opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2340 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Rail Fare to Senior Citizens
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Deepak (Dev) Adhikari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2340

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2022

## RAIL FARE TO SENIOR CITIZENS

## 2340. SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK (DEV):

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the reasons for the withdrawal of discounted rail fares to senior citizens;
- (b) whether the said move is permanent; and
- (c)  if  not,  the  time  by  which  the  discounted  train  fare  is  likely  to  be resumed?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c):    In  view  of  Pandemic  &  Covid  Protocol,  with  effect  from 20.03.2020  Indian  Railways  has  continued  concession  to  only  four categories of Divyangjan, eleven categories of Patients and Students. Due to challenges posed by Covid-19, total passenger revenue generated during 2020-21 is less in comparison to the year 2019-2020 Pre-Covid  period.  Cost  of  granting  concessions  weigh  heavily  on Railways, hence extending the scope of concessions to all categories of passengers including senior citizens is not desirable at present.

In spite of above challenges, Railways has continued to provide concessions  to  passengers  namely  four  categories  of  Divyangjans, eleven categories of Patients, and Students.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2337 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Airlines Communication
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: M. K. Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2337 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH  MARCH, 2022

## AIRLINES COMMUNICATION

## 2337. SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that 5G wave of communication can impact some airlines communication systems and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any study regarding the impact of 5G wave of communication on the airlines and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the Government  has  made  any  detailed  plans  to  roll  out  5G  wave  of communication and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has initiated any measures to protect large amount of data that will be generated as a result of 5G roll out and Internet of Things, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) The frequency band opened for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), including 5G Technology, in India have enough guard band to ensure that there is no aeronautical interference. Therefore, the question of conducting study does not arise.
- (c) The 5G mobile services are likely to be launched during the second half of year 2022-23 by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs). The infrastructure required for rolling out 5G services in the country is to be developed by the TSPs based on requirements and their business plan.
- (d) The unified license has appropriate provisions for security of data including privacy and confidentiality of information contained therein.

****

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Auction of Coal Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: P. C. Mohan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2335

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2022

## Auction of Coal Mines

## 2335.  SHRI P.C. MOHAN :-

Will the Minister of COAL

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps for the auction and sales of the Coal mines;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there is a proposal to convert diesel dumpers into LNGs to reduce air pollution by Coal India; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b)        Yes, Sir. Methodology for auction of coal and lignite mines/ blocks for sale of coal/ lignite on revenue sharing basis and tenure of coking coal linkages were approved by the Government  on  20.05.2020.    Through  this  methodology,  the  thrust  of  the  Government  is  to maximize domestic production. It enables adequate competition and faster development of coal blocks.  Auction process for sale of coal blocks has been launched on 18.06.2020.  So far, 42 coal mines have been auctioned for sale of coal.
- (c) Yes, Sir
- (d) Coal India Limited (CIL) has started a pilot project in collaboration with GAIL in one mine  of  MCL  (Lakhanpur  OCP)  for  use  of  LNG  in  100  Tonne  BML  make  dumpers.  After completion of pilot projects, if found possible, this technology to be extended to other mines.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2334 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Rajdhani Routes
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: K. Muraleedharan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2334 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2022

## RAJDHANI ROUTES

2334.   SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the target/time frame fixed by the Indian Railways to achieve 200 km/hr in Rajdhani routes in the country; and
- (b) the steps taken to achieve the same?

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

(a) As of now Indian Railways have no plans for achieving 200 km per hour on Rajdhani routes. (b) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2333 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Adala Prabhakara Reddy, Kuruva Gorantla Madhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2333

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2022

## Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation

## 2333. SHRI ADALA PRABHAKARA REDDY: SHRI KURUVA GORANTLA MADHAV:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  considered  the  request  for  approving  Andhra Pradesh  Mineral  Development  Corporation  as  the  Prospective  Lessee  for  14 Sand Beach Mineral Areas in the State of Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  estimated  timeline  for  the  said  approval; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

- (a)&(b) (i)    Yes,  Sir.  Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has received 17 proposals from  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  for  nominating  Andhra  Pradesh Mineral  Development  Corporation  (APMDC)  as  prospective  lessee  for Beach  Sand  Minerals  (BSM)  bearing  areas  admeasuring  18,367  Ha. in total.
- (ii)    DAE  has  nominated  APMDC  as  prospective  lessee  for  grant  of  mining lease for mining BSM in 90.15 Ha Bhimunipatnam Deposit, Visakhapatnam District and 1978.471 Ha Machilipatnam Deposit, Krishna District on 25.03.2021 and 15.04.2021 respectively.

- (iii) Government of Andhra Pradesh vide their communication dated 06.05.2021  addressed  to  Ministry  of  Mines,  Government  of  India    has forwarded a proposal to accord prior approval  under section 5(1) & 6(1) b of MMDR Act, 1957 and Rule 29 of AMCR, 2016 for grant of Mining Lease for Beach Sand Minerals (BSM) as per the provisions of MMDR Act, 1957 and AMCR, 2016.
- (iv)   Further, Ministry of Mines vide their communication dated 16.02.2022 has sought  additional  information  from  the  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh, which is yet to be provided by Government of Andhra Pradesh.
- (v)  The  processing  of  remaining  proposals  has  been  kept  in  abeyance  on receipt of a letter dated 11.06.2021  from Ministry of Mines in the context of complaints  regarding  damage  to  environment,  violations  of  mining  laws and  clandestine export of Monazite. DAE  took  up  the matter with Government of Andhra Pradesh requesting to investigate the allegations. Based on information  provided  by  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  DAE vide  its  communication  dated  03.02.2022  has  sought  further  clarification from  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  which  is  yet  to  be  provided  by Government of Andhra Pradesh.
- (c) In view of the answers at (a) and (b), answer to question (c) is not applicable.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2329 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: PM Mitra Parks
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shardaben Anilbhai Patel, Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel

## PM MITRA PARKS

## 2329.  SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL: SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI):

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state :

(a) the details of the PM Mitra parks scheme started as a part of Budget 2021-22; and

(b) the details of the assistance being provided by the Government to promote cottage textile industries, small weavers and textile workers under the said scheme?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

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

(a): The Government has approved setting up of 7 (Seven) PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel  (PM  MITRA)  Parks  in  Greenfield/Brownfield  sites  to  develop  world  class  infrastructure including  plug  and  play  facility  with  an  outlay  of  Rs.4445  Crore  for  a  period  of  seven  years  upto 2027-28. The PM MITRA Parks Scheme shall be implemented on Pan-India basis.

The salient features of PM MITRA Park Scheme are:- (i)  State governments to have ready availability of contiguous and encumbrance-free land parcel of 1000+ acres.

- o 50% area  is  to  be  demarcated  for  manufacturing  (entire  value  chain  from  spinning  to  RMG including plug and play);
- o 5% area for testing & Labs etc.;
- o 20% area for common utilities including CETPs;
- o 10% area for social infrastructure;
- o 10%  area  for  Commercial  Development  (CD)  which  will  work  as  revenue  stream  and  help maintenance of common assets and facilities

(ii) It is a partnership of Centre and state in 49: 51 equity ratio.

(iii) There is a provision of Development Capital Support for creation of core Infrastructure @30% of the  project  cost  with  a  cap  of  Rs.500  Cr  and  Rs.200  Cr  per  park  for  Greenfield  and  Brownfield  PM MITRA Park, respectively.

(iv) There is provision of Competitive Incentive Support (CIS) @ Rs.300 Cr per park for incentivizing the industries.

(b): The  Scheme  focuses  on  development  of  a  large  area  which  is  envisaged  to  become  a  fertile ground for carrying out textile sector business activities by all the players of entire textile value chain. It is expected to generate 1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect jobs per PM MITRA Parks benefiting the area and  people  of  the  region.  There  is  also  a  provision  for  social  infrastructure.  This  all  will  ultimately enhance the overall income and uplift the quality of life of all textile workers associated with the PM MITRA Park.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2328 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Phase I and II of BharatNet
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2328 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH  MARCH, 2022

## PHASE I & II OF BHARATNET

## 2328.   SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that more than 8000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the State of Bihar have been covered under Phase I and II of BharatNet and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether all these GPs have actually been connected to village level broadband and WiFi choupals;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  with  the number of subscriptions taken and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the time by which all the GPs in Bihar would be covered?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes Sir. In Bihar, out of planned 8404 GPs, 8302 GPs have been made Service Ready as on 28.02.2022.
- (b) & (c) As on 28.02.2022, total 24521 FTTH connection have been provided and Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed in 5344 GPs in Bihar.
- (d) The timeline for making the remaining Gram Panchayats Service Ready in Bihar is 2025.

****

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2323 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Betul-Amrawati-Railway Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Durga Das Uikey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2323 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2022

BETUL - AMRAWATI - RAILWAY PROJECT

†2323. SHRI DURGA DAS (D.D.) UIKEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Betul  -  Amrawati  rail  project  is  pending  for  approval with the Government and if so, the time by which its survey is likely to be completed;
- (b) whether any special rail project is likely to be implemented for Betul - Amrawati for the benefit of the tribal people; and
- (c) if so, whether  survey  for the said rail project  had  been conducted earlier and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c):        Survey  for  new  line  from  Betul  -  Amrawati (75 km) has been sanctioned.  Field survey has been completed and preparation of survey report has been taken up.

Further consideration of the project is possible once the survey report  is  received  and  examined  based  on  merit  including  financial viability.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2322 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Objective of BharatNet
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2322 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH  MARCH, 2022

## OBJECTIVE OF BHARATNET

## †2322. SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA: SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the main objective of BharatNet project;
- (b) whether  all  the  Gram  Panchayats  in  the  country  are  likely  to  be  connected  under  this project; and
- (c) the name of the villages in Gujarat where the said project has been implemented so far along  with  the  timeby  which  the  people  in  the  rural  areas  of  Parliamentary  Constituencies  of Amreli and Banaskantha are likely to benefit from fast speed broadband?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) BharatNet  project  is  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  to  provide  broadband connectivity  to  all  Gram  Panchayats  (GPs)  in  the  country.    The  scope  of  BharatNet  has  been recently extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country, including Gujarat. The timeline of the project is 2025.

The Phase-II of BharatNet in Gujarat is implemented in State-led model through the State Government under which, 7608 GPs have been made Service Ready out of 7668 planned GPs. Further, 22 GPs have been made Service Ready on Satellite media out of 26 planned GPs. Under Phase-I,  a  total  number  of  6593  GPs  were  taken  up  for  implementation  through  RailTel Corporation of India Limited, out of which 6489 GPs have been made Service Ready. In total, 14119 GPs have been made Service Ready in Gujarat, as on 28.02.2022.

The list of villages/GPs that have been made Service Ready in Gujarat, including Amreli and Banaskantha constituency, is available at URL http://www.bbnl.nic.in//WriteReadData/datafiles/Guj\_14323e08d296a-d772-4be0-9ae59dc0a7d0a888.pdf.

The infrastructure, created under BharatNet project in Amreli and Banaskantha,  can be utilized for provisioning of broadband/internet services through Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, leased lines, dark fibre, backhaul to mobile towers, etc.

****

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2321 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Distribution of Ration
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Raju Bista

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MTNISTRY OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD &  pUBLtc  DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLTG DTSTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.232{ TO BE ANSWERED  ON {6rH MARGH,  2022

## DISTRIBUTION  OF RATION

## 2321. SHR! RAJU BISTA:

Will the Minister of  GONSUMER  AFFA|RS, FOOD AND  pUBLtc DISTRIBUTION  sqfi-ffcrri, qrq*<qrffirG-wrt'* be pteased to state:

- (a)  the details of the share of contribution  of the State and the Union Govemments  in the ration distributed through  public  Distribution system (PDS) in West Bengal lrclm2O2O  to till date;
- (b)  the details of the ration under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan  yolana (PMGlry) allotted by the Union Government to West Bengat from May 2O2O till date;
- (c)  the total number of beneficiaries under PMGKY  ration in West Bengal especially in the districts of Darleeling, Kalimpong  and North Dinalpur;
- (d) whether the Union Government has conducted or proposes to conduct audit of the PDS in the districts  of Darieeling and Katimpong; and
- (e)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND coNsuMER AFFAIRS,  FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (sADHVr NTRANJAN JYOTT)

(a): Under the National Food Security Act, 2O,13 foodgrains  from Central Pool are allocated to states/ UTs at highly subsidized prices of Rs.3/2/l per kilogram  for rice/ wheau coarsegrains  respectively. The state Government is also required to distribute  the same to beneficiaries  at these prices. Thus, the entire ({0O%) subsidy burden ls borne by the Union Government.

(b): A tota! of around s4 LMT foodgrains(i.e.  Rice and wheat) has been allocated to west Bengal under  pradhan  Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna  yoiana (PMGKAY) scheme From May, 2O2O to Marchr2022.

(c): Total no of beneficiaries  in west Bengal for which ration has been allocated under PMGKAY, is 6oi.84 takh including in the districts of Darieeling, Kalimpong  and North Dinajpun

(d) & (e): To monitor the imprementation  of Nationar Food security Act (NFSA) 2o{3 and to evatuate its impact among targeted beneficiaries, Government  of lndia has selected university of Galcutta as Monitoring lnstitution (M!) for undertaking concurrent evaluation of NFSA in the state of West Bengal.

*+***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2320 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: High Ranking Official Quota
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ajay Kumar Mandal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2320

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2022

## HIGH RANKING OFFICIAL QUOTA

†2320. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any manual has been prepared for Headquarter/High ranking official quota by the Railways and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the  guidelines  issued  regarding  approval  of  letter  of request  sent  by  the  Members  of  Parliament  in  respect  of headquarter/High ranking official quota?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) & (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (b)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2320 BY SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 16.03.2022 REGARDING HIGH RANKING OFFICAL QUOTA. (a): Guidelines are issued by Ministry of Railways from time to time stipulating the procedure to be followed for release of accommodation out of Emergency Quota. (b):    With  a  view to meeting the urgent travel requirements of HOR (High  Official  Requisition)  holders  (which  includes  Central/State Government  Ministers,  Judges  of  Supreme  Court  of  India  &  High Courts  of  various  States)  and  MPs/VIPs,  a  limited  accommodation has been earmarked as Emergency Quota (EQ) in different trains and in  different  classes.  This  quota  is  released  in  accordance  with  the priority  as  per  Table  of  Precedence  and  well-established  practice being followed since long.  At the time of allotment of berths in this quota, preference is given for self-travel of high dignitaries including Members of Parliament.  Thereafter, other requisitions received from various quarters are considered and the remaining quota is released taking into account the factors like nature of urgency like travelling on  Government  duty,  bereavement  in  the  family,  sickness,  job interview, etc. While the requests forwarded by MPs (for other than self-travel) are generally complied with, at times, it is not feasible to accommodate  all  such  requests  when  the  demand  exceeds  the availability particularly during the rush periods.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2319 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Energy Out of Nuclear Energy
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Manoj Rajoria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2319

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2022

## Energy Out of Nuclear Energy

2319.  DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the total percentage of energy produced out of the nuclear energy by the country;
- (b) the extent to which nuclear energy is costlier incomparison to energy obtained from other sources;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to enhance the use of energy obtained from nuclear sources in daily use; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The share of nuclear power in the total electricity generation in the country was about 3.14% in the current financial year (Apr-2021 to Jan-2022).
- (b) Nuclear  power  tariffs  are  comparable  to  those  of  contemporary  base  load generating plants of other technologies.
- (c)&(d)The Government proposes to enhance the use of nuclear energy along with Renewable sources of energy to meet its Net Zero goals.
- *****