opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1718 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Progress of BharatNet Project
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1718 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH  DECEMBER, 2021

## PROGRESS OF BHARATNET PROJECT

## 1718.   SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether BharatNet project, the world's largest broadband project to provide Internet services to Gram Panchayats of the country is progressing as scheduled;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the status of the project in the State of Andhra Pradesh (AP) as on date;
- (d) whether the Government of AP has requested to release sufficient funds to complete the project and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) BharatNet project is implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. As on 01.11.2021, a total number of  1,66,088  GPs  are  made  Service  Ready  in  the  country.  The  scope  of  BharatNet  on 30.06.2021 was extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country. The target date for completion of the project is August, 2023.
- (c) In  Andhra  Pradesh,  a  total  of  1,692  GPs  were  taken  up  for  implementation  under Phase-I through Powergrid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), out of which 1,681 GPs have  been  made  Service  Ready,  as  on  01.11.2021.  The  Phase-II  in  Andhra  Pradesh  is implemented  in  State-led  model  through  the  State  Government  under  which  27  GPs  have been  made  Service  Ready  out  of  11,719  planned  GPs.  Further,  15  GPs  were  planned  on Satellite media. In total, 1708 GPs have been made Service Ready in Andhra Pradesh.
- (d) & (e) The payment for BharatNet Phase-II, implemented by the State Government, is  released  to  the  State  Implementing  Agency  on  completion  of  milestones  as  per  the Memorandum of Understanding signed with them. Till date, an amount of Rs. 227.14 crore was released to the State Implementing Agency. Based on a request received from the State Government recently, an additional release of Rs. 100 crore has been approved.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1716 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Safety of Train Operations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Geetha Viswanath Vanga, Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1716 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## SAFETY OF TRAIN OPERATIONS

1716.  SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH: SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

(a) whether the Railways has sent out an alert that rail fractures and welding  failures  have  become  a  threat  to  the safety  of train operations and has called for immediate intervention to detect such failures and avert hazards; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by each zone and details of such incidents reported during the last six years and the current year, till now, zone-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)    No,  Sir.    However,  there  is  a  very  well  laid  down  system  for prevention,  detection  and  attention  for  rail  and  weld  fractures  on entire Indian Railways system.

- (b)  Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1715 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Auction of Mines
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Dhal Singh Bisen

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1715

ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## AUCTION OF MINES

† 1715: DR. DHAL SINGH BISEN:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether  there  is  a  provision  of  auctioning  mine  blocks  by  the  Mines  and Minerals department;
- (b) if  so,  whether  there  is  a  provision  of  auctioning  private  land  besides Government land; if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the area of land, Government and private auctioned during the last five years for different minerals in Balaghat Parliamentary Constituency, mineral-wise;
- (d) whether there is a provision of taking consent of land owners for its auction; if so, the number of land owners of Balaghat district from whom consent was taken;
- (e) the  details  of  action   taken  or  proposed  to  be  taken  against  the  officers responsible for auctioning the land for minerals without consent of the owners if done so; and
- (f) Whether mining  has started  on  these  parcels  of  land  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes,  Sir,   Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  and  Regulation)  Act,  1957 (MMDR Act, 1957) provides for grant of Mining Lease (ML) and Composite Licence (CL)  in  respect  of  major  minerals  through  a  transparent  process  of  auction. Accordingly, the Central Government has notified the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015 prescribing procedure and terms and condition for auction of mineral blocks.
- (b): Yes,  Sir,  the  successful  bidder  in  the  auction  gets  the  right  to  mine  the minerals as per the terms and condition of the ML/CL executed. The bidder has to obtain surface rights for the mining lease area separately through direct purchase, lease  or  acquisition  through  Government  agencies  or  under  any  other  procedure prescribed by the State Government.
- (c): As per the information provided by the Government of Madhya Pradesh, no mineral block has been auctioned in Balaghat district during the last five years for different minerals.
- (d): No, Sir, for auction of ML/CL, consent of land owner is not required. In case of acquisition of land for private sector companies under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement  Act,  2013,  the  prior  consent  of  at  least  eighty  percent  of  affected families  are  required.  As  per  information  provided  by  Government  of  Madhya Pradesh, no mineral block is auctioned in Balaghat district.
- (e) & (f): Does not arise in view of reply at Part (c).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Vizag Steel Plant
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

THE MINISTER OF STEEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1714 FOR ANSWER ON 08/12/2021

## VIZAG STEEL PLANT

## 1714.  SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has held any discussions with the struggle committee  of  Vizag  Steel  Plant  who  are  in  relay  hunger  strike  for  withdrawal  of monitisation of Vizag Steel Plant to save the national assets, national economy and livelihoods of workers and officers numbering more than 60,000; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the details of the scheme proposed by the Government for the future of the officers and staff of the Steel Plant?

## ANSWER

(SHRI RAM CHANDRA PRASAD SINGH)

(a)&(b): Rastriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) management has engaged with various registered unions of RINL on the issue of disinvestment of RINL and impressed upon the  need  for  improvement  in  the  plant  performance  and  continuous  production. Strategic disinvestment of Government of India's equity will lead to infusion of capital for  optimum  utilization,  expansion  of  capacity,  infusion  of  technology  and  better management  practices with resultant higher production and productivity and expansion of direct and indirect employment opportunities. While deciding the terms and conditions of  the strategic  sale,  legitimate  concerns  of  the  existing  employees and other stakeholders are suitably addressed through appropriate provisions made in the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA).

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1711 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Oxygen Trains from Ranchi
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sanjay Seth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1711 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## OXYGEN TRAINS FROM RANCHI

†1711. SHRI SANJAY SETH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number and details of trains from Ranchi in which oxygen was transported during the Corona Pandemic period including the role of Ranchi and Jharkhand in this regard;
- (b) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  expansion  of  passenger train facilities in Ranchi Lok Sabha Constituency;
- (c) whether there is any plan to operate trains with vistadome coaches to boost tourism in Ranchi ; and
- (d) if so, the details of timeline decided in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a): No train  originated  from  Ranchi  station  itself  for  carrying  oxygen during Corona Pandemic period.  However, 49 number of Oxygen Express trains loaded with 165 tankers carrying 2280.14 tonnes of oxygen were transported from Jharkhand to different States.

Contd…2

(b): Recently, 18631/18632 Ranchi-Chopan Express has been introduced w.e.f. 01.11.2021.  Besides, introduction of train is an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, traffic demand and availability of resources etc. (c) and (d): Running of Vistadome Coaches in trains is based on factors such  as  availability  of  Vistadome  Coaches,  its  operational  feasibility, load  limitations,  day-time  journey  of  the  train  and  demand  of  the passengers on the existing routes of Indian Railways.  At present, there is no train operational with Vistadome Coaches in Ranchi area.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1707 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Station Monetization Plan
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S. Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1707 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## STATION MONETIZATION PLAN

1707.   SHRI S. VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the national  monetization pipeline proposes to monetize 400 Railway stations in four years;
- (b) if so, the manner in which monetisation revenue is likely to accrue to Indian Railways;
- (c)  whether  the  monetisation  of  400  stations  have  to  be  achieved through  Railway  Stations  Development  Corporation  but  the  same corporation has been wound up; and
- (d) if so, the steps proposed to achieve the station monetization plan?

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

- (a):  Yes,  Sir.  NITI  Aayog  has  recommended  redevelopment  of  400 Railway Stations.
- (b): At present, it is difficult to estimate revenue from redevelopment activities.
- (c)  and  (d):  The  works  presently  handled  by  IRSDC  are    being transferred  to  Rail  Land  Development  Authority  (RLDA)  and  Zonal Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1706 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: CPGRAMS Platform
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Rajbahadur Singh, Rajendra Agrawal, Krishna Pal Singh Yadav, P.P. Chaudhary, Pratap Chandra Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS & PUBLIC GRIEVANCES)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1706

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021)

## CPGRAMS PLATFORM

1706. SHRI RAJBAHADUR SINGH:

SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL:

DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV:

SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY:

SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of grievances filed and resolved under the CPGRAMS platform;
- (b) whether the CPGRAMS platform is differently-abled friendly;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the number of appeals filed through the CPGRAMS platform due to dissatisfaction of service; and
- (e) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  under  digital  India  initiatives  to  integrate  the platform with other portals and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  A total of 1,28,74,337 grievances have been filed under CPGRAMS platforms in last 10 years of which 1,19,90,434 have been disposed of.
- (b)  &  (c):    At  present  CPGRAMS  does  not  have  differently-abled  friendly  features. However, the government has engaged Common Service Centre (CSC) to make CPGRAMS more  inclusive  and  accessible  for  all  including  differently-abled  citizens.  CPGRAMS  is  a continuously  evolving  platform  which  strives  to  add  new  features  as  per  latest  available technology to make it more efficient and user-friendly for all.
- (d):   A total of 67677 appeals were filled in CPGRAMS since introduction of appeal facility in CPGRAMS in January 2021.
- (e):   CPGRAMS have been integrated with several other Grievance portals. PMO PG portal, President  Secretariat  PG  portal,  Cabinet  Secretariat  PG  portal  and  Grievance  portals  of Department  of  Pension  and  pensioners  Welfare,  Ministry  of  Micro  Small  and  Medium Enterprises and Securities and Exchange Board of India are integrated with CPGRAMS at the backend.  CPGRAMS has also linked through the web API with the Grievance Portals of the States  of  Assam,  Bihar,  Goa,  Himachal  Pradesh,  Haryana,  Jharkhand,  Jammu  &  Kashmir, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1702 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Sanitisation of Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1702 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## SANITISATION OF TRAINS

- † 1702. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to properly sanitize all the trains running in the country;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has taken any steps in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## ANSWER (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to  (d)  All  the  coaches  of  trains  are  sanitized  regularly  during maintenance at maintenance depots before putting on service. Further, cleaning/disinfection of coach toilets is ensured at nominated en-route Clean Train Station (CTS) and within the trains.

On  Board  Housekeeping  Service  (OBHS)  staff  wherever  available  in Trains  have  also  been  advised  to  periodically  clean  the  doors,  door latches, taps and door handles and other areas which are frequently touched by the passengers.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1701 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Evaluation of Radars
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Dayanidhi Maran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1701

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 8 TH  DECEMBER, 2021

## EVALUATION OF RADARS

## 1701.    SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  steps  taken  to  repair  the  dysfunctional  S  band  Doppler  weather  radar  at  port  trust centenary building in Chennai Harbour;
- (b) the details of delays or difficulties faced by the Ministry in repairing this radar;
- (c) whether any representation were made by the Government of Tamil Nadu between 2014 and 2020 regarding the condition of the radar and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Ministry conducts any routine checks or evaluation of radars installed across the country and if so, the details and the findings thereof ?

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

- (a) The task of refurbishment of Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) Chennai was handed over to ISRO Telemetry,  Tracking  and  Command  Network  ISTRAC  under  Indian  Space Research  Organization  (ISRO)  under  Dept.  of  Space.  Currently,  ISTRAC  is  in  the process of completing the task assigned. The plan of action as suggested by ISTRAC are given below:
- Opening of Azimuth Housing with suitable mechanism and take measurement of the Slew ring bearing (SRB) of S-band DWR, closing after inspection, cleaning greasing under the supervision of ISTRAC.
- Placing the order for SRB based on the measurement and part number.
- Make  ready  the  radar  system  for  limited  operation  subject  to  inspection  on  the damage in SRB.
- Replace the SRB and make the radar system for normal operation under supervision of ISTRAC.
- Place wedges and fill the gaps with shrink free concrete between the azimuth pedestal and foundation.
- (b) DWR Chennai being twenty year old radar spares are not readily available in the open market. Hence considering the expertise the task of refurbishment of DWR Chennai was then handed over ISTRAC. Currently, ISTRAC is in the process of completing the task assigned.
- (c) No representation received from the Government of Tamil Nadu between 2014 and 2020 regarding the condition of S Band Doppler weather at Chennai.
- (d) Yes Sir. Preventive maintenance of all DWRs of IMD including S band DWR at Chennai are scheduled twice annually every year. During the scheduled maintenance, the radar is fully  shut  down  for  careful  examination  of  the  system  sub-parts  for  their  required repair/replacement  for  error-free  operations.  During  the  preventive  maintenance,  the radar  site  is  visited  by  the  technical  team  of  experts  accompanied  by  the  Head  of  the DWR station for technical inspection.  In  addition,  in-  house  corrective  maintenance  is also carried out in case of fault developed in the radar system.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1698 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Restructuring Plan
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1698 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## RESTRUCTURING PLAN

1698. SHRI V.K.SREEKANDAN :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

- (a) whether  the  Railways  is  heading  for  a  major  restructuring  plan  that could  lead  to  the  closure  of  major  establishments,  merger  of  decades  old organisations and private participation in running of its schools and hospitals, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is also a fact that a  recommendation envisages winding up of many organisations working under Railways;
- (c) if so, whether the coach factories, locomotive manufacturing units, rail wheel units, etc. would be transferred to the proposed Central  Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE); and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) and (b) Reforms and restructuring as per operational needs is an ongoing exercise in Ministry of Railways to keep the organization efficient, responsive and financially viable. Earlier in 2020, the number of Members of Railway  Board  were  reduced  from  08  to  04.  Recently,  Indian  Railway Organization for Alternate Fuel (IROAF) has been closed down on 07.09.2021 while a decision has also been taken for closure of Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC) on 18.10.2021.
- (c)  No  such  decision  in  this  regard  has  been  taken  by  the  Ministry  of Railways.
- (d) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1694 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Projects in Tribal Areas
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Gajendra Singh Patel

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1694

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## PROJECTS IN TRIBAL AREAS

1694.  SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH PATEL: (OIH)

## Will  the  Minister  of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of projects being implemented in tribal areas regarding consumer welfare;
- (b) whether any new scheme related to the consumer distribution for tribal areas is under consideration and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any new scheme is also proposed that the distributor in tribal areas is to be a tribal person so as to ensure that the tribal person can get employment; and
- (d) if so, the details of the new schemes being implemented for most backward tribes?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री अश्विनी क ु मार चौबे)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a)  to  (d)  :      Consumer  Welfare  Fund  was  created  in  1992  with  the  objective  of  providing  financial assistance to promote and protect the welfare of the consumers, create consumer awareness and strengthen consumer movement in the whole country including tribal areas.  The Fund is utilized in accordance with Rules  and  Guidelines  framed.    Financial  assistance  is  provided  to  Voluntary  Consumer  Organizations (VCOs)/Institutions  for  undertaking  consumer  advocacy/awareness.    Assistance  is  provided  to  State Government/Union  Territories  for  setting  up  State  Consumer  Welfare  Fund  and  spreading  consumer awareness  in  rural  and  remote  areas.  State/UT  Governments  are  also  given  grant-in  aid  for  spreading awareness.   The Department has generated consumer awareness through departmental website, VCOs, TV, Radio, IRCTC (through messages on ticket confirmation/cancellation mails, e-tickets etc.).  Messages on consumer awareness are also being displayed through 1500 Common Service Centres in the country including tribal areas. The State /UT Governments  utilize the grant-in-aid released to  undertake activities like  dissemination  and  displaying  of  consumer  awareness  material  during  local  festivals  in  local languages   on  village   sign  boards,  wall  paintings,  hoarding,  village  Mandis,  Agricultural  Regulated markets / vegetable markets at  prominent places; organization of Nukkad Nataks, street shows, puppetry shows,  Ragini  Noutanki,  Pandavani,  Villu   pattu,  Marathon  races;  development  of  folk  songs  and distribution of hand bills /pamphlets for dissemination among  rural masses. Moreover, Ministry of Tribal Affairs  and  other  Central  Ministries/Departments  also  implement  different  schemes/programmes  for development and welfare of tribal communities.

## ORIGINAL IN HINDI