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COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ASSURANCES 57 (2016-2017)

SIXTEENTH

FIFTY-SEVENTH REPORT

REQUESTS FOR DROPPING OF ASSURANCES (ACCEDED TO)

(Presented to Lok Sabha on 11 April, 2017)

LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT NEW DELHI

April, 2017/Chaitra, 1939 (Saka) FIFTY-SEVENTH REPORT

COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ASSURANCES (2016-2017)

(SIXTEENTH LOK SABHA)

REQUESTS FOR DROPPING OF ASSURANCES (ACCEDED TO)

(Presented to Lok Sabha on 11 April, 2017)

LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT NEW DELHI April, 2017/Chaitra, 1939 (Saka) CGA No. 307

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© 2017 BY LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT Published under Rule 382 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha (Fifteenth Edition) and Printed by the General Manager, Government of Press, Minto Road, New Delhi-110 002. CONTENTS

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COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE (2016-2017) ...... (iii)

INTRODUCTION ...... (iv)

REPORT ...... 1 Requests for Dropping of Assurances (Acceded to)

APPENDICES-I TO X I. USQ No. 3486 dated 29.07.2009 regarding ‘Status of Authority to CPCB’ ...... 4 II. USQ No. 4279 dated 29.08.2011 regarding ‘Automatic Clearance to Coal Mining’...... 6 III. USQ No. 2265 dated 10.03.2015 regarding ‘Human Trafficking’ .. 8 IV. USQ No. 1608 dated 04.03.2015 regarding ‘Distance Education Council’ ...... 11 V. USQ No. 2929 dated 06.08.2015 regarding ‘Alleged Irregularities in NRE Schemes’ ...... 14 VI. USQ No. 850 dated 27.11.2014 regarding ‘‘Bullet Trains’ .... 16 VII. USQ No. 1329 dated 12.12.2013 regarding ‘High Speed Passenger Corridors’ ...... 20 VIII. USQ No. 2667 dated 12.03.2015 regarding ‘Pirates of Vessels’ . 24

ANNEXURES I. Minutes of the Sitting of the Committee held on 06 October, 2016 ...... 27 II. Minutes of the Sitting of the Committee held on 06 April, 2017 ...... 30 COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ASSURANCES* (2016-2017)

Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal "Nishank" — Chairperson

MEMBERS 2. Shri Rajendra Agrawal

@3. Vacant 4. Shri Anto Antony 5. Shri Tariq Anwar 6. Prof. (Dr.) Sugata Bose 7. Shri Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya 8. Shri Bahadur Singh Koli 9. Shri Prahlad Singh Patel 10. Shri A.T. Nana Patil 11. Shri C.R. Patil 12. Shri Sunil Kumar Singh 13. Shri Taslimuddin 14. Shri K.C. Venugopal 15. Shri S.R. Vijay Kumar

SECRETARIAT 1. Shri R.S. Kambo — Additional Secretary 2. Shri P.C. Tripathy — Director 3. Shri S.L. Singh — Deputy Secretary

*The Committee has been re-constituted w.e.f. 01 September, 2016 Vide Para No. 4075 of Lok Sabha Bulletin Part-II, dated 05 September, 2016. @ Shri E. Ahamed passed away on 01 February, 2017.

(iii) INTRODUCTION I, the Chairperson of the Committee on Government Assurances, having been authorized by the Committee to submit the Report on their behalf, present this Fifty-Seventh Report () of the Committee on Government Assurances. 2. The Committee (2016-2017) at their sitting held on 06 October, 2016 inter alia considered Memoranda Nos. 02 to 26 containing requests received from the Ministries/Departments for dropping of pending Assurances and decided to drop 08 Assurances. 3. At their sitting held on 06 April, 2017, the Committee (2016-2017) considered and adopted their Fifty-Seventh Report. 4. The Minutes of the aforesaid sittings of the Committee from parts of this Report.

NEW DELHI; DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL "NISHANK" 07 April, 2017 Chairperson, 17 Chaitra, 1939 (Saka) Committee on Government Assurances.

(v) REPORT While replying to Questions in the House or during discussions on Bills, Resolutions, Motions, etc., Ministers sometimes give Assurances, undertakings or promises either to consider a matter, take action or furnish information to the House at some later date. An Assurance is required to be implemented by the Ministry concerned within a period of three months. In case, the Ministry find it difficult to implement the Assurance on one ground or the other, they are required to request the Committee on Government Assurances to drop the Assurance and such requests are considered by the Committee on merits and decisions taken to drop the Assurance or otherwise. 2. The Committee on Government Assurances (2016-2017) inter alia considered the following requests from various Ministries/Departments for dropping of Assurances at their sitting held on 06 October, 2016:—

Sl. SQ/USQ No. & Ministry Subject No. Date

1. USQ No. 3486 Environment, Forest and Status of Authority to CPCB dated 29.07.2009 Climate Change (Appendix-I) 2. USQ No. 4279 Environment, Forest and Automatic Clearance to Coal dated 29.08.2011 Climate Change Mining (Appendix-II) 3. USQ No. 2265 Home Affairs Human Traficking dated 10.03.2015 (Appendix-III) 4. USQ No. 1608 Human Resource Distance Education Council dated 04.03.2015 Development (Appendix-IV) (Department of Higher Education) 5. USQ No. 2929 New and Renewable Alleged Irregularities in NRE dated 06.08.2015 Energy Schemes (Appendix-V) 6. USQ No. 850 Railways Bullet Trains dated 27.11.2014 (Appendix-VI) 7. USQ No. 1329 Railways High Speed Passenger dated 12.12.2013 Corridors (Appendix-VII) 8. USQ No. 2667 Shipping Pirates of Vessels dated 12.03.2015 (Appendix-VIII)

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3. The details of the Assurances arising out of the replies and the reason(s) advanced for dropping of Assurances are given in Appendices-I to VIII. 4. After having considered the grounds cited by the Ministries/Departments, the Committee were convinced and decided to drop the aforesaid Assurances. 5. The Minutes of the sitting of the Committee, dated 06 October, 2016 are given in Appendix-IX.

NEW DELHI; DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL "NISHANK" 07 April, 2017 Chairperson, 17 Chaitra, 1939 (Saka) Committee on Government Assurances. APPENDIX I

MEMORANDUM NO. 9 Subject: Request for dropping of Assurance given in reply to Unstarred Question No. 3486 dated 29 July, 2009 regarding "Status of Authority to CPCB". On 29 July, 2009 Shri Rakesh Singh M.P. addressed an Unstarred Question No. 3486 to the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The text of the Question alongwith the reply of the Minister is as given in the Annexure. 2. The reply to the question was treated as an Assurance by the Committee and required to be implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change within three months from the date of the reply but the Assurance is yet to be implemented. 3. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change vide O.M. F. No. 9(2)/2010-PL dated 18 April, 2016 requested to drop the Assurance on the following grounds:— "That in this context, it is kindly informed that the concept of National Environment Protection Authority (NEPA) is no more under consideration of the Ministry; therefore, Ministry is not in a position to fulfil the Assurance. The Ministry is considering the recommendation of High Level Committee (HLC) providing for setting up of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) at central level and State Environment Management Authority (SEMA) at State level. The matter was also taken up for discussion by Hon'ble Committee on Government Assurances during its meeting held on dated 15.02.2015 and in view of the position mentioned above, Hon'ble Committee suggested the Ministry to make a request for dropping of the Parliamentary Assurance. Accordingly, it requested that aforesaid Parliamentary Assurance may kindly be dropped from the list of pending Assurance." 4. In view of the above the Ministry, with the approval of the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, have requested to drop the above Assurance. The Committee may consider.

Dated: 03.10.2016 NEW DELHI:

3 ANNEXURE I

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3486 ANSWERED ON 29.07.2009 Status of Authority to CPCB 3486. SHRI RAKESH SINGH: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to give the status of an Authority to the Central Pollution Control Board; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the State Pollution Control Board will also come under the control of this Authority; and (d) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI ): (a) to (d) A proposal to set up a national level Environment Protection Authority to strengthen enforcement and monitoring of compliance of environmental statutes and to improve environmental planning and management is in a conceptual stage. The details and time schedule for setting up of the Authority are yet to be formalized.

4 APPENDIX II

MEMORANDUM NO. 10 Subject: Request for dropping of Assurance given in reply to Unstarred Question No. 4279 dated 29 August, 2011 regarding "Automatic Clearance to Coal Mining". On 29 August, 2011, Shri Bal Kumar Patel, Shri Premdas, Shri Baijayant Jay Panda, Shrimati J. Helen Davidson and Shri Kailash Joshi. M.Ps. Addressed an Unstarred Question No. 4279 to the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The text of the Question alongwith the reply of the Minister is as given in the Annexure. 2. The reply to the Question was treated as an Assurance by the Committee and required to be implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change within three months from the date of the reply but the Assurance is yet to be implemented. 3. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change vide O.M. F. No. 9(10)/2011-PL dated 18 April, 2016 requested to drop the Assurance on the following grounds:— "That in this context, it is kindly informed that the concept of National Environment Assessment and Monitoring Authority (NEAMA) is no more under consideration of the Ministry; therefore, Ministry is not in a position to fulfil the Assurance. The Ministry is considering the recommendation of High Level Committee (HLC) providing for setting up of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) at central level and State Environment Management Authority (SEMA) at State level. The matter was also taken up for discussion by Hon'ble Committee on Government Assurance during its meeting held on dated 15.02.2015 and in view of the position mentioned above Hon'ble Committee suggested the Ministry to make request for dropping of the Parliamentary Assurance. Accordingly, it requested that aforesaid Parliament Assurance may kindly be excluded from the list of pending Assurances against the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change." 4. In view of the above Ministry, with the approval of the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, have requested to drop the above Assurance. The Committee may consider. Dated: 03.10.2016 NEW DELHI:

5 ANNEXURE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 4279 ANSWERED ON 29.08.2011 Automatic Clearance to Coal Mining 4279. BAL KUMAR PATEL: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has proposed to constitute a new authority to regulate all environment related norms for automatic clearance to various projects especially coal mining on the lines of U.S. Environmental Protection Authority; (b) if so, the salient features of the said authority; (c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and (d) the time by which it is likely to be constituted?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI ): (a) to (d) The Ministry proposes to establish a National Environment Assessment and Monitoring Authority (NEAMA) with domain expertise, technological finesse and field outreach in order to strengthen and professionalize the regimes of environment impact assessment and coastal zone management under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The details and the time schedule for setting up the Authority have not yet been finalised.

6 APPENDIX III

MEMORANDUM NO. 13 Subject: Request for dropping of Assurance given in reply to Unstarred Question No. 2265 dated 10.03.2015, regarding "Human Trafficking." On 10 March, 2015 Shri Ramen Deka, Shri Tariq Anwar, Shri MD. Badaruddoza Khan, Shri Jagdambika Pal, Shri Vijay Kumar Hansdak, Shrimati Ranjanben Bhatt, Shri Sisir Kumar Adhikari and Shri Abhijit Mukherjee, M.Ps. addressed an Unstarred Question No. 2265 to the Minister of Home Affairs. The text of the Question alongwith the reply of the Minister are as given in the Annexure. 2. The reply to the Question was treated as an Assurance by the Committee and required to be implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs within three months from the date of reply but the Assurance is yet to be implemented. 3. The Ministry of Home Affairs vide O.M. No. 15019/3/2015-ATC dated 30 July, 2015 have requested to drop the Assurance on the following grounds:— "That the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) on Combating trafficking was formed in 1994 with the Secretary, Ministry of WCD as the Chairperson. It is the outcome of the Supreme Court Judgment in Vishal Jeet Vs Union of India wherein the Supreme Court had directed that a Committee be formed at the Central and State levels to look in to the issues of trafficking particularly child trafficking. Gradually the mandate of CAC has grown and it has been expanded to include representatives from all agencies concerned, thereby becoming a forum facilitating interaction between stakeholders to understand issues relating to trafficking and to evolve strategies for combating it. As such, Central Advisory Committee is like a permanent body/forum and its job is of continuing nature. In view of the above, it is requested that the matter may be looked into and drop the Assurance from the list of Assurances." 4. In view of the above, the Ministry, with the approval of Minister of State (Home Affairs), have requested to drop the above Assurance. The Committee may consider.

Dated: 03.10.2016 NEW DELHI:

7 ANNEXURE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2265 ANSWERED ON 10.03.2015 HUMAN TRAFFICKING 2265. RAMEN DEKA: Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken note on a recent report titled "Trafficking in Persons" released by the United States, according to which India does not fully comply with the minimum standards for elimination of human trafficking and is facing growing official complicity in trafficking; (b) if so, the details thereof and the Government's reaction of the findings of the report; (c) whether the Government is aware of the recent trend of bride trafficking in States with low sex ratio; (d) if so, the details of such cases reported during the last three years and the current year, State-wise; (e) whether the Government has received complaints/reports from various quarters including from the Interpol regarding human trafficking and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and (f) the measures taken by the Government to curb human trafficking in the country?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY): (a) & (b) US Department releases Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report every year. India figures in TIER II category of countries in this report. These reports are based on the internal assessment of the US Department of State. The Government of India is taking all necessary measures to combat human trafficking in all forms. (c) & (d) There could be instances of human trafficking on the pretext of marriage in States with low sex ratio. However, data on this specific form is not maintained separately by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

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(e) The Government receives complaints/reports of human trafficking from various quarters and appropriate action is taken by the law enforcement agencies. (f) The Government of India has taken various steps to combat human trafficking and has adopted a multi-pronged approach alongwith concerned Ministries and stakeholders, as detailed below:— (i) Enactment of Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, wherein Section 370 of the Indian Penal Code has been substituted with Section 370 and 370A of IPC which provide for comprehensive measures to counter the menace of Human Trafficking. (ii) Establishment of Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) in 225 districts of the country. (iii) Issued comprehensive Advisories of Human Trafficking (available at http://stophumantrafficking-mha.nic.in/forms/Sublink1.aspx?lid=92). (iv) Organized periodic meetings with Nodal Officers of AHTUs and concerned Ministries to review the efforts taken to combat human Trafficking. (v) The Ministry of Women and Child Development constituted a Central Advisory Committee (CAC) under the Chairpersonship of Secretary, MWCD, the Government of India to advise on the issues relating to trafficking. (vi) The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing Ujjawala— A comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of Trafficking and Rescue, Rehabilitation, Re-integration and Repatriation of Victims of Trafficking. APPENDIX IV MEMORANDUM NO. 15 Subject: Request for dropping of Assurance given in reply to Unstarred Question No. 1608 dated 04.03.2015, regarding "Distance Education Council". On 04 March, 2015, Shri , M.P. addressed an Unstarred Question No. 1608 to the Minister of Human Resource Development. The text of the Question alongwith the reply of the Minister is as given in the Annexure. 2. The reply to the Question was treated as an Assurance by the Committee and required to be implemented by the Ministry of Human Resource Development within three months from the date of the reply but the Assurance is yet to be implemented. 3. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (Department of Higher Education) vide O.M. F.No. 9-1/2015-DL dated 02.05.2016, have requested to drop the Assurance on the following grounds:— "That for fulfilment of this Assurance, the Working Group constituted by the Ministry to look into the various aspect of the Open & Distance Learning (ODL) education in higher education sector in the country submitted its report to the Ministry and in view of it, the proposal regarding establishment of Distance Education Council of India (DECI) was re-examined in the Ministry wherein it was decided that for the present, the proposal for the establishment of Independent DECI by the Ministry for regulating norms and standards of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) education in higher education system may not be taken up and the present system may continue with UGC as regulator for ODL education. In view of the above, Committee on Government Assurances, Lok Sabha Secretariat, is kindly requested to drop the above mentioned Assurance from the list of Lok Sabha pending Assurances." 4. In view of the above, the Ministry, with approval of Minister of Human Resource Development, have requested to drop the above Assurance. The Committee may consider.

Dated: 03.10.2016 NEW DELHI:

10 ANNEXURE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1608 ANSWERED ON 04.03.2015 Distance Education Council 1608. NANABHAU FALGUNRAO PATOLE: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has decided to set up 'The Distance Education Council of India' on the lines of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) to provide distance education in the States and various universities of the country; (b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the objectives/functions of the council; and (c) the details of further steps being taken in this regard?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI): (a) & (b) The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has constituted a Working Group on 20.11.2014 to look into the various aspects of the Open & Distance Learning (ODL) education in higher education sector in the country in terms of overall co-ordination and determination of standards in the programmes of study through distance mode vis-a-vis suggestions on the draft Distance Education Council of India (DECI) Bill uploaded on the Ministry's website (www.mhrd.gov.in). (c) In view of the reply given at (a) & (b) above, the question does not arise.

11 APPENDIX V MEMORANDUM NO. 18 Subject: Request for dropping of Assurance given in reply to Unstarred Question No. 2929 dated 06.08.2015, regarding "Alleged Irregularities in NRE Schemes". On 06 August, 2015 Shrimati Kothapalli Geetha, M.P. addressed an Unstarred Question No. 2929 to the Minister of New and Renewable Energy. The text of the Question alongwith the reply of the Minister is as given in the Annexure. 2. The reply to the Question was treated as an Assurance by the Committee and required to be implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy within three months from the date of the reply but the Assurance is yet to be implemented. 3. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy vide O.M. F.No. 35/16/2015- 16/PVSE dated 11.01.2016, have requested to drop the Assurance on the following grounds:— "That it is pointed out that Hon'ble Minister had stated following facts: I. Government has filed a complaint in regards to alleged irregularities or malpractices. II. MNRE does not have any role in this matter as there is no sanction or grant given under any scheme implemented by MNRE. III.The information promised in reply is based on information received from the State Government. 2. Further the Ministry is only passing information to Kerala Government and does not play any role in expediting the investigation or taking any action after the investigation is completed. 3. The Company involved in fraud case (Team Solar) neither a channel partner of Ministry nor communicated with Ministry even and Ministry has not sanctioned any project to such company. 4. ANERT, State Nodal agency of MNRE also submitted that they did not sanctioned any project to the company (Team Solar) involved in scam. 5. Since it is case of criminal offence, it should be handled by Ministry of Home Affairs or any other concerned Department. It is therefore, requested that this may not be treated as a pending Assurance with MNRE. However, since the reply has been deemed as an Assurance, it is

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now proposed to acknowledge it and also request to the Committee on Government Assurances for dropping the Assurance since it does not relate to this Ministry." 4. In view of the above, the Ministry, with the approval of Minister for New and Renewable Energy, have requested to drop the above Assurance. The Committee may consider.

Dated: 03.10.2016 NEW DELHI: ANNEXURE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2929 ANSWERED ON 06.08.2015 Alleged Irregularities in NRE Schemes 2929. SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA: Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has received any complaints/information on alleged irregularities/malpractices from various States in implementation of various solar and new renewable energy sources schemes and if so, the details thereof, State-wise; (b) whether the Government has appointed any commissions or set up any committees inquiring into such cases which are reported in some States including Kerala; (c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken so far; (d) the estimated loss incurred by the Union and State Governments from such cases; and (e) the steps taken/being taken to avoid such irregularities in future?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER, COAL & NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI ): (a) Information has been received regarding alleged irregularities by a company in Kerala. (b) & (c) Government of India has not appointed any commission or committee as this does not relate to Government of India schemes or funded by Government of India. The matter relates to State Government and Kerala Government has filed a police complaint against that company for which investigation is going on. (d) No loss has been incurred by Union Government. (e) Government of India strictly enforces financial rules and scheme guidelines.

14 APPENDIX VI MEMORANDUM NO. 20 Subject: Request for dropping of Assurance given in reply to Unstarred Question No. 850 dated 27 November, 2014 regarding "Bullet Trains". On 27 November, 2014 Shri M. Murali Mohan, Shri C. Mahendran, Shri , Shri , Shri , Shri Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Shri Om Birmla, M.Ps, addressed an Unstarred Question No. 850 to the Minister of Railways. The text of the question along with the reply of the Minister are as given in the Annexure. 2. The reply to the Question was treated as an Assurance by the Committee and required to be implemented by the Ministry of Railways within three months from the date of the reply. But the Assurance is yet to be implemented. 3. The Ministry of Railways vide O.M. No. 2014/PL/24/LS/20 dated 09 March, 2016 had requested to drop the assurance on the following grounds:— "That it is submitted that the prefeasibility studies for Howrah-Haldia and Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi- have been completed and final report has been submitted. High speed corridors are highly capital intensive project and require huge financial resources. As such implementation of no other corridor apart from -Ahmedabad has been sanctioned. Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project costing approximately Rs. 98,000 crore has been sanctioned by the Government in December, 2015. The Government has decided to implement Mumbai- Ahmedabad high speed corridor. There are no sanctioned projects to implement as of now. In view of the above, Lok Sabha Secretariat is requested to approach Committee on Government Assurances to drop this Assurance." 4. In view of the above, the Ministry, with the approval of the Minister of State for Railways, have requested to drop the above Assurance. The Committee may consider.

NEW DELHI: Dated: 03.10.2016

15 ANNEXURE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 850 ANSWERED ON 27.11.2014

Bullet Trains 850. SHRI M. MURALI MOHAN: SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE: SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE: SHRI C. MAHENDRAN: SHRI RAJAN VICHARE: SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY: SHRI : Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the present status of progress made in introduction of high speed trains/ bullet trains/semi-high speed trains in the country particularly in the light of recent visit of Prime Minister to Japan and China; (b) the details of the sectors/routes identified for the purpose; (c) the present status of technical/financial feasibility studies conducted for the purpose; (d) the expenditure estimated to be incurred on the various sectors/routes and the sources from where the financing of these trains is to be made; and (e) the time frame fixed for completion of the said projects?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI ): (a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 850 BY SHRI M. MURALI MOHAN, SHRI C. MAHENDRAN, SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE, SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE, SHRI RAJAN VICHARE, SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY & SHRI OM BIRLA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.11.2014 REGARDING BULLET TRAINS (a) to (c) The first sector identified for introduction of High Speed trains/ bullet trains in the country is Mumbai-Ahmedabad. For this sector, two studies, one a Joint feasibility study, co-financed by India and Japan and another a business development study by French Railways (SNCF) have been undertaken. JICA has

16 17 submitted first interim report in July 2014 and Second interim report is expected by November 2014. SNCF has submitted the report in September, 2014. Government is undertaking a feasibility study for Diamond Quadrilateral Network of High Speed trains comprising of four sides i.e. (i) Delhi-Mumbai, (ii) Mumbai-Chennai, (iii) Chennai-Kolkata, (iv) Kolkata-Delhi and both diagonals i.e. (v) Delhi-Chennai and (vi) Mumbai-Kolkata. The total length of network will be approx. 10,000 km. Delhi-Chennai section has been identified for feasibility study in cooperation with Government of China. Status of other High-Speed pre-feasibility studies are as below:— Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi-Patna-991 km — Prefeasibility study has been completed. The Consultant has submitted the Final Report, and same is under acceptance of Board. Howrah-Haldia - 135 km — Prefeasibility study has been completed. The Consultant has submitted the Final Report, and same is under acceptance of Board. Hyderabad-Dornakal-Vijayawada-Chennai-664 km — The study is in progress. The consultant has submitted Inception Report, Interim Report I & II and Draft Final Report. Chennai-Bangalore-Coimbatore-Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram - 850 km — The study is in progress. The Consultant has submitted Inception Report and Interim Report No. I and II and Draft Final Report. Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar - 450 km — The study is in progress. The consultant has submitted inception Report. Delhi-Jaipur-Ajmer-Jodhpur - 591 km — No consultant has been finalized. As regards Semi-High Speed trains (160-200 kmph), the sections identified are Delhi- Agra; Delhi-Chandigarh; Delhi-Kanpur; Nagpur-Bilaspur; Mysore-Bengaluru- Chennai; Mumbai-Goa; Mumbai-Ahmedabad; Chennai-Hyderabad and Nagpur Secunderabad. Feasibility study for semi-high speed train between Mumbai-Delhi and Mumbai-Ahmedabad was conducted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and report submitted in March 2014. Delhi-Agra corridor is in advance stage for raising of speed, as required technical inputs have been completed. Application has been processed for the sanction of Commissioner of Railway Safety. (d) Expenditure estimated on Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Corridor is approximately Rs. 63,000 crore as per the pre-feasibility study. For other High Speed routes, feasibility studies are still in progress and approximate costs are not available. The High Speed Rail project will have to be taken up through an appropriate mix of Government support, multilateral/bilateral funding and by alternative means of resource mobilization, including Public-Private Partnership (PPP). (e) At present, as there is no sanctioned project for High Speed trains, no time-frame can be fixed. APPENDIX VII MEMORANDUM NO. 21 Subject: Request for dropping of Assurance given in reply to Unstarred Question No. 1329 dated 12.12.2013, regarding "High Speed Passenger Corridors". On 12 December, 2013 Shrimati , Shri , Shri K. Jayaprakash Hegde, Dr. Sanjeev Ganesh Naik, Shrimati Jayshreeben Patel, Shri Modugula Venugopala Reddy and Shri C.R. Patil M.Ps. addressed an Unstarred Question No. 1329 to the Minister of Railways. The text of the Question alongwith the reply of the Minister is as given in the Annexure. 2. The reply to the Question was treated as an Assurance by the Committee and required to be implemented by the Ministry of Railways within three months from the date of the reply but the Assurance is yet to be implemented. 3. The Ministry of Railways vide O.M. No. 2013/PL/24/LS/63 dated 22.02.2016, have requested to drop the Assurance on the following grounds:— "That it is submitted that prefeasibility study for Howrah-Haldia corridor has been completed and in view of poor financial viability, the project is not considered for implementation. In view of the above, Lok Sabha Secretariat is requested to approach the Committee on Government Assurances Branch to drop this Assurance." 4. In view of the above, the Ministry, with the approval of the Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways, have requested to drop the above Assurance. The Committee may consider.

Dated: 03.10.2016 NEW DELHI:

18 ANNEXURE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1329 ANSWERED ON 12.12.2013

High Speed Passenger Corridors 1329. SMT. SUPRIYA SULE: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the present status of progress made in the development of High Speed Passenger Corridors in the country, corridor-wise, including southern corridor; (b) the estimated cost thereof along with the details of financing module worked out by the Railways for effective implementation of the said projects, corridor- wise; (c) the time-frame set for implementation of the said projects, corridor-wise; and (d) the details of progress achieved in enhancing the running speed of trains in the country in the last two decades along with the funds spent for the purpose?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY): (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1329 BY SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE, SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL, SHRI K. JAYAPRAKASH HEGDE, DR. SANJEEV GANESH NAIK, SHRIMATI JAYSHREEBEN PATEL, SHRI MODUGULA VENUGOPALA REDDY AND SHRI C.R. PATIL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 12.12.2013 REGARDING HIGH SPEED PASSENGER CORRIDORS (a) Ministry of Railways, in consultation with State Governments, selected seven corridors for carrying out pre-feasibility studies for introduction of High Speed Passenger Trains in India. Out of seven corridors selected two corridors (Sl.No. IV & V below), are in the southern states of India. The present status of progress made corridor wise is as under:— I. -Mumbai-Ahmedabad-650 km.—Prefeasibility study has been completed and the Final Report submitted by the Consultant has been accepted by the Ministry of Railways.

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II. Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi-Patna-991 km.—Prefeasibility study has been completed. The Consultant has submitted the Final Report, and same is under examination and acceptance of Board. III. Howrah-Haldia—135 km—Prefeasibility study has been completed. The Consultant has submitted the Final Report to Ministry of Railways, and same is under examination and acceptance of Board. IV. Hyderabad-Dornakal-Vijaywada-Chennai-664 km.—The study is in progress. The consultant has submitted Inception Report, Interim Report I & II and Draft Final Report. V. Chennai-Bangalore-Coimbatore-Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram-850 km.- The study is in progress. The Consultant has submitted Inception Report and Interim Report No. I and II and Draft Final Report. VI. Delhi-Jaipur-Ajmer-Jodhpur-591 km.-No consultant has been finalized. VII. Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar-450 km.-The work of carrying out prefeasibility study on this corridor has been entrusted to Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). (b) Out of seven corridors, only the pre-feasibility study report of Pune- Mumbai-Ahmedabad has been accepted by Ministry of Railways. Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor has been taken up for further action. The tentative cost of Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is assessed as Rs. 63,000 crore by RITES. Joint feasibility study for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor is being conducted by Government of Japan & Government of India. The study will start in December, 2013 & will take 18 months. (c) As none of the High Speed Rail Corridors is a sanctioned project of Ministry of Railways no time-frame for its implementation can be indicated. (d) The average speed of passenger trains enhanced in last two decades is as follows:

Types of train 1991-92 2011-12 BG MG BG MG Mail/Express 47.3 36.4 50.3 30.2 EMU 33.9 37.1 40.5 # Ordinary 28.4 25.5 36.2 25.1 Passenger

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Based on Track Structure, Rolling Stock and other Infrastructure, in 2005, speed potential of Bhopal Shatabdi was increased to 150 kmph between Nizammuddin to Agra. No data is maintained with respect to funds spent exclusively for the purpose of enhancing the running speed of trains in the country. APPENDIX VIII

MEMORANDUM NO. 22 Subject: Request for dropping of Assurance given in reply to"Unstarred Question No. 2667 dated 12.03.2015, regarding "Pirates of Vessels". On 12 March, 2015 Shri Feroze Varun Gandhi, M.P. addressed an Unstarred Question No. 2667 to the Minister of Shipping. The text of the Question along with the reply of the Minister are as given in the Annexure. 2. The reply to the Question was treated as an Assurance by the Committee and required to be implemented by the Ministry of Shipping within three months from the date of the reply but the Assurance is yet to be implemented. 3. The Ministry of Shipping vide O.M. No. F. No. H-11016/54/2015-MA dated 29th July, 2015, have requested to drop the Assurance on the following grounds:— "That Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in their meeting held on 10.01.2013 had approved the contingency Plan for dealing with piracy and hijacking of merchant ships. The Contingency Plan also involves Constitution of Committee of Secretaries of Anti Piracy and Hijack at Sea (COSAPH) under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary at the apex of the Institutional structure for crisis management and advise the CCS on Major Policy and strategy decisions. Constitution of COSAPH is a part of contingency plan at the apex of the institutional structure for crisis management and advise the CCS on major policy and strategy decisions. COSAPH meets as and when need arises and advises the Government on major policy or strategic decisions to be taken in the event of sea piracy or hijacking at sea. Therefore, no further, action is required on the subject. In view of this, the reply furnished by the Ministry may not be treated as an Assurance.” 4. In view of the above, the Ministry, with the approval of Minister of State in the Ministry of Shipping, have requested to drop the above Assurance. The Committee may consider.

Dated: 03.10.2016 NEW DELHI:

22 ANNEXURE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2667 ANSWERED ON 12.03.2015 Pirates of Vessels 2667. SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI: Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased to state: (a) the details of piracy attempts made at Indian merchant vessels along with the number of sailors hijacked during the last three years and the current year, year-wise; (b) whether the Government has also laid down specific guidelines, mechanisms and procedures in order to prevent piracy attempts at sea; (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to thwart sea-piracy attempts? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN): (a) There have been 3 piracy attempts/attacks made at Indian flag merchant vessels during the last 3 years and the current year as per details at Annexure-I. However, no Indian flag merchant vessel has been hijacked by pirates. Details of Indian Crew hijacked earlier by Somali pirates and released during the last 3 years and the current year are at Annexure-II. (b) to (d) An Inter-Ministerial Group (IMGO) was set up by the Government under the Ministry of Shipping to deal with the hostage situation arising out of the hijacking at sea of merchant vessels with Indian crew. Government has also approved the Contingency Plan for dealing with piracy and hijacking of merchant ships and constituted a Committee of Secretaries on Anti-Piracy and Hijacking at sea (COSAPH) under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary for crisis management and to advise the Government on major policy and strategy decisions. In addition to this, the following steps have been initiated by Government as part of various preventive/mitigating security measures to deal with sea-piracy:— (i) Guidelines for anti-piracy measures to be implemented on Indian Ships through issue of Merchant Shipping Notice No. 1 of 2011 dated 14.1.2011. The guidelines provide for elaborate anti-piracy measures (Best Management Practices), including safe house/citadel for vessels.

23 (ii) Banning of sailing vessels to ply in waters south or west of the line joining Salalah and Male through Merchant Shipping Notice No. 3/2010 dated 31.3.2010. (iii) Naval escort provided by Indian naval ships in the Gulf of Aden since 2008. (iv) Enhanced vigil by the India Navy in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and westward upto 65 degree east longitude. (v) Active participation of India in the security meetings of the International Maritime Organization, Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) and other international fora. Annexures referred to in reply to part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2667 for 12.3.2015. Annexure I Details of 3 piracy attempts/attacks made at Indian flag merchant vessels during the last 3 years and the current year:—

Name of merchant Date of Piracy Attempt Location vessel Desh Mahima 02.11.2013 Off Bab E1Mandeb Ratna Shruti 28.06.2014 Gulf of Aden Bon Atlantico 12.08.2014 Off Fujairah

Annexure II Details of Indian Crew hijacked earlier by Somali pirates and released during the last 3 years and the current year:—

Sl. Name of the vessel/ Date of Date of No. of crew No. Indian hijack of release of held hostage/ Indian crew vessel/crew released 12 3 4 5 1. Iceberg 1/Panama 29.03.2010 23.12.2012 6 5# 2. Asphalt Venture/ 29.09.2010 15.04.2011 7 Panama 30.10.2014 15 8 3. Albedo/Malaysia 26.11.2010 05.06.2014 2 1$ 4. Fairchem Bogey/ 20.08.2011 13.01.2012 21 21 Marshal Is 5. Enrico Ievoli/Italy 27.12.2011 23.04.2012 7 7

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12 3 4 5 6. Leila/Panama 17.02.2012 12.04.2012 11 11 7. Royal Grace/ 02.03.2012 08.03.2013 17 17 Panama 8. Eglantine/ 26.03.12 02.04.2012 1 1 Bolvian 9. Smyrin/Liberia 10.05.12 09.03.2013 11 11 Total 91 89

# Out of the 6 Indian crew, 5 were released in December, 2012 and one crew is reportedly missing. $ One Indian is reported dead. ANNEXUR I

MINUTES COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ASSURANCES (2016-2017) (SIXTEENTH LOK SABHA) SECOND SITTING (06.10.2016) The Committee sat from 1500 hours to 1700 hours in Committee Room "B", Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi. PRESENT Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' — Chairperson

MEMBERS 2. Shri Rajendra Agrawal 3. Shri E. Ahamed 4. Shri Anto Antony 5. Shri Tariq Anwar 6. Shri Naran Bhai Kachhadia 7. Shri Bahadur Singh Koli 8. Shri Prahlad Singh Patel 9. Shri Sunil Kumar Singh 10. Shri Taslimuddin 11. Shri K.C. Venugopal 12. Shri S.R. Vijay Kumar

SECRETARIAT 1. Shri R.S. Kambo — Additional Secretary 2. Shri J.M. Baisakh — Director 3. Shri S.L. Singh — Deputy Secretary **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** At the outset, the Chairperson welcomed the Members to the sitting of the Committee and apprised them regarding the day's agenda. Thereafter, the Committee took up 25 Memoranda (Memorandum Nos. 02 to 26) containing requests received

26 from various Ministries/Departments for dropping of pending Assurances. After considering a few Memoranda, the Committee authorized the Hon'ble Chairperson to decide the dropping or otherwise of the Assurances contained in the remaining Memoranda. Thereafter, the Hon'ble Chairperson decided to drop 08 Assurances as per details given in Annexure-I and to pursue the remaining 17 Assurances as per details given in Annexure-II, for implementation by the Ministry/Department concerned. **** **** **** **** The Committee, then adjourned.

*Not enclosed.

27 28 ANNEXURE I Coal Mining Bullet Trains High Speed Passenger Corridors ment of Higher Ministry/DepartmentEnvironment, Forest andClimate Change Environment, Forest andClimate Change Home AffairsAuthority to CPCB Status of Human Resource Developmentto Clearance Automatic Subject Distance Education Council Human Trafficking Education) New and Renewable EnergyRailways in Irregularities Alleged Railways Shipping Pirates of Vessels COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ASSURANCES (2016-17) COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT No. 850 dated 29.07.2009 dated 29.08.2011 dated 10.03.2015 dated 04.03.2015 (Depart dated 12.03.2015 dated 06.08.2015dated 27.11.2014 dated 12.12.2013 NRE Schemes Statement showing Assurances dropped by the Committee on Government Assurances at their sitting held on 06.10.2016. Assurances dropped by the Committee on Government Statement showing 4. 15 USQ No. 1608 Sl.No. Memo. No.1. SQ/USQ 9 No. & Date 2. 10 USQ No. 3486 3. 13 USQ No. 4279 USQ No. 2265 6. 207. 21 USQ USQ No. 1329 5. 18 USQ No. 2929 8. 22 USQ No. 2667 ANNEXURE II MINUTES SEVENTH SITTING MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ASSURANCES (2016-17) HELD ON 06TH APRIL, 2017 IN COMMITTEE ROOM "C", PARLIAMENT HOUSE ANNEXE, NEW DELHI. The Committee sat from 1500 hours to 1645 hours on Thursday, 06th April, 2017. PRESENT Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'—Chairperson

MEMBERS 2. Shri Rajendra Agrawal 3. Shri Naran Bhai Kachhadia 4. Shri Prahlad Singh Patel 5. Shri A. T. Nana Patil 6. Shri K.C. Venugopal

SECRETARIAT 1. Shri R. S. Kambo — Additional Secretary 2. Shri P. C. Tripathy — Director 3. Shri S. L. Singh — Deputy Secretary

At the outset, the Chairperson welcomed the Members to the sitting of the Committee and apprised them regarding the day's agenda. Thereafter, the Committee considered and adopted the following Eleven (11) Draft Report's without any amendment: (i) Draft 48th Report regarding Review of Pending Assurances Pertaining to the Ministry of Civil Aviation; (ii) Draft 49th Report regarding Review of Pending Assurances Pertaining to the Department of Atomic Energy; (iii) Draft 50th Report regarding requests for dropping of Assurances (Acceded to); (iv) Draft 51st Report regarding requests for dropping of Assurances (Not acceded to); (v) Draft 52nd Report regarding Review of Pending Assurances Pertaining to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas;

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(vi) Draft 53rd Report regarding Review of Pending Assurances Pertaining to the Ministry of Culture; (vii) Draft 54th Report regarding Review of Pending Assurances Pertaining to the Union Territory of ; (viii) Draft 55th Report regarding Review of Pending Assurances Pertaining to the Ministry of Home Affairs; (ix) Draft 56th Report regarding Review of Pending Assurances Pertaining to the Ministry of Urban Development; (x) Draft 57th Report regarding requests for dropping of Assurances (Acceded to); (xi) Draft 58th Report regarding requests for dropping of Assurances (Not acceded to).

2. The Committee also authorized the Chairperson to present the Reports during the current session of the Lok Sabha.

**** **** **** **** **** **** ****

The Committee, then adjourned.

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