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    RAJYA SABHA

    List of Questions for WRITTEN ANSWERS

    to be asked at a sitting of the Rajya Sabha to be held onMonday, August 3, 2015/Sravana 12, 1937 (Saka)

    (Ministries : Coal; Drinking Water and Sanitation; Human ResourceDevelopment; New and Renewable Energy; Panchayati Raj; Power;

    Road Transport and Highways; Rural Development; Shipping;Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation)

    Total number of questions 160

    Proposals to open new coal mines

    1441. SHRI D. KUPENDRA REDDY:Will the Minister of COAL be pleased tostate:

    (a) whether there are any proposals toopen new coal mines soon;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether these new coal mines wouldbe helpful in curbing the coal imports; and

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

    Tariff based competitive bidding forauctioning of coal linkages

    1442. SHRI RAJEEV SHUKLA: Willthe Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government is working outon any plan/proposal to introduce tariffbased competitive bidding for auctioningof coal linkages;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether Government is consideringto allow State run companies in theunregulated sectors comprising of steel,cement and fertilizer industries to bid forCIL linkages or fuel supply pacts like theirprivate sector counterparts; and

    (d) if so, the details thereof?

    Auctioning of coal blocks inJharkhand

    1443. SHRI SANJIV KUMAR: Willthe Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

    (a) out of the coal blocks auctioned byGovernment, how many were fromJharkhand;

    (b) the total amount of auction that isto accrue to Government from this auction;

    (c) whether the entire amount would betransferred to the State Government;and

    (d) if so, how much of the auctionproceeds already received have been

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    transferred to the State Government duringthe financial year 2014-15?

    Theft and black marketing of coal

    1444. SHRI JUGUL KISHORE: Willthe Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government is aware of theloss due to theft and black marketing ofcoal; and

    (b) the steps being taken by Governmentto check such black marketing of coal?

    Production of coal

    1445. SHRI MD. NADIMULHAQUE: Will the Minister of COAL bepleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that the annualproduction of coal has not increased in thecountry during 2014-15, as predicted byGovernment;

    (b) the details of year-on-yearproduction of coal in the country since2010;

    (c) how much actual proceeds have beenreceived by Government in the recent coalauction;

    (d) the details of actual amountgenerated from the proceedings of coalauction including that of West Bengal, State-wise; and

    (e) the details of number of coal minesalready auctioned till date, State-wise?

    Completion of bidding of coal block inJharkhand

    1446. SHRIMATI NAZNINFARUQUE: Will the Minister of COALbe pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has completedthe bidding process of allocation of coalblock located at Amrapara block in Pakurdistrict, Jharkhand;

    (b) if so, the details of the biddingprocess and the price;

    (c) whether any commercial taxes priorto bidding were due to Government by theallottee;

    (d) if so, the details thereof; and

    (e) whether the said coal block isoperational at present or not?

    Ban on coal mining

    1447. DR. T.N. SEEMA: Will theMinister of COAL be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the ban on coal mining incertain States by Government has affectedthe livelihood of mine owners, truckowners, coal labourers and other sections;

    (b) if so, the reaction of Government inthis regard;

    (c) whether Government has receivedany representations by the StateGovernments or other organisationsregarding the impact of ban on affectedparties and economy;

    (d) if so, the details thereof; and

    (e) the steps taken by Government torehabilitate the affected parties and toregulate the ban so that economy of theregion is not affected?

    Accidents of mine workers

    1448. SHRIMATI JHARNA DASBAIDYA: Will the Minister of COAL bepleased to state:

    (a) the total number of coal mine

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    workers involved in accidents during thelast three years;

    (b) the amount of compensationdisbursed to the victims of accidents; and

    (c) the causes for the accidents in eachcase?

    Drinking water and sanitationfacilities in Uttarakhand

    1449. SHRI RAJ BABBAR: Will theMinister of DRINKING WATER ANDSANITATION be pleased to state:

    (a) the number of villages in rural areasof Uttarakhand without drinking waterfacilities, district-wise;

    (b) the number of villages in rural areasof the State without sanitation facilities,district-wise; and

    (c) the details of roadmap chalked outby Government to provide all the villageswith drinking water and sanitationfacilities?

    Shortage of drinking water in NER

    1450. SHRIMATI NAZNINFARUQUE: Will the Minister ofDRINKING WATER ANDSANITATION be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that most of therural districts in the country are facing acuteshortage of drinking water due to arsenicand fluoride contamination in groundwater, especially in North Eastern Region;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether the Central Government hasreceived proposals from these Statesseeking financial assistance to provide safedrinking water facilities;

    (d) if so, the details of funds released,so far, State-wise;

    (e) if not, the reasons therefor; and

    (f) what steps are being taken byGovernment in this regard?

    Drinking water facilities in hillyareas of West Bengal

    1451. SHRI VIVEK GUPTA: Will theMinister of DRINKING WATER ANDSANITATION be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government is aware that anumber of villages in hilly areas of WestBengal do not have drinking water facilities;

    (b) whether it is a fact that waterresources have dried up due to rapidinfrastructure development and digging forlaying of roads;

    (c) whether Government understandsthe massive problem it created for thecommon man; and

    (d) the details of remedial steps thatwould be taken to supply safe drinkingwater?

    Providing safe drinking water toislands

    1452. SHRI TARUN VIJAY: Will theMinister of DRINKING WATER ANDSANITATION be pleased to state:

    (a) how many villages are yet to beprovided safe drinking water; and

    (b) what is the status of availability ofsafe drinking water in islands like Andamanand Nicobar and Lakshadweep?

    Funds allocated to Bihar

    1453. SHRI PRAMOD TIWARI: Willthe Minister of DRINKING WATER ANDSANITATION be pleased to state:

    (a) the amount allocated to Bihar during

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    the current financial year for providing safedrinking water in rural areas of the Stateunder the National Rural Drinking WaterProgramme (NRDWP);

    (b) the names of districts in which thisprogramme is being implemented;

    (c) whether any committee has beenconstituted for the success of thisprogramme; and

    (d) if so, the composition thereof?

    Providing clean toilets to every citizen

    1454. SHRI T. RATHINAVEL: Will theMinister of DRINKING WATER ANDSANITATION be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that over 600million people defecate in the open and theresultant impact of bad sanitation isestimated at ` 2.4 lakh crore annually,according to a group of experts;

    (b) whether it is also a fact that accordingto a group of experts Government isprimarily responsible for implementing theambitious project to provide clean toiletsto every citizen;

    (c) whether the average cost of anindividual toilet for a family of six worksout to ` 20,000 for a period of five years;and

    (d) if so, the details thereof?

    Allocation for safe drinking water inrural areas

    1455. SHRI NEERAJ SHEKHAR:SHRI ARVIND KUMAR

    SINGH:

    Will the Minister of DRINKINGWATER AND SANITATION be pleasedto state:

    (a) whether allocations for safe drinking

    water in rural areas have been decreasedduring the current financial year;

    (b) if so, the details thereof along withthe allocations made for safe drinking waterduring 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16,State-wise;

    (c) the reasons for sharp decline inallocation for safe drinking water in ruralareas during 2014-15; and

    (d) how Government would providesafe drinking water in arsenic and fluorideaffected rural areas with decreasedallocation?

    Habitations covered under piped watersupply in Odisha

    1456. SHRI A.V. SWAMY: Will theMinister of DRINKING WATER ANDSANITATION be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that 905habitations out of 2,355 in Nuapada districtof Odisha are affected by fluoride; and

    (b) the number of habitations coveredunder piped water supply and those leftover to be covered under the World BankRegional PWS Scheme in the State?

    Open defecation

    1457. SHRI K.K. RAGESH: Will theMinister of DRINKING WATER ANDSANITATION be pleased to state:

    (a) the details of steps taken to achievethe Twelfth Five Year Plan targets that 50per cent of the Gram Panchayats in Indiaattain Nirmal Gram status and that thePanchayats attain full sanitation coverageand complete elimination of the practice ofopen defecation, by the year 2017; and

    (b) the details of progress achieved sofar, State-wise?

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    Curriculum framing project inNCERT

    1458. SHRI K.R. ARJUNAN: Will theMinister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to statewhether Government has any proposal tochange curriculum framing project inNCERT and if so, the details thereof?

    Rameswaram-ThalaimannarHighway

    1459. DR. E.M. SUDARSANANATCHIAPPAN: Will the Minister ofROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYSbe pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government is having atime-bound programme to constructRameswaram-Thalaimannar (Sri Lanka)Highway under finance from the AsianDevelopment Bank; and

    (b) if so, whether shipping transportwould also be taken care of as it is donebetween Mandapam and Rameswaram?

    DBT in JRF scheme

    1460. SHRI MD. NADIMULHAQUE: Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that UGC hasstarted Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) forthe Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)scheme;

    (b) if so, the details thereof and thenumber of students benefiting from thescheme during the year 2014-15;

    (c) how much time UGC takes to credit

    the fellowship amount in the studentsaccounts including the time taken by thenodal banks;

    (d) whether it is a fact that there is delayin the disbursal of fellowship due to non-allocation of budget;

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

    (f) the State-wise details of JRFfellowship disbursed during the FinancialYear 2014-15?

    Research and InnovationBill, 2012

    1461. SHRI RANJIB BISWAL: Willthe Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the Universities forResearch and Innovation Bill, 2012 wherein14 universities for research and innovationwere proposed to be set up, had lapsed onthe dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha;

    (b) if so, whether Government proposesto reintroduce the said Bill afresh;

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

    (d) by when the new Bill is likely to beintroduced?

    Dual education system

    1462. SHRI NARENDRA KUMARKASHYAP: Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) whether a huge gap has been createdbetween the poor and the rich because ofthe dual education system in the country;and

    (b) whether Government would

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    consider doing away with the dual educationsystem and providing equal opportunityof education in order to fill this gap and ifso, by when?

    Couple case transfer policy of KVS

    1463. SHRI ANUBHAV MOHANTY:Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) what is the policy of KendriyaVidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) with regard toits employees whose spouse is working ina different Government organization and istransferable;

    (b) whether any effort is made to ensurethat the husband and wife are posted in thesame area of duty station or nearby, so thatthe family is not disturbed; and

    (c) the details of cases where the spousehas not been transferred to the same station,despite submitting written requests, withreasons?

    Teacher-students ratio

    1464. SHRI C.P. NARAYANAN: Willthe Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the right of Children to Freeand Compulsory Education (RTE) Act andits rules stipulate that teacher-studentsratio at lower and upper primary levelshave to be 1:30 and 1:35;

    (b) whether it is a fact that thesestipulations are not observed even inschools run by Central Government;

    (c) whether it is also a fact that suchcrowding of classes is one important reasonfor low quality of teaching and general lowstandard of students; and

    (d) whether Central Government wouldset a model in implementing the objectiveof RTE Act for improving quality of generaleducation?

    Quality check guidelines for MDMS

    1465. SHRI AHMED PATEL: Will theMinister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has put inplace quality check guidelines for Mid DayMeal Scheme (MDMS) in schools in thecountry and if so, the details thereof;

    (b) the details of mechanism evolvedby Government to ensure properimplementation of the guidelines; and

    (c) if not, the reasons for not havingsuch guidelines?

    Resignations of eminent personalities

    1466. SHRI HARIVANSH: Will theMinister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the resignations of foureminent personalities like Anil Kakodkarduring the last eight months have raisedquestions and whether these persons haveresigned under pressure of the Ministryand if not, the reasons for their resignations;

    (b) whether a pressure was exerted onthese persons to submit resignations, so asto appoint preferred persons;

    (c) the reasons why a probe was notconducted if their activities were suspiciousand if an inquiry was conducted, the detailsthereof; and

    (d) whether credibility and autonomyof the institution is not impacted due tothe resignations of such persons?

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    Salaries of IIT faculties

    1467. SHRIMATI WANSUK SYIEM:Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether professors and deans at IITsearn a pittance as compared to facultiesengaged by coaching institutes in Kota andelsewhere; and

    (b) whether salaries of IIT faculty startat ` 10-11 lakh per annum for professorsand ` 25 lakh per annum for deans whereasKota coaching institutes hire faculty at morethan ` 1.00 crore per annum and if so, thedetails thereof?

    Dropout rates of students

    1468. SHRI DEREK O' BRIEN: Willthe Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has conducteda survey to find out the dropout rates ofstudents in primary, secondary and highersecondary level;

    (b) if so, the State-wise details thereofin case of boys and girls during the lastthree years; and

    (c) the details of reasons for dropoutsand the steps taken by Government toreduce the number of dropout?

    Ranking of Kendriya Vidyalayas

    1469. SHRIMATI SAROJINIHEMBRAM: Will the Minister ofHUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

    (a) how many Kendriya Vidyalayas(KVs) are presently working in various

    States of the country, the details thereof,State-wise;

    (b) whether Government is making anyrankings of these KVs based on theperformances of the Vidyalayas and if so,the details thereof, State-wise/zone-wise;and

    (c) if not, the reasons therefor whereinit may be mentioned as to whetherGovernment has such plans in the nearfuture?

    Launching of Rashtriya AvishkarAbhiyan

    1470. SHRI RAVI PRAKASHVERMA:

    SHRI A.U. SINGH DEO:

    Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) whether the Rashtriya AvishkarAbhiyan (RAA) has been launched in therecent past;

    (b) if so, the details thereof and thesalient features of the said Abhiyan;

    (c) whether RAA helps the effort ofGovernment to boost the Prime Minister'svision of "Digital India", 'Make in India'and 'Teach in India' in the country and if so,the details in this regard;

    (d) the details of steps taken byGovernment to bring awareness amongschool children; and

    (e) the details of funds allocated forimplementation of the said Abhiyan andthe criteria fixed for allocation of such fundsto implementation agencies?

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    Poor status of sports in schools

    1471. SHRIMATI JAYABACHCHAN: Will the Minister ofHUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has taken noteof the poor status of sports in schoolsacross the country;

    (b) whether Government plans toinitiate a nation wide campaign to includesports as part of school curriculum andimprove sports infrastructure in schools;and

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

    Filling up of vacancies of professors

    1472. SHRI NARESH AGRAWAL:Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that the vacantposts of professors in central universitiesare not being filled up over the years so asto help private institutes flourish;

    (b) if so, the reasons therefor and if not,by when these vacant posts would be filledup; and

    (c) whether the fall in academicstandards of central universities doesn'tseems to be because of shortage ofprofessors?

    Reduction of funds for NCERT

    1473. SHRI K.R. ARJUNAN: Will theMinister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to statewhether it is a fact that Government hasreduced funds for the National Council ofEducational Research and Training(NCERT) and if so, the rationale behind it?

    Attendance of teachers and quality ofteaching

    1474. SHRIMATI SASIKALAPUSHPA: Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has got anymechanism to ensure attendance of teachersand also quality of their teaching inGovernment run schools and if so, thedetails thereof;

    (b) whether Government has assessedthe productivity of teachers;

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

    (d) the steps taken by Government inthis regard?

    SC/ST category posts in IITs

    1475. SHRI AMBETH RAJAN: Willthe Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) the total number of IITs in thecountry, as on date;

    (b) out of the total number of IITs'posts, teaching as well as non-teaching,which are earmarked for SC/ST category;

    (c) whether all the posts earmarked forSC/ST category has been duly filled; and

    (d) if so, the details thereof, IIT-wiseand if not, the reasons for not filling thoseposts?

    Higher education for Muslims andOBCs

    1476. SHRI GULAM RASOOLBALYAWI: Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    (a) the schemes and programmes ofGovernment for ensuring the highereducation within the reach of Muslims andOther Backward Classes (OBCs) ofsociety; and

    (b) to what extent Government issucceeding in this regard?

    Installation of jammers inexamination centres

    1477. SHRI RAJKUMAR DHOOT:Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that the SupremeCourt has recently directed theGovernment to install jammers atexamination centres to prevent cheating inexaminations and if so, the details thereof;and

    (b) what action Government has takenon the directive of the apex court?

    Assessment and implementation ofCCE

    1478. SHRI RANJIB BISWAL: Willthe Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the Sub-Committee of theCentral Advisory Board of Education(CABE) constituted for assessment andimplementation of Continuous andComprehensive Evaluation (CCE) in thecontext of "no detention" provision hassubmitted its recommendations and if so,the details thereof;

    (b) whether Government has acceptedall the recommendations;

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

    (d) the further course of action takenby Government to implement therecommendations accepted by it?

    Reduction in allocation for schooleducation

    1479. SHRI PREM CHANDGUPTA: Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that there hasbeen 10 per cent reduction in allocation forschool education due to approximately 2per cent cut in the education budget in thecurrent financial year;

    (b) if so, whether the school educationis being affected by the additional financialburden on States; and

    (c) the steps being taken byGovernment to ensure that school educationis not affected?

    Mechanism to check quality inuniversities and colleges

    1480. DR. C.P. THAKUR: Will theMinister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether there is any mechanism inplace at Central level to check thedeteriorating quality of higher education inState universities and colleges; and

    (b) what steps the Centre would takeor is contemplating to stop the deterioratingcondition of higher education in Stateuniversities and colleges?

    Heritage status to colleges

    1481. SHRI RITABRATA BANERJEE:Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether UGC has granted heritagestatus to a number of colleges in the country;

    (b) if so, how many colleges have been

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    granted the status and the details thereof,State-wise; and

    (c) the amount of money given to thosecolleges?

    Opening of tribal university inChhattisgarh

    1482. DR. BHUSHAN LALJANGDE: Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that ChhattisgarhGovernment has sent many letters to theCentre for opening a tribal university;and

    (b) whether, in spite of Centre'sprojections that one lakh tribal studentsare not available in those areas, directionswould be given to open a tribal universityin the interest of tribals?

    Selection of new Directors of IITs,IIMs and VCs of central

    universities

    1483. SHRI ANAND SHARMA: Willthe Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that newDirectors and Vice Chancellors have beenappointed to many IITs, IIMs and centraluniversities;

    (b) if so, the mode of selection andqualifying norms; and

    (c) the proposed steps to fill the existingvacancies of Vice Chancellors of the centraluniversities and Directors of institutes ofnational excellence?

    Norms for nutritional content of foodunder MDMS

    1484. SHRIMATI MOHSINAKIDWAI: Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) the guidelines laid down byGovernment prescribing norms fornutritional content/value of food beingserved under the Mid Day Meal Scheme(MDMS), food item-wise;

    (b) whether the mid-day meal samples,taken during the last three years, failed thenutritional value test;

    (c) if so, the details thereof indicatingthe number of food samples lifted and thenumber out of which found to have lessnutritional value than the prescribed norms,year-wise and State/UT-wise; and

    (d) the action taken by Governmentagainst those found guilty?

    Reservation for admission of disabledstudents

    1485. SHRI BAISHNAB PARIDA:Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has made somereservation for admission of disabledstudents in the primary and highereducation in the country;

    (b) whether this percentage quota is farless than the requirements/needs of suchdisabled students;

    (c) whether a demand has been madefor an increase in such quota; and

    (d) whether disabled-friendly facilitieshave been provided in such schools to helpstudents and if so, the details thereof?

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    Standardization of yoga education

    1486. SHRI K.C. TYAGI: Will theMinister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government hasconstituted/proposes to constitute anyexpert panel/committee for thestandardization of yoga education and ifso, the details thereof;

    (b) whether the University GrantsCommission (UGC) has recognized yogain the form of a full fledged curriculum atgraduate and post graduate level and if so,the details thereof and if not, the reasonstherefor; and

    (c) the details of full-time/part-timecourses being run for preparing yogainstructor for universities/colleges?

    Children in Government schools ofDelhi

    1487. SHRIMATI KANAK LATASINGH:

    SHRI VISHAMBHARPRASAD NISHAD:

    Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that number ofchildren in Government schools of Delhiare decreasing continuously and the detailsthereof during the last five years;

    (b) whether it is also a fact thatattendance of enrolled students is alsogetting decreased;

    (c) whether low quality of mid-day-meal may be a reason behind it; and

    (d) the details of samples of mid-day-meal in that State got failed in terms of

    nutrition during the last five years and theactual status thereof?

    Separate toilets for boys and girls inschools of Tamil Nadu

    1488. SHRI D. RAJA: Will theMinister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) the number of schools havingseparate toilets for boys and girls in theState of Tamil Nadu; and

    (b) whether there is a provision fordisabled friendly toilets in Governmentschools and Government aided schools inthat State and if so, the details thereof?

    Essay competition on SaintThiruvalluvar

    1489. SHRI TARUN VIJAY: Will theMinister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether, recently UGC is said tohave issued instructions to colleges toconduct Essay competitions on the life ofSaint Thiruvalluvar;

    (b) if so, how many colleges in whichregion/regions were instructed and howmany of those conducted the competitionas per instructions; and

    (c) whether Government is planning toinduct the life story and message ofThirukkural in the syllabus of North Indianschools and colleges for enhancing nationalunity?

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    Schools imparting computereducation

    1490. SHRI P.L. PUNIA: Will theMinister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) the number of Government andGovernment-aided secondary and highersecondary schools in the country wherecomputer education is being imparted,State-wise;

    (b) the number of such schools, wherethere is no supply of electricity or theelectricity supply is erratic and the meansby which supply of electricity is ensuredto operate computers in such schools, State-wise; and

    (c) the total number of such schools,where either computer education is notbeing imparted due to dearth of computerteachers or the computer education is beingimparted by engaging computer teachersfrom outside, State-wise?

    Dress code for AIPMT

    1491. DR. K.V.P. RAMACHANDRARAO: Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) whether the Central Board ofSecondary Education (CBSE) hasprescribed a dress code for studentsappearing in the All India Pre-Medical Test(AIPMT);

    (b) whether CBSE has conducted anystudy/survey or consulted the StateGovernments before coming up with thedress code;

    (c) what is the rationale for thatdecision;

    (d) whether it is a fact that several

    Muslim girls have objected to the code sinceit prohibits them from wearing a headscarfto the examination hall; and

    (e) if so, whether Government considersdirecting CBSE to roll back the exam dresscode?

    Vacancies of Vice Chancellors inTelangana

    1492. DR. K.V.P. RAMACHANDRARAO: Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) whether the Central Government isaware that many posts of Vice Chancellorsare lying vacant particularly in Telangana;and

    (b) whether the Centre would interveneto ensure that these posts are filled up earlyin order to facilitate smooth functioning ofthese centres of higher learning?

    Gender sensitisation in schoolcurriculum and textbooks

    1493. SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI: Willthe Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has takenmeasures to incorporate gendersensitisation in school curriculum andtextbooks;

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

    (c) whether Government has takenmeasures to include gender module forteachers during pre service and post servicetraining; and

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

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    Status of National Institute ofTechnology, Goa

    1494. SHRI SHANTARAM NAIK:Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the National Institute ofTechnology is functioning in Goa;

    (b) the number of seats sanctioned, sofar and the criteria for admission prescribed;

    (c) whether the land required for thepurpose has been identified/acquired;

    (d) the area proposed to be acquiredand the village or town from where the landis proposed to be acquired;

    (e) the proposed amount expected tobe spent on acquisition of land,construction of buildings and other relatedwork, item-wise; and

    (f) the source of funding for the project?

    Separate toilets for boys and girls inschools

    1495. SHRI ANIL DESAI: Will theMinister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the Prime Minister has saidin his address to the nation on theIndependence Day last year that thereshould be separate toilets for girls and boysin schools;

    (b) if so, what is the status of progress;

    (c) whether the Ministry has dispatched300 senior officials of the rank of Directorand Deputy Secretary to States for spotinspection of toilets in schools; and

    (d) if so, the details of their reports,suggestions and utilization of funds?

    Foreign educational institutions inthe country

    1496. SHRI K.N. BALAGOPAL: Willthe Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has noticedabout the Foreign Educational Institutionsworking directly or indirectly in the countryand if so, the details thereof;

    (b) whether Government has noticedabout the advertisements published in thecountry to attract and admit Indianstudents; and

    (c) if so, whether Government has anyschemes to check fraudulent activity in thissector and if so, the details thereof?

    Increase in seats for undergraduateprogrammes in Delhi University

    1497. PROF. M.V. RAJEEV GOWDA:Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the Ministry intends toincrease the number of seats in DelhiUniversity for undergraduate programmesand if so, the details thereof; and

    (b) whether the Ministry intends tointroduce a new criterion of eligibility forundergraduate programmes in Governmentfunded universities other than the requiredminimum percentage marks and if so, thedetails thereof?

    Vice Chancellors of universities

    1498. DR. BHALCHANDRAMUNGEKAR: Will the Minister ofHUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

    (a) how many Central and Stateuniversities are there in the country today,the details thereof, State-wise;

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    (b) how many Vice Chancellors of theseuniversities belong to the SCs, STs and theOBCs;

    (c) whether the proportion issatisfactory; and

    (d) if not, what steps the Ministrywould take to improve the situation?

    Duration of B.Ed. course

    1499. SHRI BASAWARAJ PATIL: Willthe Minister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that B.Ed. courseduration has been increased from one yearto two years;

    (b) whether there is any increase insyllabus; and

    (c) whether yoga has been withdrawnfrom B.Ed. syllabus and if so, why oneyear course was changed to two yearcourse?

    Setting up of IIT in Karnataka

    1500. SHRI RAJEEVCHANDRASEKHAR: Will the Ministerof HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the Ministry has received anyrecommendations from State Government forsetting up of an Indian Institute ofTechnology (IIT) in Karnataka; and

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

    Hiring of EdCIL for MDMS

    1501. SHRI ARVIND KUMARSINGH:

    SHRI NEERAJ SHEKHAR:

    Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) whether the Ministry has hiredEdCIL, a public sector company, withoutinviting bids in accordance with CVCguidelines and general financial rules for theMid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) and ifso, the details thereof;

    (b) whether Government would initiateinquiry into the alleged irregularities andwould fix responsibility in this regard;

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

    (d) the other measures Governmentwould take to streamline MDMS?

    Prescribed quantity of ingredientsunder MDMS

    1502. SHRIMATI MOHSINAKIDWAI: Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) whether any quantity has beenprescribed for various ingredients includingpulses, edible oil and vegetables under theMid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) and ifso, the details thereof;

    (b) the cost of foodgrains and otheringredients including cooking cost decidedby Government at national/State level underMDMS; and

    (c) whether Government proposes topermit the States to work out the cost ofvarious items as per prevailing rates andalso meet 75 per cent of the actualexpenditure incurred by the States on theitems included in cooking cost and if so,the details thereof?

    Fake EWS certificates for admission

    1503. SHRI D. RAJA: Will the Ministerof HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

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    (a) whether Government's attention hasbeen drawn to the news article in theBusiness Standard on 18th June, 2015regarding fake EWS certificates procuredfor school admission in Delhi underEconomically Weakers Section (EWS)category;

    (b) whether there is any data availableon fraudulent admission under EWScategory, as per the Right to EducationNorms; and

    (c) whether the Department of SchoolEducation and Literacy under the Ministryhas issued any guidelines for schools toverify the applications of students foradmission under EWS category, and if so,the details thereof?

    Revision of syllabus and curriculumin central universities

    1504. SHRI NEERAJ SHEKHAR:SHRI ARVIND KUMAR

    SINGH:

    Will the Minister of HUMANRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) the procedure for revision of syllabusand curriculum of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in central universities;

    (b) the number of times DelhiUniversity (DU) has revised the syllabusand curriculum of undergraduate courses,especially English;

    (c) whether Government has includedEnglish language teaching as a subject apartfrom English literature in syllabus andcurriculum of DU, and if so, the detailsthereof; and

    (d) if not, the reasons for excludingEnglish language teaching as subject inundergraduate/PG courses in centraluniversities, particularly DU?

    Fraud cases in education sector

    1505. SHRI SANJAY RAUT: Will theMinister of HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has detectedmany fraud cases in education sector duringthe last two years and if so, the detailsthereof;

    (b) the details of steps taken orproposed to be taken by Governmentagainst the culprit; and

    (c) whether Government is planning tobring more transparent and responsivepolicy in education sector?

    Solar pumping programme

    1506. SHRI DEVENDER GOUD T.:Will the Minister of NEW ANDRENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased tostate:

    (a) the aims and objectives of solarpumping programme;

    (b) whether it is a fact that over 1.05lakh solar pumps has been sanctioned tovarious States, so far and if so, the detailsthereof, State-wise;

    (c) how many of them have becomefunctional; and

    (d) the efforts being made by theMinistry to provide more and more solarpump sets to farmers?

    Setting up of wind energy plants

    1507. DR. KANWAR DEEP SINGH:Will the Minister of NEW ANDRENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased tostate:

    (a) whether Government has any planto set up wind energy plants in the coastalStates and if so, the details thereof; and

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    (b) whether Government has approvedprojects to promote wind energy in thecountry and if so, the details thereof?

    Solar energy street lights

    1508. SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE:Will the Minister of NEW ANDRENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased tostate:

    (a) whether there is proposal to providesolar energy street lights, in view of powercrisis in the country and if so, the detailsthereof; and

    (b) whether the Central Governmentreleases grant-in-aid to State Governmentsfor providing solar energy street lights andif so, the details thereof?

    Target for solar power generation

    1509. SHRIMATI GUNDUSUDHARANI: Will the Minister of NEWAND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleasedto state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that Governmentaims to generate 100 GW of solar powerby 2022;

    (b) whether it is also a fact that target toset up roof top solar power panels duringthe last one year is just 1 per cent of thetarget;

    (c) whether it is all due to lack ofconsumer awareness about roof top solarpower panels and also lack of awarenessabout the subsidy and other facilities givenby Government; and

    (d) if so, how the Ministry is planningto go ahead in this regard?

    Setting up of R & D institutes

    1510. SHRI JESUDASU SEELAM:Will the Minister of NEW ANDRENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased tostate:

    (a) whether Government has takenmeasures for setting up of focused, goaldriven R & D institutes in the country toattain technology leadership in photovoltaicand other renewable energy technologiesand if so, the details thereof; and

    (b) whether Government has startedawareness programmes to build consumerawareness about technology, its economicsand its right usages?

    Investment in solar power generation

    1511. SHRI PAUL MANOJPANDIAN: Will the Minister of NEWAND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleasedto state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that with aninvestment of ` 6.0 lakh crore,Government is considering to generate1,00,000 MW of power by 2022 throughsolar power and if so, the details thereof;and

    (b) whether it is also a fact that thecountry is poised to become a solar powerhouse and would become the biggestgenerator of solar power in the world and ifso, the details thereof?

    Setting up of grid connected solarplants

    1512. SHRI PAUL MANOJPANDIAN: Will the Minister of NEWAND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleasedto state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that Government

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    has approved a plan to set up 2,000 MWgrid connected solar capacity this year withViability Gap Funding (VGF) underPhase-II of the Jawaharlal Nehru NationalSolar Mission and if so, the details thereof;

    (b) whether it is also a fact that theestimated requirement of funds to provideVGF for 2,000 MW capacity is estimatedat ` 2,100 crore; and

    (c) whether the installation of 2,000MW solar plants would generate about3,320 million units per year which couldpower almost one million households?

    Roof top solar system

    1513. SHRI BAISHNAB PARIDA:Will the Minister of NEW ANDRENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased tostate:

    (a) what is the status of roof top solarsystem in the country;

    (b) whether lack of financial resourcesis coming in the way of development ofthis project and if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether subsidy system has provedineffective in this project; and

    (d) the action plan to bring this projectin the right path?

    Biogas plants in West Bengal

    1514. SHRI VIVEK GUPTA: Will theMinister of NEW AND RENEWABLEENERGY be pleased to state:

    (a) the number of family type biogasplants installed under the National Biogasand Manure Management Programme inWest Bengal during the last three years,year-wise and district-wise;

    (b) whether there is more potential,

    particularly in rural areas, for installationof biogas plants in that State; and

    (c) if so, the manner in which theMinistry supplements the efforts of theState Government and also helps thePanchayats in setting up of such plants?

    Purchase of energy from solarpower plants

    1515. SHRI SANJAY RAUT: Will theMinister of NEW AND RENEWABLEENERGY be pleased to state:

    (a) whether many State Governmentshave signed agreements/contracts withmany industrial houses to purchase energyfrom solar power plants in various parts ofthe country without competitivebidding;

    (b) if so, the details thereof indicatingthe cost of power purchase agreements;

    (c) whether recent bids for solarprojects under the Jawaharlal NehruNational Solar Mission attracted bids aslow as ` 7 per unit and if so, the detailsthereof; and

    (d) the details of steps taken orproposed to be taken by Government topurchase energy from solar power plantsat lower cost?

    Devolution of powers to Panchayats

    1516. SHRI AJAY SANCHETI: Willthe Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ bepleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has increasedits efforts to promote devolution of powersfrom States to Panchayats and if so, thedetails in this regard; and

    (b) how far Panchayats in Maharashtrahave been benefited by these measures?

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    Revival of State of Panchayats report

    1517. SHRI MANI SHANKARAIYAR: Will the Minister ofPANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is proposed to revive thebiennial State of Panchayats report;

    (b) if so, whether Government itselfwould prepare the report and if not, theinstitution to which this would beentrusted;

    (c) whether the Index of Devolutionwould be incorporated in the report orcontinue to be prepared annually; and

    (d) whether the steps are being takenon the basis of the Index of Devolution toincentivize States to devolve more powersto Panchayats and promote transparencyand accountability in the transactions ofPanchayats?

    Comprehensive developmentalactivities of Panchayats

    1518. SHRI K.C. TYAGI: Will theMinister of PANCHAYATI RAJ bepleased to state:

    (a) the steps taken by Government forcomprehensive developmental activities ofvillage Panchayats;

    (b) the alternative programmesproposed by Government in this regard;and

    (c) the details of States that have giventhe complete data for the project?

    Release of funds under BRGF toOdisha

    1519. SHRI A.V. SWAMY: Will theMinister of PANCHAYATI RAJ bepleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that Odisha hassubmitted the Annual Action Plan underthe Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF)of ` 396.83 crore for 20 districts to theMinistry for the year 2014-15 againstwhich only ` 179.46 crore has been released;

    (b) whether there is any proposal torelease the balance amount of ` 217.37crore during the current year; and

    (c) if so, how soon the funds would bereleased and if not, the reasons therefor?

    TPSs at Neyveli, Tamil Nadu

    1520. DR. R. LAKSHMANAN: Willthe Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

    (a) the number of Thermal PowerStations (TPSs) located in Neyveli, TamilNadu;

    (b) the total installed capacity of thoseTPSs;

    (c) the total power generated by thoseTPSs since 2011, year-wise;

    (d) the State's share in the total powergenerated by TPSs since 2011, year-wise;

    (e) the actual allocation of power madeto the State since 2011, year-wise; and

    (f) the reasons for discrepancy, if any,in power allocation?

    SAARC grid

    1521. SHRI JESUDASU SEELAM:Will the Minister of POWER be pleased tostate:

    (a) whether there is any agreement for aSAARC grid for exchange of powerbetween the member nations to enhancethe quality, security and magnitude ofpower supply; and

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    (b) if so, the details of concrete actionsGovernment is taking in this regard?

    Cost of power generation vis--vispower tariffs

    1522. SHRI SUKHENDU SEKHARROY: Will the Minister of POWER bepleased to state:

    (a) the average cost of generation inthermal and hydro power plants, State-wise;

    (b) the existing power tariff per unit fordomestic, commercial and industrialconsumption, State-wise;

    (c) the generation cost in thermal andhydro power plants run by public sectororganizations vis--vis private companies,State-wise; and

    (d) the tariff difference betweenGovernment/public sector-run electricitysupply companies vis--vis private electricsupply companies, State-wise?

    Status of Athena hydel project

    1523. DR. K.P. RAMALINGAM: Willthe Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that Governmenthas rescued Athena hydel project in Sikkimand if so, the details thereof; and

    (b) whether it is also a fact that theproject would now be jointly operated byNHPC and the State Government for thenext 25 years and if so, the details thereof?

    Financial position of State ElectricityBoards

    1524. SHRI RAM KUMARKASHYAP: Will the Minister of POWERbe pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that majority of

    State Electricity Boards (SEBs) arefinancially weak and lack the capacity topay for power generation units;

    (b) if so, the details thereof and whetherGovernment has planned renovationpackage of those SEBs;

    (c) whether Government has alsoreceived any representation from the StateGovernments seeking for renovationpackage for financially striving SEBs; and

    (d) if so, the details thereof and the actiontaken by Government in this regard?

    Advertisement policy of PGCIL

    1525. SHRI SALIM ANSARI: Will theMinister of POWER be pleased to state:

    (a) what is the advertising policy beingfollowed by the Power Grid Corporationof India Ltd. (PGCIL);

    (b) whether PGCIL has given moreadvertisements to souvenirs, Brochures andun-approved publications as compared tomonthly good quality publications;

    (c) if so, the details in this regard withthe names of souvenirs, brochures andun-approved publications, monthlymagazines which were givenadvertisements with amount paid duringthe last three financial years; and

    (d) whether PGCIL would re-visit theadvertisement policy so as to give sufficientadvertisement support to small publicationsspecially monthly magazines and if not,the reasons therefor?

    Losses due to load shedding

    1526. SHRI KIRANMAY NANDA:Will the Minister of POWER be pleased tostate:

    (a) whether it is a fact that industrial,

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    agricultural and other sectors have sufferedhuge losses due to frequent load sheddingin different States during the last two years;and

    (b) if so, the details thereof?

    Financial position of PSEs in theMinistry

    1527. SHRI TAPAN KUMAR SEN:Will the Minister of POWER be pleased tostate:

    (a) the reserve and surplus fund ofPower Grid Corporation of India Ltd.,Power Finance Corporation, RuralElectrification Corporation and NationalHydroelectric Power Corporation between31st March, 2014 to 31st March, 2015;

    (b) the debt/equity ratio of these PSEsas on 31st March, 2015;

    (c) the investment made during the lastthree years by the above PSEs; and

    (d) the investment plan during the nextthree years along with the funding pattern,year-wise?

    Passing of fuel cost by UMPPs toconsumers

    1528. SHRI S. THANGAVELU: Willthe Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that the panelappointed by Government for Ultra MegaPower Projects (UMPPs) hasrecommended that the developers wouldbe allowed to pass on the fuel cost toconsumers;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether it is also a fact that the panelhas also recommended to invite fuel costfrom bidders for the first year while secondyear onwards it would increase as per a

    formula of the Central ElectricityRegulatory Commission; and

    (d) if so, the details thereof?

    Purchase of energy beyond RPO limit

    1529. SHRI MANSUKH L.MANDAVIYA: Will the Minister ofPOWER be pleased to state:

    (a) the updated status of action takenby the Central Government to resolve theissue of purchase of excess energy beyondthe Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO)limit, generated from new and renewableenergy resources;

    (b) by when Government intends tosettle this matter; and

    (c) whether Government has receivedany representation from State Governmentof Gujarat in this regard and if so, theupdated status of action taken thereon?

    Plant load factor

    1530. SHRI ANAND SHARMA: Willthe Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that the overallplant load factor for power plants hasdeclined in the recent years;

    (b) if so, the reasons therefor; and

    (c) the steps proposed by Governmentto augment power generation anddistribution?

    Power situation in Andhra Pradeshand Telangana

    1531. DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY:Will the Minister of POWER be pleased tostate:

    (a) the number of power projectsoperating in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

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    along with their installed and operatingcapacity, State-wise;

    (b) the details of proposals to set uppower projects in these States, with theCentral and State Governments during thenext three years;

    (c) the deficiency or shortage of powerduring peak period in these States duringthe last one year, and till June, 2015 month-wise; and

    (d) the details of steps taken to meetthe deficiency in each State?

    Electricity supply to Tamil Nadu

    1532. DR. V. MAITREYAN: Will theMinister of POWER be pleased to state:

    (a) the total quantity and value of powersupplied to Tamil Nadu from the centralpool as per the fuel supply agreement andthe shortfall in the supply during the lastfive years;

    (b) the steps taken by Government toensure the supply of adequate quantity andquality of power to the State during theabove period;

    (c) whether Government has beenfacilitating any technological and financialsupport to the State to get additional powerfrom the central pool; and

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

    Power purchase agreements

    1533. SHRI P.L. PUNIA: Will theMinister of POWER be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that the Stateshave entered into a long term powerpurchase agreements with the powerdistribution companies and if so, the names

    of the States and the per unit cost thereof;and

    (b) whether it is also a fact that theconsumers are facing the burden of higherelectricity rates due to the said agreementand if not, the details of the rates at whichelectricity is being made available by thepower plants at present?

    Problems in power sector

    1534. SHRI P. BHATTACHARYA:SHRI DARSHAN SINGH

    YADAV:

    Will the Minister of POWER be pleasedto state:

    (a) whether Government has set up anyadvisory committee to discuss the issuesrelating to power sector and to suggestreforms;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether this initiative would solvethe problems of the sector including theproblem of fuel shortage threatening theviability of the sector; and

    (d) if so, the details thereof?

    Progress made by NTPC

    1535. SHRI T. RATHINAVEL: Will theMinister of POWER be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that the State-runNTPC has joined a select group of globalpeers who span the entire fuel chain i.e.coal, gas, hydro power and renewablesources for generating greener electricity;

    (b) whether it is also a fact the NTPChas recently switched on the last of thefour 200 MW units of its first hydel projectin Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh;

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    (c) whether the hydel foray is part ofNTPCs diversification plan to widen fuelbase; and

    (d) if so, the details thereof?

    Cost of power supplied from centralpower stations

    1536. SHRI ANIL DESAI: Will theMinister of POWER be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the Delhi Government hasproposed surrendering 2,200 MW of powerit gets from central power stations;

    (b) whether this costs ` 5 to 8 per unitcompared to power available in the marketfor just ` 3 per unit;

    (c) if so, the reasons therefor;

    (d) whether Delhi's discoms have beenraising the issue of expensive power foryears; and

    (e) the reasons why the Ministrycouldn't act on it?

    Review of performance of RegulatoryCommissions

    1537. DR. T.N. SEEMA: Will theMinister of POWER be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the Working Group onpower constituted to formulate theprogramme for development of powersector during the Twelfth Five Year Planhad recommended that through suitablelegislative changes, a multi disciplinarybody would be constituted comprising ofrepresentatives from Centre and States toreview the performance of the RegulatoryCommissions for further necessarycorrective action;

    (b) if so, the details thereof and the stepstaken by Government in this regard; and

    (c) the other steps taken Governmentfor effective regulation of power sector forits total development along with theinclusive growth of citizens and economy?

    Implementing of DDU-GJY inMadhya Pradesh

    1538. SHRI PRABHAT JHA: Will theMinister of POWER be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that severalproposals from Madhya PradeshGovernment are under consideration forapproval with the Central Governmentunder the Deen Dayal Upadhyay GramJyoti Yojana (DDU-GJY);

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether early decision would betaken regarding the approval of theseproposals; and

    (d) if so, the details thereof?

    Report of expert panel on UMPPs

    1539. SHRI S. THANGAVELU: Willthe Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that thecompanies winning bids for Ultra MegaPower Projects (UMPPs) would be allowedto mortgage land and the coal blocksattached to them if Government acceptsthe recommendations of an expert panel;

    (b) whether the expert panel hassubmitted its report in this regard and if so,the details thereof; and

    (c) whether it is also a fact that the panelhas been given the task to review thestandard bid documents for 4,000 MW andabove projects?

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    Utilisation of funds

    1540. SHRI MOHD. ALI KHAN: Willthe Minister of ROAD TRANSPORTAND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the undertakings andagencies involved in the National Highwaysector have utilized the funds under socialobligation;

    (b) if so, the details thereof during theEleventh and Twelfth Five Year Plans; and

    (c) the criteria adopted to spend suchfunds?

    Work on Mumbai-Goa NationalHighway

    1541. SHRI HUSAIN DALWAI:DR. BHALCHANDRA

    MUNGEKAR:

    Will the Minister of ROADTRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS bepleased to state:

    (a) whether the four laning work onMumbai-Goa National Highway has beenbadly delayed;

    (b) if so, the details of factorsresponsible for slow progress of theproject;

    (c) the steps taken to accelerate thecompletion of work on this project;

    (d) the details of stretches on thishighway completed, so far;

    (e) by when the work is likely to becompleted; and

    (f) what is the estimated amount ofexpenditure on this project?

    Plan to cater to traffic needs

    1542. SHRI A.K. SELVARAJ: Will theMinister of ROAD TRANSPORT ANDHIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that Governmentwants to work on a long term plan thatcaters to the growing traffic needs of thenext 15 to 20 years instead of an incrementalincrease in the highway network;

    (b) whether it is also a fact that thesecond edition of the National HighwaysDevelopment Project (NHDP) would beeasier said than done as it would involvemassive investments in the sector; and

    (c) if so, the details thereof?

    National Highways in Rajasthan

    1543. SHRI RAM NARAIN DUDI:Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORTAND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

    (a) the length of highways passingthrough Rajasthan as on date;

    (b) the details of funds allocated by theCentral Government for maintenance andrepairs of those highways during the lastfive years, year-wise;

    (c) whether it is a fact that adequatefunds, as per the increase requested by theState Government, are not being allocatedfor maintenance and repairs of the saidroads; and

    (d) if so, the reasons therefor?

    Bharat Mala Project

    1544. SHRI VIJAY GOEL: Will theMinister of ROAD TRANSPORT ANDHIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government is planning to

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    connect each district of the country withNational Highways under the Bharat Malaprogramme;

    (b) if so, the details thereof; and

    (c) whether Government is alsoformulating a new toll policy under thesame; and

    (d) if so, the details thereof?

    Road accidents

    1545. SHRI VIJAY JAWAHARLALDARDA: Will the Minister of ROADTRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS bepleased to state:

    (a) whether Government is aware thatlakhs of people die in various kinds of roadaccidents in the country;

    (b) if so, the details thereof during thelast three years till now, State-wise;

    (c) whether in these accidents most ofthe victims are either elderly persons andchildren; and

    (d) if so, what safety measures havebeen taken by Government to protectelderly persons and children?

    Vehicles on roads vis-a-vis trafficsituation

    1546. SHRI BHUPINDER SINGH:Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORTAND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

    (a) the total number of registeredvehicles on roads at present, State-wise andvehicle-wise and the numbers it would reachduring the next three years; and

    (b) whether there is any action plan todeal with the chaotic traffic situation in ourcities which is leading to very high level ofpollution, specially in the metros?

    Free/cashless treatment for accidentvictims

    1547. SHRI D.P. TRIPATHI: Will theMinister of ROAD TRANSPORT ANDHIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government proposes toprovide free/cashless treatment and basicamenities to the victims of road accidentson National Highways in the current year;

    (b) if so, the details thereof forMaharashtra; and

    (c) the details of proposal underconsideration for free/cashless treatment,State/UT-wise including Maharashtra?

    National Road Safety andManagement System

    1548. DR. CHANDAN MITRA: Willthe Minister of ROAD TRANSPORTAND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government proposes toestablish a National Road Safety andManagement System;

    (b) if so, the details thereof along withits aims and objectives; and

    (c) the steps taken by Government tobring in added safety on roads by way ofstricter checks on issuance of drivinglicences and higher penalties for trafficviolations?

    Accidents due to drunken driving

    1549. SHRI RITABRATA BANERJEE:Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORTAND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

    (a) whether accidents are increasing dueto drunken driving in the country;

    (b) if so, what is the percentage duringthe last five years; and

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    (c) what are the remedial measuresadopted to curb such accidents?

    Pace of Bharat Mala Project

    1550. SHRI MAJEED MEMON:SHRI S. THANGAVELU:

    Will the Minister of ROADTRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS bepleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that preparatorywork for the Bharat Mala project has beenfast tracked with the National HighwaysAuthority of India (NHAI) inviting bidsfor preparing Detailed Project Reports(DPRs) along the borders and cost lines;

    (b) whether it is also a fact that DPRfor the project would be ready in6-8 months;

    (c) what would be the area length inkms of the entire network along with thestretches across the States which areproposed to be covered; and

    (d) what would be the estimated overallinvestment and completion period for thisproject?

    Toll gates on National Highways

    1551. DR. V. MAITREYAN: Will theMinister of ROAD TRANSPORT ANDHIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

    (a) the location where toll gates arewithdrawn on National Highways in thecountry, State-wise and NH-wise;

    (b) the revenue generated in leasing outof each of these toll gates during the last10 years, or since construction, year-wiseand toll gate-wise;

    (c) whether NHAI or the centralGovernment has any plans to withdrawmore such toll gates situated on various

    National Highways during the coming years;and

    (d) if so, the details thereof and the tollcollected, NH-wise and year-wise?

    Mass emission standards for flex-fuelethanol E 85 and ED 95

    1552. SHRI RAVI PRAKASHVERMA:

    SHRI A.U. SINGH DEO:

    Will the Minister of ROADTRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS bepleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has releasedany standards for mass emission for flex-fuel ethanol E 85 and ED 95 in the recentpast and if so, the details in this regard;

    (b) whether the companies involved inresearch and development have assured fordevelopment of economically viable model;

    (c) if so, the details thereof and thedetails of initiatives taken in this regard,so far; and

    (d) the details of hybrid system vehiclesproposed in the near future and the extentto which it would be able to obtain itsobjectives?

    National Highways in Gujarat

    1553. SHRI DILIPBHAI PANDYA:SHRI MANSUKH L.

    MANDAVIYA:

    Will the Minister of ROADTRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS bepleased to state:

    (a) what is the rank of Gujarat in termsof National Highways length per lacpopulation and National Highway lengthper 1000 sq. km. of area; and

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    (b) whether the Central Governmentproposes to upgrade additional Highwaysin the State to National Highways?

    Chennai Port-Maduravoyal ElevatedExpressway project

    1554. SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI: Willthe Minister of ROAD TRANSPORTAND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the Central Government hasproposed any out-of-court solution forChennai Port-Maduravoyal ElevatedExpressway project;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) by when the work on this project islikely to resume; and

    (d) the expected date of completion ofthe project?

    Demands for road safety instruments

    1555. SHRI DILIP KUMAR TIRKEY:Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORTAND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that the numberof accidents taking place on highways hasgone up considerably during the recentmonths and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

    (b) whether it is also a fact that demandfrom States for road safety instruments likeinterceptors, cranes, driving testingsimulators are lying pending for months;and

    (c) if so, the reasons for delay in meetingthese demands?

    Four laning of Hazipur-Jandaha-Musrigharari NH-103

    1556. SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR:Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORTAND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that Governmentproposes to convert 59 km. long Hazipurto Musrigharari is a Jandaha NH 103 intofour lane; and

    (b) if so, the details thereof?

    Release of funds to Chhattisgarhunder PMGSY

    1557. DR. BHUSHAN LALJANGDE: Will the Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that the delay inexecution of works under the PradhanMantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) inChhattisgarh is due to release of funds bythe Central Government; and

    (b) whether the immediate requirementof one thousand crore rupees could beprovided to the State to achieve the targetfixed under PMGSY?

    Survey on poverty in rural areas

    1558. SHRI BHUPINDER SINGH:Will the Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether poverty has decreased inrural areas, particularly in backward andtribal areas of the country;

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

    (c) whether any survey has beenconducted recently in this regard;

    (d) if so, the findings thereof, State-wise;and

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    (e) the steps taken or proposed to betaken by Government for povertyalleviation in these areas?

    Maintenance of rural roads underPMGSY

    1559. SHRI PREM CHAND GUPTA:Will the Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that many Statesare yet to comply with the April, 2014Model Policy Framework for maintenanceof rural roads under the Pradhan MantriGram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY); and

    (b) the names of the States which areyet to formulate Rural Roads MaintenancePolicy, as stipulated under this framework?

    Power to State EmploymentGuarantee Council to include works

    under MGNREGA

    1560. SHRI NARAYAN LALPANCHARIYA:

    SHRI RAM NARAINDUDI:

    Will the Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government proposes togive concessions to the State EmploymentGuarantee Council to include works underthe Mahatma Gandhi National RuralEmployment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA),as per the local requirements and if so, bywhen and if not, the reasons therefor;

    (b) whether Government proposes toinclude the works of cowsheds, beingoperated by institutions registered with theState Governments under MGNREGA andif so, by when the directions would beissued and if not, the reasons therefor; and

    (c) whether Government has decided toinclude some more works to the worksbeing already done under MGNREGA andif so, the details thereof?

    SECC data on landless/poor people

    1561. SHRIMATI RAJANI PATIL:Will the Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the Socio Economic andCaste Census, 2011 indicating the socialeconomic status of people of rural areashas been released by the Ministry;

    (b) if so, the details of landless/pooridentified in the rural areas in the census;

    (c) the details of criteria adopted for thecensus; and

    (d) the States having poor performancein developing socio-economic and castestructure with particular reference to ruralIndia, as per the said census?

    Meeting of State-level Vigilance andMonitoring Committees under

    MGNREGA

    1562. DR. VIJAYLAXMI SADHO:Will the Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the Ministry has set upState-level Vigilance and MonitoringCommittees under the Mahatma GandhiNational Rural Employment Guarantee Act(MGNREGA) and issued instructionsfrom time to time and if so, the details ofthe composition of this committee;

    (b) the number of meetings required tobe held in a year and the number of meetingsheld during the last three years, year-wiseand State-wise; and

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    (c) the details of action being taken bythe Ministry in case prescribed number ofmeetings are not held?

    Incomplete PMGSY projects

    1563. SHRIMATI RENUKACHOWDHURY: Will the Minister ofRURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased tostate:

    (a) whether it is a fact that thousands ofproposals sanctioned during 2010 underthe Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY) are yet to be executed;

    (b) if so, the details thereof along withthe reasons therefor, State-wise;

    (c) the period mandated under PMGSYguidelines for execution of the projects; and

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

    Acquisition of land

    1564. SHRI NARESH GUJRAL: Willthe Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) how much land has been acquiredby the Centre and States after theamendments made to the Land AcquisitionAct in 2013, State-wise; and

    (b) how much compensation is stillpayable to those whose land was acquiredon account of such acquisitions by variousStates?

    RSETIs in Maharashtra

    1565. SHRI AVINASH PANDE: Willthe Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) the total number of Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs)

    presently operational in Maharashtra,district-wise;

    (b) the details of proposals, for thesetting up of RSETIs in the State that arepresently pending; and

    (c) the names of sponsoring banks foreach of these operational and proposedRSETIs?

    Transfer of funds to MGNREGAbeneficiaries through e-FMS

    1566. SHRI C. M. RAMESH: Will theMinister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT bepleased to state:

    (a) the efforts being made for transferof funds for the Mahatma Gandhi NationalRural Employment Guarantee Act(MGNREGA) beneficiaries throughelectronic Funds Management System (e-FMS)

    (b) in the light of States delayingpayment to MGNREGA workers, how theMinistry would ensure that States wouldsend financial transfer orders to the Centreimmediately; and

    (c) how Government is planning to usethe Jan Dhan Yojana accounts for transferof funds?

    Performance of rural developmentschemes

    1567. SHRI AVINASH RAIKHANNA: Will the Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether various schemes aimed atimproving the lives of rural people haveyielded the desired results and if so, thedetails thereof and if not, the reasonstherefor along with Government's reactionthereto;

    (b) the details of implementation

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    reports of the Mahatma Gandhi NationalRural Employment Guarantee Act, theSwarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana, theNational Rural Livelihood Mission/Ajeevika and the National Social AssistanceProgramme during each of the last threeyears and the current year; and

    (c) the details of monitoring mechanismavailable with Government to ensure thatthe objectives of the rural developmentschemes are achieved?

    Widening scope of IGNDPS

    1568. DR. CHANDAN MITRA: Willthe Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government is aware thatdwarfs, who, in most of the cases, areunable to find employment, do not comeunder the purview of the National SocialAssistance Programme (NSAP);

    (b) if so, the reasons therefor; and

    (c) the steps taken by Government towiden the ambit of Indira Gandhi NationalDisability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), inorder to include this category?

    Target of providing houses

    1569. SHRI MOTILAL VORA: Willthe Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has fixed thetarget of providing houses to 4.25 crorehomeless families by 2022;

    (b) if so, the number of houses to beprovided to homeless families annually,State-wise; and

    (c) the expenditure to be incurred onconstruction of houses for the homelessannually?

    Allocation of funds under PMGSY

    1570. SHRI A. U. SINGH DEO: Willthe Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the allocation for thePradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY) has been drastically reduced bythe Central Government during the currentFive Year Plan;

    (b) if so, the details thereof year-wiseand the reasons therefor;

    (c) the details of funds allocated toOdisha during the last three years and thecurrent financial year;

    (d) whether the State Government hasrequested the Central Government toincrease and allocate sufficient funds underPMGSY; and

    (e) if so, the details thereof and the stepstaken by the Central Government thereon?

    Construction of roads in HimachalPradesh

    1571. SHRI P. BHATTACHARYA:Will the Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) the guidelines fixed by Governmentfor construction of roads under PMGSY/NABARD assisted scheme in rural andhilly areas;

    (b) the amount sanctioned to HimachalPradesh during 2015-16 for constructionof roads under the above schemes;

    (c) the status of roads Amboi-Tiproli,Jangla-Nandla, Shiroli-Banthal, Link roadJalwari-Kailu, Jalwari-Manghara and Linkroad Bakhuli-Nandla in Chirgaon Tehsil inShimla district of the State; and

    (d) the status of remetalling Badiyara-Nandla and Magwari-Shiroli roads in thatState?

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    Villages under SAGY in Karnataka

    1572. SHRI BASAWARAJ PATIL: Willthe Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) which are the villages covered underthe Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY)in Karnataka;

    (b) whether the work is going on as perthe specified calendar of events and if so,the details thereof;

    (c) whether there is any lacuna inimplementation by the State Government;and

    (d) how to overcome these for asuccessful Adarsh Gram to inspire othervillages?

    Performance of MGNREGA

    1573. DR. BHALCHANDRAMUNGEKAR: Will the Minister ofRURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased tostate:

    (a) the expenditure on MGNREGAduring the years 2012-13, 2013-14 and2014-15;

    (b) how many rural households wereprovided job during these years, year-wise;

    (c) how many of them were SCs andSTs, year-wise; and

    (d) how many person days employmentwas generated during these years, year-wise?

    Irregularities under MGNREGA

    1574. SHRI ARVIND KUMARSINGH:

    SHRI NEERAJ SHEKHAR:

    Will the Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government is aware that,as per recent study report, 50 per cent ofthe Mahatma Gandhi National RuralEmployment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)beneficiaries pay bribes for payment of theirwages;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether Government has taken anyaction to check bribes and corruption inMGNREGA;

    (d) if so, the details thereof; and

    (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

    Landless labourers in rural areas

    1575. SHRI SHADI LAL BATRA: Willthe Minister of RURALDEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that 48.5 per centof rural households in the country arelandless labourers and are engaged in manuallabour for livelihood;

    (b) if so, the details thereof andGovernment's reaction thereto; and

    (c) the efforts being made byGovernment to improve the economicstatus and extent of poverty of theselandless labourers?

    Establishment of Maritime Universityin Gujarat

    1576. SHRI DILIPBHAI PANDYA:Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleasedto state:

    (a) whether Government has receivedany proposals from the State Governmentof Gujarat for establishment of MaritimeUniversity in the State;

    (b) if so, the details thereof; and

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    (c) by when the University is likely tobe established in the State?

    Planning to convert ports intocorporate entities

    1577. PROF. M. V. RAJEEV GOWDA:Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleasedto state:

    (a) whether the Ministry is planning toconvert ports owned by the IndianGovernment into corporate entities;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether the Ministry intends tocontinue the provision of seats on the Boardof Directors for unions postcorporatisation of ports;

    (d) if so, the details thereof;

    (e) whether the Ministry is taking anymeasures to ensure that the union andlabourers interests are not compromisedas a result of corporatisation of ports; and

    (f) if so, the details thereof?

    Schemes for promotion of small shipbuilding

    1578. SHRI K. N. BALAGOPAL: Willthe Minister of SHIPPING be pleased tostate:

    (a) whether Government has schemesto promote inland water ways transport;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether Government has schemesto promote small ship building; and

    (d) if so, the details thereof?

    Revision of ceiling limit for waterresources and related project

    1579. DR. VIJAY MALLYA: Will theMinister of WATER RESOURCES,RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGAREJUVENATION be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the State Government ofKarnataka had in June, 2014 proposed anupward revision of the ceiling limit fixedby the former Planning Commission forvarious water resources and related projectat ` 1,500 crore from ` 396 crore;

    (b) what is the present stage ofconsideration of the proposal; and

    (c) when the proposal is likely to beapproved?

    Pancheshwar dam in Uttarakhand

    1580. SHRI MAHENDRA SINGHMAHRA: Will the Minister of WATERRESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENTAND GANGA REJUVENATION bepleased to state:

    (a) the total estimated expenditure tobe incurred on the construction ofPancheshwar dam in Uttarakhand;

    (b) the proportion of expenditure to beborne by both the countries;

    (c) whether power generated atPancheshwar would be shared in proportionto expenditure; and

    (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

    Rehabilitation of people due toPolavaram dam

    1581. SHRI PALVAI GOVARDHANREDDY: Will the Minister of WATERRESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENTAND GANGA REJUVENATION bepleased to state:

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    (a) whether Government has received anotice from the Andhra Pradesh High Courton the issue for wrong relief andrehabilitation for the displaced people underPolavaram dam;

    (b) whether it is a fact that Governmenthas applied only the Land Acquisition Act,1894 to such displaced people and land-losers instead of Act of 2013;

    (c) what steps Government would taketo rectify such wrongs committed for landacquisition by a central project authority;

    (d) whether Government would send ateam to inspect such wrongs committedby the central project authority and takeremedial measures;

    (e) if so, the details thereof; and

    (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

    Declining of ground water table

    1582. SHRI AAYANURMANJUNATHA: Will the Minister ofWATER RESOURCES, RIVERDEVELOPMENT AND GANGAREJUVENATION be pleased to state:

    (a) the goals envisaged including thestrategies identified under the NationalWater Mission;

    (b) whether Government is aware ofrapidly declining ground water table invarious parts of the country;

    (c) if so, the details thereof and thereasons therefor, State/UT-wise;

    (d) whether Government has conductedany study to assess the estimated groundwater depletion in the country;

    (e) if so, the details thereof; and

    (f) the action taken by Government onthe recommendations including funds

    allocated/utilised for the purpose during thelast three years along with the successachieved as a result thereof?

    Pollution free Ganga

    1583. DR. SANJAY SINH: Will theMinister of WATER RESOURCES,RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGAREJUVENATION be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the Central PollutionControl Board (CPCB) has failed to controlthe industrial units polluting Ganga;

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

    (c) whether Government is going toclose the most polluted units dirtying theriver;

    (d) if so, the details thereof;

    (e) if not, the reasons therefor; and

    (f) the measures being taken byGovernment to make the river free frompollution so that it continues to fulfilreligious faith as well as protect people'slife?

    Wastage of water by industries

    1584. SHRI LAL SINH VADODIA:Will the Minister of WATERRESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENTAND GANGA REJUVENATION bepleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that Governmentis considering to put a check on the waterwastage by industries;

    (b) if so, whether Government isconsidering to take any step in this regard;and

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

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    Plan to clean Ganga

    1585. SHRI PANKAJ BORA: Will theMinister of WATER RESOURCES,RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGAREJUVENATION be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has taken cleanGanga action plan during 2014-15;

    (b) if so, the details of progress madetherein;

    (c) whether State-wise proposals havebeen received so far towards beautificationof Ganga banks and specially ''waste-on-water'' control projects therein; and

    (d) if so, the action taken byGovernment thereon?

    Pollution in Ganga

    1586. MIR MOHAMMAD FAYAZ:Will the Minister of WATERRESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENTAND GANGA REJUVENATION bepleased to state:

    (a) whether Government is keeping aneye round the clock on the those thousandsof industrial units through its cutting-edgetechnology which pollute the water of riverGanga and if so, the details thereof; and

    (b) the provisions of punishment madeby Government for erring units?

    Depletion of ground water inJharkhand

    1587. SHRI PARIMAL NATHWANI:Will the Minister of WATERRESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENTAND GANGA REJUVENATION bepleased to state:

    (a) the details of areas in Jharkhand andother States where the depletion of groundwater has reached at an alarming level, State-wise; and

    (b) what are the water recharging andconservation measures Government hastaken and plan to take to improve water-tables in these areas?

    Bellandur lake in Bengaluru

    1588. SHRI RAJEEVCHANDRASEKHAR : Will the Ministerof WATER RESOURCES, RIVERDEVELOPMENT AND GANGAREJUVENATION be pleased to state:

    (a) what steps have been taken by theMinistry to protect Bengaluru fromdangers or real estate projects onecologically and environmentally sensitiveareas like lakebeds, catchement areas aroundlakes and volley zones;

    (b) whether the team from the Ministrywhich visited the site of projects comingup on Belandur lake in Bengaluru in August,2013, to minotor compliance to theenvironmental clearance conditions, give anadverse report about the non-complianceof conditions by project promoters;

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

    (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

    Krishna-Pennar water transfer link

    1589. SHRI C.M. RAMESH: Will theMinister of WATER RESOURCES,RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGAREJUVENATION be pleased to state:

    (a) whether it is a fact that Krishna(Srisailam)-Pennar water transfer link underthe National Perspective Plan has beenidentified which would benefit Odisha,Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnatakaand Chhattisgarh;

    (b) whether it is also a fact thatfeasibility report has already beencompleted for the above link; and

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    (c) if so, what steps the Ministry hastaken to move ahead to link above riversfor water transfer?

    Soil erosion by river Godavari andTapti

    1590. SHRI D.P. TRIPATHI: Will theMinister of WATER RESOURCES,RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGAREJUVENATION be pleased to state:

    (a) whether any assessment has beenmade by the Central Government to checksoil erosion by rivers Godavari and Taptiand its tributaries during the last two years;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and

    (d) the effective steps taken orproposed to be taken to check soil erosionby the said rivers in Maharashtra?

    Implementation of Ganga Yojana

    1591. SHRI MOTILAL VORA: Willthe Minister of WATER RESOURCES,RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGAREJUVENATION be pleased to state:

    (a) whether Government hadconstituted 120 special teams of variousagencies for the implementation of GangaYojana;

    (b) the number of places identified bythe special teams on banks of Ram Gangaand Yamuna;

    (c) whether the said teams haverecommended closure of 118 drains(nallahas) in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh,Bihar and West Bengal;

    (d) if so, the steps taken by Governmentin this regard; and

    (e) the date of inception of Gangacleanliness campaign and the progress madeby it?

    Implementation of river linkingproject

    1592. SHRI MANSUKH L.MANDAVIYA: Will the Minister ofWATER RESOURCES, RIVERDEVELOPMENT AND GANGAREJUVENATION be pleased to state:

    (a) the updated status ofimplementation of the river linking projectof Government in Gujarat;

    (b) the amount of funds allocated forthe project during the last three years andfor 2015-16, including figures for Gujarat,separately; and

    (c) by when the above said projectwould be completed in Gujarat?

    Soil erosion by Krishna and Cauvery

    1593. SHRI B.K. HARIPRASAD: Willthe Minister of WATER RESOURCES,RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGAREJUVENATION be pleased to state:

    (a) whether any assessment has beenmade by the Central Government to checksoil erosion by rivers Krishna and Cauveryand its tributaries during the last two years;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and

    (d) the effective steps taken orproposed to be taken to check soil erosionby the said rivers in Karnataka?

    Flood problem in Maharashtra andKarnataka

    1594. SHRI B.K. HARIPRASAD:SHRI D.P. TRIPATHI:

    Will the Minister of WATERRESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENTAND GANGA REJUVENATION bepleased to state:

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    (a) the names and the number of districtsin Maharashtra and Karnataka which arefacing the problem of flood almost everyyear;

    (b) whether Government has receivedany suggestions from these States to dealwith the said problem;

    (c) if so, the details thereof, district-wise along with the response ofGovernment thereto;

    (d) the details of assistance providedby Government to these flood affecteddistricts; and

    (e) the other steps taken byGovernment to mitigate the problem offlood in the country?

    Interlinking of Manas, Sankosh,Teesta and Ganga Rivers

    1595. DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY:Will the Minister of WATERRESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENTAND GANGA REJUVENATION bepleased to state:

    (a) whether there is a proposal toconnect Manas, Sankosh, Teesta and Gangarivers;

    (b) whether the concerned StateGovernments have been approached forconsent;

    (c) if implemented, whether surpluswater would be tranferred to SouthernStates and if so, the details thereof; and

    (d) whether detailed project report hasbeen prepared, including the cost of theproject, and if so, the details thereof?

    Pollution in Ganga

    1596. SHRI NAZIR AHMEDLAWAY: Will the Minister of WATERRESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENTAND GANGA REJUVENATION bepleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has made anyplan to keep a vigil on the polluters of Gangariver and if so, the details thereof; and

    (b) the provision made to take actionagainst the units that are polluting Gangariver?

    Revision of funding of existing waterresource projects

    1597. DR. VIJAY MALLYA: Will theMinister of WATER RESOURCES,RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGAREJUVENATION be pleased to state:

    (a) whether the Minister is aware thatthe State Government of Karnataka had inNovember, 2014 proposed to the Ministrythe need for upward revision of funding ofexisting water resource projects from 25per cent to 50 per cent as in new projects;

    (b) when this proposal would beconsidered; and

    (c) what is the outcome of suchconsideration?

    Allocation of funds for NamamiGange Mission

    1598. SHRI DARSHAN SINGHYADAV: Will the Minister of WATERRESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENTAND GANGA REJUVENATION bepleased to state:

    (a) whether Government has approvedthe Namami Gange Mission and if so, thedetails thereof along with the fundsallocated, released and utilised for thepurpose;

    (b) the mechanism put in place tomonitor the implementation of the Missionalong with the projects taken up thereunderand the time-frame fixed for completion ofthe same; and

    Original notice of the question received in Hindi.

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    (c) whether a Ganga Eco Task Force aswell as Clean Ganga Fund has beenestablished and if so, the details thereof?

    Virdi dam in Maharashtra

    1599. SHRI SHANTARAM NAIK:Will the Minister of WATERRESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENTAND GANGA REJUVENATION bepleased