opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4770 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Digitisation of Ration Cards
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Sunil Dattatray Tatkare

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

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4770 To BE ANSWERED ON 29TH MARCH, 2023

## DIGITISATION OF RATION CARDS

## 4770. SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

- (a) whether the Government is implementing a scheme on end-to-end Computerization of TPDS Operations on cost sharing basis with all States and if sO, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the current status of digitization of ration cards in the State of Maharashtra;
- (c) the details of the funds allocated by the Government for the said programme to the State of Maharashtra;
- (d) the details of the fund ratio of both the State and Union Governments for this purpose;
- (e) whether the Government has achieved the target set for the completion of digitization of ration card throughout the country; and
- if so, the details thereof?

## A NSWE R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER

## AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a): Yes Sir. 'End-to-end Computerisation of TPDS Operations' had been implemented on cost sharing basis with the States/UTs: Government approved the Scheme in October 2012 with budget provisioning of Rs.884.07 crore to be implemented during 2012-17, which includes Government of India's share of Rs. 489.37 crore and The validity of the scheme was extended upto 31.03.2020.
- (b): All 1.55 crore ration cards of Maharashtra State have been digitized:
- (c): A total amount of Rs. 31.38 crore was released to the State Government of Maharashtra as first instalment (Rs.20.92 crore in 2013-14) and second installment (Rs.10.46 crore in 2016-17) of central share under the Scheme on 'End-to-end Computerisation of TPDS Operations' .
- (d): 'End-to-end Computerisation of TPDS Operations' scheme had been implemented in all States/UTs on cost sharing basis: In case of NE States; cost is shared between Gol and States on 90:10 basis while in other States/UTs cost sharing is on 50:50 basis:
- (e) & (f): AII 19.5 crore ration cards have been digitized  throughout the country: Hence, 100%   completion has been achieved with   respect to digitization of ration cards in the country:

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4767 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Movements of Fertilizers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mahesh Sahoo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4767

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## MOVEMENTS OF FERTILIZERS

## 4767. SHRI MAHESH SAHOO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  there  is  a  lack  of adequate facilities at rake points for movement of fertilizer, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Railways conducted an audit in this regard, if so, the findings thereof;
- (c) whether the Railways ensures that proper approach road with necessary electrification be done at such places; and
- (d) if  so,  the  steps  taken/to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to improve the facilities?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The  existing facilities at rake points for fertilizer movement  are  adequate  for  present  level  of  traffic.  Facilities  are inspected through internal process of scheduled inspections. Approach Roads to the goods shed are outside Railway's premises and concerned authorities are regularly advised about maintenance and  upgradation  of  the  same.  Improvement  of  facilities  at  rake points is a continuous process.  Ministry of Railways has proposed ₹ 12000 crore under Umbrella work for upgradation/modernization of infrastructure at goods sheds for 2023-24.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4766 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Introduction of New Trains from Bihar
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ajay Kumar Mandal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4766

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## INTRODUCTION OF NEW TRAINS FROM BIHAR

†4766. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  taken  any  steps  to  improve  connectivity from Bihar to other States, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  East  Central  Railway  and  Eastern  Railway  Zone  have proposed to introduce more trains from Bihar to cities of other States in the past years in view of the increasing demand for more trains, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  any  request/proposal  has  also  been  received  from  Eastern Railway to include Bhagalpur station in the route of Agartala Rajdhani, which is beneficial for public and the same will bring in more revenue to Railways; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  time  by  which  the  Government  proposes  to  run  Agartala Rajdhani via Bhagalpur station?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d) Indian Railways (IR) does not operate train services on Statewise  basis  as  railway  network  straddles  across  state  boundaries. Proposals  for  starting  new  trains  and  diversion  of  trains,  including Rajdhani trains, received from Zonal Railways are  examined  and depending upon traffic pattern, operational feasibility, competing demands, resource availability etc., trains are introduced / diverted and this is an ongoing process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4764 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Bharat Gaurav Train to North Eastern Region
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kripanath Mallah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4764

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## BHARAT GAURAV TRAIN TO NORTH EASTERN REGION

4764.       SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  launch  Bharat  Gaurav Train to North Eastern Region;
- (b)
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof;
- the number of States likely to be covered in the North East;
- (d)    whether the Government is proposing to cover Assam and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the time by which it is likely to be launched?

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

- (a)  and (b)  Yes, Sir. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has  operated  'North  East  Discovery:  Beyond  Guwahati'  tour  under Bharat Gaurav Train scheme  from Delhi Safdarjung station on 21.03.2023 covering various destinations of North Eastern region.
- (c)  The tour will cover five states in the North Eastern region of the country.
- (d)    Yes,  Sir.  The  tour  will  cover  Guwahati,  Sivasagar,  Jorhat  and Kaziranga in Assam.
- (e)  The 15 days Bharat Gaurav Train tour has already commenced on 21.03.2023 and will end on 04.04.2023.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4763 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Gap in Skill Level
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Jyotsna Charandas Mahant

## GAP IN SKILL LEVEL

## 4763. SHRIMATI JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:

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

- (a) whether any survey has been conducted for the analysis of gap in skill levels in view of the shortage of skilled workers in the textile industry of the country;

(b) whether any scheme has been launched for the resolution of skill training to meet this gap in skill level;

- (c) if so, the details of the textile sectors in which skill training and skill upgradation is being promoted under the above schemes; and

(d) the details of the number of people of Chhattisgarh who got benefited/employed under the above said scheme?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

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

(a) to (c): A skill gap analysis in textile and clothing sector of India was conducted by the Textiles Committee  in  May  2018.  It  is  estimated  that  under  an  optimistic  scenario  there  would  be  training requirement for 177 lakh workers till 2030. In order to address the skill gap across various segments in textiles sector excluding spinning & weaving, Ministry of Textiles is implementing Samarth - Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector. The scheme is being implemented through State Government Agencies, Textile Industries, Industry Associations and Sectoral Organizations of Ministry of Textiles. The  objective  of  the  scheme  is  to  provide  demand  driven,  placement  oriented  National  Skill Qualification  Framework  (NSQF)  compliant  skilling  programmes  to  incentivize  and  supplement  the efforts to the industry in creating jobs in the organised textile sector and to provide skilling and skillupgradation  in  the  traditional  textile  sectors.  The  Scheme  was  launched  in  2017-18  and  has  been extended upto March, 2024.

(d): A total of 1,642 beneficiaries have been trained in Chhattisgarh as on 25.03.2023 under Samarth Scheme, out of which 1,174 beneficiaries have been provided placement.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4762 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Growth Rate
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4762 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## GROWTH RATE

## 4762. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME

IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Index  of  Industrial  Production  (IIP)  has  consistently understated  the  growth  in  industrial  output  over  the  past  decade  as stated by the National Statistical Commission (NSC)-appointed committee headed by Mr. Sudipto Mundle;
- (b) if so, the reasons thereof and the quantum/estimate of how much the IIP has been understated;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  overall  index  is occasionally skewed by the inexplicable growth rate in its constituents and thus has reliability issues;
- (d) if so, whether the Government is planning to commission a renewed audit or accept the recommendations of the N.S Sastry-led statistical audit; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## 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 AFFAIRS [RAO INDERJIT SINGH]

- (a) & (b): The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is a short-term indicator that reflects the changes in volume of goods produced over time. IIP follows a robust methodology as per International Recommendations for Index of Industrial Production (IRIIP), 2010. To capture the structural changes  in  the  economy,  the  Government  periodically  reviews  and revises the base year of IIP.
- (c) to (e): The recommendations of the N.S Sastry led statistical audit were considered while developing the methodology and framework for current series of IIP with base year 2011-12, by the Working Group on Base Revision of IIP.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4761 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Integrated Food Security Scheme
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

Lok SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4761 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29TH MARCH, 2023

## INTEGRATED FOOD SECURITY SCHEME

## t4761. SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

- (a) whether the Government has launched the new Integrated Food Security Scheme from 01 January 2023;
- if so, the number of beneficiaries going to be provided with free foodgrains during 2023 across the country, particularly in Gujarat under the new scheme of National Food Security Act; and
- (c) whether the said scheme is likely to strengthen the provisions of NFSA, 2013 in terms of access, affordability and availability of foodgrains for the poor and weaker sections of the country's population?

## ANSWE R

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

(a) to (c): The Central Government to remove the financial burden of the poor beneficiaries and to nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of the Act, has decided to provide food grains free of cost to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households (PHH) beneficiaries under NFSA, for a period of one year beginning from Ist January 2023. As per Central Government decision, inter-alia two food subsidy schemes have been subsumed as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): Under this scheme Free foodgrain is being distributed through Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) from Ist January 2023.The National Food Security Act, 2013 provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population, which at Census 2011 comes to 81.35 crore persons: At present, against the intended coverage of 81.35 crore, 80.11 crore beneficiaries are identified by the StateslUTs under the 3.44 crore beneficiaries are identified by the State Govt: of Gujarat: The Coverage under the Act is substantially high to ensure that all the vulnerable and needy sections of the society get its benefit:

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4758 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: BSNL Personnel
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4758 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH  MARCH, 2023

## BSNL PERSONNEL

## 4758. SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that the retirees whose date of birth falls on the next day (first day of the following month) of superannuation were retired without their due annual increment in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL);

- (b) if so, the details thereof, year/telecom circle-wise;
- (c) whether  the  grant  of  notional  increment  w.e.f.  first  day  of  the  following  month  of  their retirement which counts for pension benefit is under consideration of the Government; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) For drawing increment, an employee is required to be on duty on the day on which the increment falls due. Therefore, no increment is due to BSNL employees whose date of birth falls on the next day (first day of the following month) of superannuation, as they cease to be in service on the day on which the increment falls due.

(c) & (d) No such proposal is under consideration in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). As per Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) Office Memorandum dated 03.02.2021, an employee would not be entitled to draw any increment, if it falls due after the date of retirement, be it on the next day of retirement or sometime thereafter.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4757 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Introduction of Sleeper Version in Vande Bharat Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mimi Chakraborty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4757 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## INTRODUCTION OF SLEEPER VERSION IN VANDE BHARAT TRAINS

4757. MS. MIMI CHAKRABORTY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  replace  Rajdhani,  Tejas,  Humsafar, Gatiman and Shatabdi trains with Vande Bharat trains;
- (b) if so, the details therein;
- (c)  whether  there  is  any  proposal  of  the  Government  to  introduce  sleeper version in Vande Bharat in long journeys over 500 kms running distance and if so, the details therefor;
- (d) the expected difference of fare to be charged in comparison to Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has any proposal to introduce private participation in  train  operating  services  under  special  business  model  thus  generating employment and contributing to social welfare with the updated Bharat Gaurav trains project, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) and (b) No, Sir.  The 10 pairs of Vande Bharat services, operationalised, as of 24 th  March, 2023, have been introduced as new services on their respective sectors and are not replacement of existing services.

(c)  Sleeper  version  of  Vande  Bharat  Trains  is  planned  for  middle  and  long distance  journey.  Design  for  the  same  is  in  progress  and  prototype  rake  is expected to be turned out in 2023-24. (d) At present, the Vande Bharat Fare is available only for AC Chair class and Executive class.  Basic fare of AC Chair class of Vande Bharat Express is 1.4 times of basic fare of AC Chair class of Shatabdi train and for Executive class 1.3 times of basic fare of Executive class of Shatabdi trains. (e)  Indian  Railways  (IR)  have  issued  Bharat  Gaurav  Trains  (BGT)  policy  on 23.11.2021  with  an  objective  to  showcase  India's  rich  cultural  heritage  and magnificent historical places through theme based tourist circuit trains, which has a multiplier  impact  on  employment  generation  in  tourism  and  hospitality sector.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4756 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Geospatial Portal Bhuvan
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Kuruva Gorantla Madhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4756 GEOSPATIAL PORTAL BHUVAN

## 4756.  SHRI KURUVA GORANTLA MADHAV:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  features  of  the  indigenous  Geospatial  Portal Bhuvan;
- (b) the details  of  the  progress  made  thereunder  including  the significance of the same; and
- (c) the  other  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

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

****

- (a) Bhuvan portal has features for visualization of satellite data and value-added thematic services pertaining to Disaster Management support, Weather, Ocean Sciences, Asset Mapping, Planning and Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, Location
- based services, framework for collaborations and mashups. As of  now,  Bhuvan  possess  100+  layers  of  satellite  data,  15 different thematic datasets, disaster specific data, weather and climate data, 100+ million rich point of interest, 190+ Web GIS applications,  APIs  and  Analytics,  AI  ML  solutions,  open-source solutions,  multi-lingual  platform  with  18  lakh  unique  users  and 550 million total hits every month.
- (b) Since the inception of Bhuvan in 2009 and being one stop Indian EO  portal,  Bhuvan  has  been  upgraded  with  state-of-the-art infrastructure, its content, dissemination mechanism, governance application, citizen centric application and currently focusing its activities on data analytics platform.  Bhuvan supports around 40 flagship programmes of Government of India and several State level applications.
- (c) Other measures being taken includes sharing of Bhuvan services and high resolution satellite data as a Web Map Services (WMS) to  industry  and  start-ups  through  IN-SPACe,  improved  citizen centric  applications  by  densifying  civic  amenities  information and urban infrastructure, strengthening of mobile friendly services and end-to-end applications development.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4755 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Policy for Coal Mining Closure
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4755 TO BE ANSWERED ON- 29.03.2023

## Policy for Coal Mining Closure

## 4755.   Shri Asaduddin Owaisi:

## Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government plans to formulate a policy on the issue of coal mine closure based  on  Just  Transition  for  All  principles  considering  the  social,  physical  and environmental effects on the region and the way of sustenance of livelihood of people dependent on it;
- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this direction;
- (c) whether the Government plans to set up a separate Just Transition Committee to build this policy framework instead of the Sustainable Development Cell and Just Transition Section;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the Government plans to set up more eco parks on closed coal mine sites as part of mine tourism?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF COAL, MINES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) & (b): In  India,  transition  away  from  coal  is  not  happening  in  foreseeable  future. Although India pushes for renewable/non-fossil-based energy, but share of coal in the energy basket  is  going  to  remain  significant  in  years  ahead.    India  continues  to  augment  its  coal production for meeting its increasing energy needs. Total coal consumption in India is yet to peak. The Economic Survey 2022-23 projects production of 1 billion tonnes of coal by FY26 and about 1.5 billion tonnes by 2030. It is expected that coal demand may continue to rise here onward and may peak around 2040. Despite thrust on renewable, coal continues as a primary source of energy to meet the growing development needs of India. Thus, as of now there is no scenario of transition away from coal affecting any stakeholders involved in coal mining.

The social, physical and environmental aspects relating to the coal mines are adequately dealt as per the provisions made in mine closure guidelines.

- (c) & (d): No, Sir. There is no plan to set up a separate Just Transition Committee. The Ministry of Coal has already set up Sustainability & Just Transition Division to deal with the matters of sustainable development initiatives and Just Transition.
- (e): Yes, Sir.

******