opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 371 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: BSNL 4G Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Pragya Singh Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 371 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2021

## BSNL 4G SERVICES

## †371. SADHVI PRAGYA SINGH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to start 4G services of BSNL in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b)  The Government approved the revival plan for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on 23.10.2019, which inter-alia includes administrative allotment of spectrum through budgetary allocation to BSNL for providing 4G services. BSNL has floated an Expression of Interest (EOI) on 01.01.2021 for prior registration/Proof of Concept (PoC) from Indian Companies interested in participating in BSNL's upcoming 4G tender.

BSNL has, meanwhile launched 4G services at limited scale by utilising existing spectrum which is being used for 3G services.  Approximately, 8,600 number of 4G sites are working in BSNL.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 370 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Param Siddhi Super Computer
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Talari Rangaiah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 370

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## PARAM SIDDHI SUPER COMPUTER

## 370.   SHRI TALARI RANGAIAH:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  established  PARAM  Siddhi  Supercomputer under  National  Supercomputing  Mission  (NSM)  at  Centre  for  development  of Advanced Computing (C-DAC);
- (b) the details of the exact amount of funds utilised so far under the NSM; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the amount spent by Government to establish the same?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

- (a):  Yes, Sir. 'PARAM Siddhi' -The National AI supercomputing facility has been established at C-DAC, Pune with compute power of 5.27 PF Peak (210 AI PF). It is listed at 62 nd in the Top500 List of world's Top supercomputers' list, and is fastest supercomputer in the country.
- (b):    Funds  utilised  by  C-DAC  so  far  under  NSM  (till  31 st Dec  2020)  is  Rs. 596.14 Crore.
- (c):  The amount spent for establishment of PARAM Siddhi is Rs. 72.25 Crore.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 369 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Enhancing Coal Supply
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Ajay Kumar Mandal, Chandeshwar Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.369 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

Enhancing Coal Supply

## 369. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:

## SHRI CHANDESHWAR PRASAD:

## Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has received any request from the State Government of Bihar to enhance coal supply for its thermal power stations;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon; and

- (c) the details of coal blocks allocated to Bihar during the last year?

## ANSWER

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

(a): No  request  has  been  received  from  the  State  Government  of  Bihar  to enhance coal supply for its thermal power stations. However, the Thermal Power stations of Bihar are having following Coal stock.

(As on Date 27.01.21)

|   Sl No | Name of Thermal Power Station   |   Capacity |   (MW) Actual (in '000 |   Stock Tonnes') Actual Stock (in days) |
|---------|---------------------------------|------------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
|       1 | BARAUNI TPS                     |        710 |                 148.75 |                                      24 |
|       2 | BARH II                         |       1320 |                 308.2  |                                      16 |
|       3 | KAHALGAON TPS                   |       2340 |                 731.93 |                                      26 |
|       4 | MUZAFFARPUR TPS                 |        610 |                 122.57 |                                      21 |
|       5 | NABINAGAR STPP                  |        660 |                 168.54 |                                      17 |
|       6 | NABI NAGAR TPP                  |        750 |                 397.31 |                                      37 |

(b): Does not arise in view of (a) above.

(c): No Coal blocks have been allocated to State Government Companies of Bihar during the last year.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 366 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Restoration of MPLADS Funds
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 366

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## RESTORATION OF MPLADS FUNDS

366. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether  the  Government  proposes  to  restore  MPLADS  fund keeping  in  view  of  this  has  seriously  affected  the  developmental activities in rural areas of the country;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)   whether  the  Government  has  received  representations  from  the Public Representatives regarding suspension of MPLADS for two years; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION  AND  MINISTER OF

OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY PLANNING (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) At present, there is no proposal for restoration of MPLAD Scheme during the FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22.

(b) Government decided not to operate the Members of Parliament Local  Area  Development  Scheme  (MPLADS)  for  two  years,  that  is during FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22 and decided to place the funds for the  FY  2020-21  and  FY  2021-22  at  the  disposal  of  the  Ministry  of Finance for strengthening its efforts in managing the challenges of COVID-19  which  has  been  declared  as  a  global  pandemic  and  a notified  disaster  in  the  country. The  Ministry  has  issued  detailed circular  on  08.04.2020  containing  instructions  wherein  inter  alia Hon'ble Members have been requested to re-prioritize their recommendations in consultation with District Authorities, wherever feasible, and District Authorities have also been advised to ensure that  works  are  completed  from  among  the  available  funds  as  no more funds would be released during FY 2020-21 and 2021-22. The Ministry has issued another set of instructions dated 14.05.2020 to the Nodal district authorities for settlement and closure of savings bank accounts of former MPs of Lok Sabha and former Members of Rajya Sabha so that unspent balance in their account can be used by the respective constituencies/ states where funds are required as per MPLADS guidelines. (c)  and  (d) The  Government  has  received  references  from  Hon'ble pending installments  due  to  them  as  on  31.03.2020  to  resume  the  ongoing

Members of Parliament requesting for release of works and clear the committed liabilities under MPLADS.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 365 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Banning of Mobile Apps
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Manne Srinivas Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.365

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 03.02.2021

## BANNING OF MOBILE APPs

## 365.   SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY:

Will the Minister of Electronics & Information Technology be pleased to state:(a)    whether  the  Government  has  blocked  43  more  mobile  apps,  including  major Chinese  ones  such  as  AliSuppliers,  AliExpress,  Alipay  Cashier  etc.  citing  threat  to national  security,  integrity  and  sovereignty,  under  Section  69A  of  the  Information

- Technology Act; and
- (a) if so, the details thereof and the present status thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) and (b): Yes, Sir. Government has blocked 43 more mobile applications including AliSuppliers, AliExpress, Alipay Cashier etc. under the provisions of section 69A of Information Technology Act 2000 and its rules namely, 'The Information Technology (Procedure  and  Safeguards  for  Blocking  for  Access  of  Information  for  Public) Rules, 2009'.   These  mobile  applications  were  blocked  primarily  in  the  interest  of sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State and defence of India. These 43 Apps are blocked for public access in the country.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 364 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Rail Land Development Authority
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Abdul Khaleque

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.364 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## RAIL LAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

## 364.  SHRI ABDUL KHALEQUE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the revenue earned through auctioning of land by Rail Land Development Authority during the last three years;
- (b) the locations where Rail Land Development Authority has identified  land  for  auctioning  in  the  next  three  years  and  the estimated value; and
- (c) whether any location from Assam features in the list particularly in the districts of Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari and Chirang and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) Rail  Land  Development  Authority  (RLDA)  leases  the  land through open competitive bidding process.

The revenue earned by RLDA during last three years is as follows:-

| Year    |   Revenue earned ( ` in Cr) |
|---------|-----------------------------|
| 2017-18 |                       42.93 |
| 2018-19 |                       82.81 |
| 2019-20 |                      933.27 |

- (b) RLDA has been entrusted with 84 sites, out of which 26 sites have been bid out till now. The remaining sites which have earning potential of approximately ` 6500 Cr. are identified for bidding during next two to three years.
- (c) No, Sir.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 363 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Deportation of Priests
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Deepak Baij

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 363 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## DAM ON BRAHMAPUTRA

## † 363. DR. DEEPAK BAIJ:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether China is working on a proposal for constructing a big dam almost thirty Kilometers before Indian border on Brahmaputra river in Tibet and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether an assessment of loss in Indian region in future has been made in view of the water capacity of the dam and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the said dam is a threat to India in the opinion of experts; and
- (d) if so, the details of the steps to be taken to check the likely loss to India due to sudden release of water from the said dam proposed by China?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a) to (d) Government has taken note of reports regarding China's plans for hydropower development on the lower reaches of the Brahmaputra river.

Government carefully   monitors   all   developments   on   the   Brahmaputra river. As a lower riparian state, with considerable established user rights to the waters of the trans-border rivers, Government has consistently conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities and has urged them to ensure that the interests of downstream States are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas. The Chinese side has conveyed to us on several occasions that they are only   undertaking   run-of-the-river   hydropower   projects,   which   do   not   involve diversion of the waters of the Brahmaputra.

Various issues relating to trans-border rivers are discussed with China under  the   ambit   of   an   institutionalized   Expert   Level   Mechanism   which   was established in 2006, as well as through diplomatic channels. We intend to remain engaged with China on the issue of trans-border rivers to safeguard our interests.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 361 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Support on Farm Bill
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Imtiaz Jaleel Syed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.361

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## SUPPORT ON FARM BILL

## 361 . SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether some countries including PIOs have given support to the agitation   of   Indian   farmers   against   three   bills   passed   by   Indian Parliament;
- (b) if so, the names of the countries where such protest took place and statements issued by some country heads in support of farmers agitation;
- (c) whether   the   Government   has   taken   up   the   matter   with   these countries warning them not to interfere in the internal matters of India; and
- (d) if so, the details of  the view point of those countries?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) No foreign government has given support to agitation of Indian farmers against three bills passed by Indian Parliament. In Canada, UK, USA, and in few European countries, protests by a few motivated PIO's on issues related to the Indian Farm Bill have been reported. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau made a comment on issues related to farmers in India.

(c) & (d) We have taken up this matter with the Canadian authorities both   in   Ottawa   and   New   Delhi   and   conveyed   that   such   comments pertaining   to   the   internal   affairs   of   the   India   are   unwarranted, unacceptable   and   would   damage   India-Canada   bilateral   relations. Government   of   Canada   has   welcomed   the   Government   of   India's commitment to ongoing dialogue with the farmers to discuss issues of concern.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 360 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Aarogya Setu App
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan, Krupal Balaji Tumane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 360

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## AAROGYA SETU APP

## 360.     SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY   be pleased to State:

- (a) whether the Aarogya Setu App was created under the PPP mode;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the terms and conditions of private developers role in the development of the app; and
- (c) the details of the action plan proposed by the Government to leverage the second app in view of less number of users of this contract tracing app?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR   ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY   DHOTRE)

- (a):    Yes,  Sir.  The  Aarogya  Setu  App  has  been  developed  by  National  Informatics Centre, in partnership with individual volunteers from industry and academia.
- (b):    The Individual volunteers from industry and academia made their contributions to the App development on a pro-bono basis in an individual capacity.
- (c):        Aarogya  Setu  is  the  single  contact  tracing  App  of  Government of  India with more than 16 Crore registered Users. This makes Aarogya Setu the largest App based contact tracing platform in the world.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 359 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Central Investment
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 359

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## CENTRAL INVESTMENT

## †359. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) the quantum of central investments made in the country, especially in the backward and rural areas as on date during the last three years, year-wise;
- (b) the  names  of  the  States  where  the  quantum  of  investments  made  is  lesser  than  other States; and
- (c) the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) to (c): The information is being collected.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 356 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Tamils Evacuated from Gulf
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kani K. Navas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.356 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## TAMILS EVACUATED FROM GULF

## 356.    SHRI K. NAVASKANI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Tamil people who were evacuated from Gulf and other countries in the light of COVID-19 pandemic, State-wise; and
- (b) whether the Government has succeeded in the mission and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) As per the information available with the Ministry of External Affairs,  around  3,44,937 people have arrived in Tamil Nadu under the Vande Bharat Mission till 20 January 2021.  The Government of India, through the Vande Bharat Mission, has been successful in evacuating distressed Indian nationals who have been stranded in foreign countries. Stranded   Indians   with   the   most   compelling   reasons   have   all   safely returned to their homes. Our Missions are in regular touch with Indians resident in their country of accreditation and are facilitating their return to India on their request.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 353 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: MPLAD SCHEME
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Mala Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 353 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## MPLAD SCHEME

353. SHRIMATI MALA ROY:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government plans to restore MPLADS;
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION  AND  MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) At present, there is no proposal for restoration of MPLAD Scheme during the FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22.
- (b) Government has decided not to operate the Members of Parliament  Local  Area  Development  Scheme  (MPLADS)  for  two years,  that  is,  during  FY  2020-21  and  FY  2021-22  and  decided  to place the MPLADS funds FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22 at the disposal of the Ministry of Finance for strengthening its efforts in managing the  challenges  of  COVID-19  which  has  been  declared  as  a  global pandemic and a notified disaster in the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 351 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Underconstruction ROBs/RUBs in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Manickam Tagore B

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.351

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## UNDERCONSTRUCTION ROBs/RUBs IN TAMIL NADU

351.  SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the total number of Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) and Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) that are under construction in Tamil Nadu;

- (b) whether a large number of proposals for construction of ROBs and RUBs in states have been received including from Tamil Nadu; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the time frame fixed by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a):    As  on  31.12.2020,  117  Road  Over  Bridges  (ROBs)  and  260  Road  Under Bridges (RUBs) in Tamil Nadu are in different stages of implementation. (b): Yes, Sir.
- (c):  The  proposals  for  construction  of  Road  Over  Bridges/Road  Under  Bridges (ROBs/RUBs) are received regularly at all levels from different sources, i.e. from Public Representatives, Dignitaries, State Government & various groups, which are processed by Zonal Railway for obtaining consent of State Government for closure of Level Crossing (LC) and cost sharing, wherever applicable. Based on

the outcome of this exercise, proposals are processed for inclusion in Railway Works Programme. The construction of ROB/RUB depends upon encroachment free land for approach roads, technical feasibility, shifting of utilities, allocation of adequate funds by State agencies, public support etc.    Therefore, it is not possible to fix the time frame for completion of ROBs/RUBs. *****