3755rs EW (Friday) 1164.100.47.5/EDAILYQUESTIONS/sessionno/245/RU.2.2.18-E.pdfDairy Processing and...

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RAJYA SABHA

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List of Questions for WRITTEN ANSWERS

to be asked at a sitting of the Rajya Sabha to be held on

Friday, February 2, 2018/Magha 13, 1939 (Saka)

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(Ministries : Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Chemicals and Fertilizers;Coal; Communications; Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution;

Electronics and Information Technology; Food Processing Industries;Law and Justice; Parliamentary Affairs; Railways)

Total number of questions — 160

Dairy Processing and InfrastructureDevelopment Fund

1. SHRI N. GOKULAKRISHNAN:Will the Minister of AGRICULTUREAND FARMERS WELFARE be pleasedto state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Governmentis considering to provide ̀ 8,000 crore fundto help milk co-operative societies toexpand their capacity;

(b) whether it is also a fact thatGovernment aims to create new milkprocessing capacity of 27 million litresper day in the Cooperative sector this year;

(c) whether it is also a fact that thisyear 39 projects by various cooperativedairies will be cleared under the DairyProcessing and InfrastructureDevelopment Fund; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

Transactions under e-NAM platform

2. PROF. M.V. RAJEEV GOWDA:Will the Minister of AGRICULTUREAND FARMERS WELFARE be pleasedto state:

(a) the number of transactions made bythe Food Corporation of India (FCI) on thee-NAM platform, State-wise;

(b) the total number of all transactionsmade on the e-NAM platform, State-wise;

(c) the value of transactions madeby the FCI on the e-NAM platform,State-wise; and

(d) the value of all transactions made onthe e-NAM platform, State-wise?

Subsidies to farmers under NDRF/SDRF

3. DR. VIKAS MAHATME: Will theMinister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the salient features of guidelines tobe followed by the States while approvinginput subsidies to farmers under NDRF/SDRF in case of crop loss due to drought,flood, hailstorm, pest-attack and cold wave/frost etc.;

(b) the various rates of input subsidiesgiven to the States for different crops likepaddy, wheat and other cereals;

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(c) the names of States reported tohave been affected by notified list ofdisasters; and

(d) the details of Central team deputedand sent for assessment of losses of crops,State-wise?

Production of fruits and vegetables inHimachal Pradesh

4. SHRIMATI VIPLOVE THAKUR:Will the Minister of AGRICULTUREAND FARMERS WELFARE be pleasedto state:

(a) whether Government has set anytarget for the production of fruits andvegetables in different States of the country,including Himachal Pradesh;

(b) if so, the details thereof and thesteps taken by Government to achieve thesaid targets;

(c) the details of the production offruits and vegetables in different States ofthe country, including Himachal Pradesh,during the last three years and the currentyear, State-wise; and

(d) the details of assistance provided/to be provided by Government to HimachalPradesh for promoting production of fruitsand vegetables during the last three yearsand current year, year-wise?

Welfare schemes for female farmers

5. SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV: Willthe Minister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has conductedany study on the problems being faced byfemale farmers in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise,if not, whether Government will conductsuch a study; and

(c) the details of schemes initiated, ifany, by Government for the welfare offemale farmers?

Income of farmers

6. SHRI HARIVANSH: Will theMinister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that income offarmers has been hit badly in the last twoyears, despite bumper crops; and

(b) if so, the steps being taken byGovernment to boost farm economy andsave farmers from the crisis?

Suicides by farmers in AndhraPradesh

7. SHRI V. VIJAYASAI REDDY: Willthe Minister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that as per theNCRB the suicides of farmers and farmlabourers in Andhra Pradesh have gone upfrom 632 in 2014 to 916 in 2015;

(b) the details of suicides of farmersand farm labourers in 2016 and 2017 inAndhra Pradesh;

(c) the reasons for consistent increasein farm deaths in spite of favourable rainsin Andhra Pradesh; and

(d) in what manner the Ministry isgoing to help the State to address thisserious issue?

Increasing farm production anddoubling the income of farmers

8. SHRI SAMBHAJI CHHATRAPATI:Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the concrete steps Government has

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taken to increase farm production and fordoubling the income of farmers;

(b) whether any tie-up has been madewith Israel to borrow latest techniques toincrease farm production, if so, the detailsthereof;

(c) whether any Indo-Israel task forcehas been created for the implementation ofthe programme; and

(d) if so, by when the positive resultsare likely to be visible on the ground level?

Profitable price for potato growingfarmers

9. SHRI NEERAJ SHEKHAR: Willthe Minister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is aware thatpotato growing farmers are compelled tosell their produce at 10 to 20 paise perkilogram during the current season due toits bumper crop; and

(b) if so, the details of measures CentralGovernment would take to ensureprofitable price to potato growing farmersof the country?

Benefits of neem-coated urea

10. SHRI SAMBHAJICHHATRAPATI: Will the Minister ofAGRICULTURE AND FARMERSWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the extent to which the introductionof neem-coated urea by Government hasbenefited the farmers;

(b) whether neem-coated urea has alsohelped to improve farm production, if so,the details thereof; and

(c) the arrangements made byGovernment for providing neem-coatedurea to the farmers easily?

Drought in the country

11. SHRI B. K. HARIPRASAD: Willthe Minister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether a large number of districtsacross the country have been declareddrought affected, if so, the details thereof,State/UT-wise; and

(b) the corrective action taken/beingtaken by Government in this regard?

Compensation to farmers for crop lossdue to natural calamities

†12. SHRI PRABHAT JHA: Will theMinister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether due to delay in estimation,earlier, farmers were not able to getcompensation on time for damage to theircrops from natural disasters and the amountof compensation also used to be very lowin proportion to damage done;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether farmers are able to getcompensation on time for damage to theircrops due to natural disasters following theintroduction of Pradhan Mantri Fasal BimaYojana (PMFBY) in January, 2016 andwhether the amount of compensation isalso adequate in proportion to damage done;and


†Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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Data on average income of farmers

13. DR. KANWAR DEEP SINGH:Will the Minister of AGRICULTUREAND FARMERS WELFARE be pleasedto state:

(a) whether it is a fact that NSSO hasdiscontinued estimating average income offarmers now;

(b) if so, since when and the reasonstherefor; and

(c) in the absence of data regardingaverage income of farmers, howGovernment is going to arrive at the targetof doubling the income of farmers by 2022in the absence of any reference point?

Funds for West Bengal underNational Agro Forestry and

Bamboo Mission

14. SHRI VIVEK GUPTA: Will theMinister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that over the lastthree years, no money has been released tothe State of West Bengal under the NationalAgro Forestry and Bamboo Mission, if so,the details thereof;

(b) the details of funds allocated andreleased to States under this Mission overthe past three years; and

(c) the details of all schemesimplemented under this Mission for theState of West Bengal over the past threeyears and also the regions along withthe yield of bamboo crop in the country,State-wise, over the past three years?

Decline in public investment inAgriculture sector


(a) whether there has been a decline inpublic investment in Agriculture sectorduring the last five years;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(c) whether Government has taken anyconcrete steps to bail out the Agriculturesector from the crisis?

Setting up of cattle feed knowledgeportal


(a) whether Government proposed andlaunched NDDB cattle feed knowledgeportal as an interactive knowledge platformon various aspects of compound cattle feedproduction, if so, the details thereof; and

(b) whether Government needs toensure good quality cattle feed and mineralmixture to improve per animal productivityand meet the international standards asIndia is the largest milk producer in theworld and there is an ample scope toimprove further in this regard?

Improvement in PMFBY

17. SHRI ANIL DESAI: Will theMinister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is planning toimprove flagship farm insurance schemethat has faced criticism for tardyimplementation and being skewed in favourof insurers, if so, the reasons therefor;

(b) whether Government is scouting fortechnology and looking at experience ofother countries to improve the PradhanMantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY);and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

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Diversification from tobacco farming

18. SHRI T.G. VENKATESH:SHRI DHARMAPURI

SRINIVAS:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTUREAND FARMERS WELFARE be pleasedto state:

(a) whether allocations of ` 25 croreand ` 30 crore have been made as Centralshare during 2015-16 and 2016-17respectively to diversify tobacco farmingin Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra,Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana,Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal;

(b) whether Government has receivedany feedback on utilization of funds byStates to convert tobacco farmers intoalternate farming, if so, details thereof;

(c) whether any positive results havebeen recorded, if so, details thereof; and

(d) whether Government has any planto increase funds allocation for future, ifso, details thereof?

Land usage in India

19. SHRI VIVEK GUPTA: Will theMinister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether cultivable land is steadilydecreasing in the country due to diversionof agricultural land to non-agriculturalpurposes, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether this diversion has affectedthe agricultural production in the country;

(c) the details of land under cultivationand land irrigated with different sources inthe country over the last three years,State-wise; and

(d) the details of funds allocated andreleased under major schemes of theMinistry over the last three years, State-wise?

GPS-based soil sample collection

20. SHRIMATI VIJILASATHYANANTH: Will the Minister ofAGRICULTURE AND FARMERSWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Governmenthas decided to go ahead with GPS-basedsoil sample collection for the second cycleso that the test data can not be fudged anda comparison can be made on the progressbetween the first and the second cycles;

(b) whether it is also a fact that themobile app launched by Government willbenefit field level works as it willautomatically capture GIS coordinateswhile registering sample details at the timeof soil sample collection; and


Reasonable price to farmers for theirproduces

21. SHRIMATI RAJANI PATIL: Willthe Minister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased tostate:

(a) whether Government will provideguidance/training to the marginal and mediumlevel farmers for formation of companiescollectively in order to provide reasonableprices to farmers for their produces;

(b) if so, by when the plan would beformulated in this regard; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

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Setting up of an academy forcooperative study

†22. SHRI LAL SINH VADODIA: Willthe Minister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Governmentis considering upon establishing an academyfor cooperative study in the name ofLaxman Madhav Rao Inamdar;

(b) if so, whether Government has takenany step in this regard so far; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not,the reasons therefor?

Premium paid under new agricultureinsurance policy

†23. SHRI P.L. PUNIA: Will theMinister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of premium paid byfarmers, Central Government and StateGovernments to the insurance companiesafter the introduction of new agricultureinsurance policy and the number of farmerspaid with compensation and amounts paidto each farmer, State-wise;

(b) the details of additional premiumbeing required to be paid by the farmersunder the new agriculture insurance po1icy;and

(c) the names of States with high riskand increase in premium amount at theseplaces, along with the details thereof?

Pitiable condition of farmers inOdisha

†24. SHRI RANJIB BISWAL: Will theMinister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that farmers in

Odisha are not getting value for their cropsas per their cost of production;

(b) if so, the steps being taken byGovernment in this regard; and

(c) whether Government proposes toprovide any package to improve the pitiablecondition of farmers of Odisha, if so, thedetails thereof and if not, the reasonstherefor?

Internet connectivity in e-NAM

25. SHRI MAHESH PODDAR: Willthe Minister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the electronicNational Agriculture Market (e-NAM) isnot working well due to low internetconnectivity;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps Government is taking toovercome this problem and to raise thenumber of online tradings?

Burning of crop residues

26. DR. VINAY P.SAHASRABUDDHE: Will the Ministerof AGRICULTURE AND FARMERSWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has taken anysteps to curb and prevent burning of cropresidues in the areas of Punjab and Haryanato prevent air contamination/pollution inthe area of Delhi and NCR;

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

(c) whether Government is consideringto provide technological innovations forcrop residue disposal to the farmers, if so,details thereof;


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(d) whether Government has any plansto seek funds from Green Climate Fundthrough NABARD for the financialresources to address the issue of cropburning; and

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

State-specific policy initiative forFarm sector

†27. SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR:Will the Minister of AGRICULTUREAND FARMERS WELFARE be pleasedto state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Governmenthas initiated concrete steps to double theincome of farmers;

(b) if so, the details of the measuresbeing taken to increase the income offarmers;

(c) whether Government is alsocontemplating on the State-specific policyinitiatives for farming so that the initiativecan be implemented keeping in view theState-centric problems; and

(d) if so, the initiative being takenkeeping in view the State of Bihar?

FDI in Agriculture sector

28. SHRI KAPIL SIBAL: Will theMinister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that FDI inAgriculture in Financial year 2013-14 was910 lakh dollars, in 2014-15 was 599 lakhdollars and in 2015-16 was 846 lakh dollars,if so, the reasons therefor; and

(b) whether in the first six months of2016-17, FDI was just 148 lakh dollars, ifso, the reasons for this regular down graphin FDI in Agriculture and the details of

measures taken by Government to arrestthe downward trend?

Direct linking of agriculturalinstitutions with farmers

29. DR. VINAY P.SAHASRABUDDHE: Will the Ministerof AGRICULTURE AND FARMERSWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of new Agricultureas well as Veterinary Medicine and FisheriesUniversities or deemed to be Universitiesin the country, State-wise;

(b) the number of them opened after2014 along with the details thereof;

(c) the total strength of studentsenrolled and qualified faculty recruited inthese new institutions so far;

(d) whether the Ministry has issued anyguidelines to these institutions to have directlinkage with farmers and fishermen so as tohave their research utilized by themeffectively; and

(e) if so, the details of these guidelinesand if not, the reasons therefor?

Mechanization of agriculturalactivities in NER

30. SHRI K. BHABANANDASINGH: Will the Minister ofAGRICULTURE AND FARMERSWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of Government efforts inadopting new and better technologies inagricultural activities;

(b) whether incentives and financialassistance are provided to the farmers ofthe North-Eastern Region in the pursuitfor mechanization of agriculture, if so, thedetails thereof, State-wise; and

(c) the details of schemes of the Central

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Government for assistance of agriculturalmachines and tools for the farmers?

Implementation of RKVY

31. SHRI D. RAJA: Will the Ministerof AGRICULTURE AND FARMERSWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the RashtriyaKrishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), launchedduring Eleventh Five Year Plan, has notbeen doing well since the funding patternwas changed from 2015-16; and

(b) if so, the details of the programme,the funds allocated, released and utilizedduring the Twelfth Plan period, year-wise,and Government's reaction to the poorimplementation of the programme?

Training the farmers to follow theinstructions of CIBRC

32. SHRI MAHESH PODDAR: Willthe Minister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the largenumber of farmers do not adhere to CentralInsecticides Board and RegistrationCommittee (CIBRC) list of approved uses;and

(b) the steps Government is taking toeducate farmers to follow the instructionsof CIBRC regarding use of pesticides?

Growth rate in Agriculture sector

33. SHRIMATI RAJANI PATIL:SHRI DARSHAN SINGH

YADAV:


(a) whether Government has launched

several schemes to increase growth rate ofAgriculture sector in the country, if so, thedetails thereof;

(b) the details and the nature ofcontribution of States in increasing thegrowth rate in Agriculture sector; and

(c) the details of facilities being providedto the States for increasing the growth rateof Agriculture sector?

Reduction in agricultural landholding

†34. SHRIMATI CHHAYAVERMA:

CH. SUKHRAM SINGHYADAV:


(a) whether it is a fact that the area ofagricultural land holdings has beenconstantly reducing with divisions of landholdings generation to generation in thecountry which is affecting the agriculturalyield;

(b) the number of farmers who gotassociated with small land holdings in thelast five years and if this trend continues,the number of farmers who would be linkedwith small land holdings in Agriculture sectorin coming five years; and

(c) the steps being taken to solve theproblems faced by farmers having smallland holdings in view of the above?

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Remunerative price for potatogrowers

†35. CH. SUKHRAM SINGHYADAV:

SHRIMATI CHHAYAVERMA:


(a) the steps taken by Government atpresent to provide remunerative price tothe potato growers;

(b) the procurement policy ofGovernment for potato and the steps beingtaken to make it more farmer-friendly; and

(c) the details of the obstacles due towhich farmers are unable to get remunerativeprice for their crops?

Downfall in Agriculture sector

36. SHRI B.K. HARIPRASAD: Willthe Minister of AGRICULTURE ANDFARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that vehiclesentering a rural market yard in Maharashtradropped, onion prices halved in the biggestonion market in the country, the fishingeconomy of Goa faced roadblocks, andflower cultivating farmers in MadhyaPradesh lost business in the last financialyear; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

Sugar subsidy

37. SHRI T.G. VENKATESH: Will theMinister of CONSUMER AFFAIRSFOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIONbe pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Governmenthas recently withdrawn subsidy being

given on sugar, if so, the details thereof andthe reasons therefor;

(b) whether Government has receivedany representation from any State tocontinue the subsidy being given to sugar;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the actiontaken on the matter; and

(d) the stand of Government in thisregard?

Status of Pradhan Mantri BhartiyaJan Aushadi Kendras

38. SHRI C.M. RAMESH: Will theMinister of CHEMICALS ANDFERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of Pradhan MantriBhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs)in the country, State-wise and District-wise;

(b) whether it is a fact that the productbasket contains more than 600 medicinesand 150 surgicals and consumables; and

(c) if so, the number of medicines andsurgicals the central warehouse is able tosupply whenever there is a demand for thesame from any PMBJK along with thedetails and the reasons therefor?

Setting up of Greenfield FertilizerCompanies in place of sick

fertilizer PSUs

39. DR. R. LAKSHMANAN: Will theMinister of CHEMICALS ANDFERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is proposingto establish Greenfield FertilizerCompanies in the country instead ofreviving sick fertilizer Public SectorUndertakings (PSUs);

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;


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(c) whether Government will comeforward to put on hold establishment ofGreen Field Fertilizer Companies for thetime being and pursue sincerely revival ofthe sick fertilizer PSUs; and


Cases of corruption and conflict ofinterest under probe

40. SHRI CHUNIBHAI KANJIBHAIGOHEL: Will the Minister ofCHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS bepleased to state:

(a) the number of ongoing cases ofcorruption/conflict of interest under probein the Ministry for cooperatives fertilizerunits, as of now;

(b) the details of status of each case,case-wise;

(c) whether the Ministry hascoordinated with Ministry of Agricultureand Farmers Welfare to curb conflict ofinterest activities in cooperative fertilizerunits, if so, the details thereof, if not, thereasons therefor; and

(d) whether there are any officials whoare alleged or under inquiry for involvementin conflict of interest activities incooperative fertilizer units and stillcontinuing in service, if so, the detailsthereof?

Release of subsidy to GSFC

41. PROF. M.V. RAJEEV GOWDA:Will the Minister of CHEMICALS ANDFERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) the reasons for the release of subsidywithheld for the year 2010-11 to theGujarat State Fertilizer Corporation(GSFC);

(b) the recommendations of theFertilizer Industry Coordination Committee(FICC) in this regard;

(c) whether Government intends torelease the subsidy withheld for the period2013-2017; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and thereasons therefor?

Retail margin on generic drugs

42. SHRI K.C. RAMAMURTHY: Willthe Minister of CHEMICALS ANDFERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of countries that areprescribing generic medicines in place ofbranded ones;

(b) whether it is a fact that as per astudy conducted by Indian Journal ofPharmacology, the retail margin on genericdrugs is as high as 1000 per cent ofmanufacturing cost;

(c) if so, the response of Governmenton the above study; and

(d) the response of Government to somedoctors’ view that all generic drugs are notas effective as the branded ones?

Supply of generic medicines ataffordable rates

43. SHRI C.P. NARAYANAN: Will theMinister of CHEMICALS ANDFERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) whether there is adequate supply ofgeneric medicines in the country,particularly in Government hospitals anddispensaries;

(b) whether Government is aware thatbig pharmaceutical cartels are trying tothrust their highly priced medicines on itand patients;

(c) whether Government proposes toutilise facilities in the public sectorpharmaceutical units to produce suchmedicines at cheaper costs; and

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(d) whether it would also arrange forproduction of vaccines to prevent speedingup of new generation communicablediseases in various parts of the country?

Shortage of urea in Bihar

†44. SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR:Will the Minister of CHEMICALS ANDFERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that recently asituation of shortage of urea has arisen inBihar;

(b) the reasons for not makingbeforehand preparations when Governmenthad the idea that urea is requiredimmediately after irrigation of Rabi crops;

(c) the immediate efforts made byGovernment to meet the requirements ofurea; and

(d) the strategy being adopted byGovernment to prevent such situationagain?

Supply of fertilizers to farmers ataffordable rates

45. SHRIMATI RAJANI PATIL:SHRI DARSHAN SINGH

YADAV:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALSAND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) whether chemical fertilizers underthe subsidy regime are made available tofarmers at the Maximum Retail Price(MRP) fixed by Government;

(b) whether fertilizers are not beingprovided by the agents at the price fixedfor farmers, if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether lower global prices ofnutrients as well as inputs/intermediatessuch as ammonia, phosphoric acid and

sulphur has not translated into cheaperfertilizers for Indian farmers; and

(d) if so, the details thereof during thelast three years, including for DAP, MOPand urea and the steps taken byGovernment in this regard?

Amendments to DPCO, 2013

46. SHRI DHARMAPURI SRINIVAS:Will the Minister of CHEMICALS ANDFERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Governmentis planning to bring amendments to theDrugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO),2013 to cover non-essential drugs underthe price control;

(b) if so, the details thereof and thereasons therefor;

(c) whether it is a fact that theDepartment of Pharmaceuticals is dividedover amending the DPCO; and


Medical facilities for labourersemployed in Coal Mining sector

47. SHRI SAMBHAJI CHHATRAPATI:Will the Minister of COAL be pleased tostate:

(a) whether the labourers employed inCoal Mining sector are prone to serioushealth issues despite initiatives taken byGovernment;

(b) whether this is due to exploitationof labourers by strong coal mafia;

(c) if so, the steps taken by Governmentto nullify the role of coal mafia and to helplabourers come out of their clutches; and

(d) the medical facilities to which thecoal labourers of organised and unorganisedsectors are entitled to?


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Supply of coal to non-regulatedsector

48. DR. R. LAKSHMANAN: Will theMinister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) the details of steps taken byGovernment to ensure supply of coal tothe non-regulated sector viz., steel, cementand sponge iron; and

(b) whether any Memorandum ofUnderstanding was signed in this regard, ifso, the details thereof and if not, the reasonstherefor?

Supply of coal to thermal powerstations

49. SHRI RIPUN BORA: Will theMinister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that coal suppliesto thermal power stations are inadequate;

(b) if so, the demand and supply of coalto plants during the last one year, month-wise;

(b) the report of coal stock by CoalIndia Limited and the expected demand ofthermal power plants in the next sixmonths; and

(d) the proposal to bridge the gap, ifany, between demand and supply of coal?

Supply of coal to Power sector

50. SHRI A.K. SELVARAJ: Will theMinister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the supplyof coal by Coal India Limited to the Powersector in the first six months of this fiscalincreased 6.7 per cent to 204.5 milliontonnes, if so, the details thereof; and

(b) whether it is also a fact that thepower producers have rued over low coalstocks at their plants, if so, the reasonstherefor?

Conversion of Kakatiya Coal Mineinto Open Cast Mine

51. SHRI DHARMAPURI SRINIVAS:Will the Minister of COAL be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that theGovernment of Telangana has proposed tochange the name of the Kakatiya Long Wallunderground coal mine into Kakatiya OpenCast Mine, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the status of the request as on date;

(c) the reasons for the delay in thematter; and

(d) the steps being taken byGovernment in this regard?

Health facilities available to coalmine workers

52. SHRI ANUBHAV MOHANTY:Will the Minister of COAL be pleased tostate:

(a) the welfare facilities provided to coalmine workers and their family members byGovernment;

(b) whether it is mandatory for the coalmine workers to undergo medical checkupannually;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the special health facilities availablefor the coal mine workers?

Investment for telecom connectivity inNorth-East

53. SHRI K. BHABANANDASINGH: Will the Minister ofCOMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether an investment of around` 15,000 crore is in the offing for telecomconnectivity in the North-East, if so, thedetails thereof;

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(b) whether a modified strategy toimplement the Phase-II through State-ledand private sector models is beingimplemented in the region and if so, thedetails of impact of its implementation;

(c) the details of the comprehensivestrategy of BharatNet in the region andachievements of the strategy; and

(d) whether the project is slow inachieving results and if so, the remediesbeing adopted to have the desired outcome?

Re-verification of existing mobilesubscribers

54. DR. KANWAR DEEP SINGH:Will the Minister ofCOMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether re-verification of existingmobile subscribers is being done underprovisions contained in the licence issuedto telecom service providers under Section4 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885;

(b) if so, how does a more than 130years old law provide for linking Aadhaarwith mobile SIMs;

(c) in what manner the rules, regulationsissued under old Act are still valid; and

(d) whether any need is being felt tochange the law as per modern requirements?

Improving the broadband speed in thecountry

55. SHRI VIVEK GUPTA: Will theMinister of COMMUNICATIONS bepleased to state:

(a) the steps taken by the Ministry toimprove the poor status of broadbandspeed in the country and the details thereof;

(b) why TRAI has not increased theminimum broadband speed in the countryfrom 512 kbps despite an order by theChhattisgarh High Court in 2015; and

(c) whether Government is aware thatIndia ranks as one of the slowest countriesfor Internet speed among the middle to highincome countries?

Performance of BSNL

56. SHRI K.K. RAGESH: Will theMinister of COMMUNICATIONS bepleased to state:

(a) whether the BSNL is facing thedearth of latest state-of-the-artinfrastructure; and

(b) if so, whether Government isconsidering any concrete steps to addresssuch issues which are hamperingperformance of BSNL?

Complaints against ISPs for notfollowing Net Neutrality

guidelines

57. SHRI K.C. RAMAMURTHY: Willthe Minister of COMMUNICATIONS bepleased to state:

(a) the number of complaints receivedby TRAI from subscribers against InternetService Providers (ISPs) for not followingthe Net Neutrality guidelines created byTRAI;

(b) whether Government has found thatISPs are at fault in the said complaints andif so, the details thereof along with thecorrective measures taken by Governmentin this regard;

(c) whether TRAI has any mechanismto regulate ISPs in the country to ensureNet Neutrality and if not, the reasonstherefor; and

(d) the manner in which Governmentintends to make Net Neutrality guidelinesmade by TRAI legally enforceable?

14

Dwindling of telecom subscribers

58. SHRI R. VAITHILINGAM: Willthe Minister of COMMUNICATIONS bepleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the numberof telecom subscribers dwindled by1.58 crore to 118.5 crore in November, 2017;

(b) whether it is also a fact that thedecline was mainly on account of closureof mobile services by some of theoperators; and


Improving the customer satisfactionby telecom operators

59. SHRI T. RATHINAVEL: Will theMinister of COMMUNICATIONS bepleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that according toa survey, the telecom operators have failedto meet customer satisfaction benchmark;


(c) whether it is also a fact that theTelecom Regulatory Authority of India hasasked the telecom service providers toimprove the level of customer satisfaction;and


Public Wi-Fi hotspots

60. SHRI A.K. SELVARAJ: Will theMinister of COMMUNICATIONS bepleased to state:

(a) whether Government has decided togive a major push to Wi-Fi deploymentacross the length and breadth of the country;

(b) whether Government has decidedto set up 7.5 lakh public Wi-Fi hotspotsby the end of 2018;

(c) whether Government will come outwith a tender on kickstarting the mega Wi-Fi rollout;

(d) whether Government wants to havethree Wi-Fi hotspots per Gram Panchayatand is aiming to provide 1GB of data perPanchayat; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

Growth of telecom subscriber base

61. SHRI A.K. SELVARAJ: Will theMinister of COMMUNICATIONS bepleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the telecomsubscriber base in the country grew by abouthalf a per cent to cross the 121 crore mark;

(b) whether it is also a fact that themobile segment accounted for the lion’sshare of growth with a net addition of over60 lakh customers; and


Committee to review service mattersof Gramin Dak Sevaks

62. SHRI MOTILAL VORA: Will theMinister of COMMUNICATIONS bepleased to state:

(a) whether Government hasconstituted any Committee to look intothe salary structure, other service mattersand problems of Gramin Dak Sevaks, if so,the details and the composition thereof;

(b) whether the said Committee hassince submitted its report, if so, therecommendations thereof; and

(c) by when these recommendations arelikely to be implemented?

15

Launch of 4G services by BSNL

63. SHRI N. GOKULAKRISHNAN:Will the Minister ofCOMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that BSNL isplanning to launch 4G services in all the22 circles in the country;


(c) whether it is also a fact that BSNLhas submitted a detailed project report toGovernment for acquiring another 5 MHzin the 2100 MHz band in 22 circles; and

(d) whether the cost for this is around` 9600 to ` 10,000 crore for which 50 percent will be through more equity forGovernment in BSNL while the rest willbe paid in annual installments?

Relaxing of spectrum holding capsand extended payments tenure for

auctioned airwaves

64. DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY :Will the Minister ofCOMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has approvedTelecom Commission’s decision to relaxspectrum holding caps and extendedpayments tenure for auctioned airwaves;


(c) whether TRAI's suggestion toincrease the overall airwaves holding limit isalso approved, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the impact of these decisions on theservice providers, the details thereof?

Timeline for completion of Bharat-Net Phase II

65. DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY:Will the Minister ofCOMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the timeline set for the completion

of Phase II of BharatNet to providebroadband connectivity and services to allGram Panchayats in the country;

(b) the details of hi-speed broadbandconnectivity provided in the first phase ofBharatNet;

(c) whether financial incentives anddisincentives are proposed in the contractclauses in Phase II;

(d) the estimated employmentopportunities so far generated in Phase Iand expected to be generated in Phase II;and

(e) the impact it will have on the digitaldelivery of services for the rural poor alongwith the details thereof?

Vacancies in post offices of AndhraPradesh

66. SHRI V. VIJAYASAI REDDY : Willthe Minister of COMMUNICATIONS bepleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that there arenearly 2000 vacancies of postmasters,supervisors, postal assistants, postman,etc., in the State of Andhra Pradesh;

(b) if so, the details thereof, circle-wise;

(c) how postal services are gettingimpacted by such huge vacancies; and

(d) since when the above vacancies arelying vacant and the steps taken by theMinistry to fill up all the vacancies?

Funds collected under USOF

67. PROF. M.V. RAJEEV GOWDA:Will the Minister ofCOMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the quantum of funds collected underthe Universal Service Obligation Fund(USOF) through the Universal Access Levysince 2014, year-wise;

16

(b) the details of the quantum of fundscollected from telecom service providerssince 2014, year-wise; and

(c) the quantum of funds utilised andthe purposes for which the utilization hastaken place since 2014, specifying anyprojects undertaken?

Spam calls

68. SHRI C.M. RAMESH: Will theMinister of COMMUNICATIONS bepleased to state:

(a) whether the Ministry is aware thatIndians are spending more then 63 millionhours a year in attending Spam calls;

(b) whether it is a fact that India is thetop spam-plagued country in the world;

(c) whether it is also a fact that if thetime lost in spam calls is put into productiveuse, India can gain US $ 414 millionannually; and

(d) if so, the steps the Ministry hastaken/going to take to contain spam calls inthe country?

Rolling out of BharatNet Phase II

69. SHRI D. KUPENDRA REDDY:Will the Minister ofCOMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has rolled outBharatNet Phase II;

(b) if so, the details thereof along withthe targets fixed;

(c) whether it is a fact that the BharatNetPhase I is yet to be completed;

(d) if so, the details thereof and thereasons therefor; and

(e) if not, the number of unconnectedvillages connected upon implementation ofPhase I, State/Union Territory-wiseincluding Karnataka?

False promises of high internet speedby telecom operators

†70. SHRIMATI CHHAYAVERMA:

CH. SUKHRAM SINGHYADAV:

Will the Minister ofCOMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether telecom companies provideinternet data at very low speed in thecountry contrary to their claim of highspeed and due to this, the consumers arebeing cheated due to poor internet speed;

(b) whether any study has beenconducted to check the claims made bytelecom companies in terms of internetspeed so that it could be ascertainedwhether the consumers are getting internetspeed as per the claims made by telecomcompanies; and

(c) the steps being taken by the TRAIat present to improve the internet speedand the effects thereof?

Setting up of high-tech silos

71. SHRI RITABRATA BANERJEE:Will the Minister of CONSUMERAFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLICDISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Central Government isaware that the Government of West Bengalis setting up hi-tech silos that can preserverice for two years;


(c) whether Central Government desiresto take up this technology and preserverice for two years in other parts of thecountry;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?


17

Clearance of huge stock of pulses

72. SHRI R. VAITHILINGAM: Willthe Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS,FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIONbe pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Governmenthas asked NAFED and Food Corporationof India to off load the huge stock of pulsesat present wholesale rate in the open marketin its bid to prevent these going waste andbecoming unfit for human consumption;

(b) whether it is also a fact that the saleprice of Arhar, which has maximum sharein the 1.9 million tonnes buffer stock, islikely to be around ̀ 40 per kilogram whileGovernment had procured it at ` 50-55 perkilogram; and


Coverage of population under TPDS

73. SHRI K. K. RAGESH: Will theMinister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS,FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIONbe pleased to state:

(a) the percentage of population coveredunder TPDS, as per the National FoodSecurity Act, during the last five years,State-wise and year-wise;

(b) the allocation of foodgrains underPDS/TPDS, including ad-hoc allocation,during the last five years;

(c) whether it is a fact that in certainStates only less than 50 per cent of thepopulation is covered under TPDS whereasthe NFSA stipulates that 75 per cent ofvillage population and 50 per cent of urbanpopulation should be under the coverageof TPDS; and

(d) if so, the reasons therefor?

Plan to prevent damage to foodgrainsin FCI godowns

74. SHRIMATI SASIKALA PUSHPA:Will the Minister of CONSUMERAFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLICDISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has assessedloss/damages to foodgrains by pests/rodents in godowns under the control ofFood Corporation of India (FCI);


(c) whether Government has formulatedany comprehensive plan to preventdamages to foodgrains by pests/rodents inGodowns under the control of FCI; and


Storage and transportation offoodgrains

†75. SHRI JAVED ALI KHAN: Willthe Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS,FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIONbe pleased to state:

(a) the total production of foodgrains,pulses, oilseeds and vegetables in thecountry during the years 2015, 2016 and2017;

(b) the total quantity of agri producesthat perished during the said years due tolack of storage and transportation beforeits use or reaching the market;

(c) the arrangements made byGovernment for storage and transportationof foodgrains; and

(d) whether the arrangements made byGovernment are sufficient?


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Protecting consumers post GSTimplementation

76. SHRI C. P. NARAYANAN: Willthe Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS,FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIONbe pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has intervenedto protect consumers from traders vis-a-visGST;

(b) if so, the steps taken by Governmentin this direction;

(c) whether Government has taken anysteps to handle GST regime; and


Forfeiting of MRP written itemsbefore applying GST

†77. SHRI LAL SINH VADODIA: Willthe Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS,FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIONbe pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Governmentis seriously considering upon forfeitingMRP written items before applying GST;

(b) if so, whether Government has takenany steps so far in this direction; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and it not,the reasons therefor?

Distribution of essential commoditiesthrough Government outlets

78. SHRI DARSHAN SINGHYADAV: Will the Minister ofCONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD ANDPUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased tostate:

(a) the details of the States which havetaken steps to distribute essentialcommodities at subsidized rates throughGovernment outlets; and

(b) the details of the subsidized priceindex of pulses and edible oils, State-wise?

Implementation of NFSA inRajasthan

79. SHRI NARAYAN LALPANCHARIYA: Will the Minister ofCONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD ANDPUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased tostate:

(a) the details of criteria for coverage ofbeneficiaries under National Food SecurityAct (NFSA) for different States;

(b) whether coverage of beneficiariesunder NFSA in Rajasthan is less than otherStates such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Biharand Chhattisgarh;

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

(d) whether Government is taking anysteps to increase the coverage ofbeneficiaries under NFSA in Rajasthan; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not,the reasons therefor?

Distribution of nutritional andhygienic food to people

80. DR. SANJAY SINH: Will theMinister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS,FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIONbe pleased to state:

(a) the details of the action taken byGovernment to provide safe and healthyfood both in rural and peri-urban areas inthe country;

(b) the details of proposals ofGovernment to meet food challenges anddistribution of nutritional hygienic food inthe country therefor; and

(c) the proposal of Government to


19

support adequate and diversified diets toall the people in the country along withdetails thereof?

Linking of Aadhaar with ration cards

81. SHRI B.K. HARIPRASAD: Willthe Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS,FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIONbe pleased to state:

(a) the detail of the total number ofAadhaar-linked ration cards and the numberof fake ration cards identified, as of 30October, 2017, State-wise; and

(b) the number of deaths occurredbecause of denial of ration to individualsalong with the reasons for denial?

Shortage of trained manpower inorganisations under the Ministry

82. SHRI D. KUPENDRA REDDY:Will the Minister of CONSUMERAFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLICDISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the variousorganisations/autonomous bodies under theMinistry are facing shortage of staff/trainedmanpower;

(b) if so, the details thereof and thereasons for keeping such shortage; and

(c) the steps taken/being taken by theMinistry to fill up the vacant positionstherein?

Hindrances in procurement of Turpulse in Maharashtra

83. SHRI RAJKUMAR DHOOT: Willthe Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS,FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIONbe pleased to state:

(a) the total production of Tur pulse in

the State of Maharashtra during the recentcrop season;

(b) the quantity of Tur procured byGovernment agencies in the State at MSP;

(c) whether it is a fact that Turproducers faced hindrances in selling theirproduce and cases of connivance ofGovernment agencies and private tradershave also come to light;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the action Government has taken inthe matter?

Impact of automation and ArtificialIntelligence on IT jobs

84. SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV: Willthe Minister of ELECTRONICS ANDINFORMATION TECHNOLOGY bepleased to state:

(a) whether Government has conductedany study to assess and mitigate thequalitative and quantitative extent of impacton IT jobs due to new technologies likeautomation and Artificial Intelligence, and

(b) the steps taken by Government toenhance the skill of IT workforce toimprove their employability?

Access to information stored in ITservers

85. SHRI C.P. NARAYANAN: Will theMinister of ELECTRONICS ANDINFORMATION TECHNOLOGY bepleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that anyinformation stored by us in servers can beaccessed by others;

(b) to what extent Government hasensured privacy of citizens informationstored in IT apparatus;

20

(c) to what extent Governmentinformation is protected; and

(d) whether it is also a fact thatinterested countries and entrepreneurs arecapitalizing on citizens information?

Re-skilling of IT staff

86. SHRI N. GOKULAKRISHNAN:Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS ANDINFORMATION TECHNOLOGY bepleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that more than 40per cent of country's IT staff need re-skilling;


(c) whether it is also a fact that this isalso one of the reasons that we are not ableto take maximum advantage of IT revolutionin IT-related service employments; and

(d) if so, the steps proposed to be takenup by Government?

Illegal Aadhaar enrolmentcentres

87. PROF. M.V. RAJEEV GOWDA:Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS ANDINFORMATION TECHNOLOGY bepleased to state:

(a) the number of unauthorised Aadhaarenrolment Centres detected till December,2017;

(b) whether Government has amechanism to verify and audit Aadhaarenrolment centres for misuse;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefor?

Fall in hiring by IT companies

88. SHRI KAPIL SIBAL: Will theMinister of ELECTRONICS ANDINFORMATION TECHNOLOGY bepleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that there hasbeen a 24 per cent fall in hiring by the ITcompanies, if so, State/UT-wise detailsthereof and the reasons behind this sharpdecline; and

(b) whether Government has any plansin supporting the IT sector to arrestunemployment, if so, the details thereof, ifnot, the reasons therefor?

National Mission on FoodProcessing

89. SHRI C.M. RAMESH: Will theMinister of FOOD PROCESSINGINDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

(a) the aims and objectives of theNational Mission on Food Processing(NMFP);

(b) the status of implementation ofNMFP in the country, particularly inAndhra Pradesh and Telangana;

(c) the entrepreneurs who wereprovided with financial/other assistance fortechnology upgradation, establishment andmodernisation of Food ProcessingIndustries during last five years, year-wiseand State-wise;

(d) the quantum of employment NMFPhas so far generated, State-wise, particularlyin Andhra Pradesh and Telangana; and

(e) whether not even a single projecthas been sanctioned in Telangana in2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17,if so, the reasons therefor?

21

Employment generation by FPIs

90. SHRI K. RAHMAN KHAN: Willthe Minister of FOOD PROCESSINGINDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

(a) when the last Annual Survey ofIndustries (ASI) was conducted by theMinistry;

(b) the total number of Food ProcessingIndustries (FPIs) registered in the country;

(c) the quantum of employmentgenerated by the registered FPIs fromJanuary, 2015 to December, 2017; and

(d) in what manner Governmentproposes to expand the scope ofemployment generation by the end offinancial year 2019?

Achievement of investment target setin World Food India 2017

91. SHRI R. VAITHILINGAM: Willthe Minister of FOOD PROCESSINGINDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that India hasattracted investment commitments of aboutUS $10 billion in the food processing sectorahead of the mega World Food India 2017event, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether it is also a fact thatGovernment had set a traget of US $10billion investment and the said target hasbeen achieved; and

(c) by when the said commitment wouldmaterialize and become fruitful?

Aims and objectives of KSY

92. SHRI C. M. RAMESH: Will theMinister of FOOD PROCESSINGINDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

(a) the aims and objectives of KisanSampada Yojana (KSY);

(b) how KSY helps farmers to be morevigorous in processing their vegetables andfruits so produced;

(c) whether any special emphasis ismade on States like Andhra Pradesh whichare doing good work in food processing;and


Uniform Civil Code

†93. SHRI PRABHAT JHA: Will theMinister of LAW AND JUSTICE bepleased to state:

(a) whether the Constitution of Indiaprovides for introduction of Uniform CivilCode in the country;


(c) whether necessary statutorymeasures are yet to be taken for introducingthe said constitutional provision;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether Government has taken anysteps in this direction in phased mannerduring the last three years; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

Use of Tamil as official language inMadras High Court

94. SHRIMATI SASIKALA PUSHPA:Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICEbe pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is aware of thefact that a resolution was passed in theLegislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu wayback in 2006 urging the Central Governmentto get Presidential Assent to make Tamil asofficial language in Madras High Court;

(b) if so, the details of the steps takenby Government in this regard; and


22

(c) if no steps are taken, the reasonstherefor?

Filling up of vacancies in BombayHigh Court

95. SHRI RAJKUMAR DHOOT: Willthe Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE bepleased to state:

(a) the present status of vacancies inthe Bombay High Court; and

(b) by when Government proposes tofill up all the vacancies in the said HighCourt?

Litigations involving Departments ofGovernment

96. SHRIMATI WANSUK SYIEM:Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICEbe pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has turned outto be the biggest litigant in the country'scourts accounting for a larger share inpendency of cases;

(b) whether the Department of Justicehas initiated moves within Departments ofGovernment to desist from adding to theburden at the slightest of provocation; and

(c) whether the Department of Justicehad sought the extent of pending litigationsinvolving different Ministries and if so, thedetails thereof?

All India Service for lower judiciary

97. SHRIMATI VIJILASATHYANANTH: Will the Minister ofLAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that nine HighCourts have opposed a proposal to havean All India Service for the lower judiciary;

(b) whether it is also a fact that eight

High Courts have sought changes in theproposed framework and only two havesupported the idea;

(c) whether it is also a fact that most ofthe High Courts want the administrativecontrol over the subordinate judiciary toremain with the respective High Courts;and


Separate Bench for bankruptcy andinsolvency

98. SHRI RIPUN BORA: Will theMinister of LAW AND JUSTICE bepleased to state:

(a) whether Government proposes toset up separate Bench for insolvency andbankruptcy;

(b) if so, whether National CompanyLaw Tribunal has received any proposalfrom RBI therefor; and

(c) if so, the details of plan of Governmentto speed up proceedings thereof?

Press Conference by four senior SCJudges

99. SHRI D. RAJA: Will the Ministerof LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government's attention hasbeen drawn to the unprecedented act offour senior Judges of the Supreme Courtholding a Press Conference accusing theChief Justice of India (CJI) of selectiveassigning cases to Judges of his choice, etc.;


(c) the Government's reaction to theissues raised in a letter addressed to theCJI prior to this incident which wasreleased to the Press?

23


Women's Reservation Bill

100. SHRI K.C. RAMAMURTHY:Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICEbe pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is in favour ofgiving 33 per cent reservation for womenin State Assemblies and Parliament;

(b) if so, the reasons for not introducingWomen's Reservation Bill in Parliamentduring the last three years;

(c) whether Government wouldintroduce the Constitution Amendment Billduring the current Session to provide 33per cent reservation for women; and


Electoral reforms to decriminalizepolitics

101. DR. VIKAS MAHATME: Willthe Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE bepleased to state:

(a) whether the national and regionalconsultations on electoral reforms haveyielded any tangible suggestions concerningcriminalization of politics;


(c) the current electoral rules to keepcriminalization of politics in check?

Status of National JudicialAppointments Commission

102. SHRI K.K. RAGESH: Will theMinister of LAW AND JUSTICE bepleased to state:

(a) the current status of NationalJudicial Appointments Commission Act;

(b) whether the Act is being consideredfor implementation; and

(c) whether the Centre is stillconsidering the proposal for setting up anindependent Judicial AppointmentsCommission?

Legislation on direction of theSupreme Court

†103. SHRI JAVED ALI KHAN: Willthe Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE bepleased to state:

(a) the total number of cases in whichthe Supreme Court has directed theGovernment to make legislation during theyears 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017; and

(b) the total number of cases in whichGovernment has made legislation as directedby the Supreme Court during the saidperiod?

Credit points to advocates giving legalaid to the poor

104. SHRI K.C. RAMAMURTHY:Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICEbe pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the Ministryis contemplating of giving a sort of creditpoints for every legal aid and advocate, whoaspires to become a judge, gives to the poor;


(c) whether it is applicable to all courtsor to only High Courts and the SupremeCourt;

(d) whether any consultations havebeen held on this with Chief Justices ofHigh Courts and the Chief Justice of India:and


24


Providing legal aid and advice toundertrial inmates

105. SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV:Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICEbe pleased to state:

(a) whether any study has beenconducted by Government to find out thenumber of undertrial inmates lodged indifferent jails across the country for pettycrimes in the absence of legal aid and advice;

(b) the details of steps taken byGovernment to address the problems facedby such inmates; and

(c) whether Government is consideringany policy response to resolve theseproblems, including overcrowding of jails,if so, the details thereof?

Comments of four senior Judges onthe working of CJI

†106. SHRI MOTILAL VORA: Willthe Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE bepleased to state:

(a) whether four senior Judges of theSupreme Court have recently made anycomments against the working of ChiefJustice of India (CJI);

(b) if so, the reaction of Governmentthereto;

(c) the steps taken by Government tomaintain good faith among Judges of theSupreme Court; and


Demand of One Rank One Pensionscheme by retired Judges

†107. SHRI P. L. PUNIA: Will theMinister of LAW AND JUSTICE bepleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that retired Judges

are demanding One Rank One Pension, ifso, the details thereof;

(b) whether it is a fact that there is ahuge difference in the pension of the Judgeswho are appointed from the Bar and theJudges who are promoted from lowercourts, if so, the details thereof and thereasons therefor;

(c) whether Government proposes toimplement the norms fixed by the SupremeCourt in the 2014 case of RamkrishnamRaju; and

(d) whether Government has workedup any formula to resolve the anomalies inpension?

Policy for cutting down inter-Departmental litigations

108. DR. VINAY P.SAHASRABUDDHE: Will the Minister ofLAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has preparedany National Litigation Policy for cuttingdown inter-Departmental litigations, if so,the details thereof;

(b) the total number of inter-Departmental litigations filed between2004-14 and 2014-17; and

(c) the measures being taken to reducethe number of inter-Departmentallitigations?

Suggestions on welfare ofadministrative staff of

judiciary

109. DR. SANJAY SINH: Will theMinister of LAW AND JUSTICE bepleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the lowercadre employees working in subordinate

25

courts across the country are in repressiveconditions;

(b) if so, whether Government hasreceived any suggestion/recommendation/report on the administrative staff ofjudiciary to cater to their welfare and needs;

(c) the proposal of Government forsystematic redressal of their grievancesand to boost the morale of this workforce;and

(d) the proposal of Government forrecruitment and appointment according tothe workload and the details of vacancies,court-wise?

Differences among the judicialdispensation

110. SHRIMATI WANSUK SYIEM:Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICEbe pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has assessedthe impact of the rift in the upper echelonsof the country's judiciary on the credibilityand probity in the judicial system; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

Ideas for turnaround of Railways

111. SHRI T. RATHINAVEL: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether Railways have startedworking on to increase speed to convertmore trains into super fast category, fit bio-toilets in all trains by January, 2018 totalelectrification of railway network in abouta year, drastically bring down turnaroundtime of trains and improve the look andfeel of coaches;

(b) whether each Railway BoardMember is preparing 10 big ideas inrespective fields for a turnaround of thestate of affairs; and

(c) whether the biggest challengeRailways are facing is to find the requiredmanpower?

Making Railways disabled-friendly

112. SHRI VIVEK GUPTA: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that the CAGhad recently pointed out that railwaystations were not disabled-friendly and nosignificant improvement was seen over theyears in this regard;

(b) the amount spent on making railwaystations and trains disabled-friendly overthe past five years, region-wise; and

(c) whether there has been an increasedeffort by Government to make Railwaysdisabled-friendly, if so, the details thereof?

Reasons for Utkal Express accident

113. SHRI ANIL DESAI: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether the Commissioner ofRailway Safety (CRS), Northern Circle hasconcluded that the Utkal Express accidentoccurred due to gross negligence and humanerror; and

(b) if so, the reasons therefor and thesteps Government is taking to prevent suchincidents in the near future?

Elphinstone bridge stampede


(a) whether the Elphinstone bridge,where stampede occurred, had been inexistence since 1867;

(b) if so, why have Railways notconducted worthiness of the bridge fromtime to time; and

26

(c) the steps Railways are taking forbetter crowd management and widening ofover bridges as per the standards laid down?

Blasts at Doikallu railway station

115. SHRIMATI VIJILASATHYANANTH: Will the Minister ofRAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Maoiststriggered blasts at the Doikallu railwaystation in Rayagada district of Odisharecently;


(c) the total loss suffered by Railwaysdue to the said blasts?

Development of railway stations inRayalaseema region of Andhra

Pradesh

116. SHRI T. G. VENKATESH: Willthe Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that the Ministryhas taken a decision to develop the railwaystations in the country;


(c) whether the Ministry has made anyfunds allocated under this project to eachState, particularly to develop the railwaystations in the Rayalaseema region ofAndhra Pradesh; and


Increasing the speed of trains betweenNew Delhi and Chennai

117. SHRIMATI SASIKALAPUSHPA: Will the Minister ofRAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether any proposal is pendingwith Government to increase the speed of

trains between New Delhi and Chennai fromexisting 90 to 140 Kilometres per hour;


(c) the details of safety measuresproposed to be taken for this project?

Gauge conversion of Pathankot-Jogindernagar section

118. SHRIMATI VIPLOVETHAKUR: Will the Minister ofRAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is aware of theunnecessary delay in the gauge conversionwork of Pathankot-Jogindernagar section;

(b) if so, the details thereof and thereasons therefor; and

(c) the steps taken/being taken byGovernment to expedite the work andcomplete the project in time?

Vacancies in safety-related posts

119. SHRI V. VIJAYASAI REDDY: Willthe Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether the Ministry is aware thatout of nearly one lakh posts relating tosecurity and safety in the SCR, there are15,500 vacancies which constitutes nearly16 per cent;

(b) whether Railways are following thepolicy of abolishing posts if they are morethan 1-2 years old;

(c) if not, the reasons for such hugevacancies in security-related departments;and

(d) whether Railways are conductingspecial drives once or twice in a year to fillposts relating to safety and security, if not,the reasons therefor?

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Closure of Bharat Wagon andEngineering Company

120. SHRI RITABRATA BANERJEE:Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleasedto state:

(a) whether Government has decidedfor the closure of Bharat Wagon andEngineering Company, a Central PublicSector Enterprise under the Ministry ofRailways;

(b) if so, the details thereof and thereasons therefor; and

(c) the plans of Government for theemployees of the company?

App-based cabs at railway stations

†121. SHRI P.L. PUNIA: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that app-basedcabs have been given permission on railwaystations is National Capital Delhi, thedetails thereof including the terms ofcontract;

(b) the estimated annual income toRailways by giving permission to app-based cabs, the details thereof;

(c) the arrangements made to checkovercharging from passengers and faresremaining low by app-based cabs atrailway stations, the details thereof; and

(d) whether Government proposes tolink app-based cabs facility with onlineticket booking, if not, the reasons therefor?

Indigenous manufacturing of metrocoaches

122. SHRI KAPIL SIBAL: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether there has been an increase

in the production of railway coaches in thecountry, the year-wise details for past threeyears; and

(b) if so, whether there are any plans ofGovernment to start manufacturing of themetro coaches indigenously, if so, the detailsthereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

Commissioning of Dedicated FreightCorridors

123. SHRI K.R. ARJUNAN: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that the DedicatedFreight Corridor project will start gettingcommissioned in parts by the end of thisyear;


(c) the segments that are in nearcompletion, as on date;

(d) whether Railways have prioritizedthe segments of the Dedicated FreightCorridor project; and


Commission of Railway Safety

124. SHRIMATI WANSUK SYIEM:Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleasedto state:

(a) whether the Commission of RailwaySafety, established as the RailwayInspectorate along with the Railway Board,still functions under the administrativecontrol of Ministry of Civil Aviation;

(b) if so, whether Government wouldtake corrective measures to bring theCommission of Railway Safety under thecontrol of Ministry of Railways for betterco-ordination in governance; and



28

Installation of CCTV cameras incoaches and at stations

†125. SHRI PRABHAT JHA: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it has been decided to installCCTV cameras in every railway coach andat stations to ensure the safety of thepassengers;


(c) whether any time-frame has beenfixed in this regard based on the short-term/long-term targets; and


Theft cases in trains

126. SHRI R. VAITHILINGAM: Willthe Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that RailwayProtection Force (RPF) has decided todeploy its personnel in plain clothes inselect trains to prevent crimes;

(b) whether theft in running trains hasincreased in the recent past;

(c) if so, the total number of theft casesreported in trains during the last three years;

(d) whether Railways are consideringto enhance the strength of RPF personnelat both stations and in trains; and


Major rail accidents


(a) whether it is a fact that there were27 major rail accidents in the past threeyears;

(b) whether it is also a fact thatGovernment increased railway fares by 70per cent during the last three years but noconcrete blueprint had been laid down tosecure the lives of passengers;

(c) whether Railways had compromisedwith the safety protocols and there wascriminal negligence which led to these majorrail accidents; and


Common digital platform forintegrating information


(a) whether it is a fact that Railwayswill invest about ` 12,000 crore indeveloping a common digital platform forintegrating information from all itsdepartments, leading to savings of about` 60,000 crore;

(b) whether it is also a fact that oncethis digital platform is put into place, theentire operations can be monitored on asingle platform; and

(c) whether it is also a fact that it willtake at least two to three years to completethe first phase of common digital platform?

Change in existing guidelines onmonetizing its assets

129. SHRIMATI VIJILASATHYANANTH: Will the Minister ofRAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Railways areconsidering to change some of the existingguidelines on monetizing land and stationassets as well as contemplating on extendingthe lease period from 45 years to 99 yearsamong others;


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(c) whether it is also a fact that Railwaysare considering to come out with a guidelineto penalize officials for every day of delayin giving approvals as far as theinvolvement of developers are concerned;and


New land acquisition policy

130. SHRI K.K. RAGESH: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether the Centre is aware thatRailways, new land acquisition policywhich stipulates completion of landacquisition prior to starting railway lineconstruction is delaying new projects;

(b) if so, whether any concrete stepsare under consideration to address suchdelays; and


Renewal of tracks in Andhra Pradesh

131. SHRI T.G. VENKATESH: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that Railways areembarking on the process of track renewalson war-footing to reduce derailments;


(c) the details of the tracks that havebeen selected for renewal in the State ofAndhra Pradesh;

(d) the quantum of funds allocated andreleased so far for the purpose; and

(e) the targets fixed in this regard?

Alleged fraudulent disbursement tovictims of accidents

132. SHRIMATI WANSUK SYIEM:Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleasedto state:

(a) whether a scam relating to fraudulentdisbursements to victims of accidents hassurfaced with the Chairman of the PrincipalBench of Railway Claims Tribunalsounding the Government of theinvolvement of a Member of the Tribunal'sPatna Bench;

(b) if so, the details of the alleged scaminvolving siphoning off around ` 50 crorebetween 2015-2017 from the railwaycoffers; and

(c) whether five lawyers of Patna, whorepresented 91 per cent of all applicantsduring May, 2015 to August, 2017, havebeen named in the report?

Merger of MRTS, Chennai withChennai Metro Rail Limited

133. DR. R. LAKSHMANAN: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether Government has taken anyfinal decision regarding merging of MRTS,Chennai with Chennai Metro Rail Limited,including the surface rights of the land;



Compulsory keeping of books onIndian culture at railway

station bookstalls

†134. SHRI LAL SINH VADODIA:Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleasedto state:


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(a) whether it is fact that Governmentproposes to make it compulsory to keepbooks based on Indian culture and moralityat bookstalls of railway stations;

(b) if so, whether Government has takenany action in this regard so far; and

(c) if so, the details thereof if not, thereasons therefor?

Lease rights of railway stations toprivate parties


(a) whether the Ministry has given 43railway stations to 45 year-long lease rightsfor private parties;


(c) whether this action is leading thepeople to believe that Railways are movingaway from the transportation services; and

(d) if so, the corrective measures beingtaken to preserve the past glory ofRailways?

Wagon workshop atVisakhapatnam

136. SHRI V. VIJAYASAI REDDY:Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleasedto state:

(a) the amount sanctioned for wagonworkshop at Visakhapatnam, announcedin 2014-15 Budget, year-wise;

(b) the reasons for the project not takingoff even after three years of itsannouncement; and

(c) the present status of the project?

Use of broad gauge for speediertrains

137. SHRI C.P. NARAYANAN: Willthe Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that Bullet trains,being planned on Mumbai-Ahmedabadroute, belong to a gauge other than metreand broad gauge;

(b) the logic in introducing anothergauge when all over the country, metre gaugeis being changed into broad gauge;

(c) whether it is more economic andscientific to develop broad gauge furtherfor speedier trains; and

(d) whether Government wouldconcentrate more on using broad gauge forexpansion of metropolitan rail lines?

Construction of Sambhal-Gajraularailway route

†138. SHRI JAVED ALI KHAN: Willthe Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether Government has approvedthe construction of Sambhal-Gajraularailway route;

(b) if so, the amount allocated therefor;and

(c) the details of progress made in workon the above project?

Purchase of rails

139. SHRI K. SOMAPRASAD: Willthe Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) the total quantity of rails purchased


31

by Railways during 2014-15 to 2016-17from Steel Authority of India Limited(SAIL), Jindal Steel and Power and fromforeign companies; and

(b) the number of exceptions granted toRailways to purchase rails from privatecompanies after the declaration of Make inIndia along with the details thereof?

Constitution of Committee to reviewFlexi-Fare Scheme

140. SHRI K. SOMAPRASAD: Willthe Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether any decision has been takento introduce the Flexi-Fare Scheme in trains,if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether any Committee has beenfunctioning to examine the feasibility ofFlexi-Fare Scheme, if so, the details of theCommittee and its Members; and

(c) whether the above Committee hassubmitted any report, if so, the detailsthereof?

Amount of funds earmarked forRailways

141. SHRI HARIVANSH: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) the total amount of funds earmarkedfor Railways for the year 2017-18;

(b) how much, out of it, has been spenton safety, security and development ofrailways; and

(c) how much amount has been spenton account of salaries and pension?

Global tender for procurement of rails

142. SHRI A.K. SELVARAJ: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that Railwayshave floated global tender for procuring railworth over ` 3,500 crore;


(c) whether it is also a fact that Railwayswere not able to meet the demand for trackrenewal due to shortage of rail;

(d) whether Railways have beenpurchasing the rail solely from SAIL andnow have decided to purchase it fromabroad instead of from SAIL; and

(e) if so, the reasons therefor?

Use of satellite phones

†143. SHRI LAL SINH VADODIA:Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleasedto state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Railways areconsidering to procure the satellite phonesto establish quick dialogue;

(b) if so, whether Government has takenany action in this regard; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not,the reasons therefor?

Action plan for modernisation ofRailways

†144. DR. SATYANARAYANJATIYA: Will the Minister of RAILWAYSbe pleased to state the time-bound actionplan for the next three years in the field ofmodernisation of railway passengercoaches, speed-safety and security ofrailway stations and passengers andcatering facilities?


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Operationalisation of new trains

†145. DR. SATYANARAYANJATIYA : Will the Minister of RAILWAYSbe pleased to state the details of trainsannounced during the year 2017-18 and thedate for each of the trains on which thetrain commenced its operations, and bywhen the remaining trains will beoperationalized?

Redevelopment of railway stations inJharkhand

146. SHRI MAHESH PODDAR: Willthe Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that elevenrailway stations in Jharkhand are under theStations Redevelopment Programme;


(c) the details of the current status of allthe eleven stations in Jharkhand;

(d) whether it is also a fact that at fewstations of Jharkhand, the StationsRedevelopment Programme is missing itsdeadline; and

(e) if so, the reasons therefor?

Redevelopment of Bhubaneswarrailway station

147. SHRI RANJIB BISWAL: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether Government of Odisha isredeveloping Bhubaneswar railway stationat its own cost;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the totalredevelopment cost thereof if intimated byOdisha Government;

(c) the manner in which Railways areextending help to the State Government;

(d) whether Odisha Government hasshown its interest to redevelop some otherstation(s) in the State and if so, the detailsthereof; and

(e) if not, whether Railways would takeup the work of redevelopment of someother station(s) in the State on fast trackbasis, if so, the details thereof and if not,the reasons therefor?

New railway projects in Odisha

148. SHRI RANJIB BISWAL: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether Railways have surveyed/propose to take up survey work for somemore new railway projects—new lines,doubling and gauge conversion, falling fullyor partly in the State of Odisha;

(b) if so, the details thereof and theoutcome of the surveys, if alreadyconducted;

(c) whether Railways have approvedthe projects surveyed and sanctioned fundsfor carrying out further works;

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

(e) the details of new lines, out of above,on which the work has already started?

Renewal of tracks

149. SHRI K. R. ARJUNAN: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that by the end ofthis fiscal, an unprecedented 3,500kilometres of tracks could be renewed;


(c) whether it is also a fact that around4000-4500 kilometres of tracks would besupplied for 17 Zones this year;


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(d) whether it is also a fact that therailway officials have been asked to giveutmost priority for track renewal work,overruling all other works; and


Rail Coach Factory at Kanchrapara,West Bengal

150. SHRI RITABRATA BANERJEE:Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleasedto state:

(a) whether it is a fact that lack of Centralfunds from the Ministry of Railways isworking as an hindrance for completion ofthe Rail Coach Factory at Kanchrapara,West Bengal;


(c) by when the project would becompleted?

Introduction of ticket reservationsystem in post offices of Tuticorin

151. SHRIMATI SASIKALAPUSHPA: Will the Minister ofRAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has introducedticket reservation system in any of the postoffices located in the Tuticorin district inTamil Nadu;



ROBs in Karnataka

152. SHRI D. KUPENDRA REDDY:Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleasedto state:

(a) the details of the under construction/pending Road Over Bridges (ROBs) inKarnataka;

(b) whether implementation of

these projects is being carried out as perschedule;

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not,the reasons for delay, project-wise;

(d) the number of sanctioned andoperational ROBs/RUBs in Karnataka andthe present status thereof; and

(e) by when the above said projects arelikely to be completed?

Issuance of passenger reservationtickets through post offices

153. DR. R. LAKSHMANAN : Willthe Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether Government had startedissuing passenger reservation ticketsthrough post offices across the countryunder PRS of Indian Railways;

(b) if so, the details of the post officesin which passenger reservation tickets arebeing issued as on date, State-wise;

(c) whether any proposal is pendingwith Government to bring more post officesunder PRS of Indian Railways; and


Consideration of Delhi-Howrah routefor operation of Bullet trains

154. SHRI SANJIV KUMAR: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that the Delhi-Howrah passenger route is the busiestsector for Railways;

(b) in the context of Bullet trains, theroutes being envisaged;

(c) whether Delhi-Howrah sector isunder consideration for operation of Bullettrains; and


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Inconvenience to passengers oncancellation of trains due to fog

155. SHRI RAJKUMAR DHOOT:Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleasedto state:

(a) whether it is a fact that quite a largenumber of trains were cancelled due to fogduring this winter;


(c) whether it is also a fact that lakhs ofpassengers were stranded at the railwaystations without food and drinking waterand were made to face the chilly weather inthe open;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether Government proposes tohave policy guidelines to provide relief tothe rail passengers in such eventualities;and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not,the reasons therefor?

Imphal on railway map of the country

156. SHRI K. BHABANANDASINGH: Will the Minister of RAILWAYSbe pleased to state:

(a) whether the project for includingImphal on railway map of the country hasmissed many deadlines and commitmentof Central Government has remainedunfulfilled;

(b) if so, the details of missing deadlinesfrom first inception of the project;

(c) whether impediments such as landacquisition, forestry and wildlife clearances,shifting of services, construction of RoadOver and Road Under Bridges, law andorder, etc., have remained as major obstaclesin the project;

(d) the efforts of Central Governmentto overcome them; and

(e) whether Government is now unableto give any time-frame for completion ofthe project, if not, the details thereof?

Trebling of freight-moving ability ofRailways

157. SHRI K. R. ARJUNAN: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that Railways areaiming towards trebling its freight-movingability to carry three billion tonnes ofmaterials by 2030 in sync with an expectedswelling of the Indian economy to touchthe US $ 10 trillion mark;

(b) whether it is also a fact that Railwaysare also aiming to claim 50 per cent ofmarket share of country's freightmovement;

(c) whether over the years, its share oftotal freight movement has been near 35per cent; and


Vacant railway land

158. DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY:Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleasedto state:

(a) the total vacant land belonging toRailways estimated in the country;

(b) whether Rail Land DevelopmentAuthority (RLDA) has been mandated toidentify vacant railway land or plots forleasing out for commercial exploitation;

(c) if so, the details of vacant land/plotsidentified so far and the revenue expectedto be generated;

35

NEW DELHI; DESH DEEPAK VERMA,The 27th January, 2018 Secretary-General.

Magha 7, 1939 (Saka)

(d) the hurdles being faced in commercialexploitation of vacant railway land invarious railway zones; and

(e) the steps taken to resolve the issueswith State Governments/other agencies, thedetails thereof?

Stress and fatigue among railwayemployees

159. SHRI AMAR SINGH: Will theMinister of RAILWAYS be pleased tostate:

(a) whether it is a fact that more than 2lakh posts in the Railways have been lyingvacant and as a result thereof, work stressand fatigue among railway employees aretaking its toll on the passenger safety; and

(b) if so, the details of the vacancies ineach grade, since when these posts couldnot be filled up along with the reasons

therefor and by when these are likely to befilled up?

Renewal of railway tracks inTelangana

160. SHRI DHARMAPURISRINIVAS: Will the Minister ofRAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Railways are taking up theprocess of track renewals in the States toreduce derailments;


(c) the details of the tracks that havebeen selected for renewal in the State ofTelangana;

(d) the quantum of funds allocated andreleased so far; and

(e) the targets fixed in this regard?

I N D E X(Ministry-wise)

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,34, 35, 36,

Chemicals and Fertilizers : 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46,

Coal : 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52,

Communications : 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62,63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70,

Consumer Affairs, Food and Public : 37, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79,80,

Distribution 81, 82, 83,

Electronics and Information Technology : 84, 85, 86, 87, 88,

Food Processing Industries : 89, 90, 91, 92,

Law and Justice : 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101,102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108,109,110,

Parliamentary Affairs : —

Railways : 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118,119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126,127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134,135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142,143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150,151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158,159, 160.

GMGIPMRND—3755RS—27-01-2018.

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3755rs EW (Friday) 1164.100.47.5/EDAILYQUESTIONS/sessionno/245/RU.2.2.18-E.pdfDairy Processing and...

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Transcript of 3755rs EW (Friday) 1164.100.47.5/EDAILYQUESTIONS/sessionno/245/RU.2.2.18-E.pdfDairy Processing and...