opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2171 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Reverting to OPS
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: A. Chellakumar, Rajmohan Unnithan, Mohammad Jawed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS' WELFARE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2171

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023)

## REVERTING TO OPS

## 2171. DR. A. CHELLAKUMAR: SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN: DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Department of Personnel and Training has completed the process of issuing general  orders  to  exclude  Central  Government  employees  whose  advertisements  for recruitment  were  released  on  or  before  31/12/2003  from  the  National  Pension  System (NPS) and bring them under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in the light of the recent Supreme Court judgment; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  & (b):  Yes Sir, The Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare has issued instructions on 03.03.2023 in the light of Court judgments, giving one time option to the Central Government civil  employee  for  inclusion  under  CCS  (Pension)  Rules,  1972  (now  2021)  who  has  been appointed against a post or vacancy which was advertised/ notified for recruitment/ appointment prior to notification for National Pension System i.e. 22.12.2003.  Department of Personnel and Training has issued similar orders for AIS officers on 13.07.2023.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2168 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Increasing Capacity of Warehouses
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2168 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2ND AUGUST, 2023

## INCREASING CAPACITY OF WAREHOUSES

## 2168.  SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS1  FOOD  AND PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION 3qqttmqni+,  @rw siR wMrfRqfRvw  +gt be pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to increase the present capacity of warehouses in the  country  and embark on its  first  implementation in some selected districts  in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any  districts in  the  State  of  Andhra  Pradesh  have  been
- selected for this purpose, if sol the details thereof; and
- (d) the  quantum of  funds earmarked for this purpose and  the  funds released to States  so far?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b): The requirement of Storage capacity in Food Corporation of India (FCI) depends upon the level of procurement, requirement of buffer norms and Public Distribution  System (PDS) operations for Rice and Wheat mainly.  Storage gap is assessed in the  procuring States based on the highest stock  levels in the last three years and in the consuming States on the basis of 4 months (6 months in case of  North Eastern states and in some other  states  like  J&K,  Ladakh, Himachal Pradeshl Uttarakhand, Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep) requirement under National Food Security Act  (NFSA) and Other Welfare Scheme (OWS)B FCI continuously assesses and monitors the storage capacity and based on the storage gap assessment1  storage capacities are created/hired through following schemes:

- 18 Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme
2. Central  Sector  Scheme  (CSS),
3. Construction of SILO's under PPP mode
- 4a Hiring of godown from Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC)/ State Warehousing Corporation (SWCs)/State Agencies
5. Hiring  of godown  through  Private Warehousing Scheme (PWS).
- (c) & (d) : Under new initiative  of Asset  Monetization of FC:1, 2 locations in Andhra Pradesh have been selected by FCI for  construction of storage capacities under Phase-1, details are given below:

| Location/District                | Category        |
|----------------------------------|-----------------|
| FeI BSC Hanuman Junction Krishna | Under PMS Cat-  |
| FeI BSC Pennada Nest Godavari)   | Non PMS :Cat-A) |

The capacity under asset monetization is  created by  attracting private investors.

++++
Lok Sabha Question No. 2165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Redevelopment of Udaipur Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Arjunlal Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2165 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## REDEVELOPMENT OF UDAIPUR RAILWAY STATION

†2165. SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  working  on  any  project  for the redevelopment of Udaipur City Railway Station in Rajasthan;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  new  features  of  this  project  and  the  details  of  the  works allocated under this project, fund-wise; and
- (d) the time by which this station is likely to be fully developed?

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. 2165 BY SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 02.08.2023 REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT OF UDAIPUR RAILWAY STATION

(a)  to  (d):  Udaipur  City  Railway  Station  has  been  taken  up  for redevelopment  under  'Amrit  Bharat  Station  Scheme'  by  Ministry  of Railways for a total cost of ₹ 354.01 Crore.

The scheme involves preparation of Master Plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators  as  necessary,  cleanliness,  free  WiFi,  kiosks  for  local products  through  schemes  like  'One  Station  One  Product',  better passenger information systems, executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping etc. keeping in view the necessity at each such station.

The  scheme  also  envisages  improvement  of  building,  integrating  the station  with  both  sides  of  the  city,  multimodal  integration,  amenities for 'Divyangjans' sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballast less tracks, 'Roof Plazas' as per necessity phasing and feasibility  and  creation  of  city  centres  at  the  station  in  the  long term.

The details of allocation of funds for development and maintenance of Stations  are  maintained  Zonal  Railway-wise  and  not  work-wise  or Station-wise.  An amount of ₹ 858.75 crore has been allocated under Plan  Head-53  'Customer  Amenities'  for  the  year  2023-24  to  North Western Railway under which Udaipur City Station falls.

Development/redevelopment of Railway Stations is complex in nature involving safety of passengers and trains and requires various statutory  clearances  from  urban/local  bodies  etc.  and  these  factors affect the completion time. Therefore, no time frame can be indicated at this stage.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Sericulture Farmers
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: S. Muniswamy

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2163 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## SERICULTURE FARMERS

## 2163. SHRI S. MUNISWAMY:

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

(a) the recent steps taken by the Government to facilitate sericulture farmers in the country;

(b)  whether it is  a  fact  that  Kolar  and  Chikballapur  districts  in  the  State  of  Karnataka  are  one  of  the leading areas contributing to the silk industry in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  provide  any  sops,  subsidies  and  other  farmer  friendly schemes for the sericulture farmers apart from the existing schemes; 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): The  Government  of  India  has  been  implementing  Silk  Samagra-2  since  2021-22,  a  Central Sector  Scheme,  for  the  overall  development  of  sericulture  industry  in  the  country  through  following steps to facilitate sericulture farmers in the country:

- i. Financial assistance to states towards implementation of various beneficiary oriented field level critical  interventions  i.e.  kissan  nurseries,  silkwork  rearing  packages  including  assistance  for plantation,  irrigation,  rearing  house,  rearing  equipments  and  establishment  of  chawki  rearing centres for sericulture farmers.
- ii. Research & Development (R&D) to evolve productive bivoltine hybrids for production of high quality bivoltine silk.
- iii. Strengthening  cold  storage  facilities  and  grainages  to  produce,  store  and  supply  quality silkworm seed.
- iv. Establishment  of  Automatic  Reeling  Machines  (ARM)  Units  for  production  of  3A-4A  grade raw Silk from the bivoltine cocoons.
- v. Mobilization  of  additional  funds  for  sericulture  development  through  the  schemes  such  as MGNREGA, RKVY etc., of line Ministries to create required infrastructure.

(b): Karnataka is the leading State in silk industry in the country with production of 11,823 MT of raw silk (32% of country's raw silk production) during the year 2022-23. Kolar and Chikkaballapur are major silk producing districts in the Karnataka state with contribution of 11% (1292 MT) & 15% (1725 MT) of the state total production of raw silk, respectively, during the year 2022-23.

(c) & (d): The Government through Central Silk Board is providing assistance to states under Silk Samagra-2 scheme, comprising farmer friendly interventions/components to provide subsidies to silk sector stakeholders including sericulture farmers.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Lifting Ban on Mining
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Sarmistha Sethi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2162

ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## LIFTING BAN ON MINING

2162. SHRIMATI SARMISTHA SETHI:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry has recently lifted ban on mining of lithium and several other minerals; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the rationale of banning earlier and now lifting the ban?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): There is no ban on mining of lithium in the Country, hence no question of lifting the ban arises.

Lithium bearing minerals are listed as atomic minerals in Part-B of First Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 [MMDR Act, 1957]. For atomic minerals where the grade of atomic mineral contained in the ore is equal to  or  more  than  the  threshold  value,  the  mining  is  undertaken  by  Government companies  as  per  the  provisions  of  Atomic  Minerals  Concession  Rules,  2016.  In case of atomic minerals, where the grade of atomic mineral contained in the ore is less than the threshold value, the State Governments can conduct auction for grant of mining lease wherein both private and government companies can participate.

Ministry  of  Mines  has  proposed  to  omit  certain  minerals  including  Lithium  bearing minerals from the list of atomic minerals specified in Part-B of the First Schedule to the MMDR Act, 1957 through an amendment to the MMDR Act 1957. Upon removal of these minerals from the said list, exploration and mining of these minerals will be opened up for the private sector as well. As a result, exploration and mining of these minerals are expected to increase significantly in the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector Schemes
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Venkatesh Netha Borlakunta, Gaddam Ranjith Reddy

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2161 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## CENTRALLY SPONSORED AND CENTRAL SECTOR SCHEMES

## 2161. SHRI VENKATESH NETHA BORLAKUNTA: DR. G. RANJITH REDDY:

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

- (a) whether the Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Central Sector Schemes have been implemented by the  Government  in  the  State  of  Telangana  during  the  last  five  years  and  the  current  year,  if  so,  the details thereof, year, scheme and district-wise;
- (b) the details of funds allocated, sanctioned, released and utilized for each of the above schemes during the last five years and the current year, year, scheme and district-wise;
- (c) the details of physical targets set and achieved while implementing above schemes during the last five years and the current year, year, scheme and district-wise;
- (d) whether the Government has found any shortcomings while implementing above schemes and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken to overcome them; and
- (e) whether there is time and cost overrun of any of the above schemes and if so, the reasons therefor?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

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

(a) to (e): Government  is  implementing  various  schemes  which  include  Pradhan  Mantri  Mega Integrated Textile Region Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks, Production Linked Incentive (MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics and Products of Technical Textiles) Scheme, SAMARTH- Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector, Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks, Integrated Processing Development Scheme, Silk Samagra  2.0, Jute  (ICARE-  Improved  Cultivation  and  Advanced Retting  Exercise),  Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme, Raw Material Supply Scheme, National Handloom Development Programme, National Handicraft Development Programme, Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster  Development  Scheme,  Integrated  Wool  Development  Programme  and  National  Technical Textiles Mission at pan India basis including State of Telangana.

Budgetary allocation  of  funds  is  not  made  State-wise/District-wise.  The  funds  are  allocated  Schemewise on pan India basis. The funds are released based on viable proposals received and utilization of previous year funds.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Staff Strength at DEMO
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2160

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## STAFF STRENGTH AT DEMO

## 2160.   SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) the  sanctioned  strength  of  the  staff  at  various  levels  viz  Group  'A',  'B',  'C'  in  the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DEMO) attached to NITI Aayog;
- (b) the  number  of  posts  which  are  lying  vacant  out  of  the  total  sanctioned  strength  of  the staff; and
- (c) the details of the efforts that have been made to fill up the vacant posts?

## 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): Sanctioned  strength  of  Group  A  is  46,  Group  B  is  61  and  Group  C  is  42  in  the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO).
- (b): Out of above-mentioned posts, a total of 99 posts are vacant as on 28 th July, 2023; and
- (c): Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office has undertaken various measures such as encadrement of certain posts under central services, recruitment under the flexi-pool, direct recruitment, promotion from feeder posts, etc. to fill up the vacant posts

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Violation of Provisions
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

## ORIGINAL IN HINDI

## Government of India Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2159 (OIH)

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## VIOLATION OF PROVISIONS

2159.  SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE: (OIH)

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  mobile  companies,  power  sector,  foreign  banks  and  pharmaceutical  companies  are violating the provisions of Official Language Act by filling bills/forms and description on their label in English language;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the action proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure that the forms are made available in Hindi by these companies/sectors to promote the progressive use of Hindi language?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री अश्विनी क ु मार चौबे)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) to (c)   : Rule 9(4) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 provides the manner of declaration on the pre-packaged commodities as below:
- '(4) The particulars of the declarations required to be specified under this rule on a package shall either be in Hindi in Devnagri script or in English:

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-rule shall prevent the use of any other language in addition to Hindi or English language.'

It  is  observed  that  companies  also  use  the  regional  languages  for  the  bills/  forms  etc.  as  per  the requirement of local people.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Doubling of Track from Salem to Karur
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: A.K.P. Chinraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2157 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

DOUBLING OF TRACK FROM SALEM TO KARUR

2157.    SHRI A.K.P. CHINRAJ:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Ministry  has  any  plans  to  double  the  track  from Salem to Karur, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether  train  No.  16231  is  not  stopping  at  Pugalur  station while the same train was stopping at Pugalur before Covid; and

- (c) if so, 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.  2157  BY  SHRI  A.K.P.  CHINRAJ  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 02.08.2023  REGARDING DOUBLING OF

TRACK FROM SALEM TO KARUR

(a): Survey  for  doubling  between  Salem-Karur-Dindigul  has  been completed and preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been taken up. (b) and (c): Indian Railways have undertaken rationalization of the time table,  including  rationalization  of  stoppages,  in  a  scientific  manner with the assistance of IIT-Bombay. The exercise has been undertaken inter alia to provide for better passenger safety by creating maintenance  corridor  blocks,  minimizing  conflicts  in  existing  time table  and  speed  up  train  services.  Accordingly,  Pugalur  is  presently being served by 16 train services. However, provision of stoppage of trains in an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, commercial viability etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2155 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Price Hike of Moong and Masoor Dal
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Deepak (Dev) Adhikari

## Government of India Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2155 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## PRICE HIKE OF MOONG AND MASOOR DAL

2155.  SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK (DEV):

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the reasons for abnormal price hike of moong and masoor dal in the country;
- (b) whether the production of moong and masoor dal is sufficient to meet the demand in the country;
- (c) if not, whether the Government plans to import the above dal; and
- (d) if so, the countries from where the imports are likely to be done, quantity/amount-wise?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री अश्विनी क ु मार चौबे)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) : The all-India  average  retail  prices  of  moong  dal  has  increased,  on  year-on-year  basis,  by 8.2% while the retail prices of masoor dal declined by 5.4%. The retail prices of masoor has declined over previous year due to higher availability on account of increased domestic production in 2022-23 over 20212022. The rate of increase in retail prices of moong is in line with the increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
- (b) to (d)  : The estimated production of moong in 2022-23 is 37.40 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) which is sufficient to meet the estimated domestic demand of about 27 LMT. In respect of masoor, the estimated domestic production of 15.80 LMT is not sufficient to meet the estimated domestic demand of about 22 LMT, annually. As per current policy, the import of masoor is under 'free' category and moong is under 'restricted' category. In 2022-23, a total of 8.58 LMT of masoor had been imported, out of which, 4.85 LMT was from Canada and 3.55 LMT from Australia.

*****