opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3277 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Expenditure by SAIL from CSR Account
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Mala Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3277

FOR ANSWER ON 23/03/2022

## EXPENDITURE BY SAIL FROM CSR ACCOUNT

3277.  SHRIMATI MALA ROY:

Will the Minister of STEEL  be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the amount spent by the Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) account during the last five years;
- (b) whether  any  amount  spent  in  the  State  of  West  Bengal  during  the  last  five years; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STEEL

## ANSWER

(SHRI RAM CHANDRA PRASAD SINGH)

- (a) The  details  of  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  (CSR)  Expenditures  of  SAIL during last 5 years are as following:-

|   S.No. | Financial Year   |   SAIL CSR Expenditures (Rs. in Crore) |
|---------|------------------|----------------------------------------|
|       1 | 2016-17          |                                  29.05 |
|       2 | 2017-18          |                                  25.7  |
|       3 | 2018-19          |                                  31.18 |
|       4 | 2019-20          |                                  27.56 |
|       5 | 2020-21          |                                  47.18 |

(b)&(c): Yes, Sir. The details of CSR expenditures in the State of West Bengal during the last five years are as following:-

|   S.No. | Financial Year   |   CSR Expenditures (Rs. in Crore) |
|---------|------------------|-----------------------------------|
|       1 | 2016-17          |                              5.66 |
|       2 | 2017-18          |                              5.08 |
|       3 | 2018-19          |                              7.44 |
|       4 | 2019-20          |                              3.43 |
|       5 | 2020-21          |                              2.96 |

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3276 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Donations to COVID Relief Funds
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3276 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.3.2022

## DONATIONS TO COVID RELIEF FUNDS

## 3276. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

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

- (a) whether donations have been made to any COVID relief funds from the MPLAD fund as per MoS&PI Circular No. E-4/2020-MPLADS(Pt.II) dated 28 th  March, 2020;
- (b) if so, the total donation received from MPLADs to such funds along with the details of the names of such funds and respective donations;
- (c)  whether  any  audit  has  been  conducted  on  the  expenditure  incurred  by aforementioned funds by virtue of such donations;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the reasons for donations from MPLADS to be prohibited to PM and CM Relief Funds vide the MOS&PI Office Memorandum dated 1 st  April, 2020 (File No. C60/2018-MPLADS (Pt-I))?

## 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) No donations have been made to any COVID relief funds from MPLAD fund as per provision of Circular No. E-4/2020-MPLADS(Pt.II), dated 28-3-2020 (AnnexureI).

(b), (c) & (d): Does not arise.

- (e)  The  contributions  from  MPLADS  Funds  to  PM  and  CM  Relief  Funds  were prohibited vide Office Memorandum No.C-60/2018-MPLADS(Pt.I), dated 1-4-2020 (  Annexure-II) as 'Grants and loans, contribution to any Central and State/UT Relief Funds' are prohibited under MPLAD guidelines [S.No.06 of annexure -II of MPLADS guidelines (list of works prohibited under MPLAD)] [Annexure-III].

***

## {ANNEXURE FOR REPLY OF LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION No. 3276 REFERRED IN PART (a) }

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## ANNEXURE-II

## {ANNEXURE FOR REPLY OF LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION No. 3276 REFERRED IN PART (e) }

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## ANNEXURE-III

## {ANNEXURE FOR REPLY OF LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION No. 3276 REFERRED IN PART (e) }
Lok Sabha Question No. 3274 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: BSNL Network
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Nusrat Jahan Ruhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3274 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD  MARCH, 2022

## BSNL NETWORK

## 3274.   SHRIMATI NUSRAT JAHAN RUHI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) network is still used by a large number of people across the country including West Bengal and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the total market share (mobile, internet, etc.) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL);
- (c) the key reasons for its failure to compete with the private players;
- (d) the details of the reforms undertaken by the Ministry to update the services of BSNL in the country; and
- (e) the number of new towers that are sanctioned for West Bengal in the last three years?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is able to compete with private Telecom Service Providers. The mobile subscriber base of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) as on 31.12.2021 for all India including West Bengal is 11,43,58,355 and for West Bengal is 26,59,841.

As on 31.12.2021, the all India market share of BSNL is 9.90% for mobile subscribers and 15.40% for wired broadband subscribers.

- (d) The Government approved a revival plan for BSNL on 23.10.2019.  The revival plan inter-alia includes measures to reduce the staff cost through a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) for employees of age 50 years and above, administrative allotment of spectrum for providing 4G services with funding through budgetary allocation, monetisation of non-core and core assets to generate resources to retire debt, meet CAPEX and other requirement and debt restructuring by raising of Sovereign Guarantee Bonds. As a result of these measures, BSNL has become EBITDA positive (operating profit) in 2020-21.
- (e) The number of new towers sanctioned by BSNL in West Bengal during  the last three years are given as under:

| Year    |   New towers Sanctioned |
|---------|-------------------------|
| 2018-19 |                     132 |
| 2019-20 |                       6 |
| 2020-21 |                     246 |

****

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3273 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Regulation of Projects by ISRO
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: K. Subbarayan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2022

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3273 REGULATION OF PROJECTS BY ISRO

## 3273.  SHRI SUBBARAYAN K.:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  subscribes  to  the  view  that  Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) should be entrusted with the  responsibility  of  regulation  of  the  projects  related  to  the nation's security and scientific significance;
- (b) if so, the measures proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG &

PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

## (a) , (b) & (c)

The  vision  of  Indian  Space  Research  Organisation  (ISRO)  is  to harness space technology for national development, while pursuing  space  science  research  and  planetary  exploration. Government  of  India  has  created  the  Indian  National  Space Promotion and Authorization  Centre  (IN-SPACe)  to  regulate  the space activities in the country.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3272 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Setting Up Food Museums
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Gautam Gambhir

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA

## MtNlsTRy  oF coNsuMER AFFAIRS, FOOD &  puBl.tc  DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIG DTSTRTBUTION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.327 2 TO BE A]IISWERED ON 23RD MARGH, 2022

## SETTING UP FOOD MUSEUMS

## 3272. SHRI GAUTAM  GAMBHTR:

Will the Minister of GONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND  pUBLtC DIsrRlBUTloN  Bq'+i-mT qrqt,  uru otr  vrffi+ ft-d-qr  {* be pleased  to state!

- (a)  the number of food museums  in lndia;
- (b)  whether the Government is considering any proposats  to set up more food museums  across the country; and
- (c) if so, the details  thereof?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MTNISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND coNsuMER AFFATRS, FOOD &  pUBLtc  DTSTR|BUTION (sADHVt NTRANJAN JYOTT)

- (a): Food Gorporation  of tndia (FGI) has set up one food museum at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu,
- (b) & (c):  No, Sir.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3270 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Expenditure under MPLAD Fund
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Gopal Chinayya Shetty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.3270 TO BE ANSWERED ON  23.03.2022

## EXPENDITURE UNDER MPLAD FUND

3270. SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY:

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

- (a) whether funds spent on laying foundation stones and plaques, etc. by the public representatives comes under the head of MPLADS or Government expenditure and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  quantum  of  funds  spent  on  laying  of  foundation  stone  and inscripting/ engraving plaque etc. during each of the last three years, State-wise;
- (c) the head under which the said expenditure is covered;
- (d) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any step for diversion of this fund for other developmental works;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)  if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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)     No, Sir. As per MPLADS Guidelines, funds are not allowed to be incurred on laying foundation stones and plaques etc. by the public representatives.
- (b), (c ),(d), (e) & (f):  Does not arise.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3269 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Venue for Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3269 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2022

## VENUE FOR HANDLOOM AND HANDICRAFT EXHIBITION

## 3269. SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  established  permanent  venues  for  the  Handloom  and  Handicrafts exhibitions in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  establish  new  permanent  venues  for  the  Handloom  and Handicrafts exhibitions in the country; 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): Yes,  Sir.  Offices  of  the  Development  Commissioner,  Handicrafts  and  Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles are providing financial support to the various Agencies including State Govts. for establishment of Urban Haats in order to provide direct platform to artisans/weavers to exhibit and sell their artefacts. So far, financial assistance has been provided for 38 Urban Haats across the country.

(c) & (d): Sir,  the  components  including  Urban  Haats  under  National  Handicrafts  Development Programme (NHDP) and National Handlooms Development Programme (NHDP) are implemented on need  basis  on  receipt  of  feasible  and  viable  proposals  from  the  eligible  agencies  as  per  the  scheme guidelines.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3267 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Service Industries
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Kani K. Navas

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3267 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 rd  MARCH, 2022

## SERVICE INDUSTRIES

## 3267. SHRI K. NAVASKANI:

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

- (a) whether the Government plans to create standards for the service industries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government agrees with the view that the service industries currently are  more  in  need  of  support  to  survive  the  rigours  of  the  pandemic  rather  than regulatory tangles; and
- (d) if so, the details of the initiatives taken by the Government in this regard;

## 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): Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has set up a dedicated Services Sector Division Council (SSDC) to formulate Indian Standards in various Services Sectors, especially Champion Services Sectors.  Wherever possible, the Indian Standards are harmonized with international standards for ensuring that quality of services match global expectations.

(c)  &  (d):    The  services  sector  export  from  April 2021  to  January  2022  is  USD  204.50  billion*, exhibiting a positive growth of 22.13 percent as compared to the similar period in the previous year. The initiatives taken by the Government to boost the service industries are as follows:

-  Loan Guarantee Scheme for COVID affected sectors which include health and tourism, free one-month tourist visa to 5 lakh tourists once visa issuance is restarted, and financial support to tourist guides and other stakeholders.
-  Structural reforms such as liberalized Foreign Direct Investment regime in most of the sectors.
-  ' Action Plan for Champion Sectors in Services ' to  give  focused  attention  to  12  identified Champion Services Sectors to support sectoral initiatives of nodal Ministries / Departments.

[* Data are provisional]

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3265 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Compensation to Families
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  3265 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2022

## Compensation to Families

†3265.  SHRI MAHADEORAQ NETE:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take any step for increasing compensation to the dependant of workers who have suffered in accidents in coal mines in the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- a) No, Sir.  At  present,  there  is  no  proposal  under  consideration  of  the Government for increasing compensation to the dependent of workers who have suffered in accidents in coal mines in the country.
- b) Question does not arise in view of (a) above.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3264 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: ITPO
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel, Shardaben Anilbhai Patel

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3264 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 rd  MARCH, 2022

## ITPO

## 3264(H). SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI): SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL:

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

- (a) the  number  of  International  Fairs  organized  by  the  India  Trade  Promotion Organization (ITPO) in the country and abroad during the last five years; and
- (b) the total number of small and medium industries established with the initiative of ITPO during the last five years and the details thereof?

## 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): India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) has organized 126 overseas events in the last five years. ITPO has also organized 25 international fairs in the country in the last five years. Further, ITPO provides bare space (halls etc) and services at Pragati Maidan for third party fairs throughout the year pertaining to various industries/sectors including foreign participants.

- (b) : MSMEs participate in overseas exhibitions organized by ITPO to explore the potential of their products in overseas markets.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3263 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Textile Design Exhibition
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Ratansinh Magansinh Rathod, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Supriya Sadanand Sule, Kuldeep Rai Sharma

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3263 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2022

## TEXTILE DESIGN EXHIBITION

## 3263.  SHRI RATANSINH MAGANSINH RATHOD:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR. S.:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

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

- (a)  the  number  of  textile design  exhibitions  including  handicraft  exhibitions  organised  in  the  country particularly in the backward areas during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to organise more such exhibitions in future and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the norms/criteria to be followed by the Indian traditional handicraft industry/ artisans to participate in national/ international exhibitions/fairs;
- (d) whether the participation in such exhibitions/ fairs has declined during the last three years and the current year and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  the  number  of  promotional  schemes  being  run  by  the  Government  to  provide  adequate  financial assistance and conducive infrastructure to the traditional handicraft industry in the country?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

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

## (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

- (a): 1356  handicrafts  and  handlooms  exhibitions  have  been  organized  throughout  the  country including backward areas during the last three years and the current year.
- (b): Yes Sir, 430 handicrafts and handlooms marketing exhibitions are planned during 2022-23.
- (c): Artisans having valid Pehchan Card are eligible for participation in domestic exhibitions/fairs. Further, awarded artisans including master craftspersons are nominated for participation in international exhibitions/ fairs.
- (d): Yes Sir, the participation in exhibitions/fairs has declined during the last three years and the current year due to impact of COVID. In order to mitigate the effect of COVID various virtual/online events were organized.
- (e): To  provide  adequate  financial  assistance  and  conducive  infrastructure  to  the  traditional handicraft  industry,  2  schemes  namely  National  Handicrafts  Development  Programme  (NHDP)  & Comprehensive  Handicrafts  Cluster  Development  Scheme  (CHCDS)  are  being  implemented  by  the office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).
Lok Sabha Question No. 3257 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Strength of CSS Cadres
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Pinaki Misra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3257

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2022)

## STRENGTH OF CSS CADRES

## 3257. SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of total strength of CSS cadres and the number of posts vacant, position-wise;
- (b) whether it is a fact that no regular promotions have happened during the last six years and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the last exam to induct personnel was conducted in 2017 and if so, the reasons for not conducting the exams thereafter; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to address the issues of promotions and vacancy?

## 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) to (d):   Occurrence and filling up of vacancies arising out of retirement, resignation, voluntary retirement,  promotion,  transfer  on  deputation,  termination/dismissal  of  service,  death,  etc,  is  an ongoing process in various Central Government Ministries/Departments. These vacancies are filled up  from  time  to  time  through  promotion  of  officers  from  feeder  grade  and/or  direct  recruitment through  open  competitive  examination,  in  accordance  with  the  relevant  recruitment  rules  and guidelines governing Central Secretariat Service and directions of various Courts, if any. It is the endeavour of the Government to fill up the vacancies as expeditiously as possible.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3256 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Villages without Mobile Connectivity
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Pocha Brahmananda Reddy, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Adala Prabhakara Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3256 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD  MARCH, 2022

## VILLAGES WITHOUT MOBILE CONNECTIVITY

3256.   SHRI POCHA BRAHMANANDA REDDY: SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY: SHRI ADALA PRABHAKARA REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is  a  fact  that  1787  inhabited  villages  in  Andhra  Pradesh  are  without  mobile connectivity and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the agreement for USOF scheme has been signed by the Government and Telecom Service Providers and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the Government has included 1218 uncovered villages of Andhra Pradesh for provision of mobile connectivity under USOF scheme;
- (d) if so, by when would these 1218 villages have mobile connectivity; and
- (e) the details of the Government plans to provide mobile connectivity to the remaining 569 villages in Andhra Pradesh and by when this would be achieved?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) As  of  December  2020,  1787  inhabited  villages  in  Andhra  Pradesh  are  without  mobile connectivity, as per the data provided by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).
- (b) to (d) The Union Cabinet has approved a Scheme for provisioning of 4G Mobile Coverage in 7287 uncovered villages of Aspirational Districts of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand & Odisha to be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). Under this scheme, 1218 uncovered villages of Andhra Pradesh are included for providing 4G mobile coverage. The  agreement for implementation of the aforesaid USOF scheme has not been signed so far. The project time-line is 18 months from the date of signing of the Agreement with the Implementing Agency for the project.
- (e) Mobile connectivity is provided by the Government and the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) in a phased manner in the uncovered villages of the country, including in  the remaining uncovered villages in Andhra Pradesh.

***********