opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3300 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Problems in Implementing PMGKAY
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Rajendra Agrawal, P.P. Chaudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY  OF GONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.33OO TO BE ANSWERED  ON 23RD MARGH, 2022

## PROBLEMS IN IMPLEMENTING  PMGKAY

33OO. SHRI RAJENDRII  AGRAWAL: SHRI P.P. GHAUDHARY:

Wil! the Minister of GONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION  scfimlffqt, ur* *<vrffirA-d{"r{-*  be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of assistance  provided  so far under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana;
- (b) the problems faced by the Government in the implementation of the scheme so far;
- (c) whether the Government proposes  to further extend the scheme;
- (d)  if so, the steps taken by the Govemment  to reach individuals  not covered under the scheme;
- (e)  whether the scheme has contributed to reduction in malnutrition; and
- (0 if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND GONSUMER AFFAIRS,  FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (sADHVt NIRAilJAN JYOTI)

- (a): Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna (PMGKAY),  Govt of lndia has made allocation of foodgrains @ 5 kg per person per month free of cost for around 80 crore beneficiaries of all the 36 States/UTs covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA) (Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) & Priority Households(PHH))  including  those covered under Direct Benefit Transfer  (DBT) for a total period of {9 months during the years 2O2O-21 and 2021-22 (Phase-l to V).

A tota! of approx 759 LMT foodgrains have been aflocated to all the states/UTs during the above period with financiat implication of about Rs. 2.60 lakh Grores.

(b): Targeted Public Distribution System (TpDS) is operated  under the joint responsibitity  of the Gentral and the State/UT Governments.  The operational  responsibility under TPDS (and  pMGKAy  atso, as targeted beneficiaries  are same) including  identification  of  beneficiaries  and distributing  ration to them, lies with respective  State/UT.  No problems have been reported by States/UTs  in the implementataon of the scheme so far. So far nearly 94olo SucGessful distribution of foodgrains under  pMGKAy (Phase-l.lV)  (April 2O2O- November,2O2{)  has been reported.

(c):  PMGKAY is  already operating under the extended  period since December,  2021 lo Marchr?O22.

(d): AII NFSA beneficiaries have been allocated free of cost foodgrains under PMGKAY.

(e) & (f): As per concurrent  evaluation by monitoring  institutions, there is nearly 9870 satisfaction among  beneficiaries in  pMGKAy.

rt*a**
Lok Sabha Question No. 3296 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Trials of Freight Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3296 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2022

## TRIALS OF FREIGHT TRAINS

3296.  SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether  the  Ministry  has  conducted  any  trials  of  freight  trains from India to other countries and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)    whether the Ministry is planning to increase such freight trains from different States including Andhra Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Ministry has set any targets for increasing the share of trade through rail freight with other countries over the years; and
- (d)     if so, the details in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) :  Freight trains are already running from India to Bangladesh and Nepal.  Running of such trains depends upon demand from trade and  capacity  in  these  countries  to  receive  and  handle  the  freight trains.  Although, there is no set target for increasing share of trade through  rail,  various  steps  have  been  taken  for  increasing  freight trains to Bangladesh and Nepal like increase in interchange points for running  freight  trains;  diversification  of  cargo  and  use  of  different types  of  wagons;  assistance  in  development  of  rail  infrastructure  in these countries; amendments to Rail Service Agreements for running freight trains; etc. The details of such trains are as under:-

| Year                          | Number of freight trains for   | Number of freight trains for   |
|-------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
|                               | Bangladesh                     | Nepal                          |
| 2019-20                       | 660                            | 1128                           |
| 2020-21                       | 1335                           | 1015                           |
| 2021-22 (till February, 2022) | 1395                           | 980                            |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3293 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Policies for Coal Dependent States
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3293 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2022

## POLICIES FOR COAL DEPENDENT STATES

## 3293.  SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state :-

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  coordinate  transition  policies  for  coal-dependent States and districts and also provide finance for the policy implementation;
- (b) if so, the details of the initiatives taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

Reply (a) to (c) : No, Sir.  In India, transition away from coal is not happening in foreseeable future. Although there will be push for renewable/non-fossil based energy, but share of coal in the energy basket is going to remain significant in years ahead. Coal demand in the country is yet to peak. The draft Economic Survey 2021-22 projects coal demand in the range of 1.3-1.5 billion tonnes by 2030, an increase of 63 per cent from the current demand. Thus, as of now there is no scenario of transition away from coal affecting any stakeholders involved in coal mining.

However, Ministry of Coal has constituted a Sub-Committee to look into holistic closure of abandoned/legacy mine sites and mines closing due to exhaustion of reserves, viability issues etc., and involving social aspects of mine closure on principles of just transition in addition to physical and environmental closure.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3291 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Assessment of Poverty Line
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Dileshwar Kamait, Riti Pathak, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Geeta Kora

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3291 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2022

## ASSESSMENT OF POVERTY LINE

## †3291. SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT:

SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

SHRI JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA:

SHRIMATI GEETA KORA:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any work force has been constituted for the assessment of Poverty Line in the country during the last five years;
- (b) if so, the details of the assessment made by the work force during the said period;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  any  data  regarding  the  income  gap  among  various income groups in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & 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) to  (c):  A  Task  Force  on  Elimination  of  Poverty  in  India  was  constituted  by  NITI Aayog  on  16th  March,  2015  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Dr.  Arvind  Panagariya, former Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog. The Terms of Reference for the Task Force inter alia  included  to  'Develop  a  working  definition  of  poverty'.  The  report  of  the  Task Force primarily focuses on issues of measurement of poverty and strategies to combat poverty.  Regarding  estimation  of  poverty,  the  report  of  the  Task  Force  states  that a consensus in favour of either the Tendulkar or a higher poverty line did not emerge. Therefore,  the  Task  Force  has  concluded  that  the  matter  be  considered  in  greater depth by the country's top experts on poverty before a final decision is made.  With respect to strategies to combat poverty, the Task Force has made recommendations on faster  poverty  reduction  through  employment  intensive  sustained  rapid  growth  and effective implementation of anti-poverty programs.
- (d) & (e): Sir, the data on income/wealth is not maintained by the Government. However household  consumption  expenditure  data  collected  by  NSSO  is  used  as  a  proxy  to capture the economic disparity. Based on Mixed Reference Period of the Quinquennial Household Consumer Expenditure Surveys of the NSSO conducted in 2004-05 (61st round) and 2011-12 (68th round), the Gini coefficient (measuring the inequality between different expenditure classes of the population) in rural areas has remained almost the same in 2004-05 and 2011-12 at 0.27 and 0.28 respectively. In the urban areas, the Gini coefficient has increased marginally from 0.35 in 2004-05 to 0.37 in 2011-12.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3286 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Talks on FTAs
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Balashowry Vallabbhaneni

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3286 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 rd  MARCH, 2022

## TALKS ON FTAs

## 3286. SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

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

- (a) whether India has started talks for entering into Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with UK and Australia;
- (b) if so, the details and progress of talks, countrywise;
- (c) the time by which India can have FTAs with the above countries and also with EU; and
- (d) the details of the benefits like to accrue to India getting from the above FTAs?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a), (b) &(c): India has launched bilateral negotiations for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with UK  and  Australia.  It  is    difficult  to  predict  the  deadline  for  completion  of  negotiations,  as agreements can be finalized only when the negotiating countries are satisfied with the outcome.
- (d): FTAs  would  benefit  the  domestic  industry  through  competitive  access  to  inputs  and  the exporters through enhanced market access in partner countries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: SDG on Gender Equality
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Abdul Majeed Ariff

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3284

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2022

## SDG ON GENDER EQUALITY

3284. ADV. A.M. ARIFF:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that the country is nowhere near achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on Gender Equality and if so, the action taken in this regard;
- (b) the details of progress made in respect of the nine targets and twenty six indicators related to the SDG of Gender Equality as on date; and
- (c) the details of the progress made in respect of the first two targets  namely  eliminating  all  forms  of  discrimination  and violence against women, State/UT -wise?

## 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) to (c): NITI Aayog releases the SDG India Index each year to measure the progress of the country on key indicators related to the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDG India Index 3.0 (2020-21) measured SDG 5 on Gender Equality using  nine  indicators  including  indicators  from  first  two targets of SDG 5. The overall score in SDG 5 in SDG India Index

3.0  was  48  in  2020-21  up  from  42  in  SDG  India  Index  2.0. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation publishes Sustainable Development Goals -National Indicator Framework, Progress Report every year which includes time series  data  for  all  SDGs  including  SDG  5.  The  Report  is available  on  the  Ministry's  website. Further,  Government  of India has given utmost priority and taken several initiatives to bridge the gender gap in India, reducing disparity between men and women, improving the health of women, increasing their socio-economic status and participation in various fields.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3283 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: PM Gati Shakti
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3283. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 23 RD      MARCH, 2022.

## PM GATI SHAKTI

## 3283.  SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

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

- (a) the objectives and merits of PM Gati Shakti - National Master Plan (NMP) for multi-modal connectivity in the country;
- (b) whether the Government has taken in the significance of inland water ways as an important component of Gati Shakti plan in achieving optimal multi modal transport connectivity;
- (c) if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  considered  according  importance  to allocations and plans for the development of backwaters in Kerala especially the backwater regions in the district of Alappuzha passing through Vembanad lake and its tributaries with connectivity to Cochin and other areas; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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): The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan(NMP)  depicts the economic zones and the infrastructure linkages required to support them with an objective to holistically integrate all the multimodal connectivity infrastructure  projects  and  remove  gaps  for  seamless  movement  of people   &  goods.   It  provides  analytical  tools  to   facilitate  integrated planning and synchronized implementation of the projects through  informed decision  utilizing the relevant database available on the NMP  .  The  access  to  the  NMP    is  available  to   individual organisations at Centre and State levels.
- (b): Yes  sir.  Inland  Waterways  has  been  considered  to  be  a  crucial component  of  the  Gati  Shakti  plan  to  derive  optimum  multi  modal connectivity.
- (c) & (d): Inland Waterways Authority of India under Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways is mandated to develop and maintain National Waterways(NW) in the country for Shipping and navigation. The work related to development of channel of NW-3 including the portion which passes through  Vembanad Lake (in Alappuzha District  of  Kerala) for operation of vessels has been undertaken. An expenditure of Rs 14.97, 26.06 and 21.52 crore respectively, has already been incurred during the years 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 on maintenance of NW-3.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3282 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: 4G Auction
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3282 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD  MARCH, 2022

## 4G AUCTION

## 3282.   SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has fixed the upfront payment including the right to use airwaves for 4G auction;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any changes have been made in the aforesaid conditions for the private telecom providers in recent past;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the details of the financial/revenue loss due to these changes?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, the Government had fixed the upfront payment for the right to use airwaves in the past spectrum auctions.
- (b) For the spectrum auctions held in 2016 and 2021, the upfront payment was 50% of the final bid amount in the case of 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, & 2500 MHz bands, and 25% of the final bid amount in case of 700 MHz, 800 MHz and 900 MHz (sub-1 GHz) bands.
- (c) & (d) For the 2021 Spectrum Auction, it was stipulated that for the spectrum which would become available at a later date, which will be assigned beyond one month of the close of this auction, the component of the 25%/50% upfront payment payable at the time of auction completion shall be 10% of the bid amount for sub-1 GHz bands, and 20% of the bid amount for other bands; and the balance component of upfront payment (total of which is 25% for sub-1 GHz and 50% for other bands) was to be made one month prior to the spectrum assignment.

- (e) There was no financial loss.

****

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3281 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Special Space Programmes
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Pushpendra Singh Chandel, Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2022

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3281 SPECIAL SPACE PROGRAMMES

3281.  SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL: SHRIMATI MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
2. (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce special space programmes for the development of communication through which high speed communication network can be developed by sending more satellites to space;
3. (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  collaborate  with the private sector for the said purpose; and
4. (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

O.I.H.

In  order  to  meet  the  communication  requirements  of  the country, three Indian High Throughput Satellites with 25 Gbps capacity are operational for providing broadband connectivity under BharatNet programme to Grampanchayats where adequate Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connectivity is not available. One more High Throughput Satellite is under realization.  Government  has  opened  up  space  sector  for participation of the private players as co-travelers so that they can  build,  own  and  operate  satellites  to  meet  the  growing demands for satellite capacity in the country.

- ****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3280 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Project Proposals
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: B. Y. Raghavendra, Umesh G. Jadhav, Sanganna Amarappa Karadi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3280

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2022

## PROJECT PROPOSALS

3280.   SHRI B.Y. RAGHAVENDRA: DR. UMESH G. JADHAV: SHRI SANGANNA AMARAPPA:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  project  proposals  received  from  Karnataka  for  approval  of  the Government during the last three years;
- (b) the number of project proposals sanctioned along with the number of proposals lying pending; and
- (c) the time by which the said pending projects are likely to be cleared?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & 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) to (c) Erstwhile Planning Commission /NITI Aayog approved/sanctioned the project proposals  received  from  State  Governments  under  One  Time  Additional  Central Assistance (OTACA)/ Special Plan Assistance (SPA) till 2014-2015 and recommended to the Ministry of Finance for the release of funds. Subsequent to the establishment  of  NITI  Aayog,  the  practice  of  approval/sanctioning  of  such  project proposals has been discontinued from 2015-16 following the acceptance of recommendations of 14th Finance Commission for increased devolution to the States by way of enhancing the share of States in the net proceeds of Union Taxes from 32% to 42% resulting in increased fund transfer to the States. NITI Aayog is the successor in interest to the Planning Commission. It is a think tank to the Government to provide a  critical  directional  and  strategic  input  into  the  development  process.  Approval  of Central/State projects is no longer under the purview of the NITI Aayog.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3278 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: India Post Payment Bank
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3278 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD   MARCH, 2022

## INDIA POST PAYMENT BANK

## †3278. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India-Post-Payments-Bank proposes to provide the facility of bill payment at door step;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has taken any step so far in this regard; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes Sir, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) is providing facility of bill payment at door step.

(b) & (c) The Government of India through Department of Posts has set up IPPB which has enabled 1.36 lakh Post Offices to provide banking services and has equipped nearly 1.89 lakh Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks with smart phone and biometric device to provide doorstep banking services including the facility of Bill Payment such as Utility bills, Direct to Home (DTH)/Mobile recharges, Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI) payments etc. through account debit or cash payment.

****

****