opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5461 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Ballooning International Event
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 5461 (To be answered on the 3 rd  April 2025)

## BALLOONING INTERNATIONAL EVENT

## 5461. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDI

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether it is a fact that a Ballooning International Event is held in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the locations and frequency of the event;
- (c) whether the Government has provided any financial or other support to the organizing committee for promoting the event internationally;
- (d) if so, the details thereof including the amount of financial assistance, logistical aid and policy incentives provided; and
- (e) whether the Government has any plans to further promote ballooning as an aero sport in the country through policy initiatives or international collaborations and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) & (b) The Plenary Meeting of the Ballooning Commission (CIA) of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), the World Air Sports Body, was hosted in India by Aero Club of India- National Airsport Control from 12th to 15th March 2025 at New Delhi. This is an annual event and is traditionally hosted by a member country or the FAI Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. This was held in India for the first time. This milestone  event  significantly  bolstered  India's  prominence  within  the international ballooning community, while elevating its reputation in hosting prestigious international forums.
- (c) & (d) The Ministry has sanctioned a grant of Rs.35 lakhs for hosting of the Plenary Meeting of the Ballooning from 12th to 15th March 2025.
- (e) The major step taken by Government to make India one of the top Air Sports nations is the promulgation of National Air Sports Guidelines (NASG)

in August 2023 by Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).The main objectives of NASG published by Ministry of Civil Aviation include the following: i) Promote an air sports culture in the country including ballooning. ii) Enable adoption of international standard and good practices in safety air sports infrastructure, equipment, operations and maintenance and training iii)  Develop a simple, stakeholder-friendly transparent, accountable and effective governance structure iv) Enhance participation and success of Indian sportspersons in global air sports events and v) Promote design, development and manufacturing of air sports equipment

- in India in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5457 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Elevated Expressway in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri K Gopinath

be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  and  current  status  of  the  approvals  pending  for  the elevated  expressway  between  Tambaram  and  Chengalpattu  in  Tamil Nadu and the  specific  challenges  or  bottlenecks  causing  delays  in  the approval process for this project;
- (b) the steps taken/being taken to expedite the approval process and the expected timeline for obtaining all the necessary clearances;
- (c) the details of financial and technical support provided/proposed to be provided by the Union Government for the said project; and
- (d) the  details  of  other  elevated  expressway  projects  approved  or pending during the last ten years, State-wise and the details of financial and technical support provided thereto?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) The Government takes up proposals of ring roads, bypasses & elevated  corridors  for  development  in  major  cities/  urban  centers  and State  capitals  in  consultation  with  State  Governments  to  de-congest traffic and alleviate choke points on National Highways. As far as the decongestion of the stretch between Tambaram and Chengalpattu of NH-32 is  concerned, the work for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR),

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5457 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  APRIL, 2025

## ELEVATED EXPRESSWAY IN TAMIL NADU

5457.   SHRI K GOPINATH:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

for the development of the stretch from Chennai and Trichy is awarded including the option to explore the possibility for construction of elevated road in the said stretch. Decision will be taken based on outcome of DPR, traffic  density,  speed  drop,  number  of  road  entering/exiting  the  city, condition  of  roads,  inter-se  priority  and  synergy  with  PM  Gati  Shakti National Master Plan. (d) requirement of connectivity, projected traffic, inter-se priority

DPR/  Feasibility  is  done  for  evaluating  options  for  development  of National  Highways.  In  certain  section  of  NHs,  in  case  of  constraints  in the  acquisition  of  land  or  very  high  volume  of  traffic,  such  sections  of highway are either realigned/ elevated. Such decisions are based on the and synergy  with  PM  Gati  Shakti  National  Master  Plan.  Further,  in  order  to improve  viability  of  the  project,  the  State  Government  is  at  times requested  to  agree  to  share  land  acquisition  cost,  utility  shifting  cost, reimbursement of royalty and State component of GST. Such agreements are project specific.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5454 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Reduction in Allocation of Budget
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Kumari Selja

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 5454

(To be answered on the 3 rd  April 2025)

## REDUCTION IN ALLOCATION OF BUDGET

5454.

KUMARI SELJA

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Civil Aviation has been reduced to Rupees 2,357.14 crore for the financial year 2025-26 and if so, the detail thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has assessed the impact of these budgetary cuts on critical areas such as airport infrastructure development and regional connectivity, particularly under the UDAN scheme; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken to ensure uninterrupted expansion and development of the aviation sector despite the reduced allocation?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a)  The Budget Estimates 2024-25 is Rs 2357.14 crore against which the revised allocation for the year 2024-25 has been increased to Rs 2658.68 crore with the total increase of Rs 301.54 crore. The Budget Estimates 2025-26 is Rs 2400.31 crore.
- (b) to (c) The government has announced the launch of modified UDAN Scheme to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations and cater to 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years. The proposal for budgetary allocation will be submitted on formulation of the modified UDAN Scheme.

Ministry of Civil Aviation does not have any separate Budgetary Allocation/Funds for the development of Greenfield Airports.

However, for development/upgradation/modernisation of various airports in the country to meet the requirement of Air traffic /passengers' growth, Airports Authority of India and PPP Partners have embarked upon a CAPEX plan of more than Rs. 91000 crore during FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25. Out of this, approximate expenditure of Rs. 88000 crore has already been incurred under NIP till February, 2025.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5453 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Negative Effects of Building Waterways using Cement Concrete
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Dr. Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5453

ANSWERED ON 03.04.2025

## NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF BUILDING WATERWAYS USING CEMENT CONCRETE 5453.  DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  data  pertaining  to  the  negative  effects  of  building  waterways  using cement concrete on the preservation of groundwater levels;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether the Government has any plan to substitute permeable materials in building waterways, water channels, canals, etc., to harvest and raise groundwater levels; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) to (d) Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is responsible for regulation and development of inland  waterways  {which  have  been  declared  as  National  Waterways-(NWs)  through  the  National Waterways  Act,  2016}  for  shipping  and  navigation  as  per  IWAI  Act,  1985.  NWs  are  taken  up  for development as per the outcome of first stage feasibility studies report and thereafter second stage detailed project reports (DPRs). Waterways are not built artificially by IWAI. There is no use of Cement concrete in maintaining navigable depths.

As per Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), assessment of Dynamic Ground Water Resources of each State/UT is being carried out jointly by CGWB and State Nodal/Ground Water Department annually since  2022  as  per  the  Ground  Water  Estimation  Committee-2015  (GEC-2015)  methodology.  This methodology includes norms for estimating groundwater recharge from canals, taking into account whether the canal is lined or unlined.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5448 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: PLI Scheme for Drone Manufacturing
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Ms Sayani Ghosh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 5448

(To be answered on the 3 rd  April 2025)

## PLI SCHEME FOR DRONE MANUFACTURING

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

5448.

MS SAYANI GHOSH

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  a  new  PLI  Scheme  for manufacturers of drones and drone components in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  achievements  of  the  first  PLI  Scheme  for  the  said manufacturers under which an outlay incentive of Rs 120 crores was set aside by the Government in September 2021;
- (c) the reasons for the discontinuation of the said PLI Scheme;
- (d) whether the Government is aware that 90% of flight controllers used in small drones in the country are imported from China; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government for indegenisation of drone components?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a)  to  (c)  The  scheme  of  Production Linked Incentive for drones and drone components of Ministry of Civil Aviation was notified on 30th September, 2021 with a total incentive of Rs 120 crores spread over three Financial Years (FYs), FY 2021-22 to FY 2023-24. The Scheme period is now over. Under the scheme a total amount of Rs 98.32 crores (approx.) was disbursed.

(d) and (e) As per the available data submitted by Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) manufacturers in India with respect to Flight controllers installed in Small class UAS model Type Certified by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and registered with Unique Identification Numbers as on date, 39 percent of Flight Controllers have been sourced from manufacturers based in China. The PLI Scheme of the Ministry included the indigenous manufacture of drone components.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5447 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: CREATE for support to Rural Enterprises
Ministry: MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Shri Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5447 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.04.2025

## CREATE FOR SUPPORT TO RURAL ENTERPRISES

## 5447. SHRI MUKESHKUMAR CHANDRAKAANT DALAL:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Centre  for  Rural  Enterprise  Acceleration  through  Technology  (CREATE)  has been set up to support rural enterprises, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the key facilities and training programme provided by CREATE;
- (c) the manner in which the initiative aims to enhance local productivity and improve the quality of products in the region;
- (d) the  estimated  impact  of  CREATE  on  improving  the  livelihoods  of  local  communities  and enabling artisans to earn higher remuneration; and
- (e) whether the Government plans to establish similar centres in other regions to promote rural enterprise development and economic growth particularly in Gujarat?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

- (a): The Centre for Rural Enterprise Acceleration through Technology (CREATE) has been set up at  Leh  to  support  rural  enterprises,  enhance  local  productivity,  product  quality  and  improve livelihoods of the local traditional artisans.
- (b): The Centre for Rural Enterprise Acceleration through Technology (CREATE) is a Pashmina wool  processing  unit  which  has  been  set  up  for  conversion  of  dehaired  Pashmina  to  Pashmina Roving.
- (c) & (d): Before establishment of the CREATE, no Pashmina wool roving processing facility was available in Leh, and therefore the same was being done from units based in different states. The setting up of CREATE makes availability of Pashmina roving facility, locally at Leh, leading to high productivity, consistent product quality due to automation and high earnings for the artisans. It also reduces wastage of costly Pashmina fibre.

Increased productivity will lead to increase of earnings of spinners and weavers. It, further, helps in conserving the art of Pashmina spinning and weaving.

- (e): As of now, KVIC has no plan to establish similar centre in Gujarat State.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5446 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Survey for Exploration of Oil and Natural Gas
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Ranjan

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5446 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 rd  April, 2025

## Survey for Exploration of Oil and Natural Gas

## †5446: SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

## पेĚोͧलयम एवं Ĥाक ृ Ǔतक गैस मंğी

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  survey  for  the  exploration  of  oil  and natural  gas  in  Kosi-Saptakoshi,  Gandak,  Mahananda,  Kamla  Balan,  Ganga  rivers flowing in North Bihar and the Terai Region of Nepal;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if  not,  whether  the  Government  has  been  deliberating  upon  a  action  plan  for  the exploration of oil and natural gas in the said rivers and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## पेĚोͧलयम और Ĥाक ृ Ǔतक गैस मंğालय मɅ राÏय मंğी ( Įी सुरेश गोपी )

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

(a) to (c): India's Oil and Natural Gas reserves are categorized into Sedimentary basins. KosiSaptakoshi,  Gandak,  Mahananda,  Kamla  Balan,  Ganga  rivers  form  part  of  Ganga  Punjab sedimentary basin. Government had acquired 766 Line Kilometer (LKM) of 2-Dimensional (2D) Seismic Data pertaining to the Ganga Punjab basin during 2017-2021. In addition, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has so far acquired 1431.56 LKM of 2 D seismic data in  Terai Region in Bihar and has also acquired 524.765 LKM 2D seismic data and 404.33 Square Kilometer (SKM)  3-Dimensional (3D) seismic data in North Bihar region. Government has awarded two blocks GV-ONHP-2021/1 and GV-ONHP-2021/2 in 2022 with an area of 308.32 sq km and302.57 sq km. respectively in Ganga Punjab basin out of which 308.32 sq km and 52.13 sq km respectively are in the state of Bihar.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5445 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Development of Airport Infrastructure in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Km. Sudha R

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 5445

(To be answered on the 3 rd  April 2025)

## DEVELOPMENT OF AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IN TAMIL NADU

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

5445.

KM. SUDHA R

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the number of flights and helicopters operated from/to the airfield in Puducherry;
- ( b ) w h e t h e r h e l i p a d s w o u l d b e e s t a b l i s h e d i n Mayiladuthurai/Kumbakonam/Thanjavur to promote cultural and spiritual tourism in the Cauvery Delta districts region and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is operating or maintaining any defence helipads in the Nagapattinam region and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the said helipads could be used for civilian purposes and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a): The number of aircraft movements handled at Puducherry from 2019 to 2024 is 3207.
- (b) to (d): There is no such plan under consideration of the Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Shortage of Drinking Water in Rural Areas of Rajasthan
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Kuldeep Indora

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5439 ANSWERED ON 03/04/2025

## SHORTAGE OF DRINKING WATER IN RURAL AREAS OF RAJASTHAN

## 5439.   SHRI KULDEEP INDORA:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any special initiatives through its various schemes to ensure that rural areas of water deficient districts of Rajasthan get sufficient and safe supply of drinking water;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  the  rural  areas  of Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts get safe drinking water during the last three years and the current year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

(a) to (c)   Since August 2019, Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), in  partnership  with  States/  UTs,  including  water  deficient  districts  of  Rajasthan,  to  make provision of tap water supply to every rural  household of the country in adequate quantity (55lpcd) of prescribed quality (BIS:10500) on long term basis. Drinking water is a state subject, and hence, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance  of  drinking  water  supply  schemes,  including  those  under  the  JJM,  lies  with State/UT Governments. The Government of India supports the States by providing technical and financial assistance.

As reported by the state government of Rajasthan on JJM IMIS, on 15.08.2019, only 11.68 lakh  (10.85%)  rural  households  had  tap  water  connections.  Since  then,  around  48.77  lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections under JJM. Thus, as on 31.03.2025, out of 107.75 lakh rural households in state, the provision of tap water supply is available to approximately 60.46 lakh (56.12%) rural households.

As reported by state on JJM-IMIS, in Sriganganagar district, on 15.08.2019, 12,926 (7.01%) rural households had tap water connections. Since then, 1,55,139 additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections under JJM. Thus, as on 31.03.2025, out of 1,84,311 rural households, the provision of tap water supply is available to 1,68,065 (91.19%) rural households in the district.

Similarly, in Hanumangarh district, on 15.08.2019, 77,784 (26.61%) rural households had tap water connections. Since then, 1,74,330 additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections under JJM. Thus, as on 31.03.2025, out of 2,92,298 rural households, the provision of tap water supply is available to 2,52,114 (86.25%) rural households in the district.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5436 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Central Road Infrastructure Fund in Karnataka
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri B Y Raghavendra

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5436

ANSWERED ON  03 RD  APRIL, 2025

## CENTRAL ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE FUND IN KARNATAKA

5436. SHRI B Y RAGHAVENDRA:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the amount of money collected and spent under the Central Road and Infrastructure  Fund  (CRIF)  in  the  last  five  years  and  the  current year for the State of Karnataka;
- (b) the details of ongoing road projects under CRIF in Karnataka; and
- (c) whether the Government has identified new roads for development under CRIF in Karnataka, if so, the current status thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a )  Year-wise details of accrual of funds and the funds released for development and maintenance of State roads under Central Road and Infrastructure  Fund  (CRIF)  Scheme  in  the  State  of  Karnataka  during the last five years and  the current year are as under:
-  Funds  have been  released more  than the accrual for the Financial  Year  2023-24  from  the  unspent  balance  of  previous years of the State.

| Year    |   Accrual (Rs. in Cr) |   Release (Rs. in Cr) |
|---------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
| 2019-20 |                476.84 |                382.57 |

| 2020-21   |   439.77 | 434.99   |
|-----------|----------|----------|
| 2021-22   |   443.11 | 442.90   |
| 2022-23   |   513.13 | 465.27   |
| 2023-24   |   608.06 | 660.91*  |
| 2024-25   |   608.81 | 453.85   |

(b)          Total  319  CRIF  works  in  a  length  of  about  1856  km  and amounting  to  Rs.2151.28  crore  are  in  various  stages  in  the  State  of Karnataka.  These  works  are  scheduled  for  completion  in  a  phased manner by the year 2027.

(c) The development and maintenance of State roads is the responsibility  of  respective  State  Government/  U.T.  Administration. The Government gives approval of list of works on State Roads in due consideration of proposals received from respective State Government /UTs as per accrual under CRIF. The detailed technical, financial and administrative sanction is granted by respective State/ U.T. Authorities.  The  Government  releases  funds  based  on  Utilisation Certificate received from the State Government/ U.Ts.

*****