opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 950 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: FDI in Aviation Sector
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: C.R. CHAUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 950

(To be answered on the 27 th  July 2015)

## FDI IN AVIATION SECTOR

950. SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has permitted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the aviation sector;
- (b) if so, the details of foreign airlines/companies permitted to invest in
- the aviation sector of the country;
- (c) the details of the proposals received by the Government from foreign airlines/companies in this regard along with the action taken thereon; and
- (d) whether any pre-condition has been laid down in the guidelines for approval of FDI in Indian carriers and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

- (a): Yes, Madam.Government has permitted different limits of Foreign
- Direct Investment for different services in aviation sector.
- (b) & (c) The following Airlines have been granted permission by Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to have joint Venture with foreign Airlines:-
1. Jet Airways with Etihad Airways (foreign airline).
2. Air Asia (India) Pvt. Ltd is joint venture of three Companies i.e. TATA Sons Ltd, Air Asia Berhad (foreign Airline) and Telestra Tradeplace Pvt. Ltd.
3. TATA-SIA Airlines Ltd is joint venture of TATA Sons and Singapore Airlines (foreign airlines).

The above three Airlines are operational at present.

(d)  Yes,  Madam. Government has issued Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) 12/2013 on  Guidelines for foreign direct investment   in aviation sector, which also includes  pre-conditions for such investments and the same are available in public domain.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 949 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Rakes in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ANANDRAO  ADSUL, Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.949 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2015 RAKES IN RAILWAYS

949.  SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL : SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways have taken note that loading target was slashed by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) without prior information to the railways that led to large number of rakes lying idle;
- (b) if so, whether the Railways have been incurred huge losses as a result thereof;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the quantum of losses suffered by the Railways as on date; and
- (d) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Railways in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

( SHRI MANOJ SINHA )

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

******

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 949 BY SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL AND SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.7.2015 REGARDING RAKES IN RAILWAYS

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b)  &  (c)  In  the  current  financial  year  (April-June),  Railways  loaded  and transported 7.41 million tonnes of foodgrain on account of Food Corporation of India  (FCI),  which  is  2.24  million  tonnes  less  as  compared  to  that  in  the corresponding period of last financial year. Loss of earning on this account is approximately 398.35 crores.

(d) The  surplus  rakes  have  been  deployed  for  loading  and  movement  of commodities like cement, fertilizers etc. In addition, the production of covered wagons  (BCNHL)  utilized  for  foodgrain  loading  has  been  assigned  lower priority  in  production.  The  requirement  of  BCNHL  has  also  been  decreased from 8100 to 5000 in the year 2015-16.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 947 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Conversion of Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 947

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2015

## CONVERSION OF RAIL LINE

## † 947.    SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways have any proposal for conversion of metre gauge rail line between Bhildi and Palanpur to broad gauge;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Railways  have  noticed  that  Archeological  Department  has raised an objection to the passing of metre gauge rail line between Patan and  Bhildi  which  is  very  close  to  the  heritage  site  called  Rani-ki-Vav  in Patan district of Gujarat;
- (d)  if  so,  whether  the  Railways  are  considering  to  lay  a  new  rail  line  which would not damage the heritage site any further and shall also provide the people of this region with further connectivity from Bhildi to Palanpur; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  &  (b):  There  is  a  already  broad  gauge  line  between  Bhildi  and  Palanpur section and doubling of this section has been sanctioned as a part of PalanpurSamakhiali in the year 2013-14 at a cost of ` 274.73 crore.
- (c)  to  (e)  :  After  denial  by  National  Monument  Authority  for  construction  of railway  line  near  Rani-ki-Vav  on  old  alignment  of  Patan-Bhildi  (51  km)  line, railway suggested an alternate alignment for which  'No Objection Certificate (NOC)'  has  been  issued  by  Archaeological  Survey  of  India,  New  Delhi    on 06.05.2015.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 946 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Facilities Provided by Rail Hospitals
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: C.S. PUTTARAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 946 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2015

## FACILITIES PROVIDED BY RAIL HOSPITALS

946.  SHRI C. S. PUTTA RAJU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways have received several complaints/grievances against poor medical facilities provided at Railway Hospitals;
- (b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year, State/zone-wise;
- (c)  whether advanced facilities for treatment of serious diseases are available in these hospitals;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  Railways  to  modernize  and  equip the existing hospitals with advanced facilities?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b): No,  Madam.  There are no complaints from Railway beneficiaries.

(c) & (d): Advance Medical facilities for treatment of serious diseases are available  in  some  of the  Zonal  Railway  Hospitals.  However, for treatment of serious diseases where the facilities are not available in Hospitals  are  empanelled  by  the

the Railway  Hospitals, Private Railways for the treatment of Railway beneficiaries.

(e): Up-gradation of Railway Hospitals is an on-going process undertaken on the basis of condition of existing equipments/techniques,  technological  developments  taking  place  in the medical science and availability of funds.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 945 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Setting up of Tribal Museum
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

(MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 945**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2015

**SETTING UP OF TRIBAL MUSEUM**

945.	SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

1. Whether the Government proposes to establish National Tribal Museum in the country for protection and preservation of the tribal art and culture; and
2. If, so, the details and locations thereof?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA)

(a):	No, Madam. There is no proposal at present to establish National Tribal Museum in the country.

(b):	Does not arise in view of (a) above.
Lok Sabha Question No. 944 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Performance of MECON Limited
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.944**

FOR ANSWER ON 27/07/2015

**PERFORMANCE OF MECON LIMITED**

944.	SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a)	whether there has been a decline in profitability of MECON Limited during each of the last three financial years;

(b)	if so, the details thereof including the physical and financial performance of MECON Ltd., year-wise and the reasons for decline in its profitability; and

(c)	the steps taken by the Government to improve its performance?

**ANSWER**

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE STRY OF	        (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

STEEL AND MINES

(a)	Yes, Madam.

(b)	The details of physical and financial performance of MECON Ltd. during each of the last three years are given in the table below:-

(Rs. in Crore)

| **S.No.**                | **Particulars**   | **2014-15 (Provisional)**   | **2013-14**   | **2012-13**   |
|--------------------------|-------------------|-----------------------------|---------------|---------------|
| **Physical Performance** |                   |                             |               |               |
| 1.                       | Order Booking     | 593.41                      | 341.21        | 541.56        |
| Financial Performance    |                   |                             |               |               |
| 1.                       | Turnover          | 389.92                      | 341.29        | 511.65        |
| 2.                       | Profit Before Tax | 33.01                       | 68.69         | 150.72        |
| 3.                       | Profit After Tax  | 20.27                       | 49.48         | 101.02        |

(Source: MECON Ltd.)

The following reasons for decline in its profitability are:-

1. There is a general economic slowdown that affected the country as a whole which further contributed to the low order booking of MECON Ltd.
2. During financial year 2013-14 the company has low order bookings which effects decline in turnover for the FY 2014-15.
3. The projects in hand are nearing the completion stage resulting in low contribution towards turnover.
4. Ban on iron ore mining resulted in either delay in implementation of projects or even non-materializing of expected projects.
5. There is uncertainty in availability of coal in the country which had an adverse effect on order booking/project execution.

(c)	An external Management Consultant was appointed to do a diagnostic study of the organization. Based on the final recommendations submitted by the management consultant, actions have been initiated in February, 2015 to re-structure the company, re-organize marketing functions, increase market presence abroad and consolidate activities in diversified sectors.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 942 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Railways Toll Free Number for Complaints
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 942 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2015

## RAILWAYS TOLL FREE NUMBER FOR COMPLAINTS

†942.       SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways provide any toll free number to the passengers on  which  they  can  lodge  complaints  during  the journey  in  case  of insecurity/inconvenience;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  there  is  any  plan  to provide  this  number  on  their reservation tickets or on the mobile phones of the passengers through S.M.S.;
- (c) if not, whether the Railways propose to provide such type of toll free number; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. An all India 3-digit Help Line Number 138 has been  provided  for  passengers,  as  public  interface  for  queries/public complaints  related  to  medical  emergency,  cleanliness,  food  catering, coach maintenance, linen etc. (except Security). This helpline number is printed on  the  reservation  tickets  (Passenger  Reservation  System Ticket).

In  addition  to  the  above,  a  3-digit  Security  Help  Line  Number  182  has also  been  operationalised  to  provide  round  the  clock  security  related assistance to passengers during their journey over Railways. However,

this service is not available through Short Message Service (SMS).

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

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Monitoring of Rail Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 940 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2015

## MONITORING OF RAIL TRACKS

## 940. SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  have  proposed  to  deploy  adequate  staff  for monitoring of the railway tracks especially those existing in lonely locations in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the  other  actions  taken  by  the  Railways  to  monitor  and  protect  tracks situated in remote/alone areas of the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  to  (c)  Indian  Railways  have  a  system  of  scheduled  inspections  and patrolling  by  Railway  officials  which  includes  Keyman's  daily  patrol  for monitoring  of  tracks  including  those  existing  in  lonely  locations  in  the country.

In  addition,  protection  and  security  of  tracks  and  bridges  is  the  statutory responsibility of States which is being discharged by them through concerned District police.

Necessary  coordination/liason  is  maintained  by  RPF  with  GRP  and  district police to ensure smooth train operation over Indian Railways.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 938 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: VRS to Air India Employees
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN

(a) : No, Madam.

- (b) to ( d) : Do not arise in view of (a) above.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 938

(To be answered on the 27 th  July 2015)

## VRS TO AIR INDIA EMPLOYEES

938. SHRI K.N. RAMACHANDRAN

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Air India proposes to offer Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) to its employees;

- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether any objections have been raised to this proposal of Air India; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)
Lok Sabha Question No. 937 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Marketing Margin Levied by PNGRB
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

**LOK SABHA**

#### UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 937

#### TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.7.2015

## 

## MARKETING MARGIN LEVIED BY PNGRB

## 937.   SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

| **Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:**  **isVªksfy;e vkSj izkd`frd xSl ea=h**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (a) whether Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is initiating public hearing to decide marketing margin levied by private sector natural gas marketers; and  (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to regulate marketing margin of natural gas on the lines of other regulated petroleum products and the time by when the said decision is likely to be taken? |
| **ANSWER**  **पेट्रोलियम और  प्राकृतिक गैस मंत्रालय में राज्‍य मंत्री (स्‍वतंत्र प्रभार)**  **(श्री  धर्मेन्‍द्र प्रधान)**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| **MINISTER OF STATE  IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NRAL GAS (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| (a) & (b): No, Madam. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has made its recommendations relating to the marketing margin to be charged on sale of natural gas to Urea and LPG producers. The recommendations of PNGRB are under consideration of the Government.                                                                                                                                       |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 931 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Doubling of Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 931 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2015

## DOUBLING OF RAIL LINE

## 931.    SHRI D.S. RATHOD:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Railways have started the doubling of Rajkot-Viramgam railway line project;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof along with its present status; and
- (c)  the time by which it is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a)  to  (c):  On  Rajkot-Viramgam  route,  the  doubling  of    SurendranagarViramgam (65 km) has been taken up at an anticipated cost of ` 382 crore.  An  expenditure  of ` 300  crore  has  been  incurred  upto  March, 2015 and balance outlay has been provided for this project in the year 2015-16. 42 km section has already been commissioned and for balance length (23 km), track linking has been completed. Further, doubling of Rajkot-Surendranagar  section  (116  km)  has  been  sanctioned  in  the current Railway Budget 2015-16 at a cost of ` 1315.23 crore subject to requisite approval. An outlay of ` 80.07 crore has been provided for this project for the year 2015-16. Since this project is in approval stage, no time frame has been fixed for completion of doubling of this route.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 930 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Safety Audit of Airlines
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 930

(To be answered on the 27 th  July 2015)

## SAFETY AUDIT OF AIRLINES

## 930. SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has recently conducted a safety audit of airlines;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether certain airlines have failed on several parameters including those on expired pilot licences; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by DGCA against those airlines and the pilots?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a)to (d) During the last three years and the current year DGCA has conducted 21 Regulatory Audits on scheduled airlines. The salient findings of audit are as follows:

- (i) Operations manual certified under CAP8100 was not updated.

(ii)  Strength of trainers was found to be substantially less than  the recommended strength in the DGCA Operations Circular as well as Operator's training manual.

- (iii)  CAR Section 08 Series F part II on PPC was not being strictly complied as few of the pilots were detected flying even after the expiry of validity of pilot proficiency check. However, there was no case of expired pilot licenses. The operator is giving crosswind training up to maximum of 25 kts in the training profiles of B-777 whereas in the limitation of crosswind the operator has given 38 kts of cross wind as operating limit.

(iv) The policy defined by  the company in the Operator's Manual, part D (training) addressing failure and below standard reports of flight crew during checks was found to be inadequate. The procedure to immediately give corrective training and bring back crew for utilization is not in line with the procedure prescribed  in Ops Manual Part D. The responsible pilots have been suspended/off rostered and issued

warnings for operating beyond validity of Pilot proficiency Check.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 929 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA SHETTI, KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.929**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON: 27.07.2015**

**WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME**

929.	      SHRI RAJU SHETTY

SHRI K.N.RAMACHANDRAN

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

1. whether the Government proposes to implement any special, dedicated Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme to assist, educate and empower women entrepreneurs in MSME Sector of the country;
2. if so, the details thereof along with the funds  allocated for the purpose during the current year, State/ UT-wise ; and
3. the other steps taken by the Government to generate employment opportunities for women?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF

MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

(SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

# (a)to(c):	Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has been implementing special, dedicated Schemes for  Women Entrepreneurship Development to facilitate employment opportunities for women. These schemes are - Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD) Scheme and Mahila Coir Yojana. The TREAD Scheme envisages economic empowerment exclusively of women through trade related training, information and counseling extension activities related to trades, products, services etc. Under the Scheme financial loans are provided by Nationalized Banks  and  grants by Government of India  at the rate of 30% of the loan subject to maximum limit  of Rs.30.00 lakh   through NGOs for capacity building and for undertaking self-employment ventures by women in non-farm activities. Under Mahila Coir Yojana , financial assistance is provided for motorized ratts for spinning coir yarn to women artisans after giving training. Government provides motorized ratts/ motorized traditional  ratts at 75% cost subsidy subject to a maximum ceiling of Rs.7500/-  for motorized ratts  and Rs.3200/- for motorized traditional  ratts .The remaining 25% is raised by the beneficiaries.

# 

# Fund allocated for these schemes during the current year (2015-16) is Rs.6.70 crore. Since these are Central Sector Schemes, funds are not allocated State/ UT-wise.

# 

****