opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1813 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Emergency Alert Messages
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas, L.S. Tejasvi Surya, Dhal Singh Bisen, Ramesh Bidhuri, Himadri Singh, Sanjay Seth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1813 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## EMERGENCY ALERT MESSAGES

1813.   SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

SHRI L.S. TEJASVI SURYA:

DR. DHAL SINGH BISEN:

SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

SHRIMATI HIMADRI SINGH:

SHRI SANJAY SETH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the emergency alert messages which are being sent to the devices of the general public pose any threat to the privacy of the individual;
- (b) the  details  of  the  total  number  of  mobile  phones  which  have  received  these  alerts,  as compared to the countries that have already deployed this technology;
- (c) whether the country is equipped with Cell Broadcasting based Emergency Alert System; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) to (d) Communication technology plays an important role in disaster management. Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Communications have jointly developed an Integrated Alert System 'SACHET' ( समेकित चेतावनी तंत्र ) to alert the citizens about impending disasters.

Using this system, Short Message Service (SMS) are sent to alert the citizens.

The system is operational in all States/ UTs since August 2021 and a total of 1,359 Cr SMSs have been sent till date.

To further improve disasters awareness, both ministries have collaborated to develop Cell Broadcasting based Emergency Alert System. This system allows disseminating critical and timesensitive  disaster  management  information  on  the  mobile  devices  within  specified  geographical areas. This system has been designed indigenously and is undergoing comprehensive testing.

Both these systems are designed to ensure dissemination of information and prevent loss of life. They do not pose any threat to the privacy of the individual.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1809 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: TMA Scheme
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Pocha Brahmananda Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1809 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/12/2023

## TMA SCHEME

## 1809.  SHRI POCHA BRAHMANANDA REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the amount being paid per TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) against the specified region in Transport and Marketing Assistance (TMA) scheme is extremely low compared to the freight amount that Indian exporters are paying now, if so, the facts thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any plans to extend the TMA scheme to all eligible items of exports considering the need to boost Indian exports globally;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government is going to extend the TMA scheme beyond the specified two years considering the hit Indian exports took during the pandemic; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a) to (e) The  Transport  and  Marketing  Assistance  (TMA)  for  Specified  Agriculture  Products Scheme was foreclosed vide Department of Commerce notification no. 17/2/2021-EP (Agri. IV) dated 25 th March  2022.  At  present,  no  proposal  for  extension  of  the  scheme  is  under  consideration  of  the Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1807 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Review of Export Prices of Basmati Rice
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Ghanshyam Singh Lodhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1807 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/12/2023

## REVIEW OF EXPORT PRICES OF BASMATI RICE

## 1807.  SHRI GHANSHYAM SINGH LODHI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the export prices of Basmati Rice has gone under review;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has consulted with key stakeholders such as farmers, exporters, and industry experts while considering the revision of prices; and

- (d) if so, the details of such consultations and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) & (b) The Government had received credible field reports to the effect that non-basmati white rice, export of which has been prohibited with effect from 20 th July 2023, was being exported under the HS code of Basmati rice. In order to control illegal exports of non-basmati rice, the Government, on 26 th August 2023, issued directions to the Agriculture & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to register contracts for Basmati exports only with the value of USD 1200 per MT and above. After extensive stakeholders' consultations, the Government decided to reduce the base price for registration of contracts by APEDA to USD 950 per MT, with effect from 26 th October 2023.

(c) & (d) Yes, Extensive consultations were held while considering the revision of base price for registration  of  contracts  for  Basmati  exports.  The  Government  had  constituted  a  committee  in  this regard, which held meetings with Basmati exporters and trade/industry associations based in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1804 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Real Time Train Information System (RTIS) Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sanjay Jaiswal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1804 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## REAL TIME TRAIN INFORMATION SYSTEM (RTIS) PROJECT

†1804. DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  Real  Time  Train  Information  System  (RTIS)  project used by the Indian Railways;
- (b) whether  the  Railways  has  signed  any  agreement  with  ISRO  for  train tracking system in the country;
- (c)    if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  number  of  locomotives  identified  to  be  fitted  with  the  said technology and the number of new locomotives being manufactured with the in-built tracking devices?

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

(a)  to  (d):    RTIS  is  a  Made  In  India,  edge  processing,  IoT  (Internet  of Things) based system that utilizes ISRO's Satcom and Satnav technologies for automatic train tracking.    The real-time data of RTIS helps in tracking the  location  and  speed  of  locomotives/trains.    The  RTIS  is  linked  with National Train Enquiry System and Control Office Application system.

An MoU has been signed between Centre for Railway Information System, Ministry of Railways and Space Application Centre, ISRO for development and implementation of SatCom and SatNav based RTIS system. Presently, the RTIS system covers about 8700 locos.    The manufacturing of locomotives is an ongoing process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1801 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Prompt Medical Assistance to Railway Passengers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kunwar Danish Ali

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1801 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## PROMPT MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO RAILWAY PASSENGERS

†1801. KUNWAR DANISH ALI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  provide  first  aid and prompt medical assistance to the passengers during the journey;
- (b) the various facilities being provided by the Railways currently in this regard;
- (c) whether the said facilities are available in all trains and at all railway stations;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the steps being taken to enhance the said facilities?

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

(a) to (e): The need and extent of providing medical facilities at railway stations  and  in  trains  was  examined  by  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court.    In compliance of the orders, a committee of experts was constituted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. As recommended by  Committee  of  experts,  instructions  have  been  issued  to  provide  a Medical  Box  containing  life  saving  medicines,  equipments,  oxygen cylinder  etc.  at  all  Railway  stations  and  passenger   carrying   trains.

Front line staff i.e. Train Ticket Examiner, Train Gaurds/ Superintendents, Station Master etc. are trained in rendering First Aid. Regular refresher courses  are  conducted  for  such  staff.  List  of  near-by  hospitals  and doctors  along  with  their  contact  numbers  is  available  at  all  Railway Stations.  Ambulance  services  of  Railways,  State  Government/Private Hospitals and ambulance service providers are utilized to transport the injured/sick passengers to the hospitals/doctor's clinics.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1800 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Mobile Towers in Rural Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Mahabali Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1800 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## MOBILE TOWERS IN RURAL AREAS

## †1800. SHRI MAHABALI SINGH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether mobile towers are still not available in the rural areas of the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  time  by  which  the  vision  of  the  communication revolution is likely to be achieved in the said rural areas;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to start 5G services in Aurangabad and Rohtas districts; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) & (b) Telecom connectivity in Country has improved significantly in last 10 years. The total number of BTSs (Base Transceiver Station) have increased from 6.49 Lakh in March-2014 to 25.42 Lakh in  March-2023.  Total  mobile  subscribers  have  increased  from  90.45  Cr  in  March-2014  to 114.84 Cr. in August 2023. Internet subscribers have increased from 25.15 Cr. in March-2014 to 88.12 Cr. in March-2023.

As of September '2023, out of 6,44,131 villages in the country (village data as per Registrar General of India), around 6,16,300 villages are covered with mobile connectivity at a coverage of 95.7%.

In order to provide telecom connectivity in uncovered villages in the country, the Government has undertaken numerous schemes. Government has planned 41,160 towers in uncovered areas of the  country  to  provide  connectivity  to  more  than  54,000  villages  at  the  cost  of  more  than  Rs. 41,331Cr.

(c)&(d)            India has seen one of the fastest roll out of 5G services in the world with around 3.99 lakh BTSs deployed in around 738 districts including Aurangabad and Rohtas districts of Bihar.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1797 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Science Express
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Sunita Duggal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1797 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/12/2023

## SCIENCE EXPRESS

1797.  SHRIMATI SUNITA DUGGAL:

Will  the  Minister  of  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY ͪव£ान  और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has restarted the 'Science Express' train since the aftermath of COVID-19 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether  the  Government  plans  to  introduce  more  'Science Express'  trains  to  educate  students/people  about  issues  like  air pollution,  green  energy and  climate  change  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## A N S W E R

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

ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ मंğालय क े  राÏयमंğी (èवतंğ Ĥभार)

(डॉ. िजतɅġ ͧसंह)

- (a) The Government of India has not started the 'Science Express'
- train since the aftermath of COVID-19.
- (b) The  Government  of  India  has  several  initiatives  to  educate students/people  at  large  i.e  Mobile  Science  Lab,  Mobile  Science Exhibition, STEMM Bike, Jigyasa, Science Communication, Popularisation and Extension (SCoPE) program etc. These initiatives are reaching out to more than 2 million students/people across the country annually, educating them on new and emerging areas like Energy, Health, Artificial Intelligence, Climate Change, Water Conservation, Disaster Mitigation and Agro-technologies, apart from demonstrating experimental hands on activities in STEM education. As these programs are fulfilling the objectives of 'Science Express' to inculcate scientific temperament among masses, the Government of India currently does not have any plan to introduce more 'Science Express' trains.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1794 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Jan Aushadhi Kendras at Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Anil Firojiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1794 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## JAN AUSHADHI KENDRAS AT RAILWAY STATIONS

† 1794. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state the names of various railway stations in the country where the Government has approved to open Jan Aushadhi Kendras along with the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

In  the  pursuit  to  enhance  wellness  and  welfare  of  passengers  visiting railway stations, Indian Railways has conceptualized a policy framework to establish  50  Pradhan  Mantri  Bhartiya  Janaushadhi  Kendras  (PMBJKs)  in different parts of the country on pilot basis. The core objective is to enhance access  to  affordable  Jan  Aushadhi  products  to  all.  License  to  operate

PMBJK outlet is awarded through the mode of e-auction to eligible bidders.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1790 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: BSNL and MTNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shyam Yadav Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1790 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## BSNL AND MTNL

## 1790.   SHRI SHYAM SINGH YADAV:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the state-owned telecom companies BSNL and MTNL are profitable;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the steps taken by the Government to revive them; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to make BSNL and MTNL competitive against private sector telecom companies?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) to (c) Government has taken various steps for revival of  BSNL and MTNL by providing a revival package in 2019 amounting to around Rs. 69,021 Crore that brought down the operating costs of BSNL/MTNL. The revival package of 2022 amounting to around Rs. 1.64 Lakh Crore was focused on infusing fresh capital, restructuring debt, Viability Gap funding for rural telephony etc. As a result, BSNL and MTNL have started earning operational profits from 2020-21.

In addition, the Union Cabinet on 07.06.2023 approved the allotment of 4G/5G spectrum to BSNL with the total outlay of around Rs. 89,047 Crore through equity infusion.

In accordance with Atmanirbhar initiative of the Government, BSNL has placed purchase orders for 1 Lakh indigenously developed sites to rollout 4G services. BSNL is also focusing on home fiber segment and has provided 32,99,535 Fiber to the Home (FTTH) broadband connections as on 30.09.2023.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1789 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Construction of Dallirajhara-Rowghat Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Deepak Baij

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1789 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## CONSTRUCTION OF DALLIRAJHARA-ROWGHAT RAILWAY LINE

†1789.   SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of funds allocated under the Budget for construction of Dallirajhara  -  Jagdalpur  -Rowghat  railway  line  under  the  South-East Central Railway zone during the last five years, year -wise;
- (b)  the  length  (in  kilometers)  of  the  railway  line  laid  under    the  said railway section;
- (c) the length (in kilometers) of the railway line yet to be laid and the time by which the said work is likely to be completed;
- (d) the initial estimated cost of the said project; and
- (e) the present increased estimated cost of the said project?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1789 BY SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON  13.12.2023  REGARDING  CONSTRUCTION  OF  DALLIRAJHARA-ROWGHAT RAILWAY LINE

(a)  to  (e)  Dallirajhara-Rowghat-Jagdalpur  rail  line  project  (235  Km.)  has  been taken  up  in  two  parts,  Dallirajhara-Rowghat  (95  km)  and  Rowghat-Jagdalpur (140 km). The year-wise outlay during last five years is as under:-

| Year    |   Outlay in |
|---------|-------------|
| 2019-20 |         500 |
| 2020-21 |         100 |
| 2021-22 |         100 |
| 2022-23 |         500 |
| 2023-24 |         500 |

The  initial  cost  of  the  Dallirajhara-Rowghat  (95  kms)  was  ₹632  Cr.  and anticipated cost is ₹1628 crore at present. The updating of detailed project report  of  Rowghat-Jagdalpur  (140  kms)  has  been  taken  up  and  estimated cost is about ₹3282 crore.

In  Dallirajhara-Rowghat (95 kms), 77 km has been commissioned and work taken  up  in  balance  section.  Completion  of  Railway  project/s  depends  on various  factors  like  quick  land  acquisition  by  State  Government,  forest clearance by officials of forest department, deposition of cost share amount by State Government in cost sharing projects, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and topographical conditions  of  area,  law  and  order  situation  in  the  area  of  project/s  site, number of working months in a year for particular project site due to climatic conditions  etc.  and  all  these  factors  affect  the  completion  time  of  the project/s. As such confirmed time line for completion of project/s cannot be ascertained at this stage. ****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1785 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Construction of ROB near Bauria
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sajda Ahmed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1785 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## CONSTRUCTION OF ROB NEAR BAURIA

1785. SHRIMATI SAJDA AHMED:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) that have been sanctioned and pending for sanction in the State of West Bengal;
- (b) whether the Road Over Bridge (ROB) near Bauria Station under the Kharagpur Division of South Eastern Railway (SER) has been sanctioned;
- (c)  if  so,  the  time  by  when  the  Railways  intends  to  commence  the construction work for the proposed ROB in Bauria;
- (d)  whether  the  project  for  construction  of  ROB  near  Bauria  is  being 100% financed by the Railways;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the pattern of funding for the same?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF UNSTARRED   QUESTION NO. 1785  BY SHRIMATI SAJDA AHMED TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  13.12.2023    REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF ROB NEAR BAURIA

(a):  Total 97 Nos. of Road Over Bridges have been sanctioned in the  State  of  West  Bengal.    Sanctioning  of  works  of  Road  over Bridge (ROB) / Road under Bridge (RUB) in lieu of Level crossings (LCs) is a continuous and dynamic process of Indian Railway. (b) to (f): Work for construction of ROB between Nalpur & Bauria station in lieu of Level Crossing (LC) No. 18 at Km. 23/17-19 was sanctioned on cost sharing basis with State Govt. of West Bengal in  2011-12.  In June' 2023, State Govt. has requested Railway to execute  this  work  on  entire  Railway  cost  as  they  are  not  in  a position  to  share  the  cost.    Such  proposals  are  considered  by Ministry  of  Railways  based  on  its  impact  on  safety  in  train operations, mobility of trains, impact for road users etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1784 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Implementation of ONORC
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Manoj Kumar Tiwari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1784 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13TH DECEMBER, 2023

## IMPLEMENTATION  OF ONORC

## 1784.  SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION w+tnt wd,  wv Bh 8TbrfRq; f+mar 'Ht be pleased to state:

- (a)  the measures taken to  assist and uplift migrant workers and beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act (NFSA); and
- (b) the comprehensive list  of  States and Union Territories that have
- successfully implemented the ONORC programme up to the present date?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTION

(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) & (b): The Department has implemented nationwide portability of  ration cards, popularly known as  One  Nation One  Ration Card  (ONORC) plan in August 2019 with  4 states  and by the end of June 2022 ONORC was operational across  all  36 States/UTs of the  country.  Since its  inception around 124 Crore portability  transactions  have been recorded under the ONORC plan, which includes both inter-State and intra-State transactions ensuring the food security  of around 80 Crore Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan

Anna Yojna (PMGKAY) beneficiaries in the country.

ONORC plan  is  proving  to  be especially  beneficial  to  the  migrant labourers, internally  displaced  persons (IDPs) etc.  who frequently  change their place of dwelling in search of temporary employment. As part of the initiative, beneficiaries are empowered to lift  their entitled foodgrain from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice, anywhere in the country, by using their existing ration card/Aadhaar card with  biometric authentication on an electronic Point of  Sale (ePoS) device. ONORC also enables the family  members of  such  migrant beneficiaries back  home (in  the village/hometown) to lift  the part / balance foodgrains on the same ration card

ONORC has  also facilitated the migrant beneficiaries/  family members to  choose any Fair Price shop of their  choice without being dependent on visiting only the tagged FPS in  their ration cards. Such flexibility was  not  available earlier under  the  traditional PDS.

##88+