opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: National Broadband Campaign
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Khagen Murmu, Ajay (Teni) Misra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 497 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020

## NATIONAL BROADBAND CAMPAIGN

## †497.   SHRI KHAGEN MURMU: SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISRA TENI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to launch National Broadband Campaign to provide internet connectivity to all villages by year 2022;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) to (c) National Broadband Mission (NBM) has been launched on 17th December 2019 with a  vision  to  fast  track  growth  of  digital  communications  infrastructure,  bridge  the  digital  divide, facilitate  digital  empowerment  and  inclusion,  and  provide  affordable  and  universal  access  of broadband for all. One of the objectives of the mission is to provide broadband access to all villages by year 2022.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 493 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Growth of FMCG Companies
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sisir Kumar Adhikari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 493. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020.

## GROWTH OF FMCG COMPANIES

## 493.   SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

वाणिज्य

## एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the growth of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies has registered a decline in sales since 2018 till January 2020;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there has been a decline in the demand for FMCG products in rural India also;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  reaction  and  proposal  from  the  FMCG  companies  to  the Government along with the steps being taken to increase FMCG sales?

## ANSWER वाणिज ् य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ( श्री पीयूष गोयल ) THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (e): Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) encompasses a diverse range  of  products.  Department  for  Promotion  of  Industry  and Internal  Trade  under  Ministry  of  Commerce  and  Industry  does not  maintain  specific  sales  or  manufacturing  data  regarding of Corporate  Affairs  has  also  informed  that  they  do  not  maintain information  relating  to  FMCG  sector  separately.    Companies usually  diversify  their  activities  and  generate  revenue  from

Fast-Moving Consumer  Goods  (FMCG)  Sector.  Ministry multiple activities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Coal Mining
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Unmesh Bhaiyyasaheb Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 488

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2020

## Coal Mining

## 488. SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB PATIL:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  cost  benefit  analysis  of  removing  end  user restrictions on coal mining in the country and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has estimates on the benefits likely to accrue from such a move and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether mechanism has been devised to consider the environmental impact of removing

(c) the details of the extent to which India's reliance on imported coal can be reduced; and end user restrictions on coal mining and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) to (c):  The High Power Expert Committee (HPEC) constituted to examine efficacy and challenges in the current bidding system and suggest changes for conducting auction of coal mines  in  future,  recommended  gradual  shifting  from  allocation  of  coal  blocks  for  own consumption to allocation of blocks for sale of coal. With the promulgation of Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 on 10.01.2020, sub-section (3) of Section 4 of CMSP Act has been  omitted.  This  would  allow  wider  participation  in  auction  of  Schedule  II  and  III  coal mines, for a variety of purposes such as own consumption, sale or for any other purpose, as may  be  specified by the Central Govt. and would  enhance competition in auction. Coal is under Open General License and can be imported by consumers from the source of their choice as per their contractual prices on payment of applicable duty. The entire demand of coking coal is not met due to limited domestic availability of high quality coking coal. To substitute import of coking coal with domestic coking coal, allocation of coking coal blocks has been done as well the tenure of coking coal linkage has been increased to 15 years. There may be some import of non-coking coal by power plants designed on imported coal and for blending  purposes. As  reduction  in  import  of  coal  in  the  country  is a  priority  area  of  the Government,  production  plan  has  been  made  to  substitute the  replaceable  non-coking  coal import.

(d): Use of coal at various end user plants is governed by environment clearances granted to the specific plant and is not related to grant of environmental clearance for coal mining. As such,  removal of the end use restrictions on coal  mining will have no additional environmental impact.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 485 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Ban on Import of Non-Essential Items
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Nihal Chand Chauhan, Jaskaur Meena

## MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 485(H)

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 th FEBRUARY, 2020

## BAN ON IMPORT OF NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS

485(H). SHRI NIHAL CHAND: SHRIMATI JASKAUR MEENA:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािण�य एवं उ�ोग मं�ी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of items being imported in the country;
- (b) whether the Government is planning to put a ban on the import of certain non-essential items;
- (c) if so, the country-wise details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (d) the details of the items likely to be banned; and
- (e) the time by which such ban is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y ) THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a). At present, out of around 11,500 tariff lines at 8 digit level import has taken place on 9,631 tariff lines at 8 digit level.
- (b),(c),(d) &(e). At present, there is no proposal for banning any items. However, milk and milk products including chocolate and chocolate products and candies/ confectionery/ food preparations with milk or milk solids as ingredient are 'Prohibited' for imports from China since 2008 on the grounds of protecting human health and life. Import of Arms and related material from Iraq is 'Prohibited'. There is a country specific ban on specified imports from Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran and Somalia based on UN sanctions.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 480 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Defence Production Policy
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Parvesh Sahib Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.480

TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 th  February, 2020

## DEFENCE PRODUCTION POLICY

480. SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH VERMA:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has finalised the draft of the Defence Production Policy, 2018 and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b)  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  to  increase  the  participation  of  MSMEs  in domestic defence production;
- (c) the FDI inflow received for defence during the last five years and the steps taken to increase the FDI inflow; and
- (d) the parameters proposed to be used in estimating India's level of self-reliance and the methodology to be followed while adjudging self-reliance?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

(a) to (d):  A statement is attached.

*****

## STATEMENT  IN  RESPECT  OF  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 480 FOR ANSWER ON 05.02.2020 REGARDING 'DEFENCE PRODUCTION POLICY'

(a)  Draft  Defence  Production  Policy  was  placed  in  public  domain  and  is  not  yet finalised.

(b)    In  DPP-2016,  under  Government  funded  Make-I  category,  development  of prototype of defence products/platforms projects not exceeding development cost of Rs.10 Crore and procurement cost of Rs.50 Crore are reserved for MSMEs.  Similarly under  industry  funded  Make-II  category  of  development  of  prototype  of  defence products/platforms,  projects  not  exceeding  development  cost  of  Rs.3  Crore  and procurement cost of Rs.50 Crore are reserved for MSMEs.  The iDEX initiative is also aimed at supporting MSMEs, Start-ups, Individual Innovators etc. by providing them grants/funding  and  other  support  to  carry  out  R&D.    Under  the  iDEX  scheme,  a maximum of Rs.1.5 crore funding is available to a participant for development of a prototype.    To  ensure  timely  payments  to  MSME  vendors,  Trade  Receivables electronic Discount System (TReDS) has been implemented in Defence Public Sector Undertakings  (DPSUs).    Defence  Investor  Cell  has  been  opened  in  Department  of Defence Production (DDP) to address the issues being faced by industries especially MSME vendor.

(c) As per data furnished by 79 companies in Defence and Aerospace sector, so far (i.e. till December, 2019), FDI inflows of over  Rs.1834 crores have been reported in Defence and Aerospace sector after 2014.   FDI is allowed in Defence sector under automatic route upto 49% and above 49% through government route wherever it is likely to result in access to modern technology or for other reasons to be recorded.

(d)    The  parameter  used  in  estimating  self-reliance  is  to  enhance  the  share  of procurement from Indian vendors in the overall procurement plan.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 479 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Auction of Decommissioned INS Viraat
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: T. R. Paarivendhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.479

TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 th  February, 2020

## AUCTION OF DECOMMISSIONED INS VIRAAT

479. DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has taken a decision last year for auction of the historic aircraft carrier INS Viraat and it remained unsold after the recently conducted auction  by  the  State-owned  e-commerce  company,  Metal  Scrap  Trade  Corporation Limited (MSTC) and decided to hold another auction to sell it;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the reasons for not finding a bidder in the auction;
- (d) the time by which another auction is likely to be held; and
- (e) the bid amount fixed/expected by the Government to sell the aircraft carrier?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

- (a) Yes, Sir.
- (b)  & (c):    The  e-auction  was  carried  out  on  17  December, 2019 wherein a total of three  bidders  participated.    However,  the  auction  was  rejected  in  MSTC  bidding process as the H1 bid was less than 50% of Reserve Price of the ship.
- (d)  The next auction is likely to be scheduled in March, 2020.
- (e)  The expected amount has been fixed in accordance with existing GoI regulations on  disposal  of  ships  as  'Scrap'.    Revealing  of  Reserve  Price  at  this  juncture  may jeopardise the auction process, leading to loss to Government exchequer.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 478 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Merger of BSNL and MTNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Sudheer Gupta, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 478 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020

## MERGER OF BSNL AND MTNL

## 478. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI SANJAY SADASHIV RAO MANDLIK:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  approved  any  plan  to  merge  Mahanagar  Telephone  Nigam  Limited (MTNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be done;
- (c) whether the Government has offered VRS schemes to employees of BSNL and MTNL and if so, the details thereof and response received by the Government in this regard;
- (d) whether  BSNL  and  MTNL  has  identified  any  assets  for  monetization  and  held  a  meeting  with Department of Investment and Public Asset Management in this regard and if so, the details and the outcomes thereof; and
- (e) the  total  amount  of  money  likely  to  be  generated  by  the  Government  through  overall  asset monetization of BSNL and MTNL during the current financial year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

- (a) & (b) The Cabinet in the meeting held on 23.10.2019 approved the revival plan for Bharat Sanchar Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  and  Mahanagar  Telephone  Nigam  Limited  (MTNL)  which  inter-alia  includes,  inprinciple  approval for  merger  of  BSNL and MTNL. The process of merger is to be completed in 18 to 24 months.
- (c) The  revival  plan  approved  by  the  Cabinet  also  includes  measures  to  reduce  the  staff  cost  of BSNL/MTNL through  a  Voluntary  Retirement  Scheme  (VRS)  for  employees  of  age  50  years  and  above. Accordingly, VRS was offered by both BSNL and MTNL to their employees on 04.11.2019. The scheme was closed  on  03.12.2019.    The  Voluntary  retirement  will  be  effective  from  31.01.2020.  A  total  of  78,569 employees of BSNL and 14,387 employees of MTNL have opted for the VRS.
- (d)  BSNL and MTNL have identified 14 and 16 properties respectively for monetisation through Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM).  11 properties of BSNL and 6 properties of MTNL have been approved for monetisation by DIPAM's Alternate Mechanism (AM).
- (e) The target for asset monetisation during current fiscal year for BSNL and MTNL is Rs 200 crore and Rs 300 crore respectively.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 477 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Human Space Flight Mission
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Raksha Nikhil Khadse

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 477 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2020

## HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT MISSION

- 477 SMT. RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:
- Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
- (a) whether the Government has proposed an advisory committee to be set up for India's human space flight mission Gaganyaan;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government also proposes to train astronauts for this Gaganyaan mission and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- Yes Sir.
- (b) The  Gaganyaan  Advisory  Council  comprises  of  Secretaries  of Department  of  Space,  Department  of  Science  &  Technology, Department  of  Defense  R  &  D,  Department  of  Scientific  & Industrial  Research,  Principal  Scientific  Advisor  to  PM,  Senior officials from Armed forces, Indian Coast Guard, Former Chairman  ISRO,  Member-  Space  Commission,  Former  Director

Aeronautical  Development  Agency,  Former  Indian  Astronaut, Directors  of  Premier  Academic  &  Research  Institutions,  and Heads of various Indian Industries. (c) Yes, Government proposes to train the astronauts prior to the manned  mission.  The  first  leg  of  training  will  be  basic  space flight training followed by Gaganyaan mission specific training. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 473 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Acquisition of Fighter Aircrafts
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Reddeppa Nallakonda Gari, Dayakar Pasunoori

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.473

TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 th  February, 2020

## ACQUISITION OF FIGHTER AIRCRAFTS

473. SHRI N. REDDEPPA:

SHRI PASUNOORI DAYAKAR:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  acquire  more  aircraft  to  replenish  the depleting  inventories of the Air Force;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  LCA  Tejas  Mark  IA  Advanced  fighter  jets acquired and ordered so far during the last five years and the current year;
- (c) the details of Expression of Interest (EOI) and Request for Proposal (RFP) floated and response received so far; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  decommission  MIG-27  aircrafts  and  if  so, details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

(a)  &  (b):    To  overcome  the  shortage  of  fighter  aircrafts  in  the  IAF,  two  pronged approach has been adopted i.e. midlife upgradation of legacy aircraft to retain their operational relevance and induction of new aircraft.

IAF has already contracted for 40 LCA Mk 1 aircraft with HAL of which 16 LCA Mk 1 aircraft have been delivered.  IAF is in the process of acquiring additional 83 LCA Mk 1A aircraft for which contract negotiations are in progress.  Delivery of LCA  Mk  1A  aircraft  would  commence  three  years  from  the  date  of  signing  of contract.

(c)  RFP for 83 LCA Mk 1A was issued to HAL in December, 2017.

An  RFI  for  procurement  of  114  Multi  Role  Fighter  Aircraft  (MRFA)  was issued in April, 2018.

(d)    The  MiG-27  fleet  has  been  decommissioned  on  31  December,  2019  due  to obsolescence and completion of Total Technical Life.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 470 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Production of Tejas Fighter Planes
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: S. Muniswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.470

TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 th  February, 2020

## PRODUCTION OF TEJAS FIGHTER PLANES

470. SHRI S. MUNISWAMY:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to build more Tejas fighter planes for the air force;
- (b) if so, the number of planes that are under production; and
- (c) the details of new features in the Tejas Fighter Flights and the time by which the final flight test is likely to be completed?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

(a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Sir.  In  addition  to  40  Light  Combat  Aircraft  (LCA)  Tejas  aircraft [20 in Initial Operation Clearance (IOC) and 20 in Final Operation Clearance (FOC) version with 16 fighters &  4  trainers in each], Government  has  planned  to manufacture improved 83 LCA Mk-1A aircraft with enhanced capabilities for Indian Air Force (IAF).

The production of 16 fighters in IOC has been completed in March, 2019 and the production of 16 fighters in FOC and 8 trainers has been undertaken by HAL.

- (c)  Several new features have been included in LCA Mk1A aircraft to enhance the combat  capabilities  in  terms  of  avionics,  radar,  weapons,  air  to  air  refuelling  etc. Flight  testing  of  Tejas  Mk1A  fighter  aircraft  has  been  planned  to  be  completed  by 2022.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 467 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-05
Subject: Status of Projects Funded by ADB
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: Shivkumar Chanabasappa Udasi

## Government of India Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 467

To be answered on Wednesday, February 5, 2020/Magha 16, 1941(Saka)

## QUESTION

## Status of Projects Funded by ADB

467. SHRI SHIVAKUMAR C. UDASI:
2. Will  the  Minister  of  DEVELOPMENT  OF  NORTH  EASTERN  REGION  be pleased to state: (a) whether  loan  from  the  Asian  Development  Bank  (ADB)  worth  80  million  US dollars  for  the  development  of  capital  cities  in  the  North  Eastern  Region  has been fully utilized; (b) if so, the progress made and the present status of these projects; (c) whether the classifications of these cities will be upgraded, consequent to the execution of these projects; and
3. (d) if so, the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of

## North Eastern Region

## [DR. JITENDRA SINGH]

(a)  and  (b) As  per  the  information  received  from  Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban Affairs, an amount of 80 million US Dollars was sanctioned by Asian Development Bank  (ADB),  under  North  Eastern  Region  Capital  Cities  Development  Investment programme  (NERCCDIP)  Tranche-III,  out  of  which  20  million  US  Dollar  was surrendered during the implementation as it was not required. From the balance 60 million US Dollars, 56.38 million US Dollars have been utilised till the closure of the loan on 22 nd June, 2019. Progress made and status of these projects upto January, 2020 is given below:

|   S. No. | States   |   No. of packages |   No. of Packages Completed |   No. of ongoing packages | %Progress of ongoing packages   |
|----------|----------|-------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------------|
|        1 | Mizoram  |                 7 |                           3 |                         4 | 88.89%                          |
|        2 | Tripura  |                 7 |                           5 |                         2 | 98.75%                          |

In  order  to  complete  the  ongoing  projects,  the  North  Eastern  Region  Urban Development  Programme  (NERUDP)  Scheme  has  been  extended  for  two  more years i.e. upto 22.06.2021 with funding by Government of India as 90% grant.

- (c) Classification of cities does not fall under the purview of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
- (d) Does not arise.

*****