opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 583 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: IITians Leaving ISRO
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Aparupa  Poddar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 06, 2023

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 583 IITians LEAVING ISRO

## 583. SHRIMATI APARUPA PODDAR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is not able to attract IITians because of its pay structure and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  number  of  students  who  joined  ISRO  from  IITs,  IIMs  and other Higher Educational Institutes in the last five years, year and institute-wise;
- (c) the  main  reasons  due  to  which  students  from  IITs,  IIMs  and other  top  Higher  Educational  Institutes  are  unwilling  to  join ISRO;
- (d) the number of IITians who have left ISRO in the last five years, year-wise; and
- (e) the entry level salary of a fresh engineering graduate from IIT in ISRO?

## ANSWER

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

****

(a), (b) & (c) Recruitment  in  ISRO/DOS  of  candidates  with  BE/B  Tech/ME/ M  Tech  qualification  is  conducted  at  'PAN  INDIA'  level  and students from several institutes across the country participate, including graduates/postgraduates from IITs. Typically applications for Scientist/Engineers, entry level posts is in the ratio of 1:1000 (approximately). Number  of  candidates  joining  ISRO  from  IITs,  IIMs  &  other higher  educational  institutions  in  last  five  years  indicates sufficiently high numbers as expected. (d) Number  of  IITians  who  have  left  ISRO  in  last  five  years  are comparable to candidates from other institutions. (e)

- The  pay  package  for  entry  level  ISRO  engineer  is  as  per Government norms.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 582 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: FDI Policy
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Nayab Singh, Gyaneshwar Patil

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 582. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 06 th  DECEMBER, 2023.

## FDI Policy

## 582.   SHRI NAYAB SINGH:

## SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:

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

- (a) the scheme of the Government to promote space sector in the country through the FDI policy;
- (b) whether  changes  have  been  introduced  in  the  FDI  policy  recently  so  as  to ensure global reach of the local products;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the scheme of the Government to promote the said sectors in the country particularly in Madhya Pradesh and Haryana?

## 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): As per the extant FDI Policy in Space Sector, 100% FDI is          permitted under Government Route in establishment and operation of Satellites, subject to the sectoral guidelines of Department of Space/ISRO.
- (b) & (c): To attract more FDI, the Government has put in place an investor friendly FDI policy,  wherein  most  of  the  sectors,  except  certain  strategically  important sectors, are open for 100% FDI under the automatic route. The Government has  implemented  several  radical  and  transformative  FDI  reforms  across sectors such as Defence, Pension, Other Financial Services, Asset reconstruction  Companies, Broadcasting,  Pharmaceuticals,  Single  Brand Retail Trading, Construction & Development, Civil Aviation, Power Exchanges,  e-commerce  activities,  Coal  Mining,  Contract  Manufacturing, Digital Media, Insurance Intermediaries, Insurance, Petroleum & Natural Gas and  Telecom,  etc.  Further,  the  Government  reviews  the  FDI  policy  on  an ongoing basis and makes significant changes from time to time, to ensure that India remains an attractive & investor friendly destination.
- (d): FDI  Policy  is  an  enabling  policy  which  is  uniformly  applicable  across  the country.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 575 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Operation of Express Train under East Central Railway
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dileshwar Kamait

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 575

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023

## OPERATION OF EXPRESS TRAIN UNDER EAST CENTRAL RAILWAY

†575. SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

- (a)   whether  the  Ministry  has  granted  approval  for  the  operation  of daily Express Train from Jogbani in Samastipur Division of Railways to Danapur  and  from  Jogbani  to  Saharsa  under  East  Central  Railway during the Budget Session of 2023 but the operation of trains has not started so far;
- (b)  if  so,  the  time  by  which  the said train operations are likely to be started;
- (c)  whether  the  CRS  inspection  from  Lalitgram  to  Farbisganj  on  the East Central railway section was done on 11/1/2023 itself but due to non-resumption of train operations so far, the people of the area have to face a lot of difficulties, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to construct a new bypass lane of 1.527 kilometers length to avoid engine reversal in Lalitgram of the rail section from Saharsa to Farbisganj under the East Central Railway so that the said project can work in public interest for facilitating and safeguarding the rail operations on the said rail section; and
- (e) if so, the time by which the said work is likely to be executed?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c)  Introduction of train services is an ongoing process on Indian

Railways, subject to operational feasibility, traffic pattern, availability of resources, etc.

(d) & (e) A new bypass line for avoiding engine reversal at Lalitgram (1.527  km)  has  been  sanctioned  in  the  year  2022-23  at  a  cost  of ` 33.60 Cr. Land acquisition has been taken up for the project. Completion  of  any  Railway  project/s  depends  on  various  factors  like quick  land  acquisition  by  State  Government,  forestry,  clearance  by officials of forest department, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances  from  various  authorities,  geological  and  typographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area of project/s site, number of working months in a year for particular project site due to climatic  condition,  etc.  With  above  constraints,  every  effort  is  being made to complete this project at the earliest. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 574 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Sanction to Prosecute Officials
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: A.K.P. Chinraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 574 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023

## Sanction to Prosecute Officials

## 574.            SHRI A.K.P. CHINRAJ:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any sanction to prosecute officials are pending with Coal Ministry for more than three months and if so, the reasons for the same; and
- (b) the total number of sanctions granted by the Ministry to prosecute the officials from 2014?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL, MINES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a) Yes. One case is pending. The period of three months got over on 27.11.2023. The case is at an advanced stage of granting Sanction of Prosecution.
- (b) Total Seven (07) number of sanctions have been granted from 2014 by the Ministry to prosecute the officials.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 572 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Extra Attempt/Age Relaxation
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Sanjeev Kumar Singari

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 572

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023)

## EXTRA ATTEMPT/AGE RELAXATION

## 572. DR. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recorded the demand for extra attempt and age relaxation made by candidates that appeared for the UPSC-CSE during the two pandemic years;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  consider  the demand; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;

## 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) to (c):    Based on the judgments passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the writ petitions filed  by  some  CSE  candidates  and  in  light  of  the  views  expressed  by  the  Department  related Parliamentary Standing Committee, the matter was duly considered and it was not found feasible to consider any change in the existing provisions regarding number of attempts and age-limit in respect of the CSE.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 570 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Funding to Training Center under SAMARTH Scheme
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Rajendra Agrawal

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 570

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023

## FUNDING TO TRAINING CENTER UNDER SAMARTH SCHEME

## 570. SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state :

- (a)  whether  the  Government provides separate funding to each training center under the SAMARTH Scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the number of training programmes conducted in the country particularly in the State of Uttar Pradesh under the said scheme; and
- (c) the number of beneficiaries trained so far and those provided with placements under the said scheme from the State of Uttar Pradesh?

## उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

(a): Under  SAMARTH,  the  flagship  skilling  scheme  of  Ministry  of  Textiles,  training  target  to Implementing  Partners  (IPs)  is  allocated  based  upon  assessing  the  capacity  &  adequacy  of  training centres,  requirement  of  skilled  manpower  for  captive  placement  and  employee  strength.  However, funding of the training programme under the scheme is based on the per trainee hourly rates provided in the  Common  Norms  prescribed  by  Ministry  of  Skill  Development  &  Entrepreneurship  and  released directly to the IPs based on the physical progress of training programme.

- (b): Details  of  number  of  training  programmes  conducted  in  the  country  and  in  the  State  of  Uttar Pradesh under the scheme are as under:

(as on 29.11.2023)

|               | No. of operational training centres   | No. of beneficiaries trained& assessed (passed)   |
|---------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| Pan India     | 1,955                                 | 2,32,362                                          |
| Uttar Pradesh | 286                                   | 30,369                                            |

Data Source: MIS

- (c): Details of beneficiaries trained and those provided with placement under Samarth in Uttar Pradesh is given below: -

| Sector             | No. of beneficiaries trained& assessed (passed)   | No. of beneficiaries provided placement   |
|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| Organized Sector   | 17,385                                            | 10,877                                    |
| Traditional Sector | 12,984                                            | 5,480*                                    |
| Total              | 30,369                                            | 16,357                                    |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 569 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Poor Quality of Wi-Fi
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Naba (Hira) Kumar Sarania

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 569 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## POOR QUALITY OF WI-FI

## †569.   SHRI NABA KUMAR SARANIA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the reasons for the poor quality of Wi-Fi provided to MPs at their accommodation in Delhi and their homes in their respective constituencies; and

(b) whether any necessary steps have been taken to improve its quality and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a)&(b) Internet  services  including Wi-Fi  are  being  provided  to  Hon'ble  Members  of Parliament (MPs) in Delhi with regular proactive maintenance to maintain the quality.

With regard to broadband connections provided by BSNL, it is increasingly moving towards providing Fiber to the Home (FTTH) connections. A dedicated portal https://selfcare.bsnl.co.in/SansadSeva  for resolving complaints of Hon'ble MPs has been deployed. Also, nodal officers of BSNL in each of the Telecom Circles are to ensure immediate redressal of the complaints raised by Hon'ble MPs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 562 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Safety distance from Stone Quarries
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 562

ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023

## SAFETY DISTANCE FROM STONE QUARRIES

562. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the implementation of the April 2023 National Green Tribunal expert committee recommendation of a safety distance of 150 metres between  stone  quarries  and  residential/inhabited  areas  can  potentially  shut  down  a substantial amount of quarries in Kerala;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  prepared  a  strategy  to  relocate  the  affected quarries to protect local livelihoods in Kerala; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) to (c): As per the information provided by the Government of Kerala, in the State of Kerala,  existing  laws  permit  quarrying  operations  at  a  distance  of  50  meters  from residential  buildings  and  other  structures.  The  National  Green  Tribunal  (NGT)  while considering O.A. No. 304/2019 (in interim order dated 21.07.2020) accepted the report of Central Pollution Control Board dated 09.07.2020 that a minimum distance of 100 meters shall  be  maintained  when  blasting  is  not  involved  and  200  meters  when  blasting  is involved and passed directions accordingly. However, the Hon`ble High Court of Kerala has permitted the existing quarries to continue operations. The Department of Mining and Geology  of  Kerala  is  processing  fresh  applications  only  after  obtaining  necessary affidavits from the proponents that in the event of any adverse orders from the NGT, the same will be abided by them without objection.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 561 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Ban on Export of Non-Basmati Rice
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Su Thirunavukkarasar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.561 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06/12/2023

## BAN ON EXPORT OF NON-BASMATI RICE

## 561. SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has imposed a ban on export of non-basmati rice in the last few months;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the estimated loss to the Government as a result thereof and the details of other export of foods items were banned;
- (c) whether some countries have requested to revoke the ban;
- (d) if so, the action taken by the Government thereon; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) & (b): Yes,  Sir.  The  Government  vide  DGFT's  Notification  No.  20/2023  dated 20.07.2023  has  amended  the  Export  Policy  of  Non-Basmati  White  Rice  (semi  milled  or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed: Other) under ITC HS Code 1006 3090 from 'free' to 'prohibited'.

The Government prohibited export of Non-Basmati White Rice in view of uncertainty around  rice  production  in  India  and  other  rice  producing  countries  due  to  geo-political scenario, El Nino sentiments and extreme climatic conditions, in order to control domestic prices and to ensure adequate availability of Non-Basmati White Rice in the domestic market for delivery to the common man. There has been reduction in export of Non-Basmati White Rice during the current year, however, there has been no loss to the Government.

The  details of other export of  foods  items,  which  were  'prohibited'  by  the Government, are as under:-

- (i) Export of Broken Rice (ITC HS Code 1006 4000) vide DGFT's Notification No. 07/2023 dated 24.05.2023.
- (ii) Export of Wheat (ITC HS Code 1001) vide DGFT's Notification No. 06/2015-20 dated 13.05.2022.
- (iii) Export of Wheat Flour (Atta), Maida, Samolina (Rava/ Sirgi), Wholemeal Atta and Resultant Atta (ITC HS Code 1101) vide DGFT's Notification No. 30/201520 dated 27.08.2022.
- (c) to (e): No specific request has been received.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 558 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Coverage of Beneficiaries under NFSA
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Chinta Anuradha, Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi, Maddila  Gurumoorthy, Reddeppa Nallakonda Gari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.558 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH DECEMBER, 2023

## COVERAGE OF BENEFICIARIES UNDER NFSA

558.  SHRIMATI CHINTA ANURADHA: DRs BEESETTI VEN KATA  SATYAVATH li SHRI MADD I LA GURUMOORTHY:

SHRI N. REDDEPPA:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION aTtnT WI&, vrw3it€T#rf+qfqtwr tO  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government has examined the  problem of inadequate coverage of  beneficiaries under the  National Food Security Act  in  the State of Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the  Government is  planning to  revise and correct the
- coverage system for  beneficiaries;  and
- (d) 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  (d): The National Food Security Act,  2013 (NFSA) provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural and upto 50% of the urban population, at the alIHlndia level, for receiving  highly subsidized foodgrains. Corresponding to  this  coverage, State/UT-wise percentage  coverage was determined by the then Planning Commission (Now NITI Aayog) using the 68th  round of National Sample  Survey Organization (NSSO)  Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (2011-12), Tendulkar Poverty estimates (2011-2012) and  2011  Population Census data  and uniform methodology across states.

The coverage so determined for the State of Andhra Pradesh is 60.96% of rural and 41.14% of urban population of the State, which at Census comes to 268.23 lakh beneficiaries.

Section 9 of the NFSA provides that the percentage coverage under the Targeted Public Distribution System in rural and urban areas for each State shall  be determined  by the Central Government and the total  number of persons to be covered in the State shall be calculated  on the basis of the population estimates as per the census of which the relevant figures have been published. Therefore, any revision in the  coverage under the  NFSA shall be possible only after the relevant data of next population Census is published.

+++

+
Lok Sabha Question No. 557 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Concerns of Big Tech and Social Media Firms
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Manne Srinivas Reddy, Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru, Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 557

TO BE ANSWERED ON06.12.2023

## CONCERNS OF BIG TECH AND SOCIAL MEDIA FIRMS

## 557. SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY: SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU: SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY:

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

- (a)  whether  age-gating,  a  step  to  prevent  children  below  18  years  from  accessing  various apps, is among the biggest concerns of the big tech and social media firms, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether an extended transition period to the new regime has also been an industry ask;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  invited  start-ups,  e-commerce  players,  small  businesses, advocacy groups and law firms besides big tech companies and held discussions with them about  the  transition  period  required  for  implementation  of  data  privacy  law  and  also deliberated  on  the  rulebook  for  digital  platforms  to  comply  with  the  laws  and  schemes implemented; and
- (d) if so, the details along with the present status thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a):The policies of the Government are aimed at ensuring that the Internet in India is Open, Safe & Trusted and Accountable to all Digital Nagriks.

Age-gating  as  provided  under  section  9  of  the  Digital  Personal  Data  Protection  Act,  2023 ('DPDP Act') is mandatory for all data fiduciaries or platforms to ensure before allowing onboarding  or before seeking to process personal data of children.  A  framework  the responsibility to verify the age is of data fiduciary or platforms, alone. This obligation is clear and unambiguous in DPDP Act.

- (b): Regarding the compliance of different provisions of the DPDP Act and given the fact that DPDP Act represents  new regime  of  compliance  for  data  fiduciary  or  platforms,  the  Data Fiduciary has given representation regarding suggestions on transition period to come under the new compliance regime of the DPDP Act.
- (c): Every policy making process of the Government in building global standard cyber laws for  India  Teachade  involves  extensive  consultations  with  relevant  stakeholders  including consumers, start-ups, small businesses and other enterprises.
- (d):  The  Digital  Personal  Data  Protection  Act,  2023  ('DPDP  Act')  was  enacted  on  11 th August 2023. The Government has initiated the process in developing draft rules under the DPDP Act.

*******