opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5703 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Video Conferencing Facility
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Chhatar Singh Darbar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5703 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  APRIL, 2022

## VIDEO CONFERENCING FACILITY

## †5703. SHRI CHHATAR SINGH DARBAR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the location-wise details of the States where video conferencing facility is available;
- (b) whether  the  people  in  backward  and  remote  areas  of  the  country  are  likely  to  be benefited from this scheme;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the names of the States where this facility is not available?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Video conferencing is facilitated by various online websites and Apps which can be accessed  by  anybody  having  access  to  internet.  Access  to  internet  is  available  across  the country. Further, National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (Meity), has also established video conferencing facilities at most of the Districts Head Quarters and State Capitals in all states/UTs.

(b) & (c) Yes, Sir. The  video  conferencing  facility  enables  real  time and  close monitoring  of  activities  at  district  and  State  levels.  This  leads  to  improvement  in  service delivery and efficiency in administration & programme implementation across the districts in the  country.  The  benefit  from  this  is  derived  by  the  people  in  all  parts  of  the  country including those in remote and backward areas.

- (d) The video conferencing facility is available in all states and UTs.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5700 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Mineral Policy
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Gajendra Singh Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5700 ANSWERED ON 06.04.2022

## MINERAL POLICY

†5700. SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH PATEL:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to implement new mineral policy and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if not, the time by which it is likely to be implemented;
- (c) whether the Government is considering a new mineral policy in Madhya Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the amendments being carried out in the new mineral policy at present by the Government;
- (e)  whether the Government is considering to frame new mineral policy in tribal areas; and
- (f)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (f): Ministry of Mines has announced the National Mineral Policy 2019 ('NMP 2019') in March, 2019 which replaced the National Mineral Policy 2008. Subsequently, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act) 1957 was amended in the years 2020 and 2021.

The objectives of Mineral Laws (Amendment) Act, 2020 is to allow State Governments to take advance action for auction of mineral blocks before the expiry of lease period and to allow transfer of statutory clearances, permissions etc. to a new lessee facilitate seamless  continuity  of  mining  operations.  Further,  the  MMDR  Amendment  Act, 2021 inter alia provides for increasing mineral production and time bound operationalisation  of  mines,  increasing  employment  and  investment  in  the  mining sector, maintaining continuity in mining operations after change of lessee, increasing the pace of exploration and auction of mineral resources and resolving long pending issues  that  have  slowed  the  growth  of  the  sector.  These  reforms  will  ensure  selfsufficiency in mineral requirement of the country.

Further,  as  per  the  information  furnished  by  the  State  Government  of  Madhya Pradesh, no new mineral policy is under consideration in Madhya Pradesh.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5699 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Mini Rail Over Bridges
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5699 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2022

## MINI RAIL OVER BRIDGES

## 5699. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  construct  Mini  Rail Over Bridges in lieu of level crosses in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  with  funds  allocated  or  spent  in  this regard, especially at Madurai and Trivandrum divisions of Southern Railway;
- (c) the  details  of  any  trial  run  or  pilot  project  of  such  modernized Mini Rail Over Bridges are being carried out in any division of the Railways; and
- (d)
- the details of the feasibility studies undertaken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d):    There  is  no  policy  for  construction  or  considering  of  Mini Road Over Bridge (ROB) in lieu of level crossing (LC) in the country. ROBs are provided on cost sharing basis in lieu of LCs where traffic density is more than one lakh traffic vehicle unit (TVU) with consent of State Govt. for cost sharing and closure of LC.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5695 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Number of Telecom Service Providers
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Bholanath (B.P. Saroj)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5695 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  APRIL, 2022

## NUMBER OF TELECOM SERVICE PROVIDERS

## 5695.   SHRI BHOLANATH (B.P. SAROJ):

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  day  by  day  the  number  of  telecom  service provider companies is coming down giving scope for monopoly in telecom services sector in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; State/UT-wise; and
- (c) whether the Government has analysed the situation and considering bringing a policy to attract more ring investors into this sector and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) There has been a consolidation in the Telecom Sector since 2012.  Even after the consolidation, there is sufficient competition in the sector as at least four Telecom Service Providers  (TSPs)  including  one  PSU  (BSNL/MTNL) are present  in  each  Licensed  Service Area (LSA). The country is divided into 22 LSAs.

Consolidation  in  telecom  sector  has  resulted  in  optimum  utilization  of  resources including  radio  spectrum.  The  same  is  evident  from  the  substantial  increase  in  number  of telecom towers, network coverage and subscriber base. The number of telecom base stations in the country has grown from 6,49,834 (as on 31.03.2014) to 23,25,948 (as on 28.02.2022). At present, the mobile networks in India are serving more than 115 crore subscribers (as on 31.12.2021). Nearly, 98% of the population is covered with 4G network. Further, there has been  a  significant  reduction  in  tariffs  for  voice  and  data  since  2016  which  also  indicates presence of adequate competition in telecom sector.

(c) The Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 15.09.2021 has approved the proposal for rationalizing definition of Gross Revenue/ Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), rationalizing of interest  rates  and  removal  of  penalties,  rationalizing  Bank  Guarantees  requirements  and permitting  100%  FDI  under  automatic  route  in  telecom  sector subject  to  the  Press  Note  3 (2020  Series)  guidelines  regarding  investments  from  countries  sharing  land-border  with India. These reforms are expected to promote healthy competition, infuse liquidity, encourage investment and reduce regulatory burden on Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5694 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Rehabilitation of People
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Anumula Revanth Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5694

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2022

## REHABILITATION OF PEOPLE

5694. SHRI ANUMULA REVANTH REDDY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  rehabilitate  the  people  in  the  8 kms  radius  of  Lambapur-Peddagattu  region  in  Telangana  after  Atomic  Minerals Directorate has found high-level Uranium contamination in the ground-water;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to stop further contamination of groundwater that could affect the waters of the Krishna river?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCE & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER`S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(a) to (c)   Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy collects environmental baseline data including ground water samples around the Uranium deposits, before mining is taken up.

As a part of environmental baseline data collection around the Lambapur - Peddagattu region, Nalgonda district, Telangana, AMD has collected ground water samples from 25 private tube wells / hand pumps during the period November, 2018 to July, 2019.

Out of the 25 samples, four are from hand pumps used for domestic purposes and  balance  21  are  from  tube  wells  used  for  irrigation  purposes.  The  four  hand  pump sample locations (from which the water is used domestic purposes) have Uranium values in the  range  of  6  to  48  ppb  uranium  which  is  below  the  prescribed  safety  limit  (60  ppb)  by Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board  (AERB).    The  Uranium  values  in  the  balance  water

samples vary from 1 to 2,618ppb. Thirteen out of the twenty-five samples have Uranium content less than 60ppb. Most of the sample locations with high Uranium contents fall in cultivated land where the water is used for irrigation purposes.  High uranium content in the ground water from granitic country rock is a common occurrence in such type of terrain.  The data has been shared with Government of Telangana.

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2
Lok Sabha Question No. 5693 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Communication Network in Sabarkantha
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Dipsinh Shankarsinh Rathod

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5693 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  APRIL, 2022

## COMMUNICATION NETWORK IN SABARKANTHA

## 5693.   SHRI DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  has  any  details  about  the  communication  network  in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether  there  is  any  gap  in  cable  network  which  is  unable  to  connect  villages  in sabarkantha district, Gujarat; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) There  are  3,325  Base  Transceiver  Stations  (BTSs)  installed  by  Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) namely, M/s BSNL, M/s Bharti Airtel Limited, M/s Reliance Jio Infocomm  Limited  and  M/s  Vodafone  Idea  Limited;  presently  providing  mobile  network coverage in Sabarkantha District, Gujarat. Out of 695 villages, 691 villages in Sabarkantha district  have  mobile  network  coverage  and  679  villages  have  3G/4G  mobile  internet coverage.  Mobile  coverage  in  uncovered  villages  in  the  country  is  being  provided  by  the Government and TSPs in a phased manner.

Moreover, out of 460 GPs planned in Sabarkantha District under BharatNet project, 444 Gram Panchayats(GPs) have been made service ready. The scope of BharatNet has been recently  extended  up  to  all  inhabited  villages  beyond  GPs  in  the  country,  including Sabarkantha district, Gujarat.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5690 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Trade Disruption between India and Nepal
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Anubhav Mohanty

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5690 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 th  APRIL, 2022

## TRADE DISRUPTION BETWEEN INDIA AND NEPAL

## 5690.  SHRI ANUBHAV MOHANTY:

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

- (a) whether there was a huge trade disruption between India and Nepal during September, 2015 which resulted in Nepal reducing its imports from India by almost 40 per cent and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the trade between both countries has increased to the levels prior to September, 2015 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve the trade relationship between both the countries?

## 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) to (c):   No, Sir. India's export to Nepal in last 8 years are as follows :-

## Values in US $ Million

| Year    | India's export to Nepal   |
|---------|---------------------------|
| 2013-14 | 3,592.30                  |
| 2014-15 | 4,558.77                  |
| 2015-16 | 3,902.70                  |
| 2016-17 | 5,453.59                  |
| 2017-18 | 6,612.96                  |
| 2018-19 | 7,766.20                  |
| 2019-20 | 7,160.35                  |
| 2020-21 | 6,838.46                  |

(Data Source: DGCIS)

Government of India is committed to further strengthen and expand India-Nepal trade cooperation through regular  bilateral  exchanges  and  development  of  trade  infrastructure  (such  as  Integrated  Check  Posts),  for seamless flow of cross border trade.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5689 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Development of Nuclear Sector
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5689

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2022

## DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR SECTOR

5689.  SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any plan of action is under consideration of the Government for the development of nuclear sector; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR.JITENDRA SINGH):

(a)to(b). Yes, Sir. Nuclear energy is a clean, environment friendly base load source of power available 24X7. It also has huge potential which can ensure long term  energy  security  of  the  country  in  a  sustainable  manner.  Therefore nuclear energy is an important component of the country's energy mix and is being pursued along with other sources of energy in an optimal manner. In pursuance of the above the details of the nuclear energy programme as follows.

There  are  presently  22  reactors  with  a  total  capacity  of  6780  MW  in operation and one reactor, KAPP-3 (700 MW) has been connected to the grid on January 10, 2021.

In  addition,  there  are  10  reactors  (Kudankulam  Nuclear  Power  Plant (KKNPP) 3&4, KKNPP 5&6 - 4x1000 =4000 MW, 5 indigenous PHWR of 700  MW  -  3500  MW,  500  MW  PFBR)  which  are  various  stages  of construction, which will add a total capacity of 8000 MW.

The  Government  has  accorded  administrative  approval  and  financial sanction  for  construction  of  10  indigenous  700  MW  Pressurized  Heavy Water  Reactors  (PHWRs)  to  be  set  up  in  fleet  mode.  On  progressive completion of the projects under construction and accorded sanction, the

nuclear capacity is expected to reach 22480 MW by 2031. The Government has  also  accorded  'In-Principle'  approval  for  five  new  sites  for  locating nuclear power plants in future.

Further in order to produce fuel for all indigenous PHWRs, Fuel fabrication capacity is  augmented in the facilities  available  at  Nuclear  Fuel Complex (NFC),  Hyderabad  and  the  upcoming  facilities  at  Nuclear  Fuel  Complex (NFC), Kota, Rajasthan in order to match with the requirement of existing PHWRs and upcoming PHWRs. The requirement of uranium for domestic safeguarded nuclear reactors are met by indigenously mined and produced uranium.  However  reactors  which  are  safeguard  are  fuelled  by  imported uranium.

Given the strategic importance of Uranium, its imports are highly dependent on Inter-Governmental relations. To ensure uninterrupted supply of fuel to all the operating and proposed Safeguarded (SG) reactors, it is essential to procure nuclear fuel raw materials from reliable sources to create sufficient stockpile. Natural Uranium Ore Concentrate (UOC) is being procured from countries having Inter Governmental Agreement for supply of nuclear fuel. Efforts have been made to procure nuclear fuel from Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Canada.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5688 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Nuclear Energy
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Locket Chatterjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5688

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2022

## NUCLEAR ENERGY

5688.  MS. LOCKET CHATTERJEE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  explore  the  option  of  using  nuclear energy to solve the energy needs of the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government is planning to explore new and innovative options to replace country's dependence  on  fossil  fuels and  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR.JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a)  Yes,  Sir.    Nuclear  power  is  clean  &  environment  friendly  source  of  base load power available 24X7. Its life cycle Greenhouse gas emissions are comparable to that of renewables. It has huge potential and can provide the  country  long  term  energy  security  in  a  sustainable  manner.  In  this context,  the  Government  is  implementing  an  indigenous  three-stage nuclear  power  programme  along  with  additionalities  based  on  foreign cooperation  to  meet  the  energy  needs  of  the  country.  A  large  nuclear power  capacity  addition  programme  to  increase  the  present  installed capacity of 6780 MW to 22480 MW by 2031 is under implementation.
- (b) Considering the country's large dependence on imports for fossil fuels and in line with the objective of achieving a net zero economy by 2070, clean technologies  like  renewable  and  nuclear  power  are  being  expanded. Innovative  options  like  production  of  clean  Hydrogen  using  electricity from nuclear power are also being explored in this regard.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5687 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Geological Surveys in PoK
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5687

ANSWERED ON 06.04.2022

## GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS IN POK

5687. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL: Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has undertaken any Geological Survey in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) region of Kashmir; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the PoK region is enriched with minerals and trace elements; and (d) if so, the details of minerals and trace minerals which could be mined from that region?

## ANSWER

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

(a): No, Sir. Geological Survey of India has not undertaken any geological surveys (mapping & mineral exploration) in the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) region of Kashmir.

(b) to (d): In view of (a) above, question does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5686 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Kalpana Chawla Centre for Research
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Raja Amareshwara Naik, Rajveer (Raju Bhaiya) Singh, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Sukanta Majumdar, Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5686

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 06, 2022

KALPANA CHAWLA CENTRE FOR RESEARCH

5686.  SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJU BHAIYA):

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  established  Kalpana  Chawla Centre for Research in Space Science and Technology (KCCRSST)  at  Chandigarh  University  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  share  space  technology and expertise and open its various facilities for the industry and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  working  on  setting  up  of  Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the other steps being taken by the Government for strengthening the space sector of the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Kalpana  Chawla  Centre  for  Research  in  Space  Science  and Technology (KCCRSST) was inaugurated at Chandigarh University on January 03, 2022. This Research Centre has been established with the objectives of training students in space  science, satellite development, meet future challenges in space research strengthening  the  space  sector  of  the  country  ensuring  India's leading position in future technologies.
- (b) Yes,  Sir.  ISRO  identified  space  technologies  are  available  for transfer to  interested & qualified industries through Technology Transfer  mechanism.  As  approved  by  the  Union  Cabinet,  the space  sector  is  unlocked  for  non-governmental  private  entities including sharing technical facilities based on the demand.
- (c) IN-SPACe  is  already  established  under  Department  of  Space (DOS). IN-SPACe is a single window mechanism for promoting & authorizing space activities and usage of DOS owned facilities by Non-Governmental  Entities  (NGEs)  as  well  as  to  finalise  the launch manifest considering all stakeholders.
- (d) Department  of  Space  has  established  incubation  cells  &  Space Technology cells to encourage R&D in space science, technology & applications at several premier institutes across the country. Department of Space sponsors R&D projects in the focused areas of space to the interested academia across the country. Department  of  Space  has  formulated  the  Indian  Space  Policy, 2022 for engagement of NGEs in the space activities.

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