opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2773 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-08
Subject: Metro Rail in Telangana
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2773

TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 08, 2024

## METRO RAIL IN TELANGANA

## NO. 2773.  SHRI MADHAVANENI RAGHUNANDAN RAO:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  extend  Metro  Rail  from Miyapur to Sangareddy in Telangana; and
- (b)
- If so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

(a) & (b) The initiatives for planning, management, funding, monitoring and implementation of urban transport system are taken by respective State Government(s)/Union Territories. Central Government  considers  financial assistance to urban  rail  based system based on feasibility of the proposal, necessity and availability of resources, as and when  posed  by  the concerned  State/UT Government(s)  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Metro  Rail Policy,  2017.  No  proposal  to  extend  Metro  Rail  from  Miyapur  to Sangareddy  has  been  submitted  to  the  Central  Government  by  the State Government of Telangana.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2771 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-08
Subject: National Biofuel Policy
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2771

TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 th  August, 2024

## NATIONAL BIOFUEL POLICY

## 2771.  DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

## पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  biofuel/biodiesel  companies  functioning  in  Tamil  Nadu  and  the quantum of fuels produced by them in a year;
- (b)  whether India's import of petroleum products went down after the implementation of National Biofuel Policy, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢालय मᱶ रा᭔य मंᮢी (᮰ी सुरेश गोपी)

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a): Department  of  Food  and  Public  Distribution  (DFPD)  has  informed  that  the existing ethanol production capacity in the State of Tamil Nadu is 22 crore litres per annum, spread across 13 ethanol producers. Out of these 13 ethanol producers in Tamil Nadu,  8  are  registered  with  Public  Sector  Oil  Marketing  Companies  (OMCs).  7  of these have supplied more than 1.5 crore litres of ethanol during Ethanol Supply Year (ESY)  2022-23.  Further,  there  are  6  bio-diesel  vendors  registered  with  OMCs  from Tamil  Nadu,  who  have  supplied  approximately  1.5  crore  litres  of  bio-diesel  during Financial  Year  (FY)  2023-24.  In  addition,  under  Sustainable  Alternative  Towards Affordable  Transportation  (SATAT)  scheme  of  the  Government,  6  Compressed  Bio Gas (CBG) projects have been commissioned in Tamil Nadu with an installed capacity of 40 tons per day.

(b)  &  (c):  The  Government  has  notified  the  National  Policy  on  Bio-Fuels  2018,  as amended in 2022 with multiple objectives of reducing import dependence, savings in foreign  exchange,  providing  boost  to  domestic  agriculture  sector  and  for  associated environmental  benefits.  Since  ESY  2013-14,  more  than  2000  crore  litres  of  ethanol, and more than 98 crore litres of bio-diesel (since FY 2015-16) have been procured by the OMCs for blending with petrol and diesel respectively. Under the EBP Programme, Public  Sector  OMCs  have  saved  509  crore  litres  of  petrol  on  account  of  ethanol blending during the ESY 2022-23 resulting in approximate savings of more than Rs. 24,300 crore of foreign exchange.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2764 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-08
Subject: Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Rajasthan
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Murari Lal Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- †2764

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 08/08/2024

## EKLAVYA MODEL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS IN RAJASTHAN

†2764    SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  Eklavya  Model  Residential  Schools  functioning  in  the  State  of Rajasthan; and
- (b) the criteria fixed for setting up of the said schools?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

- (a) and (b): Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sanctioned a total number of 31 Eklavya Model Residential  Schools  (EMRSs)  in  the  State  of  Rajasthan,  out  of  which 30  EMRSs are functional. Under the new central sector scheme of EMRS since 2018-19, Government decided to set up one EMRS in every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per Census 2011), prior to that the Ekalvya Schools were sanctioned under Proviso to Article 275(1).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2763 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-08
Subject: NRCP in Kerala
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2763

ANSWERED ON 08.08.2024

## NRCP IN KERALA

## 2763.   DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to include more rivers under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) in the State of Kerala; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government proposes to include Bharathappuzha river in Kerala under the NRCP; and

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a)  to  (d) This Ministry, through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) has been supplementing efforts of the States/Union Territories (UTs) by providing financial and technical  assistance  for  abatement  of pollution  in  polluted  stretches  of  rivers  identified by  Central Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB), on  cost  sharing  basis . Under  NRCP, polluted  stretches  of  rivers identified by  CPCB  of all  rivers  of  the  country,  excluding  river  Ganga  and  its  tributaries  are  covered. Proposals  for  pollution  abatement  works  in  towns  along  polluted  river  stretches  are  received  from  the States/UTs  from  time  to  time  for  consideration  under  the  NRCP  and  are  sanctioned  based  on  their prioritization, conformity with guidelines, availability of Plan funds, etc.

Under NRCP, two detailed project reports for Pollution abatement and conservation of the River Periyar at Perandoor and the River Chithrapuzha at Elamkulam in Kerala, have been submitted by State of Kerala.

The river Bharathappuzha does not appear in the list of polluted river stretches in Kerala State in the  CPCB polluted river stretches report 2022.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2761 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-08
Subject: Exploitation of Passengers at Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan, Shri Gurjeet Singh Aujla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2761 (To be answered on the 8 th  August 2024)

## EXPLOITATION OF PASSENGERS AT AIRPORTS

2761.

SHRI M K RAGHAVAN

SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  strategies  of  airlines  for exploitation of NRIs during holidays and festive seasons and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that the passengers travelling abroad are being exploited and troubled by airline employees at international airports and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has conducted any enquiry for such corrupt practices at the airports and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has taken action against such employees in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) & (b): Airfares are market driven and under the provisions of Rule 135(1) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, airlines are free to fix tariffs, having regard to all relevant factors, including cost of operation, characteristics of services, generally prevailing tariff etc. The airline fare system runs in multiple levels (buckets or Reservation Booking Designators) which are in line with practice being followed globally. The fares are fixed by airlines keeping in mind the market, demand, seasonality, prevailing international scenarios and other market forces. The airfare increases with increase in demand of seats as the lower fare buckets get sold out faster and move to higher fare buckets. DGCA's Tariff Monitoring Unit (TMU) ensures that the fares being charged by the airlines are as per the tariff established by the airlines. (c): No such complaint of exploitation of passengers travelling abroad by airline employees has been received in the DGCA/Ministry of Civil Aviation.

(d) & (e): Does not arise.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 237 (STARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Operation of Trains from Budaun Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Aditya Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 237

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## OPERATION OF TRAINS FROM BUDAUN RAILWAY STATION

†*237 SHRI ADITYA YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of trains operational from Budaun Railway Station to New Delhi and the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that thousands of passengers use to board the train from other stations for further travelling from Budaun to New Delhi;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to operate any Mail/Express/Passenger Trains between New Delhi and Budaun in view of the public interest; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 237 BY SHRI ADITYA YADAV TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA  ON  07.08.2024  REGARDING  OPERATION  OF  TRAINS  FROM BUDAUN RAILWAY STATION (a)  to  (d)   Budaun  station  is  presently  being  served  by  03  pairs  of Mail/Express  and  04  pairs  of  passenger  train  services  connecting  it inter alia to Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara, Agra, Bareilly, etc. For travelling to Delhi, passengers of Budaun may avail changeover at Bareilly which is well connected to Delhi by 31 pairs of Mail/Express trains including the services of 2 pairs of Rajdhani Express, 2 pairs of AC Express, 2 pairs of Garib Rath Express, 1 pair of Mahamana Express and 1 pair of Passenger  train.  Besides,  introduction  of  new  trains  is  an  on-going process on Indian Railways  subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, resource availability, competing demands etc.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 235 (STARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Steps for Eradication of Poverty
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Shri Dinesh Chandra Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.* 235 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## STEPS FOR ERADICATION OF POVERTY

- *235 SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government for poverty eradication;
- (b) the manner in which Free Ration Scheme for 80 crore people in the country is helpful in eradication of poverty; and
- (c) the details of the quantum of amount being spent in poverty eradication programmes annually?

## 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 CULTURE

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) to (c):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *235  REGARDING  'STEPS  FOR  ERADICATION  OF POVERTY RAISED BY SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV:

- (a) Key interventions to reduce multidimensional poverty include schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas  Yojana  (PMAY),  PM  Ujjwala  Yojana,  Jal  Jeevan  Mission,  Ayushman  Bharat  Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), PM-Jan Dhan Yojana, Skill India Mission, PM Mudra Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), Start Up India and Start Up Guarantee, Saubhagya, Swachh Bharat Mission, Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Direct Benefit Transfer etc.
- (b) Under the provisions of the National Food Security Act. (NFSA), food grains are provided to nearly 75% of the population in rural areas and 50% of the population in urban areas at affordable prices (Rs. 3/2/1 per kg for rice, wheat and coarse grains respectively) under the Targeted Public Distribution System.  Subsequently during Covid-19, Government made several targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic on the lives and livelihoods of the people, particularly the vulnerable sections of the society through the Pradhan  Mantri  Garib  Kalyan  Yojana,  implemented  since  April  2020.    This  included provision of free foodgrains to about 81.35 crore beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

Further, in order to ensure food and nutrition security of people and mitigate their financial hardships, Government has decided to extend providing free foodgrains under PMGKAY for a period of five years with effect from 1 st  January, 2024.

- (c) The budget details are in public domain and can be found in the Union budget.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 230 (STARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Gold Reserves in  Bihar
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Ranjan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.230

ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## GOLD RESERVES IN BIHAR

†*230.  SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a survey conducted by the Geological Survey of India at Karahia village in Sono area of Jamui district, Bihar has revealed the largest gold reserve of the country having  nearly  222.88  tonnes  of  gold  reserve  including  37.5  tonnes  of  mineral  ore blocks as well; and
- (b) if so, the time by which the Government is likely to take action for exploration of the said ore and gold?

## ANSWER

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

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

STATEMENT  REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  AND  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 230 FOR ANSWER ON 07.08.2024 ASKED BY SHRI RAJESH RANJAN REGARDING GOLD RESERVES IN BIHAR. (a)  &  (b):  Geological  Survey  of  India  (GSI)  has  taken  up  two  year  programme  on reconnaissance  survey  (G4  stage)  for  gold  in  and  around  Karmatiya,  Boutha, Mahugaon, Sono areas of Jamui district in Bihar during the field seasons 2023-24 and 2024-25. The report of reconnaissance survey will be available by December, 2025. Based on the results of the reconnaissance survey, further stage of exploration may be taken up in the areas. As of now, GSI has not established any reserve/resource of gold in the area.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 223 (STARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Land for Setting up Solar Power Projects
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan, Shri Khagen Murmu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 223

ANSWERED ON 07/08/2024

## LAND FOR SETTING UP SOLAR POWER PROJECTS

| *223. SHRI KHAGEN MURMU SHRI RAVINDRASHUKLAALIAS RAVI KISHAN                                                                                           |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Will the Minister of NEWANDRENEWABLE ENERGYbe pleased to state:                                                                                        |
| (a) whether the Government has carried out any assessment of the land available for setting up solar power projects in different parts of the country; |
| (b) if so, the details thereof;                                                                                                                        |
| (c) whether the Government proposes to use barren land for the said purpose; and                                                                       |
| (d) if so, the details thereof?                                                                                                                        |
| ANSWER                                                                                                                                                 |
| (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)                                                                                                                                   |
| (a) to (d) AStatement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                               |

*****

## STATEMENT STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.

## 223 FOR ANSWER ON 07.08.2024

(a)  to  (d)    Land  is  a  state  subject.  Most  renewable  energy  projects  are  set  up  by  the  private developers based on various considerations, including resource potential, adequate transmission and availability of appropriate land. Hence, suitable land for such projects is to be assessed by the State Governments and the developers.

However, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been advising all State/UTs for utilizing barren & non-agricultural land for development of solar projects.

Further, as per the para 4 of the scheme for 'Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power  Projects'  issued  by  the  Government  on  21.03.2017,  the  State/UT  Governments  are encouraged  to  prioritize  the  use  of  government  waste/non-agricultural  land.  It  has  also  been suggested to use cold and hot deserts, water surface in big reservoirs, canal bunds etc. if found suitable.

In addition, farmers can set up solar power plants of up to 2 MW capacity on their barren land and sell the electricity to the concerned DISCOM, under the PM-KUSUM scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 221 (STARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Development of IT Hub
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND  INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *221

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 07.08.2024

## DEVELOPMENT OF IT HUB

## *221. DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to designate Davanagere in Karnataka, as a new IT Hub to further IT businesses and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps to develop Davanagere as an IT Hub in view of its well connectivity by road, train and air and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that Davanagere has surplus land, an excellent educational eco system with 15 engineering colleges within the radius of 150 km. producing thousands of tech-savvy graduates, and a significantly lower cost of living, making it perfect destination for businesses;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  designate  Davanagere  as  an  IT  hub  to  foster innovation, boost regional development, reduce urban migration of engineering graduates and help to decongest Bangalore; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (e):   A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *221 FOR 07.08.2024 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF IT HUB

********

(a) to  (e):  Software  Technology  Parks  of  India  (STPI),  an  autonomous  society  under Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology  (MeitY),  has  set  up  a  centre  in Davanagere.  STPI  Centre  at  Davangere  is  providing  incubation  services  to  local  IT/  IT Enabled Services ('ITeS') industry, startups and entrepreneurs. High Speed Data Communication  (HSDC)  services,  Network  Operations  Centre  (NOC),  Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), statutory services, etc. are available at STPI Davanagere centre.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2759 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Need more Trains from Hyderabad and other Cities
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2759 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## NEED MORE TRAINS FROM HYDERABAD AND OTHER CITIES

## 2759 SHRI MADHAVANENI RAGHUNANDAN RAO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that there is a need for more trains from Hyderabad to various cities;
- (b) if so, the details of the plans of the Government to meet this demand along  with  plans  of  the  Government  for  introduction  of  new  trains  in 2024-25 to meet the rising demand for travel to Hyderabad; and
- (c) the steps proposed to reduce congestion at various railway stations in Telangana for new trains?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c)  To  cater  to  the  needs  of  passengers  of  Secunderabad/ Kacheguda,      4  pairs  of  Vande  Bharat  train  services  viz.  20701/20702 Secunderabad-Tirupati  Vande  Bharat  Express,  20703/20704  KachegudaYesvantpur Vande Bharat Express, 20707/20708 SecunderabadVisakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express and 20833/20834 VisakhapatnamSecunderabad Vande Bharat Express have been introduced since January-2023.  Besides,  cities  like  Delhi,  Mumbai,  Kolkata,  Chennai  are also  well  connected  to  Secunderabad  by  10  pairs,  10  pairs,  4  pairs,  5 pairs of train services respectively. Further, Indian Railways also operate

special train services during festivals, holidays etc. and augment the load of trains, both on permanent and temporary basis, to cater to additional demand. The number of special  trains  operated  during  the    year  2022, was    7454  while  that  during  the  year  2023  was  11376.  Moreover, introduction  of  new  train  services  is  an  ongoing  process  on  Indian Railways, subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, availability of resources, etc.

*****