Questions asked by Mr. Amir Alam Khan during Rajya Sabha Budget session 2010

June 24, 2010

No. of questions found: 47

4751

Support TwoCircles

UNSTARRED

07.05.2010

RAILWAYS

INCIDENTS
OF EVE TEASING IN TRAINS

4751. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that cases of eve-teasing and manhandling with women in the passenger trains have been on rise particularly in the national capital region;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of action taken by Railways in this regard; and

(e) whether Railways proposes to deploy more force in such trains to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) to (e): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the Sabha.

4701

UNSTARRED

07.05.2010

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

RURAL URBAN DIVIDE IN EDUCATION

4701. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

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

(a) whether Government is aware of the of the rising rural- urban divide in the field of education;

(b) if so, the comparative details thereof during the last three years, State-wise and Union Territory-wise;

(d) the funds allocated and utilized for the purpose during the last three years, rural and urban area-wise?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(SMT. D. PURANDESWARI)

(a) to (c): The National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986 (as modified in 1992) provides for a National System of Education, which implies that up to a given level, all students, irrespective of caste, creed, location or sex, have access to education of a comparable quality. It also accords priority for improvement of the standard of education at all levels for children living in rural and urban areas.

The NPE recognizes that the rural areas, with poor infra structure services, will not get the benefit of trained and educated youth, unless rural-urban disparities are reduced and determined measures are taken to promote diversification and dispersal of employment opportunities. Pursuant to this, a large number of schemes/programmes are being implemented through out the country which predominantly address the educational including rural areas. The XIth Plan envisages implementation of a centrally sponsored scheme for Universalisation of access to and improvement of quality of education at secondary stage (SUCCESS) with the objective to make secondary education of good quality available, accessible and affordable to all young persons by providing a secondary school within five kilometers of every habitation. It also envisages setting up of six thousand good quality secondary schools at Block level, at the rate of one school in each Block, which will serve as benchmark of excellence for other schools in the area.

(d): Funds under various Schemes/Programmes of the Ministry are not allocated on rural-urban basis.

4585

UNSTARRED

06.05.2010

TOURISM

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM

4585. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that the tourism plays an important role in the economy of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of foreign tourists visited India during each of the last three years and revenue earned by Government during the said period; and

(d) the efforts taken by Government to promote sustainable development of tourism to make India an ecologically and socially sensitive tourism destination?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

(SHRI SULTAN AHMED)

(a) and (b): Yes, Sir. As per Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) for India, tourism contributed 5.83 per cent of total Gross Domestic Product and 8.27 per cent of total employment in the country during 2002-03.

(c): The number of foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) and foreign exchange earnings (FEE) from tourism in India during the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 are given below:-
Year FTAs FEE
(in million) (in US$ billion)

2007 5.08 10.73
2008 5.28 11.75
2009 5.11@ 11.39

@ Provisional, Revised Estimates
Advance Estimates

(d): The Ministry of Tourism is focusing on preservation and enrichment of natural and cultural resources to ensure positive impact on environmental protection and community development. In order to create awareness, the Ministry of Tourism organized four conferences in 2008 across India on themes of responsible tourism, community participation and empowerment and waste management, etc. These conferences were held in association with UNDP and various stakeholders. The Ministry also provides Central Financial Assistance to States/ UTs for development of eco-tourism projects. Promotion and marketing of eco-tourism products have been carried out in domestic and overseas markets.

4542

UNSTARRED

06.05.2010

PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

EVALUATION OF RTI ACT

4542. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has any plans to conduct a detailed evaluation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the evaluation of the Act has since been completed;

(f) if so, the details thereof;

(g) whether Government has received the report; and

(h) if so, the action taken/proposed to be taken by Government for the purpose?
Answer
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

(SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)

(a) to (d): A study has already been conducted through an independent organization, namely, PricewaterhouseCoopers, to assess the key issues and constraints in implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2005.

(e) to (g): The Organization has submitted the report, which points out that there is inadequate planning by the public authorities in regard to supply of information; awareness about the Act in rural areas is much less than in urban areas; awareness amongst women is much less than men; the gap in implementation of the Act is because of lack of clear accountability in respect of various functions, etc. In this regard, the study recommended measures for improving awareness on right to information; improving convenience in filing information requests; improving efficiency of the Information Commissions, enhancing accountability and clarity of various stakeholders, etc.

(h): The Government, in order to create awareness, has been launching awareness generation campaigns from time to time through television and radio. Rural areas have been reached by display of RTI posters in post offices located in rural areas. Assistance for capacity building has been provided to the Information Commissions under a centrally sponsored scheme. The Government is imparting training to public information officers, first appellate authorities and other stakeholders. It has issued several memoranda clarifying various provisions of the Act and has published five guides on the Right to Information Act.

4490

UNSTARRED

06.05.2010

CULTURE

POSTS FOR HORTICULTURE DIVISION OF ASI

4490. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of post created/upgraded for the officers of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Horticulture Division for maintenance and beautification of gardens, parks surrounding the monuments;

(b) whether it is a fact that the incumbents have not been given the upgraded status inspite of the clear cut orders issued by the Ministry of Finance in this regard;

(d) by when the ASI will upgrade these officers from their present levels of posts?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a) to (d): As approved by Ministry of Finance, one post of Chief Horticulturist in the Pay Band-3 Rs.15600-39100 with Grade Pay Rs.6600 was upgraded to the post of Director(Horticulture) in the Pay Band-3 Rs.15600-39100 with Grade Pay Rs.7600 and one post of Deputy Superintending Horticulturist in the Pay Band 3 Rs.15600-39100 with Grade Pay of Rs.5400 was upgraded to the level of Chief Horticulturist in the Pay Band-3 with Grade Pay of Rs.6600/- in the Archaeological Survey of India, Horticulture Division with effect from 26.3.2010. The process of upgrading the eligible incumbents has already been initiated.

4382

UNSTARRED

05.05.2010

HOME AFFAIRS

DELHI POLICE OFFICIALS RAIDED BY CBI

4382. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) the total number of Delhi Police officials raided by the CBI during each of the last three years, cadre-wise;

(b) the total number of police officials found in possession of illegal property during the said period, cadre-wise;

(d) the number of police officials, cadre-wise against whom the inquiry is still pending;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)

(a): Details of the officials of Delhi Police raided by CBI during each of the last three years, cadre-wise are given below:
Year ACP Inspector SI ASI HC Constable
2007 1 – 5 6 3 4
2008 – – 1 1 1 –
2009 – 1 – 1 – –

(b): One Sub-Inspector of Delhi Police was found in possession of illegal property during 2008.

(c): Out of the 18 cases, charge sheets have been filed in 16 cases which are pending trial.

(d) to (f): Investigation against two officials of Delhi Police involved in 2 cases is ongoing. Details are as under:-

Year No of cases and the rank of officer under investigation
2008 1(Sub-Inspector)
2009 1(Inspector)

4381

UNSTARRED

05.05.2010

HOME AFFAIRS

RAIDS TO UNEARTH COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY RACKETS

4381. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of raids conducted to unearth the counterfeit currency rackets for the past ten months in various parts of the country;

(b) the details of the action taken in each of the case;

(d) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by Government to check such nefarious activities in the country?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI AJAY MAKEN)

(a) to (c): The information on Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) (seized by police and recovered by RBI) for the year 2009 and for the first quarter from January to March 2010 is enclosed at Annexure-‘A’ and ‘B’ respectively.

(d): To address the multi-dimensional aspects of the FICN menace, several agencies such as the RBI, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the security and Intelligence Agencies of the Centre and States, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), etc. are working in tandem to thwart the nefarious activity related to FICNs. The activities of these agencies are also periodically reviewed in a nodal group set up for this purpose. In this context, at the functional level, the CBI has been declared as the nodal agency for coordination with the State; the Directorate General of Revenue Intelligence has been nominated as the Lead Intelligence Agency for this purpose. Apart from the above, the State Governments have been asked to set up dedicated and well-equipped Cell under senior level supervision to comprehensively monitor and deal with organized crimes including FICN, and also specifically designate a nodal officer to coordinate activities relating to FICNs. The States have also been asked to set up a Committee headed by the DGP of the State with GM/DGM of RBI, Senior Officers of SIB, Intelligence Branch of State Police, CID of State Police, etc. as members. Further, the offences under IPC, relating to counterfeit currency have been included in the schedule to the National Investigation Agency Act, thereby empowering the National Investigation Agency to investigate and prosecute such offences.

4275

UNSTARRED

04.05.2010

PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS

MONTHLY QUOTA FOR SALE OF COMMERCIAL LPG CYLINDERS

4275. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has fixed any monthly quota for the sale of commercial LPG by each distributor ;

(b) if so, the details thereof ;

(c) if not, whether any demand letter is taken from each of the distributor for sanctioning commercial LPG cylinders to them ;

(d) if so, the details thereof ;

(e) whether any survey has been made of the consumers about the type of cylinders they are using ; and

(f) if so, the details thereof ?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS

(SHRI JITIN PRASADA )

(a) & (b) : Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have reported that they have not fixed any monthly quota for sale of commercial LPG by their LPG distributors.

(c) & (d) : OMCs are not taking any demand letter from their distributors for sanctioning commercial LPG cylinders. However, based on market demand, OMCs makes supplies of commercial LPG cylinders on the request of their LPG distributors.

(e) & (f) : Officers of OMCs individually or collectively do regular checks on the cylinder type being used by consumers. LPG cylinders with the capacity of 5 kg. and 14.2 kg. are being supplied to domestic consumers while 19 kg., 35 kg. and 47.5 kg. cylinders are used at commercial/industrial establishments.

4154

UNSTARRED

04.05.2010

CIVIL AVIATION

PROPOSAL FOR AIRPORTS AT MEERUT AND GREATER NOIDA

4154. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Central Government has received any proposal for establishment of airports in Uttar Pradesh especially at Meerut and Greater Noida;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the efforts taken by the Central Government to clear all formalities for the construction of the said airports for promotion of tourism in the State?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )

(a) & (b): Government of India has received proposals from Government of Uttar Pradesh (GoUP) for setting up of Greenfield airports at Greater Noida and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh.

(c), (d) & (e): The Steering Committee for Greenfield airports has accorded `in-principle` approval for setting up of Greenfield Airport at Kushinagar. However, the proposal for setting up of a Greenfield airport at Jewar/Greater Noida was considered by the Union Cabinet and referred it to Group of Ministers (GoM). GoM has desired to revise the Techno-Economic Feasibility Report which was required to be given by the GoUP. Recently, the GoM has been reconstituted to examine the issue of establishing the airport.

4009

UNSTARRED

03.05.2010

COAL

FOREIGN TOURS OF CIL OFFICIALS

4009. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:-

(a) the number of officials foreign tours under-taken by the senior officials of the Coal India Ltd. during each of the last three years, company-wise;

(b) the total expenditure incurred on these foreign tours;

(d) whether absence of officials from work due to these tours affects the functioning of the organization; and

(e) if so, the details thereof, company-wise?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

(SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a) The number of senior officers (officers of the rank of M-2 and above including Board level) of Coal India Limited (CIL) and its subsidiaries who have visited foreign countries during each of the last three years are as under:

Year ECL BCCL CCL NCL WCL SECL MCL CMPDI CIL Total
2007-08 7 13 10 11 6 12 5 13 25 102
2008-09 6 7 7 7 10 14 5 23 32 111
2009-10 13 11 7 7 9 11 5 16 24 103

(b) Information regarding the amount spent on the above visits is being collected.

(c) Coal India Limited (CIL) is the single largest coal mining company in the world. In its endeavor to become a top Global Company and to take full advantage of big international equipment exhibitions abroad, delegations of senior officers are sent abroad from time to time to cover various facets of equipment and technology including safety devices having state-of-the-art technology, as well as to cope with disaster management. In order to match the future demand and after analyzing the performance of high capacity equipment s under use in mining industry abroad, CIL has successfully introduced equipment like 42 Cum bucket capacity shovel and 240 T Dumpers at Gevra opencast projects in South Eastern Coalfields Limited. Similarly, in underground mines process of infusing Continuous Miner and Long Wall Mining Technologies on a risk gain sharing basis has been initiated in some of the mines in recent years. The exposure and experience gained by CIL officers during their foreign visits has helped CIL to move forward in the fields of clean coal solutions like Coal Bed Methane, Under Ground Coal Gasification, Surface Coal Gasification etc.

(d) No, Sir.

(e) Does not arise in view of the answer given to part (d) above.

4008

UNSTARRED

03.05.2010

COAL

IRREGULARITIES AND CORRUPTION IN ALLOCATION OF COAL BLOCKS

4008. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government is aware of the large scale irregularities and corruption taking place in the allocation of coal blocks by various companies of the Coal India Ltd.;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Government proposes to amend the Mines Act to check the said irregularities and corruption and make the allocation procedure simple and transparent;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the number of cases of irregularities in allocation being highlighted during the last year to till date; and

(f) the details of action taken against the officers of coal companies in each case?
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): Coal blocks are not allocated by the companies of Coal India Limited.

(b) Does not arise in view of reply given at (a) above.

(c) & (d) With a view to bringing in more transparency, it is proposed to introduce auction through competitive bidding as a selection process for allocation of coal blocks for captive mining. Accordingly, the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2008 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha. Subsequently it was referred to the Standing Committee on Steel and Coal for detailed examination. Based on the inputs and Action Taken Note on the recommendations of the Standing Committee a Cabinet Note was placed before the Cabinet for passage of the Bill. The Cabinet approved the proposal on 28.01.2010. The Minister of Mines has moved a motion on 18.02.2010 for passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2008 in the Budget Session of Parliament, 2010.

(e) & (f) Do not arise in view of reply given at (a) above.

3909

UNSTARRED

30.04.2010

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

RIGHT TO EDUCATION

3909. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

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

(a) whether to prevent the commercialization of education the Central Government is committed to introduce Right to Education Law in co-ordination with all State Governments;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the manner in which the Central Government would find a possible solution under Right to Education Law by addressing the issues like marginalized schools, fee structure, pay- scales of teachers and all quality-centric issues like- building, playground, library and arrangement of skilled teachers and so on; and

(d) the budgetary allocation being made by Government for the next financial year for implementing the Right to Education Law, State-wise?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(SMT. D. PURANDESWARI)

(a) & (b): The Government has consistently held the view that education in India is not regarded as commercial activity and all educational institutions of India necessarily have to be set up in the “not for profit” mode. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 enacted by the Parliament has come into force from 1st April, 2010. Section 13 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 provides that no school or person shall, while admitting a child, collect any capitation fee and subject the child or his or her parents or guardian to any screening procedure.

(c): The issues regarding provision of adequate school infrastructure, engagement of qualified and appropriately trained teachers, terms and conditions of service of teachers etc. have been addressed through various provisions of the RTE Act and the Norms and Standards specified in the Schedule of the Act.

(d): Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme will be the main vehicle for implementation of the provisions of the RTE Act. In 2010-11, a Central budget allocation of Rs.15,000 crore has been presented to Parliament for SSA programme. Central budget allocation is not made state-wise. Funds are provided to each State/UT based on their approved Annual Work Plan & Budget for the year as per the funding ratio applicable in that year.

3794

UNSTARRED

29.04.2010

SPACE

ACHIEVEMENTS IN SPACE RESEARCH

3794. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of SPACE be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of achievements in space research during the last three years;

(b) whether Government has fixed any target to achieve the ‘space vision 2050’;

(d) the amount allocated and spent for the space research during each of the last three years?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS, MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS , MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

(SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN) :

(a) The major achievements in space research during the last three years (April 2007- March 2010) are as below: Successful launching of India’s first Lunar Mission Chandrayaan-1 and detection of traces of water, ice and hydroxyl molecules on the lunar surface based on the scientific data obtained from Chandrayaan-1, which is a major discovery in planetary science having tremendous implications in planning future long term lunar and planetary explorations. Successful launching of TEN satellites in a single mission of PSLV C9 – Cartosat-2A satellite (an advanced cartographic satellite); IMS-1 satellite (for natural resource management applications) and eight nano satellites from Universities of Canada, Europe and Japan. Successful launch and operationalisation of RISAT-2, a Radar Imaging Satellite with the capability to take images of the earth during day and night as well as cloudy conditions and ANUSAT, first experimental communication satellite built by an Indian University onboard India’s PSLV C12. Successful launch and operationalisation of OCEANSAT-2 satellite onboard PSLV C14, for Ocean and Coastal studies. Application of space technology for societal benefits in the areas of rural development, Health-care, Education, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management and Communication infrastructure through programmes of Tele-education, Tele-medicine, Village Resource Centres, location of potential zones of drinking water based on satellite data, advisories of fishermen on potential fishing zones, Disaster Management Support programme, etc.,

(b) & (c) No Sir. However, the Government have drawn-up a long-term plan ‘Vision 2025’ for Space Research Programme identifying the goals, Programme Directions and technology requirements upto 2025. The Programme encompasses development of advanced launch vehicle systems including critical technologies for re-usable launch vehicles and Human Space Flight Programme; developing capabilities in Space communications towards meeting the developmental needs in the areas of education and literacy, health-care, rural development and disaster management support; Introduction of Satellite Navigation based positioning services, Augmenting earth observation systems with enhanced imaging capabilities for natural resource management applications; and undertake front ranking research in the areas of Space science, Astronomy and Planetary exploration.

(d) The amount allotted and spent for space research during the last three years is as below:
(Rupees in Crores)
Budget allotted in Budget allotted in Actuals
BE RE
2007-08 3858.80 3290.09 3278.00
2008-09 4074.07 3499.04 3493.57
2009-10 4959.04 4167.04 4158.03
(Provisional)

3745

UNSTARRED

29.04.2010

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

INDIAN CONTRIBUTION TO UNITED NATIONS BUDGET

3745. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of contribution paid by India to United Nations budget during each of the last three years;

(b) the basis of such contributions being made to United Nations;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SMT. PRENEET KAUR)

(a) Contribution by India to the UN Regular budget and the UN Peacekeeping budget during the last three years are as follows:
Figures in rupees (crores)
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
i. UN Regular Budget 32.57 53.74 52.79
ii. UN Peacekeeping Budget 26.95 30.02 36.55

(b) Member states of the UN are obligated to contribute to the UN budget which is calculated on the basis of Scale of Assessments. This was last decided by the UN General Assembly in 2009. According to this scale, India’s rate of assessment to the UN regular budget for 2009-2012 is fixed at 0.534 % of the total budget. Contribution to the UN Peacekeeping budget is also based on this scale of assessments with adjustments made for its capacity to contribute to peacekeeping operations.

(c) to (e) It is mandatory for every UN member state to contribute its share to the budget. As such, there is no proposal to reduce India’s contribution below the scale of assessment determined by the UN.

3598

UNSTARRED

28.04.2010

HOME AFFAIRS

NON UTILISATION OF FUNDS FOR POLICE MODERNISATION BY
STATES

3598. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that various States have not been able to utilise the allocation meant for modernisation and training of their police force;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the lack of training and modernisation of the force are the prime cause of bloodshed by the naxalites in Chhattisgarh killing more than 73 police personnel;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by Government to increase the participation of States in acquiring, analysing and using intelligence to check terror and naxal attacks in the country?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)

(a) & (b) : A Statement indicating funds released to various States under the Scheme during the period 2000-01 to 2009-10 and the utilization reported thereof by States upto 2007-08 is given in the Annexure.

(c) & (d) : A one-man Inquiry Committee has been instituted by the Ministry to inquire into this grave incident. The report of the Inquiry Committee is awaited before reaching any final conclusions.

(e) : ‘Police’ and ‘public order’ being State subjects, action with respect to maintenance of law and order lies primarily in the domain of the concerned State Governments, who deal with the various issues related to Left Wing Extremism activities in the States. The Central Government also closely monitors the situation and supplements their efforts in several ways. As part of an ongoing exercise, several steps have been taken to strengthen and upgrade the capabilities of intelligence and security agencies both at the Central level and the State level, as well as to enhance information sharing and operational coordination between the Central agencies and the State Governments. These measures, inter-alia, include establishment of NSG hubs at Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai; online and secure connectivity between Multi-Agency Centre, Subsidiary Multi-Agency Centres and State Special Branches. A Scheme aimed at strengthening State Special Branches (SSBs) by way of support for monitoring, security, surveillance and other related equipments has recently been approved.

3577

UNSTARRED

28.04.2010

HOME AFFAIRS

REIMBURSEMENT OF SRE

3577. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN
GIREESH KUMAR SANGHI
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Union Government has implemented any scheme for reimbursement of security related expenditure to the State which are badly affected by naxalism and insurgency;

(b) if so, the names of the States which have been covered under the said scheme;

(d) the details of inventory on which the reimbursement is being made;

(e) whether Government has reviewed the success rate of the scheme; and

(f) how far the scheme could hold the naxalism and insurgency under control?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI AJAY MAKEN)

(a) & (b): Under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme reimbursement is made to the States for the expenditure incurred on operations. Naxal affected States covered under SRE scheme are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal. Insurgency affected States which are covered under SRE scheme are Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya & Arunachal Pradesh.

(c ) : Details are given in the Annexure.

(d) to (f) : The admissible items on which reimbursement is made under SRE inter alia include ex-gratia payment to family of civilian and security personnel killed in naxal and extremist violence, transportation communication and logistic support for Central Para Military Forces, ammunition, training of State Police Forces, community policing, honoraria to Special Police officers, deployment of Home Guards, Village Defence Parties, rehabilitation of surrendered naxalites and militants etc. The scheme has been quite helpful to the States.

3466

UNSTARRED

27.04.2010

HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

DECLINE IN FEMALE POPULATION

3466. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether there has been any decline in the number of females in India in comparison to other countries of the world;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(d) if so, the efforts taken by Government to increase the number of females in the country?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

(SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI)

(a) & (b) As per the information received from office of Registrar General of India, decadal population Census of India is conducted wherein data on various socio-economic and demographic parameters including number of females in India are collected. The female population has been increasing over the decades as would be evident from the following:

Year Female Population

1971 264,110,376

1981 329,954,637

1991 407,062,599

2001 496,514,346

(c) The Sample Survey of Births and Deaths known as Sample Registration System (SRS) is conducted by the RGI office. Data on sex ratio at birth based on the three-yearly moving average is available from the Sample registration System (SRS) data. The sex ratio at birth for India for the periods 2004-06, 2005-07 and 2006-08 is 892, 901 and 904 respectively. State wise details are Annexed.

(d) Pre-conception & Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act, 1994 prohibits the selection or determination of sex, before or after conception. The efforts taken by the Government under PC&PNDT Act, 1994 include constitution of a National Inspection & Monitoring Committee (NIMC), creating awareness on the issue through various IEC mechanisms, sensitizing stake holders including the judiciary and public prosecutors, holding of workshops/seminars and community awareness through auxiliary Nursing Midwife (ANM) and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), as well as facility for on-line filing of Form ‘F’ by clinics for better implementation of the Act.

3400

UNSTARRED

27.04.2010

FINANCE

APPRECIATION OF INDIAN RUPEE

3400. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

(a)whether Indian rupee has firmed up in comparison to other currencies during last the few months;

(b)if so, the reasons therefor; and

(c)the steps being taken by Government to protect the adversely affected sectors of economy due to firming up of rupee?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a) to (c) : The Indian rupee exhibited strengthening trend against major currencies during 2009-10 on the back of continued foreign capital inflows and high economic growth. As a result, the Rupee/US dollar exchange rate appreciated by 12.9 per cent from Rs. 50.95 per dollar at end-March 2009 to Rs. 45.14 per dollar as at end-March 2010.

Similarly, during the year, the rupee, on a point-to-point basis, appreciated by 7.1 per cent against the pound sterling, 11.4 per cent against the euro and 71 per cent against the Japanese yen.

The annual average exchange rate of rupee against US Dollar during the last three years was Rs 40.26 per US dollar in 2007-08, Rs 45.99 per US dollar in 2008-09 and Rs 47.44 per US dollar in 2009-10. The foreign exchange rate policy has been guided by the broad principles of careful monitoring and management of exchange rates with flexibility, while allowing the underlying demand and supply conditions to determine the exchange rate movements in an orderly manner. Subject to this predominant objective, the Reserve Bank of India’s intervention in the foreign exchange market has been driven by the objectives of reducing excess volatility to safeguard the interests of the economy, maintaining adequate level of reserves, and developing an orderly foreign exchange market.

3323

UNSTARRED

26.04.2010

MINORITY AFFAIRS

FIFTEEN POINT PROGRAMME

3323. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has started a fifteen point programme for the welfare and development of minorities across the country;

(b) If so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Central Government has given any directive to the State Governments to meet the objectives of the programme;

(d) If so, the details thereof;

(e) the outcome of the programme; and

(f) the steps taken by the Central Government to provide employment to the minorities in the Central and State services in country?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SALMAN KHURSHID)

(a)& (b) Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities was announced in June, 2006. The details of the programme are available on the website of the Ministry www.minorityaffairs.gov.in

(c)to(f) The guidelines of the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Administrations advising them to implement the programme. In pursuance to the guidelines of the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities, Department of Personnel & Training had circulated guidelines to all Central Ministries/Departments for giving special consideration to the recruitment of Minorities in Central Government Offices and Central Public Sector Undertakings. The details showing status of implementation of various schemes included in the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities including the number of minorities recruited in various Central Government Offices and Central Public Sector Undertakings etc. is enclosed in the statement at Annex-A.

3319

UNSTARRED

26.04.2010

MINORITY AFFAIRS

APPLICATIONS PENDING WITH MAULANA AZAD EDUCATION
FOUNDATION

3319. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of the applications pending with Maulana Azad Education Foundation for grant/assistance;

(b) the details of the applications sanctioned during 2009-10;

(d) the steps being taken to sanction the remaining applications; and

(e) whether Government proposes to increase the corpus of Maulana Azad Education Foundation?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE), MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SALMAN KHURSHID)

(a): 1020 applications for grant-in-aid are pending with the Foundation.

(b) and (c): During 2009-10, the Foundation has sanctioned Rs.1336.80 lakh to 105 Non-Government Organizations (NGO). The details are at Annex-I.

(d): The Maulana Azad Education Foundation considers applications on first cum first serve basis subject to the condition that the application is complete in all respects, and subject to the availability of financial resources.

(e): Plan outlay of Rs.500 crore has been approved during the 11th Five Year Plan period to augment the corpus fund of Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) from Rs.200 crore to Rs.700 crore by the end of the 11th Five Year Plan period. As on date, the corpus fund of MAEF is Rs.425 Crore.

424

STARRED

26.04.2010

ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS

ENVIRONMENT CLEARANCE TO IRRIGATION ROAD AND
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

424. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that a large number of proposals, including proposals relating to irrigation, road and infrastructural development, are pending before Government for environmental clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;

(b) if so, the details thereof as on date and the reasons therefor, State-wise;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the extent to which the simplification of the environmental clearance process would be helpful in according clearance to the pending projects?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS

(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a), (b), (c), (d) & (e) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 424 BY SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.04.2010 REGARDING ‘ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE TO IRRIGATION, ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

(a) & (b) Under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, at any given time, there are always certain number of proposals at various stages of processing. Accordingly, 182 proposals for diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes including those of irrigation, road and infrastructural development are pending with the Central Government as on 21.04.2010. The State-wise and category-wise list of pending proposals is enclosed as Annexure. Most of theses proposals are of recent origin and some are pending for want of clearance from the Supreme Court of India. The complete proposals received in the Central Government are processed on merit.

(c) to (e) The Ministry of Environment & Forests has taken several steps to simplify the process of environmental clearance to the projects listed in the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, which include streamlining of clearance mechanism, regular meetings of the Expert Appraisal Committee, regular review of pendency of the projects, and up loading the status of projects on Ministry’s web site for information of stakeholders.

3105

UNSTARRED

23.04.2010

CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

BUFFER STOCK NORMS FOR FOODGRAINS

3105. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:-

(a) the current buffer stock norms for foodgrains in the country;

(b) whether Government proposes any reduction in the buffer stock norms to cut food subsidy;

(d) if not, the manner in which the food subsidy is proposed to be reduced?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a)to(d): The details of the current buffer stock norms fixed for foodgrains in the Central Pool for each quarter of the year are as under:

(in lakh tons)
1st JAN. 1st APRIL 1st JULY 1st OCT.

RICE 138 142 118 72
WHEAT 112 70 201 140
TOTAL 250 212 319 212

The above buffer stock norms include Food Security Reserve of 20 lakh tons of rice and 30 lakh tons of wheat.
The Government has no proposal to reduce buffer stock norms to cut food subsidy. However, Government has taken several measures to contain food subsidy. These include:

(i) Encouraging decentralized procurement and distribution of foodgrains.

(ii) Issue of bonds by the FCI at lower coupon rates, backed by Government guarantee.

(iii) Improving the operational efficiency of FCI.

(iv) Raising of unsecured loans by FCI to lower cost of funds.

407

STARRED

23.04.2010

AGRICULTURE

PRODUCTION OF FOODGRAINS IN UP

407. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of production of foodgrains in Uttar Pradesh during the last three years, crop-wise;

(b) the total demand of foodgrains in Uttar Pradesh during the said period;

(d) the steps taken by Government to increase the acreage and production of foodgrains in Uttar Pradesh?
Answer
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

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

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (d) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 407 FOR 23/04/2010 REGARDING PRODUCTION OF FOODGRAINS IN UP.

(a) & (b): The crop-wise details of production of foodgrains in Uttar Pradesh during the last three years are given in the table below:-

Crop Production of foodgrains in Uttar Pradesh (thousand
tonnes)
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Rice 11780.0 13097.0 10422.3
Wheat 25679.0 28554.0 28900.3
Jowar 172.8 195.0 155.0
Bajra 1336.4 1302.0 1384.0
Maize 1209.0 1198.0 1021.0
Total coarse cereals 3058.9 3080.2 3104.8
Tur 327.9 288.0 278.8
Gram 376.0 562.0 900.4
Urad 179.0 228.0 190.0
Moong 26.0 36.0 36.0
Total pulses 1576.9 1998.1 2380.2
Total Foodgrains 42094.8 46729.3 44807.5
As per 2nd Advance Estimates released on 12.02.2010

As per assessment by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the consumption requirement/demand of foodgrains in the State for the years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 has been estimated at 35.13 million tonnes, 36.14 million tonnes and 36.45 million tonnes respectively.

(c): The details of production of foodgrains in the country at all India level and in the State of Uttar Pradesh during the last three years are indicated in the table below:-
Year Production of foodgrains (million tonnes)
All India Uttar Pradesh
2007-08 230.78 42.09

2008-09 234.47 46.73
2009-10 216.85 44.81
As per 2nd Advance Estimates released on 12.02.2010

(d): In order to increase the production of foodgrains in various States of the country including Uttar Pradesh through area increase, productivity enhancement and incentivising the States to increase investment in the agriculture and allied sectors, the Government is implementing a number of schemes/programmes, such as National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the Integrated Cereals Development Programme in Rice Based Cropping Systems Areas (ICDP-Rice), Integrated Cereals Development Programme in Wheat Based Cropping Systems Areas (ICDP-Wheat) and Integrated Cereals Development Programme in Coarse Cereals Based Cropping Systems Areas (ICDP-Coarse Cereals).

3044

UNSTARRED

22.04.2010

WATER RESOURCES

FARMERS BENEFITED FROM IRRIGATION FACILITIES

3044. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES be pleased to state:-

(a) the amount invested so far for the development of irrigation facilities in the country;

(b) the area covered under irrigated land particularly in drought prone areas as a result of this investment, State-wise; and

(c) the State-wise number of farmers benefited in the country specially in Uttar Pradesh by it?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES

(SHRI VINCENT H. PALA)

(a) Total investment made under major and medium irrigation, minor irrigation and command area development sectors from first five-year Plan to tenth five year plan is about Rs. 2,50,287 crores.

(b) The created irrigation potential has increased from 22.6 million hectare (mha) at pre-Plan stage to about 102.7 mha at the end of X Plan which inter-alia includes the irrigation potential created in the drought prone areas. State-wise details of irrigation potential created upto the end of X Plan is annexed. 359 ongoing major, medium and Extension, Renovation and Modernisation (ERM) projects benefitting drought prone area / desert area have spilled over from X Plan to XI Plan.

(c) Information about number of farmers benefitted in different States is not available with the Ministry of Water Resources. However, Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that the numbers of farmers benefitted in Uttar Pradesh are about 98 to 100 lakhs.

2934

UNSTARRED

22.04.2010

COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

ALLOCATION OF G SPECTRUM

2934. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

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

(a) the steps taken by Government for finalizing the issue of the allocation of 3G spectrum issue;

(b) whether Government proposes to start the auction of 3G spectrum and whether bids are being invited for this purpose; (

(d) if not, by when Government would finalize the issue of the allocation of 3G spectrum?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI GURUDAS KAMAT)

(a) ECoM on ‘Auction of 3G spectrum’ had several meetings on 31st July, 2009, 27th August, 2009, 19th November, 2009, 21st December, 2009 and 12th January, 2010 and finalized the issue of allocation of 3G spectrum.

(b) & (c) Government has issued the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for auction of 3G spectrum on 25.02.2010. As per the NIA, the winners of 3G auction shall be allowed to utilize the spectrum for commercial operations only from 1st September, 2010.

Auction of 3G spectrum has started on 09.04.2010 and is under progress.

(d) Not applicable in view of (b) & (c) above.

392

STARRED

22.04.2010

COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

UPGRADATION OF POSTAL NETWORK

392. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

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

(a) whether Government has examined the need to streamline the functioning of the Department of Posts in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of schemes pertaining to the investment of funds for upgradation of technology of postal network to compete with private sector; and

(d) the details of other commercial use of the vast network of Department of Posts spread across the country by Government?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI A. RAJA)

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

STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE RAJYA SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 392 FOR 22nd APRIL 2010 REGARDGING “UPGRADATION OF POSTAL NETWORK”.

(a) Yes, Sir. The department has felt the need to revitalize the entire post office network in the country by developing the post office as a pivot for civic and governance activities, especially in rural areas.

(b) The Department has undertaken a massive overhaul of its infrastructure and core operations in mail, money remittances, banking and insurance services through IT induction at an unprecedented scale. The aim is to make the neighbourhood Post Office, the focus for delivery of all communication services, socio-economic initiatives of the Government and most importantly for enhancing financial inclusion of the unbanked rural population so that the infrastructure available can be put to multiple use for reaching the common man across the urban-rural divide. With rapid economic growth and technological advancement, the mail profile in India Post has changed substantially with increase in volume of mail in Business-to-Customer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B) segments. To be in line with this transformation, the Department is optimizing and rationalising its mail grid and setting up Mail business Centres, automating mail handling in major metro cities to speed up mail transmission, introducing core banking solutions for the Post Office Savings Bank and undertaking a concerted drive to increase the insurance cover available to the rural poor under its Rural Postal Life Insurance policies. A National Rural Micro-Insurance drive has been launched on 7.11.2009 for this purpose.

Towards the end of revitalizing the post office Project Arrow was launched by the Department. It was launched initially on proof of concept basis in 50 post offices in Phase I. After its successful completion, it was implemented in 450 post offices in Phase II and in 500 post offices in Phase III post offices across the country including in the rural areas. Project Arrow aims at comprehensive improvement of the core operations of the post office as well as the ambience in which postal transactions are undertaken. The details of post offices covered under Project Arrow Phase I, II and III are given in Annexure A. The response of the general public and the staff of the Department to the initiative has been overwhelmingly positive and Project arrow offices have shown significant increase in revenue earnings. The initiative Project Arrow- Transforming India Post has also won the Prime Minister’s award for Excellence in Public Administration for the year 2008-09.

In addition the department has started Postal Finance Marts as a one stop shop for financial services in the post office. Under the scheme, a customer can avail various financial schemes of the Department of Posts as also of a variety of partner organizations at a single window. The list of post office having the Postal Finance Marts is given in Annexure B.

(c) The Department of Posts has taken up computerization and networking of Post Offices in a big way. By 1.4.2010, 12604 Post Offices have been computerized. 1305 Post Offices have been provided with leased line communications (WAN) and 10530 Post Offices have been connected through broadband facility. During the 10th Plan Period, Rs. 575.30 crores were spent for computerization and networking of Post Offices. During 11th Plan, Rs. 300.93 crores have been spent for the same so far. It is proposed to computerize and network all post offices across the length and breadth of the country in the current five year plan. The department by computerizing and networking post offices will be able to create a seamless platform for provision of various e-enabled services even in rural areas, enable continuous monitoring and provision of effective stage by stage track and trace and make efficient and accountable delivery of e-governance initiatives of the Government possible across the rural urban divide. All postal schemes with details and fund invested/allocated during 11th Five Year Plan are given in Annexure C. These schemes are designed to provide a level playing field to the Department and to provide quality services and products with a view to achieving fullest customer satisfaction.

(d) The Department has diversified its activities in order to optimally use its vast network by tying up with various Ministries/ Departments, Public and Private Sector Organizations for providing a range of services and products as given below:

For retail services:

i) Sale of Passport Forms: India Post has tied up with like the Ministry of External Affairs for selling of passport forms and acceptance of filled in passport application forms through identified Speed Post Centres.
ii) Railway ticket reservation: India Post has tied up with Ministry of Railways for sale of railway ticket reservations through 88 post offices across 15 States.
iii) Sale of Application forms: India Post has tied up with UPSC/ various State PSCs for sale of application forms of various competitive exams and safe transmission of examination materials throughout the country
iv) Collection of Utility Bills: India Post has tied up with BSNL/ MTNL/ private Telecom companies/ Electricity distribution companies/ Water Boards/ Municipalities etc accepting of utility bills in the post offices by cash.
v) Sale of Gold Coins : Department with association with Reliance Money Infrastructure Limited and World Gold Council is providing Swiss certified pure gold coins of 0.5g., 1 g, 5 g and 8 g denominations at 466 post offices across 16 postal circles.
vi) Foreign Exchange Service : The service of sale & purchase of foreign currency & instrument is offered to public in association with HDFC Bank. Presently this service is available at 119 Post Office across 12 postal circles.

The Department has also tied-up with various private financial institutions to sell their product through post offices:

vii) Tie-up with Oriental Insurance Company: Department has tied-up with Oriental Insurance Company Limited to sell its non-life insurance products to provide Accidental Death Insurance schemes for SB/MIS/SCSS accounts holders. The scheme is very popular among the rural populace as they do not otherwise have risk covers.
viii) Tie-up with ICICI: The Department has tied up with ICICI to retail their pension products through selected post offices. At present, the scheme is available from 90 Head Post Offices across the country. ix) Tie-up with SBI : India Post has tied up with State Bank of India to sell its assets and liability products through identified post offices. Initially, the scheme was started in five States Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Jharkhand. It was later extended to 10 States on a pilot basis.
x) Tie-up with Mutual Fund Houses: The Department has tied up with various mutual fund houses to provide the common man especially in rural and semi-urban areas easy access to market based investment options as well as to extend the reach of the capital market of the country.
xi) Tie-up with Western Union: The Department has been operating Instant International Money Transfer service in association with a multinational company- Western Union Financial Services Inc. since April 2001. This service provides customers the facility of receiving remittances from 205 countries on real time basis. The service is currently available from more than 8500 post offices.
xii) Tie-up with PFRDA for implementation of New Pension Scheme: New Pension System (NPS) was introduced by Government of India with effect from 1st May, 2009. Subscriber (any Indian Citizen) in the age group of 18 to 55 can join NPS and contribute till the age of 60. The subscriber’s contributions will be invested as per the scheme preference opted by the Subscriber. Under this scheme any subscriber who intends to open a pension account will have the facility of the same at identified post offices. The New Pension Scheme has been successfully launched in 27 Head Post Offices of South Karnataka and 21 Head Post Offices of Coimbatore region on 24th February, 2010.
Apart from the above the Department has also accepted the responsibility of delivery of various governance initiatives of the Central and State Governments especially in rural areas. Thus, more than 97000 Post Offices across India are disbursing wages under NREGA to more than 4 crores account holders in 19 States. Old Age Pension is being paid through 20 lacs Post Office Savings Accounts in Bihar, Delhi, Jharkhand and North East and through Money Order in J&K, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The department is also helping the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation in collection of data for determining the rural price index through 1186 village Post Offices in all states.

2867

UNSTARRED

21.04.2010

LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

UNSAFE MINES

2867. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN
SYED AZEEZ PASHA
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that a large number of mines in the country are not safe for the workers;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of compensation paid to the kith and kin of victims, mine-wise; and

(e) the steps taken by Government to adequately provide safety of mines and its workers in the country?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a)to (d): No, Sir. Mine-wise lists of fatal accidents during the last three years for coal mines and Non-coal mines are given in Annexure I and II respectively. The mine-wise details of compensation paid to the kith and kin of victims, are not centrally maintained. The compensation is paid by the respective mine management based on the amount determined by the Compensation Commissioner under the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923. Under this Act in case of death resulting from injury an amount equal to 50% of the monthly wages multiplied by relevant factor or an amount of Rs 80,000 whichever is more is payable as compensation and in case of permanent total disablement resulting from injury an amount equal to 60% of the monthly wages multiplied by the relevant factor or an amount of Rs 90.000 whichever is more is payable.

2776

UNSTARRED

21.04.2010

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

FDI IN SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE INDUSTRIES

2776. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has plans to enhance the limit of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the small and medium scale industries;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(d) the action taken/proposed to be taken by Government in this regard; and

(e) the special steps taken to protect the interest of the small and medium scale industries and their workers?
Answer

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

(a) to (d): As per extant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy, FDI is allowed in Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) subject to sectoral equity caps, entry routes and other relevant sectoral regulations. The details of sectoral caps, entry routes etc. have been indicated in Chapter 5 of the Circular 1 of 2010 – Consolidated FDI Policy, released on 31.03.2010 and available at www.dipp.gov.in.

(e) : The promotion and development of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) is primarily the function of the respective State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the States/UTs by providing supportive measures to boost the development and promotion of MSEs and enhance their competitiveness uniformly all over the country through specific ongoing and new schemes/initiatives which, inter alia, include schemes for technological upgradation, accessing markets, improved infrastructure, better availability of credit, facilities for training and capacity building of entrepreneurs, etc. Towards this end, the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006 has been enacted and brought into force w.e.f. 2 October, 2006.

2585

UNSTARRED

19.04.2010

WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

ORPHANS AND DESTITUTES DUE TO NATURAL CALAMITIES

2585. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) : the details of children who became orphans and destitutes due to earthquake, tsunami and communal violence or riots during the last three years, till date in the country, State-wise, incident-wise;

(b) : whether Government has received any financial aid from foreign countries in this regard during the above period;

(d) : the measures being taken by Government to rehabilitate such orphan and destitute children in the country?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)

(a)to(d): The information is being collected from the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and will be laid on the Table of the House.

2538

UNSTARRED

19.04.2010

MINES

CLOSURE OF MINES DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

2538. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has issued any notices for the closure of mines on environmental issues;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of such mines closed/still in operation in various States particularly in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh; and

(d) the time frame by which such polluting mines would be closed down?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

(SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)

(a)to(d): As per available information, pursuant to court orders mining operations have been stopped in total 948 mines in Haryana, Maharashtra and Rajasthan on environmental grounds.

326

STARRED

19.04.2010

COAL

COAL PRODUCTION

326. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of coal production during the last two years, till date, State-wise and company-wise;

(b) whether there is any proposal to close down the underground mines which are unproductive and not viable;

(d) the steps taken by Government for production and supply of the requisite quantum of coal in the event of closure of these mines?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

(SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a) to (d) : A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT AS MENTIONED IN ANSWER TO STARRED QUESTION NO. 326 FOR ANSWER ON 19.04.2010 ASKED BY SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN REGARDING COAL PRODUCITON.

(a) The details of raw coal production of CIL/SCCL during the last two years state-wise and company wise are given in the following table :

Figures in
`000 tonnes
State Year ECL BCCL CCL NCL WCL SECL MCL NEC Total SCCL

(CIL)
WEST BENGAL 2008- 1538 129 15512
09 3
2009- 1607 63 16136
10 3
JHARKHAND 2008- 1275 25385 43236 81373
09 2
2009- 1399 27450 47079 88523
10 4
ASSAM 2008- 100 1009
09 9
2009- 111 1113
10 3
ORISSA 2008- 96336 96336
09
2009- 10408 104080
10 0
CHATTISGARH 2008- 88719 88719
09
2009- 95058 95058
10
MP 2008- 5162 7037 12431 71089
09 1
2009- 5349 7122 12951 73572
10 9
UP 2008- 1202 12029
09 9
2009- 1417 14171
10 1
MH 2008- 3766 37663
09 3
2009- 3861 38613
10 3
ANDHRA 2008- 44546
PRADESH 09 50425
2009-
10
GRAND TOTAL 2008- 2813 25514 43236 6365 4470 101150 96336 100 403730 44827
09 5 0 0 9 6
2009- 3006 27513 47079 6767 4573 108009 10408 111 431266 48169
10 7 0 5 0 3 1

Figures of 2009-10 are provisional.
The coal production from other sources during 2008-09 & 2009- 10 was 44.48 mts and 49.87 mts respectively.

(b) & (c) : Yes, Sir. There is proposal to close down the unproductive and unviable underground mines in two subsidiaries of CIL, namely, Eastern Coalfield Limited (ECL) and Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL). In ECL, out of eighty seven (87) underground mines, eighty six (86) mines are loss making. Exercise is being carried out for assessing economic viability of underground mines and high loss making underground mines which can not be revived or where mechanization can not be introduced are proposed to be closed down.

(d) : The likely loss of coal production due to proposed closure of a few underground mines shall be met by opening additional districts in the running mines and through mechanization of existing mines.

2429

UNSTARRED

16.04.2010

RAILWAYS

LACK OF FACILITIES ON STATIONS IN U.P.

2429. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that there is lack of passenger facilities on many stations of Uttar Pradesh and there is a huge lack of sanitation also on these stations;

(b) if so, the reaction of Railways thereto; and

(c) the efforts made by Railways for providing basic facilities on these stations, their beautification and maintenance of cleanliness?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) : No, Sir.

(b) : Does not arise.

(c) : Minimum Essential Amenities including toilet and sanitation facilities have already been provided at all Railway stations in Uttar Pradesh. Beautification/modernization of various railway stations in the State of Uttar Pradesh has been done under various developmental schemes. At important stations, mechanized cleaning operations have been introduced to ensure cleanliness. Special drives are also launched from time to time. In addition, Station Masters have been given financial powers to take up certain works which includes ensuring cleanliness at stations.

2357

UNSTARRED

16.04.2010

CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

IRREGULARITIES IN DISTRIBUTION OF RATION IN UTTAR PRADESH

2357. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that attention of the Central Government has been drawn towards rampant irregularities in distribution of ration in Uttar Pradesh;

(b) if so, the reasons of irregularities;

(d) if no steps have been taken then the reasons therefor?
Answer
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) to (d): There have been reports of irregularities in distribution of foodgrains through Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in States/UTs, including in the State of Uttar Pradesh.
TPDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State/UT Governments. The Central Government has the responsibility for procurement, storage, transportation and bulk allocation of foodgrains to the States and UTs. The operational responsibilities for allocation of foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, issuance of ration cards to them and supervision over monitoring of functioning rest with the concerned State/UT Government.
State and UT Governments are mandated under the PDS (Control) Order, 2001 to carry out all required remedial action to ensure smooth functioning of TPDS in the States/UTs.

State/UT Governments are periodically carrying out review of existing lists of ration cards to eliminate bogus ration cards/units in them. Instructions were issued to all State/UT Governments to carry out an intensive campaign from October, 2009 to December, 2009 to review the existing lists of BPL/AAY families and eliminate ineligible/bogus ration cards.
The Government has requested States/UTs to carry out door step delivery of TPDS commodities directly to Fair Price Shops.
A scheme for the computerization of TPDS operations has been taken up on pilot basis in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chattisgarh and Delhi.
A pilot scheme for smart card based delivery of TPDS commodities, in place of existing ration cards has been initiated in Haryana and Chandigarh. Herein smart cards containing biometric features of family members would be issued.
Introduction of Global Positioning System (GPS) has been taken up on pilot basis in Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Delhi for tracking movement of vehicles carrying TPDS commodities.
The above referred measures will curb diversion of PDS commodities as well as ensure their sale only to intended beneficiaries.

319

STARRED

16.04.2010

RAILWAYS

DOUBLING OF DELHI DEHRADUN LINE

319. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that contrary to other rail links connecting two major metropolitan cities, the Delhi-Dehradun rail section has a single line for nearly 200 km. stretch;

(b) whether there is any plan of doubling this important single rail line; and

(KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE)

(a) to (c) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 319 BY SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN TO BE ANSWERED IN RAJYA SABHA ON 16.04.2010 REGARDING DOUBLING OF DELHI-DEHRADUN LINE.

(a) to (c): The doubling of a line is taken up on traffic consideration to create additional capacity where the existing line is saturated or getting saturated as per the traffic forecast. Dehradun is connected to Delhi through two alternate routes. Main route is via Meerut, Tapri, Saharanpur, Laksar on which double line exists from Delhi to Meerut, from Tapri to Saharanpur and from Saharanpur to Laksar. Alternate route is via Shahdara, Shamli, Tapri, Saharanpur, Laksar on which Tapri-Saharanpur-Laksar is double line. The work of new line from Deoband to Roorkee has been taken up which on completion will provide alternate route bypassing Saharanpur. On Laksar-Dehradun section, works have been taken up for increasing the length of platforms to accommodate longer trains. After the completion of these works, trains to Dehradun will be able to run with 18 coaches as against 13/16 coaches being presently run. This will augment the overall transport capacity.

2269

UNSTARRED

15.04.2010

WATER RESOURCES

GROUNDWATER FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES

2269. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government is aware that a huge quantity of groundwater is being used for commercial purposes in the country, especially in Delhi;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(d) if so, the extent thereof;

(e) whether the Central Ground Water Authority has laid down any strict norms in this regard;

(f) if so, the salient features thereof; and

(g) the action taken by Government against those who violates these norms ?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES

(SHRI VINCENT H. PALA )

(a) to (d) The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has reported that decline in ground water levels in an area is a cumulative effect of ground water withdrawal for all purposes including domestic, industrial as well as agricultural sectors. As per assessment carried out by CGWB in association with the State Ground Water Departments, the share of agriculture in total ground water used in the country is 92%. As per the studied carried out by the CGWB, about 15% of the blocks/talukas/mandals in the country are over-exploited where withdrawal of ground water in excess of natural recharge has been responsible for depletion in ground water levels in various parts of the country. The
rate of ground water depletion varies from region to region depending upon various factors like rain fall, availability of ground water, quantum of ground water withdrawal, hydrogeology of the area etc. The CGWB has made a comparative study of depth to water level of during the past decade (water level fluctuation of May, 2009 with decadal mean of May, 1999 to May, 2008). The study has revealed that decline in ground water level has been reported from majority of observation wells ranging from 0 – 2 m and 2 – 4 m.

(e) to (g) The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) constituted under Environment (Protection) Act of 1986 to regulate and control ground water management and development. The CGWA is regulating withdrawal of ground water by new industries/projects in over-exploited, critical and semi-critical areas. Guidelines for regulation of withdrawal of ground water in these areas have been issued. States have been requested to take steps to implement these guidelines. It is primarily the responsibility of State/UT Government to impose fine or sanctions on withdrawal of ground water. Regulatory power of CGWA have been decentralized to district level authorities for grant of permission for extraction of ground water for drinking and domestic use in notified areas. Complaints of violations of norms in notified areas are referred to the Authorised officers for taking actions under EPA 1986.

2201

UNSTARRED

15.04.2010

PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

ACHIEVEMENTS OF COMPLAINTS GRIEVANCES REDRESSAL MACHINERY

2201. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to state:-

(a) the achievement of complaints/grievances redressal machineries in Government Departments and Public Sector undertakings;

(b) whether Government is aware that in spite of complaints redressal mechanism there exists a large number of complaints pending in various Government Departments/PSUs;

(d) whether Government proposes to promulgate a law to make the system transparent and effective; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?
Answer
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

(SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)

(a): Each Ministry / Department and Public Sector Undertaking has an internal grievance redress machinery, as grievances are redressed in a decentralized manner. In order to facilitate the process, the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances has set up a Centralized Public Grievances Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) in June 2007, which enables on-line lodging of grievances from any geographical location and also viewing the status of redressal by complainants.

(b)&(c): Details of complaints pending as on 12-4-2010 out of those lodged on-line in the CPGRAMS, Ministry / Department wise, are given in the annexure. Pendency of complaints in PSUs are maintained by respective Ministries / Departments.

(d) : No, Sir.

(e): Does not arise.

1217

UNSTARRED

09.03.2010

CIVIL AVIATION

FUEL WASTAGE DUE TO DELAY IN LANDING OF FLIGHTS

1217. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a) the value of aviation fuel wasted due to delayed landing at various airports in the country during the year 2009-10;

(b) whether any step has been taken to check this wastage; and

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )

(a) Some airlines do not maintain details related to delays and loss of fuel due to `landing restrictions` or late clearance or fog. It is, therefore, not possible to compute loss on this count.

(b) & (c) Following steps have been taken to improve the situation: Construction of new high speed exit taxi-ways, establishment of Clearance Delivery Position and ATC Automation System at Delhi and Mumbai airports; construction of third runway at Delhi airport, parallel taxi track and installation of Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (ASMGCS) at Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports; simultaneous use of runways at Delhi and Mumbai airports; beginning of runways 32 and 27 have been joined by constructing new taxi track at Mumbai airport to reduce runway occupancy time; in-house procedures have been developed for use of cross runway at Mumbai airport to ease congestion, improved ATC procedures have been framed; upgradation of Kolkata airport to CAT II ILS; at the time of slot allocation schedule arrival and departure time are spread to avoid bunching; freezing of number of hourly movements of flights at Mumbai and Delhi airports and imposition of ban on general aviation aircraft during peak period at Mumbai airport.

1215

UNSTARRED

09.03.2010

CIVIL AVIATION

CONSTRUCTION OF AIRPORTS IN MAJOR CITIES

1215. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government proposes to build an airport in major cities/districts of each State of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)the names of the cities where such airports are proposed to be built;

(d) whether Government has persuaded private companies for infrastrctural development of airports; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )

(a) to (e): Keeping in view the enormous growth in air passengers, which had put pressure on airport infrastructure, Government had announced a policy for greenfield airports in April,2008 in order to encourage infusion of greater investment into the airport sector.

So far, the Government has given an `in-principle` approval for setting up of new Greenfield airports for public use at Navi Mumbai and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra; Mopa in Goa; Bijapur, Simoga, Hassan and Gulbarga in Karnataka; Kannur in Kerala; Pakyong in Sikkim; Durgapur in West Bengal; Paladi/Jaipur in Rajasthan and Datia/Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh.

1192

UNSTARRED

08.03.2010

WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

WOMEN TRAFFICKING

1192. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) : whether Government is aware of the women trafficking to foreign countries;

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

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)

(a),(b)&(c) Yes, Sir. However, there is no data on the extent of the problem. Poverty, illiteracy, lack of livelihood options, natural and man-made disasters make a person vulnerable to trafficking.
The Government is continuously taking measures to combat trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in the country. The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 supplemented by the Indian Penal Code prohibits trafficking in human beings, including children, for purpose of prostitution and lays down penalties for trafficking. Also, the Ministry is implementing the “Ujjawala” Scheme, under which financial assistance is being provided for prevention of trafficking and for rescue, rehabilitation and re-integration of victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

1053

UNSTARRED

08.03.2010

COAL

HIKE IN PRICES OF COAL

1053. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:-

(a) the reasons for hike in the prices of coal;

(b) whether due to hike in the prices of coal, power generation will be costlier resulting increase in prices of all articles;

(d) the specific scheme being formulated by Government to ensure unabated supply of coal and also to increase its production?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND MINISTER OF STATE (IC) IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

(SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a) : Coal prices have been increased by Coal India Ltd.

(CIL) with effect from 16.10.2009. The reasons for hiking the prices of coal by CIL were as follows:-

(i) General increase in price of commodities in the market leading to increase in the cost of input in the production of coal since the previous increase in coal price.

(ii) Revision in the salary of the Non-executives through execution of National Coal Wage Agreement-VIII (NCWA-VIII) and of the executives as per the guidelines issued by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE).

(iii) To generate additional resources for fresh investment in new projects to augment coal production to achieve planned production target.

(iv) To make some new coal projects financially viable which in the absence of increase in coal price would have become unviable due to rise in the cost of inputs including the recent wage hike under NCWA-VIII and revision of salary of executives. Not taking up these projects would have led to shortfall in coal availability and would have put additional strain on the energy security of the country. ……2/ -2-

(b)&(c): There will be marginal impact on the cost of power generation due to the increase in coal prices effective from 16th October, 2009. On a specific consumption of 0.7 Kg. per KWH, the impact on power generation would work out to around paise 5 per unit only.

(d): In order to streamline supply of coal, provision for entering into Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) has been made in the New Coal Distribution Policy, which would ensure supply in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated therein. Supplies to the regulated power utilities are also closely monitored by the Inter-Ministerial sub-group headed by Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Coal. Plant specific measures are taken to ensure adequate supply of coal to such power utilities
As regards increase in production of coal, the following major steps have been taken by CIL:
For existing underground mines:

(i) Mass production and long-wall technology at suitable locales are being introduced.

(ii) Manual loading is being replaced by deployment of SDL/LHD and reorganization of transport system, wherever feasible.

(iii) Driving additional shaft and incline/drift is enhancing evacuation capacity.

(iv) Additional coal winning equipments are being deployed.

(v) Maintenance and Repair Contract (MARC) with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) are being introduced.
For existing opencast mines:

(i) Increased equipment size matching with bench height and stripping ratio are being introduced. For dumpers up gradation from 35/50T to 60T, 85T to 100T and 120T to 150T are being undertaken. Similar action has been taken for standardization of other HEMM.

(ii) Old and surveyed off equipment are being substituted with higher size equipment.

(iii) Thrust on automation and use of IT. 11 existing mines are to be equipped with Operator Independent Truck Dispatch System (OITDS).

(iv) Several small and economic OC patches in almost all subsidiaries of CIL are being operated through outsourcing mode to enhance recoveries.

(v) Maintenance and Repair Contract (MARC) with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) are being introduced.

1025

UNSTARRED

05.03.2010

RAILWAYS

CAPTIVE POWER PLANTS

1025. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether her Ministry is aware of quality, utility and low cost of captive power plant ;

(b) if so, whether Railways has conducted any survey for setting up of said plants in different railway zones so that requirement of power could be reduced in future;

(d) the efforts being made by Railways to draw and install the project in more efficient and cost effective manner; and

(e) whether Railways has fixed any gestation period for promotion of power production, development and distribution projects?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir.

(c) & (d): Indian Railways has formed a joint venture company “Bhartiya Rail Bijlee Company” with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to set up a captive power plant of 1000 MW capacity at Nabinagar in Aurangabad District (Bihar). Indian Railways is also planning to set up another power plant of 1320 MW capacity at Adra in Purulia District (West Bengal) to avail traction supply at economical tariff.

(e): Out of four units of 250 MW at Nabinagar Power Plant, the first unit is likely to be commissioned by March 2012 and balance three units have been planned to be commissioned after every three months thereafter.

1024

UNSTARRED

05.03.2010

RAILWAYS

MODEL RAILWAY STATIONS

1024. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government is converting railway stations as model stations;

(b) if so, the names of such stations, zone-wise;

(d) if so, by when Muzaffarnagar railway station would be developed as a model station; and

(e) if not, the main reason for such discrimination with Muzaffarnagar railway station?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) & (b): With a view to provide upgraded passenger amenities at stations, 594 stations have so far been selected as model stations details of which zone-wise is given in Appendix.

(c): Yes, Sir.

(d): Work of development of Muzaffarnagar Railway station as model station is planned for completion by 31st March, 2010.

(e): Does not arise.

869

UNSTARRED

04.03.2010

URBAN DEVELOPMENT

RAPID MASS TRANSPORT SYSTEM

869. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

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

(a) whether Government proposes to increase its share of expenditure in public-private partnership in rapid mass transport projects in mega cities;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Government has any plan for extension of rapid mass transport system for smaller cities particularly in Uttar Pradesh;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the cities where the system is likely to be started during the Eleventh Plan period?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI SAUGATA ROY)

(a): No, Sir.

(b): Does not arise.

(c): No, Sir. The urban transport is primarily a state subject and it is for the states to come up with proposals for public transport systems, keeping in view the likely travel demand, capital cost involved and the appropriateness of the particular technology. Government has not received such proposal from Government of Uttar Pradesh.

(d) & ( e): Do not arise.

868

UNSTARRED

04.03.2010

URBAN DEVELOPMENT

SING SCHEME UNDER DDA

868. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

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

(a) whether the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is contemplating any housing scheme in 2010 in providing housing facilities to cater to the need of populations of Delhi;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether Government in view of the acute shortage of housing facilities in Delhi would consider to offer the scheme to the residents of Delhi only as done by many other States in the country;

(e) if so, the details thereof: and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI SAUGATA ROY)

(a) to (c): DDA has intimated that a number of houses in different categories are at various stages of construction. Housing Schemes are launched by DDA from time to time depending upon the availability of constructed houses.

(d), to (f): DDA has intimated that no such decision has been taken.

678

UNSTARRED

03.03.2010

HOME AFFAIRS

EXPENDITURE ON COASTAL SECURITY SCHEME

678. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government is contemplating any comprehensive scheme on coastal security;

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

(d) the total funds allocated and expenditure made during the year, State-wise for implementing the scheme?
Answer

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)

(a) to (d): A Statement in reply to these parts of the Question is enclosed.

603

UNSTARRED

03.03.2010

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

FLOWER EXPORTS

603. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:-

(a) the total quantity and value of flowers exported from the country during the current year, country-wise;

(b) whether Government has any proposal to increase freight subsidy for fresh cut flowers exported from the country; and

(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

(a) The country wise export data for the current year (2009-10) (available up-to August-2009 from DGCIS) is as under: Quantity in MTs & Value in Rs lakhs
Country Quantity Value
Germany 2250 2397
USA 2438 1115
Netherlands 1708 1635
UK 1294 1378
Canada 222 258
Australia 59 104
UAE 154 214
Italy 435 331
Poland 499 152
Japan 86 142
Others 1175 1463
Total 10320 9189
Source: DGCI&S & APEDA

b): No, Sir.

c): Does not arise.

STARRED

03.03.2010

ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGH WAYS

CONVERSION OF NHS INTO FOUR LANES

94. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGH WAYS be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of the stretches of National Highways (NHs) converted/ proposed to be converted into four lanes, State-wise, during the Eleventh Plan;

(b) the details of funds allocated and spent during each year of the Plan period for the said purpose; and

(SHRI KAMAL NATH)

(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 94 FOR ANSWER ON 03.03.2010 ASKED BY SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN REGARDING CONVERSION OF NHS INTO FOUR LANES

(a) to (c) National Highways Authority of India is developing National Highways into four lanes under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) scheme in various phases. The State-wise details of stretches constructed/proposed to be constructed into four lanes as well as details regarding funds allocated and spent during the 11th five year plan are enclosed as Annex-I and Annex-II respectively.

Annex -II

ANNEX REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (c) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 94 FOR ANSWER ON 03.03.2010 ASKED BY SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN REGARDING CONVERSION OF NHS INTO FOUR LANES

Details of Funds allocated and expenditure incurred during eleventh five year plan

Rs. in crore
Year Funds received from GOI Expenditure
2007-08 9320.06 17980.34
2008-09 9025.47 21504.65
2009-10 up to January, 2010 6888.83 14396.46

This also includes the expenditure incurred by private sector in respect of BOT projects. Besides, the excess of expenditure over the resources provided by Government has also been met out of borrowings by NHAI, proceeds from the Toll collection and negative grant received in respect of BOT projects.

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