opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4673 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Expansion of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Rajeev Rai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4673

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  21st August 2025 )

## EXPANSION OF LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

## 4673.    SHRI RAJEEV RAI

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government proposes to undertake expansion of the runway and apron area at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi in addition to the construction of a new terminal building;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated for the said work;
- (c) whether the contract for the said construction has been awarded;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the procedure followed for awarding the contract; and
- (e)  if  not,  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the  time  by  which  the  said  construction  work  is likely to be started?

## ANSWER

## Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri  Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) to (e): The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has undertaken the extension of the runway to  4075  metres,  expansion  of  the  apron  to  accommodate  20  aircraft  parking  bays,  and construction of a new Terminal Building with a passenger handling capacity of 5000 peakhour  passengers,  along  with  allied  works  at  Varanasi  Airport,  at  an  estimated  cost  of Rs.2869.65 Crore.;

;

- The work for the Terminal Building was awarded on 10.07.2024, while the works relating to runway extension and apron expansion are presently at the tendering stage.

;

The  contracts are awarded  by  AAI  via  open  tendering through the Central Public Procurement (CPP) Portal, being maintained by Government of India.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4671 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Expansion of Air Connectivity under UDAN Scheme
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4671

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  21st August 2025 )

## EXPANSION OF AIR CONNECTIVITY UNDER UDAN SCHEME

## 4671.    SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  the  total  number  of  airports,  heliports  and  water  aerodromes  operationalised  under  the UDAN scheme so far;
- (b) whether new routes have been identified in underserved and unserved regions for the next phase of the scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the socio-economic impact observed as a result of improved air connectivity in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  collaborate  with  State  Governments  to  improve regional aviation infrastructure and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the incentives being provided to airlines for sustaining operations on low-profit regional routes?

## ANSWER

## Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri  Murlidhar Mohol)

(a):    92  unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes, have so far been operationalised across the country under the RCS-UDAN scheme. ;

;

(b) 637 Routes have been operationalised under the ongoing RCS-UDAN scheme.

The  Government  has  recently  announced  the  launch  of  the  modified  UDAN  Scheme  to increase  regional  connectivity  to  120  new  destinations  across  the  country,  including  Uttar Pradesh and to cater to 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years.

;

(c): RCS-UDAN has boosted regional economic growth by improving connectivity in Tier-2 and  Tier-3  cities,  fostering  tourism,  trade,  employment,  and  inclusive  development  across remote and underserved regions.

(d): The scheme involves active participation of State Governments, with airports identified in consultation, and support extended through incentives such as free land, reduced VAT on ATF,  cost-sharing  for  infrastructure  and  services,  and  facilitation  of  land  acquisition  and airport expansion.

(e):  To  ensure  financial  sustainability  of  UDAN  routes,  Selected  Airline  Operators  are provided Viability Gap Funding (VGF), three-year exclusivity, and various concessions from Airport Operators and State Governments as per scheme provisions.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4668 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Tribal Villages under PMAAGY
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4668

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025

## TRIBAL VILLAGES UNDER PMAAGY

4668. Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of tribal villages selected under Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY) since its inception;

(b)whether  baseline  infrastructure  indicators  such  as  roads,  sanitation,  digital  access  and  livelihoods  have improved in these villages and if so, the details thereof; and

(c)whether the Government proposes to expand the said yojana and allocate more funds in coming years and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b):  Under the PMAAGY Scheme, the total 36428 VDPs Submitted by the State Government and 17656 Villages has been approved so far. Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojna (PMAAGY)', which was under implementation from  2021-22 to 2025-26,  aimed at integrated development of villages with significant tribal population. The main objective of PMAAGY scheme was to achieve integrated socio-economic development of selected  villages  through  convergence  approach.  The  scheme  envisioned  to  mitigate  gaps  in  8  sectors  of development viz. Road connectivity (Internal and Inter village /block), Telecom connectivity (Mobile /internet), School, Anganwadi Centres, Health Sub-Centre, Drinking water facility, Drainage and solid waste management.

(c): The PMAAGY scheme has been subsumed under the newly launched DA-JGUA (Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan) w.e.f. FY 2024-25. PM AAGY scheme is no longer operational for new proposals.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4667 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Provisions for Tribal Areas under PMAY-U
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Tatkare Sunil Dattatrey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4667 TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 21, 2025

## PROVISIONS FOR TRIBAL AREAS UNDER PMAY-U

## NO. 4667.  SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  houses  sanctioned  for  the  State  of  Maharashtra under  Pradhan  Mantri  Awas  Yojana  -  Urban  (PMAY-U)  during  the last three years;
- (b) whether there is any special provision thereunder for the inhabitants of tribal areas across the country including Maharashtra; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

(a)to(c): 'Land' and 'Colonization' are State subjects. Therefore, schemes related  to  housing  for  their  citizens  are  implemented  by  States/Union Territories  (UTs).  However,  the  Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban  Affairs (MoHUA)  supplements  the  efforts  of  States/Union  Territories  (UTs),  by providing Central Assistance under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)  since  25.06.2015  to  provide  pucca  houses  to  eligible  urban beneficiaries across the country. 1,49,594 houses have been sanctioned for the State of Maharashtra under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U) during the last three years.

Under  PMAY-U,  preference  was  given  to  manual  scavengers,  women (with overriding preference to widows), persons belonging to scheduled castes/scheduled  tribes/other  backward  classes,  minorities,  persons with disabilities and transgender.

Further, based on 9 years of experience and learning from implementing PMAY-U, MoHUA has revamped the scheme and launched PMAY-U 2.0 'Housing  for  All'  Mission  with  effect  from  01.09.2024  to  assist  1  crore additional eligible urban beneficiaries through four verticals i.e., Beneficiary  Led  Construction  (BLC),  Affordable  Housing  in  Partnership (AHP),  Affordable  Rental  Housing  (ARH)  and  Interest  Subsidy  Scheme (ISS).  The  scheme  guidelines  of  PMAY-U  2.0  may  be  accessed  at https://pmay-urban.gov.in.

As  per  the  scheme  guidelines  of  PMAY-U  2.0,  preference  under  the scheme  is  given  to  Widows,  single  women,  Persons  with  Disabilities, Senior Citizens, Transgenders, persons belonging to Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes, Minorities and other weaker and vulnerable sections of the society. Special focus will be given to Safai Karmi, Street Vendors identified  under  PM  SVANidhi  Scheme  and different artisans  under  PM Vishwakarma Scheme, Anganwadi workers, building and other construction  workers,  residents  of  slums/chawls  and  other  groups identified during operation of PMAY-U 2.0.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4665 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Flights between Delhi and Kannur
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4665

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  21st August 2025 )

## FLIGHTS BETWEEN DELHI AND KANNUR

4665.    SHRI K SUDHAKARAN Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  flight  services  between  Delhi  and  Kannur  are currently operational for only three days a week and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that the absence of flights on key working days such as Friday,  Sunday  and  Monday  is  causing  inconvenience  to  public  officials  and  the  general public and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to advise the concerned Indian carriers to operate daily flights between Delhi and Kannur in view of the passenger demand and public interest?

## ANSWER

Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri  Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a)  &  (b):  Indigo  Airlines  was  earlier  operating  on  Kannur-Delhi  route  as  a  daily  service. Indigo is presently operating thrice a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) due to the ongoing CAT III upgradation works at Delhi Airport.
- (c):    With  the  repeal  of  Air  Corporation  Act  in  March  1994,  Indian  domestic  aviation  has been deregulated.  Airlines  are  free  to  induct  capacity  with  any  aircraft  type,  free  to  select whatever markets and network they wish to service depending on market demand and their operational and commercial viability.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4654 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Credit-linked Schemes for Small Enterprises
Ministry: MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Dr. Mallu Ravi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4654 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 21.08.2025

## CREDIT-LINKED SCHEMES FOR SMALL ENTERPRISES

## 4654. DR.  MALLU  RAVI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  launched  any  updated  credit-linked  schemes  for  small enterprises after April 2025 ; and
- (b) the impact of the extension of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) on the survival and growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The  Ministry  of  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises  implements  Credit  Guarantee Scheme (CGS) through Credit Guarantee Trust Fund for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), in  which  guarantee  coverage  for  loans  extended  by  Member  Lending  Institutions  to  Micro  and Small  Enterprises  (MSEs),  without  requiring  collateral  security  or  third-party  guarantees  is provided. Effective from 01.04.2025, the ceiling for guarantee coverage has been extended from Rs. 5 crore to Rs. 10 crore.

To  provide  credit  linked  support,  schemes  like  Prime  Minister's  Employment  Generation Programme  (PMEGP)  and  Special  Credit  Linked  Capital  Subsidy  Scheme  (SCLCSS)  under National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) are implemented by the Ministry of MSME.

- (b):        Emergency  Credit  Line  Guarantee  Scheme  (ECLGS)  provided  for  collateral  free  loans  to existing eligible borrowers with 100% guarantee in respect of the eligible amount as per the Scheme guidelines. As per the State Bank of India's research report dated 23.01.2023 on ECLGS, almost 14.6 lakh MSME accounts, of which about 93.8% of the accounts were in MSE categories, were saved.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4645 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Setting up of New Gas Agency in Chhattisgarh
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Vijay Baghel

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4645 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  August, 2025

## Setting up of New Gas Agency in Chhattisgarh

†4645. Shri Vijay Baghel

## पेĚोͧलयम एवं Ĥाक ृ Ǔतक गैस मंğी

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

(a)  whether there is any  proposal to decide a location on the Anda-Funda main road from the railway crossing towards village Chirpoti, Tehsil and District Durg (Chhattisgarh) for setting up a new gas agency under the general, Other Backward Classes or women category by Indian Oil Corporation, considering that no gas agency is operating within a 10 kilometre radius of villages Risama, Machandur and Chirpoti under Durg Lok Sabha Constituency and the region has a high population density and if so, the details thereof; and

(b) if not, the reasons therefor and the time by which such a proposal is likely to be initiated?

## 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) and (b): Appointment of LPG distributorships by the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) is done as per Unified Selection Guidelines (USG), 2016 and locations for setting up of LPG distributorships are identified and advertised accordingly.

The  present  LPG  demand  of  the  villages  Risama,  Machandur,  and  Chirpoti  in  District  Durg, Chhattisgarh is currently met by three Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) distributors and one Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) distributor operating within a 15-kilometer radius.

In  October,  2024,  a  feasibility  study  for  a  LPG  distributorship  for  Risama  was  carried  out  by OMCs. At present,  LPG  demand  of the Market  is  less  than  the  monthly  combined  ceiling  of existing  distributors  serving  these  locations.  Hence,  the  locations  were  not  found  feasible  for setting up of new LPG distributorship as per USG.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4644 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Reforms-Linked Result Based Scheme for Distribution
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Aditya Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4644 ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025

## REFORMS-LINKED RESULT BASED SCHEME FOR DISTRIBUTION

4644. SHRI ADITYA YADAV:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Government's latest 'Reforms-Linked, Result-Based Scheme for Distribution'  (RLRBSD)  aims  to  curb  inefficiencies  and  improve  the  financial health of India's power distribution companies (DISCOMs);
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) to (c) :   Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) was launched by the Government of India, in July 2021 with a total outlay of Rs. 3,03,758 Cr including Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) of Rs. 97,631 Cr. The key objective of the scheme is to improve financial sustainability and operational efficiency of the distribution utilities. The scheme envisages reducing the Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses to 12-15% and Gap between Average Cost of Supply and Average Revenue Realised (ACS-ARR Gap) to Zero at pan-India level by the end of scheme period i.e. 31.03.2028.

The  release  of  central  grant  under  the  scheme  has  been  linked  to performance against various financial and operational parameters including the improvements in the AT&C losses and ACS-ARR Gap.

Infrastructure works, including smart metering works, amounting to Rs. 2.83 lakh Cr have been sanctioned under RDSS.

With the collective effort of Centre and States/ UTs, at the national level, the AT&C loss of the distribution utilities has reduced from 21.91% in FY2021 to 16.12%  in  FY2024  and  the  ACS-ARR  gap  has  reduced  from  Rs.  0.69/kWh  in FY2021 to Rs. 0.19/kWh in FY2024.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4635 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Offshore Oil Exploration in Kerala Coast
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4635

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st August, 2025

## OFFSHORE OIL EXPLORATION IN KERALA COAST

4635.  ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

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

- (a) the present status of offshore oil exploration in the Kerala-Konkan area;
- (b) whether Oil India Limited (OIL) has signed a contract for oil exploration on the Kerala coast; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which exploration drilling is likely to be started?

## 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 (c): A total of three offshore blocks have been awarded for oil exploration in KeralaKonkan  Basin.  One  (1)  block,  namely,  KK-OSHP-2018/1,  was  awarded  to  M/s.  Oil  India Limited  (OIL)  during  Open Acreage  Licensing  Policy  (OALP)  Bid  Round-III  and  two  (2) blocks, namely, KK-OSHP-2022/1 (Shallow Offshore Block) and KK-DWHP-2022/1 (Deep Water  Offshore  Block)  to  M/s.  Oil  and  Natural  Gas  Corporation  Limited  (ONGC)  under OALP Round-VIII. All three OALP blocks are presently active.

As regards block KK-OSHP-2018/1, awarded to M/s. OIL, the 3-dimensional (3D) seismic survey of 1,028 sq.km. has been completed. One location (Loc.OKKA) has been released for exploratory drilling.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Upgradation/Renovation of CPWD Quarters
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Manish Jaiswal, Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4634 TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 21, 2025

## UPGRADATION/RENOVATION OF CPWD QUARTERS

NO. 4634.  SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO:

SHRI MANISH JAISWAL:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the work of upgradation/renovation is in progress in the houses allotted  to  the  Central  Government  Employees  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) the  details  of  type-III  quarters  in  Lodhi  Colony,  New  Delhi  in  which upgradation or renovation work has been done during 2023-24 and 202425;
- (c) the total expenditure incurred on the upgradation or renovation of each flat during the said period;
- (d) whether the inspection of the works done in all such quarters has been
- carried out by the officers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the satisfactory reports have been received from the allottees during the said period and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

- (a) The work of upgradation/renovation is carried in the General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) quarters as and when requested by the occupants, according to the guidelines of the Housing Upgradation Scheme,  2018  (HUS-2018).  However,  upgradation  works  are  not  being carried  out  in  the  General  Pool  Residential  Accommodation  (GPRA) quarters  which  are  over  60  years  old  as  per  the  existing  norms  of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) Office Memorandum No. 18/25/2015-W-I/DG  dated  08.03.2018.  Only  minimum  maintenance  and need-based repair work is undertaken to make these quarters habitable for new allottees.

(b) & (c) No upgradation/renovation work has been carried out in Type-III quarters in Lodhi Colony during 2023-24 and 2024-25, as these quarters are over 60 years old and fall outside the scope of HUS-2018 as per the MoHUA Office Memorandum dated 08.03.2018. Therefore, no expenditure has been incurred on this count.

(d)  &  (e)  All  maintenance  and  repair  works  carried  out  in  the  Type-III quarters  in  Lodhi  Colony  are  supervised  and  inspected  regularly  by Junior Engineers. Also, frequent inspections by the Assistant Engineers and  occasional  inspections  by  the  Executive  Engineers,  CPWD  are carried  out  to  ensure  the  quality  and  compliance  of  the  repair  works with  current  norms.  The  average  satisfactory  level  in  respect  of  the upgradation/renovation works carried out in these quarters is 99.7%.

*****