opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1467 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Re-development of Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Manju Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1467 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## RE-DEVELOPMENT OF STATIONS

†1467.  SMT. MANJU SHARMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  process  of  re-development  of  Stations  including  the safety  of  passengers  and  trains  needs  various  statutory  approvals from urban/local bodies;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the said factors affect the time of completion of work; and
- (d) if so, the number of stations where work is incomplete due to the said factors?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  1467  BY  SMT.  MANJU  SHARMA  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.12.2024 REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT OF STATIONS

(a) to (d) Modernization/upgradation/redevelopment of railway stations is a continuous and ongoing process. The development/redevelopment of  stations  is  complex  in  nature  involving  safety  of  passengers  & trains and requires various statutory clearances such as fire clearance, heritage, tree cutting, airport clearance, etc. The progress also  gets  affected  due  to  brownfield  related  challenges  such  as shifting of utilities (involving water/sewage lines, optical fibre cables, gas pipe lines, power/signal cables, etc.), infringements, operation of trains without hindering passenger movement, speed restrictions due to  works  carried  out  in  close  proximity  of  tracks  and  high  voltage power lines, etc. and these factors affect the completion time.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1466 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Wastage of  Foodgrans
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1466 (OIH)

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## WASTAGE OF FOODGRAINS

1466.   SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:

(OIH)

## Will  the  Minister  of CONSUMER AFFAIRS,  FOOD  AND  PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any survey related to foodgrains in the country and if so, the detials thereof;
- (b) the details and the reasons for the quantity of food wasted in Dadra and Nagar Haveli;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to formulate a policy to reduce food wastage in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  reduce  wastage  of  food  in  Government  offices,  canteens  and food shops; and
- (e) whether the Government has introduced incentives to reduce wastage of food items at private places and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री बी.एल. वर्मा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a) to (e): No  survey  related  to  foodgrains  in  the  country  has  been  conducted  by  the  Ministry  of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCA, F&PD). However, MoCA, F&PD through its 11 Quality  Control  Cells  all  over  the  country  supplements  quality  control  measures  of  FCI  and  State Governments by taking random samples from warehouses of FCI, CWC and State Agencies, Fair Price Shops etc. and analyzing them. Corrective action is also taken as per Quality Manual as and when required.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is committed to ensure the availability of safe food products including food grains to the consumers across the country. FSSAI conducts regular surveillance of  various  food  products  throughout  the  year  for  ensuring  quality  and  safety  of  the  food  product.  In September, 2024, a Surveillance Drive was conducted for 'Food grains including Pulses, Rice, Wheat, Oats, Millets, Lentil, Green gram etc.) to check safety and quality parameters.

There is no proposal under consideration of MoCA, F&PD for formulating a policy to reduce food wastage in the country. However, to reduce food wastage in government offices, canteens, food outlets, etc, Government  has  carried  out  publicity  campaigns  through  print  and  electronic  media  from  time  to  time  to sensitize  people  against  food  wastage.  In  addition,  States/UTs  were  advised  by  the  Central  Government  to include a chapter on prevention of food wastage in the school syllabi in order to inculcate awareness among young students and sensitize them on the subject.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1459 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Freight Maintenance Facilities at Barwadih
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Dulu Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1459

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## FREIGHT MAINTENANCE FACILITIES AT BARWADIH

## 1459. SHRI DULU MAHATO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has approved the proposal for the improvement of freight maintenance facilities at Barwadih depot, and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the current status and the estimated cost of the improvement project for freight maintenance facilities at Barwadih depot;
- (c) the improvements planned for the freight maintenance facilities at said depot;
- (d)  whether  these  improvements  will  enhance  the  operational  efficiency and capacity for freight handling at said depot, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether any additional infrastructure or equipment is planned as part of the improvement project, and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons for not initiating the project?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (f)  To  improve  safety  in  train  operations,    improve  operational efficiency,  reduce  wagon  turnaround  time  etc.,  Indian  Railways  have taken up several steps including upgradation/augmentation/improvement of  its  freight  maintenance  facilities.  During  the  last  five  years,  works costing above Rs. 7000 Crores have been taken up for this initiative. The work  for  improvement  of  freight  maintenance  facilities,  Barwadih  has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 29.48 Crores.

## Some key features of the project are as under:-

- I. Extension of shed, additional service building, Overhauling sections  etc.
2. Electrical  facilities  in  the  extended  shed  and  improvement  in
- II. lighting and power supply.
- III.    Provision of modern machines.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1454 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Buying of Rice by States directly from FCI
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1454 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH DECEMBER, 2024

## BUYING OF RICE BY STATES DIRECTLY FROM FCI

## 1454.  SHRI VK  SREEKANDAN:

Will  the Minister of  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND  PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION WIt%T mid, @ra at  1IT#gfiqfiawr git be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has allowed the State Governments to buy rice directly  from the Food Corporation of  India (FCI)  under the Open Market  Sale Scheme (Domestic) without partICIpatIng in  e-auctIon;
- (b) if  so, whether this  decision was taken to  reduce the  huge surplus stocks ahead of  the procurement after kharif season and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether State can buy more rice over the stipulated 5 kg of free grain per individual  under the Pradhan Manta  Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana at Rs. 2,800 per quintal instead of the earlier price and if  so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether it  is also true that when the State Governments demanded more rice in the same fashion earlier, the same was not allowed;  and
- (e) if  so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI atATI  NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (c): Yes, Sir.  As per the extant Open Market  Sale Scheme (Domestic)  [OMSS(D)]  for year 2024-25, sale of rice to Governments of non-surplus States which require additional rice to meet their requirement, is allowed without participating in e-auction.

The objective of  OMSS (D) is to increase the availability  of  foodgrains in the market and to control the inflationary trend through sale of foodgrains in excess of requirements of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) and buffer stocks.

(d) to (e): Keeping in  view  the need to  maintain sufficient stocks for  necessary market intervention  to control prices of rice, sale of rice to State Governments under OMSS(D) 2023-24 was discontinued with  effect from  13.06.2023.  However, sale of  rice continued to North-eastern states, hill  states, states facing  law  &  order  situations  and natural  calamities.

####8
Lok Sabha Question No. 1450 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Distress of Paddy Farmers in Kerala
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1450 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH DECEMBER, 2024

## DISTRESS OF PADDY FARMERS IN KERALA

## 1450. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will  the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION WftnT wig,  WaS$1HT+gfl%i86m  +it  be pleased to  state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the struggle of paddy farmers in Kerala due to crop procurement issues and delayed payments and if  so, the details thereoe
- (b) whether the Government has received any request/proposal from the State of Kerala to address paddy procurement  issues and if  so, the details thereof  and the action taken thereon;
- (c) the details of  central assistance provided to Kerala for  paddy procurement during the last three years and the current year;
- (d) whether the Government will  consider any special assistance to the State to support the distressed farmers;  and
- (e) if  so, the details thereon

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBUAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (e): Kerala is  a  Decentralized Procurement (DCP)  State wherein procurement operations are carried out by the  State Government and its  agencies. The responsibility of payment of Minimum Support Price (MSP)  to the farmers rests with  the State Government.

Necessary directions  have been issued by Government  of India  to the State Government of Kerala for payment of MSP to  farmers preferably within 48 Hours from the issue of procurement receipt and not more than 7 days in any case.

Being a deficit DCP state, the foodgrains procured by the State Govt. of Kerala are consumed within  the State. The expenditure (including  MSP and other incidental)  incurred by the State Government on procurement and distribution of food grains to the beneficiaries of various Central Schemes is reimbursed by the Government of India.

Government of India releases food subsidy as per the relevant clauses of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Govt. of India and State Govt. of Kerala which provide for release of  food  subsidy on  the  basis of  quarterly  claims  submitted by  the  State Govt.  for distribution of  food grains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) &  Other Welfare Schemes (OWS). The details of  funds released to the State Government of Kerala towards food subsidy during last three years and current year are as under:

| Financial Year              |   Amount released (Rs.in Crores) |
|-----------------------------|----------------------------------|
| 2021 -22                    |                          1777.86 |
| 2022-23                     |                          1544.89 |
| 2023-24                     |                          1151.85 |
| 2024-25 (As on 3 1.10.2024) |                           369.86 |

#888+
Lok Sabha Question No. 1448 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Tags of Special Trains during COVID-19
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1448 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## TAGS OF SPECIAL TRAINS DURING COVID-19

†1448. SHRI AMRA RAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to categories back all the passenger trains as mail and express trains which were given the tags of special trains during COVID-19; and

(b) if so, by when and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)    and (b) With a view to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, Indian Railways had discontinued the operation of all regular passenger carrying trains  with  effect  from  23rd  March,  2020  and  only  special  train  services were being operated. Meanwhile, Indian Railways also undertook rationalization of the time table with the assistance of IIT-Bombay. Consequent upon the rationalisation exercise, all Mail/express train services  are  being  operated  as  per  rationalized  timetable  and  regular numbers, since November-2021.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1441 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Nuclear Power Plant
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Kumari Selja

## 1441.  KUMARI SELJA

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a)   the status and progress of 2800 MW Nuclear Power Plant at Village Gorakhpur, district Fatehabad, Haryana;
- (b)  the details of amount sanctioned and utilised so far for the construction of this plant; and
- (c)  the time by when the work of this plant is likely to be completed and power generation to start along with the number of MWs of power to be generated?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) The 2800 MW nuclear power project at Gorakhpur in Fatehabad district of Haryana is being set up in two phases of twin units, GHAVP 1&2 (2X700 MW) and GHAVP 3&4 (2X700 MW). Presently,  in  GHAVP  1&2,  major  contracts  such  as  Main  Plant  Civil  Package, Nuclear  Island  Package,  Main  Plant  Electrical  &  Switchyard  Package,  Turbine  Island Package, IDCT package, water conveyance system have been awarded. Construction of various buildings is in progress. Orders for long delivery equipment have been placed and receipts of some of the equipment at site have commenced. In GHAVP-3&4 (2 X 700 MW), geotechnical investigation has been completed and other pre-project activities are in progress.
- (b) The sanctioned cost of GHAVP 1&2 and GHAVP 3&4 is Rs. 20,594 crore and Rs. 21,000 crore respectively. The cumulative expenditure till September, 2024 had been Rs. 7161 crore in GHAVP 1&2 and Rs. 201 crore in GHAVP 3&4 respectively.
- (c) GHAVP-1&2 is expected to be completed in the year 2031 and GHAVP- 3&4 in 2032. On successful completion, GHAVP-1 to 4 will produce 2800 MW of electricity.

******

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1441

ANSWERED ON 04/12/2024

## NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Lok Sabha Question No. 1439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Awareness about Welfare Schemes
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1439

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## AWARENESS ABOUT WELFARE SCHEMES

## 1439.   SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has evaluated the performance of its awareness campaign initiated to  create  awareness  among  the  minority  communities  regarding  the  schemes/programmes meant for their welfare in the country and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(b)

whether there is an increase in the number of beneficiaries of the said schemes/programmes after

such awareness

campaign and

if so,

the details

thereof,

State/UT-wise

Scheme/Programme-wise during each of the last three years and the current year; and

- (c) the details of other steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) to  (c):The awareness  campaign  is  carried  out  under  the  Scheme  of  Research  /  Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation of Development Schemes including Publicity of the Ministry to create awareness among the six centrally notified minority communities. The Government has  taken  up  multi-media  campaigns  to  spread  awareness  of  welfare  schemes  meant  for minorities  through  print  and  electronic  media,  FM  Channels  all  over  the  country.  Pocket booklets and pamphlets on various schemes / programmes of the Ministry are published in Hindi,  English,  Urdu  and  other  regional  languages.  In  order  to  directly  reach  out  to  the public, especially minority communities, and spread awareness among them, 'Hunar Haats' have been organized at various locations. In addition, Ministry also supports conducting of workshops  /  seminars  through  Project  Implementing  Agencies  (PIAs)  to  create  more awareness about the schemes / programmes implemented by this Ministry.

*****

and
Lok Sabha Question No. 1438 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Number of Redeveloped Railway Stations by RLDA
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1438 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## NUMBER OF REDEVELOPED RAILWAY STATIONS BY RLDA

1438.    SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  stations  assigned  to  RLDA  for  redevelopment that have been completed;
- (b)  whether  there  is  a  timeline  and  budget  allocation  for  the remaining  stations  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the reasons therefor; and
- (c)  whether  any  stations  have  been  prioritized  for  redevelopment and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1438 BY SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.12.2024  REGARDING NUMBER OF REDEVELOPED RAILWAY STATIONS BY RLDA

(a) to (c): Redevelopment  work  of  three  Railway  Stations  viz.  Rani Kamlapati,  Bhopal;  Gandhinagar  (Capital)  and  Gomti  Nagar  Lucknow (Phase-I)  assigned  to  Rail  Land  Development  Authority  (RLDA)  have been completed and commissioned.

Modernisation/Upgradation  of  Railway  Stations  is  complex  in  nature involving safety of passengers & trains and requires various statutory clearances  such  as  fire  clearance,  heritage,  tree  cutting,  airport clearance etc. and  different stations have different project schedules, therefore, timelines cannot be indicated at this stage.

The allocation of funds for development and maintenance of stations are  maintained  Zonal  Railway-wise  and  not  State-wise/UT-wise  or

Station-wise,  generally  under  Plan  Head  -  53  'Customer  Amenities'. Remaining railway stations assigned to RLDA fall under the jurisdiction  of  Northern  Railway  (NR),  North  East  Railway  (NER), Central Railway (CR), East Central Railway (ECR) and Western Railway (WR)  Zones  and  the  total  allocation  of  fund  under  Plan-Head-53  to these Railway Zones in Budget 2024-25 is ₹8119.57Cr.

Further, development/redevelopment of stations on Indian Railways is a  continuous  and  on-going  process  and  works  in  this  regard  are undertaken as per requirement, subject to inter-se priority and availability  of  funds.  The  priority  for  development/redevelopment  of stations is accorded to higher category of station over lower category of station while sanctioning and executing the work.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1437 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Research on Renewable Energy Sources
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1437 ANSWERED ON 04/12/2024

## RESEARCH ON RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

## 1437. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the  initiatives  taken  to  promote  research  on  renewable  energy  sources suitable for Andhra Pradesh's geographical conditions;
- (b) the  collaboration,  if  any,  with  local  institutions  and  involvement  of researchers from minority communities in these efforts; and
- the plans to implement the finding of such research for the benefit of rural

## ANSWER

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

विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी तथा पृ थ्िी विज्ञान मंत्रालय क े राज्य मंत्री ( स्ितंत्र प्रभार)

(डॉ. जितेंद्र स ंह)

- (a) to (b):  Yes Sir. Government of India has taken several initiatives to promote research on renewable energy sources across various states in the country. In Andhra Pradesh, 18 projects have been supported by Department of Science and Technology  (DST)  -  Anusandhan  National  Research  Foundation  (ANRF)  and Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) program in the area of  renewable  energy.  The  following  projects/collaborations  were  engaged  in Andhra Pradesh:
-  ANRF's program on Empowerment and Equity Opportunities for Excellence in Science (EMEQ) provided support to researchers from minority communities.
-  Project on Low-cost fish dryer to enhance socio-economic status of ST fishing community in Kona Seema Region of Andhra Pradesh
-  Project on low-cost Lantern to improve quality livelihood of fishermen in Kona Seema Region of Andhra Pradesh
- (c) The findings of research and development related to renewable energy are being disseminated to all sections of the society, including rural and tribal areas, through workshops/ stakeholder meetings and by engaging with local stakeholders.

*****

- (c) and tribal areas?