opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3530 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Cartelization in Telecom Sector
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Dayanidhi Maran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3530 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 ND  MARCH, 2023

## CARTELIZATION IN TELECOM SECTOR

## 3530.   SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  set  up  new  anti-trust  laws  in  order  to  prevent monopolization/or cartelization in the telecom sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether private telecom giants are scrutinized by the Government for anti-trust activities and predatory marketing practices, if so, the details and the findings thereof; and
- (c) the details of the investigating authority involved in the said scrutiny of the telecom giants?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Telecom Sector in India has a robust regulator - Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. It  follows an extensive consultation process with all stakeholders. At this point of time, there is no proposal for new anti-trust laws.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3529 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Conversion of Existing Diesel Loco Shed
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3529 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## CONVERSION OF EXISTING DIESEL LOCO SHED

3529.  SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  feasibility  study  regarding the conversion of the existing diesel loco shed at Ernakulum Junction Railway Station to an electric loco shed, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has noticed any inconvenience to the passengers or the railway staff due to the delay in the conversion;
- (c) if so,  whether the Government has taken  adequate measures to mitigate any negative impact of the conversion process;
- (d) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure the safety of the railway staff who are likely to be engaged in the electric loco shed after the conversion process is completed, if so, the details in this regard;
- (e) whether the Government has taken adequate measures to ensure that the conversion is completed within the stipulated time-frame, if so, the steps taken in this regard;
- (f) whether the Government has allocated sufficient funds for the conversion process and whether the allocated funds are being utilized effectively; and
- (g) 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 (g): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (g)  OF  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3529 BY SHRI HIBI EDEN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 22.03.2023  REGARDING CONVERSION OF EXISTING DIESEL LOCO SHED

(a):  Creation  of  infrastructure  at  Diesel  Loco  Shed,  Ernakulam  for  homing electric locos has been taken up based on policy to home electric  locomotives in existing diesel locomotives shed by creating necessary infrastructure.

(b) to (d) : No  inconvenience is caused to the passengers. Efforts are being taken  to  cause  no  such  inconvenience  to  railway  staff  in  the  conversion process.

Adequate training is being imparted to railway staff for maintenance of electric locomotives.

(e): Yes, Sir.

For  creation  of  infrastructure  to  maintain  electric  locomotives  in  diesel locomotive sheds, works have been planned for sanction.

(f) & (g):

Yes, Sir.

Funds allocated for creation of infrastructure at diesel locos sheds of Southern Railway for homing electric locos is given below:

| Year    |   Funds allocated in Crores of ₹ |
|---------|----------------------------------|
| 2023-24 |                              3.5 |
| 2022-23 |                              3   |
| 2021-22 |                              0.5 |
| 2020-21 |                              0.1 |
| Total   |                              7.1 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3527 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Setting up of Ultra mega Solar Plants
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gautham Sigamani Pon

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3527

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## SETTING UP OF ULTRA MEGA SOLAR PLANTS

3527. DR. PON GAUTHAM SIGAMANI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways is planning to come up with solar plants on unused  railway  land  for  generating  2,000  MW  of  power,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Railways is also targeting carbon neutrality by 2030;
- (c) whether the Railways has plans to set ultra mega solar plants; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Ministry of Railways has plans of installing solar plants on Railway as well as private land along the tracks near traction sub-stations (TSSs) for meeting its traction power requirements. So far, Indian Railways (IR) has already set up about 6.7 MW solar plants on its vacant land. Details
- are as follows:
- i). 3MW solar  plant  at  Modern  Coach  Factory  (MCF),  Raebareli  (Uttar Pradesh) has been commissioned.
- ii). 2 MW solar plant at Diwana (Haryana) has been commissioned.
- iii). 1.7 MW solar plant at Bina (Madhya Pradesh) has been
- commissioned.

Further, Railway vacant land has been used for setting up of solar plant of 50 MW capacity at Bhilai (Chhattisgarh).

- (b)  Indian  Railway  is  moving  towards  reducing  net  carbon  emission progressively. (c)  &  (d)  No,  Sir.  At  present,  there  is  no  such  planning  of  IR  to  set  up
- ultra mega solar plants.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3519 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: International Trade
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Mahesh Sahoo

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3519 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 nd  MARCH,2023

## INTERNATIONAL TRADE

## 3519.   SHRI MAHESH SAHOO:

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

- (a) the status of international trade since 1 April, 2021 both in terms of volume and value;
- (b) whether there has been a deviation from estimates of import and export of goods;
- (c) if so, the difference both in terms of volume and value;
- (d) the details and the names of the sectors which were mostly affected; and
- (e) the names of the major countries from which import has increased and the reasons thereof?

## 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 (d): The overall (merchandise plus services) exports, imports and total trade since 2021-22 to 2022-23 ( April- February) are as follows:

## (Value in US$ Billion)

| Year             |   Export |   Import |   Total Trade |
|------------------|----------|----------|---------------|
| 2021-22          |    676.5 |    760.1 |        1436.6 |
| 2022-23(Apr-Feb) |    702.9 |    817.5 |        1520.4 |

Source: RBI and DGCI&S, Kolkata

As the standard units of quantity are not uniform, the volume figures are not additive. There is no deviation in terms of volume and value estimates of value of import and export of goods.

- (e): The value of merchandise import of India from 10 major countries increased during 202223 (April-January) over the corresponding period of the previous year are: China P Rp, United Arab Emts, USA, Russia, Saudi Arab, Iraq, Indonesia, Singapore, Korea Rp and Australia . Imports take place to meet the gap between domestic production and supply, consumer demand and preferences for various products. Many imports are inputs for further manufacturing in India and export.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3518 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Availability of Coal Reserves in the Country
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Nishikant  Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3518 ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

Availability of Coal Reserves in the Country

## 3518.   SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

- (a) the quantum of coal reserves available in the country at present;
- (b) the quantum of coal in tonnes produced by the Coal India Limited (CIL) during each of the last  three financial years;
- (c) the quantum of coal in tonnes imported in the country during the last three financial years; and
- (d) the details of the special measures initiated by the CIL to increase the production of coal?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):    The coal resources estimated in the country as per Coal Inventory of India published by GSI on 01.04.2022 are as under:

(Resources in million tonnes)

|   Measured |   Indicated |   Inferred |   Total |
|------------|-------------|------------|---------|
|     187105 |      147252 |      27054 |  361411 |

As  per  coal  inventory  of  India published by GSI on 01.04.2022, the cumulative coal production since 1950 upto 2021-22 is 18076.13 million tonne.

- (b)    Coal production by Coal India Limited during the last three financial years is as follows:

(In Million Tonnes)

| Year            |   2019-20 |   2020-21 |   2021-22 |
|-----------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Coal Production |    602.14 |    596.22 |    622.63 |

- (c)    The quantum of coal imported in the country during the last three financial years is as follows:

(In Million Tonnes)

| Year                   |   2019-20 |   2020-21 |   2021-22 |
|------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Coal Imported by India |    248.54 |    215.25 |    208.93 |

(d)    The details of the special measures initiated by the CIL to increase the production of coal

(i)   CIL is adopting Mass Production Technologies (MPT) in its Underground (UG) mines, mainly Continuous Miners (CMs), wherever feasible. CIL has also envisaged working large nos.  of  Highwalls  (HW)  miners.  CIL  is  also  planning  large  capacity  UG  mines  wherever

(ii)      In  its  OC  mines,  CIL  has  adopted  State-of-the-Art  technology  in  its  mines  like  high capacity Excavators, Dumpers and Surface Miners. Digitization is being tried on pilot scale in are as underfeasible. 7 of mega mines.

(iii)      CIL  has  also  offered  15  mines  in  MDO  mode.  Further,  CIL  has  offered  30 discontinued/abandoned mines to re-open on revenue sharing basis.

- ----------
Lok Sabha Question No. 3515 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Import and Export of Plastics
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Jayant Sinha

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3515 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 nd  MARCH,2023

## IMPORT AND EXPORT OF PLASTICS

## 3515.   SHRI JAYANT SINHA:

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

- (a) the details of import and export of plastics in the last five years; and
- (b) the steps taken by the Ministry to encourage domestic exporters including the progress made in this regard?

## 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): The value of India's import and export of Plastics during last five years and current year 202223 (April-January) are as follows:

## (Value in US$ Million)

| Year                      | Export   | Import   |
|---------------------------|----------|----------|
| 2017-18                   | 4,814    | 13,088   |
| 2018-19                   | 6,352    | 14,264   |
| 2019-20                   | 5,264    | 13,218   |
| 2020-21                   | 5,275    | 12,109   |
| 2021-22                   | 6,824    | 18,394   |
| 2022-23 ( April- January) | 4,683    | 17,921   |

Source: DGCI&S

(b): Department  of  Commerce  conducts  regular  interactions  with  Export  Promotion  Councils (EPCs), Trade and Industry Associations, etc so as to understand the trade related bottlenecks and devise  strategy  to  promote  exports.  Further,  following  actions  are  taken  on  regular  basis  for implementing the export initiatives:

- i. Tie-ups with overseas Indian Missions for organising trade promotion events and showcasing India's exports basket globally;
- ii. Identifying challenges faced by the exporting fraternity and addressing them with necessary interventions;
- iii. Exploring new markets along with existing ones;
- iv. Capacity building initiatives;
- v. Regular  consultation  on  FTA's,  trade  related  issues,  etc  with  the  Industry /exporters;
- vi. Organising  outreach  and  awareness  programs  for  trading  community  regarding various new policies, Schemes, procedures and facilitation, etc.;
- vii. The issue raised by the EPCs/Trade associations are taken up with the concerned Ministries/Department for their resolution.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3513 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Budget for Millets Procurement
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Pramila Bisoyi

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

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3513 To BE ANSWERED ON 22ND MARCH, 2023

## BUDGET FOR MILLETS PROCUREMENT

## 3513. SHRIMATI PRAMILA BISOYI:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

- (a) the details of budget allocated for procuring millets to be distributed under PDS for the last three financial years, including the FY 2023-24;
- (b) the total food subsidy budget for the last five years, including FY 2023-24 and the amount provisioned for clearing the debt of and FCI;
- (c) whether there is any proposal for increasing MSP for paddy and if sO, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) and (b): No separate allocation of funds is made for procurement and distribution of millets under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS): However, the details of funds allocated during the five years including 2023-24 are as under:

| Year    | Allocation of funds in crore                                                                       |
|---------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2019-20 | 1,52,672.00, includes repayment of National  Small Saving_Funds (NSSF) loan of Rs.44,944.00_crore: |
| 2020-21 | 5,41,126.77 includes repayment of entire NSSF Ioan ef Rs.3,39,236.00 crore:                        |
| 2021-22 | 2,88,718.54                                                                                        |
| 2022-23 | 2,86,978.50                                                                                        |
| 2023-24 | 4,97,000.00                                                                                        |

(c): As intimated by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Government has increased the MSP of paddy (common) to Rs. 2040 per quintal and Paddy (Grade A) to Rs 2060 per quintal for 2022-23 season: The MSP of paddy for 2022-23 season provides 50% return over the Commission for Agriculture Costs Prices's (CACP) estimated all India weighted average cost of production:

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3512 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Quality of Food in Madhya Pradesh
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Uday Pratap Singh

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3512 To BE ANSWERED ON 22N0 MARCH, 2023

## QUALITY OF FOOD IN MADHYA PRADESH

## +3512. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

- (a) whether several complaints have been registered regarding the sub-standard quality of nutritional food distributedlbeing distributed by various firms in Madhya Pradesh, if SO, the details of steps taken the Government in this regard; by
- (b) whether concrete steps have been taken by the Madhya Pradesh Government recently to remove the irregularities found in the Public Distribution System and to take action against the culprits; and
- (c) if so, the details of the action taken in this regard?

## A NSWER

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

(a) to (c): No complaint has been registered regarding sub-standards quality of foodgrains distributed in the State of Madhya Pradesh:

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3509 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Maintenance of Railway Bridges and Culverts
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Rajeshbhai Naranbhai Chudasama

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3509 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## MAINTENANCE OF RAILWAY BRIDGES & CULVERTS

3509. SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any precautionary measures to avoid accidents that occur due to flooding and washing away of railway  tracks  during  rains  under  all  the  railway  zones  in  the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  works  for  the  maintenance  of  railway  bridges  and culverts have been completed before the start of the rainy season;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has made any arrangements for constant monitoring of railway tracks and bridges to avoid such accidents; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## 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. 3509 BY SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  22.03.2023  REGARDING MAINTENANCE OF RAILWAY BRIDGES & CULVERTS

(a) to (e): Yes, Sir. To avoid accidents due to flooding etc., adequate measures  are  taken  by  Railways,  prior  to  monsoon  as  per  the prevailing guidelines to avoid/minimize damage to railway property and for early restoration of the assets. The measures taken include regular cleaning of side drains and catch water drains, cleaning and desilting of  railway  culverts  /  waterway  bridge,  joint  inspection  of  Railway Affecting Works (canals, reservoirs, tanks etc.) with concerned State Government Authorities, keeping adequate monsoon reserves such as boulders, quarry dust, relieving girders etc., introduction  of  Monsoon Patrolling in identified sections, identification of vulnerable locations and  deployment  of  stationary  watchmen,  maintaining  close  liaison with local authorities for monitoring of excess release of water from reservoir/dams, maintaining close liaison with the concerned Regional Meteorological Centres for updated weather information.

Based upon inspections, Railways undertake maintenance/repair/rehabilitation of all bridges/culverts to ensure safe movement  of  trains  at  permitted  speed,  which  is  a  continuous  and ongoing process.

Railways  undertake  regular  monitoring of railway tracks  & bridges  as  per  laid  down  system  which,  inter  alia,  includes  daily monitoring by Keymen, deployment of stationary watchmen at vulnerable locations and mobile patrolling during monsoon.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3505 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Earthquake Prediction System
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Ramcharan Bohra, Nihal Chand Chauhan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3505 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 22 ND  MARCH, 2023

## EARTHQUAKE PREDICTION SYSTEM

## †3505      SHRI RAMCHARAN BOHRA: SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

Will the Minister of Earth Sciences be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any emergency response system is in place for earthquake prediction;
- (b) if so, the accuracy at which it could be predicted;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  urged  Indian  scientists  of  Indian  Space  Research Organisation (ISRO) to research for earthquake prediction system and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has reached any agreement with other countries for jointly working on this issue; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b)  Presently, there is no proven scientific technique available, anywhere in the world, to predict the  occurrence  of  earthquake  with  reasonable  degree  of  accuracy  in  location, time  and  magnitude.  However,  Earthquake  Early  Warning  (EEW)  System  is  another tool developed in recent times for issue of earthquake alert/warning based on P-wave arrival time after the occurrence of an earthquake. The warning time will range from a few  seconds  to  a  little  more  than  a  minute  and  will  primarily  be  a  function  of  the distance  of  the  user  from  the  epicentre.  There  are  instruments  available  to  sense primary  waves  of  an  earthquake  and  by  the  help  of  suitable/fast  communication systems  at  place,  the  Earthquake  Early  Warning  may  be  issued  at  farther  locations before the arrival of secondary waves/surface waves which might cause critical shaking or damage.
- (c) No Sir.
- (d) - (e) Till date globally no scientific technique is able topredict the occurrence of earthquake. However, research is  being conducted world-wide to understand the science  of  earth quake prediction  with reasonable degree of accuracy in location, time and magnitude.

India is exploring and strengthening its R&D activities towards better understanding of this  vital  aspect  of  Earthquake  including  Earthquake  EarlyWarning  systems  through International collaborations with the countries having expertise in this specialised field such as, Japan, US, etc.

*****