opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2569 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: National Knowledge Network
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Miteshbhai Rameshbhai Patel, Shri Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel, Shri Parshottambhai Rupala

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION. No. 2569

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 07.08.2024

## NATIONAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK

2569:

SHRI MITESH PATEL BAKABHAI: SHRI HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI PATEL: SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA :

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the components of the National Knowledge

Network; and

(b) if so, details thereof along with the number of institutions benefiting from the Network?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) and (b): National Knowledge Network ('NKN') carries the digital-traffic of National/state Data Centres (NDCs/SDCs), State-Wide Area Networks (SWANs) and provides connectivity to various Digital India initiatives. It also carries digital-traffic of various G2G (Government to  Government)  and  G2C  (Government  to  Citizen)  services.  NKN  also  inter-connects  all knowledge institutions across the country through high-speed data communication network to encourage  sharing  of  resources  and  collaborative  research.  By  June,  2024,  1,802  links  to institutions had been commissioned and made operational under NKN.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2567 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Pink City Express at Palam Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2567

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## PINK CITY EXPRESS AT PALAM STATION

## †2567 SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that train No. 00501 and 00502 Pink City Express which runs from Sarai Rohilla to Jaipur had a halt at Palam Railway  Station  before  2019  but  this  halt  has  been  discontinued  since 2019 due to which lakhs of devotees of Palam and Dwarka area have been facing great inconvenience while going for darshan of Khatu Shyamji;
- (b)  if  so,  whether the Government proposes to give a two-minute halt to the  pink  city  express  at  Palam  Station  in  view  of  the  demand  of  the people of the area;
- (c) whether the Government has any proposal for one minute halt of Ajmer Jan Shatabdi (Train No. 12065 and 12066) and Chetak Express (Train No. 20473 and 20474) at Palam Railway Station; and
- (d) if so, the time line by which these proposals will be implemented?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d)  During  the Meter Gauge era, 2901/2902 Pink City Express used to  operate  between  Delhi  and  Jaipur,  without  scheduled  stoppage  at Palam.  At  present,  there  is  no  train  service  named  00501/00502  Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Jaipur Pink City Express. However, Palam is presently being served  by  32  train  services.  Besides,  provision  of  stoppages  of  train services  is  an  ongoing  process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  traffic justification, operational feasibility, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2566 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Tariff Hikes by Mobile Telecom Operators
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2566 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 TH  AUGUST, 2024

## TARIFF HIKES BY MOBILE TELECOM OPERATORS

## 2566   SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the latest telecom tariff hikes could yield additional profits of Rs. 20,000 crore for the telecom industry once they are fully absorbed and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether it is true that with improved financial metrics, the industry will have the headroom to undertake deleveraging fund capex for technology upgrade and network expansion, if so the details thereof;

- (c) whether it is true that the latest found of tariff hikes as telecoms increased prepaid tariffs by around 15-20% will provide traction in the average revenue per user level; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

- (a) The  tariffs  have  been  hiked  recently  by  M/s  Bharti  Airtel  Ltd.  (BAL),  M/s  Reliance  Jio Infocomm Ltd. (RJIL) and M/s Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL).
- (b) to (d) Industry will determine these based on its business model and market conditions.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2565 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Rail Travel concession for Senior Citizens and Journalists
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kaushalendra Kumar, Shri Abhay Kumar Sinha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2565

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## RAIL TRAVEL CONCESSION FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND JOURNALISTS †2565 SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

SHRI ABHAY KUMAR SINHA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  restore  stoppages  provided  to train  and  concession  extended  to  the  senior  citizens  and  accredited journalists during the pre corona period;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to reduce the increased fares of the trains started after the Corona period to pre Covid levels;
- (c) the details of present status of various surveys conducted and all the Rail projects started during the last ten years in the state of Bihar; and
- (d) the details of the revenue earned by the Government by discontinuing rail travel concession facility extended to senior citizens and accredited journalists till date?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d) Indian Railways, with a view to provide better passenger safety by creating maintenance corridor blocks, minimizing conflicts in existing Time Table etc.,  have undertaken rationalization of time-table,  including rationalization of stoppages, in a scientific manner with the assistance of IIT-Bombay.  Besides,  provision  of  stoppages  of  train  services  is  an justification, ongoing  process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  traffic operational feasibility, etc.

During 2014-2024 and current Financial year 2024-2025 total surveys for 41  projects  (23  New  Line,  18  Doubling)  of  total  length  3277  km  falling fully/partly in the State of Bihar have been completed.  During the same period, total 25 projects (02 New Line, 23 Doubling) of total length 1455 km  costing  approx.  ₹28000  crore  falling  fully/partly  in  Bihar  have  been sanctioned. Indian Railways strives to provide affordable services to all strata of the society and gave subsidy of ₹56,993 crore on passenger tickets in 202223.  This  amounts  to  concession  of  46%  on  an  average,  to  every  person travelling  on  Railways.  This  subsidy  is  continuing  for  all  passengers. Further, concessions beyond this subsidy amount are continuing for many categories like 4 categories of Persons with disabilities (Divyangjans), 11 categories of patients and 8 categories of students. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2563 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Shortage of Technical Staff in Mines
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Vijay Kumar Hansdak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2563 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## SHORTAGE OF TECHNICAL STAFF IN MINES

2563 SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of technicians and supervisory staff working across different mines in India and particularly in Jharkhand;
- (b) whether there is an acute shortage of technical staff in the mines across the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  encourage  educated  and  well-trained individuals into the mining industry?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  The  provisions  for  employment  of  geologists  and  mining  engineers  have  been incorporated  under  Chapter  VII  of  the  Mineral  Conservation  and  Development  Rules, 2017. The provisional average daily employment in mines in India under the jurisdiction of Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), a subordinate office of Ministry of Mines, during 202223  as  reported  by  the  lease  holders  was  1,18,877.  The  provisional  average  daily employment in mines under the jurisdiction of IBM in Jharkhand was 9,505 during 202223.
- (b): The technical staff are employed by the respective lease holders in accordance with the statutory provisions and as per their requirements.
- (c): In order to encourage employment of mining engineers in mines, the Ministry of Mines has amended the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 with effect from 03.11.2021 by relaxing the qualification of mining engineers to be employed in mines. Subsequent to the amendment, persons having diploma in mining and mine surveying granted by a duly recognised institute along with a second class certificate of competency or a foreman certificate of competency issued by the Director General of Mines Safety are eligible to be employed as mining engineers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2561 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: New Telecom Act
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Chavan Vasantrao Balwantrao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2561 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 TH  AUGUST, 2024

## NEW TELECOM ACT

## 2561   SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

## SHRI CHAVAN VASANTRAO BALWANTRAO:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recently launched any theme in India Mobile Congress (IMC), 2024;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the aims and objectives of the said theme;
- (c) whether the Government has notified/set any target to notify the rules of the new Telecom Act;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the time by which these rules are likely to be notified;
- (e) whether  Government  has  received  some  stiff  reservation  by  the  public/private  operators against some provisions where Government can take control of the telecom services of both public and private operators on the grounds of security and public order and if so, the details thereof and reaction of Government in this regard; and
- (f) whether the  Government has set a Performance Management Unit (PMU) to monitor the target set for the launch of 4G services by the BSNL and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

- (a) Yes, the Theme was launched on 18 th  July 2024.
- (b) The theme The Future is Now - signifies how India stands at the heart of the technological evolution and IMC 2024 bringing together global tech leaders to collaborate and actively shape the technologies transforming our world today, where the future isn't just a concept - it's happening.
- (c) & (d) Drafting  of  the  subordinate  rules  under  the  provisions  of  the  Telecommunication Act,2023 is carried out in a phased manner by the Department.

Following draft rules have been published for public consultation:

- i) Draft Telecommunications (Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024
2. ii) Draft Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024,
3. iii) Draft Telecommunications (Adjudication and Appeal) Rules, 2024,
4. iv) Draft Telecommunications (Commercial Radio Operator's Certificate of Proficiency to Operate Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) Rules, 2024 and
- v) Draft Telecommunications (Amateur Station Operator) Rules, 2024.
6. (e) No such cases received from the public/operators.
7. (f) Not yet.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2560 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Mining Surveillance System
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2560

ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## MINING SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

2560 SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of the Mining Surveillance System (MSS) launched to check illegal mining through automatic remote sensing detection technology; and
- (b) the total number of mines being operated by the mining surveillance system in India?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  The Mining Surveillance System (MSS) is operational since its launch in 2016. It is a satellite-based monitoring system which aims to facilitate State Governments in curbing instances of illegal mining. Any unusual land use change observed on satellite imagery in a zone up to 500m outside the boundary of mining lease area is captured and flagged as triggers to the State governments to check for illegal mining.

Year wise triggers generated through the MSS are as follows;

| Year/Phase        |   Triggers Generated |
|-------------------|----------------------|
| 2016-17/Phase-I   |                  296 |
| 2018-19/Phase-II  |                   52 |
| 2021-22/Phase-III |                  177 |
| 2022-23/Phase-IV  |                  138 |
| 2023-24/Phase V   |                  157 |

- (b)  The total numbers of mining leases plotted in the MSS are 3405.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2553 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Status of Balasore Rail Accident Enquiry Report
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2553 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## STATUS OF BALASORE RAIL ACCIDENT ENQUIRY REPORT

2553. SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details and status of the Balasore rail accident enquiry report by the commission of Railway safety and details of reasons of the accident; and
- (b) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  officers  of  Railway  was  suspended  for above said accident and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) and (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  AND  (b)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2553 BY SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.08.2024 REGARDING STATUS OF BALASORE RAIL ACCIDENT ENQUIRY REPORT. (a)  &  (b):    The  Commissioner  of  Railway  Safety  (CRS),  South-Eastern Circle has inquired into this matter and cause of the accident has been established as below: The  rear-collision  was  due  to  the  lapses  in  the  signalling-circuitalteration carried out at the North Signal Goomty (of the station) in the past,  and  during  the  execution  of  the  signalling  work  related  to replacement  of  Electric  Lifting  Barrier  for  level  crossing  gate  no. 94 at the Station. Seven (07) Railway officials had been suspended and Disciplinary action has been taken as per the rules.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2550 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Free Wi-Fi Connections in Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Navaskani K, Shri Selvam G, Shri C N Annadurai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2550

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## FREE Wi-Fi CONNECTIONS IN RAILWAY STATIONS

## 2550.SHRI C N ANNADURAI:

SHRI NAVASKANI K:

SHRI SELVAM G:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is providing free Wi-Fi connection in all major  railway  stations  in  the  Country  and  if  so,  the  details  of  the Stations in Tamil Nadu where it is being provided;
- (b)  whether  a  number  of  free  Wi-Fi  connection  installed  in  major railway stations are not working thereby putting the train passengers in difficulty and if so, the corrective steps taken in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government is taking steps to extend this free Wi-Fi facility in all other railway stations of the country;
- (d) whether the Government is also planning to provide Wi-Fi service inside  trains  in  the  next  four  to  four-and-a-half  years  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (e) the number of towers and equipments which are required to make this facility possible; and
- (f) whether  the Wi-Fi service inside the trains would  help in maintaining security inside the train compartments, if so , the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING 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 PART (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2550 BY SHRI C N ANNADURAI, SHRI NAVASKANI K AND SHRI  SELVAM  G  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  07.08.2024 REGARDING FREE WI-FI CONNECTIONS IN RAILWAY STATIONS

(a) to (f): Upgradation / improvement of passenger amenities in trains and at  Railway  stations  is  a  continuous  and  ongoing  process  on  Indian Railways.  Accordingly,  in  order  to  improve  passenger  experience,  free Wi-Fi connection have been provided at 6112 railway stations including 415 stations situated in Tamil Nadu. Appropriate action is taken promptly by  Railway  administration  whenever  there  is  any  issue  with  regard  to working of Wi-Fi facility at stations.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2547 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: BSNL Network in Villages
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2547 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 TH  AUGUST, 2024

## BSNL NETWORK IN VILLAGES

## †2547  SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether  a  number  of  villages  of  Barmer,  Jaisalmer,  Jalore  and  Jodhpur  Parliamentary Constituencies are still deprived of BSNL network;

- (b) if so, the number of such villages along with district-wise details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government propose to provide network connectivity to these network deprived villages;
- (d) if so, the time by which the network connectivity is likely to be provided there; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a) to (e) The district wise detail of villages covered in Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jalore and Jodhpur Parliamentary Constituencies is attached as annexure-I .

Further,  Government  has  approved  4G  Saturation  Scheme  to  provide  coverage  to  all uncovered villages in the country including Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jalore and Jodhpur Parliamentary Constituencies. This is being executed by BSNL.

Annexure-I

## District wise details of mobile coverage w.r.t. Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2547 to be laid on 07.08.2024

| District   | Total no. of villages as per Registrar General of India (RGI) data Nov-2019   | Villages having mobile connectivity as on 30.04.2023   | Villages covered by BSNL network as on 30.06.2024   |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
| Barmer     | 2,964                                                                         | 2,737                                                  | 598                                                 |
| Jaisalmer  | 855                                                                           | 691                                                    | 139                                                 |
| Jalore     | 822                                                                           | 810                                                    | 389                                                 |
| Jodhpur    | 1,909                                                                         | 1,841                                                  | 673                                                 |
| Sirohi     | 506                                                                           | 453                                                    | 267                                                 |
| Total      | 7,056                                                                         | 6,532                                                  | 2,066                                               |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2546 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Indianisation of Technique in Space Sector
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Shri P C Mohan, Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Mukesh Rajput

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2546 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 07, 2024 INDIANISATION OF TECHNIQUE IN SPACE SECTOR

## 2546.  SHRI P C MOHAN:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI MUKESH RAJPUT:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  regarding  Indianisation  of  techniques  and  tools utilised in the space sector;
- (b) the revenue generated since 2014 by launching foreign satellites; and
- (c) the roadmap ahead for the space exploration programme?

## ANSWER

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

****

- (a) The department is taking proactive measures in indigenization of  space  systems  and  associated  technologies.  Space  sector indigenization involves strategic initiatives such as developing indigenous  satellite  platforms  like  IRS  &  INSAT,  and  launch vehicles  like  PSLV,  GSLV,  LVM3  (GSLV  Mk3)  &  SSLV  with

locally produced components, including the complex cryogenic engine. The process includes in-house Research & Development, maximal usage of indigenous items and rigorous qualification to ensure reliability. Additionally, skill development, infrastructure upgrades, increased industry participation etc. are regularly followed for creating self-reliant and cost-effective space technologies.

As  such,  the  indigenous  content  typically  in  Polar  Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has been enhanced from about 70% to 90% in the operational phase. Satellites, being the electronics intensive  item,  indigenous  content  is  about  70%.  Continuous efforts are still being taken to further reduce the import content and to develop and qualify indigenous elements like electronics, special alloys, composites etc.

- (b)  Starting from January 2014 till July 2024, a total of 397 Foreign Satellites  have  been  successfully  launched  on  commercial basis.    Through  launching  of  these  foreign  satellites,  country has earned a total Foreign Exchange revenue of approximately 157 Million USD and 261 Million Euros.
- (c) As  announced  by  the  Hon'ble  Prime  Minister,  establishing Bhartiya  Antariksh  Station  (BAS)  by  2035  and  Indian  Moon landing  by  2040  are  identified  as  part  of  future  roadmap  for space exploration programme. Missions towards global characterization of thermospheric-ionospheric response to space  weather,  study  of  Venus  systems,  landing  on  Martian surface,  atmospheric  characterization  of  exoplanets  etc.  are also under studies in this regard.

****