opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1511 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Low Growth of MTNL and BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Subbarayan K, Com. Selvaraj V

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS

## DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1511 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST  JULY, 2024

## LOW GROWTH OF MTNL AND BSNL

## 1511   COM. SELVARAJ V: SHRI SUBBARAYAN K:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that despite witnessing massive growth over the past decade by the broader telecom industry, MTNL and BSNL have not been able to gain from this surge and have rather lost the market share and grip on the business;
- (b) if so, the details of the decline in the share of the wireline including broadband and mobile business during the current year as compared to the year 2014;
- (c) the yearly financial performance of MTNL and BSNL since 2014; and
- (d) the details of the Government's plan for the revival of MTNL and BSNL?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) The market share of BSNL and MTNL has declined due to several factors such as competition and technological change.

The details of subscriber base of the Telecom Service Providers collected and published by TRAI from time to time are available on their website.

The details of financial performance of BSNL and MTNL since 2014 are as below:

(Rs. in Crore)

| Financial Year   | Net Proft/(Loss)   | Net Proft/(Loss)   |
|------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
|                  | BSNL               | MTNL               |
| 2014-15          | (8,234)            | (2,893.39)         |
| 2023-24          | (5,371)            | (3,317.42)         |

Government has taken various measures for revival of BSNL/MTNL. These include a revival package in 2019 amounting to around 69 Thousand Crore. It brought down the operating costs of BSNL and MTNL. The revival package of 2022 amounting to around 1.64 Lakh Crore was given for measures such as infusing fresh capital, restructuring debt and meeting viability gap. In addition, the Government in 2023, approved the allotment of 4G/5G spectrum to BSNL with the total outlay of around Rs. 89 Thousand Crore through equity infusion.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1508 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Collaboration with Swiss Counterpart for Efficiency boost
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Khagen Murmu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1508 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## COLLABORATION WITH SWISS COUNTERPART FOR EFFICIENCY BOOST

1508. SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  set  up  a  timeline  to  sign  MoU  with  the Swiss Counterpart for the efficiency boost of Indian Railways;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has listed the areas to collaborate with Swiss Counterpart for an efficient use of the existing technology; 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  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  between  Ministry  of Railways  and  Federal  Department  of  the  Environment,  Transport,  Energy and Communications (DETEC) of the Swiss Confederation for Technological  Cooperation  in  Railway  Sector  has  been  approved.  The areas  of  cooperation  in  MoU  are  Rolling  stock,  Railway  infrastructure  & Safety, Train operations, Multimodal transport and Innovative New Technologies in the Rail Sector etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1504 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Quantity of Foodgrains provided under Food Security Scheme
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Giridhari Yadav

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1504 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST JULY, 2024

## QUANTITY OF FOODGRAINS PROVIDED UNDER FOOD SECURITY SCHEME

## t 1504 SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV:

Will  the Minister of  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUtION  3Ntm wmd, amBit IIT+qfi% fqTulr+# be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the poor are not able to live properly since they are being provided only 5 kg foodgrain per familiy under  Food  Security  Scheme;
- (b) if  so, whether the Government contemplates to increase this quantity  of 5 kg food grain being given to all the poor families of Bihar to 10 kg; and
- (C) if  so, the time by which it  will  be implemented and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMB}IANIYA)

- (a): The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) being implemented in  all the States/UTs, on an all-India  basis, 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. Under the PMGKAY,  while Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)  households, which constitute poorest of  the poor are entitled  to 35 kg of foodgrains, per family per month, Priority Households (Pm) are entitled to 5 kg offoodgrains per person per month,  free of cost, w.e.f,  1 st January, 2023
- (b) & (c): At  present, no proposal for  enhancement the foodgrains entitlement of beneficiaries is under consideration  of the Government

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1503 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Research Paper on Human Development and Poverty
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Shri Kalyan Banerjee

- (a) No, Sir.
- (b) The methodology and data source used by World Bank in estimating poverty is different from those used to estimate National Multidimensional Poverty Index (NMPI), released by NITI Aayog. The World bank uses microsimulation/ South Asia Poverty and Equity (SARPOV) harmonization methodology/technique. World bank estimates for India are based on the  World  Bank  Poverty  &  Inequality  Platform,  Ministry  of  Statistics  and  Programme Implementation (MOSPI's) factsheet on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23.  The  estimates  for  Pakistan  &  Bangladesh  are  calculated  using  2018  &  2022 Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) respectively.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1503

TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## RESEARCH PAPER ON HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY

## 1503   SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received a research paper of National Council of Applied Economic Research on the human development and the data innovation on poverty index of the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that as per World Bank report the poverty rate in the country is 12.92% having 260.3 million people below the poverty line as against 5.01% of Bangladesh and 4.93% of Pakistan and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to come out from this alarming situation?

## 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)

The NMPI, which has been constructed in line with Global MPI uses Alkire-foster method to estimate poverty and is computed using micro level household data from National Health & Family Survey (NFHS). This provides more accurate and comparable data.

As per the latest NMPI Report, India has witnessed a decline in multidimensional poverty from 24.85% in 2015-16 to 14.96% in 2019-21, implying that approximately 135 million people have escaped multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21.

(c) Does not arise in view of (a) & (b) above.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Foreign Contribution Regulation Act
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Smt. Pratima Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1502 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION REGULATION ACT

1502. SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL :

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

- a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  initiatives  in  the  realm  of  improving  the perception of India in dealing with independent media rights and the steps taken to the same effect;
- b) whether it  is  a  fact  that  Foreign  Contribution  Regulation  Act  is  being  used  to  raid offices of journalists; and
- c) any  evaluation  of  the  imposition  of  Foreign  Contribution  Regulation  Act  to  raid offices of journalists and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The Government is committed to ensure the right to freedom of speech and expression enshrined  under  the  Article  19  of  the  Constitution  of  India.  Press  Council  of  India  (PCI),  a statutory  autonomous  body,  has  been  set  up  under  the  Press  Council  Act,  1978  with  the  twin objectives to preserve the freedom of the Press and to improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in the country.

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 has been enacted to regulate the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution or foreign hospitality by certain individuals or associations or  companies  and  to  prohibit  acceptance  and  utilisation  of  foreign  contribution  or  foreign hospitality  for  any  activities  detrimental  to  the  national  interest  and  for  matters  connected therewith or incidental thereto. Any action taken under the provisions of the Act are for meeting these objectives.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1500 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Rajeev Rai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1500

ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## PRADHAN MANTRI VIRASAT KA SAMVARDHAN

## 1500. SHRI RAJEEV RAI:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the funds allocated by the Union Government for Uttar Pradesh since 2019 under 'Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) and quantum of funds utilised;

(b) the details of the beneficiaries trained under PM VIKAS in Uttar Pradesh during the last five years, district-wise including Mau and Ballia districts; and

(c) the details of the steps taken/ being taken by the Government under the scheme to improve the employability of the Beneficiaries?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) and (b): Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is an integrated Scheme that converges five erstwhile Schemes of the Ministry namely- Seekho aur Kamao, USTTAD, Hamari Dharohar, Nai Roshni and Nai Manzil. A total of 3,50,135 beneficiaries have been trained in Uttar Pradesh  since  inception  under  the  Seekho  aur  Kamao,  USTTAD,  Nai  Roshni  and  Nai  Manzil schemes. These Schemes were implemented through Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) on project level basis and not on State level basis, thus, no State-wise funds were allocated.

(c):  PM  VIKAS  Scheme  comprises  of  the  following  components,  targeting  improvement  in employability and support in generating better livelihood opportunities for the targeted beneficiaries.

- i) Modern and Traditional Skilling component
2. ii) Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship component
3. iii) Education support component (for school dropouts)

Under  component  (i)  &  (iii)  of  the  Scheme,  placement  of  at  least  75%  and  70%  of  the beneficiaries (in the form of wage/ self-employment) respectively are required to be attained by the  implementing  partners.  For  traditional  artisans  &  entrepreneurs,  the  Ministry  had  earlier organised 41 Hunar Haats whereby opportunity was given to artisans/crafts people and culinary experts  from  across  the  country  to  showcase  and  market  their  handicrafts  and  indigenous products. These programmes  generated more than 8 lakh  employment  and  employment opportunities for artisans, craft persons and associated persons. Presently through Lok Samvardhan Parv being organized by the Ministry at Dilli Haat, INA (New Delhi), from 16 th to 31 st July, 2024, in which participating artisans from all over India were assisted to scale up their operations and businesses.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1499 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Vande Bharat between Bengaluru to Madurai
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1499 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## VANDE BHARAT BETWEEN BENGALURU TO MADURAI

1499 SHRI MATHESWARAN V S:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  plan  to    replace  old  coaches  in  the YERCAUD SF EXP  (22649) with new  LHB coach, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  plan  to  introduce  Vande  Bharat  train between Bengaluru to Madurai and if so, the details thereof and also provide the details of proposed stoppage between Madurai and Bengaluru; and
- (c)  whether  Government  has  plan  to  consider  Namakkal  Junction  as stoppage in the proposed Vande Bharat train between Bengaluru to Madurai and 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  (c)  22649/22650  Chennai-Erode  Yercaud  Express  is   presently  being operated with ICF (Integral Coach Factory) design coaches which are fit for operation and maintained as per existing policy.

At  present,  Madurai-Bengaluru  sector  is  being  served  by  4  pairs  of  train services. Besides, replacement of ICF (Integral Coach Factory) coaches with LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches, introduction of train services including Vande Bharat services and provision of stoppages is an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, availability of resources etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1494 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: 4G Services in BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Sachithanantham R

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1494 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST  JULY, 2024

## 4G SERVICES IN BSNL

## 1494   SHRI SACHITHANANTHAM R:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is furnishing/providing the data about the name zones/areas/places where 4G services are being provided by BSNL at present in the country including Tamil Nadu;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is taking necessary action to provide 4G services throughout the country by BSNL; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) In line with Atmanirbhar initiative, BSNL has placed purchase order for 1 lakh 4G sites for deployment of indigenous 4G technology. Supply of 4G equipment has been started from September  2023  and  the  same  is  being  commissioned  in  a  phased  manner,  on  pan  India  basis including Tamil Nadu.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1493 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Dilapidated Condition of Foot Over Bridge on Delhi-Mumbai Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1493 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## DILAPIDATED CONDITION OF FOOT OVER BRIDGE ON DELHI-MUMBAI RAILWAY LINE

† 1493 SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the dilapidated condition of the Foot Over Bridge built on the Delhi-Mumbai railway line near Harkesh Nagar in South Delhi;
- (b) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to repair the said Foot Over Bridge (FOB);
- (c) whether the Government proposes to build a new bridge in place of the said Foot Over Bridge; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1493 BY SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  31.07.2024  REGARDING DILAPIDATED CONDITION OF FOOT OVER BRIDGE ON DELHI-MUMBAI RAILWAY LINE.

(a) to  (d):  There  is  a  well  established  system  of  inspection  and maintenance  of  Foot  Over  Bridges  on  Indian  Railways. Annual Inspection of all the Foot Over Bridges is conducted to ascertain the physical condition of the bridge and corrective actions are taken.

Accordingly,  the  periodical  inspection  of  Foot  Over  Bridge  near Harkesh Nagar in Delhi was conducted. Based on inspection necessary repair works have been carried out. Presently the FOB is in sound condition and its replacement is not warranted.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Treatment of Toxic Mine Water
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Ganesh Singh, Shri Shankar Lalwani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1492 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## Treatment of Toxic Mine Water

## 1492 Shri Ganesh Singh: Shri Shankar Lalwani:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government had undertaken treatment of toxic mine water and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the treated water has been released for community purposes; and
- (c) the details thereof along with other eco-friendly measures undertaken by the Government?

## ANSWER

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

(a): During mining, the water table and underlying aquifers may get effected and the water gets collected in the mine sump.  Water Pollution Control Measures, being taken by the coal companies are as under-

- (i)      For mine discharge, pumped out mine water is treated through sedimentation both in mine sump and also on surface in sedimentation pond/ settling tank prior to its discharge if any.
- (ii) The quality of mine water as well as workshop effluent (after treatment) is regularly monitored, tested as per norms through NABL accredited laboratory and treated before reuse and before discharging to local population.

(b):  During the last five year, a substantial amount of 18,513 Lakh Kilo Liters (LKL) of treated mine  water  has  been  offered  by  Coal/Lignite  PSUs  for  community  purposes  (domestic  & irrigation) as given below:

| Name of PSU   |   Domestic/Drinking (LKL) |   Irrigation (LKL) |   Total (LKL) |
|---------------|---------------------------|--------------------|---------------|
| CIL           |                      6309 |               7496 |         13805 |
| NLCIL         |                       613 |               1161 |          1774 |
| SCCL          |                        88 |               2846 |          2934 |
| Grand Total   |                      7010 |              11503 |         18513 |

Treated mine water is also offered by the Coal/Lignite PSUs to State Governments of coal bearing states for its gainful utilization for communities.

(c):   Other eco-friendly measures undertaken by Coal/Lignite PSUs are greening initiatives bio-reclamation/plantation in and around coal mining areas, development of eco-parks/ mine tourism sites, gainful utilization of overburden (OB) by establishing OB processing plants and M-sand plants and various energy efficiency measures such as replacement conventional lights with LED lights, installation of energy-efficient air conditioners, super fans, deployment of electric vehicles, and efficient water heaters, energy efficient motors for pumps and auto timer in street lights, etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1490 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: The Telecom Act, 2023
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1490 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST  JULY, 2024

## THE TELECOM ACT, 2023

## 1490   DR. BHOLA SINGH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  recently  notified  additional  provisions  of  the  Telecom  Act, 2023;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the anticipated impact of these provisions on the telecom sector including service providers and consumers; and
- (d) the other corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure a smooth transition and compliance with the new regulations along with the measures planned to address the concerns of stakeholders regarding these new provisions?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The Central Government has notified sections 1,2, 6 to 8, 10 to 30, 42 to 44, 46 to 48, 50 to 58, 59(b), 61 & 62 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. The Act is aimed to ensure optimal utilization of spectrum, effective Right of Way framework, innovation and technology development, user  protection,  effective  adjudication,  standardization  and  protection  of  Telecom  networks,  and digital by design implementation.

(d) To ensure smooth transition, the act provides that all rules, orders made or purported to have been made under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 or the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 will continue  to  be  in  force  unless  and  until  they  are  superseded  by  any  rules  made  under  the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

Further, the draft rules are published for a period of 30 days in the Official Gazette inviting comments and suggestions from stakeholders and public at large before they are finalized.

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