opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2791 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Empowerment of Panchayats
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2791 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04/01/2018

## Empowerment of Panchayats

## †2791. SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  bring  rural  staff  and  important  local officials such as teachers, doctors, anganwadi  workers, agricultural assistants, veterinary doctors, linemen of electricity department and telephones who deal with all the villagers under the monitoring of Gram Sabha to ensure effective functioning of Panchayats;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to provide funds to the Panchayati Raj Institutions, improve their functioning and development of their workers in order to empower the panchayats?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (c): Article  243G  of  Part  IX  of  the  Constitution  allows  discretion  to  State  to endow, to the Panchayats with powers and authority including in areas listed in the Eleventh Schedule  of  the  Constitution,  to  enable  them  to  function  as  institutions  of  local  selfgovernance to prepare plans and implement schemes for economic development and social justice.  The  extent  and  pace  of  devolution,  including  the  monitoring  of  functionaries  to Panchayats, vary from State to State. In some schemes of the Government, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have been entrusted central role in implementation and monitoring of the schemes.

The  Ministry  of  Panchayati  Raj  has  been  providing  programmatic  support  for strengthening of PRIs, advocacy support for inter-ministerial and multi-sectoral coordination, and capacity building of Elected Representatives and functionaries of PRIs to improve their functioning  and  effectiveness.  Under  Fourteenth  Finance  Commission  (FFC),  grants  to  the tune of Rs. 2,00,292.20 crore for the period from 2015 to 2020 have been allocated to Gram Panchayats (GPs) constituted under Part IX of the Constitution, for delivering basic services. The FFC funds are expected to improve the living conditions of the people in the rural areas as  these  relate  to  the  provision  of  basic  services  and  other  essential  infrastructure  for  the people in the villages. 10% of the Basic Grant allocation can be used by GPs as technical and administrative support towards Operation & Maintenance and Capital expenditure within the components  of  Basic  Services.  The  Ministry  has  developed  a  suite  of  core  common applications collectively called - Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES) Applications to cater to various  aspects  of  Panchayats'  functioning  including  planning,  budgeting,  implementation, accounting, monitoring and delivery of citizen services like issue of certificates.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2790 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Interference by Husbands in Duties of Panchayat Women Representatives
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2790 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04/01/2018

## Interference by Husbands in Duties of Panchayat Women Representatives

## †2790. SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  complaints  have  been  received  regarding  unnecessary  interference  by  the husbands in the duties of women public representatives of Panchayats;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (c) the steps being taken by the Union Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI PARSHOTTAM  RUPALA)

- (a) to  (c)    'Panchayats'  being  a  State  subject,  generally,  complaints  pertaining  to unnecessary interference by the husbands in the duties of women public representatives of Panchayats are written to States. However, same complaints have been  received  in  the  Ministry  of  Panchayati  Raj.  The  complaints  are  generally regarding  exercising  the  authority  of  EWRs  by  their  husbands.  Whenever  such complaints  are  received  in  the  Ministry  of  Panchayati  Raj  (MoPR),  these  are forwarded to the concerned State Governments for redressal of grievances.  Further, the  MoPR  has  issued  advisories  to  State/UT  Governments  for  prevention  of unnecessary interference by the husbands in the duties of women public representatives of Panchayats.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2789 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Housing for all in Villages of Gujarat
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2789

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018

## HOUSING FOR ALL IN VILLAGES OF GUJARAT

## 2789.   SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to complete its dream project of housing for all at the earliest;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  housing  for  all  in  all villages of Gujarat; and
- (c) if so, the number of villages covered and proposed to be covered under the said scheme in the State and the time frame for the same and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

(a)  to  (c):  With  the  commitment  to  provide  'Housing for All' by 2022, the erstwhile rural housing  scheme  Indira  Awaas  Yojana  (IAY)  has  been  restructured  into  Pradhan  Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G) w.e.f. 1 st April,  2016. Under PMAY-G,  in the initial phase,  1.00  crore  houses  are  proposed  to  be  constructed  for  all  the  eligible  beneficiaries, comprising of  houseless households and households living in zero, one or two room houses with  kutcha  wall  and  kutcha  roof,  in  rural  areas  of  the  country  including  all  villages  of Gujarat over the period of 3 years from 2016-17 to 2018-19.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2788 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Means of Irrigation
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. †2788

ANSWERED ON 04.01 .201 8

## MEANS OF IRRIGATION

## †2788. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether means of irrigation are far less than required especially in Sahebganj, Pakur, G districts of Jharkhand due to which people depe nd on the water of ponds and rivers for irrigation an the details thereof;

(b) the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government to increase the number and create requisite means of ir

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES, RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## ( SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHW AL )

(a)to ( c)As per the land use statistics available at website of Ministry of Agriculture and F total cropped area and gross irrigated area in the State of Jharkhand during 2014 - 15 were 1554th. ha. and 221th. ha. respectively.

Water resources projects are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the State G themselves as per their own resour ces and priority. In order to supplement the efforts Ministry Resources,  River  Development  and  Ganga  Rejuvenation  (MoWR,  RD  &  GR)  provides  technical financial assistance to State Governments to encourage sustainable development and efficien anagement of  water  resources  through  various  schemes  and  programmes  such  as  Pradhan  Mantri KrishiSinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).

During  2016 - 17,  Subernarekha Multipurpose  project  of  Jharkhand  under  PMKSY - Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) having ultimate irrigation potential of 236.85 th. ha. And benefitting East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela Kharsawan districts has been identified in consul with the State for completion by the year 2019. For timely completion of this project, fun ing mechanism through NABARD has been approved by the Government for both central and state share. Total Central Assistance (CA) of Rs. 1278.63 cr. has been released for above project since 2011 - 12.

Further, under PMKSY (Har Khet Ko Pani), 82 Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) Schemes (including 1 SMI schemes benefitting Dumka and Godda districts) of Jharkhand havingirrigation potential of 8982 h and estimated cost of Rs.75.32 crore have been approved and CA of Rs.19.38 cr. has been released till da
Lok Sabha Question No. 2787 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Purchase of ‘B’ Grade Cotton
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

- (a) : Yes, Madam.
- (b): Government of Telangana has requested for relaxation in Fair Average Quality (FAQ) specification by allowing moisture content upto 20% and also to introduce a separate category  Grade  'B'  in  respect  of  discoloured  cotton  for  undertaking  Minimum Support Price (MSP) operation of cotton. The matter was referred to the Ministry of Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  who  has  intimated  that  the  Cabinet  Committee  on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in its meeting held on 1.11.2007, inter-alia approved the base  line  for  moisture  content  be  fixed  at  8%.    The  farmer  selling  cotton  having moisture above 8% will get less price proportionately, while it will be a proportionate incentive if the moisture content is less than 8%. A decision on maximum permissible limit  of  moisture  at  12%  was  taken  in  the  Inter  Departmental  meeting  chaired  by Principal Adviser, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation held on 14.9.2009 and attended by the representatives of Ministry of Textiles, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED).
- ( c): Yes,  Madam.    As  per  MSP  guidelines,  Cotton  Corporation  of  India  (CCI)  can  buy only that kapas which contains 8% moisture content at full MSP rate while kapas upto 12 % moisture content can be purchased by CCI with proportionate deduction.
- (d): No such representations have been received from other States in the country.

## PURCHASE OF 'B' GRADE COTTON

## 2787. SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government of Telangana has given representation for purchase of 'B' grade cotton with high moisture content and also discoloured cotton in the State;

- (b) if so, the action taken by the Union Government thereon;

(c)  whether the conditions, that were made applicable in case of Paddy etc., at the time of cyclones or bad climatic conditions, was not made applicable in respect of cotton and if so, the reasons therefor; and

(d)  the  details  of  the  representations  received  from  other  States  in  the  country  for  such purchases of discoloured and 'B' grade cotton with high moisture content?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र      मंरी (श्री अज      )

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2786 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Support to Solar Power Projects
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: C. MAHENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2786 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018

## SUPPORT TO SOLAR POWER PROJECTS

## 2786. SHRI C. MAHENDRAN:

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

(a): whether the international organizations like  International Finance Corporation (IFC), is supporting the solar power projects in the country;

- (b): if so, the details thereof;
- (c): the details of such internationally financed and supported solar power plants, State-wise;

(d): whether according to Government estimates solar and other renewable energy sources are economical in terms of production cost; and

- (e): if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY (I/C) (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (c): The Government has various solar power programmes which are being implemented  through  assistance  of  World  Bank,  International  Finance  Corporation  and  other multilateral financial institutions. The World Bank is providing assistance of USD 100 Million for development of internal infrastructure of solar parks a programme being implemented by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) under the aegis of this Ministry.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has signed an agreement with the State government of Madhya Pradesh to help them in setting up of various solar PV power projects.

Further, a concessional loan of USD 620 Million has been provided by the World Bank to the State Bank of India and of USD 500 million by the Asian Development to the Punjab National Bank for financing of grid connected rooftop solar projects in Industrial & Commercial sectors. Technical  Assistance  is  also  available  for  promotion  of  rooftop  systems  under  World  Bank, Asian Development Bank, USAID and GIZ assistance.  The assistance under such schemes are available to all States/UTs depending on requirement and demand.

(d) and (e): The  solar  and  wind  power  projects  are  very  competitive  as  compared  to conventional  power  projects.  The  lowest  tariffs  in  solar  and  wind  discontinued  recently  have come down to Rs. 2.44/kWh and Rs. 2.43/kWh respectively. Moreover, there is no input fuel cost required to run these projects.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2785 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Electrification of Remote/ Backward Areas
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: BHEEMRAO BASWANTHRAO PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2785 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018

## ELECTRIFICATION OF REMOTE/ BACKWARD AREAS

2785.   SHRI BHEEMRAO B. PATIL:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has since taken any steps for electrification of villages situated in backward and remote areas of the country through new and renewable energy sources;

(b) if so, the details in this regard and the details of funds released therefor by the Union Government to various States/UTs during the last three years; and

(c) the  present  target  of  the  Union  Government  to  electrify  villages  in backward and remote areas of the country through new and renewable energy sources and the details of the steps to be taken to achieve it?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  R. K. SINGH )

(a) to (c) : Under Decentralized Distributed Generation (DDG) of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), electricity access is provided to all the villages/habitations where grid connectivity is either not feasible or not cost effective including those situated in backward and remote areas of the country. This includes mini grid and standalone system.

Under DDG, 4,378 projects have been sanctioned with the project cost  of  Rs.1368.91  crore,  in  various  States  across  the  country,  as  on 30.11.2017.  All  the  remaining  un-electrified  villages  are  targeted  to  be electrified by May, 2018.

Subsidy of Rs. 246.84 crore was disbursed under DDG during the last three years i.e. 2014-15, 2015-16 & 2016-17. The State-wise details are furnished at Annexure.

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ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.    2785  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  THE  LOK  SABHA  ON 04.01.2018.

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State-wise capital subsidy released under DDG during the last three years 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Subsidy amount

| Sr. No.   | Name of the State   |   Subsidy amount (Rs. in crore) |
|-----------|---------------------|---------------------------------|
| 1         | Andhra Pradesh      |                         14.4025 |
| 2         | Assam               |                         81.6966 |
| 3         | Chhattisgarh        |                         96.1373 |
| 4         | Karnataka           |                          5.2974 |
| 5         | Kerala              |                          1.2439 |
| 6         | Madhya Pradesh      |                         10.5729 |
| 7         | Rajasthan           |                         24.6835 |
| 8         | Uttarakhand         |                          1.4834 |
| 9         | Uttar Pradesh       |                         11.3187 |
|           | Grand Total         |                        246.836  |

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2784 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Operation of Wide Body Aircraft from Calicut Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2784

(To be answered on the 4t6

January 2018)

## Operation of Wide Body Aircraft from Calicut Airport

## 2784. SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANIRAN

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (@) whether the Airports Authority of India has considered resuming operation of wide body aircraft from Calicut Airport;
- (c) whether some airlines expressed their willingness to  operate wide aircraft fron Calicut airport, if $o, the details thereof; body
- (6) ifs0, the details thereof and if not; the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether Air India has considered resuming the discontinued services including Delhi-Kozhikode sector; and
- (e) if s0, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) & (b): Yes; Madam: Calicut Airport is suitable for operations of wide-bodied aircraft safety reasons due to inadequate Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not granted permission for joint inspection and carrying out studies on various parameters; Airports Authority of India (AAI) has Sought In-Principal approval of DGCA for-extension of Runway from 2850m to 3500m suitable for operation of B-777-300/B-747-400 (Code E) type aircraft by extending same table configuration with additional requirement of 96.5 acres upto top

(d) & (e) In the Winter schedule 2017, Air India Express 4 wholly owned However; at present; Air India has no plans to resume Delhi-Kozhikode flight due to resource constraints.

(c) Yes; Madam; Air India, Saudi Airlines and Emirates Airlines have expressed their willingness to operate wide bodied aircraft from Calicut Airport
Lok Sabha Question No. 2783 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Foreign Assistance for Ganga River Cleaning
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: CHINTAMAN NAVSHA WANAGA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 2783

ANSWERED ON 04.01 .201 8

## FOREIGN ASSISTANCE F OR GANGA RIVER CLEAN ING

## 2783. ADV. CHINTAMAN NAVASHA WANAGA

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  any  foreign  countries  are  giving  financial  or  technical  help  to  India  for rejuvenation; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWE R

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES, RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND GANGA REJUVENATION & HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

( DR. SATYA PAL SINGH )

(a) & (b) National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has been receiving financial (by way of loan) and  technological ssistance  for  cleaning  of  river  Ganga  from  foreign  countries/external  a Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has signed Memorand of  Understanding  (MoU)  with  Netherlands on  27.06.2017  with  an  objective  to  stre en technological, scientific capabilities and to promote cooperation in the field of water The area of cooperation under the MoU signed with Netherlands includes 'Pollution abatement for rivers including river Ganga' as one of the objectives.

Further,  GIZ,  Germany  has  been  providing  technical  cooperation  to  the  project  ' Support to Ganga Rejuvenation' under Indo - German  Bilateral Development Cooperation and has committed an amount of Euro ( €) 3 million.

The Japan International Cooperation Ag ency (JICA) has sanctioned two loans aggregating JPY 43.755 billion for the Ganga Action Plan II Project (Varanasi) (GAP II) and the Yamuna Ac Project III (YAP III) in Delhi.

World Bank has sanctioned a loan of US $ 1 billion to Government of In dia (GOI) for funding the National Ganga River Basin Authority Project s. Fund s under this loan are available for intera Institutional Development Projects and Priority Infrastructure Projects undertaken on the Ganga.

All releases by World Bank and JICA are by way of reimbursement of expenses incurred o the approved projects forming part of projects approved by them.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2778 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Youth Development Schemes
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: ANSHUL VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2778 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018

Youth Development Schemes

2778. DR. ANSHUL VERMA:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  schemes  for  the  youth  for  their  personality  and career development;
- (b) the number of unemployed youth in the country; and
- (c) whether the Government has any data regarding the number of youth  provided  employment  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [Col. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]

- (a)  to  (c):  The  information  is  being  collected  and  will  be  laid  on  the table of the House.
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Lok Sabha Question No. 2776 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Review of Electricity Policy on Private Sector
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2776 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018

## REVIEW OF ELECTRICITY POLICY ON PRIVATE SECTOR

†2776.  SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  or  proposes  to  take  any  steps  to address  the  shortage  of  electricity  in  the  country  and  to  review  the  electricity policy on private sector;

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

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI  R. K. SINGH )

(a) to (c) : As  per  information  given by the States  /  UTs  to  the  Central Electricity  Authority,  the  peak  &  energy  shortages  have  progressively  reduced over the years i.e from 9.0% and 8.7% during 2012-13 to 2% & 0.7% in 2017-18 (Apr-Oct 2017) respectively. At present, the installed generation capacity in the country is around 331 Giga Watt (GW) which is sufficient to meet the electricity demand of around 165 GW in the grid.

Further,  Conventional  capacity  comprising  of  48,261  MW  of Thermal,  6823  MW  Hydro  and  3300  MW  Nuclear  are  at  various  stages  of construction.    Government  has  also  set  a  target  of  175  GW  Installed  Capacity from Renewable Energy Sources (RES) by 2021-22.

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