Member of Parliament

Sharmila Sarkar

Current party All India Trinamool CongressConstituency Bardhaman Purba

Session ls-18Lok Sabha ProceedingsPermanent link

Party affiliation history

All India Trinamool Congress
2024-06-05
2024-06-05Session ls-18Lok Sabha Proceedings Permanent link

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Debate participation

1 debate participated in

Viksit Bharat Gurantee for Rojgar and Ajevika Mission (Gramin):VB-G RAM G Bill
2025-12-17
2025-12-17Session ls-18-s6Lok Sabha Proceedings Permanent link Archived copy

Speech archive

1 speech recorded

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the details of the number of deaths of track maintainers due to rail accidents since 2014, year and railway zone-wise; (b) the details of the number of contractual employees of these track maintainers and the details of the compensation given to their families; and 17.12.2025 935 (c) the number of divisions of the railways wherein the RAKSHAK system has been introduced and along with the Government plans to expand it to other divisions? THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW): (a) to (c): Following measures have been taken for the safety and welfare of track maintenance employees: I. Track maintainers have been equipped with essential safety gears while working in hazardous environments. The major safety equipment like Retro Reflective Safety Jackets (Luminous Vests), Safety Shoes, Gloves, Safety Helmet with detachable miner's light, Tricolour Light Emitting Diode (LED) 3 cell Torch, Rain Coat, Winter Jacket etc. have been provided to them. II. In order to enhance efficiency and reduce physical strain of these employees, Light Weight Tools and equipment like Spanner, Hammer, Crowbar etc. have been provided. In addition, battery/ hydraulic operated machines and automated systems have been devised for light maintenance tasks like extracting/ inserting fittings, tightening bolts, lubrication of rails joints etc. to minimize physical fatigue and improve productivity. III. Mechanized maintenance of tracks using various types of Track Machines have been introduced for all types of strenuous jobs such as tamping, 17.12.2025 936 ballast cleaning, lifting & aligning of track as well as grinding, cutting, drilling of rails etc. to reduce the manual efforts. Multi utility/ Rail borne vehicles have been provided for track maintenance to mobile gangs. IV. To reinforce safety practices, regular counselling and medical examinations are carried out. Regular training sessions are conducted to raise awareness about potential hazards. The "Personal Safety First" programme with proper safety protocols is conducted through seminars and workshops, where these employees are trained on ‘How to stay safe while working on or near the track’. V. Regular training programs on track safety rules, use of machines/ tools, first-aid etc. are conducted through Zonal Training Centres (ZTC) with practical and visual training aids for better appreciation. VI. As regard to welfare measures to employees, they have been provided Gang Tools cum Rest Room, Gang Huts, Toilet's facilities at manned level crossing, Water bottle (2 litre, heat insulated), family accommodation to take care of education and health of dependents. Further, Risk and Hardship Allowances has been provided according to nature of duty of the track maintainers. VII. Flexibility in duty roaster as per climatic conditions and requirements are permitted. Recognition and awards for exemplary performance in safety and maintenance of tracks are done for encouragement of track maintainers. 17.12.2025 937 VIII. VHF based Approaching Train Warning System gives an advance warning to staff through handheld VHF Receiver device on changing Advance Starter Signal to Green for coming train in block section. These devices are being provided to staff working on railway track of all routes for added safety in addition to normal protection precautions. This system is being introduced progressively across Indian Railways network. About 340 block sections have been covered so far with this system. As a result of the above safety measures, there has been reduction in no. of deaths of railway staff during track maintenance work from 196 in 2013-14 to an average of 67 per year in the last 5 years, which is a reduction of about 66%. Accident victims are paid ex-gratia relief soon after an accident or untoward incident. Total amount of ex-gratia paid by the Railways to the next of kin of deceased individuals in train accidents. The matters of contractual employees are dealt promptly as per provisions and terms & conditions of contract. Compensation for death and injury of railway passengers in train accidents and untoward incidents, as defined under Section 124 and Section 124-A (read with Section 123) of the Railways Act, 1989, is decided by Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) on the basis of a claim application filed by the victims/their dependents before RCT and it disposes of the cases after following the due judicial process. Railway Administration pays compensation when a decree is awarded by Hon’ble RCT in favour of the claimant and Railways decide to implement the decree. Compensation amount is over and above the ex-gratia amount. 17.12.2025 938 Ex-gratia compensation is a financial assistance (Rs.25 lakhs w.e.f. 01.01.2016) paid by the Railways to the family/dependants of an employee in the event of death due to accidents while performing official duty etc. Expeditious disbursement of ex gratia amount depends on several factors such as timely submission of required documents (viz. legal heir certificate), family disputes/rival claims, verification of the cause of death etc. ROOFTOP SOLAR PROGRAMME PHASE-II 2980. SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state: (a) the details of projects approved under the Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II in Maharashtra during the last five years along with the details of total installed capacity, number of beneficiaries and financial assistance provided; (b) the number of residential, institutional and commercial establishments that have adopted rooftop solar systems in the said State under this programme; (c) whether the Government has identified any challenges in the implementation of the programme in Maharashtra such as delays in subsidy disbursal, grid connectivity or lack of consumer awareness and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the steps being taken by the Government to expedite project approvals, enhance adoption among residential consumers and achieve the State’s rooftop solar capacity targets under the National Solar Mission? 17.12.2025 939 THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK): (a) and (b): Under the Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II, an aggregated 605 MW capacity was approved for the State of Maharashtra during the last five years. Out of which, 239.1 MW capacity has been reported achieved with 48,432 rooftop solar systems installed in the residential sector under the programme, and a Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of approximately Rs 289.2 crore has been released. DISCOMs of Maharashtra have reported an aggregated 4.58 GW capacity of rooftop solar systems installed in the state by various categories of consumers as of 30.11.2025. (c) and (d): Currently, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY). The scheme aims to achieve rooftop solar installations in one crore households in the residential sector across the country including in the State of Maharashtra. PMSG: MBY is a demand driven scheme for installation of rooftop solar systems, wherein all residential consumers in the country having grid connected electricity connection of the local DISCOM can avail the benefits of the scheme by applying on the National Portal of the scheme. The Ministry has taken following steps to simplify the process for rooftop solar adoption across the country including in the state of Maharashtra: 17.12.2025 940  Online process from registration to disbursal of subsidy directly into the bank account of the residential consumer through National Portal.  Availability of collateral free loan from nationalized banks at concessional interest rate of repo-rate plus 50 bps i.e. 5.75% per annum for the present with tenure of 10 years.  Simplified the regulatory approval process by waiving technical feasibility requirement and introducing auto load enhancement upto 10 kW.  Included RESCO/ Utility led Aggregation (ULA) Models.  Net metering agreement has been made part of application in the National Portal.  Simplified process for registration of vendors to ensure sufficient and qualified vendors are available.  Capacity building and training programmes being conducted for creating skilled manpower.  Creating awareness about the scheme, through awareness and outreach program such as print advertising in leading newspapers, TV commercials campaigns, Radio campaigns across FM stations including regional channels, etc., in the country.  Regular monitoring of the progress of the scheme at different levels including with states/DISCOMs.  Conducting regional review meetings. 17.12.2025 941  Established grievance redressal mechanism for timely resolution of grievances. A Call Centre with telephone number 15555 is operational in 12 languages. Further, MNRE and REC Ltd., as the National Programme Implementing Agency (NPIA), for PMSG: MBY, work in close coordination with all the State DISCOMs, including the Maharashtra, for effective implementation of the scheme. UNIVERSAL SERVICES OBLIGATION FUND (USOF) 2981. SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI:

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