opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Nutritional requirement of IDPs
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: C. Lalrosanga

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3247 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9TH AUGUSTI  2023

## NUTRITIONAL  REQUIREMENT OF IDPS

## 3247.  SHRI C. LALROSANGA:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION ©r€tu'r qm8, nw  ;it  WT#;rfqq f+aor ;Ht be pleased  to state:

- (a) the details of the policy of the Government, if any, to cater to the
- nutritional requirements of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs);
- (b) whether the  Government has experienced any changes in  the demands of foodgrains for public distribution during the recent time and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether  the Government has plans to  help the States/UTs hosting the IDPs in the wake of communal tension in the State of Manipur and if
- so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the measures taken for providing the nutritional needs of the IDPs till the situation in Manipur becomes normal?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) to (d): The nation-wide  portability  of ration  cards has been enabled in all 36 States/UTs (across the country) under One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) plan, which  ensures the food security of around 80 Crore National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA) beneficiaries in the country. ONORC plan proving to be very beneficial to  the  NFSA population who frequently change their  place of  dwelling in  search of  temporary employments, migrant labours, internally  displaced persons (IDPs) etc.  Under the plan, the NFSA beneficiaries are empowered to lift their entitled foodgrain from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice, anywhere in the country, by using their existing ration card/Aadhaar card with biometric authentication on an electronic  Point of Sale (ePoS) device.

On the  basis of  request  made by State  Government of Manipur, out of 30,000 Metric  Ton  (MT) of  foodgrain, this  Department has  allocated additional quantity of 19,803 MT of rice at MSP derived rate in wake of the situation in the State, for a period of 3 (three) months (i.e. June to August 2023) for the non-NFSA beneficiaries. Further, for additional allocation of IO,197 MT of rice, the State  Government has been informed that it  may be taken  from FeI as  per  extant provisions of  Open  Market  Sale  Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS (D)] for said period June - August 2023. Apart from that, the credit facility  (as requested by the State) for the aforesaid additional quantity (30,000 MT) was also made applicable for the same subject to the payment to be made by the  State as early as possible.

+ + + +
Lok Sabha Question No. 3246 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Retirement Age of Government Employees
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Sarmistha Sethi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3246

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023)

## RETIREMENT AGE OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

## 3246. SHRIMATI SARMISTHA SETHI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any proposal to change the retirement age of the Government employees and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of employees who have been given compulsory retirement under Rule 56(j) during the last three years and the current year, year-wise; and
- (c) the steps taken in the direction of strengthening and bringing transparency in administration during the last three years and the current year?

## 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):    There  is  no  proposal  under  consideration  to  change  the  retirement  age  of  the  Central Government employees.

- (b)  &  (c):    As  per  the  updated  information  /data  available  on  the  Probity  Portal  (as  on 30.06.2023) as provided by the different Ministries/Departments/Cadre Controlling Authorities (CCAs),  provisions  of  Fundamental  Rules  (FR)-56(j)/similar  provisions  have  been  invoked against a total of 122 officers during the last three years (2020-2023), including the current year.

The  objective  of  the  review  process  under  the  FR  56(j)/similar  provisions  is  to  bring efficiency and to strengthen the administrative machinery. Government has also been continuously  endeavouring  for  greater  emphasis  on  digitization,  enhanced  use  of  e-office, simplification of rules,  periodic  cadre  restructuring  and abolition  of  redundant  laws  for strengthening the administration and improving the overall work efficiency in governance.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3245 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Excess payment to Oil Companies
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gautham Sigamani Pon

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3245 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## EXCESS PAYMENT TO OIL COMPANIES

## 3245.   DR. PON GAUTHAM SIGAMANI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether it is a fact that during a routine check, a huge scam in the purchase of High Speed Diesel has been exposed, if so, the facts thereof;
- (b)  whether it is also true that huge excess payment had been made to the State run oil marketing companies;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Railways is considering to set up a system to avoid such irregularities in future; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): In a preventive check conducted by the Vigilance Department of Northeast  Frontier  Railway  in  December  2022,  an  excess  payment  to Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. and to Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. was detected. This was not a scam as the excess payment was erroneously made due to an oversight of  a clause  of  the  contract  that  prevents  Oil Marketing Companies to supply bulk High Speed Diesel beyond the retail rate.  Normally,  the  bulk  price  remains  below  the  retail  price  but  during certain  period,  the  bulk  price  of  High  Speed  Diesel  went  on  higher  side than the retail price. Northeast Frontier Railway erroneously continued to pay High Speed Diesel bills as per Master Price List submitted by Public Sector  Oil  Market  Companies,  which  was  on  the  higher  side  than  the retail price. After the incident came to notice, excess payment has been recovered from both Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies.

- (d) and (e): Necessary instructions already exist.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3243 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Deep Ocean Mission
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Sunita Duggal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3243

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 9 TH  AUGUST, 2023

## DEEP OCEAN MISSION

## 3243.        SHRIMATI SUNITA DUGGAL:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has made any progress in the development of technologies for Deep Sea Mining and Manned Submersible under the Deep Ocean Mission and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any progress has been made in the development of Integrated Mining System for mining of poly-metallic nodules from seabed; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) Under the Deep Ocean Mission program, Ministry of Earth Sciences through National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has made significant progress in development of Technology  for  Deep  Sea  Mining  and  Manned  Submersible.  A  manned  scientific submersible  Matsya6000 to carry 3 humans for  a period of  12  hours  up  to  a  depth  of 6000m in the ocean has been designed and it is in integration stage.
- (b) & (c)   An integrated mining machine has been developed for exploratory mining of polymetallic nodules from the sea bed and demonstration of locomotion trial was conducted at Central Indian Ocean.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3241 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Reintroducing OMSS to Green Card Holders
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Vijay Kumar Hansdak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA INISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3241

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 9TH AUGUST,  2023

## REINTRODUCING OMSS TO GREEN CARD HOLDERS

## 3241.  SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTiON  aT SiKH qPr8, UM at  €T8Tfqq f+TOT +#  be pleased  to  state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plans to reintroduce Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) to enable the States to provide to green card holders
- particularly in Jharkhand; and
- (b) if  so, the details  thereof  and if not, the  reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (b): Government of India has discontinued the sale of  rice and wheat under Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS (D)]  to all State Governments with  effect from 13th June, 2023, barring northeast, hilly states  and those  facing  law  and order  situations and  natural  calamitiesn Keeping in  view the benefit of  -140 crore citizens of  the country, Government of  India has taken this  deeision to  maintain  adequate stoek in  Central Pool  for  distribution under  National Food  Security Act  (NFSA) and other welfare schemes (OWS) amid concerns over monsoon due to expected deficiency in rainfall caused by El-Nino which  may adversely affect Kharif crop production in country, and create inflationary trends, besides the ongoing geopolitieal situation. Also, it  was decided to  offer wheat and rice under OMSS (D) to private parties for controlling the price rise in the market and  thereby control the food inflation. However, Government is  providing foodgrains to  NFSA beneficiaries  as per their entitlement free of cost as commited under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna (PM-GKAY) w.e.f.  I st January, 2023.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3238 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Abetting Video Games
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Vishnu Dutt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3238

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## ABETTING VIDEO GAMES

## 3238.   SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  a  new  trend  of  violence  abetting  video  games which are full of violence is picking up among children and adolescents in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether the Government has taken steps or planned some measures to address this issue and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether in view of harmful/excessive use of online games by gamers under 18 years of age, the Government is planning to limit the time of usage to just three hours of online games per week and make industry responsible for enforcing the regulations, like China; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

(a)  to  (d):      The  policies  of  the  Government  are  aimed  at  ensuring  a  Safe  &  Trusted  and Accountable  Internet  for  its  all  users.  The  Government  is  cognizant  of  the  risks  posed  by online gaming addiction and also online gaming that depicts users' harms including violence.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) was allocated the matter related to online gaming rules under the Government of India (Allocation of Business Rules), 1961. The Ministry prepared the draft amendment to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 ('IT Rules, 2021') and commenced consultations on the same. Extensive consultations were held with stakeholders and the amendment to the IT Rules were notified on 6.4.2023. These rules enforce greater accountability on online gaming and social media intermediaries in respect of online games to ensure an Open, Safe & Trusted and Accountable Internet for Digital Nagriks.

These rules layout a comprehensive framework for catalyzing and expanding online gaming innovation  and  at  the  same  time  protecting  citizens  in  cyberspace.  The  rules  define  the 'permissible  online  game'  as  such  online  real  money  games  that  are  verified  by  SelfRegulatory  Bodies  (SRBs),  as  not  wagering  on  outcome,  and  as  free  from  user  harm  and addiction.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3237 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: PM Gati Shakti Programme
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3237.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 09 TH  AUGUST, 2023.

## PM GATI SHAKTI PROGRAMME

## 3237.  SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

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

- (a) whether the Government is planning to allow industry and potential investors to access into infrastructure data collected under the PM Gati Shakti programme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the details of the evaluated central infrastructure projects, State-wise by the Gati Shakti group in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) : PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP),  launched  in October 2021,  is  a  transformative  approach  for  integrated  infrastructure development for multi-modal, first and last mile connectivity to the economic  nodes  and  social  infrastructure.  Planning  on  NMP brings  Ease  of Doing Business as well as Ease of Living for the citizens, by enabling seamless  movement  of  people  and  goods. As  on  date,  NMP  has  relevant    GIS data layers pertaining to the available  infrastructural  assets  which  is  being  used  for  planning multimodal  infrastructure.  This  includes  both        public  and  private industrial  and  other  economic  assets  under  the  jurisdiction of various  Ministries/  Departments  of  the  Centre,  States  and UT. As of now, access to NMP is available only to authorized Central and State/UT Government personnel.
- (d): The  list   of   91   projects   of   various   Central   Ministries/Departments, evaluated by Network Planning Group (NPG) under PM Gati Shakti, as on date, is available on DPIIT's website under the following link-.

https://dpiit.gov.in/sites/default/files/Annexure\_to\_Draft\_Reply\_to\_LSQ\_3237.pdf

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3236 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Misuse of Aadhaar Cards
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya, Anil Firojiya, Dipsinh Shankarsinh Rathod

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3236

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## MISUSE OF AADHAAR CARDS

## 3236. SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJI KUNDARIYA: SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA: SHRI DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD:

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

- (a) whether the Government has launched a special official website or mobile app to make and use Aadhaar card and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has provided any toll free helpline number to register complaints about fake Aadhaar Cards or to provide information about the use of Aadhaar card and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government has launched any  online portal or issued  e-mail  Id to  register complaints on the use of Aadhaar card and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has constituted a special investigation team to nab and control misuse of Aadhaar cards and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by them thereon;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  started  an  awareness  campaign  against  fraudulent  use  of Aadhaar card so that people can recognise it and be alert to protect themselves; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

- (a): No, Sir.
- (b): UIDAI has provided a dedicated toll-free helpline (telephone number 1947) for handling resident's queries and grievances related to Aadhaar and its services.
- (c): Complaints can be filed using UIDAI's myAadhaar portal, on the link https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/file-complaint. Further, complaints can be emailed to the email id help@uidai.gov.in.
- (d):  As  per  the  provisions  of  the  Code  of  Criminal  Procedure,  1973,  investigation  of cognizable  offences  is  to  be  done  by  the  police,  and  as  per  the  Seventh  Schedule  to  the Constitution,  'Police'  is  a  State  subject.  As  such,  States  are  primarily  responsible  for  the investigation  of  various  cognizable  offences  relating  to  misuse  of  Aadhaar  through  State police departments, which undertake investigation and penal action as per law.
- (e) and (f): UIDAI undertakes awareness activities through its official social  media handles/channels on an ongoing basis to make the general public aware regarding the care that  should  be  exercised  to  safeguard  themselves  against  fraudulent  use.  Further,  such activities are also undertaken through advertisements in the print media, radio campaigns and press releases.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3232 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Achievement of Atal Tinkering Labs
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Arvind Kumar Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3232 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## ACHIEVEMENT OF ATAL TINKERING LABS

## 3232.  DR. ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Atal  tinkering  labs  initiative  has  been  successful  in  achieving  its  aims  and mandate in terms of number of labs set up, number of students engaged in STEM subjects and results produced;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) ,  (b)  &  (c) Government of India has established Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) in schools  across  the  country  with  the  objective  of  fostering  curiosity,  creativity,  and imagination in young minds; and inculcate skills such as a design mindset, computational thinking, adaptive learning, physical computing, etc. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has successfully  completed  its  mandate  of  setting  up  a  total  of  10,000  ATLs  across  the schools of the country in July 2022. Further, as per the self-reported data submitted by schools on the 'MyATL Dashboard' developed by AIM, the following key results have been achieved:
-  More than 75,00,000 students have been engaged in ATLs.
-  More than 12,00,000 innovation projects have been created by ATL students.

AIM  provides  several  platforms  round  the  year  where  students  can  showcase  their innovations. AIM conducts many national level challenges and hackathons such as ATL Marathon and ATL Tinkerpreneur, where schools identify community problems of their choice and  develop  innovative  solutions in  the  form  of  working  prototypes.  To institutionalize  a  mechanism,  where  the  students  with  the  most  ingenious  ideas  are trained on innovation and entrepreneurship skills, AIM has developed programs such as Student Innovator Program (SIP) and Student Entrepreneurship Program (SEP), in collaboration with AIM  Incubators and Partners.

A compendium of some of the top innovations by ATL students can be accessed here:

Ingenious Tinkerers: Top Innovations of ATL Marathon -https://aim.gov.in/pdf/ingenious-tinkerers.pdf

Ingenious Tinkerpreneurs: Top Innovations of ATL Tinkerpreneur -https://aim.gov.in/images/The-Ingenious-Tinkerpreneurs.pdf

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3230 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Convenience Fee for Digital Transaction
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Rajendra Agrawal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3230

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## CONVENIENCE FEE FOR DIGITAL TRANSACTION

## 3230:       SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  making  efforts  to  promote  transactions  through  digital platforms and has been successful to an extent and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  people  using  digital  transactions  are  facing  undue  burden  due  to  the increase in the convenience fee for digital transactions during the last few years and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to reduce the said convenience fee in future; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

(a):   The Government of India has launched the Digital India programme with the vision of transforming India into a digitally empowered society and a knowledge-based economy, by ensuring  digital  access,  digital  inclusion,  digital  empowerment  and  bridging  the  digital divide. The programme is centred on three key vision areas, namely, digital infrastructure as a core utility to every citizen; governance and services on demand; and digital empowerment of citizens. The overall goal is to ensure that digital technologies improve the life of every citizen, expand India's digital economy, and create investment and employment opportunities and digital technological capabilities in India. Under the Digital India programme, various digital platforms have been initiated which are promoting digital transactions  in   the  country  e.g.  DigiLocker,  Unified  Mobile   Application  for  NewAge Governance (UMANG), Common Service Centres, MyGov, API Setu, Meri Pehchaan, Unified  Payments  Interface  (UPI),  Bharat  Interface  for  Money  (BHIM)  App  etc.  These initiatives  have  not  only  increased  digital  transactions  but  has  considerably  bridged  the distance between the Government and citizens.

(b)  to  (d):  Convenience  fee,  if  any,  is  charged  directly  by  the  Digital  Platform  provider against the service availed by customers on their website/app. At the time of availing the service, customer is made aware of the fees and it depends upon customer's choice to avail of the service of a particular website/app.

*******