opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2428 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Trains in Malabar Region
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: M. P. Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2428 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022

## TRAINS IN MALABAR REGION

## 2428. DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Railways has any plan to run more trains in the Malabar region  under  the  Palakkad  division  of  Southern  Railway,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether Railways is aware of the need for more trains from the Malabar  region  of  Kerala  to  Bangalore,  if  so,  the  details  of  steps taken so far to solve this issue; and
- (c)  whether any study has been conducted to start a train service from Shornur to Bangalore via Mangalore, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c)  Indian  Railways  do  not  run  train  services  on  regionwise/State-wise basis as railway network straddles across regional/State boundaries. However, presently, three pairs of trains viz. 16527/16528 Yesvantpur-Kannur Express, 16565/16566 Yesvantpur-Mangaluru Central Express and 16511/16512 KSR Bengaluru-Kannur Express provide connectivity from various stations  like  Palakkad,  Shoranur,  Kozhikode,  located  in  Malabar region,  to  Bengaluru.  Besides,  subject  to  operational  feasibility, traffic demand, availability of resources, etc, introduction of trains is an ongoing process over Indian Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2426 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Stoppage of Trains at Salekasa Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2426 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022

## STOPPAGE OF TRAINS AT SALEKASA RAILWAY STATION

†2426. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any steps for providing stoppage of trains at Salekasa and Wadsa railway stations located in the districts of Gondia and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra that are severely affected with Naxalism;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the progress made so far in this regard; and
- (d) the time by which all the trains are likely to be given stoppage at both the aforesaid railway stations?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d)  To  cater  to  the  needs of  passengers of Wadsa, it has been decided  to  provide  stoppage  of  17007/08  Secunderabad-Darbhanga Express (Bi-weekly) at Wadsa w.e.f. 04.01.2023. Further, Salekasa is presently  being  adequately  served  by  14  train  services.  Provision  of stoppage  of  additional  trains  at  this  station  is  neither  operationally expedient nor commercially justified. However, provision of stoppage is  an  on-going  process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  operational feasibility and commercial justification, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2425 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Revenue from Passenger Segment
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S. Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2425 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022

## REVENUE FROM PASSENGER SEGMENT

2425. SHRI S. VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the percentage of achievement of freight and passenger segments  revenue  of  Indian  Railways  to  Budget  Estimate  (BE) 2022-23 till Nov. 2022; (b) the details of year on year increase relating to the corresponding period of the previous financial year; and whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  restore  the  concession  to senior  citizens  in  the  wake  of  increase  in  the  revenue  of

## 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.

*****

- (c) passenger segment?

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  THE UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  2425  BY  SHRI  S.  VENKATESAN  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 21.12.2022 REGARDING REVENUE FROM PASSENGER SEGMENT

(a)  &  (b)  To  end  of  November,  2022,  Indian  Railways  has  achieved 70.7% of Passenger revenue target and 62.9% of Freight revenue target set  in  Budget  Estimates  2022-23.  Passenger  Revenue  to  end  of November,  2022,  has  grown  by ` 17,851  crore  (76.02%  growth)  over corresponding period of previous year. Similarly, Freight revenue to end of November, 2022, has grown by ` 14,443 crore (16.15% growth) over corresponding period of previous year.

(c) Government gave subsidy of ` 59,837 crore on passenger tickets in 2019-20. This amounts to concession of 53% on an average, to every person,  travelling  on  Railways.  This  subsidy  is  continuing  for  all passengers.  Further  concessions  beyond  this  subsidy  amount  are continuing for many categories like Divyangjans, students and patients.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2422 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Standard of Food and Service
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2422

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022

## STANDARDS OF FOOD AND SERVICE

2422. SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has allowed IRCTC to decide the menu of a-la-carte meals served in Rajdhani /Shatabdi type premium trains;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the menu would be pre-notified for information of passengers, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  upgradation  in  quality,  standards  of  food  and  service would be ensured;
- (e) if so, whether there is any monitoring mechanism in place to ensure quality and tariff; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  and  (b):  Yes,  Sir.  As  a  measure  to  improve  catering  services  on trains, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC)  has  been  given  flexibility  to  customise  the  menu  including permission for a-la-carte meals so as to introduce the items of regional cuisines/preferences, seasonal delicacies, requirement during festivals, food items as per the preferences of different group of passengers such as diabetic food, baby food, health food options including millet based local products, etc.

(c): Yes, Sir. Instructions, regarding pre-notification of menu  for information of passengers, have been issued to IRCTC.

(d) to (f): It is the continuous endeavour of Indian Railways (IR) to bring upgradation and improvement in quality of food as per the norms and standards prescribed by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

For monitoring of catering services over IR, periodic /surprise inspections, special drives are carried out by Railway/IRCTC officials to check  the  quality  and  standards  of  food  being  served  to  passengers. Further, there is a robust mechanism in place for receiving passenger feedback, complaints through RailMadad, Twitter handle @IR CATERING, CPGRAMS, E-Mails and SMS.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2421 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: First Test Flight Gaganyaan
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja, A. Ganeshamurthi

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2421 FIRST TEST FLIGHT GAGANYAAN

2421.  SHRI A. RAJA:

SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- the details of launch of Indian's first test-flight Gaganyaan;
- (b) whether India's maiden human space-flight mission is likely to be launched in the near future, and if so, the time by which by it is likely to be launched;
- (c) whether the astronaut crew for the human  space-flight mission have been identified and being trained; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

****

- (a) The  first  uncrewed  flight  of  Gaganyaan  programme  i.e.  'G1' mission  is  aimed  at  validating  the  performance  of  Human  rated launch vehicle, Orbital module propulsion system, mission

management, communication system and recovery operations. The mission will carry a humanoid as payload. In  view  of  the  paramount  importance  of  crew  safety,  two  Test Vehicle missions are planned before the 'G1' mission to demonstrate the performance of crew escape system and parachute-based deceleration system for different flight conditions. (b) Yes, Sir. The uncrewed 'G1' mission is targeted to be launched in  the  last  quarter  of  2023  followed  by  the  second  uncrewed  'G2' mission in the second quarter of 2024. India's maiden human space flight 'H1' mission is targeted to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024. (c) & (d) Yes, Sir. The astronaut designates for human space flight mission are  identified  and  are  currently  undergoing  their  mission  specific training at Bengaluru. First semester of Astronaut training has been completed wherein they have undergone course modules on Theoretical  basics,  Space  medicine,  Launch  vehicles,  spacecraft system and ground support infrastructure. Regular physical fitness sessions, aeromedical training and flying practice are also part of crew training. Corresponding evaluation and assessment activities have also been completed. The second semester of crew training is currently in progress.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2418 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Cotton Value Chain Initiatives
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Girish Bhalchandra Bapat, Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Rahul Ramesh Shewale

## COTTON VALUE CHAIN INITIATIVES

## 2418. SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT: SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU: SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state :

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  performance  of  the  cotton  value  chain  initiatives  and followed up on the actionable points discussed earlier, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to turn cotton into a Brand under Atmanirbhar Bharat programme and if so, the action plan prepared therefor;

(c)  whether  the  quality  of  Indian  cotton  fibre  is  improved  after  the  implementation  of  cotton  bales quality control provision in the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016 and if so, the facts in this regard; and

(d)  whether  the  Government  is  supporting  the  initiative  relating  to  work  on  quality,  traceability  and branding of Kasturi Cotton with funds and if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् ) THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES

## (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

(a): A  Textile  Advisory  Group  (TAG)  comprising  stakeholders  including  industry  has  been constituted by the Government on 25 th May 2022 to deliberate issues pertaining to the entire    cotton value  chain.  The  meetings  of  the  TAG  are  held  periodically  and  based  on  the  deliberations  suitable action is taken to address the issues.

(b) to (d): With the objective of building the image of Indian cotton at Global level, making India Atmanirbhar  and  promoting  vocal  for  local  in  the  field  of  cotton,  Ministry  of  Textiles  announced 'Kasturi Cotton India' Brand on the eve of World Cotton Day on 7 th October 2020.  To encourage Trade and Industry to work on the principle of self-regulation by owning complete responsibility, The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL) the apex body to promote exports of Indian Cotton textile products including raw cotton across the world, has been designated as the implementing agency for Traceability, Certification and Branding of 'KASTURI Cotton India.

In  this  regard,  a  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  has  been  signed  between  the  Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and TEXPROCIL.  Government will contribute equal share of Rs 15 crore over a period of three cotton season starting from 2022-23 to 2024-25 to provide complete traceability of Cotton from the origin to farm level, QR Code based Certification technology to validate 'KASTURI Cotton India' as a premium brand by enhancing international perception and valuation of Indian Cotton. Quality  Control  Order  (Cotton  Bales)  under  Bureau  of  Indian  standards  (BIS)  Act  2016  is  being finalised.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2416 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Implementation of Stall-Trolleys bearing LPG GAs Burner
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Omprakash Bhupalsinh alias Pawan Rajenimbalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2416 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022

IMPLEMENTATION OF STALL-TROLLEYS BEARING LPG GAS BURNER †2416. SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAWAN RAJENIMBALKAR: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Indian Railways is committed to provide fresh and hot tea, puri-sabzi, samosa,  vada-sambhar and other edibles/items to the passengers  through  stall-trolleys  at  the  platforms,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether restrictions have been removed and the use of stall-trolleys bearing LPG gas burner has been implemented in some divisions only;
- (c) if so, the details thereof:
- (d) whether instructions have also been issued to reduce the use of gas burners on stalls and trolleys gradually and most of the divisions have not allowed to use LPG gas burners on trolleys, if so, the details in this regard;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposal  to  allow uniformity of LPG gas burners on trolleys; and
- (f)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  action  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a): Yes, Sir. It is a continuous endeavour of Indian Railways to ensure adequate  provision  of  good  quality  and  hygienic  food  items  to  the travelling passengers through static catering units including stalls and trolleys at railway stations /platforms.

(b)  to  (f):  As  per  existing  Catering  Policy  2017,  there  should  be  no cooking on platforms at suburban stations and for other stations there should be efforts to progressively reduce cooking on stalls and trolleys on  the  platforms,  except  for  items  which  could  be  prepared  through electrically operated equipment.

The above instructions are implemented across all Zonal Railways. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2413 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Scrapping of Scientists Awards
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Mala Roy

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2413 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022

## SCRAPPING OF SCIENTISTS AWARDS

## 2413.    SHRIMATI MALA ROY:

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

- (a) the rational for doing away with awards given to scientists for their achievements;
- (b) the number of awards that have been scrapped; and
- (c) whether the Government has analysed the effect, this will have on the moral of the scientific community and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF 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  broad  objective  of  the  rationalization  and  doing  away  with selected  awards  was  aimed  to  avoid  duplicity,  bring  greater  objectives, transparency and efficiency. During the analysis of the award guidelines, secondary research and best practices, it was observed that the awarding process followed for different  awards  lack  standardization  and  were  not making  desired  impact  on  society  as  well  as  the  Science  &  Technology ecosystem. Some of these awards were processed by different agencies through inadequate guidelines, arbitrary eligibility, evaluation and selection criteria.
- (b) The total number of awards under the Department of Science and Technology that have been rationalised was nearly 200.
- (c) There  may  not  be  any  significant  impact  on  the  morale  of  the scientific community. Rather, the rationalization of the Awards with greater transparency, objectives, efficiency and through enhancing the stature of the existing awards, would boost the morale of the scientific community.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2412 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Earthquakes in Delhi-NCR
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Upendra Singh Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2412

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 21 st  DECEMBER, 2022

## EARTHQUAKES IN DELHI-NCR

## 2412.  SHRI UPENDRA SINGH RAWAT:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  earthquakes  are  getting  more  common  these  days  in  the  Country especially in the Delhi-NCR region;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  total  losses  suffered  in  relation  to  deaths,  financial  loss,  etc.  due  to  these  recurring earthquakes, State/UT-wise;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  taking  any measures  to  arrest  the  growing  number  of earthquakes related incidents in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a), (b), (d) and (e)

The  present  state  of  knowledge  about  earthquakes  around  Delhi  and  also  in  the  country, does  not  show  any  definite  pattern  in  frequency  of  earthquake  occurrences  which  could suggest  any  increase  in  earthquake  activity.  However,  during  the  recent  years,  seismic monitoring  over  Delhi  and  in  the  country  has  improved  considerably  and  even  the  lower magnitude  earthquakes  are automatically detected and disseminated quickly through National Centre for Seismology (NCS) website, Mobile  App and other social  media. It is perhaps giving the  impression of enhanced earthquake activity  in the  country, which was otherwise not noticed earlier.

National Centre for Seismology (NCS) under Ministry of Earth Sciences is the nodal agency of Government of India (GoI), for monitoring earthquakes in and around the country. For this purpose,  NCS  maintains a National Seismological Network  consisting of 152 observatories spread across the country. The information of earthquakes reported by NCS is disseminated to the concerned central and state disaster authorities in least possible time to initiate  the  adequate  mitigation  measures  through  its  website  and  other  social  media platforms. The detailed  information of the earthquakes  is also available on the website of NCS (seismo.gov.in).It is pertinent to mention that there is neither occurrence of any strong to mega earthquakes nor any report on damaging earthquakes in India in the recent years.

- (c) There is no report on losses suffered in relation to deaths, financial loss, etc. in Delhi NCR as well as in other States/UT's due to earthquakes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2411 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Net Neutrality
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: K. Muraleedharan, D. Ravikumar, Bhartruhari Mahtab, Amar Singh, A. Chellakumar, Anto  Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2411 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  DECEMBER, 2022

## NET NEUTRALITY

## 2411.   SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN:

SHRI RAVIKUMAR D.:

SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

DR. AMAR SINGH:

DR. A. CHELLAKUMAR:

SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the steps taken by the Government to ensure net neutrality in India;
- (b) the reasons as to why the Multi-Stakeholder Body, as recommended by TRAI to DoT, has not been established yet;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  carried  out  any  technical  audit  of  net  neutrality  across different Internet Service Providers (ISPs), if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government has periodically issued directions to monitor net neutrality in their network, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

- (a) Directives on Net Neutrality incorporating the principles of non-discriminatory treatment of content were issued by Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in July 2018.

Subsequently, DoT amended the Unified License for Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Unified License (Virtual Network Operators) and Unified Access Service License Agreement to incorporate the principles of non-discriminatory treatment of content in Sept. 2018 and issued an amendment in Internet Service Provider license for Regulatory Framework on 'Net Neutrality' in May 2019.

- (b) DoT sent a reference to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 31.07.2018 seeking  TRAI's  recommendations  on  'Traffic  Management  Practices  (TMPs)  and  MultiStakeholder  Body  for  Net  Neutrality'.  TRAI  provided  its  recommendation  on  the  subject  on 22.09.2020. The recommendations of TRAI are under examination.
- (c) & (d)   Technical audit of Internet Service Providers which includes technical information about the network, upstream and downstream bandwidth, tariff plans etc., is done annually.

********