opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1404 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Flood Meteorological Offices
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath, Shri Daggumalla Prasada Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1404 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 4 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## FLOOD METEOROLOGICAL OFFICES

1404.   SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH: SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) number of flood meteorological offices that are currently functioning in the country;
- (b) the location of these offices along with the latest technology used in forecasting floods;
- (c) the time by when flood forecasts are made by the FMO;
- (d) whether IMD is planning to set up new FMOs at different locations in the country;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Currently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) operates 15 Flood Meteorological Offices (FMOs) in the country.
- (b) The details of the location-wise FMOs are provided in Annexure-1.
- (c) Flood forecast is the mandate of the CWC. The IMD-FMOsmainly issue river sub-basinwise  Quantitative  Precipitation  Forecasts  (QPF)  and  Hydromet  Bulletin  at  0930  hours and 1230 hours every day, respectively.These inputs are used for flood forecasts by the Central Flood Forecasting Division (CFFDs) of CWC.
- (d)-(e)  Yes. A new FMO at MC Shimla has been approved for the sub-basins of the Beas, Satluj rivers, and Ranjit Sagar dam.
- (f) Does not arise.

|   S. No. | Location of FMOs      |
|----------|-----------------------|
|        1 | Agra                  |
|        2 | Ahmedabad             |
|        3 | Asansol               |
|        4 | Bengaluru             |
|        5 | Bhubaneswar           |
|        6 | Chennai               |
|        7 | Guwahati              |
|        8 | Hyderabad             |
|        9 | Jalpaiguri            |
|       10 | Lucknow               |
|       11 | Srinagar              |
|       12 | Thiruvananthapuram    |
|       13 | New Delhi             |
|       14 | Patna                 |
|       15 | DVC Met. Unit Kolkata |

********

Annexure-1
Lok Sabha Question No. 1403 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Improvement of Mobile connectivity in West Bengal
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1403 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## IMPROVEMENT OF MOBILE CONNECTIVITY IN WEST BENGAL

## 1403.   DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the specific steps taken to improve mobile and internet connectivity in remote and rural areas of Jalpaiguri district, particularly under the BharatNet project and the timeline for completing these initiatives;
- (b) whether there are plans to establish more digital and telecom infrastructure in North Bengal particularly in Jalpaiguri to support economic activities and enhance connectivity for residents, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the number of villages in Jalpaiguri currently lacking reliable mobile network coverage, and the measures being taken to address this gap?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) To  improve  mobile  and  internet  connectivity  in  remote  and  rural  areas  of  West  Bengal including Jalpaiguri district, Government has taken up 'BharatNet' and 'Saturation of 4G Mobile Services'  projects  with  funding  from  Digital  Bharat  Nidhi  (DBN)  [erstwhile  Universal  Service Obligation Fund (USOF)]. As of date, all 80 Gram Panchayats (GPs) of Jalpaiguri has been made service ready under BharatNet Project, and all villages of Jalpaiguri have 4G mobile coverage.
- (b) The Government has approved the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) covering all GPs in the country on ring network, up-gradation of existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, and connectivity to remaining non-GP villages (about 3.8 lakh) on demand basis.
- (c) Does not arise, in view of (a) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1401 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Dedicated Rail Rakes for Transportation of Gypsum Accumulation  in Odisha
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1401 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## DEDICATED RAIL RAKES FOR TRANSPORTATION OF GYPSUM

## ACCUMULATION IN ODISHA

## 1401. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  considered  providing  dedicated  rail rakes  for  the  transportation  of  gypsum  accumulation  from  Paradip  in Odisha;
- (b) if  so,  the  reasons  for  not  providing  adequate  rail  rakes  for  this purpose, despite the potential for increased revenue generation; and
- (c) whether the Government is planning to introduce specialized freight trains or logistics corridors to address the growing gypsum stockpile at Paradip  and  to  facilitate  more  efficient  transportation  of  the  mineral  to various destinations, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (c):  Gypsum  is  loaded  in  rakes  having  both  covered  and  open wagons  like  BCN  group,  BOXN  group  &  BOST  wagons  from  Paradeep, Odisha. Adequate rakes are made available as and when required.

Further,  to  increase  the  carrying  capacity  of  railway  lines  leading  to Paradeep, following projects have recently been sanctioned:

1. Paradeep-Badabandha 3rd & 4th line.
2. Flyover between Siju and Paradeep Coaching Yard.

3. Flyover at Haridaspur.

In  addition,  following  surveys  have  also  been  sanctioned  for  capacity enhancement in the area:

1. Paradeep-Haridaspur Doubling (80 km)
2. Flyover at Cuttack (40 km)
3. Cuttack-Badabandha 3 rd  and 4 th  line (72 km)

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1397 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Encouraging Adoption of Solar Rooftop
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Dr. Kadiyam Kavya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1397

ANSWERED ON 04/12/2024

## ENCOURAGING ADOPTION OF SOLAR ROOFTOP

## 1397. DR. KADIYAM KAVYA

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

- (a) whether the Government is encouraging DISCOMs to promote rooftop solar and increase its adoption and if so, the details of the steps taken in this regard;
- (b) whether there are any special financing mechanisms or low-interest loans available for DISCOMs to invest in rooftop solar infrastructure and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether Government has taken steps to raise public awareness about the benefits ofrooftop solar; and
- (d) if so, the manner in which DISCOMs are involved in these awareness campaigns?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF  STATE  FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a)  The  PM  Surya  Ghar  Muft  Bijli  Yojana  (PMSG:  MBY)  has  a  provision  of  incentivising DISCOMs to facilitate promotion of rooftop solar and increase its adoption. A total financial outlay of Rs 4,950 crore has been provisioned under the scheme for this purpose.

In addition, the scheme has provisions for providing service charges, support for awareness and outreach, support for capacity building that will also encourage DISCOMs in promotion of rooftop solar.

Further,  measures  such  as  waiver  of  technical  feasibility  approval,  auto  load  enhancement, ensuring  availability  of  net-meters,  prioritising  installation  of  smart-meters  for  rooftop  solar consumers are also encouraging promotion of rooftop solar by the DISCOMs.

- (b) No.

However, there is a provision of collateral free loan for from Nationalised Banks at concessional interest rate of 7% and tenure of 10 years for residential consumers installing rooftop solar plants of capacity upto 3 kW under the PMSG: MBY.

- (c)  &  (d)  The  Ministry  is  running  a  comprehensive  Awareness  and  Outreach  campaign  for promotion of rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. This campaign includes Radio jingles, Nukkad Naataks, publicity on television, Audio-visual in theatres, website campaign, etc. DISCOMs being the implementing agencies of the scheme in the states work closely with MNRE for IEC activities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1394 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Upgradation of Chandigarh Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1394 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## UPGRADATION OF CHANDIGARH RAILWAY STATION

1394.    SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  current  status  of  the  upgradation  of  Chandigarh  Railway Station;
- (b) the details of budgetary  allocation  and  utilization for the renovation of the Railway Station, phase-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has set a timeline for the completion of the renovation work, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the delay; and
- (d) the reason for halting the renovation work, the time by which the Government  plans  to  resume  it,  and  the  expected  timeline  for  its completion?

## 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.  1394  BY  SHRI  MANISH  TEWARI  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.12.2024 REGARDING UPGRADATION OF CHANDIGARH RAILWAY STATION Ministry  of  Railways  has  identified  Chandigarh  Station  as one the of the stations for redevelopment under 'Amrit Bharat Station Scheme'  for  a  total  cost  of  approx  ₹436  Cr.  This  scheme  envisages development  of  stations  on  a  continuous  basis  with  a  long  term

(a) to (d): approach.

The  work  for  redevelopment  of  Chandigarh  Railway  station  has progressed  well  and  the  structural  works  for  station  building  at Punchkula Side and Chandigarh Side have been completed. The works of air  concourse,  foot  over  bridges, parking, finishes of station buildings etc have also been taken up.

Further, development/redevelopment 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.  The  progress  also  gets  affected  due  to  brown field 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,  restrictions  due  to  works  carried  out  in  close proximity of high voltage power lines etc . and these factors affect the completion  time . Therefore,  no  time  frame  can  be  indicated  at  this stage. Renovation/redevelopment work of Chandigarh Railway Station has not been stopped since it started on 11.01.2023.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1393 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: iGOT Lab
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Damodar Agrawal, Shri Alok Sharma, Shri Radheshyam Rathiya, Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh, Dr. Alok Kumar Suman

## iGOT Lab

1393.

Shri Damodar Agrawal:

Shri Alok Sharma:

Shri Radheshyam Rathiya:

Shri NabaCharan Majhi:

Smt. Smita Uday Wagh:

Dr. Alok Kumar Suman:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- a. the primary objective of iGOT Lab set up by the Government along with the details of the specific courses being offered therein for enhancing the skills of the employees;
- b. the  details  of  the  plan  to  promote  the  participation  in  online  learning programmes of iGOT lab along with the incentives likely to be given to the employees completing maximum number of courses; and
- c. the other initiatives being taken by the Government to bring improvement in redressal of complaints and ensure transparency and accountability?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING, MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c)  The  primary  objective  of  Integrated  Government  Online  Training (iGOT) Lab is to provide equitable access to technology for officials to

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1393 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

complete training on the iGOT Karmayogi Portal, particularly those, who are not using personal computers in their official work such as MTS, Staff Car Drivers,  Canteen  Staffs  and  Record  Keepers  etc.  The  specific  courses introduced  through  the  iGOT  Karmayogi  Portal  to  enhance  employee  skills include:

1. Swachata Hi Seva Training Module
2. 2.Basic Computer Course for New Entrants
3. Leave Rules
4. 4.Multi-Tasking Karmayogi Prarambh
5. Cyber Security Basics etc.

Measures  and  incentives  to  encourage  participation  in  iGOT  lab's  online learning programmes are:

1. Media  Units  are  tasked  with  establishing  iGOT  Labs  by  identifying
2. suitable locations.
2. Employees are informed and encouraged to utilize the Lab for online training.
3. A detailed training schedule is provided, allowing employees to plan accordingly.
4. Reporting  officers  will  ensure  that  MTS  and  other  officials  are allotted time for completing the training.
5. Employees who successfully complete maximum number of the iGOT training  courses  are  publicly  recognized  by  giving  certificates  for their dedication.

In  so  far  as  grievance  redressal  is  concerned,  the  pendencies  are reviewed  and  monitored  on  a  regular  basis  to  improve  the  quality  of grievance  redressal  and  to  reduce  the  time  taken  in  resolution  of  the grievances. The Ministry has also undertaken an initiative to obtain feedback from the applicants in order to strengthen internal resolution mechanism and to ensure transparency and accountability.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1392 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Lack of 4G/5G Network
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1392 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## LACK OF 4G/5G NETWORK

## 1392.   SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has noticed that the total number of 5G/4G towers available in northern part of Kerala is very less compared to telecom density of the region and if so, complete details thereof; and
- (b) the details of the steps being taken to increase the number of such towers in the northern part of Kerala?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There are over 30,000 4G/5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) available in northern part of Kerala State. Further, 4G/5G BTS count per thousand population in northern part of Kerala is almost similar as compared to whole of Kerala State. A comparative Table has been provided in Annexure-I . Moreover, there are 331 4G BTSs being installed across Kerala under 4G-Saturation project funded by Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). This includes 88 4G BTSs in northern parts of Kerala.
- (b) Does not arise in view of above.

## Annexure-I

Annexure to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1392 to be answered on 04.12.2024.

## Comparison between Towers and 4G/5G BTSs in northern Kerala and whole of Kerala State:

|   Sr. No. | Parameters                      | Northern part of Kerala State   | Whole of Kerala State   |
|-----------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|-------------------------|
|         1 | Population (Census 2011)        | 1,18,47,011                     | 3,34,06,061             |
|         2 | Mobile Tower Count              | 7,757                           | 23,041                  |
|         3 | Tower Count per 1000 Population | 0.6548                          | 0.6897                  |
|         4 | 4G/5G BTS count                 | 30,837                          | 87,477                  |
|         5 | 4G/5G BTS per 1000 population   | 2.6029                          | 2.6186                  |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1391 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Death of four Sanitary Workers near Shoranur Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1391 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## DEATH OF FOUR SANITARY WORKERS NEAR SHORANUR RAILWAY STATION

1391. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  any  action  has  been  initiated  by  the  Government  for  the recent  death  of  four  sanitary  workers  who  were  run  over  by  the Thiruvananthapuram-bound Kerala Express near Shoranur Railway Station;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  terms  and  conditions  of  the  employment  of  the sanitary workers fixed by the Railways;
- (c) whether the employment of the above sanitary workers is prohibited by the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Rehabilitation Act, 2013; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  reasons  therefor  and  justification  for  their  employment  by the Government?

## 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. 1391 BY SHRI HIBI EDEN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.12.2024 REGARDING DEATH OF FOUR SANITARY WORKERS NEAR SHORANUR RAILWAY STATION

(a)  to  (d)  On  02.11.2024,  after  completing their work,  the  workers were supposed to go back to Level Crossing No. 1 and return to Shoranur via road. Unfortunately, they took the shorter route via bridge.  While passing through the bridge, the train arrived at the bridge and workers could not reach the trolley refuge area. As an interim measure of relief, an amount of rupees ₹ 1,00,000/- (one lakh) each has been disbursed to the next of kin of the deceased by the Railway. As  per  the  special  conditions  of  the  contract,  the  contractor  had  to ensure  the  safety  of  workers  engaged  by  him  during  the  course  of execution of work and/or while crossing the track. The work involved was picking up of plastic/paper cups, plates, plastic bottles  etc.  nearby  Railway  track,  which  does  not  come  under  the purview  of  Prohibition  of  Employment  as  Manual  Scavengers  and  their

Rehabilitation Act, 2013.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1385 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: OFC with BharatNet Project
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Shyamkumar Daulat Barve

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1385 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## OFC WITH BHARATNET PROJECT

## †1385.  SHRI SHYAMKUMAR DAULAT BARVE:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes  to expand through  effective  use  of  BharatNet  enabled connectivity to transform 2.5 lakh villages into digital villages;

- (b) if so, the number of villages targeted to be covered in Maharashtra district-wise;

- (c) the length of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) in kilometer laid in the rural areas of Maharashtra so far; and

- (d) the details of the number of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections commissioned along with the number of Wi-Fi hotspots set up to ensure last-mile connectivity district-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) BharatNet  project  is  being  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  to  provide  broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) (around 2.65 lakh) of the country, including 27,939 GPs in Maharashtra.

(b) to (d) The Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) laid under BharatNet in Maharashtra is 85,290 km, till October end, 2024. The details of district-wise number of GPs made service ready and Fiber-tothe-Home  (FTTH)  connections  commissioned  under  BharatNet  in  Maharashtra  are  available  on Digital Bharat Nidhi website (https://usof.gov.in/). Total Wi-Fi hotspots installed under BharatNet in the state is 12,054 GPs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1383 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Expansion of National Green Hydrogen Mission
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri P V Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1383

ANSWERED ON 04/12/2024

## EXPANSION OF NATIONAL GREEN HYDROGEN MISSION

## 1383. SHRI P V MIDHUN REDDY

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to expand the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) in line with the goal of net Zero carbon production by 2050 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has identified possible sites for the setting up of green hydrogen plants and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted an environmental impact assessment of such plants; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Roadmap for the National Green Hydrogen Mission has been prepared upto 2030.
- (b) Site  identification  is  the  prerogative  of  the  respective  companies  based  on  commercial consideration.

(c)& (d) Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, vide Office Memorandum dated 28 th July 2023 regarding 'Clarification on the applicability of EIA Notification 2006 for manufacturing  Green  Ammonia  /  Green  Hydrogen,'  have  clarified  that  Standalone  plants producing Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia by way of electrolysis of water using Renewable Energy, shall not require prior EC under the provisions of EIA Notification 2006.

*****