opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2803 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: Setting up of Recruitment Agency
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2803

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2022)

## SETTING UP OF RECRUITMENT AGENCY

## 2803. SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  setup  any  Organizations/Establishments/Firms  such  as Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL) for recruiting staff to work at various Union Government Departments/Schemes/Projects etc.;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the total number  and  names  of all such establishments/firms since 2004, year-wise;
- (c) the  total  number  of  persons  employed  in  the  Government  through  such  establishments year-wise since 2004;
- (d) the department wise details of engagement of consultants through such firms since 2004;
- (e) the details of designations given to the consultants employed through such firms; and
- (f) the details on the wage policy and leave policy for various posts since 2004 including the details of amendments made, if any?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) to (e):   Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL) is a Mini Ratna Central Public  Sector  Enterprises  (CPSE)  incorporated  on  24 th March,  1995,  under  the  erstwhile Companies  Act,  1956  (now  Companies  Act  2013).  BECIL  has  been  mandated  for  providing project consultancy services and turnkey solutions for broadcast engineering and establishment of transmission facilities etc. BECIL has diversified into strategic projects relating to Information Communication  Technology  (ICT),  Electronic  Surveillance,  Electronic  media  contents  etc. Alongside  these  activities  BECIL  is  also  undertaking  Human  Resource  related  activities  like provision and training of manpower in Highend technology projects related to broadcasting, ICT social media, digital forensics etc.

- (f):   Posts in various Departments and Ministries of Central Government are governed by respective Recruitment and Service Rules.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2802 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: Trains Running on PPP Mode
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Jayadev Galla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2802

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2022

TRAINS RUNNING ON PPP MODE

## 2802. SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  the  trains  that  are  currently  being  run  on  Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode;
- (b) the details of the revenue generated from the trains in comparison to the revenue generated from trains fully owned by the Government;
- (c) whether the trains running on PPP mode results in higher revenue for the Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the number of delays that occurred in PPP run trains in comparison to the trains fully owned by the Government; and
- (e) whether the trains running on PPP model offer better services to the  customers,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  At  present,  none  of  the  regular  passenger  train  services  running over Indian Railways are being operated on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

(b) to (e) do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2797 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: NMET
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2797 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2022

## NATIONAL MINERAL EXPLORATION TRUST

2797. SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  make  the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) as an autonomous body;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details of the progress that has been made so far in this regard;
- (d) whether the Government has taken any other steps to boost mineral exploration in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): The MMDR Act, 1957 was amended in March 2021 and now the amended Act mandates NMET as a nonprofit autonomous body. The autonomy of functioning will give the NMET the necessary flexibility to achieve its desired objectives.
- (c): Ministry of Mines has received approval from Department of Expenditure (DoE) to create 12 new posts for NMET.
- (d)  &  (e):  Ministry  of  Mines  has  taken  the  following  steps  to  boost  the  mineral exploration in the country-
1. The  MMDR  Act  1957  was  amended  in  March  2021  to  make  provision  for funding  of  private  exploration  agencies  from  National  Mineral  Exploration  Trust (NMET). So far,  nine  agencies  have  been  notified  under  the  second  proviso  to Section 4(1) of the MMDR Act.
2. Geological Survey of India has given thrust on Pan-India mapping projects like National  Geochemical  Mapping,  National  Geophysical  Mapping,  National  AeroGeophysical Mapping and Specialized Thematic Mapping programmes which are expected  to  contribute  immensely  to  delineate  new  potential  areas  for  further systematic mineral exploration.
3. OGP  area  has  been  updated  with  incorporation  of  more  baseline  and exploration data and has been increased to 6.88 lakh sq.km for 18 minerals from a previous figure of 5.71 lakh sq.km for 10 minerals.
4. Following MEMC Amendment Rules 2021, 252 Geological Memorandums have been handed over to the concerned State Governments for auctioning as composite licence.
5. NMET has streamlined the process of sanction and release of funds for fast implementation  of  exploration  projects.  A  Scheme  of  partial  reimbursement  of exploration expenses for Composite Licenses (CL) holders has been formulated for exploration of certain minerals. NMET provides financial assistance for strengthening of exploration infrastructure of Central Government organizations & State DGMs/DMGs.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2793 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: Posting/Transfer in IMD
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Rekha Arun Verma, Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, Giridhari Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2793 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 3 RD AUGUST, 202·

## POSTINGITRANSFER IN IMD

2793. SHRIMATI REKA VERMA: SHRI VINAYAK RAUT: SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- whether the officials/officers of India Meteorological Department (IryID) p sted in the hard States area especially North East India, are not posted in the States of their c I oice immediately after the completion of their tenure; (a)
- if so, the reasons therefor; (b)
- the number of officials/officers who have completed their tenure in hard Stat areas but are still waiting for transfer to the place of their choice, State/area-wise; (c)
- the number of officials/ officers of IMD who have never been posted in hard tates areas and/or if posted, most of them come back to their parent office without completing th lirtenure; (d)
- if so, whether the Department is contemplating any change in the rules tp ensure that at least one hard State area tenure posting is given for all officials during their service period; and (e)
- if so, the steps taken in this regard? (t)

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FO MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a)-(b) The officials/officers of India Meteorological Department (IMD) postea in thF hard States area especially North East India, after completion of their tenure, will get th~ir pos~ingin the State of their choice within 2-3 months. Recently, an order for transfer of all Group 113 (Non. Gazetted) officials posted in hard States and who have completed their tenure udto June 2022 have been issued for inter-regional transfer. ]
- (c) Group A 2 Group B (Gazetted) NIL; Group B(Non-Gazetted) -0 er fo 58 officials have been issued but waiting for their relieving; Group C - NIL.
- (d) The details are given below:
- (e) As on date no change in the transfer guidelines has been proposed / initiated.
- (t) Doesn't arise.

| Cadre                  |   Not Posted in hard States/areas | Returned to pare t office without completing heir t nure   |
|------------------------|-----------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Group A                |                               169 | 3                                                          |
| Group B (Gazetted)     |                               792 | 107                                                        |
| Group B (Non-Gazetted) |                              1344 | 44                                                         |
| Group C                |                               931 | NIL                                                        |

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2791 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: Import of Non-Cooking Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Pradan Baruah, Pallab Lochan Das

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2791 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2022

## Import of Non-Cooking Coal

## 2791. SHRI PRADAN BARUAH: SHRI PALLAB LOCHAN DAS:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  India's  import  of  non-coking  coal  have  decreased  in  current financial year and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  domestic  coal  production  have  increased  in  the  last  financial year;
- (c) whether North Eastern Coalfields have requested for clearances for operation of Tikak mines; and
- (d) if  so, whether resumption of Tikak Colliery will assist the power generation and development of the region?

## Answer

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

- (a): The total import of Non-Coking Coal during 2021-22  was 151.77 MT as against  164.05  MT  imported  in  the  previous  year  of  2020-21,  registering  a decease of 7.5%.  Even in the first two months i.e. April and May  of current financial year, import of  Non-Coking coal  has  decreased to the level of 30.05 MT  from   32.91  MT  imported  during  the  corresponding  two  months   in  the previous year.
- (b): The coal production in the country increased to 778.19 MT in 2021-22 from 716.08 MT in 2020-21 which is a growth of 8.5%.
- (c):   There  are  two  units  in   Tikak  Colliery  of  North  Eastern Coalfields (NEC)Tikak Extension OCP and Tikak West Expansion OCP.
1. Tikak  Extension  OCP :  Based  on  the  application  received  from  NEC, Coal India Limited (CIL), Margherita, Government of Assam allotted   Revenue  land  on  payment  basis  measuring  87.55 hectares  for opening of Tikak Extension OCP of Tikak Colliery. Mining operations in Tikak  Extension  OCP  of  Tikak  Colliery  have  resumed  subsequently
- w.e.f.10.02.2022.
2. Tikak West Expansion OCP: NEC has applied to Government of Assam for allotment of Government Revenue Land measuring 88.63 hectares for resumption of Tikak Opencast project of Tikak Colliery. Government of Assam  allotted  land  measuring  88.63  hectares   in  favour  of  NEC,  CIL and has raised demand note for Rs. 27,31,69,875/- for transfer of 88.63

hectares land to NEC, CIL which is under processed at NEC /CIL. For this unit application for Environmental Clearance, Forest Clearance and all  other  required  clearances  will  be  applied  after  the  approval  of  the revised Project Report.

(d): Due to suspension of mining operations in NEC w.e.f 03.06.2020, the Fuel Supply  Agreements  with  NTPC,  Bongaigaon  and  NTPC  Farakka  have  been diverted  to  other  subsidiaries  of  CIL.  Now  as  the  mining  operations  have resumed in Tikak Extension OCP of Tikak Colliery  w.e.f 10.02.2022, NEC may again renew these Fuel Supply Agreements subject to reaching desired capacity in coal production again.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2790 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: Acquisition of Mineral Assets
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Anil Firojiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2790

ANSWERED ON 03.08.2022

## ACQUISITION OF MINERAL ASSETS

† 2790. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)        whether any measures have been taken to identify and acquire foreign mineral assets of important and strategic nature like Lithium, Cobalt, etc.;
- (b)        if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)        the  details  of  the  criteria  on  which  the  selection  is  being  made  for  the acquisition of mineral assets abroad?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): With the objective to ensure mineral security of the country, Ministry of Mines created a JV company namely the Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) of National Aluminium  Company  Limited,  Hindustan  Copper  Limited  and  Mineral  Exploration Corporation Limited with the mandate to identify & acquire overseas mineral assets of critical & strategic minerals-primarily Lithium, Cobalt & others minerals to ensure their sustained supply to the country.

Based on a preliminary study, a few source countries have been shortlisted for mineral asset acquisition abroad with respect to 12 such minerals including Lithium, Cobalt, etc.  Further, KABIL has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with three state owned organizations of Argentina:

- M/s YPF and Energy major & federal owned enterprises,
- M/s JEMSE, a state owned enterprises of JUJUY province
- M/s CAMYEN, a state owned enterprise of CATAMARCA  province

Ministry  of  Mines,  Govenment  of  India  and  Department  of  Industry,  Science, Energy and Resources, Government of Australia has signed an MOU on 3rd June 2020   for  cooperation  in  the  field  of  mining  and  procesing  of  critical  and  strategic minerals.    Further,  KABIL  has  also  signed  a  detailed  MoU  with  a  collaborative framework with Critical Minerals Facilitation Office under the Department of Industry, Science,  Energy  and  Resources,  Government of  Australia  on  10th  March  2022  to identify  lithium  and  cobalt  mineral  assets  for  final  joint  investment  decisions  and acquisition of the assets in Australia catering to the critical and strategic ecosystem of both the countries.

- (c): Engagements are underway with select source countries which are endowed with Lithium and Cobalt.  The primary interface has been the respective Embassies & Missions  of  India  in  those  countries  for  sharing  of  information  with  respect  to prospective mineral acreages primarily with state owned organisations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2789 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: Science and Technology Patents
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: S. Gnanathiraviam

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2789. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 3 RD  AUGUST, 2022.

## SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PATENTS

## 2789.  SHRI GNANATHIRAVIAM S.:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the number of Science and Technology patents granted by the Indian Patent Office during the last four years, year-wise;
- (b) whether the Indian Patent Office has rejected some Science and Technology Patents;
- (c) if so, the details and reasons therefor; and
- (d) the number of such patents which secured international patent status?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a): The number of Science and Technology patents granted by the Indian Patent Office during the last four years, is as below-
- (b)  &  (c): The  Patents  application  and  specification  and  other  documents  related thereto are processed as per the statutory provisions of the Patents Act, 1970  and  Rules  framed  thereunder  to  ascertain  the  criteria  of  novelty, inventive  step  and  industrial  applicability  of  the  patents  filed.  In  this Financial Year upto 25 th  July, 2022, 1412 patents applications have been rejected.
- (d): Patents are territorial rights restricted to that jurisdiction only, and this does not secure international status.

| Year                            |   No. of patents Granted |
|---------------------------------|--------------------------|
| 2018-19                         |                    15283 |
| 2019-20                         |                    24936 |
| 2020-21                         |                    28391 |
| 2021-22                         |                    30073 |
| 2022-23 (upto 25 th July, 2022) |                     7970 |
| Total                           |                   106653 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2788 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: Digital Payment at Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2788 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2022

## DIGITAL PAYMENT AT RAILWAY STATIONS

## 2788. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to stop sale of food items on cash at railway stations;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has taken any steps in this regard; and
- (c)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a): No, Sir. There is no plan to stop the sale of food items on cash at railway stations. However, digital method of transactions for purchase of  food  items  through  catering  units  at  Railway  Stations  is  being encouraged. This is intended to facilitate  passengers  with  additional options of payment. As per extant Catering Policy issued vide Commercial Circular 20 of 2017, facility  for  cashless  transaction  viz. POS/Swipe machine etc. shall be compulsorily available in all the static units.

- (b) and (c): Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2787 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: Startup Ecosystem
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2787. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 3 RD  AUGUST, 2022.

## STARTUP ECOSYSTEM

## 2787.  SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  fact  that  a  recent  report  from Crunchbase had reported that more than 12,000 people have lost jobs in the Indian Startup ecosystem;
- (b) if  so,  whether the Government has taken note of the problems faced by the Indian Startup ecosystem and taken any measures to redress the grievances, if any; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a): There is no centralized compilation of information on laying off the work force by startups.
- (b) & (c): In view of the above, the question does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2782 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: PM-Mitra Park
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Pratap Chandra Sarangi, P.P. Chaudhary, Sangamlal Kadedin Gupta

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2782 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2022

## PM-MITRA PARK

2782. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI: SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY: SHRI SANGAM LAL GUPTA:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government has put forward any plan to achieve 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' through the PMMitra Parks in association with Production Linked Incentive (PLI) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  updates  on  the  proposals  submitted  by  Rajasthan  State  Industrial Development  and  Investment  Corporation  (RIICO),  UP  State  Industrial  Development  Authority (UPSIDA) and Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

- (a): The Government has approved setting up of 7 (Seven) PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel  (PM  MITRA)  Parks  in  Greenfield/Brownfield  sites  to  develop  world  class  infrastructure including plug and play facility with an outlay of Rs. 4,445 crore in a period of seven years i.e. up to 2027-28. The scheme is to develop integrated large scale and modern industrial infrastructure facility for entire value-chain of the textile industry. It will reduce logistics costs and improve competitiveness of  Indian  Textiles.  The  scheme  will  help  India  in  attracting  investments,  boosting  employment generation  and  position  itself  strongly  in  the  global  textile  market.      Besides,  the  Production  Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme launched by Government is intended to promote production of MMF Apparel & Fabrics and, Technical Textiles products in the country to enable Textiles Industry to achieve size and scale; to become competitive and a creator of employment opportunities for people.
- (b) & (c): Under PM MITRA, 13 states have submitted proposals including the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.

***