opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5484 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Ms. Bansuri Swaraj

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5484 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 rd  April, 2025

## Beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

5484.   Ms. Bansuri Swaraj:

## पेĚोͧलयम एवं Ĥाक ृ Ǔतक गैस मंğी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  total  number  of  beneficiaries  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Ujjwala  Yojana  (PMUY)  till February, 2025;
- (b) the number of LPG refills delivered to the PMUY households till February, 2025;
- (c) the number of LPG refills delivered on a daily basis to the PMUY households in 2024; and
- (d)  the  increase  in  per-capita  consumption  of  PMUY  beneficiaries  from  2019-20  to  February, 2025?

## ANSWER

## पेĚोͧलयम एवं Ĥाक ृ Ǔतक गैस मंğालय मɅ राÏयमंğी ( Įी सुरेश गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

- (a)  to  (d):  Pradhan  Mantri  Ujjwala  Yojana  (PMUY)  was  launched  in  May,  2016  with  an objective to provide deposit free LPG connection to adult women from poor households across the country. The target to release 8 crore connections under PMUY was achieved in September 2019. To cover the remaining poor households, Ujjwala 2.0 was launched in August 2021 with a target  to  release  1  crore  additional  PMUY  connections,  which  was  achieved  in  January  2022. Subsequently, the Government decided to release 60 lakh more LPG connections under Ujjwala 2.0  and  the  target  of  1.60  crore  Ujjwala  2.0  connections  was  also  achieved  during  December 2022.  Further,  Government  approved  release  of  additional  75  lakh  connections  under  PMUY Scheme for  the  period  FY  2023-24  to  2025-26  which  has  already  been  achieved  during  July 2024. As on 01.03.2025, there are 10.33 crore PMUY connections across the country.

Since launch of PMUY Scheme, OMCs have delivered a total of 234.02 crore LPG refills (in terms of 14.2 Kg cylinders) to PMUY customers, including the initial installation refill, up to February 2025. During  FY  2024-25  (till February 2025),  OMCs  have  been  delivering approximately 12.6 lakh LPG refills for PMUY (in terms of 14.2 Kg cylinders) per day.

Further, as a result of various steps taken by Government to improve access and affordability of domestic LPG for PMUY consumers, per capita consumption of PMUY beneficiaries (in terms of no. of 14.2 kg LPG cylinders taken per year) has increased from 3.01 (FY 2019-20) to 3.95 in FY 2023-24, and 4.43 in FY 2024-25 (as on 01.03. 2025).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5482 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Utilization of Land owned by Public Sector Oil Companies
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri N K Premachandran

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5482 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.04.2025

## Utilization of Land owned by Public Sector Oil Companies

## 5482. Shri N K Premachandran:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम एवं Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has prepared a master plan for the utilization of land owned by HPCL, if so, the action taken thereon;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  examined  the  proposal  received  from  the  public representative for the utilization of land owned by HPCL at Edapallycotta, Kollam, if so, the details of action taken thereon and the current status thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has initiated action to protect the land owned by HPCL at Edapallycotta, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details regarding the planning of HPCL for utilizing the land owned by HPCL at Edapallycotta;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to utilize HPCL land for opening a new venture at Edapallycotta, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government proposes to utilize the land owned by the public sector oil companies and if so, the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũालय मŐ राǛ मंũी ( ŵी सुरे श गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

- (a)  to  (e)    Hindustan  Petroleum  Corporation  Limited  (HPCL)  is  a  Maharatna  Public Sector Undertaking (PSU). It is a Board driven Commercial entity which is publicly listed.  As  an  entity  of  this  nature,  it  enjoys  operational  freedom  in  its  day-to-day commercial  decisions.  HPCL  has  informed  that  its  land  at  Edapallycotta,  Kerala  is secured by a boundary wall around it and security personnel have been deployed at the plot for safeguarding it. HPCL has informed that presently, there is no approved plan for utilization of the land for a new venture.
- (f)  No, as such decision is taken by the company concerned.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5481 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: TRIFED Initiatives in Odisha
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5481

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 03.04.2025

## TRIFED INITIATIVES IN ODISHA

## 5481. SHRI SUKANTA KUMAR PANIGRAHI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  projects  and  initiatives  undertaken  by  the  Tribal  Cooperative  Marketing  Development Federation of India (TRIFED) during the last three years to support tribal artisans in Kandhamal, Odisha and promote the marketing of tribal handicrafts, handlooms and forest produce at national and international levels;
- (b) the extent to which Kandhamal's tribal communities have been benefited from the Van Dhan Yojana and other  TRIFED  programmes  focused  on  skill  development,  value  addition  and  marketing  of  forest-based products like turmeric and honey;
- (c) the details of the financial allocation made and the existing as well as future plans for improving the supply chain, market  linkages and infrastructure for Kandhamal's  tribal produce  along with the monitoring mechanisms in place to evaluate progress thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to provide special support for establishing a Tribal Excellency Center in Kandhamal to enhance research, training and innovation in tribal products and entrepreneurship and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a)  to  (d) Tribal  Cooperative  Marketing  Development  Federation  of  India  Ltd.  (TRIFED)  is  implementing 'Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission' (PMJVM) scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs for socio-economic development  of  tribal  communities  across  the  country  including  Kandhamal,  Odisha.   Under  the  scheme, empanelment  of  tribal  artisan  and  procurement  of  various  tribal  products  from  them  is  a  core  activity  for generating  livelihood  opportunities  for  tribal  communities.  To  achieve  the  same,  TRIFED  undertakes  retail marketing  of  tribal  products  through  TRIBES  India  Outlets,  E-Commerce  &  Exhibitions.  So  far,  130  tribal suppliers / producers have been empaneled by TRIFED from the State of Odisha.

Besides, financial assistance is also provided to State Implementing Agencies (SIAs) for establishment of  Van  Dhan  Vikas  Kendras  (VDVKs)  for  value  addition  of  Minor  Forest  Produce  (MFP)  /  non-MFPs. Additionally, revolving funds are provided to State Governments for the procurement of 87 enlisted MFP items at Minimum Support Price (MSP). As on 28.02.2025, TRIFED has sanctioned an amount of ₹240.00 lakhs for establishment  of  16  VDVKs  associating  4,560  beneficiaries  in  the  State  of  Odisha.  Additionally,  during financial  year 2024-2025, TRIFED under B2B collaboration with ITC facilitated sale of 15 MT of Turmeric valuing Rs. 26.25 lakhs by Pragati VDVK, Daringbadi, Kandhamal to ITC.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5480 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Doubling of SHs
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take any steps for doubling of State Highway (SH) No. 23 (Bota to Rajur), SH-54, SH-65, SH-50 and SH-320 and other major State roads under Shirdi Parliamentary  Constituency  in  Maharashtra  to  ensure  economic  and social benefits and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  requests  from  public representatives in this regard; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  progress  made  so  far  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) to (c) Government in Ministry of  Road,  Transport  and  Highways  is primarily  responsible  for  development  and  maintenance  of  National Highways (NHs). Government also sanctions works for development of State roads under Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) Scheme based on the recommendations of the respective State/Union Territory (UT) Governments.

No works for doubling of State Highway (SH) No. 23 (Bota to Rajur), SH-54, SH-65, SH-50 and SH-320 under CRIF Scheme has been recommended by the Maharashtra State Government. However, based on the  recommendations  of  the  Maharashtra  State  Government,  three works costing Rs. 25 Crores have been sanctioned under CRIF Scheme in the Financial Year 2024-25 for improvement of other major State roads under Shirdi Parliamentary Constituency in Maharashtra.

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5480 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  APRIL, 2025

## DOUBLING OF SHS

†5480. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 5479 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Road Infrastructure in Telangana
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

## be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  State  Government  of  Telangana  is  planning  to develop  ten  new  greenfield  radial  roads  alongside  metro  corridor connecting  outer  ring  road  to  proposed  Regional  Ring  Road  (RRR) and  has  requested  the  Ministry  to  sanction  Rs.  45,000  crores  as financial assistance; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon till date and the funds sanctioned and spent therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  and  (b)  The  Government  in  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and Highways  (MoRTH)  is  primarily  responsible  for  development  and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). Development and maintenance  of  NHs  is  a  continuous  process.   Works  on  NHs, including development of greenfield sections, are accordingly taken up  based  on  the  traffic  density,  condition  of  the  road,  inter-se priority and synergy with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP).

At  present,  52  NHs  projects  in  1,423  km  length  costing ₹25,323 crore are under construction in the State of Telangana. The Government has incurred expenditure of ₹25,000 crore on

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5479 ANSWERED ON 03 RD  APRIL, 2025

## ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE IN TELANGANA

5479.   SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

development  and  maintenance  of  NHs  in  the  State  of  Telangana since April, 2019. Government has also taken up preparation of Detailed Project Report for Northern Regional Ring Road of Hyderabad. No proposal for  development  of  greenfield  radial  roads  connecting  outer  ring road  to  Northern  Regional  Ring  Road  is  under  consideration  of Government. Apart  from  above,  the  Government  allocates  and  releases funds for State Governments / Union Territories (UTs), including for the State of Telangana, for development and maintenance of State Roads under the Central Road & Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) Scheme as per the provisions of the amended CRIF Act, 2000. Accordingly, the Government has released ₹1,722 crore to the State of Telangana for development and maintenance of State Roads under CRIF Scheme since April, 2019.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5472 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Approval of DPR of Kosi-Mechi Link Project
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Giridhari Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5472

ANSWERED ON 03.04.2025

## APPROVAL OF DPR OF KOSI-MECHI LINK PROJECT

†5472. SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Kosi-Mechi Link Project, which is crucial for both flood management and irrigation in Bihar, is pending for approval with the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) for central funding;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(c) the time by which the said DPR is likely to be approved?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) to (c) The  Kosi-Mechi intra-State Link Project envisages diversion of a part of the surplus water of Kosi river for extending irrigation to unirrigated areas of the Mahananda river basin, by way of extending the existing Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC) beyond its tail end up to river Mechi, so that rivers Kosi and Mechi, which flow through Bihar, could be linked together within the State. The Link Project will provide additional irrigation facilities in Kharif season to an area of 2,10,516 hectare (ha) in new command enroute of  the  link  canal  in  Mahananda  basin  between  rivers  Parman  and  Mechi  covering  and  benefiting  Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj and Katihar districts of Bihar.

The  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  of  Kosi-Mechi  intra-State  link  project  was  prepared  by  the  National Water  Development  Agency  (NWDA)  and  forwarded  to  the  Government  of  Bihar  in  March,  2014.  All necessary clearances have been obtained. The updation of DPR of the Kosi-Mechi intra-State link project was also completed by the NWDA in December, 2022 and the project was subsequently accepted by the Advisory  Committee  of  Department  of  Water  Resources,  River  Development  and  Ganga  Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR) in March, 2024 with an estimated cost of ₹6,282.32 crores at 2022-23 price level. Mechi  intra-State  Link  Project  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchai  Yojana-Accelerated  Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) with Central assistance of ₹ 3,652.56 crore to the State of Bihar for

In March, 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the inclusion of Kosiimplementation of this project.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5470 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Development of Tribal People
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 5470

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 03/04/2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF TRIBAL PEOPLE

5470. SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

that  the  details  of  the  funds  allocated  during  the  current  Five  Years  Plan  for  the  overall development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) people in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) funds allocated by the Ministries/Departments for the overall development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) of the country during the last five years is as under:

(Rs. in crore)

| Year    |   Final Allocation |
|---------|--------------------|
| 2019-20 |            45856.4 |
| 2020-21 |            48084.1 |
| 2021-22 |            82530.6 |
| 2022-23 |            90972.8 |
| 2023-24 |           103453   |

Source: Statement 10B of Expenditure Profile of Union budget

Ministry/Department -wise schemes and allocation for welfare of STs is available in Statement 10B of Expenditure Profile of Union budget at https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/stat10b.pdf.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5468 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission in Maharashtra
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5468

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 03.04.2025

## PRADHAN MANTRI JANJATIYA VIKAS MISSION IN MAHARASHTRA

## 5468. ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has achieved its goals under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) to promote livelihood opportunities for tribals in Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to promote Mahua seeds and other Minor Forest Produce from the tribal districts of Maharashtra; and
- (d) whether the Government has taken any initiatives for promoting and facilitating the livelihood of the tribals of Nandurbar Parliamentary Constituency through PMJVM and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE  FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

- (a)  to  (b) Under  the  scheme,'Pradhan  Mantri  Janjatiya  Vikas  Mission  (PMJVM)',  the  Ministry  of  Tribal Affairs provides funds for setting up Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) which are primarily clusters of tribal SHGs formed to reap economies of scale through value addition and marketing of MFPs / non-MFPs. As on 28.02.2025, an amount of Rs. 3,975 lakhs has been sanctioned for establishment of 265 VDVKs associating about 79,500 beneficiaries in the State of Maharashtra.
- (c) Under  the  PMJVM  scheme,  the  Ministry  also  provides  revolving  funds  to  State  Governments  for procurement of Minor Forest Produces (MFPs), including Mahua seeds, at Minimum Support Price (MSP). The list  of  MFPs  for  which  MSP  is  provided  is  given  at https://trifed.tribal.gov.in/sites/default/files/202202/List%20of%2087%20MFPs.pdf.
- (d) So  far,  an  amount  of  Rs.  90.00  lakhs  has  been  sanctioned  for  establishment  of  6  VDVKs  in  Nandurbar District,  Maharashtra  associating  1800  beneficiaries.  Besides,  under  PMJVM,  Tribal  Cooperative  Marketing Development  Federation  (TRIFED)  also  undertakes  empanelment  of  tribal  artisans,  procurement  of  various tribal products from them for generating livelihood opportunities for tribal communities and undertakes retail marketing of tribal products through TRIBES India Outlets, E-Commerce platforms & Exhibitions like Aadi Mahotsav, Aadi Bazaar etc. So far, 2 tribal suppliers/ producers comprising of SHG & VDVK from Nandurbar of Maharashtra are empanelled with TRIFED.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5464 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Difficulties faced by MSMEs
Ministry: MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5464 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.04.2025

## DIFFICULTIES FACED BY MSMEs

## 5464. SMT. KANIMOZHI  KARUNANIDHI:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  issues  faced  by  micro,  small  and  medium enterprises due to the 45 days payment clause introduced through Section 43B(h) of the Income Tax Act and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  remove  or  relax  the  provisions  of  the  clause considering the demand of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) associations for enabling a better business environment for the MSMEs; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a) to (c): To ensure timely payments to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) vide Finance Act 2023, clause (h) was inserted in Section 43B of the Income-tax Act 1961. The clause provides that any sum payable by the assessee to a Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) beyond  the  time  limit  specified  in  section  15  of  the  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises Development Act, 2006, which cannot be more than 45 days, shall be allowed as a deduction only on actual payment.

A number of stakeholders, including MSME associations have endorsed the intervention introduced to  ensure  timely  payments  as  being  beneficial  to  the  Micro  and  Small  Enterprises, which were  grappling with the issue of delayed  payments, cash flow  and the risk of business getting closed due to financial constraints.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5463 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Air Connectivity for Rajasthan
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Harish Chandra Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 5463 (To be answered on the 3 rd  April 2025)

## AIR CONNECTIVITY FOR RAJASTHAN

## 5463. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA MEENA

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether the Government has identified new cities for providing air
- connectivity under the UDAN scheme in Rajasthan including Tonk;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  expected  timeline  for implementation  of  the  said  extension  of  UDAN  scheme;
- (c) the challenges being faced in implementing the said extension of UDAN scheme along with the steps taken to address the said challenges; and
- (d)  whether  any  specific  proposals  are  under  consideration  with  the Government to enhance air connectivity to heritage and pilgrimage sites in Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) to (d): Airports that have been operationalised under RCS-UDAN in Rajasthan are Bikaner, Kishangarh and Jaisalmer.  In addition, Uterlai and Sriganganagar Airports have been identified for development and to operate RCS flights in the state of Rajasthan.

The government recently announced the modified UDAN Scheme to increase regional  connectivity  to  120  new  destinations  and  to  cater  to  4  crore passengers in the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational and North East region districts. The scheme is presently at formulation stage.

The challenges being faced in implementing the UDAN routes are demand fluctuations,  high  operational  costs,  weather  disruptions,  airport  slot constraints, low passenger demand and airline consolidation. In order to improve long term sustainability of the routes and to address these issues, the government provides viability gap funding (VGF) to airlines, supports the upgrading of regional airports, and encourages operational flexibility.

Further, eligible routes that were discontinued in the past rounds due to various reasons such as airline failure, have also been re-bid, awarded and operationalised in the subsequent rounds. RCS-UDAN is a demand-driven ongoing scheme where bidding rounds are conducted from time to time to cover more destinations/stations and routes. Based on their assessment of demand on particular routes, interested airlines submit their proposals at the time of bidding under UDAN. Revival / upgradation of unserved and underserved airports is undertaken upon its identification through valid bid and award to the Selected Airline Operator

(SAO).

- *****