opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: Status of Talcher Thermal Power Station
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Mahesh Sahoo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1934 ANSWERED ON 09.12.2021

## STATUS OF TALCHER THERMAL POWER STATION

1934.  SHRI MAHESH SAHOO:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Talcher thermal Power Station in Angul district of Odisha have been shut down on 31 st  March 2021;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the present status of the plant;

(c) the steps taken by the Government about the fate of 829 employees who have been dropped and several intended beneficiaries;

(d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  give  extension  to  the  existing  plant  or progress to start phase-3 as announced several years back or a new plant would be set up in its place;

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the time frame for beginning of its operation; and

- (f) if not, the reason therefor?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI  R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (f) : NTPC has two thermal plants at Talcher (Angul District of Odisha). Talcher Kaniha, having a capacity of 3000 MW (6x500 MW) is in service and there are no plans to shut down the plant.

The operations of more than 54 year old Talcher Thermal Power Station with capacity of 460 MW (4x60 MW and 2x110 MW) have been stopped w.e.f. 31.03.2021 in view  of  safety,  efficiency  and  environment  considerations.  Ministry  of  Labour  & Employment,  Government  of  India  accorded  approval  of  closure  with  effect  from 20.08.2021 under Industrial Disputes (ID) Act 1947.

Generation is a de-licensed activity and as per Section 7 of the Electricity Act, 2003, 'any generating company may establish, operate and maintain a generating station  without  obtaining  a  license/permission  under  this  Act,  if  it  complies  with  the technical standards relating to connectivity with the grid'. Accordingly, sanction/approval of  the  Government  is  not  required  for  setting  up  of  thermal  power plants.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1933 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: Clearance for International Carriers at Kannur International Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: K. Subbarayan

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED NO. : 1933 (To be answered on the December 2021)

## CLEARANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL CARRIERS AT KANNUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1933. SHRI SUBBARAYAN K

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

Minister %f State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K SINGH (RETD))

- (0) and (b) Kannur International Airport was commissioned in December 2018. Within a period Of one year, by Winter 2019 schedule, Indian carriers were operating 65 international services per week from Kannur;

Currently due to significant imbalance in the number of points of call in favour 0fforeign carriers; the Government of India is not granting any nonmetro airport as 4 new point %f call to any foreign carrier for the purpose of operating passenger services However, Indian designated carriers are free to mount scheduled operations tolfrom any international airport including Kannur International Airport to foreigu destinations under the ambit 0 bilateral air service agreements concluded by India with foreign countries.

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Union Government has denied clearance to international carriers to operate from Kannur International Airport; and
- the details thereof? SO,
Lok Sabha Question No. 1931 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: Fuel Price Hikes
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Dibyendu Adhikari

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1931 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH  DECEMBER, 2021

## Fuel Price Hikes

## 1931.   SHRI DIBYENDU ADHIKARI: SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

## पेोलयम और ाक ृ तक गैस मंी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  impact  of  fuel  price  hikes  on  the  country's economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic;

- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  that  recent  fuel  price  hikes  have  an  impact  on increasing inflation;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the amount of taxes, cesses and excise collected by the Government on petrol and diesel from March 2020 to November 2021, month and State-wise?

## ANSWER

## पेोलयम और ाक ृ तक गैस मंालय म राय मंी ( ी रामेवर तेल )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) to (d): Prices  of  petrol  and  diesel  have  been  made  market-determined  with  effect from 26.06.2010 and 19.10.2014 respectively. Since then, the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies  (OMCs) take  appropriate  decision  on  pricing  of  petrol  and  diesel  in  line  with international product prices and other market conditions. The OMCs have not only increased but also decreased the prices of petrol and diesel in line with changes in international prices and rupee dollar exchange rate.  The Average price of Indian Basket of Crude oil has risen approximately 313% from April, 2020 to October, 2021 ($19.90/bbl to $82.11/bbl).

The Central Government reduced the Central Excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs. 5  and  Rs.  10  per  litre  respectively  effective  from  4th  November,  2021.    The  measure  was aimed to give a further fillip to the economy and to boost consumption and keep inflation low, thus helping the poor and middle classes. Many States/UTs have also reduced the VAT on petrol and diesel subsequently.

- (e): The  excise  duty  including  cess  levied  by  the  Government  form  March,  2020  to November, 2021 is as follows:

| With Effect From   | Excise duty including Cess   |
|--------------------|------------------------------|
|                    | Petrol                       |
| 14-03-20           | 22.98                        |
| 06-05-20           | 32.98                        |
| 02-02-21           | 32.90                        |
| 04-11-21           | 27.90                        |
|                    | Diesel                       |
| 14-03-20           | 18.83                        |
| 06-05-20           | 31.83                        |
| 02-02-21           | 31.80                        |
| 04-11-21           | 21.80                        |

x-x-x-x-x
Lok Sabha Question No. 1930 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: Production Target of Renewable Energy
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil, M. Selvaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1930

ANSWERED ON 09.12.2021

## PRODUCTION TARGET OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

## 1930. SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL SHRI M. SELVARAJ

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase the  generation  of  renewable  energy  along  with  the specific targets in this regard;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  steps  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government to achieve that target along with the time- frame fixed in this regard; and
- (d) the role the State Governments in achieving the said  target?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a)&(b) In line with Hon'ble Prime Minister's announcement at COP26, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is committed to achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.

(c) The Government has taken several steps to  achieve renewable energy targets in the country. These include:-

-  Permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route,
-  Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025,
-  Laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity for evacuation of renewable power,
-  Declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2022,
-  Setting up of RE parks to provide land  and transmission to RE developers on a plug and play basis,
-  Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, etc,
-  Notification of standards for deployment of solar photovoltaic system/devices,
-  Setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments,
-  Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind Projects.
-  Government has issued orders that power shall be dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC) or advance payment to ensure timely payment by distribution licensees to RE generators.
-  Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) launched to facilitate procurement of RE power through power exchange in the country.

(d) Most of the grid connected renewable energy projects in the country are being implemented by private sector developers  selected  through  a  transparent  competitive  bidding.    State  Governments  have  a  vital  role  in implementation of such projects including in   facilitation of land availability, statutory clearances, strengthening of power evacuation infrastructure,  etc.

Further, most of the renewable energy generated is ultimately purchased by State DISCOMs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1929 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: Works under Smart Cities Mission
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Malook Nagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1929 TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 9, 2021

## WORKS UNDER SMART CITIES MISSION

SHRI MALOOK NAGAR:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of works done under Smart Cities Mission so far;
- (b) the proposal Government development
- of the for of urban slums including the details of reforms made so far;
- whether the houses constructed for urban poor have started undergoing wear and tear and if SO, the details thereof; and
- (d) details schemes Government which
- the of of the are sufficient for the repairing of the said houses?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE)

(a) Government of India launched Smart Cities Mission (SCM) on 25 June 2015 for development of 100 cities as Smart Cities: 5,151 projects worth ? 2,05,018 crore were proposed by the 100 Smart Cities as part of their Smart City Proposals (SCPs): As on 12th November 2021, these Smart Cities have tendered out 6,452

projects worth 3 1,84,998 crore; out of which work orders have been issued in 5,809 projects worth % 1,56,571 crore; out of these;, 3,131 projects worth 3 53,175 crore have been completed: Government of India has released { 27,359.60 crore under SCM, out of which ? 22,467.81 crore has already been utilized:

(b) to (d) : Since Land and Colonization are State subjects, it is the responsibility of States/Union Territories (UTs) to collect data, frame policies and implement schemes for developing slums. Government of India through various programmatic interventions has been assisting States/UTs both technically and financially to address housing shortages  including issues   relating to slums. Under SCM, 23 Smart Cities have reported 41 slum redevelopment  projects at an estimated cost of { 3,009.6 crore. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U) launched in June 2015 aims to provide all weather pucca houses to eligible urban beneficiaries by 2022. The SIn-situ' Slum Redevelopment (ISSR) component under PMAY-U addresses the issue of housing of slum dwellersSo far, 4.58 Iakh slum households have been benefitted under the scheme. Repairs required, if any, to houses developed under the Scheme, are carried out by the beneficiaries themselves-

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1928 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: Hazard Risk in Urban Areas
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1928

## TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 9, 2021

## HAZARD RISK IN URBAN AREAS

NO. 1928. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the hazard risk due to exposed wires and constant digging of multiple trenches in urban areas for repairs;
- (b) if the details of all incidences of fatalities due to electrocution or accidental falling into dug up roads during the last three years;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any pilot study for the development systems like integrated utility ducts that Iay all power cables underground;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to incorporate the laying of integrated underground utility ducts in the list of works under schemes Iike the Smart Cities Mission and the AMRUT Yojana
- and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE)

- (a) to (e): Since land and urban administration is a State subject, it is the responsibility of StatesIUnion Territories (UTs) to

Frame appropriate policies and implement mechanisms for development of integrated infrastructure: Government of India through various programmatic interventions assists States/UTs, both technically and financially in their efforts:

Government of India launched the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) on 25 June 2015 for development of 100 cities as Smart Cities- Cities under the Mission have taken several steps to address issues related to hazard risk caused by exposed wires and constant digging of multiple trenches in urban areasThese Cities are implementing 776 Smart Road projects worth % 26,205 crore which include, inter alia, provisions of replacement of overhead wires with underground wiring, creation of utility ducts for common infrastructure to avoid multiple trenching etc.

Besides, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) empowers States to design, prioritize, approve, and implement projects in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) based on their local priorities. Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) approves State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) submitted to it by State High Powered Steering Committees (SHPSCs): States may choose to incorporate laying of integrated underground utility ducts in the projects undertaken by them under their SAAPs.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1926 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: UDAN Scheme in Bihar
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

UNSTARRED NO: : 1926 (To be answered on the December 2021)

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

## UDAN SCHEME IN BIHAR

## 1926. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

<!-- image -->

- a) the names of airports identified under UDAN Scheme in Bihar;
2. (c) the present status of the said programmes?
3. (b) the programmes implemented for commencement of flights from these airports; and being

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K SINGH (RETD))

<!-- image -->

After 4 rounds of bidding under RCS UDAN, Darbhanga airport in Bihar has been awarded to Selected Airline Operator (SAO) for operating RCS UDAN flights to Bengaluru; Delhi and Mumbai: SAO has commenced UDAN flights connecting Darbhanga airport to Bengaluru; Delhi and Mumbai:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1923 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: Electricity Amendment Bill
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan, Kavitha Malothu, Gaddam Ranjith Reddy, Venkatesh Netha Borlakunta, Dayakar Pasunoori

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1923

## ANSWERED ON 09.12.2021

## ELECTRICITY AMENDMENT BILL

SHRI VENKATESH NETHA BORLAKUNTA:

1923.  SHRI V.K.SREEKANDAN: SHRIMATI KAVITHA MALOTHU: DR. G. RANJITH REDDY: SHRI PASUNOORI DAYAKAR:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  bring  in  a  legislation  on  Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the said Bill will pave way for the entry of profit oriented private players into the power distribution sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether many State Governments have made objection to the said proposed bill and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether any consultations with the States have been held;
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  outcome  of  such  consultations,  Statewise;
- (f) whether the Government is insisting to de-licence power distributing companies when States are opposing the move; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY (SHRI  R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (g) : The  condition  of  most  of  the  State  Government  owned  Distribution companies is a matter of grave concern. Their AT&C losses at the end of 2019-20 range from an average of 21% to a maximum of 60.16 %. The gap between Average Cost of Supply  (ACS)  and  Average  Revenue  Realized  (ARR)  excluding  Regulatory  Assets  and Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) grants averages 60 paise per Unit in 2019-20 and the Accumulated losses of all DISCOMs in the country by 2019-20 have risen to Rs.5,07,416 crore. DISCOMs have not been able to pay the Generation Companies for the  power  procured,  and  the  Outstanding  payments  to  Generation  Companies  is estimated to be in excess of Rs.1,56,000 crore. The Outstanding dues to Renewable Generators are around 11 months of revenues. Therefore, reforms have been deliberated  upon  in  consultation  with  the  States  and  all  Stakeholders.  No  final decisions have been arrived at so far.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1922 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: Policy on Flood Management
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Vincent H Pala

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI, DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1922

ANSWERED ON 09.12.2021

## POLICY ON FLOOD MANAGEMENT

## 1922.       SHRI VINCENT H. PALA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether any specific National Policy on Flood Control and Management is in the pipeline and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government plans to place flood control and management/water under the Concurrent List for greater synergy and if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  financially  incentivise  flood-prone  States  to  undertake  Flood  Plain Zoning in accordance with the Model Act and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## (SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU)

(a)  Flood management schemes are formulated and implemented by concerned State Governments as per their priority. The Union Government supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical guidance and also promotional financial assistance for management of floods in critical areas. Ministry of Jal Shakti with an objective to take cognizance of the existing water situation has come up with National water policy (NWP) in the year 2012. For flood control, NWP-2012 has emphasized flood mitigation through structural & structural measures, integrated operation of reservoirs with sound decision support system, rehabilitation of  natural  drainage  system,  Integrated  farming  systems  and  non-agricultural  developments  creation  of storage projects with dedicated flood storage as the long term solution to the devastating floods occurring every year, etc.

(b)    The  issue  of  including  water  in  the  concurrent  list  has  been  under  discussion  at  various  for  a.  The proposal to bring water in the Union/Concurrent list has earlier been examined by the two Commissions on Centre-State  Relations  chaired  by  Justice  R.S.  Sarkaria  and  Justice  M.M.  Punchhi  respectively.  This proposal did not find favour with either of the two Commissions.

(c)  The Government of India has been making continuous efforts to assist the State Government in effective flood  management.  During  XI  Plan  Government  of  India  had  launched  Flood  Management  Programme (FMP) for providing Central Assistance to States for works related to flood management and erosion control which continued during XII Plan and thereafter, as a component of 'Flood Management and Border Areas Programme' (FMBAP) for the period from 2017-18 to 2020-21 and later extended to December, 2021. As per the extant guidelines for release of central assistance under FMP, the State Governments which adopt Flood Plain Zoning Bill are given priority over the other States.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1920 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: Compensation/Rehabilitation due to Government Housing Projects
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: P.P. Chaudhary

- (d)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1920 TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 9, 2021

## COMPENSATIONIREHABILITATION DUE TO GOVERNMENT HOUSING PROJECTS

NO. 1920.

Will the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of funds proposed to be allocated for the compensation and rehabilitation of relocated citizens due to Government housing projects;
- (b) the measures proposed to be taken by the Government to
- rehabilitate those to be relocated;
- whether the Government also proposes to appoint a Nodal Agency to oversee rehabilitation of relocated citizens; and
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE)

(a)& (b): 'Land' and 'Colonization' are State subjects and therefore, it is the responsibility of the Statel Union Territory (UT) Governments to implement housing schemes to provide houses to their citizens.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs through Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) is giving Central assistance to Statesl UTs for

providing all-weather pucca houses to all eligible urban households through four verticals: SIn-Situ" Slum Redevelopment (ISSR) (ii)Credit-Linked  Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) and (iv) Beneficiary-led individual house construction or enhancement (BLC): PMAY-U projects are implemented on encumbrance free land either owned by beneficiary or publicl private agencies:

Therefore, any compensation and rehabilitation due to relocation; if any required, for Government housing projects is the responsibility of Statel UT Government. Central Government does not provide any assistance for this purpose:

(c)& (d): Does not arise-