opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4264 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Platform Ticket Sale at New Delhi Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4264

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## PLATFORM TICKET SALE AT NEW DELHI RAILWAY STATION

4264. SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  platform  ticket  sold  from  New  Delhi  Railway  Station during the last six months, month-wise;
- (b) the  details  of  per  day  average  platform  ticket  sale  from  New  Delhi Railway Station (six month average); and
- (c) the detail of the number of sold platform tickets on 15th February 2025 from New Delhi Railway station?

## ANSWER

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

( SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c): The purpose of issue of platform tickets to individuals is primarily meant to accompany the ticket holders of aged, patients, lady passengers etc. inside platform area.

Platform  ticket  is  valid  only  for  two  hours  from  the  time  of  issue  and  the issue  of  these  tickets  is  limited  according  to  the  capacity  of  the  platform accommodation.

The average number of platform tickets sold per day from New Delhi Station during September 2024 to February 2025 was 9,958.

Further,  11,099  platform  tickets  were  sold  on  15.02.2025,  which  was  only about 11% more than per day average sale. The existing platform capacity is adequate to accommodate this load.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4252 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Establishment of DD Kendra in Meerut
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Arun Govil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4252

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025)

ESTABLISHMENT OF DD KENDRA IN MEERUT

4252.  SHRI ARUN GOVIL:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to establish a Doordarshan Kendra or a new FM radio station in Meerut as Meerut is an important city of historical, educational and industrial importance but  there  is  need  for  expansion  of  digital  media, broadcasting series and Government telecommunications facilities  and  there  has  been  regular  demand  to  strengthen Doordarshan Kendras, Akashvani (FM Radio), Digital Broadcasting Services and Government Information System and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  boost  Digital  India Campaign in Meerut; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  develop  any  new communication  system  for  dissemination  of  information  on Government policies and schemes in a more effective way in Meerut?

## ANSWER

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

(DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to  (c)  :  DD  Uttar  Pradesh,  a  24X7  Satellite  TV  channel, originating from DDK Lucknow telecasts programmes related to art, culture, literature, history, heritage, traditions, eminent personalities, news and current affairs, etc. of entire state of Uttar Pradesh  including  Meerut.  Further,  a  10  kW  FM  relay  station  at Meerut  is  operational,  which  relays  programme  of    FM  Rainbow Channel of Akashvani Delhi. Akashwani channels are also available on DD Free Dish, NewsOnAIR mobile app and WAVES OTT platform, which can be accessed from anywhere on android and iOS platform.

Government  has  taken  a  number  of  initiatives  such  as  Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan, Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance, Entity Locker, Common Services Centres, DigiLocker,  myScheme,  MeghRaj  Cloud,  MeriPehchaan  platform, Online  e-Sign,  National  Data  Highway/  API  Setu  and  National Scholarship  Portal  to  boost  Digital  India  Campaign  across  the country including Meerut.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4250 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Internet Service Provider
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Putta Mahesh Kumar, Shri Appalanaidu Kalisetti, Shri Tangella Uday Srinivas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4250 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH  MARCH, 2025

## INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER

## 4250.   SHRI PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR: SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS: SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) the status of the Government action on the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommendations  from  November  2022  and  February  17,  2025,  regarding  an  internet  exchange policy and the timeline for introducing a specific policy for Internet Exchange Points (IXPs);

(b) the  criteria  used  by  the  Government  to  differentiate  between an  Internet  Exchange  Point (IXP) and an Internet Service Provider (ISP) along with the rationale behind requiring IXPs to hold ISP licenses;

(c) the Government's position on the policy gap in licensing requirements for IXPs given that the  National  Internet  Exchange  of  India  (NIXI)  obtained  an  ISP  license  only  in  December  2024 despite operating since 2003 without one; and

(d) the planned reforms, if any, to establish a distinct regulatory framework for IXPs, along with the expected timeline for implementation?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (d) TRAI  has  given  its  recommendations  on  Internet  Exchange  Point  (IXP)  vide  its recommendations on Regulatory Framework for Promoting Data Economy Through Establishment of Data Centres, Content Delivery Networks, and Interconnect Exchanges in India dated 18.11.2022 and recommendations on the Terms and Conditions of Network Authorisations to be Granted Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 dated 17.02.25.

The  aforesaid  recommendations  of  TRAI  are presently under consideration of the Department. Being a policy matter, it is not feasible to specify a time frame for a decision.

(b) & (c) An IXP  (Internet  Exchange  Points)  is  a  facility  through  which      Internet  Service Providers (ISPs) peer and exchange internet traffic with each other. IXP consists of network switches that route traffic among service providers connected to it, effectively offering Internet service to the end user indirectly through the serving ISPs.

NIXI has signed the ISP License in 2024 effective from 2003.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4248 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Convergence of Components of PM-KUSUM in Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4248

ANSWERED ON 26/03/2025

## CONVERGENCE OF COMPONENTS OF PM-KUSUM IN AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

## 4248. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL

Will the minister of new and renewable energy be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes the convergence of Component-A of Pradhan MantriKisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) in the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund;
- (b) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Union Government has received any proposal from the Government of Rajasthan in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details of the action taken by the Government on the said proposal till date?
- ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF  STATE  FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a) & (b) The inclusion of Component A of PM KUSUM under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) has been notified by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in their AIF Guidelines vide letter dated 10.09.2024. Currently, all the three Components of the PM KUSUM scheme are covered under AIF.
- (c) & (d) The PM-KUSUM scheme is a demand driven scheme and capacities are allocated based on demand received from the States/UTs.

As per the demand received from the State of Rajasthan, a total of 6,550 MW has been allocated to the state under Component A of the scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Renewable Energy facilities in Border Areas
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4247

ANSWERED ON 26/03/2025

## RENEWABLE ENERGY FACILITIES IN BORDER AREAS

## 4247. SHRI MANISH TEWARI

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has amended or relaxed any existing rules, regulations or security protocols to permit the establishment of a renewable energy facility in close proximity to the IndoPakistan border and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the permissions and clearances granted for the establishment of the said facility including the name of the company involved;
- (c) the details of exact location, size and capacity of the proposed renewable energy facility along with its proximity to critical defence infrastructure and strategic military zones;
- (d) whether any objections or concerns were raised by the Ministry of Defence regarding the project and if so, the details thereof and the manner in which these concerns have been addressed; and (e) whether the Government intends to review or reconsider the decision to permit the establishment of this facility in light of national security concerns and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF  STATE  FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a) to (e) Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Department of Border Management has informed that Border  Security  Force  (BSF)  conducts  assessment  of  security  risks  whenever  any  infrastructure development takes place near International Border. It is evaluated to ensure that National Security is not compromised. BSF conveys 'No Objection' after assessment, if project is near the International Border, subject to clearance from MHA/ Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Further, MoD has informed that NOC applications received through MoD NOC portal from the nodal Ministry (Ministry of New & Renewable Energy or Ministry of Power) in respect of Power Projects are processed by MoD inter alia based on inputs received from the Defence Services Organisations concerned and the following guidelines:

- i)  Guidelines  dated  8.5.2023  regarding  Security  consideration  on  construction  activities/  other activities in border / other areas. These guidelines are confidential in nature and the same may not be disclosed as per provisions contained in Chapter-VII Para 41 (2) (xxi) of Rules and Procedures for Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.
2. ii) GSR 751(E) related to Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) (Height Restrictions for Safeguarding of Aircraft Operations) Rules 2015.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4246 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: MEMU Trains from Thiruvananthapuram
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4246 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## MEMU TRAINS FROM THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

4246. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Southern  Railway  is  changing  passenger  train  services  to Mainline Electric Multiple Units (MEMU) trains, operating under the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Division;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any plans to introduce a passenger train or MEMU service between Thiruvananthapuram and Tirunelveli, passing through  Neyyattinkara,  Parashala  and  Nagercoil  town,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d)  the  details  of  the  number  of  daily  train  services  operating  between Thiruvananthapuram and Nagercoil; and
- (e) the details of the current passenger volumes on the ThiruvananthapuramNagercoil, Nagercoil-Tirunelveli and Nagercoil-Chennai segments?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (e)  At  present,  Thiruvananthapuram  -  Neyyattinkara  -  Parassala  Nagercoil -  Tirunelveli sector  is  being  catered  by  14  train  services  while 26   daily  train  services  are  catering  to  the  needs  of  Thiruvananthapuram  Nagercoil sector.

Besides, conversion of passenger trains into MEMU and Introduction of new train  services,  including  MEMU  trains,  is  an  on-going  process  on  Indian Railways  subject  to  operational  feasibility,  traffic  pattern,  availability  of resources, etc.

Further,  the  passenger  volume  over  various  sections  of  Indian  Railways including  Thiruvananthapuram  Nagercoil, Nagercoil -Tirunelveli,  and Nagercoil - Chennai sections is not uniform throughout the year and it varies over lean and peak periods. During peak rush periods, the occupancy of the trains especially on popular routes remains full whereas during lean period and on less popular routes, there is sub optimal utilization.

However,  the current  passenger  volumes  on the  ThiruvananthapuramNagercoil,  Nagercoil-Tirunelveli  and  Nagercoil-Chennai  segments  are  as under:-

| Sector                       | Average Number of Passengers / Day travelling in the sector   |
|------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| Thiruvananthapuram-Nagercoil | 12,942                                                        |
| Nagercoil-Tirunelveli        | 1,559                                                         |
| Nagercoil-Chennai            | 34,954                                                        |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4245 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Quality Control under PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.4245

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 26TH MARCH, 2025

## QUALITY CONTROL UNDER PDS

## 4245. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has put in place any mechanism to ensure quality  control over the food provided under Public Distribution System (PDS) through ration  shops;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof and if  not, the reasons therefor;
- (C) whether any action is taken in case of violations of quality norms;
- (d) if  so, the details thereof and if  not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether any grievance redressal mechanism has been set up for  filing complaints in cases of lapses in quality; and
- (D if  so, the details thereof  and if  not,  the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIM ATI  NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

(a) and (b): The Department has formulated and issued a Quality Control Manual, to uniformly  maintain the quality  standards of foodgrains from procurement to its distribution to the eligible beneficiaries through various social security programmes of GoI.

(c) and (d): Regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of  food products are being carried out by the machinery of Food Safety Departments of the respective States/UTs to check compliance of the standards laid  down under Food Safety and Standards Act  2006, Rules and Regulations made there under. In  cases, where the food  samples are found to  be non-conforming, penal action is initiated against the defaulting Food Business Operators as per provisions ofFSS Act,  Rules and Regulations made there under.

(e) and (f): Under TPDS, every State Government is required to  put  in place an internal grievance redressal mechanism which  may  include  call  centres. help  lines,  designation  of nodal officers,  or such other mechanism as may be prescribed. Whenever any complaints are received in this  Department from  any source, they  are forwarded to the concerned State/UF Governments for inquiry and appropriate action at their end.

8888
Lok Sabha Question No. 4241 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Joint Research Initiatives by India and Saudi Arabia for Mineral Exploration
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh, Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †4241

ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## JOINT RESEARCH INITIATIVES BY INDIA AND SAUDI ARABIA FOR MINERAL EXPLORATION

†4241. SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH: SHRI CHHATRAPAL SINGH GANGWAR:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

(a) the specific field in which training is likely to be provided to geologists from Saudi Arabia,  Africa  and  Central  Asia  by  Geological  Survey  of  India  Training  Institute (GSITI), Hyderabad;

(b) the investment opportunities discussed between India and Saudi Arabia in the field of mineral exploration;

- (c) whether any joint research initiatives have been taken between India and Saudi Arabia in the field of mineral exploration; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  Geological Survey of India Training Institute (GSITI), Hyderabad offers trainings on  various  fields  of  geosciences  to  the  geoscientists  from  countries  across  Asia, Central  Asia,  Africa  and  Latin  America  through  Indian  Technical  and  Economic Cooperation (ITEC) platform of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). GSITI also provides need-based trainings as per the specific requirements of partner countries.

For  the  year  2025-26,  GSI  has  proposed  four  training  program  in  the  following geoscientific fields under ITEC platform:

- i. Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing for Geoscientists;
- ii. Geographic Information System for Geoscientists;
- iii. Fundamentals of Geological Mapping and Mineral Exploration; and
- iv. Fundamentals of Geophysical Mapping and Geological Interpretation.
5. (b)  The  potential  investment  opportunities  regarding  investment  in  resource-rich countries;  collaboration  on  critical  mineral  exploration,  processing,  and  recycling; promoting joint ventures to support clean energy technologies etc. are discussed.

(c) and (d)  Indian side is in discussion with Saudi Arabian side for an MoU between Geological Survey of India and Saudi Geological Survey, which may inter-alia facilitate undertaking joint research in mineral exploration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4239 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Positive Breathalyser Results among Loco Pilots
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4239 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## POSITIVE BREATHALYSER RESULTS AMONG LOCO PILOTS

## 4239.  SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY: SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether    Railway  authorities  were  recently  caught  off  guard  by  a sudden increase in positive breathalyser results among loco pilots during mandatory tests before start of duty, however, subsequent blood tests at the  chemical  examiner's  laboratory  revealed  that  alcohol  content    in almost all blood samples was nearly zero and issued a circular instructing all  running  staff  (loco  pilots)  to  avoid    consumption  of  homeo  medicine, soft drinks and tender coconut water, plantain, cough  syrup, mouthwash and so on before signing on for duty; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  &  (b)  :    Breath  analyzer  test  of  the  Loco  Pilots  before  start  of  the journey is a mandatory and regular activity carefully monitored by all Zonal

Railways.

The  step taken by one of the Zonal Railways for preventing consumption of certain items has been amended.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4233 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Aim of National Quantum Mission
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dr. Nishikant Dubey

- (a)
- Yes Sir
- (b) The Union Cabinet approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) on 19th April 2023 at a total cost of Rs.6003.65 crore for a period of eight years.
- (c) The aims of the mission are:
1. To seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create  vibrant  &  innovative  ecosystem  in  Quantum  Technology (QT).
2. To  accelerate  QT  led  economic  growth  and  ecosystem  in  the country.
3. To be among the leading nations in the development of Quantum Technologies.

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4233 ANSWERED ON 26/03/2025

## AIM OF NATIONAL QUANTUM MISSION

## 4233. Dr. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has approved a National Quantum Mission;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the aims and objectives of the said mission?

## ANSWER

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

विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी तथा पृ थ्िी विज्ञान मंत्रालय क े राज्य मंत्री ( स्ितंत्र प्रभार)

(डॉ. जितेंद्र स ंह)

## The objectives of the mission are:

1. Develop  intermediate  scale  quantum  computers  with  20-50 physical qubits (3 years), 50-100 physical qubits (5 years) and 501000 physical qubits (8 years) in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology.
2. Develop satellite based secure quantum communications between  two  ground  stations  over  a  range  of  2000  kilometers within India as well as long distance secure quantum communications with other countries.
3. Develop  inter-city  quantum  key  distribution  over  2000  km  with trusted nodes using wavelength division multiplexing on existing optical fiber.
4. Develop  multi-node  Quantum  network  with  quantum  memories, entanglement swapping and synchronized quantum repeaters at each node (2-3 nodes).
5. Develop magnetometers with 1 femto-Tesla/sqrt(Hz) sensitivity in atomic systems and better than 1 pico-Tesla/sqrt(Hz) sensitivity in Nitrogen Vacancy-centers; Gravity measurements  having sensitivity better than 100 nano-meter/second 2  using atoms and Atomic Clocks with 10 -19  fractional instability for precision timing, communications and navigation.
6. Design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel Semiconductor structures and topological materials for fabrication of quantum devices for development of qubits  for  quantum  computing  and  quantum  communication applications, single photon sources/detectors, entangled photon sources for quantum communications, sensing and metrological applications.

*****