opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2617 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: 5G in North Eastern Region
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## Government of India Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2617

To be answered on

Wednesday, August 7, 2024/16 Shravana, 1946 (Saka)

## QUESTION 5G in North Eastern Region

## 2617.  Shri Pradyut Bordoloi  :

Will the Minister of Development of North Eastern Region be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding the number of 5G labs set up in the North-Eastern Region and the funds allocated for the same, State-wise;
- (b) the details of services these labs provide; and
- (c) the manner in which interested individuals can avail the services and training of these labs?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr. Sukanta Majumdar]

- (a) Nineteen  5G  labs  have  been  set  up  in  North  Eastern  Region  (NER)  by  North Eastern Council (NEC) in collaboration with Assam Electronic Development Corporation  Limited  (AMTRON),  Guwahati  and  Department  of  Telecommunication (DoT).    State-wise details are given below :
- (b) The  5G  labs  set  up  at  designated  universities/colleges  across  NER  help  in creating  5G  technology,  enabling  ecosystem  for  students;  hands-on  training  in  5G technology use cases to solve local problems.

|         |           | Funded by NEC   | Funded by NEC                     | Funded by DoT   | Funded by DoT                 |
|---------|-----------|-----------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------------------|
| Sl. No. | State     | No. of Labs     | Funds Allocated (in Rs. Lakh) No. | of Labs         | Funds Allocated (in Rs. Lakh) |
| 1       | Arunachal | 1               | 157.84                            | 1               | 88.65                         |

|       | Pradesh   |    |         |    |        |
|-------|-----------|----|---------|----|--------|
| 2     | Assam     |  1 |  494.56 |  2 | 177    |
| 3     | Manipur   |  1 |  149.34 |  2 | 177    |
| 4     | Meghalaya |  1 |  138.34 |  1 |  88.65 |
| 5     | Mizoram   |  1 |  140.84 |  1 |  88.65 |
| 6     | Nagaland  |  1 |  138.34 |  2 | 177    |
| 7     | Sikkim    |  1 |  138.34 |  1 |  88.65 |
| 8     | Tripura   |  1 |  138.34 |  1 |  88.65 |
| Total | Total     |  8 | 1495.94 | 11 | 974.25 |

The 5G labs accommodate telecom network elements, providing comprehensive and training for students and preparing them for roles such as configuration commissioning engineers, installation engineers and technicians in telecom industry.

- (c) Any student can approach the respective labs to conduct tests and experiments using the facilities available in these labs with the institutions where they are housed. For  Massive  Open  Online  Courses  (MOOC),  interested  students  can  take  courses online and avail certification with the help of Telecom Sector Skill Council.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2615 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Global Market  Purchase Prices for Coking, Non-coking and Semi-coking Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Ms. S Jothimani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2615 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## Global Market Purchase Prices for Coking, Non-coking and Semi-coking Coal

## 2615.  MS. S JOTHIMANI:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of global market purchase prices for non-coking, coking and semi-coking coal from 2014 to 2024;
- (b) the details of purchase prices for non-coking, coking and semi-coking coal by the various private players from 2014-2024;
- (c) the details on pricing and volume of coal varieties imported by the various private players for the Union Government, State government companies and international clients from 2014 to 2024; and
- (d) the details of Sales prices and quantities of coal varieties by these private players to the Union and State Government entities from 2014-2024?

## ANSWER

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

(a)to(d): No such data is maintained. As per the existing import policy, coal is kept under Open General License (OGL) and consumers are free to import coal from the source of their choice as per their contractual agreement on payment of applicable duty. Most of the requirement of coal in the country is met through indigenous production. During 2023-24, in India domestic coal production  increased  to  997.26  Million  Tonnes  (MT)  registering  thereby  a growth of 11.65% over previous financial year. In the current year till July 2024 also, coal production was 321.41 MT registering 9.6% growth compared to the same period of pervious year.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2610 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Scholarships to Minority Students
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Amrinder Singh Raja Warring

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2610

ANSWERED ON 07/08/2024

## SCHOLARSHIPS TO MINORITY STUDENTS

2610  SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of backward minority students who were provided scholarships for pre and post matric studies in Punjab during the last one year;
- (b)  the  total  numbers  of  scholarships  provided by  the  Government  to  the minority  students  in Punjab along with the numbers of students who were eligible for such scholarships;
- (c)  whether  the  Union/State  Government  runs  any  hostel  for  boys  and  girls  belonging  to minorities in Punjab and if so, the number and strength of each hostel along with the status of such hostels; and
- (d) the details of the literacy rate among various minority groups in Punjab?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) and  (b):  The  Ministry  of  Minority  Affairs  implements  various  schemes  for  socio-economic empowerment of the six (6) centrally notified minority communities. During last five years, the ministry has implemented 3 Scholarship schemes namely (i) Pre-Matric, (ii) Post-Matric and (iii) Merit-cum-Means based scholarships for the eligible students belonging to minority communities.
- The details of students who were eligible and have been provided Scholarships in the State of Punjab is annexed.
- (c)  Government of Punjab is running two hostels i.e. one for boys and one for girls with the capacity of  60  each  at  Dr.  B.R  Ambedkar  Institute  of  Career  and  courses,  Mohali,  where  seats  are available for SC, BC and Minority Students.
- (d) As informed by the Govt. of Punjab, religion-wise State specific data in respect of literacy rate, is not available in Census report. However, the literacy rate of Punjab is 75.84% wherein, male literacy rate is 80.44% and female literacy rate is 75.23%

*****

| Year    | Scheme      | Students eligible   | Students awarded   |
|---------|-------------|---------------------|--------------------|
| 2022-23 | Pre-Matric  | 42,447              | 15,561             |
| 2022-23 | Post-Matric | 53,100              | 7,482              |

Note: For AY 2022-23, disbursement under the renewal category has been made.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2608 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Poor Financial Health of Telecom Sector
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. Gumma Thanuja Rani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2608 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 TH  AUGUST, 2024

## POOR FINANCIAL HEALTH OF TELECOM SECTOR

## 2608   DR. GUMMA THANUJA RANI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the financial ill health of various players in the telecom sector;
- (b) if so, the details of measures taken in this regard;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the details of proposed measures that the Government intends to take in the near future to improve financial health of the players in the telecom sector?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a) to (d) To address  the  issue  of financial  stress  in  the  telecom  sector  the  Government  has approved various structural and process reforms in the telecom sector in September 2021. They are as below:

- i. Rationalization of Definition of Adjusted Gross Revenue.
- ii. Rationalization  of  Interest  rates  and  removal  of  Penalties  for  delayed  payments  of License Fee (LF)/Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC).
- iii. Rationalization of Bank Guarantees.
- iv. Removal  of  levy  of  Spectrum  Usage  Charges  (SUC)  on  the  spectrum  acquired  in auctions held after September 2021.
- v. Provision  for  payment  of  Spectrum  auction  bids  in  20  equal  annual  instalments  for auctions held after September 2021.
- vi. Requirement of securitizing annual deferred spectrum instalment with a Financial Bank Guarantee (FBG) has been done away with in Spectrum auctions held after September 2021.
- vii. Surrender of spectrum will be permitted after 10 years for spectrum acquired auctions held after September 2021.
- viii. Moratorium/Deferment of up to four years in annual payments of dues arising out of the  AGR  judgment  and  spectrum  purchased  in  past  auctions.  The  moratorium  is ongoing and ends in FY  2024-2025.
- ix. To encourage investment, 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) under automatic route permitted in Telecom Sector with applicable safeguards.

These  reforms  were  introduced  to  promote  healthy  competition,  protect  interests  of consumers, infuse liquidity, encourage investment and reduce regulatory burden on Telecom Service Providers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2606 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Shri Anto Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS' WELFARE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2606

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024)

## CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICES (PENSION) RULES

## 2606. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  current  status  of  the  implementation  of  the  coverage  under  Central  Civil  Services (Pension)  Rules  for  the  eligible  employees  who  were  recruited  against  posts/vacancies advertised/notified on or before 22.12.2003; (b) the number of eligible employees who have opted to switch to the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021) from the National Pension System as of now; (c) the average processing time for an application to switch from the National Pension System to the CCS (Pension) Rules; (d) whether there are any future plans to extend this option or introduce similar measures for other groups of employees who might not have been covered under the current notification; and (e) whether there are any provisions or considerations for employees who missed the deadline
- of 31.08.2023?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a)  to  (e):    The National  Pension  System  (NPS)  was  introduced  for  Central  Government employees by a Notification of Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) dated 22 nd  December, 2003. NPS is mandatory for all new recruits to the Central Government service from  1 st   January,  2004  (except  the  armed  forces).  In  pursuance  of  court  judgements, the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare has issued instructions  on 03.03.2023, giving  one  time  option  to  the  Central  Government  civil  employee  for  inclusion  under CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972 ( now 2021) who has been appointed against a post or vacancy which was advertised/ notified for recruitment/ appointment prior to notification for National Pension  System  i.e.  22.12.2003.  The  extant  procedures  state  that,  it  is  for  the  appointing authority of the post in the concerned Ministry/Department against which such option has been exercised  to  examine  and  decide  applicability  of  these  instructions.  Fixed  time  schedules stipulated  for  every  activity  to  be  performed  for  examination  and  decision  of  the  options exercised  by  the  employee  (i)  Time  limit  for  submission  of  option  by  employees  was 31.08.2023,  (ii)  Time  limit  for  examination  and  decision  on  the  option  by  the  concerned appointing authority was 30.11.2023. There is no proposal to issue any further instruction with respect to OM dated 03.03.2023.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2605 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Grievance Redressal by Social Media Intermediaries
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Basavaraj Bommai, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2605

TO BE ANSWERED ON:   07.08.2024

## GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL BY SOCIAL MEDIA INTERMEDIARIES

2605.

SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI: SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYbe pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Significant  Social  Media  Intermediaries  have  complied  with  the  new grievance redressal mechanism; and
- (b) if so, the number of cases filed and disposed of by the Grievance Appellate Committees over the past year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) and (b):  The Government after extensive public consultations with relevant stakeholders has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code)  Rules,  2021  ('IT  Rules,  2021')  on  25.02.2021  which  were  subsequently  amended 28.10.2022 and 6.4.2023. The IT Rules, 2021 cast specific legal obligations on intermediaries, including significant social media intermediaries to ensure their accountability towards safe and trusted internet.

The number of cases filed and disposed of by the Grievance Appellate Committees, since its inception from 1 st March, 2023 to 30 th June 2024, are as follows:

-  Cases filed:1,065
-  Cases disposed of: 937

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2601 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Digital India Bill
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Shafi Parambil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOKSABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2601

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 07.08.2024

## DIGITAL INDIA BILL

## 2601.  SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any consultations have been made by the Government with varied stakeholders while preparing the Digital India Bill; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  with  regard  to  the  period  of  consultation,  the  questions  being considered and the stakeholders involved?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) and(b):  The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ('MeitY')engages with and receives inputs from the public and stakeholders, including in respect of changes required to  existing  legislation  and  the  need  to  introduce  fresh  legislation.  In  accordance  with  the procedure detailed in the Manual of Parliamentary Procedures as published by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, pre-legislative consultation is conducted inviting feedback/comments in respect of all legislative proposals of the Government.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2600 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Solar Energy Usage
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Harish Chandra Meena, Shri Sukhdeo Bhagat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2600

ANSWERED ON 07/08/2024

## SOLAR ENERGY USAGE

## 2600. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA MEENA SHRI SUKHDEO BHAGAT

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the projected energy usage of the country that will be met through solar energy by 2050;
- (b) the projected land use under solar parks by 2050; and
- (c) the details of the measures taken to ensure that the solar energy targets are achieved in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF  STATE  FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a)&(b) The share of Solar capacity has presently been estimated till 2047, at around 46% of the likely total installed capacity of 1860 GW under Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario as per the 'India Energy Securities Scenarios 2047' a tool developed by NITI Aayog.

Considering the rapid pace of advancements in solar technology, which is expected to improve the efficiency of harnessing Solar energy significantly, it is difficult to estimate the projected land use under solar parks by 2050.

- (c)  Solar  Energy  projects  are  considered  as  environmentally  sustainable.  To  manage  e-waste generated after the use of solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, effective from 1 st April, 2023.

Further, the recycling of solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells are mandated for recovery of material as laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2599 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Iron Ore Mines Scam
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Purohit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2599 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## IRON ORE MINES SCAM

## 2599. SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the report of Shah Commission constituted by Central Government to inquire Iron ore mines scam in Odisha;
- (b) whether CBI inquiry has been demanded in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the other steps taken by Government in this regard; and
- (e)  the  details  of  the  allotted  mines  along  with  company's  name  during  the  scam period?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)  The  Central  Government,  vide  Notification  No.  S.O.  2817  (E)  dated 22.11.2010, appointed Commission of Inquiry under the Chairmanship of Justice M. B. Shah for the purpose of making inquiry of illegal mining of iron ore and manganese ore in contravention of the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation)  Act,  1957,  the  Forest  (Conservation)  Act,  1980,  the  Environment (Protection)  Act,  1986  or  other  rules  or  licences  or  guidelines  issued  thereunder referred to as illegal mining. The Hon'ble Justice M.B. Shah Commission submitted the report to the Ministry of Mines, which was subsequently laid in the Parliament.  The report of Shah Commission of Inquiry is available on the website of Ministry of Mines.

In the said report, recommendation was made for inquiry into the illegal mining matter by the SIT/CBI. The report of the Shah Commission was made a part of the Common Cause Case adjudicated by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in WP(C) NO 114 of 2014. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in their Judgment dated 02.08.2017 in WPC No 114 of 2014 in para 211 did not propose for investigation or inquiry by the CBI for the reason that "what is of immediate concern is to learn lessons from the past so that rapacious mining operations are not repeated in any other part of the country".

- (d) As per information received from Government of Odisha, pursuant to the above Judgment dated 02.08.2017 of Hon'ble Supreme Court, demand notices were issued for recovery of compensation (value of the minerals i.e. Iron and Manganese) towards unlawful production of mineral by mining lease holders beyond/without EC and FC during the period 2000-01  to  2009-10 and the  compensation amounting  to Rs.15561.19 Crore has been collected.
- (e) As per information received from Government of Odisha, during 2000-01 to 200910 no iron and manganese mines has been granted by the State. However, during said period 5 chromite mining leases have been granted by the State Government after obtaining prior approval from Central Government under section 5(1) of MMDR, Act 1957. The details of the said leases are as under:
1.         Balasore Alloys- Kaliapani Mines
2.         Facor - Kalarangi Mines
3.         JSL- Kaliapani Mines
4.         IMFA- Sukinda Mines
5.         IMFA- Mahagiri Mines

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2596 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: ROBs/RUBs in Railway Crossings of Ramtek
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Shyamkumar Daulat Barve

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.2596 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## ROBs/RUBs IN RAILWAY CROSSINGS OF RAMTEK

†2596. SHRI SHYAMKUMAR DAULAT BARVE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether the Government is aware of the fact that there are still manned railway crossings in Ramtek parliamentary constituency;
- (b)    if  so,  the  number  of  manned  railway  crossings  in  the  said constituency;
- (c)    whether  a  Railway  over  bridge/under  bridge  has  to  be  built  at railway crossings as per the rules of the Government;
- (d)   if so, the reasons for which the railway over bridge/under bridge has  not  been  constructed  at  the  manned  railway  crossing  in Ramtek parliamentary constituency; and
- (e)    the  time  by  which  the  Government  proposes  to  complete  this work?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e): 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.  Such  works  are  prioritised  and taken  up  on  the  basis  of  its  impact  on  safety  in  train  operations, mobility of trains & impact for road users and feasibility etc.  During 2014-24, total 929 Nos. ROBs/RUBs were constructed in Maharashtra.

There are 652 Nos. Manned Level Crossings (MLCs) in Maharashtra including Ramtek Parliamentary Constituency.  318 Nos. ROBs/RUBs are sanctioned at total cost of ₹5772 crore in Maharashtra  including  Ramtek  Constituency,  which  are  at  various stages of planning and execution. Completion  &  commissioning  of  ROB/RUB  works  depends  on various  factors  like  cooperation  of   State  Governments  in  giving consent for closure of LC,  fixing of approach alignment, approval of General  Arrangement  Drawing  (GAD),  land  acquisition,  removal  of encroachment,  shifting  of  infringing  utilities,  statutory  clearances from  various  authorities,   law  and  order  situation  in  the  area  of project  /  work  sites,   duration  of  working  season  in  a  year  for  the particular  project  /  area   due  to  climatic  conditions  etc.   All  these factors affect the completion time of the projects / works.

*****