opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2548 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-17
Subject: Status of Greenfield Airport at Bhogapuram
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Adala Prabhakara Reddy, Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi, Kuruva Gorantla Madhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2548 (To be answered on the March 2022) 17th

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

## STATUS OF GREENFIELD AIRPORT AT BHOGAPURAM

2548.

SHRI ADALA PRABHAKARA REDDY SHRI BEESETTT VENKATA SATYAVATHI SHRI KURUVA GORANTLA MADHAV

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state: -

- (3) the progress on approval for the renewal of site clearances of the proposed Greenfield International Airport at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh;
2. (c) if the details thereof;
3. (b) whether there is a proposal to allocate funds for the airport at Bhogapuram; out of the planned investment of INR 36,000 crores by the Union Government for development of new greenfield airports across the country;
4. (d) whether any steps have been taken to identify and expand the commercial
5. (e) if so, the details thereof?
6. air traffic routes to meet the growing footfall of the Tirupati Airport; and

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(a) to (c): As per the Greenfield Airports Policy, two stage approvals i.e. 'site clearance' followed by 'in-principle approval' are granted to a project proponent for development of any new Greenfield Airport; Subsequent to the has also been granted for development of new Greenfield Airport at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh: As such, renewal of 'site clearance approval is not applicable for the airport project. The responsibility %f implementation of airport project including funding Of the project rests with the project proponent

- (d) & (e): After the repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994, the Indian domestic aviation market has been deregulated; Consequently, airlines are free to induct capacity with aircraft type for selecting whatever any

wish to operate across the country Thus; it is tup markets and networks they to specific depending upon the to the airlines to provide air services with the extant tcaftic demadtand their commercial viability, in compliance guidelines in this regard: places

Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has launched Regional Further, (RCS) UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) on Connectivity Scheme air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses. Under out of which 08 routes have been connecting Tirupati to various destinations; Bengaluru, operaionalized, At present; Tirupati is connected to Belgaum; and Visakhapatnam:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2546 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-17
Subject: Percentage of Ethanol Blending
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: V. Kalanidhi

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2546 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th MARCH, 2022

## Percentage of Ethanol Blending

## 2546. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

isVªksfy;e vkSj izkd`frd xSl ea=h

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

- (a)  the details of the permissible percentage of ethanol blended into petrol in the country at present;
- (b)  whether the Government has proposed to increase its percentage;
- (c)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d)  the time by which it is likely to be increased?

## ANSWER

isVªksfy;e vkSj izkd`frd xSl ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh jkes'oj rsyh½

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

- (a):  At present, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) sell E-10 petrol (10% ethanol blended in petrol) as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications IS-2796. The BIS specifications of E-10 allow ten per cent ethanol by volume in petrol in the range of 10±1 %.
- (b) to (d):  Government, vide its notification dated 2 nd June, 2021, has directed the OMCs to sell ethanol blended petrol with percentage of ethanol up to twenty per cent  as  per  BIS  specifications,  in  all  the  States  and  Union  Territories.  This notification shall come into effect from 1 st April, 2023.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2545 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-17
Subject: High Rate of RT-PCR Test at Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

2545.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2545

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

(To be answered on the March 2022) 17th

## HIGH RATE OF RT-PCR TEST AT AIRPORTS

SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state: -

<!-- image -->

- (2) the details of rate charged at airports for compulsory RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests for international passengers;
2. (c) the reason for the inflated of tests inside the airports; and price
3. (b) whether it is a fact that cost of the tests exceed Rs 3000 in several airports including Indira Gandhi International Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and if the details thereof; SO,
4. (d) the reasons for an RT-PCR test 0n arrival if the passengers have already undergone Covid test prior to boarding?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

<!-- image -->

- (a) to (d): The rates for\_RT-PCR / Rapid RT-PCR are mostly decided and notified by the respective State/UT Governments, which are adhered to by the laboratories operating at the airports.

Based on the time taken for COVID test reports; waiting time and requirement %f the destination countries, passengers may choose standard RT-PCR or Rapid RTPCR testing facilities: The charges for Standard RTPCR is around Rs. 500/- The charges for Rapid RT-PCR range from Rs: 1975-3000/- This variation is mainly due to the different technologies used for testing:

Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) in coordination with Ministry 0f Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry 0f Home Affairs (MHA) is implementing the COVID-19 related guidelines issued by MoHFW from time to time for international passengers arriving at Indian Airports To facilitate the movement of passengers, airport operators extend the services of testing facilities at airports through accredited Laboratories
Lok Sabha Question No. 2544 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-17
Subject: Provision of Seat Belt in Cars
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Manne Srinivas Reddy, Manickam Tagore B, Y. S. Avinash Reddy, Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2544 ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2022

## PROVISION OF SEAT BELT IN CARS

2544.  SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY:

SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  make  it  mandatory  for automakers to make three point seat belts for all passangers in a car and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to issue a draft notification thereof to invite comments of stakeholders and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is considering to make it mandatory to wear helmet/safety  harness  for  all  children  under  the  age  of  four  years riding pillion on a two wheeler and if so, the details thereof along with the date by which this rule is likely to be made applicable?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a)  and  (b)  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and  Highways,  vide  GSR  106(E) dated  11 th  February  2022,  has  proposed  that  all  front  facing  seats  in vehicles  of  M1  category  (i.e,  a  motor  vehicle  used  for  carriage  of passengers, comprising not more than 8 seats, in addition to the driver's seat), manufactured on and after 1 st  October 2022, be provided with three point seat belt. Comments and objections have been solicited from all stakeholders within a period of thirty days.

(c) This Ministry, vide GSR 126(E) dated 15 th  February, 2022, has amended rule 138 of CMVR, 1989 and has prescribed that after one year from the date of publication of the Central Motor Vehicles (Second  Amendment) Rules, 2022, the driver of a motorcycle shall ensure the following safety measures while carrying a child between the age of nine months and four years, on the vehicle as a pillion:(i)  For  children  below  four  years,  Safety  harness  shall  be  used  for attaching the child to the driver of the motorcycle. (ii) The driver shall ensure that the child pillion passenger aged between nine months and four years must wear his own crash helmet which fits his head  or  wear  bicycle  helmet  complying  with  [ASTM  1447]/  [European (CEN) BS EN 1080/BS EN 1078] till such time that the specifications are prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards under the Bureau of Indian

Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2542 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-17
Subject: Trend of Communal Division
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Badruddin Ajmal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2542

## ANSWERED ON 17.03.2022

## TREND OF COMMUNAL DIVISION

## 2542. SHRI M. BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  note  over  continuous  growing  trend  of  hatred  and communal  division  in  the  country  by  some  groups  of  people  against  minorities  especially Muslim community;

(b) whether any step/action has been taken by the Government to stop this trend of hatred in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a)  to  (d)    'Public  Order'  and  'Police'  are  State  subjects  as  per  the  Seventh  Schedule  of  the Constitution of India. The  responsibility of maintaining law and order, registration and prosecution  of  crimes  against  all  citizens  including  minorities,  rests  with  the  respective  State Governments. The Government of India monitors the internal security and law and order situation in  the  country  and  issues  appropriate  advisories  from  time  to  time  to  maintain  peace,  public tranquility and communal harmony. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are deployed to aid and assist State Governments, on their request, to maintain law and order and public tranquility.

The Government of India has issued communal Harmony Guidelines, which, inter-alia lay down standard operating procedure to deal with situations arising out of any violence. These guidelines are aimed to maintain due vigilance, careful planning and preparatory measures to prevent and pre-empt communal or any such type of violence.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2541 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-17
Subject: Palani-Sabarimala Road Project
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2541 ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2022

## PALANI-SABARIMALA ROAD PROJECT

2541.  ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to include any new infrastructure development projects under PM Gati Shakthi National Master Plan (NMP);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  include  the  development  of Palani-Sabarimala road under the PM Gati Shakthi NMP;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the Government has any proposal to include the development of Palani-Sabarimala road under the Pragati platform; and
- (f) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) to (f) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) accorded approval for the implementation of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) on 21.10.2021 for providing multimodal connectivity infrastructure to various economic zones. The plan envisages integration of data of all individual

Ministries (viz. Railways, Roads, Ports, Waterways, Airports,  Mass Transport, Logistics Infrastructure, supported by complementary roles of Energy  Transmission,  IT  Communication,  Bulk  Water  &  Sewerage,  and Social Infrastructure) in common  platform  for integrated planning, monitoring and review of projects.

PM GatiShakti NMP envisages implementation of all infrastructure projects in an optimal manner, improving Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business.  All  infrastructure  projects  included  in  National  Infrastructure Pipeline are covered under PM GatiShakti framework.

At  present,  Palani  (in  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu)  is  connected  with Sabarimala (in the State of Kerala) through National Highway (NH) 183 [Dindigul-Theni-Kumily (Tamil Nadu / Kerala border) - Vandiperiyar] & NH 183A [Vandiperiyar - Sabarimala]. 2 laning of NH-183 with paved shoulder works is in progress.

Ministry is primarily responsible for construction and maintenance of National Highways. Upgradation and development of NH Projects/stretches are taken up on the basis of inter-se priority, traffic, safety, availability of funds, connectivity requirement, viability etc.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2537 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-17
Subject: Exemption of Road Tax on Electric Vehicle
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Balashowry Vallabbhaneni

be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  it  is  true  that  the  Government  has  issued  advisory  to States to exempt road tax on Electric Vehicles; and

(b)  if  so,  the  details  of  States  which  have  implemented  and  those which have not implemented the said advisory and are reluctant to do so along with the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  Yes Sir.

(b)  As  per  information  available  with  the  Ministry,  Uttar  Pradesh, Punjab,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Karnataka,  Haryana,  Gujarat,  Jammu  & Kashmir,  Assam,  Bihar,  Telangana,  Meghalaya,  Rajasthan,  West Bengal, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Delhi have provided concessions at various rates on Road Tax / Registration  charges / Parking Charges to Electric Vehicles.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2537 ANSWERED ON 17 th  MARCH, 2022

## EXEMPTION OF ROAD TAX ON ELECTRIC VEHICLE

2537. SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 2533 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-17
Subject: Artefacts of Air India
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Shrirang Appa Barne, Sudheer Gupta, Bidyut Baran Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

2533

(To be answered on the March 2022) 17th

## ARTEFACTS OF AIR INDIA

2533.

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIV RAO MANDLIK SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has clarified the details regarding the ownership of art
- (b) if so, the details regarding the future of the said art collection;
- (d) whether some artefacts are missing and even available for sale in the market and if so, the details thereof;
- whether some of the artefacts are in a dilapidated condition and are not maintained properly by Air India Officials and if sO, the details thereof;
- (e) whether some former or serving Air India officials are indulged in stealing and selling of such aftefacts in the market; and
- if s0, the details thereof and the action taken/likely to be taken by the Government against such erring Officials?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

(a) and (b): The Government has decided to transfer the art collection of Air India to National Gallery of Modern Art; an organization under Ministry of Culture:

(e): No such instance has come to the notice Of the Ministry:

(c) and (d): Presently, the art collection of Air India is kept in the Air India Building in Mumbai under 24 x 7 CCTV surveillance under the supervision of the security personnel. As per records of Air India, 19 paintings were destroyed in various fire incidents, 02 were scrapped; 01 was broken and few were not traceable. Further, one painting "Flying Apsara" was found stolen/misplaced. A FIR in the case was registered with Delhi Police. The painting was subsequently recovered.

(f): Does not arise in view of (e) above:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2531 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-17
Subject: Bridge over Kanupur Spill Channel
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Jual Oram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2531 ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2022

## BRIDGE OVER KANUPUR SPILL CHANNEL

2531. SHRI JUAL ORAM:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  construction  of  a  bridge  over  the  spill  channel  of Kanupur irrigation project on the Rimuli -Roxy- Rajamunda section of National Highway-52 has been delayed for a long time;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the Government of Odisha has agreed to bear the partial cost of the construction of the bridge; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to expedite the construction work of the bridge?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes Sir.

(b) to (d) Construction  of  Bridge  over  Kanupur  Spill  Channel  was originally planned for execution by Kanupur Irrigation Project Authority, Government  of  Odisha  on  cost  sharing  basis  [National  Highways Authority of India (NHAI):80% :: State Government:20%]. The work was awarded in 2011 but same was terminated due to technical difficulties.

Subsequently,  work  was  awarded  by  NHAI  on  05.05.2021  and same has been started on 18.09.2021 with scheduled completion by March, 2023. The present physical progress of work is 4.5%.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 219 (STARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Marine Pollution
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Pritam Gopinath Munde, Chandra Sekhar Sahu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *219 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 16THMARCH 2022

## MARINE POLLUTION

## *219. DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE: SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state'

- (a) whether India, Australia and Singapore have come together 1to ad ress marine pollution with a focus on plastic debris during the recently concluded J,orkshop;
- (b) if so, the details of the issues discussed therein and the views 0 the various participants during the said workshop; I
- (c) the manner in which this workshop has provided an impetus t9 East sia Summit (EAS) countries for exploring and informing each other ab?ut th challenges, questions and solutions to marine litterespecially plastic = use, design, disposal, recycling, and future collaborations for a plastic-free and lalth Y ocean for sustainable development; and
- (d) the suggestions shared by various participants as to the marner i which the growing problem of marine pollution is to be dealt with in the cJming ears?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN R E,PLYTO PARTS (a) to (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 219 REGARI ING "MARINE POLLUTION" FOR ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY. MARCH 16 202'

- (a) Yes, sir.
- (b) The workshop deliberated on four different themes.
- Magnitude of the marine litter problem: monitoring programs and research on plastic debris in the Indo-Pacific Region \
- Best practices, novel approaches, and solutions to prevent plastic pol ution
- Polymers and plastics: technology and innovations
- Opportunities for regional collaboration to remediate or stop p!astic I ollution

About 100 participants from different countries joined the workshoPl1 held on 14th and 15 th February 2022. The participants agreed that marine l~herporlution being a transboundary problem, it was important for collaborati e actirn plans for combating this menace.

- The workshop created a platform for the different stakeholders like afademicians, researchers, industry, NOOs and policy makers etc., to disc s on \the various challenges, innovations, best practices and technologies bein ado~ted in the respective countries for a plastic free and healthy ocean for sustainable de elopment. (c)
- Some of the notable suggestions shared by the participants to address the growing problem of marine pollution were - knowledge sharing, innovative\technology for the repurposing/recycling of waste, collaboration, public awarene s, ed cation and training, infrastructure and systems to support circular economy. (d)

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 214 (STARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Discontinuation of Halt at Dabra Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 214

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2022

## DISCONTINUATION OF HALT AT DABRA STATION

†*214. SHRI VIVEK NARAYAN SHEJWALKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the halt  of  Gondwana Express has been discontinued at Dabra station, which has resumed operations from 05 July, 2021;
- (b) if so, the facts thereof;
- (c) whether it is the only important train for the people of Dabra and adjoining areas to travel to Delhi; and
- (d) if  so,  the  reasons  for  the  discontinuation  of  the  halt  at  Dabra station  even  after  getting  adequate  revenue  from  this  train  and  the steps taken/likely to be taken to re-instate the halt at this station?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d)  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION  NO.  214  BY  SHRI  VIVEK  NARAYAN  SHEJWALKAR  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 16.03.2022 REGARDING DISCONTINUATION OF HALT AT DABRA STATION (a) to (d)  At present, Dabra is being served by 22 pairs of Mail/Express trains  of  which  11  pairs  connect  it  to  the  National  Capital  Delhi. 12405/06 Bhusawal-Hazrat Nizamuddin Gondwana Express and 12409/10 Raigarh-Hazrat Nizamuddin Gondwana Express have not been provided stoppage at Dabra as the average number of passengers and earnings for  Gondwana  Express  at  the  said  station  is  less  than  the  norms prescribed  in  the  extant  policy  guidelines  relating  to  provision  of stoppages.