opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1120 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Operation of Vande Bharat Train from Darbhanga to New Delhi
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gopal Jee Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1120

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023

## OPERATION OF VANDE BHARAT TRAIN FROM DARBHANGA TO NEW DELHI

†1120. SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Darbhanga railway station generates maximum revenue  amongst  all the railway stations  under  Samasthipur division and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether new superfast train for long distance has not been started from this station for the last several years and if so, the details and reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Ministry  proposes  to  start  Vande  Bharat  train  from Darbhanga to New Delhi and Darbhanga to Patna; and
- (d) if so, the details of operation of the above mentioned Vande Bharat trains?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1120 BY SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 26.07.2023 REGARDING OPERATION OF VANDE BHARAT TRAIN FROM DARBHANGA TO NEW DELHI

- (a)  Yes  sir.    Total  Originating  Coaching  Revenue  generated  at Darbhanga  Railway  Station  during  FY  2022-23  is  Rs.  157.03 Crore, which is highest amongst all the Railway Stations under Samastipur Division.
- (b) to (d) Darbhanga station is presently being served by 33 pairs of Mail/Express services and 16 pairs of Passenger Special services, which include the long distance services of 22551/22552 Darbhanga-Jalandhar City Express introduced w.e.f 15.05.2018.  Services of 15551/15552 Darbhanga-Varanasi Express has been introduced w.e.f 06.03.2019. Further, Darbhanga  is  presently  connected  to  Delhi  by  03  pairs  of Mail/Express services and to Patna by 07 pairs of Mail/Express services and 01 pair of Passenger Special service.  Introduction of  trains  including  Vande  Bharat  trains  is  an  ongoing  process over  Indian  Railways,  subject  to  operational  feasibility,  traffic justification, availability of resources etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1118 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Minimum Daily Wages for the Workers
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Pashupati Nath Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1118 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.7.2023

## M inimum Daily Wages for the Workers

## 1118. SHRI   PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has fixed any amount of minimum daily wages for the workers working in outsourcing companies of coal mines;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c ) whether the Government is planning to take any steps on the said matter for the welfare of workers; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Minimum daily wages are paid under mining and non-mining activities at Coal India Limited (CIL) and its subsidiaries for the workers working under outsourced contracts are as under:-

For non-mining activities: Contractors' Workers are provided wages as per minimum wages as prescribed by appropriate government from time to time. Management takes all possible steps as Principal Employer to ensure payment of wages to the contractors' workers as per the notified Minimum daily wages.

For mining activities : For Mining activities defined under section 2(h), (j) and (k) of Mines Act,  1952,  Contractors'  Workers  are  paid  wages  as  per  recommendations  of  High  Power Committee (HPC) / Joint Committee as stipulated in the Gazette Notification dated 07.12.2015 and dated 25.05.2016 of Ministry of Labour & Employment, which is higher than the minimum wages notified by the appropriate Government. For contractors' workers engaged in underground (UG) mines, 10% of Basic as UG allowance is also paid above the minimum wages. Wages are revised twice in a year i.e.    April & October on revision of dearness allowance by the appropriate authority

HPC Wages rate & minimum wages rate of  Central  Government,  as  on  01.04.2023are  as under:-

| Category                           | Central Government notified minimum wages (Basic + Variable Dearness Allowance [VDA]) (Rs.)   | HPCwages(Basic+VDA) (Rs.)   |
|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
| Unskilled                          | 350 + 144 = 494                                                                               | 787 + 255 = 1042            |
| Semi-skilled Unskilled Supervisory | 437 + 179 = 616                                                                               | 817 + 265 = 1082            |
| Skilled                            | 523 + 213 = 736                                                                               | 847+275= 1122               |
| Highly Skilled                     | 610 + 248 = 858                                                                               | 877 + 284 = 1161            |

For contractors' workers engaged in UG mines - 10% of Basic as UG allowance is also paid above the HPC wages.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1117 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Subsidy to Industries
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Uday Pratap Singh

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1117. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 26 TH  JULY, 2023.

## SUBSIDY TO INDUSTRIES

## 1117.  SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

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

- (a) whether subsidy is provided to industries in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number and details of industries with turnover above Rs. 10 crores provided subsidy but not released in Madhya Pradesh in the last five years; and
- (d) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  for  dissolving  the  economic  crisis caused because of non-disbursal of subsidy post sanction to such industries?

## 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) to (d):

Development  of  industries  is  primarily  a  prerogative  of  the  State Governments.

Government of India  also  provides  support  for  promotion  of  Industrial activities across the country. The Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal  Trade  and  other  Central  Ministries/Departments,  provide  an enabling eco-system for the overall industrial development of the country, through appropriate policy interventions.

No centralized information on subsidy sanctioned/disbursed to industrial units is maintained by the Central Government.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: MUTP 3A Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1115 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023

## MUTP 3A PROJECT

†1115.  SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether  Mumbai  Railway  Vikas  Corporation  (MRVC)  has  approved Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) 3A for laying down 5 th  and 6 th track under western railways; and

(b) if  so,  the  time  by  which the said work is likely to be commenced after obtaining environmental clearance along with the time by which it is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  AND  (b)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  1115 BY  SHRI  RAJAN  VICHARE  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 26.07.2023  REGARDING MUTP  3A PROJECT.

(a)    The  work  of  5 th   and  6 th   lines  between  Borivali-Virar  (26  km)  was approved  under  MUTP  3A  in  March  2019  by  Cabinet  Committee  on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

(b)  Land  acquisition,  preparatory  works  including  forest  clearance  for MUTP 3A have been taken up. The completion of any Railway projects depends on various factors  like  land  acquisition  by  State  Government, forest  clearance  by  officials  of  forest  department,  shifting  of  infringing utilities,  statutory  clearances  from  various  authorities,  geological  and topographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area of project site, number of working months in a year for particular projects site etc. All these factors affect the completion time of the projects. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1114 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Coal for Conversion to Urea
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Rodmal Nagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1114 ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023

Coal for Conversion to Urea

## 1114.     SHRI RODMAL NAGAR:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether the Government has identified such mines which can provide the coal required for conversion to Urea for the use of farmers;
- (b)   whether the CNG is being produced from Methane gas in the Coal sector; and
- (c)   if  so,  the  details  of  the  qualitative  efficacy  of  such  CNG  in  industrial  and  commercial sector?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Government has a policy for supply of Coal by CIL & SCCL to Fertiliser (Urea) sector. Under  this  policy,  recently  long  term  coal  linkage  has  been  granted  to Talcher  Fertilizer Limited for coal supply from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, which shall be used for production of urea.

Presently, coal mines are being allocated/auctioned without any specified end-use.

- (b) & (c): At present, no coal mine is producing CNG from Methane gas.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1112 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Trend of Wheat Prices
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1 112 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26TH JULY, 2023

## TREND OF WHEAT PRICES

## 1112n SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION mgM  lm+, mn gk WTbrf+q f+vw +ft be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the eurrent higher trend of wheat prices in the mandis of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat is any indication  regarding how the Government would tackle the targeted wheat procurement since MSP is about
- Rs.200-300 per quintal below the mandi price;
- (b) whether the lesser MSP of wheat in comparison to mandi rates was the
- reason for low procurement than the target fixed in 2022;
- (c) if so, the detaIls thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has any proposal to  increase the MSP for wheat during 2023-24 to  achieve the fixed targets and if  so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRSI FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI  NIRAN JAN  JYOTI)

- (a): Procurement of wheat  during RMS 2023-24 was  started  on  15.03.2023 and continued upto 30.06.2023. 262.02 LMT of wheat has been procured at MSP during RMS 2023-24 whieh is 39.43% more than 187.92 LMT procured during  RMS 2022-23,

The stock  position of  wheat under central  pool is 301.45 LMT against the buffer  norms of 275,.80 LMT as on 01.07.2023. It  is evident  that  stock  level of wheat is much above the buffer norms requirement.

- (b) and (c): The procurement of wheat last year during RMS 2022-23 for Central Pool was 187.92 LMT. Due to  early summer and geopolitical situation, there was a rise in global prices of wheat. However, farmers across the country benefitted from the higher market rates as majority of farmers sold their produce to the private traders at higher market rate.
- (d): MSP for  wheat has  been  increased by  RsH110 per  quintal  from  Rs.2015 per quintal for RMS 2022-23 to Rs.2125 per quintal for RMS 2023-24.

+  ++

+
Lok Sabha Question No. 1110 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Digital  India Internship Scheme
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Nihal Chand Chauhan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1110

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 26.07.2023

## DIGITAL INDIA INTERNSHIP SCHEME

## 1110.   SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

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

- (a) the objectives and salient features of the Digital India Internship Scheme;
- (b) the total  number of  youths who have completed internship in the country including Rajasthan  under  the  said  Scheme  since  its  inception  along  with  the  State/UT-wise details thereof; and
- (c) the  kind  of  facilities  and  the  amount  of  stipend  being  provided  to  the  youth  of  the country under the said Scheme?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Government has launched the Digital India programme with the vision of transforming India into a digitally empowered society and a knowledge-based economy, by ensuring  digital  access,  digital  inclusion,  digital  empowerment  and  bridging  the  digital divide. The programme is centred on three key vision areas, namely digital infrastructure as a core utility to every citizen, governance and services on demand, and digital empowerment of citizens.  The  overall  goal  is  to  ensure  that  digital  technologies  transform  the  life  of  every citizen, expand India's digital economy, and creating investment and employment opportunities and create digital technological capabilities in India.

The objective of the Digital India Internship Scheme is to involve the student community at large  and  enrich  the  management/  implementation  of  the  Ministry's  various  schemes/ programmes.    This  scheme  is  offered  in  various  areas  of  Electronics  and  Information Technology. Indian students from recognized universities in India who have secured at least 60%  marks  in  the  last  held  degree  or  certificate  examination  B.E/B.Tech/  M.E/M.Tech, M.Sc.,  MCA/DOEACC  'B'  level,  etc.,  (relevant  streams)  are  eligible  to  apply  under  the scheme.

- (b): Eligible students from all States/Union Territories can apply under the scheme.  There is  no  specific  allocation  of  slots  for  any  State/  Union  Territory.    Since  the  launch  of  the scheme in the  year  2018,  a  total  of  213  students  have  completed  the  internship  under  the scheme.
- (c): The Scheme provides an opportunity for a student to secure first hand and practical work experience under the guidance of a qualified and experienced supervisor/mentor.  The Internship  Scheme  is  of  two-month  duration  (extendable  up  to  three  months).    A  token remuneration  of  Rs.  10,000/-  per  month  is  also  offered  to  the  interns  who  successfully complete the internship.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1107 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Shutdown of Printing Presses
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Venkatesh Netha Borlakunta, Gaddam Ranjith Reddy, Manickam Tagore B

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1107

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023

## SHUTDOWN OF PRINTING PRESSES

1107.  SHRI VENKATESH NETHA BORLAKUNTA:

DR. G. RANJITH REDDY:

SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  decided  to  go  ahead  with  its  decision  to close down its five printing presses across the network including one at Secunderabad,  Telangana  and  outsource  the  printing  of  tickets  until complete  digitalization  of  the  ticketing  system  is  achieved,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  all  the  trade  unions  were  against  the  said  move  which  was once deferred after stiff opposition by these trade unions, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the staff of the presses would be redeployed and machinery, plants,  etc.  disposed  of  in  the  zones  concerned,  if  so,  the  facts  in  this regard; and
- (d) whether the land of these presses is likely to be gainfully utilized, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a): Yes, Sir.  Due to digitization and diminishing requirement of printing, these  printing  presses  became  unviable,  hence,  Ministry  of  Railways decided  on  04.06.2019  to  close  the  five  printing  presses  located  at Mumbai, Howrah, Delhi, Chennai and Secunderabad by March 2020. Later on  closure  of  these  printing  presses  was   deferred   temporarily   upto

31.03.2023  considering  progress  of  digitization,  requirement  of  physical tickets/money value items and Covid-19 pandemic. Decision for closure of these printing presses finally was communicated to all Zonal Railways on 03.05.2023.  Broad guidelines for implementation of closure of the presses include outsourcing of printing of tickets to trade till complete digitization of ticketing systems.

(b):  Requests  for  continuation  of  printing  presses  were  received  from trade unions. Closure of printing presses was deferred in past, considering progress of digitization, requirement of physical tickets/money value items and Covid-19 pandemic.

(c) and (d): Yes, Sir.  Broad guidelines for implementation of closure of the presses  issued  vide  letter  dated  03.05.2023,  include  re-deployment  of released staff suitably, disposal of all Machines, plants, etc. available in these presses and gainful utilization of the land released by the concerned Zonal Railway.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1105 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Export of Handicrafts
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Saikia Dilip, Diya Kumari

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1105 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023

## EXPORT OF HANDICRAFTS

## 1105. SHRI DILIP SAIKIA: MS. DIYA KUMARI:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government has taken measures to revive the export of handicrafts and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has set any target regarding its merchandise export for the current fiscal year and if so, the details thereof and steps taken to achieve the same;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  impetus  to  Tier-2  and  Tier-3  towns  and  cities, particularly in North East States that are heavily dependent on the export of handicrafts;
- (d) the details of funds sanctioned and released for this purpose;
- (e) whether the Government has any proposal to create a favourable ecosystem for startups, revive the handicrafts industry, and increase the contribution of the same to the country's per capita exports; and
- (f) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?

## उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

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

(a) to (d): The Government is implementing National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP) on Pan India basis, including the North East States. Under the programme support is provided for development of handicrafts including exports. The process of fixing export targets is very elaborate and  several  factors  such  as  geopolitical  situation,  international  market  trends,  market  dynamics  and industry feedback are taken into account. Meanwhile the Government is continuously monitoring export performance  and  taking  various  measures  to  boost  production  and  exports.  Under  sub-component Marketing Support and Services (MSS) of NHDP Scheme financial assistance is provided to eligible agencies  on  pan  India  basis  including  North  East  States  for  marketing  of  handicraft  products  in domestic as well as overseas markets. The details of funds released/ sanctioned under NER sub head of budget allocated to MSS sub-component of NHDP Scheme during the last three years are as follows:

| Year    |   Funds Released for NER (In Lakh) |
|---------|------------------------------------|
| 2020-21 |                             123.87 |
| 2021-22 |                             490.16 |
| 2022-23 |                             629.35 |

(e) to (f): Under the Startup India initiative, the Government constantly undertakes various efforts for the development and growth of startup ecosystem in the country. The flagship Schemes namely, Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) support startups at various stages of their business cycle to enable startups to graduate to a level where they are able to mobilize investments from angel investors or venture capitalists or seek loans from commercial banks or financial institutions.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1104 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Unemployed Educated Youth
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1104

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023)

## UNEMPLOYED EDUCATED YOUTH

## †1104. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  vacancies  created  by  the  Union  Government  in  various  Government departments for the educated unemployed youth of the country during the last ten years, department-wise;
- (b) whether  due  to  non-recruitment  in  regular  government  jobs,  the  number  of  educated unemployed is increasing day by day and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for not advertising the vacancies in the said Government departments;
- (c) whether lakhs of applications are being received for a small number of vacancies/posts and  the  number  of  candidates  prossessing  much  higher  qualification  than  the  essential qualification among them is very high; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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 (d): Occurrence and filling up of vacancies is a continuous process, as per the requirement of various Ministries/ Departments/Organizations of Central Government. Vacancies in various Ministries/Departments of the Central Government, their attached/subordinate offices arise due to retirement, promotion, resignation, death etc. Government has already issued instructions to all  Ministries/  Departments  for  timely  filling  up  of  the  unfilled  posts.  Rozgar  Melas,  being organized  by  Government  of  India,  are  expected  to  act  as  catalyst  in  further  employment generation  and  provide  meaningful  opportunities  to  the  youth  for  their  empowerment  and participation in National Development directly.

*****