opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2826 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Alleged Corruption in Mining Sectors
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Smt. Manju Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. †2826

ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## ALLEGED CORRUPTION IN MINING SECTORS

†2826. SMT. MANJU SHARMA:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any complaints regarding alleged corruption in
- mining sector; (b) if so, the number of complaints received during the last three years along with the nature thereof; (c) whether the Government has taken any action on the said complaints; (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e):  Ministry  of  Mines  receives  complaints  concerning  implementation  of  the provisions of the MMDR Act and the associated Rules, as well as on the matters related to functioning of its Attached and Subordinate offices and Public Sector Undertakings. Over the past three years, a total number of 448 complaints have been received and appropriate  action  has  been  initiated  on  these  complaints  in  accordance  with  the applicable rules and guidelines. Relevant details are provided in the Annexure .

- *****

## Details of complaints and disciplinary proceedings dealt in the Ministry of Mines during last three years:

## A. Complaints:

| YearSourceOpening   | Balance   |   Received during year | the   | TotalDisposedBalance   |    |
|---------------------|-----------|------------------------|-------|------------------------|----|
| 2022CVC             | 1         |                     34 | 35    | 32                     | 3  |
| Others              | 6         |                    104 | 110   | 108                    | 2  |
| 2023CVC             | 3         |                     35 | 38    | 26                     | 12 |
| Others              | 2         |                     90 | 92    | 85                     | 7  |
| 2024CVC             | 12        |                     74 | 86    | 73                     | 13 |
| Others              | 7         |                    111 | 118   | 113                    | 5  |
| Total               |           |                    448 |       |                        |    |

## B. Action on the CVC Advice/ Outcome of complaints:

| Year Type of proceedings   |   Opening Balance |   During the year |   Total |   Disposed |
|----------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|---------|------------|
| 2022Major                  |                14 |                 5 |      19 |          5 |
| Minor                      |                 0 |                 7 |       7 |          2 |
| 2023Major                  |                14 |                11 |      25 |          8 |
| Minor                      |                 5 |                 1 |       6 |          6 |
| 2024Major                  |                17 |                 1 |      18 |          4 |
| Minor                      |                 0 |                17 |      17 |          4 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 2825 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Free Foodgrain Distribution
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Arun Govil

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2825

TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025

## FREE FOODGRAIN DISTRIBUTION

## 2825. SHRI ARUN GOVIL:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION  be pleased to state:

- (a): whether the free foodgrain distribution  to poor people in the country has been able to control  inflation  in the country and if  so, the details thereof;
- (b): whether the Government has received any information  about misuse of the free foodgrain distribution  and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c): the countries to which  free foodgrain have been provided in addition to poor people

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI  NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): Government is  implementing Pradhan Mantri  Garib  Kalyan  Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) which  aims to supplement the food requirements of  upto 75% of the rural and 50(% of  the urban population.

Year -on-year inflation rate based on All  India Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) for the month of June, 2025 over June 2024 is (-) 1.06% (Provisional). The food inflation in June 2025 is the lowest since January 2019.

- (b): No, there is no such information.
- (c): The year-wise list  of  countries to which  free foodgrains have provided from central pool  on humanitarian ground during the last five  years are provided in Annexure-1

+cRieSc+e+c

Table: List  of the countries to which free food grains were provided from  central pool on humanitarian  ground during  last five years.

| SI No   | Year      | Export Destination   | Exported          | Exported         |
|---------|-----------|----------------------|-------------------|------------------|
|         |           |                      | Wheat (Qty in MT) | Rice (Qty in MT) |
|         | 2019-20   | DPR Korea            | 1,584             |                  |
|         |           | Madagascar           |                   |                  |
|         | 2020-2 1  | Afghanistan          | 75,000            |                  |
|         |           | Madagascar           |                   | 1,000            |
|         |           | Comoros              |                   | 1,000            |
|         | 202 1 -22 | Timor Leste          |                   | 2,000            |
|         |           | Afghanistan          | 39.717            |                  |
|         |           | Mozambique           |                   | 500              |
Lok Sabha Question No. 2823 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Public-Private Partnership in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Rachna Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2823

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN RAILWAYS

2823. SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  current  status  of  Public-Private  Partnership  (PPP) models  in  railways  including  the  number  of  projects  awarded,  their progress  and  the  impact  on  infrastructure  development  and  service delivery;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  Government's  long-term  vision  for  private  sector involvement in railway operations; and
- (c)  the  details  of  safeguards  put  in  place  to  ensure  public  interest  and affordability?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): Ministry of Railways under various schemes of Public Private Partnership  (PPP)  attract  investment  in  various  areas  viz.  network expansion,  setting  up  of  locomotive  factories,  induction  of  railway wagons,  station  development,  building  freight  terminals,  etc.  from  the stake holders and strategic investors.

So  far,  18  projects  have  been  completed  through  PPP  model  and  7 projects are under implementation including coal connectivity  and port connectivity projects.

The  Gati  Shakti  Cargo  Terminals  (GCTs)  are  also  being  developed  by industry participants. So far, 112 GCTs have been commissioned.

Besides  above,  with  the  participation  of  industry,  Electric  Locomotive Factory/Madhepura and Diesel Locomotive Factory/Marhowra were established for locomotive production.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2820 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Concession for Senior Citizens
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2820 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## CONCESSION FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

## 2820. DR. BACHHAV SHOBHA DINESH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Government is reconsidering to give concessions in railway tickets to senior citizens;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  manner  in  which  the  Government  benefited  from  discontinuing  the concession  of  senior  citizens  in  railway  tickets  and  the  reason  for discontinuing the concession; and
- (d) the  extent  of  financial  burden  on  Government  by  giving  concessions  to senior citizens and physically challenged persons in railway tickets?

## ANSWER

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

( SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d): Indian Railways strives to provide affordable services to all strata of the society and gave subsidy of Rs. 60,466 crore on passenger tickets in 2023-24. This amounts to concession of 45% on an average, to every person, travelling on Railways. In other words, if the cost of providing service is Rs. 100, then the price of ticket is Rs. 55 only. 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. 2818 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Inconsistency in Stoppages at Pudukottai
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Durai Vaiko

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2818 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## INCONSISTENCY IN STOPPAGES AT PUDUKOTTAI

2818. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  Train  No.  22536  BanarasRameswaram  Express  has  a  scheduled  stoppage  at  Pudukottai  railway station  but  its  return  service,  Train  No.  22535  Rameswaram-Banaras Express does not stop at the same station;
- (b) if so, the reasons for the inconsistency in stoppages in both directions on the same route despite public demand and significant passenger flow from Pudukottai; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  a  stoppage  for  Train  No. 22535  at  Pudukottai  station  to  ensure  equitable  access  for  passengers  in both directions and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (c)  Stoppage  of    22535  Rameswaram-Banaras  Express  has  been provided at  Pudukottai.

Further,  Indian  Railways  have  undertaken  rationalisation  of  time  table, including  rationalisation  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, to  speed  up  train  services  etc.    Presently,  the  train  services  are  being operated as per the rationalised time table.

Accordingly, Pudukkottai station is presently being served by 20 Mail/Express and 6 Passenger train services.

Besides, provision  of  stoppage  of  train  services  is  an  on-going  process  on Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2817 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Expansion of Kisan Rail  in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath, Shri Daggumalla Prasada Rao, Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2817 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## EXPANSION OF KISAN RAIL IN ANDHRA PRADESH

2817. SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH: SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO: SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  Kisan  Rail  trains  initiated  to/from  Andhra  Pradesh, route and district-wise;
- (b) the volume and type of perishable produce transported from Andhra Pradesh, crop-wise;
- (c)  whether  any  vegetable/fruit-producing  districts  in  the  said  State have been included in the Kisan Rail circuit planning, if so, the details thereof  including  the  financial  and  implementation  progress  of  the same;
- (d) if not, the reasons for their exclusion and the details of future plans if any, for Kisan Rail expansion to these districts;
- (e) whether any cold chain/refrigerated storage infrastructure has been built  at  railway  stations  in  Andhra  Pradesh  to  support  Kisan  Rail services; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not the reason therefor?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (f): Since the launch of Kisan Rail service on 7 th  August 2020, 116 trips from Andhra Pradesh towards Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi &

Tripura have been carried out, transporting 34,196 tonnes of consignment with perishables including Bananas, Mangoes, Onions etc.

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 services at applicable tariff are planned on the  basis  of  demands  placed  taking  into  consideration,  operational feasibility.

637 Reefer containers were operated by Container Corporation (CONCOR)  during  2024-25  from  the  Inland  Container  Depots  (ICDs) situated in Andhra Pradesh (524 from Tadipatri and 113 from ICD/Vizag).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2814 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: ROB at Kanpur-Farrukhabad Railway Route
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Ashok Kumar Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2814

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## ROB AT KANPUR-FARRUKHABAD RAILWAY ROUTE

†2814. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of proposals received by the Government to construct Rail Over Bridge (ROB) on railway crossing No.64 at Kakwan road under Bilhaur tehsil at Kanpur-Farrukhabad rail route;
- whether any survey/inspection has been conducted by technical specialists  regarding  the  construction  of  the  above  mentioned
- (b) overbridge;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the reasons behind not constructing a Rail Over Bridge (ROB) at the said rail crossing till date?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d)  :    Proposals/requests/suggestions/  representations,  both formal and informal for  ROBs/RUBs across the country are received on  the  basis  of  demands  raised  by  State  Governments,  Members  of Parliament,  elected  representatives,  Railways'  own  requirements, organizations/rail users  etc. at  various levels  including  Railway Board,  Zonal  Railways,  Division  Office etc. As  receipt of  such proposals/complaints/suggestions is a continuous and dynamic process, centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained.

Sanctioning of such proposals for construction of ROBs/RUBs in lieu of LCs is a continuous and dynamic process of Indian Railways. Such works are prioritised and taken up on the basis of its impact on safety in train operations, mobility of trains & impact for road users and feasibility etc. The  feasibility  of  Construction  of  a  Road  Over  Bridge  (ROB) /Road  Under  Bridge  (RUB)  at  Level  Crossing  No.  64  has  been examined and found technically not feasible due to the presence of a densely  built-up  area  and  National  Highway  runs  parallel  railway track. A detailed survey will be taken up to explore the feasibility of constructing ROB/RUB at nearby alternative locations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2812 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Higher Education to Girls Belonging to Minority Communities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Mrs Ruchi Vira

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2812

ANSWERED ON 06/08/2025

## HIGHER EDUCATION TO GIRLS BELONGING TO MINORITY COMMUNITIES

†2812. MRS RUCHI VIRA:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the schemes being implemented by the Government to promote higher education among girls belonging to minority communities in the country;

(b) whether the Government proposes to establish more Universities for minorities on the lines of A.M.U. if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the number of Universities, if any, established for minorities by the Union Government in Uttar Pradesh during the last ten years, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a): Ministry  of  Minority  Affairs  has  implemented  various  schemes  for  socio-economic empowerment of the six (6) centrally notified minority communities including various educational empowerment schemes such as (i) Pre-Matric, (ii) Post-Matric and (iii) Merit-cum-Means based scholarships  which  are  implemented  across  the  country  covering  rural  as  well  as  urban  areas. Under all the three schemes, 30% of the total scholarships are earmarked for girls.

Ministry  of  Education  is  implementing  three  component  schemes  under  Pradhan  Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Yojana (PM-USP) namely (i) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS)  for  College  and  University  Students,  (ii)  Special  Scholarship  Scheme  for  Jammu  & Kashmir and Ladakh (SSS for J&K and Ladakh) (exclusively meant for students belonging to the Union  territories  of  Jammu  &  Kashmir  and  Ladakh)  and  (iii)  Central  Sector  Interest  Subsidy Scheme (CSIS). Under PM-USP, 50% of the scholarship slots are earmarked for girl students. In November 2024, the Government of India has launched the PM Vidyalaxmi, a new Central Sector Scheme, wherein collateral-free and guarantor-free education loan is provided to all the students who get merit-based admission in top Quality Higher Education Institutions (QHEls), subject to schematic guidelines. All students including girls from minority communities are eligible to get the benefits of the scheme.

(b) & (c): Since Education is a concurrent subject, the state governments are also taking various initiatives to provide greater access to higher education in their respective states. At present, there is no such proposal under consideration for establishment of a new Central University exclusively for minorities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2802 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Promotion of Research and Development in Mining
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2802

ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## PROMOTION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN MINING

2802. SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  promote  research  and development in the mining sector;

(b)  if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has identified any priority areas for supporting research

- in the field of mining; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the manner in which these research projects evaluated and selected for funding?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Yes. Ministry of Mines, under its Science and Technology (S&T) programme, funds  eligible  institutions  to  undertake  research  &  development  (R&D)  projects  to promote  applied  research  in  geo-sciences,  mineral  exploration,  mining,  mineral processing, material science and allied areas. During FY 2024-25, 42 R&D projects were approved for financial assistance amounting to ₹29.49 crores. Further, under the S&T programme, the Ministry also funds research and innovation in Start-ups and MSMEs working in the field of mining and mineral sector to bridge the gap between R&D and commercialisation, and also to promote the eco-system for complete value chain in the sector. During FY 2024-25, a total of 21 Start-ups / MSMEs have been approved for funding of an amount of ₹27.24 crores. Moreover, Ministry of Mines has recognized 7 institutes  as  Centres  of  Excellence  (CoE) under  the  National  Critical Mineral  Mission  to  undertake  innovative  and  transformational  research,  so  as  to strengthen and advance the nation's science and technology capability in the area of critical minerals.

- (c) & (d):  Yes. Priority areas have been identified for supporting directed research and innovation in mining, and include R&D in critical materials, rare earth, circular

economy, energy efficiency, and new materials and processes. The evaluation and selection  of  R&D  projects  involves  a  three-tier  screening  mechanism  through Preliminary  Scrutiny  Committee,  Project  Evaluation  and  Review  Committee  and Standing Scientific Advisory Group. Domain experts and senior scientists are part of these committees.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2800 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Coach Factory in Kokrajhar
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Joyanta Basumatary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2800

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## COACH FACTORY IN KOKRAJHAR

2800. SHRI JOYANTA BASUMATARY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether it is fact that one Railway coach factory was declared to be established  in  Kokrajhar,  Bodoland  Territorial  Region,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  said  factory  was  planned  to  setup  in  Kokrajhar  for development  of  Bodoland  Territorial  Regions  and  as  part  of  Bodoland Accord and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if  so, the present status of the said coach factory and the timeline by which this manufacturing unit is expected to start functioning; and
- (d) the details of funds sanctioned/ released for the said factory?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d)  Rail Coach factories are set up keeping in view the Railways' overall  requirement  of  Rolling  Stock.  Presently,  the  existing  Production Units  and  those  already  planned  are  sufficient  to  meet  the  Railways' overall requirement of Rolling Stock in near future.

However, a Wagon Periodic Overhauling Workshop has been sanctioned at Bashabari, in Kokrajhar district within the Bodoland Region of Assam, at an estimated cost of ₹256.36 crore.

******