opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2648 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Pension Adalats
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Shri Jai Prakash

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2648

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024)

## PENSION ADALATS

## 2648. SHRI JAI PRAKASH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is considering to open more "Pension Adalats" in order to redress the grievances related to pension across the country; and (b) if so, the details thereof?

## 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) and (b): DoPPW  has  organized  11  Pension  Adalats  from  2017-2024  for  redressal  of  long pending pensioners' grievances. In total, 25,224 grievances have been taken up in these Adalats, of which 18,005 cases were resolved, with an overall success rate of more than 71.38%. As per the annual work plan of DoPPW, it has been planned to conduct 3 Pension Adalats in 2024-25.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2644 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Subsidy to  Kisan Rail
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri G Lakshminarayana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2644

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

## SUBSIDY TO KISAN RAIL

## 2644. SHRI  G LAKSHMINARAYANA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    the  details  of  the  subsidy  being  provided  on  freight  for  the transportation of fruits and vegetables by Kisan Rail over the past five years, including the percentage of subsidy provided annually and the eligible entities or stakeholders;
- (b) the State-wise details of the subsidy provided for the transportation of  fruits  and  vegetables  by  Kisan  Rail  during  the  last  five  years, including  the  total  amount  of  subsidy  provided  each  year  for  each State;
- (c)  whether it is true that the subsidy for the transportation of fruits and vegetables by Kisan Rail has now been discontinued;
- (d) if so, the reasons therefor and its impact on the transportation of horticultural products; and
- (e) whether the Government has any plans to reinstate the subsidy for the transportation of fruits and vegetables by Kisan Rail and if so, the timeline for its reinstatement?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e) :  Since the launch of Kisan Rail service on 7th August 2020, Railways have operated around 2,364 Kisan Rail services, transporting

approximately  7.9  lakh  tonnes  of  perishables  across  the  states  of Andhra  Pradesh,  Assam,  Bihar,  Delhi,  Gujarat,  Karnataka,  Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.  Total subsidy disbursed by Railway till date is  Rs 153.62 crore.

Potential  circuits  for  movement  of  vegetables,  fruits  and  other perishables are identified in consultation with Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Agriculture/Animal Husbandry/ Fisheries Departments  of  State  Governments  as  well  as  local  bodies  and agencies,  Mandis  etc.,  and  on  the  basis  of  operational  feasibility, Kisan Rail services are run.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2642 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Manpower in Government Departments
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Shri Ganesh Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2642 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024)

## MANPOWER IN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

†2642. SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) the number of man power deployed in various Ministries/departments of the Government and PSUs; and (b) the details of the number of manpower belonging to Other Backward Castes among them?

## 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) and (b): Reservation to OBC is provided to OBCs @ 27% in the matter of appointment by direct recruitment to civil posts and civil services on all India basis by open competition. As per the  information  provided  by  the  Ministries/Departments,  as  on  1.1.2024,  the  number  of  OBC employees  in  the  Ministries/Departments is  about  8.55  lakh  and  as  per  the  Public  Enterprises Survey 2022-23, the number of OBC employees in operating Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) is about 2 lakh.

As per the information provided by various Ministries/ Departments of the Central Government, including  their  attached/  subordinate  offices,  the  representation  of  OBCs  against  the  total appointment  through  direct  recruitment  has  been  more  than  27%in  the  last  10  years.The percentage representation of OBCs in the direct recruitment made during the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 was 28.83%, 28.75%, 28.26% and 30.36% respectively.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2640 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: One Station One Product (OSOP) Scheme
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Himadri Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2640 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

## ONE STATION ONE PRODUCT (OSOP) SCHEME

2640. SMT. HIMADRI SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  launched  One  Station  One  Product (OSOP) scheme in the country;
- (b) the objectives and features of the OSOP scheme;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  expand  the  OSOP  scheme  by adding  more  eligible  products  and  railway  stations,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) whether this will help in creating additional income opportunities for the marginalized section of the society; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e): Yes, Sir. The 'One Station One Product' (OSOP) scheme was launched  by  Indian  Railways  as  a  pilot  on  25.03.2022,  which  was progressively proliferated across the country.

OSOP scheme aims to provide enhanced opportunities to local artisans, potters, weavers, craftsmen etc., for showcasing and selling indigenous /local products through provision of sales outlets at Railway Stations  across  the  country.  Salient  features  of  the  scheme  are  as under:

-  Indian Railways provides uniquely designed sales outlets for showcasing,  selling  and  giving  high  visibility  to  indigenous  /local products.

-  The  product  categories  are  indigenous/local  to  that  place  and include artefacts; handicrafts; textiles and handlooms; toys; leather products;  traditional  appliances  /instruments;  garments;  gems  and jewellery;  processed,  semi  processed  and  other  food  products indigenously made /grown in the area.
-  Individuals  at  the  bottom  of  the  pyramid/marginalised  and  weaker sections, self help groups, etc., are encouraged to participate in this scheme.
- 
- There is a nominal registration fee for participation in the scheme.
-  Allotment  is  done  to  all  applicants,  who  meet  objectives  of  this scheme. There is no financial eligibility.

As  on  30.11.2024,  a  total  of  2170  OSOP  outlets  were  operational  at 1906 stations and a total of 83,299 direct beneficiaries have availed the opportunities under this scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2636 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: AI and ML Technology Powered Integrated Dashboard
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Shri Jagdambika Pal, Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap, Shri Kanwar Singh Tanwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2636 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024)

## AI AND ML TECHNOLOGY POWERED INTEGRATED DASHBOARD

2636: SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP: SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR: SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL: SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

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

- (a). whether the Government proposes to set up an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) powered integrated dashboard to analyse news and anticipate emerging trends in the country;
- (b). if so, the details thereof;
- (c). whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  assessment  to  identify  the  expected benefits  of  implementing  AI  and  ML technologies in the Ministry's communication strategies especially for engaging citizens and combating fake information; and
- (d). if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

- (a) to (d): The proposed integrated dash board of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,  Government of India  (GoI),  seeks  to  use  AI/ML-powered systems for an effective dissemination of  information about government policies, schemes and programmes through the different mediums of mass communication. This will be useful for creating awareness about various schemes/ policies/programmes of GoI in all the states in local languages.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Renewable Energy Target
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2634

ANSWERED ON 11/12/2024

## RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET

## 2634. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED

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

- (a) the total capacity of India's renewable energy till date including the total installed capacity and the breakdown among solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources;
- (b) the reasons for the delay in achieving the interim target of 175 GW of renewable energy; and
- (c) the details of the Government's concrete plan to reach 500 GW renewable energy capacity target by 2030?

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

## ANSWER (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a) to (c)  In line with the Hon'ble Prime Minister's announcement at COP26, Government is  working  towards  achieving  500  GW  of  installed  electricity  capacity  from  non-fossil sources by 2030.  As on 31.10.2024, a total of 211.40 GW non-fossil power capacity has been  installed  in  the  country,  which  includes  92.12  GW  Solar  Power,  47.72  GW  Wind Power, 11.33 GW Bio-Power, 52.05 GW Hydro Power and 8.18 GW Nuclear Power.  In addition, projects of 154.40 GW capacity are at various stages of implementation and 96.69 GW under tendering.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2633 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: National Research Foundation Act
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Shafi Parambil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2633 ANSWERED ON 11/12/2024

## NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION ACT

## 2633.  Shri Shafi Parambil:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY विज्ञान  और प्रौद्योगिकी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the major objectives of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act and the status of implementation thereof;
- (b) the  source  of  funding  for  the  National  Research  Foundation  and  its operation; and
- (c) the total funds so far allocated for various research projects under the programme?

## ANSWER

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

विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी तथा पृ थ्िी विज्ञान मंत्रालय क े राज्य मंत्री ( स्ितंत्र प्रभार) ( डॉ. जितेंद्र स ंह )

- (a) The  Anusandhan  National  Research  Foundation  (ANRF),  established through an Act of Parliament, namely Anusandhan  National  Research Foundation Act, 2023 (25 of 2023), aims to seed, grow and promote research and  development  (R&D)  and  foster  a  culture  of  research  and  innovation throughout  India's  universities,  colleges,  research  institutions,  and  R&D laboratories.  ANRF  acts  as  an  apex  body  to  provide  high-level  strategic direction of scientific research in the country. The provisions of the said Act have been brought into force on February 5, 2024 and many programmes have been launched in line with the commitment of the Government to operationalize ANRF.
- (b) to (c):   ANRF has provisions to receive monies from the Central Government through grants and loans; donations from public sector enterprises,  the  private  sector,  philanthropist  organisations,  foundations  or international bodies for R&D; recoveries made of the amounts granted to ANRF; any income from investment of the amounts received by ANRF and all amounts with  the  Fund  for  Science  and  Engineering  Research  under  the  repealed Science  and  Engineering  Research  Board  Act,  2008.  ANRF  and  its  funding systems  are  operated  through  a  Governing  Board  (GB)  and  an  Executive Council (EC). The GB provides high-level strategic direction and monitors the implementation  of  the  objectives  of  the  ANRF  and  EC   is  entrusted  to implement the provisions of this Act. ANRF has been operationalized recently and a budgetary allocation of Rs. 2000 crore was made for BE 2024-25.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2627 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Lithium Extraction
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Aditya Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2627

ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

## LITHIUM EXTRACTION

- 2627 SHRI ADITYA YADAV: Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is significantly increasing country's lithium extraction and refining capacities; (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Yes Sir. Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, has been amended in 2023 empowering Central Government to  auction  blocks for  24 critical  and  strategic  minerals  including  lithium.  Ministry  of  Mines  has  successfully auctioned Katghora Lithium and Rare Earth Element (REE) block, spanning 256.12 hectares in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh. Further, there is increased focus on exploration of critical minerals including lithium.

Ministry of Mines has been promoting R&D and technological innovation in mining and metallurgy  sector  through  its  Science  and  Technology  Programme  with  focus  on extraction  of  strategic  and  critical  minerals.  Projects  related  to  Critical  Minerals including  lithium  have  been  sanctioned  under  the  Programme.  Government  is engaged in bilateral and multilateral fora with an aim to access the latest technologies in processing of critical minerals.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2626 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Publishing of Reports by Akashvani Audience Research Unit
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Azad Kirti Jha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2626

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024)

PUBLISHING  OF  REPORTS  BY  AKASHVANI  AUDIENCE  RESEARCH UNIT

2626. SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA:

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

- (a)  the  average  per  day  data  regarding  radio  listenership  of  All  India Radio (AIR);
- (b) whether the Audience Research Unit (ARU) of Akashvani is in the process of regularly publishing reports; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  last  ten  reports  published  by  the  ARU  of Akashvani?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a)  to  (c):  The  last ten  reports  published  by the  Audience  Research Unit  (ARU)  of  Akashvani  on  the  impact  assessment  studies/radio audience  surveys  include  reports  on  Spots/jingles  during  ICC  T-20 World  Cup;  Sponsored  programme  of  NCERT  (UMANG);  Radio  Spot (Tele Law); Tele-manas; Unique Disability ID & Assistance to Disabled Persons  for  Purchase/Fitting  of  AIDS/Appliances;  Matdata  Junction; National  Disaster  Management  Authority  telephonic  quick  feedback Survey; Survey of FM Channels Delhi; Radio Audience Survey on Vividh Bharati,  FM  Rainbow  &  FM  Gold;  etc.  As  per  the  latest  listenership Survey conducted during the year 2024 at 20 cities for the Tele-Law sponsored Radio Programme on four major channels of Akashvani, the listenership was estimated at 23.8 crore.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2623 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Land Acquisition for Bullet Train
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Brijendra Singh Ola

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2623

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

## LAND ACQUISITION FOR BULLET TRAIN

†2623. SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH OLA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  farmers  are  protesting  on  a  large  scale against land acquisition for the Bullet Train Project;
- (b) if so, the time by which the grievances of the farmers are likely to be redressed;
- (c) the amount required for land acquisition;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to review the compensation policy to speed up the land acquisition process;
- (e) if  so,  the  details of the steps taken by the Government to increase the amount of compensation; and
- (f)  the  details  of  the  total  estimated  cost  of  the  Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet  Train  Project  and  the  financial  assistance  received  from  the partner countries?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (f): For the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project (508 Kms), entire land (1389.5 ha.) has been acquired.

The land acquisition and Rehabilitation activities for the MAHSR Project has been done in accordance with the 'Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency  in  Land  Acquisition,  Rehabilitation  and  Resettlement (RFCTLARR)  Act,  2013'  and  relevant  amendment  and  Government

Resolutions (GR) of the respective State Governments.

The sanctioned cost of the project is Rs. 1,08,000 crores. The shareholders among the equity are Ministry of Railways (50%), Government of Gujarat (25%) and Government of Maharashtra (25%).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2620 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Modification in Original Design of Vande Bharat Sleeper
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sudama Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2620 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

## MODIFICATION IN ORIGINAL DESIGN OF VANDE BHARAT SLEEPER

2620. SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the supply of 200 Vande Bharat sleeper trains as part of  Indo-Russia  Joint  Venture  are  likely  to  face  delay  as  per  the report  published  in  The  Hindu  on  22nd  November,  2024  and  if  so, the reasons for the same;
- (b) the  reasons  for  modifications  in  the  original  designs  of  said trains;
- (c) the  response  of  the  Government  on  cost  escalation  of  Joint Venture  (JV)  due  to  modifications  in  the  designs  for  sleeper coaches;
- (d) the  current  status  of  prototype  trains  under  the  said  JV  for development of rail coaches for same trains and status report for the  prototype  of  sleeper  coaches,  specifying  the  target  date  for same; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  formed  any  joint  ventures  for development of non-AC sleeper and general coaches and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (e):  With  a  view  to  provide  better  travel  experience  to  the passengers, Indian Railways introduced first-ever indigenously designed  and  manufactured semi-high speed  Vande  Bharat trains

with  modern  coaches,  advanced  safety  features  and  passenger amenities.

As  on  02 nd   December,  2024,  136  Vande  Bharat  train  services  are operational on the Broad Gauge (B.G.) electrified network of Indian Railways.

Vande  Bharat  Sleeper  Trains  have  been  planned  for  long  and medium distance journey. Design of trains to be manufactured by Indian  Railways  has  been  finalized.  At  present,  10  Vande  Bharat Sleeper  trains  are  under  production.  The  first  prototype  has  been manufactured and will undergo field trials. Further production of 50 Vande Bharat Sleeper rakes has been taken up by ICF, Chennai.

In  addition,  Contracts  for  manufacturing  of  200  Vande  Bharat sleeper  rakes  have  also  been  awarded  to  Technology  Partners. Design  of  these  Vande  Bharat  Sleeper  rakes  has  been  taken  up. Design,  development  and  manufacturing  of  Non  AC  sleeper  and general coaches is a continuous process on Indian Railways  and is undertaken  in  its  own  Production  units  based  on  operational  and traffic requirement.

Indian  Railways  have  recently  introduced  Amrit  Bharat  trains, which  are  fully  non-AC  trains,  presently  comprising  12  Sleeper Class Coaches and 8 General Class coaches and are equipped with modern safety and passenger amenity features like SemiPermanent   couplers  for  jerk  free  travel,  fully  sealed   gangway, modular toilets  with  pressurised  flushing  system, mobile  charging sockets etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2618 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Broadcasting of DDK Delhi Programmes by DDK Meerut
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Arun Govil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2618

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024)

BROADCASTING OF DDK DELHI PROGRAMMES BY DDK MEERUT

2618. SHRI ARUN GOVIL:

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

- (a) whether the Doordarshan Kendra located at Pareekshitgarh Road, Meerut is broadcasting programmes of Doordarshan Kendra, Delhi only despite being in existence for the last four to five years as it was said during its foundation laying event that it would showcase the art and culture, agriculture, business, industries, sports, play, research  etc.  of  Western  Uttar  Pradesh  and  would  represent  its achievements  in  these  fields  and  would  represent  the  culture  of
- Uttar Pradesh;
- (b)  the  reasons behind the programmes of Delhi Doordarshan Kendra being telecast in this Kendra; and
- (c) the time by which programmes related to art and culture, business, industry,  agriculture,  research  in  Uttar  Pradesh  will  be  produced and telecasted by this Kendra?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (c): Prasar Bharati has a 10kW FM Relay station of Akashvani, operational at Meerut, that relays FM Rainbow channel. Doordarshan's  DD  UP  Channel,  beamed  from  Doordarshan  Kendra Lucknow, is a dedicated channel for Uttar Pradesh. DD UP channel telecasts programmes showcasing art and culture, business, industry,  agriculture,  etc.  of  the  entire  state  of  Uttar  Pradesh, including western Uttar Pradesh.

*******