opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1380 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Export and Import of Biofuels
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1380

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th July, 2023

## EXPORT AND IMPORT OF BIOFUELS

## 1380. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

## पेोिलयम और ाकृितक गैस मंी

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  imposed  restrictions  on  the  export  and  import  of biofuels and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has permitted the  import of petroleum  bitumen  and other residues of petroleum oils and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  National  Policy  on  biofuels,  2018  has  been  able  to  make  progress  to meet its indicative blending target of twenty per cent ethanol in petrol and five per cent biodiesel in diesel by 2030; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## पेोिलयम और ाकृितक गैस मंालय म राय मंी ( ी रामेर तेली )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a)  &  (b):  To  promote  the  production  of  biofuels  in  the  country  and  to  increase  its availability, the Government has restricted the import and export of biofuels. Accordingly, the import of biofuels is 'Restricted' under three Harmonized System (HS) codes of 22072000, 27102000 and 3826000. Further, import of Petroleum Bitumen and other residues is 'Free' which are covered under HS codes 27132000 and 27139000.

(c) & (d): To increase production and utilization of ethanol, the Government has taken several  measures  which  includes  expansion  of  feedstock  for  production  of  ethanol; administered  price  mechanism  for  procurement  of  ethanol  under  the  Ethanol  Blended Petrol  (EBP)  Programme;  lowered  GST  rate  to  5%  on  ethanol  for  EBP  Programme; amendment in Industries (Development & Regulation) Act for free movement of ethanol across states for blending; interest subvention scheme for enhancement and augmentation of ethanol production capacity in the country; regular floating of Expression of Interest (EoI) by  Public Sector  Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for procurement of ethanol. The  above  measures  resulted  in  increasing  average  blending  percentage  of  ethanol  in petrol  from  4.22%  in  Ethanol  Supply  Year  (ESY)  2017-18  to  11.77%  during  ongoing ESY 2022-23 (till 23.07.2023).

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1379 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Aviation Working Group
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION Lok Sabha

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1379 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  27th July 2023 )

## AVIATION WORKING GROUP

1379.    DR. SHASHI THAROOR Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether the Government has taken cognizance of the move by Aviation Working Group to place India in a negative outlook under its compliance index;
- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to prevent the potential increase in leasing costs for Indian airlines as a consequence of the move and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has made any efforts to bolster investor confidence in the wake of this move to protect the rise of India's aviation sector; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION      (GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

- (a) The Government is aware that Aviation Working Group (AWG) has placed India in the watchlist of Cape Town Convention Compliance
- Index.

;

- (b)  to  (d)  India  is  a  Contracting  State    to  the  Convention  On International Interests in Mobile Equipment and the Protocol to the Convention on matters specific to Aircraft Equipment, each signed at Cape Town on 16th November, 2001.;

India had acceeded to the Convention and Protocol on 31st March 2008 accepting its objective to achieve efficient financing of high value mobile equipment, like airframes, helicopters and engines, in order  to  make  the  operations  as  cost  effective  and  affordable  as possible.  The  Government  in  consultation  with  stakeholders  has drafted a Bill to enact the objectives of the Convention and Protocol.; ; Additionally,  in  order  to  facilitate  the  repossession  of  aircraft,  the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had issued Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) 12 of 2018. India has already enacted the required rules and regulations for de-registration of aircraft. ;

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1376 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Acquisition of Land for Renewable Energy Projects
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: T.N. Prathapan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1376

ANSWERED ON 27.07.2023

## ACQUISITION OF LAND FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS

1376. SHRI T.N. PRATHAPAN Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state: (a) the specific steps taken/being taken by the Government to identify and acquire suitable land to develop renewable energy projects across the country; (b) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to overcome any potential land acquisition challenges; (c) the progress made on the digitization of land records allocated to renewable energy sector; and (d) the incentives or support mechanisms that are in place to incentivize landowners to lease their land for renewable energy projects?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a)  Renewable  Energy  projects  are  implemented  largely  through  private  investments  and  land acquisition is undertaken by the respective project developers as required. Government gives assistance for setting up Solar parks under the Solar Park scheme.

(b) to (d) Land is a state subject, and states are required to take steps for digitization of land records and overcome land acquisition challenges.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1373 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Slow pace of NH Construction
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Dhal Singh Bisen

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  fixed  any  target  for  construction  of  highways during the year 2023- 24 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that as compared to the target of 12000 km of highway construction, only 3559 km of highways have been constructed up to September this year and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for slow pace of construction of highways;
- (c) the names of the affected highways;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  made  an  assessment  of  the  likely  roadmap achieve its remaining target; and
- (e)    if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) to (e) The Ministry has set construction targets of 13,814 km for the financial year 2023-24. As on June, 2023, construction of 2250 KMs has been reported by various implementing  agencies.  The  Ministry  has  urged  the  implementing  agencies  to prepare detailed action plan to achieve construction target by March, 2024

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1373

## ANSWERED ON 27 TH  JULY 2023

## SLOW PACE OF NH CONSTRUCTION

1373. DR. DHAL SINGH BISEN:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 1372 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Upgradation of Kargil Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1372

(To be answered on the 27 th  July 2023)

## UPGRADATION OF KARGIL AIRPORT

## 1372. SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the details of the status of upgradation of the existing airport of Kargil
- district in Union Territory of Ladakh;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to construct new airports in Kargil District  at  Wakha,  Padum in Zanskar Sub division and other parts of
- Ladakh;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government has planned to operate civil flight in Kargil District and Nubra valley of Leh District and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

- (a): Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) on 21.10.2016 to stimulate regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses. Kargil airport is owned by Indian Air Force and has been identified for the development under UDAN scheme. An expenditure of Rs. 0.30 crore has been incurred by 30.06.2023 on the development of Kargil airport out of the total sanctioned budget of Rs. 9.20 crore.
- (b) & (c): A multi-disciplinary team from Airports Authority of India, Indian Air Force and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had visited sites at Turtuk (Nubra valley), Diskit (Nubra Tehsil), Nyoma, Padum/Zanskar, Wakha and Kargil in the year 2021 for examining feasibility of these sites for construction of airstrips. However, none of the sites was found suitable for construction of airstrips as none meets the International Civil Aviation Organization provisions or DGCA guidelines for designing of Runway and Instrument Approach & Landing considering normal air operations.

(d): UDAN routes connecting Kargil Airport with Srinagar and Jammu have been awarded to M/s Spicejet Ltd. under UDAN 4.2 round of bidding. The routes Thoise (Nubra) -Srinagar-Thoise and Thoise-Chandigarh-Thoise were awarded to M/s Spicejet Ltd. for operation of UDAN flights during UDAN-4.1 round  of  bidding.  Subsequently,  the  Selected  Airline  Operator  has surrendered these routes. If any airline submits a valid bid for operation of UDAN flights from Thoise (Nubra), under the forthcoming rounds of bidding, the same shall be considered as per the provisions of Scheme document.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1369 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Revival of Expressway Project
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Chennai  Port -Maduravoyal  Elevated  Expressway  project abondoned since 2012 is proposed to be revived with the modified plan;
- (b) if so, the details of the new project including cost;
- (c) the time by which work is likely to commence;
- (d) whether this project would be under PM Gati Shakti Scheme; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor and the steps taken by the Government /NHAI for timely completion of the proposal?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) Chennai Port -Maduravoyal project, which was originally commenced on 14.09.2010, was suspended on 01.02.2012 due to the 'stop work notice' issued by the Water Resources Department (WRD), Govt. of Tamil Nadu (GoTN). Project was terminated  in  April,  2016.  Subsequently,  the  project  was  revived  by  mutual agreement of stakeholders, viz GoTN, Chennai Port, Indian Navy & NHAI. A MoU in May 2022 was executed by the stakeholders for the project for construction of two  level,  4-lane  elevated  road  with  13  ramps  (entry  /  exit)  at  first  level.  The project  was  approved  on  06.03.2023  for  construction  in  4  Packages  with  an Estimated Project cost of Rs.5510 Cr and Capital Cost of Rs. 6106 Cr and is under bidding stage.
- (d) to (e)    The projects costing more than Rs.500 crore is planned through PM Gati Shakti National Master platform and routed through the same  for comprehensive consultation and holistic planning.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1369 ANSWERED ON 27 TH  JULY 2023

## REVIVAL OF EXPRESSWAY PROJECT

## 1369. SHRI T.R. BAALU:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 1368 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Skill Development Training for Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jyotsna Charandas Mahant

## Skill Development Training for Minorities

## 1368. SHRIMATI JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:

Will the Minister of Minority Affairs be pleased to state:

(a)  the  number  of  persons/  youth  imparted  Skill  Development  Training  under  the  Skill Development Scheme for the minority communities each year from the year 2019-20 till 2023;

- (b)  the  number  of  women/  girls  belonging  to  minority  communities  having  been  imparted training under Modular Employable Skills (MES) since the scheme came into effect; and

(c)  the  total  number  of  implementing  agencies  (Institutions/  Societies/  Organisations/  NGOs) involved for skill development of the minorities?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c) The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) specifically implemented skill development schemes namely 'Seekho Aur Kamao', 'USTTAD' and 'Nai Manzil' for the six notified minority communities.

Seekho  aur  Kamao  (SAK)  scheme,  launched  in  the  year  2013-14,  specifically  targeted  to upgrade the skills of minority youth (14-45 years) in various modern/ traditional skills depending upon their qualification, prevailing economic trends, and market potential, that could earn them suitable  employment  or  make  them  suitably  skilled  to  take  up  self-employment.  Under  the scheme, 85,650 women/ girls from minority groups have been trained for Modular Employable Skills (MES) courses since inception till 2016-17. From 2017-18 onwards, the Ministry adopted Common Norms completely with NSQF complaint courses.

Nai Manzil scheme launched in August 2015 and rolled out in 2016-17 was implemented with an objective  to  benefit  the  minority  youth  who  do  not  have  formal  school  leaving  certificate,  i.e. those in  the  category  of  school-dropouts or  educated  in  community  education  institutions  like Madrasas. The scheme provided a combination of formal education (Class VIII or X) and skills (in  line  with  the  Common  Norms)  and  enabled  the  beneficiaries  seek  better  employment  and livelihoods.

USTTAD scheme launched in 2015, targeted capacity building and upgrading of the traditional skills of master craftsmen/ artisans.

During  2019-20  till  2023,  a  total  of  1,04,077  beneficiaries  have  been  covered  under  these schemes.

About 330 Project Implementation Agencies (Institutions/ Societies/ Organisations/ NGOs) have trained beneficiaries under these schemes of the Ministry across various target years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1367 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Maintenance of NH
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Sitapur to Shahjahanpur section of the Lucknow-SitapurShahjahanpur-Bareilly-Rampur-Moradabad-Delhi  National  Highway  is  in  a highly dilapidated condition and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any funds have been allocated for maintenance and construction of the above section of the National Highway during the last three years;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps being taken for maintenance and repair of the said section?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d)    Shahjahanpur-Sitapur  section  is  a  part  of  Bareilly-ShahjahanpurSitapur section of National Highway (NH) - 24 (New NH-30). The work of fourlaning of Bareilly-Shahjahanpur-Sitapur section of NH-24 was awarded in 2011, however, due to various reasons, the Concession Agreement was terminated with effect from 13.04.2019. Thereafter, the balance work of the Bareilly-Sitapur section of NH-24 was awarded on 17.12.2019 and the work has been completed costing  Rs.  869.62  Crore  except  three  major/minor  bridges,  one  vehicular underpass (VUP), one road over bridge (ROB) and one overpass which have been taken up separately apart from 4-laning length. Presently, the said section is in traffic worthy condition.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1367

## ANSWERED ON 27 TH  JULY 2023

## MAINTENANCE OF NH

1367. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 1366 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Guidelines under PMAY-U
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sanjay(Kaka) Ramchandra Patil

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1366

TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 27, 2023

## GUIDELINES UNDER PMAY-U

NO. 1366.   SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

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

- (a) whether it  is  a  fact  that  under  PMAY-U  guidelines,  all  houses  under  the affordable housing in partnership with private and public sectors and InSitu Slum Redevelopment (ISSR) verticals should have basic facilities like water, sanitation and electricity;
- (b) whether it is also a fact that Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are supposed to ensure that houses under Credit Linked Subsidy scheme and Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC) verticals have access to such basic services and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that as of December 2022, 5.6 lakh houses were not
- delivered to beneficiaries due to lack of basic services;
- (d) if so, the number of these beneficiaries who are from Maharashtra; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and  the steps taken/being taken  by the
- Government to address the situation?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE)

- (a) & (b): Yes, Sir. As per Schemes guidelines, all houses constructed under In-Situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR) and Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP)  verticals  are  to  be  provided  with  basic  civic  infrastructure  like water,  sanitation,  sewerage,  road,  electricity  etc.  Urban  Local  Bodies (ULBs)  should  also  ensure  that  individual  houses  under  Credit  Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) and Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC) verticals
- also have access to basic civic services.

(c)  to  (e):  Yes,  Sir.  As  of  December  2022,  a  total  5,64,050  houses  were unoccupied in the country due to various reasons including ongoing wok of basic infrastructure at project sites and non-allotment of houses by State Govt. Out of these unoccupied houses, 79,532 houses were from Maharashtra. As per standard practices, construction in AHP/ISSR verticals is taken up block by block where each block consists of multiple dwelling units. Such dwelling units become habitable only once all the onsite  construction  activities  get  over  including  basic  physical  and  social infrastructure  facilities  which  is  ensured  by  the  concerned  State/Union Territory  (UT)  Government.  Further,  State/UTs  have  been  requested  to complete infrastructure work in all AHP/ISSR projects for timely completion and delivery to the eligible beneficiaries. Ministry reviews the status  of  implementation  of  PMAY-U  with  States/UTs  regularly  through Monthly  Progress  Reports  (MPRs),  Monthly  Review  Meetings  and  in  the meetings  of  Central  Sanctioning  and  Monitoring  Committee  (CSMC)  for completion of all ongoing work within the Mission period.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1363 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Operationalisation of Balurghat Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Sukanta Majumdar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1363

(To be answered on the 27 th  July 2023)

## OPERATIONALISATION OF BALURGHAT AIRPORT

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

1363.

DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has proposed to operationalise hundred unserved and underserved airports including the Mahinagar, Balurghat Airport in West Bengal and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the delegation of Airports Authority of India (AAI) had visited three  defunct  airports  in  northern  Bengal  including  the  Mahinagar, Balurghat Airport in December 2021 to scrutinise the readiness of the
- facilities  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof;
- (c) whether it was reported that over 90 per cent of the work at Balurghat airport at Mahinagar in Dakshin Dinajpur district was completed;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the Government's reaction thereto along with the reason for such an inordinate delay in making operational Mahinagar airport  so far; and
- (e) the steps have been taken by the Government in this regard so far?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

- (a) to (e) :  Yes, Sir. The Government has set a target to revive/develop 100 unserved and  underserved airports/heliports/water aerodromes under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) -  Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) in the country by 2024 for operation of UDAN flights. Balurghat airport in  West Bengal has not so far been  included for development under the UDAN scheme. Balurghat airstrip is suitable for  operations of aircraft having capacity for less than 20 seats. The airstrip is available in the list of unserved airports in the UDAN Document.  Ongoing UDAN 5.2 round is designed for

small aircraft. In case any  valid bid is  received for operations to/from Balurghat, the same is to be considered as per the schematic norms of UDAN 5.2. A team of officials from Airports Authority of India's (AAI) visited Cooch Behar Airport in February 2022 and Malda  and  Balurghat Airport in December 2021. Cooch Behar Airport belongs to AAI. Malda and  Balurghat Airports have been handed over to  the State Government on lease for 30 years  for development and using the Airport for non-Scheduled operation at nominal fee of Rs. 1/-. MoU has been signed in this regard on 29th June 2016.

*****