opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 301 (STARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Exploration of Uranium
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Anumula Revanth Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No.*301

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## Exploration of Uranium

*301. SHRI ANUMULA REVANTH REDDY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that nearly 20,000 tonnes of uranium reserves have been identified in the northern Telangana region which needs to be explored and if so, the time by which the Government would start exploration; and (b) whether  the  Government  has  allocated  any  amount  of  funds  for  the

- exploration and if so, the details of the funds allocated and utilised?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b)      A statement is placed on the Table of the House.

*****

## Government of India Department of Atomic Energy

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.  *301  DUE  FOR  ANSWER  ON  22.03.2023  BY  SHRI  ANUMULA  REVANTH REDDY REGARDNG 'EXPLORATION OF URANIUM'

- (a) Yes,  Sir.  So  far,  AMD  has  established  three  (03)  uranium  deposits  near Lambapur, Peddagattu and Chitrial villages in Nalgonda district of Telangana.  A  total  of 18,550  tonne  (t) in-situ  uranium  oxide  has  been established  in  these  deposits,  which  includes  1,450t  uranium  oxide  in Lambapur; 7,585t uranium oxide in Peddagattu and 9,515t uranium oxide in Chitrial.  Exploration  for  uranium  in  these  areas  was  carried  out  during  the period 1992 to 2012.
- (b) Uranium exploration programme in India is covered under centralised panIndian  projects  and  hence,  there  is  no  separate  budgetary  allocation  for exploration of uranium in the State of Telangana.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3678 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Mobile Details of BSNL Employees
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3678 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 ND  MARCH, 2023

## MOBILE DETAILS OF BSNL EMPLOYEES

## 3678. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to collect the mobile details of the employees of BSNL and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has issued directions to the BSNL authorities to collect the data of official phones and personal phones of BSNL employees and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  received  complaints  regarding  collection  of  mobile  data  of BSNL employees in Kerala circle and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  obtained  consent  of  BSNL  employees  for  collecting  their telephone details and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether BSNL has been seeking the permission of appropriate authorities for the collection of mobile data of the BSNL employees; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) No, Sir.
- (c) to (f) In BSNL, three complaints were received from unions of BSNL, Kerala Circle, dated 28.08.2021 & 30.08.2021 including one PIDPI complaint (Public Interest Disclosure Protection of Informer  Resolution)  dated  04.01.2022  from  Chief  Vigilance  Commission  (CVC)  which  were replied  by  BSNL,  on  30.08.2021,  31.08.2021  &  02.02.2022  respectively.    These  complaints  are pertaining  to  an  online  Attendance  System  for  BSNL  employees  implemented  in  BSNL  Kerala Circle.  In this system, an OTP (One Time Password) is sent to the employee's mobile at the time of Sign IN/OUT for marking attendance.  At the time of OTP, the location information of the mobile was also taken, so as to ensure that the employee concerned was actually in the office, while marking the attendance.  The system has been deployed to check employees who are habitual late comers and are in the habit of putting attendance from places away from their office without being physically present in the office. There is no intrusion on privacy whatsoever and the system has been introduced to ensure discipline and in public interest.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3676 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Implementation of PMGKAY
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Ganesh Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOk SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3676 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22N0 MARCH, 2023

## IMPLEMENTATION OF PMGKAY

## +3676. SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

- (a) whether Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) is being implemented in the country and if SO, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the  proposal of Madhya Pradesh State Government for monthly allocation of 45 kg foodgrains instead of 35 kg to Antyodaya Families and 7 kg foodgrains instead of to priority households under National Food Security Act; 2013 is pending with the Union Government; and skg
- (c) if so, the action taken in this regard and the time by which the proposal is likely to be approved by the Government?

## ANSWE R

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

- (a): The Central Government to remove the financial burden the poor beneficiaries and to ensure nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA); has decided to provide food grains free of cost to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households (PHH) beneficiaries under NFSA, 2013, for a period of one year beginning from 1st January 2023. As per Central Government decision, inter-alia two food subsidy schemes have been subsumed as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): Under this scheme Free foodgrain is being distributed through
- (b) & (c}: Under NFSA, while AAY households that constitute the poorest of the poor are legally entitled to receive 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month, priority households are entitled to 5 kg per person per month: The foodgrains entitlement of beneficiaries under the Act is uniformly applicable across the country:

Therefore, request of any particular StatelUT including Madhya Pradesh for enhancement of foodgrains entitlement of beneficiaries cannot be agreed to:

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: e-Commerce
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Rodmal Nagar, Gajendra Singh Patel, Durga Das Uikey

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3675.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 22 ND  MARCH, 2023.

## E-COMMERCE

3675.  SHRI RODMAL NAGAR: SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH PATEL: SHRI DURGA DAS (D.D.) UIKEY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the details of the efforts being made by the Government to promote e-commerce in the country;
- (b) the  details  of  the  efforts  being  made  by  the  Government  to  encourage  new startups in Madhya Pradesh;
- (c) whether any new scheme is being proposed to promote retail business;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the efforts being made by the Government to promote retail business in tribal areas; and
- (f) 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  Department  for  Promotion  of  Industry  and  Internal  Trade  (DPIIT)  has pioneered the initiative of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The initiative  aims  at  promoting  open  networks  for  all  aspects  of  exchange  of goods and services  over  digital  or  electronic  networks.  ONDC  is  based  on open-sourced  methodology,  using  open  specifications  and  open  network protocols independent of          any specific platform.

ONDC protocols standardize operations like cataloguing, inventory management,  order  management  and  order  fulfilment.  Thus,  small  sellers, traders  and farmers can use any ONDC compatible applications instead of being  governed    by  specific  platform  centric  policies.  This  provides  multiple options  to  them  to  be  discoverable  over  network  and  conduct  business.  It would also encourage easy adoption of digital means by those currently not on digital commerce networks.

- (b): Government of India has unveiled an action plan for Startup India comprises of 19 action items in order to incentivize a vibrant startup system in the country. In  the  state  of  Madhya  Pradesh,  the  number  of  recognized  startups  has increased from 7 in 2016 to 2,814 as on 28th February 2023.
- (c) & (d): A draft of National Retail Trade Policy has been prepared which focuses on preparing  strategies  for  providing  a  globally  competitive  and  sustainable environment for overall development of retail trade.
- (e) & (f): Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  vide  its  dedicated  portal  www.tribesindia.com  has forged tie ups with various leading ecommerce platforms in order to promote retail business in tribal areas.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3674 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Railway Projects in Ladakh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3674 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## RAILWAY PROJECTS IN LADAKH

3674. SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  railway  projects  in  Ladakh  in  terms  of  fund  allocation, railway route proposed plans of works and the timeline fixed for completion of these projects;
- (b)  whether  railway  projects  for  Ladakh  have  been  initiated  from  inner connection route within Ladakh, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether it has been surveyed that Railways connectivity in Ladakh is likely to be sustainable with Himalayan environment, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c): As on 01.04.2022, One New Rail Line project i.e.  Bilaspur-ManaliLeh new line falling partly in UT of Ladakh is identified as strategic line by Ministry  of  Defence.  Final  Location  Survey  (FLS)  of  Bilaspur-Manali-Leh  new line  project  (489  km)  has  been  completed  and  Detailed  Project  Report  has been prepared.   The project is not sanctioned, as such, no time line can be fixed  for  its  commencement.    The  Detailed  Project  Report  of  the  project includes inter-alia the geological and environmental study of the region.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3672 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Special Train to Religious Places
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ghanshyam Singh Lodhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3672 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## SPECIAL TRAIN TO RELIGIOUS PLACES

†3672. SHRI GHANSHYAM SINGH LODHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce a Vande Bharat Train for the tourists and traders  visiting Kathgodam and Udham Singh Nagar from Delhi ;
- (b) if so, the time by which the train is likely to be made operational;
- (c) whether there is a proposal to introduce any special train from Delhi to religious places of the Sikhs in the country; and
- (d) if so, the time by which it is likely to be introduced and the amenities to be provided therein?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d)      At  present,  there  are  no  such  immediate  proposals  under consideration.  However,  introduction  of  trains  is  an  ongoing  process  on Indian  Railways  subject  to  operational  feasibility,  traffic  justification, availability of rolling stock etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3671 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Emissions from Textile Industries
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Brijendra Singh

## EMISSIONS FROM TEXTILE INDUSTRIES

## 3671. SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH:

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

(a) whether the Government is aware that the textile industry is a major polluting industry that emits large amount of Greenhouse gases;

(b) if so, the initiatives taken by the Government to reduce the emissions from textile industries;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  data  on  the  textile  industries  that  have  switched  to  sustainable production methods other than coal- fired power plants; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## उत्तर ANSWER )

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर्

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

(a) & (b): Textile industry falls in the list of 'Energy-intensive industries and other establishments'; specified as a designated consumer as per section 2(S) and the schedule of the Energy Conservation Act 2001.  In order to reduce the energy intensity and emission in the sector, National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power initiated Perform, Achieve, Trade (PAT) scheme.  As of now, there are 168 energy-intensive textile units notified in the Scheme having an annual threshold level of energy consumption of more or equal to 3000 Tonnes of Oil equivalent.  The Scheme has resulted in the saving of 0.313 Million Toe (1 toe = 11.6 MWh) in energy savings consequently reduction of 1.551 Million Tons of CO2 in the sector.

(c) & (d): As per the data available with the Ministry, a total of 1,622 textile units, have applied for one time capital investment subsidy under Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) for  installation  of  benchmark  machinery  under  Processing  segment  including  Boiler  (Steam/thermic fluid) with automatic control on combustion efficiency, O2 monitoring Equipments  and  with electrostatics precipitator and micro-dust collector and Heat recovery system etc.  It covers project cost of Rs. 6,602.54 crore and provisional subsidy value of Rs. 445.28 crore in different segment of Textile Sectors.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3668 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Industrially Backward Districts in UP
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sangeeta Azad

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3668.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 22 ND  MARCH, 2023.

## INDUSTRIALLY BACKWARD DISTRICTS IN UP

## 3668.  SHRIMATI SANGEETA AZAD:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the Government has identified the industrially backward districts/areas in Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, district-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  policy  for  providing  favorable conditions  and  investment  system/plan  for  industrial  development  in  these areas and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether industries have been set up on the basis of local resources in these backward districts/areas;
- (e) if  so,  the  details  of  efforts  made  by  the  Government  for  the  industrial development of backward districts/areas of Uttar Pradesh; and
- (f) 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) & (b):

Setting up of industry is primarily in the domain of State Governments. However, Government of India, through  Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, provides an enabling ecosystem of overall industrial development in the country, including Uttar Pradesh, through appropriate policy interventions.

The Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that, 35 districts of Uttar Pradesh are identified as industrially backward areas namely- Ambedkar Nagar, Amethi, Ayodhya, Sultanpur, Azamgarh, Ballia, Mau, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Siddharth Nagar, Balrampur, Bahraich, Gonda, Shravasti, Deoria,  Gorakhpur,  Kushi  Nagar,  Maharajganj,  Badohi/  Sant  Ravidas Nagar, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Kaushambi, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Chandauli, Ghazipur, Jaunpur,  Varanasi, Jhansi, Jalaun, Lalitpur, Chitrakoot, Banda Hamirpur, Mahoba.

- (c): MSME Policy- 2022 has been promulgated by the State Government on 28.09.2022 in which special provisions have been made for these districts-
- i. 100% exemption of stamp duty on purchase of land for establishing industry,
- ii. Capital Subsidy of 25 percent, 20 percent, 15 percent respectively to micro, small and medium enterprises on the basis of fixed capital investment made by them. In addition to these 2 percent additional investment incentive assistance to SC, ST and women entrepreneurs.
- (d) to (f): Yes, Industries in these districts mostly use local resources. 'One District One Product' scheme of State Government encourages the Industries of the products of the districts.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3667 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Percentage of GDP invested on R&D
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Francisco Cosme Sardinha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3667 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.3.2023

## PERCENTAGE OF GDP INVESTED ON R&D

## 3667.  SHRI COSME FRANCISCO CAITANO SARDINHA:

Will  the  Minister  of  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ मंğी pleased to state:

be

- (a) the details of the percentage of GDP invested on Research and Development (R&D)
- activities in India in the last five years;
- (b) whether the Government has set some target levels of expenditure with regards to
- R&D, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the steps and policies the Government is implementing to increase R&D outlook in the country to create a competitive R&D ecosystem?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ तथा पृ Øवी ͪव£ान मंğालय क े राÏय मंğी ( èवतंğ Ĥभार) (डॉ . िजतɅġ ͧसंह)

- (a)  The percentage of GDP invested on Research and Development (R&D) has been around 0.7 percent during the last five years. However, in absolute terms, the Gross Expenditure in Research and Development (GERD) has been continuously increasing over the years. There has been nearly a three times increase in GERD during last 10 years.
- (b)  As  such  there  is  no  target  level  set  by  the  Government  for  R&D  expenditure. However, the government has been making concerted efforts to increase GERD over the years.
- (c)  The  government  has  taken  up  several  steps  to  increase  R&D  spending  in  the country. Some of the key efforts made by Government include: the successive increase in  plan  allocations  for  Scientific  Departments,  incentivizing  investment  by  private sector to increase  their share  in GERD,  introducing  flexible tools for public procurement; creating avenues for collaborative STI funding through portfolio-based funding mechanisms such as Public-Private-Partnerships and other innovative hybrid funding  mechanisms.  The  Government  has  allowed  corporate  sector  to  make  R&D investments under the provision of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Corporates can invest in technology business incubators or contribute in research efforts carried out by institutions and national research laboratories as a part of their CSR. There are specific  investment  incentives  offered  such  as  Location-based  tax  incentives  that enables 100% deductions of profits generated from establishing and doing business in northeastern states of India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3666 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Thodupuzha Post Office
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3666 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 ND  MARCH, 2023

## THODUPUZHA POST OFFICE

## 3666.   ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  given  the  ministerial  sanction  to  start  the  reconstruction  of Thodupuzha post office;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the amount sanctioned and timeline of completing the work;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  finalized  the  details  of  the  amount  sanctioned,  timeline  of completing the work and the specifications of the new post office including its area in square feet;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  rejuvenate  functioning  of  small  post  offices including the ones that are non-functional now and are working from rented facilities; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Sir. Department of Posts has approved the project for construction of Thodupuzha Post Office building.
- (b) to (d) Multistory building of Thodupuzha Post Office will accommodate, Head Post Office, Divisional Office, Sub Record Office, Sorting Office and Divisional Computer Training Center. As per Schedule of Accommodation, new building will have 9459.87 square feet area. Since the project is at pre-construction stage, sanctioned amount and date of completion cannot be indicated now.
- (e) & (f) Under Estates Management Scheme, 2021-22 to 2025-26, Department of Posts has a plan to construct new small post office buildings on vacant plots, to house post offices including those, presently functioning in rented facilities, based on the requirement, operational priority and availability of funds.

*****