opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 259 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Bidding Process of Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †259

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## Bidding Process of Coal

## †259 SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV: SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:

## Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposed to change/amend the bidding/auction process of coal to make small business/industries able to get constant and long-term supplies of the fossil/Bio-fuels;
- (b) if so, the facts thereof along with the changes proposed to be made in this regard;
- (c) the details/names of the small business/industries likely to be benefitted from such amendments, State-wise;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  a  separate  window  of  eauctions for long-term coal linkage without imposing ban on the use of coal; and
- (e) the extent to which the small consumers are likely to be benefitted from the proposed separate window for e-auctions?

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

- (a)  to  (e): The  coal  supplies  from  Coal  India  Limited  (CIL)  and  Singareni Collieries  Company  Limited  (SCCL)  is  broadly  made  either  through  coal linkages or through e-auctions conducted by these coal companies. New coal linkages to the Power Sector are granted under the provisions of the SHAKTI Policy, 2017 (and amendments in 2019 and 2023). Coal linkages to the NonRegulated Sector (NRS) are granted under the Policy of 2016 (and amendment in 2020) for auction of linkages for the NRS.

Coal is also supplied by CIL / SCCL against the coal linkages granted under the erstwhile regimes as per the contractual terms and conditions entered with the coal consumers. Coal linkages to the Power Sector / NRS under the aforesaid mechanisms are for specified end users only. SHAKTI Policy and the Policy for auction of linkages for the NRS have not been amended further to allow for removal of end-use restrictions. Apart from the above, coal is also distributed to the Small / Medium / Tiny coal  consuming  units,  whose  requirement  is  less  than  10,000  Tonnes  per annum, through the State Nominating Agencies (SNAs) notified by the State Governments. Coal is also sold by the coal companies under the Single Window e-auctions, which  caters  to  all  the  sectors  without  any  end  use  restrictions.  The modalities for the conducting of e-auctions are decided by the coal companies.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 257 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Strategy to Secure Minerals
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey, Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 257

ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## STRATEGY TO SECURE MINERALS

257. SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY: SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to bring out a strategy to secure minerals essential for advanced technology sectors;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reforms introduced in the sector; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Yes, the Government of India has taken several initiatives to secure supply of minerals that are key to India's strategic interest and also to meet the requirement of key sectors including advanced technologies.

To secure the domestic supply of critical minerals essential for advanced technologies, Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), and the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002 (OAMDR Act), have been amended in 2023. The amendments aim to enhance exploration and mining of critical  and  strategic  minerals,  ensuring  self-sufficiency  in  sectors  like  high-tech electronics and renewable energy. The Central Government has been empowered to auction  blocks  for  24  critical  and  strategic  minerals  under  MMDR  Act  and  has successfully  auctioned  14  blocks  till  date.  Additionally,  a  new  mineral  concession namely  Exploration  Licence  has  been  introduced  for  29  critical  and  deep-seated minerals, which will permit the licencee to undertake reconnaissance and prospecting operations for these minerals.

Further, to encourage private participation in exploration, Ministry of Mines has notified 22 private exploration agencies (NPEAs). These agencies are taking up exploration projects through funding from National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET).

In 2023, the Ministry of Mines enlarged the scope of the S&T program by launching S&T-PRISM (Promotion of Research and Innovation in Start-ups and MSMEs) to fund research and innovation in Start-ups and MSMEs working in the field of mining and mineral sector in order to bridge up the gap between R&D and commercialisation.

The Ministry of Mines has also entered into bilateral agreements with the resource rich countries such as Australia, Argentina, Chile, Mozambique etc. which are having rich critical mineral resources and access to the latest technologies in the exploration and development of critical minerals.

The joint  venture  company-  Khanij  Bidesh  India  Ltd.  (KABIL)  under  Ministry  has acquired 15700 ha in Catamarca province of Argentina for exploration and mining of Lithium.

The  above  initiatives  will  contribute  towards  India's  economic  growth  by  ensuring availability and a reliable supply chain of the mineral resources.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 256 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Arun Bharti

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 256 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  JULY, 2024

## INDIA POST PAYMENTS BANK (IPPB)

## 256 SHRI ARUN BHARTI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  India  Post  Payments  Bank  (IPPB)  has  been  able  to  penetrate  into  rural  areas successfully and start its services in over one lakh Post Offices;
- (b) whether rural banking infrastructure has been doubled since start of IPPB;
- (c) if so, the manner in which the Government is pushing further to take IPPB to doorsteps of rural people through Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks in the State of Bihar; and
- (d) the  manner in  which  the  recent announcement  made  in  the Budget that all  1.5  lakh  Post Offices would be linked to core banking system help to penetrate into rural areas and provide savings and other account holders to access internet and other facilities?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Sir.
- (b) Yes Sir. India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has enabled 1.62 lakh Post Offices including 1.3 lakh Post Offices in rural areas to provide Banking services, thereby increasing the rural banking infrastructure by 2.5 times. Nearly 1.89 lakh Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks have been equipped with a smartphone and biometric device to provide doorstep banking services. This includes the facility  of  Bill  Payment  such  as  utility  bills,  Direct  to  Home  (DTH)/Mobile  recharges,  Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI) payments etc. through account debit or cash payment.
- (c) In  Bihar,  IPPB  is  serving  the  people  through  a  network  of  9,013  post  offices  and  8,624 Postmen/ Gramin Dak Sevaks. It has opened 1.28 crore Savings Bank Accounts and is providing banking facilities to 17 lakh customers at their doorsteps.
- (d) The linking of 1.5 lakh post offices to core banking system spread throughout the country has enabled customers in rural areas to access financial services and internet banking facilities. Further, customers in rural areas can transfer funds from post office savings accounts to bank accounts and vice versa.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Nuclear Power Plants/Reactors
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Anto Antony, Shri K Radhakrishnan, Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-255

ANSWERED ON- 24/07/2024

## NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS/ REACTORS

## 255. SHRI ANTO ANTONY SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN SHRI K SUDHAKARAN

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) the total number of nuclear power plants and nuclear reactors operational in the country along with the production capacity;
- (b) the total number of nuclear power plants and nuclear reactors planned for construction in the country;
- (c) the budgetary expenditure on construction of new nuclear power plants during the last five years; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  measures  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  modernize  the nuclear power plants in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There  are  presently  24  nuclear  power  plants  in  operation  in  the  country  with  a  total capacity of 8180 MW.
- (b) There  are  nine  (09)  reactors  with  a  total  capacity  of  7300  MW  [including  Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)  by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam  Limited (BHAVINI)] under construction and twelve (12) reactors with a capacity of 8000 MW [including 2 X 500 MW twin unit of Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR) 1 & 2 by BHAVINI] under pre-project activities.
- (c)     The total capital expenditure on nuclear power projects under construction during the last five years (2019-20 to 2023-24) was about Rs. 66,503 crore, of which only Rs.6552 crore  was  from  Domestic  Budgetary  Support  (DBS).  The  remaining  amount  was funded from  Internal  and  Extra  Budgetary  Resources  (IEBR)  of  NPCIL  and  Russian State Credit for Kudankulam (KKNPP 3&4 and KKNPP 5&6) projects.
- (d) Safety and performance of nuclear power stations are constantly monitored, reviewed and necessary improvements/ upgrades are effected in nuclear power plants based on evolving global standards and operating experience feedback to modernize the plants. Major Renovation of reactors like Enmasse Coolant Channel Replacement (EMCCR), Enmasse Feeder Replacement (EMFR), Enmasse Boiler Hairpin Replacement (EMBHR) etc. are also undertaken to enhance the safety and life of the reactors.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Nuclear Power Generation Capacity
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Sanjay Dina Patil, Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare, Shri Aashtikar Patil Nagesh Bapurao, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke, Shri Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh, Smt. Supriya Sule, Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, Shri Bajrang Manohar Sonwane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-254

ANSWERED ON- 24/07/2024

## NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION CAPACITY

254. SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE SHRI AASHTIKAR PATIL NAGESH BAPURAO SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH SMT. SUPRIYA SULE DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD SHRI BAJRANG MANOHAR SONWANE

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  set  any  target to  increase  India's  Nuclear  Power generation capacity by around 70 percent in the next five years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to achieve this target;
- (c) the  number  of  Atomic  Power  stations  functioning  in  the  State  of  Maharashtra  along with its total capacity;
- (d) whether the Government had proposed a Nuclear Power Project in Maharashtra which is supposed to be largest nuclear power generation in the world;
- (e) if so, the current status of the project and the time by which it is likely to be completed; and
- (f) the other steps taken by the Government to augment the nuclear power generation in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b)  Yes.   The present installed capacity is set to increase from 8180 MW to 14080 MW by 2029-30. Construction works are underway in respect of  RAPP 7&8 (2 X 700 MW), KKNPP 3&4 (2 X 1000 MW), KKNPP 5&6 (2 X 1000 MW) including PFBR (500 MW) which is in advanced stage of commissioning.
- (c) There are presently four nuclear power reactors in operation at Tarapur in Maharashtra with a total capacity of 1400 MW.

- (d)  &  (e)  Yes.      In  line  with  the  Intergovernmental  Agreement  (IGA)  on  cooperation  in nuclear energy between India & France signed in 2008, an Industrial Way Forward Agreement (IWFA) was signed with M/s EDF, France in 2018 for setting up of six nuclear power reactors of 1650 MW  each at Jaitapur in Maharashtra.  At  present,  detailed  discussions  on  the  Techno-Commercial  Offer  (TCO) submitted by M/s EDF, France are underway to arrive at a viable project proposal. The details of the project schedule would emerge on finalization of the project proposal and its sanction by the Government.
- (f) The Government has embarked on a large nuclear power capacity addition programme to cope  up  with  growing  energy  needs  of  the  country.  The  Government  has  accorded sanction for new projects to augment nuclear power generation in the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Tungsten and Lithium Mining in Nagaur
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.251

ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## TUNGSTEN AND LITHIUM MINING IN NAGAUR

## † 251.   SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  survey/investigation/exploration  work  is  in  progress  by  the  Geological Survey of India to examine Tungsten and Lithium rich mineralised areas in Nagaur district of Rajasthan;
- (b) if so, the details of various places in the district where such work has been carried out or is being carried out along with details of the progress made so far in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government, on the basis of its findings of previously known reserves of Tungsten in Rewat hills of Degana region in Nagaur district in Rajasthan and the current  survey  etc.,  is  considering  to  formulate  a  quick  plan  to  resume  mining  of Tungsten once again in this area;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and time by which it is likely to be formulated; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b): Yes.  Survey  for  Tungsten  and  Lithium  rich  mineralised  areas  in  Nagaur district  of  Rajasthan  is  in  progress  by  the  Geological  Survey  of  India. From  Field Season 2017-18 to Field Season 2023-24, GSI has taken up 08 exploration projects for Tungsten & Lithium in Naguar district, Rajasthan (details in Annexure -I).

Based on the encouraging results of G3 stage exploration carried out by GSI in Rewat Hill  area,  Nagaur  district  during  Field  Season  2017-18,  one  G2  stage  exploration program for  tungsten  and  lithium  in  and  around  Rewat  Hill,  Degana  area,  Nagaur district was taken up during Field Season: 2019-20 & 2020-21. During Field Season: 2022-23, two G2 projects have been taken up in the NW extension and SE extension of Rewat hill block and one G3 project in Pipaliya block has been taken up in order to check the continuity of tungsten and lithium bearing mineralized zones. The resource bearing report on Rewat Hill (amalgamated block) has been handed over by GSI to the Ministry of Mines for auction.

- (c)  &  (d):  Yes,  the  Central  Government  is  reviewing  geological  reports  of  Rewat Tungsten block to examine suitability for auction. After successful auction of the block, the preferred bidder will obtain necessary statutory clearances before commencement of production.
- (e): does not arise in view of reply to (c) and (d) above.

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## Mineral exploration projects taken up by GSI in Nagaur district of Rajasthan

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Lok Sabha Question No. 249 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: 5G Technology
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj, Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 249 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  JULY, 2024

## 5G TECHNOLOGY

## †249   DR. RAJEEV BHARADWAJ: SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  5G  technology  has  been  launched  in  all  the  districts  of  the  country  including Himachal Pradesh;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  advantages  arising  out  of  5G  services  which  are  being proposed by BSNL and MTNL;
- (c) if not, the steps taken by the Government to ensure the same; and
- (d) the total population proposed to be covered under the 5G spectrum services?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) 5G services have been launched in all the districts of Himachal Pradesh. Further, 5G networks have been rolled out in all States/ UTs across the country and presently 5G services are available in more than 750 districts and 8000 towns/cities in the country. More than 4.4 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have been installed till date, including 4,101 BTSs in Himachal Pradesh.

BSNL/ MTNL has proposed to launch 5G services after rollout of its 4G network. The advantages of 5G services include higher peak data rates, lower latency and higher spectrum efficiency over the previous fourth generation networks.

(c) & (d) Government has taken several initiatives for proliferation of 5G services, which, inter alia, include the following:

- i. Assignment of sufficient spectrum for mobile services through auction.
- ii. Series of financial reforms resulting in rationalization of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), Bank Guarantees (BGs), interest rates and penalties.
- iii. Spectrum sharing, trading and surrender has been permitted as per extant Notice Inviting Application (NIA) terms & conditions and guidelines issued from time-to-time.
- iv. Simplification  of  Procedure  for  SACFA  (Standing  Advisory  Committee  on  Radio Frequency Allocations) clearance.
- v. Notification of Right of Way (RoW) Rules and launch of PM GatiShakti Sanchar portal has resulted in streamlining of RoW permissions and expeditious clearance for installation of telecom infrastructure.
- vi. Provision has been made in RoW Rules for application and time-bound permission for usage of street furniture for installation of small cells and telegraph line.

Accordingly, in a short period of 19 months after the launch of 5G services on 01-10-2022, approximately  17  crore  wireless  data  subscribers  have  started  using  5G  services  in  the  country. Telecom  Service  Providers  (TSPs)  have  expanded  the  5G  services  and  have  gone  beyond  the minimum rollout obligations, as prescribed in the NIA for spectrum auction. Expansion of mobile services beyond these obligations depends on the techno-commercial consideration of the TSPs.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 248 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Export of Eggs
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri P P Chaudhary, Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh, Shri Dharambir Singh, Smt. Aparajita Sarangi

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 248 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## EXPORT OF EGGS

248. SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:  SHRI BRIJMOHAN AGRAWAL: SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH: SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH: SMT. APARAJITA SARANGI:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether there has been an increase in export of eggs from India;
- (b) if so, the manner in which the situation has changed in the last 2 decades and the details of incentives provided to the exporters in India during the last financial year, State-wise; and
- (c) the details of the top 10 international markets for India's egg exports and the latest country to join the list?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री बी.एल. वर्मा )

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

(a) to (c) : There has been significant increase in the value of export of eggs from India in recent year. As information furnished by APEDA, the export of eggs has grown 39.96% in value term and 92.46% in quantity term during 2023-24 over the previous year 2022-23. As per the export statistics, there has been a growth of 7.99% in value term and 6.15% in quantity term during the last 2 decades.

The  Government  takes  proactive  approach  to  mitigate  the  risks  associated  with  Highly  Pathogenic Avian Influenza by adopting the concept of poultry compartmentalization which is a crucial tool that enhances animal  health,  reduces  the  risk  of  disease  outbreaks  and  facilitates  the  trade  of  poultry  and  poultry-related products.  Government  has  also  submitted  a  self-declaration  of  freedom  from  High  Pathogenicity  Avian Influenza related to poultry compartments to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) which also assist in facilitating the export of poultry and poultry products. To facilitate export of agri-products including animal and dairy products, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through APEDA, has provided financial assistance  to  the  registered  exporters  for  development  of  export  infrastructure,  quality  development  and market development. During last financial year (2023-24), APEDA provided financial assistance of Rs.21.46 lakh to M/s Egg way International Asia Limited, Telangana under Development of Export Infrastructure.

Top countries for India's egg export in 2023-24 were Oman, Maldives, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Somalia, Cameroon, Indonesia, Japan and Russia. Somalia and Cameroon have been the latest countries to join the list in 2023-24.

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