opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 456 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Inadequate MPLAD Fund
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Thiru D M Kathir Anand, Shri Deepender Singh Hooda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 456 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## INADEQUATE MPLAD FUND

## 456.  THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND: SHRI DEEPENDER SINGH HOODA:

Will  the  Minister  of  STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION  be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  functioning  of  the  MPLAD Scheme across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that Rs. 5 crore per annum is inadequate to complete local area development works in view of increase in the cost of building material and wage hike of skilled and unskilled labourers and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any plans to increase the MPLAD fund from Rs. 5 crore to Rs. 10 crore per annum, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether any such proposal has been sent to the Finance Ministry and if so, details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  OF  THE  MINISTRY  OF STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION,  MINISTER  OF  STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a)  The  Ministry  has  conducted  a  Third-Party  Physical  Evaluation  of  the MPLADS works completed during the period 01-04-2014 to 31-03-2019, in 216 districts across the country. The Evaluation was done in the year 2021 and the agency submitted final report on 31-8-2021.
- (b) to (d) The Ministry receives and examines, on a continuous basis, the new suggestions from stakeholders, including suggestions for revision of entitlement of funds, following due process in consultation with Ministry of Finance.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 454 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Study on Frequent Earthquakes
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Dr. Nishikant Dubey

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 454 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 27 TH  NOVEMBER, 2024

## STUDY ON FREQUENT EARTHQUAKES

## 454. DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

Will the Minister of Earth Sciences be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Government has conducted any study to understand the frequent earthquakes affecting the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  details  of  measures  taken/being  taken  by  Government  in  order  to  reduce  the vulnerability and risk involved in this respect; and
- (d) the proposed measures to be taken/being taken by the Government?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b)  Yes.  The  National  Centre  for  Seismology  (NCS)  under  the  Ministry  of  Earth Sciences monitors  and  reports  seismic  activity  nationwide  through  the  National Seismic Network of 166 stations. Details of earthquakes are available on the website of  NCS  (seismo.gov.in).  Several studies  have  been  conducted  to  understand  the science of frequent earthquakes affecting the country, which include detailed Seismic Microzonation  studies  conducted  in  selected  urban  areas  to  understand  local  site effects, trend analysis of earthquake occurrences, etc. So far, such microzonation has been completed for Delhi, Kolkata, Gangtok, Guwahati, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Coimbatore and Mangalore.

Besides, continuous data collection and analysis of historical earthquakes is done by NCS-MoES  for  better  understanding  of  seismic  patterns  and  source  processes. Additionally, based  on  historical  seismicity,  Bureau  of  Indian  Standards (BIS)  has developed  a  seismic  zoning  map  of  India,  which  classifies  regions  based  on their earthquake risk, a vital aspect for urban planning and construction practices.

- (c) and (d)  Several measures are taken to mitigate the risks associated with earthquakes which include  expansion  of  Seismic  Monitoring  Networks  to ensure  timely  detection  on earthquakes  and  dissemination  of  alerts, assigning  the  building  codes  by  BIS  for earthquake-resistant design and construction, particularly in high-risk zones, conducting   awareness  and  Training  Programs  to  educate  the public  about earthquake  preparedness,  including  drills  and  awareness  campaigns  by   National Disaster Management  Authority (NDMA)  and  National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) under Ministry  of  Home Affairs,  and developing emergency response and disasters management plans at state and district-level.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 453 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Ombudsman for Fake News
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 453

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

- OMBUDSMAN FOR FAKE NEWS 453 SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI: Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state: (a) whether  the  Government  is  taking any steps against those spreading fake news on social media across the country; and (b) whether the Government is taking any steps to ask/get the social media  companies  to  appoint  an  Ombudsman  to  prevent  spreading incidents of fake news?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (b):-  The  Government  has  notified  the  Information  Technology (Intermediary  Guidelines  and  Digital  Media  Ethics  Code)  Rules,  2021 ('IT  Rules,  2021')  on  25.02.2021  under  the  Information  Technology Act, 2000. For the user generated content on intermediary/ social media platforms,  Part-II  of  IT  Rules,  2021,  administered  by  Ministry  of Electronics  and  Information  Technology  (MeiTY),  provides  for  due diligence  by  intermediaries  and  casts  specific  obligations  on  such intermediaries  /  social  media  intermediaries  or  platforms,  to  ensure that they are accountable for their platforms to be safe & trusted and do  not  carry  any  content  that  is  violative  of  rule  3(1)(b)  of  IT  Rules, 2021.  These  rules  also  cast  an  obligation  on  the  social  media intermediaries to appoint a Grievance Officer to look into complaints relating  to  violation  of  the  Rules.  Additionally,  the  Significant  Social Media  Intermediaries  also  required  to  appoint  a  Chief  Compliance Officers for ensuring compliance  with the Act and rules  made thereunder.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 452 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Weather Radars under Mission Mausam
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Shankar Lalwani, Shri Basavaraj Bommai, Shri Tejasvi Surya, Shri Manoj Tiwari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 452 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 27 TH  NOVEMBER, 2024

## WEATHER RADARS UNDER MISSION MAUSAM

## 452.    SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI: SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI: SHRI TEJASVI SURYA:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken measures to increase the weather radars in the country for enhancing the accuracy of forecasting system under Mission Mausam; and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the current setup deploys the latest available technology in the world and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the current setup of weather radars effectively predict high to very high rain in a specific area in order to warn and prevent natural disaster and if so, the details thereof along with the list of alerts sounded in the last one year?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes. The newly launched Mission Mausam is intended to augment the Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network across the country for complete radar coverage and to enhance the accuracy of the weather forecasting system. Supply order for 34 nos. DWRs have already been placed, and additionally, the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) has approved the procurement of 53 more DWRs.
- (b) Yes. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has a high-end DWR network that utilizes well-proven world-class technologies like dual polarization, solid-state power amplifier (SSPA), etc.
- (c) Yes. Surface-based observations and DWR networks monitor high to very high rainfall over a location.  The DWR observations are available every ten minutes in the form of cloud images and the velocity of winds over the region under the radar range. It helps monitor and issue a nowcast of associated heavy rainfall activities at a very short duration of up to 1 hour. DWR networks will not provide a forecast or prediction of rain.

India  Meteorological  Department  (IMD)  issues  various  outlooks/forecasts/warnings  for the  Public  and  disaster  management  authorities  to  prepare  for  extreme  weather  events, including high to very high rainfall, using DWR, in-situ observations, and models. While issuing  the  alert,  a  suitable  color  code  is  used  to  highlight  the  impact  of  the  severe weather expected and signal disaster management about the course of action to be taken regarding an impending disaster weather event. IMD issues the necessary warnings and advisories  well  in  advance  for  preparedness,  including  high  to  very  high  rainfall throughout the year.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 451 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Coal Allocation through e-auction
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Godam Nagesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 451

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## Coal Allocation through e-auction

## 451.   Shri Godam Nagesh:

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

(a) the total quantities of coal allocated by the Government through the spot e-auction of coal, special forward e-auction for power sector and exclusive e-auction for non-power sector till date; and

- (b) the total quantity of coal imported in the country during the current financial year till date?

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

- (a): The total quantities of coal allocated by the Coal India Limited (CIL) through the Spot Eauction of coal, Special Forward E-auction for Power Sector and Exclusive E-auction for NonPower Sector from 2015-16 onwards is as under:

| (Figures in Lakh Tonnes)   | (Figures in Lakh Tonnes)   | (Figures in Lakh Tonnes)                    | (Figures in Lakh Tonnes)                 |
|----------------------------|----------------------------|---------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Auction                    | Spot E-auction of coal     | Special Forward E- auction for Power Sector | Exclusive E-auction for Non-Power Sector |
| FY 2022-23                 | 509.84                     | -                                           | -                                        |
| FY 2021-22                 | 358.98                     | 412.46                                      | 256.64                                   |
| FY 2020-21                 | 425.12                     | 393.26                                      | 312.27                                   |
| FY 2019-20                 | 298.31                     | 271.24                                      | 80.33                                    |
| FY 2018-19                 | 343.36                     | 305.34                                      | 113.59                                   |
| FY 2017-18                 | 551.65                     | 289.32                                      | 111.09                                   |
| FY 2016-17                 | 536.97                     | 470.66                                      | 62.97                                    |
| FY 2015-16                 | 574.11                     | 137.94                                      | 15.18                                    |

Government had approved in 2022 that all the non-linkage coal of the coal companies would be sold  through  one e-auction window.  Thereafter,  the  coal  companies  are  conducting  eauction under new Single Window Mode Agnostic E-auction Scheme.

- (b): The quantity of coal imported in the country during FY 2024-25 (upto September, 2024) is 129.52 MT (provisional).

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 449 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Growth Hubs Programme
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.

## 449 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## GROWTH HUBS PROGRAMME

## 449 SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is working on the City regions as Growth Hubs Programme;
- (b) if so, the details of the cities and regions in the State of Andhra Pradesh that have been selected for the said programme;
- (c) the details of the study conducted along with the progress made in these studies for the regions in the State of Andhra Pradesh;
- (d) whether any plan has been prepared to achieve economic targets under the program for the regions of Andhra Pradesh;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (f) whether the Government will be utilising this study to make investment decisions in the region of Andhra Pradesh; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) to (e) NITI Aayog, in 2023, conceived of the Growth Hubs initiative to undertake the development of  cities  as  engines  of  growth.  The  approach  was  to  identify  city  regions  going  beyond  urban boundaries  and  develop  an  economic  plan  based  on  three  key  components  (i)  Economic  and Investment plan; (ii) Quality of Life; and (iii) Inclusivity and Sustainability plan. To develop the process  template  four  pilot  sites  were  selected,  viz.  Mumbai  Metropolitan  Region  (MMR), Varanasi, Surat and Vishakhapatnam which were positioned as the centres of the economic region. In each Economic Region, specific economic plans have been developed on the basis of a 5-stage

process, viz. (i) As-is-diagnostic, (ii) SWOT, Endowments & Capability analysis, (iii) Economic Visioning, (iv) Selection of key economic growth drivers and (v) Implementation Framework. The project report presents specific interventions by way of key projects and policy prescriptions. The initiative  is  a  state-led  programme  where  NITI  Aayog  closely  works  with  respective  State Governments and knowledge partners. In case of Andhra Pradesh, the Visakhapatnam Economic Region (VER) has been selected for the said programme, which includes seven other districts, viz. Anakapalle, Vizianagarm, Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Kakinada and East Godavari for preparation of the economic plan.

(f) & (g) The economic plan for VER will inter-alia include projects for implementation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 446 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Dual Recovery by Pay Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Eswarasamy K

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 446

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## DUAL RECOVERY BY PAY CHANNELS

446. SHRI ESWARASAMY K:

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

- (a)  whether it is true that on one hand the pay channels are charging money  from the advertising companies  and  on  the  other  hand  they  also  collect  money  from  the  people  who  watch  these programmes;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons/justifications therefor;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to check the same; and
- (d) the countries where the practice of dual recovery of revenue is prevalent?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d):    The  pay  channels  charge  money  from  the  advertising  companies  for  placing  their advertisements during telecast of a programme. They also get their share from the amount charged by distribution companies (subscription charges) based on the interconnect agreements between them.

While the rate of advertisement is market determined, subscription from viewers are decided on the basis of the Tariff and Interconnect agreement and other relevant regulations of TRAI. Notwithstanding, the Government has prescribed a limit on the duration of advertisements on the television channels.

There is no specific data regarding the dual recovery of revenue by pay channels in other countries.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 440 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Expansion of Radar Network for Himachal Pradesh
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 440

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 27 TH  NOVEMBER, 2024

## EXPANSION OF RADAR NETWORK FOR HIMACHAL PRADESH

## † 440.   SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government  has  taken any  measures  to  expand  radar  network  to  improve accuracy  of  system  for  weather  forecast  under  Mission  Mausam  along  with  the  status thereof with regard to Himachal Pradesh; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes.  India  Meteorological  Department  (IMD)  continuously  enhances and  upgrades  the meteorological  observations,  communications,  modeling,  and  forecasting  system.  The forecasts and warnings are issued at the National, State, and District levels.
- (b) Yes.  Currently,  39  Doppler  Weather  Radars  (DWRs)  are  installed  at  various  locations across  the  country.  Additional  87  Doppler  Weather  Radars (DWRs) are planned under the newly launched Mission Mausam across the country for complete radar coverage and to enhance the accuracy of the weather nowcasting and forecasting services.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 435 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Resumption of Train from Delhi to Sitapur
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Arun Kumar Sagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.435 ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## RESUMPTION OF TRAIN FROM DELHI TO SITAPUR

## †435 SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether  the  Government  proposes  to  run  train  no.  54075/54076 that used to run from Delhi to Sitapur and is presently running from Delhi to Bareilly, again from Delhi to Sitapur;
- (b)  whether the Government has taken any steps or is considering to take  any  steps  to restart  the  operation  of  no.  64221/64222 Shahjahanpur-Lucknow MEMU train;
- (c)   if so, the details thereof;
- (d)   whether  the  Government  has  received  requests  from  public representatives in this regard; and
- (e)    if  so,  the  details  thereof  as  well  as  progress made so far in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e) With a view to provide for better passenger safety by creating maintenance  corridor  blocks,  minimizing  conflicts  in  existing  Time Table,  and  speeding  up  of  train  services,  Indian  Railways,  have undertaken rationalization of the Time Table, including rationalization of  train  services,  in  a  scientific  manner  with  the  assistance  of  IITBombay.  Accordingly,  54075/76  Delhi-Sitapur Passenger is now  being operated between Delhi and Bareilly. However, Delhi-Sitapur sector is presently being served by 11 pairs of trains. In  lieu  of  64221/64222  Shahjahanpur-Lucknow  MEMU,  04319/04320 Shahjahanpur-Lucknow  MEMU  (5  days  a  week)  via  Balamau  and 04355/56 Balamau-Lucknow MEMU  (2 days a week) are being operated.  However, Shahjahanpur-Lucknow is presently being served by  45  pairs  of  trains.    Besides,  introduction  of  train  services  is  an ongoing  process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  traffic  justification, operational feasibility, availability of resources etc. Proposals/requests/suggestions/representations, both formal and informal  for  introduction/restoration/extension  of  trains  across  the country are received from Members of Parliament, elected representatives, organizations/rail users etc. at various levels including  Railway  Board,  Zonal  Railways,  Division  Office  etc.    As receipt of such proposals/complaints/suggestions is a continuous and dynamic  process,  centralized  compendium  of  such  requests  is  not maintained.    However,  these  are  examined  and  action  as  found feasible and justified is taken from time to time.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 431 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Issues Faced by Women in Film Industry
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender, Smt. D K Aruna, Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 431

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## lssues Faced by Women in Film Industry

- 431 Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar:

Shri Eatala Rajender:

Smt. D K Aruna:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BRAODCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether some reports on the issues faced by women in the film industry have revealed  horrid  tales  of  sexual  exploitation,  illegal  bans,  discrimination,  drug  and alcohol abuse, wage disparity and in some cases, inhuman working conditions and notes  that  the  industry  is  in  the  clutches  of  certain  male  producers,  directors  and actors, and
- (b) if  so,  the details thereof and the action taken thereon along with the corrective steps being taken to protect the film industry also?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING;  AND  MINISTER  OF  ELECTRONICS  &  INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) & (b): The Government enacted the "Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013" (SH Act) to safeguard women from sexual  harassment  in  the  workplace  and  to  provide  a  framework  for  addressing

complaints related to such harassment. The Act applies to all women, including those in the film industry, regardless of their age, employment status, or type of work, whether they are employed in the public or private sector, or in organized, unorganized, formal, or  informal  settings.  It  imposes  an  obligation  on  employers  in  both  public  and  private workplaces  to  ensure  a  safe  and  secure  environment  free  from  sexual  harassment. Employers are required to establish an Internal Committee (IC) in workplaces with more than 10 employees. Additionally, the Appropriate Government is empowered to set up a Local  Committee  (LC)  in  each  district  to  handle  complaints  from  organizations  with fewer than ten workers or where the complaint is against the employer.

*****