opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 935 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-02
Subject: Shifts of Rail Drivers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PASHUPATI NATH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 935 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2016

## SHIFTS OF RAIL DRIVERS

†935.  SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Railways  is  aware  of  a  survey  conducted  recently which  states  that  train  drivers  who  drive  a  single  train  for  more than  five  to  ten  hours  are  getting  affected  from  various  kinds  of diseases and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has also conducted any similar survey;
- (c) if so, the details and finding thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Railways to give relief to the train drivers from driving trains for more than prescribed hours of duties?

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

- (a) :   No, Madam.
- (b):   No, Madam.
- (c):   Does not arise.
- (d): Duty  hours  of  train  drivers is regularly monitored.  Whenever required, necessary relief is arranged.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-02
Subject: Ticket Agents by Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DILIP PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 934 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2016

## TICKET AGENTS BY RAILWAYS

## 934.  SHRI DILIP PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  appointed  some  more  ticket  agents during 2014-15 in the country;
- (b)  if  so,  the  number  of  ticket  agents  appointed  so  far  in  the country;
- (c) whether appointments of such agents are made for a certain time-frame  or  these  appointments  are  done  for  regular  period and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether agents from certain areas have been removed and if so,  the  regions  from  where  they  have  been  removed  and  the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b):  The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.
- (c): These  agents  are  engaged  for  a  fixed  period  as  per  the term of their contract/rules under which they are engaged.
- (d):  The  information  is  being  collected  and  will  be  laid  on  the Table of the House.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 933 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-02
Subject: Review of Mumbai-Ahmedabad Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 933

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2016

## REVIEW OF MUMBAI-AHMEDABAD PROJECT

933.   ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether empowered committee on innovative collaborations have reviewed the ambitious project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the financial aspect of the project was also reviewed by the committee; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the project work is likely to begin?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (d):  Yes,  Madam.  The  Empowered  Committee  for  Innovative Collaboration reviewed  the  proposal  of  Mumbai-Ahmedabad  high speed rail project submitted by Ministry of Railways. The Committee examined  various  aspects  of  the  proposal  including  project  details, rationale of the project, Japanese offer of assistance and the Financial and Economic analysis of the project.

The  Committee  had  reviewed  financial  aspect  of  the  project  as contained in the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) joint feasibility  report  and  concluded  that  project  is  viable  on  economic consideration. Commencement of project related work is envisaged in 2016-17.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 932 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-02
Subject: Usage of Rail Network
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO, PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

- (a)

## ANSWER

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

- Yes, Madam.
- (b) The following schemes have been introduced by the Railways-
- (i) Container Train Operators (CTO) Scheme which permits Container Train Operators  to run container trains;
- (ii) Special  Freight  Train  Operator  (SFTO)  which  permits running of trains for transportation of certain commodities in special purpose wagons;
- (iii) Automobile Freight Train Operator (AFTO) which permits transportation of automobiles traffic.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 932 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2016

## USAGE OF RAIL NETWORK

932.    SHRI KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO:
2. SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the railways has invited the interested entrepreneurs to use its rail network which is the cheapest mode of transport; and
- (b) if so, details thereof?
Lok Sabha Question No. 931 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-02
Subject: Introduction of Rajdhani Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHAILESH (BULO MANDAL) KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 931 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2016

## INTRODUCTION OF RAJDHANI TRAINS

†931.  SHRI SHAILESH KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  introduce  Rajdhani Express Trains from various cities particularly from Bhagalpur station of Bihar;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether there is a shortage of express trains from Bhagalpur station of Bihar to New Delhi in proportion to the number of passengers; and

(d) if so, the corrective measures being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Rajdhani Express class of trains are not commuter trains, but are  long  distance  fast  moving  prestigious  trains,  primarily  meant  for connecting  National  capital  and  State  capitals.  As  such,  at  present, there  is  no  proposal  to  introduce  a  Rajdhani  Express  train  from  New Delhi to various cities of Bihar including Bhagalpur.

(c)  &  (d):  At  present,  Bhagalpur  and  Delhi  are  connected  by  9  pairs  of Mail/Express  trains  including  two  pairs  of  daily  Express  trains  viz. 12367/12368 Bhagalpur-Anand Vihar Vikramshila Express and 14055/14056  Bhagalpur-Delhi  Brahmaputra  Mail  which  is  adequate  for the  present  level  of  traffic.    However,  introduction  of  additional  train services is an ongoing process subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, availability of resources, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 929 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-02
Subject: Technical Upgradation of Network
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

## MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 929 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd  MARCH,  2016

## TECHNICAL UPGRADATION OF NETWORK

929.    SHRI B.V. NAIK: SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

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

- (a) the  details  of  technical  upgradation  of  3G  network  of  Mahanagar  Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) in Delhi and Mumbai;
- (b) the  upload  and  download  speed  provided  to  customers  of  MTNL  in  Delhi  and Mumbai;
- (c) whether the  Government  has  any  proposal for  enhancement  of  uploading  and downloading speed of MTNL 3G network;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e)  Mahanagar  Telephone  Nigam  Limited  (MTNL)  augments  and  upgrades  its mobile network including 3G based on techno-economical considerations.  In Mumbai, MTNL  is  upgrading  the  existing  HSDPA  (High  Speed  Downlink  Packet  Access)  3G network supporting Downlink speed of 3.6 Mbps & Uplink speed of 384 Kbps to HSPA+ (High Speed Packet Access Plus) with Downlink speed of 21.1 Mbps & Uplink speed of 5.76 Mbps per sector.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 926 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-02
Subject: Mobile Towers in Rural Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: ANIRUDHAN SAMPATH

## MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 926 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd  MARCH,  2016

## MOBILE TOWERS IN RURAL AREAS

926. DR. A. SAMPATH:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken note that there is unrest among public due to absence of mobile towers of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in rural areas ;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to provide mobile facility in above mentioned places;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the reasons for delay in installing mobile towers in rural areas?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Bharat  Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has reported it  has not received any specific case of unrest among public due to absence of its mobile towers in rural areas. However, it has received requests for providing mobile towers in rural areas of Gujarat, Jharkhand, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir and Maharashtra Telecom Circles. BSNL installs mobile towers in various areas including rural areas based on its techno-economical considerations.

In  addition,  various  Schemes  are  being  implemented/  planned  with  financial support  from  Universal  Service  Obligation  Fund  (USOF)  for  expansion  of  mobile services in rural and remote areas.  Details of such schemes are as follows:

-  USOF is implementing a comprehensive telecom developing plan for the North  East  Region  (NER)  at  the  estimated  cost  of  Rs.5336.18  crores. This NER scheme has following components:
- (i) Provision of mobile services in uncovered villages.
- (ii) Provision of seamless mobile coverage along the National Highways.
- (iii)  Augmentation of Transmission media.
-  USOF  is  augmenting  the  telecom  network  in  Andaman  and  Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands.
-  To provide better mobile services in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas, USOF has awarded to BSNL to install 2199 (BTSs).

-  USOF has planned to cover about 55,669 villages in the country that do not  have  mobile  coverage.    Mobile  coverage  to  balance  uncovered villages has been planned to be provided in a phased manner, subject to availability of financial resources.

(e) BSNL is facing some problems causing delay in installation of mobile towers in rural areas. Some of them are as follows:

-  Non-availability of power supply from State Electricity Organisation.
-  Delay in getting permission of mobile tower installation from local authorities.
-  Delay in site acquisition.
-  Few areas are presently techno-commercial non-feasible.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 925 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-02
Subject: Disposal of Railway Stock
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 925 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2016

## DISPOSAL OF RAILWAY STOCK

925.    SHRI  V. ELUMALAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that rolling stock has accumulated in almost all the divisions of the Railways across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that the Railways is considering to dispose of the rolling stock at the earliest before they lose their value;
- (d) if so, whether the Railways has fixed any time frame in this regard; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b): Movement of Railway Stock within and across divisions of Indian Railway  across  the  country  is  a  continuous  activity.    During  operation periodically, rolling stock is examined for its fitness of operation of various facilities available at nominated station on each division.

Rolling  stock  requiring  maintenance  attention  is  sent  to  various  repair facilities like maintenance depot like coaches & wagons, sheds for locomotives and car sheds for EMUs and DMUs.

All efforts are made to ensure repair & maintenance of all rolling stocks at the earliest.

(c):  During examination for maintenance & repairs, rolling stocks found to be not fit for economical repair are condemned and declared as scrap.  These condemned stocks are put in the auction catalog for sale through e-auction. All  efforts  are  made  to  ensure  earliest  disposal  through  e-auction  so  that maximum value of condemned stocks is received by Railway.

(d) & (e):  Disposal of scrap rolling stock after its receipt by Stores Department is a continuous process.  Scrap lots of condemned rolling stock are generally disposed off within 4 to 6 weeks of its condemnation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 922 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-02
Subject: Loan Waiver to GMFDC
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT RAGHUNATH PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.922 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2016

## LOAN WAIVER TO GMFDC

## 922.  SHRI C.R. PATIL:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the State Government of Gujarat has submitted a proposal to Government of India to waive the interest amount of overdue loan of Gujarat Minorities Finance and Development Corporation (GMFDC);
- (b) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c)  whether  most  part  of  the  said  loan  has  been  given  to  beneficiaries  affected  by Gujarat Earthquake in 2001 and Communal Riots of 2002; and
- (d) if so, the reasons for not considering it positively?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b): Yes, Madam. A proposal to waive the interest amount on overdue loan of Gujarat  Minorities  Finance  and  Development  Corporation  (GMFDC)  was  received.  To waive  the  interest  amount  on  overdue  loans,  National  Minorities  development  and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) offered GMFDC to settle the overdues under One Time Settlement  (OTS)  scheme.  GMDFC  has  availed  the  OTS  scheme  and  made  upfront payment of Rs. 16.10 crore to settle the overdues. As part of OTS, NMDFC has also waived  penal  interest  of  Rs.  7.10  crore.  Thus,  schemes  of  NMDFC  have  resumed  in Gujarat with disbursement of Rs. 2.00 crore to GMFDC in December, 2015.

(c): As  per  information  furnished  by  GMDFC  and  Government  of  Gujarat,  loan  of Rs.14.25 crore has been released to beneficiaries affected by earthquake in 2001 and Rs.3.02 crore to the beneficiaries affected by communal riots in 2002.

(d): Does not arise.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 921 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-02
Subject: Mobile Network at Airport
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.921 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd  MARCH,  2016

## MOBILE NETWORK AT AIRPORT

†921. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

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

- (a) whether the Government has noticed the problem of public representatives in the VIP  lounge  of  the  Palam  Domestic  Airport,  New  Delhi  on  account  of  poor  mobile network signal; and
- (b) if so, the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b) TRAI has recently undertaken drive test of the network of cellular mobile service providers to assess coverage and quality of service in select areas, highways and major arterial roads, including highways/ roads around the Indira Gandhi International  Airport.  The  results  of  these  drive  tests  have  already  been  published  on TRAI's website www.trai.gov.in.  However, in these drive tests the coverage in the VIP lounge  of  Palam  Domestic  Airport  was  not  conducted.    As  such,  TRAI  has  no information about the coverage inside the VIP lounge of Palam Domestic Airport.

TRAI has been pursuing with service providers, for improving Quality of Service and in this regard regular interactions are held with the service providers. Further, for improving the coverage and call drop issues in some of the cities where drive tests were undertaken  including  in  Delhi  service  area.    Meetings  were  held  with  the  Chief Executive Officers of mobile companies in September 2015 and in October 2015.  Also, TRAI  had  issued  regulations  providing  for  compensation  to  consumers  for  call  drop experienced by them.  Further, to create deterrent against non-compliance, TRAI has also been imposing financial disincentives on service providers for failure to comply with the benchmarks, in accordance with the provisions of the regulations.

The Department is actively coordinating to improve upon the current status of call drops  by  involving  concerned  government  agencies  such  as  New  Delhi  Municipal Corporation (NDMC), Directorate of Estates, Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and  Security  agencies  as  well  as  State  Governments  for  granting  permission  for deployment  of  additional  sites.  Further,  the  Department  as  well  as  TRAI  has  been spreading the awareness amongst the general public and mobile users that the radio emissions from telecommunications equipments have no potential health hazards.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 77 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-01
Subject: Doping Scandals
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.77

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.03.2016

## Doping Scandals

- *77.  SHRI RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKER:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  has  taken  note  of  the  recent suspension  of  Russia  by  the  International  Association  of  Athletic Federation (IAAF) on account of doping scandal and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Indian sports including athletics is dogged by similar doping scandals in the recent past and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Union  Government  is  mulling  any  action  plan  to check  use  of  drugs  in  sports  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.77 TO BE ASWERED ON 01.03.2016 REGARDING  DOPING  SCANDALS  ASKED  BY  SHRI  RAJESH  KUMAR

DIWAKER. (a) Yes, Madam. The Government is aware of the recent suspension of  Russia  by  the  International  Association  of  Athletics  Federation (IAAF). The Council of the IAAF provisionally suspended the All Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) on 13.11.2015. The decision was taken at 201 st  IAAF Council Meeting which was held on 13.11.2015. The ground for  the  provisional  suspension  was  that  the  ARAF  had  breached  the objects of the IAAF pertaining to eradicating doping and safeguarding the authenticity and integrity of sports. (b)   No, Madam.  No such kind of doping scandal has taken place in the recent past in India. (c)   Government of India is committed to eradicate the doping menace in  Sports.    To  eradicate  the  menace  of  doping,  NADA  in  association with  all  participating  stakeholders  regularly  conducts  anti-doping awareness  program. Further, to broaden the outreach program, Government of India has decided to establish five (5) regional outreach centres  to  increase  the  anti-doping  education  and  awareness  at  all levels of sports in the country. To  bring  all  stakeholders  on  a  common  platform,  NADA  has launched the 'Program for Education and Awareness on Anti Doping in Sports' (PEADS) since September 2014. With  this  initiative,  a  total  number  of  64  such  educational programs/anti-doping workshops were conducted along with stakeholders  in  association  with  sports  organizations,  state  sports authorities  and  Physical  Education  departments/colleges/Universities etc.

In the year 2015-16, a total number of 45 Anti Doping Awareness Workshops have been organized by NADA till date.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 71 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-01
Subject: Border Security
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*71 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 1 st  MARCH, 2016/PHALGUNA 11,1937 (SAKA)

BORDER SECURITY

*71.  SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government has taken note of incidence of cross-border terrorist attacks on various borders and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the State Governments including Punjab have recently urged the Union Government to effectively seal the borders to curb this menace; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and the follow up action taken thereon?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

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

******

## STATEMENT IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*71 FOR 01.03.2016.

(a): The overall internal security situation in the country is under control, as far as terrorism in the country is concerned.  During current year, one incident of terror attack took place on 2 nd  January, 2016 at the Pathankot Air Force Station by terrorists infiltrated from Pakistan.  In this incident, 7 Security  Personnel  and  1  civilian  were  killed.    All  the  terrorists  were neutralized by the Security Forces.

(b) & (c):   Various State Governments have urged for effectively sealing the  International  Borders.    Recently,  the  Chief  Minister  of  Punjab  has requested Ministry of Home Affairs to constitute a Committee for physical inspection  of  Border  fencing  in  Punjab  and  adjoining  areas  of  Jammu, identify the gaps and suggest measures to seal the gaps.

*******