opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1501 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Trial Sites for Air Taxis
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1501

(To be answered on the 13 th  February 2025)

## TRIAL SITES FOR AIR TAXIS

## 1501. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

*****

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government has initiated identifying trial sites for air taxis or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and if so, the
- details thereof;
- (b) whether it is also true that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has visited sites in many States in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether it is also true that the Government is looking at a regulatory sandbox within the country in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (c): With a view to promote the Advanced Air Mobility in the country and create an enabling eco-system, a delegation consisting of officers from the Ministry, DGCA and AAI and industry stakeholders recently visited the following potential Sandbox sites in the States of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh:

1. State of Gujarat:
2. (i) Mandvi Airstrip in Kutch
3. (ii) Sabarmati River Front.
2. State of Andhra Pradesh:
5. (i) Kurnool Airport
6. (ii) Puttaparthy Airport.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Setting up of NIFTEM in Nashik
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1497

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH   FEBRUARY, 2025

## SETTING UP OF NIFTEM IN NASHIK

## 1497. SHRI   RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  proposed  to  set  up  a  National   Institute  of Food  Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) in Nashik to boost  its  strong  agricultural  base  and  significant  contribution  to  the  food processing sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  status  of  the  said  proposal  including  feasibility  studies,  surveys  and  data assessments conducted to evaluate Nashik's suitability  for hosting NIFTEM;
- (c) whether the Government has identified  Nashik's potential as a  hub  for  agrobased industries and its strategic location for promoting food technology and entrepreneurship and if so, the details  thereof;
- (d) whether such proposal has been initiated for leveraging Nashik's agricultural prominence and the benefits of NIFTEM to local farmers, entrepreneurs, and industries; and
- (e) if   so,  the  details  of  the  measures   taken  by  the  Government  to  expedite  this process along with timeline  the Government envisions for setting  up such an institute in Nashik ?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SH. RAVNEET SINGH)

- (a): No Sir. No such proposal is under consideration of Government at present.
- (b) to (e): Do not arise in view of  (a) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1494 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Canteens at Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Smt. Mala Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1494

(To be answered on the 13 th  February 2025)

## CANTEENS AT AIRPORTS

## 1494. SMT MALA ROY

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government proposes to set up canteens having affordable rates for the common people at all airports in the country; and (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) & (b): The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has introduced the concept of 'Udan Yatri Cafe' at Kolkata Airport as a new initiative to offer affordable meals to passengers.

The introduction of 'Udan Yatri Cafe' or similar low-cost outlets at other airports is at the discretion of the respective airport operators. Prices of nonaeronautical activities, including food and beverage services, are determined by airport operators and concessionaires based on market dynamics and commercial considerations, as they are not regulated by the Government. Furthermore, 30% of the non-aeronautical revenue (including food and beverages) generated by airports is used to cross-subsidize aeronautical charges, leading to lower ticket prices for passengers.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Flights from Mohali Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Malvinder Singh Kang

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1492

(To be answered on the 13 th  February 2025)

## FLIGHTS FROM MOHALI AIRPORT

## 1492. SHRI MALVINDER SINGH KANG

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is taking measures to increase international flight operations from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Mohali, especially to countries with significant Punjabi diaspora such as Canada, USA, UK and Australia;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  the  steps/initiatives  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  upgrade the infrastructure at the said airport which serves as a major gateway for international passengers; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) & (b) International flight operations are governed by bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and the respective countries. In accordance with ASA, Indian designated carriers are free to mount operations to/from any international airport including Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh to foreign destinations as per mutually agreed capacity limits. However, the start of international flights from any point in India is purely a commercial decision of the airlines on the basis of economic viability of the route and other associated factors.
- (c) & (d) Upgradation/ modernisation of airports is a continuous process and is  undertaken by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other Airport Operators/Developers from time to time depending on the availability of land, commercial viability,  socio-economic  considerations,  traffic  demand  /

willingness of airlines to operate to/from such airport. Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL) has initiated steps for construction of Southern Taxi Track Part-ll, relocation of integrated cargo terminal,  extension  of  apron  along  with  integrated  cargo  terminal, construction  of  Terminal  Building  Phase-ll,  construction  of  MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) Unit of aircraft, construction of Flight Kitchen/Hotel & Fuel Farm for Airlines facilitation, construction of General Aviation Terminal for VIP Movements/Chartered Flights etc. at Chandigarh Airport.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Promotion of Energy Efficient BLDC Ceiling Fan
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Pushpendra Saroj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1488 ANSWERED ON 13.02.2025

## PROMOTION OF ENERGY EFFICIENT BLDC CEILING FAN

1488. SHRI PUSHPENDRA SAROJ:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  in  view  of  rapid  urbanization  and  rising  temperatures  in  the  country energy efficient Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) ceiling fan are being promoted to meet country  Nationally  Determined  Contributions  (NDC)  and  manage  Distribution  Company (DISCOM) peak loads and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether  in  view  of  overall  social  benefits  the  Government  is  considering  to introduce new and additional financial incentives, especially for domestic and commercial  consumers  and  mandate  the  DISCOMS  for  large-scale  replacement  of conventional fans and adoption of super-efficient fans in a time-bound manner and if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) : Bureau  of  Energy  Efficiency  (BEE),  a  statutory  organization  under  Ministry  of Power, has been implementing the Standards and Labelling (S & L) program for ceiling Fan under mandatory regime. The existing program includes sweep size of 600 mm to 1500 mm and covers 4261 models of 492 Brands of ceiling fans. During financial year 2023-24, approximately 79 lakhs 4 & 5-star rated ceiling fans were manufactured, out of which 65 lakhs are Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) fans.

Further,  Energy  Efficiency  Services  limited  (EESL),  a  joint  venture  company  of Public  Sector  Undertakings,  under  the  Ministry  of  Power  has  taken  initiatives  for promotion of energy efficient BLDC fans and about 1.0 lakhs BLDC fans have been sold by EESL across India.

- (b) : No such incentive is being considered by Ministry of Power.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1486 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Ethanol Blended Fuel
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1486

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 th  FEBRUARY, 2025

## ETHANOL BLENDED FUEL

## 1486. DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

## पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢी

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

- (a)  whether the Government has a plan to push for higher ethanol blended fuel, assuming that it is greener and economically better for our country and if so, the details thereof along with scientific data; and
- (b)  whether the Government has noticed the fact that the process of ethanol production is quite polluting and growing sugarcane to produce ethanol wastes scarce cropland and even scarcer water and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢालय मᱶ रा᭔य मंᮢी ( ᮰ी सुरेश गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

- (a) The National Policy on Biofuels- 2018, amended in 2022, inter-alia advanced the target  of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol to Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26 from 2030  thereby  accelerating  adoption  of  ethanol  blending  in  petrol.  The  'Roadmap  for Ethanol  Blending  in  India  2020-25'  has  estimated  that  a  successful  E20  (20%  ethanol blending in petrol) programme can save the country about 4 billion US Dollar (USD) per annum. The Roadmap had also estimated reduction of carbon monoxide emission of about 50% in two wheelers and 30% in four wheelers through using E20 compare to E0 (neat petrol). Hydrocarbon emissions are estimated to reduce by 20% in both two wheelers and passenger cars.
- (b) The National Policy on Biofuels promotes and encourages use of feedstocks such as corn, cassava, rotten potatoes, damaged food grains like broken rice, food grains unfit for human consumption, maize, sugarcane juice & molasses, agriculture residues (Rice straw, cotton  stalk,  corn  cobs,  sawdust,  bagasse  etc.).  The  extent  of  utilization  of  individual feedstock for ethanol production varies annually, influenced by factors such as availability, costs,  economic  feasibility,  market  demand,  and  policy  incentives.  The  Government  is encouraging  farmers  to  diversify  from  water  intensive  crops  like  rice,  sugarcane,  etc.  to more  sustainable  crops  like  maize  for  ethanol  production.  The  'Roadmap  for  Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25' has also noted that technological advancements have made it possible for molasses-based distilleries with incineration boilers and grain-based distilleries to become zero liquid discharge (ZLD) units, resulting in negligible pollution.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1485 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Outer Ring Road Project around Anantapur
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri G Lakshminarayana

be pleased to state:

- (a)     the current status of the Outer Ring Road project around Anantapur, including its scope and the stages of development;
- (b)     the total funds allocated for the project and the amount spent so far;
- (c)     the expected timeline for completion of the Outer Ring Road and its expected benefits for traffic management and connectivity;
- (d)     whether there have been any delays or challenges in the execution of this project and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)     the steps being taken to expedite the completion of the Outer Ring Road around Anantapur?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)   As of now, no such proposal is under consideration by the Government or has been received from the State Government. (b) to (e)    Does not arise.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1485 ANSWERED ON 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2024

## OUTER RING ROAD PROJECT AROUND ANANTAPUR

1485.         SHRI G LAKSHMINARAYANA:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 1480 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Lapses from Airlines on Flawed Pilot Pairing
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1480

(To be answered on the 13 th  February 2025)

## LAPSES FROM AIRLINES ON FLAWED PILOT PAIRING

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

1480.

PROF. SOUGATA RAY

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government/DGCA has noticed instances of lapses from various airlines on flawed pilot pairing;
- (b) if so, the details thereof during the last five years, airline-wise;
- (c) the details of action taken so far to control/check such instances; and
- (d)  whether the Government/DGCA has any mechanism to check such instances and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) to (d): During the last five years one incident has been noticed by DGCA on flawed pilot pairing. Details are as follows:

M/s Air India has reported a serious scheduling incident vide email dated 10.07.2024 regarding the non-line released trainee first officer paired with a non-trainer line captain pilot to operate AI 921 dated 09.07.2024 on Bombay to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Airport flight.

DGCA has imposed fines on M/s Air India for flawed pilot pairing. Details are as follows:

1.  DGCA  imposed  the  penalty  of  Rupees  Six  Lakhs  on  the  Director Operations,  M/s  Air  India  on  23.08.2024.
2.  DGCA imposed the penalty of Rupees Three Lakhs on the Director training, M/s Air India. Additionally, a six-month suspension order was issued
3. to the Director training, M/s Air India on 23.08.2024.
3. DGCA imposed the penalty of Rupees Ninety Lakhs on the Accountable

manager, M/s Air India on 23.08.2024. DGCA already has a system of annual surveillance program (ASP) which includes en-route surveillance/ Regulatory audits/ Spots checks/ unplanned inspection/Night Surveillance checks/ Quality assessment checks/ cross regional  checks/  Main  base  inspections,  etc.  to  ensure  continuing organizational, as well as individual professional competency of license/ rating/ certificate/ approvals. Annual surveillance program is risk based oversight surveillance plan, prepared by determining the types of inspections necessary, number of enforcement action taken and the frequency of those inspections.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1479 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Status of PM-eBus Sewa Scheme
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Asaduddin Owaisi

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1479 TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 13, 2025

## STATUS OF PM EBUS SEWA SCHEME

NO. 1479.

SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of the PM eBus Sewa Scheme along with the total number of electric buses deployed under the said scheme since its inception, state and year-wise;
- (b) the  details  of  funds  disbursed  under  the  said  scheme,  State  and  year-
- wise; and
- (c) the number of electric buses deployed under the said scheme in Telangana, particularly in Hyderabad?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF SATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

- (a) 7293  electric  buses  approved  for  cities  across  14  States  and  4  Union Territories. An amount of ₹983.75 crore has been sanctioned for the development of power and civil depot infrastructure, out of which ₹563.34 crore has been sanctioned for power infrastructure in 66 cities and ₹420.40 crore for civil depot  infrastructure in 64  cities.   Deployment  of  electric  buses  is dependent upon readiness of associated depot infrastructure and fulfilment of
- the conditions precedent mentioned in PM-eBus Sewa Tender.
- (b) ₹437.50 crore has been disbursed for the development of power and civil infrastructure  in  7  States  and  1  Union  Territory  in  Financial  Year  202425 (details enclosed in Annexure-I).
- (c) As  per  the  Scheme  guidelines,  2  cities  of  Telangana  namely,  Warangal and  Nizamabad  are  eligible  for  100  and  50  e-buses  respectively.  However, these cities have not participated under the Scheme. Cities having population more than 40 Lakhs as per census 2011 including Hyderabad are not eligible under the scheme.

*****

Annexure I

| Sr. No   | State/UT    | 1st Tranche released (Rupees in Crore )   | Year         |
|----------|-------------|-------------------------------------------|--------------|
| 1        | Bihar 87.55 | Financial Year 2024-25                    |              |
| 2        | 9.06        | Financial Year 2024-25                    | Gujarat      |
| 3        | 11.87       | Financial Year 2024-25                    | Chandigarh   |
| 4        | 6.47        | Financial Year 2024-25                    | Assam        |
| 5        | 30.18       | Financial Year 2024-25                    | Chhattisgarh |
| 6        | 200.18      | Financial Year 2024-25                    | Maharashtra  |
| 7        | 47.72       | Financial Year 2024-25                    | Odisha       |
| 8        | 44.46       | Financial Year 2024-25                    | Rajasthan    |
|          | Total       | Rs.                                       | 437.50       |
Lok Sabha Question No. 1478 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: PM Gati Shakti in Gujarat
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1478 ANSWERED ON 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025

## PM GATI SHAKTI IN GUJARAT

1478. SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:

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

be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of implementation of the PM-Gati Shakti scheme in the State of Gujarat, district-wise; and
- (b) the major initiatives taken by the Government to expedite implementation of the PM-Gati Shakti scheme in the State?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  to  (b)  All  the  National  Highways  (NHs)  development  projects  in  the country including the projects in the state of Gujarat are planned in line with  Pradhan  Mantri  (PM)  Gati  Shakti  -  National  Master  Plan  (NMP) Principles.

Government  has  taken  significant  initiatives  for  use  of  the  PM GatiShakti NMP portal for planning and development of National Highway (NH)  projects  in  the  country  including  the  state  of  Gujarat,  which  are summarized as under:

- (i) Geographical  Information  System  (GIS)  based  NH  network  and other infrastructure components have been uploaded on the portal;
- (ii) API integration of NMP portal with Project Monitoring Portals of the Project  Monitoring  Information  System  (PMIS)  and  Data  Lake  has been completed;
- (iii) DPR preparation using the NMP portal has been made mandatory irrespective of the size of the NH project.
- (iv) Standard  Operating  Procedures  (SOPs)  have  been  developed  for preparation  of  DPRs  for  NH  development  projects  using  multiple tools  available  on  NMP  portal  for  project  planning,  alignment optimization and validation based on Area Development approach.
- (v) More than 1,000 login credentials have been created for providing access of the NMP Portal to the officers of the project executing agencies  such  as  National  Highways  Authority  of  India  (NHAI), National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Border Roads Organization (BRO) and State Government Officers dealing with NH projects.
- (vi) Various familiarization workshops as well as Hands-on Workshops for using NMP portal for NH projects have been organized from time to time for the officers of the executing agencies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Operation of Flights from Thanjavur Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Murasoli S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1476

(To be answered on the 13 th  February 2025)

## OPERATION OF FLIGHTS FROM THANJAVUR AIRPORT

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

the details of the airlines granted permission under the UDAN scheme to operate from Thanjavur airport along with the list of routes identified for the said airlines?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

## 1476.

SHRI MURASOLI S

be pleased to state:-

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

Thanjavur (Tanjore) Airport, owned by the Indian Air Force was identified for the operation of RCS flights in the 2nd round of bidding under the UDAN scheme.

Under the UDAN 4.2 round of bidding, the routes connecting Thanjavur (Tanjore) to Bangalore and Chennai have been awarded to Air Taxi for the operation of RCS flights.

*****