opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5440 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Bullet train under Sea
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ghanshyam Singh Lodhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5440 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## BULLET TRAIN UNDER SEA

†5440. SHRI GHANSHYAM SINGH LODHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any proposal to run Bullet Train under the sea;
- (b) if so, the time by which it is likely to be made operational and the estimated cost likely to be incurred thereon;
- (c)  the  extent to which the said Bullet Trains are likely to be safe from security angle; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and (b): Yes, Sir. Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Corridor  will  pass  through  21  km  long  under  sea  tunnel  at  Thane Creek.

The  estimated  cost  of  MAHSR  Project  is ` 1,08,000  crore,  which includes the cost of the tunnel portion. The anticipated timeline for the  commencement  of the project can be ascertained after completion of land acquisition, technical approvals and associated timelines.

- (c)  and  (d):  The  MAHSR  project  is  based  on  world  class  Japanese Shinkansen Technology which is renowned for  reliability and safety. There is zero fatalities on Japanese Shinkansen since its operation in 1964.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Status of Railway Line from Jaipur-Nathdwara
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Subhash Chandra Baheria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  5439 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## STATUS OF RAILWAY LINE FROM JAIPUR-NATHDWARA

† 5439.   SHRI SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the railway line from Jaipur to Nathdwara via Todaraj Singh, Kekri Shahpura was approved and work was also started thereon, if so, the current status thereof;
- (b) whether the work on the said railway line has been stopped;
- (c) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether there is any proposal to resume the work on the said railway route; and
- (e) if so, the time by which it is likely to be resumed?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) Nathdwara is already connected with Jaipur by Railway Network via Ajmer and Marwar Junction and also via Ajmer, Chittaurgarh and Mavli Junction.

At  present,  no  proposal  for  Jaipur-Nathdwara  via  Todaraisingh,  Kekri and Shahpura New Line Project is under consideration.

However,  a  survey  of  new  line  between  Mandalgarh-Todraisingh  via Shahpura-Kekri (130 Km) has been taken up.

- (b) to (e) Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5438 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Coal Mine Allocation
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Mahua Moitra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 5438

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## COAL MINE ALLOCATION

## 5438. SHRIMATI MAHUA MOITRA:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

(a) whether the coal mine allocation given since 1993 has been declared as illegal and arbitrary by Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the manner in which the Model Coal Law was designed permitting reinstating of old MDO contracts;

(c) the details for reallocation of the Parsa East and Kente Basin Mines in Rajasthan to RRVUNL after the Apex Court's declaration; and

(d) the reasons for not taking any action to cancel the same since it was in contravention of the Apex Court's orders?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The Hon'ble Supreme Court vide judgment dated 25.08.2014 in WP (Crl) No. 120/2012, had held the allocation of 204 coal mines allocated since 1993 arbitrary and illegal.

(b): After cancellation of 204 coal blocks, Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act , 2015 [CMSP Act] was enacted for re-allocation of these coal blocks. As per section 11(1) of the CMSP Act an allottee may elect to adopt and continue such contracts which may be existing with any of the prior allottees in relation to coal mining operations.

(c):  Parsa  East  and  Kanta  Basan  coal  mines  have  been  reallocated  to  Rajasthan  Rajya  Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited vide allocation order dated 31.03.2015 under the provisions of CMSP Act.

(d): As coal mines have been reallocated under CMSP Act, there is no contravention of Apex Court's Order.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5437 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Real-Time Translation
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Brijendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5437

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## REAL-TIME TRANSLATION

## 5437.  SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government is working to create a 'Real-Time Translation' software to help overcome language barriers across regions of India using artificial intelligence;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the progress made so far and the estimated year of completion for this project;
- (c) whether the Government has partnered with a private entity to carry out this project; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): The National Language Technology Mission (BHASHINI), has been launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister in July' 2022 to provide Artificial Intelligence (AI)  driven language technology solutions through Bhashini platform (https://bhashini.gov.in) as 3 year mission for all 22 Scheduled Indian Languages.

Under  the  Mission  Digital  India  Bhashini,  11  R&D  projects  have  been  funded    involving academic institutions like IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, IIIT Hyderabad, C-DAC etc  and  startups  to  develop  various  language  technologies.  Currently,  390+  pre-trained  AIdriven  language  models  have  been  made  available  on  Bhashini  platform  in  10  Indian Scheduled  Languages  (Bengali,  Gujarati,  Hindi,  Kannada,  Malayalam,  Marathi,    Odia, Punjabi,  Tamil,  and  Telugu)  and  English.  The  Bhashini  Open  Application  Programming Interface  (APIs)  for  language  translation  in  text  and  voice  have  been  listed  on  API  Setu (https://apisetu.gov.in).  Also,  a  beta  version  mobile  app  has  been  developed  for  speech  to speech machine translation along with a  web Application 'Anuvaad'. This is a  sentence level  Real-Time translation software which will help to overcome language barriers across regions of India for certain languages.

(c)  and (d):  Ministry of Electronics and IT through its implementation partner Digital India Bhashini  Division  (DIBD)  under  Digital  India  Corporation  (DIC)  has  engaged  EkStep Foundation as Knowledge Partner without any financial arrangement. Further, various private educational institutions, IIITs and  startups  have  been engaged  for R&D  projects  in consortium mode where consortium is headed by institutions like IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, IIIT Hyderabad, C-DAC  etc.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5433 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Passenger Train in Telangana
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Uttam Kumar Nalamada Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5433 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## PASSENGER TRAIN IN TELANGANA

## 5433. SHRI UTTAM KUMAR REDDY NALAMADA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposal  to  start passenger train on existing railway lines between Motumari, Jaggaiahpet,  Mellacheruvu,  Mattampally,  Janapahad,  Vishnupuram etc. in Telangana, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  commissioner  for  railway  safety  has  raised  any concerns regarding the above lines, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the operational constraints due to which passenger train has not been started yet;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  the  required  surveys recently  to  determine  the  operational  feasibility  of  starting  such passenger train; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (e) Representations  including  from  the  Hon'ble  Member  of Parliament have been received in this regard. Motumari-Vishnupuram line was built to cater to the needs of freight traffic only and is being presently  used  accordingly.  At  present,  the  section  is  not  fit  for passenger train operations and lacks necessary passenger amenities as well. However, subject to operational feasibility, resource availability,  competing demands etc., introduction of passenger train services is an on-going process on Indian Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5431 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Status of Progress of 5G Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5431 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH  APRIL, 2023

## STATUS OF PROGRESS OF 5G SERVICES

## 5431.   DR. BEESETTI VENKATA SATYAVATHI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the outcomes of 5G Services with a particular focus on identified districts in Andhra Pradesh along with the status of their progress; and

(b) the  details  of  the  additional  steps  being  taken  to  improve  digital  connectivity  in  Andhra Pradesh?

## ANSWER

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

(a) 5G networks have been rolled out in 529 districts all over the country including in 14 districts of Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh, 3510 Base Stations have been installed for providing 5G services.

(b) In order to improve digital connectivity in the country, the government has approved two projects for 4G saturation and upgradation of existing 2G/ 3G sites to 4G sites. These projects include 3302 villages of Andhra Pradesh also.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5428 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: New Tea Act
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Pallab Lochan Das

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5428 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 th  APRIL, 2023

## NEW TEA ACT

## 5428.   SHRI PALLAB LOCHAN DAS:

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

- (a) the details of the reforms which have been undertaken for the promotion and development of the Tea Sector in India including current status of the proposed New Tea Act;
- (b) whether the Government has completed stakeholder consultations on the new Tea Act;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the rationale for increasing the role of the tea-board in marketing and promotion; and
- (e) the other steps taken by the Government to reform and modernize the tea sector?

## 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 (e): The reforms undertaken by the Government to promote and develop the Tea Sector, include the following:

- (i) Small tea growers which contribute around 52% of the total tea produced in India have been made the focal point in the developmental schemes for financial assistance.
- (ii) As part of ease of doing business, the periodicity of renewal of registration/licenses have been raised and format of such applications have been simplified.
- (iii) Grant of financial assistance and registration/licenses have been made online.
- (iv) Rules of Tea auction have been reformed for better price discovery
- (v) The strength of manpower of Tea Board has been reworked to reduce establishment cost.

The draft Tea (Promotion and Development) Bill, 2022 aims at reorientation of Tea Board to play a more facilitative role and engage in overall promotion and development of the tea sector (including promotion of Indian tea in both domestic and international markets).The draft Tea (Promotion and Development) Bill, 2022 was placed in public domain (website of the Department of Commerce and the Tea Board) for three months with effect from 10.01.2022 and comments/suggestions from 101 stakeholders,  including  State  Governments,  associations,  organizations  and  general  public  were received. Further, Inter-Ministerial Consultations have been undertaken.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5427 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Regular Scientists
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: M. Selvaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5427 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## REGULAR SCIENTISTS

5427.  SHRI M. SELVARAJ:

Will  the  Minister  of  Science and  Technology ͪव£ान  और  Ĥोɮयोͬगकȧ  मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a)     the number of regular Scientists in the levels of B, C, D, E, F, G and H  respectively  from  SC/ST  category  out  of  the  total  numbers  in  the Scientific Ministries and their Departments, Offices, Autonomous Institutes at present;
- (b)        the  number  of  Scientists  of  SC/ST  category  recruited  in  the  past five years out of the total recruitment numbers in different levels;
- (c)      whether  Departments/Institutes  are  denying  the  reservations  for Scientific positions under projects funded by Science Departments and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)              whether  there  is  a  delay  and  denial  of  promotion to the SC/ST category  scientists  in  the  name  of  modified  flexible  complementing scheme  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  corrective  steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ तथा पृ Øवी ͪव£ान मंğालय क े राÏय मंğी ( èवतंğ Ĥभार) (डॉ . िजतɅġ ͧसंह)

- (a) to (d): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5426 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Customs Duty on Textile Machinery
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Aparupa  Poddar

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5426 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## CUSTOMS DUTY ON TEXTILE MACHINERY

## 5426. SHRIMATI APARUPA PODDAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government has increased the basic customs duty on textile machinery from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent for 2023-24; (b) if so, the impact on textile industry therefor; (c) whether the Government has received proposal to retain 5 per cent import duty for all types of textile
- machineries for the next three years; and
- (d) if so, the proposal of the Government thereto?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

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

(a) to (d): Concessional Basic Customs Duty (BCD) rate of 5% or Nil has been continued/provided to  imports  of  specific  textile  machinery  till  31.03.2025  (Vide  Notification  No.  17/2023-Customs, dated 29.03.2023). Textile machinery (other than those covered by Notification No. 17/2023-Customs, dated 29.03.2023) would mostly attract BCD rate of 7.5%. The proposals received from user industry stakeholders  for  continuing  the  concessional  rate  and  the  requirement  for  promoting  domestic manufacturing of some of the textile machinery have been considered while taking the decision.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5422 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Role of DPA
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Poonam (Mahajan) Vajendla Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5422

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 5.4.2023

## ROLE OF DPA

## 5422.  SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government agrees with the view that the role of Data Protection Authority (DPA) should extend beyond regulation and also govern national programme to sensitise the masses on privacy rights, promote data literacy and inculcate cyber hygiene at the grassroot level;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this direction; and
- (d) the time by which the final decision in this regard is likely to be taken?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has prepared a draft Bill, titled 'The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022'. The draft Bill sets out the rights and duties of Data Principals, the obligations of the Data Fiduciary and the setting up of a Data Protection Board of India to inquire into complaints complaint made by an affected person and give directions for urgent measures to remedy personal data breaches. Extensive consultation on the draft Bill has been undertaken to finalise the Bill.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5420 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Import of Sub-standard Goods
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Su Thirunavukkarasar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5420 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 th  APRIL, 2023

## IMPORT OF SUB-STANDARD GOODS

## 5420.   SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU:

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

(a) whether the Government is aware of the reports of increasing import of substandard products like aluminium, cable items and household appliances in the country;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the  Government has any proposal to tighten the quality  control  norms  in  order  to contain import of sub-standard goods and to boost the domestic industry;

- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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): The Government keeps a close watch on the quality of imports and takes measures periodically to address it. The compliance to Indian Standards is mandated through issuance of QCOs based on considerations of public interest, protection of human, animal or plant health, safety of the environment, prevention of unfair trade practices, national security etc. under the provisions of Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016. Various line Ministries/ Departments of the Central Government have notified 114 QCOs covering 462 products till date which includes Aluminium Foil, various types of cables and household appliances.

(c) to (e): The focus of the government is to bring products under the ambit of Quality Control Order  (QCOs)  for  the  development  of  the  quality  ecosystem  in  the  country  and  to  provide  the consumers  with  quality  products.  Accordingly,  various  line  Ministries  /  Departments  of  the Government are actively working on it to bring more products under the ambit of QCOs. Once a product is notified under QCO, no person can manufacture, import, distribute, sell, hire, lease, store or exhibit for sale any such notified products without BIS Standard Mark except under a valid certification from BIS as per Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016. These orders also help in containing substandard goods import.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5414 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Revival of Export of Handicrafts
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Dushyant Singh

## REVIVAL OF EXPORT OF HANDICRAFTS

## 5414. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken measures to revive the export of handicrafts and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has set any target regarding its merchandise export for the current fiscal year and if so, the details thereof including the steps taken to achieve the same;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  impetus  to  Tier-2  and  Tier-3  towns  and  cities, particularly in the State of Rajasthan, that are heavily dependent on the export of handicrafts;
- (d) the details of funds sanctioned and released for this purpose; and
- (e) whether the Government has any proposal to create a favorable ecosystem for start-ups, revival of the handicrafts industry and increase the contribution of the same to the country's per capita exports?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

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

(a) to (e): The Government is implementing National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP)  for  revival  &  development  of  Handicrafts  exports  in  the  country  including  the  State  of Rajasthan. The process of fixing exports targets is very elaborate and several factors such as geopolitical situation, international market trends, market dynamics and industry feedback are taken into account. Meanwhile  the  Government  is  continuously  monitoring  export  performance  and  taking  various measures  to  boost  production  and  exports.  Under  sub-component  Marketing  Support  and  Services (MSS)  of  NHDP  Scheme  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  eligible  agencies  on  pan  India  basis including Rajasthan for marketing of handicraft products in domestic as well as overseas markets. The details of funds released/ sanctioned under MSS sub-component of NHDP Scheme during the last three years are as follows:

| Year    |   Funds Released (In Crore) |
|---------|-----------------------------|
| 2020-21 |                       24.05 |
| 2021-22 |                       37.58 |
| 2022-23 |                       47.1  |

Under the Startup India initiative, the Government constantly undertakes various efforts for the development and growth of startup ecosystem in the country. The flagship Schemes namely, Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) support startups at various stages of their business cycle to enable startups to graduate to a level where they are able to raise investments from angel investors or venture capitalists or seek loans from commercial banks or financial institutions.