opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1661 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Extension of Intercity Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1661 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## EXTENSION OF INTERCITY EXPRESS

†1661.  SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Railways has received requests representations to extend intercity express plying between Chitrakoot Dham to Kanpur upto Lucknow; and

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

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.    Requests/representations  for  extension  of trains  including  that  of  14109/14110  Chitrakootdham  Karvi-Kanpur Intercity  Express  upto  Lucknow  are  received  at  various  levels  of Railways  administration  viz.  stations,  Divisional  level,  Zonal  level and  Railway  Board's  level,  and  Indian  Railways  do  not  maintain  a compendium of such representations. However, at present, extension  of  14109/14110  Chitrakootdham  Karvi-Kanpur  Intercity Express upto Lucknow is not feasible, due to operational constraints including non-availability of  spare  maintenance facility at Lucknow and non-availability of terminal maintenance facility at Chitrakootdham Karvi station.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1660 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Catering Service to Self-Help Groups
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ABHISHEK SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1660 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## CATERING SERVICE TO SELF-HELP GROUPS

## †1660. SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  any  fresh  guidelines  have  been  issued by  the  Government  for catering services in the trains and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is considering any proposal for giving catering service to women self-help groups and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Railways gives priority to the women self-help groups in its works;
- (d)  if so, the details of the said works; and
- (e)  if not, the reasons therefor?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a):  The  guidelines  for  providing  catering  services  in  trains  have  been stipulated in the Catering Policy, 2010. Further, Standard Bid Document has been  issued  in  2013  by  the  Railway  Board  wherein  various  terms  & conditions and guidelines for award of pantry car contracts for provision of catering services in trains have been enunciated.  Besides this, in order to widen the range of food options available to passengers, E-catering services

Contd..2/-

have been introduced in 2015, through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in, trains without pantry car or Train Side Vending as well as on 45 designated stations from where passengers of originating/passing trains can avail of this facility. (b) to (e): There is no provision for awarding contracts to Women Self Help

Groups on criteria other than those stipulated in Catering Policy, 2010.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1659 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Rain Harvesting Facilities at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1659 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## RAIN HARVESTING FACILITIES AT STATIONS

1659.

SHRIMATI  POONAM  MAHAJAN :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  rain  water  harvesting  facilities  are  installed  at  railway terminals in Mumbai;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and the total expenditure sanctioned for the same;
- (c)  whether  the  Railways  proposes  to  install  rain  water  harvesting facilities at all the suburban railway stations in Mumbai;
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  funds  earmarked  for  the purpose; and
- (e)  whether  Railways  identified  major  challenges  in  installing  the facilities  at  terminals  and  suburban  stations  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ( SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a)  to  (e)    Railways  have  taken  up  the  work  of  installing  rain  water harvesting facilities wherever possible from techno-economic considerations i.e. intensity of rain fall, level of  water  table, soil type,

salinity of ground water etc. Railway has already installed rain water harvesting facilities at 2060 locations and for 130 more locations for installation  of  rain  water  harvesting  facilities  have  been  approved. From  techno-economic  consideration  it  was  not  found  feasible  to install  rain  water  harvesting  facilities  at  terminals  and  suburban stations of Mumbai.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1658 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Delay in Plying of Suvidha Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1658 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## DELAY IN PLYING OF SUVIDHA TRAINS †1658. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  inconvenience  is  being  caused  to  the  passengers  owing  to delays in plying of Suvidha trains;
- (b) if so, whether the Government is contemplating any measures for the timely plying of  Suvidha trains;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

( SHRI MANOJ SINHA )

(a) to  (d)  Indian  Railways  ran  333  Suvidha  trains  during  01.07.2015  to 30.11.2015 on various routes. The average punctuality, (right time arrival at destination) of these trains during the above period was 60%.

Like other Mail/Express trains, the reasons for loss of punctuality of some of Suvidha trains have been related to Railways internal working as well as external factors of which Railways are not in control of.

Other than asset failures, various constraints /difficulties which resulted in late running of these trains were  line capacity constraints on account of increasing  passenger  and  freight  traffic,  accidents,  planned  blocks  for executing  capacity  enhancement  works  &  construction  of  low  height subways, ROBs, RUBs, etc., adverse weather conditions (fog, rains, breaches),  intermittent  natural  calamities  such  as  floods,  cyclones,  heavy rains, heavy road traffic at  level crossing gates across the Indian Railways network, multi faceted law and order problems, including public agitations and bandh calls in left wing extremism affected and other areas, miscreant activities  such  as  theft  of  Railway  assets,  mid-section  run  over  cases involving cattle and humans, etc.

Railways have initiated various measures aimed at improving punctuality of trains over Indian Railways network, including Suvidha trains by  sensitization  of  staff  involved  in  train  operations,  controlling    asset failures  and  their  down-time,    prioritization  of  preventive  maintenance  of assets  etc.  State  Governments  are  being  pursued  for  more  effective resolution of law and order related problems.

To  ease  congestion,  high  priority  is  also  being  accorded  to  making resources available for speedy execution of capacity augmentation works on Railways.    The  consequent  de-congestion  of  highly  saturated  routes  will enhance systemic capability to run trains more punctually.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1656 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Double Decker Train from Mumbai to Goa
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1656 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## DOUBLE DECKER TRAIN FROM MUMBAI TO GOA

1656.  DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE: SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  was  a  long  demand  of  a  double  Decker  service  on Konkan route between Mumbai and Goa;
- (b) if so, whether the Railways has announced to start a double Decker air condition Shatabdi train on Mumbai-Goa route;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Konkan Railway has started the work on the project;
- (e) if  so, whether it is a fact that despite approval, the Central Railway doesn't seem keen to start the project;
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (g) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  in  this  regard  and  the  time  by which the train on this route will be started?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes, Madam.

(b)  to  (g):  A  new  Double  Decker  Express  train  connecting  Mumbai  and Goa,  viz.  11085/11086  Lokmanya  Tilak(T)-Madgaon  AC  Double  Decker Express  (Tri-weekly)  having  commercial  stoppages  at  Thane,  Panvel, Khed,  Chiplun,  Ratnagiri,  Kankavali,  Sawantwadi,  Thivim,  Karmali  has commenced operations w.e.f. 06/12/2015.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1655 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Online Examinations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY, RAM CHARITRA

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1655 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## ONLINE EXAMINATIONS

1655.    SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN: SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether it is a fact that the Railways has decided to conduct online examinations;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that Railways has asked its zones to take action in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  Railways  have  introduced  the  system  of 'Online  Examination'  in  recruitment  for  Group  'C'  posts  by Railway  Recruitment  Boards  (RRBs)  through  pilot  projects. Under  this  system,  examination  for  54  categories  of  Senior Section Engineers (SSEs) and Junior Engineers (JEs) has been conducted  successfully  in  August-September  2015.  Similar pilot examination related to Non Technical Popular Categories

(Undergraduate) has been held for the Persons with Disability (PwD) during November, 2015 and second phase of this exam is being scheduled in December, 2015 - January, 2016.

- (c)  &  (d):  Zonal  Railways  have  been  directed  to  assess  the vacancies  for  posts  in  Pay  Band-I  (Grade  Pay:  Rs.1800)  i.e. erstwhile Group  'D' posts with a view to extend  online examination for this category also.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1652 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Passengers Travelling in AC Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO. 1652 TO  BE  ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## PASSENGERS TRAVELLING IN AC COACHES

## †1652. SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether    the    number  of    passengers  travelling  in  air  conditioned coaches has  increased during  the  last three years;
- (b)     if so, the percentage increase in the revenue earned from  passengers travelling in air conditioned coaches during this  period;
- (c) whether  the   Railways  proposes   to   increase   the   number   of  air conditioned coaches in Super Fast trains to earn more income; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a): Yes, Madam.
- (b): The  percentage  increase  in  the  revenue  earned  from  passengers travelling  in  air  conditioned  coaches  during  2012-13  to  2014-15  was 38.4 %.
- (c)  &  (d):  Increase  in  the  number  of  coaches,  including  air  conditioned coaches is an ongoing process subject to  operational feasibility and availability  of  coaches and  commercial justification.    During 2015-16 (upto Novermber, 2015), a total of 296 air conditioned coaches have been  augmented  on  a  permanent  basis  in  various  trains  including
- superfast trains.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1649 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Jalore to Sirohi Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1649 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## JALORE TO SIROHI RAIL LINE

†1649.     SHRI  DEVJI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the survey work for rail connectivity from Jalore to Sirohi has been stopped at present due to paucity of funds and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the total amount earmarked in the budget for survey for 132 km rail line from Bagra to Pindwara;
- (c) the total amount released for the said purpose so far;
- (d) whether the Government has fixed any time limit to complete the said rail line survey; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (e): Survey for Jalore- Sirohi new line has not been sanctioned. Jalore is connected to Marwar Bagra through a broad gauge line and a survey for Marwar  Bagra-Sirohi-Pindwara (136kms) has been included  in  Railway  Budget  2015-16  at  a  cost  of ` 20.40  lakh.  An outlay of ` 0.05 lakh has been provided for the survey. This survey will assess  the  feasibility  &  viability  of  providing  connectivity  between Jalore-Sirohi via Marwar Bagra.

The  survey  requires  investigation  of  one  or  more  routes,  in consultation with State Government and forest department, trade and industries, etc. for deciding the most technically feasible alignment. Since this is an extensive exercise, no time frame has been fixed for completion of this survey.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1648 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Reservation for Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY, KAMLA DEVI PATLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1648. TO BE ANSWERED ON 09-12-2015

## Reservation for Minorities

## 1648.      SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA: SHRIMATI KAMLA DEVI PAATLE:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any proposal from various State Governments including Telangana to increase the reservation for minorities from the present 4 per cent to 12 per cent;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereon;
- (c)  whether the Government proposes to reserve seats under religion based quota for Muslims, Christians and other minorities in the educational institutions;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) ) whether the Government proposes to set up a new commission to conduct study in regard to condition of minorities in the country so that reformative measures may be taken to remove their social backwardness and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)to(d)      No,  Madam.    At  present,  there  is  no  reservation  in  Civil  Posts  and  Services  under  the Government  of India and admission to Central Educational Institutions for Minority Communities declared by the Central Government under Section 2(c) of National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.  However,  Central Government carved out a sub quota of 4.5% for minorities, as defined under Section 2(c) of National Commission for Minorities Act,  1992 [viz.  Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhist and Zoroastrians (Parsis)], from within the 27% reservation for OBCs in Civil Posts and Services under the Government of India and admission to  Central  Educational  Institutions.      A  Division  bench  of  Hon'ble  High  Court  of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, in its judgement dated 28-05-2012 has set aside the carving out of a sub-quota of 4.5% in favour of minorities out of the 27% reservation for OBCs.  The matter is presently sub-judice in the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.   Subsequently, Jains community was also declared  as  Minority  Community  vide  notification  dated  27 th January, 2014
- (e)           No, Madam.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1646 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Indian Killed in Nepal
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1646 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## INDIAN KILLED IN NEPAL

1646. ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of an Indian teenager who was killed in police firing in Nepal recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the matter has been taken up with Nepal; and
- (d) if so, the response of Nepal thereto?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Indian National Ashish Ram @ Sonu Ram s/o Shri Ashok Ram, resident of Raxaul, East Champaran, Bihar (India) was killed in firing  by  Nepalese  security  forces  at  Shankarcharya  Gate  near Birgunj Bhansar (Nepal) on November 02, 2015. He was returning to Raxaul from Birgunj (Nepal) after meeting friends/relatives.
- (c) & (d) Our  Consulate  at  Birgunj  has  requested  Ministry  of Foreign  Affairs,  Government  of  Nepal  on  Nov  02,  2015  to  initiate investigation  and  punish  the  guilty  at  the  earliest.  The  response from the Government of Nepal is awaited.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1645 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Partners for PPP
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: V. SATHYABAMA

- (a): No, Madam.
- (b): Does not arise.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1645 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## PARTNERS FOR PPP

## 1645.  SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the Railways are unable to identify partners for  the  public-  private  partnership railway projects announced in 2008-09;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that the previous request for qualification floated to identify private players for the projects elicited response from a Chinese firm;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether it is also true that the environmental clearance and other permissions for the said projects are yet to be provided; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(c) &  (d): Chinese  firms have  responded  to  requests  for prequalifications invited for Madhepura and Marhowra locomotive factory projects. However, they did not meet the prescribed eligibility criteria.

(e) & (f): Clearances/permissions for the projects are obtained by the developers in terms of the conditions of the contract.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1644 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Postage Stamp by US Postal Service
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PR. SENTHILNATHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1644 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## POSTAGE STAMP BY US POSTAL SERVICE

1644. SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Prime Minister had requested the US Government to issue a postage stamp on Diwali by US Postal Service;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the response, if any, received from the US Government in this regard?

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

(a) to (c) The  Government  is  aware  that  the  matter  has  been raised  in  the  US  Congress  regarding  issue  of  a  postage  stamp  on Diwali  by  US  Postal  Service.  Recent  Congressional  resolutions, introduced in both US Senate and House of Representatives, have urged  Citizen's  Stamp  Advisory  Committee  to  recommend  to  US Postmaster General to issue a Diwali stamp.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1643 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Human DNA Profiling Bill
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: YERRAM VENKATA SUBBAREDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1643 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09/12/2015

## HUMAN DNA PROFILING BILL

1643 . SHRI YV. SUBBA REDDY:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- whether the Government proposes to introduce the Human DNA Profiling Bill;
- b if so, the details and the present status thereof;
- C the aims and objectives of the Bill with the salient features thereof; along
- d the benefits likely to accrue as a result of the implementation of its provisions; and
- the time by which the Bill is likely to be introduced/implemented?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (Y.S. CHOWDARY)

- has formulated draft Human DNA Profiling Bill. Draft Bill was placed on the DBT s websites and linked with social websites for public consultation for comments by 10"h September; 2015. Based on the feedback/comments received from the public and also from other stakeholder; the Bill has been revised. The draft modified Bill is under process in the Government for submission to the Cabinet.
- (c) & (d) The details of the Bill will next be available after Cabinet takes a decision on it:
- No time limit can be specified at this stage.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1642 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Pakistani Artists in Indian Movies
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ASHWINI KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1642 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

PAKISTANI ARTISTS IN INDIAN MOVIES

1642. SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Pakistani singers and artists are allowed to perform in  concerts  and  act  in  Indian  movies  without  any  conditions and vice-versa and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether  the  Pakistan  Government  has  recently  banned  the entry of India's top singers to perform in that country;

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

(d) the response of Union Government thereto?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

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

(a) Artistes  from  various  countries  perform  in  India  and  act  in Indian movies in consonance with the law of the land.

(b) to (d) Government has not received any official information on ban on Indian artistes for visiting & performing in Pakistan.

*****