opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 411 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Three Flagship Schemes
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 411**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 22, 2015**

**THREE FLAGSHIP SCHEMES**

**NO. 411	 KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:**

Will the **MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT** be pleased to state:

1. whether the Government has launched three flagship schemes aimed at changing the face of urban India;
2. If so, the details of the schemes;
3. The expected expenditure involved therein, scheme-wise;
4. The expected number of jobs to be generated;
5. The time by which it is likely to be started and completed; and
6. The other steps taken to improve the standard of life in the urban areas?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF STATE IN**

**THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT**

**(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)**

1. :Yes, Madam.
2. **:Government of India have launched f** ollowing three schemes:-

1. **Smart Cities Mission (SCM): This Mission** has been launched with an objective to promote sustainable and inclusive cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of ‘Smart’ Solutions to infrastructure and services.
2. **Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT):** This Mission has been launched with the objective to develop basic urban infrastructure- water supply, sewerage, septage management, storm water

**Contd:** -

-2-

drains, urban transport and development of green spaces and parks with special provision for child- friendly components in the 500 cities/ towns under the Mission.

1. **Housing for All:** Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) has been launched for taking up housing for the urban poor. This Mission will cover all 4041 statutory towns.

1. :Financial support as Central assistance under SCM & AMRUT to the extent of Rs. 48,000/- and Rs. 50,000/- crore respectively has been proposed to be provided to the States/UTs during the mission period. Under PMAY, a provision of Rs. 4000 crores has been made for this Mission in Budget Estimates (BE) 2015-16.

1. :Implementation of these schemes would lead to a lot of infrastructure and construction activities, thereby, creating several opportunities for employment generation.

1. :SCM& AMRUT have started in 2015-16 and are initially planned up to 2019-20.

PMAY: The implementation of this Mission period is from 2015 to 2022.

1. :These three flagships schemes aim to improve the standard of life in urban areas, holistically, by converging with the  Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY), Digital India, Skill development, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 410 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Full Mobile Number Portability
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: K.R.P. PRABAKARAN, SUNIL KUMAR SINGH, RAKESH SINGH, BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY**

**DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.410**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 22** **ND** **JULY, 2015**

**FULL MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY**

**410.	SHRI K.R.P. PRABAKARAN:**

**SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:**

**SHRI RAKESH SINGH:**

**SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN** :

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

(a) 	whether the Government has implemented full mobile number  portability in the country recently;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof and whether the Government has kept some States out

of this portability;

(c)	if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(d) 	the time limit and charges fixed for retaining of telephone number with the new provider and the penalties fixed for violation by the telecom service providers; and

(e) 	the other steps taken/being taken by the Government for the benefit of the consumers?

ANSWER

**THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY**

**(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)**

1. The Full Mobile Number Portability has been implemented in the Country with effect from 03.07.2015.

1. No State has been kept out of this portability.

1. Does not arise in view of above.

**Contd…2/-**

2/-

(d)&(e)	As per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Regulations, the subscribers are not allowed to port their number before the expiry of a period of ninety days from the date of activation of a new connection/ last porting.

TRAI has specified a maximum of Rs. 19/- as porting charge, which a service provider can take from customer for availing the facility of mobile number portability.

In consumer benefit, TRAI vide Mobile Number Portability (4 th amendment) Regulations dated 19 th September 2012 has made provision of imposing a financial disincentive not exceeding five thousand rupees for each contravention in case of timeline violations and a financial disincentive not exceeding ten thousand rupees for each wrongful rejection of the request for porting.

**********************
Lok Sabha Question No. 409 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Guidelines for Urban Development
Ministry: URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SRINIVAS KESINENI, RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO, DEVUSINH JESINGBHAI CHAUHAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPOMENT

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.** 409

TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 22, 2015

**GUIDELINES FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT**

No. 409.	SHRI KESINENI NANI:

SHRI RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO:

SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN:

Will the Minister OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

1. whether the Government has taken any step to streamline and monitor urban development and if so, the details thereof;

1. whether there is any proposal to follow international guidelines in the development of urban areas and merge cantonment with urban development; and

1. if so, the details thereof and the action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard so far?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN

THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a):	Urban Development is a State subject and Government of India only facilitates the State Governments and Urban Local Bodies through various programmes, schemes and guidelines.

(b): 	No, Madam.

(c):	Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 408 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: NSF for High School Students
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD, PARESH RAWAL, DEVUSINH JESINGBHAI CHAUHAN

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY**

**DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.408**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 22/07/2015**

**NSF FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS**

**408.	SHRI D.S. RATHOD:**

**SHRI PARESH RAVAL:**

**SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN:**

**Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó**

**be pleased to state:**

**(a)		whether the Government proposes to organise national Science Fair (NSF) specially for the students especially high school students in the country;**

**(b)		if so, the details thereof and the locations identified for the purpose;**

**(c)		whether the Government also proposes to develop science education environment in the rural areas of the country; and**

**(d)		if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?**

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES**

**(SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY)**

**òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó**

**(gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)**

**(a) to (d): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.**

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 407 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Funds for Earth Science
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: DEVUSINH JESINGBHAI CHAUHAN, PARESH RAWAL, DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

**LOK SABHA**

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. **407**

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, **July 22, 2015**

**FUNDS FOR EARTH SCIENCE**

## 

## 407.  Shri DEVUSINH  CHAUHAN:

## Shri PARESH  RAVAL:

## Shri D.S. RATHOD:

## 

## Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

## 

(a)   whether the Government proposed for more funds for the awareness of earth science in the country;

(b)     if so, the details thereof;

(c)   whether the Government has proposed any plan for the earth science activities in the country for the next three years: and

(d)    if so, the details thereof?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND**

**MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES**

**(** [**Shri Y.S.Chowdary**](http://www.moes.gov.in/content/ministers-page-1) **)**

1. Yes Madam. The Government has proposed more funds for the Awareness of the Earth Sciences in the Country.  Proposed fund of estimated cost of Rs. 75 Crore in Current  12 th Five Year plan for “Awareness & Outreach programme”. The total expenditure of incurred on awareness of Earth Sciences  in 11 th Five Year plan was Rs. 26.0522 crores.
2. Details of major activities under the Outreach and Awareness Programme of Ministry for  Current 12 th Five Year plan are as following:

1. Exhibitions and Fairs (National & International)
2. Seminars, Symposia, Conferences, Workshops, Trainings, etc.
3. Collaboration of important international days/events every year, e.g. World Earth Day, World Ozone Day, National Science Day, World Meteorology Day, World Water Day, World Environment Day, etc.
4. Awareness, Propagation and publicity of the Ministry’s activities through print and audio-visual media, Exhibition on Move and Exhibition on Wheels.
5. Foundation Day Celebrations.
6. International/National Earth Sciences Olympiad.

3. Yes Madam.
4. The Government has proposed plan for activities of Earth Sciences in the country for next three years, as per details given below:

1) Atmosphere & Climate Research - Modelling, Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS)

2) Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources, Modelling And Science (O-STORMS)

3) Polar And  Cryosphere  Research ( PACER )

4) Seismological And Geosciences (SAGE)

5) Airborne Platforms for in-situ observations – Ocean Research Vessel (APOORV)

6) High Performance Computing (HPC)

7) Research Education , Outreach Training (REACHOUT).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 405 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Spectrum Sharing and Trading
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY**

**DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.405**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 22** **ND** **JULY, 2015**

**SPECTRUM SHARING AND TRADING**

**405. DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU:**

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

(a) 	whether the much awaited spectrum  sharing and trading guidelines have been finalised by the Government;

(b)	 if so, the details and the salient features thereof and if not, the time by which the new guidelines are likely to be finalised and implemented;

(c) 	whether the guidelines are prepared or being prepared after due consultation with the industry and other stakeholders;

(d) 	if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) 	whether TRAI had recommended sharing of all categories of telecom radio waves held by operators and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

**THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY**

**(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)**

1. to (e) 		The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had made its recommendations on “Working Guidelines for Spectrum Trading” dated 28 th January, 2014 and   ‘Guidelines on Spectrum Sharing’ on 21 st July, 2014. TRAI in their Guidelines on Spectrum Sharing has recommended, inter-alia, the sharing of all access spectrum in frequency bands 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz with associated terms and conditions. These working guidelines recommended by the TRAI have been examined. The Guidelines on Spectrum Trading and Spectrum Sharing are under consideration of the Government.

*******************
Lok Sabha Question No. 404 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Construction of Atomic Power Plants
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: INNOCENT, MD. BADARIDDOZA KHAN, MAHEISH GIRRI, PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU, KRISHN PRATAP SINGH

**Annexure to LS USQ404 answered on 22.07.2015**

| Project                                                      | Location                | Capacity (MW)   | Expected Completion                 | Approved cost  (`. crore)   |   XII Plan Outlay  (`. Crore) |   Expenditure  in XII Plan upto May  2015 (`. crore) |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|
| Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP 1&2)                 | Kudankulam,  Tamil Nadu | 2X1000          | KKNPP-1  completed  KKNPP-2 2015-16 | 17270*                      |                          1043 |                                                 5999 |
| Kakrapar Atomic Power Project Units 3&4 (KAPP 3&4)           | Kakrapar,  Gujarat      | 2 X 700         | KAPP 3&4  2017-18               | 11459                       |                          9038 |                                                 5174 |
| Rajasthan Atomic Power Project Units 7&8  (RAPP 7&8) | Rawatbhata,  Rajasthan  | 2 X 700         | RAPP 7&8  2018-19               | 12320                       |                          9410 |                                                 3669 |
| Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)                        | Kalpakkam,  Tamil Nadu  | 1x 500          | 2016-17  (Commercial  Operation)    | 5677                        |                       1436.67 |                                               886.67 |

** being revised to `. 22462 crore*
Lok Sabha Question No. 401 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Fees in Private Schools
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BANSHILAL MAHTO, RAMA DEVI, YOGI ADITYANATH, RAJYAVARDHAN SINGH RATHORE, DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

### GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

### DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## 

## LOK SABHA

#### UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 401

##### TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015

**Fees in Private Schools**

†401. 	DR. BANSHILAL MAHATO:

SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

SHRI YOGI ADITYA NATH:

SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a)	whether the attention of the Government has been drawn towards recent directives of the Delhi High Court for implementation of the recommendations of a panel regarding fees structure of unaided public schools and the said court has asked about 250 schools to return additional amount of fees to the guardians with interest at the rate of nine percent;

(b)	if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c)	whether the Government is preparing any new guidelines or rules for laying down the fees structure of the said schools; and

(d)	if so, the details in this regard and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (d) : Yes, Madam.  As per the directions of the Hon’ble High Court in WPC No. 7777/2009 the Directorate of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi has constituted Justice Anil Dev Singh Committee to look into the cases of all private unaided recognized schools of Delhi which had increased fees of students after implementation of recommendations of 6 th Central Pay Commission’s (CPC) report.  The Committee had recommended refund of excess fees charged from students by 472 unaided recognized private schools in Delhi.  The Directorate of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi has issued an Order dated 21.10.2014 directing such identified private unaided recognized Schools to return excess fees with 9% interest as recommended by the Committee.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 399 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Interception of Telephone and DataCommunications
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: GAURAV GOGOI, JAYADEV GALLA, VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI, BHARATENDRA SINGH, R. VANAROJA, RANJANBEN BHATT

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY**

**DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.399**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 22** **ND** **JULY, 2015**

**INTERCEPTION OF TELEPHONE AND DATA COMMUNICATIONS**

**399. 	SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:**

**SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:**

**SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR**

**KUNWAR BHARATENDRA:**

**SHRIMATI VANAROJA R.:**

**SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:**

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

(a) 	whether there are allegations of illegal phone tapping from different parts of the country;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;

(c)	 whether the Government is working on a new regulatory framework for lawful interception of and monitoring of telephone calls, messages, voice and data communication while safeguarding  the individual users and privacy;

(d)	 if so, the details thereof; and

(e) 	whether there are differences of opinion between Ministry of Home Affairs and his Ministry in this regard and if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government to resolve the difference?

ANSWER

**THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY**

**(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)**

1. & (b) 	Madam, recently, a few cases have been registered in different Police Stations in Andhra Pradesh relating to allegations of illegal phone tapping. All these cases are under investigation at present.

(c) & (d)	 The present regime appears to be adequate and currently there is no proposal to bring out any new regulatory framework for lawful interception of and monitoring of telephone calls, messages, voice and data communication.

(e)		 There is no difference of opinion between the Ministry of Home Affairs & the Department of Telecommunications in this matter.

*********************
Lok Sabha Question No. 398 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Production of Atomic Energy
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: R. PARTHIPAN, J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE, C.S. PUTTARAJU

## `1GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.398

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015

## PRODUCTION OF ATOMIC ENERGY

398. SHRI R. PARTHIPAN: SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE: SHRI C.S. PUTTA RAJU:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  India  holds  the  lowest  place  in  the  world  in  the  field  of  producing atomic energy;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether there is any proposal to increase the production of atomic energy in the country;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the countries with which India has signed Nuclear agreements at present and proposes to sign the same in future?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No, Sir.
- (b) There  are  thirty  one  countries  including  India  in  the  world  which  generate electricity from nuclear source. According to the data published in May 2015, by Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), India ranked at 12th position in  terms  of  power  generation. However, it stood at 6 th position in terms of number of reactors in operation country- wise, globally.
- (c) Yes, Sir.

- (d) The current installed nuclear power capacity is 5780 MW, which is expected to  increase  to  10080  MW  on  progressive  completion  of  projects  under commissioning/ construction by 2019. The Government has accorded financial  sanction  and  administrative  approval  for  Gorakhpur  Haryana  Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) Units - 1&2 (2X700 MW) and Kudankulam Units3&4 (2X1000 MW) with a total capacity of 3400 MW. These projects are being prepared for launch in the current year.

In  addition,  one  Prototype  Fast  Breeder  Reactor  of  500  MW  capacity  at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu is at advanced stage of commissioning. Construction of two more Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR 1&2) of 600 MW capacity each at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu is also planned. More nuclear power projects based both  on  indigenous  technologies  and  with  international  cooperation  are planned in future.

- (e) India  has  signed  Nuclear  agreements  with  USA,  France,  Russia,  Namibia, Mongolia, Republic of Korea, Argentine Republic, United Kingdom, Republic of Kazakhstan, Canada, Sri Lanka and Australia.  India is open to negotiation with other friendly countries who seem to have potential to make contribution to India's nuclear energy programme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 396 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Permanent Membership of UNSC
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA, GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY, FEROZE VARUN GANDHI, PINAKI MISRA, C.R. CHAUDHARY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.396

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015

PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP OF UNSC

†396. 	SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

SHRI GOPAL SHETTY:

SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

1. the present status of acquiring a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC);
2. the countries that are in favour of India acquiring a permanent seat in the UNSC; and
3. the details of hurdles that the Government is facing in this endeavour?

#### ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

1. to (c)	India is of the view that the United Nations (UN), specifically the UN Security Council (UNSC), must reflect contemporary global realities. For this purpose, the reform of the UN, including the expansion of the UN Security Council, is essential. India also holds the view that it has all the credentials to be a permanent member of an expanded Security Council.  We strongly believe that 2015, being the 70 th Anniversary Year of the United Nations, provides a historic opportunity to seek concrete progress on this subject.

A series of initiatives involving bilateral and multilateral platforms have been undertaken by the Government in pursuance of this objective. India is actively engaged in the ongoing Inter-Governmental Negotiations on UNSC reform at the UN. Further, we are working alongside other reform-oriented countries through the G-4 (India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) and the L.69 Group (cross regional grouping of developing countries).

A large number of countries have supported India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UNSC. However, the question of India’s membership of the Security Council would be considered only after an agreement on the nature and extent of expansion of the Council is arrived at in accordance with the provisions of the UN Charter which requires approval by 2/3 rd of the Members of the United Nations. Accordingly, we continue with our efforts to build as large a constituency as possible for effecting the reform of the UNSC.

*****