opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3925 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Automatic Ticket Checking and Fare Collection System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: C.S. PUTTARAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3925 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.12.2015

AUTOMATIC TICKET CHECKING AND FARE COLLECTION SYSTEM

3925. SHRI C.S. PUTTA RAJU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Railways plans to introduce high-tech automatic ticket  checking  and  fare  collection  systems  across  its  vast network;

- (b) if so, the details thereof and its aims and objectives;
- (c) the details of benefits that are likely to accrue to Railways and the passengers; and

(d) the time by which the systems are likely to be introduced?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.3925  BY  SHRI  C.S.  PUTTA  RAJU  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  23.12.2015  REGARDING  AUTOMATIC

TICKET CHECKING AND FARE COLLECTION SYSTEM (a) to (d) Automatic Fare Collection system has already been introduced on Metro Railway Kolkata since 2011. Under this system, the Automatic Gates  check  and  control  passenger  entry  and  exit  without  manual intervention  and  also  ensures  fare  collection.    By  introducing  this system manual checking of tickets has been done away with, resulting in  faster  and  orderly  entry  and  exit  of  commuters.  This  facility  has however, not been introduced on other stations of Indian Railways. For automation of on-board ticket checking system on Indian Railways, Hand Held Terminals were initially provided to ticket checking staff in 11  pairs  of  trains.  Expansion  of  Hand  Held  Terminal  usage  has  been sanctioned  for  73  more  pair  of  trains  on  Indian  Railways.  Hand  Held Terminals enable the ticket checking staff to download the chart of the coach allotted to them and to allot vacant berths/seats available due to non turning up of passengers to Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) passengers. It  brings  transparency in  the  working  of  TTEs  as  well  as generates  additional  railway  revenue  due  to  utilization  of  vacant seats/berths on trains. Introduction of such projects on automation and their proliferation is a continuous and ongoing process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3924 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: M-Passport Mobile Application
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: JANAK RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3924 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.12.2015

## M-PASSPORT MOBILE APPLICATION

† 3924. SHRI JANAK RAM:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) whether  a  new  mobile  application  named  M-passport  has been launched on the occasion of passport service day;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the  time  by  when  the  said  application  is  likely  to  become operational?

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

(a) Yes.  The  prototype  of  Mobile  App  'mPassport  Police'  was launched on the occasion of the Passport Seva Divas held during 2426 June, 2015 at New Delhi.

(b) The  'mPassport  Police'  App  would  help  the  Police  Verifying Officer  to  capture  the  data  for  Police  Verification  Report  (PVR)  on real-time basis at applicant's place of residence and would expedite the  submission  of  PVR,  making  the  entire  Police  Verification  flow digital  and  accountable.  This  app  would  be  in  addition  to  the existing mPassport Seva App which has been designed primarily for the  citizens  who  are  interested  in  Passport  related  information  on their smart phones.

(c) The development and testing of the 'mPassport Police' App is at  the  advanced  stage.    It  is  expected  to  be  implemented  and operationalized during the current financial year.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3923 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Fixation of Salary of IAS Officers on Deputation
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: RAVNEET SINGH

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3923

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.12.2015)

## FIXATION OF SALARY OF IAS OFFICERS ON DEPUTATION

## 3923. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether IAS officers on deputation to Private Corporate Registered Organisations are entitled to salaries, allowances and other privileges which are in excess of admissible entitlements to them under the Government rules and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any instances have come to the notice of the Government where officers have insisted  fixation  of  their  salaries,  etc.  comparable  to  the  salaries  of  officers  of  the organisation to which these officers have been deputed;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the action taken by the Government thereon?

## 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):    Under Standard terms and conditions for deputation of All India Service officers under Rule 6(2)(ii) of IAS(Cadre) Rules, 1954 issued vide DoPT's letter No. 14017/03/2007.AIS-II dated 06/03/2007, the IAS officers deputed to an international organisation, an autonomous body not controlled by the Government or a private body may opt for his grade pay or the pay of the post, whichever is more beneficial to him. This grade pay should be pay of the post which he held immediately before proceeding to the deputation post and he was promoted to the post in his cadre in accordance with the rule and Government of India decisions in this regard.  The  member  of  the  service  may  opt  the  pay  scale  of  the  post  in  the  borrowing organization instead of his grade pay. He will be given further option in case if there is any change in the substantive notional pay in his parent cadre.
- (b):      No,  Madam.  As  the  option  for  availing  of  pay  scale  of  the  post  in  the  borrowing organization  is  available,  no  instance  has  come  to  the  notice  of  the  Government  where officers have insisted on fixation of their salaries, etc. comparable to the salaries of officers of the organisation to which these officers have deputed.
- (c) & (d):  Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3922 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Rail Connectivity to J&K border Regions
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3922

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.12.2015

## RAIL CONNECTIVITY TO J&K BORDER REGIONS

3922.       SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has any plan to provide rail connectivity to Leh and Ladhakh region of Jammu and Kashmir;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the feasibility studies have been completed in this regard; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  project  cost,  the  source  of funds and the time frame by which the projects would be accomplished?

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

(a)  to  (d):      A  Reconnaissance  Engineering-cum-Traffic (RET) survey for Bilaspur-Kullu-Manali-Leh (498 km) new line has been completed.   The cost of the project was assessed at approx. Rs.32,739 Crores (at 2013 price  level).    The  project  has  been  identified  as  a  strategic  line  by Ministry  of  Defence.    As  this  strategic  line  is  proposed  in  Himalayan region,  to  have  a  reasonably  accurate  cost  estimate,  Final  Location Survey  has  to  be  carried  out  along  with  detailed  Geological  and Geotechnical studies, etc.  Ministry of Railways has requested Ministry of  Defence  to  convey  approval  to  carry  out  Final  Location  Survey  at  a cost of Rs.157.72 Crores and provide the necessary funds.  The time of completion and cost cannot be ascertained till completion of the Final Local Survey and detailed geo-technical studies.

To  assess  the  feasibility  and  viability  of  another  rail  connectivity  in Ladakh  region,  a  survey  of  Srinagar-Kargil-Leh  (430  km)  new  line  has been taken up.  Survey requires interaction with various departments of State  Government,  District  Administrations,  Trade  and  Industries,  etc. for  assessment  of  traffic  projections.    It  also  involves  preparation  of plan,  drawing, calculation of cost, rate of return, etc.  Since this is an extensive exercise, no time frame has been fixed for completion of this survey.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3921 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Desert Circuit
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3921 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.12.2015

## DESERT CIRCUIT

## 3921. SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has any proposal to run 'Desert Circuit' as well as 'Heritage Circuit' train services in some divisions; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  features  of  such  trains services?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has introduced 'Desert Circuit' tourist train on the circuit Delhi - Jaisalmer - Jaipur - Delhi on 13.12.2015. It has also planned to introduce 'Heritage Circuit' tourist train on the circuit Delhi - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Agra - Delhi on 20.12.2015. 4 days / 5 nights all inclusive packages covering rail journey on different AC classes, local transportation in AC coaches, hotel accommodation in 3 star hotels, guided sightseeing, meals etc. are offered on both the circuits.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3920 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Launch of GSAT
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI, BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3920

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

## LAUNCH OF GSAT

3920. SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA: SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched into  space  GSAT-15  on  Arianne rocket and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  GSAT-15  satellite  would  provide  improved communication  facilities to the people in Indian subcontinent, if so, the details thereof;
- whether the Government is planning to launch GSAT-17 and
- (c) GSAT-18 in 2016-17; and
- (d)
- if so, the details and the present status thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) Yes,  Madam.  The  GSAT-15  communication  satellite  was launched  onboard  Ariane-5  launch  vehicle  from  Kourou  in French Guiana on November 11, 2015 (IST). GSAT-15 carries 24 Ku-band communication transponders and one Navigational Payload namely GAGAN .
- (b) The Ku-band transponders have capability to provide various types  of  communication  services  including  Direct  to  Home (DTH), television, Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) and telecommunication  services.  It  would  ensure  continuity  of services and also augment INSAT/GSAT transponder capacity. The  navigational  payload,  GAGAN,  will provide  in-orbit  back up to the existing operational GAGAN payloads in GSAT-8 and GSAT-10.
- (c)
- Yes Madam.
- (d) GSAT-17  and  GSAT-18  are  planned  to  be  launched  using Ariane Launch vehicle from Kourou in French Guiana. GSAT-17 will carry 24 C-band & 14 Extended C-band transponders, Data Relay Transponder, Search & Rescue and Mobile  Satellite  Service  payloads.  GSAT-18  will  carry  24 C-band,  12  Extended  C-band  and  12  Ku-band  transponders. Integration  of  GSAT-18  satellite  has  been  completed  and testing is in progress. Fabrication of subsystems and payloads for GSAT-17 is in progress.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3919 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Overhauling of Interiors of Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: OM BIRLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3919 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.12.2015

## OVERHAULING OF INTERIORS OF COACHES

3919.  SHRI OM BIRLA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Railways has overhauled the interiors of the train coaches; and
- (b)  if so, details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  &  (b)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3919  BY  SHRI  OM  BIRLA  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 23.12.2015 REGARDING OVERHAULING OF INTERIORS OF COACHES.

(a) Maintenance and overhauling of interiors of coaches is a part of various preventive maintenance activities of coaches undertaken by Indian Railways from time to time. Such activities include prescribed Periodic Overhauling of Coaches, Refurbishment of Coaches and Mid Life Rehabilitation of coaches.

(b)  The  number  of  coaches  overhauled/refurbished/rehabilitated in  the  last  two  financial  years  and  current  financial  year  upto November 2015 is as below:

|   S.No. | Financial Year                   |   Periodic Overhauling of coaches (in Nos.) |   Mid Life Rehabilitation of coaches (in Nos.) |   Refurbishment of coaches (in Nos.) |
|---------|----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
|       1 | 2013 - 2014                      |                                       25607 |                                            736 |                                  769 |
|       2 | 2014 - 2015                      |                                       26824 |                                            752 |                                  461 |
|       3 | 2015 - 2016 (Till November 2015) |                                       18525 |                                            508 |                                  214 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3918 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Facilities at Jabalpur Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: GANESH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3918 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.12.2015

## FACILITIES AT JABALPUR STATION

†3918. SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the passenger facilities at Satna and Jabalpur railway stations in Madhya Pradesh are adequate;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government property worth crores of rupees was burnt due to fire in Jabalpur railway station last year; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  provide  adequate passenger facilities at the said railway stations?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Category of stations is decided on the basis of annual passenger earning.  Accordingly,  Satna  is  classified  as  'A'  category  station  and Jabalpur is classified as 'A1' category station. Essential  passenger amenities at stations are provided on the basis of their category. Passenger amenities such as waiting hall/room, Upper Class waiting room, platform  shelter,  taps  for  drinking  water,  water  coolers,  lavatories  & urinals, seats, Foot Over Bridge (FOB), signage etc. are available at these stations as per norms.  Further augmentation/improvement of amenities at stations  is  a  continuous  process  and  is  undertaken  depending  upon increase in passenger traffic subject to availability of funds.

No such case of fire has been reported at Jabalpur Railway Station in the last year.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3917 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Construction of New Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JHINA  HIKAKA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3917 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.12.2015

## CONSTRUCTION OF NEW RAILWAY LINE

3917.    SHRI JHINA HIKAKA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  there  is  any  budgetary  provision  for  construction  of  new railway line from Therawali to Gunupur and Gopalpur in Odisha;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the same is likely to be disbursed;
- (c) whether there is any proposal for introduction of second passenger train between Koraput and Bhubaneswar and from Koraput to Delhi; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a)  &  (b):    No,  Madam.    Surveys  for  new  lines  from  Therubali  to Gunupur(79  Km)    and  from  Rayagada(Gumada)  to  Gopalpur  (223  Km) were completed. As per the surveys, costs have been assessed as ` 435 crore and ` 1649 crore respectively. However,  owing to huge throwforward  of  ongoing  projects,  limited  availability  of  fund  for  new lines and competing priorities, these projects could not be sanctioned. Hence, the question of providing budgetary provision for these projects does not arise.

(c)&(d):   At present there is no proposal to introduce train services from Koraput to Bhubaneswar and Koraput to Delhi.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3916 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Telescopic Fare in Online Ticket Booking
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3916 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.12.2015

## TELESCOPIC FARE IN ONLINE TICKET BOOKING

3916.    SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  proposes  to  include  telescopic  fare  in online  ticket  booking  and  help  long  distance  travellers  to  avoid multiple reservation charges, development charges and super fast charges; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a):  At  present,  there  is  no  proposal  to  include  telescopic  fare  in online ticket booking.

(b): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3915 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Accrual Accounting System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

- (a) Yes, Madam.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.3915

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.12.2015

## ACCRUAL ACCOUNTING SYSTEM

## 3915. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government recently conducted a pilot study for implementing the accrual accounting system in the railways which will record the incurred revenue and expenses irrespective of when cash is exchanged;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for doing so and the ways in which the new accounting system is likely to benefit the railways;
- (c) whether  the  Minister  has  also  engaged  the  Institute  of  Chartered Accountants  of  India  (ICAI)  to  develop  a  design  for  implementing  an integrated outcome budgeting and Performance Costing System under its attempt to introduce an Information Technology enabled accounting system in the Railways, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Minister  is  likely  to  impart  training  to  its  employees  for implementing the system; 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)

- (b) Indian  Railways  has  engaged  'Accounting  Research  Foundation  of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India' (ICAI ARF) for conducting a pilot  study  for  introduction  of  accrual  accounting  system  at  Ajmer Division  and  also  at  Ajmer  Group  of  Workshops  of  North  Western Railway.

Twelfth Finance Commission had recommended introduction of Accrual Accounting  System  in  Government  departments.  Further,  Government Accounting Standards Advisory Board (GASAB)  has  also advised Government  Departments  to  prepare  a  comprehensive  roadmap  for transition  to  accrual  accounting.  Accordingly,  Indian  Railways  has embarked upon Accounting Reforms project which, inter alia, includes introduction of accrual accounting.

The  new  accounting  system  will  improve  the  quality  of  financial reporting of operating results and financial position of Indian Railways.

- (c) In  order  to  give  effect  to  the  budget  announcement  made  by  the Hon'ble Minister of Railways in Rail Budget 2015-16, a Working Group and an Advisory Body have been formed to modify the present system of accounting to ensure tracking of expenditure to desired outcomes. Formal engagement of the agency is under due process by the Ministry.
- (d)&(e) Indian Railways has planned to impart training to its employees for implementing the system once the system is developed.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3914 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Stalls/Booths at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3914 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.12.2015

## STALLS/BOOTHS AT STATIONS

†3914. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  a  number  of  applications  are  under  consideration  of  the Government  regarding  allocation  of  stalls  and  telephone  booths  at railway  stations  of  various  States  of  the  country  including  Jharkhand, Assam and North Eastern States;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof along with the criteria fixed therefor;
- (c)  the latest position of these proposals; and
- (d)  the time by which these proposals are likely to be disposed of?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d):  About 3120 applications for allotment of stalls at the stations have been received by the Zonal Railways. However, as per provision of Catering  Policy  2010,  whenever  there  is  a  requirement  of  additional catering/vending    facilities    at  any  Railway  station,    Zonal  Railways award the same (depending upon the category of stations and nature of units),  by  calling  application/inviting  tender  through  press  notification, based on the eligibility criteria and merits of the applicants.  In the new Catering Policy, 2010  in  continuation  of  previous Catering Policies, the Contd..2/-

provision of 25% reservation in allotment of minor static unit at A, B & C categories and 49.5% reservation in allotment of minor static unit at D, E, & F categories of stations has been made with a view to protect the interest of socially backward and economically weaker sections of the society.  Allotment  of  the  stalls  is  an  ongoing  process.  Regarding allotment  of  Telephone  Booths,  at  present,  no  application  is  under consideration of the Zonal Railways.

*****