opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1323 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Promotion of Traditional Handicraft
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Ramesh Bidhuri

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1323 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2022

## PROMOTION OF TRADITIONAL HANDICRAFT

## 1323. SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  for  the  development  and  promotion  of  traditional handicrafts industry in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  formed  any  Schemes/  programmes  for  the  benefit  of  traditional handloom factories and their workers; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर्

## )

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

- (a) & (b): The Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) implements 'National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP)' and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme  (CHCDS)  for  development  of  handicraft  in  a  holistic  manner  and  to  provide  sustainable livelihood opportunities to the artisans. The NHDP and CHCDS has following components:
1. Marketing Support & Services
2. Skill Development in Handicrafts Sector
3. Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana
4. Direct Benefit to Artisans
5. Infrastructure and Technology Support
6. Research and Development
7. Mega Cluster
- (c) & (d): The  Office  of  Development  Commissioner  (Handlooms)  is  implementing  following schemes  for  development  and  promotion  of  handloom  sector  and  welfare  of  traditional  handloom weavers and workers across the country: -
1. National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)
2. Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS)

Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided to the eligible handloom agencies/weavers  for  raw  materials,  purchase  of  looms/accessories/lighting  units,  construction  of worksheds, MUDRA  loans  at  concessional rates, design development, common  infrastructure development,  marketing  of  handloom  products,  developmental  projects,  registration  of  handloom projects under Geographical Indication Act, promotion of Handloom Mark and India Handloom Brand etc.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1321 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Increase in Rates of Food in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Haji Fazlur Rehman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1321

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2022

## INCREASE IN RATES OF FOOD IN TRAINS

†1321. SHRI HAJI FAZLUR REHMAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  Board  has  increased  the  rates  of  tea  and  food along with special meals in trains, and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b)  the  details  of  the  rate  hike  in  Shatabdi/Rajdhani/Duronto  and  other Express trains and the profit likely to be earned by the Railways as a result of the said hike in prices?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a): No, Sir. The menu and tariff of catering services comprising all meals including morning/ evening tea with snacks in Rajdhani/ Shatabdi/ Duronto trains and Standard Meals in other Mail/ Express trains are charged vide Commercial  Circular  No.  60  of  2019.  The  rates  of  tea  and  coffee  are charged vide Ministry of Railways' Commercial Circular No.53 of 2018. No rates of tea and food along with special meals in trains has been revised.

These  circulars  entail  detailed  guidelines  and  are  available  on Indian Railways' website https://indianrailways.gov.in.

(b): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1318 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Nuclear-Energy Powered Electricity
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Sanjeev Kumar Singari, Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1318

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2022

## NUCLEAR-ENERGY POWERED ELECTRICITY

1318.  DR. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI: SHRI  P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the percentage increase in the share of nuclear-energy powered electricity in the country since 2014;
- (b) whether this share has largely remained stagnant during the last two decades and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government towards ensuring long-term energy security through utilization of nuclear energy?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  share  of  nuclear  energy  in  the  total  electricity  generation  in  the country has remained around 3 to 3.5% since 2014. However, the actual commercial  generation has increased from 34162  Million Units in calendar year 2014 to 43918 Million Units in calendar year 2021.
- (b) The share of nuclear power has remained around 3 to 3.5% of the total electricity generation in the last two decades, thus keeping pace with the growth of total electricity generation in the country. The share of nuclear power in total electricity generation depends on the generation by nuclear power units and that by all electricity generating technologies. The share of  nuclear  power  in  the  total  electricity  generation  is  planned  to  be increased by adding more nuclear power capacity in the country.

- (c) India is pursuing an indigenous three-stage nuclear power programme to provide the country long term energy security in a sustainable manner. In addition,  Light  Water  Reactors  based  on  foreign  cooperation  are  also being  set  up  as  additionalities.  An  expansion  programme  for  nuclear power is being undertaken to provide the country clean electricity.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1317 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Sleeping Pod Services
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Vijayakumar (alias) Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1317 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2022

## SLEEPING POD SERVICES

## 1317. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR (ALIAS) VIJAY VASANTH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has any proposal to provide sleeping pod services to passengers at subsidized rates in some railway stations in the country;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof, zone-wise and the salient features thereof;
- (c) the other steps,  if  any,  taken  by  the  Railways  to  provide  quality accommodation/retiring rooms, railway enquiry-cum-information centres and other essential services to all kinds  of travellers at affordable rates at  major  railway  stations  across  the  country  including  Nagercoil  and Kanyakumari railway stations in Tamil Nadu;
- (d)
- (e)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) & (b): In pursuance of Indian  Railways continuous efforts and  endeavour to provide improved passenger amenities at railway stations, Mumbai division of Western  Railway,  in  collaboration  of  Indian  Railway  Catering  &  Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and M/s. Urban Pod Pvt. Limited, Mumbai has commissioned  POD/capsule type retiring rooms and dormitories with modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, luggage room, washrooms, Television, adjustable airconditioner,  interior  &  reading  lights,  smoke  detector,  mobile  charging  slots etc.  at  Mumbai  Central  (MMCT)  station,  on  experimental  basis  at  reasonable rates. Moreover, the process for development and operation of Sleeping Pods at Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Lokmanya Tilak (Terminus) stations has been initiated by Central Railway.

(c)  to  (e):  Retiring  Room  and  Dormitory  facilities  are  available  at  reasonable rates  at  major  railway  stations  across  the  country,  including  Nagercoil  and Kanyakumari stations in  Tamil Nadu. Online booking facility of retiring room is also  available.  At  certain  stations,  Retiring  rooms  and  dormitories  have  been handed over to IRCTC for maintenance and upgradation with modern facilities to ensure better comfort and convenience  of passengers. Enquiry  cum information  counters  have  been  set  up  at  major  railway  stations  including Nagercoil  station,  for  dissemination  of  information  to  passengers.  However, augmentation/upgradation of passenger amenities/facilities/services at railway stations is a continuous process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1316 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Volume of Passenger Traffic at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shyam Yadav Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1316 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2022

## VOLUME OF PASSENGER TRAFFIC AT STATIONS

1316.     SHRI SHYAM SINGH YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  maintains  any  data  regarding  the volume of passenger traffic that a railway  station experiences on a daily, monthly and yearly basis; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  district-wise  for  the  State  of  Uttar Pradesh for each railway station?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) Yes, Sir.
- (b) District and State-wise details are not maintained.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1315 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Purchase Policy
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UiTSTARRED  QUESTION 1{O.{ 3{ 5 TO BE AISWERED  ON  gYHFEBRUARY,2O22

## PURCHASE  POLICY

## I315. SHRI RAJI'Y RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH:

Wilt the llltinister of GONSUMER AFFAIRS' FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIoN 5qfilfal arrd, urc-rr 3tk grffi6, Aa{q d+ be pleased  to state:

- (a)  whether Food Gorporation of lndia (FG!) is revising their  policy regarding purchase of grains from farmers based on molsture and If so, the details thereof;
- whether the present norms and the revised norms of moisture is a
- (b) harassment of farmens and they are losing moneyl and
- (c)  if so, whether the Government  ptans  to protect the farmerc on this issue and if sor the details thereof?

## ANSIYE R THE MINISTER  OF STATE CONSUMER  AFFAIRS' FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (sHRr ASHWTNT  KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a):  A High Level Experts Gommittee comprising the members from Department of Food and Pubtlc Distributionr Food Gorporation of lndia (FGl), Bureau of lndian Standards (BlS)r Food Safety and Standalds Authority  of lndia (FSSAI), Indian Gouncit  of Agricultural  Research (IGAR)I lndian lnstitute of Food Processing  Technology (llFT)r lndian lnstitute of Technology (llT) and  experts from other relevant fields has been constituted by the Govemment  in order to revisit the existing  quality specifications  including moisture content.
- No Sir. (b):
- Does not arise ln view of (b) above. (c):
Lok Sabha Question No. 1314 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Rotting of Foodgrains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Ravi Kishan Shukla, Ravindra Kushawaha

## Mrl{tsTRY OF CONSUMER  AFFATRS, FOOD &  pUBLtc  D|STRIBUTION

## GOVERNMEI{T OF !ND!A DEPARTMEilT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.I3{4 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 9r|{FEBRUARY,  2022

## ROTTING OF FOODGRAINS

11314.  SHR! RAV! KTSHAN:

SHRI RAVINDRA  KUSHWAHA:

Will the Minlster of  GONSUIUIER  AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLtc DISTRIBUTIoN Ssstrrar arr*, ur<-r ritr  gresfr+ fud{ur d'* be pteased to state:

- (a)  whether large quantity of food grains gets rotted every year in FGI godowns due to shortage  of such godovyns  ln the country;
- (b) if so, the details  thereof; and
- (c)  the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER THE MTNISTER OF STATE GONSUilER AFFAIRS, FOOD AilD PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(sHR! ASHW!il!  I(UMAR GHOUBEY)

- (a): No Sir.

(b) & (c):  Do not arise in view of (a) above.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1313 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: 5G Technology
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Locket Chatterjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1313 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2022

## 5G TECHNOLOGY

## 1313.   MS. LOCKET CHATTERJEE:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the time by which the 5G technology network facility will be available for consumers;
- (b) the current status of infrastructure for rolling out the 5G Technology in the country; and
- (c) the details of the estimated amount being spend for creating such infrastructure?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Launch  of  5G  mobile  services  is  likely  during  2022-23  by  Telecom  Service Providers (TSPs). The infrastructure required for rolling out 5G technology in the country is to be developed by the Telecom Service Providers based on the growth of ecosystem and demand for services. The investment for creating infrastructure for rolling out the 5G Technology by the TSPs will depend on their techno-commercial considerations.

****

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1312 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Development Grant Fund
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: R.K. Singh Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1312 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2022

## DEVELOPMENT GRANT FUND

## †1312. SHRI R.K. SINGH PATEL:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  Development  Grant  Fund  released  by  the  Government  for Aspirational districts in the country, particularly for  Chitrakoot,  Fatehpur  and Sonbhadra districts of Uttar Pradesh during each of the last three years and the current year, year-wise;
- (b) whether  any  fund  meant  to  provide  assistance  for  the  development  of  Aspirational districts is pending with the Government; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFAIRS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) As the main strategy of the Aspirational Districts Programme is based on convergence of existing schemes which have their own funding arrangement, infusion of additional fund, or any fund known as the Development Grant Fund, is not envisaged under the programme. In order to foster a competitive spirit, and for addressing the critical gaps, additional  allocation  on  the  basis  of  performance  is  envisaged  This  is  given  in  the form of a performance grant and it is seen as an incentive to the district concerned with  a  view  to  instil  a  sense  of  competition  among  them  to  perform  better.  Every month, districts are assessed on the basis of monthly progress and the best performing Districts in overall terms and in each of the five sectors are identified. The first and second rankers in overall terms are awarded ₹10 crores and ₹5 crores respectively. The first ranker from each of the five sectors is awarded ₹3 crores each. Based on the performance grant as mentioned above, districts undertake specific projects to address critical  need  felt  by  them.  Under  this  arrangement,  District  Chitrakoot  has  received about ₹5.99 crore and District Fatehpur has received about ₹11.15 crore. As regards Sonbhadra District, while it has performed well on different occasions, no additional fund  has  been  allotted  to  it  as  the  project  guidelines  stipulate  that  districts  having District  Mineral  Funds  (DMF)  in  excess  of  ₹30  crore  a  year  are  not  eligible  for receiving the abovementioned additional grant.
- (b) &(c):As per the project guidelines, once the districts concerned become eligible for the  additional  allocation  on  basis  of  performance,  they  are  to  formulate  a  plan  of action  by  listing  projects  to  be  funded  by  such  grant.  These  plans  of  actions  are approved by an Empowered Committee which meets frequently. As of now, all plans of action finalised by the districts have been sanctioned and there is no pendency.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1309 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Kishore Vaigyanic Protsahan Yojana
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1309

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09/02/2022

## KISHORE VAIGYANIC PROTSAHAN YOJANA

## 1309. SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

Will  the  Minister  of  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY ǒव£ान और Ĥौƭोिगकȧ मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), a national programme of fellowship in basic  science is being conducted in  regional languages on date;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, whether the Government is considering for conducting the same in all scheduled languages in the near future; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

ǒव£ान और Ĥौƭोिगकȧ तथा पृØवी ǒव£ान मंğालय क े राÏय मंğी ( èवतंğ Ĥभार) (डॉ . ǔजतɅġ िसंह)

- (a) & (b):  No  Sir.  Presently,  the  Kishore  Vaigyanik  Protsahan  Yojana (KVPY),  a  national  programme  of  fellowship  in  basic  sciences  is  being
- conducted in Hindi and English languages.
- (c)  & (d):  KVPY  Aptitude  test,  being  a  test  for  science  stream  students involving scientific terminologies, Government is exploring the possibilities to conduct it in as many scheduled languages as possible, including finding alternate arrangements which will have lesser stress on students and their parents.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1308 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Allocation of Funds to Startups
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Kalyan Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1308. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 9 TH     FEBRUARY, 2022.

## ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO STARTUPS

## 1308.  SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the number of startups funded during the last six years since 2015-16;
- (b) the details of allocation of funds, year-wise, State-wise;
- (c) the details of progress and current financial status of these startups; and
- (d) the number of startups funded at the seed stage in the year 2021-22 and till December 2021?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

Many Ministries/ Departments of Govt of India and State governments have  implemented  Schemes  for  funding  and  supporting  startups  in different sectors and areas. Details of funding or progress of startups is

- (a) to (c): not centrally maintained.

To provide seed funding to startups through approved incubators across all  sectors  and  areas,  the  Startup  India  Seed  Fund  Scheme  was launched by Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade on 16th April, 2021. A grant of Rs. 945 crore has been approved for period of  4  years  starting  from  2021-22  under  the  Scheme.  As  on  31st December, 2021, Rs. 232.75 crore have been approved as grant to 58 incubators,  and  146  startups  have  been  funded  by  such  approved

- (d): incubators.

Information about seed funding from other schemes of Ministries/Departments of Government of India or State Governments is not maintained centrally.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1307 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Consumer Welfare Fund
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1307 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2022

## CONSUMER WELFARE FUND

## 1307. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has information on the progress in various States with regard to constitution of Consumer Welfare Corpus Fund; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the States which have not implemented the said scheme?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री अश्विनी क ु मार चौबे)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) & (b)   : Yes Sir.  As on 31.1.2022,  total 17 Sates viz. Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West  Bengal,  Bihar,  Nagaland,  Karnataka,  Tamil  Nadu,  Madhya  Pradesh,    Kerala,  Haryana, Jharkhand,  Telangana,  Rajasthan,  Sikkim,  Mizoram  and    Tripura  have  established  Consumer Welfare (Corpus) Fund in their respective States.  Remaining States/UTs viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,   Chhattisgarh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh,  Uttarakhand,  Andaman  &  Nicobar  Islands,  Chandigarh,  Dadra  &  Nagar  Haveli  and Daman  &  Diu,  Delhi,  Jammu  &  Kashmir,  Lakshadweep,  Puducherry  and  Ladakh  have  not established the  Corpus fund in their States/UT.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1305 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Internet Shutdowns
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Feroze Varun Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1305 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2022

## INTERNET SHUTDOWNS

## 1305.   SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Union  Government  does  not  maintain  records  relating  to telecom services/ internet shutdowns ordered by State Governments, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government recognises that the non-maintenance of such data prevents the Government from ascertaining whether the shutdowns have been made in accordance with the 2017 Suspension Rules and the order by the Supreme Court, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has made no efforts to maintain such data in spite of the rules having  been  framed  in  2017,  and  with  numerous  internet  suspensions  having  been  imposed across the country, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, the Union Government does not maintain records relating to telecom services/internet shutdowns ordered by the State Governments.
- (b) The Review Committee chaired by Chief Secretary of the respective State Governments is  mandated through Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 to ascertain that the shutdowns have been made in accordance with the said Rules.
- (c) The  Temporary  Suspension  of  Telecom  Services  (Public  Emergency  or  Public  Safety) Rules,  2017  does  not  mandate  the  Central  Government  to  maintain  any  centralized  data  of internet suspensions.

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