opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1422 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Distribution of Foodgrains under NFSA
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1422 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST JULY, 2024

## DISTRIBUTION OF FOODGRAINS UNDER NFSA

## t 1422 SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL

Will  the Minister  of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND  PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION :w#nl qI'l8, amBit  IIT#qfi%  fim-r IHt be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the stock of  foodgrains distributed under National Food Security Act  (NFS A)  has reduced in the country;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government of  Rajasthan has requested the Union  Government to  cover the eligible  persons under NFS A  who are deprived of the benefit of  the said scheme; and
- (d) if  so, the action  plan of the Government to cover the eligible persons deprived of the benefit under the said scheme?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BANIBIIANIYA)

(a) &  (b): Under the National Food Security  Act, 2013 (NFS A),  while Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)  households, which constitute poorest of the poor are entitled  to 35 kg offoodgrains, per farnily per month, Priority Households (PHH) are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month, free of cost. There is no reduction in the quantity of foodgrains stock being distributed  to beneficiaries under the NFS A

(c) & (d): The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFS A) provides for coverage of 69.09% of the rural and 53% of the urban population of Rajasthan, which at Census 2011 comes out to a ceiling of 446.62  lakh  persons.

Representations have been received from  various States/UTs including Rajasthan regarding enhancement of  beneficiary  coverage under  the NFS A.  As  the criteria  for  determination  of  coverage under the Act  as arrived at by the  erstwhile Planning Commission is uniformly  applicable for  all  the States/UTs, no  request of  any  of  the  State Government has  been considered by  the  Central Government

##88)k
Lok Sabha Question No. 1421 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Call Drops and Poor Audio Connectivity
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Lumbaram Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1421 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST  JULY, 2024

## CALL DROPS AND POOR AUDIO CONNECTIVITY

## †1421  SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI LUMBA RAM:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether complaints of call drops and poor audio connectivity are being received continuously from 5G customers due to lack of fibre backhaul of towers in various circles;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any time limit has been set for the expansion of 5G services in all the major cities of the country including Rajasthan particularly in Jalore Sirohi; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) No complaint of call drops and poor audio connectivity have been received from 5G customers separately. However, as per data available in Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) portal, the total grievances received during last 3 years and current year in the category 'Call Drop' is attached as Annexure-I .

- (c) & (d) 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 8,000 towns/cities in the country (including Rajasthan particularly in Jalore, Sirohi). More than 4.4 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have been installed till date. Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have expanded the 5G services and have gone beyond the minimum rollout obligations, as prescribed in the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for spectrum auction. Expansion of mobile services beyond these obligations depends on the techno-commercial consideration of the TSPs.

Annexure referred to in reply of Para (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1421 to be answered on 31 st  July, 2024 raised by Hon'ble Members of Parliament Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato and Shri Lumba Ram, regarding 'Call Drops and Poor Audio Connectivity'.

The total grievances received during last 3 years and current year in the category 'Call Drop'

|   Year Wise |   Call drop Grievances |
|-------------|------------------------|
|        2021 |                   2169 |
|        2022 |                    877 |
|        2023 |                   1833 |
|        2024 |                    929 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1420 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Vande Bharat Trains from Azamgarh to Delhi
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Dharmendra Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1420 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## VANDE BHARAT TRAINS FROM AZAMGARH TO DELHI

†1420 SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to start Vande Bharat trains from Azamgarh  and  other  districts  of  Purvanchal  region  in  Uttar  Pradesh  to Delhi;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has decided to conduct a feasibility study of any  railway  station  for  upgradation  of  station  infrastructure  meant  for high  speed  passenger  trains  operational  in  Azamgarh  district  of  Uttar Pradesh; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  and  (b)   As  on  24th  July,  2024,  102  Vande  Bharat  train  services  are running  across  Indian  Railways,  connecting  all  States  having  Broad Gauge (B.G.) electrified network, of which 14 services are catering to the needs  of  passengers  of  stations  located  in  the  State  of  Uttar  Pradesh. However, as the Railway network straddles across State/District/regional boundaries, trains services are introduced, as per network requirement, across such boundaries.

Azamgarh station is presently being served by 16 pairs of train services, providing connectivity to important places like Delhi, Varanasi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Lucknow and Kolkata. Besides, introduction of new train services including Vande Bharat services, is an on-going  process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  traffic  justification, operational feasibility, resource availability, etc.

- (c) and (d)  1324 number of stations have been identified for upgradation under the Amrit  Bharat  Scheme.   Also,  2764  route  km  railway  lines  are being upgraded for Semi-High Speed operation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1418 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: National Geospatial Policy
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Sribharat Mathukumilli

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1418

## ANSWERED ON 31/07/2024

## NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL POLICY

## 1418. SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI:

Will  the  Minister  of  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY विज्ञान और प्रौद्योविकी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  geospatial  mapping  initiatives  underway  in Andhra  Pradesh,  especially  in  Visakhapatnam  aimed  at  enhancing the blue economy;
- (b) the  funds  allocated  and  disbursed  for  geospatial  mapping projects  in  Andhra  Pradesh,  especially  Visakhapatnam  under  the National Geospatial Policy along with the details of their implementation status;
- (c) the  details  of  high-resolution  topographical  surveys  being conducted  in  urban  and  rural  areas  of  Andhra  Pradesh  including Visakhapatnam as part of the aforementioned policy;
- (d) whether any measures are being taken to promote the use and integration  of  locally  produced  geospatial  data  in  Andhra  Pradesh specifically in Visakhapatnam into the National Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure (GKI), if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether  any  delays  or  challenges  are  being  or  have  been encountered in implementing geospatial initiatives in Andhra Pradesh particularly in Visakhapatnam and if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY & EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी तथा पृ थ्िी विज्ञान मंत्रालय क े राज्य मंत्री ( स्ितंत्र प्रभार) (डॉ. जितेंद्र स ंह)

(a) Ministry of Earth Sciences through National Centre for Coastal Research has prepared Shoreline Management plan using geospatial technology for  sustainable  development  and  coastal  protection  in association  with  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  to  support  blue economy.

(b) There  has  not  been  any  state-wise  allocation  of  funds  for geospatial mapping projects under the National Geospatial Policy.

(c) to (e):   Survey of India, a subordinate organization of Department of Science and Technology, has signed a memorandum of understanding  (MoU)  with  the  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  for Resurvey  of  entire  state  of  Andhra  Pradesh  (all  kinds  of  lands including agricultural lands, abadi and urban) on 19.12.2020 for an approximate  area  of  52,096  sq.  km.    Drone-flying,  Ortho-Rectified Imagery (ORI) generation and feature extraction of an area of 52,096 sq.  km.  has  been  completed.    Survey  of  India  has  taken  and completed the mapping project of Salt-pan lands on mutual agreed terms with Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.  ORI of 23,160 acres have been generated for Salt-pan lands in Andhra Pradesh.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1417 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Over bridges in Kalaburagi
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri  Radhakrishna

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 1417 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## OVER BRIDGES IN KALABURAGI

## 1417.  SHRI RADHAKRISHNA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of under-construction Railways overbridges in Kalaburagi  including  the  expected  timeline  for  completion  in construction;
- (b)   the status of the overbridge on SH-149 in place of the existing Level Crossing (LC) gate number 19 on the Wadi-Rawoor road in Chittapur Taluq of Kalaburagi;
- (c)    whether  the  construction  of  the  overbridge  is  expected  to  be completed on schedule time; 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): Sanctioning of works of Road over Bridge (ROB)/Road under Bridge  (RUB)  in  lieu  of  level  crossing  (LC)  is  a  continuous  and dynamic process of Indian Railways. Such works are taken up on the basis of its impact on safety in train operations, mobility of trains & impact for road users and feasibility etc.

05 Nos. works of Road Over Bridge (ROB) are sanctioned in lieu of Level Crossing in Kalaburagi District including ROB  on  State Highway (SH)-149 at LC No. 91 (SH-149 is not passing through LC 19). General Arrangement Drawing (GAD) for the construction of ROB at LC 91 is under finalization.

Completion  &  commissioning  of  ROB/RUB  works  depends  on various  factors  like  cooperation  of   State  Governments  in  giving consent for closure of LC,  fixing of approach alignment, approval of General  Arrangement  Drawing  (GAD),  land  acquisition,  removal  of encroachment,  shifting  of  infringing  utilities,  statutory  clearances from  various  authorities,   law  and  order  situation  in  the  area  of project  /  work  sites,   duration  of  working  season  in  a  year  for  the particular  project  /  area   due  to  climatic  conditions  etc.   All  these factors affect the completion time of the projects / works.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1415 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Distribution of Free Foodgrains under PMGKAY
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Y S Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1415 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST JULY, 2024

## DISTRIBUTION  OF FREE FOODGBLAINS  UNDER PMGKAY

## 1415 SHRI YS AVINASH REDDY

Will  the Minister of  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND  PUBLIC DISTRIBUtION  anOm wmd, ©rg aaIMf+% fq6wr qf be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  planned financial  allocation for  the Pradhan  Mantri . Garib  Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)  and the number of  beneficiaries provided with  additional free-of-cost foodgrains thereunder; and
- (b) the manner in which PMGKAY  was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the distribution of free foodgrains?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRiBUriON

(SHRI&£ATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a) & (b): The Pradhan Mantri  Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)  was launched with the specific purpose  of ameliorating the  hardships  faced  by  the  poor and  needy  due  to  economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. In view of COVID crisis, the allocation of  free foodgrains,  under PMGKAY  was in addition to  regular allocation done. A  total quantity of approx. 1118 LMT  foodgrains had been allocated under PMGKAY  (Phase I-VID  for  the period of 28 months with  a total planned financial  outlay  was about Rs.3.91 lakh crore,

The Central Government, in order to remove the financial burden of the poor beneficiaries and to  ensure nationwide uniformity  and effective implementation of  the programme for  support  of  the poor,  had  decided  to  provide food  grains  free  of  cost to  Antyodaya Anna  Yojana (AAY) households and Priority  Households (PHII)  beneficiaries, beginning from  lst  January 2023 under the PMGKAY. The period for  distribution  of free of  cost foodgrains has been extended for  five  years from 1 ;t January, 2024, with  an estimated financial outlay of  Rs.11.80 lakh crore totally  to  be borne by  Central Government

88+88
Lok Sabha Question No. 1413 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Extension of Vaishali Express to Supaul
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Dileshwar Kamait

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1413 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## EXTENSION OF VAISHALI EXPRESS TO SUPAUL

†1413 SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to extend the Train No.12553/12554  (Vaishali  express)  to  Supaul,  which  runs  between New Delhi-Saharsa, to and fro;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to extend the train No.12567/12568 (Rajya Rani Express) to Supaul, which runs between Saharsa-Rajendra Nagar, to and fro;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) if not, whether the Government proposes to operate trains from Supaul to Patna and Supaul to Delhi and the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government proposes to resume the earlier stoppage of train numbers 13211/13212 and 13213/13214 at Pratapganj  railway  station  in  Samastipur  Division  of  East  Central Railway and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e) Supaul is presently being served by 01 pair of Mail/Express service  and  06  pairs  of  Passenger  services  including  05279/05280 Saharsa-Supaul  DEMU  introduced  w.e.f.  16.07.2024.    For  availing long distance trains, inter-alia trains bound for Delhi/Patna, passengers  may  avail  changeover  at  Saharsa  station.  Besides, extension of existing trains/introduction of new trains is an ongoing process over Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, resource availability etc. (f) Pratapganj  station  is  presently  being  served  by  02  pairs  of DEMU services viz. 05579/05580 Darbhanga-Forbesganj DEMU Special and 05515/05516 Forbesganj-Saharsa DEMU Special. Besides, provision of stoppage of trains is an ongoing process over Indian Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1407 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Construction of Railway Level Crossings
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 1407 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY LEVEL CROSSINGS

†1407 SHRI RAHUL KASWAN

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the North-Western Railway has received any proposals from States  including  Rajasthan  for  the  construction  of  railway  level crossings during the year 2023-24;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, division and section-wise;
- (c)  the  total  number  of  places  selected  and  under  consideration  for construction of said crossings during the current year, State-wise, especially in Rajasthan; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  target  of constructing the railway level crossings under  North  Western Railway, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d):  All  unmanned  level  crossings  on  Broad  Gauge  networks  of Indian railways have been eliminated by year 2019.  In order to improve safety and mobility  in train operations and  road users, manned level crossings  are  also  replaced  by  Road  Over  Bridge(ROB)  /Road  under Bridge (RUB)  in a phased manner.

Sanctioning and execution of works of ROBs/RUBs in lieu of level crossing (LC) is a continuous and dynamic process on Indian Railway. Such  works  are  prioritized  &  taken  up  on  the  basis  of  its  impact  of safety in train operations , mobility of trains & impact for road users. During the period 2014-24, a total of 1457 Nos. Road Over Bridge (ROB)/Road  Under  Bridge  (RUB)  were  constructed  in  the  State  of Rajasthan. Presently,  446  nos.  Road  Over  Bridge(ROB)/Road  Under  Bridge (RUB)  are  sanctioned  in  Rajasthan,  which  are  at    various  stages  of planning and  execution.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1404 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Telephone Exchanges in Urban and Rural Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan, Dr. D Ravi Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1404 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST  JULY, 2024

## TELEPHONE EXCHANGES IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS

## 1404   DR. D RAVI KUMAR:

## DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) the  details  of  the  existing  telephone  exchanges  in  urban  and  rural  areas  of  the  country including Tamil Nadu as on date;

(b) the financial allocation made for the development of telephone exchanges during each of the last three years and the current year;

(c) the  details  of  the  telephone  exchanges  which  are  not  functioning  as  on  date,  State  and location-wise;

(d) whether lack of telephone exchanges in rural and underdeveloped areas of the country has affected smooth communication network, if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken in this regard;

(e) whether most of the telephone exchanges have not been modernised and upgraded, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the steps taken in this regard; and

(f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure smooth functioning of telephone exchanges and upgradation of the existing exchanges with the latest technique?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) There  are  around  7001  telephone  exchanges  in  urban  areas  and  6424  telephone exchanges in rural areas in the country. Further, in the State of Tamil Nadu, there are around 760 telephone exchanges in urban areas and 223 telephone exchanges in rural areas. It may be noted that current  technology  allows  to  serve  an  area  from  an  exchange  located  anywhere  in  the  country. Further, as reported by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), all exchanges are functioning as on date.

The development of telecommunication infrastructure, including exchanges is being done by TSPs  as  per  their  private  investment  and  no  financial  allocation,  in  this  regard,  is  done  by Government.

(d) to (f) The  present  telecommunication  landscape  in  the  country  is  predominantly  having wireless access technology. With advancements in digital communications and networking, modern exchanges are now based on next generation networks to manage voice and data traffic, providing greater flexibility and scalability. TSPs have modernised and upgraded their exchanges accordingly. This has resulted in centralization of exchanges enabling a single digital exchange to handle traffic for an entire State or Union Territory (UT), or even multiple States/UTs. Thus, modern exchanges are  capable  of  serving  large  areas,  thereby  obviating  the  requirement  of  installing  exchanges  in remote or rural area to serve them.

*******