opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: Growth in Wind Energy Sector
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4165

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2020

## GROWTH IN WIND ENERGY SECTOR

## 4165 . SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the growth in the wind energy sector has become sluggish during the last three years;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof, year-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has done any assessment of the reasons for the lack of interest of developers and other ills afflicting the wind energy sector and taken corrective measures to  give  boost  to  this  energy  sector  with  one  of  the  lowest  life-cycle  greenhouse  gas emissions; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY, POWER and MoS for  SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) & (b) During the year 2019-20 (up to 29.2.2020) wind power capacity of 2043 MW was added in the country as against, 1865 MW and 1480 MW during the previous financial years 2017-18 and 2018-19 respectively.
- (c) & (d) The Government has received representations regarding non-payment of dues and curtailment from wind energy developers. Following steps have been taken to address these issues:
- i. State  Governments  have  been  requested  to  pay  outstanding  dues  to  the  renewable energy developers.
- ii. Government  have  facilitated  providing  loans  to  various  State  DISCOMs  through Power  Finance  Corporations,  Rural  Electrification  Corporation  Ltd.,  and    Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. to clear outstanding dues to renewable energy developers.
- iii. In order to ensure timely payments to renewable energy developers, the Government has already issued orders regarding opening and maintaining of adequate Letter(s) of Credit (LC) as Payment Security Mechanism under Power Purchase Agreements by Distribution Licensees.
- iv. State Governments have been asked to honour these 'Must Run' status of wind energy and not curtail wind power except for the reason of grid safety.

Further, in order to attract the investors and developers, the Government has instructed Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd and NTPC Ltd.  not to prescribe upper cap in future bids for wind and solar power projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: India’s Ranking in Electricity Production
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Raja Amareshwara Naik, Jayanta Kumar Roy, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Bhola Singh, Sukanta Majumdar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4164

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2020

## INDIA'S RANKING IN ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION

4164. SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

SHRIMATI SANGEETA KUMARI SINGHDEO:

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

Will the Minister of POWER

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India is 5th  largest  producer  of  electricity  in  the  world  but  it  ranks 105th in terms of per capita consumption and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  there  is  urgent  need  for  reforms  in  power  sector,  as  estimated financial loss amount to over 3 per cent of GDP; and
- (c) if so, the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## A N S W E R

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

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

( SHRI  R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (c) : As  per  the  latest  key  world  energy  statistics  published  by  the  IEA  in 2019, India is the 3 rd  largest producer of electricity in the world and it ranks 106 th  in terms of per capita consumption in 2017.

Reforms in power sector is a continuous process due to changes in the situation.    India  has  become  power  surplus  from  power  deficit  situation.    Thus, power  sector  reforms  now  focus  on  supply  of  24x7  quality  power  to  consumers, higher standards of service, promotion of renewable energy sources, development of hydro  power,  improving  efficiency,  specially  in  distribution  sector,  etc.    Reforms linked  distribution  scheme  and  changes  in  tariff  policy  are  some  of  the  measures under consideration in this regard.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: Metro Train Projects
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jyotsna Charandas Mahant

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4163

TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 19, 2020

## METRO TRAIN PROJECTS

NO. 4163.        SHRIMATI JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT :

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  start  metro  train projects  in  big  cities  like  Raipur,  Bilaspur  in  the  State  of
- Chhattisgarh and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the  manner  in  which  the  Government  or  any  other  agency  is likely to invest in the project?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a) Urban Transport, which is an integral part of urban development, is a state subject. Accordingly, respective State Governments formulate proposals in regard to Metro Rail Projects with appropriate  funding  pattern,  along  with  Comprehensive  Mobility Plan, Alternative Analysis Report, Detailed Project Report etc. No such proposal fromthe State Government of Chhattisgarhhas been received in this Ministry in respect of Raipur and Bilaspur thus far.
- (b)
- Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: NRCP in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI,

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4162

ANSWERED ON 1 9.0 3.2020

## NRCP IN ANDHRA PRADE SH

## 4162. SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  true  that  five  river  stretches,  including  Godavari  and  Krishna  have  be Andhra Pradesh for cleaning under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP);
- (b) if so, the statu s of cleansing of above river stretches; and
- (c) the time by which all the river stretches are likely to be cleaned along with the funds and spent so far on these stretches?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA )

- ( a) As  per  Central  Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB)  report  of  2018,  following  five  river  s Priority IV & V in the State of Andhra Pradesh have been found to be polluted:

| River       | Stretch                    | Priority   |
|-------------|----------------------------|------------|
| Kundu       | Nandyal to Madduru         | IV         |
| Tungabhadra | Manthralayam to Bavapuram  | IV         |
| Godavari    | Rayanpeta to Rajahmundry   | V          |
| Krishna     | Amravathi to Hamsala Deevi | V          |
| Nagavali    | Along Thotapalli           | V          |

(b)& (c) Cleaningof river is a continuous process and Government of India is supplementing t of the State Governments in addressing the challenges of pollution of rivers by providing technical assistance. Under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), project proposals are received from the State Government from time to time for taking up pollution abatement works in t various rivers, and are considered for financial assistance on a cost sharing basis subject with  t he  scheme  guidelines,  pollution  status,  prioritizations,  appraisal  by  independent  i availability of Plan funds. In respect of the State of Andhra Pradesh, pollution abatement w sanctioned for River Godavari at Rajahmundry at th e total cost of Rs. 21.78 crore which interalia, i construction of a 30 mld Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: Steps Taken to Minimise Waiting Time atToll Gates
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Dayanidhi Maran, Kirit Premjibhai Solanki

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government  is aware of media reports of long queues at tollways after implementation of FASTag system across  the  country  and  if  so,  the details thereof  and  reaction of  the  Government  thereto;

- (b)  the  details  of  comparative  time  taken  to  pass through  toll  gates  including  wait  time  before and  after implementation of  FASTag system;
- (c)  whether  there  has  been  any  shortage  in  the supply  of  FASTags  and  if  so,  the  remedial measures taken  by  the  Government  in  this  regard;
- (d)    the    details    of    mechanism    adopted    to    provide  discounted    rates    for    up-and-down/return journeys through  toll  gates;

(e)  whether  complaints  have  been  received  regarding  charging    toll    tax    multiple    times    for    the same  trip  from commuters and  if so,  the  details  thereof  and the action taken  thereon;  and (f)  the  mechanisms  put  in  place  for  raising  of complaints  and  processing  of  refunds?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## ( SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI )

( a)  &(b)  According  to  the  Government  mandate,  all  lanes  of  fee  plazas  on  National  Highways except one lane have been declared as FASTag Lane of the fee plaza. As a result, waiting time in FASTag lanes has significantly reduced. However, the waiting time in the hybrid lane which accepts cash has increased because of non-FASTag vehicles.

(c) No Sir.

(d) The automated IT system of collection of fee through FASTag provides for discounts for upand-down/return journeys through toll gates.

(e)  &(f)  FASTag  related  issues  and  complaints  at  fee  plazas  of  National  Highways  (NH)  are addressed  through  a  central  NH  Helpline  Number  1033.  Most  of  the  complaints  are  resolved instantly by the customer executive. Other complaints are forwarded to concerned regional office of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and banks for necessary resolution. Apart from 1033, 24 participating banks of FASTag programme also have their own dedicated customer care helpline to cater to complaints of respective customer base. In view of increasing number of NH stretches and  NH  fee  plazas,  NHAI  has  also  strengthened  the  capacity  of  NH  Helpline  1033  to  cater  to increased call volume.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4161 ANSWERED ON 19 TH  MARCH, 2020

## STEPS TAKEN TO MINIMISE WAITING TIME AT TOLL GATES

## 4161.  SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN:

DR. (PROF.) KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: NUPF
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Parvesh Sahib Singh

NO. 4159.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4159

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 19, 2020

## NUPF

SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH VERMA :

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  participatory  mechanism  conducted  while framing Draft National Urban Policy Framework (NUPF);
- (b) the  details  of  public  consultations  conducted  while  framing  of
- NUPF, State-wise;
- (c) the  number  of  public  comments  received  while  the  survey  of Draft National Urban Policy Framework (NUPF) was open; and
- (d) the details of the mechanism used to invite public comments?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a) to  (d)  In  order  to  draft  the  National  Urban  Policy  Framework (NUPF),  a    Committee  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Dr.  Sameer Sharma, then Additional Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) was constituted on 3 rd   October, 2017.

The Terms of Reference of the said Committee, inter alia, were to  outline  the  draft  policy  in  consultation  with  all  stakeholders keeping in view the challenges due to rapid urbanization in the country.

The draft NUPF, formulated by the said Committee, was hosted on public domain on 6 th   February,  2019  for  wider  consultations up to 31 st  May, 2019.

A  total  of  285  responses  were  received  and  the  feedback  so received have been analysed and compiled. The compilation has been  done  for  all  the  six  parameters  as  sought  for  in  the feedback  format  and  as  per  the  categories  of  persons  who submitted the feedback viz. citizens, academicians and private companies/start-ups etc. The compiled formats along with feedback  received  have  been  furnished  to  the  Committee.  The Committee after considering the feedback has submitted its final report to MoHUA on 11 th  March, 2020.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4158 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: Desilting of Water Bodies
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Su Thirunavukkarasar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI, DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4158

ANSWERED ON 1 9.0 3.2020

## DESILTING OF WATER B ODIES

## 4158. SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has allocated any funds to desilt, renovate and raise the bunds o in Tamil Nadu;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has provided any other special component funds from both Union Gover and Foreign Financial Institutions for the said projects; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA )

( a) to (d) Works related to water resources development & management are planned, funded, exe maintained by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priorities. supplement t he efforts of the State Governments, Government of India provides technical and assistance to State Governments to encourage sustainable development and efficient managemen resources through various schemes and programmes.

Central Assi tance (CA) for restoration of water bodies is provided by the Ministry scheme of Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies which is a component of MantriKrishi SinchayeeYojana (PMKSY).

Under the scheme, 242 water bodies have been taken up for restoration with an estimated cost of Rs. 127.06 crore in the State of Tamil Nadu. Central Assistance (CA) amounting to Rs. 32.99 crore has been released to the State for these water bodies including Rs. 16.74 crore during 2019 - 20.

Further, as per information available, a project for external assistance of US$ 454 Million fr World Bank was also signed between Department of Economic Affairs, State Government of Tamil and World Bank for implementing " Irrigated Agriculture Moderniz ation and Water Resources Management  Project  Phase - II '. The  objective  of  this  project  is  to  increase  irrigated  a productivity  in  sustainable  water  resources  management  framework  for  selected  Cauvery  s - basins. Implementation period of the proje ct is from 23.01.2018 to 22.01.2024.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: Urban Sanitation
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4157 TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 19, 2020 URBAN SANITATION

- NO. 4157.        SHRI V.K. SREEKANDAN :

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the urban development cannot be conceptualized without taking urban sanitation as one of the prime factor and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the urban sanitation is must for the country to achieve the target of becoming a US$ 5 trillion economy; and
- (c)
- if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a) : Urban sanitation is one of the many aspects of urban development. Urban sanitation means that there is no defecation in the open and that all fecal matter is processed in a safe and scientific manner.
- (b)  :  Urban  sanitation  has  no  direct  link  with  the  achievement of the target of becoming a US$ 5 trillion economy.  However, as per an independent survey conducted by UNICEF across 10,000 households  in  12  Indian  States,  a  single  rupee  invested  in sanitation  allows  a    family  to  save  Rs.4.30  by  averting  medical costs.  As per this report a family that invests in toilet will save Rs.50,000 a year in terms of medical cost.

- (c) :   Steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  addressing  the  issues  of sanitation  in  urban  areas  include,  launching  of  Swachh  Bharat Mission-Urban, under which all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in 28 States  and  8  Union  Territories  (UTs),  except  48  ULBs  of  West Bengal, have declared themselves Open Defecation Free (ODF).

Till now 61.4 Lakh units of Individual House Hold Latrines (IHHL) Lakh Community/Public toilets (CT/PT) seats against the Mission target against the Mission Target of 59 Lakhs and 5.82 of 5.08 Lakh seats have been constructed.

Government has also launched ODF+ protocol (to ensure that all CT/PT  are  clean  and  usable),  ODF++  protocol  (which  stipulates various requirements regarding safe containment, transportation and scientific disposal of the septage and sludge). Till now 1304 cities  have  been  certified  ODF+  and  481  cities  certified  as ODF++.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4156 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: Pension to Sportspersons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Gopal Chinayya Shetty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †4156 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2020

Pension to Sportspersons

†4156. SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY :

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

- (a) whether such cases have come  into the notice of the Government  when  sportspersons  winning  medals  in  international competitions have to live in poverty after their retirement from the sports;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to bring about changes in the financial assistance provided under the Medhavi Khiladi Yojana for the pension to sportspersons in view of the rising prices of essential commodities;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

## ANSWER FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [KIREN RIJIJU]

- (a) and (b) :  The cases of sportsperson living in indigent conditions coming to the notice of the Government and proposals received are proactively processed and financial assistance is provided to such sportspersons  under  the  Scheme  of  Pandit  Deendayal  Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS). In the current

financial  year  as  on  13.3.2020,  assistance  of  Rs.  59.32  lakh  has been sanctioned under PDUNWFS to 15 sportspersons of yesteryears for their medical treatment, ameliorating their financial condition, etc. This Ministry is  also  implementing  Scheme  of 'Pension  to  Meritorious  Sportspersons'  under  which  sportspersons who  are  Indian  citizens  and  have  won  medals  in  Olympic  Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Cups/World Championships  (in  Olympic  and  Asian  Games  disciplines)  and Paralympic Games, are given lifelong monthly pension ranging from Rs. 12,000 to 20,000 after they attain the age of 30 years or retire from active sports, whichever is later. At present, 627 sportspersons are getting lifelong monthly pension under the scheme.

(c)  to  (e)  :  Taking  note  of  inflation,  the  Government  has  already revised  the  rates  of  pension  under  the  Scheme  of  Pension  to Meritorious  Sportspersons  and  doubled  the  rates  of  pension  w.e.f 1.4.2018.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4155 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: Export of MSME Products
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Badruddin Ajmal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4155 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2020

## EXPORT OF MSME PRODUCTS

4155. SHRI M. BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) the percentage of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) products exported out of the total exported products of the country during each of the last three years and the current year;
- (b) whether the Government has any proposal to encourage the producers and exporters of  MSME products with better infrastructure   and  also  for  adopting new  techniques  being used in other countries; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI NITIN GADKARI)

- (a): As  per  the  information  from  Directorate  General  of  Commercial  Intelligence  & Statistics (DGCI&S), the share of export of specified MSME related Products in the All India Exports  each of the last 3 years  and current year is as follows:

|   S.No. | Year                     |   Percentage share of MSME products to total export |
|---------|--------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | 2019-20 (Upto Dec. 2019) |                                               49.81 |
|       2 | 2018-19                  |                                               48.1  |
|       3 | 2017-18                  |                                               48.56 |
|       4 | 2016-17                  |                                               49.69 |

(b) & (c): In order to support Micro, Small and  Medium  Enterprises  (MSMEs), Government has initiated various schemes for infrastructure development such as Micro & Small Enterprises -Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP), Scheme for Promotion of MSMEs  in  NER  &  Sikkim,  Scheme  of  Fund  for  Regeneration  of  Traditional  Industries (SFURTI),  Entrepreneurship  &  Skill  Development  Programme  (ESDP)  and  upskilling through testing/technology centres, support for tooling/technology services etc.

Government has also taken various initiatives to enhance MSME competitiveness by way  of  Credit  Linked  Capital  Subsidy,  Lean  Manufacturing,  Design  Improvement,  Zero Defect Zero Effect Certification, Support for Incubators, Awareness of Intellectual Property Rights & Digital Empowerment of MSMEs, Procurement and Marketing Scheme (PMS), A Scheme for  Promoting  Innovation,  Rural  Industry  and  Entrepreneurship  (ASPIRE),  Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGTMSE), Interest Subvention Scheme for MSMEs etc.

*****