Questions asked by Mr. Shafiqur Rahman Barq during Lok Sabha session July-Aug 2009

    No. of questions found : 7

     


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    Q No: 110

    Dated:
    10/07/2009

    Ministry: Power

    Subject: Demand and
    supply of power

     

    Question:
    (a) the annual demand and supply of power in various States of the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

    (b) the shortage of power in the peak and the non-peak hours in the above period;

    (c) whether various States are witnessing severe unscheduled power cuts affecting economic activities;

    (d) if so, the details thereof;

    (e) whether the delayed monsoon has contributed towards drop in generation of hydel power;

    (f) if so, the details thereof;

    (g) whether any perspective plan has been drawn to meet the requirement of power in the country; and

    (h) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government to improve the power situation in the country?

    Answer:

    THE MINISTER OF POWER ( SHRI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE ) 

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

    STATEMENT 

    STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (h) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 110 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 10.07.2009 REGARDING DEMAND AND SUPPLY OF POWER. 

    (a) to (d) : The State / UT / System-wise demand and supply of power in the country in terms of peak power and energy and the shortages during the last three years and in the current year (April to June, 2009) are given at Annex. The quantum of shortage in a State / UT / System varies on a day to day and hour to hour basis depending on demand and supply of power. The unscheduled power cuts are imposed by the power utilities generally due to forced outages of generating units, transmission & distribution system and overloading of transmission and distribution system and /or low voltage/ low frequency in the system. Such outages affect the economic activities.

    (e) & (f) : Yes, Madam, during the month of June, 2009, the hydro energy generation in the country at 9628 MU was 334 MU less than the target of 9,962 MU, representing a shortfall of 3.4% with reference to the target and 9.3% less than the generation during the corresponding month of last year. The progress of monsoon had been sluggish during most part of the month of June and rainfall had been deficient. Less than normal rainfall in the catchment areas of the hydro power projects in the Southern, Western and Eastern parts of the country, during the month, has also contributed to the shortfall in generation. 

    (g) & (h) : Planning Commission has set a capacity addition target of 78,700 MW during the 11th Plan to meet the power requirement of the country, out of which a capacity of 15,075 MW has already been commissioned as on 1.7.2009, and the balance capacity is under various stages of construction. 

    The actions taken by the Government to improve the power situation in the country are as follows: 

    # A capacity addition target of 78,700 MW from conventional energy sources has been set up for the 11th Plan. 

    # Rigorous monitoring of on-going generation projects. 

    # Development of Ultra Mega Power Projects of 4,000 MW each under competitive bidding. 

    # Harnessing surplus captive power into grid. 

    # Renovation, modernization and life extension of old and inefficient generation units. 

    # Import of coal to bridge the gap between demand for coal and its domestic supply. 

    # Augmentation of gas supply to utilize the stranded capacity of gas based power stations. 

    # Taking necessary steps to augment manufacturing capacity of power equipment in the country. 

    # Reduction of Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses under Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (RAPDRP). 

    # Promoting demand side management, energy conservation and energy efficiency measures. 

    Q No: 150

    Dated:
    14/07/2009

    Ministry: Road
    Transport and Highways

    Subject: Toll tax
    on national highways

     

    Question:
    (a) whether the commuters are required to pay toll for using two/four or six lane National Highways or in the event of crossing a bridge or bypass on route;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether the Government/National Highways Authority of India is considering to increase the toll rate or introduce new taxes on toll roads for those projects which have been cleared after December, 2008;

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

    (e) whether the Government proposes to exempt the common man from payment of toll; and

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

    Answer:

    MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI KAMAL NATH) 

    (a) The user fee is generally not being charged from road users except in respect of projects taken up on Build, Operate and Transfer (Toll) basis or for completed four/six lane national highways or in the event of crossing a bridge or bypass or tunnel forming part of national highway. Reply to parts (b) to (f) of the Question is annexed. 

    ANNEXURE 

    ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (b) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 150 FOR ANSWER ON 14.07.2009 ASKED BY DR. SHAFIQUR RAHMAN BARQ AND SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJI REGARDING TOLL TAX ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS. 

    (b) The National Highways Fee (Determination of Rate and Collection) Rules, 2008 provide for uniform rate of fee for public funded and private investment projects, base rate of fee for different categories of vehicles and annual revision of rate of fee etc. 

    (c) No, Sir. 

    (d) Does not arise. 

    (e) to (f) Under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rate and Collection) Rules, 2008, no fee is payable for use of the section of National Highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel, as the case may be, by two wheelers, three wheelers, tractors and animal drawn vehicles, provided that service road or alternative road is not available. In addition, if a driver, owner or person in charge of a vehicle resides within a distance of twenty kilometers from the toll plaza, he may obtain a pass, on payment of fee at the base rate of Rupees 150 per month (for the year 2007-08) and revised annually, authorizing it to cross the toll plaza. 

    Q No: 1068

    Dated:
    13/07/2009

    Ministry: Human
    resource development

    Subject: Minority
    status to unversities

     

    Question:
    (a) whether the Government has received requests for granting minority institution status to Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia University; and

    (b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government thereon?

    Answer:

     MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT(SMT. D. PURANDESWARI) 

    (a) & (b): The question relating to minority institution status of Aligarh Muslim University is before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, where the interpretation of the term “establishing” a University, as was laid down in the “Azeez Basha” matter, is under challenge and that orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in that matter will have a bearing on the issue relating to the demand from certain quarters for according status of minority institution to Jamia Millia Islamia, which is before the Hon’ble National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions.

    Q No: 1134

    Dated:
    13/07/2009

    Ministry: Human
    resource development

    Subject: Opening of
    Kendriya Vidyalayas

     

    Question:
    (a) the number of proposals received from the State Governments/Public Undertakings for opening of Kendriya Vidyalayas in their respective State/area during the last three years alongwith the status thereof;

    (b) whether the Government is planning to open more Kendriya Vidyalayas in the country during the Eleventh Plan period;

    (c) if so, the details thereof alongwith the places identified for the establishment of such Kendriya Vidyalayas, Region-wise and the time by which these are likely to be made functional;

    (d) whether the quality of education and the performance graph of students in these schools is much better than many of the public schools in the country;

    (e) if so, the details thereof; and

    (f) the total amount earmarked, sanctioned and utilized during the last three years and the current year, region- wise?

    Answer:

    MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT(SMT. D. PURANDESWARI) 

    (a) Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has received 161 proposals for opening of Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) from the sponsoring agencies including State Governments and Central Public Sector undertakings during the last three years i.e. 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and till date. Out of these, 68 schools have been sanctioned. 

    (b) & (c) Opening of new Kendriya Vidyalayas depends on receipt of viable proposals from the sponsoring organisations, availability of funds and sanction by the competent authority. 

    (d) & (e) Yes, Sir. The comparative performance of Kendriya Vidyalayas and private independent schools in class X and XII Examinations conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education during the last five years is at Annexure-I. 

    (g) A statement showing the amount released and utilized in the last three years and during the current year till date region-wise is at Annexure-II. 

    Q No: 1152

    Dated:
    13/07/2009

    Ministry: Communications
    and Information Technology

    Subject: Reduction
    in call rates

     

    Question:
    (a) whether the Government proposes to slash Local, STD, ISD call rates including calls made to mobile phones in the country;

    (b) if so, the details thereof;

    (c) whether any assessment has been made regarding decline in subscribers base of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) during the current financial year in comparison to pervious year;

    (d) if so, the reasons therefor; and

    (e) the remedial steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

    Answer:

    THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI GURUDAS KAMAT) 

    (a) & (b) Sir, the rates offered by BSNL are either cheaper or competitive to the tariff offered by private operators. In addition to above, field units are also authorized to offer different promotional tariffs taking into account the local market conditions. Moreover, the inter circle pulse rate under basic phones for all calls terminating on fixed line has been increased from 90/60 sec to 120 sec resulting in a reduction of charges up to 50% with effect from March 2009. 

    MTNL revises its tariff plans as per market trends/conditions from time to time. 

    (c) The total subscriber base (Landline + WLL + GSM) in BSNL and MTNL during the last two years is given below: 

    As on 31.3.2008 As on 31.3.2009

    BSNL 3.62 Crore         4.67 Crore

    MTNL 72.09 lakhs 80.54 lakhs

    The number of connections during the year 2008-09 has increased in both BSNL and MTNL. 

    (d) & (e) Do not arise in view of (c) above. 

    Q No: 1356

    Dated: 14/07/2009

    Ministry: Road
    transport and highways

    Subject: Four
    laning of NH-24

     

    Question:
    (a) whether four laning of the National Highway No.24 between Hapur and Moradabad has been completed within the stipulated schedule;

    (b) if not, the reasons therefor;

    (c) the time by which the project is likely to be completed; and

    (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken for its expeditious implementation?

    Answer:

    THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI R. P. N. SINGH) 

    (a)&(b): There has been some delay in four laning of Hapur-Moradabad section of NH-24 having a length of 91.25 km beyond the scheduled completion, due to delay in acquisition of land, forest clearance, clearance from Central Wild Life Board for cutting of trees in Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary and poor performance by the contractors.

    (c) Section from Garhmukteshwar to Moradabad having a length of about 56 km is likely to be completed by August 2009 and the balance length of about 35 km from Hapur to Garhmukteshwar including bridge on river Ganga by December 2010. 

    (d): Land acquisition for the entire stretch has already been completed except an area of 1290 Sqm. which is being expedited. 

    Q No: 2417

    Dated:
    22/07/2009

    Ministry: Health
    and Family Welfare

    Subject: Proposal
    for setting up new CGHS dispensaries

     

    Question:
    (a) whether the Government proposes to set up new CGHS dispensaries in the country;

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

    (c) if not, the reasons therefor;

    (d) whether the Government proposes to set up primary medical centres with a view to provide better health services to the beneficiaries; and

    (e) the time by which the dispensaries/centres are likely to be set up?

    Answer:

    THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD) 

    (a) to (c) Due to resource constraints it is not possible for the CGHS to expand to newer cities. 

    (d) No. 

    (e) Question does not arise in view of reply to (d) above. 

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