opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3503 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: VIKALP Scheme
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Reddeppa Nallakonda Gari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3503 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## VIKALP SCHEME

3503. SHRI N. REDDEPPA

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the alternate train accommodation scheme -VIKALP;
- (b) the objectives of the same;
- (c) the total number of waitlisted passengers who were provided accommodation under the same;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  a  pan  country  roll  out  of  the  said scheme; 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) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  3503  BY  SHRI  N.  REDDEPPA  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK

SABHA ON 22.03.2023 REGARDING VIKALP SCHEME (a)  to  (e):  With  a  view  to  provide  confirmed  accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation,  the  Alternate  Train  Accommodation  Scheme  (ATAS) known  as  'VIKALP'  was  launched  in  2016.  This  scheme  is  available  on Indian Railway on pan India basis. The details of alternate train accommodation scheme are as follows: (i) Under this scheme, Waiting list passengers can give choice to opt for ATAS scheme. The passengers have the option for getting shifted to a train whose time of departure is upto 72 hours from the date and time for which the original ticket has been booked. The passengers who have not opted for VIKALP at the time of booking can also opt for VIKALP upto 24 hours before scheduled departure of train. (ii) The scheme is applicable to all waiting list passengers irrespective of booking quota and concession. (iii) Neither any extra charges are taken from passenger nor is any refund provided for difference of fare. (iv) ATAS  opted  passengers  who  remain  fully  Waitlisted  at  the  time  of preparation of first reservation chart, are considered for allotment in the alternate train. (v) Either  all  passengers  of  a  PNR  or  none  is  transferred  to  alternate train in same class. (vi) Waitlisted  passengers of original train  are  not  allowed  to  board  the original train if allotted alternate accommodation. The total number of waitlisted passengers who were provided accommodations under this scheme in Financial Year 2022-23 (up to Feb23) is 43,803.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Rice Deposited by Chhattisgarh in Central Pool
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Santosh Pandey

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3502 To BE ANSWERED ON 22N0 MARCH, 2023

## RICE DEPOSITED BY CHHATTISGARH IN CENTRAL POOL

+3502. SHRI SANTOSH PANDEY:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

- (a) the quantum of rice in metric tonnes deposited by the State of Chhattisgarh in the Central Pool during the year 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22;
- (b) whether the State Government are paid for the rice deposited in the Central Pool by the Central Government; and
- (c) if so, the amount provided to the State of Chhattisgarh during the last three years?

## A NSWE R

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

- (a): The quantum of rice deposited by Chhattisgarh in the Central Pool during the year 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 is as under:-

(Figures in Lakh Metric Tonnes)

| Financial Year   |   Rice delivered by Chhattisgarh Government to Food Corporation of India (FCI) |   Rice delivered under DCP |   Total |
|------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|---------|
| 2019-20          |                                                                          19.06 |                      14.98 |   34.04 |
| 2020-21          |                                                                          27.33 |                      22.73 |   50.06 |
| 2021-22          |                                                                          32.16 |                      25.46 |   57.62 |

- (b) & (c): The details of payment made to State Government of Chhattisgarh is as under:-

(payment in Rs: Crores)

| Financial Year   |   Payment made to State Government for stock delivered to FCI |   Payment made to State for DCP stocks |   Total payment |
|------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------|
| 2019-20          |                                                          5693 |                                3893.93 |         9586.93 |
| 2020-21          |                                                          8476 |                                7125.23 |        15601.2  |
| 2021-22          |                                                         10459 |                                7652.76 |        18111.8  |
Lok Sabha Question No. 3501 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: New Security Mechanism for Aadhaar Based Fingerprint Authentication
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Sudheer Gupta, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Shrirang Appa Barne, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Prataprao  Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3501

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 22.3.2023

## NEW SECURITY MECHANISM FOR AADHAAR BASED FINGERPRINT AUTHENTICATION

## 3501. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

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

- (a) whether Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has rolled out a new security mechanism  for  Aadhaar  based  fingerprint  authentication  and  faster  detection  of  spoofing attempts;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the salient features of the said mechanism;
- (c)  whether  the  new  security  mechanism  for  Aadhaar  based  fingerprint  authentication  has been made fully functional and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the  sector/segments  in  which  this  new  technology  is  likely  to  be  introduced  and  the manner in which it will be beneficial for the common people in the country; and
- (e) whether this new technology will help in curbing financial frauds in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): Yes, Sir.

The Unique Identification Authority of India provides digital identity (Aadhaar) and digital authentication  services  to  the  residents  of  India.  The  Authority  has  rolled  out  new  Finger Minutiae Record - Finger Image Record (FMR-FIR) modality for fingerprint based Aadhaar authentications w.e.f. 28.2.2023. This is an artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) based  modality  to  check  the  liveness  of  the  fingerprint  and  distinguish  between  genuine finger and spoofed/gummy finger. It does not allow any authentication which is attempted by use of spoofed/gummy finger.

- (c):  The  new  FMR-FIR  modality  for  fingerprint  based  Aadhaar  authentication  has  now become fully functional w.e.f. 28.2.2023 except for few entities who have sought some more time for readiness of their respective applications.
- (d)  and  (e):  The  new  technology  is  sector  agnostic  and  will  be  used  wherever  fingerprint biometric authentication is carried out. Since the new FMR-FIR modality detects the liveness of  finger  at  the  time  of  authentication,  any  attempted  authentication  done  by  use  of spoofed/gummy finger will be detected and stopped, thereby protecting residents from frauds including financial frauds.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3499 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Earthquake Prone Areas
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: M. P. Abdussamad Samadani

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3499 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 22 ND  MARCH, 2023

## EARTHQUAKE PRONE AREAS

## 3499.        DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of Earth Sciences be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plans to identify the earthquake-prone areas of India and to  re-assess  the  seismic  zones  considering  the  recent  incidents  of  earthquake  in Turkey;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any new innovative technology for earthquake prediction; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) &  (b) The  entire  country  has  already  been  divided  into  four  seismic  zones  viz.,  zone  V (highest seismically active), IV, III and II (least seismically active). A total of ~59% of the land mass of India (covering all states of India) is prone to earthquakes of different shaking intensities. As per the seismic zoning map of the country, ~ 11% area of the country falls in zone V, ~18% in zone IV, ~ 30% in zone III and remaining in zone II.

With reference to the recentincidents of Turkeyearthquake, it may be mentioned that the  Himalayan  belt  is  considered  as  one  of  the  most  seismically  active  intracontinental regions of the world. This region has witnessed several moderate to great magnitude earthquakes along its about 2400 km long belt. The seismicity in this region is  mainly  attributed  to  the  Main  Himalayan  Thrust  along  which  Indian  plate  under thrusts  beneath  the  Himalayan  wedge.  The  prominent earthquakes in this  region are 1897  Shillong  plateau  (M:8.1),  1905  Kangra  (M:7.8),  1934  Bihar-Nepal  border (M:8.3),  Arunanchal-China  border  1950  (M:8.5), 2015  Nepal (M:7.9) indicating  the process of strain accumulation in the Himalayan region.

- (c) &(d) To date, there is no proven scientific technique available, anywhere in the world, to predict the occurrence of earthquakes with reasonable degree of accuracy in location, time and magnitude. National Centre for Seismology (NCS), maintains a country wide national  seismological  network,  to  detect  and  locate  earthquakes  occurring  in  and around the country. The earthquake parameters are disseminated to all the concerned stake holders including the State Disaster Management Authority after occurrence of earthquake. In addition, data generated are being shared to use for R & D on various aspects of Seismology.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3496 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Completion of Godowns in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3496 TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH, 2023 22ND

## COMPLETION OF GODOWNS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 3496. SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

- (a) whether the Government intends to provide any support to the State Government of Andhra Pradesh for the   completion of 4,200   godowns project to be undertaken to improve the functioning of Rythu Bharosa Kendras;
- (b) if the details thereof; so,
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the details of other such measures being taken to improve storage facilities for farmers in the country?

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

- (a) to (d): Department of Food and Public Distribution has not received any proposal for the completion of 4,200 godowns project to be undertaken to improve the functioning of Rythu Bharosa Kendras from State Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Further, Food Corporation of India (FCI) mainly stores wheat & rice after procurement for Public Distribution System (PDS) operation and to maintain buffer stock: The requirement of Storage capacity in FCI depends upon the level of procurement, requirement of buffer norms and PDS operations for Rice and Wheat mainlyStorage gap is assessed in the procuring States based on the highest stock levels in the last three years and in the consuming States on the basis of 4 months (6 months in case of North Eastern states and in some other states like J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep) requirement of National Food Security and Other Welfare Scheme (OWS): FCI continuously assesses and monitors the storage capacity and based on the storage gap assessment, storage capacities are createdlhired.

FCI augments its storage capacity through following schemes:-

1. Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme
2. Central Sector Scheme (CSS)
4. Hiring of godown from Central Warehousing Corporation (CWCY State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs)State Agencies
5. Hiring of godown through Private Warehousing Scheme (PWS):

Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture MIDH) for holistic development of horticulture sector in the country including Andhra Pradesh, under which financial assistance is provided for various horticulture activities including setting up of cold storage for horticulture produce. The component is demandl entrepreneur driven for which Government assistance in the form of credit linked back ended subsidy is available 35% of the eligible project cost in general areas and 50% in hilly and scheduled areas through respective State Horticulture Mission(s)(SHMs):

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3495 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Development of Infrastructure of Mines
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3495

ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## DEVELOPMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE OF MINES

†3495. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT: Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government  has  allocated funds under the programme  for development of infrastructure of mines during the last three years; and (b) if so, the year/mine-wise details including the utilisation thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): No, Sir. There are no programmes related to allocation of funds for infrastructure of Mines. (b): Does not arise in view of reply (a) above.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3493 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Kisan Vision Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Arun Kumar Sagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3493 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## KISAN VISION PROJECT

†3493.  SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  a  refrigerated container  factory  in  Shahjahanpur  in  Uttar  Pradesh  under  the Kisan Vision Project (KVP) for the assured future of the farmers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c):  No,  sir.  At  present  there  is  no  proposal  to  set  up  a refrigerated container factory in Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh. ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3491 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Auction of Salt Land
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3491. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 22 ND  MARCH, 2023.

## AUCTION OF SALT LAND

## 3491.  SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the Government is working on formulating a policy for auction of salt land to private players;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a): No sir,
- (b): Doesn't arise.
- (c): Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has already formulated internal policy guidelines for transfer of salt pan land owned by the Government of India through the office of Salt Commissioner at places other than Mumbai and its suburbs for public purposes duly approved by cabinet on 24 th January, 2012. Details of internal policy guidelines are available at www.salpanindia.gov.in/InternalPolicyGuidelinesforTransferofSaltPanLand.pdf.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3490 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: State Support Mission
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru, Manne Srinivas Reddy, Mala Roy, Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3490

TO BE ANSWERED ON  22.03.2023

## STATE SUPPORT MISSION

3490.  SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU:

SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY:

SHRIMATI MALA ROY:

SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether NITI Aayog is running State Support Mission Programme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the objectives of this mission and the achievements/ progress made till date;
- (c) whether  the  said  mission  of  NITI  Aayog  will  be  continued  for  more  years  for  the collective efforts towards national priorities; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the priorities identified along with the funds sanctioned/spent till date?

## 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)   : NITI  Aayog   has  the   mandate  to  foster  competitive  and   cooperative federalism.   State Support   Mission  has  been  launched  to  further  strengthen  the ongoing   engagement   between NITI   Aayog   and   the   States/  UTs  to facilitate   the States/  UTs   to   achieve   their   socio-economic   goals.   The    mission   will   provide technical  assistance  to  States/ UTs  to  formulate  development  strategies  to  unlock the   full  potential  of  their  priority  areas.  The  Mission  will  support  the   participating States/ UTs  to  establish  State  Institution  for  Transformation  (SIT)  that  will  act  as  a multi-disciplinary  resource  to  steer  their  development  strategies.  In  addition,  the Mission  will  also  provide  holistic  support  to  States/ UTs,  which  includes  the  setting up of  a Monitoring  &  Evaluation  Unit  to  aid  evidence-based  policy  making  and facilitate cross-learning of best practices, etc.

(c)  & (d) : The  total   outlay for the   State Support   Mission is  Rs.237.50 crore   and the Mission   period  is   from  2022-23   to  2024-25. The  Mission is a  demand driven and is presently  in  its  nascent  stage  of  implementation.  The  priorities  of  the  Mission,  inter-alia, include  the  establishment  of  SITs and  Monitoring  &  Evaluation  Unit  in  the  States/UTs, provision of knowledge sharing platform for the States/UTs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Facility of Tatkal Tickets
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3488 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## FACILITY OF TATKAL TICKETS

†3488.  SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  the  facility  of  tatkal tickets booking in the markets and tourist places also;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  in  the  said matter so far;
- (c)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor ?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d) : With a view to provide reservation to those passengers who have to undertake journey at short notice and to save such passengers from the clutches of unscrupulous elements/touts, Tatkal scheme was introduced.  Tickets  under  Tatkal  scheme  can  be  booked  as  per  its Advance  Reservation  Period  (ARP)  from  the  computerized  Passenger Reservation  System  (PRS)  locations  spread  all  over  India.  Further, reserved, general as well as Tatkal tickets can also be booked through approximately 5.29 lakh authorized ticketing agents of Indian Railways Catering  &  Tourism  Corporation  Ltd.  and  also  through  approximately 370 Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra (YTSK) licencee which are functioning from different parts of the country including markets/tourist places.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3487 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Digi Village Projects
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Sunil Baburao Mendhe

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3487

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 22.03.2023

## DIGI VILLAGE PROJECTS

## 3487.  SHRI SUNIL BABURAO MENDHE:

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

- (a) the present/amended details of Digi Village Project in Maharashtra along with the number of villages included under the said project as on date;
- (b) whether the Government has received any request to set up more Digi Villages from the States/Union Territories and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (c) the details of proposals for expansion of the said project in the country; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to expand the Common Service Centres (CSCs) under the said project and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  The  Digital  Village  Pilot  Project  was  initiated  by  the  Ministry  of  Electronics  and Information  Technology  to  provide  government-to-citizen,  business-to-citizen,  education, health, skill development and financial inclusion services in 700 villages across the country, on a pilot basis, including 34 villages in the State of Maharashtra.
- (b):  The  Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology  is  not  in  receipt  of  any  such requests from the Governments of States and Union Territories.
- (c): Presently, there is no proposal for expansion of the project in the country.
- (d): Expansion of CSCs does not form part of the activity envisaged under the Digital Village pilot project.

********