opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 605 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Post Office Products and Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Guman Singh Damor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 605 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## POST OFFICE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

## †605.   SHRI GUMAN SINGH DAMOR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the post office products and services along with the steps being taken to make post offices hi-tech;

(b) whether  there  is  any  plan  to  make  post  office  savings  schemes  more  attractive  than nationalized banks, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) the names of the Ministries that have been cooperated and tied-up to make the services of post office effective;

- (d) whether there is any plan to expand this cooperation and alliance further; and
- (e) the steps being taken by the Government to increase the postal network in rural areas?

## ANSWER

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

(a) The post office inter-alia provides Mails, Parcels and Logistics, Insurance, Financial services, etc. and also various citizen centric services of the Government. Under Information Technology (IT) Modernisation  Project,  all  the  25,070  Departmental  Post  Offices  have  been  computerized.  The Department has also modernised 1,36,778 Branch Post Offices in the rural areas of the country by providing mobile devices with SIM based connectivity for providing postal and financial services. Information Technology (IT) Modernisation Project 2.0 has been approved by the Government for continuation of the Technology project in the Department of Posts in February 2022 with an outlay of Rs. 5785 crore for a period of 08 years.

(b) Most of the National Small Savings Schemes provided by post office offer attractive, better and risk-free returns to investors as compared to similar instruments in the market. Interest rates applicable on small savings schemes are periodically reviewed by the Government.

(c) & (d) In  order  to  provide  citizen  centric  services,  cooperation  and  tie  ups  with  various Ministries  and  Departments are undertaken and this is an ongoing and dynamic process. This at present inter-alia involves Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, etc., for services such as Aadhaar enrollment & updation facilities,  Post  Office  Passport  Seva  Kendras,  Passenger  Reservation  facilities,  Digital  Life certificates etc.

(e) Opening of new post offices is an ongoing process. In the last few years, a large number of post offices have been opened, enhancing the strength of post offices to 1,64,972.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 604 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: BharatNet Scheme in Rajasthan
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Kanakmal Katara

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 604 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## BHARATNET SCHEME IN RAJASTHAN

## †604. SHRI KANAKMAL KATARA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the  details  of  the  funds  sanctioned,  allocated  and  utilized  in  Rajasthan  under  BharatNet Scheme during the last three years and the current year;

(b) the targets set for the said scheme and the details of achievements made so far under the said scheme in Banswara-Dungarpur, Rajasthan; and

(c) whether the Government has conducted any survey in Rajasthan under the said scheme to find out number of villages in Rajasthan especially in Banswara-Dungarpur district which have not yet been covered under this scheme and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) As on 31.10.2023, total of Rs. 1794.73 crore has been allocated/ utilized under BharatNet Scheme for Rajasthan. Further, Rs. 790.95 crore has been allocated/ utilized during last three years (2020-21 to 2022-23) and current year (2023-24) in BharatNet Scheme.

(b) & (c) BharatNet  project  is  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  to  provide  broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country, including Rajasthan. Further, scope of BharatNet  Programme  has  been  extended  upto  villages  of  the  country  including  Banswara  and Dungarpur District of Rajasthan. Amended BharatNet Progaramme has been approved by Cabinet on 04.08.2023, for upgradation of existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, creation of network in balance 42,000 GPs (approx.), operation and maintenance for 10 years and utilization.

Under BharatNet Project in Rajasthan, 8,776 GPs out of 11,352 GPs have been made service ready.  Further,  the  details  of  target  and  achievements  made  in  Banswara-  Dungarpur  District  of Rajasthan is as under:

| Name of District   |   Planned GPs |   Service Ready GPs |
|--------------------|---------------|---------------------|
| Banswara           |           417 |                 115 |
| Dungarpur          |           353 |                 121 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 601 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: R.K. Singh Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 601

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023

## AMRIT BHARAT STATION SCHEME IN UTTAR PRADESH

†601. SHRI R. K. SINGH PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of railway stations selected by the Government under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme across the country;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  included  Banda  and  Chitrakoot Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh under the said scheme;
- (c) if so, the details of the funds allocated and progress made so far; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  601  BY  SHRI  R.  K.  SINGH  PATEL  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 06.12.2023 REGARDING AMRIT BHARAT STATION SCHEME IN UTTAR PRADESH

(a)  to  (d)  The  Amrit  Bharat  Station  Scheme  has  been  launched  for development  of  Railway  stations  on  Indian  Railways.  This  scheme envisages  development  of  stations  on  a  continuous  basis  with  a  longterm approach. Under the Scheme, 1309 stations have been identified for upgradation/modernisation  over  Indian  Railways  including  Banda  and Chitrakut Dham Karwi stations falling in the State of Uttar Pradesh.

The details of  fund  allocation  are maintained  Zonal Railway-wise under Plan Head-53 'Customer Amenities' and not station-wise or State-wise or scheme-wise. The stations  Banda  and  Chitrakut  Dham  Karwi  fall  under North Central Railway. During the financial year 2023-24, fund of ₹ 930.40 crore has been allocated to North Central Railway and till October 2023, an expenditure of ₹ 147.64 crore has been incurred by the Railway.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 600 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Revival of Omkareshwar Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gyaneshwar Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 600 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023

## REVIVAL OF OMKARESHWAR RAILWAY STATION

## †600.     SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  for  revival  of Omkareshwar  railway  station  having  potential  to  serve  a large number of pilgrims from across the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to connect Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga with new trains to facilitate the tourists and passengers; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the ongoing development plans being implemented to provide facilities at  Omkareshwar  railway  station  or  any  other  connecting station?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 600 BY SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 06.12.2023 REGARDING REVIVAL OF OMKARESHWAR RAILWAY STATION (a)  to  (c):  Omkareshwar  railway  station  serving  Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga  lies  on  Mhow-Khandwa  railway  section  of  Western Railway,  which  is  a  part  of  ongoing  Ratlam-Mhow-Khandwa-Akola Gauge Conversion project. 329 km length out of total 496 km of the to project has been commissioned  up till now. Connectivity Omkareshwar railway station is part of this project.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 598 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Launching of Mission Raftaar
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Keshari Devi Patel, Jaskaur Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.598

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023

## LAUNCHING OF MISSION RAFTAAR

† 598. SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL : SHRIMATI JASKAUR MEENA :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government has launched Mission Raftaar across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including Uttar Pradesh;
- (c) the salient features of Mission Raftaar;
- (d) the details of the funds sanctioned, allocated and utilised under the said Mission including Rajasthan;
- (e)  the  details  of  the  trains  identified  to  be  included  under  the  said Mission;
- (f)  the  details  of  the  targets  set  and  the  achievements  made  so  far under the said Mission;
- (g) whether the said Mission has resulted in a significant improvement in the speed of train across the country; and
- (h) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (h): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (h)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 598 BY SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL AND SHRIMATI JASKAUR MEENA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SHABHA ON 06.12.2023 REGARDING LAUNCHING OF MISSION RAFTAAR (a) to (h): Speeding up of trains is a constant endeavor and a continuous process  which  is  dependent  upon  up  gradation  of  tracks,  signaling system, OHE, high powered locos, modern coaches etc. Mission Raftaar was announced in the Railway Budget 2016-17 with the target of increasing the average  speed  of freight and  superfast mail/express  trains.  The  medium-term  and  long-term  plans  to  achieve the Mission include providing bypasses, rail flyovers, construction of 3 rd line/4 th   line, right powering of trains, replacement of conventional loco hauled trains by MEMUs,   time tabling changes, modification of 1x25 KV traction system to 2x25 KV traction system etc. Two major routes i.e. New Delhi - Mumbai & New Delhi - Howrah of the Golden  Quadrilateral  have  been  taken  up  for  enhancing  the  speed potential. These routes pass through various states of India including Uttar Pradesh. Indian Railway has already commissioned 1337 Km  of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor and 1149 Km of Western dedicated Freight Corridor which has enabled freight trains to run at higher speed. It is emphasized  that  Mission Raftaar is a 'Mission' and not a 'scheme/project(s)'. Therefore, state-wise allocation/utilization of funds cannot  be  quantified  and  identification  of  specific  trains  cannot  be done.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 597 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Spectrum Usage Charges
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 597 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## SPECTRUM USAGE CHARGES

## 597. SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government agrees with the view that it should lower license fee and spectrum usage charges further so that telecom companies can free up capital that can then be invested in 5G networks, if so, the details thereof; and

(b) the details of the measures proposed to be taken by the Government keeping in mind that 5G will enable the delivery of critical services such as telesurgery and Internet of Things (IoT) over a mobile network with unprecedented efficiency in addition to opening the floodgates for innovative applications that require a massive amount of high-speed bandwidth?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) As  on  24-11-2023,  5G  networks  have  been  rolled  out  in  738  districts  across  the country and a total of 3,94,298 base stations have been installed with around 100 million subscribers using  5G  services.  India  has  seen  one  of  the  fastest  5G  rollout  in  the  world.  Telecom  service providers  have  also  committed  a  total  investment  in  excess  of  Rs.  2  lakh  crore  including  a commitment  of  Rs.1.5  lakh  crore  for spectrum  acquired through auction in July-August 2022.Further Gross Revenue of Telecom service providers has crossed Rs. 3 lakh crore for first time in FY 2022-23.

The growth in the Telecom sector has happened due to various structural and procedural reforms implemented by the government in last few years to promote healthy competition, infuse liquidity, encourage investment, reduce regulatory burden on Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and protect interests of consumers. These are as follows:

- (i) Rationalization of Definition of Adjusted Gross Revenue.
- (ii) Allowing Spectrum Trading/Sharing.
- (iii)   Incentivising Spectrum Sharing.
- (iv)   Ensuring adequate Spectrum through open & transparent auction.
- (v) Permission  for  100%  Foreign  Direct  Investment  (FDI)  in  telecom  sector  under automatic route subject to safeguards.

- (vi)   Launch  of  PM  Gati  Shakti  Sanchar  Portal  for  centralized  Right  of  Way  (RoW) approvals.
- (vii)  To facilitate faster and easier deployment of telecom infrastructure, Government has amended the Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules (RoW), 2016 on 17th August 2022 and 7 th August 2023. These amendments paved the way for deployment of 5G small cells and optical fibre cable on existing street infrastructure and also rationalized the fees and charges paid by the Telecom licensees for the RoW permissions.
- (viii) Simplification  of  Standing  Advisory  Committee  on  Radio  Frequency  Allocation (SACFA) clearance process for installing telecom towers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 591 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Kisan Rail Scheme
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Thomas Chazhikadan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 591

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023

## KISAN RAIL SCHEME

## 591.   SHRI THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Kerala Government  has  sent  a  proposal for inclusion of de-oiled rice bran, maize, jowar, wheat (raw materials used for production of cattle feed) in the Kisan Rail Scheme ;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  status  of  the  proposal  along  with  the details of the estimated cost-benefit analysis for this transition;
- (c)  whether  the  said  cost  benefit  is  estimated  to  the  tune  of  50% which could be passed on to the dairy farmers, particularly in the State of Kerala where dairy industry is prominent;
- (d) whether the proposal has been forwarded to the Railways for the inclusion of raw materials for cattle feed under the scheme;
- (e) if so, whether the Railways has accepted the proposal; and
- (f)  if  so,  the  stipulated  deadline by which the Railways is likely to implement the said proposal?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to (f) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

********

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 591 BY SHRI THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  06.12.2023  REGARDING KISAN RAIL SCHEME. (a)  to  (f):    Kisan  Rail  scheme  has  been  introduced  to  promote speedy transportation of perishable commodities including fruits & vegetables etc. from production or surplus regions to consumption or  deficient  regions.  As  such,  the  proposal  received  from  the Government of Kerala is not covered under the scheme. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 589 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: K-Rail Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: K. Muraleedharan, Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 589 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023

## K-RAIL PROJECT

589.  SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN : SHRI V. K. SREEKANDAN :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railway Board has directed the Southern Railway to hold  talks  with  K-Rail  on  issues  related  to  the  project  and  submit  a report at the earliest and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is true that this latest directives from the Railway Board was based on the comments submitted by the Southern Railway;
- (c) whether the State (K-Rail) will have to acquire around 108 hectares of railway land for this purpose;
- (d) if  so,  whether  the  Railways  has  agreed  for  the  acquisition  of railway land by K-Rail;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  final  decision  on  the technical  and  administrative  sanction  to  this  project  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (f): Silver Line Semi High Speed Rail from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod  in  Kerala  has  been  identified  by  Kerala  Rail  Development

Corporation Limited (KRDCL), a Joint Venture company  of State Government  of Kerala (51%) and Ministry of Railways (49%) for development.  After  survey,  KRDCL  has  submitted  Detailed  Project Report (DPR) of Semi High Speed Rail Project to the Ministry of Railways for approval. Sufficient details for technical feasibility are not available in  the  DPR.  Therefore,  KRDCL  has  been  advised  to  provide  detailed technical documents such as alignment plan, details of land, crossings over existing railway network, etc. to further, examine the feasibility of project.  Southern  Railway  has  been  advised  to  discuss  various  issues related to the project with KRDCL and submit their comments to Ministry of Railways for further examination.  The project is not yet sanctioned.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 588 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Minerals Extraction in Chhattisgarh
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Santosh Pandey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 588 ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023

## MINERALS EXTRACTION IN CHHATTISGARH

†588 . SHRI SANTOSH PANDEY:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  types  of  minerals  being  extracted  from  Bodal  village  situated  in  Ambagarh Chowki development block in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh State;
- (b) the reasons for halting the said mining work;
- (c) whether at present any type of activities are being planned on the said location by the Government; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):       As  per  the  information  received  from  the  State  Government  of Chhattisgarh, no major minerals are being extracted from village Bodal, Ambagarh Chowki block, Dist. Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh.
- (c) & (d):    As per the information received from the State Government of Chhattisgarh, Chhattisgarh Copper Ltd., a joint venture between Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation and Hindustan Copper Ltd., has applied for reservation of Bodal block covering  an  area  of  21.75  sq.km.  under  section  17A  of  MMDR  Act,  1957  for survey/prospecting of copper.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 586 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: GST on Online Games
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sarmistha Sethi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 586 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06/12/2023

## GST ON ONLINE GAMES

## 586. SHRIMATI SARMISTHA SETHI:

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

(a) the details of the impact of imposing 28% GST on the full contest entry amount for online games of skill on the sector's exports and global competitiveness;

(b) whether  the  imposition  of  28%  GST  on  the  full  contest  entry  amount  for  online games of skill will affect the export potential of Indian gaming companies, and if so, the details of measures that are being taken to address this impact;

(c) whether  there  are  any  proposals  to  engage  with  the  industry  stakeholders  to understand  their  concerns  regarding  the  high  GST  rate  for  online  gaming  and  explore potential solutions to mitigate its adverse effects; and

## (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

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

(a) to (d) A Group of Ministers (GoM) on Casinos, Race Courses and Online gaming was set up to study the matter in detail. Stakeholders consultations were conducted as part of GoM deliberations. The report of the GoM was presented in the 50 th  GST Council meeting and after detailed deliberations, the GST Council in the 50 th meeting held on 11 th July, 2023 has clarified that 28% GST shall be levied on actionable claims supplied in online gaming, irrespective of whether the underlying activities are games of skill or games of chance. GST rates  and  exemptions  are  prescribed  on  the  recommendations  of  GST  Council  which  is  a constitutional body comprising members from Union Government and State/UT Governments.
Lok Sabha Question No. 585 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: ABHA Cards Compulsory for Ration
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Ritesh Pandey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.585 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH DECEMBER, 2023

## ABHA  CARDS COMPULSORY FOR RATION

## 585.  SHRI RITESH PANDEY:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC DiSTRiBUTiON aq$fRI wa, @r© Bh 8T8lfqq f+tWI IHt be pleased  to state:

- (a) whether  it  is a fact  that  the Government has made it  compulsory for BPL families to have ABHA Card for availing the monthly ration; if so, the
- details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) the state/UT-wise details  of the people who  have been denied ration
- due to non-possession of the  ABHA card; and
- (c) whether the Government has made alternative arrangements for people who have not yet enrolled for ABHA cards and if so, the details thereof, state/  UT-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a), (b) & (c): Under National Food Security Act,  2013 (NFSA), the coverage of  beneficiaries for  receiving highly subsidized foodgrains through Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) has been de-linked from the erstwhile  poverty estimates (Above Poverty Line/Below Poverty Line) and has been linked to  the population estimates under two categories namely Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority  Households (PHH) only.  As such no BPL cards are issued under NFSA, 2013.

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