opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1745 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Organic Certification
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Kani K. Navas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1745 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th  JULY, 2022

## ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

## 1745.   SHRI K. NAVASKANI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that most organic farmers are unaware of or are unable to obtain organic certification; and
- (b) if so, the remedial steps that are proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a)  &  (b):    Organic  farming  in  India  is  practiced  under  the  National  Programme  for  Organic Production  (NPOP)  of  the  Department  of  Commerce  and  the  Participatory  Guarantee  System (PGS) implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare. To facilitate certification at an affordable cost, the Government has launched PGS, which is farmer group centric, requires very little documentation and is very low cost. The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development  Authority  (APEDA),  an  autonomous  organization  under  the  Department  of Commerce, conducts capacity building programmes, webinars etc. for farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations  (FPOs)  and  other  stakeholders,  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  to  increase awareness about the requirements for organic certification under both NPOP and PGS. APEDA, in  collaboration  with  the  University  of  Agriculture  Sciences,  Dharwad,  has  also  organized  an online  course  on  organic  certification.  The  Department  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers'  Welfare, through the National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF), also organises various outreach programs in virtual as well as in physical mode. So far about 25 Lakh farmers have been registered  under  NPOP,  whereas  about  13  Lakh  farmers  are  registered  under  PGS-  India programme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1744 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Doubling/Electrification of Samdadi-Bhildi Railway Section
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Devji Mansingram Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1744 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## DOUBLING/ELECTRIFICATION OF SAMDADI-BHILDI RAILWAY SECTION

## †1744.     SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether due to high traffic on Samdadi-Bhildi railway section there is frequent rail traffic jam resulting in delay of passenger trains;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the general public also has to face a lot of problems as a result of closure of railway gates for hours together;
- (d) if  so,  the  plan  of  the  Railways  to  eliminate  the  rail  traffic  jam  on the said railway section;
- (e) whether  there  is  any  plan  for  doubling  and  electrification  of Samdadi-Bhildi railway section;
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the funds allocated for the same; and
- (g) if not, the reasons for the delay if any, in the execution of works?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  and  (b)  The  line  capacity  utilisation  of  Samdadi-Bhildi  railway section is approximately 94% and punctuality of train services on this section is satisfactory .

(c)  and  (d)  No,  Sir.  There  are  28  level  crossings  in  Samdadi-Bhildi railway section of Jodhpur Division.  Out of  these, 22 level crossings are open to road traffic wherein waiting time is about 5-8 minutes for general public whenever the level crossing gate is closed.  Remaining 6 level  crossing  gates  are  closed  to  road  traffic  because  of  less  traffic density  wherein  waiting  time  is  higher  for  general  public  on  level crossing depending upon type of train at particular time and length of block section. (e)  to  (g)  Doubling  of  Luni-Samdari-Bhildi  section  (271.97  km)  was included in Budget 2019-20 as part of Bhatinda-Bhildi via Sirsa, Hisar, Ratangarh, Degana, Luni, Samdari excluding Degana-Rai ka Bag doubling  (752  km)  project  subject  to  requisite  approvals.    Detailed Project  Report  (DPR)  of  Luni-Samdari-Bhildi  section  (271.97  km)  was prepared.  However, after examination of the DPR, the project could not be  taken  forward  in  that  time  due  to  unremunerative  nature  and  no operational benefit of the project. Electrification of existing line of Samdadi-Bhildi railway section is part of Railway Electrification project of Suratgarh-Phalodi-Bhildi and Phalodi-Jaisalmer section.  Budget allocation of ₹ 264 crore has been provided for this project during 2022-23.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1740 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Construction of 83 NFSA  Godowns
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1740

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH  JULY, 2022

## CONSTRUCTION OF 83 NFSA GODOWNS

1740.  ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will  the  Minister  of  CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD  AND  PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION उपभोᲦा मामले , खा᳒ और सावᭅजिनक िवतरण मंᮢी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has received request from the State of Kerala for the construction of 83 NFSA godowns in the state for storage of food grains;
- (b) whether the Government is likely to consider the same and allocate central share under central sector scheme for storage and godowns; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND

A N S W E R CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a): Yes, Sir.

(b) & (c): The  requirement  of  Storage  capacity  in  Food  Corporation  of India (FCI) depends upon the level of procurement, requirement of buffer norms and Public Distribution System (PDS) operations for Rice and Wheat mainly.    Storage  gap  is  assessed  in  the  procuring  States  based  on  the highest stock levels in the last three years and in the consuming States on the basis of 4 months (6 months in case of North Eastern states and in some  other  states  like  J&K,  Ladakh,  Himachal  Pradesh,  Uttarakhand, Andaman  &  Nicobar  and  Lakshadweep)  requirement  of  National  Food Security Act (NFSA) and Other Welfare Scheme (OWS).

Further,  Department  of  Food  &  PD  (DFPD),  Government  of  India (GoI) is implementing a Central Sector Scheme 'Storage & Godowns' for construction  of  godowns  with  focus  on  augmenting  storage  capacity  in the States of North Eastern (NE) Region and a few other States. A total of 15,000  MT  capacity  storage  has  already  been  created  in  Kerala  under Central Sector Scheme 'Storage & Godowns'. Further, there is no storage gap at present in Kerala.

The proposal earlier received vide DO letter dated 18.11.2021 had been transferred to  Department of Agriculture &  Farmer's Welfare (DA&FW), Government of India vide OM dated 06.01.2022 for taking up the matter under the schemes being implemented in DA&FW.

Additionally, in order to upgrade and modernize storage facilities, it has  been  decided  to  develop  steel  silo  of  0.50  LMT  capacity  in  Kerala through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode under Hub & Spoke model.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1739 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Water Management System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Krishna Pal Singh Yadav, Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1739

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

1739.  DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV:

DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL:

PROF. RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

DR. HEENA GAVIT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has a roadmap for achieving 20 per cent reduction in  water consumption at rail establishments and if so, the details thereof along with the annual water consumption of the Railways and the average bill thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Railways  has  centralised  data  on  the  water  usage  by  its zones and production units and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Railways is taking a huge step towards the preservation of water and rolling out a new policy that is likely to be game-changer and if so, the details and the salient features thereof; and
- (d) the services and areas where this policy is likely to be implemented and the extent to which the new water policy is likely to promote better water management system that will curtail water wastage and consumption?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a):    Railway  had  rolled  out  Indian  Railway  Water  Policy  2017  in  order  to promote water use efficiency and thus preservation of water to contribute

towards India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) of 20% reduction in water consumption by the year 2030.

(b): Railways do not have any centralized data for water usage because of different sources of water supply like Municipal Water Supply, underground pumping, supply from hand-pumps, rainy wells etc.

(c): Railway had rolled out Indian Railway Water Policy 2017 which include preparation of Water Management plans, use of water efficient fittings and fixtures,  introduction  of  automatic valves, use of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), promoting rain water harvesting, installation of Water  Recycling  Plants  by  Railways  as  well  as  on  Build  Own  Operate Transfer (BOOT) basis. Measurement and accountal of water consumption, differential tariff of commercial  and  residential water,  Waste  Water Management are other key areas where Railways intends to do concrete work to  minimize  the  wastage  of  water  and  reduce  the  cost  incurred  on water consumption.

(d):  Indian  Railways  Water  Policy  2017  has  been  issued  to  all  Zonal Railways  and  Production  Units  on  Indian  Railways  for  implementation. These  efforts  are  programmed  to  contribute  towards  India's  Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) of 20% reduction in water consumption by the year 2030.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1738 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Shortage of Rare Earth Minerals
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1738

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 27.07.2022

## SHORTAGE OF RARE EARTH MINERALS

## 1738.    SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  shortage  of  rare  earth  minerals  required  for manufacture of semiconductor chips;
- (b)  whether the resources are dominated by one country in the world; and
- (c)  if  so,  the  steps/measures  being  taken  to  increase  the  quantum  of  minerals  required  for manufacture of semiconductor devices and chips in India?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

(a) , (b) and (c): Yes Sir. The Government is aware of the importance of rare earth minerals to the  semiconductor  and  electronics  industry.  In  addition  to  the  domestic  reserves  of  these minerals,  countries  like  USA  and  Australia  accounts  for  the  production  of  rare  earth minerals.Semiconductor  manufacturing  ecosystem  mainly  requires  electronic  grade  silicon wafers, high purity chemicals, gases and photoresists. Government, through schemes/ polices, has been creating robust supply chain ecosystem for raw materials, chemicals and high purity gases for manufacturing of semiconductors in the country.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1737 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Development work in Chhattisgarh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gomati Sai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1737 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## DEVELOPMENTAL WORK IN CHHATISGARH

†1737   SHRIMATI GOMATI SAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to State :

(a) whether the works of railway line of Raipur - Sarangarh - Jarsuguda in Chattisgarh has started;

- (b) if so, the details of progress of work ; and

(c) the time by which the work is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS &  INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c) Raipur-Jharsuguda new line (310 km) was included in budget 2013-14 subject to requisite approval. State  Governments  were approached to provide land free of cost and to share 50% cost of the project, but Government of Chhattisgarh and Odisha have not responded. Further, Durg-Naya Raipur -Baloda Bazar-Kharsia new rail line  has  been  identified  by  Chhattisgarh  Rail  Corporation  Limited (CRCL), a Joint Venture Company of Government of Chhattisgarh(51%) and Ministry of Railways(49%) for development. In principal approval for  preliminary  activity  has  been  granted  by  Ministry  of  Railways. Railway line already exists between Kharsia and  Jharsuguda.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1736 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Pune-Miraj-Londha Doubling Works
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1736 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## PUNE-MIRAJ-LONDHA DOUBLING WORKS

## 1736. SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the track doubling work of  Pune-Miraj-Londha  railway  line  is  likely  to  adversely  affect the agricultural activities in the adjoining areas with respect to change  of  landscape  resulting  in  waterlogging,  disruption  of traditional farm transportation routes, damage to irrigation line crossings etc.;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  made  any  plans  and provisions  to  ensure  that  the  above  factors  are  mitigated  to prevent any adverse effects on adjoining agricultural activities; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1736 BY SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.07.2022 REGARDING PUNE-MIRAJLONDHA DOUBLING WORKS

(a) to (c): Railway has taken up Pune-Miraj-Londa (466 km) doubling project. Cost of the project is ` 4028 crore. An expenditure of ` 2317  crore  has  been  incurred  upto  March  2022  and  an  outlay  of ` 1567 crore has been provided for the financial year 2022-23. So far, 146  km  doubling  has  been  commissioned  and  work  taken  up  in balance section.

Doubling of Railway track between Pune-Miraj-Londa section is taken  up  parallel  to  existing  railway  line.  Construction  of  all  the major, minor and important bridges has been carried out by keeping the same water ways or more with respect to already existing in the single line. Additional pipe crossings have also been provided to be used to pass the pipe lines for watering arrangement of agricultural land  on  either  side  of  existing  alignment  or  proposed  by  doubling. Hence, there is no adverse effect on the agricultural activities in the adjoining area due to laying of double line in this section.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1735 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Rural Broadband
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Sanjay Seth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1735 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th  JULY 2022

## RURAL BROADBAND

## 1735.   SHRI SANJAY SETH:

Will the Minister of Communications be pleased to state:

- (a) the objective and target of rural broadband BharatNet Project ;
- (b) the number of States in the country where the services of the said project has started ;
- (c) the details including the number of areas in Jharkhand including Ranchi where the said service has started, panchayat-wise; and
- (d) the target fixed under the said project in Jharkhand for the next three years along with the district-wise details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

- (a) The  objective  of  BharatNet  is  to  provide  broadband  connectivity  to  all  the  Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. The scope of BharatNet has been extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country.
- (b) BharatNet is being implemented in 27 States and 7 Union Territories. Goa had its own similar  broadband  network  and  thus  not  taken  up  under  Phase-I  &  Phase-II  of  BharatNet Project. Delhi has no GPs and thus not taken up under BharatNet Project.
- (c) & (d) Under Bharatnet Phase-I in Jharkhand, a total number of 2707 GPs were taken up for implementation, out of which 2623 GPs have been made Service Ready. Phase-II of BharatNet is implemented in Jharkhand in State-led model through the State Government under which, 1672 GPs have been made Service Ready out of 1678 planned GPs. Further, 2 GPs have been made Service Ready on Satellite media out of 10 planned GPs. In total, 4,297 GPs have been made Service Ready in Jharkhand, as on 04.07.2022. The list of GPs that have been made Service Ready in Jharkhand, including Ranchi, is available at URL http://bbnl.nic.in//WriteReadData/datafiles/JKD-4297ff48625e-a2d5-4956-97e61e45607b4b6c.pdf

The timeline for providing connectivity to all the remaining GPs/villages across all the District of the State is 2025.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1731 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Portal of e-auction
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Girish Bhalchandra Bapat, Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Rahul Ramesh Shewale, Pritam Gopinath Munde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1731 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## PORTAL OF E-AUCTION

1731.   SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT: SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU: SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE: DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Railways has launched Policy and Portal of e-Auction for Commercial earning and Non-Fare Revenue;
- (b) if so, the details and the salient features thereof;
- (c) whether the Railways has revised their targets of earnings after the launch of above mentioned new Policy;
- (d) If so, the details of the previous and revised targets of the sectors likely to come under this policy; and
- (e)  the  extent  to  which  the  operational  cost  of  Railways  is  likely  to improve after launching of this policy?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. *****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  1731  BY  SHRI  GIRISH  BHALCHANDRA BAPAT,  SHRI  CHANDRA  SEKHAR  SAHU,  SHRI  RAHUL  RAMESH SHEWALE AND DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.07.2022 REGARDING PORTAL OF E-AUCTION

(a) Yes, Sir. (b)  The  e-Auction  Policy  has  been  issued  on  pan  India  basis  on 13.06.2022. It covers contracts pertaining to parcel space in Brakevans or Parcel Vans attached to trains, parking lots, pay-&-use toilets, cloak room, AC  waiting hall, bottle crusher, space for commercial publicity at stations and on trains, etc. Under the Policy, bidding is done through Indian Railways e-Procurement System (IREPS). The eligibility criteria for the participants has been relaxed and there is no geographical restriction on firms for registration/ participation in any e-Auction throughout Indian Railways, which will increase competition among bidders. (c) No, Sir. (d) Does not arise.

(e) The launch of e-auction portal is not linked to operational cost of Railways.  E-auctioning  will  reduce  the  time  taken  in  finalization  of tenders and save revenue loss on this account.

*************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1726 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Postal HQ in Nuapada
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Basanta Kumar Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1726 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## POSTAL HQ IN NUAPADA

†1726. SHRI BASANTA KUMAR PANDA

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  declare  Postal  Headquarters  in  District  - Nuapada under the jurisdiction of District Kalahandi Post Headquarters; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

- (a) & (b) Sir, there is no such proposal.

**************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1725 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Sand Mining in Yamuna River
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Manoj Kumar Tiwari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1725

ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## SAND MINING IN YAMUNA RIVER

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to ban all the sand mining activities in the

1725. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: Yamuna river in the near future; (b) if so, the details thereof specially in Delhi/NCR; and

- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to  (c) : Sand  is  a  minor  mineral  under  Section  3(e)  of  the  Mines  and  Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957. Section 15 of the MMDR Act, 1957, empowers the  State  Governments  to  make  rules  for  regulating  the  grant  of  minor  mineral concessions  for  minor  minerals.  Moreover,  Section  23C  of  the  MMDR  Act,  also empowers  the  State  Governments  to  make  rules  for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and for the purposes connected therewith. Thus, minor minerals are  regulated at  the  level  of  State  Government.  However,   Ministry  of Mines has prepared a 'Sand Mining Framework' in consultation with Mining Departments of the States incorporating best practices amongst States and suggestions based on the objectives of  sustainability,  availability,  affordability  and  transparency  in sand  mining.  The  'Sand  Mining  Framework'  was  circulated  to  all  the  States  for necessary action.

*****