opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2330 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Sustainable Development Goals
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: P. C. Mohan

- (a) No, Sir.
- (b) As per SDG India Index, report of NITI Aayog, India's composite score on SDGs was 57 in 2018-19, 60 in 2019-20 and 66 in 2020-21.
- (c ) The  SDG  India  Index,  2022  is  under  preparation  and  it  will  be  released  after  detailed consultation  with  various  Stakeholders  such  as  Central  Government  Ministries,  State Governments and other Development Agencies.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2330 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022

## SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

## 2330.  SHRI P.C. MOHAN:

Will the Minister of PLANNING  be pleased to state:

[

- (a) whether NITI Aayog has released the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) India Index for the year 2022, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether India has made progress to meet the targets under the SDGs, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the time by which the SDG India Index for 2022 will be released?

## 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)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2329 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Encroachment of Railway Land in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: A.K.P. Chinraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2329 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022

## ENCROACHMENT OF RAILWAY LAND IN TAMIL NADU

2329. SHRI A. K. P. CHINRAJ:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of the railway land encroached upon in the State of Tamil Nadu, zone-wise;
- (b)  the action taken against the railway officials who have failed to take action against the encroachers of railway land, zone-wise; and
- (c)  the  area  of  encroached railway land that has been taken back in the State of Tamil Nadu?

## 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. 2329 BY SHRI A. K. P. CHINRAJ TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 21.12.2022 REGARDING ENCROACHMENT OF RAILWAY LAND IN TAMIL NADU

(a):  Details  of  Railway  land  encroached  upon  in  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu which comes under the Zonal jurisdiction of Southern, South Central and South Western Railway as on 01.04.2022 is as under:-

| S No.   | Zonal Railway         | Area under encroachment (Ha)   |
|---------|-----------------------|--------------------------------|
| 1       | Southern Railway      | 46.07                          |
| 2       | South Central Railway | Nil                            |
| 3       | South Western Railway | 0.375                          |
|         | Total                 | 46.445                         |

(b): Removal of encroachment is a continuous process and Railway keeps a  continuous  vigil  on  the  incidents  of  encroachment.  As  and  when  any complaint against any Railway official related to encroachment is received,  the  matter  is  investigated.  If  any  involvement  of  the  official  is found, appropriate action is taken by following the prescribed procedure.

(c):  During  the  last  three  years,  a  total  of  1.695  Ha  of  Railway  land  has been retrieved from encroachment in the State of Tamil Nadu.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2328 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Maintenance of Vande Bharat Train
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gautham Sigamani Pon

-2-

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2328 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022

## MAINTENANCE OF VANDE BHARAT TRAIN

2328. DR. PON GAUTHAM SIGAMANI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it  is  true  that  bids  were  opened  on  30.11.2022  for  the manufacture, supply and maintenance of 200 Vande Bharat train at a cost estimated at around Rs. 50,000 crore, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  it  is  also  true  that  most  of  the  bidders  were  from overseas or overseas manufacturers in consortia with Indian companies, if so, the details in this regard;
- whether  it  is  also  true  that  these  bids  will  be  evaluated  and
- (c) awarded over the coming two months; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) Yes, Sir. A tender has been opened on 30.11.2022 for manufacture  of  200  Vande  Bharat  trains  at  an  estimated  cost  of Rs. 26,000 Crore in Railway production units at Integral Coach Factory (ICF)/Chennai and Marathwada  Rail Coach  Factory (MRCF)/Latur. These  will  be  maintained  at  Railway  Maintenance  Depots  at  an

-2- average annual maintenance fee of 4% of the cost of the Train for a period of 35 years.

(b) Five bidders have participated in the tender, namely, (1) M/s Alstom Transport India Limited, Bangalore, (2) M/s BHEL in consortium with M/s Titagarh Wagons Ltd., Anandpur, Kolkata, (3)  M/s  BEML  Ltd  -Bangalore  in  Consortium  with  M/s  Siemens  Ltd., Mumbai, (4) M/s JSC Metrowagonmash, Mytisch, Russia in consortium with M/s Rail  Vikas  Nigam  Ltd.,  New  Delhi  and  M/s  Joint  Stock  Company Locomotive Electronic Systems (LES), Russia, and (5) M/s Medha Servo Drives Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad in consortium with M/s Stadler Bussnang AG and Traktionssysteme Austria GmbH.

(c) & (d) The Bids are under evaluation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2325 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Cluster Based Textile Industry
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Rajeshbhai Naranbhai Chudasama

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2325 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022

## CLUSTER BASED TEXTILE INDUSTRY

## 2325. SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has proposed cluster based textile industry for the handloom weavers of the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of active hand-weaver clusters in the country; and
- (c) the details of proposals to help the weavers to come out from post-COVID-19 economic and social crisis and strengthen the handloom weaves?

उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

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

(a) & (b): Ministry of Textiles is implementing Cluster Development Programme, a component of National Handloom Development Programme. Under the scheme, need based financial assistance up to Rs. 2.00 crore per cluster  is provided on receipt of complete proposals from State Governments for implementation of various interventions like upgraded looms & accessories, lighting units, worksheds, design  and  product development, marketing support  etc.  Since  2015-16  to  2022-23  (till 30.11.2022), financial assistance has been provided to 608 active handloom clusters across the country.

- (c): Ministry  of  Textiles  is  implementing  following  schemes  for  development  of  handlooms  and welfare of weavers across the country:
1. National Handloom Development Programme
2. Raw Material Supply Scheme

Under  these  schemes,  need  based  financial  assistance  is  also  provided  for  integrated  and  holistic development  of  handlooms  to  eligible  handloom  agencies/weavers  for  implementation  of  various interventions  like  infrastructure  development,  value  addition,  organizing  of  fairs  and  exhibitions  for marketing  of  handloom  products,  weaver's  Mudra  loan,  supply  of  raw  material  such  as  yarns,  dyes, chemicals etc.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2319 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Weavers MUDRA Scheme
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Vijay Baghel, Devji Mansingram Patel, Arun Sao, Devendrappa Y, Sunil Kumar Soni, Sudhakar Tukaram Shrangre, Saikia Dilip, Mohan Mandavi

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2319 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022

## WEAVERS MUDRA SCHEME

## 2319. SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL:

SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

SHRI ARUN SAO:

SHRI Y. DEVENDRAPPA:

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SONI:

SHRI SUDHAKAR TUKARAM SHRANGARE:

SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

SHRI MOHAN MANDAVI:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state :

(a)  whether  Weavers  MUDRA  Scheme  (WMS)  is  being  implemented  by  the  Government  in  the country;

(b) if so, the objectives and salient features of the WMS;

(c) the total number of weavers covered under the WMS in the country including Chhattisgarh during the last five years;

(d)  whether  the  Government  has  prepared  any  road  map  to  pave  the  way  for  higher  and  sustainable growth in the entire textile value chain from fibre and yarn to finished products for garments made on handloom and powerloom in the States of Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Assam; and

(e) 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): Ministry  of  Textiles,  Govt.  of  India is  implementing  Concessional  Credit/Weaver MUDRA Scheme for welfare and development of handloom sector across the country. The objectives and salient features of the scheme are as follows:

- (i) Subsidized loan at concessional interest rate of 6% for a period of 3 years, subject to interest subvention capped upto 7% by GoI.
- (ii) Margin  money  assistance  @20%  of  loan  amount  subject  to  maximum  of  Rs.25,000/-    to individual  handloom  weaver/weaver  entrepreneur;  and  @20%  of  loan  amount  subject  to maximum of Rs.20.00 lakh (margin money @Rs.2.00 lakh for every 100 weavers/workers) to handloom organization.
- (iii) Credit guarantee fee for a period of 3 years.

(c): 1,17,678 number of MUDRA loans have been sanctioned to handloom sector across the country including Chhattisgarh during the last five years.

(d) & (e): Ministry  of  Textiles,  Govt.  of  India is  implementing  Raw  Material  Supply  Scheme (RMSS)  to  make  available  yarn  to  handloom  weavers/workers  throughout  the  country  including Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Assam States. Under the scheme, freight charges are reimbursed for all types of yarn; and component of 15% price subsidy is there for cotton hank yarn, domestic silk, wool and linen yarn and blended yarn of natural fibres, with quantity caps.

Presently,  there  is  no  scheme  in  existence  for  Powerloom  Industry.  However,  the  baseline survey is under process for sustainable growth of the Powerloom sector across the country.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2317 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Restoration of Commuted Pension
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Jai Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS' WELFARE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2317

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022)

## RESTORATION OF COMMUTED PENSION

## 2317. SHRI JAI PRAKASH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  request  from  National  Council  (Staff  Side) with regard to restoration of commuted portion of pension of retired Central Government employees  after  12  years  of  their  retirement  on  the  lines  of  the  decision  taken  by  the Gujarat Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has considered the demand and if so, the details thereof?

## 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 (c): Yes, Sir. In the meeting of the Standing Committee of National Council (JCM) held on 22.09.2022, the Staff Side of National Council (JCM) raised the demand for restoration of commuted portion of pension after 12 years. The matter has been referred to Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure on 03.10.2022.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2315 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Complaints of Internet Companies
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt

- (a)      No, Sir.

(b) & (c) In order to protect the interest of consumers, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has mandated all Telecom Service Providers to establish a two-tier complaint/grievance redressal  mechanism  for  handling  consumer  complaints.    In  terms  of  this  mechanism,  a consumer can lodge service-related complaints at the complaint center of their Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).  In case complaint is not redressed satisfactorily by the service provider at the complaint center, an appeal can be registered with Appellate Authority of the TSPs.

In  case  a  complaint  is  not  redressed  even  after  exhausting  the  two-tier  procedure  as prescribed by the TRAI, the complainants may approach Public Grievance wing of Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for resolution of their grievances. All the grievances so received are monitored and resolved through the Centralized Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) Portal (www.pgportal.gov.in).

********

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2315 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  DECEMBER, 2022

## COMPLAINTS OF INTERNET COMPANIES

## †2315.     SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether the Government is considering formulating a committee for early settlement of complaints of the consumers of the internet companies, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)       whether the Government has taken any steps in the said issue so far, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)      if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2314 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Reservation Policy
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Alok Kumar Suman

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2314

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022)

## RESERVATION POLICY

## 2314. DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  reservation  policy  or  plan  regarding outsourcing in various Ministries, PSU and any other organizations in the Government of India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  details  of  the  persons  and  people  benefited  from  the  community  of  the  Scheduled Castes  and  Scheduled  Tribes  at  par  level  of  India  of  the  Scheme  of  outsourcing  in  all these organizations;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  Scheme  or  policy  for  the  employment generation through the medium of outsourcing in private sector organisation funded by the Government and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the total number of SC/ST candidates benefited from outsourcing?

## 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):   Rules 177 to 206 of the General Financial Rules, 2017 (GFR 2017), which have been issued by M/o Finance, allow the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India to hire 'Consulting  Services'  such  as  external  professionals,  consultancy  firms,  consultants  or  'NonConsulting Services' such as hiring of vehicle, outsourcing of building facilities management, security,  photocopier  service,  office  errand  services  etc.  in  the  interest  of  economy  and efficiency.  The  firms  to  which  such  services  are  outsourced  are  private  sector  firms  and  the personnel engaged in such services are the employees of these private sector firms.

The  Apex  Industry  Associations  have  prepared  Voluntary  Code  of  Conduct  (VCC)  for their  member  companies  centered  around  education,  employability,  entrepreneurship  and employment to achieve inclusion. Measures undertaken by the member of Industry Associations to ensure inclusive employment opportunities inter-alia include scholarships, vocation training, entrepreneurship development programmes and coaching etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2312 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Jobs to Reserved Category Candidates against Unreserved Seats
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2312

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022)

## JOBS TO RESERVED CATEGORY CANDIDATES AGAINST UNRESERVED SEATS

## †2312. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  or  proposes  to  take  steps  to  provide  jobs  to  those reserved  category  candidates  who  secure  equal  or  higher  marks  than  general  category candidates against unreserved category seats in Government/Public Sector Undertakings;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) 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  (c):    As  per  the  instructions  applicable  to  Central  Government  Posts  and  Services,  the Scheduled  Castes/  Scheduled  Tribes/  Other  Backward  Classes  candidates  who  are  selected through  Direct  Recruitment  on  the  same  standard  as  applied  to  general  candidates  shall  be adjusted against unreserved vacancies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2309 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Problem of Food Wastage
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Vinod Chavda, Vishnu Dutt Sharma

## 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) : Government  has  carried  out  publicity  campaigns  through  the  print  and  electronic  media from time to time to sensitize people against food wastage. In addition, States/UTs were advised by Central Government to include a chapter on prevention of food wastage in the school syllabi in order to inculcate awareness amongst young students and sensitize them on the subject.

Further,  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  has  launched  a  social  initiative known as 'Save Food Share Food' to help promote donation of surplus food and reduce food waste by integrating various food distribution agencies and other stakeholders. FSSAI has also notified Food Safety and  Standards  (Recovery  and  Distribution  of  Surplus  Food)  Regulations,  2019  which  specify  the responsibilities of food donors and surplus food distribution organizations so that the donated food remains safe for human consumption.

*****

## ORIGINAL IN HINDI

## Government of India Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2309 (OIH)

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022

## PROBLEM OF FOOD WASTAGE

2309.  SHRI VINOD L. CHAVDA: SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA: (OIH)

## 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 set some time-bound target to improve the food wastage problem, as, according  to  'Food  Waste  Index  Report  2021',  released  by  the  United  Nations  Environment Programme (UNEP), in India there happens wastage of 50 kg. of food per person per year which is one of the highest in the world;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?
Lok Sabha Question No. 2308 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Development of New Coal Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Vincent H Pala, D.K. Suresh

## Development of New Coal Mines

## 2308.   SHRI VINCENT H. PALA: SHRI D.K. SURESH:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is developing 99 new coal mines despite the net zero targets by 2070 and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is aware that according to research by Global Energy Monitor (GEM), the  development  of  these  new  coal  mines  could  potentially  displace  165  villages  and  87,630 families;

(c) if so, the steps taken by the Government for the rehabilitation and resettlement of these families;

(d) whether the Government is aware that India currently has 36% underutilized coal capacity in existing mines; and

(e) if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Yes, Sir. The fourth round of commercial auctions was launched on December 16, 2021 and 99  coal  mines  were  offered.  The  mines  were  from  Andhra  Pradesh,  Bihar,  Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana and West Bengal states. Out of these 99 coal mines, total of 8 coal mines were successfully auctioned.  Development of new mines are required towards Atmanirbhar Bharat to reduce import dependence. Coal demand of 1500 MTPA is projected by various agencies by the year 2030. Further, several steps have been taken to reduce emission from coal mining like First Mile Connectivity, massive afforestation and RE projects, etc.

(b) & (c)  Out of 99 coal mines offered for auction in fourth round of auction, only 8 mines have been successfully auctioned. Resettlement & Rehabilitation of project affected families will be done as per prevailing norms of State Govt.

(d)  &  (e)   Coal  mines  are  operated  as  per  the  approved  mining  plan  and  coal  production  is monitored against the level given in the mining plan for that particular year specially in pre-PRC attainment stage and during tapering-before closing. Coal mines are running on average at optimal capacity as per mining plans. Considering last 5  years average, CIL's  overall system  capacity utilization is near about 80%. The capacity utilization of SCCL has been near about 82-90% and capacity  utilization  of  NLCIL  has  been  near  about  85%-100%  as  per  mine  plan.  Prematurely comparing the production of a mine with PRC while the mine is still in pre-PRC stage misleads one to believe that the capacity is underutilized.

****