opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2367 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: BharatNet Scheme
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Sanjay(Kaka) Ramchandra Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2367 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15 TH  MARCH, 2023

## BHARATNET SCHEME

## 2367.   SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  intends  to  implement  BharatNet  scheme  through  Public-Private Partnership model in sixteen States of the country;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the details of the reasons for exclusion of other States from the same; and

(e) the  details  of  the  other  measures  proposed  to  be  taken  to  improve  the  implementation  of BharatNet scheme?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity  to  all  Gram  Panchayats  (GPs)  in  the  country.  The  Union  Cabinet  on  30.06.2021 accorded approval for a revised strategy for implementation of BharatNet through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in 16 States of the country covering about 3.61 lakh villages (including GPs). Global Bids were invited on 20.07.2021 for implementation under PPP model and opened on 27.01.2022, however, no response was received.

The scope of BharatNet project has recently been extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in all the States/UTs in the country with the completion timeline as 2025.

(e) In order to fast-track progress under the BharatNet project the following steps have inter-alia been taken:

- Strict monitoring of the project at various levels by Universal Service Obligation Fund, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited/ Bharat Broadband Network Limited with implementing Agencies for speedy roll out of the project.
- Resolving all pending issues in expeditious manner.
- Revised strategy formulated for covering all GPs and villages for connecting on OFC, O&M and utilisation.
- A pilot project for rolling  out  5  lakh  FTTH  connections  to  rural  households  has  been launched in October 2022 and 1.95 lakh FTTH connections have been provided to rural households.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2364 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Demand to Shut Down Kudankulam Nuclear Plant
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2364

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2023

## Demand to Shut Down Kudankulam Nuclear Plant

2364.  SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a demand for shutting down of nuclear plant at Kudankulam due to unsafe storage of spent nuclear fuel;
- (b) if so, the details of action taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether  the  Supreme  Court  has  directed  to  sort  out  the  problem  of  storing spent nuclear fuel with the help of experts and the State Government of Tamil Nadu;
- (d) if so, the response of the Government thereto; and
- (e) the details of action  taken  by  the  Government  in  this  regard  including construction of Away from Reactor (AFR) facility at Kudankulam Plant to avoid the risk of catastrophe?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There  has  been  a  demand  to  shutdown  Kudankulam nuclear  power  plant  by some groups.
- (b) NPCIL  has  made  detailed  submissions  to  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  court  with regard to construction of Away From Reactor Facility in KKNPP 1 & 2.
- (c) The Hon'ble Supreme court has not passed any such order.
- (d) Does not arise, in view of (c) above.

- (e) An  elaborate  regulatory  consenting  process  and  guidelines  of  AERB  are complied  for  the  design,  construction,  commissioning  and  operation  of  AFR facilities  in  India.  The  AFR  facility  is  designed  with  a  comprehensive  safety approach to withstand extreme natural events like earthquake and tsunami with large safety margins. It is designed to ensure that there would be no adverse impact on plant personnel, general public or the environment as such facilities already exist at other sites.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2363 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Private Sector in Space Industry
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Kamlesh  Paswan

## (a)

## & (b)

Yes, Sir. Government envisages enhanced participation of private sector  in  conducting  end-to-end  space  activities  in  the  space sector. Participation of private sector including academic institutions, Start-ups and Industries in space industry is expected to expand the national space economy, generate more employment opportunities, create a thriving space ecosystem and result  in  increased  Indian  share  in  the  global  space  economy  in long term.

****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2363

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2023 PRIVATE SECTOR IN SPACE INDUSTRY

## 2363.  SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  allows  private  sector  in  the  space industry; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  benefits  of  private  sector  participation  in the space industry?

## ANSWER

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

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2361 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Rent-Contracts for Post Offices
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Abdul Majeed Ariff

- (a) No, Sir.
- (b) Does not arise in view of (a) above.
- (c) No, Sir. There is no such case.
- (d) The Government has not issued any orders regarding curtailment of leave benefits of postal employees.

****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2361 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15 TH  MARCH, 2023

## RENT-CONTRACTS FOR POST OFFICES

## 2361.   ADV. A.M. ARIFF:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the Government has instructed not to renew the rent-contracts of several post offices in Kerala functioning in rented buildings leading to their closure, if so, the details thereof including the names of such post offices;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that such short-sighted decision will bring hardships to common people including senior citizens to avail the postal services, if so, whether the Government will reconsider its decision not to renew the rent-contracts of such post offices;
- (c) whether the Government of Kerala has agreed to provide space for several post offices in the State so as not to close them, if so, the details of such post offices and the action taken thereon; and
- (d) whether it is true that leave benefits of postal employees have been curtailed including hiring of the services of personnel on contract basis, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2359 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Forecast of Cloudburst
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak, Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2359

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 15 TH  MARCH, 2023

## FORECAST OF CLOUDBURST

2359.       SHRI MANOJ KOTAK: SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  establish  a  mechanism  to  predict  and  judge  the cloudburst  forecasts  to  curb  the  damages  of  natural  wealth  and  loss  of  lives  since cloudburst forecasts are still elusive;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has initiated any step such as long-term measures for mapping of cloudbursts prone regions through automatic rain gauges; and

## ANSWER

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

- (a)-(b) Cloudbursts are short lived extreme weather events  in which heavy rainfall occurs over very  small  areas  (20-30  sq.km.)  at  a  very  faster  rate  (100mm/hr).  In  India,  cloudbursts occur  during  monsoon  season  over  orographically  dominant  regions  like  Himalayan region, northeastern states and Western Ghats. Prediction of cloud burst is a challenging task.  This  is  mainly  attributed  to  small  size,  short  duration  and  sudden  development  of thunderstorm and also due to the complexity of associated atmospheric processes which prevail  in tropical regions  like India. Due to that, cloudbursts are not predictable across the world.

India  Meteorological Department (IMD) monitors the thunderstorm activities  leading to cloud burst through its surface observation network and Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network. The DWR observations are available in every ten minutes in the form of cloud images  and  velocity  of  winds  over  the  region  under  the  range  of  the  radar.  It  helps  in monitoring  and  issuing  nowcast  related  to  thunderstorm  activities.  High  resolution Numerical  Weather  Prediction  (NWP)  models  are  also  available  with  IMD  to  provide forecast on occurrence of thunderstorm in short range. The warnings are made available to State Government and general public through various modes of dissemination including social media, so as to take precautionary measures.

- (c) & (d)  Cloud bursts are highly localized and are of very short duration. Most of the cloudbursts occur over  very  remote  inaccessible  sites  in  hilly  region.  Due  to  these  reasons  most  of them remain unobserved and unreported and due to the lack of sufficient real-time data or information, cloudburst prone map for India is not available at present.

*****

- (d) if so, the details thereof?
Lok Sabha Question No. 2357 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Relaxing Norms of Moisture Content for Paddy Procurement
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: S. Ramalingam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2357

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 15TH MARCH, 2023

## RELAXING NORMS OF MOISTURE CONTENT FOR PADDY

## PROCUREMENT

## 2357 . SHRI RAMALINGAM S:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

- (a) whether the Government had   planned to accord permission for relaxing norms on moisture content for paddy procurement based on the request of Tamil Nadu Civil   Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) under the decentralised procurement scheme, if SO, the details thereof;
- (b) the  steps taken by the Government for procurement of paddy directly from the farmers of the State of Tamil Nadu including Thanjavur
- and Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts this year;
- the of paddy and other crops procured by the various in the State of Tamil Nadu during the last five
- (c) quantum procurement agencies years; and
- the number of procurement centres set up by these agencies in the
- (d) country during the last two years?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a): Based on the request received from the State Government of Tamil Nadu and analysis results of Paddy samples collected & analyzed by the joint team, the Government'of India has allowed to procure Paddy of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2022-23 (for Kharif crop only) by allowing relaxation in the refractions of Moisture Content upto 19%  against the existing limit ie. 17% for the districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Trichy on 28.10.2022 and upto 20 % for districts i.e. Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam;, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukkottai, Cuddalore, Ariyalur and Tiruchirappali, Tamil Nadu on 23.02.2023.

- (b): In total 2,856 Direct Purchase Centres (DPCs) have been set up this year including Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts of Tamil Nadu to procure paddy directly from farmers:
- (c): The details on the quantum of paddy procured by the various procurement agencies in the State of Tamil Nadu during last five years are as under:

| Year      |   Procured quantity of Paddy under Central Pool (in LMT) |
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| 2017-2018 |                                                    14.61 |
| 2018-2019 |                                                    19.03 |
| 2019-2020 |                                                    32.41 |
| 2020-2021 |                                                    44.9  |
| 2021-2022 |                                                    27.58 |

(d): A total of 2,731 and 3,182 DPCs were set up by various agencies in the state of Tamil Nadu during the year 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 respectively-
Lok Sabha Question No. 2356 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Aspirational Blocks Programme
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Gaddam Ranjith Reddy, Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2356 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2023

## ASPIRATIONAL BLOCKS PROGRAMME

2356.   DR. G. RANJITH REDDY:

SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether building on the success of the Aspirational Districts Programme, the Government  has  recently  launched  the  Aspirational  Blocks  Programme  covering  500 blocks for saturation of essential Government services across multiple domains such as health, nutrition, education, agriculture, water resources, financial inclusion, skill development and basic infrastructure;
- (b) if so, the details thereof  and  the  progress  made  till  now  along  with  the  funds sanctioned/spent in each district till date, State-wise;
- (c) the details of blocks which are likely to be covered under Aspirational Blocks programme in the State of Telangana, district-wise; and
- (d) whether the Government has taken Statespecific contextual needs for better filling the critical gaps in the blocks and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) Yes, the Aspirational Blocks Programme was launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 7th January, 2023 and is based on the template of the Aspirational Districts Programme.
- (b) The  Aspirational  Blocks  Programme  is  in  the  initial  phase  of  implementation  and  no funds has been sanctioned till date under this programme.

- (c) The district-wise details of blocks which are likely to be covered under the Aspirational Blocks Programme in Telangana are provided in Annexure I .
- (d) Yes, in order to take into account the state-specific contextual needs, States are free to choose indicators over and above the common indicator framework of the Aspirational Blocks Programme.

*****

## List of Blocks Selected in the State of Telengana

| District                 | Block         |
|--------------------------|---------------|
| Bhadradri-Kothagudem     | Gundala       |
| Mahabubabad              | Gangaram      |
| Nirmal                   | Pembi         |
| Jayashankar Bhupalapally | Maha Mutharam |
| Jayashankar Bhupalapally | Permila       |
| Jayashankar Bhupalapally | Kannaigudem   |
| Jogulamba Gadwal         | Ghattu        |
| Narayanpet               | Narwa         |
| Kumuram Bheem -Asifabad  | Tiriyani      |
| Adilabad                 | Narnoor       |

## Annexure I
Lok Sabha Question No. 2353 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Production of Salt
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Ranjeeta Koli, Balak Nath, Sumedhanand Saraswati, Manoj Rajoria

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2353. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 15 TH  MARCH, 2023.

## PRODUCTION OF SALT

## 2353.  SHRIMATI RANJEETA KOLI:

SHRI BALAK NATH:

DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether salt is being produced in sufficient quantity in the country including Rajasthan;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any survey  or  research  is  being  carried  out  by  the  Government  to increase the production of salt in the country including Rajasthan;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to formulate any new plan for development of salt industry;
- (f) if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) the steps taken for the welfare of salt industry workers in Rajasthan?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes Sir,
- (b): Salt produced during the last 03(three) years in the country, including Rajasthan is as under
- (g): The repeal of Salt Cess Act, 1953 in 2016, has led to an increase in the salt production  being  managed  by  the  States  as  well  as  private  parties,  over  a period  of  time.  Some  of  the  schemes  being  implemented  in  the  country including  Rajasthan  for  the  welfare  of  salt  industry  workers  along  with expenditure  during  the  last  year  and  budget  allocation  of  the  present  year are as under:

| Year    |   Production of Salt (In Lakh MT) |
|---------|-----------------------------------|
| 2019-20 |                            280.58 |
| 2020-21 |                            265.63 |
| 2021-22 |                            265.99 |

(Source; Salt Commissioner Organization)

- (c): No sir.

(d): Doesn't arise.

(e): No sir.

(f): Doesn't arise.

|    | S.No.Name of Schemes/Year                                    | 2021-22 (Expenditure)   | 2022-23(Budget allocation)   |
|----|--------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------|
|  1 | Training for Technology upgradation                          | Rs.4.87 lakhs           | Rs.6.0 lakhs                 |
|  2 | General Health cum Eye- camps for salt industry laborers     | Rs.2.49 lakhs           | Rs.3.0 lakhs                 |
|  3 | Sports meet for salt industry laborers                       | Rs.1.0 lakh             | Rs.1.5 lakhs                 |
|  4 | Grant of rewards to the meritorious children of salt workers | Rs.28.83 lakhs          | Rs.34.00 lakhs               |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: BSNL Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: T. R. Paarivendhar, P.R. Natarajan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2352 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15 TH  MARCH, 2023

## BSNL SERVICES

## 2352.   DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR: SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) has taken necessary efforts to provide 3G, 4G and 5G services across the country with the required advanced infrastructure under Atmanirbhar Bharat initiation of the Government of India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of towers purchased through Expression of Interest (EOI) and commercial negotiations and balance to be purchased;
- (c) the details of the timeline fixed for providing 3G, 4G and 5G services advanced infrastructure facilities to compete with the foreign and Indian private telecom giants; and
- (d) the details of the fund provision made and utilised so far from the revival plan for BSNL?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Sir, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is providing 3G services since February 2009. Further, in line with Atmanirbhar initiative of the Government, BSNL was directed to deploy Indian core for 4G on the recommendations of Empowered Technology Group (ETG) . Accordingly, BSNL floated tender on 22-10-2022 for 1 lakh 4G sites. The bid was opened on 23.11.2022. The evaluation of the bid has been concluded and is under final stage of approval. 4G services will be started within 18-24 months after placing the Purchase Order. This 4G network is upgradable to 5G and 5G services of BSNL will be started after roll out of 4G services.

- (d) There is budget provision of Rs. 33,269.01 Crores in Revised Estimate (RE) under capital head for BSNL & MTNL, against which the expenditure is Rs. 26,386.44 Crores till 28.02.2023. For Viability Gap Funding under Revenue head, the budget allotment is Rs. 18,127 Crores (RE), out of which Rs. 13,789 Crores have been utilized till 28.02.2023.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2350 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Allocation and Utilization of Fund under NHDP
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2350

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2023

## ALLOCATION AND UTILIZATION OF FUND UNDER NHDP

## 2350. SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state :

- (a) the details of the amount allocated and utilized under National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) particularly in the State of Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) the details of the number of beneficiaries selected under the scheme in the State; and
- (c) the number of programmes that have been implemented under the component 'Skill Development in Handicrafts Sector' of NHDP?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

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

- (a) & (b): The details of fund sanctioned and beneficiaries supported through 'National Handicrafts Development Programme' (NHDP) in the state of Andhra Pradesh in the financial year 2021-22 is as follows .
- (c): Total  828  programmes  have  been  implemented  under  the  component  of  Skill  Development under NHDP Scheme during the financial year 2021-22.

| Fund Sanctioned (Rs. In lakh)   | Artisans Benefitted   |
|---------------------------------|-----------------------|
| 1,535.65                        | 3,671                 |

****