  2950  km  of  track renewal have been sanctioned and taken up. In addition, track renewal works for 2950 km have been sanctioned in the year 2016-17.

As per norms, track renewals works are to be completed within two to three years of sanction. This, however, also depends on budget availability.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 585 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: Smoking in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VISHNU DAYAL RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 585 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.04.2016

## SMOKING IN TRAINS

†585. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  some  passengers  still  smoke  in  trains  though  it  is prohibited;
- (b) if  so,  the  number  of  such  complaints  registered  with  the railways during the last three years with  the  number  of passengers who have been fined for this; and
- (c) the  efforts  being  made  by  the  Government  to  make  railway journey free from smoking in future?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a)  to  (c):    Cases  of  persons  smoking  in  trains  come  to  notice  at times.  However,  no  separate  statistics  are  maintained  in  this regard.  Regular  drives  are  conducted  to  check  smoking  in  trains and on railway premises and persons so caught are charged as per relevant  provisions  of  the  law.  In  addition,  public  are  educated through various media, not to smoke in trains and railway premises by displaying notices at prominent places both at the stations and inside the coaches.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 584 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: Dedicated Merry Ground System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

(a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 584 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.04.2016

## MERRY-GO-ROUND SYSTEM

## 584. SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Railways  has  decided  to  decrease  freight  rates  on dedicated Merry-Go-Round (MGR) system;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  freight  rates  for  transporting  goods  have  been revised down to ₹ 47 per tonne which will help in an additional 5 million tonne freight load; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

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. 584 BY SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.04.2016 REGARDING MERRYGO-ROUND SYSTEM

- (a) to (d): In order to provide an economical and reliable alternative short lead traffic, a rationalized scheme with lump-sum rates for Merry-Go-Round has been notified with effect from 01.04.2016. Some of the features of this scheme are as under:
-  The MGR Terminals at both ends shall be privately owned.
-  Rail track between the two terminals will be provided by the customer.
-  Railways  will  provide  locos,  wagons,  brake-vans  and  other rolling stock as per requirement for running of the rakes under MGR system.
-  Terminals at both ends will operate round the clock.
-  Lump-sum rates charged under the MGR System would depend upon  the  number  of  rakes  loaded  per  day  and  the  lead  of traffic.
-  For 18 km lead, the average MGR rate for 2-3 trips per day is around ₹ 47 per tonne.
-  Expected  traffic  under  this  scheme  is  around  4-5  million tonnes in the financial year 2016-17.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 583 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: GPS for Postal Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI, OM PRAKASH YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.583 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th  APRIL, 2016

## GPS FOR POSTAL SERVICES

583.   SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI: SHRI OM PRAKASH YADAV:

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

- (a) whether  the  Department  of  Posts  has  enabled  the  entire  fleet  of  its  mail  carrying vehicles with Global Positioning System (GPS) in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  number  of  such  vehicles  introduced  so  far, State-wise;
- (c) the funds allocated and spent in this regard till date and the target set for the same; and
- (d) the current status of National Address Database Management System?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Yes,  Madam.  The  Department  of  Posts  has  installed  Global  Positioning System (GPS) in 990 operational Mail Motor Services(MMS) vehicles across the country. Details of the MMS vehicles fitted with GPS are at Annexure.
- (c) Rs.50 lakhs had been allocated for this purpose in 2015-16 of which Rs.47,15,246/have been spent till date in this regard. The target of 990 vehicles was set for fitting of GPS.
- (d) The  Address  Database  of  67  cities  across  the  country  has  been  compiled  and uploaded in the National Address Database Management system till date.

## DETAILS OF MMS VEHICLES FITTED WITH GPS

| Sl. No.   | Name of Circle   |   No. of vehicles |
|-----------|------------------|-------------------|
| 1.        | Assam            |                30 |
| 2.        | Andhra Pradesh   |                62 |
| 3.        | Bihar            |                10 |
| 4.        | Chhattisgarh     |                 4 |
| 5.        | Delhi            |               125 |
| 6.        | Gujarat          |                42 |
| 7.        | Himachal Pradesh |                 7 |
| 8.        | Jammu & Kashmir  |                 9 |
| 9.        | Jharkhand        |                10 |
| 10.       | Karnataka        |                45 |
| 11.       | Kerala           |                30 |
| 12.       | Madhya Pradesh   |                17 |
| 13.       | Maharashtra      |               215 |
| 14.       | North- East      |                 5 |
| 15.       | Orissa           |                11 |
| 16.       | Punjab           |                20 |
| 17.       | Rajasthan        |                11 |
| 18.       | Tamil Nadu       |               138 |
| 19.       | Uttar Pradesh    |                49 |
| 20.       | West Bengal      |               150 |
|           | TOTAL            |               990 |

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

## ANNEXURE