opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2923 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Ticket Reservation on MPs&#8217; Recommendation
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: LAXMAN GILUWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2923 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## TICKET RESERVATION ON MPs' RECOMMENDATION

†2923.    SHRI LAXMAN GILUWA: SHRI CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether railway tickets are not confirmed on the recommendations of Members of Parliament and their applications are torn off;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government in this regard;
- (c)  whether any incident of tearing of recommendation letters of Members of Parliament has come to the notice of the Government; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof alongwith the details of action taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (d): In  order  to  meet  the  urgent  travel  requirements  of High  Official  Requisition  (HOR)  holders  (which  include    Central Government Ministers, judges of  Supreme Court of India, High Courts  of  various  States,  etc.),  Members  of  Parliament  and others, a limited number of berths/seats have been earmarked as emergency quota in different trains and in different classes.

The quota is released by the staff in accordance with the priority as  per  Warrant  of  Precedence  and  a  well-established  practice being followed since long. At the time of allotment of berths/seats, emergency quota is first allotted for self travel of HOR  holders/Members  of  Parliament,  etc.,  strictly  as  per  their inter-se  seniority  in  warrant  of  precedence.    Thereafter,  other requisitions  received  from  various  quarters  including  that  from Members of Parliament are considered and the remaining quota is  released  taking  into  account  various  factors  like  status  of passengers  travelling, nature of urgency like travelling on government  duty,  bereavement  in  the  family,  sickness,  job interview, etc.  This practice is being followed on all the Zonal Railways. No instance regarding tearing-off of letters of Members of Parliament has been reported to the Ministry.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2920 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Deportation of Indians
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2920 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## DEPORTATION OF INDIANS

2920. SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Turkey has deported some Indians from their country on suspicion of being sympathisers of the Islamic State:
- (b) if so, the facts of the matter;
- (c) whether  similar  communications  have  been  received  from certain other countries as well; and
- (d) if so, the details in this regard along with the response of the Government thereto?

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

(a) to (d) Government of the Republic of Turkey repatriated a few Indian nationals from Turkey apparently after the individuals could not  give  convincing  reasons  of  their  travel  to  Turkey.  The  Turkish authorities informed our Embassy regarding the repatriations.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2919 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Foot Over Bridge at Kotdwar Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MAJ. GEN. (RETD) BHUWAN CHANDRA KHANDURI AVSM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2919

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## FOOT OVER BRIDGE AT KOTDWAR RAILWAY STATION

## 2919. MAJ GEN B C KHANDURI AVSM (RETD):

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  local  public  has  been  demanding  for  a  Foot  Over Bridge  (FOB)  and  boundary  wall  at  Kotdwar  Railway  Station  in Uttarakhand;
- (b) if  so,  the details thereof and the requests received from Members of Parliament from Uttarakhand in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any action to provide a FOB and construct boundary wall at Kotdwar Railway Station;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the time likely to be taken  to complete the above works?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b): Local public has demanded provision of Foot Over Bridge (FOB) and  construction  of  boundary  wall  at  Kotdwar  Railway  station.  One request of Hon'ble Major B.C. Khanduri, former Chief Minister (Uttrakhand) has been received in August 2015 for the above works.
- (c) to (e): At present, Foot-Over-Bridge (FOB) is not considered necessary at Kotdwar station, as there is only one passenger platform at this station. Out-to-out Foot Over Bridge (FOB) for use of general public can  be  considered  on  deposit  terms  if  State  Govt  agrees  to  bear  the complete cost of construction and maintenance. Scrutiny of proposal for construction of boundary wall at station has been taken up.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2917 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Launch of New Schemes
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

O.I.H.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

## LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 2917

TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 16, 2015

## LAUNCH OF NEW SCHEMES

No.  2917              SHRI GOPAL SHETTY:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY

ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  started  any  new  schemes  for
- housing and urban poverty alleviation in the last one year;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  new  schemes  implemented/initiated  in
- the last one year; and
- (c) the achievements and the main features thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

****

(a) to (c): In  pursuance  of  the  Government's  vision  of  facilitating housing  to  all  by  2022,  the  Government  has  launched  'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)-Housing for All (HFA) (Urban)' Mission on 25.6.2015.  The Mission aims to provide assistance to States/UTs in  addressing  the  housing  requirement  of  the  slum  dwellers  and urban poor through following four verticals:

- (i)   'In situ' Slum Redevelopment through private participation using land as resource;
- (ii)
- Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS);
- (iii)    Affordable Housing in Partnership; and
- (iv)   Subsidy for beneficiary-led individual house construction or enhancement.

Contd.....

As on date, 1183 Cities have been selected in 23 States under the  Mission.    Till  now,  174  projects  for  construction  of  2,30,403 houses of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category in 98 cities of 6 States have been approved 'in principle' under the Mission.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2916 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Skill Development of Widows
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: PARESH RAWAL, CHANDRAKANT RAGHUNATH PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2916 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## SKILL DEVELOPMENT OF WIDOWS QUESTION

## 2916.  SHRI PARESH RAVAL:

SHRI C.R. PATIL:

Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any programme for the skill development of widows;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the budget allocated for the same during the current financial year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

(a) to (c) There are a number of skill development schemes across various sectors being implemented by Central Ministries/Departments. The data on the widows covered under these skill development programmes is not maintained centrally. However, most of these schemes  have  special  provisions to promote  the  participation in skill development programmes by all socio-economic groups, including women. 30% of all the seats for the courses in all Government and Private ITIs are reserved for women candidates which includes widows as well.

Further, there are 402 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) exclusively for  women.  Furthermore,  Government  has  set  up  ten  Regional  Vocational  Training Institutes (RVTIs) and one National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) (at Noida, Uttar Pradesh) in Central Sector for skill Development of Women including widows across the Country. Details of these RVTIs are given below:-

| RVTIs   | RVTIs          | RVTIs      |
|---------|----------------|------------|
| S. No.  | State          | Place      |
| 1       | Haryana        | Panipat    |
| 2       | Rajasthan      | Jaipur     |
| 3       | Meghalaya      | Tura       |
| 4       | West Bengal    | Kolkata    |
| 5       | Karnataka      | Bengaluru  |
| 6       | Kerala         | Trivandrum |
| 7       | Madhya Pradesh | Indore     |
| 8       | Gujrat         | Vadodara   |
| 9       | Uttar Pradesh  | Allahabad  |
| 10      | Maharashtra    | Mumbai     |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2915 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Japan&#39;s Pension Funds
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUSHMITA DEV, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2915 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## JAPAN'S PENSION FUNDS

2915.  KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV: SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  sought  Japan's  pension  funds  to invest in the country's Railways infrastructure;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof and the amount required from Japan's pension  funds  to  be  invested  in  Railways  and  whether  funds  have been sought from any other foreign agencies;
- (c) whether the Government of Japan has agreed to the terms and conditions of the Government of India to invest in Railways; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) No proposal has been sent in this regard.
- (b)   Does not arise as far as investment from Japan's pension funds is concerned.  However,  assistance  of  Japan  International  Cooperation Agency  (JICA)  and  the  World  Bank  has  been  taken  for  financing Western  and  Eastern  Dedicated  Freight  Corridor  project.  The  World Bank  has  also  been  approached  regarding  creation  of  a  Railway
- infrastructure development fund.
- (c) & (d):    Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2914 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Scholarship for Skill Development Training
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: K.R.P. PRABAKARAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2914 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## Scholarship for Skill Development Training QUESTION

## 2914. SHRI K.R.P. PRABAKARAN:

## Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to provide scholarships for various training courses including  technical  training  and  impart  training  across  the  country  in  various  skills  with international standard;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) if not the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

(a) to (c) At present, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)  does not have scholarship  scheme for  training.  However,  this  Ministry  has  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY),  which  is  a  reward  based  scheme  wherein  monetary  reward  is credited  directly  to  bank  account  of  trainee  after  his/her  successful  assessment  and certification. PMKVY targets to benefit 24 lakh persons with fresh training of 14 lakh youths and certification of 10 lakh persons under Recongnition of Prior Learning (RPL).

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2913 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Development of Officers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2913 TO BE ASNWERED ON 16.12.2015

## DEVELOPMENT OF OFFICERS

## 2913. SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the deployment of officers in  each  of  zonal  railways  in  the  country  is  not  as  per  uniform policy;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any survey has been conducted by the Government to find out actual number of officers posted in each zonal railways as per sanctioned strength;
- (d) if so, details thereof, zone-wise;
- (e) whether  the  findings  of  the  survey  disclose  that  there  are anomalies in posting of officers in terms of their strength; and
- (f) if not, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to prevent such anomalies?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a)  to  (f):  Sanction  and  deployment/posting  of  officers  in  the  zonal railways is a need-based exercise carried out and updated periodically.  The  actual  deployment  of  officers  is  done  accordingly, keeping in view the sanctioned strength.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2912 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Nuclear Plant in Pak
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ANANT KUMAR DATTATREYA HEGDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2912 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## NUCLEAR PLANT IN PAK

## † 2912. SHRI ANANTKUMAR HEGDE:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that China is setting up a nuclear power plant in Pakistan; and
- (b)     if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  steps  taken  by  the Government to obviate any problems in the security interest of the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Government of India is aware of the agreement to supply two additional nuclear power reactors, Chashma-3 and Chashma-4, by  China  to  Pakistan.    These  reactors  are  under  construction,  in addition  to  Chashma-1  and  2,  which  are  already  in  operation. Government is further aware of reports of an agreement for supply of  additional  reactors  of  Chinese  origin  to  be  built  at  Chashma, Karachi and a third site in Pakistan. Government remains committed to taking all necessary steps to safeguard India's national security interests.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2911 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Effective Implementation of RTI Act
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2911

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015)

## EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF RTI ACT

## 2911. SHRI RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKER:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  RTI  Act  has  not  been  able  to  achieve  its  objectives  in  providing  the information to the applicants;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  reasons  for  ineffective  implementation  of  the  RTI  Act  and  the  measures  being taken by the Government for proper and effective implementation of the Act?

## 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):   No, Madam. Various measures have been taken by the Government to make the RTI Act achieve its objectives. The Government, inter-alia, taken following steps for proper and effective implementation of the Act:

- i. The  Central  Government  has  launched  RTI  Online  portal  for  online  filling  of  RTI applications  on  21.08.2013,  including  online  payment  of  RTI  fee/costs.  At  present, 463 Central Public Authorities  including 175 Indian Missions/Consulate General of India (CGI) abroad are aligned to this portal.
- ii. Capacity building through training of Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities,  so  as  to  enable  them  to  supply  information/dispose  of  first  appeal effectively, resulting into less number of appeals to the Information Commission.
- iii. Awareness  Generation/publicity  campaign  has  been  carried  out  through  centrally sponsored scheme namely 'Improving Transparency and Accountability in Government  through  Effective  Implementation  of  Right  to  Information',  through electronic  media  in  Hindi  and  regional  languages  and  also  through  regional  and national workshops.
- iv. A number of clarificatory  orders  has  also  issued  OMs  No.  1/18/2007-IR dated  21 st September,  2007  and OM No.  1/6/2011-IR  dated 15 th April,  2013,  10 th December, 2013, 22 nd September, 2014, 29 th June, 2015 and 9 th July, 2015 impressing upon the public authorities to disclose maximum information proactively so that citizens need not resort to filling of RTI applications to access information available with the public authorities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2910 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Skill Development of Film Industry Workers
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: MIDHUN REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2910 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## SKILL DEVELOPMENT OF FILM INDUSTRY WORKERS QUESTION

## 2910.  SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

## Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to develop skills of workers employed in the Indian Film Industry;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  make  skill  development  programmes mandatory for these workers; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

(a) & (b) There are 29 Sector Skill Councils (SSCs)  operational  including  one for Media  and  Entertainment,  to  promote  industry/employer  participation.  Media  and Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) has been created to take care of the skilling needs for  all  segments  in  this  sector  including  film  sector.  The  Skills  Council  has  been mandated to develop National Occupation Standards  (NOSs) as per requirements  of industry  and  create  Qualification  Packs  (QPs)  which  correspond  to  specific  job  roles within the sector.

- (c) No, Madam. There is no such proposal at present.
- (d) Does not arise in view of (c) above.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2909 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Infrastructure Status to Housing
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: SEETARAM AJMEERA NAIK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2909

TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 16, 2015

## INFRASTRUCTURE STATUS TO HOUSING

No. 2909 PROF. A. S. R. NAIK :

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  given  infrastructure  status  to housing sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps being taken to boost the housing sector for Scheduled Castes (SCs)/Scheduled Tribes (STs) areas in the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) & (b): No Madam.

- (c): 'Land' and 'Colonisation' are State subjects. It is therefore responsibility of the  States/Union  Territories  to  ensure housing to all citizens,  including  Scheduled  Castes  (SCs)  / Scheduled Tribes (STs). In order to supplement their efforts, the  Ministry  of  Housing  &  Urban  Poverty  Alleviation  has launched the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Mission to provide assistance to States/Union Territories in addressing  the  housing  requirement  of  the  urban  poor through (i)  In  situ  Slum  Redevelopment  through  PPP  using land as resource; (ii) Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS); (iii)  Affordable  Housing  in  Partnership;  and  (iv)  Subsidy  for beneficiary-led individual house construction or enhancement.  Provisions  to  give  preference  to  Manual Scavengers, Women, persons belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes, Minorities, Persons with disabilities and Transgender, have been made under the Credit Link Subsidy Scheme and the Affordable Housing in Partnership Scheme,  subject to beneficiaries being from Economically Weaker  Section (EWS) / Low Income Group (LIG) segments.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2908 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Retirement Age
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: THOKCHOM MEINYA

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2908

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015)

## RETIREMENT AGE

## 2908. DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the retirement age of the Central Government employees is proposed to be reduced to 58 years of age or 33 years of service whichever is earlier; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## 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):    No Madam, no such proposal is under consideration.

- (b):    Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2906 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Luxury Rest Rooms at Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2906 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2015

## LUXURY REST ROOMS AT RAILWAY STATIONS

## 2906. SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  decided  to  open  luxury  rest rooms in major railway stations across the country for the use of passengers like rest rooms in the airports;
- (b) if so, the details of railway stations where luxury rest rooms are proposed to be set up, State-wise; and
- (c) the time by when these luxury rest rooms would be ready?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (c): Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has been entrusted with the task of setting up Executive Lounges at  49  locations.  These  Executive  Lounges  provide  value  added services at a charge, offering facilities such as Wifi Internet, buffet services,  wash  and  change,  concierge  services  for  pre-departure and post-arrival assistant to passengers. These facilities are

Cont'd.2…..

similar to the facilities provided at the airports.  The locations are New  Delhi, Delhi, Nizamuddin, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Jammu, Agra Cantt., Bhopal, Nagpur, Vijayawada, Chennai Central, Bangaluru City, Trivandrum Central, Madurai, Kozhikode, Ernakulam Jn., Madgaon, Bombay Central, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Bandra Terminus, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Ajmer, Kathgodam, Bhubaneshwar, Lucknow, Lucknow Jn., Varanasi Cantt.,  Kalka,  Hyderabad,  Secunderabad,  Pune,  Bilaspur,  Ranchi, Raipur,  Dhanbad,  Tatanagar,  Guwahati,    Visakhapatnam,  Puri, Sealdah, Howrah, New Jalpaiguri, Patna, Gorakhpur, Allahabad, and Kanpur. Executive Lounge at New Delhi Railway station has started operation. IRCTC is in the process of setting up Executive Lounges at other locations.

*****