opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3208 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-16
Subject: Delicensing of Power Distribution Companies
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: K. Shanmuga Sundaram, P. Velusamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3208

## ANSWERED ON 16.12.2021

## DELICENSING OF POWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES

3208.  SHRI SHANMUGA SUNDARAM K.: SHRI VELUSAMY P.:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  amend  the  Electricity  Act,  2003  for delicensing of power distribution companies;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the power distribution companies have to register with the Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the delicensing process will affect the consumers in terms of unit cost by the private enterprises and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether  the  Central  Electricity  Regulatory  Commission  (CERC)  will  implement uniform unit cost throughout the country and if so, the details thereof;

- (f) whether the subsidy charges would be allocated to give free of cost power supply to agriculture sector; 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 (d) : 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  are 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.

.........2.

(e) : As  per  the  Electricity  Act,  2003,  the  tariff  is  determined  by  the  State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.  Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) determines the tariff of only inter-State projects. CERC adopts the tariff of competitively bid  projects  under  section  63  of  the  Electricity  Act,  2003.  The  discovered  tariffs  are different for different bids.

(f)  &  (g)  :      As  per  provision  of  section  65  of  the  Electricity  Act,  2003,  the  State Governments  have  the discretion to give subsidy to the extent they consider appropriate.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3207 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-16
Subject: Model Town and Country Planning Act
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Hema Malini

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING &

## URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3207 TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 16, 2021 MODEL TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT

NO. 3207 . SHRIMATI HEMA MALINI:

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

- (a) whether most of the States are dependent on the Model Town and Country Planning Act, 1960 of the Government for urban planning;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there is any proposal to carry out amendment in the said Act; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Model Town and Country Planning Act, 1960 issued by Government of India was amended in 1985 titled as Model Regional and Town Planning and Development Law, 1985. This model was issued for the guidance of the States and Union territories for preparing their Town and Country Planning Acts:

(c): No Sir-

(d): Question does not arise-

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3200 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-16
Subject: Protection of Retirement Benefits of Employees of Air India
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.

3200

(To be answered on the December 2021) I6th

## PROTECTION OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS OF EMPLOYEES OF AIR INDIA

## 3200. SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the total number of people employed by Air India as on the date of its privatisation;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to protect retirement benefits of the employees due for retirement after 2022;
- (c) the detailed breakdown of the benefits that would be protected;
- (d) the service and retirement benefits that would be discontinued; and
- (e) the details of other measures taken by the Government for the protection of the employees for privatisation?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

- (a): The total number of employees in Air India as on 1.12.2021 is 11,295 which includes 3,941 Fixed Term Contractual Employees.
- (b) to (e): Interests of the employees have been duly taken care of by the Government and incorporated in the Share Purchase Agreement signed with the qualified bidder on 25.10.2021.

In accordance with the applicable laws,the qualified bidder, post disinvestment, shall continue to provide Gratuity benefits and PF benefits to the employees The arrangement with the employees and Life Insurance Corporation of India for administrating the existing Air India and Indian Airlines  employee's Self Contributory Superannuation Pension Fund Trust will continue: Further, with regard to the medical benefits, they are to be made available to the retired and eligible retiring AI beneficiaries by the Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3199 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-16
Subject: Helicopter Service from Valmiki Nagar Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Sunil Kumar

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3199 (To be answered on the December 2021) I6th

## HELICOPTER SERVICE FROM VALMIKI NAGAR AIRPORT

3199. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

Minister 0f State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

- (a) : No Sir.
- (b): Does not arise.
- (c): After repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994, the Indian domestic aviation market was deregulated. Consequently, airlines including Helicopter operators are free to induct capacity with any aircraft type for selecting whatever markets and network they wish to service and operate across the country subject to compliance with the extant guidelines in this regard; Thus, it is up to the airlines to provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and their commercial viability, in compliance with the extant guidelines.

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

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to start helicopter service from Valmiki Nagar Airport to Patna;
- if not, the reasons therefor?
Lok Sabha Question No. 3197 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-16
Subject: Construction of Houses in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: M. Selvaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3197

ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 16, 2021

## CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES IN TAMIL NADU

## NO. 3197 . SHRI M. SELVARAJ:

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

- (a) the physical target fixed by the Government for construction of houses under Housing for All scheme during the last three years in Tamil Nadu;
- the details of the houses actually been constructed in the State of
- (b) Tamil Nadu during the said period; and
- (c) the details of funds allocated under this scheme to the State of Tamil Nadu during the said period?

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE (SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE)

- (a) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is implementing Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) since 25.06.2015 for giving Central Assistance to Statesl Union Territories (UTs), including the State of Tamil Nadu, for providing all-weather pucca houses to all eligible urban households.

Government of India has not fixed any target for construction of houses in a Statel UT under PMAY-U. Statesl UTs, including State Tamil Nadu, have undertaken demand survey under the scheme for assessing actual demand of housing: Against validated demand in the State of Tamil Nadu, 7,19,853 houses have been sanctioned under PMAY-U: Out of total sanctioned houses, 3,91,961 houses have been sanctioned during the last three years:

- (b)& (c) Out of the total sanctioned houses, 3,43,265 houses have been completed and delivered to beneficiaries and Central Assistance of 4963.16 crore was released to the State Government of Tamil Nadu during the last three years i.e FY 2018-19 to FY 2020-21.

#****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3195 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-16
Subject: Runway Capacity of Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

(To be answered on the

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3195 December 2021)

## RUNWAY CAPACITY OF AIRPORT

## 3195. SHRI N.K, PREMACHANDRAN

## Wiil the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has initiated action to resolve the imminent threat due to the constrained runway capacity of the airports and if $0, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Union Government proposes to permission for details thereof; give
- (b) whether the Union Government has taken steps to increase the runway capacity\_ of the  airports considering the heavy aviation  traffic and if SO, the details thereof;
- () whether the Union Government has conducted any study regarding the requirement for new airport in Kerala and if $0, the details thereof;
- (f) the details regarding the action taken on Sabarimala Erumely Chervally Airport?
- (e) whether the Union Government has granted permission to the Government of Kerala for constructing airport at Cheruvally Estate nearly Erumely and if the details and reasons thereof; and

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

include extension of construction of Parallel Taxi Track, Link Taxi Track and Rapid Exit Taxi are undertaken by Airport Operators from economic considerations; traffic demand, willinguess of airlines to operate tol from such airports etc:

(c); Government of India (Gol) has accorded 'in-principle' approval for setting up of 21 Greenfield Airports across the country; out %f which eight airports namely Durgapur, Shirdi, Sindhudurg, Pakyong, Kannur,

Kalaburagi, Oravakal and Kushinagar have been operationalized: formulated a Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008 which provides guidelines; procedure and conditions for establishment %f new Greenfield Airports in the country: As per Policy, an airport developer, including the State Government; willing to establish an airport is required to send a proposal to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA): Gol has received a proposal from Mls Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) for grant of 'site clearance' for Setting up of Greenfield Airport at Kottayam on 2263.18 acres of land falling in villages Erumeli(South) and Manimala under Cheruvally Estate in District Kottayam near Sabarimala. The proposal was examined in MoCA in consultation with Ministry of Defence, AAI and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): Subsequently, KSIDC had submitted a Techno Economic Feasibility Study (TEFS) to MoCA: Based on the observations of AAI and DGCA, the KSIDC has been requested to furnish updated/final TEFS report.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3194 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-16
Subject: Privatisation of Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.

3194

## LOK SABHA

(To be answered on the December 2021) l6th

## PRIVATISATION OF AIRPORTS

## 3194. SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state: -

- (a) the details of number of airports which have already been transferred to private companies and the airports which are identified for privatization, airport-wise; and
- (b) the details of revenue that the Government expects to earn from the privatisation of these airports?

## ANSWER

Minister f State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

- (a) & (b): So Airports Authority of India (AAI) has leased out eight airports namely, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur , Lucknow, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru for Operations; Management and Development under Public Private Partnership (PPP) far ,

As per National Monetization Pipeline (NMP), 25 airports of Airports Authority of India (AAD) have been earmarked over the years 2022 to 2025 Coimbatore; Nagpur, Patna, Madurai, Surat; Ranchi, Jodhpur, Chennai, Vijayawada; Vadodara, Bhopal; Tirupati, Hubli, Imphal, Agartala, Udaipur, Dehradun and Rajahmundry.

The exact value of revenue that the Government expects to earn from the monetization of these airports can not be determined at this stage as it will depend upon many factors such transaction timing, market conditions, investor appetite, transaction terms etc:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3193 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-16
Subject: National Highways in Rajasthan
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3193

ANSWERED ON 16TH DECEMBER, 2021

NATIONAL HIGHWAYS IN RAJASTHAN

†3193. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  and  the  total  length  of  National   Highways  (NHs) sanctioned and completed by the Government in the State of Rajasthan during the last five years; and
- (b)  the funds spent on these NHs?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  &  (b)  The  details  of  total  length  of  National Highways  (NHs) sanctioned & completed and the funds spent on these NHs in the State of Rajasthan during the last five years are attached at Annexure.

ANNEXURE ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  to  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3193 FOR ANSWER ON 16.12.2021 ASKED BY SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA

| Sr. No.   | Year     | Sanctioned Project   | Sanctioned Project   | Constructed Length (Km)   | Expenditure   |
|-----------|----------|----------------------|----------------------|---------------------------|---------------|
| Sr. No.   | Year     | Nos                  | Length (Km)          |                           | (Cr.)         |
| 1         | 2016-17  | 84                   | 1428.99              | 1149.07                   | 2870.9        |
| 2         | 2017-18  | 43                   | 1609.65              | 1057.647                  | 3531.96       |
| 3         | 2018-19  | 11                   | 258.16               | 716.73                    | 5156.15       |
| 4         | 2019-20  | 35                   | 926.75               | 1019.523                  | 7014.22       |
| 5         | 2020- 21 | 30                   | 529.19               | 774.82                    | 6753.86       |
| Total     | Total    | 203                  | 4752.74              | 4717.79                   | 25, 327.09    |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3191 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-16
Subject: Ease of Doing Business Programme
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Nishikant  Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3191 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2021

## EASE OF DOING BUSINESS PROGRAMME

## 3191.     DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Government has taken any steps for creating/providing favorable conditions for the development and promotion of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under the Ease of Doing Business Programme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI  NARAYAN RANE )

(a) & (b): The  Government  has  taken  several  steps  to  create  a  conducive  environment  for  the promotion and development of MSMEs and under Ease of Doing Business. Some of these are given below:

- (i)   Udyam Registration  (UR)  Portal  to  provide  fully  online,  paperless  and  transparent  MSME registration  process.  No  documents  or  proof  are  required  to  be  uploaded  for  registering  an MSME. Only Aadhaar Number and PAN is enough for registration. PAN and GST linked details  on  investment and turnover of enterprises are taken automatically from Government databases.
- (ii)  Digital Payments to pass on the benefits of the schemes of Ministry of MSME through digital payment gateway.
- (iii) MSME SAMBANDH Portal- helps in monitoring the implementation of Public Procurement Policy for micro and small enterprises.
- (iv) MSME SAMADHAAN Portal- helps in empowering micro and small entrepreneurs across the country to register their cases relating to delayed payments.
- (v)  MSME  SAMPARK  Portal-  A  digital  platform,  wherein  jobseekers  (pass  out  trainees  / students of MSME Technology Centres) and recruiters get connected.
- (vi) Champions Portal for speedy redressal of grievances.
- (vii)Under Public Procurement Policy for MSEs  order,  2012, the number  of regulatory compliances  in  regard  to  Government  to  Business  and  Government  to  Citizen,  has  been reduced from 7 to 4.
- (viii) Government e-Marketplace (GeM)- facilitates online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by various Government Departments/ Organizations/ CPSEs.
- (c): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3190 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-16
Subject: Prices of Petroleum Products
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3190 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 DECEMBER, 2021

## Prices of Petroleum Products

3190.   SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

## पेोलयम और ाक ृतक गैस मंी

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of differences of selling price of diesel and petrol in various States due to reduction of excise duty by the Union Government to relief the common people and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether the Government is formulating any scheme to maintain uniform prices of petrol and diesel across the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  the  Government is considering to chalk out any policy to bring uniformity in tax system in States so as to control the prices of petroleum products; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

पेोलयमऔर ाक ृतक गैस मंालय म राय मंी ( ी रामेवर तेल )

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

- (a): The Central Government reduced the Central Excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs. 5 and Rs. 10 per litre respectively effective from 4 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.  Following  this  reduction  in  Central  Excise  duty,  many States/UTs have also reduced the VAT on petrol and diesel.
- (b) to (e): No such scheme is  under  consideration  before  the  Government.    The  prices  of petrol and diesel vary from market to market due to various factors like freight rates, VAT, local levies etc.

Article 279 A (5) of the Constitution prescribes that the Goods and Service Tax Council shall recommend the date on which the goods and services tax be levied on petroleum crude, high speed  diesel,  motor  spirit  (commonly  known  as  petrol),  natural  gas  and  aviation  turbine  fuel (ATF), also as per the Section 9(2) of the CGST Act, inclusion of these products in GST will require  recommendation of  the  GST  Council.  So  far,  the  GST  Council  has  not  recommended inclusion of oil and gas under GST.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3189 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-16
Subject: Exemption of Road Tax under Vehicle Scrappage Policy
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Rakesh Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3189 ANSWERED ON 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2021

## EXEMPTION OF ROAD TAX UNDER VEHICLE SCRAPPAGE POLICY

## 3189.  SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग

मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a)  the steps taken by the Government to encourage scrapping of old vehicles in the country;
- (b) whether the exemption in road tax is given on buying new vehicles in lieu of scrapping the old vehicles;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether there is any proposal to enhance such exemption under
- the Vehicle Scrappage Policy; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  The  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and  Highways  has  formulated  the Vehicle  Scrapping  Policy  that  includes  a  system  of  incentives/disincentives for creation of an ecosystem to phase out older, unfit polluting vehicles.  In  order  to  enforce  provisions  of  the  policy,  rules  have  been issued/amended under the framework of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. The following final notifications have been issued and uploaded on the Ministry's website:-
- (i) GSR Notification 653 (E) dated 23.09.2021 provides the Motor Vehicles (Registration and Functions of Vehicle Scrapping Facility) Rules, 2021 for establishment  of  Registered  Vehicles  Scrapping  Facility  (RVSF).  The notification has come into force with effect from 25 th  September, 2021.

(ii)  GSR  Notification  652  (E)  dated  23.09.2021  provides  for  recognition, regulation and control of Automated Testing Stations. The notification has come into force with effect from 25 th  September, 2021. (iii)  GSR  Notification  714  (E)  dated  04.10.2021  provides  for  upward revision of registration fee, fitness testing fee and fitness certification fee of  vehicles.  The  notification  shall  come  into  force  with  effect  from 1 st  April, 2022. (iv) GSR Notification 720 (E) dated 05.10.2021 provides for concession in the  motor  vehicle  tax  for  the  vehicle  registered  against  submission  of "Certificate of deposit". The notification shall come into force with effect from 1 st  April, 2022. (b)  to  (e)  Government  has  issued  GSR  Notification  720  (E)  dated 05.10.2021 which provides for concession in the motor vehicle tax for the vehicle  registered  against  submission  of  "Certificate  of  deposit".  The notification shall come into force with effect from 1st April, 2022.

*****