Questions asked by Mr. Mohammed Amin during Rajya Sabha session November – December 2009

    No. of questions found: 9

    Q No: 3376


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    Dated:
    18.12.2009

    Ministry: RAILWAYS

    Subject: SETTING UP OF FACTORIES FOR
    MANUFACTURING OF HIGH CAPACITY FREIGHT BOGIES

    3376. SHRI MOHAMMED AMIN

    Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether Railways has floated a global tender for setting up new factories at Majerhat and Dalmianagar for manufacturing of high capacity freight bogies;

    (b) if so, the number of freight bogies envisaged to be manufactured from those units;

    (c) the total investment and land required for the proposed factories;

    (d) whether vacant land of M/s Buru Standard can be utilized for

    (a) above; and

    (e) if not, the reasons therefor?
    Answer

    MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

    (SHRI E. AHAMED)

    (a) No, Sir.

    (b) & (c) Do not arise.

    (d) At this stage there is no such proposal.

    (e) Do not arise.

    Q No: 3282

    Dated:
    18.12.2009

    Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

    Subject: MANUFACTURE OF UREA THROUGH COAL GASIFICATION ROUTE
    .

    3282. SHRI MOHAMMED AMIN

    Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether it is a fact that Department of Fertilizers is seriously following up on the coal gasification route to manufacture urea in the closed Talcher Plant of M/s. Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd.;

    (b) if so, the details thereof along with the road map for the project?
    Answer

    THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS.

    (SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA)

    (a) to (b) In respect of Talcher Unit of Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited,
    Government is considering the coal gasification option also, along with all other
    options subject to the availability of interested parties to come forward for the
    revival with the improved technologies. A proposal is under discussion with M/s.
    Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited (RCF), M/s. Gas Authority India Limited

    (GAIL) and M/s. Coal India Limited (CIL) for Revival of Talcher Unit based on coal
    gasification route.

    Q No: 2795

    Dated:
    15.12.2009

    Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS

    Subject: PRICING OF NATURAL GAS

    2795. SHRI MOHAMMED AMIN
    TAPAN KUMAR SEN
    Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether Cabinet Secretary had prepared a report on the issues related to supply and pricing of natural gas after the meeting of committee of secretaries held on 29 June, 2007, 6 July, 2007 and 10 July, 2007;

    (b) whether the relevant records related to the above are reported as missing and not readily available;

    (c) if so, the reasons therefor;

    (d) if not, whether the same is not being furnished under RTI Act, 2005; and

    (e) if so, the reasons therefor?
    Answer
    Minister of State in the Ministry of PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS

    (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

    (a) Yes, Sir.

    (b) No, Sir.

    (c) Does not arise in view of (b) above.

    (d) and (e) The issue will be examined by the concerned Public Information Officer (PIO) on receipt of application under Right to Information Act, 2005.

    Q No: 2606

    Dated:
    11.12.2009

    Ministry: RAILWAYS

    Subject: ANNUAL REQUIREMENT OF COACHES .

    2606. SHRI MOHAMMED AMIN

    Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

    (a) the estimated annual requirement of coaches in Railways in the next three years, year-wise;

    (b) the number of coach manufacturing units under Railways and outside Railways;

    (c) the rated capacity of all coach manufacturing units, unit-wise;

    (d) the envisaged annual production capacity of coach making units in Rai Bareli, Daukuni, Kanchrapara, Singur, Noapara and Majerhat; and

    (e) the total estimated investment under

    (d) above?
    Answer
    MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

    (SHRI E. AHAMED)

    (a) Estimated approximate annual requirement of coaches in Railways is 4538 including mainline coaches, EMU, MEMU and DEMU.

    (b) There are two coach manufacturing units under Ministry of Railways, viz., Integral Coach Factory, Perambur (ICF) and Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala (RCF). The two other units, viz., M/s. BEML Limited and M/s. Jessops are not under Ministry of Railways.

    (c) The rated capacity of ICF and RCF is 1000 coaches per annum each which is being enhanced to 1500 coaches per annum each. The other two units in private and public sectors have produced varying number of coaches depending upon their business plan.

    (d) The envisaged annual capacity at different units are as under: Rae Bareilly (coach factory) – 1000 coaches per annum Kanchrapara (coach factory) – 500 coaches per annum Noapara (Mid life rehabilitation of metro coaches) Majerhat (Mid life rehabilitation of BG coaches) Railways ‘in principle’ agreement to West Bengal Government’s proposal has been conveyed to the State Government. Railways plan to set up world class factory at this location, when land is made available to the Railways.

    (e) The estimated investment for the Rail Coach Factory, Rae Bareli is Rs. 1685 crore and the proposal for other units are under process.

    Q No: 2583

    Dated:
    11.12.2009

    Ministry: RAILWAYS

    Subject: RAILWAY COMMITTEES.

    2583. SHRI MOHAMMED AMIN
    TAPAN KUMAR SEN
    Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether a number of leading intellectuals have been asked to head Railway Committees;

    (b) if so, the details of the Committees including names of the Chairmen and the Members; and

    (c) the details of functions, status, remunerations and perquisites of Chairmen and Members of the Committee?
    Answer
    MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

    (SHRI E. AHAMED)

    (a) A Committee on Heritage and Culture headed by Ms Saoli Mitra has been formed.

    (b)&(c) The details of the Committee, its composition, Terms of reference (functions), remunerations and other perquisites/status etc., are given in Annexure.

    Q No: 2054

    Dated:
    08.12.2009

    Ministry: FINANCE

    Subject: PAYMENT OF PROVIDENT FUND BY RRBS .

    2054. SHRI MOHAMMED AMIN
    TAPAN KUMAR SEN
    Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether the management of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) are complying with the statutory provisions Section 40, 40A,59, 72 and 73 of EPF Act 1952 and Sectionl7A and 23 of Employees Pension Scheme 1995; and

    (b) the details of RRBs, who failed to pay the balance of Provident Fund of Pension to the staff members who have retired or expired in the last three years?
    Answer
    THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

    (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

    (a) As informed by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), no such incidence of non-compliance of the provisions of Employees Provident Fund(EPF) Act, 1952 (Section 40, 40A,59, 72 and 73) and Employees Pension Scheme 1995 (Section 17A and 23) iias been reported.

    (b) NABARD has informed that no such case has been reported.

    Q No: 1840

    Dated:
    07.12.2009

    Ministry: COAL

    Subject: REVIVAL OF MAMC .

    1840. SHRI MOHAMMED AMIN

    Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:-
    to answer to Starred Question 334 given in the Rajya Sabha on the 16th August, 2007 and state :

    (a) the present status of implementation of MoU that had been signed between CIL and DVC on 1st June, 2007 on the revival of MAMC ; and

    (b) the tentative date for commencement of the revival process ?
    Answer
    THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

    (SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

    (a) & (b) : The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Coal India Ltd. (CIL) and Damodar Valley Corporation(DVC) was firmed up by an agreement signed on 18.09.2007. Subsequently, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) also joined to form a consortium and a tripartite agreement was signed on 27.09.2007. An application was filed by the consortium praying for the taking over of the Mining and Allied Machinery Corporation (MAMC) was heard by the Hon’ble High Court, Kolkata and stay on liquidation was granted. With the leave granted by the Hon’ble Court, due diligence was conducted by the consortium.
    Following the due diligence, various creditors were approached for waiver of their respective dues. Govt. of West Bengal has agreed in principle to waive its dues if the Central Govt. took a similar stand. The State Bank of India, being the principal secured creditor, has agreed to settle for substantially reduced amount.
    Very recently BEML has expressed a desire to withdraw from the consortium. After settlement of the issues of withdrawal by BEML and the waiver of dues by Govt. of West Bengal and Central Govt. the matter will be placed before Hon’ble High Court, Kolkata for further directions.

    Q No: 1839

    Dated:
    07.12.2009

    Ministry: COAL

    Subject: PRODUCTION OF SYNTHESIS GAS AT
    TALCHAR IN ORISSA

    1839. SHRI MOHAMMED AMIN

    Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether it is a fact that M/s SASOL-TATA combine are producing synthesis gas from their own Coal To Liquid (CTL) project at Talchar in Orissa; and

    (b) if so, the details thereof along with the end products and consumers ?
    Answer
    MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

    (SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

    (a) & (b): M/s Strategic Energy Technology Systems Limited, a joint venture formed by TATA and SASOL, has been allocated North of Arkhapal coal block on 27.02.2009 with geological reserves of 1500 million tonnes of coal for their coal-to-liquid project in Orissa. The block is unexplored and as per the guidelines for development of coal block, 27 months is allowed for detailed prospecting. There is no coal production at present.

    Q No: 1799

    Dated:
    04.12.2009

    Ministry: RAILWAYS

    Subject: REMOVAL OF CHAIRMEN OF ALL RAILWAY
    RECRUITMENT BOARDS .

    1799. SHRI MOHAMMED AMIN
    TAPAN KUMAR SEN
    Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

    (a) whether all the serving Chairmen of Railway Recruitment Boards have been removed recently;

    (b) whether they had a fixed term to serve;

    (c) if so, whether they have been removed before time because of their acts of omission/ commission;

    (d) if so, types of charges against them; and

    (e) if not, the reasons for their removal?
    Answer
    MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

    (SHRI E. AHAMED)

    (a) No, Sir. The officers working as Chairmen, Railway Recruitment Boards have recently been transferred to their respective cadres.

    (b) There is no fixed tenure.

    (c) No, Sir.

    (d) Does not arise.

    (e) The officers are transferred due to administrative exigencies. Group ‘A’ Railway Officers have All India Service Liability as laid down in the Recruitment Rules and acceptance thereof is a pre-condition before accepting appointment on the Railways. Moreover in terms of Rule No. 226 of the Indian Railway Establishment Code Vol.-I which are statutory Rules framed by the President under Article 309 of the Constitution of India, Group ‘A’ officers can be transferred from one Railway/ Unit/ Organization to another in administrative interest by the Competent Authority.

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