opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: Procurement of Cotton by CCI
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: ANIRUDHAN SAMPATH, R. VANAROJA

## PROCUREMENT OF COTTON BY CCI

## 352. DR. A. SAMPATH: SHRIMATI VANAROJA R.:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) had procured only eight lakh bales so far at Minimum Support Price (MSP) due to high prices of cotton;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the measures being taken by the Government to promote the procurement of cotton from farmers by the CCI at the MSP;
- (d) whether  by  encouraging  contract  farming  of  cotton  by  CCI,  cotton  farmers  receive remuneration that is equal to or in excess of the MSP fixed by the Government; and
- (e) if  so,  the  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  the  contract  farming  of cotton?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंरी (स्त्वतंर प्रभार) (श्री संतोष क ु मार गंगवार)

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a): Yes, Madam.
- (b): As  on  18.2.2016,  in  the  present  cotton  season  2015-16  (October,  2015  to  September, 2016),  196.68  lakh  bales  have  arrived  so  far.    Out  of  this,  8.21  lakh  bales  have  been procured by CCI under MSP operation.
- (c): Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has been entrusted with  procurement of cotton from farmers at  Minimum Support Price (MSP).  During last cotton season, CCI along with its sub-agent  Maharashtra  State  Cooperative  Cotton  Growers  Marketing  Federation  Ltd. (MSCCGMFL)  procured 92.6 lakh bales at MSP for the benefit of farmers. Similar  action  has  been  initiated  for  MSP  operation  for  cotton  (kapas)  in  this  cotton season, giving attention to the following:-
- (i) Purchase centres are operating on five days a week basis.
- (ii) Payment to farmers is being made through Real-time Gross Settlement Systems (RTGS) to the extent possible.
- (iii) Lint cotton and cotton seeds are being sold through e-Auction.
- (iv) Awareness  campaign  has  been  taken  up  in  a  big  way  including  display  of Minimum Support Price (MSP) rate and quality parameters in local languages.
- (v) Moisture content in cotton purchase is being dealt with as per guidelines (12% as the maximum).
- (vi) Facilities have been developed for online grievance redressal.
- (vii) MSP procurement is being monitored closely on a continuous basis at the highest level.
- (d) & (e): Presently, CCI is not engaged in contract farming.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 350 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: Foreign Law Firms
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: R.P. MARUTHARAJAA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 350 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.02.2016

## Foreign Law Firms

## 350. SHRI R. P. MARUTHARAJAA:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of grant of permission to the foreign law firms for practicing in India;
- (b)  whether  the  Government is  aware of Supreme Court direction to the Reserve  Bank of  India against any permission to such foreign law firms;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (d) whether the Government has received protests from various quarters including the Bar Council of India against grant of such permission; and
- (e)  if so, the response of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

- (a) : The matter regarding entry of foreign lawyers/law firms to practice the profession of law in  India  is  under  consideration  of  the  Government  in  consultation  with  the  Bar  Council  of India, a statutory body under the Advocates Act, 1961.
- (b) and (c) : Yes Madam. The Bar Council of India has filed SLP (Civil) No. 17150-17154 of 2012 titled Bar Council of India Vs. A.K. Balaji and Ors. before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India against the order dated 21.02.2012 of Hon'ble High Court of Madras in Writ Petition No. 5614 of 2010. The Hon'ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 04.07.2012 has issued notice to all the concerned and directed that 'In the meanwhile, it is clarified that Reserve Bank of India shall not grant any permission to the foreign law firms to open liaison offices in India under Section  29  of  the  Foreign  Exchange  Regulation  Act,  1973.  It  is  also  clarified  that  the expression  'to  practice  the  profession  of  law'  under  Section  29  of  the  Advocates  Act,  1961 covers  the  persons  practicing  litigious  matters  as  well  as  non-litigious  matters  other  than contemplated in para 63(ii) of the impugned order and, therefore, to practice in non-litigious matter in India, the foreign law firms, by SLP (Civil) Nos. 17150-17154/2012 whatever name called or described, shall be bound to follow the provisions in the Advocates Act, 1961.'

- (d) : No Madam.

- (e) : Does not arise.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 349 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: National Power Training Institutes
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: K. C. VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.349

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.02.2016

## NATIONAL POWER TRAINING INSTITUTES

349.   SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of National Power Training Institutes in the country;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  adequate  measures  to  ensure  quality training education through National Power Training Institute;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has taken any measures to commence  the functioning of the proposed NPTI at Alleppey in Kerala; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

- (a) : The  details  of  the  National  Power  Training  Institutes  (NPTI)  in  the Country are as under:
1. NPTI Corporate Office, Faridabad.
2. NPTI (Northern Region), Badarpur, New Delhi.
3. NPTI (Hydro Power Training Centre), Nangal.
4. NPTI (Power System Training Institute), Bengaluru.
5. NPTI (Hot Line Training Centre), Bengaluru.
6. NPTI (Southern Region), Neyveli.
7. NPTI (Eastern Region), Durgapur.
8. NPTI (North Eastern Region), Guwahati.
9. NPTI (Western Region), Nagpur.

(b) & (c) : Various measures viz. Renovation, Modernization and Augmentation of existing labs and training infrastructure of NPTI; procurement of 800  MW Supercritical Thermal Power Plant Training Simulator at NPTI, Faridabad; establishment of six multi-functional Simulators replicating the real-time integrated unit operations for 210 MW, 500 MW and 800 MW Thermal Units, 250 MW Hydel Units with  additional  functionalities  of  Supervisory  Control  and  Data  Acquisition  System (SCADA)  and  Smart  Grid  at  various  institutes  of  NPTI  have  been  taken  to  ensure quality training education through National Power Training Institute.

(d) & (e) : The Government has sanctioned a new institute of NPTI at Alappuzha, Kerala  on  11 th   December,  2013.  The  outlay  approved  for  the  institute  is  Rs.56.35 crore. NPTI has taken over the possession of 15 acres of land from the Government of  Kerala.  Power  Grid  Corporation  of  India  Limited  (PGCIL)  has  been  appointed  as Project  Management  Consultant  for  all  infrastructural  works.  National  Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)  has  been  appointed  as  Project  Management  Consultant for Simulator  works.  A  total  of  Rs.6.39 Crore  has  been  released  so  far  for establishment of this Institute.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 348 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: Sharing of Water
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.348 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.02.2016

## SHARING OF WATER

†348.  SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether  any  agreement  between  the  Central  Government  and  Rajasthan Government has been signed regarding share in Hydro Power projects of Punjab;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps proposes to be taken by the Centre to allocate the prescribed share to the State Government of Rajasthan as mentioned in the agreement?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) to (c) : An agreement was reached between the States of Punjab, Haryana  & Rajasthan  and  Government  of  India  on  10.05.1984,  wherein  it  was  agreed  that  in view of the claims raised by Haryana and Rajasthan for sharing of power in Anandpur Sahib Hydel Project, Mukerian Hydel Project, Thein Dam project, UBDC Stage-II and Shahpur Kandi hydel Scheme, the Government of India shall refer the matter to the Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  for  its  opinion.    The  opinion  of  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court was to be sought on whether the States of Rajasthan and Haryana are entitled to a share in the power generated from these hydel schemes and in case they are, what would be the share of each State.

However,  subsequently  in  the  discussions  held  between  the  Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan on 29-30 July,1992 and 6 th  August,1992, a consensus was reached not to refer the matter to the Hon'ble Supreme Court.   It was also decided that these States would come to a reasonable agreement through mutual  consultations.    In  order  to  resolve  the  issue  amicably,  a  number  of  formal discussions have taken place.  However, no consensus has emerged so far  on the divergent views of the stakeholder States.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: Subsidy on LED
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.347 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.02.2016

## SUBSIDY ON LED

†347.  SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to stop the subsidy being given to the CFL based solar lighting systems in order to promote LED based solar lighting system;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the  details  of  the  specific  policy  of  the  Government  to  promote  the  LED systems which are consuming lesser electricity and  are safer  for  the  environment also?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) & (b) : Yes,  Madam.  The  Ministry  of  New  and  Renewable  Energy  (MNRE), Government of India has stopped subsidy for Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) solar lighting systems to encourage LED based solar lighting systems except for already sanctioned case.

- (c) : MNRE provides LED based systems for solar lantern, solar street lights and  solar  home  lights  under  Off-Grid  and  Decentralized  Application  Programme. Further,  the  Hon'ble  Prime  Minister of  India  has  launched  the  National  LED programme on 5 th   January,  2015  which  is  being  implemented  by  Energy  Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture company under Ministry of Power. Under this programme, two initiatives  viz.  Domestic  Efficient  Lighting  Programme  (DELP)  and Street  Light  National  Programme  (SLNP)  have  been  initiated  wherein  household lighting and street lights respectively are replaced with LEDs.

So  far  6.65  crore  LEDs  have  been  distributed  under  DELP.  Due  to transparent and bulk procurement, there has been reduction of almost 80% in price of LEDs in last two years i.e. from Rs.310 in February, 2014 for 7W LED bulb to Rs. 64 in January, 2016 for a 9W LED bulb. Further, there has been environmental benefit in terms of reduction in Green House gases emission to the tune of 7 million tons per year on account of DELP and 0.5 million tons per year on account of SLNP.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 346 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: Labour-Material Ratio under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY, ARJUN RAM  MEGHWAL, CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI, NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, DILIP KUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI, P.P. CHAUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 346

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.0 2.201 6

## LABOUR - MATERIAL RATIO UNDER MGNREGS

## 346. SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY:

SHRI ARJUN MEGHWAL:

SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

SHRI DILIPKUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI:

SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to change/amend the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employmen t GuaranteeScheme (MGNREGS);
- (b) if so, the details thereof indicating the labour - material ratio under the scheme at present;
- (c) whether  there  is  proposal  to  change the  labour -material  ratio  from  60:40  to 51:49  for greater infrastructure spending if so,the details thereof along with the time by wh ch it is likely to be amended and if not, whether any proposal has been received or consultation held in this regard;and
- (d) whether the role of Gram P nchayats would be impacted by thechange, if so, the d ils thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

(a) to (d): The Government has taken and completed the consultation process to ame Schedule I & II of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA. However, there is no proposal to change wage material ratio under the scheme from 60:40 to 51:49.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 345 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: Air Connectivity between New Delhi and Ludhiana
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: RAVNEET SINGH

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 345 (To be answered on the February 2016) 25th

## AIR CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN NEW DELHI AND LUDHIANA

## 345. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government proposes to resume air connectivity between New Delhi and Ludhiana;
- (c) whether the Government has held talks with the private airline operators also to encourage them to provide much needed air connectivity across the country including Punjab; and
- (b) if s0, the details thereof along with the time by which it is to be started; likely
- (d) if the details and the outcome thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? SO,

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

- (a): As per approved Winter 2015 schedule, no schedule flight is operating tolfrom Ludhiana.
- (b) to (d): Government has laid down Route Dispersal Guidelines with a view to achieve better regulation of air transport services of different regions of the country It is, however, Up to the airlines to provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability. As such; the airlines are free to operate anywhere in the country subject to compliance of Route Dispersal Guidelines issued by Government:

*##**
Lok Sabha Question No. 344 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: Big Hydro Units under Renewable Energy
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.344 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.02.2016

BIG HYDRO UNITS UNDER RENEWABLE ENERGY

344.   SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to bring Big Hydro Units under the ambit of Renewable Energy;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

- (c) the status thereof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) : No, Madam.

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

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 341 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: MGNREGS in Drought Prone Areas
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 341 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.0 2.201 6

## MGNREGS IN DROUGHT PRONE AREAS

## 341. SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to include Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS) to mitigate drought impacts in drought hit areas of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT - wise including Tamil Nadu; and
- (c) the details of schemes implemented i this regard in the country, State/UT -wise?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

- (a): The Government has made necessary provisions for an additional 50 days of u manual  work  over  and  above  100  days  per  household  in Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural Employment  Guarantee  Act  (MGNREGA) in  notified  drought  affected  or  natural  cal affec tedareas in the country.
- (b) & (c): The provision of additional employment of 50 days over and above 100 da household  under  MGNREGA  has  been  made  in  the  notified  drought  affected  areas  o following States: -

|   SI. No. | Name of State/ total number of districts   | No. of districts/Talukas   |
|-----------|--------------------------------------------|----------------------------|
|         1 | Karnataka                                  | 126 taluks                 |
|         2 | Chhattisgarh                               | 93 tehsils                 |
|         3 | Madhya Pradesh                             | 268 tehsils                |
|         4 | Odisha                                     | 215 blocks                 |
|         5 | Andhra Pradesh                             | 359 mandals                |
|         6 | Uttar Pradesh                              | 50                         |
|         7 | Telangana                                  | 231 mandals                |
|         8 | Maharashtra                                | 12183 GPs                  |
|         9 | Jharkhand                                  | All the 24                 |

However,  the  notification  from  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu  in  connection  with affected areas has not yet beenreceived .

The funds would be provided to the States as per agreed to Labour Budget ( from where they will continue to meet the expenditure on account of providing employment days and also for the increased number of days in thenotified areas.

*****

Rural
Lok Sabha Question No. 340 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: Installation of Video Cameras and Black Box for Commercial Vehicles
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: NITYANAND RAI

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to install video cameras and black boxes in trucks and buses on the lines of aeroplanes to assess the reasons behind increasing road accidents in the country; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 340

ANSWERED ON 25 TH  FEBRUARY, 2016

## INSTALLATION OF VIDEO CAMERAS AND BLACK BOX FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

## 340. SHRI NITYANAND RAI:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## lM+d ifjogu vkSj jktekxZ ea=h

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a)& (b)  There is no such proposal under consideration in this Ministry to install black boxes in trucks and buses  on  the  lines  of  aeroplanes.  However,  to  ensure  safety  of  women  passengers,  the  Government  is examining the proposal for installation of CCTV Cameras in Public Transport Buses under the Nirbhaya Fund.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 339 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: Losses Incurred by Air India
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKAR, SURESH KODIKUNNIL, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, MAHEISH GIRRI, ARJUN RAM  MEGHWAL, KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

339.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 339 (To be answered on the February 2016) 25th

## LOSSES INCURRED BY AIR INDIA

SHRI RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKER ` SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI SHRI ARJUN MEGHWAL SHRI KIRTI AZAD `

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

. `

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether Air India is incurring huge losses on continuous basis and if s0, the details thereof for the last three years and the current year, year-wise along with the reasons therefor;
- (b) the steps taken or being taken by the Government to reduce the losses including the budgetary support provided by the Government this year; being
- (c) whether the Government has any proposal for restructuring of the Air India and if S0, the details thereof;
- thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to introduce Dreamliner flights for domestic services especially to long distances route like Delhi-KochiThiruvanathapuram sector as part of reducing the operational cost; if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a): Yes; Madam: Air India (Al) has been incurring losses over the past few years and the details of the losses for the 3 years and the current year are past given below:

Financial Year

Net Loss/ (Rs. Crores)

2012-13

5490.16

2013-14

6279.60

2014-15

5859.91

2015-16 (BE)

3529.80

AI has been losses for the past many years on account of a multitude of factors which include: facing

- Adverse impact of exchange rate variation due to weakening of the Indian Rupee
- iii, Increase in competition especially from cost carriers low
- ii. High interest burden
- iv. High Debt Equity Ratio
- (b): In view %f the losses suffered by AI upto 2010-11 and its mounting debt held on 12.4.2012,\_approved a Turnaround Plan (TAP) Financial TAPIFRP provides equity infusion of Rs,30231 crores upto 2021 subject to achievement Of certain milestones as laid down in the TAPIFRP. Government has infused equity of Rs.3300 crores in Al, in the current financial year:
- (c) and (d): Madam. No,
- (e): Madam Air India has no immediate plans to introduce Dreamliner services on Delhi-Kochi-Thiruvanathapuram sector:

***+*

`

'
Lok Sabha Question No. 338 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: Swiss Challenge System for National Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU

## GOVERMNENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 338

ANSWERED ON 25 TH  FEBRUARY, 2016

## SWISS CHALLENGE SYSTEM FOR NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

338. DR. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## औ

be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status with regard to the adoption of the Swiss Challenge System for construction of National Highways;
- (b)  whether  an  Expert  Committee  on  Public  Private  Partnership  (PPP)  has  warned  the Government for adopting the said system; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) to (c) As of now, the Swiss Challenge System for construction of National Highways is not  being  considered  by  the  Government.  Dr  Vijay  Kelkar  Committee  on  Revisiting  and Revitalizing Public-Private Partnership Model of Infrastructure has also not supported unsolicited proposals (Swiss Challenge).

******