opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 511 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-20
Subject: Private Train Service from Coimbatore to Shirdi
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sukanta Majumdar, Raja Amareshwara Naik, Bhola Singh, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Rajveer (Raju Bhaiya) Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 511 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2022

## PRIVATE TRAIN SERVICE FROM COIMBATORE TO SHIRDI

## 511.  DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJU BHAIYA):

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  India's  first  private  train  recently  started  its  maiden service  from  Coimbatore  to  Shirdi  under  the  Bharat  Gaurav Scheme ;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof ;
- (c) whether  the  rates  of  the  above  train  are  on  par  with  regular train    ticket rates charged by the Indian Railways;
- (d)     if so, the details thereof ;
- (e)    the number of trains proposed under the Bharat Gaurav Scheme so  far  along  with  those  approved  and  the  details  of  rejected proposals ;
- (f) whether the Government is planning to introduce other private trains in the country ; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken by the Government in this regard ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) and (b) :   No, Sir. However, the Ministry of Railways have issued the  'Bharat  Gaurav  Trains'  policy  with  the  objective  to  'showcase India's rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the

people of India and the world through Bharat Gaurav Trains (theme based  tourist  circuit  trains).  Under  the  said  policy,  maiden  Bharat Gaurav train was operated on Coimbatore-Mantralayam-ShirdiCoimbatore route by a registered service provider.

- (c)  and (d) : No, Sir.  Bharat Gaurav Trains are theme- based tourist circuit trains. As such, these trains are distinct from regular trains. Under  the  scheme,  the  Service  Provider  offers  a  comprehensive package with facility  of  rail  transportation,  accommodation,  meals, local  road  transport,  sightseeing  etc.  The  Service  Provider  also manages back-end services  such  as  marketing,  booking  of  tickets, catering,  accommodations,  etc.  under  their  internal  arrangements following Good Industry Practice .
- (e) :   Under Bharat Gaurav policy, so far 03 rakes have been allotted to  service  providers  against  registered  demands.  No  request  for allotment of rakes has been rejected.
- (f) :   No, Sir. At present, there is no such proposal under consideration to operate regular passenger  trains, over Indian Railways, by private operators.

(g) :   Does not arise.

* * * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 509 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-20
Subject: Public Grievances
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Sanjay Seth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS & PUBLIC GRIEVANCES)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 509

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2022)

## PUBLIC GRIEVANCES

## †509. SHRI SANJAY SETH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  public  grievances  registered  during  the  last  one  year  from  the  State  of Jharkhand and the number of grievances resolved therefrom;
- (b) whether any monitoring mechanism has been set for redressal of grievances at the State level;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the public grievances registered with the Union Government disposed of in Jharkhand along with the level at which these grievances have been disposed of?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):      During  the  last  one  year  (from  01.07.2021  to  30.06.2022)  total  11194  grievances  were registered and total 8991 grievances were disposed on Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) pertaining to Government of Jharkhand.
- (b)  &  (c):    At  state  level  State  Nodal  Grievance  officers  are  designated  for  monitoring  the grievance received through CPGRAMS. Further, review meetings are being held on regular basis with the state governments for monitoring the pendency and disposal of grievances on Central Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS).
- (d):  The details of public grievances, disposed of by Government of Jharkhand on CPGRAMS in previous years are as under:-

| Year                   |   No. of grievances disposed |
|------------------------|------------------------------|
| 2020                   |                        21452 |
| 2021                   |                        15693 |
| 2022 (till 30.06.2022) |                         3613 |

The grievances are disposed by the concerned grievance officers designated at different levels.  In  Jharkhand  total  2598  Grievance  Officers  are  designated  for  disposal  of  public grievances received through CPGRAMS.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 508 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-20
Subject: GeM
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Raja Amareshwara Naik, Bhola Singh, Sukanta Majumdar, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Rajveer (Raju Bhaiya) Singh, Jayanta Kumar Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 508 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 th  JULY, 2022

## GeM

508.   SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

SHRIMATI SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJU BHAIYA):

DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has given its approval for expanding the mandate of GeM to allow procurement by Cooperatives as buyers on GeM and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government  has  formulated  the implementing  strategy, targets, expenditure, beneficiaries, etc.;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the other steps being taken by the Government for the effective implementation of the GEM?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) : Yes, Sir. Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 01.06.2022 has given its approval for expanding the mandate of GeM to allow procurement by Cooperatives as buyers on GeM.

(b) and (c): Yes, Sir. The implementation strategy has been finalized in consultation with Ministry of  Cooperation.  The  proposal  will  benefit  about  27  Crore  people  associated  with  8.54  Lakh Cooperative Societies. Further, there is no additional expenditure burden for the Government since the onboarding process as buyers on GeM is free.

(d) : Government has amended the General Financial Rules 2017 (GFR) and made a provision under Rule  149  for  enabling  procurement  of  Goods  and  Services  through  GeM.  GeM  is  an  evolving platform  and  regular  enhancements  are  being  made  keeping  in  view  the  requirements  of stakeholders. The Board of GeM regularly oversees the functioning of the portal.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 507 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-20
Subject: E-Commerce Platforms
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy

## Government of India Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 507

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2022

## E-COMMERCE PLATFORMS

## 507. SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY:

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 proposes to evolve a proper mechanism for conducting regular checks of ecommerce platforms to ensure compliance with rules relating to display of Maximum Retail Price (MRP), seller details, name of manufacturer and country of origin on products offered for sale on the websites;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the present status in this regard; and
- (c) if not, the reasons for delay, if any, therein and the corrective steps taken in this regard?

## 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)  to (c)   : The  Legal  metrology  (Packaged  Commodities)  Rules  2011  under  the  Legal  Metrology Act, 2009 provides that an E-Commerce entity shall ensure that name and address of the manufacturer or packer or importer, maximum Retail Price (MRP), Country of Origin, Common or Generic name of the  commodity,  Net  Quantity,  Month  and  Year  of  manufacture,  Customer  Care  details  etc  shall  be displayed on the digital and electronic network used for e-commerce transactions.  This is to ensure that the consumer is taking an informed and conscious decision based on the declaration of the product on the E-Commerce platform.

For violations of declaration by e-commerce companies, 38 notices during the period of 16 th October,  2022  to  31 st December,  2020,  232  notices  during  the  period  1 st January  2021  to  31str December, 2021 and 178 notices during the period 1 st January, 2022 to 11 th July, 2022 have been issued by the Legal Metrology Division, Department of Consumer Affairs and an amount of approximately Rs. 77,  90,500/-  in  the  form  of  compounding  fees  has  been  realized  from  e-commerce  companies.  State Governments are also empowered to take actions in cases of violation of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities), Rules 2011.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 506 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-20
Subject: Operation of train from Darbhanga to Ajmer Sharif Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gopal Jee Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 506 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2022

## OPERATION OF TRAIN FROM DARBHANGA TO AJMER SHARIF STATION

†506. SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  a  train  from  Darbhanga  station  to  Ajmer  Sharif  station (15237/38) was announced in the budget of 2014;
- (b) if so, whether the operation of the said train has not yet started;
- (c) the action taken by the Railways in the direction of introducing the said train; and
- (d)  the  date  by  which  the  operation  of  the  said  train  is  likely  to  be started between the said stations?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d)    Yes,  Sir.    Introduction  of  a  weekly  service  between Darbhanga  and  Ajmer  had  been  announced  in  the  Railway  Budget, 2012-2013.    The  train  number  05537/05538  Darbhanga-Ajmer  Special Express (weekly) is being operated w.e.f. 20.07.2022.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-20
Subject: Uranium Mining
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Bellana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 502

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2022

## Uranium Mining

502.   SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR BELLANA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether the Government has permitted Uranium mining in Nallamala forest;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof;
- (c)     whether the Government has permitted Uranium mining inside Amrabad Tiger Reserve;
- (d)     if so, the details thereof;
- (e)     whether the Government has permitted Uranium mining in the catchment  area of river Krishna;
- (f)     if so, the details thereof; and
- (g)    the remedial action plan in case of uranium contamination in these areas?

## ANSWER

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

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

- (a) No Sir.
- (b) In view of (a) does not arise.
- (c) No Sir.
- (d) In view of (c) does not arise.
- (e) No Sir.
- (f)  In view of (e) does not arise.
- (g) In view of the answers at (a) to (f), answer to question (g) is not applicable.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 500 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-20
Subject: Rice Shipments
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Dushyant Singh

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 500. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 20 TH  JULY, 2022.

## RICE SHIPMENTS

## 500.   SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  blockade  of  Indian  rice  shipments  to seaports for export of rice to foreign countries due to shortage or unavailability of freight trains;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details of the contracts/deals cancelled by Indian rice exporting traders with foreign traders from 01/11/2021 to 30/06/2022;
- (d) the details of India's planned rice exports for the month of July 2022 and the tonnes of basmati and non-basmati rice that got stuck from December 2021 to July 2022 due to shortage of freight trains; and
- (e) whether the Government has made any alternate mode of transport to ship the rice to seaports to address the shortage of freight trains, if so , the details of the arrangements made and if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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) & (b): A representation was received from the trade about the non-availability of rakes.
- (c) to (e): No Specific information in this regard has been received from the trade. Most of the export of rice takes place from South East Central Railway (Chhattisgarh area) to Kakinada Port. The details of loading of rice from

south East Central Railway (SECR) to Kakinada port from November 2021 to June 2022 are as under :

| Month          |   No. of rakes loaded from SECR with rice to Kakinada port |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| December, 2021 |                                                         43 |
| January, 2022  |                                                         73 |
| February, 2022 |                                                         74 |
| March, 2022    |                                                         68 |
| April, 2022    |                                                         65 |
| May, 2022      |                                                         66 |
| June, 2022     |                                                         84 |
| Total          |                                                        473 |

In July, 2022 till date, there are sufficient number of rakes, but 100% loading interalia depends upon weather conditions, availability of ships and infrastructure at Kakinada Port.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-20
Subject: Merchandise Trade Deficit
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Manickam Tagore B

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 497 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 th  JULY, 2022

## MERCHANDISE TRADE DEFICIT

## 497.   SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

Will  the  Minister  of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India's merchandise trade deficit widened to a record $ 23.53 billion in May, 2022 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the previous highest monthly trade deficit was $ 22.91 billion in November, 2021 and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the merchandise imports have crossed $ 60 billion and the growth continuously rose three months in a row recently; and
- (d) whether the  imports  are  likely  to  stay  high  in  absolute  terms  as  commodity  prices  see  a renewed uptick; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a): India's merchandise trade deficit was US$ 24.2 billion in May 2022.
- (b): The previous highest monthly trade deficit was US$ 22.4 billion in September 2021.
- (c): Merchandise imports were US$ 60.1 billion in April 2022,  US$ 63.2 billion in May 2022 and US$ 66.3 billion in June 2022.
- (d) & (e): Imports take place to meet the gap between domestic production and supply, consumer demand and preferences for various products.  Many imports are inputs for further manufacturing in India. The Government keeps a watch on the overall deficit and takes measures periodically to address it.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 496 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-20
Subject: Bela Rail Factory in Chapra
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.496 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2022

## BELA RAIL FACTORY IN CHAPRA

## 496.  SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Bela Rail Factory in Chapra, Saran has been constructed and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  with  the  production  capacity,  expansion scope and investments made therefor;
- (b) whether  a  railway  track  has  been  constructed  to  connect  the  rail factory  to  Nayagaon  Station  for  transportation  of  wheels  made  in  the factory; and
- (c)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  with  the  number  of  rakes  used  for transportation  including  outflow  of  manufactured  goods  and  inflow  of raw materials during the last five years, number of trips taken so far, the average frequency of utilization of this track including the length of the track and average speed maintained thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) The construction work of Rail Wheel Plant, Bela was started in 2008 and the factory was commissioned in 2014. Presently, the factory has production capacity of 1 lakh wheel discs per annum and 67 acres of land is available for expansion. The work is sanctioned at a latest cost of ₹ 1639.50 crores and an expenditure of ₹ 1582.61 crores is made till Jun' 2022.

(c) The details of utilisation of the railway track connection Rail Wheel Plant, Bela and Nayagaon Railway Station is provided below:

(i) Outflow of manufactured goods in last 05 years.

|   Year | Trips   |
|--------|---------|
|   2021 | 01 Rake |

(ii) Inflow of raw materials  in last 05 years

|   Year | Trips    |
|--------|----------|
|   2017 | 04 Rakes |
|   2018 | 07 Rakes |
|   2019 | 07 Rakes |
|   2020 | 10 Rakes |
|   2021 | 18 Rakes |

(iii)  Average frequency of utilisation of the railway track is 10.8 rakes per Year.

(iv)  Length of the railway track is 6.5 Km.

(v)   Average speed maintained on the railway track is 10 kmph.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 495 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-20
Subject: Welfare of Weavers
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## WELFARE OF WEAVERS

## 495. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state :

(a) whether the condition of weavers especially Handloom weavers in the country including those of Maharashtra has become pathetic due to the Covid-19 pandemic;

(b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  protect  the  weavers  especially  handloom weavers and also prepared any action plan for their welfare;

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government is taking any steps to supply free electricity for the handloom weavers in the State of Maharashtra; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् ) THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

(a) to (c): Ministry of Textiles is implementing the following schemes to promote the handloom sector and welfare of weavers across the country.

1. National Handloom Development Programme;
2. Raw Material Supply Scheme;

Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided to the eligible handloom agencies/weavers for  raw  materials,  Common  infrastructure  development,  marketing  of  handloom  products  in domestic/overseas  markets,  loans  at  concessional  rates,  scholarship  to  the  weavers'  children  and support in indigent circumstances to Awardees etc.

To facilitate growth of handloom workers, the Government has taken following steps:

-  The  Government  of  India  announced  a  special  economic  package  viz.,  Aatma  Nirbhar  Bharat Abhiyaan in 2020 for boosting economy of the country and making India self-reliant. Relief and credit support measures were announced for various sectors. Benefits of these reliefs and credit support  measures  to  revive  their  businesses  were  available  to  eligible  weavers  and  Handloom organizations.
-  The States and UTs have been requested for their State Handloom Corporations/Cooperatives/Agencies to make purchases from the finished inventory available with the handloom weavers.
-  Steps have been taken to on-board weavers on Government e-Market place to enable them to sell their products directly to various Government Departments and organizations. So far, about 1.5 lakh weavers have been on-boarded on the GeM portal.
-  Under Concessional Credit/Weaver MUDRA Scheme, financial assistance is provided as follows:
- a. Margin money assistance @20% of loan amount, subject to maximum of Rs. 25,000/- per weaver. @20% of loan amount, subject to maximum of Rs. 20 lakh (@Rs. 2 lakh for every 100 weaver/worker) per handloom organisations.
- b. Interest subvention upto 7% for 3 years; and
- c. Credit Guarantee on loans for 3 years

(d) & (e): There is no scheme for providing free electricity to the handloom weavers.  However, Solar Lighting Units as part of Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata (HSS) items are being provided under National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP).

***