opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1700 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Proposals for Telangana Fiber Grid Corporation Limited
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1700 ANSWERED ON 30 TH  JULY, 2025

## PROPOSALS FOR TELANGANA FIBER GRID CORPORATION LIMITED

## 1700.   SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  of  Telangana  has  sent  proposals  for    Telangana  Fiber  Grid Corporation Limited (T-Fiber) and works like - Handing over of National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN)  Phase-I  executed  by  BBNL  in  nine  districts  and  also  Approval  of  DPR  submitted  to undertake  conversion  of  NOFN  Phase-I  network  to  BharatNet  Phase-Ill  architecture  and  also Extension of BharatNet Udyami Incentive Scheme to T-Fiber and also Extending long term interest free loan of Rs. 1779 crore to T-Fiber/Government of Telangana; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a)&(b) Government of Telangana has submitted a proposal for the implementation in the state, along with a request for a loan amounting to Rs. 1,779 crore from the Government of India to T-Fiber/ Government of Telangana.

In  response,  the  criteria  and  modalities  for  the  implementation  of  Amended  BharatNet Program (ABP) have been communicated to the State Government and the matter is under discussion. Further, there is no provision for loan under Amended BharatNet Program (ABP).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1696 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Implementation of PMGKAY and NFSA in North Bengal
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Raju Bista

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1696 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30Tll JULY, 2025

## IMPLEMENTATION  OF PMGKAY AND NFSA IN NORTH BENGAL

## 1696. SHRI RAJU BISTA:

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

- (a) the status of  implementation of  the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)  and National Food Security Act (NFS A)  in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts;
- (b) the details of the total number of beneficiaries under said schemes in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts; and
- (c) the details of  grains provided to  beneficiaries  under different Below  Poverty Line (BPL) categories?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI  NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): The  Pradhan  Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna  Yojana  (PMGKAY) is  being  successfully implemented in all  the  States/ Union  Territories  including  Darjeeling  and Kalimpong  districts of West Bengal.
- (b): The State Government of  West Bengal has identified beneficiaries  up to the maximum permissible limit  i.e. 601.84 lakh person. There are 9.52 lakh beneficiaries in the Darjeeling district and 5.17 lakh beneficiaries  in the Kalimpong District  of West Bengal.
- (c): Identification  of  beneficiaries under PMGKAY is  under two  categories- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)  households and Priority Households. While Antyodaya Anna Yojana (A AY)  which constitute the poorest of  the poor are legally entitled to  receive 35 kg  of foodgrains per household per month, the priority  households are entitled to  5 kg of foodgrains per person per month. There is no Below Poverty Line (BPL) category under the Act.

The  term  foodgrains  is  defined  as rice,  wheat  or  coarse grains  or  any  combination thereof conforming to such quality norms as may be determined, by order, by  the Central Government from time to time

####
Lok Sabha Question No. 1688 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Food Security Schemes in PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1688

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30TH JULY, 2025

## FOOD SECURITY SCHEMES IN PDS

## 1688. SHRI AMRA RAM:

Will  the Minister of  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTiON be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of families  (without  Government service) deprived of food security schemes under the Public  Distribution System(PDS) along with  the State-wise list thereof;
- (b) the criteria for depriving someone of food security in the PDS;
- (c) whether the Government intends to provide food security to such families again and if so, the time by which  it is likely  to be done and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether apart from  foodgrains, essential items like  cooking  oil,  pulses, etc. are also being provided through the food distribution  system in the country;  and
- (e) if  so, the details thereoF

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIM ATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (c): The Public Distribution System is now governed as per the provisions of the National  Food  Security Act,  2013 (NFS A)  which  aims to supplement the food requirements of upto 75% of the rural and upto 50% of the urban population, which at Census 2011 comes to 81.35 crore persons. The Coverage under the Act is substantially high to ensure that all  the vulnerable and needy sections of  the society get its benefit. At  present, against the intended coverage of  81.35 crore, 80.56 crore beneficiaries are receiving foodgrains free of cost.

The  Act  provides  that  the  State Government  shall, within the  ceiling  of  beneficiaries determined for  the  State, identify  the households to be covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana to the extent specified by the Central Government, in accordance with  the guidelines applicable to  the said scheme and the remaining households as priority  households to  be covered under  the  Targeted Public  Distribution System, in  accordance with  such guidelines evolved by the State Government itself.  Thus, the criteria for  identification  of  beneficiaries under Priority Households Category may vary from State to State.

(d) to (e): Under the Act, while  Antyodaya Anna Yojana (A AY)  households, which constitute poorest of  the  poor are entitled  to 35  kg  of  foodgrains, per household per month, Priority Households (PHU) are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month free of cost.

The term 'foodgrains'  is defined as rice, wheat or coarse grains or any combination thereof conforming to such quality  norms as may be determined, by order, by the Central Government from time to time

8+88
Lok Sabha Question No. 1686 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Private FM Radio Phase-III Policy
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Dr. C M Ramesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1686 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025

## PRIVATE FM RADIO PHASE-III POLICY .

1686. DR. C M RAMESH:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the Cabinet has approved e-auction of 730 channels under Private FM Radio Phase-III Policy;
- (b) if so, the details of cities which are going to be covered in Andhra Pradesh, district-wise; and
- (c) the details of Revenue that the Government generated from the existing Radio FM Channels since their auction in 2015, Year and city-wise?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (c):

On 28 th August 2024, Government approved the e-auction of 730 Private FM channels in 234 new uncovered cities including 68 channels in Andhra Pradesh.

City-wise details of these channels and revenue generated from earlier auctions are available on ministry's website (Link: https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/202412/nia\_14oct2024\_final.pdf and https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-07/revenue-160channels-92-cities.xlsx respectively).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1685 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Household-Level Food Waste
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1685 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025

## HOUSEHOLD-LEVEL FOOD WASTE

## 1685.  DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that household-level food waste accounts for approximately 61% of global food waste and that India alone discards 78 million tonnes of food annually;
- (b) the details of the steps taken to educate consumers on smart food planning, storage and consumption practices to reduce domestic food waste;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  nationwide  awareness  campaigns  or  school-level curricula on responsible food consumption; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a) to (d) : As per the Food Waste Index Report 2024 of the UN Environment Programme, the estimated food waste at the household level in India is 55 kg per capita per year, as compared to the global average of 79 kg per capita per year.

The Government has carried out publicity campaigns through print and electronic media from time to time to sensitize people against food wastage. In addition, States/UTs were advised by the Central Government to include a chapter on prevention of food wastage in the school syllabi in order to inculcate awareness among young students and sensitize them on the subject.

Further, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a social initiative known as 'Save Food Share Food' to help promote donation of surplus food and reduce food waste by integrating various food distribution agencies and other stakeholders. FSSAI has also notified Food Safety and Standards (Recovery  and  Distribution  of  Surplus  Food)  Regulations,  2019  which  specify  the  responsibilities  of  food donors  and  surplus  food  distribution  organizations  so  that  the  donated  food  remains  safe  for  human consumption. A website (www.sharefood.fssai.gov.in) was developed as a repository of information on this initiative. This website provides information related to the network on prevention of food waste, etc. FSSAI actively promotes this initiative at various platforms to sensitise citizens and food businesses including caterers about the donation and sharing of safe food.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1681 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Obscene Videos and Pictures on OTT Platforms
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Vijay Baghel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1681

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025

## OBSCENE VIDEOS AND PICTURES ON OTT PLATFORMS

†1681. SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state;

- (a)  whether  obscene  videos  and  photographs  are  in  abundance  on  OTT platforms resulting in wrong message to children and society;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  heinous  crimes  are  increasing  day  by  day  due  to  such obscene contents on OTT platforms;
- (c)  if  so,  whether it is necessary to stop the display of such obscene on OTT platforms completely; and
- (d)  if  so,  whether any laws or rules being framed in this regard and if so, the
- details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(DR. L. MURUGAN)

- (a) to (d): The Government has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary  Guidelines  and  Digital  Media,  Ethics  Code)  Rules,  2021  on 25.02.2021 under IT Act, 2000.
-  Part-III of the rules provides for a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms).
-  OTT  platforms  are  under  obligation  to  not  transmit  any  content  which  is prohibited by law for the time being in force.
-  OTT platforms are under obligation to undertake age-based selfclassification  of  content,  based  on  general  guidelines  provided  in  the Schedule  to  the  Rules  which  contain  the  provisions  related  to  depiction relating to nudity and sex.
-  The  OTT  platforms  are  also  under  obligation  to  put  in  place  adequate safeguards for restricting age-inappropriate content for children with adequate access control measures. Besides, Section 79(3)(b) of IT Act, 2000 provides  for  notification  by  appropriate  Governments  of  unlawful  act  or content to the intermediaries for removing/disabling access to such content.

Government has issued advisory dated 19.02.2025 to OTT platforms and Self- regulatory Bodies of OTT platforms for ensuring adherence to Indian Laws and the Code of Ethics laid down under the IT Rules, 2021 while hosting of content on their platforms. After  due  consultation  with  relevant  Ministries,  43  OTT  platforms  have  been

blocked so far.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1680 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Stricter Enforcement of Advertising Standards
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Anto Antony, Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1680 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30/07/2025

## STRICTER ENFORCEMENT OF ADVERTISING STANDARDS

## 1680.   SHRI ANTO ANTONY: SHRI K SUDHAKARAN:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  number  of  cases  reported  and  investigated  relating  to  non-compliance  with advertising  and  influencer  marketing  guidelines  in  the  country  during  the  last  five years;
- (b) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  stricter  enforcement  of advertising standards, particularly in the fast-growing digital influencer ecosystem;
- (c) the manner in which the Government proposes to address the impact of misleading or non-transparent advertising practices on consumer rights and public trust; and
- (d) whether any penalties or regulatory actions have been imposed on influencers, brands, or agencies found violating disclosure requirements and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING  AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (d):

Complaints relating to violation of the guidelines, including false and misleading advertisements are addressed under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Central Consumer Protection Authority has issued 'Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisement Rules, 2022' which deal with false or misleading advertisements and making endorsements relating thereto.

Betting  and  gambling  are  covered  under  entry  34  and  62  of  the  State  List  in  the  Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Most State Government have enacted their own laws to deal with betting and gambling. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had issued advisories dated 13.06.2022, 03.10.2022 and 06.04.2023 to print, electronic and digital media to refrain from publishing advertisements of online betting platforms or their surrogate products/services. With respect to private satellite TV channels, all advertisements telecast are required to adhere to  the  Advertising  Code  prescribed  under  the  Cable  Television  Networks  (Regulation) Act, 1995 and rules framed thereunder. Government issues advisories from time to time to private satellite TV channels to adhere to the Advertising Code. In cases where violation of the Advertising Code, Government takes appropriate action under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and rules framed thereunder.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1672 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Merit-cum-Means Scheme
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Balya Mama Suresh Gopinath Mhatre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 1672

ANSWERED ON 30/07/2025

## MERIT-CUM-MEANS SCHEME

## †1672. SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the process of  merit-cum-means  based  selection  in scholarship schemes  is completely transparent and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  scholarship  eligibility  criteria  in  Maharashtra especially for those students from economically weaker sections, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the impact of scholarship schemes on students of poor and backward classes in Maharashtra;
- (d)  whether  the  amount  of  scholarship  provided  under  the  scheme  commensurate  with  the growing financial needs of the students and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  if  not,  whether  the  Government  is  considering  or  proposes  to  increase  the  amount  of scholarship?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a): The Ministry of Minority Affairs has implemented various schemes for the educational  and  socio-economic  empowerment  of  6  notified  minority  communities,  especially from  the  economically  weaker  and  under  privileged  sections.  The  Merit-cum-Means  based Scholarship  Scheme  has  been  implemented  to  provide  financial  assistance  to  the  poor  and meritorious  students  for  pursuing  professional  and  technical  courses.  In  order  to  maintain transparency,  the  scheme  has  been  implemented  through  a  Centralized  National  Scholarship Portal  which  is  equipped  with  various  features  of  transparency  which  also  includes  Aadhaar Based Authentication System, Direct Benefit Transfer system. The merit list is also generated through the National Scholarship Portal.

(b) to (e):   The guidelines of the Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme are uniform for all States/UTs. In 2023, Ministry conducted a third party physical verification study of institutes/ beneficiaries of the Scholarship Schemes in States/UTs including the State of Maharashtra. Out of 1572 sampled institutes across the country, 830 institutes were found to be either fake/ partial fake/ non-operational. The matter has been reported to Central Bureau of Investigation.

There  is  no  proposal  under  consideration  in  the  Ministry  to  increase  the  amount  of scholarship.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1670 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Status of Proposed IT Hub in Kozhikode
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1670

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 30.07.2025

## STATUS OF PROPOSED IT HUB IN KOZHIKODE

## 1670.   SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:

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

the details of the current status of the proposed IT hub in Kozhikode, as announced by the Hon'ble Minister of Electronics and Information Technology during his visit in 2024 including the expected time frame for its establishment?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

The Government of India has launched several initiatives and programs to support the expansion of the IT sector.  Software Technology Park (STP) is one such important scheme in this effort.

Under this scheme, STPI has established two (2) centres in Kerala at Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi respectively.  Government of India is yet to receive a formal proposal from Government of Kerala for setting up STPI centre at Kozhikode.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1669 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Misleading Advertisements
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1669 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30/07/2025

## MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENTS

## 1669.  SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  number  of  advertisements  issued  across  print,  television,  radio  and  digital platforms  since  June  2024  and  the  number  of  Self-Declaration  Certificates  (SDCs) actually filed, platform-wise;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  identified  any  gaps  in  compliance  with  the  Supreme Court's directive dated May 7, 2024 and if so, the nature of non-compliance and action taken;
- (c) the details of number of cases, if any, where misleading advertisements were published without a valid SDC during the last one year along with penal proceedings which have been initiated; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  plans  to  streamline  and  unify  the  compliance  mechanism across all media formats to reduce bureaucratic burden especially for small and rural advertisers and if so, the details thereof including timeline for implementation?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (d):

All  advertisements  telecast  on  private  satellite  TV  channels  are  required  to  adhere  to  the Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Rules framed thereunder.

In  compliance of the  Hon'ble Supreme Court  order dated 07.05.2024 in WP(C) No. 645 of 2022 - Indian Medical Association & Anr. Vs. Union of India & Ors., a new feature for SelfDeclaration Certificate (SDC) was launched on the Broadcast Seva Portal and Press Council of India Portal.

An advisory dated 03.07.2024 was issued to the advertisers and advertising agencies to upload an annual SDC for advertisement related to products and services related to food and health sectors.

Details of SDCs filed as on 25.07.2025 are as follows:

|   Sr. No. | Portal                 | SDCs filed   |
|-----------|------------------------|--------------|
|         1 | Press Council of India | 1,45,288     |
|         2 | Broadcast Seva         | 16,869       |

******