opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 922 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: Role of U.S,  in Indo-Pak Ceasefire
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed, Shri S Venkatesan, Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M., Smt. Mala Roy, Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 922

ANSWERED ON - 25/07/2025

ROLE OF U.S, IN INDO-PAK CEASEFIRE

922. Dr. Mohammad Jawed

Sh. Adhikari Deepak Dev

Smt. Mala Roy

Sh. S Venkatesan

Sh. Selvaganapathi T.M.

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the ceasefire between India and Pakistan arrived at the behest of U.S. interference just after three days of operations against Pakistan when the Indian Armed Forces had the upper hand in the conflict, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether any communication/high level meeting was held with the USA prior to the announcement of the ceasefire between Indian and Pakistan, if so the details of key points of meeting;

(c) whether any role was played by the Government/President of USA in Indo-Pak ceasefire on May 2025, if so, the details thereof; and if

not, the steps taken by the Government to check/allay such false rumours;

(d) whether it is a fact that the United States linked trade tariff concessions   as   leverage   to   secure   India's   agreement   to   the ceasefire with Pakistan, if so, the details thereof; and (e) whether it was conveyed to USA that India is not for third party mediations on Kashmir issue, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a to e) India and Pakistan agreed on 10 May for a cessation of firing and military   activity   as   a   result   of   direct   contact   between   the DGMOs of both nations. This contact was initiated by the Pakistani side. India had already achieved on 08 May the main objectives that it   had   set   forth   in   terms   of   destroying   designated   terrorism infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.

Between 22 April when the Pahalgam terrorist attack happened and 10 May, there were a number of  diplomatic conversations  with various   countries   at   different   levels,   including   with   the   United

States. All our interlocutors were given a common message that India's approach was focused, measured and non-escalatory.

With specific regard to the United States, it was conveyed to Vice President   J.D.Vance   on   09   May   that   India   would   appropriately respond if Pakistan launched a major attack. The issue of our trade discussions   did   not   come   up   in   the   context   of   conversations pertaining to the conflict.

As regards any proposal for third party mediation, our long standing position remains that any outstanding issue with Pakistan will be discussed only bilaterally. This has been made clear to all nations, including by the Prime Minister to the US President.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 77 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Expansion of Puducherry Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Ve Vaithilingam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. : 77

(To be answered on the 24 th  July 2025)

## EXPANSION OF PUDUCHERRY AIRPORT

## *77. SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

(a) the present status of expansion of Puducherry Airport; (b) whether it is a fact that at present only two destinations are connected with Puducherry Airport and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government proposes to take action for operating flights from Puducherry to Kochi and Shirdi in view of a large number of people travelling thereto; and (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

(Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
- *****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 77 FOR REPLY ON 24.07.2025 REGARDING EXPANSION OF PUDUCHERRY AIRPORT ASKED BY SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM. (a): The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has developed a Master Plan for Puducherry Airport with the provision for operation of A-320 type of aircraft and Runway length of 2300m x 45m. The total additional land requirement will be 402 acres, out of which 217 acres are situated in Tamil Nadu and 185 acres  are  in  Puducherry.  The  Master  Plan  has  been  shared  with  the Government of  Puducherry. (b): Puducherry Airport is presently connected to Hyderabad and Bangalore. (c) & (d): With the repeal of Air Corporation Act in March 1994, the Indian domestic aviation has been deregulated. Airlines are free to induct capacity with any aircraft type, free to select whatever markets and network/route they wish to service, depending on their commercial and operational feasibility.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 71 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Non-operation of Flights
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Smt. Krishna Devi Shivshankar Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. : 71 (To be answered on the 24 th  July 2025)

## NON-OPERATION OF FLIGHTS

## *71. SMT KRISHNA DEVI SHIVSHANKAR PATEL

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a)  the  reasons for non-operation of flights from Devangana Airport in Chitrakoot district of Banda Lok Sabha Constituency post the Kumbh event; (b) the time by which the operation of international flights from Devangana Airport is likely to be achieved; (c)  the  details  of  the  number  of  domestic  flights  currently  operated  or proposed to be operated to connect Chitrakoot with other parts of the country; (d) whether cargo aircrafts are also likely to be operated from the said airport in order to make it commercially viable; and

- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be started?

## ANSWER

(Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.
- *****

## Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 71 FOR REPLY ON 24.07.2025 REGARDING NON-OPERATION OF FLIGHTS ASKED BY SMT KRISHNA DEVI SHIVSHANKAR PATEL (a): Chitrakoot Airport was identified for development under the second round of bidding of the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN). The airport has been developed at a cost of Rs.32.79 crore and is licensed for 2B-VFR operations. Under the UDAN scheme, RCS flight operations between Chitrakoot and Lucknow commenced on 12th March  2024,  operated  by  Flybig  Airlines.  However,  the  service  was discontinued on 15th December 2024 due to two key operational challenges: poor visibility conditions and the daytime closure of Lucknow Airport for runway re-carpeting work. The resumption of operations is subject to the completion of the ongoing re-carpeting work at Lucknow Airport. (b): Chitrakoot Airport is a domestic airport catering to small aircraft (19 seater or less) operations. Presently, there is no proposal for commencing international operations from this airport. (c): RCS routes connecting Chitrakoot to Prayagraj, Varanasi, Kanpur and Khajuraho have been awarded to Flybig Airline under the RCS-UDAN Scheme. (d) & (e): At present there is no cargo terminal at Chitrakoot Airport and no demand has been received from domestic airlines for the same. With the repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994, Indian domestic aviation was totally deregulated. Airlines are free to induct capacity with any aircraft type, free to select whatever markets and network they wish to service, slots allocated by the respective airport operators and further approval of schedule from the DGCA. Hence, it is up to the airline operator to consider the introduction or continuation of cargo services to/ from any airport in the country, depending on their operational and commercial viability.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 70 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Implementation of Bharatmala Pariyojana
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, Shri Gyaneshwar Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 70 ANSWERED ON 24 TH  JULY, 2025

## IMPLEMENTATION OF BHARATMALA PARIYOJANA

70. SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL: DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  projects  sanctioned  and  completed  so  far  under  the Bharatmala Pariyojana in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and UT of Dadra & Nagar Haveli;
- (b) the  number  of  rural  roads  constructed  and  upgraded  under  the  said Pariyojana;
- (c) the details of initiatives taken under the said Pariyojana to incorporate smart technologies in highway construction; and
- (d) the  number  of  projects  being  implemented  under  the  said  Pariyojana with the objective of improving road connectivity in remote and tribal areas, particularly of the above States/UT?

## ANSWER

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

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 70 ANSWERED ON 24TH JULY, 2025 ASKED BY SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL AND DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE REGARDING 'IMPLEMENTATION OF BHARATMALA PARIYOJANA'.

- (a)    As on 30.06.2025, projects awarded and constructed under Bharatmala Phase-I  in  the  State  of  Madhya  Pradesh,  Maharashtra  and  UT  of  Dadra  & Nagar Haveli, is as under:

|   Sr. No. | State                      | NH Length Awarded (in km)   | NH Length Constructed (in km)   |
|-----------|----------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------|
|         1 | Madhya Pradesh             | 1,913                       | 1,570                           |
|         2 | Maharashtra                | 2,174                       | 1,913                           |
|         3 | UT of Dadra & Nagar Haveli | 6.15                        | 0                               |

(b) No rural roads are constructed or have been upgraded under Bharatmala Pariyojana. (c) Smart  Technologies  such  as  Automated  &  Intelligent  Machine-aided construction  (AI-MC),  LIDAR  and  drone  based  analytics  etc.  are  being adopted in Highway construction. (d) Bharatmala  Pariyojana  envisaged  to  improve  the  logistics  efficiency and connectivity in the country including connectivity to tribal, aspirational and LWE affected districts.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 918 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Road Infrastructure and Safety Issues
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kalyan Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 918 ANSWERED ON 24TH JULY, 2025

## ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAFETY ISSUES

918. SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken serious steps on safety flaws in  road  infrastructure,  including  substandard  crash  barriers,  overheight medians, and raised carriageways, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether out of 13,795 identified accident-prone black spots on National Highways only 5,036 have been rectified so far, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the present status of the remaining black spots as on date and the concrete steps taken to review highway construction to ensure safety compliance; and
- (d)  the  steps  taken  to  integrate  India-specific  crash  data  and
- pedestrian safety into road upgrade projects?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  All  road  works  are  carried  out  as  per  standards,  guidelines, manual,  code  of  practice  of  Indian  Roads  Congress  as  well  as specifications  for  Road  and  Bridge  Works.  Indian  Road  Congress (IRC) Guidelines have been issued for regular safety audit of all NHs

at design, construction, pre-opening stage of NH projects as well as on existing NHs for ensuring road safety. (b)  &  (c)  Rectification  of  black  spots  is  a  continuous  process  and temporary  measures  are  taken  on  immediate  basis.  Out  of  total 13,795  blackspots  identified  on  National  Highways  (NHs)  in  the country,  short-term  rectification  has  been  completed  on  11,866 black spots. Long-term rectification measures, as recommended by road safety audit reports, are implemented  only  at  locations deemed  necessary.  Accordingly,  long-term  measures  have  been completed at 5,324 black spots, while 3,719 black spots have been assessed as not requiring such long-term interventions. Long term rectification works includes improvement of road geometrics, junction improvements, spot widening of carriageway, construction  of  underpasses/overpasses,  etc.  which  involve  preconstruction activities such as land acquisition, forest clearance & utility shifting which takes significant time. (d)  Necessary road safety measures are taken subsequent to road safety audit at design stage. Further, Detailed Project Report (DPR) is  prepared  separately  for  each  project,  and  it  is  ensured  that project  specific  crash  data  and  pedestrian  safety  measures  are incorporated in the project.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 916 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Transmission and Distribution Losses
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Biplab Kumar Deb

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.916 ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025

## TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION LOSSES

916.   SHRI BIPLAB KUMAR DEB:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  percentage  of  transmission  and  distribution  losses  vis-a-vis  the  total generation of electricity in the country; and

(b) the current status of implementation of infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the power distribution network in the country particularly in the State of Tripura?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) : During  FY2023-24,  the  transmission  loss  in  the  country  was  3.55%  and  the distribution loss in the country was 13.09%.

- (b): Electricity being a concurrent subject, supply and distribution of electricity to the consumers is within the purview of the respective State Government/ Power Utility.

Government of India launched Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in July 2021 to help distribution utilities improve their operational efficiency and financial viability.

Under RDSS, distribution infrastructure works, including smart metering works, worth Rs. 2.82 lakh crore have been sanctioned which would supplement the efforts of utilities in enhancing the efficiency of the power distribution network in the country. For the State of Tripura, loss reduction works worth Rs. 598 crore and smart metering works worth Rs. 319 crore have been sanctioned. As on date, the physical progress of sanctioned loss reduction works is ~30% and smart metering works is ~11.4%. For Tripura, the physical progress of sanctioned loss reduction works is ~49% and smart metering works is ~20%.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 906 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Status of Investigation into Boeing 787 Dreamliner Crash
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Km. Sudha R, Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## Lok Sabha

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 906

## ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  24th July 2025 ) STATUS OF INVESTIGATION INTO BOEING 787 DREAMLINER CRASH

906.     KM. SUDHA R SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  the  status  of  the  investigation  into  the  Boeing  787  Dreamliner crash at Ahmedabad;
- (b)  whether  sabotage  is  suspected  in  the  incident  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (c) the status of decoding the information stored in the Black Box of the ill-fated aircraft;
- (d)  whether  the  Black  Box  of  the  crashed  aircraft  has  been  sent abroad for decoding or assessment and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the Government considers the possibility of tampering or  interference  by  the  aircraft  manufacturer  (Boeing)  in  case  the Black Box is assessed abroad;
- (f) if so, the details thereof along with the measures being taken to ensure the integrity and transparency of the investigation;
- (g)  the  number  of  Boeing  787  aircraft  currently  in  operation  by various  airlines  in  the  country  and  the  current  safety  evaluation status of these aircraft; and
- (h)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  up  the  matter  with  Boeing and if so, the details and the response of Boeing thereto?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL  AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (h): An investigation has been ordered by the Director General, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under Rule 11 of the Aircraft  (Investigation  of  Accidents  &  Incidents)  Rules,  2017  to determine  the  probable  cause(s)/contributory  factor(s)  leading  to accident of Air India flight AI-171 at Ahmedabad on 12.06.2025.; ; A preliminary report on the accident has been published by AAIB on 12th July, 2025 and is available on their website www.aaib.gov.in.; ; Every  aspect  is  being  looked  into  for  determining  the  probable cause(s)/contributory factor(s) leading to the accident.; ; The Flight Recorders of VT-ANB aircraft have not been sent abroad. The  data  from  one  of  the  Flight  Recorders  of  VT-ANB  has  been downloaded in the Flight Recorder Laboratory of the AAIB at Udaan Bhawan, New Delhi.; ; There are 33 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in the  fleet  of  Indian Carriers. Out of which, 31 operational aircraft have been inspected wherein minor findings were observed in 8 aircraft. These aircraft have been released for operation post rectification. The remaining 2 aircraft are under scheduled maintenance.;

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 904 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Division of Damodar Valley Corporation
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Dr. Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.904 ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025

## DIVISION OF DAMODAR VALLEY CORPORATION

904.   DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has divided Damodar Valley Corporation into three entities for generation, transmission and distribution; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

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

(a) & (b) : No,  Damodar  Valley  Corporation  (DVC)  is  a  statutory  body incorporated under the DVC Act, 1948 and their functions are enumerated in Section-12  of  the  Act  which  includes  the  promotion  and  operation  of  the schemes for the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy. There is no such proposal for un-bundling of the generation, transmission and distribution into three entities under consideration of this Ministry.

*************
Lok Sabha Question No. 903 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Cold Chain Hub for Tribal Agro Produce
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 903

ANSWERED ON 24 TH  JULY, 2025

## COLD CHAIN HUB FOR TRIBAL AGRO PRODUCE

## 903.  SHRI SUKANTA KUMAR PANIGRAHI:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Rs. 50 crore cold-chain hub for tribal agro-produce was sanctioned in December 2024 and includes Kandhamal district of Odisha and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether central funds have also been released for capacity building in food processing in the district;
- (c) if so, the current status of the project including land acquisition, implementation progress, commissioning timeline, funds utilised and the number of women entrepreneurs trained till June, 2025;
- (d) whether food processing units have been approved under the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme in Odisha particularly in Kandhamal during the Financial Year 2024-25 and if so, the details thereof along  with the Food Processing Units currently operational; and
- (e) whether the Government has supported value addition of turmeric, sal seeds and tamarind from Kandhamal under the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a) to  (c):  The  Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing  the component  scheme-  Integrated  Cold  Chain  &  Value  Addition  Infrastructure  (Cold  Chain scheme) under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana(PMKSY). Under Cold Chain scheme, no cold chain project has been approved till date in Kandhamal district of Odisha.

Under  the  Capacity  Building  component  of  the  PM  Formalisation  of  Micro  Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme of the MoFPI, central funds have been released for imparting training to District Level Trainers and Self Help Group beneficiaries in the field of food processing in Kandhamal district of Odisha.

A total of 321 women entrepreneurs have been trained in Kandhamal district of Odisha till 30 th June, 2025 under the Capacity Building component of the PMFME scheme through the State Nodal Agency.

(d):  A total of 731 loans have been sanctioned to the applicants towards credit linked back ended subsidy under PMFME scheme in Odisha, out of which, 1 (one) loan with amount of Rs. 4.60 lakh has been sanctioned in Kandhamal district during the Financial Year 2024-25.

(e):  Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (M/o MSME) has approved two (2) clusters  with  a  total  central  funding  of  Rs.  5.43  crore  under  the  Scheme  of  Fund  for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) thereby benefitting 1106 traditional artisans involved in value addition of turmeric.