opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2224 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Regulations on OTT Platforms
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Ms. S Jothimani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2224

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025

## REGULATIONS ON OTT PLATFORMS

2224. MS. S JOTHIMANI:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  stricter  regulations  on  digital content, particularly  regarding  obscene  material  on  OTT  platforms,  in response to recent public concerns;
- (b)  the  specific  measures  being  proposed  to  regulate  digital  content  while ensuring a balance between content moderation and creative freedom; and
- (c)  whether  consultations  have  been  held  with  stakeholders  including  OTT platforms  and  content  creators  regarding  the  proposed  regulatory  changes and if so, the details of the key outcomes?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## (DR. L MURUGAN):

(a) to (c): The Government has notified Information Technology (Intermediary  Guidelines  and  Digital  Media  Ethics  Code)  Rules,  2021  (IT Rules,  2021)  on  25th  February,  2021  under  Information  Technology  Act, 2000. Part-III  of  these  Rules,  administered  by  Ministry  of  Information  and Broadcasting, provides for a Code of Ethics for publishers of online curated content  (OTT  platforms)  which,  inter  alia,  requires  the  publishers  not  to transmit any content which is prohibited by law for the time being in force and to undertake age based self-classification of content into 5 categories, based on general guidelines provided in the Schedule to the Rules. Besides, Section 79(3)(b) of IT Act, 2000   provides for notification by appropriate Governments of unlawful act or content to the intermediaries for removing/disabling access to such content. Regarding  obscene  content  on  OTT  platforms,  the  Government  takes action against such content under the existing statutory framework.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2223 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Auction of Mines
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2223

ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025

## AUCTION OF MINES

## 2223. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: (a)    Whether the Government is considering to make auctions for many mines by the year 2031 and if so, the details thereof; (b)     whether  it  is  a  fact  that  this  is  in  line  with  the  Government's  approval for Rs.16,300 crore National Critical Mineral Mission; (c)     whether the National Critical Mineral Mission envisages a separate investment of Rs18,000 crore by public sector units; and

(d)     if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) & (b) Yes Sir. Under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), the Government aims  to  boost  domestic  production  through  auction  of  critical  mineral  blocks.  It  is expected to auction over 100 blocks during the Mission period from 2024-25 to 203031. In 2024-25, 24 blocks of critical minerals have already been successfully auctioned by the Central Government. The expenditure on the Mission will be ₹16,300 crore. In addition, ₹18,000 crore investment is expected by PSUs, etc.

(c)  &  (d)   Yes  Sir.  The  National  Critical  Mineral  Mission  envisages  a  separate investment of Rs.18,000 crore by public sector units etc. Some of the PSUs which can invest in critical minerals are Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), Coal India Ltd. (CIL), National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), NTPC Mining Ltd, Neyveli Lignite  Corporation  India  Ltd  (NLCIL),  Steel  Authority  of  India  (SAIL),  Indian  Rare Earth Ltd (IREL), Oil India Ltd, ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL). Other PSUs are also being encouraged to invest abroad in critical minerals.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2217 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Foreign and Indigenous Satellites Launched by India
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2217

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025

## FOREIGN AND INDIGENOUS SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY INDIA 2217.  DR. RAJEEV BHARADWAJ:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of total number of foreign and indigenous satellites launched by India during the last ten years;
- (b) the revenue generated by the Government by launching foreign satellites during the said period;
- (c) whether the satellites of developed countries have also been launched by India; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof??

## ANSWER

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

****

- (a) During  the  last  ten  years  starting  from  January  2015  to December 2024, a total of 393 foreign satellites and 3 Indian

O.I.H

- customer satellites have been launched on commercial basis on-board ISRO's PSLV, LVM3 and SSLV Launch Vehicles. Foreign Exchange revenue generated by Government through launching  of  foreign  satellites  during  the  period  Jan  2015  to
- (b) Dec 2024 is nearly 143 Million USD and 272 Million Euros.

(c) & (d)

Yes, Sir. India has launched satellites of 34 countries so far, including  those  of  developed  countries  since  2014  as  listed below: (83), Singapore (19), Canada (8), Korea (5) Luxemburg (4), Italy (4), Germany (3), Belgium (3), Finland (3), France (3), Switzerland (2) Netherland (2), Japan (2), Israel (2), Spain (2), Australia (1),

United States of America (232), United Kingdom United Arab Emirates (1), Austria (1), etc.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2216 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Implementation of BharatNet Project
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Raju Bista

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2216 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  MARCH, 2025

## IMPLEMENTATION OF BHARATNET PROJECT

## 2216.   SHRI RAJU BISTA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  implementation  status  of  BharatNet  Project  in  Darjeeling,  Kalimpong  and  North Dinajpur districts;
- (b) the  total  number of  Gram Panchayats connected  with high-speed internet  connectivity in these districts;
- (c) the details of projects undertaken and infrastructure built in these districts to improve internet connectivity along with mobile coverage since 2019; and
- (d) the details of villages where mobile coverage have been provided since 2019 and the number of villages yet to be connected with mobile and internet networks?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

- (a) to (d) To improve internet connectivity in these districts, the government has undertaken BharatNet and 4G Saturation Project under Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). The implementation status of BharatNet Project in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and North Dinajpur districts  is as below:

|   S. No. | District       |   Total Gram Panchayats (GPs) |   GPs made Service ready |
|----------|----------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------|
|        1 | Darjeeling     |                            92 |                       22 |
|        2 | Kalimpong      |                            41 |                        0 |
|        3 | North Dinajpur |                            98 |                       76 |

Under 4G Saturation project, out of 16 villages  planned for coverage in these districts, 2 villages have been covered.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2215 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Fake Messages and Calls
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2215 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  MARCH, 2025

## FAKE MESSAGES AND CALLS

## 2215.   SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is true that 82% of people are falling prey by clicking on fake messages as per study conducted by McAfee;

- (b) whether it is also true that phishing and text message scams are also on the rise;

(c) the  manner  in  which  the Government looks  at  the  recent  trend that  online  scammers  are extensively using Artificial Intelligence to target and is planning to address this menace;

(d) whether the Government has issued some guidelines relating to spam calls, etc. during the 3rd week of February, 2025; and

- (e) if so, the details thereof and the extent to which this helps people from cyber scams?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a) Studies published by certain organizations in their own capacity are neither validated nor substantiated by the Government.

(b) Matters  relating  to  Cyber  Crime  are  under  the  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  (MHA)  as  per allocation of the business rules. Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is undertaking efforts to prevent misuse of telecom resources for cyber frauds. Further, 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. MHA has established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (14C) as an attached office to provide a framework and eco-system for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to deal with cyber-crimes.  As per information reported to and tracked by The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), a total number of 523, 1714, 869 and 785 Phishing incidents were observed during the year 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively.

(c) With the advancement of technology development, scammers are using new methods and Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  is  one  of  them.  To  address  the  issues  various  steps  are  undertaken including development of an indigenous AI and Big data analytics tool to identify SIM taken on fake documents.

(d) & (e) The  Telecom  Regulatory  Authority  of  India  (TRAI)  has  amended  the  Telecom Commercial  Communications  Customer  Preference  Regulations  (TCCCPR),  2018  to  further strengthen  consumer  protection  against  Unsolicited  Commercial  Communication  (UCC)  on 12.02.2025. The revised regulations aim to deal with evolving methods of misuse of telecom resource and promote a more transparent commercial communication ecosystem for consumers.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2213 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: PDS Cards
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.2213 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH MARCH, 2025

## PDS CARDS

## 2213. DR. GANAPATHY  RAJKUMAR  P:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Public Distribution  System (PDS) has been implemented across all  the states ;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there is any proposal to set up Centralized Public Distribution  Cards in the country ;
- (d) if  so, the details thereof  and if  not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether there have been any instances to  mortgage of  PDS Cards meant for  poor people; and
- (f) if  so, the action taken to  eradicate such mortgage of PDS cards?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIM ATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

(a) & (b): The Public Distribution System (PDS) is  implemented under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 in all States/UTs. The Act provides coverage upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50'Yo of  the urban population for receiving foodgrains (rice, wheat &  coarsegrains) under Priority  Households (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).  The Priority Households are entitled to receive 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month and the households covered under the AAY  receive 35 kg  of foodgrains per month per household.

(c) & (d):  There  is  no  proposal  undcr  consideration  to  set  up Centralized  Public Distribution Cards in the country. However, the nationwide portability  of ration cards is popularly known as One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) feature.  Through this technology driven reform, around 80 Crore PMGKAY  beneficiaries are empowered to lift their entitled foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice, anywhere in the country,  by using their same existing ration card with  biometric authentication on an electronic Point of  Sale (ePoS) device. The family  back home can also lift  the part of the PMGKAY  foodgrains in the home State/UT on the same ration card.

(e) & (f): No Sir, there is no instanQe to mortgage of PDS Cards reported by any State/UTs

# # # # #
Lok Sabha Question No. 2207 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Land Acquisition for Railway Track
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Alok Kumar Suman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2207 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025

## LAND ACQUISITION FOR RAILWAY TRACK

## 2207. DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  land  acquisition  proceeding  for 333 Acre in Panchdeori-Bhore (36 km) section has been taken up  in  Bihar  State  and  101.13  Acre  in  Deoria  district  of  Uttar Pradesh, if so, the reasons for delay in completion of work;
- (b) whether work on balance 48.64 km (36.00 km in the district of Gopalganj  of  Bihar  and  12.64  km  in  the  district  of  Deoria  of Uttar Pradesh is held up due to non-availability of land and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps being taken for acquisition of land and completion of project; and
- (d) the punitive action taken against the officials for deliberately delaying the project?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d): Railway  has  taken  up  Hathua-Panchdeori-Bhatni  (80  km) new line project. An expenditure of ₹277 crore has been incurred upto March 2024. Hathua-Panchdeori (31 km) section has been commissioned so far.

Contd…2

For balance section of the project, there was stiff resistance against land  acquisition  from  local  villagers.  Several  efforts  were  made  by Railways to resolve the issue, but it could not be resolved. Thus, it was decided to drop balance section of the project.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2204 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Asset Monetization of BSNL and MTNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2204 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  MARCH, 2025

## ASSET MONETIZATION OF BSNL AND MTNL

## 2204.   SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  BSNL  and  MTNL  have  monetized  only  a  small fraction of their assets despite owning significant infrastructure;
- (b) if so, the details of the asset monetization progress since 2019 and the reasons for the delays;
- (c) whether the delay in asset monetization has impacted BSNL and MTNL's financial position including capital expenditure and debt servicing;
- (d) if so, the details of the assessment conducted by the Government; and
- (e) the specific steps being taken by the Government to expedite asset monetization and improve the financial recovery of BSNL and MTNL?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

- (a) BSNL & MTNL are monetizing only those land and building assets which are not required for its own use in foreseeable future and for which it has the rights to transfer the ownership.
- (b) The earnings from asset monetization since 2019 is as under-
- i) Non-Core assets (Land and buildings) BSNL has earned Rs.2,387.82 Cr (upto Jan'25) MTNL has earned Rs.2,134.61Cr. (upto Jan'25)
- ii) Core Asserts (Tower & Fibre)

BSNL has earned Rs.8,204.18 Cr (upto Jan'25)

MTNL has earned Rs.258.25   Cr. (upto Jan'25)

(c) to (e) Monetization of assets are being done as per approved policy of the Government and its impact on the PSUs are being monitored closely.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2203 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Regulating Policy for News Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Shafi Parambil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2203 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025

## REGULATING POLICY FOR NEWS CHANNELS

## 2203. SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be please to state:

- (a)  the number of news channels in the country in each language and the names of channels;
- (b)  the ownership details of each news channel in the country; and
- (c)   whether there is any policy that controls and regulates the operations of news channels  in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## (DR. L. MURUGAN )

- (a) to (b): The number of news channels in the country is 405.

The list of satellite news channels in the country, language-wise along with the ownership details is available in the Public domain i.e. Broadcast Seva Portal of the Ministry at https://new.broadcastseva.gov.in/digigov-portal-webapp/webHP?requestType=ApplicationRH&actionVal=userInformationSystem&screenId=2.

(c): Yes. "Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television Channels in India, 2022" is the policy that controls and regulates the operations of news channels in the country. The said policy is also available in the public domain, i.e. website of the Ministry at https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-05/uplinking-and-downlinking-guidelines-2022english.pdf.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2199 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Cost of Imported Pulses
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Smt. Manju Sharma

## Government of India

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2199 (OIH)

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025

## COST OF IMPORTED PULSES

2199. SMT. MANJU SHARMA:

(OIH)

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is likely to take any step to ensure that the cost of imported pulses remains at par or above the Minimum Support Price (MSP);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  intends  to  provide  export  subsidy  to  pulse  traders  in  India  in  view  of  the  low domestic prices of pulses;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government is considering to review its open import policy in respect of tur and urad dal; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L. VERMA)

- (a)  &  (b)  :  The  import  policy  and  duty  for  pulses  are  formulated  on  the  basis  of  close  and  continuous monitoring  of  domestic  production,  availability  and  prices  scenario  including  landed  cost  of  imported stocks  by  the  Inter-Ministerial  Committee  (IMC)  comprising  of  Department  of  Consumer  Affairs, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Department of Commerce and Department of Revenue. The decisions regarding opening or restriction of imports and the rates for import duties are done keeping the interests of both the domestic farmers and the consumers.
- (c) & (d): There is no proposal to offer export subsidies for pulse traders.
- (e) & (f) : The import of Tur and Urad under 'free category' are allowed till March 31, 2026 in order to augment the availability to meet the domestic consumption demand.

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## ORIGINAL IN HINDI
Lok Sabha Question No. 2195 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Internet Shutdowns
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Jugal Kishore, Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, Shri Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao, Shri Jagdambika Pal, Shri Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2195 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  MARCH, 2025

## INTERNET SHUTDOWNS

## 2195.   SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:

SHRI MADHAVANENI RAGHUNANDAN RAO:

SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) the  number  and  the  details  of  internet  shutdown  orders  issued  under  the  Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 between January 2023 and January 2025, month and district-wise;

(b) whether there is any assessment of the economic and social impact of internet shutdowns in the country;

(c) whether orders to suspend services or block internet access have been published as per the judgment of the Supreme Court dated 10 January 2020 in WP(C) No.1031 of 2019 and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the number and findings of the meetings held by the Review Committee formed by the Union Government under Rule 5 of the said Rules; and

(e) whether such orders have been published as per the order of the Supreme Court dated 23 February 2024 in MA No.1086/2020 and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a) to (e) Hon'ble Supreme Court, vide its order dated 10.01.2020 in WP(C) No.1031 of 2019, has mandated the publication of suspension orders in public domain; and all orders for suspension of Telecom Services must adhere to the principle of proportionality and must not extend beyond the necessary duration. The said directions of Hon'ble Supreme Court have been communicated to all Chief Secretaries/ Administrators of States/ Union Territories (UTs) on 10.11.2020.

As  per  seventh  schedule  of  the  Constitution,  police  and  public  order  are  State  subjects. Accordingly, the details regarding internet suspension orders issued by State Government/ Union Territories (UTs) are not maintained centrally by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

No assessment of the economic and social impact of internet shutdowns in the country has been conducted by the DoT.

The Review Committee constituted by the Union Government under Rule 5 of the Temporary Suspension  of  Telecom  Services  (Public  Emergency  or  Public  Safety)  Rules,  2017  has  held  10 meetings. The permissions granted by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for temporary suspension of telecom services are available on MHA website.

*****