opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 74 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Airports in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Ramesh Chand Bind

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 74 (To be answered on the 20 th  July 2023)

## AIRPORTS IN UTTAR PRADESH

## 74. SHRI RAMESH CHAND BIND

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  the  details  of  total  number  of  airports  sanctioned  for  Uttar  Pradesh  by  the Government under its various schemes during the last  five  years,  district-wise; (b) whether the Government has set any timeline to complete all the proposed aviation projects in Uttar Pradesh;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the initiatives taken by the Government to increase the number of international airports in the country?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

- (a) to (c): Government of India (GoI) has accorded 'In-Principle' approval for setting up of a Greenfield Airport viz. Noida (Jewar) International Airport in Gautam Budh Nagar district in the State of Uttar Pradesh on 08.05.2018. Foundation stone for the same was laid on 25.11.2021. The probable date of completion of the Noida (Jewar) Greenfield airport project is September, 2024.
- (d): Declaration of an airport as International Airport depends upon traffic potential, demand from airlines for operation of international flights and bilateral Air Services Agreement besides provision of Ground Lighting facilities, Instrument Landing System, runway length, Immigration, Health and Animal & Plant Quarantine services etc.

In  the  past  nine  years,  four  Greenfield  airports  at  Kannur  in  Kerala,  Shirdi  in Maharashtra, Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh and Mopa in Goa have been developed as international airports. In addition, two existing airports namely, Vijayawada and Tirupati airports in Andhra Pradesh have been declared as international airports in 2017. At present, there are 30 international airports in the country, with three in Uttar

Pradesh viz. Kushinagar, Varanasi, and Lucknow international airports.

Government of India has also accorded 'in-principle' approval for setting up of five more international Greenfield Airports at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh, Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh, Dholera and Hirasar in Gujarat, and Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra which are at various stages of development.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 70 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Private Power Supplying Companies
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Badruddin Ajmal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.70 ANSWERED ON 20.07.2023

## PRIVATE POWER SUPPLYING COMPANIES

70. SHRI M. BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) the number of companies presently engaged in power generation and supply in the country;

(b) the  number  of  private  power  supplying  companies  came  to existence  during  the  last  ten  years  and  the  number  of  Government owned or public undertaking companies lost their existence during the said period;

(c) whether it is true that the private power supplying companies are supplying  costlier  electricity  compared  to  the  Government  owned companies;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(e) whether the Government regulates the charges of electricity for private companies time to time?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) : There are 180 numbers of companies presently engaged in power  generation  and  109  numbers  of  power  supplying  companies (Distribution companies) in the country.

..........2.

(b) : 14 numbers of private power supplying companies (Distribution  companies)  came  into  existence  during  the  last  ten years.

During  the  same  period,  six  (6)  Government  Companies turned into joint ventures with the details as below:

Four (4) numbers of Government owned distribution companies in Odisha have turned into joint ventures with 51% share of Tata  Power  and  rest  with  Govt.  of  Odisha.  Further,  two  (2)  Govt. distribution companies/departments i.e. D&NH  Power  Distribution Corporation  Ltd  and  Electricity  Department,  Dama  &  Diu  have  also turned  into  a  single  joint  venture  company  DNHDDPDCL  with  51% shareholding by Torrent Power and rest by UT.

- (c) & (d) :   No, Sir.
- (e) : As  per  the  provisions  given  in  Sections  61  to  64  of  the Electricity Act, 2003, the Appropriate Electricity Regulatory Commission determines the electricity tariff for -
- (i) supply  of  electricity  by  a  generating  company  to  a  distribution licensee,
- (ii)
- (iii)
- transmission of electricity,
- wheeling of electricity
- (iv) Retail sale of electricity.

Section 61 of the Electricity Act, 2003 and the tariff policy provide  the  guiding  principles  and  the  terms  and  conditions  for determination of tariff by the Appropriate Commission.

*************
Lok Sabha Question No. 69 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: UDAN Scheme for Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 69

(To be answered on the 20 th  July 2023)

## UDAN SCHEME FOR UTTAR PRADESH

## 69. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has set the target of connecting 1000 routes of air connectivity by 2026 under UDAN Scheme and if so, the number of routes that would get connected in Uttar Pradesh along with the number of Airports that would startfunctioning by 2026; and
- (b)  whether  the  number  of  passengers  flying  through  aeroplane  have increased  due  to  UDAN  Scheme  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

- (a): Yes Sir. The number of routes awarded and valid in the state of Uttar Pradesh upto the last round of bidding under the scheme is 273 , out of which 59 UDAN routes in Uttar Pradesh have been operationalised as on 12.07.2023. UDAN 5.0 round has been launched on 21.04.2023 to identify additional routes to connect underserved and unserved airports across the country, including the State of Uttar Pradesh

Eighteen (18) RCS airports namely Agra, Aligarh, Prayagraj, Bareilly, Kanpur, Chitrakoot, Ayodhya, Ghazipur, Jhansi, Moradabad, Kushinagar, Meerut, Muirpur, Azamgarh, Shravasti, Saharanpur, Hindon and Fursatganj have been identified for development under various rounds of bidding in Uttar Pradesh. RCS Flights operation from Agra, Prayagraj, Bareilly, Kanpur, Hindon and Kushinagar have already commenced. The remaining Airports are at various stages of development.

- (b): More than 1.23 crores passengers have travelled on RCS UDAN flights since the inception of the scheme
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 65 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Hydel Projects in Kinnaur
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.65 ANSWERED ON 20.07.2023

## HYDEL PROJECTS IN KINNAUR

65. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to increase share of hydroelectric energy in the renewable energy mix;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is aware of the protests by environmentalists  against  the  hydel  projects  in  Kinnaur  district  of Himachal Pradesh; and
- (d) if so, the measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) & (b) :  At present, the share of Hydro power [including Small Hydro and Pumped Storage Project (PSP)] in the total Renewable Energy (RE) based Installed capacity is  about 29.35 % (51,809 MW Hydro power out  of  1,76,492  MW  RE  power).  As  per  the  National  Electricity  Plan (Volume  I  -  Generation),  notified  in  2023,  the  share  of  Hydro  power (including Small Hydro and PSP) by the end of 2031-32 is projected to be 15.81 % (94,314 MW Hydro power out of 5,96,275 MW RE power) of the total Renewable Energy based Installed Capacity.

.........2

- (c) & (d) :  Yes, Sir. The Government of India is aware of the protests by environmentalists against the hydel projects in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

The following measures have been taken by the Government of Himachal Pradesh in this regard:

- (i) A Monitoring Committee for Jangi Thopan HEP, headed by ADM (Pooh) was constituted by Govt. of Himachal Pradesh on 26.06.2021, to oversee the project activities and address the grievances of the residents. Special  Gram  Sabha meetings were held at the affected panchayats (viz. Spillo, Moorang, Kanam, Akpa, Jangi and Rarang) by the Monitoring Committee.
- (ii) Government of Himachal Pradesh has taken up Cumulative Environment  Impact  Assessment  Studies  of  Satluj  river basin  through  Indian  Council  of  Forestry  Research  and Education,  Dehradun.  During  the  course  of  study,  wide range  of  public  consultation  meetings  were  taken  up  at basin  level,  block  level  and  panchayat  level.    In  these consultation meetings, Environmentalists, NGOs along with other stakeholders participated and submitted their views. All hydro power development is taken up as per MoEF&CC norms and other applicable environment norms and notifications.

The  Ministry of Power,  Government  of  India  has requested Government of Himachal Pradesh for early resumption of Survey & Investigation (S&I) works in Jangi Thopan Powari HEP.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 64 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Notified Vacancies of the Reserved Categories
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Arun Kumar Sagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.64 ANSWERED ON 20.07.2023

## NOTIFIED VACANCIES OF THE RESERVED CATEGORIES

†64. SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Ltd. has notified  the  vacancies  to  fill  up  the  posts  reserved  for  Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs);
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  NTPC  Ltd.  has  fixed  any  time  limit  for  filling  up  the above notified vacancies of the reserved categories;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the NTPC Ltd. has formulated or proposed to formulate any  scheme  to  provide  more  facilities  to  the  selected  candidates  of remote areas to discourage them from resigning; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) & (b) :   NTPC  Ltd.  has  notified  the  vacancies  to  fill  up  the  posts reserved  for  Scheduled      Castes  (SCs)  and  Scheduled  Tribes  (STs). Detail of the same is as below.

| Group   |   Vacancies for SC category |   Vacancies for ST category |
|---------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
| A       |                          84 |                          47 |

...........2.

| B     |   0 |   0 |
|-------|-----|-----|
| C     |   6 |  27 |
| D     |   2 |   1 |
| Total |  92 |  75 |

Further,  vacancies  reserved  for  Scheduled  Castes  (SCs)  and Scheduled  Tribes  (STs)  have  been  notified  based  on  reservation guidelines of Government of India.

- (c)  &  (d)  :  NTPC  is  making  all  efforts  to  fill  up  the  above  notified vacancies by December 2023. In line with above, notification has been issued  for  92  vacancies  of  SC  category  and  75  vacancies  of  ST category.
- (e)  &  (f)  :  NTPC  has  various  schemes  and  facilities  in  place  which encourage  all  selected  candidates,  including  those  selected    from remote areas,  for long term association with NTPC.

NTPC follows following principle for its workforce:

- (a) NTPC  induction  program  helps  to  assimilate  the  new  recruits coming from diverse backgrounds into the organizational values / culture and to impart the required knowledge & skills to perform the job.
- (b) A  range  of  welfare  and  recreation  facilities  including  schools, hospitals, shopping centers, recreation centers, club, gym, pool, etc. are provided at the townships to enhance the quality of life & the well-being of employees and their families.
- (c) Full medical cover to the employee and his/her dependents.
- (d) Based upon feedback received from employees, NTPC provides facilities to its employees, specially for younger generation.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 63 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Investment in Urban India
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Y. S. Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 63

## TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 20, 2023

## INVESTMENT IN URBAN INDIA

## NO. 63.   SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether  World  Bank  estimates  that  nearly  $840  billion  would  be needed for investment in urban India to meet the growing demands of the population and $55 billion would  be required annually for implementation  of  various  flagship  programmes  of  the  Government, viz.,  the  Smart  City  Mission,  the  Atal  Mission  for  Rejuvenation  and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), etc.;
- (b) if so, the manner in which the gap between demand and supply would be matched; and
- (c) whether nearly 85 per cent of the Government revenue is generated from the cities along with the details thereof since 2014 onwards till date, city-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE (SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE)

- (a) & (b) Urban Development is a State subject. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs facilitates and assists State Governments/ Administration of Union Territories in urban development through its flagship Missions / Schemes such as  Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and  Urban  Transformation  (AMRUT)  2.0,  Pradhan  Mantri  Awas Yojana-Urban  (PMAY-U),  Smart  Cities  Mission  (SCM)  etc.  As  per report of the World Bank titled 'Financing India's urban infrastructure  needs'  released  in  November  2022,  India's  cities require an estimated capital investment of USD 840 billion in urban infrastructure   and   municipal   services   in   the  15  years till 2036

(in 2020 prices). Funds for infrastructure projects in urban areas are primary  responsibility  of  State  Governments.  Funds  sanctioned  by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to States / UTs for implementation  of  various  Missions  /  Schemes,  Private  Sector  and Public Private Partnership (PPP) Projects also contribute in bridging the gap between demand and supply of funds.

- (c) Data  regarding  city-wise  generation  of  revenues  is  not  collected centrally.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 59 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Digi Yatra Portal
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Sumalatha Ambareesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 59

(To be answered on the 20 th  July 2023)

## DIGI YATRA PORTAL

59. SHRIMATI SUMALATHA AMBAREESH

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

- (a) to (c) : Yes, Sir. Digi Yatra is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Civil  Aviation  for  biometric-based  travel  using  Facial  Recognition Technology. It aims at providing seamless and hassle-free experience for passengers at airports. In the first phase, Digi Yatra has been launched at Delhi, Bangalore, Varanasi, Kolkata, Pune, Vijayawada and Hyderabad Airports.
- (d) & (e): Digi Yatra is to be implemented across airports in a phased manner.
- *****

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has launched Digi Yatra portal for hassle-free travel based on facial biometrics at various airports in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of airports provided with Digi Yatra facilities at present;
- (d) whether the Government has any proposal to extend the use of Digi Yatra to all the airports of the country to reduce the cumbersome and onerous check-in process; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?
Lok Sabha Question No. 58 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Villages Electrified by New and Renewable Energy Sources
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Naba (Hira) Kumar Sarania

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 58

ANSWERED ON 20.07.2023

## VILLAGES ELECTRIFIED BY NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

## +58. SHRI NABA KUMAR SARANIA

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

- (a) the number of villages electrified by new and renewable energy sources in the country during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
- (b) the number of cities in the North Eastern States electrified by new and renewable energy sources along with the quantum of funds spent on it;
- (c) whether the Government proposes for electrification of the houses/settlements of labourers of various tea gardens under new and renewable energy schemes in Assam;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the quantum of funds allocated by the Government for the said purpose and the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) Under Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), all inhabited un-electrified villages were targeted to be electrified and as reported by the States, all the inhabited un-electrified villages, across the country, as per Census, 2011 stood electrified as on 28th April, 2018. A total of 18,374 inhabited Census villages were electrified under the DDUGJY, and out of these, 2762 villages were reported electrified through Off-Grid mode.
- (b) MNRE has requested all States/Union Territories, including North Eastern States, to select at least one city to be developed as a solar city. A concept note on developing solar cities was circulated to the States/UTs with a request to finalise an action plan for the development of the cities identified as solar cities and implement the plan in a time-bound manner. There is no separate fund allocation for the  solar  city  programme  and  the  funds  available  under  the  different  existing  schemes  are  to  be converged for the development of solar cities. Following cities have been identified in the North Eastern States to be developed as solar cities:
- (c) to (e) Presently, there is no such proposal.

| Name of City/Cities        | State     |
|----------------------------|-----------|
| Majuli                     | Assam     |
| TURATownof West Garo Hills | Meghalaya |
| Jorethang                  | Sikkim    |
| Udaipur Town               | Tripura   |
| Saitual                    | Mizoram   |
| Dimapur and Kohima         | Nagaland  |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 57 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 57

ANSWERED ON 20.07.2023

## EASTERN RAJASTHAN CANAL PROJECT

## †57. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  declare  a  critically  important  Eastern  Rajasthan  Canal  Project (ERCP) having provision of irrigation  and  drinking  water  to  thirteen  districts  of  Rajasthan,  as  a  national project;

(b) if so, the time by which it is likely to be declared and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(c)  the  number  and  time  period  of  such  proposals  sent  by  the  Government  of  Rajasthan  to  the  Union Government along with proposal-wise details of the action taken by the Government thereupon so far?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU )

(a) & (b) For inclusion of a project for funding under National Projects scheme of Government of India, it is to be first appraised by Central Water Commission (CWC), and accepted by the Advisory Committee on Irrigation, Flood Control and Multipurpose projects of this Ministry. Thereafter, investment clearance is to be obtained by the State Government. Subsequently, the project is to be considered by the High Powered Steering Committee (HPSC) to examine if the project meets the laid down norms for the National Project scheme. On being recommended by HPSC, and as per availability of funds etc., Government of India may approve inclusion of a project under the National Projects scheme.

Detailed project report (DPR) of Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) was submitted by Govt. of Rajasthan  in  November,  2017  for  techno-economic  appraisal  to  CWC. However,  appraisal  of  the  project could not move further as the project was planned on 50% dependable yield against the established norm of 75% dependability.

However, Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers has, in December, 2022 approved the proposal of considering the modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) link project integrated with ERCP as a part of National Perspective Plan, and declared the phase-I of the project as a priority interlinking project. A draft Pre-Feasibility  Report  of  Modified  PKC  link  project  and  a  draft  MoU  for  preparing  the  DPR  of  the  link project has been sent to both the States and CWC in January, 2023. A joint meeting with the States was held in February, 2023 and framework for initiating the work of preparation of DPR of Modified PKC link has been finalized during the meeting. The issue of modified PKC link was also deliberated in the 17th meeting of Task Force for Interlinking of Rivers (TFILR) that was held in March, 2023.

(c) Though requests have been received, but so far no formal proposal, as per the prescribed proforma, for inclusion of ERCP as a National Project has been submitted by Government of Rajasthan.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 55 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Kerala Government owned International Airline
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 55

(To be answered on the 20 th  July 2023)

## KERALA GOVERNMENT OWNED INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE

## 55. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

- (a) In the recent past, the Government has received references including from the Chief Minister of Kerala requesting necessary approvals for charter flights to be operated for transport of non-resident Keralites from Gulf countries to India.
- (b) and (c) If and when received, charter flights are generally approved under the Inclusive Tour Package (ITP) guidelines. However, there are no specific requests for operation of charter aircraft on India-Gulf sector pending with this Ministry as of 13.07.2023.

*****

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has received any proposals or recommendations from  State  Government  of  Kerala  for  introduction  of  a  State  owned international airline or permission for charter flights for ferrying expats in the GCC countries and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has accorded permissions for the same; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?