opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5453 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Foodgrains Released to States
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab

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

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5453

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 5TH APRIL, 2023

## FOODGRAINS RELEASED TO STATES

## 5453. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

- (a) the total quantity of foodgrains released to the States under the Public Distribution System (PDS) during last year and the current year, particularly in Odisha; and
- (b) whether any new policy has been formulated for proper implementation of PDS in the country to make the system foolproof and if SO, the details thereof?

A NSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a) & (b): Details offtake of  foodgrains by StatesUTs  including Odisha, during 2021-22 and 2022-23 under National Food Security Act (NFSAJ Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) are as under:

| Year                     |   Total Quantity wr t: AII States/UTs including Odisha (in LMT) |   Total Quantity (in LMT) |
|--------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|
| 2021-22                  |                                                          485.6  |                     19.91 |
| 2022-23 (Upto Feb, 2023) |                                                          456.81 |                     19.25 |

The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the StatelUT Governments. Central Govt is responsible for allocation and transportation of foodgrainsupto the designated depots of the FCI. The operational responsibilities allocation of foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible beneficiaries, issuance of ration cards to them; distribution of foodgrains to eligible beneficiaries rest with the concerned StatelUT Govt: for

This Department has approved a new scheme "Scheme for Modernization and Reforms Through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART-PDS): The said initiative is for taking forward the modernization of public distribution system by employing new and emerging technologies and other Information Communications  Technology (ICT) tools to improve efficiency of public delivery enhance the reach to beneficiaries and timely delivery of the services in a more transparent manner:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5452 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: CHCDS
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Imtiaz Jaleel Syed

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5452 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## CHCDS

## 5452. SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL:

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

- (a) whether the Government is implementing Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS);
- (b) if so, the current status of its implementation in the country along with the financial allocation for the scheme;
- (c)  the  number  of  mega  handloom  clusters  that  is  being  implemented  in  different  States  including Maharashtra;
- (d) the number of green and brown field projects that have been selected under the scheme during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise; and
- (e) the details of the facilities and incentives being offered under the scheme?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

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

- (a)  &  (b): Comprehensive  Handloom  Cluster  Development  Scheme  was  in  operation  upto  October 2021,  thereafter  it  was  subsumed  under  National  Handloom  Development  Programme  as  one  of  its components. The allocation of fund under this scheme till date is Rs 234.00 crore.
- (c): So far, financial assistance has been provided to 09 Mega Handloom Clusters implementation viz.  Varanasi  (Uttar  Pradesh),  Sivasagar  (Assam),  Virudhunagar  (Tamil  Nadu),  Murshidabad  (West Bengal), Prakasam & Guntur districts (Andhra Pradesh), Godda & neighbouring districts (Jharkhand) Bhagalpur (Bihar), Trichy (Tamil Nadu) and Imphal East (Manipur). No proposal has been received from State of Maharashtra for Mega Handloom Cluster.
- (d): One Brownfield project viz. Mega Handloom Cluster at Imphal East (Manipur) has been taken up in last 3 years.
- (e): Under  National  Handloom  Development  Programme,  need  based  financial  assistance  is provided  to  Mega  Handloom  Cluster  for  implementation  of  various  interventions  like  looms  and upgraded accessories, design and product development, marketing and export promotion, setting up of common infrastructure such as Value Addition centre (Garmenting/Apparel unit), Reeling, Processing, Printing units etc.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5451 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5451 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel

## 5451.  SHRI RAVIKUMAR D.:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the share of energy provided by the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) to the national grid;
- (b) whether the Union Government has taken any steps to address the storage of Spent  Nuclear  Fuel  (SNF),  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether the Union Government has consulted the Tamil Nadu State Government about the decision to store SNF permanently in the Away From Reactor facility to be located within the unit premises, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) In the year 2021-22, KKNPP 1&2 (2X1000 MW) generated 14536 Million Units of electricity which is about 1% of the total share of electricity generated.
- (b) Yes, Sir.  The first place of storing Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) is located within the  reactor  /  spent  fuel  storage  building,  generally  known  as  the  spent  fuel storage  pool  /  bay.    In  addition  to  the  above  there  is  another  storage  facility located away from the reactor called the 'Away From Reactor' (AFR) Facility, within the plant premises to store the spent fuel.
- (c) India has adopted a closed fuel cycle policy under which SNF is reprocessed to get fuel for the next stage of the programme. Thus the SNF is proposed to be only  temporarily  stored  in  the  AFR  facility  to  be  located  within  the  plant premises, till it is sent to a reprocessing plant for reprocessing.  AFRs are also already constructed and functional at other sites like Tarapur, Maharashtra and Rawatbhata, Rajasthan.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5450 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Amenities for Passengers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5450 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## AMENITIES FOR PASSENGERS

†5450. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Western Railway has asked Mumbai Municipal Administration to provide land for setting up the amenities for passengers at Mira Road and Bhayandar Railway Station, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether commuters face a lot of difficulty in exiting the station due to shortage of space on the west side of Bhayandar Railway Station, if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  whether  any  illegal  businesses  are  being  carried  out  under  the footbridge leading to Balaji Nagar west of Bhayandar Railway Station if so, the details in this regard?

## 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.5450  BY  SHRI  RAJAN  VICHARE  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 05.04.2023 REGARDING AMENITIES FOR PASSENGERS

(a) Yes, Sir. In order to ease the parking problem of Railway commuters at Mira Road and Bhayander Railway station, a request has been made to Mira Bhaindar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) for developing suitable land adjoining to station area under MBMC jurisdiction so that parking facility can be given to passengers.

(b) There are 05 Foot Over Bridges at Bhayandar Railway station. Railway is  having limited land and there is about 3m wide lane in West side for passengers to exit. However, there are three exit points to go to main road from railway lane. Thus, as such there is no difficulty for passengers.

(c)  No  illegal  businesses  are  being  carried  out  in  the  Railway  premise falling  under  Railway  foot  over  bridge  leading  to  Balaji  Nagar  west  of Bhayandar Railway Station.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5448 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Jute Products
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Sajda Ahmed

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5448 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## JUTE PRODUCTS

## 5448. SHRIMATI SAJDA AHMED:

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

- (a) the details of the policy adopted by the Government to increase the use of Jute Products keeping in mind the adverse environmental impact of Plastic materials;
- (b) whether the Jute Industry has been placed under the agenda of G20;
- (c) the details of the raw jute procured by JCI during the last three years in West Bengal; and
- (d) the measures taken by the Government to increase the income of the Jute Cultivators?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

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

- (a): The Central Government has launched National Jute Development Program for implementation during  FY  2021-22  to  2025-26  for  overall  development  and  promotion  of  jute  sector  including awareness programme on using of eco-friendly jute products. Further, under Jute Packaging Material (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987, the Government has kept reservation for 100% food grains and 20% sugar for packaging in jute material. Under the provisions of the JPM Act, 1987, the Government procures 70% of the total production of jute goods to support the industry.

(b): No, Sir.

- (c): The details of the raw jute procured by JCI during the last three years in West Bengal is as under:

(Qty in quintal)

| Year    | MSP Procurement   | Commercial Procurement   | Total Procurement   |
|---------|-------------------|--------------------------|---------------------|
| 2019-20 | 1,29,420          | 25,884                   | 1,55,304            |
| 2020-21 | 6,424             | 1,37,650                 | 1,44,074            |
| 2021-22 | 1,911             | 2,035                    | 3,946               |

- (d): Under  the  National  Jute  Development  Program,  a  scheme  namely  Jute-ICARE  (Improved Cultivation  and  Advanced  Retting  Exercise)  is  implemented  by  National  Jute  Board  with  a  view  to increase the income of the Jute Cultivators through improving fibre quality and productivity of jute.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5447 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5447 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## MUMBAI AHMEDABAD BULLET TRAIN PROJECT

†5447. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  foundation  stone  of  MumbaiAhmedabad bullet train project was laid on 14th September, 2017;
- (b) if so, the present status of this rail project and the amount spent on it so far;
- (c) the initial cost of this rail project along with the cost escalation with regard to the said project at present;
- (d) whether any time limit has been fixed for the completion of the project; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  and  (b):Yes,  Sir.  The  ground-breaking  ceremony  of  Mumbaion 14.09.2017  in  presence  of  Hon'ble  Prime  Ministers  of  India  and
- Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project was held Japan. The current status of MAHSR Project is as under:-
-  Till February, 2023, Physical Progress of 32.93% in Gujarat and 13.72% in Maharashtra has been achieved.
-  Till now, out of total 352 km elevated viaduct, approx. 257 km of piling, 180 km of foundation, 155  km  of  the pier  and 37 km of girder launching  have been completed in Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

-  An expenditure of ` 38,506 crore has so far been incurred on MAHSR project.

(c)  to  (e):  The  total  cost  of  MAHSR  project  was  estimated  as ` 1,08,000  crore  in  2015.  The  execution  of  the  project  has  been affected due to delay in land acquisition in the State of Maharashtra and  consequent  delays  in  finalization  of  contracts  as  well  as adverse impact of COVID-19. The anticipated cost and timeline can be ascertained only after completion of land acquisition, finalization of all contracts and associated timelines.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5445 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Reversion of Train Schedule
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5445

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## REVERSION OF TRAIN SCHEDULE

5445. SHRI P.V.MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Indian  Railways  has  completely  reverted  the  train schedule and stoppage protocol at stations of all passenger trains in the country back to the regular routine that was in-effect before the COVID-19 lockdown of March 2020;
- (b) if  not,  the  details  of  the  passenger  trains  wherein  reversion  is incomplete especially in the State of Andhra Pradesh;
- (c) whether the Government  has received any representations bringing notice of the fact that certain regular trains still fail to halt at particular  stations  as  per  pre-COVID-19  schedule,  if  so,  the  facts  in this regard; and
- (d) the  timeline  by  which  pre-pandemic  train  schedule  would  return with regard to Koduru, Nandalur and Rajampeta stations?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d)      Indian  Railways,  to  contain  the  spread  of  COVID-19 pandemic,  had  discontinued  all  regular  passengers  carrying  trains, including Mail/Express trains, w.e.f 23.03.2020 and only special trains with limited stoppages were being operated. Further, Indian Railways have undertaken rationalization of the Time Table, including rationalization  of  train  services,  in  a  scientific  manner  with  the assistance  of  IIT-Bombay.  The  exercise  has  been  undertaken,  inter alia,  to  provide  for  better  passenger  safety  by  creating  maintenance corridor  blocks,  minimizing  conflicts  in  existing  Time  Table,  and speeding  up  of  train  services.  Since,  November-2021,  train  services are  being  operated  with  rationalised  Time  Table.    Representations including  from  Hon'ble  Members  of  Parliament,  for  restoration  of regular train services and provision of stoppage in the special trains, presently being operated, have been received, a compendium of which is not maintained.  The passenger services are being operationalised in a phased manner.  Indian Railways is keeping a close watch on the situation and regulating operations of trains accordingly.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5444 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Schemes for Development of Aspirational Districts
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Durga Das Uikey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5444

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## SCHEMES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICTS

## †5444. SHRI DURGA DAS (D.D.) UIKEY:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of schemes which are being implemented for the development of aspirational districts;
- (b) the details of major schemes implemented in the said districts of Madhya Pradesh, district-wise;
- (c) the amount allocated and utilised for the said districts of Madhya Pradesh; and
- (d) the details of special programmes being run by the Government in aspirational districts?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) ,  (b)  and  (d)  The  main  strategy  of  the  Aspirational  Districts  Programme  is  based  on convergence of existing schemes which have their own  funding arrangement. The Programme aims at rapid transformation of 112 districts across sectors which are critical for improving quality of life or economic productivity of citizens and these sectors are Health and Nutrition, School Education, Basic Infrastructure, Agriculture and Water Resources and Financial Inclusion & Skill Development. 49 key performance indicators have been selected across  these  sectors  and  each  district's  performance  is  monitored  on  the  basis  of  progress made on these indicators. Eight districts from Madhya Pradesh are part of this programme. They are Barwani, Rajgarh, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Singrauli, Khandwa, Vidisha and Guna.

- (c) Details of funds allocated and utilised by Aspirational Districts of Madhya Pradesh is provided is as below:

| District   |   Funds Allocated (In Rs. Crore) |   Funds Released (In Rs. Crore) |   Funds Utilised (In Rs. Crore) |
|------------|----------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Barwani    |                            14    |                           13    |                           10    |
| Rajgarh    |                             8.35 |                            8.35 |                            0    |
| Chhatarpur |                            17    |                           14.7  |                            4.71 |
| Damoh      |                            11    |                            5.79 |                            5.67 |
| Khandwa    |                            11    |                            2.91 |                            2.11 |
| Vidisha    |                            13    |                            7.99 |                            3.54 |
| Guna       |                            12    |                            7.77 |                            1.65 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5443 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendras at Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shankar Lalwani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5443

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## PRADHAN MANTRI JANAUSHADHI KENDRAS AT RAILWAY STATIONS †5443. SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  plan  to  provide  onboard medicines in the moving trains for the convenience of the passengers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the time by which the said plan is likely to be implemented;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  open  Janaushadhi  Kendras  also  at railway  stations  under  the  extension  plan  of  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Janaushadhi Kendras;
- (e)  if  so,  the  number  of  railway  stations  where  Pradhan  Mantri  Janaushadhi Kendras have been opened so far;
- (f)  whether any target has been set in this regard in the current financial year; and
- (g) if so, the number thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (c):  Medicines  for  common  ailments are provided on-board to the railway passengers as and when the need arises.
- (d)  to  (g)  :  Yes,  Sir.  The  Government  has  planned  to  open  Pradhan  Mantri Janushadhi  Kendras  at  Railway  Stations.  However,  no  such  Kendra  has  been opened as yet and no target / number has been finalized for the current financial year.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5442 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Foodgrains through Home Delivery
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Jyotsna Charandas Mahant

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

## LoK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5442 To BE ANSWERED ON 5TH APRIL, 2023

## FOODGRAINS THROUGH HOME DELIVERY

+5442. SHRIMATI JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION 3997hT

- (a) whether the Government proposes to supply foodgrains to every household under the Public Distribution System;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any scheme for home  delivery or delivery through authorised nominee has been started for (National Food Security Act) NFSA Divyangjan beneficiaries whose age is more than 65 years and whose card does not carry the name of any adult member of the family; and
- (d) been started including Chhattisgarh?

## ANSWE R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a)&(b): As per provisions of National Food Security Act, 2013 the entitlements of the persons belonging to the eligible households at subsidized prices shall extend seventy five percent of the rural population and up to fifty percent of the urban population: This Department is allocating foodgrains to StatesIUTs for distribution through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) to around 80 crore beneficiarieslhouseholds covered under NFSA under the two categories (a) Antyodaya Anna Yojanna(AAY); and (b) Priority Households (PHH): upto

- (c)&(d): Keeping in view that some of the beneficiaries may experience difficulty in getting their entitled foodgrains because of their inability to visit the Fair Price (FPS) themselves for reasons such as old age (above 65 years), physical disability etc-, this department has issued advisory in February; 2018 to all the including Chattisgarh for special dispensation to such beneficiaries through any of the two approaches:Shop
- Home delivery of the entitled quota of foodgrains;
- Delivery through authorized nominees of such beneficiaries: