opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5612 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Reallocation of Funds
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5612 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2022

## REALLOCATION OF FUNDS

5612. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formed a Committee to relook budget fund reallocation in Railways to prevent misuse by overlap of allocations;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  detailed  mandate  and objectives of setting up of this Committee;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  misuse  of  funds  noticed  in  Railways  due  to overlap of allocations during the last three years, year-wise;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  measures  to  ensure  that utilisation of funds is in line with the requirements of the Railways in the country; 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  committee  has  been  formed  to  examine  the  feasibility  of merging  various  Funds  operated  by  Railways  and  other  connected
- (a) issues.

- (b)    The Terms of Reference for the Committee include:
- i. to examine the relevance/need for continuance of Funds in their present form, including the need for separate ring-fenced special purpose  funds  like  Development  Fund,  Depreciation  Reserve Fund, Railway Safety Fund and Pension Funds.
- ii. to  examine  the  feasibility  of  merging  existing  Railway  Funds based on relevance and need and suggest rules of allocation for merged Funds.
- iii. to suggest mechanisms for internal controls for ensuring judicious use of Funds in case of merged Funds.
- iv. to bring out changes in codal provisions and existing instructions necessary for implementation of the recommendations.
- (c)   No misuse of funds has taken place on Indian Railways during last three years.
- (d)  and  (e)    Fund  provision  in  Budget  is  made  for  expenditure  as per requirement  projected  by  Railways,  progress  of  works  and  overall availability of resources.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5610 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Garment Exports
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: S. Gnanathiraviam

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5610 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2022

## GARMENT EXPORTS

## 5610. SHRI GNANATHIRAVIAM S.:

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

- (a) whether the Government has called a meeting of all major textile garment exporters and industry representatives  recently  to  discuss  various  issues  relating  to  boosting  of  exports  in  the  wake  of continuing recession in garment exports;
- (b) if so, the details of the agenda discussed and suggestions received along with the decisions taken at the meeting for remedial action;
- (c) the performance of the garment exports for the past three years vis-à-vis exports for the current year; and
- (d) the details of the incentives proposed to be provided for textile garments sector in the coming years?

## उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES

(SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

- ( (a) & (b): Regular meetings are held with Textiles Export Promotion Councils/industry stakeholders  to  review  their  export  performance  vis-à-vis  export  target  set  for  various  sub-sectors  of Textiles including garment and to discuss the way forward in promoting their export.
- (c): The details of garment exports for the past three years vis-à-vis current year are as follows:

(USD mn)

| Commodity         | 2018-19   | 2019-20   | 2020-21   | Apr 2021-Feb 2022   |
|-------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|---------------------|
| Readymade Garment | 16,138    | 15,488    | 12,272    | 14,275              |

Source: DGCIS provisional data

(d): To promote production of MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics and Products of Technical Textiles in the country, the Government has approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles. The selected  companies  will  be  eligible  to  get  incentives  on  achieving  the  threshold  investment  and threshold/ incremental turnover. The Scheme has two parts: Part-1 & Part-2. Under Scheme Part-1, 15% incentive  will  be  provided  on  attaining  required  turnover  in  Year-1.  Under  Scheme  Part-2,  11% incentive will be provided on attaining required turnover in Year-1. Incentive will be reduced by 1% every year from Year-2 onward till the Year-5 under both parts of the Scheme.

In addition, Government has approved setting up of 7 (seven) PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel  (PM  MITRA)  Parks  in  Greenfield/  Brownfield  sites  to  develop  world  class  infrastructure including plug and play facility. There is provision for incentivizing manufacturing units for setting up units  early  in  PM  MITRA.  This  is  only  available  to  those  manufacturing  companies  who  are  not availing Textile PLI scheme benefits.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 5605 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Spectrum Allocation
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: P. C. Mohan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5605 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  APRIL, 2022

## SPECTRUM ALLOCATION

## 5605.   SHRI P.C. MOHAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has decided to increase validity of spectrum allotments to Telecom Service Providers and if so, the detail thereof;

- (b) the details of the advantages of this decision for the sector and the country; and
- (c) whether this is at par with international standards and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Government has decided that in future auctions, access spectrum will be assigned for a period of 30 years. However, there will be no change in the tenure for spectrum acquired in past auctions.

(b) & (c) Increasing  the  tenure  of  right  to  use  spectrum  purchased  through  auction enables  the  Telecom  Services  Providers  for  better  planning  and  reduces  uncertainty  in business environment.

Licence  tenures  for  right  to  use  spectrum  varies  from  country  to  country.  Some countries, while ensuring a minimum initial term- say of 20 years, grant indefinite terms as an ongoing right to provide certainty to new network investment.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5604 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Higher Cost of Raw Materials
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Ganesh Singh

## HIGHER COST OF RAW MATERIALS

## 5604. SHRI GANESH SINGH:

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

(a)  whether  higher  cost  of  raw  materials  makes  Indian  Mills  spend  more  and  thereby  increases  the production costs and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether lack of efficient export infrastructure, finance and marketing facilities and innovation etc. are posing a huge challenge to them;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether reduced rate of import duty is also posing a challenge and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether labour laws in India are complex and the rate of overtime payment, statutory contribution to Provident  Fund  and  Pension  Funds  etc.  are  very  less  and  thus  reduce  their  total  wage  income  upto 45 per cent; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर ANSWER )

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर्

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

(a): Prices  of  raw  materials  including  raw  cotton  is  governed  by  forces  of  demand  and  supply. Cotton,  being  an  internationally  traded  commodity,  its  price  moves  in  tandem  with  the  prices  in  the international market.

(b) & (c): PLI  Scheme  for  Textiles  is  intended  to  remove  disabilities  of  MMF  and  Technical Textiles segments, which is a sunrise industry segment in the country, and to enable textiles industry to achieve  size  and  scale  so  as  to  become  competitive.  Government  has  also  approved  setting  up  of  7 (seven)  PM  Mega  Integrated  Textile  Regions  and  Apparel  (PM  MITRA)  Parks  in  Greenfield/ Brownfield sites to develop world class infrastructure including plug and play facility. The scheme is to develop integrated large scale and modern industrial infrastructure facility for entire value-chain of the textile  industry.  It  will  reduce  logistics  costs  and  improve  competitiveness  of  Indian  Textiles.  The scheme will help India in attracting investments,  boosting employment  generation and position itself strongly in the global textile market.

In  addition,  Government  is  implementing  various  schemes  to  improve  competitiveness  and  to modernize  textile  mills  which  have  higher  employment  generation  and  potential  for  export,  which would eventually create economic and cost incentives for indigenous textile manufacturing.

(d): No sir.

(e) & (f): The labour laws in India are not complex. The provision of overtime rate is provided under the Factories Act, 1948 and the provision regarding contribution to provident fund and pension fund are provided under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 5603 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Common Service Centres
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shardaben Anilbhai Patel, Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5603

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 06.04.2022

## COMMON SERVICE CENTRES

## 5603.  SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL: SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI):

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

the  details  of  direct  and  indirect  employment  opportunities  created  under  the  Common Service Centres initiative?

## ANSWER

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

Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology  (MeitY)  has  built  the  network  of Common Services Centres (CSC) under the Digital India Programme.

The  CSC  project  envisages  setting  up  of  at-least  one  CSC  in  each  of  2.50  lakh  Gram Panchayats (GPs) across the country, for delivery of various Government-to-Citizen (G2C) and other citizen-centric e-Services to citizens. It is a self-sustainable entrepreneurship model which is run by Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).

As on 28 February 2022, there are 4,63,705functionalCSCs across the country. On average four  (4)  persons  are  engaged  at  each  CSC.  Accordingly,  around  15  lakh  people  are  now directly or indirectly working at the CSCs across the country.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 5602 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Construction of Underpasses at Misrikh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5602 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2022

## CONSTRUCTION OF UNDERPASSES AT MISRIKH

†5602. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether villagers are facing a lot of inconvenience in movement due to the closure of two railway crossings viz., Utripura Udhav Nevada railway crossing number 47-C and Malav railway crossing number 28-C adjoining Chaubepur located in Kanpur Nagar district under Misrikh Parliamentary constituency of Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take any steps to construct underpasses at the said railway crossings in view of the movement of local villagers; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d):  No,  Sir.    Level  crossing  (LC)  No.  47-C  at  Uttripura  Udhav Nevada  and LC No. 28-C adjoining Chaubepur are existing and opened for road traffic as per normal gate working rules and are not closed at present.  There is no proposal at present to construct underpasses at these railway crossings.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5600 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Multi Source Feedback
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5600

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2022)

## MULTI SOURCE FEEDBACK

## 5600. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Multi Source Feedback (MSF) forms part of the Central Staffing Scheme, 1996;
- (b) if so, the details of the MSF standards and guidelines;
- (c) whether the Government  has  considered the recommendation(s) of the Standing Committee Report on Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Law and Justice which severely  indicted  the  MSF  as  the  same  has  been  found  to  be  opaque,  non-transparent, highly subjective and judgmental;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e):    Central  Staffing  Scheme,  inter-alia,  provides  for  empanelment  for  holding  senior management posts. Empanelment process is governed by empanelment guidelines. A structured system of appraisal involving Multi Source Feedback (MSF) from various stakeholders including seniors, peers, juniors, etc. has also been put in place in the process of empanelment. Apart from MSF, empanelment process takes into account the service record, vigilance status  and  overall suitability of the officers concerned.  The Government has considered the recommendation(s) of the Standing Committee and an Action Taken Report has been submitted in the matter.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5598 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Fortified Rice in PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Margani Bharat

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

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5598

## To BE ANSWERED ON 6TH APRIL, 2022

## FORTIFIED RICE IN PDS

## 5598. SHRI MARGANI BHARAT:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry is planning to distribute fortified rice under PDS;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that only 60 paisa would be the fortified additional cost for rice;
- (d) if s0, whether the Ministry is considering to give this that come forward for fortification amount to States of rice;
- (e) if not; the reasons therefor; and
- the details of micronutrients that the Ministry has fortified rice? proposed to add in

## ANSWE R

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

(a) and (b): Under the Government of India Pilot Scheme on "Fortification approved Centrally Sponsored of Rice & its Distribution under Public Distribution System eleven (11) States namely Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu; Chhattisgarh  Uttar Pradesh; Odisha, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand have Telangana; fortified rice in their identified reported distribution of (LMT) of districts:   Approximately 4.30 Lakh Metric Ton fortified been   distributed through PDS under Scheme as on 31.03.2022. the Pilot

- (c) to (e): During the Pilot Scheme mentioned of rice fortification above, the incremental cost was worked out as 73 paise per kg, which includes of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) and other incidentals. cost shared in the ratio of 90:10 in Incremental cost was case of North-East; Hilly and Island States/uts and 75.25 for rest of the States:
- (f): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has three micronutrients Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 for prescribed rice. production of fortified Iron,

#****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5597 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Amendment in Consumer Protection Rules
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Kripanath Mallah, M. K. Raghavan, Deepak Baij

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5597

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2022

## AMENDMENT IN CONSUMER PROTECTION RULES

5597.  SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH: SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN: SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ:

## Will  the  Minister  of  CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD  AND  PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  initiated  the  process  of  notifying  amendment  in  the  Consumer Protection  (Direct  Selling)  Rules  2021  so  that  the  same  is  in  line  with  the  provisions  within  the Consumer  Protection  Act,  2019,  which  outlines  a  network  of  sellers  in  the  definition  of  direct selling;
- (b) if not, the steps being taken with respect to provide a differentiation between direct selling business and pyramid schemes so that livelihood of over 74 lakhs direct selling in the country (as per Indian Direct selling association annual survey 2019-20) is protected;
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure that the Consumer Protection (Direct Selling) Rules 2021 doesn't adversely affect the working of companies and direct sellers associated with the Direct Selling industry in the country; and
- (d) the steps being taken to implement One Nation One Ration Card Scheme in Kerala?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री अश्विनी क ु मार चौबे)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a)  to    (c)  :        Under  the  provisions  of  Consumer  Protection  Act,  2019,  Consumer  Protection  (Direct Selling)  Rules,  2021  have  been  notified  on  28.12.2021  for  prevention  of  unfair  trade  practices  in  direct selling  and  for    regulation  of  direct  selling  entities  and  direct  sellers  to  ensure  protection  of  consumer rights.
- (d) : Under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) plan, the facility of portability of ration cards has so far been  enabled in 35 States/UTs,  including the State of  Kerala, covering about 77 Crore NFSA beneficiaries

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5593 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Merging BBNL and BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Balashowry Vallabbhaneni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5593 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  APRIL, 2022

## MERGING BBNL AND BSNL

## 5593.   SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  merge  BBNL  and  BSNL  to  consolidate  telecom operations of the Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Ministry is also thinking of merging BSNL with MTNL since MTNL is in existence only in two cities and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether any Cabinet note was initiated for merger of BBNL and BSNL and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) A proposal  for  merger  of  Bharat  Broadband  Network  Limited  (BBNL)  and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is under examination.

Government has approved the revival plan of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) on 23.10.2019 which inter-alia includes in-principle  approval  for  merger  of  MTNL  and  BSNL.  Due  to  financial  reasons  including high debt of MTNL, the merger of MTNL with BSNL is deferred.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5592 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Private Telecom Service Providers
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5592 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  APRIL, 2022

## PRIVATE TELECOM SERVICE PROVIDERS

## 5592.   SHRI A. RAJA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  request  from  private  Telecom  Service Providers (TSPs) for converting their interest on deferred spectrum and AGR dues into equity and if so, the details thereof, groupwise;
- (b) the  measures  taken/proposes  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  protect  its  interest while converting the outstanding interest on dues into equity;
- (c) whether the Government would buy stake of Vodafone Idea at a rate of Rs. 5.75 per share, i.e., the market price at BSE on 17.08.2021 or at a face value of Rs. 10 per share and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  additional  benefit  of  concessional  rate  of  interest  is  going  to  cost  the exchequer approximately Rs. 32,000 crores and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Pursuant to the reforms and support package approved by the Government for the Telecom Sector,  M/s  Vodafone  Idea  Limited  (VIL)  has  exercised  option  for  converting  its  interest liabilities arising on account of deferred spectrum auction instalments, and AGR dues, pertaining to the moratorium period, by way of equity.
- (b) & (c) Ministry of Finance shall finalize the procedure, method, rate of conversion, mix of equity and preferential capital (if any), compliance with SEBI and other relevant guidelines.
- (d) There is no concession in the rate of interest.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5587 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: BharatNet Scheme
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Jaskaur Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5587 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  APRIL, 2022

## BHARATNET SCHEME

## †5587. SHRIMATI JASKAUR MEENA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized during the last three years and the current year in Rajasthan under the BharatNet scheme;
- (b) the targets fixed under it and the details of the achievements made so far under it in Dausa district of Rajasthan including the outcome thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has carried out any survey in Rajasthan under this scheme so as to find out the number of villages under this scheme still not covered, particularly in the Dausa district; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  cover  all  these  villages under this scheme at the earliest?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) BharatNet project is implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity  to  all  Gram  Panchayats  (GPs)  in  the  country,  including  Dausa  District  of Rajasthan. As on 31.12.2021, Rs. 730 crore has been sanctioned/allocated/utilized during the last three years and the current year in Rajasthan under BharatNet project. In Dausa District, 231 GPs have been made Service Ready and 205 Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed.

(c) & (d) The scope of BharatNet has been recently extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country. Accordingly, the Union Cabinet on 30.06.2021 accorded approval for  a  revised  strategy  for  implementation  of  BharatNet  through  Public-Private  Partnership (PPP)  model  in  16  States  of  the  country  (including  Rajasthan).  Out  of  46,343  planned villages/GPs in Rajasthan, total 8,770 villages/GPs have been made Service Ready.

*******