opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4694 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: ACWG of G20
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Ganesh Singh

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4694

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023)

## ACWG OF G20

## †4694. SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  reinforce  the  international  cooperation  for initiating action against corruption and economic offences through the G-20 forum and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the meetings of Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) of G-20 have been initiated;
- (c) if so, the details of international organizations participating in the deliberations; and
- (d) the details of the areas of priority being targeted in the ACWG?

## 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):   Yes. One of the focus area of the Anti-Corruption Working Group of the G-20 in 2023 is international cooperation regarding Corruption offenders.

- (b):    Yes.
- (c):  Following International Organizations participated in the deliberations of the G-20 ACWG:-
- (i) EGMONT Group
- (ii) Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
- (iii) International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA)
- (iv) International Development Law Organization (IDLO)
- (v) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- (vi) The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL)
- (vii) The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
- (viii) United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
- (ix) World Bank

(d):    In  addition  to  international  cooperation  for  action  against  corruption  offenders,  G-20 ACWG is also focusing on promoting integrity and effectiveness of public bodies and authorities responsible for preventing and combating corruption. Further, Gender dimensions of corruption are  also  being  explored  in  G-20  ACWG  along  with  role  of  Information  and  Communications Technology in combatting corruption in Public Sector.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4693 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Export of Vande Bharat Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4693 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## EXPORT OF VANDE BHARAT TRAINS

†4693.  SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  seriously  considering  to  export Vande Bharat trains;
- (b)
- If so, the details of the steps taken so far in this regard; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c) Indian Railways is looking forward for export of indigenously  manufactured  Vande  Bharat  trains.  Railway  PSUs including RITES have been authorised for export of rolling stock.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4692 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Implementation of ONORC in West Bengal
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Jayanta Kumar Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4692 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29TH MARCH, 2023

## IMPLEMENTATION OF ONORC IN WEST BENGAL

## DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

## 4692.

Will the Minister of FOOD AND

CONSUMER AFFAIRS, PUBLIC

- (a) whether the State of West Bengal is implementing One Nation One
- Ration Card (ONORC) Scheme, if SO, the details thereof;
- (b)
- the impact of delay in implementation of ONORC in West Bengal;
- (c) the funds allocated and utilized under this scheme
- sanctioned, within West Bengal, so far; and
- (d) the details of the target set and achievements West Bengal along with its results?
- made so far within

ANSWE R MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a): Yes Sir: State Government of West Bengal has implemented the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) plan: Since inception, around 57 lakh portability transactions have been recorded in the State of West Bengal:
- (b): Doesn't arise.
- (c): One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) plan for nationwide portability of ration cards is implemented by this Department under the Central Sector Scheme i.e: Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS), which was sanctioned in April 2018 with total outlay of Rs.127.3 Crore. The scheme is extended till 31st March 2023. So far, financial assistance of Rs.: 1.24 Crore has been released to West Bengal under IM-PDS.

(d): There is no such targets provisioned under ONORC plan as this Department has already enabled portability of ration cards in all 36 StatesIUTs in the country through ONORC plan, that all NFSA beneficiaries can benefits of portability of food securitySince inception, more than 103 Crore portability transactions have been recorded in the country, wherein; around 57 Iakh portability transactions have been recorded in the State of West Bengal, which shows the wide acceptance of ONORC plan: get
Lok Sabha Question No. 4690 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Cotton and Man-made Fibres
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: M.K. Vishnu Prasad

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4690 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRES

## 4690. DR. VISHNU PRASAD M.K.:

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

(a)  whether  there  is  a  differential  tax  treatment  for  cotton  and  Man-made  Fibres  (MMF),  if  so,  the reasons therefor; and

(b) whether it is a fact that the fibre tax neutrality, if introduced, is likely to give clothing cotton product exports a boost and increase production, if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

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

(a) & (b): There is a differential tax structure for Cotton and Man-made Fibres, which is @5% and @18%, respectively.

The GST rates are prescribed on the recommendations of the GST Council, which is a constitutional body comprising members from Union Government and State/ UT Governments. 45th GST Council meeting had announced change in GST rates on textiles w.e.f. 1.1.2022 but Council in its 46th meeting on  31st  December,  2021,  recommended  to  defer  the  decision  of  change  in  rates  in  textiles  due  to industry  representation  on  the  adverse  price  impact  of  the  increased  GST  on  fabrics  and  low  value garments.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4688 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Cashless Transactions at Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Vijay Kumar Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4688

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## CASHLESS TRANSACTIONS AT RAILWAY STATIONS

4688. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:

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 not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c): No, Sir. There is no plan to stop the sale of food items on cash at railway stations. However, as a measure to encourage digital transaction, instructions  have  been  issued  to  Indian  Railway  Catering  and  Tourism Corporation  Limited  (IRCTC) and  Zonal  Railways  to  ensure  availability  of cashless  transaction  facilities  at  all  Mobile  and  Static  Catering  Units  at stations  over  Indian  Railways  to  facilitate  travelling  passengers  with additional option of payment.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4686 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Funds for Satara District under USOF
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4686 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH  MARCH, 2023

## FUNDS FOR SATARA DISTRICT UNDER USOF

## 4686.   SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the funds released by the Government under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for Satara district of Maharashtra during the last three years, year-wise;

(b) the details of the works carried out under the USOF in the Satara district in the last three years; and

- (c) the details of the works sanctioned to be carried out in the year 2023-24?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Rs.  2233  crores  have  been  released  /  disbursed  from  Universal  Service  Obligation  Fund (USOF) for Maharashtra including Satara District during last three years (2019-20 to 2021-22). The year-wise details are as under:

| Financial Years   |   Rupees in Crores |
|-------------------|--------------------|
| 2019-20           |                294 |
| 2020-21           |               1491 |
| 2021-22           |                448 |
| Total             |               2233 |

(b) In last three years, 252 Gram Panchayats (GPs) were made service ready in Satara district of Maharashtra under BharatNet project.

(c) The  details  of  USOF  Schemes  which  are  under  implementation  in  Satara  District  of Maharashtra is as given below:

(1) BharatNet: BharatNet connectivity is planned in 1501 GPs of Satara district. Out of this, 1014 GPs have already been made service ready as of Feb 2023.

(2) 4G Saturation ProjectThere is provision of 4G Mobile Services in 169 villages of Satara District of Maharashtra under '4G Saturation Project'.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4683 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: D. M. Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4683 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## GATI SHAKTI CARGO TERMINALS IN TAMIL NADU

4683. SHRI  D.M. KATHIR ANAND :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Railways has proposed to establish Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GSCTs) in Tamil Nadu;
- (b)    if  so,  the  details  of  locations  where  Railways  is  proposing  to establish the above terminals in Tamil Nadu;
- (c)  whether  any  timeline  has  been  fixed  for  this,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government has already established GSCTs in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the effective measures taken by the Government to connect all the ports with these GSCTs in Tamil Nadu and the funds allocated for the same?

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. 4683 BY SHRI D.M. KATHIR ANAND TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 29.03.2023 REGARDING GATI SHAKTI CARGO TERMINALS IN TAMIL NADU

(a) & (b): In order to boost investment from industry in setting up of cargo terminals, 'Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT)' policy has been launched, wherein GCTs are being developed by non-railway agencies.  Under  the  GCT  policy  three  (03)  locations  have  been provisionally identified / proposed for setting up of GCTs in the State of Tamil Nadu, and In-principle Approvals (IPA) have been granted for the same. The details of locations are as under -

|   SN | Name of location / station                |
|------|-------------------------------------------|
|    1 | Tondiarpet                                |
|    2 | Nalli                                     |
|    3 | between Ingur and Vijayamangalam stations |

(c) & (d):    As per the provisions of the GCT policy, the agencies are expected to complete the construction within twenty four (24) months of grant of IPA.

(e): The facilities and infrastructure at a GCT, including its connectivity, are planned and constructed by the Terminal Operator.

No  funds  have  been  allocated,  as  the  Gati  Shakti  Cargo  Terminals (GCTs) are being developed by non-railway agencies. ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4681 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: ONDC
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Jayant Sinha

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4681.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 29 TH  MARCH, 2023.

## ONDC

## 4681.  SHRI JAYANT SINHA:

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

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the  details  and  salient  features  of  the  Open  Network  for  Digital  Commerce (ONDC);
- (b) the number of merchants registered on the platform, so far;
- (c) the number of orders delivered since its launch;
- (d) whether the Government plans to expand ONDC to smaller cities in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  plans  to  integrate  the  One  District,  One  Product initiative with ONDC and 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): Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, aimed at promoting open networks for all aspects of the exchange of goods and services over  digital  or  electronic  networks.  ONDC  is  a  first-ofits-  kind,  global  initiative    aimed at democratizing digital commerce in India. ONDC is based on open-source methodology, using open specifications and open network protocols independent of        any specific platform

ONDC  in  not  a  platform, but  a  network  enabling interoperability  and unbundling. Providers and consumers can use any compatible application of their  choice  for  exchange  of  information  and  carrying  out  transactions  over ONDC. ONDC acts as enabler to unbundle the supply chain, merchants and providers  of  support services, thus shifting the power from the intermediaries to the consumers.

- (b) & (c): Being a network, ONDC does not directly onboard any sellers. ONDC enables both products and services to be transacted through the network. ONDC   is in trial mode through Beta Testing of its Network in Bangalore and Meerut.
- (d) & (e): ONDC strives to expand to all corners of India by giving special attention and providing  handholding  to  undigitized  sellers.  The  sale  of  One  District  One Product  (ODOP)  Products  was  piloted  on  ONDC  with  UP  Handicrafts Development & Marketing Corporation Ltd. (UPHDMC).

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4677 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Features of BharatNet
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Sanghamitra Maurya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4677 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH  MARCH, 2023

## FEATURES OF BHARATNET

## 4677.   DR. SANGHMITRA MAURYA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the features of the BharatNet Project;

(b) the details of the funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized under this project in Uttar Pradesh (UP) during the last three years and the current year;

(c) the details of the number of villages connected with broadband facility under this project within UP;

(d) whether the Government has the data of villages still not connected with this facility within UP and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps being taken by the Government for expeditiously cover these villages under this scheme?

## ANSWER

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

(a) BharatNet  project  is  being  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  to  provide  broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. The infrastructure created under BharatNet project is a national asset, accessible on a non-discriminatory basis to the Service Providers, and the same can be utilized to provide broadband services, such as Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, leased lines, dark fibre, backhaul to mobile towers, etc. in the rural areas.

(b) Rs  1286.97  crore  has  been  sanctioned/allocated  and  utilised  during  the  last  four  years (including the current year) in Uttar Pradesh under BharatNet project.

(c) to (e) In Uttar Pradesh, out of the total 59,365 GPs, 41,512 GPs have been made Service Ready under the BharatNet Project. Union Cabinet has accorded in principle approval for extending BharatNet  to  connect  all  inhabited  villages  (including  remaining  17,853  GPs  of  Uttar  Pradesh). Following steps have been taken by the Government for expeditiously covering the remaining GPs and villages in the country, including Uttar Pradesh:

- i. Strict monitoring of the project at various levels by Universal Service Obligation Fund, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited/ Bharat Broadband Network Limited with implementing Agencies for speedy roll out of the project.
- ii. Resolving all pending issues in expeditious manner.
- iii. Revised strategy has been formulated for covering all GPs and villages for connecting on OFC, O&M and utilization.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4676 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Mega Leather Footwear and Accessories Park
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak, Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4676. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 29 TH  MARCH, 2023.

## MEGA LEATHER FOOTWEAR AND ACCESSORIES PARK

## 4676.  SHRI MANOJ KOTAK: SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

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

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the Government is developing Mega Leather Footwear and Accessories  Park  to  create  world-class  infrastructure and  integrate the production chain for leather and footwear industries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government of Maharashtra has submitted any proposal under this scheme; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for not according approval till date?

## 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) & (b): Sir, Indian Footwear and Leather Development Programme is implemented with six sub-schemes, including Mega Leather Footwear and  Accessories  Cluster  Development  (MLFACD)  sub-scheme.  The MLFACD sub-scheme aims at creation of world-class infrastructure and to integrate the production chain in a manner that caters to the business needs of the leather and footwear industry in respect of the domestic market and exports. Graded assistance is  provided @70% of the project cost  in  North-eastern  areas  and  @50%  of  the  project  cost  for  land development, core infrastructure, HRD  and social infrastructure, production  facilities  including  ready  to  use  sheds  with  plug  and  play facility,  R&D support and export services,  excluding cost of land with maximum Government assistance limited to Rs. 125 crore for a project.
- (c) & (d): One  preliminary  proposal  to  develop  a  Mega  Leather  Footwear  and Accessories Cluster at Ratwad Industrial Area, District Raigad, Maharashtra  with  estimated  project  cost  of  Rs.  324  crore  has  been received.  The  proposal  is  with  the  Project  Implementing  Agency  for evaluation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: National Retail Trade Policy
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Gautham Sigamani Pon

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4675. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 29 TH  MARCH, 2023.

## NATIONAL RETAIL TRADE POLICY

## 4675.  DR. PON GAUTHAM SIGAMANI:

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

- (a) whether it is true that the Government is working to bring a national retail trade policy for brick-and-mortar retail traders to promote ease of doing business;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is true that the Government is also working to bring an e-commerce policy for online retailers;
- (d) if so, whether the Government is also in the process of formulating an insurance scheme for all retail traders; and
- (e) 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) & (b): A  draft  National  Retail  Trade  Policy  has  been prepared, based on consultations with State Governments and major Industry/trade associations. The Draft National Retail Trade Policy focuses on preparing strategies for overall development of retail trade through targeted efforts to  promote  ease  of  doing  business  in  retail  sector through several measures to reduce compliance burden, enhance ease  of  access  to credit  and  decriminalization  of  minor  offences  for  all  formats  of  retail trade.  Special  emphasis  is  placed  on  assessing  the  requirement  of licenses, removal of renewal requirement, inspection reforms, facilitating public service delivery, creation of single window facilitation mechanism etc.
- (c): The  draft  e-Commerce  policy  was  placed  in  public  domain  on  23rd February,  2019  for  public  consultations.  Valuable  suggestions  have been received from various stakeholders.
- (d) & (e): A  draft  Accident  Insurance  Scheme  has  been  prepared  for  GST registered   traders  covering  life  and  establishment  of  traders,  based on the valuable suggestions received from various stakeholders.

******