opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2256 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Uni Gauge Policy
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mahabali Singh, Ravi Kishan Shukla, Ravindra Kushawaha, Subrata Pathak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2256 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## UNI GAUGE POLICY

†2256. SHRI MAHABALI SINGH: SHRI RAVI KISHAN: SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA: SHRI SUBRAT PATHAK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  salient  features  of  uni-gauge  policy  for  the  rail  network  in the country;
- (b) the details of the works done so far under this policy since its implementation; and
- (c) the  details  of  the  railway  lines  where  gauge  conversion  works are pending along with the reasons therefor?

## 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. 2256 BY SHRI MAHABALI SINGH, SHRI RAVI  KISHAN,  SHRI  RAVINDRA  KUSHWAHA  AND  SHRI  SUBRAT PATHAK TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 02.08.2023 REGARDING UNI GAUGE POLICY

- (a)  to  (c):    Policy  for  Project  Uni-gauge taken up in 1992 to convert selected routes for conversion into broad gauge is as under:
- (i) To  take  up  conversion  of  lines  to  develop  alternative  Broad Gauge (BG) routes obviating the need for  Doubling of existing Broad Gauge lines on these routes.
- (ii) To  establish  BG  connection  to  ports,  industrial  centers  and locations having potential for growth.
- (iii)   To take up conversion of lines required on strategic considerations.
- (iv) To minimize trans-shipment and to improve wagon turn-around by avoiding delays at trans-shipment points.
- (v) To carry out the conversion of lines as per the above policy at least  cost  yet  providing  a  standard  of  service  not  lower  than what the rail users were getting.

As  on  01.04.1992,  Indian  Railways  had  a  network  of  27,349  Km  of Meter  Gauge  (MG)/  Narrow  Gauge  (NG)  railway  lines.  25,368  km  of MG/NG  railway  lines  have  been  converted  into  Broad  Gauge  upto 31.03.2023.

As  on  01.04.2023,  across  Indian  Railways,  39  Gauge  Conversion projects  of  total  length  5,405  Km,  costing ` 48,580  crore,  are  in planning/sanction/construction stage, out of which 3,514 Km length has  been  commissioned  and  an  expenditure  of ` 20,580  crore  has been incurred upto March, 2023.

The completion of any Railway project(s) depends on various factors like quick land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by officials  of  forest  department,  deposition  of  cost  share  by  State Government  in  cost  sharing  projects,  shifting  of  infringing  utilities, statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and topographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area of project(s) site, number of working months in a year for particular project  site  due  to  climatic  conditions  etc.  and  all  these  factors affect the completion time of the project(s).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Man-made Fibres (MMF)
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Brijendra Singh

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2254 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## MAN-MADE FIBRES (MMF)

## 2254. SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES be pleased to state :

## वस्त्र मंत्री

(a) the details of India's share of global trade in the textiles and apparel industry;

(b) the share of Man-Made Fibres (MMF) within India's total textile and apparel exports;

(c)  whether  the  Production-Linked  Incentive  (PLI)  Scheme  for  MMF  Textiles  has  enhanced  the production of MMF textiles and if so, the details thereof; and

(d)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  other  measures  to  promote  MMF  Textiles  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

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

(a): India's  share  in  global  Textiles  &  Apparel  export  (Chapter-50  to  63)  was  4%  during  2022. (Source: Trade Map)

(b): The share of Manmade Fibre (MMF) textiles (Manmade Staple Fibre, Manmade Yarn, Fabrics and  Madeups  and  RMG  Manmade  Fibres)  in  India's  total  textile  and  apparel  exports  (excluding handicrafts) was 24.24% during the year 2022-23. (Source: DGCIS)

(c) & (d): Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles has been approved with an outlay of Rs. 10,683 crore over a five year period, to promote production of MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics and Products of Technical Textiles in the country. 64 applicants were selected under the PLI scheme. The scheme is expected to lead to an investment of Rs.19,798 crore in the MMF and Technical textiles. The gestation period of the scheme is upto March, 2024. Additionally, Ministry is implementing National Technical  Textiles  Mission  with  an  approved  outlay  of  Rs.1,480  crore  to  support  Technical  Textiles which is mainly MMF based. Further, in order to promote Man-Made Fibre (MMF) value chain in the country,  Ministry  has  recently  set  up  a  "Textile  Advisory  Group  on  Man-made  Fibre  (MMF)" comprising stakeholders of the entire value chain to deliberate and make recommendations on the issues and concerns of the sector and help its growth. Government is constantly engaging with the industry (both manufacturers and users) and taking appropriate action on need basis.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2252 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Claims Settlement of Balasore Train Accident
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Achyutananda Samanta, Kotagiri Sridhar

(a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2252 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## CLAIMS SETTLEMENT OF BALASORE TRAIN ACCIDENT

2252.   SHRI ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA: SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of people with disabilities who died and were injured during the Odisha train accident that took place on June 2,  2023;
- (b) the number of people who became disabled due to the said train accident;
- (c) whether  the  claims  for disability and  hospitalization  were lodged with the general insurance companies under the IRCTC travel accident insurance scheme for train passengers, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether there were claims for the death of injured passengers as well;
- (e) if so, the total number of claims that were filed across different disabilities; and
- (f) the total number of people whose claims have been settled till date?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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 2252 BY SHRI ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA AND SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 02.08.2023  REGARDING  CLAIMS  SETTLEMENT  OF  BALASORE  TRAIN ACCIDENT (a)  &  (b):  Railways  has  not  received  any  claim  on  death  of  persons with  disabilities.  However,  all  the  injured  passengers  have  received immediate  attention  and  treatment  at  various  hospitals.  Disability certificates are issued by respective state governments. (c) to (f): Under Optional Travel insurance scheme, a total number of 22 claims have been lodged with the insurance companies for minor injuries/hospitalization, by train passengers of Balasore train accident. No  claims  for  disability  were  lodged  with  insurance  companies.  No claims for the death of injured passengers were lodged with insurance companies under Optional Travel insurance scheme. Out of 22 claims lodged, 02 hospitalization/injury claims have been settled till 26.07.2023.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: PLI
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Talari Rangaiah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2251. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 02 ND  AUGUST, 2023.

PLI

## 2251.  DR. TALARI RANGAIAH:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether  the  various  schemes  of  Production  Linked  Incentive  (PLI)  are contributing to the foreign trade; and
- (b) if so, the details of each manufacturing sector getting foreign trade?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a) & (b): Keeping in view India's  vision of becoming 'Atmanirbhar', Production Linked Incentive  (PLI)  Schemes  for  14  key  sectors  have  been  announced  with  an outlay  of  Rs.  1.97  lakh  crore  (over  US$26  billion)  to  enhance  India's Manufacturing capabilities and Exports.

The  14  sectors  are:  (i)  Mobile  Manufacturing  and  Specified  Electronic Components, (ii) Critical Key Starting Materials/Drug Intermediaries & Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, (iii) Manufacturing of Medical Devices (iv) Automobiles and Auto Components, (v) Pharmaceuticals Drugs, (vi) Specialty Steel, (vii)  Telecom  &  Networking  Products,  (viii)  Electronic/Technology Products, (ix) White Goods (ACs and LEDs), (x) Food Products, (xi) Textile Products: MMF segment and technical textiles, (xii) High efficiency solar PV modules, (xiii) Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery, and (xiv) Drones and Drone Components.

The purpose of the PLI Schemes is to attract investments in important sectors of  industry  involving  cutting-edge  technology;  ensure  efficiency  and  bring economies of size and scale in the manufacturing sector, drive exports and make  Indian  companies  and  manufacturers  globally  competitive.  These schemes have the potential of significantly boosting production, employment and economic growth over the next five years or so.

PLI  Schemes are  intended  to  strategically  enter  certain  segments  of  global value chains (GVCs) which is expected to transform India's exports basket from traditional  commodities  to  high  value-added  products  such  as  electronics  & telecommunication goods, processed food products, pharmaceuticals etc.

PLI  Schemes  for  all  the  14  Sectors  have  been  notified  by  the  concerned Ministries/  Departments  after  due  approval.  These  Schemes  are  in  various stages of implementation by the implementing Ministries/ Departments.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2249 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Services of Vande Bharat Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gaddam Ranjith Reddy, Venkatesh Netha Borlakunta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2249 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## SERVICES OF VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS

2249.

DR. G. RANJITH REDDY:

SHRI VENKATESH NETHA BORLAKUNTA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  true  that  half  of  Vande  Bharat  Express  services  are running with around 60-70% of its capacity;
- (b) if so, the reasons for running Vande Bharat services on those routes where there is no demand;
- (c)  whether  Vande  Bharat  services  are  incurring  losses  on  New  DelhiAmb Andaura route, MGR Chennai-Mysuru Express route, Bilaspur-Nagpur Express route, CSMT-Sainagar Shirdi Express route;
- (d) if so, the reasons thereon and the corrective measures taken by the Railways;
- (e) whether there are many routes in Telangana where there is a need to run Vande Bharat (VB) services; and
- (f)  if  so,  the details of such routes identified and the steps taken to run VB services on those routes?

## 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. 2249 BY DR. G. RANJITH REDDY AND SHRI VENKATESH  NETHA  BORLAKUNTA  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 02.08.2023 REGARDING SERVICES OF VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS.

(a) & (b) As on 26 th  July 2023, 50 Vande Bharat train services are running across the Indian Railways. During the current financial year i.e. 2023-24 (upto June 2023), the overall utilization of Vande Bharat trains has been 99.60%. On Indian Railways, occupancy of trains is not uniform throughout the year and it varies during lean and peak periods.

(c) & (d) Train-wise profitability is not maintained.

(e) & (f) Indian Railways do not operate train services on State-wise basis as  Railway  network  straddles  across  state  boundaries.  As  on  26 th   July 2023, 50 Vande Bharat train services are being operated on the Indian Railway network serving every state having Broad Gauge (B.G.) electrified  network.  These  include 04  Vande  Bharat  services  which  are catering  to  the  needs  of  stations  located  in  the  state  of  Telangana. Moreover, introduction of trains, including Vande Bharat services, is an ongoing  process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  operational  feasibility, traffic justification, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Release of Suspended MPLAD Funds
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: M. Selvaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2247 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## RELEASE OF SUSPENDED MPLAD FUNDS

## 2247. SHRI M. SELVARAJ:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government spending under MPLADS had already halved before the Government suspended the scheme for two years on April 6, 2020 and diverted the funds to manage COVID-19 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the funds under MPLADS are nonlapsable both at the end of the Union Government as well as at the end of the District Authority and the unspent balances of a particular year are utilised in the subsequent year(s);
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Union Government proposes to release the suspended funds under MPLADS;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION,  MINISTER  OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS [RAO INDERJIT SINGH]

- (a) No, Sir.
- (b)  &  (c)  MPLADS  Funds  released  to  the  District  Authority  by  the Government of India are non-lapsable. Funds left in the district can be

carried  forward  for  utilization  in  the  subsequent  years.  Further,  the funds not released by the Government of India in a year will be carried forward  for  making  releases  in  the  subsequent  years  subject  to  the fulfillment  of  criteria  stipulated  in  Paragraph  4.3  and  Para-4.4  of MPLADS Guidelines, 2016. Any unspent balance out of the annual allocation of a particular Member of  Parliament  shall  be  carried  forward  and  added  to  the  annual allocation for that Member of Parliament for the subsequent Financial Year and the drawing limits of his account with Nodal District Authority shall be fixed accordingly [Para-10.4.4 of MPLADS Guidelines, 2023]. (d) to (f) MPLADS funds to the tune of Rs.6320 crore, i.e., Rs.3,950 crore for the Financial Year (FY) 2020-21 and Rs.2,370 crore for the FY 202122, were placed at the disposal of the Ministry of Finance for managing the health and adverse impacts of Covid-19 on the society for stepping up  capital  outlay  including  health  infrastructure  and  various  social security measures for the poor and the needy.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2246 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: IIPM
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Feroze Varun Gandhi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2246 ANSWERED ON 02/08/2023

## IIPM

## 2246.   SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  of  establishing  more  Indian  Institutes  of  Plantation Management (IIPM) across the Country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the State Government of Uttar Pradesh has made nay representations for the establishment of an IIPM in the State and if so, the status of the request 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) & (b): Sir, presently, no such proposal is under consideration.
- (c): No such representation has been received in this Department from the State Government of Uttar Pradesh.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2242 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Waterlogging under ROB
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2242 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## WATERLOGGING UNDER ROB

†2242. SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  there  is  always  waterlogging  under  the  rail  overbridge (ROB)  near  Sindhi  railway  station  under  Nagpur  division  which causes inconvenience in movement; and
- (b)  if  so,  the  measures  being  taken  by  the  Railways  to  get  rid  of waterlogging at that place?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) and  (b): The construction of Railway portion of Road Over Bridge in lieu of Level Crossing No. 103 near Sindhi Railway station under Nagpur division, has been taken up by Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development  Corporation  limited  (MRIDCL).  During  execution  of  this ROB work, some portion of road recently got damaged, resulting  into water logging in small patch during recent rains, which has now been attended.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2241 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Exclusion of Meerut from NCR
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sanjay Bhatia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2241.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 02 ND  AUGUST, 2023.

## EXCLUSION OF PANIPAT FROM NCR

## 2241.  SHRI SANJAY BHATIA:

## Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the Government is considering to provide waiver from the liabilities of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to the entrepreneurs in Panipat, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether these industries will be able to compete with those of Ludhiana and Gujarat once Panipat is removed from NCR since coal will be allowed to be used in the boilers;
- (c) if so, whether the Government proposes to remove Panipat from the NCR given that it is expected to result in an increase of Rs. 10000 crore per year in the Textile and Dying business in Panipat; and
- (d) if so, the action proposed to be taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a): No, there is no proposal to provide waiver from the liabilities of Graded Response Action  Plan  (GRAP)  and  Piped  Natural  Gas  (PNG)  to  the entrepreneurs in Panipat.
- (b) to (d) : The National Capital Region (NCR) comprises the States of Haryana, Uttar  Pradesh,  Rajasthan,  National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi.  Any decision or any change in NCR area is taken only after consensus is reached amongst the member of the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB).

Further  it  may  be  noted  that  as  per  the  Commission  for  Air  Quality Management (CAQM) direction No.63 dated 18/05/2022 the use of coal is banned and only cleaner fuel like Biomass/PNG are allowed for the industrial use and fuels listed in the approved fuel list issued as per order No.I/125959/2022 dated 22/07/2022.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2240 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: ROBs in Bihar
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Chhedi Paswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2240 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## ROBs IN BIHAR

## †2240. SHRI CHHEDI PASWAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a project has been executed by the Government to build Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) in Bihar;
- (b) if so, the number  of ROBs  built in  Sasaram  Parliamentary Constituency of Bihar under Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay (Mugalsarai) Division in  the  East  Central  Railway  during  the  last nine years; and
- (c) the details in this regard along with the funds spent thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c):  Total  73  Nos.  of  Road  Over  Bridges  (ROBs)  have  been completed  in  the  State  of  Bihar  during  last  nine  years,  out  of  which total  20  Nos.  of  ROBs,  on  cost  sharing  basis  have  been  completed  in Sasaram Parliamentary Constituency of Bihar under Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay (Erstwhile Mugalsarai) Division and ` 320.71 crores have been spent as railway share, in their execution.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2235 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Handloom Helpline Centre
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## HANDLOOM HELPLINE CENTRE

## 2235. SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM:

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

(a) whether the Handloom Helpline Centre has proven to be beneficial for weavers in addressing their technical issues and providing any schematic clarifications;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Handloom Helpline Centre respond to queries in regional languages; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् ) THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES

## (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

(a) & (b): Ministry of Textiles, Government of India is running Handloom Helpline Centre under National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) with an objective of providing single point of contact  to  handloom  weavers/workers  across  the  country  for  resolving  their  technical/professional queries and clarifications related to handloom schemes. The helpline is accessible by dialing toll free number 18002089988. The service is available from 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM on all 7 days a week.

(c) & (d): Handloom  Helpline  Centre  responds  to  queries  in  seven  languages  (Hindi,  English, Tamil,  Telugu,  Bengali,  Kannada  and  Assamese)  including  5  regional  languages.  Since  inception, 38,922 number of technical/professional queries have been resolved through the Centre.

****